Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Ernest G Franklin

Jeffrey J Buschur

William S Shufflebarger

In a windshield wiper drive system of the type having a reciprocating drive link and a reversible electric motor, a variable throw crank arm assembly between the drive link and the motor drive shaft including a first arm rigidly attached to the drive shaft, a second arm pivotally attached to the first arm and to an end of the drive link, a guide follower on the second arm, and a guide channel on the motor housing receiving the guide follower. The guide channel has a circular portion centered on the drive shaft axis and a noncircular escape portion radially outboard of the circular portion and merging therewith at a junction. When the drive shaft rotates continuously in one direction, the guide follower traverses the circular portion and holds the second arm in a short-throw folded position relative to the first arm. When the drive shaft rotates in the opposite direction, the guide follower automatically enters the escape portion and concurrently pivots the second arm to a long-throw unfolded position relative to the first arm.

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Kettering, OH, United States of America

Ernest G Franklin