Claims:
1. A wiper system (100) comprising:
a first wiper arm (102a) configured with a first wiper blade (104a) at one end and a first toothed segment (106a) at other end; and
a second wiper arm (102b) configured with a second wiper blade (104b) at one end and a second toothed segment (106b) at other end,
wherein the first toothed segment (106a) is configured to receive oscillatory drive from a drive motor (110) and transfers to the second toothed segment (106b) to oscillate the respective wiper arms synchronously.
2. The wiper system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first toothed segment (106a) is configured to receive oscillatory drive from the drive motor (110) through a linkage mechanism (120).
3. The wiper system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the linkage mechanism (120) is provided with:
a rotary block (122) configured to be mounted on an output shaft (112) of the drive motor (110) to receive rotational drive and
a restrictor arm (124) is configured with:
a first end (124a) eccentrically pivoted to the rotary block (122) and
a second end (124b) eccentrically pivoted to one of the toothed segment (106a)
wherein the restrictor arm (124) is configured to convert the rotational drive of the rotary block (122) into an oscillatory drive of the first toothed segment (106a) and the first wiper arm (102a).
4. The wiper system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the oscillatory motion of the first wiper arm (102a) is configured to be varied by varying dimensions and mountings of the restrictor arm (124).
5. The wiper system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second toothed segments (106a, 106b) are configured to be an integral part of the first and second wiper arms (102a, 102b) respectively.

6. The wiper system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second wiper arms (102a, 102b) are configured to be mounted on the first and second toothed segments (106a, 106b) by fastening provisions (108a, 108b) respectively.

7. The wiper system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first toothed segment (106a) is configured to directly mesh with the second toothed segment (106b) to oscillate the second wiper arm (102b) in opposite direction to the first wiper arm (102a).

8. The wiper system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wiper system (100) is configured with an idler gear (106i) mounted between the first toothed segment (106a) and the second toothed segment (106b) to oscillate the second wiper arm (102b) in same direction to the first wiper arm (102a).

9. The wiper system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the oscillatory motion of the second wiper arm (102b) is configured to be varied by varying the gear ratio of the first toothed segment (106a), the idler gear (106i) and the second toothed segment (106b).
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
A WIPER SYSTEM

Applicant:
Tata Motors Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400001, Maharashtra, India

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

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a wiper system, and more specifically to a drive mechanism for the wiper system.
BACKGROUND
[002] A wiper system is used generally on motor vehicles to clean the front or rear windshield of rain, water, ice, debris, dust etc. to enhance the visibility through the windshield. Typically the wiper system on a vehicle comprises two wiper blades one for each of the left side and right side of the windshield. The wiper blade is driven by a drive motor through a suitable linkage mechanism to realize an oscillatory motion. Conventionally, the drive motor is engaged with the left side wiper blade for its oscillatory movement across the designated windshield area. For achieving the wiping at the right side, a connecting linkage is responsible for transferring the oscillatory movement from left side wiper blade to right side wiper blade. In some designs, the reverse configuration is also possible, i.e. the drive motor is connected to right side wiper blade and thereafter through the connecting linkage the torque is transferred to left side wiper blade for achieving oscillatory motion.
[003] The existing system is dependent on the connecting linkage for transfer of drive from one wiper blade to another wiper blade. The connecting linkage may have a significantly larger length based on the configuration of a particular vehicle and based on positioning of the wiper blades. It also increases the number of parts, weight, assembly time, space requirement and cost for the wiping system. Further the larger length of the connecting linkage also reduces the efficiency of the motion transfer from one wiper blade to another and it also increases load on the drive motor.
[004] The present subject matter discloses a novel wiper system to overcome the limitations as stated above.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[005] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a wiper system which is compact, lightweight and cost effective due to reduced number of parts.
[006] Another object of the present disclosure is to reduce assembly time at aggregate as well as vehicle level.
[007] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to increase efficiency of the wiper system due to removal of mechanical linkages and by reduction in number of parts and number of joints.
[008] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to improve ease of serviceability of the wiper system.
[009] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to reduce requirement of space on a vehicle for mounting of the wiper system.
SUMMARY
[0010] Before the present system is described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular machine or device, as there can be multiple possible embodiments that are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to a wiper system, and the aspects are further elaborated below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the proposed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the proposed subject matter.
[0011] The present subject matter discloses a wiper system. The wiper system comprises a first wiper arm and a second wiper arm. The first wiper arm is configured with a first wiper blade at one end and a first toothed segment at other end. The second wiper arm is configured with a second wiper blade at one end and a second toothed segment at other end. The first toothed segment is configured to receive oscillatory drive from a drive motor and transfers to the second toothed segment to oscillate the respective wiper arms synchronously.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
[0012] A wiper system comprises a first wiper arm and a second wiper arm. The first wiper arm is configured with a first wiper blade at one end and a first toothed segment at other end. The second wiper arm is configured with a second wiper blade at one end and a second toothed segment at other end. The first toothed segment is configured to receive oscillatory drive from a drive motor and transfers to the second toothed segment to oscillate the respective wiper arms synchronously.
[0013] The first toothed segment is configured to receive oscillatory drive from the drive motor through a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism is provided with a rotary block and a restrictor arm. The rotary block is configured to be mounted on an output shaft of the drive motor to receive rotational drive. The restrictor arm is configured with a first end eccentrically pivoted to the rotary block and a second end eccentrically pivoted to one of the toothed segment. The restrictor arm is configured to convert the rotational drive of the rotary block into an oscillatory drive of the first toothed segment and the first wiper arm. The oscillatory motion of the first wiper arm is configured to be varied by varying dimensions and mountings of the restrictor arm.
[0014] In an embodiment, the first and second toothed segments are configured to be an integral part of the first and second wiper arms respectively. In another embodiment, the first and second wiper arms are configured to be mounted on the first and second toothed segments by fastening provisions respectively.
[0015] In an embodiment, the first toothed segment is configured to directly mesh with the second toothed segment to oscillate the second wiper arm in opposite direction to the first wiper arm.
[0016] In another embodiment, the wiper system is configured with an idler gear mounted between the first toothed segment and the second toothed segment to oscillate the second wiper arm in same direction to the first wiper arm. The oscillatory motion of the second wiper arm is configured to be varied by varying the gear ratio of the first toothed segment, the idler gear and the second toothed segment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure, however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and device disclosed in the document and the drawing. The detailed description is described with reference to the following accompanying figures.
[0018] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a wiper system with a windshield, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0019] Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the wiper system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0020] Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the wiper system with first and second toothed segments, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0021] Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of the wiper system with a linkage mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0022] Figure 5 illustrates an isometric view of the wiper system with an idler gear between the first and second toothed segments, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0023] The figures depict various embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising", “having”, and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any devices and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, devices and methods are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.
[0025] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0026] Following is a list of elements and reference numerals used to explain various embodiments of the present subject matter.

Reference Numeral Element Description
10 Windshield
100 Wiper System
102a First Wiper Arm
102b Second Wiper Arm
104a First Wiper Blade
104b Second Wiper Blade
106a First Toothed Segment
106b Second Toothed Segment
108a, 108b Mounting Provisions
110 Drive Motor
112 Output Shaft
120 Linkage Mechanism
122 Rotary Block
124 Restrictor Arm
124a First End of Restrictor Arm
124b Second End of Restrictor Arm

[0027] Referring to figure 1 and figure 2, a wiper system 100 is disclosed in accordance to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The wiper system 100 comprises a pair of wiper arms: a first wiper arm 102a and a second wiper arm 102b. The first wiper arm 102a is configured with a first wiper blade 104a at one end and a first toothed segment 106a at other end. The second wiper arm 102b is configured with a second wiper blade 104b at one end and a second toothed segment 106b at other end. The first and second wiper blade (104a, 104b) are configured to wipe off any debris, dust, water etc. from a windshield 10 of a vehicle. The first toothed segment 106a is configured to receive oscillatory drive from a drive motor 110 and transfers to the second toothed segment 106b to oscillate the respective wiper arms.
[0028] For illustration of the exemplary embodiments, the pair of wiper arms i.e. the first wiper arm 102a and the second wiper arm 102b are configured for wiping of left side area and right side area on the windshield 10. However the mechanism of the wiper system 100 is configured to work irrespective of the terminology used. Further in an embodiment, the wiper system 100 is mounted at central base of the windshield 10 of the vehicle. Further the application of the present wiper system is not limited to any specific type of vehicle or apparatus and is applicable for any configuration of a vehicle or apparatus configured with a windshield.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the first toothed segment 106a is configured to directly mesh with the second toothed segment 106b. In an embodiment, the drive motor 110 is configured to provide oscillatory drive to the first toothed segment 106a through a linkage mechanism 120 wherein the oscillatory drive from the first toothed segment 106a is transferred to the second toothed segment 106b. In another embodiment, the drive motor 110 is configured to provide oscillatory drive to the second toothed segment 106b through the linkage mechanism 120 wherein the oscillatory drive from the second toothed segment 106b is transferred to the first toothed segment 106a. The first toothed segment 106a and the second toothed segment 106b are configured to oscillate about their respective axis to oscillate the respective wiper arms. As illustrated in figure 3, the direct meshing of the toothed segments results in oscillation of the second toothed segment 106b in opposite direction to the first toothed segment 106a.
[0030] In an embodiment, as illustrated in figure 2, the toothed segments (106a, 106b) may be configured to be an integral part of the respective wiper arms (102a, 102b). In another embodiment, as illustrated in figure 4, the first and second wiper arms (102a, 102b) are configured to be mounted on the first and second toothed segments (106a, 106b) by fastening provisions (108d, 108c) respectively.
[0031] The toothed segments play an important role of restricting the oscillating motion of the wiper arms to a predefined wiping area only. The untoothed area or the plain area of the toothed segment acts as a locking means to restrict the motion of the wiper arms in case of any undesired motion received by the toothed segment.
[0032] As illustrated in figure 4, the linkage mechanism 120 comprises a rotary block 122 and a restrictor arm 124. The rotary block 122 is configured to be mounted on an output shaft 112 of the drive motor 110 to receive rotational drive. The restrictor arm 124 is configured with a first end 124a and a second end 124b. The first end 124a of the restrictor arm 124 is eccentrically pivoted to the rotary block 122 and the second end 124b is eccentrically pivoted to the first toothed segment 106a. The restrictor arm 124 is configured to convert the rotational drive of the rotary block 122 into oscillatory motion of the first toothed segment 106a and the first wiper arm 102a. The restrictor arm 124 also functions to limit the oscillation of the first and second wiper blades w.r.t to respective rotational axis and thereby enables motion of the wiper blades on a pre-defined area only of the windshield 10. The oscillatory motion of the first wiper arm 102a is configured to be varied by varying dimensions and mountings of the restrictor arm 124 considering the requirement of wiping area to be achieved on the vehicle under consideration.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present subject matter, as illustrated in figure 5, the wiper system 100 is configured with an idler gear 106i mounted between the first toothed segment 106a and the second toothed segment 106b. The idler gear 106i is configured to transfer the oscillatory drive from the first toothed segment 106a to the second toothed segment 106b and reverses the direction of oscillation. Therefore, now the first toothed segment 106a and the second toothed segment 106b oscillate in the same direction resulting in movement of the first wiper arm 102a and the second wiper arm 102b in same direction. Further the oscillatory motion of the second wiper arm 102b may be controlled by varying the gear ratio of the first toothed segment 106a, the idler gear 106i and the second toothed segment 106b based on the requirement. For example, the second wiper blade 104b needs to cover more area on the windshield 10 to complete one cycle of the oscillatory motion. Therefore, as per the requirement the gear ratio of the first toothed segment 106a, the idler gear 106i and the second toothed segment 106b may be varied for synchronized motion of the first wiper arm 102a and the second wiper arm 102b.
[0034] The toothed segments, the linkage mechanism and the drive motor are configured to be enclosed in a housing to provide protection from direct impact of environmental factors like water, dust, mud etc.
[0035] The present subject matter discloses a wiper system 100. The wiper system 100 comprises a first wiper arm 102a and a second wiper arm 102b. The first wiper arm 102a is configured with a first wiper blade 104a at one end and a first toothed segment 106a at other end. The second wiper arm 102b is configured with a second wiper blade 104b at one end and a second toothed segment 106b at other end. The first toothed segment 106a is configured to receive oscillatory drive from a drive motor 110 and transfers to the second toothed segment 106b to oscillate the respective wiper arms synchronously.
[0036] The first toothed segment 106a is configured to receive oscillatory drive from the drive motor 110 through a linkage mechanism 120. The linkage mechanism 120 is provided with a rotary block 122 and a restrictor arm 124. The rotary block 122 is configured to be mounted on an output shaft 112 of the drive motor 110 to receive rotational drive. The restrictor arm 124 is configured with a first end 124a eccentrically pivoted to the rotary block 122 and a second end 124b eccentrically pivoted to one of the toothed segment 106a. The restrictor arm 124 is configured to convert the rotational drive of the rotary block 122 into an oscillatory drive of the first toothed segment 106a and the first wiper arm 102a. The oscillatory motion of the first wiper arm 102a is configured to be varied by varying dimensions and mountings of the restrictor arm 124.
[0037] In an embodiment, the first and second toothed segments (106a, 106b) are configured to be an integral part of the first and second wiper arms (102a, 102b) respectively. In another embodiment, the first and second wiper arms (102a, 102b) are configured to be mounted on the first and second toothed segments (106a, 106b) by fastening provisions (108a, 108b) respectively.
[0038] In an embodiment, the first toothed segment 106a is configured to directly mesh with the second toothed segment 106b to oscillate the second wiper arm 102b in opposite direction to the first wiper arm 102a.
[0039] In another embodiment, the wiper system 100 is configured with an idler gear 106i mounted between the first toothed segment 106a and the second toothed segment 106b to oscillate the second wiper arm 102b in same direction to the first wiper arm 102a. The oscillatory motion of the second wiper arm 102b is configured to be varied by varying the gear ratio of the first toothed segment 106a, the idler gear 106i and the second toothed segment 106b.
[0040] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include the following.
[0041] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to provide a wiper system which is compact, lightweight and cost effective due to reduced number of parts.
[0042] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to reduce assembly time at aggregate as well as vehicle level.
[0043] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to increase efficiency of the wiper system due to removal of mechanical linkages and due to reduced number of connecting joints since in the case of toothed arrangement only one joint (i.e. between the tooth) is required.
[0044] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to improve ease of serviceability of the wiper system.
[0045] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to reduce requirement of space on a vehicle for mounting of the wiper system.
Equivalents
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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."
[0048] Although implementations for a wiper system have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementation for the wiper system.