Warning indicator for use with wiper blades, method of operating the same and wiper blade with a warning indicator
First Claim
1. A warning indicator for use with wiper blades, the warning indicator being configured to operate in a hibernation mode and an activation mode, comprising:
- a housing configured to snap-engage a wiper frame of an oscillating wiper blade of a wiper device;
a counting unit disposed in the housing and being configured to detect oscillating movements of the wiper blade one at a time, the counting unit being configured such that an oscillating number of the wiper blade is accumulatively increased;
an indicating unit exposed on the housing for indicating a warning under a control of the counting unit when the oscillating number comes to a predetermined value; and
an electrical source disposed in the housing for supplying an electrical power to the counting unit and the indicating unit,wherein the counting unit includes;
a signal generating unit disposed in the housing in connection with the electrical source, the signal generating unit being configured to generate a signal during a one time oscillating movement of the wiper blade; and
a control unit connected to the signal generating unit, the control unit being configured to increase the oscillating number by one when the signal is inputted,wherein the signal generating unit includes;
an electrically conductible mover movable along a race of a predetermined length between a first position and a second position; and
first and second electrical contacts disposed adjacent to one of the first and second positions, the first electrical contact being connected to the electrical source, the second electrical contact being connected to the control unit,wherein the indicating unit is controlled by the control unit,wherein a contact between the mover and the first and second electrical contacts generates the signal,wherein the signal generating unit is configured to generate the signal during each oscillating movement of the wiper blade in the hibernation mode, andwherein the control unit is configured to change from the hibernation mode, where the oscillating number is not increased by wiper blade oscillation, into the activation mode, where the oscillating number is increased by wiper blade oscillation, when the signals are inputted from the signal generating unit in a predetermined time period and by a predetermined number in the hibernation mode.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments of a warning indicator for use with wiper blades are provided. In one embodiment, the warning indicator has a housing, a counting unit disposed in the housing, an indicating unit exposed on the housing and an electrical source. The housing is coupled to an oscillating wiper blade of a windshield wiper device. The counting unit is configured to detect oscillating movements of the wiper blade one at a time. The counting unit is configured such that an oscillating number of the wiper blade is accumulatively increased. The indicating unit indicates a warning under control of the counting unit when the oscillating number comes to a predetermined value. The electrical source supplies an electrical power to the counting unit and the indicating unit.
8 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A warning indicator for use with wiper blades, the warning indicator being configured to operate in a hibernation mode and an activation mode, comprising:
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a housing configured to snap-engage a wiper frame of an oscillating wiper blade of a wiper device; a counting unit disposed in the housing and being configured to detect oscillating movements of the wiper blade one at a time, the counting unit being configured such that an oscillating number of the wiper blade is accumulatively increased; an indicating unit exposed on the housing for indicating a warning under a control of the counting unit when the oscillating number comes to a predetermined value; and an electrical source disposed in the housing for supplying an electrical power to the counting unit and the indicating unit, wherein the counting unit includes; a signal generating unit disposed in the housing in connection with the electrical source, the signal generating unit being configured to generate a signal during a one time oscillating movement of the wiper blade; and a control unit connected to the signal generating unit, the control unit being configured to increase the oscillating number by one when the signal is inputted, wherein the signal generating unit includes; an electrically conductible mover movable along a race of a predetermined length between a first position and a second position; and first and second electrical contacts disposed adjacent to one of the first and second positions, the first electrical contact being connected to the electrical source, the second electrical contact being connected to the control unit, wherein the indicating unit is controlled by the control unit, wherein a contact between the mover and the first and second electrical contacts generates the signal, wherein the signal generating unit is configured to generate the signal during each oscillating movement of the wiper blade in the hibernation mode, and wherein the control unit is configured to change from the hibernation mode, where the oscillating number is not increased by wiper blade oscillation, into the activation mode, where the oscillating number is increased by wiper blade oscillation, when the signals are inputted from the signal generating unit in a predetermined time period and by a predetermined number in the hibernation mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification