Cleaning Element Moved From Surface Patents (Class 15/250.19)
  • Patent number: 11920955
    Abstract: A sensor (100) mounting apparatus is provided, including a housing (10), a guiding component (20) provided on the housing (10), a first cleaning member (30) slidably arranged on the guiding component (20), and a first driving element (40). The housing (10) has an accommodating cavity (11), the first driving element (40) is configured to drive the first cleaning member (30) to slide along the guiding component (20), and the first cleaning member (30) includes a second driving element (31) and a cleaning element (32) in transmission connection with the second driving element (31). The second driving element (31) is configured to drive the cleaning element (32) to swing back and forth around a direction perpendicular to a light-transmitting surface (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: BEIJING TUSEN ZHITU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaoping Gu, Jie Sun
  • Patent number: 11772607
    Abstract: The accessory for a windshield wiper is for use with a vehicle. The vehicle further includes a windshield and windshield wiper. The windshield wiper further includes a claw and one or more blades. The accessory for a windshield wiper attaches to the windshield wiper. The accessory for a windshield wiper comprises a lifting structure and a control apparatus. The control apparatus controls the operation of the lifting structure. The lifting structure is a mechanical device that physically raises or lowers the windshield wiper above the windshield or onto the windshield. The control apparatus controls the operation of the lifting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Donald Venterosa
  • Patent number: 11040701
    Abstract: A wiper mount bracket including an attachment portion, a pair of first welded portions each of which is provided with a welding point to be spot welded to the vehicle body, a second welded portion that is disposed on one side with respect to the attachment portion and the first welded portions in a direction perpendicular to an arrangement direction of the pair of first welded portions and that is provided with a welding point to be spot welded to the vehicle body, and a recess portion that is disposed between the second welded portion and the attachment portion together with the first welded portions. A protruding bead through which an input load from the wiper driving unit is transmitted toward an outer edge of the first welded portion is provided in a vicinity of each of the welding points of the first welded portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoyo Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 10899310
    Abstract: An advanced driving assistance system (ADAS)-linked active hood apparatus for always-on operation is provided. The apparatus includes a rotary arm that is fixed to a hood of a vehicle, a rotary bracket configured to be rotated in conjunction with the rotary arm when rotation force is applied to the rotary bracket and a first link configured to interconnect the rotary bracket and the rotary arm. A motor unit is fixed to a vehicle body and applies rotation force to the rotary bracket. A controller is configured to receive driving information of the vehicle via an advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) and to set a pop-up height of the hood. The controller operates the motor unit to perform pop-up and restoration of the hood to an original position when a collision is expected based on the received driving information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Il Kim, Eun Cheol Hong
  • Patent number: 10843663
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for implementing a windshield wiper system with an actively movable platform. The windshield wiper system can include a windshield wiper arm mechanically coupled to a platform and an actuator mechanically coupled to the platform. The windshield wiper arm can be configured to move through a planar range of motion that is substantially parallel to a surface of a vehicle when the platform is positioned at a first spatial location and the movable windshield wiper arm can be configured constrained from moving through the planar range when the platform is positioned at a second spatial location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: FARADAY & FUTURE INC.
    Inventor: Nicholas Clyde Bennett
  • Patent number: 10696276
    Abstract: A wiper system for clearing an outer surface of a window is disclosed and includes an arm, a frame, a blade, and an actuator operatively connected to the arm. The arm includes a parked position and defines a proximate end portion and a distal end portion. The arm is pivotable about the proximate end portion of the arm out of the parked position. The frame is pivotally connected to the distal end portion of the arm. The frame defines a lengthwise distance. The blade extends along at least a lengthwise portion of the frame. The blade defines an edge that is configured to contact the outer surface of the window when the arm is in the parked position. The actuator is configured to exert a force against the arm that is sufficient to urge the arm out of the parked position and away from the outer surface of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Kiester, Kenton L. West, Robert J. Schlenke, Jason H. Ross
  • Patent number: 10538221
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a surface, such as a windshield of a vehicle, has a housing that holds a spray bar, rotatable brush and a wiper blade. An engagement mechanism moves spray bar, the brush, and the wiper blade out from a disengaged position within the housing to an engaged position outside the housing so that they can be used to clean, brush, and dry the surface. After the spray bar, brush, and wiper blade are used to, respectively, clean, brush, and dry the surface, the engagement mechanism then moves the spray bar, the brush, and the wiper blade to a disengaged position within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Singer
  • Patent number: 10293790
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a vehicle has tracks above and below the vehicle's windshield. A brush, wiper blade and spray bar extend across the windshield at a starting side of the windshield. The spray bar provides washer fluid as the brush rotates against the windshield. The spray bar, rotating brush and wiper bar are moved along the tracks and across the windshield to an opposing, return side of the windshield where the wiper blade first contacts the windshield and the brush stops rotating and moves away from the windshield. The spray bar rotates next to the wiper blade to blow air against the windshield. The wiper blade scrapes water while air blows water off the windshield as they move back to the starting side of the windshield where they are stored in a frame along the side of the windshield when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Singer
  • Patent number: 9988018
    Abstract: A window wiper system is provided for enhanced performance in winter weather conditions. The wiper system includes a wiper assembly having a wiper base, a wiper arm pivotally connected to the wiper base and wiper blade carried on the wiper arm. An actuator carried on the wiper assembly selectively displaces the wiper arm between an operating position wherein the wiper blade engages and sweeps the vehicle window and a raised position wherein the wiper blade is lifted from the vehicle window. When the wiper blade is displaced from the raised position to the operating position it impacts the window with sufficient force to remove any accumulated ice from the wiper assembly without damaging the assembly or the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Iskander Farooq, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 9707935
    Abstract: A windshield touch and clean system that can clean either the entire windshield of an automobile or spot clean a localized area of the windshield is disclosed. The windshield touch and clean system may control a cleaning head in a number of ways including but not limited to two articulating extension members or a gantry system. The cleaning head may be retrofitted with a spray nozzle for spraying cleaning fluid and also a vibration unit to assist in cleaning of residue on the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Singer
  • Patent number: 9459450
    Abstract: The current document is directed to automated, electromechanical methods and devices that clean dirt, moisture, and spider webs from the lenses of surveillance cameras. In one implementation, a camera-cleaning device comprises a cleaning unit, a freely rotating L-shaped hinge, a geared electric motor, a motor-control circuit for controlling the forward and backward motion of the device, and a time-control circuit for controlling the start, finish and run time of cleaning cycles. The cleaning unit includes a cleaning head and a propeller blade that spins to lift the cleaning unit up from a rest position to a cleaning position and subsequently clean the front of the camera lens. The pivotal L-shaped linkage enables the device to transition between the cleaning position and the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: AVAK HENDERSON LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: Vance Edward Kemege
  • Patent number: 9399443
    Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having a windshield, a cowl and an engine hood is provided. The apparatus includes a deployable hood extender, movable between a stowed position within or beneath the hood and a deployed position, wherein the hood extender substantially overlaps the cowl or an area of increased component stiffness rearward of the vehicle hood and beneath at least a portion of the windshield. The hood extender may include a positional control portion, an energy absorbing portion, a bending control feature, and softened edges. The hood extender may be a single moveable panel or may comprise a plurality of moveable panels, strips or rod-like elements, wherein the plurality of elements may be rigidly or pivotally attached to one another for linear or rotational displacement between stowed and deployed positions. The hood extender may be an expandable lattice structure. An actuation lock is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Richard Edward Ruthinowski, Brian Robert Spahn, Thomas Joseph
  • Patent number: 9327686
    Abstract: A vehicle wiper device includes a wiper arm, a drive source, a drive shaft that is pivoted by the drive source, and a wiper arm urging member. The wiper arm urging member includes a swing member, an inclination member, a rod, and a compression spring. The inclination member includes a wiper fixing portion and a drawing portion. The rod includes a basal end supported by the drawing portion. A first end of the compression spring is supported by the swing member and the second end applies an urging force to a distal end of the rod. The compression spring acts to draw the drawing portion and urge a distal end of the wiper arm toward a wiped surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: ASMO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kato, Keigo Hikida, Yoshihisa Banno
  • Patent number: 9290155
    Abstract: A protective cover for a windshield wiper blade is provided. The cover may be secured on a windshield, or windscreen, in line with any windshield wipers adapted for use on a motor vehicle such as an automobile, watercraft, or even aircraft. The cover comprises a shell sized to envelop at least a blade portion of a windshield wiper when such wiper is not in use. The shell is defined, in part, by a rear flap that is hingedly engaged along a back edge of a base and releaseable from a closed position. In operation, an activated windshield wiper will automatically exit the shell to displace water and debris on the windshield by pressing the rear flap into an open position as it pivots across a windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Andrey Isayan
  • Patent number: 9056632
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a windshield and a radiator tank assembly that acts on the lower edge of the windshield and exhibits a guide pad extending on an interior side of the windshield. The guide pad is divided into a central and two lateral sections. The lateral sections are more flexible than the central section during exposure to a pressure acting on the windshield from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Schaefer, Uwe Schmitz, Stefan Wolff
  • Publication number: 20150082576
    Abstract: Method for detecting the position of a wiper arm (5) for a system (1) for wiping a vehicle window (3), comprising the steps consisting in: a) measuring or estimating (35) at least one parameter for determining the maintenance or service position, b) comparing (37) the measured or estimated value of said parameter with a reference value or a range of reference values, and c) determining, from the results of the comparison, whether the wiper arm is in maintenance or service position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Romain Adeline, Aymeric Koniec
  • Patent number: 8857007
    Abstract: A vehicle wiper device includes a drive device, a drive shaft rotated back and forth about a first axis by the drive device, a wiper arm pivoted back and forth along a wiping surface as the drive shaft rotates back and forth, and a wiper arm biasing mechanism that biases the wiper arm toward the wiping surface. The wiper arm biasing mechanism includes a swing member, a tilting member, and a biasing member. The swing member is integrally pivotal with the drive shaft. The tilting member is supported by the swing member so as to tilt about a second axis. The tilting member includes a wiper fixing portion. The biasing member, which includes a first end supported by the swing member, and applies a biasing force to the tilting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Kato
  • Patent number: 8726452
    Abstract: A wiper device having improved durability includes: an arm head having one end fixed to a pivot shaft installed on a vehicle; and a retainer having one end coupled to the arm head to rotate relative to the arm head and the other end coupled to a blade for wiping a glass of the vehicle, wherein the retainer includes: a body formed of synthetic resins; and a reinforcement member that is coupled to a portion of the retainer, which is adjacent to the arm head, and is formed of a metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Dongyang Mechatonics Corp.
    Inventor: Kyoung Ho Ko
  • Patent number: 8677550
    Abstract: A wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length and an active material actuator provided along a portion of the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material actuator is configured to impart a degree of motion to a portion of the wiper blade in response to an electrical actuation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas W. Pinto, IV, Scott R. Webb, Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Wendell G. Summerville, John A. Cafeo
  • Patent number: 8640298
    Abstract: A wiper lifter assembly may include a wiper ramp that lifts a wiper away from a wiper surface on a vehicle, an isolation pad for attaching the assembly to the vehicle, and a wiper contact member that is attached to an upper surface of the wiper ramp. The wiper ramp may be formed of a first material while the wiper contact member and the isolation pad may be both formed of a second material that is softer than the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael A. Schrader
  • Publication number: 20130239990
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning eyewear has a mounting element for mounting the cleaning device on the eyewear, a cleaning element, and a retraction mechanism. The mounting element includes a loop mounting system that may be wrapped around a part of the eyewear and connected to form a loop for mounting the cleaning device on the eyewear. The retraction mechanism is mounted on the mounting element, and a cord attaches the cleaning element to the retraction mechanism. The invention further includes a method of use of the cleaning device for cleaning the eyewear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: Jeffrey Allen Lynch
  • Patent number: 8468640
    Abstract: A scrubber assembly (14) for a windshield wiper (10) having a wiper arm (12) includes a scrubber housing (22) attached to the wiper arm. The scrubber housing (22) has an interior volume (66) and at least one opening (58). A rod (68) is at least partially disposed in the interior volume (66) and is displaceable from a first position to a second position. A brush assembly (42) is attached to the rod (68) with at least one flexible connecting member (76) that extends through the at least one opening (58) to the brush assembly. When the rod (68) is in the first position, a first portion of the flexible connecting member (76) protrudes from the opening (58), and when the rod is displaced to the second position, a second portion of the flexible connecting member that is larger than the first portion protrudes from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Chaise, Esther Chen, Robert Holop, Luke Xie
  • Patent number: 8453291
    Abstract: A wiper lifter assembly includes a wiper ramp that lifts a wiper away from a wiper surface on a vehicle and a wiper contact member that is attached to an upper surface of the wiper ramp. The wiper contact member may act as a sound damper to greatly reduce the undesirable noise otherwise caused when the wiper contacts the wiper lifter assembly. The assembly may also include an isolation pad for attaching the assembly to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael A. Schrader, Anthony J. Ferrito, Michael T. Binfet, Takuji Ohara, James A. Loftus, Jr., Kozo Kusumoto, Joshua L. Morrow
  • Publication number: 20130047366
    Abstract: The present invention is a windshield wiper lifter that mounts to a standard vehicle windshield wiper arm. The windshield wiper lifter has an articulating arm affixed approximately perpendicular to the windshield wiper. A first block and a second block are affixed to the windshield in the arced path of the windshield wiper lifter. When the windshield wiper lifter strikes the first block it raises the wiper arm off of the windshield when the wiper arm strokes in a first direction. When the windshield wiper lifter strikes the second block it lowers the windshield wiper arm when stroking in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Nathan Bush
  • Patent number: 8365345
    Abstract: The present invention is a windshield wiper lifter that mounts to a standard vehicle windshield wiper arm. The windshield wiper lifter has an articulating arm affixed approximately perpendicular to the windshield wiper. A first block and a second block are affixed to the windshield in the arced path of the windshield wiper lifter. When the windshield wiper lifter strikes the first block it raises the wiper arm off of the windshield when the wiper arm strokes in a first direction. When the windshield wiper lifter strikes the second block it lowers the windshield wiper arm when stroking in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Nathan Bush
  • Patent number: 8166604
    Abstract: A vehicle wiper assembly may include an arm and a wiper blade attached to the arm. The wiper assembly may be placed into a parked condition by supporting the wiper blade to a wiper lifter. To prevent unintentional removal of the wiper blade, as may occur for example in a car wash, the wiper blade remains irremovable from the arm due to physical interference between the wiper assembly and the wiper lifter. When removal of the wiper blade is desired, the wiper assembly may be manually moved to a position where the wiper blade can be removed from the arm without physical interference between the wiper assembly and the wiper lifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael A. Schrader, Joshua L. Morrow
  • Patent number: 8146198
    Abstract: An automatic debris removal apparatus for a wiper system that removes soluble and insoluble debris trapped between the wiper blade and the glass surface by lifting the wiper blade off the glass surface and then causing the wiper blade to drop onto the glass surface as a shake under urge of the biasing spring of the wiper arm, so as to thereby provide a shaking action which frees any trapped debris. An actuator selectively interacts with the pivotal portion of the wiper arm to effect shaking of the wiper arm to thereby free the wiper blade of the debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: David T. Renke
  • Patent number: 8112012
    Abstract: A printer ROS window cleaning system enforces unidirectional cleaning motion through a passageway formed in the printer housing. A guide has a distal portion that engages a cleaning tool from insertion until a cleaning portion reaches the rear of the passageway. A cleaning tool deflector positioned at the rear of the passageway biases the cleaning tool from the distal portion of the passageway to a proximate portion so that the cleaning portion contacts the ROS window. A unidirectional cleaning feature ensures that the cleaning portion will contact the ROS window during removal of the cleaning tool by preventing re-insertion of the cleaning tool in the proximate portion of the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Hin Loong Wong, Kai Leong Wong
  • Patent number: 8104135
    Abstract: A swing lever is fixed to a pivot shaft to pivot the pivot shaft about a pivot axis thereof. A wiper arm is directly connected to a distal end portion of the pivot shaft and is pivoted together with the pivot shaft about the pivot axis of the pivot shaft when the pivot shaft is driven by the swing lever. The wiper arm is pivotable about a pivot axis thereof, which is generally perpendicular to or is tilted relative to the pivot axis of the pivot shaft, toward or away from a wiping surface. A coil spring is directly or indirectly connected between the wiper arm and the swing lever to exert an urging force to urge the wiper arm toward the wiping surface in a wiping operational position of the wiper arm for wiping the wiping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsumoto, Masahiko Yamanishi
  • Patent number: 8052802
    Abstract: A rear wiper assembly that moves to a parked position located out of contact with the rear windshield upon the occurrence of a specified condition. Upon resuming the normal operation of the rear wiper assembly the rear wiper arm waits a first delay prior to moving to a flip position located on the rear windshield and then waits a second delay prior to resuming its normal oscillation across the rear windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Binfet, John Sgueglia, Dave Peterson
  • Patent number: 8042219
    Abstract: A wiper arm assembly and method of construction thereof includes a mounting head and a wiper arm configured for relative rotation during assembly from a disassembled position to a shipping position, wherein the wiper arm and mounting head are locked against rotation toward the disassembled position once in the shipping position. The mounting head and wiper arm have locking surfaces configured for locked engagement with one another while in the shipping position. The locking surfaces are brought into engagement with one another by a force imparted by a spring while rotating the mounting head relative to the wiper arm from the disassembled position toward the shipping position. When in the shipping position, the locking surfaces confront each other and prevent the mounting head and the wiper arm from rotating back toward the disassembled position from the shipping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. Stahlhut
  • Publication number: 20110146021
    Abstract: A wiper lifter assembly may include a wiper ramp that lifts a wiper away from a wiper surface on a vehicle, an isolation pad for attaching the assembly to the vehicle, and a wiper contact member that is attached to an upper surface of the wiper ramp. The wiper ramp may be formed of a first material while the wiper contact member and the isolation pad may be both formed of a second material that is softer than the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Michael A. Schrader
  • Publication number: 20110139178
    Abstract: An automatic debris removal apparatus for a wiper system that removes soluble and insoluble debris trapped between the wiper blade and the glass surface by lifting the wiper blade off the glass surface and then causing the wiper blade to drop onto the glass surface as a shake under urge of the biasing spring of the wiper arm, so as to thereby provide a shaking action which frees any trapped debris. An actuator selectively interacts with the pivotal portion of the wiper arm to effect shaking of the wiper arm to thereby free the wiper blade of the debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: David T. Renke
  • Patent number: 7900312
    Abstract: A scrubber assembly (14) for a windshield wiper (10) having a wiper arm (12) includes a scrubber housing (22) attached to the wiper arm. The scrubber housing (22) has an interior volume (66) and at least one opening (58). A rod (68) is at least partially disposed in the interior volume (66) and is displaceable from a first position to a second position. A brush assembly (42) is attached to the rod (68) with at least one flexible connecting member (76) that extends through the at least one opening (58) to the brush assembly. When the rod (68) is in the first position, a first portion of the flexible connecting member (76) protrudes from the opening (58), and when the rod is displaced to the second position, a second portion of the flexible connecting member that is larger than the first portion protrudes from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Truck Intelluctual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Chaise, Esther Chen, Robert Holop, Luke Xie
  • Patent number: 7891042
    Abstract: An automatic debris removal apparatus for a wiper system that removes soluble and insoluble debris trapped between the wiper blade and the glass surface by lifting the wiper blade off the glass surface and then causing the wiper blade to drop onto the glass surface as a shake under urge of the biasing spring of the wiper arm, so as to thereby provide a shaking action which frees any trapped debris. An actuator selectively interacts with the pivotal portion of the wiper arm to effect shaking of the wiper arm to thereby free the wiper blade of the debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: David T. Renke
  • Publication number: 20100154157
    Abstract: A wiper lifter assembly includes a wiper ramp that lifts a wiper away from a wiper surface on a vehicle and a wiper contact member that is attached to an upper surface of the wiper ramp. The wiper contact member may act as a sound damper to greatly reduce the undesirable noise otherwise caused when the wiper contacts the wiper lifter assembly. The assembly may also include an isolation pad for attaching the assembly to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Michael A. Schrader, Anthony J. Ferrito, Michael T. Binfet, Takuji Ohara, James A. Loftus, JR., Kozo Kusumoto, Joshua L. Morrow
  • Patent number: 7703169
    Abstract: A windshield wiper snow removal and deicing device raises a windshield wiper blade away from a windshield, upon which the blade is otherwise maintained in contacting engagement therewith by a wiper biasing spring connected to the wiper arm, such that the blade falls down and impacts the windshield to remove snow and ice accumulated thereon while wiping on the windshield. In a first embodiment, a motor connected to the arm rotates a flap connected thereto to raise the blade above the windshield. In a second embodiment, a cover for a casing attached to the windshield is raised into an idle deployment configuration for engaging the arm and raising the blade above the windshield. In a third embodiment, a body on the arm has a pivoting member to engage an engagement stop on the windshield, with the pivoting member pivoting into a vertical configuration to lift the blade off the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Ertan Cakmak
  • Publication number: 20090241281
    Abstract: A wiper system for use with a windshield includes a wiper arm and a separator assembly. The wiper arm includes a wiper blade movable between a use position and a raised position. The wiper blade is in contact with the windshield in the use position and removed from the windshield in the raised position. The separator assembly includes a base and an air bladder secured to the base. The base is adapted to receive a source of pressurized air for selectively inflating the air bladder to toggle the wiper blade between the use position and the raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: John H. Couch
  • Patent number: 7549189
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of wiper blades including U-shaped housings and elongated lever arms having lower end portions connected thereto respectively. The housings are secured to a lower portion of the windshield and electrically coupled to an internal power supply source. A hand-operable switch is disposed within the vehicle and operably connected to the power supply source and the housings respectively. The system further includes a mechanism electrically coupled to the switch for lifting the wiper blades about the respective housing, effectively generating an impact force as the wiper blades are snapped back to the resting position after being pivoted to a stressed position so that debris and frozen elements will advantageously discharge from the wiper blades during operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Matthew D. Mayer
  • Publication number: 20090151109
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper system for a window of a motor vehicle. A wiper assembly is provided that oscillates over the window to remove moisture. A slider member extends outwardly and generally away from the wiper assembly. A pivotal lifter is affixed to the motor vehicle and engages the slider member to pivotally lift the wiper assembly away from the window upon deactivation of the wiper system. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method of making a wiper system in accordance with the above description.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO. LTD
    Inventor: Michael Schrader
  • Patent number: 7536744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper system for a window of a motor vehicle. A wiper assembly is provided that oscillates over the window to remove moisture. A slider member extends outwardly and generally away from the wiper assembly. A pivotal lifter is affixed to the motor vehicle and engages the slider member to pivotally lift the wiper assembly away from the window upon deactivation of the wiper system. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method of making a wiper system in accordance with the above description.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Schrader
  • Patent number: 7516511
    Abstract: A windscreen wiper supporting device comprises a hollow body, an interior of the body being installed with a retaining shaft; a lower side of the retaining shaft having a first magnetic unit; a second magnetic unit being at a lower side of the first magnetic unit and being within the body; the magnetic polarities of the first magnetic unit and second magnetic unit being identical; the body being formed with a through hole and a fixing hole; and an supporting rod having one end passing through the through hole; the retaining shaft and the fixing hole to be connected to the body; and another end of the supporting rod exposed out of the body so as to form as an supporting portion. The body has a cover and is installed with a combining seat which has a U shape or an H shape. The combining seat is installed with a nut and a screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventor: Jih-Hung Yeh
  • Publication number: 20080104791
    Abstract: A windscreen wiper supporting device comprises a hollow body, an interior of the body being installed with a retaining shaft; a lower side of the retaining shaft having a first magnetic unit; a second magnetic unit being at a lower side of the first magnetic unit and being within the body; the magnetic polarities of the first magnetic unit and second magnetic unit being identical; the body being formed with a through hole and a fixing hole; and an supporting rod having one end passing through the through hole; the retaining shaft and the fixing hole to be connected to the body; and another end of the supporting rod exposed out of the body so as to form as an supporting portion. The body has a cover and is installed with a combining seat which has a U shape or an H shape. The combining seat is installed with a nut and a screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Jih-Hung Yeh
  • Publication number: 20070266516
    Abstract: A windshield wiper snow removal and deicing device raises a windshield wiper blade away from a windshield, upon which the blade is otherwise maintained in contacting engagement therewith by a wiper biasing spring connected to the wiper arm, such that the blade falls down and impacts the windshield to remove snow and ice accumulated thereon while wiping on the windshield. In a first embodiment, a motor connected to the arm rotates a flap connected thereto to raise the blade above the windshield. In a second embodiment, a cover for a casing attached to the windshield is raised into an idle deployment configuration for engaging the arm and raising the blade above the windshield. In a third embodiment, a body on the arm has a pivoting member to engage an engagement stop on the windshield, with the pivoting member pivoting into a vertical configuration to lift the blade off the windshield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventor: Ertan Cakmak
  • Patent number: 7152270
    Abstract: A wiper assembly wipes precipitation and debris of a windshield of a motor vehicle. The wiper assembly includes a drive motor fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. The wiper assembly also includes a wiper arm secured to the drive motor. The drive motor pivots the wiper arm across the windshield to clean the windshield. The wiper arm extends between a motor end and a distal end. The wiper arm also includes a separator extending along the wiper arm. The separator lifts the wiper arm away from the windshield allowing for the removal of debris from the windshield and the wiper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: W3 Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond M. Genick, II, John Edward Campbell
  • Patent number: 7014717
    Abstract: A wiper assembly having impact action includes a wiper shaft cap, a first pivotal yoke, a second pivotal yoke, an actuation device and a wiper arm. The actuation device is formed in one end of the wiper arm. One end of the first pivotal yoke is pivotally attached to the wiper shaft cap. The other end of the first pivotal yoke is pivotally attached to one end of the second pivotal yoke. The other end of the second pivotal yoke is secured to an actuation end of the actuation device. In a second embodiment of a wiper assembly having impact action, the actuation device is formed in the wiper shaft cap. The actuation device in either embodiment is actuated to lift the wiper arm and drop thereof suddenly to remove sleet, ice or snow off a wiper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Mark S. Lahti
  • Patent number: 6952857
    Abstract: A wiper arm window latch system and method includes an end of a wiper arm which is mounted on a window and which is received in a drive coupler coupled to a drive motor mounted on a door. The drive coupler permits the wiper arm to be drivingly coupled to a wiper motor. The drive coupler and end of the wiper arm also cooperate to lock the wiper arm to the drive coupler, thereby causing the window of the vehicle to be locked in a closed position, such as against the door. This system and method is particularly suited for use in a vehicle having a rear window which is pivotable between an open position and a closed position and where a rear window wiper is desired or required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Ponziani
  • Patent number: 6859972
    Abstract: A wiper system for use with a windshield is provided and includes a wiper arm having a first and second end. The first end of the wiper arm includes a reaction surface disposed thereon while the second end includes a wiper blade biased into engagement with the windshield. In addition, a drive motor is fixedly attached to the first end of the wiper arm, whereby the drive motor includes a drive shaft operable to pivot the wiper arm across the windshield. A separator assembly is further provided and is supported by the drive shaft. The separator assembly is disposed within the arm and is operable to react against the reaction surface of the arm to selectively lift the wiper arm from engagement with the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: John H. Couch
  • Patent number: 6857160
    Abstract: A windshield wiper device, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes a wiper arm (10) that is drivable by a drive, the wiper arm (10) being foldable onto the windshield and able to be folded away from the windshield. The wiper arm is associated with a wiper blade, whereby the wiper arm (10) has a region (11) that faces toward the drive and a region (12) that faces toward the wiper blade. Both regions are connected to two torsion spring elements (13, 14). The torsion spring element (13, 14) are provided with two opposite torsion angles. The torsion spring elements (13, 14) have a square cross section, whose width is greater than its thickness, so that the torsion spring elements (13, 14) are curved in a longitudinal direction toward the windshield or curved away from the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Weiler, Joachim Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6842938
    Abstract: A wiper assembly wipes precipitation and debris of a windshield of a motor vehicle. The wiper assembly includes a drive motor fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. The wiper assembly also includes a wiper arm secured to the drive motor. The drive motor pivots the wiper arm across the windshield to clean the windshield. The wiper arm extends between a motor end and a distal end. The wiper arm also includes a separator extending along the wiper arm. The separator lifts the wiper arm away from the windshield allowing for the removal of debris from the windshield and the wiper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: W3 Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Raymond M. Genick, II, John Edward Campbell