EP0231580A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stretchable wiper apparatus for vehicle
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
•
Filing: 1986-09-03
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2006-09-03
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus includes first (58) and second (56) arms. One end portion of the first arm (58) is rigidly secured to a wiper arm pivoting shaft. One end portion of the second arm is secured to a wiper blade (54), and the other end portion of the second arm is pivotally supported by the other end portion of the first arm (58). A stretching mechanism is provided between the first and second arms (56,58) for bending and stretching the second arm (56) relative to the first arm (58). An actuator for activating the stretching mechanism is provided on the wiper arm pivoting shaft. Accordingly, when the wiper is not used, the second arm (56) can be bent relative to the first arm (58), so that an occupant of the vehicle is allowed to have an improved view of the outside from the inside of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Osamu Kondo
- 👤 Souichiro Okudaira
- 👤 Yasunori Hirosawa
- 👤 Ikuo 1Souda
- 👤 Yukio Honda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:09
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S1/00; B60S1/02; B60S1/04; B60S1/32; B60S1/34; B60S1/3402; B60S1/3409; B60S1/0402; B60S1/0405; B60S1/3411; B60S1/46; B60S1/48; B60S1/481; B60S1/482
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus for a vehicle in which a window glass of the vehicle is wiped by a wiper blade, characterized by comprising: a first arm secured to a wiper arm pivoting shaft and pivoted within a predetermined angle about said shaft; a second arm secured at one end portion thereof to the wiper blade which is pressed against the surface of the window glass to wipe the window glass surface, the other end portion of said second arm being pivotally supported by said first arm; and stretching means for expanding and contracting the overall length of said first and second arms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus for a vehicle in which a window glass of the vehicle is wiped by a wiper blade, characterized by comprising: a first arm secured to a wiper arm pivoting shaft and pivoted within a predetermined angle about said shaft; a second arm secured at one end portion thereof to the wiper blade which is pressed against the surface of the window glass to wipe the window glass surface, the other end portion of said second arm being pivotally supported by said first arm; and stretching means for expanding and contracting the overall length of said first and second arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim l, wherein said stretching means includes a stretching meachanism for bending and stretching said second arm relative to said first arm, and an actuator for activating said stretching mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said stretching mechanism includes a pinion rigidly secured to the second end portion of said second arm, and a rack which is incorporated in said first arm and meshed with said pinion, so that said second arm is bent and stretched relative to said first arm by the linear motion of said rack through said pinion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein said rack is formed on one end portion of a rod incorporated in said first arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein said stretching mechanism further includes a crank arm operatively connected to the other end of said rod so that said rod is linearly moved by the rotation of said crank arm, and an arm stretching driving shaft which is rigidly secured to said crank arm to rotate said crank arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein said arm stretching driving shaft axially extends through said wiper arm pivoting shaft, said crank arm being supported by one end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft, and said actuator being supported by said wiper arm pivoting shaft so as to activate said stretching mechanism through the other end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said actuator is an arm stretching motor, said arm stretching driving shaft and said arm stretching motor being connected through a worm wheel rigidly secured to the second end of said arm stretching driving shaft and a worm which is rigidly secured to a rotating shaft of said arm stretching motor and meshed with said worm wheel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said stretching mechanism includes: a first bevel gear rigidly secured to the second end portion of said second arm; a shaft incorporated in said first arm and having a second bevel gear which is rigidly secured to one end portion thereof and which is meshed with said first bevel gear, said shaft further having a third bevel gear rigidly secured to the other end portion thereof; a fourth bevel gear meshed with said third bevel gear; and an arm stretching driving shaft having said fourth bevel gear rigidly secured thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein said arm stretching driving shaft is disposed in such a manner as to extend axially through said wiper arm pivoting shaft, said fourth bevel gear being rigidly secured to one end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft, and said actuator being connected to the other end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft so as to rotate said arm stretching driving shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
l0. A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said actuator is an arm stretching motor, said arm stretching shaft and said arm stretching motor being connected through a worm wheel rigidly secured to the second end of said arm stretching driving shaft and a worm which is rigidly secured to a rotating shaft of said arm stretching motor and meshed with said worm wheel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said stretching mechanism includes a first pulley rigidly secured to said second arm, an arm stretching driving shaft extending through said wiper arm pivoting shaft, a second pulley rigidly secured to one end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft, and a synchronizing belt stretched between said first and second pulleys.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim ll, wherein said second pulley is rigidly secured to one end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft, said actuator being connected to the other end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim l2, wherein said actuator is an arm stretching motor, said arm stretching driving shaft and said arm stretching motor being connected through a worm wheel rigidly secured to the second end of said arm stretching driving shaft and a worm which is rigidly secured to a rotating shaft of said arm stretching motor and meshed with said worm wheel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim l3, wherein each of said first and second pulleys has teeth formed on the outer peripheral portion thereof, said synchronizing belt being provided on the inner periphery thereof with teeth which are meshed with said teeth.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim l4, wherein said synchronizing belt having a glass fiber buried therein along the longitudinal direction thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
159 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus for a vehicle in which a window glass of the vehicle is wiped by a wiper blade, characterized by comprising: a first arm secured to a wiper arm pivoting shaft and pivoted within a predetermined angle about said shaft; a second arm secured at one end portion thereof to the wiper blade which is pressed against the surface of the window glass to wipe the window glass surface, the other end portion of said second arm being supported by said first arm; a stretching mechanism for bending and stretching said second arm relative to said first arm; and an actuator for activating said stretching mechanism, said actuator being rigidly secured to said wiper arm pivoting shaft in such a manner that said actuator is positioned on the side of said wiper arm pivoting shaft which is remote from the center of gravity of the assembly of said first and second arms and said wiper blade.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
159 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus for a vehicle in which a window glass of the vehicle is wiped by a wiper blade, characterized by comprising: a first arm secured to a wiper arm pivoting shaft and pivoted within a predetermined angle about said shaft; a second arm secured at one end portion thereof to the wiper blade which is pressed against the surface of the window glass to wipe the window glass surface, the other end portion of said second arm being supported by said first arm; a stretching mechanism for bending and stretching said second arm relative to said first arm; and an actuator for activating said stretching mechanism, said actuator being rigidly secured to said wiper arm pivoting shaft in such a manner that said actuator is positioned on the side of said wiper arm pivoting shaft which is remote from the center of gravity of the assembly of said first and second arms and said wiper blade.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim l6, wherein said first arm is rigidly secured to one end portion of said wiper arm pivoting shaft, said actuator being disposed at the other end portion of said wiper arm pivoting shaft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
69 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim l7, wherein said stretching mechanism includes a pinion rigidly secured to the second end portion of said second arm, and a rack disposed on said first arm and meshed with said pinion, so that said pinion is rotated by the linear motion of said rack, thereby allowing the overall length of said first and second arms to be selectively expanded and contracted.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim l8, wherein said rack is formed on one end portion of a rod incorporated in said first arm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim l9, wherein said stretching mechanism further includes a crank arm operatively connected to the other end of said rod so that said rod is linearly moved by the rotation of said crank arm, and an arm stretching driving shaft which is rigidly secured to said crank arm to rotate said crank arm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
2l. A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 20, wherein said crank arm is supported by one end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft, said actuator being adapted to activate said stretching mechanism through the other end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
66 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 2l, wherein said actuator is an arm stretching motor, said arm stretching driving shaft and said arm stretching motor being connected through a worm wheel rigidly secured to the second end of said arm stretching driving shaft and a worm which is rigidly secured to a rotating shaft of said arm stretching motor and meshed with said worm wheel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
99 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim l6, wherein said stretching mechanism includes: a first bevel gear rigidly secured to the second end portion of said second arm; a shaft incorporated in said first arm and having a second bevel gear which is rigidly secured to one end portion thereof and which is meshed with said first bevel gear, said shaft further having a third bevel gear rigidly secured to the other end portion thereof; a fourth bevel gear meshed with said third bevel gear; and an arm stretching driving shaft having said fourth bevel gear rigidly secured thereto.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 23, wherein said fourth bevel gear is supported by one end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft, said actuator being adapted to activate said stretching mechanism through the other end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 24, wherein said actuator is an arm stretching motor, said arm stretching shaft and said arm stretching motor being connected through a worm wheel rigidly secured to the second end of said arm stretching driving shaft and a worm which is rigidly secured to a rotating shaft of said arm stretching motor and meshed with said worm wheel.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
60 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim l6, wherein said stretching mechanism includes a first pulley rigidly secured to said second arm, an arm stretching driving shaft extending through said wiper arm pivoting shaft, a second pulley rigidly secured to one end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft, and a synchronizing belt stretched between said first and second pulleys.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 26, wherein said second pulley is rigidly secured to one end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft, said actuator being connected to the other end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
66 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 27, wherein said actuator is an arm stretching motor, said arm stretching driving shaft and said arm stretching motor being connected through a worm wheel rigidly secured to the second end of said arm stretching driving shaft and a worm which is rigidly secured to a rotating shaft of said arm stretching motor and meshed with said worm wheel.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 28, wherein each of said first and second pulleys has teeth formed on the outer peripheral portion thereof, said synchronizing belt being provided on the inner periphery thereof with teeth which are meshed with said teeth.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 29, wherein said synchronizing belt having a glass fiber buried therein along the longitudinal direction thereof.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
223 words
3l. A stretchable wiper apparatus for a vehicle in which a window glass of the vehicle is wiped by a wiper blade, characterized by comprising: a first arm supported by a wiper arm pivoting shaft and pivoted within a predetermined angle about said shaft; a second arm secured at one end portion thereof to the wiper blade which is pressed against the surface of the window glass to wipe the window glass surface, the other end portion of said second arm being supported by said first arm; a stretching mechanism for bending and stretching said second arm relative to said first arm; an actuator for activating said stretching mechanism so as to bend and stretch said second arm relative to said first arm; and biasing means for biasing said wiper blade in the direction in which it is pressed against said glass surface, said biasing means having one end portion thereof secured to said second arm and the other end portion thereof secured at a position on said first arm which is in the vicinity of a pivot point of said first arm and at which, when said second arm is stretched relative to said first arm, the biasing force from said biasing means is increased, whereas, when said second arm is bent relative to said first arm, said biasing force is decreased.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
223 words
3l. A stretchable wiper apparatus for a vehicle in which a window glass of the vehicle is wiped by a wiper blade, characterized by comprising: a first arm supported by a wiper arm pivoting shaft and pivoted within a predetermined angle about said shaft; a second arm secured at one end portion thereof to the wiper blade which is pressed against the surface of the window glass to wipe the window glass surface, the other end portion of said second arm being supported by said first arm; a stretching mechanism for bending and stretching said second arm relative to said first arm; an actuator for activating said stretching mechanism so as to bend and stretch said second arm relative to said first arm; and biasing means for biasing said wiper blade in the direction in which it is pressed against said glass surface, said biasing means having one end portion thereof secured to said second arm and the other end portion thereof secured at a position on said first arm which is in the vicinity of a pivot point of said first arm and at which, when said second arm is stretched relative to said first arm, the biasing force from said biasing means is increased, whereas, when said second arm is bent relative to said first arm, said biasing force is decreased.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
59 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 3l, wherein said biasing means is a resilient member adapted such that, when said second arm is stretched relative to said first arm, the biasing force of said resilient member is increased, whereas, when said second arm is bent relative to said first arm, the resilience of said resilient member is decreased.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
73 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 32, wherein said resilient member is a tension coil spring, one end portion of said spring being retained by said second arm, and the other end portion of said spring being retained at a position on said first arm which is in the vicinity of a pivot point of said first arm and which is closer to said wiper arm pivoting shaft than said pivot point.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
77 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 32, wherein said resilient member is a compression coil spring, one end portion of said spring being supported by said second arm, and the other end portion of said spring being supported at a position on said first arm which is in the vicinity of a pivot point of said first arm and which is closer to said wiper blade than said pivot point when said second arm is stretched.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
155 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus for a vehicle which is employed in a wiper system so designed that, when a wiper assembly is not used, it is accommodated in an accommodating chamber provided inside the body of the vehicle and in the vicinity of a window glass, whereas, when said wiper assembly is to be used, it is raised from said accommodating chamber to wipe the surface of said window glass, characterized in that said wiper assembly comprises: a first arm supported by a wiper arm pivoting shaft and pivoted within a predetermined angle about said shaft; a second arm secured at one end portion thereof to a wiper blade which is pressed against the surface of said window glass to wipe said glass surface, the other end portion of said second arm being pivotally supported by said first arm; and stretching means for expanding and contracting the overall length of said first and second arms.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
155 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus for a vehicle which is employed in a wiper system so designed that, when a wiper assembly is not used, it is accommodated in an accommodating chamber provided inside the body of the vehicle and in the vicinity of a window glass, whereas, when said wiper assembly is to be used, it is raised from said accommodating chamber to wipe the surface of said window glass, characterized in that said wiper assembly comprises: a first arm supported by a wiper arm pivoting shaft and pivoted within a predetermined angle about said shaft; a second arm secured at one end portion thereof to a wiper blade which is pressed against the surface of said window glass to wipe said glass surface, the other end portion of said second arm being pivotally supported by said first arm; and stretching means for expanding and contracting the overall length of said first and second arms.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 35, wherein said stretching means includes a stretching mechanism for bending and stretching said second arm relative to said first arm, and an actuator for activating said stretching mechanism.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
65 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 36, wherein said stretching mechanism includes a pinion rigidly secured to the second end portion of said second arm, and a rack which is incorporated in said first arm and meshed with said pinion, so that said second arm is bent and stretched relative to said first arm by the linear motion of said rack through said pinion.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 37, wherein said rack is formed on one end portion of a rod incorporated in said first arm.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
59 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 38, wherein said stretching mechanism further includes a crank arm operatively connected to the other end of said rod so that said rod is linearly moved by the rotation of said crank arm, and an arm stretching driving shaft which is rigidly secured to said crank arm to rotate said crank arm.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
66 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 39, wherein said arm stretching driving shaft axially extends through said wiper arm pivoting shaft, said crank arm being supported by one end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft, and said actuator being supported by said wiper arm pivoting shaft so as to activate said stretching mechanism through the other end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
67 words
4l. A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 40, wherein said actuator is an arm stretching motor, said arm stretching driving shaft and said arm stretching motor being connected through a worm wheel rigidly secured to the second end of said arm stretching driving shaft and a worm which is rigidly secured to a rotating shaft of said arm stretching motor and meshed with said worm wheel.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
99 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 36, wherein said stretching mechanism includes: a first bevel gear rigidly secured to the second end portion of said second arm; a shaft incorporated in said first arm and having a second bevel gear which is rigidly secured to one end portion thereof and which is meshed with said first bevel gear, said shaft further having a third bevel gear rigidly secured to the other end portion thereof; a fourth bevel gear meshed with said third bevel gear; and an arm stretching driving shaft having said fourth bevel gear rigidly secured thereto.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
72 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 42, wherein said arm stretching driving shaft is disposed in such a manner as to extend axially through said wiper arm pivoting shaft, said fourth bevel gear being rigidly secured to one end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft, and said actuator being connected to the other end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft so as to rotate said arm stretching driving shaft.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
65 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 43, wherein said actuator is an arm stretching motor, said arm stretching shaft and said arm stretching motor being connected through a worm wheel rigidly secured to the second end of said arm stretching driving shaft and a worm which is rigidly secured to a rotating shaft of said arm stretching motor and meshed with said worm wheel.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
60 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 36, wherein said stretching mechanism includes a first pulley rigidly secured to said second arm, an arm stretching driving shaft extending through said wiper arm pivoting shaft, a second pulley rigidly secured to one end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft, and a synchronizing belt stretched between said first and second pulleys.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
40 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 45, wherein said second pulley is rigidly secured to one end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft, said actuator being connected to the other end portion of said arm stretching driving shaft.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
66 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 46, wherein said actuator is an arm stretching motor, said arm stretching driving shaft and said arm stretching motor being connected through a worm wheel rigidly secured to the second end of said arm stretching driving shaft and a worm which is rigidly secured to a rotating shaft of said arm stretching motor and meshed with said worm wheel.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
59 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 36, wherein said actuator is rigidly secured to said wiper arm pivoting shaft in such a manner that said actuator is positioned on the side of said wiper arm pivoting shaft which is remote from the center of gravity of the assembly of said first and second arms and said wiper blade.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
40 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 48, wherein said first arm is rigidly secured to one end portion of said wiper arm pivoting shaft, said actuator being disposed at the other end portion of said wiper arm pivoting shaft.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
69 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 49, wherein said stretching mechanism includes a pinion rigidly secured to the second end portion of said second arm, and a rack disposed on said first arm and meshed with said pinion, so that said pinion is rotated by the linear motion of said rack, thereby allowing the overall length of said first and second arms to be selectively expanded and contracted.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
110 words
5l. A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 36, further comprising: biasing means for biasing said wiper blade in the direction in which it is pressed against said glass surface, said biasing means having one end portion thereof secured to said second arm and the other end portion thereof secured at a position on said first arm which is in the vicinity of a pivot point of said first arm and at which, when said second arm is stretched relative to said first arm, the biasing force from said biasing means is increased, whereas, when said second arm is bent relative to said first arm, said biasing force is decreased.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
59 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 5l, wherein said biasing means is a resilient member adapted such that, when said second arm is stretched relative to said first arm, the biasing force of said resilient member is increased, whereas, when said second arm is bent relative to said first arm, the resilience of said resilient member is decreased.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
73 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 52, wherein said resilient member is a tension coil spring, one end portion of said spring being retained by said second arm, and the other end portion of said spring being retained at a position on said first arm which is in the vicinity of a pivot point of said first arm and which is closer to said wiper arm pivoting shaft than said pivot point.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
77 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 52, wherein said resilient member is a compression coil spring, one end portion of said spring being supported by said second arm, and the other end portion of said spring being supported at a position on said first arm which is in the vicinity of a pivot point of said first arm and which is closer to said wiper blade than said pivot point when said second arm is stretched.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
66 words
A stretchable wiper apparatus according to Claim 36, further comprising: control means adapted to effect control such that, after said wiper assembly has been raised from said accommodting chamber, said first arm is turned until it reaches a pivoting start position, and said second arm is then stretched relative to said first arm so that said first and second arms extend in a substantially straight line.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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