WINDSHIELD WIPER ENERGIZATION SYSTEM

• US 3,555,289 A
• Filed: 09/09/1968
• Issued: 01/12/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William J. Sobkow
• Original Assignee: William J. Sobkow
• Inventors: Sobkow, William J.
• Application Number:
  US04/758,361
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0818 including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0851 Resistive rain sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0866 including a temperature sensor heating devices for windshield B60H
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 15/15 Moisture responsive

Abstract

A motor vehicle windshield wiper energization system wherein a motor driving a windshield wiper is actuated upon moisture on the vehicle windshield being sensed by a moisture sensitive switch. The switch is positioned on a portion of the windshield wiped by the windshield wiper. In order to assure that the windshield is fully cleaned, a time delay mechanism maintains motor operation for a predetermined time period following the removal of moisture from the switch.

Claims

1. A windshield wiper energization system for a motor vehicle having a windshield, windshield wiper means capable of wiping at least a portion of said windshield and an electric motor capable of driving said wiper means, said system including an electric current source, a relay switch coupled to said current source and said motor and capable of conducting current between the former and the latter, said relay switch being biased into an open position, moisture responsive second switch means mounted on said windshield at a point wiped by said windshield wiper and coupled to said current source, said second switch means transmitting current therethrough upon sensing moisture, a relay coil coupled to said second switch means and closing said relay switch upon receiving current, and switch control time delay means coupled to said relay coil and said current source and conducting current to said relay coil for a predetermined time period after moisture no longer is sensed by said second switch means, said relay coil and said secoNd switch means being connected in series circuit, said relay coil and said time delay means being connected in series circuit, and said second switch means and said time delay means being connected in parallel circuit.

2. A windshield wiper energization system for a motor vehicle having a windshield, windshield wiper means wiping at least a portion of said windshield and an electric motor capable of driving said wiper means, said system including an electric current source, a normally open relay switch connected in series circuit between said current source and said motor, relay switch control means closing said relay switch upon electric current passing through said control means, a moisture sensitive switch positioned on said windshield and having a normal open condition and a closed condition upon sensing the presence of moisture on said windshield, said moisture sensitive switch being connected in series circuit between said current source and said control means, and electrically conductive time delay means connected in series circuit between said current source and said control means and conducting current to the latter for a predetermined time period following the cessation of said moisture sensitive switch being in the closed condition.

3. The windshield wiper energization system of claim 2, wherein said time delay means are in parallel circuit with said relay switch and said moisture sensitive switch.

4. The windshield wiper energization system of claim 2, wherein said moisture sensitive switch is positioned on said windshield at a location wiped by said windshield wiper means.

5. The windshield wiper energization system of claim 2, wherein said moisture sensitive switch comprises a pair of electrically conductive contacts separated by an electrically nonconductive gap, said moisture sensitive switch being in the closed condition upon moisture bridging said gap.

6. The windshield wiper energization system of claim 2, wherein said time delay means comprises a normally closed heat responsive switch that opens upon being heated to a predetermined temperature, a resistance heating element, and a normally open second relay switch that is closed upon current passing through said control means, said heat responsive switch, heating element and second relay switch being connected in series circuit.