Vehicle wiper system

#Field of the Invention

#The present invention generally relates to a vehicle wiper system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle wiper system that is capable of traveling along a wiper path that covers substantially all of a vehicle windshield.

#Background Information

#Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

#FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle having an adjustable wiper system according to an embodiment;

#FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the vehicle window shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the wiper path of the adjustable wiper system of FIG. 1;

#Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

#Referring initially to FIGS. 1-4, a vehicle 10 including an adjustable wiper system 12 is illustrated in accordance with a first embodiment. The adjustable wiper system 12 can include a plurality of first sensor elements 14, an adjustable wiper 16, a second sensor element 18, and a controller 20.

#The controller or control unit 20 preferably includes a microcomputer with a control program that controls the adjustable wiper 16 as discussed below. The controller 20 can also include other conventional components such as an input interface circuit, an output interface circuit, and storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) device and a RAM (Random Access Memory) device. The microcomputer of the controller 20 is programmed to control the adjustable wiper 16. The memory circuit stores processing results and control programs such as ones for the adjustable wiper 16 operation that are run by the processor circuit. The controller 20 is operatively coupled to the plurality of first sensor elements 14, the adjustable wiper 16, and the second sensor element 18 in a conventional manner. The internal RAM of the controller 20 stores statuses of operational flags and various control data. The controller 20 is capable of selectively controlling any of the components of the adjustable wiper system 12 in accordance with the control program. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the precise structure and algorithms for the controller 20 can be any combination of hardware and software that will carry out the functions of the present invention.