Abstract: A method of attaching a sealing material to a vehicle body includes disposing a sealing material retaining part on the vehicle body. The retaining part includes a top surface configured to form a fluid seal with a compressed sealing material when a vehicle panel is in a closed position. An insertion channel extends between opposing ends of the retaining part and is configured to allow the sealing material to be slidably inserted therein. A bottom surface of the retaining part includes a retaining feature disposed proximate an end opposite of an end of the retaining part configured to allow the sealing material to be slidably inserted. A sealing material is provided that includes at least one perforated opening for receiving the retaining feature when the sealing material is slidably inserted into the insertion channel.

Abstract: A vehicle wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length, and an active material disposed along the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material includes a shape memory alloy material with a crystallographic phase that is changeable between austenite and martensite, and is elastically deformable and operatively applies a spring force against a portion of the wiper blade when the crystallographic phase is martensite.

Abstract: A vehicle wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length, and an active material disposed along the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material includes a shape memory alloy material with a crystallographic phase that is changeable between austenite and martensite, and is elastically deformable and operatively applies a spring force against a portion of the wiper blade when the crystallographic phase is martensite.

Abstract: A vehicle wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length, and an active material disposed along the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material includes a shape memory alloy material with a crystallographic phase that is changeable between austenite and martensite, and is elastically deformable and operatively applies a spring force against a portion of the wiper blade when the crystallographic phase is martensite.

Abstract: A protective device for a vehicle wiper assembly is provided. The protective device is configured to selectively at least partially cover the wiper assembly and prevent the wiper assembly from being pulled away from the vehicle. For example, the protective device may prevent entanglement of the wiper assembly with external elements such as those found in automatic car wash facilities. The device may include a member movable between first and second positions such that the member in the second position is configured to at least partially cover or encapsulate the wiper assembly. An active material actuator may be used to move the member between the first and second positions. In another embodiment, the device includes a member operatively connected to and configured to stiffen a pivot point of the wiper assembly.

Abstract: A wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length and an active material actuator provided along a portion of the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material actuator is configured to impart a degree of motion to a portion of the wiper blade in response to an electrical actuation signal.

Abstract: A protective device for a vehicle wiper assembly is provided. The protective device is configured to selectively at least partially cover the wiper assembly and prevent the wiper assembly from being pulled away from the vehicle. For example, the protective device may prevent entanglement of the wiper assembly with external elements such as those found in automatic car wash facilities. The device may include a member movable between first and second positions such that the member in the second position is configured to at least partially cover or encapsulate the wiper assembly. An active material actuator may be used to move the member between the first and second positions. In another embodiment, the device includes a member operatively connected to and configured to stiffen a pivot point of the wiper assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle wiper assembly includes a wiper blade configured to wipe a surface, an armature, and an actuator. The armature has a first end spaced from a second end, and is coupled with the wiper blade at the first end, and coupled to a pivot mechanism at the second end. The pivot mechanism is configured to allow the wiper blade to articulate about the second end in a direction substantially away from the surface and between a wiping position and a parked position. The actuator is provided in mechanical communication with the armature and is configured to receive an electrical actuation signal to transition the wiper blade between a wiping position and the parked position, where the wiper blade is in contact with the surface while in the wiping position, and is separated from the surface while in the parked position.

Abstract: A vehicle wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length, and an active material disposed along the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material includes a shape memory alloy material with a crystallographic phase that is changeable between austenite and martensite, and is elastically deformable and operatively applies a spring force against a portion of the wiper blade when the crystallographic phase is martensite.

Abstract: A wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length and an active material actuator provided along a portion of the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material actuator is configured to impart a degree of motion to a portion of the wiper blade in response to an electrical actuation signal.

Abstract: A covered windshield wiper includes a hub, a wiper arm having spaced apart side walls, and a pivot pin connecting the wiper arm to the hub. A pair of abutments coaxial with the pivot pin space the side walls of the wiper arm from the hub. A one-piece molded cover has a u-shaped cross section providing a base wall overlying the entire length of the wiper arm and the wiper blade, and laterally spaced side walls depending from the base wall and concealing from view both the wiper arm and the wiper blade. A hook molded on the cover engages the end of the wiper arm. A pair of snap tabs molded on the cover reach into the space between the side walls of the wiper arm and the hub to snap onto the pair of abutments and thereby removably attach the cover onto the wiper.

Abstract: A covered windshield wiper includes a hub, a wiper arm having spaced apart side walls, and a pivot pin connecting the wiper arm to the hub. A pair of abutments coaxial with the pivot pin space the side walls of the wiper arm from the hub. A one-piece molded cover has a u-shaped cross section providing a base wall overlying the entire length of the wiper arm and the wiper blade, and laterally spaced side walls depending from the base wall and concealing from view both the wiper arm and the wiper blade. A hook molded on the cover engages the end of the wiper arm. A pair of snap tabs molded on the cover reach into the space between the side walls of the wiper arm and the hub to snap onto the pair of abutments and thereby removably attach the cover onto the wiper.