With Specific Motor Mounting For Cleaner Patents (Class 296/96.17)
  • Patent number: 9738262
    Abstract: A wiper module assembly for a vehicle liftgate having an inner panel with a spoiler formed as a one-piece part of the inner panel. An outer panel of the liftgate is connected to the inner panel to form an exterior surface of the liftgate. A cavity is formed in part of the spoiler and receives a carrier forming a removable module connected to the cavity of the vehicle liftgate. The carrier includes a wiper, motor and drive assembly for operating a wiper for a window on the liftgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Michael William Crane, Brian Christopher Sansoterra, Norman Guschewski
  • Patent number: 8973968
    Abstract: A wiper module assembly (14) for a vehicle liftgate (10) having an inner panel (15) with a spoiler (11) formed as a one-piece part of the inner panel (15). An outer panel (17) of the liftgate (10) is connected to the inner panel (15) to form an exterior surface of the liftgate (10). A cavity (12) is formed in part of the spoiler (11) and receives a carrier (28) forming a removable module connected to the cavity (12) of the vehicle liftgate (10). The carrier (28) includes a wiper (24), motor (18) and drive assembly (20) for operating a wiper (24) for a window (26) on the liftgate (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Micheal William Crane, Brian Christopher Sansoterra, Norman Guschewski
  • Patent number: 8819888
    Abstract: In a wiper apparatus, a gear case of a gear part is provided with a first frame fixing part which is fixed to a frame member by fastening volts and fastening nuts. An attachment bracket has a second frame fixing part which is fixed to the frame member together with the first frame fixing part by the fastening volts and the fastening nuts, and has an insertion pin which is fixed to a rear-side vehicle-body panel. A wiper motor can be fixed to the frame member together with the attachment bracket by the same fastening members, and it is possible to reduce the weight of the wiper apparatus by reducing the number of the fastening members. It is possible to enhance the productivity of the wiper apparatus by reducing the size of the attachment bracket separated as a dedicated part from the gear case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Takamichi Iizuka, Atsuhiro Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8800097
    Abstract: The invention relates to a windshield wiper drive (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a windshield wiper drive (1), with a reverse-operating drive motor (3), for driving a wiper shaft (6) connected non-rotatably to a wiper arm (18), and with a fastening board (7) for attaching the windshield wiper drive (1) to a vehicle body or to a body-mounted component (29). The invention provides that a first end stop surface (22) for delimiting the rotary movement of the wiper shaft (6) in a first direction of rotation is provided on the fastening board (7) or on a component (29) affixed to the fastening board (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Wegner, Juergen Rapp, Andreas Mueller, Guillaume Boulch, Christian Acker, Pierre Harnist
  • Patent number: 8764092
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott R. Webb, Nicholas W. Pinto, IV, Paul W. Alexander, Wendell G. Summerville
  • Patent number: 8585118
    Abstract: An actuating system is provided for a vehicle having a body characterized by a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion defines an access opening. The system includes a tailgate arranged to selectively open and close to thereby respectively cover and uncover at least a portion of the access opening. The system also includes an actuator configured to selectively open and close the tailgate, and a window operatively connected to the tailgate and having an exterior surface. The system additionally includes a window wiper operatively connected to the tailgate and configured to wipe at least a portion of the exterior surface of the window. Furthermore, the system includes a motor mounted on the tailgate and configured to selectively operate the actuator and the window wiper. A vehicle employing such a system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operation LLC
    Inventor: David M. Kileen
  • Publication number: 20130069387
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott R. Webb, Nicholas W. Pinto, IV, Paul W. Alexander, Wendell G. Summerville
  • Patent number: 8370988
    Abstract: A windshield wiper device (10) especially for a motor vehicle is proposed. Said device is comprised essentially of a plate-shaped base (12), on which a drive unit (18), a wiper bearing (14) and a retaining element (26) are arranged. In accordance with the invention, the plate-shaped base (12) is provided with predetermined breaking points (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Kraus, Juergen Rapp, Heiko Volz
  • Patent number: 8281452
    Abstract: A wiper device includes first and second pivot shafts, first and second pivot holders, a hollow frame, a drive source, and a link rod. The first and second pivot holders are fixed to a vehicle body, pivotally support the first and second pivot shafts, and include first and second attachment shafts, respectively. The hollow frame couples the pivot holders to each other. The link rod transmits drive force of the drive source to the first and second pivot shafts. The hollow frame includes first and second coupling-fixing portions and a drive source fixing portion. The first and second attachment shafts are respectively crimped and fixed to the coupling-fixing portions. Axes of the first and second coupling-fixing portions lie along a straight line. The hollow frame is bent so as to arrange the drive source fixing portion spaced apart from the first and second pivot holders in a direction extending from the distal ends towards basal ends of the pivot shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Kawai, Takatsugu Takai
  • Patent number: 8214965
    Abstract: The invention relates to a windscreen wiper device (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, screwed to a chassis (12). Conventional windscreen wiper devices do not yield on an impact with a pedestrian and hence represent a significant injury risk for pedestrians. According to the invention, the risk of injury may be reduced whereby the housing openings (30), provided for housing screws (11) in the chassis (12) comprise a slot (31) at the edge of the housing opening (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Volz, Juergen Rapp, Thomas Steimel
  • Patent number: 8210594
    Abstract: An in-vehicle component attachment structure 8 includes a front body inner section 5 and a reinforcement panel 6. The front body inner section 5 includes a second wall 17 fixed on the vehicle side, and an attaching part 18 integratedly formed by bending the second wall 17. The reinforcement panel 6 is arranged near the attaching portion 18 and fixed on a side of the second wall 17 in the vicinity of the attaching portion 18, and fixed making surface contact with this side. The attaching portion 18 includes an attaching surface 22 to which a wiper motor unit is fastened and fixed. The attaching surface 22 is at a slant relative to the second wall 17 at a predetermined angle in accordance with the fastening direction of the wiper motor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Maruyama
  • Patent number: 8209813
    Abstract: In a vehicle windshield wiper system, a support base includes a connecting rod (9) fixedly attached to a vehicle body and extending across a width of the vehicle body, and a base member (10, 11) depending from an intermediate part of the connecting member. A wiper motor (2) attached to a lower surface of a horizontal wall portion (11) of the base member, and a crank arm (3) is attached to an output shaft of the wiper motor. The base member is formed with an opening (13) to avoid an interference with the crank arm as the crank arm undergoes the rotative movement. The opening in the support base prevents an interference with the movement of the crank arm, and this allows the crank arm and an associated link mechanism (6) to be placed opposite to a vertically intermediate part of the support base, and immediately adjacent to the support base. Therefore, the windshield wiper system can be accommodated in a readily available space (24) under the lower edge of the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Igarashi, Kazuhiro Sekiguchi, Mikito Kato, Junji Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 8136199
    Abstract: A location space in an engine compartment is made smaller. A DR-side wiper motor and an AS-side wiper motor are arranged within a projection area of a windshield into a cabin of a vehicle in comparison with a DR-side pivot holder and an AS-side pivot holder. Therefore, a location space of each wiper apparatus inside an engine compartment can be made smaller, and can further improve a degree of freedom of design on a vehicle side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignees: Mitsuba Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Nakamura, Nobuhide Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8136198
    Abstract: A motor bracket to which a wiper motor is fixed, and a DR side pivot holder are coupled together by means of a DR side pipe frame inclined to a plane perpendicular in the axial direction of an output shaft of a wiper motor, and the motor bracket and an AS side pivot holder are coupled together by means of an AS side pipe frame inclined to the plane perpendicular in the axial direction of the output shaft. An output arm is fixed to the output shaft of the wiper motor, and the output arm is disposed between the DR side pipe frame and the AS side pipe frame, and between the connecting rod for coupling a DR side lever and an AS side lever, and the motor bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Tajima
  • Patent number: 8117710
    Abstract: The invention relates to a windshield wiper device (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a support (12), on which a bearing (18) is arranged, which supports a wiper shaft (22). In this case, a retaining element (20) is provided, which detachably connects the bearing (18) to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Kraus, Francois Schabanel
  • Patent number: 8104134
    Abstract: The invention relates to a windshield wiper device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a fastening device (10) for fastening the windshield wiper device to the motor vehicle. Until now windshield wiper devices were mainly fastened to the vehicle body by means of screwed connections and plugging locations. The objective of the invention is reducing the assembly effort for fastening the windshield wiper device to the vehicle body. As a result, the inventive windshield wiper device can be clamped firmly to a vehicle body panel (13) by the fastening device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Ritt
  • Patent number: 7950717
    Abstract: The invention proposes a wiper device (10), in particular for a motor vehicle. This device comprises a plate (22), a first fastening means (34) and a second fastening means (36) and also a third fastening means (44), which is arranged outside the axis between the first fastening means (34) and the second fastening means (36). The third fastening means (44) has adjusting means (46) for tilting about a tilting angle of the plate (22). According to the invention, the adjusting means (46) allows only predetermined tilting angles (?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Metz
  • Patent number: 7891043
    Abstract: Disclosed is a windshield wiper device (10), comprising a wiper bearing (16) which is essentially composed of a molded tube (18) that can be fastened to a motor vehicle by means of a fastening element (20). A wiper shaft (22) to which a wiper lever can be fastened is positioned in the molded tube (18). A predetermined breaking point (32) is provided on the fastening element (20) in such a way that the wiper bearing (16) is able to dip into the interior of the motor vehicle in case a defined and essentially axial force acts on the wiper shaft (22). The predetermined breaking point (32) is embodied as a hole in this case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Kraus, Juergen Rapp
  • Patent number: 7874037
    Abstract: A wiper system includes a motor bracket to which a wiper motor is fixed, and the motor bracket is fixed to a body with a rubber pad therebetween. A mounting leg made of a hard material extends from a first pivot holder that supports a first pivot shaft, and is directly fixed to the body. Mounting legs made of a hard material extend from a second pivot holder that supports a second pivot shaft, and are directly fixed to the body. According to the wiper system, it is possible to prevent vibration due to a wiper motor from being transferred to the body and a wiper arm from overrunning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventor: Fumio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7832045
    Abstract: Windshield wiper device (400) for a motor vehicle with at least one wiper bearing (42) and a fastening element (44) that is connected to a vehicle body, wherein a decoupling element (43) for decoupling noise is arranged between the at least one wiper bearing (42) and the fastening element (44), wherein the decoupling element (43) and/or the wiper bearing (42) is detachably connected to the fastening element (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Weiler, Joachim Zimmer
  • Patent number: 7823246
    Abstract: The present invention is a breakaway mounting bracket assembly for a wiper system that displaces components of the wiper system below the impact line of a vehicle in the event of, for example, a vehicle-pedestrian impact. The assembly includes a mounting bracket and a grommet removably attached to the mounting bracket. The assembly also includes a ferrule disposed within the grommet that includes a column having an internal passage and a platform connected to the column by a plurality of bridges disposed therebetween. The assembly also includes an attachment member to connect the mounting bracket to the vehicle where the attachment member includes a body engaged to the internal passage. The mounting bracket is adapted to break away from attachment with the grommet in the event of a predetermined load acting on a pivot shaft assembly and to displace the pivot shaft assembly and a portion of the wiper arm below the vehicle's impact line in the event of a pedestrian impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Trico Products Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Reid, Mike Wilson, Wayne Francis Burke
  • Patent number: 7805799
    Abstract: The present invention is a breakaway mounting bracket assembly for a wiper system that displaces components of the wiper system below the impact line of a vehicle in the event of, for example, a vehicle-pedestrian impact. The assembly includes a mounting bracket and a grommet removably attached to the mounting bracket. The assembly also includes a ferrule disposed within the grommet that includes a column having an internal passage and a platform connected to the column. The assembly also includes an attachment member to connect the mounting bracket to the vehicle where the attachment member includes a body engaged to the internal passage. The platform breaks away from the column in the event of a predetermined load acting on the pivot shaft assembly, which disconnects the grommet from the ferrule and thereby displaces the pivot shaft assembly and a portion of a wiper arm below the impact line of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Trico Products Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Reid, Mike Wilson, Wayne Francis Burke
  • Patent number: 7780214
    Abstract: The invention starts with a windshield wiper device (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, with at least one drive element (16) that can be fastened to the vehicle body (26) and that has a driven shaft (28) and at least two axially rigid fastening elements (22), which engage in receiving openings (24) on the vehicle body (26) and are provided with at least one damping element (76, 90, 96) for damping mechanical vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Kraus, Gerard Albrecht, Roland Bohn, Francois Schabanel, Guenther Friderichs, Didier Pierron
  • Patent number: 7748077
    Abstract: A windscreen wiper with a link arm arrangement (4) including a first pair of arms (5) and a second pair of arms (6) to which the first pair of arms (5) is connected in such a way that they can pivot, the first pair of arms (5) being attached to a chassis in such a way that they can pivot and the second pair of arms (6) being attached to a windscreen wiper blade (7) in such way that they can pivot. The windscreen wiper further including an adjustment mechanism (8) for controlling the size of an angle between the first pair of arms (5) and the second pair of arms (6) in synchrony with the pivoting of the first pair of arms (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Anders Lindkvist
  • Patent number: 7743457
    Abstract: A windshield wiper device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a carrier (12) for fixing to a first part (52), especially to the body of the motor vehicle. A locking element (40) having a predetermined breaking point (41) is also provided in order to enable the carrier (12) to be fixed to the first part (52) by a rotational connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Metz
  • Patent number: 7640619
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper system with a wiper drive (1), which is comprised of a wiper motor (2) and a gear (3). A wiper arm shaft (14) for a wiper arm (19) can be driven via the output shaft (5) of the gear (3). Linking points (31, 32, 33) for accommodating the wiper drive (1) on a surface (24, 40) are arranged in the housing area (7) of the wiper drive (1). The linking points (31, 32, 33) of the wiper drive (1) each feature a decoupling element (41, 42, 43), in which fastening elements (55) to mount the wiper drive (1) either on a vehicle body (24) or on a screw-down surface (40) are accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Moosmann, Claus Fleischer, Norbert Wegner, Thomas Weigold, Joachim Zimmer
  • Patent number: 7600803
    Abstract: A windshield wiper device (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, with at least one drive element (16) having an output shaft (28), which drive element is to be fastened to the vehicle body (26), and at least two fastening elements (22), which are able to engage in receptacle openings (24) on the vehicle body (26) and each having at least one damping element (36) for damping mechanical vibrations. It is proposed that the damping element (36) is firmly connected to the fastening element (22) and can be inserted into the receptacle openings (24) in a first assembly direction (30) and via a rotational movement in a second assembly direction (32) transverse to the first edge (80) of the receptacle opening (24) overlaps with a slot (40), wherein the slot (40) is arranged in a component (38, 64), which has a surface that is hard relative to the damping element (36) and is firmly connected to the damping element (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Verena Lipps, Paul Geubel
  • Patent number: 7503615
    Abstract: The invention starts with a windshield wiper device (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one driving element (16) that can be fastened to the motor vehicle, at least two essentially elongate fastening elements (22, 48) which are disposed in an axially rigid manner and are able to engage in receptacles (24, 46) of the motor vehicle, and at least one damping element (28, 60) for damping mechanical vibrations. It is proposed that the driving element (16) has a driven shaft (44) and the fastening elements (22, 48) are positioned such that the driving element (16) can be fastened by being rotated around the driven shaft (44) or an axis that runs essentially parallel thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerard Albrecht, Roland Bohn, Francois Schabanel, Jean-Marc Ritt
  • Patent number: 7353561
    Abstract: An arrangement for fixing a wiper device for a motor vehicle includes at least one stand for guiding and fixing a drive shaft that extends axially in a substantially vertical direction. The stand includes a barrel in which the shaft is guided in rotation, and a horizontal base plate for fixing the stand to a structural element of the vehicle, by a damper block made of an elastically deformable material. The damper block is fixed to the structural element by a fixing element, which includes a vertical rod that passes through the damper block and is connected to the structural element, and an element for locking the damper block on the structural element. The rod and locking element are connected by connection means for enabling the rod and locking element to disconnect, through downward sliding of the locking element with respect to the rod, when subjected to a violent impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Pascal Morin, Joël Princet
  • Patent number: 7249394
    Abstract: A vehicular wiper device includes a wiper motor secured to a crank arm, a first pivot holder rotatably supporting a wiper arm and a first pivot lever, a second pivot holder rotatably supporting a wiper arm and a second pivot lever, and a link structure connected to the crank arm. Rotation power of the wiper motor is transmitted to the first pivot lever and the second pivot lever via the crank arm and the link structure. The wiper motor is secured to a rear face of a motor bracket portion of the first pivot holder on an opposite side as the wiper arm with respect to the motor bracket portion. The crank arm is arranged on the opposite side as the wiper motor with respect to the motor bracket portion. A dimension between the rear face of the motor bracket portion and the first pivot lever is set to be greater than a dimension between the rear face of the motor bracket portion and the crank arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: ASMO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kengo Iwata
  • Patent number: 7246840
    Abstract: A liftgate component module mountable on a pivotal liftgate window provides a unitary mounting platform for a plurality of components including a window wiper drive motor and a window latch. A unitary bracket carries the wiper drive apparatus and the window latch apparatus. A handle, which may include an electrical switch, is also mounted on the window. The electrical connections between the handle switch and a controller carried on the window as part of the motor enables instantaneous response of the latch to activation of the handle switch. The same controller can also control a liftgate latch and a liftgate electrical switch handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence M. Gates, Philippe Gougeon, Leonida S. Vaitus, William Ethan A. McClure
  • Patent number: 7237820
    Abstract: A module for equipping a motor vehicle rear opening panel includes a support plate on which are directly mounted accessories, in particular, a drive motor for a wiper device. The support plate forms a plate for closing the drive motor of the wiper device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Franck Cathala, Jean-Pierre Eustache, Laurent Simon, Marcel Trebouet
  • Patent number: 7144065
    Abstract: A unitary vehicle liftgate component module carries a plurality of pre-mounted vehicle liftgate components for one-step mounting on the liftgate when the module is attached to the liftgate. At least two of a liftgate wiper motor, a liftgate window latch, and liftgate window defrost terminal connectors are carried on the module or interact with portions carried on the module. In one aspect, the liftgate window latch striker and an optional electrical contact are carried on a support which is laterally adjustable with respect to a base fixed to the liftgate window for automatic centering of the striker and the optional contact as the liftgate window is moved to a closed position with respect to an opening in the liftgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Ethan A. McClure, Philippe Gougeon, William C. Romesburg, Leonida S. Vaitus
  • Patent number: 7024722
    Abstract: The invention concerns a fastening for a windshield wiper system on a vehicle body, in particular for motor vehicles, whereby the windshield wiper system is composed of a premanufactured assembly having at least one fastening site arranged on it. It is provided that the at least one fastening site of the windshield wiper system (32) is bonded in each case with a fastening site arranged accordingly on the vehicle body (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Neubauer, Peter Kalchschmidt, Jochen Moench, Heiko Sponar
  • Patent number: 6994395
    Abstract: A motor vehicle equipment module includes a lock formed of a bolt received in a housing designed to be mounted on a support part and a striker designed to be mounted on a mobile part along a globally axial direction relative to the support part between an open position and a closed position wherein the bolt cooperates with the striker. When the module is delivered to be installed on the vehicle, the striker and the bolt are linked together by an intermediate plate for temporarily indexing the position of the bolt relative to the position of the striker and to facilitate mounting and fixing of the module on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Franck Cathala
  • Patent number: 6978510
    Abstract: A wiper system for wiping a movable window (2), in particular of a motor vehicle, having a rotationally drivable first coupling part (10) for connection to a rotationally drivable drive shaft (9) disposed downstream of a stationary motor-gear unit (6), a second coupling part (15), which is connected to a wiper shaft (14) for driving a wiper (5), is movable in common with the window (2), and can be brought in centering fashion, relative to the drive shaft (9), with the first coupling part (10) in a torque-transmitting way along with the wiper shaft (14), and an overload-prevention means for limiting the torque that can be transmitted between the first coupling part (10) and the second coupling part (15), which prevention means is embodied in one piece with the first coupling part (10) and/or the second coupling part (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Knauf
  • Patent number: 6923591
    Abstract: A wiper arrangement for the windscreen of a motor vehicle includes a screwless securing device which enables the arrangement to be attached to a vehicle. The securing device includes at least three securing members arranged at a distance from each other, whereby two members are situated on a connecting line. The third securing member is arranged at a distance from the connecting line. The securing device also includes receiving devices with which the securing members can engage. The securing direction of at least one securing member and the corresponding receiving device is orientated in a substantially parallel position to the transversal extension of the windscreen in order to receive moments occurring while the wiper arrangement is in operation in an optimum manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Wischersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Bruno Egner-Walter, Eckhardt Schmid
  • Patent number: 6902221
    Abstract: A wiper arrangement for a windscreen of a motor vehicle having a screwless fixing device, which has at least three fixing members arranged at a distance from one another, two of which lie on a connecting line and the third of which is arranged at a distance from the connecting line, and which includes appropriate receiving devices, in which the fixing members can engage and at least one fixing member includes a thickened section for axial securing. The receiving device of the wiper arrangement includes a recess designed to complement the thickened section and in which the thickened section can be received in the manner of a snap-locking connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes D'Essuyage
    Inventors: Bruno Egner-Walter, Wolfgang Scholl
  • Patent number: 6899370
    Abstract: The invention starts with a fastening of a wiper system (10) to a vehicle body (20) by means of a rubber elastic fastening element (22), which sits on the circumference in a receptacle opening (26) of the wiper system (10) or the vehicle body (20) and sits with a passage opening (28) on a pin (32) of the respective other part, whereby the connection between the wiper system (10) and the vehicle body (20) is detachable via a defined axial force (30) in the direction of the interior of the vehicle body (20). It is proposed that a defined frictional force between the inner and/or outer circumferential surface (36, 38) of the fastening element (22) and the adjacent component (10, 20, 32) is generated by an initial axial stress of the fastening element (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kalchschmidt, Marc-Oliver Karle, Christian Reiser
  • Patent number: 6886212
    Abstract: A wiper apparatus that decreases the number of tightening means and can efficiently carry out connecting and fixing work with respect to integration of a wiper motor and pivot axes with a pipe member. A linkage piece at the second pivot axis side is arcuately formed so as to match half the outer circumference of a linkage pipe member, a linkage piece at the wiper motor side is formed so as to be arcuate, on the inner circumferential surface of which, an external fitting portion of a pipe member along the outer circumference of the linkage pipe member and an external fitting portion of the linkage piece along the outer circumference of the linkage piece are formed. The respective linkage pieces, that are disposed on the outer circumference of the linkage pipe member, are connected in a laminated manner at the position of the external fitting portion of the linkage pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Machida
  • Patent number: 6854154
    Abstract: A motor bracket is attached at one end of a vehicle body so as to be able to slide, and is fixed at the other end to the vehicle body. And weak points are provided in the vicinity of a motor bracket fixing section. Weak points are also provided in the vicinity of a first fixing section of a first pivot holder. On the other hand, weak points are also provided in the vicinity of a second fixing section of a second pivot holder. Since the motor bracket slides and becomes detachable if the weak points are ruptured, it is possible to absorb an impact at the wiper motor. Since the first and second pivot holders are also detached if the weak points and weak points are ruptured, it is possible to improve the overall impact absorbing performance of the vehicle wiper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadashi Masuda
  • Patent number: 6832802
    Abstract: A wiper system for a glass pane of a motor vehicle includes a fixing device which itself includes at least three fixing mechanisms which are set apart from each other and corresponding receiving devices in which the fixing mechanisms engage the wiper system also includes a contact device having at least one essentially rigid part that is connected to the system and a complementary vehicle-side part the contact device provides the connection between a driving device of the wiper system and a vehicle-side supply device. In order to facilitate the mounting of the wiper system, the vehicle-side part of the contact device is essentially rigidly connected to the vehicle and the two parts of the contact device are aligned in such a way that a contact is established automatically when the wiper system is fixed to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Wischersysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Bruno Egner-Walter
  • Patent number: 6799482
    Abstract: The invention is based on a fastening for a wiper mount (36) at at least three fastening points (38, 40, 42) on a vehicle body (44) by means of elastic bearings (48), wherein the first and second fastening point (38, 40) are disposed in the vicinity of wiper bearings (30, 32, 34) and the third fastening point (42) is disposed near a wiper motor (10), and the third fastening point (42) is adjustable such that the wiper mount (36) can be tilted about an imaginary axis through the first and second fastening points (38, 40). It is proposed that in the vicinity of the third fastening point (42), contact faces (58, 68) of the wiper mount (36) that face another, on the one hand, and a retaining element (46) secured nondetachably to the vehicle body (44), on the other, form an angle (&dgr;), and between the contact faces (58, 68), a rubber-elastic element (48) whose end faces (56, 66) correspond to the contact faces (58, 68) is fastened by means of a screw (74).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Knauf, Richard Duesterhoeft
  • Publication number: 20040140687
    Abstract: The invention starts with a fastening of a wiper system (10) to a vehicle body (20) by means of a rubber elastic fastening element (22), which sits on the circumference in a receptacle opening (26) of the wiper system (10) or the vehicle body (20) and sits with a passage opening (28) on a pin (32) of the respective other part, whereby the connection between the wiper system (10) and the vehicle body (20) is detachable via a defined axial force (30) in the direction of the interior of the vehicle body (20). It is proposed that a defined frictional force between the inner and/or outer circumferential surface (36, 38) of the fastening element (22) and the adjacent component (10, 20, 32) is generated by an initial axial stress of the fastening element (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Kalchschmidt, Marc-Oliver Karle, Christian Reiser
  • Publication number: 20040130177
    Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle equipment module (30) comprising a lock (32) consisting of a bolt received of a bolt received in a housing (36) designed to be mounted on a support part (12) and a strike (38) designed to be mounted on a part mobile along a globally axial direction relative to the support part (12), between an open position and a closed position wherein the bolt co-operates with the striker (38), and when the mobile is delivered to be installed on the vehicle, the striker (38) and the bolt are linked together by an intermediate plate (60) for temporarily indexing the position of the bolt relative to the position of the striker (38) so as to facilitate mounting and fixing of the module (30) on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Franck Cathala
  • Patent number: 6746072
    Abstract: A liftgate component module mountable on a pivotal liftgate window provides a unitary mounting platform for a plurality of components including a window wiper drive apparatus and a window latch apparatus. A unitary bracket carries the wiper drive apparatus and the window latch apparatus. The bracket may be an integral extension of the wiper motor apparatus housing. Connections on the bracket mate with connectors carried on the liftgate window for securing the bracket to the liftgate window in a single assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Romesburg, Philippe Gougeon, William Ethan A. McClure, Leonida S. Vaitus
  • Patent number: 6701569
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark M. Benner
  • Patent number: 6687947
    Abstract: Reducing manufacturing costs and weight of the wiper apparatus for the motor vehicle. A pivot-side bracket having a pivot-side supporting surface is provided in a DR-side pivot holder, and a motor-side bracket having a motor-side supporting surface which forms a pair together with the pivot-side bracket is provided in a wiper motor, and the DR-side pivot holder and the wiper motor are fixed to a pipe by the same bolts and nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignees: Mitsuba Corporation, Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shingo Sato, Tadashi Masuda, Akira Hoshikawa
  • Patent number: 6637798
    Abstract: A motor bracket is installed in a concave portion formed in a front bulkhead of a vehicle and onto an upper surface of which a wiper motor unit 19 is fixed. The bracket is fixed to a front wall surface of the front bulkhead and is operable to deform or fracture based upon an impact to the front wall surface during a collision. In addition, the wiper motor unit is positioned at a higher position than that of upper end surfaces of strut towers so that the concave portion can be crashed and deformed without interference from the wiper motor even if the strut towers are moved backwardly at the time of frontal crash of the vehicle to push the front wall surface of the front bulkhead. As a result, the impact energy generated from a frontal crash can be absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Hoshikawa, Tadashi Masuda
  • Patent number: 6606760
    Abstract: A wiper device is located between a rear door and a rear window, which is opened independently from the door. An actuator having an output shaft is attached to the rear door. A power transmission unit includes a shaft holder attached to the rear window and a pivot shaft supported by the shaft holder. Before the shaft holder is attached to the rear window, a positioning mechanism fixes the position of the power transmission unit relative to the actuator such that the axis of the pivot shaft is aligned with the axis of the output shaft. Thus, the axes of the output shaft and the pivot shaft are fixed during the installation process. Therefore, no adjustment of these axis is required during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Koumo, Keisuke Kanazawa