US 2003/0141289 A1 · Automobile heated underside apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a heated underside apparatus which removes snow/icy mass buildup from motor vehicles. The invention comprises panel sections located along the lateral peripheral sides of an automobile as well as along the front and back periphery, along the bumpers. The panel sections are comprised of a heating element embedded in a thermally conductive material which radiates thermal energy. The heated underside apparatus is adapted such that it is powered by the power source of the vehicle, i.e., the battery, or an auxiliary power supply operatively connected to the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a feedback system which operates by real time monitoring of temperature and moisture levels to thereby maintain threshold levels above freezing point until the snow/icy mass buildup is removed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A heated underside apparatus for use with an automobile for the removal of snow/ice accumulation, said apparatus comprising:

a set of panel sections configured for being attached to the peripheral edges of the underside of said automobile,
said panel sections extending around the circumference of the automobile such that
said panel sections extend underneath the two lateral edges of the automobile, beneath the underside of the front and rear ends, including the respective bumpers, and along the front and rear wheel wells;
each panel section containing a heating element for producing thermal energy to melt snow/ice accumulation,
said heating element being embedded within an electrically insulating and thermally conductive material,
a power source operatively connected to the panel sections.

3 more elements

A method for removing accumulated snow and icy buildup, and the like, from an automobile, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a heated underside apparatus, said heated underside apparatus comprising
a set of panel sections configured for being attached to the peripheral edges of the underside of said automobile,
said panel sections extending around the circumference of the automobile such that said panel sections extend underneath the two lateral edges of the vehicle, beneath the underside of the front and rear bumpers, and along the front and rear wheel wells;
each panel section containing a heating element for producing thermal energy to melt snow/ice accumulation,
said heating element being embedded within an electrically insulating and thermally conductive material;
electrically connecting said apparatus to a power source,
heating at least one of said panel sections with electric energy supplied by the power source,
controlling the electrical energy supplied to said panels.

5 more elements

An automobile comprising:

a body,
a power supply carried by said body, and
a heated underside apparatus said apparatus comprising:
a set of panel sections configured for being attached to the peripheral edges of the underside of said automobile,
said panel sections extending around the circumference of the automobile such that said panel sections extend underneath the two lateral edges of the automobile, beneath the underside of the front and rear ends, including the respective bumpers, and along the front and rear wheel wells;
each panel section containing a heating element for producing thermal energy to melt snow/ice accumulation,
said heating element being embedded within an electrically insulating and thermally conductive material.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automobile heated underside apparatus

Life of this patent

Automobile heated underside apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20