Vehicle windshield cleaning system
AssigneeSBR Investments Company LLC
InventorsDavid Shank, John Washeleski, Peter Strom
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. The apparatus also has expandable and compressible features and parts for protection against freezing.
Claims9
Apparatus for providing a heated 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 heating fluid which enters a reservoir interior from the inlet port comprising a reservoir portion contacted by fluid within the interior constructed of a first thermoplastic material that expands if the fluid within the reservoir freezes to prevent damage to the reservoir;
- and a second reservoir portion or portions also contacted by fluid within the interior constructed of a second material different from the first thermoplastic material, said reservoir including an internal passageway which divides fluid entering the reservoir into separate flow paths for heating prior to exiting the reservoir;
- c) an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of heated fluid;
- d) a heating element for heating fluid that passes from the inlet to the outlet;
- and
- e) 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 to the outlet.
Apparatus for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface comprising:
- a) an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid;
- b) a reservoir made at least in part from a material that flexes to expand during freezing that is in fluid communication with the inlet port for heating fluid which enters a reservoir interior from the inlet port;
- c) an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of heated fluid;
- d) a heating element for heating fluid that passes from the inlet to the outlet;
- e) a thermally conductive material interposed between the heater element and the reservoir that promotes thermal conduction from the heating element to the fluid within the reservoir;
- and
- f) 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 to the outlet.
Apparatus for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface comprising:
- a) an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid;
- b) a reservoir made from a material that flexes to expand during freezing that is in fluid communication with the inlet port for heating fluid which enters a reservoir interior from the inlet port;
- c) an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of heated fluid;
- d) two heater elements through which fluid flows, said heating elements in thermal communication with the reservoir for heating fluid that passes from the inlet to the outlet;
- e) a support for the two heating elements which electrically isolates said elements to prevent electrical shorting of said heating elements;
- and
- f) a control circuit for energizing at least a portion of the heating elements with a voltage to heat the heating elements and the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.