FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10; rule 13]
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A WIPING SYSTEM
APPLICANT(S)
TATA MOTORS PASSENGER VEHICLES LIMITED
Floor 3, 4, Plot-18, Nanavati Mahalaya,
Mudhana Shetty Marg, BSE,
Fort, Mumbai City - 400 001,
Maharashtra, India,
an Indian Company.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed.
2
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Present invention, in general, relates to a wiping system. Particularly, but not
exclusively, the present invention relates to the wiping system for a vehicle
5 windshield.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, vehicles are equipped with windshield wiping systems to
10 effectively remove rain, snow, dust, and dirt, and any other liquid or solid materials
that deposits on a windshield surface, and prevents vehicle driver's view of his
surroundings from being obstructed.
Typically, the windshield wiping systems in different shapes, types and
15 configuration are installed on vehicle that can be configured to substantially cover
the windshield surface such that a largest possible wiping region can be obtained
for facilitating an improved visibility during driving. In particular, different types
of windshield wiping system such as opposed wiper system, tandem wiper system,
and a single-wiper blade wiping system are pivotally installed on vehicle to provide
20 an improved wiping mechanisms for facilitating a significant wiped region for the
windshield. When actuated, these windshield wiping systems operates from its
parked condition that is defined at a windshield bottom surface extending along a
vehicle transverse axis. During operation, the windshield wiping system moves
convexly upwardly from its said parked position and along its pivot mount point to
25 form at least a convex wipe region across the windshield surface.
However, since, a typical vehicle windshield is substantially rectangular in shape
and configuration, the convex wipe region formed across the windshield during the
windshield wiping operation, leaves some portion of the windshield unwiped. As a
30 result, during vehicle running condition, particularly, while taking vehicle turns, the
unwiped area tends to interfere with the visibility of the driver. Hence, the existing
windshield wiping systems known to form several different wiping pattern on the
vehicle windshield, still results in occurrence of at least some unwiped areas on
3
the windshield and hence obstructing driver’s rearward view, particularly, during
vehicle turn.
Present invention is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or
5 any other limitations associated with the known arts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a system as claimed and
10 additional advantages are provided through the device and a system as claimed in
the present invention. Additional features and advantages are realized through the
techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the
invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed
invention.
15
In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a vehicle wiping system includes
an electric motor, a wiper assembly operatively connected to the electric motor. The
wiper assembly includes a wiper arm, a first wiper blade that is movably pivotally
connected to the wiper arm, a second wiper blade that is hingedly attached to at
20 least a portion of the first wiper blade and an actuating device being operatively
connected to the second wiper blade. The wiping system further includes a control
unit that is configured for generating an actuation signal when the wiper assembly
makes at least one of a plurality of prefined angles with a predefined axis taken
along a vehicle transverse direction. In response to the actuation signal, the
25 actuating device moves the second wiper blade from a parked position to an
unparked position along a plurality of predetermined angles.
In an embodiment, the second wiper blade is significantly shorter in length than the
first wiper blade.
30
In an embodiment, each of the plurality of the predefined angles is determined after
a predetermined windshield wiping by the first wiper blade corresponds to a
predetermined wiping stroke range of 80 to 90 percentage.
4
In an embodiment, the actuating device, in response to the actuation signal
generated by the control unit, is actuated after the predetermined windshield wiping
by the first wiper blade corresponds to said predetermined wiping stroke range of
80 to 90 percentage.
5
In an embodiment, the actuating device is an electromagnetic actuator comprising
a shaft and a housing containing a solenoid. Upon actuation, the shaft of the
actuating device rotates in an anticlockwise direction to extend outwardly for
causing the second wiper blade to move from the parked position to the unparked
10 position through a predefined distance to form the plurality of predetermined angles
between the first and second wiper blades.
In an embodiment, the second wiper blade is hingedly attached to the at least a
portion on a top region of the first wiper blade.
15
In an embodiment of the present invention, the wiper assembly completes its wiping
stroke across an entire of a first half vehicle windshield outer surface when the
second wiper blade moves from the parked to unparked position along said first half
vehicle windshield outer surface. Furthermore, the wiper assembly completes its
20 wiping stroke across an entire of a second half vehicle windshield outer surface
when the second wiper blade returns from the unparked to parked position along
said second half vehicle windshield outer surface.
In an embodiment, the wiper assembly, with the second wiper blade at the parked
25 position, forms a plurality of predefined angles with a predefined axis taken along
the vehicle transverse direction. Further, at the parked position, the first wiper blade
and the second wiper blade are at a plurality of predetermined angles with one
another.
30 In an embodiment, the wiper assembly is substantially perpendicular to the
predefined axis taken along the vehicle transverse direction on completing its
wiping stroke across the first half vehicle windshield region.
5
In an embodiment, in response to a deactuation signal generated by the control unit,
the second wiper blade is configured for returning to the parked position from the
unparked position, after a predetermined windshield wiping by the first and second
wiper blades corresponds to a complete wiping stroke of substantially the first half
5 of the vehicle windshield outer surface.
In an embodiment, in response to the deactuation signal generated by the control
unit, the actuating device is deactuated after the predetermined windshield wiping
by the first and second wiper blades corresponds to the complete wiping stroke of
10 substantially the first half of a vehicle windshield region.
In an embodiment, at least one removably attachable structure is configured to be
detachably secured to a windshield inner surface.
15 Further, in an embodiment, the first wiper blade and second wiper blade are
provided with a magnetic wiping member integrally mounted thereto along its
length such that during wiping operation, the wiper assembly drives the removably
attachable structure to wipe an entire vehicle windshield inner surface.
20 An object of the present invention is to provide an improved wiping system for a
vehicle windshield that is configured to provide an enhanced and effective wiping
mechanism for wiping substantially across an entire windshield region for
facilitating an improved and better visibility during driving.
25 Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved wiping system
that is configured for controlling operation of a first wiper blade and a second wiper
blade of the wiper assembly to wipe non-reachable area of the windshield generally
obtained during conventional wiping mechanisms for a vehicle.
30 Still another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, cost-effective
and an improved wiping system for the vehicle that is configured to wipe
substantially an entire windshield outer surface region to remove dust, rain and any
other liquid or solid materials deposited on the windshield.
6
Another object of the present invention is to provide the improved wiping system
that further facilitates in providing an improved wiping mechanism for both
windshield inner surface to remove moist and fog formed due to humidity and
temperature difference in an inner side of the windshield to facilitate a better and
5 clearer visibility during driving.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved single-arm
wiping system that provides an effective wiping mechanism to wipe substantially
both the windshield outer surface and the windshield inner surface, thereby
10 enhancing the visibility and safety when driving a vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved wiping system
for the vehicle that makes it possible to achieve a predefined wiping stroke of equal
and above 90 percentage of windshield wiping substantially across the entire length
15 of the vehicle windshield.
Advantageously, the present invention discloses an improved wiper assembly of a
wiping system that includes a wiper arm, a first wiper blade and a second wiper
blade such that the second wiper blade, upon activation, is configured to move from
20 a parked position to an unparked position. This operation of the second wiper blade
significantly increases the length of the wiper assembly, thereby facilitating an
improved wiping mechanism across the entire vehicle windshield surface without
leaving any region unwiped.
25 The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way
limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described
above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by
reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
30 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristics of the invention are set forth in the appended
claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further
7
objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description of an illustrative embodiments when read in
conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now
described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures
5 wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1a to Figure 1d shows perspective views of a vehicle wiping system, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
10 Figure. 2a illustrates an enlarged perspective view of at least a portion of a wiper
assembly of the vehicle wiping system of Figure 1b and Figure 1d, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure. 2b illustrates an enlarged perspective view of at least a portion of a wiper
15 assembly of the vehicle wiping system of Figure 1a and Figure 1c, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the wiper assembly of Figure 1a to Figure
1d, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
20
Figure. 4 illustrates the wiping system with at least one removable removably
attachable structure configured to be detachably secured to a windshield inner
surface of the wiper assembly of Figure 1b, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention.
25
Figure 5 shows a vehicle block diagram illustrating a vehicle wiping system, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The figures depict embodiments of the invention for purposes of illustration only.
30 one skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that
alternative embodiments of the system and method illustrated herein may be
employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.
8
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the
present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows
5 may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will
be described hereinafter which forms the subject of the claims of the invention. It
should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, the conception and specific
embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying other
devices, systems, assemblies and mechanisms for carrying out the same purposes
10 of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that,
such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the invention as set
forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be
characteristics of the invention, to its device or system, together with further objects
and advantages will be better understood from the following description when
15 considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly
understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of
illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of
the present invention.
20 The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended
to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that a system or a device that comprises a
list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but
may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup
or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded
25 by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of
other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals have
30 been used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the
present invention with reference to Figures. 1-5. It is to be noted that the disclosed
windshield wiping system for vehicles, especially for passenger motor vehicles,
commercial motor vehicles and not limited to a vehicular applications.
9
Figure 1a to Figure 1d shows perspective views of a vehicle wiping system (1), in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an illustrated
embodiment, the vehicle wiping system (1) includes an electric motor (15) (shown
5 in Figure 4), the wiper assembly (2) and a control unit (16) (shown in Figure 4). It
is noted that, Figures 1a to Figure 1d illustrates a front view (F’) of a vehicle
windshield (17) that is installed on a vehicle body (not shown) extending from a
front (F) to rear direction (F) along a vehicle longitudinal direction. Further, a Body
Control Module (BCM) (not shown) is disposed in the vicinity of a dashboard in a
10 vehicle interior, a housing with the electric motor (15) is fixed to a windshield
bottom surface in the vehicle interior and a plurality of switches such as ignition
switch (14) (represented in a block diagram illustrated by Figure 5) are mounted in
at least a portion in the vehicle interior. In an illustrated embodiment, since the
Body Control Module (BCM) and the electric motor (15) configured for operating
15 the wiping system (1) are being disposed in the vehicle interior, hence are not
visible in the Figure 1a to Figure 1d. In an embodiment of the present invention,
the BCM (Body Control Module) is configured to control the electric motor (15)
based on signals from activation of a plurality of switches such as Ignition Switch
as inputs. Further, in an illustrated embodiment, the wiper assembly (2) is
20 operatively connected to the electric motor (15) at a pivot mount point (8). Upon
generation of activation signal from the BCM (Body Control Module), a rotation
movement generated in the electric motor (15) drives the wiper assembly (2) such
that wiper assembly (2) operates for wiping the vehicle windshield surface (7).
25 Further, in an illustrated embodiment of the Figure 1a to Figure 1d, the wiper
assembly (1) includes a wiper arm (3), a first wiper blade (4) that is movably
pivotally connected to the wiper arm (3) and a second wiper blade (5) configured
to be hingedly attached to at least a portion of the first wiper blade (4). In an
illustrated embodiment, the wiper assembly (1) further includes an actuating device
30 (6).The actuating device (6) is operatively connected to the second wiper blade (5).
Again referring to Figure 1a to Figure 1d, the control unit (16) is configured for
generating an actuation signal when the wiper assembly (2) makes at least one of a
plurality of prefined angles (θ), (α),( β) with a predefined axis (BB’) that is taken
10
along a vehicle transverse direction (XX’). In response to the actuation signal, the
actuating device (6) moves the second wiper blade (5) from a parked position (P)
to an unparked position (P’) along a plurality of predetermined angles (α’),(γ’), (θ’),
(β’).
5
Specifically, now referring to Figure 1a, the wiper assembly (2) is inclined at a first
predefined angle (θ) with a predefined axis (BB’) taken along the vehicle transverse
direction (XX’). In an illustrated embodiment, a predefined length of the wiper
assembly (2) is measured along an axis (AA’). As is seen in Figure 1a, when in
10 the parked position (P), the first wiper blade (4) and the second wiper blade (5) are
at a first predetermined angle (θ’) with one another.
Figure 1b illustrates the wiper assembly (2) being inclined at the second predefined
angle (α) with a predefined axis (BB’) taken along the vehicle transverse direction
15 (XX’). In an illustrated embodiment, the predefined length of the wiper assembly
(2) is measured along the axis (AA’). At this condition of the wiper arm assembly
(2), the second wiper blade (5) is in an unparked condition. As illustrated in Figure
1b, when in the unparked position (P), the first wiper blade (4) and the second wiper
blade (5) are at a second predetermined angle (α) with one another.
20
Referring again to Figure 1b, as per an illustrated embodiment, the wiper assembly
(2) is configured to operatively complete its wiping stroke across an entire of a first
half vehicle windshield outer surface (17a) when the second wiper blade (5) moves
from the parked (P) to unparked position (P’) along said first half vehicle
25 windshield outer surface (17a). Also, the wiper assembly (2) is further is configured
to operatively complete its wiping stroke across an entire of a second half vehicle
windshield outer surface (17b) when the second wiper blade (5) returns from the
unparked to parked position along said second half vehicle windshield outer surface
(17b).
30
In particular, as illustrated in an embodiment of the present invention, the wiper
assembly (2), with the second wiper blade at the parked position, is substantially
perpendicular (β) to the predefined axis (BB’) along the vehicle transverse axis
11
(XX’) on completing its wiping stroke across the first half vehicle windshield
region (17a).
Further, in an illustrated embodiment, in response to a deactuation signal generated
5 by the control unit (16), the second wiper blade (5) is configured for returning to
the parked position (P) from the unparked position (P’) after a predetermined
windshield wiping by the first wiper blade (4) and a second wiper blade (5)
corresponds to a complete wiping stroke of substantially the first half of a vehicle
windshield outer surface (17a). That is, the actuating device (6), in response to the
10 deactuation signal generated by the control unit (16), is deactuated after the
predetermined windshield wiping by the first wiper blade (4) and a second wiper
blade (5) corresponds to the complete wiping stroke of substantially the first half of
a vehicle windshield region (17a) vehicle windshield.
15 Figure 1c illustrates the wiper assembly (2) being inclined at a third predefined
angle (γ) with the predefined axis (BB’) taken along the vehicle transverse direction
(XX’). In an illustrated embodiment, the predefined length of the wiper assembly
(2) is measured along an axis (AA’). At this condition of the wiper arm assembly
(2), the second wiper blade (5) is in the unparked condition. As illustrated in Figure
20 1c, when in the unparked position (P), the first wiper blade (4) and the second wiper
blade (5) are at a third predetermined angle (γ’) with one another.
Further, Figure 1d illustrates the wiper assembly (2) being inclined at a fourth
predefined angle (β) with the predefined axis (BB’) taken along the vehicle
25 transverse direction (XX’). In an illustrated embodiment, the predefined length of
the wiper assembly (2) is measured along the axis (AA’). At this condition of the
wiper arm assembly (2), the second wiper blade (5) is in the parked condition. As
illustrated in Figure 1c, when in the parked position (P), the first wiper blade (4)
and the second wiper blade (5) are at the fourth predetermined angle (β’) with one
30 another.
Furthermore, referring Figure 1a to Figure 1d, movement of the second wiper blade
(5) by the actuating device (6) corresponds to determining by the control unit (16)
12
the predetermined wiping stroke by the first wiper blade (4) of the wiper assembly.
Upon determining said predetermined wiping stroke range of 80 to 90 percentage,
the control unit (16) generates the actuation signal. In response to the actuation
signal, the actuation moves the second wiper blade (5) from a parked position (P)
5 to an unparked position (P’). This operation of the second wiper blade (5),
significantly increases the length of the wiper assembly that is determined along the
axis AA. This overall increase in the length of the wiper assembly (2) maximizes
the coverage of the wiper assembly (2) through the wiping mechanism of the first
wiper blade (4) and the second wiper blade (5) on the windshield, and additionally
10 facilitates in wiping of the entire said vehicle windshield outer surface without
leaving any unwiped area, thereby providing an enhaced and improved visibility
during driving.
Figure 2a illustrates an enlarged perspective view of at least a portion of the wiper
15 assembly (2) of the vehicle wiping system (1) of Figure 1a, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. In an illustrated embodiment, the second
wiper blade (5) is hingedly attached to the at least a portion on a top region (16) of
the first wiper blade (3). Also, as per an illustrated embodiment, the second wiper
blade (5) is significantly shorter in length than the first wiper blade (3). And, the
20 actuating device (6) is operatively connected to the second wiper blade (5). Further,
Figure 2a illustrates at least one of parked position of the second wiper blade (5)
with the first wiper blade (4) of the wiper assembly (2) at the first predetermined
angle (θ'). At this parked position of the second wiper blade (5), the actuating device
(6) is at deactivated condition along its first measured length (D). In an illustrated
25 embodiment, the actuating device (6) is an electromagnetic actuator comprising a
shaft (7) and a housing (8) containing a solenoid.
Figure 2b illustrates an enlarged perspective view of tat least a portion of the wiper
assembly (2) of the vehicle wiping system (1) of Figure 1c, in accordance with an
30 embodiment of the present invention. In an illustrated embodiment, the second
wiper blade (5) is hingedly attached to the at least a portion on a top region (16) of
the first wiper blade (3). Further, as illustrated in an embodiment, the second wiper
blade (5) is significantly shorter in length than the first wiper blade (4). Further,
13
Figure 2b illustrates at least one of unparked position of the second wiper blade (5)
with the first wiper blade (4) of the wiper assembly (2). In an illustrated
embodiment, the actuating device (6) is the electromagnetic actuator comprising a
shaft (7) and a housing (8) containing a solenoid. During actuation, the shaft (7) of
5 the actuating device (6) rotates in an anticlockwise direction to extend outwardly
for causing the second wiper blade (5) to move from the parked position to the
unparked position along its second measured length to the third predetermined
angle (γ’) between the first and second wiper blades (4), (5). In the illustrated
embodiment, t this parked unparked position (P’) of the second wiper blade (5), the
10 actuating device (6) is at activated condition along its second measured length (D’).
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the wiper assembly (2) of Figures 1a
through Figure 1d, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In
an illustrated embodiment, the wiper assembly includes the wiper arm (3), the first
15 wiper blade (4) and a second wiper blade (5). In an illustrated embodiment, the
wiper arm (3) is pivotally connected to the first wiper blade (4) through a plurality
of bearing elements (not shown) such as the first wiper blade (4) is configured to
pivot along a predefined articulation axis (EE’) during a wiping operation. Further,
in an illustrated embodiment, the second wiper blade (5) is hingedly attached to the
20 top region (16) of the first wiper blade (4) such that the second wiper blade (5),
upon actuation, is configured to pivotally move along a prefined hinge axis CC’
Also, the actuating device (6) is operatively connected to the second wiper blade
(5) through a plurality of mounting members (not shown). In an illustrated
embodiment, the second wiper blade (5) is significantly shorter in length than the
25 first wiper blade (3).
Figure 4 illustrates the wiping system (1) further including at least one removably
attachable structure (19). In an illustrated embodiment, the at least one removably
attachable structure (19) is configured to be detachably secured to a windshield
30 inner surface (18) of the wiper assembly (2) of Figures 1b, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, in an illustrated
embodiment, the first wiper blade (4) and second wiper blade (5) are provided with
a magnetic wiping member integrally mounted thereto along its length. During
14
wiping operation, the wiper assembly (2) drives the removably attachable structure
(19) to wipe an entire a vehicle windshield interior surface (19). Thus, it is
advantageous of package the disclosed wiping system (1) in the vehicle such that
an improved wiping mechanisms can be achieved for both outer and inner
5 windshield surfaces (17), (18) of the vehicle, thereby facilitating an enhanced
visibility and safety during driver.
Figure 5 shows a vehicle block diagram illustrating the vehicle wiping system (1),
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in an
10 embodiment, the vehicle is represented by block 12. Further, in an illustrated
embodiment, the Body Control Module (BCM), represented by block 13 (not
shown) is disposed in the vicinity of a dashboard in a vehicle interior. The housing
with the electric motor (15) is fixed to a windshield bottom surface in the vehicle
interior. As represented, the ignition switch (14) is mounted in the at least a portion
15 in the vehicle interior. In an illustrated embodiment, the Body Control Module
(BCM) and the electric motor (15) is configured for operating the wiping system
(1). Based on signals from the activation of the Ignition Switch (14), the Body
Control Module (BCM) (13) is configured to control the electric motor (15).
Further, the wiper assembly (2) is operatively connected to the electric motor (15)
20 at a pivot mount point (8). Upon generation of activation signal from the BCM
(Body Control Module), a rotation movement generated in the electric motor (15)
drives the wiper assembly (2) such that wiper assembly (2) operates for wiping the
vehicle windshield surface (7).
25 Further, in the vehicle block diagram, the wiping system (1) includes the wiping
assembly (2) and the control unit (16). In an illustrated embodiment, the wiper
assembly (2) is a single-arm wiper assembly. Further, the wiper assembly (2)
includes the wiper arm (3), the first wiper blade (4) being movably pivotally
connected to the wiper arm (3), the second wiper blade (5) is configured to be
30 hingedly attached to at least a portion of the first wiper blade (4), and the actuating
device (6) is operatively connected to the second wiper blade (5). As per one
embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (16) is configured for
generating the actuation signal when the wiper assembly (2) makes at least one of
15
the plurality of predefined angles (α),( γ) with the predefined axis (BB’) taken along
the vehicle transverse direction (XX’). In response to the actuation signal, the
actuating device (6) moves the second wiper blade (5) from a parked position (P)
to an unparked position (P’) along the plurality of predetermined angles (α’),( γ’),
5 (θ’), (β’) (as described in Figures 1a to Figure 1d).
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein,
10 those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from
the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The
various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of
clarity.
15 It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and
especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are
generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted
as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having
at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited
20 to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be
explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent
is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims
may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to
25 introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be
construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite
articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim
recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same
claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and
30 indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be
interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use
of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the
16
art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at
least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other
modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A,
5 B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one
having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at
least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A
alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together,
and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous
10 to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended
in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a
system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to
systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together,
B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood
15 by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting
two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings,
should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms,
either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be
understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
20
In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of
Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is also
thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of
the Markush group.
25
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects
and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects
and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not
intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the
30 following claims.
17
Referral Numerals:
Reference Number Description
1 Wiping system
2 Wiper assembly
3 Wiper arm
4 First wiper blade
5 Second wiper blade
6 Actuating device
7 Windshield
8 Mounting point
9 Housing containing a solenoid
10 Shaft of the actuating device
11 Hinge mount
12 Block representing a vehicle
13 Control module
14 Ignition switch
15 Motor
16 A top region of the second wiper blade
17 A windshield outer surface
17a A first half vehicle windshield region
17b A second half vehicle windshield region
18 A windshield inner surface
19 Removable attachable structure
α, γ, θ, β A plurality of predefined angles
α', γ’, θ’, β’ A plurality of predetermined angles
P Parked position of the second wiper blade
P’ Unparked position of the second wiper blade
D, D’ A plurality of predefined distances

We Claim:
1. A vehicle wiping system (1) , the vehicle wiping system (1) comprising:
an electric motor (15);
a wiper assembly (2) operatively connected to the electric motor (15), the wiper
5 assembly (2) comprising:
a wiper arm (3);
a first wiper blade (4) movably pivotally connected to the wiper arm (3);
a second wiper blade (5) hingedly attached to at least a portion of the first wiper
blade (4); and
10 an actuating device (6) operatively connected to the second wiper blade (5); and
a control unit (16) configured for generating an actuation signal when the wiper
assembly (2) makes at least one of a plurality of predefined angles (α),( γ) with a
predefined axis (BB’) taken along a vehicle transverse direction (XX’); the
actuating device (6), in response to the actuation signal, moves the second wiper
15 blade (5) from a parked position (P) to an unparked position (P’) along a plurality
of predetermined angles (α’),( γ’), (θ’), (β’).
2. The vehicle wiping system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
wiper blade (5) is significantly shorter in length than the first wiper blade (3).
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3. The vehicle wiping system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a predefined
length of the wiper assembly (2) is measured along an axis (AA’); and wherein the
wiper assembly (2), when taken along its said predefined length is configured to
make at least one of a plurality of predefined angles (α),( γ) with the predefined axis
25 (BB’) taken along a vehicle transverse direction (XX’).
4. The vehicle wiping system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of the predefined angles (α), (γ) is determined after a predetermined
windshield wiping by the first wiper blade (4) corresponds to a predetermined
30 wiping stroke range of 80 to 90 percentage.
5. The vehicle wiping system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating
device (6), in response to the actuation signal generated by the control unit (16), is
19
actuated after the predetermined windshield wiping by the first wiper blade (4)
corresponds to the predetermined wiping stroke range of 80 to 90 percentage.
6. The vehicle wiping system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating
5 device (6) is an electromagnetic actuator comprising a shaft (7) and a housing (8)
containing a solenoid; wherein the shaft (7) of the actuating device (6), upon
actuation, rotates in an anticlockwise direction to extend outwardly for causing the
second wiper blade (5) to move from the parked position to the unparked position
through a predefined distances (D), (D’) to form the plurality of predetermined
10 angles (α’),( γ’) between the first and second wiper blades (4), (5).
7. The vehicle wiping system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
wiper blade (5) is hingedly attached to the at least a portion on a top region (16) of
the first wiper blade (3).
15
8. The vehicle wiping system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wiper
assembly (2), at the parked position, forms a plurality of predefined angles (θ), (β)
with a predefined axis (BB’) taken along the vehicle transverse direction (XX’);
wherein at the parked position, the first wiper blade (4) and the second wiper blade
20 (5) are at a plurality of predetermined angles (θ’), ( β’) with one another.
9. The vehicle wiping system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wiper
assembly (2) completes its wiping stroke across an entire of a first half vehicle
windshield outer surface (17a) when the second wiper blade (5) moves from the
25 parked (P) to unparked position (P’) along said first half vehicle windshield outer
surface (17a); and wherein the wiper assembly (2) completes its wiping stroke
across an entire of a second half vehicle windshield outer surface (17b) when the
second wiper blade (5) returns from the unparked to parked position along said
second half vehicle windshield outer surface (17b).
30
10. The vehicle wiping system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wiper
assembly (2), with the second wiper blade at the parked position, is substantially
perpendicular (β) to the predefined axis (BB’) along the vehicle transverse axis
20
(XX’) on completing its wiping stroke across the first half vehicle windshield
region (17a).
11. The vehicle wiping system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
5 wiper blade (5) is configured for returning to the parked position (P) from the
unparked position (P’), in response to a deactuation signal generated by the control
unit (16), after a predetermined windshield wiping by the first wiper blade (4) and
a second wiper blade (5) corresponds to a complete wiping stroke of substantially
the first half of a vehicle windshield region (17a).
10
12. The vehicle wiping system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating
device (6), in response to the deactuation signal generated by the control unit (16),
is deactuated after the predetermined windshield wiping by the first wiper blade
and a second wiper blade corresponds to the complete wiping stroke of substantially
15 the first half of a vehicle windshield region (17a) vehicle windshield.
13. The vehicle wiping system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one
removably attachable structure (19) is configured to be detachably secured to a
windshield inner surface (18) of the wiper assembly (2).
20
14. The vehicle wiping system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first wiper
blade (4) and second wiper blade (5) are provided with a magnetic wiping member
integrally mounted thereto along its length; wherein during wiping operation, the
wiper assembly (2) drives the removably attachable structure (19) to wipe an entire
25 a vehicle windshield inner surface (18)