摘要:
A method and assembly for sensing moisture on the exterior surface of a sheet of glass (16) by capturing an ambient image (A) of light rays passing through the glass (16) from the exterior to the interior surfaces thereof under ambient light conditions. The invention is characterized by illuminating (18) the glass with pulses of light rays, capturing an illuminated image of the glass containing the ambient image (A) plus the illuminated image (B) containing the reflected light from the illuminating (18) of the glass (16) between the ambient images (A), and subtracting each ambient image (A) from the next adjacent illuminated image (B) to produce a moisture signal (30).
摘要:
A wiper drive apparatus includes a drive gear (24) rotated by a motor, a lead frame (40) carried on a cover (32) attachable to the motor or motor gear (24) and including a circumferentially of discrete conductive traces (42, 44, 46, 48, 50), and a park switch bridge (54) rotatably mounted on the cover (32) and carrying a circumferentially of spaced contacts (74), each slidable over conductive traces (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) to open and close a circuit to the drive motor as the park switch bridge (54) is engaged by and rotated by the drive gear (24). Each contact (74) is carried on a beam (70) projecting from a circumferentially of radially extending arms forming the park switch bridge (54). A drive pin (36) carried on the drive gear (24) engages successive arms (70) to rotate the park switch bridge (54) 90° for each revolution of the drive gear (24) to bring a different contact (74) into electrical connection with the conductive traces without (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) requiring additional tooling for the lead frame (40) or the park switch bridge (54) itself.
摘要:
A wiper arm window latch system and method includes an end of a wiper arm which is mounted on a window and which is received in a drive coupler coupled to a drive motor mounted on a door. The drive coupler permits the wiper arm to be drivingly coupled to a wiper motor. The drive coupler and end of the wiper arm also cooperate to lock the wiper arm to the drive coupler, thereby causing the window of the vehicle to be locked in a closed position, such as against the door. This system and method is particularly suited for use in a vehicle having a rear window which is pivotable between an open position and a closed position and where a rear window wiper is desired or required.
摘要:
A selectively controllable heated wash system for a vehicle surface includes a wiper system control module operatively disposed in the vehicle and may be adapted to receive at least one sensed input. A fluid heating module is controlled by the wiper system control module, the heating module adapted to heat fluid therein to a predetermined target temperature, or to a preferred temperature determined as a result of recognition and analysis of the sensed input(s). Fluid is dispensed onto the surface from the heating module manually, according to predetermined parameters, or according to predetermined parameters determined at least in part as a result of recognition and analysis of the sensed input(s).
摘要:
This invention relates to a system and method for providing a single module (12) which has a plurality of integrally-molded features and components, as well as is capable of receiving a plurality of components required to be mounted on a door (10) of a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the module is used to provide a support capable of supporting a plurality of tailgate components, such as a windshield wiper motor (50), electric door latches and illumination system for illuminating a license plate, stop light and even a cargo area of the vehicle. The system and method provide a module platform having an integrally-molded handle (44) which permits an operator to pick up the module with its various components integrally-molded in or mounted thereon and situate the module directly onto the door, thereby substantially reducing the number of assembly steps and assembly time required in the past.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for controlling fluid temperature in a fluid heater apparatus which supplies heat to fluid from a controllable heater elements) which includes establishing a discharge temperature range between a first high temperature and a second low temperature. The temperature of the fluid is measured and, in response to the measured temperature, activation of the heater elements is controlled to maintain the temperature of the fluid within the temperature range. The heater elements can be independently controllable for temperature control.
摘要:
A digital wake-up signal is generated from an analog switch on a printed circuit board in which a ground trace and multiple conductive switch traces are bridged by a moveable contactor responsive to movement of an actuator. A resistor network is coupled to the switch traces and alternatingly connects the switch traces to two outputs to generate distinct analog voltage outputs. A logic gate determines when both outputs are at the same voltage corresponding to the contactor engaged between two adjacent switch traces and generates a wake-up command signal.
摘要:
A heat source is disposed in the thermally conductive mass housing for imparting heat to the mass. Fluid in a flow path through the mass absorbs heat from the mass. A fluid expansion member is mounted over open ends of the fluid flow path. The fluid expansion member, in one aspect, is formed of a compressible material to compress under the forces of fluid phase change to a solid state and expands back to a nominal shape when the fluid undergoes a reverse phase change to a liquid state. In another aspect, the fluid expansion member is a solid seal member overlaying the open ends of the fluid flow channels. The seal resists expansion under normal fluid operating pressures, but expands into an open interior chamber in a closure fixed to the mass to accommodate a phase change expansion of the fluid.
摘要:
A liftgate component module (50) mountable on a pivotal liftgate window (32) provides a unitary mounting platform for a plurality of components including a window wiper drive motor (52) and a window latch (54). A unitary bracket (60) carries the wiper drive apparatus and the window latch apparatus. A handle (120), which may include an electrical switch, is also mounted on the window. The electrical connections between the handle switch and a controller carried on the window as part of the motor enables instantaneous response of the latch to activation of the handle switch (130). The same controller can also control a liftgate latch and a liftgate electrical switch handle.
摘要:
This invention relates to windshield wiper system (10) and method which utilizes a flexible member (28) to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load. Such as 30 percent, greater than a maximum load for the flexible member (28). The system (10) utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm (28) bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system (10) when a compressive load applied to the flexible member is in excess of the predetermined load. The flexible arm (28) has a plurality of surface grooves (104) provided at its ends and a connector (32, 34) overmolded onto each end.