WINDSHIELD WIPER DRIVE LINKAGE AND A WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM MANUFACTURING METHOD

摘要

This invention relates to 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 (10) utilizes a flexible pultruded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity, yet relatively high elongation characteristics. The flexible arm (28) bends to facilitate preventing damage to components in the wiper system (10) when a compressive load applied to the flexible member is in excess of the predetermined load. The flexible arm (28) has a plurality of surface grooves (104) provided at its ends and a connector (32, 34) overmolded onto each end.