US5833441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Windshield wiper washer motor for use in a vehicle
Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1996-06-19
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Granted: 1998-11-10
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Expires: 2016-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for sealing a pressure area in a washer pump is disclosed. The system and method provides designed interference and contact points between a plurality of adjacent walls which are arranged to define a serpentine channel and which are integrally molded into a pump housing and a motor housing. At least one of the plurality of walls becomes biased in response to fluid pressure in a pressure area such that it engages one or more of the plurality of walls in the mating housing to provide at least one seal to seal the pressure area. The walls may be provided with a beveled edge to facilitate providing a "point contact" to enhance sealing. The system and method reduce or entirely eliminate the need for an O-ring between, for example, the pump housing and the motor housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter J. Danish
- 👤 Kelvin E. McKinney
- 👤 Richard S. Mullen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:30
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D29/00; F04D29/08; F04D29/086; B; B60; B60S; B60S1/00; B60S1/02; B60S1/46; B60S1/48; B60S1/481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A windshield wiper fluid motor comprising: a motor housing for receiving a windshield washer fluid motor having an armature and an impeller secured to said armature; a pump housing for mounting to said motor housing to enclose said impeller in a pressure area between said pump housing and said motor housing; a first wall situated on said motor housing; and a second wall situated on said pump housing; said first wall being resilient such that when said motor housing and said pump housing are coupled together to enclose such windshield washer fluid motor and said impeller that it becomes resiliently biased against said second wall to matingly seal said pressure area in response to fluid pressure in said pressure area without the use of a separate seal gasket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A windshield wiper fluid motor comprising: a motor housing for receiving a windshield washer fluid motor having an armature and an impeller secured to said armature; a pump housing for mounting to said motor housing to enclose said impeller in a pressure area between said pump housing and said motor housing; a first wall situated on said motor housing; and a second wall situated on said pump housing; said first wall being resilient such that when said motor housing and said pump housing are coupled together to enclose such windshield washer fluid motor and said impeller that it becomes resiliently biased against said second wall to matingly seal said pressure area in response to fluid pressure in said pressure area without the use of a separate seal gasket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The wiper fluid motor as recited in claim 1 wherein said first wall is generally cylindrical in cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The wiper fluid motor as recited in claim 1 wherein said first wall is generally cylindrical and comprises a diameter or less than 2 inches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The wiper fluid motor as recited in claim 2 wherein said second wall is generally cylindrical in cross-section and comprises a diameter which is larger than a diameter of said first wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The wiper fluid motor as recited in claim 4 wherein said first wall is generally cylindrical and comprises a diameter or less than 2 inches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The wiper fluid motor as recited in claim 1 wherein said first wall comprises a first interference region and said second wall comprises a second interference region, said first and second interference regions engaging when said first wall is biased against said second wall to create said seal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The washer motor as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second walls cooperate to define a serpentine channel when said first and second bodies are secured together, said first wall deflecting in response to pressure to seal said serpentine channel in a plurality of locations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The washer motor as recited in claim 1 wherein said first wall cooperates with a first body wall on said first body to define a first channel and said second wall cooperates with a second body wall on said second body to define a second channel, said first and second walls being received in said second and first channels when said first and second bodies are secured together.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The washer motor as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second walls are resilient and deflect to seal said first pressure area from said second pressure area when a pressure is applied to said first wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said molding step further comprises the step of: integrally molding a first wall having a first interference region and a second wall having a second interference region, said first and second interference regions engaging to provide said seal when fluid pressure is applied in said pressure area.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for sealing a pressure area in a windshield wiper fluid pump comprising the steps of: integrally molding a first wall in a windshield wiper motor housing and a second wall in a pump housing such that, when said motor housing is coupled to said pump housing, said first and second walls become adjacent and said first wall communicates with a pressure area between said motor housing and said pump housing; coupling said motor housing to said pump housing; pressurizing said pressure area such that said first wall becomes biased against said second wall to seal said pressure area without the use of a separate gasket seal, said seal becoming generally tighter as pressure increases against said first wall.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for sealing a pressure area in a windshield wiper fluid pump comprising the steps of: integrally molding a first wall in a windshield wiper motor housing and a second wall in a pump housing such that, when said motor housing is coupled to said pump housing, said first and second walls become adjacent and said first wall communicates with a pressure area between said motor housing and said pump housing; coupling said motor housing to said pump housing; pressurizing said pressure area such that said first wall becomes biased against said second wall to seal said pressure area without the use of a separate gasket seal, said seal becoming generally tighter as pressure increases against said first wall.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-09 | 2002-05-11 | 2002-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-09 | 2006-05-11 | 2006-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-09 | 2010-05-11 | 2010-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |