Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Attachments – Optical-member-attachable cleaner
Patent
1995-05-15
1998-02-03
Graham, Gary K.
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Attachments
Optical-member-attachable cleaner
1525029, 74 37, 74 27, 254390, 254389, B60S 144, B60S 120
Patent
active
057130981
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention generally relates to wiping systems and more particularly relates to a system for cleaning a light transmitting elements such as windscreens, window-panes or optical instruments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Arrangements of the afore-mentioned type are known in the art and are made up as a system of rods and gears insuring linear reciprocating movements of a carriage which carries a wiper element across a light transmitting element. It is considered to be a substantial disadvantage involved with prior art arrangements that in view of the complex design of linear wiper systems of this type, the carriage exhibits an unfavorable sequence of movements as the speed thereof is substantially constant and in the area of reversing of the direction of movement is abruptly changed. Such jerky movements of the carriage occurring in the end areas of the carriage result in substantial load on the entire driving mechanism and, hence dictate a more rugged design of the arrangement. The abrupt changes in speed of the carriage cause vibrations to the item to be cleaned, which is undesirable.
Based on the afore-described state of art it is an object of the present invention to overcome this disadvantage and to so develop a system of the afore-described type as to improve the sequence of movements of the carriage in such a way that the speed thereof in the area of the points of directional change is minimized.
The invention takes advantage of the fact that the sequence of movements of a part of the transmission gear performing movements on the driven side, comes very close to a sinusoidal function so that the speed of the carriage in the area of the points of directional charge is approximately zero. This will result in a minimum load on all components of the system, and, in particular, in a smooth sequence of movements of the carriage.
According to a particularly advantageous measure of the invention the part performing movements on the driven side is a section of a hollow cylinder arranged on the shaft and formed as a housing. In this respect it is advantageous for the housing to have a hub provided with an outer gear and arranged within the interior of the transmission gear, extending in coaxial relationship with the axis of the shaft. The invention thereby provides a transmission gear the housing of which (i.e. the part performing movements on the driven side) simultaneously carries out two functions. On the one hand, the parts required for the transmission are protected so that the outer mechanical influences exerted on the transmission gear can substantially be prevented from occurring; on the other hand, the housing performs the function of an element directly cooperating with the tensile and/or thrust member.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention at least one toothed gear rotatable about a stationary axis is in engagement with the outer gear of the hub is arranged within the housing (and with a gear connected to the shaft in a non-rotating manner). According to the principle of the invention it is particularly advantageous to provide three gears in engagement with the outer gear of the hub and the toothed gear of the shaft, it being also possible for the toothed gears to be supported by cylindrical pins. The latter as well as the shaft are supported by the mounting frame.
According to another embodiment of the present invention the radial outer side of the housing comprises thread-type grooves in cooperation with the tensile element formed as a cable or belt, thereby establishing a frictional communication between the housing and the cable or belt.
In order to provide a simple and low-cost manufacture of the system, it is advantageous for the mounting frame to carry the driving means, the gear and the transmission gear and to comprise a guiding rod for the carriage extending in the direction of movement of the carriage. The mounting frame can be in the form of a punched or cast element carrying the individual components of the system and is readily mountable. T
REFERENCES:
patent: 1497406 (1924-06-01), Robertson
patent: 1720832 (1929-07-01), Gibson
patent: 1748055 (1930-02-01), Brown et al.
patent: 2063055 (1936-12-01), Shaw
patent: 3042954 (1962-07-01), Wynn et al.
patent: 3354494 (1967-11-01), Rischman
patent: 5179758 (1993-01-01), Smith et al.
Mayer Gunter
Scholl Wolfgang
Graham Gary K.
ITT Automotive Europe GmbH
Lewis J. Gordon
Twomey Thomas N.
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