Claims:We Claim:

1. A windshield wiper assembly (100), comprising:
an arm head (101) connectable to a drive shaft;
a wiper arm (102) extending from the arm head (101) and carrying a wiper blade (103), wherein a tail section of the wiper arm (102) is defined with a tapered portion (104); and
a roller bearing (105) positioned on a vehicle body relative to the tapered portion (104) of the wiper arm (102) such that, the tapered portion (104) with roller bearing (105) contacts the wiper arm (102), wherein, contact of the tapered portion (104) with the roller bearing (105) lifts the wiper arm (102) to a first distance away from the windshield (106) at a rest position and up to a first position of the wiper arm (102), and gradually contacts the wiper arm (102) with the windshield (106) beyond the first position of the wiper arm (102).

2. The windshield wiper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wiper arm (102) is hingedly connected to the arm head (101).

3. The windshield wiper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the roller bearing (105) is a needle roller integrated flat roller bearing.

4. The windshield wiper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first position corresponds to movement of the wiper arm (102) carrying the wiper blade (103) on the windshield (106) by about 10 degrees to 30 degrees from the rest position.

5. The windshield wiper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises an actuator (107) positioned adjacent to the tapered portion (104) with roller bearing (105), wherein the actuator (107) is configured to displace between an operating position and a non-operating position.

6. The windshield wiper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the actuator (107) in the operating position contacts the tapered portion (104) of the wiper arm (102) to lift the wiper arm (102) to a second distance from the windshield (106).

7. The windshield wiper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

8. The windshield wiper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator (107) is one of an electric actuator (107), pneumatic actuator (107) and a hydraulic actuator (107).

9. The windshield wiper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator (107) is operable by one of a key fob of a vehicle, a control unit of the vehicle corresponding to parking condition of the vehicle and a button provided in a dashboard of vehicle.

10. A vehicle comprising a windshield wiper assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1.

Dated this 29th March 2021

GOPINATH ARENUR SHANKARARAJ
Of K&S Partners
IN/PA 1852
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10; rule 13]

TITLE: “A WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY”

Name and Address of the Applicant: TATA MOTORS LIMITED; Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India.

Nationality: IN

The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

[001] TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] Present disclosure generally relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a windshield wiper assembly for a vehicle.

[003] BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[004] As well known in the art, a windshield wiper assembly for a vehicle is adapted to clean the windshield of the vehicle, thereby ensuring a desired forward visibility during running of the vehicle. Generally, such windshield wiper assemblies include a metal arm, and a rubber blade connected to the metal arm, where the rubber blade abuts the windshield. When the windshield wiper assembly is operated, the rubber blades move back and forth on the windshield, to displace visibility limiting matter, e.g. rain droplets, water, snow, dust, and other debris on the windshield of the vehicle.

[005] Generally, when the vehicle is kept stationary for a considerable duration of time, visibility limiting matters, such as but not limiting to dust, dirt, bird droppings, tree glue, small branches, leaves and the like, gets deposited on and between the windshield of the vehicle and the rubber blade of the windshield wiper. Further, environmental factors such as increasing and decreasing temperature, heat up the windshield, resultantly effecting rubber of the windshield wiper adversely. Subsequently, when a windshield wiper loaded with such visibility limiting matters, is operated, the possibility of damage to the windshield wiper and also to the windshield is considerably increased.

[006] The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or other such limitations associated with the prior art.

[007] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[008] One or more shortcomings of conventional systems are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through an assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered as a part of the claimed disclosure.

[009] In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a windshield wiper assembly is disclosed. The windshield wiper assembly includes an arm head connectable to a drive shaft and a wiper arm extending from the arm head and carrying a wiper blade. A tail section of the wiper arm is defined with a tapered portion. Further, windshield wiper assembly includes a roller bearing positioned on a vehicle body, relative to the tapered portion of the wiper arm such that, the tapered portion of the wiper arm contacts the roller bearing. This contact of the tapered portion with the roller bearing lifts the wiper arm to a first distance away from the windshield at a rest position and up to a first position of the wiper arm, and gradually contacts the wiper arm with the windshield beyond the first position of the wiper arm.

[010] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the arm head and the wiper arm are hingedly connected to each other.

[011] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the roller bearing is a needle roller integrated flat roller bearing.

[012] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the windshield wiper assembly includes an actuator positioned adjacent to the roller bearing. The actuator is configured to displace between an operating position and a non-operating position. The actuator in the operating position contacts the tapered portion of the wiper arm to lift the wiper arm to a second distance from the windshield.

[013] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first position corresponds to movement of the wiper arm carrying the wiper blade on the windshield by about 10 degrees to 20 degrees from the rest position.

[014] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second distance is greater than the first distance.

[015] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the actuator is one of an electric actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and a hydraulic actuator.

[016] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the actuator is operable by one of a key fob of a vehicle, a control unit of the vehicle corresponding to parking condition of the vehicle and a button provided in a dashboard of the vehicle.

[017] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

[018] 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.

[019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[020] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

[021] Figure. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a windshield wiper assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[022] Figures. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the windshield wiper assembly of Figure. 1, with an actuator in operating condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[023] Figure. 3 illustrates a schematic side view of the windshield wiper assembly of Figure. 1.

[024] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

[025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[026] While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[027] It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure and modify various features of the assembly, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, such modifications are considered to be part of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skilled in the art having benefit of the description herein. Also, the assembly of the present disclosure may be employed in variety of vehicles having different specification.

[028] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusions, such that an assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, method, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.

[029] Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a windshield wiper assembly for a vehicle. When the vehicle is kept stationary for a considerable duration of time, visibility limiting matter, such as but not limited to, dust, dirt, bird droppings, tree glue, small branches, leaves and the like, get deposited on and between the windshield of the vehicle and the blade of the windshield wiper. Further, environmental factors such as increasing and decreasing temperature, heats up the windshield, resultantly effecting rubber of the windshield wiper adversely. Subsequently, when a windshield wiper loaded with such visibility limiting matters, is operated, the possibility of damage to the windshield wiper is considerably increased.

[030] Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses the windshield wiper assembly, which aids in lifting the wiper arm away from the windshield at a first distance and a second distance based on requirement and, contact the wiper arm with the windshield only beyond a predetermined position of the wiper arm. The windshield wiper assembly may include an arm head, which may be connectable to a drive shaft and wiper arm, which may extend from the arm head. A tail section of the wiper arm may be defined with a tapered portion. Further, the windshield wiper assembly may include a roller bearing on a vehicle body, relative to the tapered portion of the wiper arm. The tapered portion may be configured to contact the roller bearing and facilitate in lifting the wiper arm to a first distance away from the windshield at a rest position and up to a first position of the wiper arm. Further, the tapered portion may facilitate in gradually contacting the wiper arm with the windshield beyond the first position of the wiper arm.

[031] Further, the windshield wiper assembly includes an actuator, which may be positioned adjacent to the roller bearing and configured to displace between an operating position and a nonoperating position. The actuator in its operating position may be configured to contact the tapered portion for lifting the wiper arm to second distance away from the windshield, where the second distance is greater than the first distance. In an embodiment, the actuator may be operated to lift the wiper arm to the second distance, when the vehicle is parked for longer durations. With this configuration, the wiper blade stays at a distance from the windshield in the rest position, and thereby avoid carryover of the visibility limiting matter onto the windshield when the wiper contacts the windshield beyond a certain travel from the rest position. Also, configuration of the windshield wiper assembly helps to automatically raise or lower the wiper assembly relative to the windshield, and thereby eliminates heating issues when the vehicle is parked in hot soaked conditions for longer duration.

[032] The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures. 1 to 3. In the figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

[033] Figure. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a windshield wiper assembly (100). The windshield wiper assembly (100) may be adapted to clean or wipe a front windshield (106) of the vehicle, to provide forward visibility during running of the vehicle. The configuration of the windshield wiper assembly (100) may facilitate in positioning a wiper arm (102) at a first distance and at a second distance away from the windshield (106) of the vehicle, based on requirement. Further, the configuration of the windshield wiper assembly (100) aids in contacting the wiper arm (102) with the windshield (106), only beyond a first position of the wiper arm (102). As seen in Figure. 1, the windshield wiper assembly (100) may include an arm head (101), which may be connectable to a drive shaft [not shown]. Further, the windshield wiper assembly (100) may include a wiper arm (102), which may extend from the arm head (101). In an embodiment, the wiper arm (102) and the arm head (101) may be hingedly connected to each other. The windshield wiper assembly (100) may include a wiper blade (103), which may be movably connected to the wiper arm (102). That is, the wiper blade (103) may be carried by the wiper arm (102). In an embodiment, the wiper blade (103) may include a resilient wiping member made up of a resilient and pliable material such as but not limiting to rubber. The material of the resilient wiping member facilitates removal of visibility limiting matter from the windshield (106). The resilient wiping member may be positioned facing towards the windshield (106), such that it comes in contact with the windshield (106) during operation at a predetermined position of the wiper arm (102).

[034] Further referring to Figure. 1, in an embodiment, a tail section of the wiper arm (102) may be defined with a tapered portion (104). In an embodiment, the tapered portion (104) may be integrally defined at the tail section or an external tapered member may be connected to the tail section. The term ‘tail section’ may be construed as a portion of the wiper arm (102) extending for a certain length from the hinged connection. Further, the windshield wiper assembly (100) includes a roller bearing (105), which may be positioned on a vehicle body [not shown], relative to the tapered portion (104). In an embodiment, the roller bearing (105) may be positioned at a location between a tapered portion (104) and a lower end of the windshield (106). The tapered portion (104) with the roller bearing (105), may facilitate in lifting the wiper arm (102) away from the windshield (106). That is, the tapered portion (104) with roller bearing (105) aids in lifting the wiper arm (102) to a first distance away from the windshield (106) at a rest position and up to a first position of the wiper arm (102). In an embodiment, the rest position may correspond to location of the wiper arm (102) in an inoperative condition and the first position may correspond to an angular position from the rest position. As an example, the angular position may be about 10 degrees to 20 degrees from the rest position and the same may vary depending on the type of vehicle, configuration (i.e., shape and dimensions) of the windshield (106). Further, the taper portion (104) may facilitate in contacting the wiper arm (102) with the windshield (106), only when the wiper arm (102) traverses beyond the first position, during forward operation/stroke of the windshield wiper assembly (100). In the return stroke, once the wiper arm (102) reaches the first position, the tapered portion (104) with the roller bearing (105) aids in lifting the wiper arm (102), to a fist distance gradually. This results in creating a gap between the wiper blade (103) and the windshield (106), when the wiper arm (102) is in the rest position.

[035] In an embodiment, the roller bearing (105) may be a needle roller integrated flat roller bearing, which may facilitate in frictionless contact and movement of the tapered section of the wiper arm (102), during operation of the windshield wiper assembly (100).
[036] Referring again to Figure. 1, the windshield wiper assembly (100) may include an actuator (107), which may be positioned adjacent to the tapered portion (104) with roller bearing (105) and the actuator (107) may be configured to displace between an operating position a non-operating position. The actuator (107) may be configured to lift the wiper arm (102) to a second distance away from the windshield (106). In an embodiment, when the vehicle is parked for longer periods, the actuator (107) may be operable manually by one of but not limiting to a key fob of the vehicle, a button provided in a dashboard of vehicle or may be automatically operable by a control unit, corresponding to parking condition of the vehicle. In the operating position of the actuator (107), the actuator (107) may contact the tapered portion (104) of the wiper arm (102) for lifting the wiper arm (102) to the second distance away from the windshield (106) [best seen in Figure. 2]. In an embodiment, the second distance may be greater than the first distance, which may facilitate in mitigating effect of environmental factors such as heat, dust, and the like on the wiper arm (102) (thus, wiper blade (103) due its contact with the windshield (106)), when the vehicle is parked for longer durations.

[037] In an embodiment, the actuator (107) may be linear actuator (107) such as but not limiting to electric actuator, pneumatic actuator, and a hydraulic actuator.

[038] In an operational embodiment, i.e., to clean the windshield (106) in order to provide a better forward visibility during running of the vehicle, the windshield wiper assembly (100) may be operated. That is, the drive shaft may be operated to angularly displace the wiper arm (102) for cleaning or wiping the windshield (106). In an embodiment, before operating the windshield wiper assembly (100), the wiper arm (102) may be in the rest position, which is at the first distance away from the windshield (106). During operation of the windshield wiper assembly (100), the wiper arm (102) may angularly displace from the rest position. The tapered portion (104) may displace on the roller bearing (105), which may provide a frictionless displacement of the tapered portion (104) [thus, the wiper arm (102)], thus catering a smooth angular movement of the wiper arm (102). In an embodiment, the wiper arm (102) may angularly displace from the rest position, in its lifted condition [i.e., at the first distance away from the windshield (106)], till the wiper arm (102) reaches the first position which may be about 10 degrees to 30 degrees from the rest position. Once, the wiper arm (102) crosses the first position, the wiper arm (102) (thus, the wiper blade (103)) may gradually contact the windshield (106), thus cleaning the windshield (106). In an embodiment, the tapered portion (104) may aid in contacting the wiper with the windshield (106) once the wiper arm (102) crosses its first position. Therefore, the configuration of the windshield wiper assembly (100) aids in contacting the wiper arm (102) only during operative condition of the windshield wiper assembly (100) and keeps the wiper in lifted condition during inoperative condition.

[039] Further in an embodiment, when the vehicle is parked for longer durations, the actuator (107) may be operated. In the operating condition of the actuator (107), the actuator (107) may contact the tapered portion (104) of the wiper arm (102) and lifts the wiper arm (102) to a second distance away from the windshield (106) [best seen in Figure. 2]. In an embodiment, lifting the wiper arm (102) to a second distance away from the windshield (106), creates a more gap between the wiper arm (102) and the windshield (106), which prevents larger foreign matter from accumulating between the windshield (106) and the wiper arm (102). Hence, the configuration of the windshield wiper assembly (100), eliminates chances of damage of the wiper blade (103) and scratch or gouge to the windshield (106).

[040] Now referring to Figure. 3, which illustrates a schematic side view of the windshield wiper assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As seen in Figure. 3, the tapered portion (104) may be defined or an external tapered portion (104) may be positioned on a vehicle body, i.e., at a location between the lower end of the windshield (106) and the bayonet (not shown in Figures). On a top surface of the tapered portion (104), the roller bearing (105) may be disposed such that, the tail section of the wiper arm (102) may contact the roller bearing (105) [thus, the tapered portion (104)]. The tapered portion (104) with the roller bearing (105), may facilitate in lifting the wiper arm (102) away from the windshield (106). That is, the tapered portion (104) with roller bearing (105) aids in lifting the wiper arm (102) to a first distance away from the windshield (106) at a rest position and up to a first position of the wiper arm (102). After crossing the first position, tapered portion (104) with the roller bearing (105) may be facilitate in gradually contacting the wiper arm (102) with the windshield (106) for wiping the windshield (106).

[041] In an embodiment, the windshield wiper assembly (100) includes fewer components, making the assembly simple and compact.

[042] In an embodiment, the windshield wiper assembly (100) of the present disclosure may be retro-fitted in existing vehicles, without substantial modification to the vehicle.

[043] It is to be understood that a person of ordinary skill in the art may develop the assembly of similar configuration without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Such modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[044] Equivalents:

[045] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, 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.

[046] 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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.” 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 following claims.

[047] Referral Numerals:

Particulars Referral numeral
Windshield wiper assembly 100
Arm head 101
Wiper arm 102
Wiper blade 103
Tapered portion 104
Bearing 105
Windshield 106
Actuator 107