Windshield wiper having reduced friction characteristics
AssigneeM Management-Tex, Ltd.
InventorsScott D. Sharabura, Michael E. Allen, Jeannie Holmes, Victor K. Paulsen, Subramaniam Shanmugham
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Abstract
A wiper blade made of a compound having a methyl vinyl silicone polymer, a filler, and a friction-reducing additive is provided. The friction-reducing additive is present in an amount from between about 5-42 weight percent, preferably 11 percent. The average particle size of the friction-reducing additive is preferably less than 6 microns, thereby permitting extrusion of the compound into the shape of a wiper blade. Polytetrafluoroethylene is preferred as a friction-reducing additive, but other substances, such as boron nitride or graphite could be used.
Claims35
A silicone wiper blade compound comprising:
- a methyl vinyl silicone polymer from about 22 to 55 weight percent;
- a filler from about 35 to 50 weight percent;
- and
- a friction-reducing additive from about 11 to 42 weight percent.
A silicone wiper blade compound comprising:
- a methyl vinyl silicone polymer from about 22 to 55 weight percent;
- a filler from about 35 to 50 weight percent;
- and
- a friction-reducing additive from about 5 to 42 weight percent;
- and
- wherein the friction-reducing additive has an average particle size of less than 25 μm.
A windshield wiper comprising:
- a frame adapted to be attached to a vehicle;
- a wiper blade attached to the frame;
- and
- wherein the wiper blade is made from a compound having a methyl vinyl silicone polymer from about 22 to 55 weight percent, a filler from about 35 to 50 weight percent, and a friction-reducing additive from about 11 to 42 weight percent.
A method for manufacturing a wiper blade comprising the steps of:
- compounding a mixture having from about 22 to 55 weight percent of a methyl vinyl silicone polymer, from about 35 to 50 weight percent of a filler, and from about 11 to 42 weight percent of a friction-reducing additive;
- and
- extruding the mixture to form the wiper blade.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.