Vehicle windshield cleaning system
AssigneeSBR Investments Company LLC
InventorsDavid Shank, John Washelcski, Peter Strom, John Mitchell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and method for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface. The apparatus has an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid; an outlet port for dispensing an amount of heated fluid; a heating element that heats up fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet; and a control circuit for energizing at least a portion of the heating element with a voltage to heat the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet.
Claims15
Apparatus for providing a cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface comprising:
- a) an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid;
- b) a reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet port for storing fluid which enters a reservoir interior from the inlet port, said reservoir including an expandable portion that expands when fluid in the reservoir freezes to prevent damage to the reservoir;
- c) an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of fluid;
- and
- d) a control circuit for controlling dispensing of the fluid from the outlet port.
Apparatus for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface comprising:
- a) an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid;
- b) a stainless steel heating element in contact with fluid as the fluid flows from the inlet port flows;
- c) an outlet port in fluid communication with the heating element for dispensing an amount of heated fluid;
- d) a control circuit for energizing at least a portion of the heating element with a voltage to heat the heating element and the fluid passing from the inlet, in contact with the heating element, to the outlet.
14-43. (canceled)
Apparatus for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface comprising:
- an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid;
- a heating element in contact with fluid as the fluid flows from the inlet port flows;
- an outlet port in fluid communication with the heating element for dispensing an amount of heated fluid;
- a temperature sensor coupled directly to the heating element;
- and
- a control circuit for energizing at least a portion of the heating element with a voltage to heat the heating element and the fluid passing from the inlet, in contact with the heating element, to the outlet, wherein the control circuit selectively energizes and de-energizes at least a portion of the heating element based on input from the temperature sensor to prevent the fluid from reaching a boiling point of the fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.