IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,676,880
Granted Patent B2
US 7,676,880 · App. 11/229,752 · Granted Mar 16, 2010

Direct drive windshield wiper assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,676,880
App. No.
11/229,752
Granted
Mar 16, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A windshield wiper assembly including at least one motor having an output shaft and a windshield wiper operatively connected to the output shaft. The motor includes a stator adapted to provide an electromagnetic flux and a rotor assembly supported for rotation about the stator. The rotor assembly includes a back iron that defines an inner circumference and a plurality of magnets disposed in spaced parallel relationship relative to one another about the inner circumference of the back iron and in radially spaced relationship about the stator. The rotor assembly is operatively connected to the output shaft and responsive to electromagnetic flux generated by the stator so as to provide a rotational force to the output shaft to drive the windshield wiper in repeated wiping motion across the windshield.

Claims (6)

1. A windshield wiper assembly comprising:

at least one motor having an output shaft and a windshield wiper operatively connected to said output shaft such that said windshield wiper may be driven in repeated wiping motion across the surface of the windshield;

said motor including a stator adapted to provide an electromagnetic flux and a rotor assembly supported for rotation about said stator, said rotor assembly including a back iron that defines an inner circumference and a plurality of magnets disposed in spaced parallel relationship relative to one another about said inner circumference of said back iron and in radially spaced relationship about said stator, said inner circumference of said back iron including a plurality of chord surfaces corresponding to said plurality of magnets, and a plurality of arcs disposed between adjacent ones of said plurality of chord surfaces, each one of said plurality of magnets operatively mounted to a corresponding one of said plurality of chord surfaces on said inner circumference of said back iron, said rotor assembly operatively connected to said output shaft and responsive to the electromagnetic flux generated by said stator so as to provide a rotational force to said output shaft to drive said windshield wiper in repeated wiping motion across the windshield.

2. A windshield wiper assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each one of said plurality of magnets has a rectangular shape defining a major axis disposed generally parallel to the axis of said output shaft of said motor.

3. A windshield wiper assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein each one of said plurality of rectangular magnets defines a north and south pole at opposite ends thereof, and wherein the north pole of each magnet is disposed in spaced parallel relationship to the south pole of an adjacent magnet.

4. A windshield wiper assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said back iron is tubular and defines a pair of ends and where at least one of said poles on each of said plurality of magnets is longitudinally spaced from an associated end of said back iron.

Assignments (24)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 4, 2026
From: FIRST BRANDS GROUP HOLDINGS, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP INTERMEDIATE, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP, LLC; CHAMPION LABORATORIES, INC.; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; PYLON MANUFACTURING CORP.; HEATHERTON HOLDINGS, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; STRONGARM, LLC
To: PGI NORTHSTAR LLC
Reel/Frame 075584/0001 →
LIEN Recorded Dec 8, 2025
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 073892/0154 →
LIEN Recorded Dec 3, 2025
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 073819/0490 →
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2025
From: AIRTEX INDUSTRIES, LLC; AIRTEX PRODUCTS, LP; APC INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC; APC PARENT, LLC; ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; AUTOLITE OPERATIONS LLC; AVM EXPORT, INC.; BPI ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC; BPI EC, LLC; BPI HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL, LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC CHINA LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC INDIA LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC LLC; CARDONE INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARRAND COMPANIES, INC.; CARTER CARBURETOR HOLDINGS, LLC; CARTER CARBURETOR, LLC; CARTER FUEL EXPORT, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; CHAMPION LABORATORIES, INC.; CWD HOLDING, LLC; CWD INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS I, LLC; CWD INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS II, LLC; CWD, LLC; DALTON CORPORATION; DALTON CORPORATION, KENDALLVILLE; MANUFACTURING FACILITY DALTON CORPORATION, ASHLAND; MANUFACTURING FACILITY DALTON CORPORATION, STRYKER MACHINING FACILITY CO.; DALTON CORPORATION, WARSAW MANUFACTURING FACILITY; EAGLE CASTING, LLC; EAGLE MACHINING, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP INTERMEDIATE, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; FRAM GROUP OPERATIONS LLC; FRAMAUTO HOLDINGS, LLC; FUEL FILTER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GLOBAL REMAN VENTURES, LLC; HEATHERTON HOLDINGS, LLC; HOPKINS ACQUISITION, INC.; HOPKINS MANUFACTURING CORPORATION; HORIZON EURO FINANCE LLC; HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; HORIZON GLOBAL COMPANY LLC; HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION; HORIZON INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; IBI INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; INTERNATIONAL BRAKE INDUSTRIES, INC.; JASPER ACQUISITION CORP.; JASPER RUBBER PRODUCTS, INC.; KTRI HOLDINGS, INC.; KTRI OFFSHORE HOLDINGS, LLC; LONGMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.; PHNX ACQUISITION CORP.; PREMIER MARKETING GROUP, LLC; PYLON MANUFACTURING CORP.; PYLON SOUTH BEND, INC.; QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE, L.L.C.; QUALIS ENTERPRISES, LLC; QUALITOR ACQUISITION INC.; QUALITOR AUTOMOTIVE, LLC; QUALITOR SUBSIDIARY H, INC.; QUALITOR SUBSIDIARY S, INC.; QUALITOR, INC.; REMAN MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL LLC; SDC TX, LLC; SMART CHOICE, LLC; SPECIALTY PUMPS GROUP, INC.; STRONGARM, LLC; TAE BRAKES, LLC; TAE CHINA HOLDINGS, INC.; TMD INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; TMD MEXICO LLC; TOLEDO MOLDING & DIE, LLC; TRANSPORTATION AFTERMARKET ENTERPRISE, LLC; TRICO HOLDING CORPORATION; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; TRICO TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; TRIDONEX USA LLC; UCI ACQUISITION HOLDINGS (NO. 4) LLC; UCI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS PARENT, INC.; UCI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; UCI INTERNATIONAL, LLC; UCI PENNSYLVANIA, INC.; UCI-AIRTEX HOLDINGS, INC.; UNITED COMPONENTS, LLC; UNIVERSAL AUTO FILTER LLC; VIPER ACQUISITION I, INC.; VIPER ACQUISITION, INC.; WALBRO LLC; WALBRO MIDCO LLC; WEM US CO.
To: GLAS USA LLC
Reel/Frame 071674/0688 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE PATENT APPLICATION NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 053377 FRAME: 0596. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 19, 2022
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 062584/0429 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT REGISTRATION NUMBERS:8166953, 6673433, 6631292, 7392363, 7265473 8535456, 9709133 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 053377 FRAME 0499. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Apr 9, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 058292/0469 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2020
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 053377/0499 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2020
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 053377/0596 →
RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 25, 2020
From: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
To: ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; STRONGARM, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; TRICO GROUP, LLC; TRICO GROUP HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 053313/0812 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 23, 2020
From: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION
To: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 052481/0672 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS Recorded Feb 27, 2019
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048455/0762 →
SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 27, 2019
From: ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; HEATHERTON HOLDINGS, LLC; STRONGARM, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048887/0495 →
TERMINATION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AT REEL/FRAME 038847/0322 Recorded Feb 6, 2018
From: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
To: AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; PARTHENON METAL WORKS, LLC
Reel/Frame 045261/0321 →
TERMINATION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AT REEL/FRAME 33958/0771 Recorded Feb 6, 2018
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS LLC
Reel/Frame 045261/0197 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2018
From: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
To: AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; PARTHENON METAL WORKS, LLC
Reel/Frame 045252/0543 →
ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 5, 2018
From: CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS; STRONGARM, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 045252/0469 →
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 5, 2018
From: CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS; STRONGARM, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 045252/0800 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2016
From: AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; PARTHENON METAL WORKS, LLC
To: HPS INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC
Reel/Frame 038847/0322 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2016
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
To: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 038847/0400 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2016
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
To: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 038847/0154 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 10, 2014
From: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 033958/0771 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL Recorded Oct 2, 2014
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT
To: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 033886/0674 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2014
From: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS FIRST LIEN TERM LOAN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 033886/0695 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2014
From: TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; AVM INDUSTRIES, LLC; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC, AS SECOND LIEN TERM LOAN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 033886/0719 →