Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Attachments – Optical-member-attachable cleaner
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-09
2001-04-17
Graham, Gary K. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Attachments
Optical-member-attachable cleaner
C015S245000, C015S250361
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216311
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a windshield wiper element, in particular for a windshield wiper system on motor vehicles.
Windshield wiper elements of this generic type are known. They comprise an elastic material and are movable over a motor vehicle window by means of a wiper arm. The windshield wiper elements comprise a head, which is engaged by a bracket, pivotably connected to the wiper arm, that serves to guide the windshield wiper element. The windshield wiper element also has a lip, which is in pressing contact with the window to be wiped. The lip and the head of the windshield wiper element are pivotably connected to one another in such a way that in a wiping motion, because of the forces of friction between the windshield wiper element and the window, kinking of the lip over into the direction opposite the wiping motion takes place. This assures a uniform wiping pattern that is as free of smearing as possible.
In the known windshield wiper elements, it is a disadvantage that particularly under extreme climatic conditions, the so-called foldover strut embodied between the head and the lip of the windshield wiper element undergoes so-called heat aging, which leads to permanent deformation. As a result, the alternating folding over of the lip, corresponding to the respective wiping motion, is made more difficult if not even prevented completely. Not only does this cause noise, but only a poor wiping pattern can be attained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, the lip of the windshield wiper element is connected to the head via an elastic intermediate element, which can be acted upon by a force so that a deflection of the lip in the opposite direction from the wiping direction takes place.
The windshield wiper element of the invention offers the advantage over the prior art that it assures a good wiping pattern even under extreme climatic conditions, and in particular in severe heat. Because the lip of the windshield wiper element is joined to the head of the windshield wiper element via an elastic intermediate element, which as a function of a wiping direction of the windshield wiper element is acted upon by a force acting only on the intermediate element, causing the lip to be deflected in a way adapted to the wiping direction, it is advantageously possible to reinforce an optimal folding over of the lip under all climatic and vehicle conditions. Especially if the force acting on the intermediate element is effected by applying a voltage, whose polarity varies depending on the wiping motion, to an intermediate element that has piezoelectric properties, it is possible in a simple manner to attain the additional force, occurring along with that of friction on the window to be wiped, without elements that change the geometry or the fundamental design of the windshield wiper element. By way of a control unit coupled with the wiper drive, a pointwise or chronologically precise switchover of the polarity of the voltage applied to the intermediate element can be controlled in a simple way, so that when the wiping motion changes, the lip folds over substantially automatically. This assures reliable and optimal contact of the lip with the window to be wiped, which leads to an optimal wiping pattern, in particular without smears and with little noise.
Further advantageous features of the invention will become apparent from the other characteristics recited in the dependent claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4669144 (1987-06-01), Yasukawa et al.
patent: 5221828 (1993-06-01), Basheer et al.
patent: 5459900 (1995-10-01), Mege et al.
patent: 2227649 (1990-08-01), None
patent: 5-294210 (1993-11-01), None
Damme Marc Van
Verelst Hubert
Graham Gary K.
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Striker Michael J.
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