# US 10,308,224 B2 · Device to break ice accumulation around convertible windows by using vibrations

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- Number: US 10,308,224 B2
- Document ID: US10308224B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/611,951
- Filed: 2017-06-02
- Published: 2018-12-06
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2017-06-02
- Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Inventors: Kosta Papanikolaou; Erin Rose Briggs; Muhammad Omer Khan; Livianu Dorin Puscas; Christopher Matthew Radjewski
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308224B2

## CPC

- B60S 1/026: {using electrical means}
- B08B 7/02: by distortion, beating, or vibration of the surface to be cleaned {(B08B7/0007 takes precedence)}
- B60S 1/56: specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens {(rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602)}
- E05F 15/689: specially adapted for vehicle windows
- E05F 15/695: Control circuits therefor
- E05Y 2400/32: Position control, detection or monitoring
- E05Y 2400/528: Overheating or overcooling prevention
- E05Y 2900/508: for convertibles
- B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- E05F: DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
- E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF

## Abstract

A convertible vehicle includes a door having a window and a powered actuator that moves the window from a closed position to a partially open (set) position to permit the vehicle door to open. A controller actuates the powered actuator to shift the window to a set position upon receiving a door open request signal. The controller actuates a powered vibrating mechanism to break ice on the window if actuating the powered actuator does not cause the window to move to the set position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A door system for convertible vehicles, the door system comprising:
a door;
a latch;
a window assembly including a window and a powered actuator that, when actuated, moves the window from a closed position to an open position to permit the door to open;
a user input;
a powered vibrating mechanism that, when actuated, vibrates the window to break ice on the window;
a controller that actuates the powered actuator to shift the window from the closed position to an open position when a door open request is generated by the user input, and:
wherein the controller actuates the powered vibrating mechanism to break ice on the window when actuating the powered actuator of the window does not cause the window to move from the closed position to an open position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The door system of claim 1, wherein:
the powered vibrating mechanism includes an electrically powered actuator that causes vibration when actuated.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The door system of claim 2, wherein:
the electrically powered actuator comprises an electric motor having a rotating shaft.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The door system of claim 3, wherein:
the electrically powered actuator includes a weight connected to the shaft, and wherein the weight is offset from the centerline of the shaft.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The door system of claim 4, wherein:
the electric motor rotates at about 500 rpm to about 14,000 rpm when actuated.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The door system of claim 5, wherein:
the electric motor rotates at a substantially constant rpm.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The door system of claim 1, wherein:
the window is movable from a closed position to a partially open set position; and
the controller is configured to actuate the powered actuator of the window assembly to move the window from the closed position to the partially open set position upon receiving a door open request generated by the user input.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The door system of claim 7, including:
a window control input feature disposed on an interior side of the door; and
wherein the controller is configured to actuate the powered actuator of the window assembly and move the window to a partially open set position upon actuation of the window control input feature.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The door system of claim 1, wherein:
the powered vibrating mechanism is secured to the window and moves with the window.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The door system of claim 1, wherein:
the door includes a door structure;
the powered vibrating mechanism is secured to the door structure such that the powered vibrating mechanism does not move with the window, and
wherein the window engages the powered vibrating mechanism when the window is in the closed position.