Enhanced vehicle wiper blade using active materials

US9358956B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Nicholas W. Pinto, IV · Shelby Charter Township, US
• Scott R. Webb · Macomb Township, US
• Alan L. Browne · Grosse Pointe, US
• Paul W. Alexander · Ypsilanti, US
• Xiujie Gao · Troy, US
• Nancy L. Johnson · Northville, US
• Wendell G. Summerville · Ferndale, US
• John A. Cafeo · Farmington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 23, 2011
• Grant date: Jun 7, 2016
• Expiry date: Jul 14, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60S2001/3836
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length, and an active material disposed along the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material includes a shape memory alloy material with a crystallographic phase that is changeable between austenite and martensite, and is elastically deformable and operatively applies a spring force against a portion of the wiper blade when the crystallographic phase is martensite.