US 11,722,036 B2
Wiper motors and methods of manufacture and use thereof
Joseph Kelly, Michigan City, IN (US)
Assigned to COMMERCIAL VEHICLE GROUP, INC., New Albany, OH (US)
Filed by Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc., New Albany, OH (US)
Filed on Oct. 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/509,853.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/210,361, filed on Jun. 14, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0399780 A1, Dec. 15, 2022
Int. Cl. H02K 7/11 (2006.01); H02K 11/30 (2016.01); H02K 7/116 (2006.01); B60S 1/08 (2006.01)
CPC H02K 7/1166 (2013.01) [B60S 1/08 (2013.01); H02K 11/30 (2016.01); H02K 2211/03 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a motor;
a housing secured to the motor;
a worm drive including a worm and a worm wheel, the worm extending within the housing and meshing with the worm wheel, the worm being connected to be driven by the motor, the worm wheel including a first side and a second side opposing the first side, the first side including a boss outwardly projecting therefrom;
a shaft extending from the second side away from the boss, the shaft having a proximal end portion secured to the worm wheel and a distal end portion extending away from the second side;
a support structure extending laterally within the housing relative to an axis of the shaft, the support structure being secured against rotation relative to the housing and the worm wheel, the support structure including an opening with a bearing surface within which the boss is received, the boss being rotatable within the opening and relative to the housing and the support structure the worm wheel being supported at the boss by the support structure; and
a circuit board extending within the housing such that (a) the support structure extends between the worm wheel and the circuit board and (b) the worm wheel rotates relative to the circuit board, wherein the circuit board faces the support structure with an air gap between the circuit board and the support structure, the support structure does not extend through the circuit board.