Abstract: A windshield wiper, in which an element of the frame of the wiper blade is articulated on the end of a wiper arm by a connector that is articulated on the frame. The connector includes a substantially inverted U-shaped front body which overlaps onto the center part of the hinge of the frame, such that the longitudinally sliding connector is accommodated in the front end of the arm. The connector includes a lock mechanism that locks in a longitudinally direction in relation to the arm. The connector also includes a retaining rod extending vertically with clearance through a hole that is dead center with the center part of the hinge of the frame element.

Abstract: A gel is used as the joining agent to mount a rain sensor to a windscreen of an automobile. The gel used does not harden even in the long term, and air pockets which form inside the gel or on the boundary surfaces with the glass pane or the sensor migrate into the area around the sensor. The rain sensor is attached to a glass pane without special elastic intermediate elements, using the elasticity of the joining agent for tolerance compensation.

Abstract: An HVAC evaporator core temperature probe apparatus and assembly method in which the temperature probe has a seal member mounted intermediate opposed ends. First and second apertures are formed in the HVAC housing, one adjacent the mounted position of the probe sensing end and the other end spaced from the access aperture and receiving the seal member to dispose the electrical connector on the other end of the probe conductor exteriorly of the housing. The temperature probe is inserted in the evaporator prior to mounting the evaporator core in the HVAC housing. The seal member is snap mounted in the first aperture in the housing to dispose the electrical connector exteriorly of the housing. After separation of the probe sensing end from the evaporator core and separation of the seal member from the first aperture, an existing temperature probe is removable through the second aperture in the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a windscreen wiper drive mechanism in which an output lever can be fixed on a gear wheel at a predetermined angle, the gear wheel adopting a position at a defined angle. Before assembly, the output shaft should be connected to the output lever in such a way that it cannot be detached. The invention also relates to a method for assembling a drive system of this type. The inventive method consists essentially of the following steps: moving the gear wheel into the defined end position (park position) independently of engagement with the output shaft and then connecting the output shaft to which the output lever was previously undetachably fixed to the gear wheel, with a press fit. Advantageous embodiments describe appropriate bearing possibilities for the gear wheel and suitable steps for facilitating the pressing-in process.

Abstract: A switch apparatus for controlling multiple electrical circuits includes housing mountable on a vehicle steering column. A carrier is pivotally mounted to the housing for rotation with a lever. The lever pivots about at least one axis between a center position and at least one other position. A detent surface formed in one of the housing and the carrier has at least one detent, each detent associated with a respective other position. A component for latching the carrier and the lever one of the other positions is mountable on the carrier and engageable with the detent surface. A cancel pawl extends from the housing and is engageable with a rotatable member on the steering column. The carrier is returned to the center position from engagement in the other position by a biasing component, which permits sliding movement between the cancel pawl and biasing component when the lever holds the carrier in the position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a wiper device comprising at least a plate guiding in rotation and fixing a shaft extending axially (X—X) outwards by its free end wherein the plate comprises a stem in which the driving shaft is guided in rotation and a transverse sole plate for fixing it on the vehicle body via a shock-absorbing unit. The invention is characterized in that the shock-absorbing unit is mounted in a housing matching the sole plate partially open along a direction substantially parallel to the driving shaft axis (X—X) to enable, in case of a violent impact, the shock-absorbing unit to be released from its housing thereby causing the axial retraction of the sole plate, the guide stem and the driving shaft.

Abstract: A membrane seal for a multi-part fluid pump housing discharging windshield washer fluid from reservoir includes a one-piece, rigid carrier and a resilient seal member molded onto the rigid member to seal two pump housing parts. Resilient material also over molded over at least one flow aperture in the carrier to form a check valve to control fluid flow between an inlet and an outlet of the pump housing. Resilient material also is molded over another aperture in the carrier to form a pump motor shaft seal. In a construction method, the resilient material forming the peripheral seal, the check valve and the pump motor shaft seal is over molded in a single process step over the carrier.

Abstract: The invention is a rain sensor including a transmitter and receiver formed by chips bonded onto a printed circuit board. Advantageous embodiments of the invention provide filtering of radiation guided to the receiver of the sensor. The sensor is provided with a barrier to suppress parasitic radiation.

Abstract: A vehicle blower motor includes a housing having a first bushing mounted at a first end about a shaft extending through the housing. A one-piece brush card bushing holder is mounted in the second end of the housing and carries a plurality of brushes engagable with a commutator mounted on the shaft. A second bushing is mounted in the brush card holder and disposed in engagement with the shaft. A portion of the brush card holder is formed as an end plate covering the second end of the housing.

Abstract: The invention is wiper arm for a device for the cleaning of a windshield on a vehicle with a retaining element attached to a drive shaft to which a wiper arm part is articulated such that it can be tilted onto and away from the windshield and which is pressed down in the direction of the windshield with a force at least during the operation of the windshield washing device, and with the free end of which a wiper can be connected and with a separate trim that is attached to the wiper arm and extends in a longitudinal direction over the greater part of the length of the entire wiper arm part, and over all of the length of the wiper that is connected to the wiper arm.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wiper articulated on a wiper arm by a connector provided with a sliding lock co-operating with a transverse element of the blade for fixing the connector on the blade. The lock includes a control plate capable of elastic deformation along a direction perpendicular to the lock sliding direction and bears means for blocking the lock which, when the lock is free in the locking position, co-operate with matching means integral with the blade for blocking the lock, and, further, when the control plate is deformed, are released from the matching means for enabling the lock to slide.

Abstract: A hatch assembly for a vehicle wherein the components to be installed within the tailgate or the hatch are interconnected. The components can include one or more of a wiper drive motor, a cargo light, a center high mounted stop light, a fluid sprayer, a latch, and the vehicle hatch. The assembly can include corresponding shaped features on respective components so that the components can be interconnected without the use of additional fasteners. Electrical connections are also made between the components of the assembly. The electrical connections are embedded within the walls of the components, the cover, and/or the shaped features that provide the mechanical connections between the enclosures.

Abstract: A motor housing assembly includes a motor housing mounted to a gear housing and a brush holder assembly where the brush holder assembly is fixed in position by the junction between the motor housing and the gearbox. In one embodiment, a gasket is mechanically attached to the brush holder assembly via detents, and is compressed between the motor housing and gearbox when the two are assembled together.

Abstract: An electric motor unit with continuous current containing a connection plate and a card that carries electronics for the control of the motor. The card also contains electronics to monitor the current in order to detect the blockage of the motor's rotor and electronics to control the power supply of the motor. The card and/or the plate carries devices to sense temperature. The electronics to control the power supply are linked to the device(s) sensing temperature, as well as to the electronics monitoring the current. The control electronics cuts off the power supply of the motor when blockage of the motor's rotor is detected and a temperature measured by at least one of the devices reaches a high threshold value and reestablishes the power supply of the motor when the temperature is at or below a low threshold value.

Abstract: A vehicle steering column stalk switch includes a multifunction switch lever having a rotatable actuator which drives a first rotatable gear. Gear teeth on the first gear engage gear teeth on a second gear mounted within a housing with zero backlash. The second gear is biased into compliant engagement with the first gear. The biasing is effected by means of at least one leaf contact resiliently cantilevered from conductive elements carried in the housing into engagement with the second gear.

Abstract: A power drive system is adapted for a sliding door mounted on at least one side of a vehicle for sliding movement forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle. The system includes a reversible motor. A bracket is guided within a guide along a fixed path between the opened and closed positions of the door. An elongated drive member is slidably disposed within the guide and connected to the bracket at one end for driving the bracket along the fixed path. A translator mechanism operably engages with the drive member for powering movement of the door. The translator mechanism can include a rotatable hub, operably engageable with the drive member, a gear transmission for driving the hub, and a clutch mechanism for connecting the motor to the transmission. The translator mechanism preferably has sufficient power to pull the sliding door into a primary latch position with respect to the corresponding portions of a latch mechanism attached to the door and frame defining the door opening.

Abstract: A casing for a drive unit, particularly a drive unit for a wiper apparatus, consists of plastic reinforced with glass fiber. The drive unit casing is open at one side and is sealed there by means of a metallic cover, where the cover serves at the same time as an axial support for the support axes of the drive unit. The use of plastic reinforced with glass fiber gives the casing a sufficient strength, and additionally has the advantage that the drive unit casing is significantly lighter than corresponding casings which are constructed in metal.

Abstract: A circuit interlock switch mountable in a stalk switch apparatus includes an actuator mounted on a lever movably mounted in a housing attachable to a vehicle steering column. The actuator is moveable relative to the lever. In a first movement state, the actuator is coupled through a shaft extending through the lever to a contactor and moves the contactor between operative states upon rotation of the actuator to open and close vehicle circuits coupled through conductive traces in a substrate engaged by contacts on the contactor. A cam and cam follower are formed on the lever and the actuator to permit axial translation of the actuator relative to the lever only in certain rotated positions of the actuator.

Abstract: A windshield wiper apparatus for a vehicle includes an energy absorption member coupled between the moving drive arm and stationary structure which provides an opposing force to the movement of the wiper arm to absorb a portion of the inertial energy of the wiper arm as the wiper arm approaches one of at least an outwipe end limit and an inwipe end limit of a wipe pattern to reduce the impact forces on the wiper apparatus at the point of reversal of the wiper arm. The energy absorption member is in the form of a spring or compressive member arranged to store energy during movement of the wiper arm toward one or both of the end limits and to release the stored energy back to the wiper apparatus as the wiper arm reverses direction at each end limit. The energy absorption member is actively coupled to the drive arm only during a predetermined angular portion of the angular rotation of the drive arm which coincides with the region of increased mechanical advantage in the drive linkage.

Abstract: A multi-function switch lever apparatus mountable on a vehicle steering column includes at least one actuator and one contactor. A shaft extends through a lever pivotally mounted to a housing containing the contactor. A first end of the shaft is fixed to the first actuator. The second end of the shaft rotates a drive gear which engages and moves a linear toothed rack mounted in the housing between electrical circuit positions. Cancel members in a turn signal mechanism are biasingly mounted allowing disengagement of either cancel member from a cancel pawl when the turn signal lever is held in a turn position during rotation of the steering wheel when completing a turn. A beam change carrier is mounted in the housing and carries a pivotal contact which switches positions upon engagement with a paddle during pivotal movement of the stalk switch lever about one axis.