Daniel T Harmon

US Patent:

54210550, Jun 6, 1995

Filed:

Sep 7, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/116838

Inventors:

Daniel L. Harmon - Kettering OH
Douglas D. Patterson - Centerville OH

Assignee:

ITT Automotive Electrical Systems Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60S 132
B60S 134

US Classification:

1525020

Abstract:

An automotive windshield wiper system with adjustable wiping pressure includes a drive shaft, a head rigidly mounted to the drive shaft for unitary rotation therewith, a wiper arm pivotally connected to the head at a first end and retaining a wiper blade at a second end, and a spring between the head and the wiper arm inducing a force pivoting the wiper arm toward an associated wiping surface. A controller is disposed between the spring and the head and relies exclusively on the relative rotation between the wiper arm and the vehicle body as a source of all motive power to selectively displace an end of the spring and thereby vary the force on the wiper arm.

US Patent:

58228276, Oct 20, 1998

Filed:

Feb 20, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/804243

Inventors:

Michael Anthony Dimatteo - Kettering OH
Daniel Lee Harmon - Lake Orion MI
Deno John Rogakos - late of Centerville OH

Assignee:

ITT Automotive Electrical Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60S 132
B60S 134

US Classification:

15250203

Abstract:

A variable force windshield wiper system for an automobile has a rod which is slidably received within a bore of the drive shaft of the wiper system. The end of the rod contacts a lever arm when the rod extends out from the drive shaft. The lever arm is connected to a spring. The other end of the spring is connected to the windshield wiper arm. As the distance of the rod outside the drive shaft increases, the lever arm rotates about a fulcrum and extends the spring thereby increasing the downward force of the wiper arm toward the windshield. To move the rod, a cam having a threaded exterior surface is mounted on the drive shaft and is attached to the rod. A nut having a threaded interior surface engages the threads of the cam. The nut and cam rotate together if no wiper force change is desired The exterior surface of the nut has ratchet teeth. A pawl is used to selectively engage the ratchet teeth of the nut.