Abstract:
A windshield wiper including: a housing including a blade mounted therein; at least one drain tube including a plurality of inlets; and a coupler for coupling the at least one drain tube to a pump. A system incorporating the windshield wiper and vehicles having the system installed are disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to motor vehicles, and more particularly to improved windshield wiping methods and apparatus. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    For the many advances in automotive technology, there have been surprisingly few advances assuring visibility during precipitation driven by truly inclement weather. That is, since the invention of windshield wipers in 1903, over a century has passed without a solution that can provide users with adequate clearing of heavy rain, ice or snow. In order to provide some context, aspects of a prior art windshield wiper are introduced. 
         [0005]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a prior art windshield wiper  1 . The prior art windshield wiper  1  includes a blade  2 . The blade  2  is generally fabricated from rubber, a soft polymer or other similar material that provides for a “squeegee” action. That is, an action that sipes water away from an exterior surface of a windshield (i.e., expels water from the surface). The blade  2  is attached to a spine  3 . The spine  3  provides a rigidity required to ensure downward pressure which is delivered through an arm  7  and upon the blade  2  is effectively communicated along a length, L, of the prior art windshield wiper  1 . In common embodiments of the prior art windshield wiper  1 , the pressure is evenly distributed through a suspension system that includes components such as at least one primary armature  4  and often a secondary armature  5 . As is commonly recognized, the secondary armature  5  often includes a single coupling  6  for coupling of the prior art windshield wiper  1  to the arm  7 . The arm  7  is driven by a motor and mechanical assembly (not shown) which provides for repetitive travel of the prior art windshield wiper  1  across a viewing area of the windshield. 
         [0006]    Present day windshield wipers  1  are generally useful in limited to light rain and are often inadequate to handle a large volume of rain, such as during intense downpours. In intense rainstorms, wiper blades are unable to displace the high volumes of water. Generally, the wipers smear the rain into blurring sheets and create very limited visibility through the windshield. Increasing the speed of the traverse of the wiper has been useful, but this also causes limitations in visibility. Further, high speeds can cause excessive wear to a wiper system. These problems have been persistent in the auto industry for over a century. Other problems with present day windshield wipers  1  are known. 
         [0007]    For example, while windshield defrosters can help in freezing weather, present day internal, in-cab, heated and fan blown air windshield defrosters are manifestly ineffective in melting ice deposited on surfaces of the prior art windshield wiper  1 . Any one that has driven in icing weather recognizes that the glass windshield is a poor thermal conductor for heat transfer to the squeegee blade of the typical windshield wiper. At low ambient temperatures, ice forming on the various parts of the prior art windshield wiper  1  results in dangerously poor visibility for automobile, bus and truck drivers alike. 
         [0008]    Various attempts have been made to address icing of wiper blades. Among these are designs that conduct heat to the wiper blade  2 . However, efforts involving conduction heating are inefficient and generally ineffective. That is, as silicone rubbers and synthetic polymer equivalents used in wiper squeegees are good thermal insulators, the designs fail to perform as intended. 
         [0009]    That is, the prior art has been unable to solve the problems associated with the thermal insulator property of flexible rubber or polymer windshield wiper blades. The thermodynamics of heat transfer are poorly realized in prior art implementations which teach embedding wires into channels opened into the thermally insulating wiper blade body. Considering the radiation emission pattern of a wire to be that of a cylindrical isotropic radiator, the majority of the heat energy is lost into directions not effective for melting ice on the blade-edge and sidewalls. 
         [0010]    Some other efforts have addressed the thermal conductivity limitation by additions of carbon-based materials such as carbon-fibers or graphite or nanoparticle admixtures in the materials used in the blade  2 . These solutions enhance thermal conductivity with an attendant increase in the cost of materials. Notably all polymer and rubber materials suffer diminished lifetimes resulting from conductive thermal cycling associated with heating and cooling of the blade. 
         [0011]    Likewise, embedded resistive wires into the wiper blades (i.e., heating thermal insulators) reflects an attempt to overcome the fundamental physics involved. For the same reason, conduction heating of insulators is inappropriate. Heated windshield fluids through capillary tubes have been reported to have caused fires or burn injuries. 
         [0012]    With the millions of drivers on the road today, and the frequent presentment of rain and snow hazards, an improved windshield wiper is of great need. The improvements should be cost effective, and be equipped to limit the impact of precipitation for the variety of inclement conditions that confront driver&#39;s around the world. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In one embodiment, the invention includes a windshield wiper including: a housing including a blade mounted therein; at least one drain tube including a plurality of inlets; and a coupler for coupling the at least one drain tube to tubing that leads to a pump. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the invention includes a system for wiping a windshield, the system including: at least one windshield wiper including a housing with a blade mounted therein; at least one drain tube including a plurality of inlets; and a coupler for coupling the at least one drain tube to tubing that leads to a pump; and a pump for applying a negative pressure to the at least one drain tube and pumping precipitation from the windshield. 
         [0015]    In a further embodiment, the invention includes a vehicle including a system for wiping a windshield, the vehicle including: a windshield; and at least one windshield wiper including a housing with a blade mounted therein; at least one drain tube including a plurality of inlets; and a coupler for coupling the at least one drain tube to tubing that leads to a pump; and a pump for applying a negative pressure to the at least one drain tube and pumping precipitation from the windshield; wherein the at least one windshield wiper is mounted to the vehicle for providing wiping of precipitation from the windshield during operation of the vehicle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a prior art windshield wiper; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective cutaway view of a windshield wiping system disclosed herein; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a side cutaway view of the windshield wiper of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective cutaway view of a collector included in the windshield wiper of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side cutaway view of another embodiment of the windshield wiper disclosed herein; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective cutaway view of the windshield wiper of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a perspective cutaway view of components included in the windshield wiping system; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a side cutaway view of the windshield wiper disclosed herein; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11  are control diagrams for controlling the windshield wiper system; and 
           [0026]      FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14  are diagrams of additional embodiments of a connector for the windshield wiper. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Disclosed herein are an improved windshield wiper, windshield wiping system and methods for making use of the various components. Among other things, the teachings herein provide for efficiencies not previously realized. For example, the teachings herein provide for effective heating of an exterior surface of a windshield as well as active removal of excess water as may be realized in torrential rain. 
         [0028]    As an overview, the windshield wiping system according to the teachings herein provides for active removal and control of precipitation deposited onto a windshield. The windshield wiper includes components for, among other things, pumping away the precipitation. In some embodiments, the windshield wiper (also referred to as the “wiper,” or as a “squeegee”) includes heating elements for actively heating during operation. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a cutaway view of an exemplary windshield wiper  10 . In this example, the windshield wiper  10  includes a housing  15 . The housing  15  is of a length, L, that is generally equivalent to the length, L, of a prior art windshield wiper  1 . The housing  15  serves to include components of the windshield wiping system. Exemplary components included with the housing  15  include the blade  2 , at least one drain tube  12 , and a coupler  11 . Generally, the coupler  11  serves to provide fluidic connection to an external supply of positive or negative pressure, and may further provide for physical attachment of the windshield wiper  10  to the arm  7 . In some embodiments, the coupler  11  is integrated into each of the at least one drain tube  12 . For example, each drain tube  12  may include the coupler  11 , where the coupler  11  is disposed along a side of the drain tube  12  or on one end (such as a lower end) of the drain tube  12 . 
         [0030]    In other embodiments, the coupler  11  may be a part of a connector  16 . The connector  16  may be any one of a variety of embodiments. In the embodiment shown, the connector  16  is an H-connector that provides for interconnection of two generally parallel drain tubes  12 . Each of the drain tubes generally runs along the length, L, of the housing  15 , with the blade  2  disposed between the two drain tubes  12 . In the embodiment depicted, the housing  15  includes at least one additional grommet  14 . Each of the grommets  14  are disposed along a wall of the housing  15  and provide for, among other things, protection of the windshield from scratching by the housing  15 . Like some other components of the windshield wiper  10 , the at least one grommet  14  may be continuous substantially along the length, L, or may be segmented along the length, L. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the connector  16  is disposed in approximately the center of the length, L, of the housing  15 . Advantageously, this provides for efficient balancing of intake into each of the drain tubes  12 . In embodiments involving other configurations of drain tubes  12 , the connector may include other configurations. That is, for example, in an embodiment making use of a single drain tube  12 , the connector  16  may appear as an inverted “T” form. Additional embodiments of the connector  16  are illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 , and discussed further below. 
         [0032]    The housing  15  may be coupled to the arm  7  using a prior art connecting device, or through some other form of connection. For example, a combination mechanical/fluidic connection may be used (such as with the coupler  11 ). In embodiments making use of a prior art connection to the arm  7 , fluidic connection to the coupler  11  may be accomplished via tubing run internally through the arm  7 . 
         [0033]    The housing  15  may be fabricated in any manner deemed suitable according to standards employed by a manufacturer, designer, user or other similar party. For example, the housing  15  may be a unitary structure, such as injection molded plastic, assembled from various parts (such as by gluing or welding). The housing  15  may be assembled from segmented parts, include at least one hinge (such as along the length, L) or include other similar devices. In short, known or later devised manufacturing techniques and apparatus may be used to provide for the housing  15 . In general, the housing  15  is fabricated so as to provide for desired rigidity and conformity with the windshield, as well as to provide an integrated structure for containing the components disclosed herein. 
         [0034]    In the non-limiting examples provided, the housing  15  is of a generally U-shaped cross section. However, the housing  15  may be of other embodiments, for example, the housing  15  may be of an inverted V-shape. Combinations of profiles (i.e., cross sections) may be used such that one form merges or transforms into another form when taking cross sectional views along the length, L. 
         [0035]    Referring now also to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the windshield wiper  10 . In this example, the housing  15  is shown as generally being of an inverted “U” shape. The housing  15  includes the blade  2  which is substantially of the same length, L, as the housing  15 . The blade  2  is coupled to the housing  15  by at least one mount  18 . The mount  18  may be integrated into the housing  15  at the time of manufacture of the housing  15  or added after manufacture of the housing  15 . The mount  18  may also be substantially of length, L. In other embodiments, a plurality of low-profile mounts  18  (i.e., short in consideration of the length, L) may be included (e.g., three to five or so mounts  18 ). The at least one mount  18  may rely on a variety of mounting techniques. For example, each mount  18  may be a clip, a retainer or the like. More specifically, where the mount  18  is a retainer, the mount  18  may include an open profile into which the blade  2  is inserted (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). In these embodiments, the mount  18  may rely on friction-fitting to ensure retention of the blade  2 . In short, the mount  18  provides for mounting of the blade  2  to the housing  15  in a manner that provides for retention of the blade  2  as well as desired operational performance of the blade  2 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the windshield wiper  10  is assembled and installed, the blade  2  contacts the windshield. Generally, a height of the blade  2  is such that the housing  15  is suspended above the windshield by some distance, D. Among other things, including an offset of distance, D, ensures adequate wiping action will occur. It is recognized that in practice the housing  15  may rotate slightly or that the blade  2  may compress (under certain conditions), thereby eliminating the offset on at least one side of the housing  15 . Accordingly, the at least one grommet  14  ensures the windshield is not scratched by the housing  15 , and may provide for additional wiping action. In embodiments where the grommet  14  is segmented (not shown), the grommet  14  (which is then actually a plurality of shortened grommets  14 ) provide for some wiping, scratch relief and some flow control where precipitation is directed into the housing  15  as the wiper  10  wipes. That is, for such embodiments, there may be an open space between each of the plurality of shortened grommets  14 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , an underside of the wiper  10  is shown. In these examples, it may be seen that each of the drain tubes  12  includes a pipe  24 . Each of the pipe  24  is mated with a leg  23  of the H-connector. Each of the pipes  24  generally includes a plurality of inlets  25  which face an exterior wall of the housing  15  (i.e., are outward facing). When the windshield wiper  10  is in operation (thus travelling back and forth in directions indicated by the directional arrow), the outlets lead the wiper  10  into the precipitation. As will be discussed later herein, a negative pressure pulled on each of the pipes  24  draws the precipitation into the inlets  25  of the drain tubes  12  and out through the coupler  11 . However, for purposes of introduction, pumping may be controlled manually, in a dogmatic fashion (such as where it is adjusted according to another parameter, such as wiping speed), through computer control (such as with input from a rain sensor on board the vehicle) or by other techniques deemed appropriate. 
         [0038]    Generally, each drain tube  12  is surrounded by the pipe  24 . In some embodiments, the drain tube  12  provides rigidity, while pipe  24  provides for improved siping action (i.e., may also wipe the precipitation, at least to an extent. For example, each of the drain tubes  12  may be fabricated from a rigid material, such as PVC, while each pipe  24  may be fabricated from a softer material, such as rubber, neoprene or the like. 
         [0039]    The inlets  25  may be provided on an outer side of the pipe  24 /drain tube  12 , as is generally shown. In other embodiments, the inlets  25  may be included on an inner side (such as near the blade  2 ). In some embodiments, the inlets  25  are manifested as a plurality of patterned perforations in the pipe  24 /drain tube  12 . In general, the inlets  25  provide for fluidic communication (e.g., pick-up) along a length of the wiper  10 , and the size, design and placement of the inlets  25  may accommodate this purpose (among others). 
         [0040]    Note that  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6  provide inverted views of the windshield wiper  10 . In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the blade  2  is omitted, merely for simplicity and to better illustrate other components. 
         [0041]    Also shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 4 and 5  are heating elements. Specifically, in these embodiments, at least one resistive element  20  is disposed in sheathing  21  to provide for at least one heater  22  (i.e., a resistive heater). The sheathing  21  may be formed of at least one of insulation disposed around a commercially available resistive element and a tube for insertion of the resistive element  20 . In the examples shown, there are two heaters  22 , each heater  22  being disposed along an opposing side of the blade  2 . As will be discussed in greater detail herein, each of the heaters  22  may be controlled manually, thermostatically or through other techniques deemed appropriate. 
         [0042]    It should be noted that the at least one drain tube  12  and the at least one heater  22  are generally oriented within the housing  15  to provide for efficient functionality. That is, for example, each of the at least one drain tubes  12  is oriented in the housing  15  such that it is proximal to the windshield. In this manner, each of the inlets  25  is oriented to receive precipitation from a surface of the windshield. 
         [0043]    Advantageously, use of the resistive element  20  within the housing  15  provides for effective radiative heating and efficiently melting frozen precipitation. That is, unlike prior art solutions where resistive elements are used, a substantial portion of the energy is directed to the precipitation, and is not lost in heating components of the (prior art) windshield wiper. 
         [0044]    Other embodiments of the heater  22  may be used. For example, in another embodiment (not shown), the heater  22  makes use of hot air pumped (i.e., a forced hot air heater) to the sheathing  21  and distributed through a plurality of outlets. In this embodiment, the heating components are similar in construction to the components used for pumping away precipitation, with the exception being that the pumping provides a positive pressure. 
         [0045]    Refer now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , where additional cutaway views of the windshield wiper  10  are shown. In particular, note that  FIG. 7  shows the mount  18  as a discrete retaining mount  18 . Also, the leg  23  of the H-connector is mated with the pipe  24  in a mating region  28 . Mating in the mating region  28  may rely simply on friction-fitting of the pipe  24  over the leg  23 , or may include adhesive, glue, bonding or the like. In some embodiments, the H-connector and each of the pipes  24  are provided as a unitary component (thus, there is no mating region  28 ). 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the windshield wiper  10  may include an arc or other shape. The shaping may be included to account for curvature of a particular windshield. 
         [0047]    Having thus disclosed aspects of the windshield wiper  10 , it should be recognized that a variety of additional embodiments may be had and other features may be provided. For example, independent operation of wipers may be desired. The windshield wiper  10  may be used to evenly dispense washer fluid (such as by reversing of pump action). 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, the mounts  18  include a suspension system such as is found in the prior art. More specifically, at least one primary armature  4  and often a secondary armature  5  may be included in the mount  18 . 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, at least one end of the housing  15  is closed (that is, has a sidewall that is orthogonally oriented to the sidewall upon which the grommet  14  is mounted). 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, a secondary connector is provided. In these embodiments, the secondary connector may be coupled to another pump, thereby providing for auxiliary or redundant pumping. 
         [0051]    In some embodiments, the coupler  11 , the connector  16 , the pipe  24  and the drain tube  12  are provided as a unitary structure (such as as a product of injection molding). In other embodiments, some of these components are combined (such as the drain tube  12  and the pipe  24 ). 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11 , various other components may be included. These other components generally support the pumping action (redundant pumps may be included), and aspects of control of the windshield wiper  10 . Among other things, the system that is provided with the windshield wiper may control parameters such. as pump rates, direction of flow, wiper speed and the like. A control system may provide for automated operation, and may use a variety of sensors (such as a temperature sensor and a rain sensor) as control inputs. 
         [0053]    An additional embodiment of the connector  16  is depicted in  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14 . In  FIG. 12 , the connector  16  includes a flow design. That is, the flow design connector  16  includes curves and convergence points that are designed to encourage efficiency of flow from the drain tubes  12 . In  FIG. 13 , the flow design connector  16  is shown partially installed in the windshield wiper  10 , while in  FIG. 14 , the flow design connector  16  installation is completed. 
         [0054]    In summary, the teachings herein provide for an advanced windshield wiping system. The windshield wiping system provides for efficient wiping action not previously achieved in a variety of inclement conditions. 
         [0055]    It should be recognized that the windshield wiping system may be disposed upon any vehicle were visibility during inclement weather conditions is a concern. For example, the windshield wiping system may be installed in an automobile, a truck, a train, an airplane and a boat. 
         [0056]    In support of the teachings herein, various additional components may be used that have not been specifically discussed herein. Components include, without limitation, types of pumps, sensors, heating systems, hoses, sources of pressure (negative and positive), valves and the like. Aspects of the windshield wiping system may be controlled by electronics including a digital system and/or an analog system. The system(s) may have components such as a processor, storage media, memory, input, output, communications link, user interfaces, software and firmware programs, signal processors (digital or analog) and other such components (such as resistors, capacitors, inductors and others) to provide for operation and analyses of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein in any of several manners well-appreciated in the art. It is considered that these teachings may be, but need not be, implemented in conjunction with a set of computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable medium, including memory (ROMs, RAMs), optical (CD-ROMs), or magnetic (disks, hard drives), or any other type that when executed causes a computer to implement the method of the present invention. These instructions may provide for equipment operation, control, data collection and analysis and other functions deemed relevant by a system designer, owner, user or other such personnel, in addition to the functions described in this disclosure. 
         [0057]    The various components that may be used to provide for functionality of the windshield wiping system may serve at least one other function. For example, computer executable instructions may be implemented by a processor provided for controlling other functions within a vehicle. 
         [0058]    One skilled in the art will recognize that the various components or technologies may provide certain necessary or beneficial functionality or features. Accordingly, these functions and features as may be needed in support of the appended claims and variations thereof, are recognized as being inherently included as a part of the teachings herein and a part of the invention disclosed. 
         [0059]    It should be recognized that relative terms such as “substantially” do not imply any particular limitations. For example, one element may be of a length, L, while other elements may be substantially of the length, L, and may therefore be longer, shorter or of an equal length. “Segmented” refers to, among other things, an article that is divisible (i.e., divided) into smaller components, which may exhibit some or all of the features of the larger article. 
         [0060]    While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to adapt a particular instrument, situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.