Segment wipe control for windshield wiper system

Claim 2

A segment wipe control for an automobile windshield wiper system, comprising: a source of direct voltage, a windshield wiper mechanism, a DC motor having an output shaft coupled to drive said windshield wiper mechanism whenever said shaft rotates, a switch coupled to said motor and to said source of direct voltage for energizing said motor for continuous rotation in a single direction to cause said wiper mechanism to oscillate and the wiper to traverse a normal wiping area, a segment wipe selector switch interconnecting said source of direct voltage and said DC motor whereby a segment wipe mode of windshield wiper operation can be selected, and motor reversing means coupled to said segment wipe selector switch and responsive to predetermined angular rotation of said output shaft to periodically reverse the direction of current supplied said DC motor to periodically reverse the direction of rotation of said output shaft and said wiper mechanism when said segment wipe switch is shifted to a predetermined position, said motor reversals occurring at less than the normal full travel of said wiper mechanism to cause said wiper mechanism to traverse an area substantially less than the area of the normal wipe to effect a segment wipe when said segment wipe switch is shifted to a predetermined position.

Claim 3

A segment wipe control for an automobile windshield wiper system, comprising: a source of direct voltage, a DC motor having an output shaft coupled to drive a wiper mechaniam whenever said shaft rotates, a switch coupled to said motor and to said source of direct voltage for energizing said motor for continuous operation in a single direction to cause said wiper mechanism to oscillate and the wiper to traverse a normal wiping area, a segment wipe selector switch, A double-pole, double-throw relay having a relay coil, means interconnecting said segment wipe selector switch, said relay, said source of direct voltage and said DC motor to permit selection of a segment wipe mode of windshield wiper operation, the contacts of said relay being connected between said source of direct voltage and said DC motor to control the direction of current supplied said DC motor and the direction of rotation of said DC motor according to the state of energization of said relay coil, first and second cam actuated switches, a cam connected with the output shaft of said DC motor operative to actuate said cam actuated switches, and means connecting said relay coil for energization from said source of direct voltage through said cam actuated switches, said cam actuated switches being alternately actuated by said cam to cause reversal of said DC motor and said wiper mechanism when said segment wipe switch is closed to provide a segment wipe by said windshield wiper system having an area substantially less than the area of the normal wipe and a wipe frequency substantially greater than the wipe frequency of the normal wipe.

Claim 4

A segment wipe control for an automobile windshield wiper system, comprising: a source of direct voltage, a DC motor having an output shaft coupled to drive a wiper mechaniam whenever said shaft rotates, a switch coupled to said motor and to said source of direct voltage for energizing said motor for continuous operation in a single direction to cause said wiper mechanism to oscillate and the wiper to traverse a normal wiping area, a segment wipe selector switch, A double-pole, double-throw relay having a relay coil, means interconnecting said segment wipe selector switch, said relay, said source of direct voltage and said DC motor to permit selection of a segment wipe mode of windshield wiper operation, the contacts of said relay being connected between said source of direct voltage and said DC motor to control the direction of current supplied said DC motor and the direction of rotation of said DC motor according to the state of energization of said relay coil, first and second cam actuated switches, a cam connected with the output shaft of said DC motor operative to actuate said cam actuated switches, and means connecting said relay coil for energization from said source of direct voltage through said cam actuated switches, said cam actuated switches being alternately actuated by said cam to cause reversal of said DC motor and said wiper mechanism when said segment wipe switch is closed to provide a segment wipe by said windshield wiper system having an area substantially less than the area of the normal wipe and a wipe frequency substantially greater than the wipe frequency of the normal wipe.

Claim 5

A two-speed segment wipe control for an automobile windshield wiper system, comprising: a source of direct voltage, a wiper mechanism, a DC motor having an output shaft coupled to drive said wiper mechanism whenever said shaft rotates, a control switch having OFF, LOW, and HIGH positions, means connecting said control switch, said source of direct voltage and said DC motor to permit energization of said DC motor for continuous rotation in a single direction to provide normal operation of said windshield wiper system in which said control switch provides control of said DC motor and said wiper mechanism including the selection of low speed and high speed operation, a segment wipe selector switch, a double-pole, double-throw relay having a relay coil, means interconnecting said segment wipe selector switch, said relay, said source of direct voltage and said DC motor whereby a segment wipe mode of windshield wiper operation can be selected, the contacts of said relay being connected between said source of direct voltage and said DC motor to control the direction of current supplied said DC motor and the direction of rotation of said DC motor according to the state of energization of said relay coil, first and second cam actuated switches, a cam connected with the output shaft of said DC motor operative to actuate said cam actuated switches, and means connecting said relay coil for energization from said source of direct voltage through said cam actuated switches when said segment wipe switch is closed, said cam actuated switched being alternately actuated by said cam to cause reversals of said DC motor and said wiper mechanism when said segment wipe switch is closed to provide a segment wipe by said windshield wiper system having an area substantially less than the area of the normal wipe, said control switch being connected with said segment wipe switch and affecting the segment wipe mode of operation of said windshield wiper system by providing low speed and high speed DC motor operation according to the position of the control switch, said DC motor operating at low speed in the segment wipe mode if said control switch is in the OFF or LOW positions and operating at high speed in the segment wipe mode if said control switch is in the HIGH position.

Claim 6

A two-speed segment wipe control for an automobile windshield wiper system, comprising: a source of direct voltage, a wiper mechanism, a DC motor having an output shaft coupled to drive said wiper mechanism whenever said shaft rotates, a control switch having OFF, LOW, and HIGH positions, means connecting said control switch, said source of direct voltage and said DC motor to permit energization of said DC motor for continuous rotation in a single direction to provide normal operation of said windshield wiper system in which said control switch provides control of said DC motor and said wiper mechanism including the selection of low speed and high speed operation, a segment wipe selector switch, a double-pole, double-throw relay having a relay coil, means interconnecting said segment wipe selector switch, said relay, said source of direct voltage and said DC motor whereby a segment wipe mode of windshield wiper operation can be selected, the contacts of said relay being connected between said source of direct voltage and said DC motor to control the direction of current supplied said DC motor and the direction of rotation of said DC motor according to the state of energization of said relay coil, first and second cam actuated switches, a cam connected with the output shaft of said DC motor operative to actuate said cam actuated switches, and means connecting said relay coil for energization from said source of direct voltage through said cam actuated switches when said segment wipe switch is closed, said cam actuated switched being alternately actuated by said cam to cause reversals of said DC motor and said wiper mechanism when said segment wipe switch is closed to provide a segment wipe by said windshield wiper system having an area substantially less than the area of the normal wipe, said control switch being connected with said segment wipe switch and affecting the segment wipe mode of operation of said windshield wiper system by providing low speed and high speed DC motor operation according to the position of the control switch, said DC motor operating at low speed in the segment wipe mode if said control switch is in the OFF or LOW positions and operating at high speed in the segment wipe mode if said control switch is in the HIGH position.