US3793577A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for controlling the intermittent operation of a windshield wiper motor
Assignee: Electrolux AB
•
Filing: 1972-09-19
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Granted: 1974-02-19
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Expires: 1992-09-19
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement for connection in an electric circuit of a vehicle windshield wiper that can be operated intermittently, and having at least one electric contact in the circuit which can be connected or disconnected to the voltage source at selected intervals. The circuit includes a bi-metallic strip which is provided with a heating winding that heats the strip and bends it in the direction of the electrical contact to thereby actuate the same. When the bi-metallic strip is cooled down, it bends in a direction away from the contact. A constant length of intervals between the connection of the windshield wiper motor and the disconnection of the same is achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 L Moren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:19
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S1/00; B60S1/02; B60S1/04; B60S1/06; B60S1/08; B60S1/0803; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S318/00; Y10S318/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A control device for the intermittent operation of a windshield wiper motor positioned in an area of wide ambient temperature variations comprising: A. an electric circuit having a voltage source and at least one electric contact adapted to be connected to or disconnected from the voltage source at given intervals; B. a bi-metallic strip adapted to be heated and arranged when heated to bend towards the contact in order to engage therewith and actuate the contact which interrupts the electric circuit, and when cooled to bend away from the contact permitting the electric circuit to be reconnected to the voltage source; said bi-metallic strip being adapted to assume an idle position when cold and at least two bent positions when heated, a first bent position being located near said contact at a relatively long distance from said idle position and the second bent position being located a relatively short distance from the first bent position and operating to engage said electric contact and thereby connect said electric circuit to the voltage source; and C. the bi-metallic strip being so constructed and arranged that its path of movement from said idle position to said first bent position near the contact results from the heating of the strip for said given interval to so high a temperature that the further bending of the strip caused by the normal variations in the ambient temperature is a negligible part of the bending of the strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A control device for the intermittent operation of a windshield wiper motor positioned in an area of wide ambient temperature variations comprising: A. an electric circuit having a voltage source and at least one electric contact adapted to be connected to or disconnected from the voltage source at given intervals; B. a bi-metallic strip adapted to be heated and arranged when heated to bend towards the contact in order to engage therewith and actuate the contact which interrupts the electric circuit, and when cooled to bend away from the contact permitting the electric circuit to be reconnected to the voltage source; said bi-metallic strip being adapted to assume an idle position when cold and at least two bent positions when heated, a first bent position being located near said contact at a relatively long distance from said idle position and the second bent position being located a relatively short distance from the first bent position and operating to engage said electric contact and thereby connect said electric circuit to the voltage source; and C. the bi-metallic strip being so constructed and arranged that its path of movement from said idle position to said first bent position near the contact results from the heating of the strip for said given interval to so high a temperature that the further bending of the strip caused by the normal variations in the ambient temperature is a negligible part of the bending of the strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A control device constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bi-metallic strip is provided with a heating winding.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A control device constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the electric contact is provided with an operating button that is adapted to be engaged by a part of the bi-metallic strip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A control device constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the contact is a shiftable contact in which in the first bent position of the bi-metallic strip said contact is not actuated thereby and the motor is connected to the voltage source, and in the second bent position of the bi-metallic strip the latter engages the contact and the motor is disconnected from the voltage source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A control device constructed in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a change-over switch having a switchover member for manually switching the contacts on the changeover switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A control device constructed in accordance with claim 4 wherein the idle position of the bi-metallic strip is a relatively great distance from the contact.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-18 | 1977-08-20 | 1978-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-18 | 1981-08-20 | 1982-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-18 | 1985-08-20 | 1986-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |