Abstract: A nozzle device for ejecting a liquid onto vehicle windows or headlight lenses. At least one rotation chamber is formed inside a nozzle body. The liquid enters the chamber, is rotationally displaced in such a way that it is then ejected as a homogeneous fan jet via at least one slit-like nozzle opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling fluid temperature in a fluid heater apparatus which supplies heat to fluid from a controllable heater element(s) which includes establishing a discharge temperature range between a first high temperature and a second low temperature. The temperature of the fluid is measured and, in response to the measured temperature, activation of the heater elements is controlled to maintain the temperature of the fluid within the temperature range. The heater elements can be independently controllable for temperature control.

Abstract: A fluid heater apparatus includes a thermally conductive mass formed of a stack of lamina, each having apertures for receiving heater element(s) therethrough and apertures which are alignable between opposed ends of the stack to form fluid flow paths. The lamina are rotatably offset from adjacent lamina in one step or groups of two or more steps to create helical flow paths in the throughbores.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling fluid temperature in a fluid heater apparatus which supplies heat to fluid from a controllable heater element(s) which includes establishing a discharge temperature range between a first high temperature and a second low temperature. The temperature of the fluid is measured and, in response to the measured temperature, activation of the heater elements is controlled to maintain the temperature of the fluid within the temperature range. The heater elements can be independently controllable for temperature control.

Abstract: A nozzle device for ejecting a liquid onto vehicle windows or headlight lenses. At least one rotation chamber is formed inside a nozzle body. The liquid enters the chamber, is rotationally displaced in such a way that it is then ejected as a homogeneous fan jet via at least one slit-like nozzle opening.

Abstract: A wiper apparatus for a vehicle windshield is fixedly connected by at least one mount to vehicle structure. A portion of the wiper apparatus extends exteriorly of an impact line defined by the vehicle structure. A frangible portion is formed in a mount. An energy focus member is carried on vehicle structure subject to movement during a collision and has position relative to the fracture portion of the mount so as separate the mount from the vehicle structure to allow an exterior portion of the wiper apparatus to drop below a vehicle impact line before substantial contact with a pedestrian.

Abstract: A pump mounted in a housing is fluidically coupled to a vehicle windshield washer fluid reservoir. At least one outlet is carried on the pump housing for discharging fluid pumped from the reservoir. A fluid level sensor is mounted in the housing and has a sensing end projecting into the reservoir. The sensor includes a pair of spaced sensors having the sensing ends exposed to fluid within the reservoir. The sensor has a labyrinth shape adjacent to the sensing ends.

Abstract: A fluid heater apparatus includes a thermally conductive mass formed of a stack of a plurality of lamina, each having apertures for receiving heater element(s) therethrough and apertures which are alignable between opposed ends of the stack to form fluid flow paths. The lamina are rotatably offset from adjacent lamina in one step or groups of two or more lamina each to create helical flow paths in the throughbores.

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: A system and method for maintaining a washer fluid above a predetermined temperature at a point of delivery where the fluid is directed onto a windshield of a vehicle. The system and method include a washer nozzle that has an internal resistance such that, when a current is passed through the nozzle, a temperature of nozzle is maintained at a predetermined temperature which is above the freezing temperature of the fluid. In one embodiment, the nozzle body and its electrical terminals are a one-piece molded construction, with another embodiment having a plurality of metallic conductors insert-molded into the nozzle. The nozzle has a nozzle body which is molded of an electrically conductive, internally-resistive, thermo-plastic which can be energized with less than about twenty or even ten amperes so that the nozzle body temperature is maintained above, for example, one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit when an ambient temperature of about seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: A wiper blade support is joined to a wiper arm by a yielding mechanism that maintains the two in a fixed angular relation during normal wipe, but which yields to allow the wiper blade to move more closely parallel to the windshield lower edge at park. The yielding mechanism includes a leaf spring indirectly joined between the wiper arm and blade support which buckles only when the wiper blade hits the lower edge of the windshield, allowing the compensating blade rotation, but remains flat during normal wipe.

Abstract: A reverse to park mechanism of the type in which a crank arm is eccentrically pivoted relative to a reversable drive shaft axis. The crank arm is held in a first position by a drive lug on one side of the crank arm that prevents it from pivoting in one direction, and a latching lever pivoted to the crank arm that engages a latching pin to prevent it from pivoting in the other direction. The orientation of a keeper surface of the latching lever relative to the cylindrical surface of the latching pin that it contacts is designed to provide a very strong resistance to slip off, while allowing a reversal activated torque means to easily move the keeper surface off of the latching pin to release the crank arm.