Abstract: A selectively controllable heated wash system for a vehicle surface includes a wiper system control module operatively disposed in the vehicle and may be adapted to receive at least one sensed input. A fluid heating module is controlled by the wiper system control module, the heating module adapted to heat fluid therein to a predetermined target temperature, or to a preferred temperature determined as a result of recognition and analysis of the sensed input(s). Fluid is dispensed onto the surface from the heating module manually, according to predetermined parameters, or according to predetermined parameters determined at least in part as a result of recognition and analysis of the sensed input(s).

Abstract: A windshield wiper drive apparatus includes a non-electrical contact position detector of the wiper inwipe position. A magnet is rotated by the wiper drive gear and moves past a magnetically responsive sensor mounted within the drive housing to detect the inwipe position of the wipers. In one aspect, a rotatable cam is mounted in the housing and carries the magnet. Interengaging members on the drive gear and the cam cause rotation of the cam in only the normal direction of rotation of the drive gear. Any back movement of the drive gear through interfering contact of the wiper blades with an obstruction separates the drive gear interengaging member from the cam preventing movement of the cam.

Abstract: A motor brush lead frame having one end that is folded upon itself to form a pair of pinching surfaces which are adapted to pinch an electrical terminal to establish electrical contact with the electrical terminal. By folding the lead frame member upon itself to form a pair of pinching surfaces, the problems and costs associated with crimping or otherwise attaching a conventional electrical connector to the lead frame member are eliminated.

Abstract: A combination brush retainer/spring assembly for use in a DC motor includes a retaining ring and a conical spring connected together as a single unit. The retaining ring portion is designed to fit in a center hole of a brush holder to retain a plurality of spring-loaded brushes against their spring bias so that an armature shaft and commutator can pass through the center hole without obstruction. When the commutator passes through the center hole, it pushes the retaining ring free, allowing the brushes to spring back toward the center hole to contact the commutator. The spring portion of the assembly has an end that engages with a ball bearing on the armature shaft with enough force to ensure that the armature shaft and ball bearing rotate at the same angular velocity and without slippage.

Abstract: In a vehicle window wiper system having an electric drive motor with high, low and common brushes, electric motor energizing apparatus and forward and reverse motor operation, an auto-resetting current limiting device provides non-sacrificial protection to motor windings and associated circuitry during the various modes of motor operation.

Abstract: A motor vehicle glass wiper system includes first and second motor assemblies and respective first and second wiper blades. Each motor assembly is effective to move its respective wiper blade through a wipe pattern that is bounded by an outboard direction reversing position and an inboard direction reversing position. The wipe patterns of the first and second wiper blades overlap to establish an interference zone of potential wiper blade contact which is adjacent both inboard direction reversing positions and bounded thereby. A wiper motor control monitors a respective key position sensor for each wiper blade. The control energizes each one of the wiper motors to move its respective wiper blade to the inboard direction reversing position and back to the outboard direction reversing position each time the key position sensor of the other one of the wiper blades indicates a transition out of the interference zone thereby inhibiting interference between the wiper blades.