WINDSHIELD WIPING SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

This invention relates to a windshield wiper system (10) and method which utilizes a flexible member (28) to account for compression loads in excess of a predetermined load, such as 30 percent greater than a maximum load for the flexible member (28). The system uses a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system (10) when a compressive load applied to the flexible member reaches a predetermined load as a result of a fatigue condition, such as snow or ice build-up (49) on the windshield (16).