Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system which utilizes a flexible drive arm for withstanding bending loads applied to a wiper. The drive arm may be made of a pull-molded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity and a relatively high elongation factor. The flexible arm twists in the presence a bending load and undergoes rapidly progressing elastic buckling when the bending load exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A windshield wiper drive linkage is provided for use in a wiper system. The linkage includes a crank arm connectible to an output shaft of a drive motor. A drive arm is pivotally connected to the crank arm for movement between first and second angular positions about a pivot pin with respect to one another. A flexible composite spring extends between the crank arm and the drive arm. The flexible composite spring is preloaded into an initial arcuate position and is bendable from the initial position to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a load applied to the arms exceeds a predetermined load.

Abstract: This invention relates to a windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible drive arm for withstanding bending loads applied to a wiper. The drive arm may be made of a pull-molded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity and a relatively high elongation factor. The flexible arm twists in the presence of a bending load and undergoes rapidly progressing elastic buckling when the bending load exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible drive arm for withstanding bending loads applied to a wiper. The drive arm may be made of a pull-molded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity and a relatively high elongation factor. The flexible arm twists in the presence a bending load and undergoes rapidly progressing elastic buckling when the bending load exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system which utilizes a flexible drive arm for withstanding bending loads applied to a wiper. The drive arm may be made of a pull-molded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity and a relatively high elongation factor. The flexible arm twists in the presence a bending load and undergoes rapidly progressing elastic buckling when the bending load exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system which utilizes a flexible drive arm for withstanding bending loads applied to a wiper. The drive arm may be made of a pull-molded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity and a relatively high elongation factor. The flexible arm twists in the presence a bending load and undergoes rapidly progressing elastic buckling when the bending load exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A ball nut has at least one internal bearing race with a first end and second end, and at least one recirculating crossover passage for connecting the first end with the second end of the bearing race to form a continuous recirculating path for a plurality of ball bearings. A method for producing a ball nut includes the steps of forming at least a portion of the ball nut body with a helix passage for receiving a plurality of ball bearings, forming a crossover passage in communication with the helix passage for returning the plurality of ball bearings to an opposite end of the helix passage, and assembling the ball nut body portions to position the helix passage and operable orientation with respect to the crossover passage to define at least one raceway having a single recirculating rotational path for receiving the plurality of ball bearings. The ball nut body can be formed by being drawn, coined, metal injection molded, roll formed, through rolled, stamped and/or overmolded.

Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member reaches a predetermined load as a result of a fatigue condition, such as snow or ice build up on the windshield.

Abstract: A gothic-style bearing defines a single circular continuous recirculating path raceway for a plurality of ball bearings to be positioned therein and to be in operable engagement with a shaft having an annular groove formed therein. The bearing includes an eyelet having a cylindrical portion, a flange portion connected to one end of the cylindrical portion, and an annular groove with a ball-engaging surface formed in a transition between the cylindrical and flange portions. Two eyelets are assembled in flange-to-flange, face-to-face relationship with respect to one another and aligned with an annular groove formed in a shaft to be supported to receive a plurality of ball bearings to be positioned therebetween.

Abstract: A windshield wiper drive linkage is provided for use in a wiper system. The linkage includes a crank arm connectible to an output shaft of a drive motor. A drive arm is pivotally connected to the crank arm for movement between first and second angular positions about a pivot pin with respect to one another. A flexible composite spring extends between the crank arm and the drive arm. The flexible composite spring is preloaded into an initial arcuate position and is bendable from the initial position to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a load applied to the arms exceeds a predetermined load.

Abstract: A windshield wiper system mounting apparatus includes at least one communication grommet. Each communication grommet can include at least one electrical connection and/or at least one fluid connection, such that the electrical and/or fluid connection is accomplished as a result of the mounting the windshield wiper system to motor vehicle body. The mounting apparatus can also include at least one mounting grommet. Each mounting grommet can include a plug-n-play grommet, a fastener grommet, and/or a bayonet grommet. The combination of the communication and mounting grommets connect the mounting apparatus to a support wall associated with the vehicle body in a simplified manner, while simultaneously performing electrical and/or fluid connections.

Abstract: A windshield wiper system mounting apparatus includes at least one communication grommet. Each communication grommet can include at least one electrical connection and/or at least one fluid connection, such that the electrical and/or fluid connection is accomplished as a result of the mounting the windshield wiper system to the motor vehicle body. The mounting apparatus can also include at least one mounting grommet. Each mounting grommet can include a plug-n-play grommet, a fastener grommet, and/or a bayonet grommet. The combination of the communication and mounting grommets connect the mounting apparatus to a support wall associated with the vehicle body in a simplified manner, while simultaneously performing electrical and/or fluid connections.

Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system which utilizes a flexible drive arm for withstanding bending loads applied to a wiper. The drive arm may be made of a pull-molded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity and a relatively high elongation factor. The flexible arm twists in the presence a bending load and undergoes rapidly progressing elastic buckling when the bending load exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system which utilizes a flexible drive arm for withstanding bending loads applied to a wiper. The drive arm may be made of a pull-molded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity and a relatively high elongation factor. The flexible arm twists in the presence a bending load and undergoes rapidly progressing elastic buckling when the bending load exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member reaches a predetermined load as a result of a fatigue condition, such as snow or ice build up on the windshield.

Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent, greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member reaches a predetermined load as a result of a fatigue condition, such as snow or ice build up on the windshield. In one embodiment, the predetermined load is defined as: PCR=KE=1.

Abstract: A ball nut has at least one internal bearing race with a first end and second end, and at least one recirculating crossover passage for connecting the first end with the second end of the bearing race to form a continuous recirculating path for a plurality of ball bearings. A method for producing a ball nut includes the steps of forming at least a portion of the ball nut body with a helix passage for receiving a plurality of ball bearings, forming a crossover passage in communication with the helix passage for returning the plurality of ball bearings to an opposite end of the helix passage, and assembling the ball nut body portions to position the helix passage and operable orientation with respect to the crossover passage to define at least one raceway having a single recirculating rotational path for receiving the plurality of ball bearings. The ball nut body can be formed by being drawn, coined, metal injection molded, roll formed, through rolled, stamped and/or overmolded.

Abstract: A ball nut has at least one internal bearing race with a first end and second end, and at least one recirculating crossover passage for connecting the first end with the second end of the bearing race to form a continuous recirculating path for a plurality of ball bearings. A method for producing a ball nut includes the steps of forming at least a portion of the ball nut body with a helix passage for receiving a plurality of ball bearings, forming a crossover passage in communication with the helix passage for returning the plurality of ball bearings to an opposite end of the helix passage, and assembling the ball nut body portions to position the helix passage and operable orientation with respect to the crossover passage to define at least one raceway having a single recirculating rotational path for receiving the plurality of ball bearings. The ball nut body can be formed by being drawn, coined, metal injection molded, roll formed, through rolled, stamped and/or overmolded.

Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member reaches a predetermined load as a result of a fatigue condition, such as snow or ice build up on the windshield. In one embodiment, the predetermined load is defined as:P.sub.CR =KE=1.3P.sub.link ; where:P.sub.CR =the predetermined load;P.sub.link =a maximum normal running load for a comparably-sized steel or rigid link which does not flex;K is a coefficient= ##EQU1## E is the flexural modulus (MPa) and I is a moment of inertia in mm.sup.4and L is a length (mm) of flexible arm 28.

Abstract: An intelligent wiper system and method for wiping a windshield is disclosed having a microprocessor which controls the operation of a motor and which is capable of setting a baseline delay time using one or more wipe times, with the baseline delay time generally corresponding to a time interval between consecutive wipes of at least one wiper blade. The system and method automatically adjusts the baseline delay time in response to the second wipe time if the second wipe time is not substantially the same as a function of the first wipe time, wherein the function includes a predetermined constant which is at least one hundred percent of a first wipe time. An upper baseline wipe time threshold and a lower baseline wipe time threshold may be established such that the delay time is not adjusted if a current wipe time falls between such thresholds.