Patent Publication Number: US-2023159000-A1

Title: Wiper arm and wiper assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a wiper arm and a wiper assembly, which are especially used for motor vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Wiper assemblies play an important role in transport means, which are used to clean up rainwater or other dirt on a windshield that affects the driver&#39;s line of sight to ensure driving safety. 
     In the traditional wiper assemblies, a rain wiper system is separated from a washer system. The washer system is hidden below a front hood. When the windshield needs to be washed, the washer system sprays a washing liquid onto the surface of the windshield, and then the rain wiper system starts to work. In this case, after spraying the washing liquid, it is possible to cause a blind spot of the driver in a short time, thereby endangering driving safety. In addition, since the washing liquid is sprayed onto the entire surface, this causes unnecessary waste of the washing liquid. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, an object of the present invention is to propose a wiper arm, which can at least partially solve the above problems with a compact structure. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, a wiper arm is proposed, comprising: a wiper arm holder, which is connected at one end to an output portion of a driving mechanism for the wiper arm, the driving mechanism driving the wiper arm to swing back and forth in a return direction and an outward-swinging direction; an extension arm, which is pivotally connected to the other end of the wiper arm holder; a wiper arm end member, which is located on the side of the wiper arm opposite to the wiper arm holder and configured to hold a wiper blade; and a washer assembly, which sprays a washer fluid to a windshield and comprises at least a first nozzle and a first conduit in fluid communication with the first nozzle, the first nozzle spraying a cleaning fluid to an outward-swinging side of the wiper blade, and the conduit being directed in a longitudinal extension direction of the wiper arm, wherein the first nozzle comprises at least one nozzle unit, a first connector for the first conduit, and a bridge channel located between them, the bridge channel being located above the wiper blade and at least partially aligned with a segment of the wiper arm end member that is also located above the wiper blade. 
     “Aligned” should be understood as follows: from the perspective of the extension direction of the wiper arm, the projection of the bridge channel is partially overlapped with the projection of the related segment of the wiper arm end member. In particular, in the wiper arm in the mounted state, the bridge channel is not located between the wiper arm end member and the wiper blade below the side of the wiper arm end member facing the wiper blade. This can reduce the height dimension of the wiper arm, or there is no need to redesign the structure of related components. Therefore, the wiper arm has a compact structure and is cost-effective. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the bridge channel is at a predetermined angle to a longitudinal extension direction of the wiper arm end member, in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the wiper arm end member. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first nozzle has an engagement segment such that the first nozzle is engaged at the wiper arm end member. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first nozzle is in the shape of a bend, and has a first bend segment and a second bend segment, the first bend segment is provided with the engagement segment and the bridge channel, and the nozzle unit is provided at the second bend segment. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the engagement segment has an engagement opening, which accommodates a wall portion of the wiper arm end member. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the bridge channel is located on the side facing the wiper arm holder. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first nozzle is provided with at least one penetration portion to allow air to pass through when a vehicle is travelling. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the wiper arm end member has an engagement port, the engagement segment has notches on two sides, and edges of the wiper arm end member that define the engagement port are accommodated in the notches. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the bridge channel is provided between the notches in the engagement segment. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the first nozzle has a first nozzle unit that sprays a fluid towards one end of the wiper blade, a second nozzle unit that sprays the fluid towards the other, opposite end of the wiper blade, and a third nozzle unit that sprays the fluid towards the windshield. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a fluid spraying direction of the corresponding nozzle unit of the first nozzle is adjustable. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the washer assembly comprises a second nozzle and a second conduit in fluid communication with the second nozzle to spray a cleaning fluid to a return side of the wiper blade, wherein the second nozzle is mounted at the extension arm. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the extension arm comprises a segment with a U-shaped cross-section, and the second nozzle is mounted at a side wall of the U-shaped segment of the extension arm. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the second nozzle has a supporting arm for the first conduit. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the second nozzle has a fourth nozzle unit that sprays a fluid towards one end of the wiper blade, a fifth nozzle unit that sprays the fluid towards the other, opposite end of the wiper blade, and a sixth nozzle unit that sprays the fluid towards the windshield. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a fluid spraying direction of the corresponding nozzle unit of the second nozzle is adjustable. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a wiper assembly is proposed, comprising a wiper blade and a wiper arm as described above. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is expounded in greater detail below with the aid of the drawings. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    schematically shows a perspective diagram of a first embodiment of a wiper assembly according to the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    schematically shows a diagram of the swing of the wiper assembly on a windshield; 
         FIG.  3    shows another perspective diagram of the wiper assembly of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    shows a bottom view of a wiper arm of the wiper assembly of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    shows the connection between a wiper arm holder and an extension arm of the wiper arm of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6    shows a diagram of a front end section of the wiper arm of  FIG.  4   , showing a first nozzle and a second nozzle of a washer assembly, with the second nozzle being in a state to be mounted; 
         FIG.  7    shows a diagram of a front end section of the wiper arm of  FIG.  4   , showing the mounted first nozzle and second nozzle of a washer assembly; 
         FIG.  8    shows a diagram of a front end section of the wiper arm of  FIG.  4   , showing the first nozzle and the second nozzle of a washer assembly, with the first nozzle being in a state to be mounted; 
         FIG.  9    schematically shows a top view of the front end section of the wiper arm of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  10    schematically shows a perspective diagram of the first nozzle; 
         FIG.  11    shows a cross-sectional view of the wiper arm of  FIG.  4    along a line E-E; 
         FIG.  12    shows a cross-sectional view of the wiper arm of  FIG.  4    along a line F-F; 
         FIG.  13    schematically shows a perspective diagram of a second embodiment of a wiper assembly according to the present invention; 
         FIG.  14    shows an exploded diagram of a blade connection side section of a wiper arm of the wiper assembly of  FIG.  13   ; and 
         FIG.  15    shows a cross-sectional view of the wiper assembly of  FIG.  13    along a line G-G. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described demonstratively below. As those skilled in the art should realize, the embodiments described may be amended in various ways without departing from the concept of the present invention. Thus, the accompanying drawings and the Description are in essence demonstrative and non-limiting. In the following text, identical drawing reference labels generally indicate functionally identical or similar elements. 
       FIG.  1    schematically shows a diagram of a wiper assembly S according to a first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a fixed end. The fixed end is connected to a driving portion (such as an output shaft) of a driving mechanism such as a motor for the wiper assembly. The wiper assembly S comprises a wiper arm  1  and a wiper blade  60 , both of which have an elongated shape extending in a longitudinal direction and are detachably connected to each other in a known manner for wiping a windshield G. 
     For the operation of the wiper assembly S in  FIG.  1   , reference can be made to  FIG.  2   .  FIG.  2    demonstratively shows that two wiper assemblies S are arranged side-by-side at the windshield G in a transverse direction of a vehicle. It should be noted that the number of wiper assemblies S arranged at the windshield G can be increased or decreased according to the size of the windshield G to be wiped. Each wiper assembly S can swing back and forth on the windshield G in an outward-swinging direction B and a return direction Z, thereby occupying a return limit position I and an outward-swinging limit position II, so that each wiper assembly S respectively wipes a wiping area A 1 , A 2  between the two limit positions. It can be seen that in the case where a plurality of wiper assemblies are arranged, there may be an overlapped area between the corresponding wiping areas. Of course, the original position of the wiper assembly S, that is, the position occupied before being driven, may also be below the return limit position, so that when viewed from the front of the vehicle, the wiper assembly is covered by an engine hood of the vehicle, which facilitates the reduction of wind resistance acting on the wiper assembly when the vehicle is travelling and the wiper assembly is not required to work. 
     For ease of description, the side of the wiper assembly S facing the windshield G is called a lower side D, the side facing away from the windshield G is called an upper side U, the side facing the return limit position is called a return side R, and the side facing the outward-swinging limit position II called an outward-swinging side O. This is marked in  FIG.  1   . 
     The wiper arm  1  comprises: a wiper arm holder  10 , which is connected at one end  10 A, that is, the fixed end mentioned above, to an output portion of a driving mechanism for the wiper arm, the driving mechanism being, for example, a motor or comprising at least a motor; an extension arm  20 , which is pivotally connected to the other end  10 B of the wiper arm holder  10  and forms a longitudinally intermediate part of the wiper arm; a wiper arm end member  40 , which is on the side of the wiper arm  1  opposite to the wiper arm holder  10  and is used to hold a wiper blade  60 . In addition, the wiper arm  1  is also equipped with a washer assembly  2  for spraying a washer fluid to the windshield G. The washer assembly comprises a nozzle assembly and a conduit unit  70  for guiding the washer fluid, and the conduit unit is directed in a longitudinal extension direction of the wiper arm  1 . The specific structure of the wiper arm will be further described below. 
     The wiper arm holder  10  is generally die-casted from aluminium or aluminium alloy. The end  10 A on the fixed side of the wiper arm holder has a cylindrical hole  11  for a shaft of the driving mechanism not shown, wherein the shaft as the output portion of the driving mechanism is fixed against relative rotation in the cylindrical hole  11 . In this way, the driving mechanism transmits the driving motion to the wiper arm via the shaft, so that the wiper arm can swing back and forth between the above two limit positions. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS.  1  and  3  to  5   , the wiper arm holder  10  is connected to the extension arm  20  via a pivot  16  at the other end  10 B opposite to the end  10 A. The pivot  16  passes through the wiper arm holder and the extension arm  20  transversely to the longitudinal extension direction of the wiper arm. 
     The wiper arm holder  10  is further provided with a channel  12  for the conduit unit  70  of the washer assembly  2 . The channel can also be considered as extending in a longitudinal direction, that is, extending from one end facing the end  10 A to the other end  10 B and to the extension arm  20 , such that the conduit unit  70  can be introduced into the extension arm  20 . 
     In the example shown, the end of the channel  12  facing the end  10 A is on the upper side of the wiper arm holder  10 , and the other end thereof is on the lower side of the wiper arm holder  10  (see  FIGS.  1  and  4   ), so that the conduit unit  70  enters the extension arm  20  from the lower side. It is also shown that the channel  12  is provided on the side of the wiper arm holder  10  facing the return side R. 
     It should be noted that the channel may also be arranged in the wiper arm holder in other suitable ways, as long as the conduit unit can be guided to the extension arm. 
     A cover  13  is arranged on the upper side of the wiper arm holder  10 . For example, one end of the cover  13  is rotatably arranged at the pivoting portion of the wiper arm holder and the extension arm, and a side wall of the cover is provided with a rib  14  and a hook  15  for limiting purpose. For the state of the cover  13  shown in  FIG.  1   , it is only necessary to press the cover down to fix the cover  13  to the wiper arm holder  10 . Therefore, the wiper arm holder and the conduit unit  70  are covered by the cover  13 . If necessary, the cover  13  can extend above the cylindrical hole  11  to cover the output shaft in the cylindrical hole  11 . 
     The extension arm  20  can also be considered as an elongated member, which is, for example, a sheet metal member. The extension arm  20  has a U-shaped cross-section substantially over its entire longitudinal extension length, wherein the opening of the U shape faces the lower side D. To this end, the extension arm  20  may have an upper wall portion  21 A and side walls  21 B,  21 C on two sides of the upper wall portion. The two side walls respectively extend from an edge of the upper wall portion  21 A towards the side facing the windshield G. The shape of the upper wall portion  21 A should be designed according to aerodynamics to reduce the load of the wind acting on the extension arm when the vehicle is travelling. 
     The open side of the extension arm  20  may be equipped with a bottom cover  30  in at least some sections. 
     At the connection portion of the wiper arm holder  10  and the extension arm  20 , the other end  10 B of the wiper arm holder  10  is between inner walls of the side walls  21 B,  21 C of the extension arm  20 . Two ends of the pivot  16  mentioned above that connects the wiper arm holder  10  and the extension arm  20  may be pressed against the outer walls of the side walls  21 B,  21 C in such a manner that the outer diameter of the two ends of the pivot  16  is greater than the inner diameter of perforations, not shown, in the side walls of the extension arm, so as to realize the rotation of the wiper arm holder  10  relative to the extension arm  20 . 
     A spring element  23  is arranged in the extension arm  20  for applying a preload to the extension arm  20  to bias the extension arm in the direction of the windshield, such that a rubber strip  63  of the wiper blade  60  abuts against the windshield. A first end  23 A of the spring element  23  is held at the extension arm or a member fixedly connected to the extension arm, and a second end  23 B thereof is connected to the wiper arm holder, wherein, in a mounted state of the spring element  23 , it is lengthened relative to the original state, thereby applying the preload. To this end, for example, at the edge of one side wall  21 B of the extension arm  20 , there is provided a tab  22 A protruding towards the other side wall  21 C. The tab has an opening  22 B into which the first end  23 A of the spring element  23  is hung. A peg  17  is arranged in a section  10 B of the wiper arm holder  10  between the inner walls of the side walls  21 B,  21 C of the extension arm  20 , and the second end  23 B of the spring element  23  is hooked on the peg via a C-shaped member  24 . 
     The peg  17  may be provided separately and then mounted at the section  10 B. Alternatively, the peg  17  may also be integrally formed at the section  10 B. The open side of the C-shaped member  24  faces the upper wall portion  21 A of the extension arm  20 . 
     In the mounted state of the spring element  23 , the section  10 B of the wiper arm holder  10  abuts against the extension arm  20  with the side thereof facing the upper wall portion  21 A of the extension arm  20  under the action of the spring element. The section  10 B may be divided into a first part  10 B 1  and a second part  10 B 2  in a width direction of the wiper arm holder  10 , wherein a front end of the first part  10 B 1  is U-shaped, so that when the extension arm is rotated around the pivot  16  into the drawing of  FIG.  5   , that is, the direction of rotation points to the inside of the drawing of  FIG.  5   , to rotate the extension arm in a direction moving away from the windshield in order to replace the wiper, the C-shaped member  24  is prevented from touching the front end of the first part  10 B 1 . In other words, the provided spring element should not hinder the relative movement of the wiper arm holder  10  and the extension arm  20  in a predetermined direction. The second part  10 B 2  forms a part of the channel  12  for the conduit unit  70 , that is, the conduit unit  70  enters the extension arm with this second part  10 B 2 . 
     The conduit unit  70  is accommodated in the extension arm  20  in an internal space formed by the upper wall portion and the two side walls of the extension arm  20 . In order to prevent the conduit unit from falling out of the extension arm  20 , the edges of the side walls  21 B,  21 C may also be provided with supporting sheets  22 A protruding towards the inner space, and the arrangement positions and number of the supporting sheets may be arranged according to requirements. 
     The extension arm  20  is fixedly connected to the wiper arm end member  40  at the other end  25 A thereof. For example, the extension arm at least partially surrounds a fixing segment  41  of the wiper arm end member  40  at the end  25 A, see  FIGS.  6  and  7   . The wiper arm end member will be further described below. 
     In addition, as can be seen particularly clearly from  FIG.  4   , especially for the extension arm  20 , the spring element  23  occupies some sections of the extension arm  20  on the side facing the wiper arm holder  10 , and the extension arm  20  has a gradually narrowing width over its entire length. 
     The wiper arm end member  40  may also be a sheet metal member, which has a fixing segment  41  connected to the extension arm  20 , an intermediate segment  42  and a mounting segment  43 . The mounting segment is used to mount the wiper blade  60 . 
     In the example shown, the mounting segment  43  is in the form of a U-shaped hook. However, the mounting segment  43  may also have other forms, including but not limited to a J-shaped hook, an N-shaped hook, an E-shaped hook, a bayonet-type chuck, an internal locking chucks, a side locking chuck, etc. The corresponding connection portion of the wiper blade has a structure that matches the corresponding mounting segment. 
     The wiper arm end member  40  also extends in the longitudinal direction as a whole, but the fixing segment  41  and the mounting segment  43  are staggered in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and the staggered segment forms the intermediate segment  42 . Therefore, the wiper arm end member  40  can be considered as a crank-shaped elongated member. 
     A nozzle of the nozzle assembly of the washer assembly  2  of the wiper arm may be mounted at the extension arm  20  and/or the wiper arm end member  40 . In the example shown, two nozzles respectively mounted at the extension arm  20  and the wiper arm end member  40  are shown, and they are used to spray a cleaning fluid, such as a windshield washer fluid, onto the windshield towards the return side and the outward-swinging side of the wiper blade when the wiper blade swings in the outward-swinging direction B and in the return direction Z. 
     The first nozzle  50  mounted at the wiper arm end member  40  is shown in  FIGS.  8 - 10   .  FIGS.  8  and  9    show the first nozzle  50  in a detached state and a mounted state, respectively.  FIG.  10    shows a perspective view of the first nozzle  50  alone. 
     The first nozzle  50  is arranged on the outward-swinging side of the wiper arm end member  40 . The first nozzle  50  comprises at least one nozzle unit, a first connector  54  for the end  73 A of a first conduit  71 A, and a bridge channel  52  located between them. 
     The first nozzle  50  is in the shape of a bend, and has a first bend segment  51  and a second bend segment  55 , wherein the bridge channel  52  is provided at the first bend segment  51 , and the nozzle unit is provided at the second bend segment  55 . 
     In order to mount the first nozzle  50  at the wiper arm end member  40 , the first nozzle  50  has an engagement segment  53  with an engagement opening  53 A. The engagement opening is provided in the first bend segment  51  of the first nozzle  50 . A mechanical connection may be established directly between the first nozzle  50  and the wiper arm end member  40 . To this end, the wiper arm end member  40  is formed with a first protrusion  42 A on a surface of the intermediate segment  42  thereof. Here, two first protrusions  42 A are shown demonstratively. The first nozzle  50  is provided with a corresponding number of first recesses  53 B in the engagement opening thereof. In addition, the opening width of the engagement opening  53 A corresponds to the thickness of a wall portion of the intermediate segment  42  of the wiper arm end member. During mounting, it is only necessary to push the engagement opening  53 A of the first nozzle  50  to the intermediate segment  42  of the wiper arm end member  40 , so that the first protrusions  42 A occupy the correct positions in the first recesses  53 B (see  FIG.  9   ). Here, it can be considered that the first nozzle  50  is mounted at the wiper arm end member  40  in a snap-fit manner. 
     In this example, the first nozzle  50  has a first nozzle unit  56 A that sprays a fluid towards one end of the wiper blade, a second nozzle unit  56 C that sprays the fluid towards the other, opposite end of the wiper blade, and a third nozzle unit  56 B that sprays the fluid towards the windshield G. Preferably, a fluid spraying direction of the corresponding nozzle unit of the first nozzle  50  is adjustable. 
     The bridge channel  52  may be provided on a side portion of the engagement segment  53 , and at least partially aligned with the engagement segment in the thickness direction of the first bend segment  51 . In the example shown, the side of the bridge channel  52  facing the wiper blade does not extend beyond the side of the engagement segment  53  facing the wiper blade. In the mounted state of the first nozzle  50 , the bridge channel  52  faces the wiper arm holder  10 . 
     The bridge channel  52  may be at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal extension direction of the wiper arm, in particular the wiper arm end member  40  of the wiper arm, so as to match the shape of the wiper arm end member itself. For example, the bridge channel  52  may be perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the wiper arm end member  40  to match the situation where the fixing segment  41  and the mounting segment  43  of the wiper arm end member are staggered. 
     The first nozzle  50  is further provided with at least one penetration portion  57  to allow air to pass through when the vehicle is travelling. It can be seen in the example shown that the penetration portion  57  is partially provided at the first bend segment  51  and partially provided at the second bend segment  55 . 
       FIGS.  11  and  12    show cross-sectional views of the wiper arm of  FIG.  4    along lines E-E, F-F, wherein the wiper blade is additionally shown. 
     It can be seen in  FIG.  11    that the first nozzle  50  is held at the wall portion of the intermediate segment  42  of the wiper arm end member  40  via the engagement segment  53 , wherein the first protrusion  42 A is located in the first recess  53 B. In order to further facilitate the introduction of the intermediate segment  42  into the engagement opening  53 A of the engagement segment  53 , the side of the first protrusion  42 A facing the engagement opening  53 A in an engagement direction may be bevelled, such that the first protrusion  42 A has a bevel. 
     The arrow L schematically shows an airflow flowing towards the windshield through the penetration portion  57  of the first nozzle  50 , which facilitate the reduction of the load acting on the wiper arm. 
     In  FIG.  11   , the distance from the upper side of the intermediate segment  42  to the lower side of the engagement segment  53  is indicated by D1. In  FIG.  12   , the distance from the upper side of the intermediate segment  42  to the lower side of the bridge channel  52  is indicated by D2. Preferably, D2 is not greater than D1. 
     After the nozzle is mounted on the wiper arm end member, viewed from the vertical direction in  FIGS.  11  and  12   , the bridge channel  52  is located above the wiper blade  60  and is at least partially aligned with a segment (here, the intermediate segment) of the wiper arm end member  40  that is also located above the wiper blade  60 . The structural size of the corresponding portion is not excessively increased due to the provision of the bridge channel, but there is still a space left between the bridge channel and the wiper blade. Therefore, the overall size and structure of the wiper assembly are not significantly affected, and the nozzle can be mounted with as few modifications as possible. The wiper blade itself does not need to be modified, especially an upper portion  61  of the blade. 
     The wiper arm  1  may further have another nozzle for spraying the cleaning fluid towards the return side of the wiper arm when the wiper assembly swings in the return direction Z. 
       FIGS.  6  and  7    demonstratively show a detached state and a mounted state of the second nozzle  80  mounted at a side wall of the extension arm  20 , for example, the side wall  21 B on the outward-swinging side. A second protrusion  28  is formed on the side wall  21 B. Here, two second protrusions are shown demonstratively. The second nozzle  80  has a second mounting opening  82  mounted at the side wall  21 B, wherein the second mounting opening  82  is provided with second recesses, not shown, that match the second protrusions  28 , and the opening width of the second mounting opening  82  corresponds to the thickness of the side wall  21 B. During mounting, it is only necessary to push the mounting opening  82  of the second nozzle  50  to the side wall  21 B, so that the second protrusions occupy the correct positions in the second recesses. 
     The second nozzle  80  has a connector  84  for the end  73 B of a second conduit  71 B in fluid communication with the second nozzle. 
     The second nozzle  80  further has a fourth nozzle unit  81 A that sprays a fluid towards one end of the wiper blade, a fifth nozzle unit  81 C that sprays the fluid towards the other, opposite end of the wiper blade, and a sixth nozzle unit  81 B that sprays the fluid towards the windshield G. 
     The second nozzle  80  further has a supporting arm  83  for the first conduit  71 A. 
     Preferably, a fluid spraying direction of the corresponding nozzle unit of the second nozzle  80  is adjustable. 
     A perspective diagram of a second embodiment of a wiper assembly according to the present invention is schematically shown in  FIG.  13   . The difference between the wiper assembly S′ of the second embodiment and the wiper assembly S of the first embodiment lies in the mounting method of the first nozzle. To avoid repetition, only this will be described below, and for the other parts, reference can be made to the description above. Single quotes are added to the reference signs. 
     The wiper arm  1 ′ of the wiper assembly S′ also has a wiper arm end member  40 ′ and a first nozzle  50 ′, the first nozzle being mounted on the wiper arm end member. 
     As can be seen in particular from the exploded diagram of  FIG.  14   , the wiper arm end member  40 ′ has a fixing segment  41 ′ fixed to the extension arm, a mounting segment  43 ′ for mounting the wiper blade, and an intermediate segment  42 ′ between them. An engagement port  44 ′ is provided in the intermediate segment, which is formed by means of blanking, for example. 
     The first nozzle  50 ′ also has a first section  51 ′ and a second section  55 ′. The engagement segment  53 ′ is formed in the first section  51 ′, and the nozzle unit is provided at the second section  55 ′. The engagement segment  53 ′ has notches  53 A′ on two sides. In the mounted state of the first nozzle (see  FIG.  13   ), the corresponding two edges  44 A′ of the engagement port  44 ′ of the intermediate segment  42 ′ are accommodated in the notches  53 A′. Of course, an anti-drop structure is also provided to prevent the first nozzle from separating from the wiper arm end member. For example, the anti-drop structure may be provided with corresponding structures in the first nozzle and the wiper arm end member similar to the combination of the protrusions and the recesses described above. Of course, it can also be implemented by means of adhesive bonding or other suitable methods. 
     The first section  51 ′ of the first nozzle  50 ′ is also formed with a connector  54 ′ connected to a conduit for the nozzle and a bridge channel  52 ′ of the nozzle unit not shown. The bridge channel  52 ′ is located between the two notches  53 A′. After the wiper blade  60  is mounted on the wiper arm  1 ′, the connector  54 ′ of the first nozzle  50 ′ and the nozzle unit are located on two sides relative to the wiper blade, and the bridge channel  52 ′ is located above the wiper blade. 
     In  FIG.  15   , the distance between the upper side of the intermediate segment and the lower side of the bridge channel is indicated by D3. Similar to the first embodiment, D3 is preferably not greater than the distance from the upper side of the intermediate segment to the lower side of the engagement segment. More preferably, the lower side of the bridge channel is the lower side of the engagement segment. In this embodiment, after the first nozzle  50 ′ is mounted, the bridge channel, which is located above the wiper blade, is at least partially aligned with a segment of the wiper arm end member that is also located above the wiper blade, so that the structural size of the corresponding portion is not excessively increased due to the provision of the bridge channel. Therefore, the overall size and structure of the wiper assembly are not significantly affected, and the nozzle can be mounted with as few modifications as possible. 
     It should be noted that the first nozzle  50  and the second nozzle  80  described above of the washer assembly may also be used alternatively, and conduits for the nozzles are respectively provided with adapters  72 A,  72 B at the ends thereof. 
     It should be noted that the wiper arm end member and the extension arm may also be connected indirectly, that is, via a further component. 
     The present invention, instead of being limited to the above-described structure, may also have other variants. Although the present invention has already been described by means of a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art could, drawing benefit from this disclosure, design other embodiments which do not depart from the scope of protection of the present invention disclosed herein. Thus, the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the attached claims alone.