Windshield wiper drive linkage arm with interior grooves
AssigneeValeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
InventorHarry Charles Buchanan, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to windshield wiper system and method which utilizes a flexible member to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent, greater than a maximum load for the flexible member. The system utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system when a compressive load applied to the flexible member is in excess of the predetermined load.
Claims26
A windshield wiper drive linkage for use in a wiper system comprising:
- a plurality of linkage arms;
- at least one of said plurality of linkage arms comprising a composite flexible arm comprising glass fibers having a first end and a second end, said composite flexible arm bending to facilitate preventing damage to components in said wiper system when a compressive load applied to said at least one of said plurality of linkage arms exceeds a predetermined load as a result of a fatigue condition;
- and
- a connector overmolded onto at least one of said first end or said second end;
- said at least one of said plurality of linkage arms comprising a plurality of sides, at least one of which defines a periphery about an interior groove that extends laterally along a length of said at least one of said plurality of linkage arms, said interior groove facilitating providing an interlocking joint when said connector is overmolded onto at least one of said first and said second ends, a depth of each of said interior grooves being smaller than a length of each of said interior grooves.
A wiper system comprising:
- a first wiper;
- a second wiper;
- a windshield wiper drive linkage coupled to said first and second wipers;
- a drive motor coupled to said windshield wiper drive linkage;
- said windshield wiper drive linkage comprising:
- a plurality of linkage arms coupled to said first and second wipers and said drive motor;
- at least one of said plurality of linkage arms comprising a composite flexible arm comprising glass fibers having a first end and a second end, said composite flexible arm bending to facilitate preventing damage to components in said wiper system when a compressive load applied to said at least one of said plurality of linkage arms exceeds a predetermined load as a result of a fatigue condition;
- and
- a connector overmolded onto at least one of said first end or said second end;
- said at least one of said plurality of linkage arms comprising a plurality of sides, at least one of which defines a periphery about an interior groove that extends laterally along a length of said at least one of said plurality of linkage arms, said interior groove facilitating an interlocking joint when said connector is overmolded onto at least one of said first and second ends, a depth of said interior grooves being smaller than a length of each of said interior grooves.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.