Patent ID: 8764092
Filing Date: 2014-07-01
Classification: B60S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a wiper assembly including a wiper blade configured to wipe a window of a vehicle and a wiper arm operatively connected to the wiper blade; a protective device configured to selectively and at least partially cover the wiper assembly, the device including a member movable between first and second positions such that the member in the second position is configured to at least partially cover the wiper assembly; an active material actuator configured to move the member between the first and second positions; wherein the active material actuator includes a shape memory alloy material having a crystallographic phase that is changeable between Austenite and Martensite in response to an activation signal, the phase change causing a contraction of the shape memory alloy material; a rotatable lever operatively connected to the shape memory alloy material; and a spring operatively connected to the lever at one end and fixed at another end, the spring being configured to bias the member towards the first position.