Windshield wiper pressure sensor
AssigneeToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
InventorsJames P. Flaharty, Christian Arthur Trager, Nicholas G. Ruark
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pressure sensor assembly for measuring the pressure between a windshield and a windshield wiper. The pressure sensor assembly includes a support structure, a strain gage and a bearing member. The support structure supports the wiper spaced apart from the windshield. The strain gage is coupled to the support structure for providing pressure measurement data corresponding to the amount of strain in the support wall due to the pressure applied by the wiper toward the windshield. The bearing member is fixedly secured to the support structure to minimize friction between the pressure sensor assembly and the windshield.
Claims19
A pressure sensor assembly to be positioned between a windshield and a windshield wiper and for sensing the pressure between the windshield and the windshield wiper, said pressure sensor assembly comprising:
- an end wall;
- a base wall extending from the end wall, the base wall being configured for sliding contact with the windshield;
- a support wall spaced apart from the windshield, extending from the end wall and having a distal end configured to support the wiper spaced above the windshield;
- and
- a strain gage coupled to the support wall for providing pressure measurement data corresponding to the amount of displacement of the support wall due to the pressure applied by the wiper toward the windshield.
A pressure sensor assembly to be positioned between a windshield and a windshield wiper and for sensing the pressure between the windshield and the windshield wiper, said pressure sensor assembly comprising:
- a support structure supporting the wiper spaced apart from the windshield;
- a strain gage coupled to the support structure for providing pressure measurement data corresponding to the amount of strain in the support structure due to the pressure applied by the wiper toward the windshield;
- and
- a bearing member located between the support structure and the windshield, the bearing member fixedly secured to the support structure to minimize friction between the pressure sensor assembly and the windshield.
A pressure sensor assembly to be positioned between a windshield and a windshield wiper and for sensing the pressure between the windshield and the windshield wiper, said pressure sensor assembly comprising:
- an end wall;
- a base wall extending from the end wall, the base wall being configured for sliding contact with the windshield;
- a support wall spaced apart from the windshield, extending from the end wall and having a distal end configured to support the wiper spaced above the windshield;
- a strain gage coupled to the support wall for providing pressure measurement data corresponding to the amount of displacement of the support wall due to the pressure applied by the wiper toward the windshield;
- and
- a bearing member located between the support wall and the windshield, the bearing member fixedly secured to the base wall for minimizing friction between the base wall and the windshield.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.