Wiper assembly for sweeping a glass surface on a vehicle

• US 20080083081A1
• Filed: 10/10/2006
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kenneth A. Gross, Michael A. Gross, Robert V. Rhodes
• Original Assignee: Kenneth A. Gross, Michael A. Gross, Robert V. Rhodes
• Inventors: Gross, Kenneth A., Gross, Michael A., Rhodes, Robert V.
• Granted Patent: US 8,001,649 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/250.02
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/3415 with means for supplying cleaning fluid to windscreen cleaners, e.g. washers arrangement of nozzles B60S1/52
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/482 combined with the operation of windscreen wipers
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/524 arranged in wiper blades

Abstract

A wiper assembly for sweeping a glass surface on a vehicle. The wiper assembly includes a windshield washer assembly connected to the windshield wiper drive arm of the vehicle for controllably dispensing washer fluid directly down onto the glass surface of the vehicle. The wiper assembly also includes a novel control unit carried by the vehicle for controlling the dispensing of the washing liquid from the windshield washer assembly. Uniquely, the control unit includes a sensor that is operably associated with the pump for sensing the position of the wiper arm as it moves upwardly and downwardly relative to the glass surface and for controllably energizing the pump at selected positions of the wiper drive arm so that the washer fluid is always dispensed forwardly of the wiper blade to avoid smearing.

Claims

1. A novel control system relating to a washing apparatus for washing a glass surface on a vehicle having a windshield wiper drive arm movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the glass surface, a fluid reservoir and a pump, which upon being energized, pumps fluid from the fluid reservoir, said washing apparatus comprising:

(a) windshield washer assembly connected to the windshield wiper drive arm for controllably dispensing washer fluid onto the glass surface of the vehicle; and

(b) control means carried by the vehicle for controlling the dispensing of the washing liquid from the windshield washer means, said control means comprising sensor means operably associated with the pump for sensing the position of the wiper arm as it moves upwardly and downwardly relative to the glass surface and for energizing the pump at selected positions of the wiper drive arm.

2. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said windshield washer means comprises:

(a) a wiper blade assembly, including a wiper blade; and

(b) a washer assembly operably associated with said wiper blade assembly, said washer assembly comprising a feed conduit operably associated with the vehicle pump, said feed conduit having a fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet for directing fluid toward the glass surface of the vehicle.

3. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said sensor means comprises a mechanical sensor.

4. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said sensor means comprises an optical sensor.

5. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said sensor means comprises a magnetic sensor.

6. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which said magnetic sensor comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced disc magnets.

7. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which said magnetic sensor comprises a ring magnet.

8. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which said magnetic sensor comprises a plurality of strip magnets.

9. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 5, in which said control means further comprises a Hall Effect sensor operably associated with said plurality of circumferentially spaced disc magnets.

18. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said sensor means comprises:

(a) an optical sensor, including a photo diode and a spaced-apart, cooperatively associated photo transistor; and

(b) an optical shield movable from a first position to a second position intermediate said photo diode and a spaced-apart photo transistor.

19. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said control means comprises:

(a) a magnetic sensor; and

(b) a Hall Effect sensor operably associated with said magnetic sensor.

20. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 19 in which said magnetic sensor comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced disc magnets.

10. A washing apparatus for washing a glass surface on a vehicle having a windshield wiper drive arm, a fluid reservoir and a pump, which upon being energized, pumps fluid from the fluid reservoir, said washing apparatus comprising:

(a) windshield washer means connected to the windshield wiper drive arm for controllably dispensing washer fluid onto the glass surface of the vehicle, said windshield washer means comprising;

(i) a wiper blade assembly, including a wiper blade; and

(ii) a washer assembly operably associated with said wiper blade assembly, said washer assembly comprising a feed conduit operably associated with the vehicle pump, said feed conduit having a fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet for directing fluid toward the glass surface of the vehicle; and

(b) control means carried by the vehicle for controlling the dispensing of the washing liquid from the windshield washer means, said control means comprising;

(i) a drive motor connected to the windshield wiper drive arm for moving the drive arm upwardly and downwardly relative to the glass surface; and

(ii) sensor means operably associated with the pump for sensing the position of the wiper arm as it moves upwardly and downwardly relative to the glass surface and for energizing the pump at selected positions of the wiper drive arm.

11. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said washer assembly comprises a second feed conduit operably associated with the vehicle pump.

12. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said sensor means comprises a mechanical sensor, including a micro-switch.

13. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said sensor means comprises an optical sensor.

14. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said sensor means comprises a magnetic sensor comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced disc magnets.

15. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 14 in which said control means further comprises a Hall Effect sensor operably associated with said magnetic sensor.

16. A washing apparatus for washing a glass surface on a vehicle having a windshield wiper drive arm, a fluid reservoir and a pump, which upon being energized, pumps fluid from the fluid reservoir, said washing apparatus comprising:

(a) windshield washer assembly connected to the windshield wiper drive arm for controllably dispensing washer fluid onto the glass surface of the vehicle, said windshield washer means comprising;

(i) a wiper blade assembly, including a wiper blade; and

(ii) a washer assembly operably associated with said wiper blade assembly, said washer assembly comprising a feed conduit operably associated with the vehicle pump, said feed conduit having a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart apertures, a fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet for directing fluid toward the glass surface of the vehicle; and

(b) control means carried by the vehicle for controlling the dispensing of the washing liquid from the windshield washer means, said control means comprising;

(i) a drive motor connected to the windshield wiper drive arm for moving the drive arm upwardly and downwardly relative to the glass surface; and

(ii) sensor means operably associated with the pump for sensing the position of the wiper arm as it moves upwardly and downwardly relative to the glass surface and for energizing the pump at selected positions of the wiper drive arm.

17. The washing apparatus as defined in claim 16 in which said sensor means comprises a mechanical sensor including a diverter valve operatively associated with the pump.

21. A control unit for use with a washing apparatus for washing a glass surface on a vehicle having a windshield wiper drive arm movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the glass surface, a wiper blade connected to the drive arm, a fluid reservoir and a pump, which upon being energized, pumps fluid from the fluid reservoir to the wiper blade, said control unit comprising sensing means operably associated with the pump for sensing the position of the wiper arm as it moves upwardly and downwardly relative to the glass surface and for energizing the pump at selected positions of the wiper drive arm.

22. The control unit as defined in claim 21 in which said sensing means comprises:

(a) a magnetic sensor; and

(b) a Hall Effect sensor operably associated with said magnetic sensor.