A windshield wiper system includes a windshield wiper having a wiper blade with a near end and a far end. The windshield wiper is configured for performing a relative rotation of the wiper blade between the far end and the near end of the wiper blade. A mechanism applying a torque to the far end during a sweeping motion of the windshield wiper twists the far end of the wiper blade relative to the near end. The mechanism may perform the relative rotation of the wiper blade regardless of whether the wiper blade is in contact with a windshield. For example, the mechanism may include a stationary cam block having a cam profile, and an actuator arm moving along the cam profile with the sweeping motion of the windshield wiper. The cam profile is suitably shaped to pivot the actuator arm in laterally outer ranges of the sweeping motion.

This technology relates to a system for clearing a sensor cover. The system may be comprised of a first sensor that rotates within a sensor cover, a plurality of second sensors that are fixed relative to the sensor cover, a first wiper that is configured to clear the sensor cover of debris, and a motor. The motor may rotate the first wiper in a first direction at a first predetermined rotation rate defined at least in part by a second predetermined rotation rate of the first sensor.

A visibility enhancement system for a vehicle with heating conduit and a method of making a windshield wiper system where a wiper blade is configured to wipe windshield of the vehicle, a wiper blade assembly holds at least one end of the wiper blade, a motor is configured to move the wiper blade upon activation of the visibility enhancement system, and a heating conduit warms the surface of the windshield of the vehicle. The visibility enhancement system may include a wiper blade to wipe a side window of the vehicle, a pair of wiper blades to wipe a side rearview mirror. The heating conduit may comprise of any of the following: heating filaments that warms the wiper blade; heating filaments running within the windshield; an air vent that runs inside the wiper blade; and an air vent that runs parallel to the wiper blade.

A visibility enhancement system for a vehicle with heating conduit and a method of making a windshield wiper system where a wiper blade is configured to wipe windshield of the vehicle, a wiper blade assembly holds at least one end of the wiper blade, a motor is configured to move the wiper blade upon activation of the visibility enhancement system, and a heating conduit warms the surface of the windshield of the vehicle. The visibility enhancement system may include a wiper blade to wipe a side window of the vehicle, a pair of wiper blades to wipe a side rearview mirror. The heating conduit may comprise of any of the following: heating filaments that warms the wiper blade; heating filaments running within the windshield; an air vent that runs inside the wiper blade; and an air vent that runs parallel to the wiper blade.

A cleaning device for a surface, such as a windshield of a vehicle, includes an active positioning system and a cleaning head. The active positioning system is configured to deploy from a storage position hidden from view within a covered storage space and to position the cleaning head upon the windshield. The active positioning system includes a first extension member and a second extension member that move relative to one another to position the cleaning head, and also move the cleaning head across the windshield along a path. The cleaning head can have a brush portion configured to agitate debris from the window, and a drying portion configured to dry the window after cleaning. The cleaning device can be controlled via a touch-screen display in the vehicle, enabling a user to direct that specific portions of the windshield be cleaned as desired.

Disclosed is an optical window cleaning device, including: a cleaning brush; and a wiper arm. The wiper arm includes a first link, a torsion mechanism, a second link and a wiper arm drive system. A second end of the first link is hinged to a first end of the second link. The cleaning brush is hinged to a first end of the first link, a rotation trajectory of the cleaning brush and a rotation trajectory of a hinge joint between the second end of the first link and the first end of the second link are both located in a first plane. A rotation trajectory of the second link and the rotation trajectory of the hinge joint are located in the first plane. The torsion mechanism provides the first link and the second link with a force that rotates the first link relative to the second link.

A cleaning device for a surface, such as a windshield of a vehicle, includes an active positioning system and a cleaning head. The active positioning system is configured to deploy from a storage position hidden from view within a covered storage space and to position the cleaning head upon the windshield. The active positioning system includes a first extension member and a second extension member that move relative to one another to position the cleaning head, and also move the cleaning head across the windshield along a path. The cleaning head can have a brush portion configured to agitate debris from the window, and a drying portion configured to dry the window after cleaning. The cleaning device can be controlled via a touch-screen display in the vehicle, enabling a user to direct that specific portions of the windshield be cleaned as desired.

A wiper system for clearing a surface of a dome includes a plurality of wiper blades that are configured to move around a circumference of the dome. Rotation of the wiper blades in a first direction around the circumference of the dome deploys the wiper blades into an upright position and rotation of the wiper blades in a second direction opposite the first direction stows the wiper blades into a collapsed position.

A contaminant removal apparatus for windshields includes: driving belts located at both side surfaces of a windshield; a drive unit configured to apply driving force to the driving belts; a wiper assembly located on the windshield; rotary rollers configured to be shifted along the driving belts; idle gears located at ends of the driving belts to change a rotating direction of the rotary rollers; frame connection shafts coupled to both ends of the wiper assembly and located within the rotary rollers so as to contact the idle gears to change the rotating direction of the rotary rollers; and a controller configured to change a rotating direction of the rotary rollers when the idle gears and the frame connection shafts contact.

A contaminant removal apparatus for windshields includes: driving belts located at both side surfaces of a windshield; a drive unit configured to apply driving force to the driving belts; a wiper assembly located on the windshield; rotary rollers configured to be shifted along the driving belts; idle gears located at ends of the driving belts to change a rotating direction of the rotary rollers; frame connection shafts coupled to both ends of the wiper assembly and located within the rotary rollers so as to contact the idle gears to change the rotating direction of the rotary rollers; and a controller configured to change a rotating direction of the rotary rollers when the idle gears and the frame connection shafts contact.