Abstract: Under the invention, collection surfaces are provided in a vehicle. The invention uses the collection surfaces to collect rainwater for a windshield washing system. The collection surfaces become contaminated by agents such as road salt. The invention uses initial rainwater to flush the collection surfaces, and discards this initial rainwater. Then, the invention uses the flushed surfaces to collect subsequent rainwater.

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: An apparatus is disclosed for moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle frame. The apparatus includes a motor for rotating a shaft. The apparatus further includes a first threaded member coupled to the shaft of the motor, wherein the first threaded member is mechanically linked to the vehicle frame. In addition, the apparatus includes a second threaded member which cooperates with the first threaded member so that the second threaded member is moved relative to the first threaded member when the first threaded member is rotated by the shaft of the motor, wherein the second threaded member is mechanically linked to the vehicle door. A method for moving a vehicle door relative to a vehicle frame is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power drive moves a movable closure along a fixed path between an open and a closed position with respect to a portal defining a passage through a barrier. The 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 operable when actuated to selectively drive the door in opening or closing movement. A bracket is connected to the door for movement with respect to a guide connected to the side wall of the vehicle. The bracket is guided within the guide along a fixed path between the opened and closed positions of the door. An elongated drive member is connected to the bracket at one end for driving the bracket along the fixed path. The elongated drive member is slidably disposed within the guide. A translator mechanism operably engages with the drive member for powering movement of the drive member and connected bracket with respect to the guide along the fixed path.

Abstract: A power drive moves a movable closure between an open position and a closed position with respect to a portal defining a passage through a barrier. The power drive can include an elongated drive member connected to the movable closure and a ball nut drive assembly for selectively moving the drive member longitudinally to position the movable closure between the open position and the closed position with respect to the passage through the barrier. The barrier can define at least a portion of a stationary structure or a vehicle, where the passage allows access within the structure or the vehicle. The movable closure can include a sliding door, hatch, window, or roof panel. The elongated drive member can be a flexible, wire wound push/pull cable having at least one wire member helically wound in uniformly spaced turns around a core of the push/pull cable to form a screw member capable of being driven by operable engagement with the recirculating ball nut drive assembly.

Abstract: A power striker apparatus engages a striker with a latch to move the striker with respect to the latch mechanism from a secondary latch position to a primary latch position. A base member supports the striker for movement between a first position and a second position with respect to the latch mechanism. A biasing member urges the base member toward the first position. A drive moves the base member from the first position against the urging of the biasing member toward the second position and selectively releases the base member when in the second position if the striker is in the secondary latch position when the base member reaches the second position, such that the striker snaps back to the first position in response to the urging of the biasing member to inertially drive the striker into the primary latch position with respect to the latch mechanism from the secondary latch position before the moveable closure can move with respect to the opening.

Abstract: A power striker apparatus for a movable closure assembly includes a fixed frame defining a portal through a barrier. A movable closure is mounted on the frame for movement along a fixed path between a first end limit of movement wherein the closure is in a closed position obstructing the portal and a second end limit of movement wherein the closure is in an open position. The power striker apparatus can include a striker mounted on one of the frame and the closure. A latch mechanism is mounted on the other of the frame and the closure, so that the latch mechanism is engageable with the striker for releasibly latching the closure in the closed position. A base member is provided for supporting the striker for movement between a first position and a second position with respect to the latch mechanism. A biasing member urges the base member toward the first position. A drive mechanism moves the base member from the first position against the urging of the biasing member toward the second position.

Abstract: A clutch selectively transmits torque and rotary motion from a spindle having an axis of rotation to a drum. First and second shoe members disposed radially between the spindle and the drum move radially with respect to the axis of rotation between an engaged position and a disengaged position with respect to the drum. The first and second shoe members are responsive to acceleration for moving into the engaged position and responsive to rotational speed for moving into the disengaged position. A biasing spring normally maintains the first and second shoe members in the disengaged position when the spindle is at rest.

Abstract: A check valve, for use in a vacuum accumulator. The check valve includes a movable gate, which blocks fluid flow. The gate carries a first electrical contact, which mates with a second electrical contact, when the gate closes, thereby issuing a signal which indicates closure. The invention eliminates the need for a separate pressure sensor, for sensing pressure within the accumulator.

Abstract: Under the invention, collection surfaces are provided in a vehicle. The invention uses the collection surfaces to collect rainwater for a windshield washing system. The collection surfaces become contaminated by agents such as road salt. The invention uses initial rainwater to flush the collection surfaces, and discards this initial rainwater. Then, the invention uses the flushed surfaces to collect subsequent rainwater.

Abstract: A power drive moves a movable closure between an open position and a closed position with respect to a portal defining a passage through a barrier. The power drive can include an elongated drive member connected to the movable closure and a ball nut drive assembly for selectively moving the drive member longitudinally to position the movable closure between the open position and the closed position with respect to the passage through the barrier. The barrier can define at least a portion of a stationary structure or a vehicle, where the passage allows access within the structure or the vehicle. The movable closure can include a sliding door, hatch, window, roof panel or the like. The elongated drive member can be a compound drive member having at least one gear or tooth-like member extending helically around in uniformly spaced turns about a core of the drive member to form a rigid or resilient screw-like portion capable of being driven by operable engagement with the recirculating ball nut drive assembly.

Abstract: An electric motor, such as a motor for operating a worm drive, has a rear bearing and rear bearing support in the form of a sleeve bearing which is received within a rearwardly facing axial opening formed in the end of the motor armature shaft. The bearing receives one end of a non-rotating pin which has its opposite end secured to the rear end wall of the motor and thus supports the armature shaft on the end wall. Minor misalignments are provided for by aligning movements of the bearing support pin accompanied by slight bending of the end wall of the motor case. In another embodiment, the pin is provided with a spherical end received within a conforming or mating recess and providing for pivotal aligning movement of the bearing support pin with respect to the motor case. The bearing may also be shouldered or flanged so that thrust forces on the shaft are transmitted to an adjacent shoulder on the bearing support pin.

Abstract: A windshield wiper system for automotive vehicles includes a mechanism for causing a wiper blade assembly to swing, relative to the wiper arm, between an extended position of the wiper blade assembly and a retracted position of the wiper blade assembly. More specifically, the mechanism causes a link, which is attached to the wiper blade assembly, to swing as the wiper arm moves into and out of the hidden park position. A first embodiment includes a "four-bar linkage" which transfers to oscillatory movement of a drive arm of a wiper system to pivotal movement of the link over a limited range of motion of the drive arm corresponding to movement of the wiper blade assembly into and out of the hidden park position. A second embodiment includes a cam element which selectively engages a fixed pin over a range of motion of the drive arm corresponding to movement of the wiper blade assembly into and out of the hidden park position.

Abstract: An apparatus is responsive to a reaction force of intermeshing gear members that transmit force through an angle. The gear members include an elongated enveloped worm with a longitudinally extending axis of rotation and an output gear with an axis of rotation offset from and perpendicular to the longitudinally extending axis of the worm gear. The worm gear is movable axially in response to a predetermined reaction force or predetermined torque force. At least one biasing member is disposed adjacent one end of the worm gear, and preferably both ends of the worm gear, for centering the worm gear with respect to the output gear when subjected to a force below the predetermined reaction force or predetermined torque force.

Abstract: A clutch selectively transmits torque and rotary motion from a spindle having an axis of rotation to a drum. First and second shoe members disposed radially between the spindle and the drum move radially with respect to the axis of rotation between an engaged position and a disengaged position with respect to the drum. The first and second shoe members are responsive to acceleration for moving into the engaged position and responsive to rotational speed for moving into the disengaged position. A biasing spring normally maintains the first and second shoe members in the disengaged position when the spindle is at rest.

Abstract: A locking unit for a motor which is to be locked in which a plurality of fingers at the ends of flexible arms, coupled to a locking motor, move into and out from engagement with a plurality of spaces bounded by ridges in a member which is connected to the shaft of the motor to be locked.

Abstract: A windshield wiper system for automotive vehicles includes a rack and pinion arrangement in the wiper arm for causing movement of a wiper blade assembly relative to the wiper arm between an extended position of the wiper blade assembly and a retracted position of the wiper blade assembly. More specifically, the rack and pinion arrangement causes a link, which is attached to the wiper blade assembly, to swing such that the wiper blade moves between the extended position and the retracted position. The movement of the wiper blade assembly into the extended position increases the amount of the surface area of the windshield which is wiped. A planetary gear arrangement is driven by a standard wiper drive and selectively drives the rack and pinion arrangement to move the wiper blade assembly between the extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A feedback control circuit limits current being supplied to an electric drive motor. The motor drives a load cyclically along a path, and the load closes a switch when it passes a predetermined position. This activates a timing circuit which times out after a predetermined delay. If the load does not return to the predetermined position at the end of the prescribed delay time, then an oscillator circuit is triggered into operation to periodically terminate current flow to the motor. This provides cooling periods and enables the motor to exert repeated, temporary high torque efforts to restore normal operation.

Abstract: A windshield wiper system for automotive vehicles includes a power source and a driver for causing a wiper blade assembly to swing, relative to the wiper arm, between an extended position of the wiper blade assembly and a retracted position of the wiper blade assembly. The power source and driver, which are selectively connected to one another, cause a link, which is attached to the wiper blade assembly, to swing as the wiper arm moves into and out of the hidden park position. A first embodiment uses a pressure fluid source as the power source and a piston as the driver to cause pivotal movement of the link as the wiper blade assembly moves into and out of the hidden park position. A second embodiment uses an electrical source as the power source and an electrical motor as the driver to cause pivotal movement of the link as the wiper blade assembly moves into and out of the hidden park position.

Abstract: An integral windshield wiper arm having a pivot, a crank, and a blade mount communicates fluid from a reservoir beneath a cowl to a windshield wiper blade above the cowl. The pivot has a sealed cavity running its length. The cavity in each of the crank and the blade mount fluidly connect with the cavity in the pivot.