AUTOMOTIVE AIR WINDSHIELD WIPER

A windshield wiper system is described and comprises of a windshield wiper blade and an air system. The windshield wiper blade can connect to an existing wiper arm on a vehicle. The windshield wiper blade is configured with an air channel and a heating element. The air system includes a fan and an air hose, wherein the air system is adapted to intake air from the fan and blow air through the connected air hose into the air channel in the wiper blade. The air hose is connected to the windshield wiper blade to provide the air from the air system to the windshield wiper blade which is deposited onto the windshield to move water and debris off the windshield while the wiper arm is reciprocating the wiper blade. The heating element warms up the air moving through the air channel to melt ice and snow on the windshield.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This present invention relates to a windshield wiper system, and more particularly to a windshield wiper system that uses air to clear a window of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Windshield wipers are a standard and important feature on vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, buses, trains, and any other vehicles that includes a windshield. Windshield wipers are an important safety feature because they make a big impact on driving and overall safety by improving visibility. Windshield wipers remove rain, snow, dirt, pollen, frost, and other debris which would otherwise reduce driving visibility.

However, proper functioning wiper blades are very important to the overall driving safety. The wiper blades on the windshield wipers contact the windshield of a vehicle to clear any impediment. The conventional windshield wiper blade is designed to squeegee fluid from the windshield. Most common problems associated with the windshield wipers is that the wiper blades leave streaks, smears, or gaps of moisture or other debris on the windshield. The contact of the wiper blades on the windshield can also damage the windshield when a hard piece of debris scrapes across the glass. Additionally, the windshield wipers can crack, lose form, and lose their flexibility over time and need replacing frequently to function in good form.

Drivers also face another problem with conventional wiper blades. During cold weather, ice may buildup on the windshield, especially when the vehicle is parked outside. The conventional wiper blades are not designed to remove ice buildup on the windshield. Usually, the driver will start the vehicle and turn on the heaters so the windshield can be heated to melt the ice and subsequently clean the windshield. However, this process takes time as the vehicle needs to be turned on, the engine needs to warm up, and then the interior of the vehicle must warm up. The process is time consuming and uses up fuel which also releases exhaust into the environment. Often, the driver will manually clear the obstruction by scrubbing off the ice.

Attempts have been made to solve some of the above problems. Although there are some modern windshield wipers that have improved longevity, they still cause streaking, smearing, and gaps of moisture with the sweeping action of the wipers against the windshield. These windshield wipers may not fully and efficiently clear the windshield to improve visibility.

Accordingly, there is still an unsolved need for windshield wipers that may address these and other existing issues.

SUMMARY

The invention described herein provides for an improved windshield wiper system that more efficiently removes liquid and solid debris from the windshield to improve visibility and increase safety.

The following paragraph generally describes how windshield wipers work. In simple terms, windshield wipers are operated by an electric motor. The electric motor is attached to a worm gear, which transmits the necessary force to a long rod that sets the wiper arms in motion. The wiper arms move the actual windshield wiper blades. The blades are generally made of rubber and must apply enough pressure to the windshield in order to remove all moisture without any streaks. The arms attach to the middle of each wiper blade, and each wiper blade has several arms that distribute the pressure onto the windshield evenly. Windshield wipers are basically the same on every car. They have two pivot points (one on the driver's side and one in the middle of the windshield) that work together to remove moisture. This is called the tandem system, and it provides the most coverage to clean the area of the windshield through which the driver looks out. There are other systems that are used; these include the single arm system (e.g., used on Mercedes vehicles) in which a single arm (controlled) system extends and retracts as it moves, and the opposed system that has pivot points on opposite ends of the windshield and the wipers move in the opposite direction

With the basic understanding of how windshield wipers operate, the present disclosure provides for a windshield wiper system for a vehicle which rides on a column of air instead of on a windshield of a vehicle. The windshield wiper system comprises of a wiper blade which has a top portion and a bottom portion. The top part of the wiper may comprise of an air channel and a heating element. The air channel receives air from a fan comprising part of the windshield wiper system and eventually directs it to the bottom portion of the wiper which may push out air from an air channel opening directly onto a windshield. The directed air is forced out to move liquid and solid debris off the windshield without the windshield wiper blade physically touching the windshield. An air hose may also comprise part of the windshield wiper system which directs the air flow from the fan to the air channel in the wiper. The fan may generate the air to be sent through the air hose to the wiper blade and is generally positioned under a hood of a vehicle within the engine compartment. A water system may also comprise part of the windshield wiper system which will send water through the air tube to the wiper to aid in cleaning the windshield. The windshield wiper system may also comprise of a heating element disposed within the top portion of the wiper blade, which is capable of being heated to warm up the air passing by toward the windshield to clear ice or snow off the windshield without having to scrape the windshield.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference may be made to particular features of the invention. It may be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature may be disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

“Exemplary” may be used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described in this document as “exemplary” may not be necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.

Throughout the drawings, like reference characters are used to designate like elements. As used herein, the term “coupled” or “coupling” may indicate a connection. The connection may be a direct or an indirect connection between one or more items. Further, the term “set” as used herein may denote one or more of any items, so a “set of items” may indicate the presence of only one item or may indicate more items. Thus, the term “set” may be equivalent to “one or more” as used herein.

The present disclosure recognizes the unsolved need for an improved windshield wiper system that more efficiently and effectively removes liquid and solid debris from the windshield of a vehicle to improve visibility for a driver and increase safety. Additionally, the improved windshield described herein removes the deposited debris off the windshield surface without sweeping the debris across the surface and causing damage to the windshield. The presently described windshield wiper blade also assists in faster and more efficient removal of snow and ice.

Embodiments of the present invention include a windshield wiper system comprising a pair of windshield wiper blades which are each attached to a wiper arm which in turn is connected to a linkage arm of a vehicle. The linkage arm or arms are connected to the windshield wiper motor. This assembly functions similar to the way most windshield wiper assemblies in the cars function, wherein the wiper motor operates the windshield wiper blades. An air system comprising a blower fan and an air hose may be connected to the wiper motor and may supply the compacted air to the windshield wiper blades. A control tip, which may be configured on the frame, provides for the wiper blades to be off the windshield of the car when the windshield wiper system is activated.

FIGS. 1-3illustrate an example schematic of a windshield wiper blade100according to one or more non-limiting embodiments.FIG. 1is a perspective view of the windshield wiper blade100illustrating an internal component of the windshield wiper blade100.FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of the windshield wiper blade100ofFIG. 1taken along the line A-A.FIG. 3is an environmental view of the windshield wiper blade100adjacent a windshield500of a vehicle.FIG. 4illustrates a block diagram providing a schematic of the windshield wiper system including the air system and the windshield wiper blade along with their associated connections. It is to be understood that the schematics are not illustrative of the only form and shape the windshield wiper blade100can take. The windshield wiper blade100can be designed to take any appearance as long as the windshield wiper blade100accomplishes the function and utility of the present invention. The windshield wiper blades100of the present invention may have the same lengths as conventional wipers. Alternate sizes are also within the scope of the presently disclosed invention.

The windshield wiper blade100is adapted to be connected to an existing wiper arm or any that may be designed in the future and that is mounted to a vehicle. As discussed above, the wiper arm is operably connected to a wiper motor for reciprocating the wiper arm and thus moving the windshield wiper blade100across the windshield500of a vehicle. The windshield wiper blade100is configured with a heating element140, an air channel120, and an air channel opening122. The windshield wiper blade100is configured to deliver compacted air through the air channel120to the air channel opening122onto the windshield500to move water and debris off the windshield500with the compacted air.

The windshield wiper blade100has a top portion102and a bottom portion104. Typically, the bottom portion104on a standard wiper blade contacts a windshield and performs the function of a squeegee as the wiper blade is reciprocated across the windshield. The windshield wiper blade100of the present invention does not contact the windshield500and instead will ride on a column of air against the windshield that is forced out from the air channel opening122on the bottom portion104. The windshield wiper blade100has a first and second opposing ends,106and108, respectively. The first and second ends106,108, may each be attached to an end cap112. The windshield wiper blade100also includes a connector110which is connected to the top portion102and positioned relatively at a center of the windshield wiper blade100. The connector110is for removably securing the windshield wiper blade100to a wiper arm on a vehicle. The connector110is generally shown inFIGS. 1 and 3as having a certain look and appearance, however the connector110may be configured in several variations to connect with different mounts on wiper arms. For example, some of the wiper arms include and are not limited to a hook mount, a side-lock mount, a top-lock mount, a pinch-tab mount, a bayonet mount, a slim-top mount, etc. Alternatively, the windshield wiper blade100may not include a connector110but may comprise of an adaptor mount (not shown) configured and positioned relatively at a center of the windshield wiper blade100. The adaptor mount mounts to an adaptor which fits with a particular wiper arm. Thus, a user may choose the right adaptor to fit their vehicle type wiper arm.

The windshield wiper blade100includes the heating element140and the air channel120. The heating element140is disposed within the top portion102of the windshield wiper blade100. The heating element140may extend longitudinally within the top portion104and may be relatively an entire length of the windshield wiper blade100from the first end106to the second end108. The air channel120is also configured longitudinally along the entire length of the windshield wiper blade100from the first end106to the second end108. The air channel120may be configured adjacent to the heating element140to heat air that is pushed into the air channel120. The air channel120extends around the heating element140in the top portion102and into the bottom portion104to open toward the windshield500, indicated as the air channel opening122.

The air that is pushed into the air channel120exits out from the air channel opening122to be deposited onto the windshield500. The compacted air removes water, debris, and any buildup from the windshield500. As the windshield wiper blade100is reciprocated by the wiper arm200, the air movement out from the air channel opening122moves the water, debris, and any buildup on the windshield500. Additionally, in cold climates, the heating element140may be utilized to warm up the air entering the air channel120to help eliminate or greatly reduce icy buildup on the windshield500. The heating element140converts electrical energy from the battery (seeFIG. 4, battery502) into heat. The heat generated by the heating element140warms up the air entering the air channel120, as the air is immediately adjacent the heating element140, and thus melts any ice or snow formed on the windshield500. The wiper blade100of the present invention eliminates having to manually clean the windshield of ice and snow. Additionally, using compacted air as the medium to remove water and debris off the windshield also prevents any streaks from forming, which can happen when a standard wiper blade acts as a squeegee on the windshield.

As clearly seen inFIG. 2, the windshield wiper blade100is shown to be formed in the shape of the letter “e”, wherein the upper part of the “e” is the top portion102and the lower part of the “e” is the bottom portion104. As mentioned, it is to be understood that the windshield wiper blade100can have a shape that accommodates the functionality and utility of the present invention. The top portion of the “e” shaped windshield wiper blade100is integrated with the heating element140. The longitudinal air channel120is shown to be configured around the top portion102, or the upper portion of the “e” and wraps around a side of the “e” and continues toward the lower part of the “e” to the air channel opening122which is at an end point of the lower part of the “e” to direct air outward to the windshield500.

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 4, the windshield wiper blade100may also comprise of a center support134located within the top portion102adjacent to where the connector110connects to the wiper blade100. The center support134is a hollow tubular piece which has an opening132that traversers through the top portion102of the wiper blade100. The opening132also traverses through the connector that is connected to the top portion102. A tube130is connected to the opening132which brings wires to the heating element140(SeeFIG. 4, wiring to heating element505). The connection of the tube130to the opening is a sealed and connected so that air and water does not leak out or into the connection, respectively. The wires505bring electrical energy from the battery502to the connected heating element140. Additionally, the tube130also brings air from a fan150through an air hose152. The air hose152is connected to the fan150which may be positioned anywhere under a hood of a vehicle where the fan150can take in air. As can be seen inFIG. 1, the center support134wraps around a portion of the heating element140and the air channel120. The center support134may be a length of the connector110or relatively similar in length to permit the air and wire505connection to the air channel120and the heating element140, respectively. In one or more alternative embodiments, the windshield wiper blade may not comprise of the heating element140. In such an embodiment, the air hose152may directly connect to the opening132in the center support and requiring a tube130. However, it is to be understood that the tube130may be used in this embodiment to direct the air hose to the air channel120.

Referring toFIG. 4, like most windshield wiper systems, a wiper motor508, through electric wires509, controls the reciprocating motion of the presently disclosed windshield wiper blade100. Embodiments of the presently disclosed windshield wiper blade100may be connected to the fan150which may comprise of an air intake feature and air blower. The fan150is connected to the air channel120through the air hose152which sends air to the air channel120in the windshield wiper blade100. Each windshield wiper blade100indicated as Wiper1and Wiper2inFIG. 4, is connected to the air hose152. The windshield wiper blade100may also be fitted onto a rear windshield and thus would have an air hose152connected to it from the fan150. The air hose152and the wiring505to the heating element may be disposed within the tube130(See,FIG. 1) that connects to the wiper blade100. The tube is adapted to contain these elements and be connected to the wiper blade100. A user or a car mechanic may align the tube130along the wiper arm between the hood of the car and the opening132in the connector110and the center support134. The air tubes152subsequently push air out to the air channel120in the wiper blade100, out through the air channel opening122onto the windshield500.

One or more control tips114, as shown inFIG. 3, also comprise part of the windshield wiper blade100of the present invention. The one or more control tips114may be integrated on the end caps112connected on to the first and second opposing ends106,108, respectively. The one or more control tips114may also be integrated anywhere along the length of the wiper blade100, as long as the one or more control tips114, when the windshield wiper blades are reciprocating, rest against the windshield500(FIG. 3). When the wiper motor (See,FIG. 4Wiper motor508) is activated, the wiper arms and the wiper blades100are reciprocating along the windshield500, the control tip114keeps the wiper blade100off the windshield500a certain distance so as to permit the air to move through the air channel120and out of the air channel opening122to move liquid and other debris off the windshield without the windshield wiper blade touching at the windshield500. It is also to be understood that in an alternate embodiment, the windshield wiper blade100will not comprise of one or more control tips114and will appropriately distance itself from the windshield500when air is pushed against the windshield500from the windshield wiper blade100. The wiper blade100in both embodiments will not be touching the windshield500during operation and will be distanced from the windshield500at a distance of 0.001 to 0.003 inches.

Referring toFIGS. 1-4, the operation of the windshield wiper blade100is now described. The heating element140in the windshield wiper blade100receive DC voltage from a vehicle's battery502the windshield wiper blade100is installed on. The battery502delivers power to the heating element140through a control device, such as a manually operable switch506, which is typically installed in a driver's compartment in the vehicle. The switch506can also power the fan150to draw in air and blow the air through the air hose152to the wiper blades100. The switch powers the wiper motor508to reciprocate the wiper arms and thus the wiper blade100. It is to be understood that this is the most basic setup to operate the windshield wiper blade100. These wiper blades100can also be set up to function with an automatic switch assembly as is common in most vehicles.

The windshield wiper blade100can be installed on an existing wiper arm. The connector110can be attached to the wiper arm or an adaptor may be used that conforms to fit the wiper arm. The fan150can be mounted under a hood, in an engine compartment of a vehicle. As seen inFIG. 4, the wiring from the fan150can be routed to connect with an under the hood control module504. Wiring from the heating element140can also be routed and connected to the control module504. The switch to control the function of the wiper blade100can be mounted within a driver compartment in the vehicle. The air hose152and the wiring to the heating element505can be routed to their respective elements along the wiper arm of a vehicle using the tube130, shown inFIG. 1.

The advantages of the windshield wipers of the present invention are their effectiveness at cleaning liquid, solid debris, ice, and snow off the windshield without the standard scrubbing. Utilizing air to remove these deposits, the present wipers eliminate the streaks that may form from scrubbing the windshield which also obstruct a driver's view. Additionally, utilizing air also removes the debris without scratching the glass surface of the windshield. Other advantages also include the longevity of the wiper blade due to minimal or no scrubbing which obviates expediated wear and tear on a wiper blade. With the advantageous usage of air and the heating element in the novel wiper blade, a driver may remove ice and snow without manually having to scrape and wipe their windshield. The heated air would melt the ice and snow and subsequently push the deposit off by the compressed air. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are effective and can be incorporated for any vehicle that uses a windshield wiper or can benefit from the usage of a windshield wiper.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present invention, according to one or more embodiments described in the present description, may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive of the present invention.