Device for connecting wiper blade to wiper arm

Disclosed herein is a device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm in which diversity and convenience of the use may be secured by selectively connecting several types of wiper arms using one adapter and in which a structure may be simplified and coupling strength may be increased using fitting and sliding assembling structures.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0023318, filed on Feb. 22, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, and more particularly, a device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm in which diversity and convenience of the use may be secured by selectively connecting several types of wiper arms using one adapter and in which a structure may be simplified and coupling strength may be increased using fitting and sliding assembling structures.

Description of the Related Art

Generally, a vehicle is installed with a wiper device for wiping a surface of a windshield. Such a wiper device includes a driving motor, a wiper arm, a blade positioned on the surface of the windshield, and the like.

Here, the driving motor provides a torque in a state in which it is installed in the vehicle, and the wiper arm wipes the surface of the windshield while reciprocating by the torque of the driving motor.

The blade includes a strip, made of rubber or the like, contacting the surface of the windshield, a frame fixing and supporting the strip in a length direction, a spoiler covering an upper surface of the frame, and the like.

The frame may be formed of an assembly having a plurality of levers, and recently, a blade using a frame having a thin and long bar shape has been used.

Such a blade has been known as a flat wiper blade or a flat bar wiper blade in the related art.

In the flat wiper blade, an entire height of the wiper device may be lowered and the strip may contact the surface of the windshield with a uniform load.

In addition, the flat wiper blade is coupled to the wiper arm by installing a connection device at a central portion of the frame and directly coupling a distal end portion of the wiper arm to the connection device.

Here, various types of wiper arms have been put on the market depending on manufacturers, and various types of devices connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm have been put on the market so as to correspond to different types of wiper arms.

However, since the device connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to the related art does not have a structure for selectively connecting various types of wiper arms, but is used for only a specific type of wiper arm, a use range of the device connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to the related art was very restrictive.

Therefore, a structure of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm capable of selectively coupling several types of wiper arms is required.

In addition, in the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to the related art, a structure for coupling the frame of the wiper blade to the wiper arm is complicated, which causes an increase in a manufacturing cost and an assembling time, and there is a risk that a gap (a lifting phenomenon, or the like) will occur at a coupling portion between the frame and the wiper arm at the time of driving the vehicle at a high speed, such that it is difficult to secure reliability of the device.

As the related art document related to the present disclosure, there is Korean Patent No. 10-0692369 (registered on Mar. 2, 2007). In Korean Patent No. 10-0692369, a wiper arm connector of a wiper connection device has been disclosed.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm in which several types of wiper arms can be selectively connected using one adapter, thereby making it possible to secure diversity and convenience of the use.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm in which a frame of the wiper blade, and a bracket and spoilers are coupled to each other using a fitting coupling structure and a slide coupling structure, such that a structure may be simplified, thereby making it possible to reduce a manufacturing cost, and a coupled state between the frame and the bracket is not changed even when a vehicle is driven at a high speed, such that reliability of the device may be improved.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm in which spoilers and a frame are slid and coupled to each other in a direction perpendicular to an operation direction of the wiper blade, such that an assembling process is easily performed, thereby making it possible to improve productivity.

Yet still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm in which a gap is not formed at coupled portions between spoilers and strip, such that a flow of air may be smoothly maintained, thereby making it possible to prevent the wiper blade from being floated.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm includes: a bracket having the wiper blade coupled to a lower portion thereof, the wiper blade having a length in front and rear directions; and an adapter coupled to an upper portion of the bracket to be thus coupled to the wiper arm, wherein the wiper blade includes a frame having a slit formed in the front and rear directions so as to vertically penetrate therethrough and cut grooves each formed at left and right ends thereof, a strip coupled through a lower portion of the slit, and a first spoiler and a second spoiler coupled to an upper portion of the frame and each coupled to upper ends of the frame in the front and rear directions, the bracket includes a frame seating groove concavely formed in a lower surface of the bracket so that the frame is inserted thereinto and having a length in the front and rear directions, a first spoiler seating groove concavely formed in front of the frame seating groove so that one end of the first spoiler is inserted thereinto and having first upper catching protrusions protruding on left and right wall surfaces thereof, and a second spoiler seating groove concavely formed behind the frame seating groove so that one end of the second spoiler is inserted thereinto and having second upper catching protrusions protruding on left and right wall surfaces thereof, and first lower catching grooves are concavely formed at left and right ends of one end of the first spoiler so that the first upper catching protrusions are correspondingly inserted thereinto, and second lower catching grooves are concavely formed at left and right ends of one end of the second spoiler so that the second upper catching protrusions are correspondingly inserted thereinto.

Left and right wall surfaces of the frame seating groove may include: position protrusions correspondingly inserted in to the cut grooves, and support protrusions each disposed in the front and rear directions of the frame seating groove on the basis of the position protrusions and supporting both ends of the frame in the front and rear directions, respectively, below the frame.

Curved surface parts convex upward may be formed at upper ends of the support protrusions, and the curved surface parts may be formed in the front and rear directions of the frame seating groove and are closely adhered to a lower end of the frame.

The frame may have a shape bent downward along both ends in the front and rear directions on the basis of the cut grooves, and a linear part of which both ends in the front and rear directions are supported on upper ends of the support protrusions and an upper end is closely adhered to and horizontally disposed on an upper surface of the frame seating groove may be formed at the center of the frame.

The strip may include: a body having a length in the front and rear directions and having an upper end closely adhered to a lower surface of the frame, a head part having a length in the front and rear directions at the upper end of the body and inserted through the slit to have a lower end closely adhered to the upper end of the frame, and a lip part having a length in the front and rear directions in a lower end of the body and having a lower end protruding downward of the first spoiler and the second spoiler.

An insertion hole for inserting one end of the head part through a lower portion thereof and then sliding and coupling the head part in an opposite direction may be formed in any one of the front and rear directions of the slit, and a pair of guide parts for guiding the head part to the slit may be correspondingly formed at left and right ends of the insertion hole, the guide parts having a width therebetween gradually becoming small toward the slit.

Upper catching grooves may be concavely formed in an upper surface of the second spoiler seating groove, and lower catching protrusions protruding from an upper end of the second spoiler and correspondingly inserted into the upper catching grooves may be formed at one end of the second spoiler.

A pair of first transversal steps horizontally bent inward from both ends of the first spoiler in a width direction to support left and the right ends of the frame below the frame, and a first longitudinal step horizontally bent inward from one end of the first spoiler in a length direction to support a front end of the frame below the frame may be formed at a lower portion of the first spoiler, and a pair of second transversal steps horizontally bent inward from both ends of the second spoiler in the width direction to support the left and the right ends of the frame below the frame, and a second longitudinal step horizontally bent inward from one end of the second spoiler in the length direction to support a rear end of the frame below the frame may be formed at a lower portion of the second spoiler.

Bent distal ends of the first transversal steps and the second transversal steps may be closely adhered horizontally to left and right ends of the body.

One ends of the first spoiler and the second spoiler facing each other may be horizontally opened so that both ends of the frame in the front and rear directions are slid and inserted thereinto.

Pressing protrusions may protrude in the front and rear directions on upper surfaces of the first transversal steps and the second transversal steps, respectively, and upper ends of the pressing protrusions may press a lower end of the frame upward.

A pair of vertical wall parts vertically formed at the left and the right of the bracket and a connection shaft horizontally disposed to be perpendicular to upper ends of the vertical wall parts may be formed at an upper end of the bracket, and the adapter may have a pair of side wall parts vertically formed at the left and the right thereof and inserted between the vertical wall parts and a shaft hole formed therein so as to penetrate through the side wall parts so that both ends of the connection shaft in an axial direction are rotatably inserted thereinto.

Any one of a hook connection part having a hook of a front end bent downward and rearward, a side lock connection part having a first side pin and a side clip each protruding on one side surface thereof, a bayonet connection part having a pair of first side plates formed at left and right lower ends thereof and a catching jaw formed at the rear of the first side plates, a side pin connection part having a second side pin protruding on one side surface thereof, a first top lock connection part having a catching end formed at a front end thereof, a pair of second side plates formed at left and right lower ends thereof, and a catching jaw formed at the rear of the second side plates, and a second top lock connection part having a catching end formed at a front end thereof, a pair of third side plates formed at left and right lower ends thereof, and a catching jaw formed at the rear of the third side plates, and having an auxiliary catching end downward bent and extended from an inner peripheral surface of an opening part formed at an upper end thereof toward the front may be formed at a front end of the wiper arm, and a first locking unit positioning the hook connection part on the side wall parts and then locking the hook, a second locking unit horizontally positioning the side clip on the side wall parts and then locking the first side pin, a third locking unit positioning the bayonet connection part on the side wall parts so that the first side plates surround the side wall parts, and then locking the first side plates, a fourth locking unit positioning the side pin connection part on one side surface of any one of the side wall parts and then locking the second side pin, a fifth locking unit locking the catching end and the catching jaw of the first top lock connection part, and the sixth locking unit locking the catching end, the catching jaw, and the auxiliary catching end of the second top lock connection part may be formed at the adapter.

The first locking unit may include a first connection part connecting between the side wall parts and positioned at the front of the shaft hole and a pair of first locking protrusions protruding on corresponding surfaces of the side wall parts so as to be adjacent to the front of the first connection part, elastically deformable leftward and rightward, and having inclined surfaces formed at front ends thereof and catching surfaces formed at rear ends thereof, and in the case in which the hook connection part is positioned on the side wall parts and is then moved rearward, the hook may be positioned at the rear of the catching surfaces while widening the inclined surfaces outward, and an inner surface of the hook may be seated on a front surface of the first connection part.

The second locking unit may include a coupling groove formed in the connection shaft and opened through the shaft hole, and in the case in which the first side pin of the side lock connection part is inserted into the coupling groove through the shaft hole on one side surface of any one of the side wall parts and the side clip of the side lock connection part is then horizontally rotated and positioned on the side wall parts, one end of the side clip may be caught and positioned on outer surfaces of the side wall parts.

The third locking unit may include an outer latch part protruding from one side surface of any one of the side wall parts and having a laterally extended free end elastically deformed and then horizontally returnable, and in the case in which the first side plates of the bayonet connection part are horizontally positioned on the side wall parts, the catching jaw of the first side plate may be caught and positioned at a front end of the outer latch part.

The fourth locking unit may include a notch hole positioned behind the shaft hole and formed in the side wall parts so as to penetrate through the side wall parts, a second connection part connecting between the side wall parts and positioned behind the first connection part so as to be spaced apart from the first connection part, and an inner latch part extended rearward from the second connection part and having a rearward extended free end elastically deformed upward and then horizontally returnable, and in the case in which the second side pin of the side pin connection part is horizontally inserted into the notch hole on one side surface of any one of the side wall parts, the inner latch part may ascend and then descend to its original position to be thus caught and positioned on an outer surface of the second side pin.

The fifth locking unit and the sixth locking unit may include second locking protrusions protruding from the corresponding surfaces of the side wall parts so as to be adjacent to the front of the first locking protrusions and a stopper protruding from one side surface of any one of the side wall parts and positioned above the outer latch part so as to be spaced apart from the outer latch part, in the case in which the catching jaw of the first top lock connection part is caught and positioned at a front end of the stopper and is then positioned horizontally on the side wall parts, the catching end may be caught and positioned at a lower end of the second locking protrusion and the catching jaw may be caught and positioned at the front end of the stopper, and in the case in which the auxiliary catching end of the second top lock connection part is caught and positioned at a lower end of the inner latch part and the catching jaw of the second top lock connection part is caught and positioned at the front end of the stopper and is then positioned horizontally on the side wall parts, the catching end may be caught and positioned at the lower end of the second locking protrusion.

A cover may be coupled to front ends of the side wall parts so as to be rotatable forward and rearward, and the cover may open upper portions of the side wall parts at the time of being rotated forward and close the upper portions of the side wall parts at the time of being rotated rearward.

Locking bars protruding laterally and then bent and extended forward and elastically deformable leftward and rightward may be further formed on outer surfaces of the side wall parts, respectively, and locking grooves may be formed at left and right ends of the cover, respectively, so that the locking bars are correspondingly inserted thereinto while surrounding left and right surfaces of the cover in the case of closing the cover.

Inclined surfaces for expanding the locking bars leftward and rightward and then inserting the locking bars into the locking grooves in the case of closing the cover may be formed below the locking grooves.

Pushing parts cut to be returnable after a push operation may be formed on the left and right surfaces of the cover, respectively, and at the time of a pushing operation of the pushing parts, the locking bars may be separated from the locking grooves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods accomplishing them will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

However, the present disclosure is not limited to exemplary embodiments to be described below, but may be implemented in various different forms, these exemplary embodiments will be provided only in order to make the present disclosure complete and allow those skilled in the art to completely recognize the scope of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure will be defined by the scope of the claims.

Further, in describing the present disclosure, in the case in which it is decided that the well-known art related to the present disclosure may obscure the gist of the present disclosure, a detailed description for the well-known art will be omitted.

FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view illustrating a device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 2is a partially cut-away exploded perspective view illustrating the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 3is a perspective view illustrating a bottom surface of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4is a plan view illustrating a first spoiler and a second spoiler of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view illustrating the first spoiler and the second spoiler of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line A-A′, andFIG. 6is a bottom view illustrating a coupling structure between the first and second spoilers and a frame of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling structure between the first spoiler and the frame of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line B-B′,FIG. 8is a plan view illustrating the second spoiler of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 9is a cross-sectional view illustrating a coupling structure among the second spoiler, the frame, and a strip of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line C-C′.

FIG. 10is a perspective view illustrating a bottom surface of a bracket in the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 11is a plan view illustrating the bracket of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 12is a cross-sectional view illustrating the bracket of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line D-D′.

FIG. 13is a perspective view illustrating a coupling structure between the bracket and the frame in the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 14is a cross-sectional view illustrating a shape of the frame in the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 15is a perspective view illustrating a process of coupling between the frame and the strip of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16is a perspective view illustrating an adapter of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 17is a plan view illustrating the adapter of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 18is a cross-sectional view illustrating the adapter of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line E-E′.

FIG. 19is a perspective view illustrating a bottom surface of a cover in the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 20is a plan view illustrating the cover of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 21is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cover of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line F-F′.

FIG. 22is a perspective view illustrating a hook connection part of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,FIGS. 23A and 23Bare installation state diagrams illustrating a process of connecting the hook connection part of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 24is a perspective view illustrating a side lock connection part of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 25A to 25Care installation state diagrams illustrating a process of connecting the side lock connection part of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 26is a perspective view illustrating a bayonet connection part of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIGS. 27A to 27Care installation state diagrams illustrating a process of connecting the bayonet connection part of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28is a perspective view illustrating a side pin connection part of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,FIGS. 29A and 29Bare installation state diagrams illustrating a process of connecting the side pin connection part of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 30is a perspective view illustrating a first top lock connection part of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 31A and 31Bare installation state diagrams illustrating a process of connecting the first top lock connection part of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 32is a perspective view illustrating a second top lock connection part of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIGS. 33A to 33Care installation state diagrams illustrating a process of connecting the second top lock connection part of the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 33, the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a wiper blade100, a bracket200, an adapter300, and a cover400.

In addition, any one of a hook connection part11, a side lock connection part12, a bayonet connection part13, a side pin connection part14, a first top lock connection part15, and a second top lock connection part16is selectively formed at a front end of a wiper arm10connected to the adopter300.

First, the hook connection part11has a hook11aof a front end bent downward and rearward, as illustrated in detail inFIG. 22. In this case, an outer surface and an inner surface of the hook11ahave a curved (semi-circular) shape.

The side lock connection part12has a first side pin12aand a side clip12bhorizontally protruding on one side surface thereof, as illustrated in detail inFIG. 24toFIG. 25C.

Here, a protruding distal end of the side clip12bmay have a shape in which it is bent in a downward direction (an installation direction) in order to be caught and positioned on an outer surface of a side wall part310to be described below.

The bayonet connection part13has a pair of first side plates13aformed at left and right lower ends thereof and a catching jaw13bformed at the rear of the first side plates13a, as illustrated in detail inFIG. 26toFIG. 27C.

The side pin connection part14has a second side pin14ahorizontally protruding on one side surface thereof, as illustrated in detail inFIG. 28toFIG. 29B.

Here, a groove14bmay be concavely formed in an outer surface of the second side pin14aso that a lower end of an inner latch part353to be described below may be caught and positioned thereon.

The first top lock connection part15has a catching end15aformed at a front end thereof, a pair of second side plates15bformed at left and right lower ends thereof, and a catching jaw15cformed at the rear of the second side plates15b, as illustrated in detail inFIG. 30toFIG. 31B.

The second top lock connection part16has a catching end16aformed at a front end thereof, a pair of third side plates16bformed at left and right lower ends thereof, and a catching jaw16cformed at the rear of the third side plates16b, as illustrated in detail inFIG. 32toFIG. 33C.

In addition, an opening part16dis formed in an upper end of the second top lock connection part16so as to vertically penetrate through the second top lock connection part16, and an auxiliary catching end16eis downward bent and extended from an inner peripheral surface of the opening part16dtoward the front.

A front end of the auxiliary catching end16eis used to be caught and positioned at a lower end of a free end side of an inner latch part353to be described below.

The wiper blade100may include a frame110, a strip120, a first spoiler130, and a second spoiler140, as illustrated inFIG. 1.

The frame110has a length in front and rear directions, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3, and a width of the frame110in left and right directions is relatively narrow.

Here, the frame110, which is to couple a strip120to be described below, may be formed of a material such as a metal or plastic having a predetermined strength.

In addition, a slit111having a predetermined width is formed in the front and rear directions so as to vertically penetrate through the frame110so that a head part122of a strip120to be described below may be coupled thereto.

In this case, an insertion hole112for coupling one end of a head part122in a length direction to be described below is formed at one end of the slit111in the front and rear directions, as illustrated inFIG. 15.

The insertion hole112, which is formed at a width wider than that of the slit111along the left and the right, is formed at a width at which a head part122to be described below may be inserted thereinto through a lower portion thereof.

In addition, a pair of guide parts113for guiding a head part122to be described below to the slit111are correspondingly formed at left and right ends of the insertion hole112.

The guide parts113are positioned in a direction in which the head part122is inserted, and have a form in which a width therebetween gradually becomes small toward the center of the slit111positioned in a slide insertion direction.

In this case, the guide parts113have inclined end portions formed toward the center of the slit111, and thus, the head part122inserted upward through the lower portion of the insertion hole112may move to the center of the slit111.

That is, the guide parts113guide the head part122toward the center of the slit111, thereby making it possible to easily couple the strip120.

In addition, cut grooves114into which position protrusions220of a bracket200to be described below are correspondingly inserted are concavely formed at left and right ends of the frame110, respectively.

The cut grooves114allow the frame110not to move in the front and rear directions in the case of positioning the frame110in a frame seating groove210to be described below.

Here, the cut grooves114may be formed at central positions of the frame110. However, positions of the cut grooves114may be variously applied, if necessary.

In addition, the frame110may have a bent shape so that both ends thereof in the front and rear directions are downward bent to form a predetermined curvature, as illustrated in detail inFIG. 14.

Further, a linear part115of which both ends in the front and rear directions are supported on upper ends of support protrusions230and an upper end is closely adhered to and horizontally disposed on an upper surface of the frame seating groove210may be formed at the center of the frame110. The linear part115may be formed at a length corresponding to that of the frame seating groove210.

The strip120, which is coupled to the slit111of the frame110, as illustrated in detail inFIGS. 1 to 3, has a lower end contacting a wind shield (not illustrated) of a vehicle.

Here, the strip120has a length in the front and rear directions, and a width of the strip120in the left and right directions is relatively narrow.

In addition, the strip120may be formed of a rubber material or an elastomer material, but various materials may be selectively used as a material of the strip120.

In more detail, the strip120may include a body121, a head part122, and a lip part123, as illustrated in detail inFIG. 9.

First, the body121has a predetermined length in the front and rear directions, and an upper end of the body121is closely adhered to a lower end of the frame110at the time of coupling the strip120to the slit111.

Here, the body121has a length that is the same as or similar to that of the slit111, but may have various lengths, if necessary.

The head part122has a predetermined length in the front and rear directions at an upper end of the body121, and a lower end of the head part122is caught and positioned at an upper end of the frame110at the time of coupling the head part122to the slit111.

Here, the head part122and the body121may be connected to each other by a separate connection portion. In this case, the connection portion may be formed at the same width as that of the slit111.

That is, in the case of sliding and coupling the head part122to the slit111, the connection portion formed between the head part122and the body121may be positioned in the slit111.

The lip part123has a predetermined length in the front and rear directions in a lower end of the body121, and a lower end of the lip part123contacts the wind shield (not illustrated) of the vehicle.

Here, the lip part123may have a form in which a width thereof in the left and right directions gradually becomes small downward, as illustrated in detail inFIG. 9.

The first spoiler130and the second spoiler140, which are coupled to an upper portion of the frame110, are each coupled to upper ends of the frame110in the front and rear directions.

Here, the first spoiler130and the second spoiler140may have a form in which widths thereof in the left and right directions gradually become small upward.

In addition, one ends of the first spoiler130and the second spoiler140corresponding to each other are coupled to a first spoiler seating groove240and a second spoiler seating groove250of a bracket200to be described below, respectively.

In addition, the first spoiler130and the second spoiler140may be manufactured at a predetermined length using a material such as rubber so as to be easily elastically deformed.

In more detail, first lower catching grooves131are concavely formed at left and right ends of one end of the first spoiler130so that first upper catching protrusions241to be described below are correspondingly inserted thereinto.

That is, since the first lower catching grooves131and first upper catching protrusions241to be described below are coupled to each other as males and females in up and down directions, the first spoiler130may maintain a firm coupled state without being easily separated in the front and rear directions.

In addition, a pair of first transversal steps132and a first longitudinal step133are formed at a lower portion of the first spoiler130, as illustrated in detail inFIG. 6.

The pair of first transversal steps132are horizontally bent and extended inward from both ends of the first spoiler130in a width direction to support the left and the right ends of the frame110.

In this case, since the first transversal steps132support the left and right ends of the frame110below the frame110, the frame110does not move leftward or rightward.

The first longitudinal step133is horizontally bent and extended inward from one end of the first spoiler130in the length direction to support a front end of the frame110.

In this case, since the first longitudinal step133supports the front end of the frame110below the frame110, the frame110is positioned without being shaken in the front and rear directions.

Second lower catching grooves141are concavely formed at left and right ends of one end of the second spoiler140so that second upper catching protrusions251to be described below are correspondingly inserted thereinto, as illustrated in detail inFIG. 6.

In addition, lower catching protrusions142protruding from an upper end of the second spoiler140and correspondingly inserted into upper catching grooves252protrude upward on one end of the second spoiler140.

That is, since the second lower catching grooves141and second upper catching protrusions251to be described below are coupled to each other as males and females in up and down directions, the second spoiler140may maintain a firm coupled state without being easily separated in the front and rear directions.

In addition, a pair of second transversal steps143and a second longitudinal step144are formed at a lower portion of the second spoiler140, as illustrated in detail inFIG. 6.

The pair of second transversal steps143are horizontally bent and extended inward from both ends of the second spoiler140in the width direction.

In this case, since the second transversal steps143support the left and the right ends of the frame110below the frame110, the frame110does not move leftward or rightward.

The second longitudinal step144is horizontally bent and extended inward from one end of the second spoiler140in the length direction.

In this case, since the second longitudinal step144supports the front end of the frame110below the frame110, the frame110is positioned without being shaken in the front and rear directions.

Particularly, bent distal ends of the first transversal steps132and the second transversal steps143are closely adhered horizontally to left and right ends of the body121.

In this case, since a gap is not formed between the bent distal ends of the first transversal steps132and the second transversal steps143and the body121, air is not introduced into the inside in a process in which the vehicle is driven.

In addition, pressing protrusions134and145protrude by a predetermined length in the front and rear directions on upper surfaces of the first transversal steps132and the second transversal steps143, respectively.

As illustrated in detail inFIGS. 7 and 9, upper ends of the pressing protrusions134and145are closely adhered to a lower end of the frame110in a state in which they press the lower end of the frame110upward.

Here, the upper ends of the pressing protrusions134and145form curved surfaces convex at the left and the right, and central portions of the pressing protrusions134and145may be closely adhered to the lower end of the frame110.

In addition, one ends of the first spoiler130and the second spoiler140facing each other are horizontally opened so that both ends of the frame110in the front and rear directions may be slid and inserted thereinto.

That is, both ends of the frame110may be slid and coupled to the first spoiler130and the second spoiler140in a scheme in which they are pushed through one ends of the first spoiler130and the second spoiler140.

In this case, edges of the frame110may be fixed without being moved by the first transversal steps132, the second transversal steps143, the first longitudinal step133, and the second longitudinal step144described above.

The bracket200has the wiper blade100described above coupled to a lower portion thereof, and a frame seating groove210having a length in the front and rear directions is concavely formed in a lower surface of the bracket200so that the frame110is inserted thereinto.

Here, the frame seating groove210has a form in which it is opened in the front and rear directions so that both ends of the frame110in the front and rear directions may bidirectionally pass therethrough.

In addition, the position protrusions220correspondingly inserted into the cut grooves114described above protrude on left and right wall surfaces of the frame seating groove210, respectively. The position protrusions220may be disposed at central positions of the frame seating groove210.

In addition, support protrusions230protrude at a lower portion of the frame seating groove210. The support protrusions230are each disposed in the front and rear directions of the frame seating groove210on the basis of the position protrusions220.

Here, the support protrusions230protrude from the left and right wall surfaces of the frame seating groove210, and support both ends of the frame110in the front and rear directions, respectively, below the frame110.

In this case, the number of support protrusions230may be various, and curved surface parts231convex upward are formed at upper ends of the support protrusions230.

The curved surface parts231are formed in the front and rear directions of the frame seating groove210, and the centers of the curved surface parts231may be closely adhered to the lower end of the frame110.

Since the curved surface parts231as described above form curved surfaces in a curvature direction of the frame110, they press the lower end of the frame110by large force, thereby making it possible to prevent the frame110from being lifted by impact when the vehicle is driven at a high speed.

In addition, the first spoiler seating groove240and the second spoiler seating groove250are formed in a lower surface of the bracket200, as illustrated in detail inFIGS. 10 to 14.

The first spoiler seating groove240is concavely formed in front of the frame seating groove210so that one end of the first spoiler130is correspondingly inserted thereinto.

Here, one or more first upper catching protrusions241protrude on left and right wall surfaces of the first spoiler seating groove240.

The number of first upper catching protrusions241corresponds to that of first lower catching grooves131described above, and a plurality of first upper catching protrusions241may be arranged in front and rear directions of the first spoiler seating groove240.

The second spoiler seating groove250is formed behind the frame seating groove210so that one end of the second spoiler140is correspondingly inserted thereinto.

Here, one or more second upper catching protrusions251protrude on left and right wall surfaces of the second spoiler seating groove250.

The number of second upper catching protrusions251corresponds to that of second lower catching grooves141described above, and a plurality of second upper catching protrusions251may be arranged in front and rear directions of the second spoiler seating groove250.

In addition, the upper catching grooves252are concavely formed in an upper surface of the second spoiler seating groove250so that the lower catching protrusions142described above may be correspondingly inserted thereinto as males and females.

In addition, a pair of vertical wall parts260vertically formed at the left and the right of the bracket200and a connection shaft270horizontally disposed to be perpendicular to upper ends of the vertical wall parts260are formed at an upper end of the bracket200.

Here, the connection shaft270is to couple an adaptor300to be described below, and both ends of the connection shaft270in an axial direction may be rotatably and correspondingly inserted into a shaft hole320to be described below.

The adapter300is coupled to the front end of the wiper arm10of the vehicle in a state in which it is coupled to an upper portion of the bracket200, as illustrated in detail inFIGS. 16 to 18.

Here, the adapter300has a pair of side wall parts310vertically formed at the left and the right thereof and an interval311formed between the side wall parts310.

In addition, the upper ends of the vertical wall parts260described above may be inserted by a predetermined length through the interval311between the side wall parts310.

In addition, the shaft hole320is formed in the adapter300so as to penetrate through the side wall parts310so that both ends of the connection shaft270in the axial direction are rotatably inserted thereinto.

The shaft hole320may have a circular shape so that both ends of the connection shaft270in the axial direction are correspondingly inserted thereinto and the connection shaft270may rotate in the front and rear directions.

In addition, the adapter300is provided with a first locking unit, a second locking unit, a third locking unit, a fourth locking unit, a fifth locking unit, and a sixth locking unit for connecting the wiper arm10.

First, the first locking unit, which is to connect the hook connection parts11, positions the hook connection parts11on the side wall parts310and then lock a hook11a.

To this end, the first locking unit may include a first connection part331and a pair of first locking protrusions332, as illustrated in detail inFIGS. 16 to 18.

The first connection part331is positioned in the interval311between the side wall parts310to connect between the side wall parts310.

Here, the first connection part331is positioned at the front of the shaft hole320, and a front surface of the first connection part331may be formed as a curved surface corresponding to an inner surface of the hook11a.

The first locking protrusions332protrude on corresponding surfaces of the side wall parts310so as to be adjacent to the front of the first connection part311, and is elastically deformable leftward and rightward.

Here, front ends of the first locking protrusions332are connected to the side wall parts310, and rear ends of the first locking protrusions332may have a form in which edge portions thereof are cut.

In addition, inclined surfaces332aare formed at the front ends of the first locking protrusions332, and catching surfaces332bhaving a step are formed at rear ends of the first locking protrusions332.

The first locking protrusions332as described above allow the hook connection part11moved rearward not to move forward.

In the case in which the hook connection part11is positioned on the side wall parts310and is then moved rearward, the hook11ais caught and positioned at the rear of the catching surfaces332bwhile widening the inclined surfaces332aof the first locking protrusions332outward.

As illustrated inFIGS. 23A and 23B, an inner surface of the hook11ais seated on the front surface of the first connection part331, and a cover400to be described below is rotated in a closing direction to complete connection of the hook connection part11.

The second locking unit horizontally positions the side clip12bof the side lock connection part12on the side wall parts310and then locks the first side pin12a.

To this end, the second locking unit includes a coupling groove333formed in the connection shaft270and opened through the shaft hole320.

The first side pin12aof the side lock connection part12is inserted into the coupling groove333through the shaft hole320on one side surface of any one of the side wall parts310.

Then, in the case in which the side clip12bis horizontally rotated and positioned on the side wall parts310, one end of the side clip12bis caught and positioned on outer surfaces of the side wall parts310.

In this state, as illustrated inFIGS. 25A to 25C, a cover400to be described below is rotated in the closing direction to complete connection of the side lock connection part12.

The third locking unit positions the bayonet connection part13on the side wall parts310so that the first side plates13aof the bayonet connection part13surround the side wall parts310, and then locks the first side plates13a.

To this end, the third locking unit includes an outer latch part341protruding from one side surface of any one of the side wall parts310and having a laterally extended free end elastically deformed and then horizontally returnable.

In the case in which the first side plates13aof the bayonet connection part13are horizontally positioned on the side wall parts310, the catching jaw13bof the first side plate13ais caught and positioned at a front end of the outer latch part341.

In this state, as illustrated inFIGS. 27A to 27C, a cover400to be described below is rotated in the closing direction to complete connection of the bayonet connection part13.

The fourth locking unit positions the side pin connection part14on one side surface of any one of the side wall parts310and then locks the second side pin14a.

To this end, the fourth locking unit may include a notch hole351, a second connection part352, and an inner latch part353.

The notch hole351, which is positioned behind the shaft hole320, is formed in the side wall parts310so as to horizontally penetrate through the side wall parts310.

The second connection part352, which connects between the side wall parts310, is positioned behind the first connection part331so as to be spaced apart from the first connection part331.

The inner latch part353is positioned so that one end thereof is connected to a rear end of the second connection part352and a free end thereof opposite to one end is elastically deformed upward and then horizontally returnable.

Here, a predetermined space is formed below the inner latch part353so that the front end of the auxiliary catching end16edescribed above may be inserted thereinto.

In addition, a lower end of the inner latch part353is positioned at a height at which it may be caught and positioned in the groove14bof the second side pin14ainserted through the notch hole351, and may have a shape corresponding to that of the groove14b.

In the case in which the second side pin14aof the side pin connection part14is horizontally inserted into the notch hole351on one side surface of any one of the side wall parts310, the rear end of the inner latch part353ascends to a predetermined height and then descends to its original position.

In this case, the lower end of the inner latch part353is inserted into the groove14bconcavely formed in the outer surface of the second side pin14a, and the second side pin14ais not separated into an insertion direction by a catching operation of the inner latch part353.

Then, as illustrated inFIGS. 29A to 29C, a cover400to be described below is rotated in the closing direction to complete connection of the side pin connection part14.

The fifth locking unit locks the catching end15aand the catching jaw15cof the first top lock connection part15, and the sixth locking unit locks the catching end16a, the catching jaw16c, and the auxiliary catching end16eof the second top lock connection part16.

To this end, the fifth locking unit and the sixth locking unit include second locking protrusions361protruding from the corresponding surfaces of the side wall parts310so as to be adjacent to the front of the first locking protrusions332.

In addition, the fifth locking unit and the sixth locking unit include a stopper362protruding from one side surface of any one of the side wall parts310and positioned above the outer latch part341so as to be spaced apart from the outer latch part341.

First, as illustrated inFIGS. 30 to 31B, in the case in which the catching jaw15cof the first top lock connection part15is caught and positioned at a front end of the stopper362and is then positioned horizontally on the side wall parts310, the catching end15aformed at the front end of the first top lock connection part15is caught and positioned at a lower end of the second locking protrusion361.

Then, as illustrated inFIGS. 31A and 31B, a cover400to be described below is rotated in the closing direction to complete connection of the first top lock connection part15.

On the other hand, as illustrated inFIGS. 32 to 33C, in the case in which the auxiliary catching end16eof the second top lock connection part16is caught and positioned at the lower end of the inner latch part353and the catching jaw16cof the second top lock connection part16is caught and positioned at the front end of the stopper362and is then positioned horizontally on the side wall parts310, the catching end16aof the second top lock connection part16is caught and positioned at the lower end of the second locking protrusion361.

The cover400is coupled to front ends of the side wall parts310so as to be rotatable forward and rearward, as illustrated in detail inFIGS. 19 to 21.

To this end, shafts for rotation may protrude on both ends of an inner side of the cover400, and grooves to which the shafts are coupled to be rotatable forward and rearward may be formed in both ends of the side wall parts310.

The cover400as described above opens upper portions of the side wall parts310at the time of being rotated and positioned forward, but partially closes the upper portions of the side wall parts310at the time of being rotated and positioned rearward.

Meanwhile, locking bars380for maintaining a closed position of the cover400are formed on outer surfaces of the side wall parts310, respectively.

The locking bars380protrude laterally of the side wall parts310and are then bent and extended forward, and distal ends of the locking bars380bent forward are formed to be elastically deformable leftward and rightward.

In addition, locking grooves410are concavely formed at left and right ends of the cover400, respectively, so that the locking bars380may be coupled thereto while surrounding left and right surfaces of the cover400in the case of closing the cover400.

Here, the locking groove410has a shape corresponding to that of the locking bar380, and in the case in which the locking bar380is coupled to the locking groove410, the cover400is maintained in a closed state without being rotated.

In addition, inclined surfaces420for expanding the locking bars380leftward and rightward and then inserting the locking bars380into the locking grooves410in the case of closing the cover400are formed below the locking grooves410.

Since the inclined surfaces420have a form in which widths thereof in the left and right directions gradually become large upward, the locking bars380may be inserted into the locking grooves410while being expanded leftward and rightward.

In addition, pushing parts430cut to be returnable by elastic force after a push operation may be formed on the left and right surfaces of the cover400, respectively.

In this case, cut parts440may be formed at edges except for portions of the pushing parts430so that leftward and rightward elastic deformation is possible.

Here, a plurality of protrusions, grooves, or the like, capable of preventing sliding may be formed on outer surfaces of the pushing parts430.

Since the pushing parts430as described above are deformed inward of the cover400at the time of a pushing operation, they may separate the locking bars380from the locking grooves410.

On the other hand, since the pushing parts430return to their original forms at the time of releasing the pushing operation of the pushing part430, they may maintain a coupled state between the locking grooves410and the locking bars380.

As a result, in the present disclosure, several types of wiper arms10are selectively connected using one adapter300, thereby making it possible to secure diversity and convenience of the use.

In addition, in the present disclosure, the frame110of the wiper blade100, and the bracket200and the first and second spoilers130and140are coupled to each other using a fitting coupling structure and a slide coupling structure, such that a structure may be simplified, thereby making it possible to reduce a manufacturing cost, and a coupled state between the frame110and the bracket200is not changed (a lift phenomenon, or the like, does not occur) even when the vehicle is driven at a high speed, such that reliability of the device may be improved.

Further, in the present disclosure, the first and second spoilers130and140and the frame110are slid and coupled to each other in a direction perpendicular to an operation direction of the wiper blade100, such that an assembling process is easily performed, thereby making it possible to improve productivity.

Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the gap is not formed at coupled portions between the first and second spoilers130and140and the strip120, such that a flow of air may be smoothly maintained, thereby making it possible to prevent the wiper blade100from being floated by the flow of air.

Although the device for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm according to a specific exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been described hereinabove, it is obvious that several modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, several types of wiper arms depending on manufacturers are selectively connected using one adapter, thereby making it possible to secure diversity and convenience of the use.

In addition, in the present disclosure, a frame of the wiper blade, and a bracket and spoilers are coupled to each other using a fitting coupling structure and a slide coupling structure, such that a structure may be simplified, thereby making it possible to reduce a manufacturing cost, and a coupled state between the frame and the bracket is not changed even when a vehicle is driven at a high speed, such that reliability of the device may be improved.

Further, in the present disclosure, spoilers and a frame are slid and coupled to each other in a direction perpendicular to an operation direction of the wiper blade, such that an assembling process is easily performed, thereby making it possible to improve productivity.

Furthermore, in the present disclosure, a gap is not formed at coupled portions between spoilers and strip, such that a flow of air may be smoothly maintained, thereby making it possible to prevent the wiper blade from being floated.

Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is not construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, but is to be defined by the claims as well as equivalents thereto.

That is, it is to be understood that the exemplary embodiment described above is not restrictive, but is illustrative in all aspects, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims to be provided below rather than the detailed description, and it is to be understood that all the modifications or alterations deriving from the meaning and the scope of the claims and equivalents thereto fall within the scope of the present disclosure.