CA2649084A1 - Heated windshield wiper - Google Patents
Heated windshield wiper Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2649084A1 CA2649084A1 CA 2649084 CA2649084A CA2649084A1 CA 2649084 A1 CA2649084 A1 CA 2649084A1 CA 2649084 CA2649084 CA 2649084 CA 2649084 A CA2649084 A CA 2649084A CA 2649084 A1 CA2649084 A1 CA 2649084A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- windshield
- heating wire
- flexible
- blade
- wire
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
- B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
- B60S1/04—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers
- B60S1/32—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by constructional features of wiper blade arms or blades
- B60S1/38—Wiper blades
- B60S1/3803—Wiper blades heated wiper blades
- B60S1/3805—Wiper blades heated wiper blades electrically
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Rear-View Mirror Devices That Are Mounted On The Exterior Of The Vehicle (AREA)
- Surface Heating Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
A windshield wiper assembly comprising a flexible blade having two opposite ends thereof; a heating wire disposed within said flexible blade and having a connection to a power source intermediate said ends whereby said heating wire heats said flexible wire upon activation of said power source.
Description
Heated Windshield Wiper Field Of Invention The present invention relates to the general art of motor vehicles, and to the particular field of windshield wipers.
Background to the Invention Windshield wipers are utilized with vehicle windshields in order to maintain a clear view for the driver of the vehicle from rain, snow or other debris. During freezing rain or snow conditions, precipitation often accumulates upon the windshield wiper, including the wiper blade, thereby preventing the windshield wiper blade from making contact with the windshield so as to leave a "blurred" windshield that is extremely dangerous for drivers.
More specifically ice builds up on the leading edge of the blade to loose partial and often most of its contact with the windshield. Furthermore driving in winter conditions often causes the problem of snow and ice buildup on the blade thereby lifting the blade entirely off the windshield.
Other problems can be encountered when the temperature is just below freezing or a light frost is on the windshield which is generally removed by the wiper. However, under such conditions the windshield wiper blade can become stiff from the cold so as not to follow the curvature of the windshield, therefore giving poor visibility.
In the conventional windshield wiper, a flexible rubber strip is attached to an articulated wiper arm designated to accommodate to the curvature of the windshield. The conventional wiper arm of a personal transport vehicle typically includes a main support or beam that is pivotally linked to a mover arm, driven by a motor for reciprocating, pivotal movement on a motor shaft. A secondary wiper support or beam is pivotally linked to each end of the main beam, each secondary beam pivotally carrying a rubber strip holder in each end of the secondary beam. Tertiary wiper supports are also used. The rubber strip holder is typically arched and attaches with ends thereof to a metal rail, clamped about the profiled backside of the rubber strip. Thus, the conventional wiper arm mechanism typically includes a plurality of pivot joints and attachment points with the flexible rubber strip.
The ability of the wiper strip to accommodate to the windshield curvature in order to clear the glass surface from ice, snow, water is dependent on the flexibility of the wiper blade.
Typically the blade stiffens with cold, and a stiff blades does not conform to the curvature of the windshield.
Several prior art devices and methods have heretofore been proposed for heating windshield wipers. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,426,814 relates to a heated windshield wiper which includes an elongated cylindrical body having a hollow interior and three (3) wiping surfaces which project from the body and extend longitudinally along the wiper. A
helical heating element is concentrically positioned within the hollow interior of the wiper and is connectable to the vehicle battery to heat the entire outer circumference of the wiper body and the wiping surfaces to melt ice surrounding the wiper and on the windshield. Alternate embodiments include a fluid dispensing arrangement for dispensing fluid over the heating coil as well as an air expansion assembly for expanding the cylindrical body.
U.S. Patent No.
5,426,814 presents a relatively complicated blade assembly which is expensive to .
manufacture and maintain. Furthermore U.S. Patent No. 5,426,814 utilizes plugs at the end of the windshield wiper which connects to the heating elements; which can be knocked off during operation.
Furthermore U.S. Patent No. 5,787,543 relates to a heated windshield wiper blade having a heating element which comprises a flexible, spiraled resistance wire coiled around stranded fiberglass. This patent illustrates a complicated and expensive wiper blade assembly. Also the connections at either end of the rubber wiping surface can be displaced.
Another arrangement is shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,791,010 which relates to a heated windshield wiper having a heating element disposed above the blade. Any heat from the heating element will quickly dissipate into the atmosphere particularly if the vehicle is driven at more than moderate speed.
Also U.S. Patent No. 6,058,554 relates to a heated windshield wiper blade which includes a gel-filled core which extends the length of the windshield wiper blade which gel-filled core includes material which is both heat conducting and electrical conducting while an electrical conductor extends the length of the gel-filled core.
It is therefore an objection of this invention to provide for an improved heated windshield wiper blade.
Background to the Invention Windshield wipers are utilized with vehicle windshields in order to maintain a clear view for the driver of the vehicle from rain, snow or other debris. During freezing rain or snow conditions, precipitation often accumulates upon the windshield wiper, including the wiper blade, thereby preventing the windshield wiper blade from making contact with the windshield so as to leave a "blurred" windshield that is extremely dangerous for drivers.
More specifically ice builds up on the leading edge of the blade to loose partial and often most of its contact with the windshield. Furthermore driving in winter conditions often causes the problem of snow and ice buildup on the blade thereby lifting the blade entirely off the windshield.
Other problems can be encountered when the temperature is just below freezing or a light frost is on the windshield which is generally removed by the wiper. However, under such conditions the windshield wiper blade can become stiff from the cold so as not to follow the curvature of the windshield, therefore giving poor visibility.
In the conventional windshield wiper, a flexible rubber strip is attached to an articulated wiper arm designated to accommodate to the curvature of the windshield. The conventional wiper arm of a personal transport vehicle typically includes a main support or beam that is pivotally linked to a mover arm, driven by a motor for reciprocating, pivotal movement on a motor shaft. A secondary wiper support or beam is pivotally linked to each end of the main beam, each secondary beam pivotally carrying a rubber strip holder in each end of the secondary beam. Tertiary wiper supports are also used. The rubber strip holder is typically arched and attaches with ends thereof to a metal rail, clamped about the profiled backside of the rubber strip. Thus, the conventional wiper arm mechanism typically includes a plurality of pivot joints and attachment points with the flexible rubber strip.
The ability of the wiper strip to accommodate to the windshield curvature in order to clear the glass surface from ice, snow, water is dependent on the flexibility of the wiper blade.
Typically the blade stiffens with cold, and a stiff blades does not conform to the curvature of the windshield.
Several prior art devices and methods have heretofore been proposed for heating windshield wipers. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,426,814 relates to a heated windshield wiper which includes an elongated cylindrical body having a hollow interior and three (3) wiping surfaces which project from the body and extend longitudinally along the wiper. A
helical heating element is concentrically positioned within the hollow interior of the wiper and is connectable to the vehicle battery to heat the entire outer circumference of the wiper body and the wiping surfaces to melt ice surrounding the wiper and on the windshield. Alternate embodiments include a fluid dispensing arrangement for dispensing fluid over the heating coil as well as an air expansion assembly for expanding the cylindrical body.
U.S. Patent No.
5,426,814 presents a relatively complicated blade assembly which is expensive to .
manufacture and maintain. Furthermore U.S. Patent No. 5,426,814 utilizes plugs at the end of the windshield wiper which connects to the heating elements; which can be knocked off during operation.
Furthermore U.S. Patent No. 5,787,543 relates to a heated windshield wiper blade having a heating element which comprises a flexible, spiraled resistance wire coiled around stranded fiberglass. This patent illustrates a complicated and expensive wiper blade assembly. Also the connections at either end of the rubber wiping surface can be displaced.
Another arrangement is shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,791,010 which relates to a heated windshield wiper having a heating element disposed above the blade. Any heat from the heating element will quickly dissipate into the atmosphere particularly if the vehicle is driven at more than moderate speed.
Also U.S. Patent No. 6,058,554 relates to a heated windshield wiper blade which includes a gel-filled core which extends the length of the windshield wiper blade which gel-filled core includes material which is both heat conducting and electrical conducting while an electrical conductor extends the length of the gel-filled core.
It is therefore an objection of this invention to provide for an improved heated windshield wiper blade.
Disclosure of Invention The above discussed disadvantages of the prior art are minimized by a windshield wiper blade that includes an electric heating element in the rubber wiper portion thereof. The heating element is controlled by a switch on the dashboard and a temperature sensor on he wiper arm.
Other systems, methods, and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.
It is an aspect of this invention to provide a windshield wiper assembly comprising a flexible blade having two opposite ends thereof; a heating wire disposed within said flexible blade and having a connection to a power source intermediate said ends whereby said heating wire heats said flexible wire upon activation of said power source.
It is a further aspect of this invention to provide a windshield wiper assembly for wiping the outer surface of the windshield of a motor vehicle comprising a windshield wiper assembly for wiping said outer surface of said windshield, said assembly including a support arm adapted for rotational reciprocal movement across said windshield; wiper support means connected to said support arm; a flexible wiper blade mounted on said support means, said flexible wiper blade having a proximal end and a distal end; electrical resistance heating wire embedded in said flexible wiper blade extending from said distal end to said proximal end;
power means for heating said electrical resistance heating wire; switch between said power means and said electrical heating wire; electrical power control means disposed between said switch and said electrical resistance heating wire for varying the power to said electrical resistance heating wire in response to temperature fluctuations.
It is yet another aspect of this invention to provide a method of heating a flexible wiper blade for a windshield comprising disposing electrical resistance wire within said flexible wiper blade between opposite ends thereof; connecting said electrical resistant wire to said electrical heating wire intermediate said ends of said flexible wiper blade;
providing a power source to said electrical wire so as to heat said electrical resistance heating wire in said flexible wiper blade; varying the supply of power to said electrical resistance heating wire through the use of a varistor disposed between said electrical resistance heating wire and said power source.
It is a further aspect of this invention to provide a method of heating a flexible wiper blade wherein said electrical resistance heating wire heats said body of said flexible wiper blade so as to maintain the flexibility of said blade.
Brief Description of Drawinas Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a heated windshield wiper embodying the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a partial section view of detail A of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side view of the wiper blade.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may be exaggerated in order to more clearly depict certain features of the invention.
Most vehicles have two wiper assemblies 10 on the windshield, and they may have one on the rear window and one on each headlight. The windshield wiper assembly 10 generally comprises a wiper arm 20 pivotally connected at pivot 22 to a reciprocating rotating motor shaft assembly having a reciprocating rotating shaft 24 in a manner well know to those persons skilled in the art. The wiper arm 20 is connected to wiper support means 30 by means of pin receiving holes 32 in a manner well known to those persons skilled in the art.
The wiper support means 30 carry the wiper blade 70. More particularly the wiper support means 30 comprises a main beam support or linkage 34 having ends 36 and 38 thereof.
Second beam supports or cradle blade carrier 40 and 42 are connected to the ends 36 and 38 of main beam 34, while third beam supports or linkages 44 and 46 are each connected to second support beams 40 and 42 respectively all in a manner well known to those persons skilled in the art.
In the wiper assembly 10 shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the wiper assembly 10 has up to six (6) parts called pressure points or claws 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60. The claws 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 distribute pressure from the wiper support means 30 along the back of the blade 70.
Other systems, methods, and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.
It is an aspect of this invention to provide a windshield wiper assembly comprising a flexible blade having two opposite ends thereof; a heating wire disposed within said flexible blade and having a connection to a power source intermediate said ends whereby said heating wire heats said flexible wire upon activation of said power source.
It is a further aspect of this invention to provide a windshield wiper assembly for wiping the outer surface of the windshield of a motor vehicle comprising a windshield wiper assembly for wiping said outer surface of said windshield, said assembly including a support arm adapted for rotational reciprocal movement across said windshield; wiper support means connected to said support arm; a flexible wiper blade mounted on said support means, said flexible wiper blade having a proximal end and a distal end; electrical resistance heating wire embedded in said flexible wiper blade extending from said distal end to said proximal end;
power means for heating said electrical resistance heating wire; switch between said power means and said electrical heating wire; electrical power control means disposed between said switch and said electrical resistance heating wire for varying the power to said electrical resistance heating wire in response to temperature fluctuations.
It is yet another aspect of this invention to provide a method of heating a flexible wiper blade for a windshield comprising disposing electrical resistance wire within said flexible wiper blade between opposite ends thereof; connecting said electrical resistant wire to said electrical heating wire intermediate said ends of said flexible wiper blade;
providing a power source to said electrical wire so as to heat said electrical resistance heating wire in said flexible wiper blade; varying the supply of power to said electrical resistance heating wire through the use of a varistor disposed between said electrical resistance heating wire and said power source.
It is a further aspect of this invention to provide a method of heating a flexible wiper blade wherein said electrical resistance heating wire heats said body of said flexible wiper blade so as to maintain the flexibility of said blade.
Brief Description of Drawinas Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a heated windshield wiper embodying the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a partial section view of detail A of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side view of the wiper blade.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may be exaggerated in order to more clearly depict certain features of the invention.
Most vehicles have two wiper assemblies 10 on the windshield, and they may have one on the rear window and one on each headlight. The windshield wiper assembly 10 generally comprises a wiper arm 20 pivotally connected at pivot 22 to a reciprocating rotating motor shaft assembly having a reciprocating rotating shaft 24 in a manner well know to those persons skilled in the art. The wiper arm 20 is connected to wiper support means 30 by means of pin receiving holes 32 in a manner well known to those persons skilled in the art.
The wiper support means 30 carry the wiper blade 70. More particularly the wiper support means 30 comprises a main beam support or linkage 34 having ends 36 and 38 thereof.
Second beam supports or cradle blade carrier 40 and 42 are connected to the ends 36 and 38 of main beam 34, while third beam supports or linkages 44 and 46 are each connected to second support beams 40 and 42 respectively all in a manner well known to those persons skilled in the art.
In the wiper assembly 10 shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the wiper assembly 10 has up to six (6) parts called pressure points or claws 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60. The claws 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 distribute pressure from the wiper support means 30 along the back of the blade 70.
Generally speaking this is known as a balance beam with a suspension system.
The claws 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 keep the blade flexed against the windshield to distribute even pressure to clean the glass along the blade 70. The wiper blade 70 comprises a flexible or rubber portion 72 and includes exterior metal strips 74 and 76 generally known as a blade frame within a slot 78 and 80 along the length of the rubber member 72 as shown. The blade frame includes cut-outs (not shown) which are adapted to receive the claws 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 respectively all in a manner well known to those persons skilled in the art. The standard two windshield wipers are generally operated as a single-motor, tandem scheme with one wiper on the driver's side in one position near the middle of the windshield that moves across the passengers view. The wiper arms 20 are secured to pivots 22 connected to the reciprocating rotating shaft 24 so as to move the wiper assembly 10.
A slender spring linkage (not shown) ties the pivot 22 to the reciprocating , rotating shaft 24 so as to return the wiper support 10 to its resting or parked position, hugging the wiper close to the windshield and keep it attached to the car if the links are damaged.
The motor vehicle has a power source such as a battery or the like.
Alternatively, the power source may be electrically connected to the ignition system to avoid draining the battery.
The wiper blade 70 is mounted to the support means 30 and has a proximal end 90 located near the rotating shafts 24 as well as a distal end 92. An electrical resistance heating wire 96 is embedded in the flexible wiper blade 70 and extends from the proximal end 90 to the distal end 92 as shown.
In one embodiment the heating element 96 comprises a nickel chromium wire which is heated by means of a current which is carried by wire 100 to a dash mounted on-off switch 102 that is connected either directly to the battery or more preferably to the ignition system (not shown) to avoid battery drain in the event that the wiper heater switch 102 is left on unintentionally when the engine is shut of. The power supply from the on-off switch 102 flows to a thermal varistor 104 which acts both as a resistor and a thermostat. The thermostatic portion of the varistor 104 will allow the flow of power to increase as the outside temperature decreases and vice versa. The increased flow of power will increase the temperature of the internal heating element while a decrease of power will decrease the temperature of the element. The varistor also has the ability to shut off the power flow should the air temperature rise above a given set point.
The power from the varistor 104 flows to a connection plug106 which has two parts that are separable and connectable to each other. The wire 100 enters the support means in the center and runs internally in the rubber portion 72 as shown in Fig. 3. More particularly the wire 100 enters the blade in the center and then runs to one end and then loops back to the other and then back to the center. Accordingly there are no plugs at the ends of the wiper blades to fall off.
In one embodiment the heating element is made of Ni-chrome wire which is an alloy of nickel and chromium. In one embodiment the diameter of the nickel chromium wire can vary according to the length of the blade. There is no need for any type of coating around the nickel chromium heating element. The thermostatic portion of the varistor 104 includes a temperature sensor to sense the temperature and electrically connect or disconnect the flow of power to the heating element.
Various embodiments of the invention have now been described in detail. Since changes in and/or additions to the above-described best mode may be made without departing from the nature, spirit or scope of the invention, the invention is not to be limited to said details.
The claws 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 keep the blade flexed against the windshield to distribute even pressure to clean the glass along the blade 70. The wiper blade 70 comprises a flexible or rubber portion 72 and includes exterior metal strips 74 and 76 generally known as a blade frame within a slot 78 and 80 along the length of the rubber member 72 as shown. The blade frame includes cut-outs (not shown) which are adapted to receive the claws 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 respectively all in a manner well known to those persons skilled in the art. The standard two windshield wipers are generally operated as a single-motor, tandem scheme with one wiper on the driver's side in one position near the middle of the windshield that moves across the passengers view. The wiper arms 20 are secured to pivots 22 connected to the reciprocating rotating shaft 24 so as to move the wiper assembly 10.
A slender spring linkage (not shown) ties the pivot 22 to the reciprocating , rotating shaft 24 so as to return the wiper support 10 to its resting or parked position, hugging the wiper close to the windshield and keep it attached to the car if the links are damaged.
The motor vehicle has a power source such as a battery or the like.
Alternatively, the power source may be electrically connected to the ignition system to avoid draining the battery.
The wiper blade 70 is mounted to the support means 30 and has a proximal end 90 located near the rotating shafts 24 as well as a distal end 92. An electrical resistance heating wire 96 is embedded in the flexible wiper blade 70 and extends from the proximal end 90 to the distal end 92 as shown.
In one embodiment the heating element 96 comprises a nickel chromium wire which is heated by means of a current which is carried by wire 100 to a dash mounted on-off switch 102 that is connected either directly to the battery or more preferably to the ignition system (not shown) to avoid battery drain in the event that the wiper heater switch 102 is left on unintentionally when the engine is shut of. The power supply from the on-off switch 102 flows to a thermal varistor 104 which acts both as a resistor and a thermostat. The thermostatic portion of the varistor 104 will allow the flow of power to increase as the outside temperature decreases and vice versa. The increased flow of power will increase the temperature of the internal heating element while a decrease of power will decrease the temperature of the element. The varistor also has the ability to shut off the power flow should the air temperature rise above a given set point.
The power from the varistor 104 flows to a connection plug106 which has two parts that are separable and connectable to each other. The wire 100 enters the support means in the center and runs internally in the rubber portion 72 as shown in Fig. 3. More particularly the wire 100 enters the blade in the center and then runs to one end and then loops back to the other and then back to the center. Accordingly there are no plugs at the ends of the wiper blades to fall off.
In one embodiment the heating element is made of Ni-chrome wire which is an alloy of nickel and chromium. In one embodiment the diameter of the nickel chromium wire can vary according to the length of the blade. There is no need for any type of coating around the nickel chromium heating element. The thermostatic portion of the varistor 104 includes a temperature sensor to sense the temperature and electrically connect or disconnect the flow of power to the heating element.
Various embodiments of the invention have now been described in detail. Since changes in and/or additions to the above-described best mode may be made without departing from the nature, spirit or scope of the invention, the invention is not to be limited to said details.
Claims (19)
1. A windshield wiper assembly comprising:
(a) a flexible blade having two opposite ends thereof;
(b) a heating wire disposed within said flexible blade and having a connection to a power source intermediate said ends whereby said heating wire heats said flexible wire upon activation of said power source.
(a) a flexible blade having two opposite ends thereof;
(b) a heating wire disposed within said flexible blade and having a connection to a power source intermediate said ends whereby said heating wire heats said flexible wire upon activation of said power source.
2. A windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said heating wire comprises nickel chromium wire disposed within said flexible blade.
3. A wiper assembly as claimed in claim 2 further including a varistor disposed between said heating wire and said power source for selectively connecting and disconnecting said power source to said heating wire in response to a selected temperature.
4. A windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said varistor varies the flow of power to said heating wire in response to temperature.
5. A windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 4 further including an on-off switch disposed between said varistor and said power source.
6. A windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said power source comprises a battery.
7. A windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said flexible blade comprises rubber.
8. A windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said nickel chromium wire heats said rubber along the length thereof between said opposite ends.
9. A windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein said rubber includes two spaced longitudinal slots adapted to receive metal strips on opposite sides thereof and said nickel chromium wires are disposed substantially perpendicular thereto.
10. A windshield wiper assembly for wiping the outer surface of the windshield of a motor vehicle comprising:
(a) a windshield wiper assembly for wiping said outer surface of said windshield, said assembly including:
(i) a support arm adapted for rotational reciprocal movement across said windshield;
(ii) wiper support means connected to said support arm;
(iii) a flexible wiper blade mounted on said support means, said flexible wiper blade having a proximal end and a distal end;
(iv) electrical resistance heating wire embedded in said flexible wiper blade extending from said distal end to said proximal end;
(b) power means for heating said electrical resistance heating wire;
(c) switch between said power means and said electrical heating wire;
(d) electrical power control means disposed between said switch and said electrical resistance heating wire for varying the power to said electrical resistance heating wire in response to temperature fluctuations.
(a) a windshield wiper assembly for wiping said outer surface of said windshield, said assembly including:
(i) a support arm adapted for rotational reciprocal movement across said windshield;
(ii) wiper support means connected to said support arm;
(iii) a flexible wiper blade mounted on said support means, said flexible wiper blade having a proximal end and a distal end;
(iv) electrical resistance heating wire embedded in said flexible wiper blade extending from said distal end to said proximal end;
(b) power means for heating said electrical resistance heating wire;
(c) switch between said power means and said electrical heating wire;
(d) electrical power control means disposed between said switch and said electrical resistance heating wire for varying the power to said electrical resistance heating wire in response to temperature fluctuations.
11. A windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein said electrical resistance heating wire comprises nickel chromium.
12. A windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 11 further including an electrical plug for connecting said electrical resistance heating wire to said power source.
13. A windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein said electrical resistance heating wire comprises nickel chromium which heats said wiper blade along the length thereof.
14. A windshield wiper assembly s claimed in claim 13 wherein said flexible wiper blade comprises rubber having a body portion tapering towards a narrow windshield wiping edge.
15. A method of heating a flexible wiper blade for a windshield comprising:
(a) disposing electrical resistance wire within said flexible wiper blade between opposite ends thereof;
(b) connecting said electrical resistant wire to said electrical heating wire intermediate said ends of said flexible wiper blade;
(c) providing a power source to said electrical wire so as to heat said electrical resistance heating wire in said flexible wiper blade;
(d) varying the supply of power to said electrical resistance heating wire through the use of a varistor disposed between said electrical resistance heating wire and said power source.
(a) disposing electrical resistance wire within said flexible wiper blade between opposite ends thereof;
(b) connecting said electrical resistant wire to said electrical heating wire intermediate said ends of said flexible wiper blade;
(c) providing a power source to said electrical wire so as to heat said electrical resistance heating wire in said flexible wiper blade;
(d) varying the supply of power to said electrical resistance heating wire through the use of a varistor disposed between said electrical resistance heating wire and said power source.
16. A method of heating said flexible wiper blade including connecting and disconnecting said electrical wire to said power source through the use of a plug.
17. A method as claimed in claim 15 including an on-off switch.
18. A method a heating a flexible wiper blade wherein said electrical resistance heating wire heats said body of said flexible wiper blade so as to maintain the flexibility of said blade.
19. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein said heated electrical resistance wire inhibits the formation of ice along said flexible wiper blade so as to substantially eliminate the formation of ice buildup between said flexible wiper blade and said windshield of a vehicle.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US1700108A | 2008-01-19 | 2008-01-19 | |
| US12/017,001 | 2008-01-19 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2649084A1 true CA2649084A1 (en) | 2009-07-19 |
| CA2649084C CA2649084C (en) | 2016-03-22 |
Family
ID=40900705
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2649084A Expired - Fee Related CA2649084C (en) | 2008-01-19 | 2009-01-08 | Heated windshield wiper |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2649084C (en) |
-
2009
- 2009-01-08 CA CA2649084A patent/CA2649084C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2649084C (en) | 2016-03-22 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20220110 |