Patent Application
20250042228
There are many considerations related to fluid management on vehicle windshields. For example, it is important to facilitate removal of various fluids (e.g., rain, windshield washer fluid, etc.) from the windshield without allowing intrusion of the fluids near or around the vehicle's wiper motor(s). Currently, many different approaches are taken to inhibit the flow of these fluids to or near the wiper motors. For example, trough shapes can be provided on the vehicle body or frame panel that supports the windshield, which can be referred to as the windshield lower panel. Also, sealing foams can be deployed between the lower edge of the windshield and the body or frame panel to inhibit fluid flow to or toward the wiper motor(s) and/or can be deployed in relation to the Elkamet seal provided at the lower edge of the windshield. As one example, the Elkamet seal can be the same or similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,444,205, expressly incorporated herein by reference. Still further, wiper pivot caps can be used and can include unique shapes (e.g., troughs), to catch fluids and inhibit entry toward the wiper motor. Despite usage of the foregoing technologies, there still is a concern that some fluids from the windshield can potentially reach the wiper motors.
According to one aspect, a lower windshield assembly for managing fluids from a windshield of a vehicle includes a windshield lower panel for supporting the windshield on the vehicle and a wiper cover disposed over a wiper assembly. The wiper cover includes a shelf portion that extends below the windshield lower panel such that fluid passing over a forward edge of the windshield lower panel is caught by the shelf portion.
According to another aspect, a vehicle windshield assembly for managing fluids includes a lower panel for supporting a lower edge of a vehicle windshield and a wiper cover disposed over a wiper assembly for the vehicle windshield. The cover includes a shelf portion that extends rearwardly toward and underneath a forward edge of the lower panel for catching fluid dripping from the forward edge downward.
According to a further aspect, a wiper cover member for managing fluids from a vehicle windshield includes a shelf portion extending rearwardly below a forward edge of a lower panel that supports a lower edge of the vehicle windshield, a main portion disposed over a wiper assembly for clearing the vehicle windshield and a forward portion having a trough shape for holding and directing fluid caught by the shelf portion.
It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the present disclosure. Spatially relative terms may be used to describe an element and/or features relationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as, for example, illustrated in the figures. Moreover, any term of degree used herein, such as “substantially” and “approximately” means a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified word is contemplated such that the end result is not significantly changed. As used herein, the term “laterally” shall mean across the vehicle (i.e., in a direction extending from one side of the vehicle toward the other side).
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,
With additional reference to
The cowl member 12 includes a molding rib 12a depending from an underside 12b of the cowl member 12 and received within a trough portion 26a of the windshield lower molding 26. A sealing foam 24 can also be received in the trough portion 26a of the windshield lower molding 26 to engage with the molding rib 12a and seal to the cowl member 12. The cowl member 12 additionally includes a drip rib 12c disposed forward of the molding rib 12a for directing or causing fluid on the underside 12b of the cowl member 12 to drip down toward the windshield lower panel 28 and separate from the cowl member 12. As shown, the drip rib 12c can be aligned so as to be positioned directly above the trough portion 26a such that fluid directed by the drip rib 12c falls into the trough portion 26a.
With additional reference to
With further reference to
A pivot cap 32 can be radially interposed between the cowl member 12 and the wiper motor shaft 14 of the wiper assembly 20. The pivot cap 32 can include a circumferential groove 32a defines therein for capturing fluids received from an upper side 12d of the cowl member 12 and inhibiting such fluids from passing toward the wiper assembly 20. An annular bearing 34 can be radially interposed between the pivot cap 32 and the cowl member 12. As shown, the cowl member 12 can include passages 12e defined therethrough for directing fluid received on the cowl member 12, such as from the windshield or directly on the cowl member 12 (e.g., rain), through the cowl member 12 and into the trough shape 18d of the wiper cover 18.
With reference to
Like the wiper cover 18, the wiper cover 50 includes a wiper pivot aperture 52 through which the wiper motor shaft 14 of the wiper assembly 20 extends. More specifically, the wiper cover 50 can include a shaft portion 50a that annularly surrounds the wiper motor shaft 14 and extends along an axial portion of the wiper motor shaft 14. The shaft portion 50a can be disposed on a main portion 50b of the wiper cover 50 that is itself disposed over the wiper assembly 22 and extends laterally to lateral ends of the wiper cover 50. The wiper cover 50 can also include a forward portion 50c having a trough shape 50d for holding and directing fluid received on the wiper cover 50 laterally outwardly.
Instead of the shelf portion 18f, the wiper cover 50 includes a shelf portion 50e that extends below the windshield lower panel 28 such that fluid passing over the forward edge 28b of the windshield lower panel 28 is caught by the shelf portion 50e. In particular, the shelf portion 50e can extend below the windshield lower panel 28, and specifically below and past the forward edge 28b of the windshield lower panel 28, and this shelf portion 50e is disposed laterally at least at the location of the wiper assembly 20. Accordingly, the shelf portion 50e can extend rearwardly toward and underneath the forward edge 28b of the lower panel 28 for catching fluid dripping from the forward edge 28b downward. In the illustrated embodiment, the shelf portion 50e can form or be disposed along a rear edge of the wiper cover 50.
Optionally, though not required, the shelf portion 50e can extend laterally along an entire extent of the windshield lower panel 28. In alternate embodiments, the shelf portion 50e can extend laterally to spaced apart locations relative to the wiper assembly 20 but less than an entire lateral extent of the windshield lower panel 28. For example, the shelf portion 50e can extend laterally a substantial portion (e.g., more than 50%) of a lateral extend of the wiper cover 50. Advantageously, the trough 28a is removed (i.e., see removed portion 28d in
The lower windshield assembly 40 can also include the windshield lower molding 26 and the cowl member 12. In association with the cowl member, the lower windshield assembly 40 can include the pivot cap 32 and the annular bearing 34. The wiper assembly 20 and the wiper motor shaft can both be disposed laterally in alignment with a location at which the shelf portion 50e of the wiper cover 50 extends below the windshield lower panel 28.
In use, the shelf portion 50e functions to catch fluids passing over the windshield lower panel 28. In particular, the shelf portion 50e can catch fluids that pass over the windshield lower panel 28 at a lateral location or locations where the trough 28 of the lower panel 28 has been removed. This advantageously inhibits fluid from passing toward the wiper assembly 22.
It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives or varieties thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
