DESC:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY”

APPLICANTS:

Name Nationality Address
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited Indian Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.,MRV, Mahindra World City (MWC),
Plot No. 41/1, Anjur Post, Chengalpattu,Kanchipuram District – 603204 (TN) INDIA

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to wiper blades protecting mechanism in vehicles and more particularly to windshield wiper assembly for protecting the wiper blades during its non-use conditions in automobiles.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, safety features available in the modern day cars include air bags, pedestrian warning systems, windshield wipers etc. Windshield wipers play an active role in monsoon as it improves the visibility of drivers by wiping of water droplets falling on a windshield at regular frequencies. The windshield wipers also play a role in cleaning the windshields automatically when it is covered with dust or other stains.
[003] The conventional windshield wiper, herein after referred to as wiper, is an open wiper mounted at the lower end of the windshield. The conventional windshield wiper causes dust accumulation in between the wiper blades and windshield when not in use, and thus causes scratch to the windshield. Moreover, the conventional wiper blades and the wiper material may create a permanent stain on the windshield due to the prolonged parking of vehicles under the sun. Also, the presence of the conventional windshield wiper affects the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle, and thus affects the vehicle fuel efficiency, performance and handling. Additionally, open windshield wiper causes obstruction to the driver since the wiper is always visible to the driver. Also the open windshield wiper affects the aesthetic look of the vehicle.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a windshield wiper assembly that can eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a windshield wiper assembly that protects the windshield wiper blades and the windshield from dust and heat during the non-use condition.
[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a simple and cost effective windshield wiper assembly for protecting the windshield wiper.
[007] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a windshield wiper assembly, which is actuated from within the vehicle to open.
[008] Yet, another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a windshield wiper assembly that protects the windshield from permanent stains and scratches.
[009] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0010] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts an isometric view of the automobile showing the windshield wiper assembly in a closed position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the windshield wiper assembly without a cover plate, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the automobile showing the windshield wiper assembly in closed position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts the windshield wiper assembly in a open position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0016] The embodiments herein achieve a simple and cost effective windshield wiper assembly that can effectively protect the windshield wiper blades and the windshield from dust and heat during the non-use condition. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 1 depicts an isometric view of the automobile showing the windshield wiper assembly in closed position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the windshield wiper assembly without a cover plate, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the automobile showing the windshield wiper assembly in closed position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 4 depicts the windshield wiper assembly in open position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.
[0018] In an embodiment, the windshield wiper assembly 100 includes a cover plate 102, at least one windshield wiper 104, a motor unit 106, a movable joint 108 and a vacuum seal 110. In an embodiment the windshield wiper assembly 100 is adapted to place in a closed environment between the windshield 202 and a hood 204 of an automobile 200.
[0019] The cover plate 102 is used to enclose the windshield wipers 104 during normal weather conditions. The cover plate 102 releases the windshield wipers 104 when the driver presses the wiper actuation button (not shown) positioned on a steering wheel (not shown). In an embodiment the cover plate 102 is made of a heat insulating material to avoid the atmospheric heat to be transferred inside a wiper compartment. In an embodiment the cover plate 102 is in parallel arrangement with the windshield 202 during an open and closed position. In closed position, the cover plate 102 encloses the windshield wipers 104 and in open position, the cover plate 102 releases the windshield wipers 104. In an embodiment the cover plate 102 is a long rectangular plate. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the cover plate 102 in any other shape without otherwise deterring the intended function of the cover plate 102 as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings.
[0020] In an embodiment each of the windshield wiper 104 includes a wiper arm A and a wiper blade B. The windshield wiper 104 is adapted to rest in the portion enclosed by the cover plate 102 in closed position and is adapted to release from the cover plate 102 in open position. In an embodiment the windshield wiper 104 is adapted to make use of a solenoid actuated spring back mechanism to come out from the cover plate 102. In an embodiment the windshield wiper 104 is adapted to rest inside the portion enclosed by the cover plate 102 by spring back effect upon completion of the work cycle. In an embodiment the windshield wiper 104 defines an oscillating motion. The windshield wiper 104 is adapted to rest in the portion enclosed by the cover plate 102 mounted at the closed environment between the windshield 202 and the hood 204. During a normal weather condition the windshield wiper 104 is in the closed position. In open position, the windshield wiper 104 is adapted to come out of the cover plate 102 when the driver switches ON the wiper actuation button (not shown).
[0021] In an embodiment the motor unit 106 is mounted on a lower side of the windshield wiper assembly 100. The motor unit 106 is used to actuate the windshield wiper 104 and the cover plate 102. In an embodiment the motor unit 106 includes a stepper motor (not shown), a motor control unit (not shown), a primary motor (not shown) and a shaft (not shown). The motor control unit is positioned between the stepper motor and the primary motor. The stepper motor is used to actuate the cover plate 102 and the primary motor is used to actuate the windshield wiper 104. The stepper motor is connected to the primary motor to actuate wiper blades with a wiper actuation button on the steering wheel. The motor control unit is programmed in such a way that as soon as the wiper actuation button gets switched on, the cover plate 102 first gets opened due to the rotation of the stepper motor. The wiper blades B comes out of the cover plate 102 due to a space between the cover plate 102 and the windshield 202 when the cover plate 102 comes to a stop at fully opened position. When the driver switches off the wiper actuation button, the wiper blades B initially goes to a resting position on the plenum area of the windshield 202. The motor control unit enables the stepper motor of the cover plate 102 to start rotating in the opposite direction to cover up the windshield wiper 104 inside the cover plate 102 when the wiper blades B comes to a resting position. The power is transferred to the cover plate 102 from the stepper motor via the shaft.
[0022] In an embodiment the shaft is connected with the movable joint 108 positioned at a side where the motor unit is placed. The movable joint 108 facilitates the opening and closing of the cover plate 102.
[0023] In an embodiment the vacuum seal 110 is provided at the upper end of the cover plate 102. The vacuum seal 110 is provided to prevent entry of air inside the windshield wiper assembly 100.
[0024] The working of the windshield wiper assembly 100 is as follows. The cover plate 102 remains closed under normal weather conditions. When there is a need to actuate the wiper blades B due to the change in weather, the driver presses the wiper actuation button on the steering wheel. The motor control unit is adapted to open the cover plate 102 and to release the windshield wiper 104 on engagement of wiper actuation button and to move the wiper blades B to rest on a plenum area of the windshield 202 on disengagement of the wiper actuation button. The windshield wiper 104 is actuated using a solenoid actuated spring back mechanism. The windshield wiper 104 starts cleaning the windshield 202 by defining an oscillating motion when the driver switched ON the wiper actuation button. Then the motor control unit enables the stepper motor to start rotating in the opposite direction to cover up the windshield wiper 104 inside the cover plate 102 when the driver switched OFF the wiper actuation button.
[0025] The advantages of the windshield wiper assembly 100 are as follows. The cover plate 102 is made of a heat insulating material to avoid the atmospheric heat to be transferred inside a wiper compartment. Thus makes the windshield wiper 104 always free from heat and other dust particles. The windshield wiper assembly 100 enhances the aesthetic appeal since the windshield wiper blades B are not visible during the normal driving conditions. The cover plate 102 is in parallel arrangement with the windshield during open and closed position, and thus improves the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle. The dust accumulation between the windshield wiper 104 and the windshield 202 which causes scratch to the windshield 202 can be avoided. Damage to the windshield 202 and the wiper material when parked in sun for long time is eliminated. The life of the windshield wiper blades B is improved. The windshield wiper blades B can be protected and the windshield wipers 104 can be activated from within the vehicle on need basis so that the wiper blades B are visible only when there is a need.
[0026] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A windshield wiper assembly comprising:
at least one windshield wiper;
a cover plate adapted to move between a closed position and an
open position;
a motor unit adapted to actuate the windshield wiper and the
cover plate, the motor unit having a stepper motor, a motor control unit, a primary motor and a shaft,
wherein
the cover plate is adapted to enclose the windshield wiper in the closed position and the cover plate is adapted to release the windshield wiper in the open position; and
the motor control unit is adapted to open the cover plate and to release the windshield wiper on engagement of wiper actuation button and to move the wiper blades to rest on a plenum area of the windshield on disengagement of the wiper actuation button.
2. The windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the windshield wiper is actuated using a solenoid actuated spring back mechanism.
3. The windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor control unit is positioned between the stepper motor and the primary motor.
4. The windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a vacuum seal adapted to prevent entry of air inside the windshield wiper assembly.
5. The windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a movable joint connected with the shaft of the motor unit to open and close the cover plate.

Date: 17th March, 2016 Signature:
Dr.Kalyan Chakravarthy

ABSTRACT
A windshield wiper assembly includes at least one windshield wiper, a cover plate and a motor unit. The motor unit includes a stepper motor, a motor control unit, a primary motor and a shaft. The motor control unit is used to open the cover plate and to release the windshield wiper on engagement of wiper actuation button and to move the wiper blades to rest on a plenum area of the windshield on disengagement of the wiper actuation button.
.

,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A windshield wiper assembly comprising:
at least one windshield wiper;
a cover plate adapted to move between a closed position and an
open position;
a motor unit adapted to actuate the windshield wiper and the
cover plate, the motor unit having a stepper motor, a motor control unit, a primary motor and a shaft,
wherein
the cover plate is adapted to enclose the windshield wiper in the closed position and the cover plate is adapted to release the windshield wiper in the open position; and
the motor control unit is adapted to open the cover plate and to release the windshield wiper on engagement of wiper actuation button and to move the wiper blades to rest on a plenum area of the windshield on disengagement of the wiper actuation button.
2. The windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the windshield wiper is actuated using a solenoid actuated spring back mechanism.
3. The windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor control unit is positioned between the stepper motor and the primary motor.
4. The windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a vacuum seal adapted to prevent entry of air inside the windshield wiper assembly.
5. The windshield wiper assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a movable joint connected with the shaft of the motor unit to open and close the cover plate.