Optical surface clearing arrangement

• US 10,246,016 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2006
• Issued: 04/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph Richard Cooper
• Original Assignee: Joseph Richard Cooper
• Inventors: Cooper, Joseph Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Deherrera, Kristina M
• Application Number:
  US11/602,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20070103780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,516 Days
• Field of Search: 359509, 359507, 15301, 153121, 153122, 15313, 15314, 153161, 15250001, 1525001, 1525101, 1525002, 15250003
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0602 comprising means for cleaning or deicing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/15 Preventing contamination of the components of the optical system or obstruction of the light path
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B

Abstract

A vehicle side-view mirror water removal arrangement is easily retrofitted to vehicles having an existing source of compressed air and a side-view mirror with a reflective surface. The arrangement includes a valve having an input port connected to the existing source of compressed air and an output port, the valve being movable between open and closed positions to control the flow of compressed air from the existing source of compressed air to the output port of the valve. A conduit'"'"'s proximal end is connected to the output port of the valve with its distal end located at the side-view mirror for conducting the compressed air from the output port of the valve to the side-view mirror. A fastener fastens the distal end of the conduit to the side-view mirror so that the compressed air flows down the reflective surface of the side-view mirror, a nozzle at the distal end being provided to spread the compressed air substantially over an entire width of the side-view mirror to clear any water adhering to the reflective surface of the mirror.

Claims

1. An arrangement for clearing at least one optical surface of a vehicle of moisture, the vehicle including an existing source of compressed air, the arrangement comprising:

a valve having an input port for connecting to the existing source of compressed air and an output port, the valve being moveable between open and closed positions to control the flow of compressed air from the existing source of compressed air to the output port of the valve to provide a blast of pressurized air;

a conduit having a proximal end connected to the output post of the valve and a distal end located at the optical surface for conducting the blast of compressed air from the output port of the valve to the optical surface;

a nozzle positioned adjacent to the optical surface, the nozzle having an outlet shaped and positioned for fanning out the blast of compressed air from the conduit downwardly and over a substantial portion of the optical surface;

a fastener configured to fasten the nozzle adjacent to the optical surface; and

a switching mechanism for opening and closing the valve to provide the blast of compressed air onto the optical surface to remove any obstructive moisture adhering to the surface, wherein the vehicle has windshield wipers, separated from the optical surface, that turn on and off and wherein the valve switching mechanism is automatically operated to periodically provide blasts of air to the optical surface while the wipers are turned on, wherein the at least one optical surface comprises a lens of a camera for monitoring the area behind the vehicle, or a transparent lens cover of a camera for monitoring the area behind the vehicle.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one optical surface comprises a plurality of optical surfaces additionally including one of:

a rear window, or an exterior mounted rear-view mirror.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one optical surface comprises a plurality of optical surfaces of the vehicle and the valve has a plurality of output ports for selectively controlling the blast of compressed air to at least one of the plurality of optical surfaces.

4. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the switching mechanism is located within reach of a driver location of the vehicle.

5. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the fastener fastens a distal end of the conduit and the nozzle at a top end of the optical surface.

6. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises tape securing the distal end of the conduit at the optical surface and gluing the nozzle to the optical surface.

7. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the optical surface has edges and the nozzle is positioned at a top portion of the optical surface for issuing a generally downward directed sheet of pressurized air to blast any unwanted moisture adhering to the surface towards the edges of the surface.

19. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle has a windshield wiper switching mechanism and the valve switching mechanism is connected to the windshield wiper switching mechanism.

20. An arrangement according to claim 19, wherein the valve switching mechanism is connected to the windshield wiper switching mechanism so that the valve is opened to provide the blast of compressed air at the optical surface each time the windshield wipers cycle.

8. A kit for retrofitting a vehicle with an arrangement of clearing at least one optical surface on a vehicle of moisture, the kit comprising:

an independent source of compressed air;

a valve having an input port for connection to the independent source of compressed air and an output port, the valve being movable between open and closed positions to provide a blast of compressed air from the source of compressed air to the output port of the valve;

a conduit configured to connect to the output port of the valve for conducting a blast of compressed air from the output port of the valve to a nozzle to be attached directly onto the optical surface, the nozzle having an outlet shaped for fanning out the compressed air substantially downward and onto and over substantially an entire width of the optical surface;

a fastener configured to fasten the nozzle onto the optical surface with the outlet positioned downwardly; and

a switching mechanism for opening and closing the valve to provide the blast of compressed air downwardly over the optical surface to remove any obstructive moisture adhering to the optical surface, wherein the vehicle has windshield wipers, separated from the optical surface, that turn on and provide blasts of air to the optical surface while the wipers are turned on, wherein the at least one optical surface comprises a lens of a camera for monitoring the area behind the vehicle, or a transparent lens cover of a camera for monitoring the area behind the vehicle.

9. A kit according to claim 8, wherein the fastener comprises tape for taping the distal end of the conduit at the optical surface and glue for gluing the nozzle to the optical surface.

10. A kit according to claim 8, wherein the at least one optical surface comprises a plurality of optical surfaces additionally including one of:

a rear window, or an exterior mounted rear-view mirror.

11. A water-removal arrangement for an optical surface of a back-up camera of a vehicle, the vehicle having an existing source of compressed air, the arrangement comprising:

a valve having an input port connected to the existing source of compressed air and an output port, the valve being movable between open and closed positions to control a flow of compressed air from the existing source of compressed air to the output port of the valve;

a conduit having a proximal end connected to the output port of the valve and a distal end located at the optical surface of the back-up camera for conducting the compressed air from the output port of the valve to the back-up camera;

a fastener configured to fasten the distal end of the conduit to the optical surface of the back-up camera so that the compressed air flows down the optical surface;

a nozzle on the distal end of the conduit and precisely positioned on the optical surface of the back-up camera for spreading the compressed air issued from the distal end of the conduit substantially over an entire width of the optical surface of the back-up camera; and

a switching mechanism for opening and closing the valve to provide a blast of compressed air at the optical surface of the back-up camera to Clearwater adhering to the optical surface, wherein the valve switching mechanism is located within easy reach of a driver location of the vehicle, wherein the valve switching mechanism is manually operated by a driver of the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle has windshield wipers that turn on and off and wherein the valve switching mechanism is automatically operated to periodically provide blasts of air to the back-up camera while the wipers are turned on.

12. An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the vehicle has a pair of back-up cameras and the valve has a pair of output ports each respectively connected to a conduit for conducting the compressed air to one of the back-up cameras of the vehicle.

13. An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the conduit comprises flexible tubing.

14. An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the fastener fastens the distal end of the conduit at a top end of the back-up camera.

15. An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the fastener is glue.

16. An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the distal end of the conduit is positioned at a top portion of the back-up camera for issuing a generally downwardly directed sheet of compressed air from the top portion of the back-up camera over substantially the entire optical surface of the back-up camera to blow off any water adhering to the optical surface.

17. An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the vehicle has a windshield wiper switching mechanism and the valve switching mechanism is connected to the windshield wiper switching mechanism.

18. An arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the valve switching mechanism is connected to the windshield wiper switching mechanism so that the valve is opened to provide the blast of compressed air at the optical surface of the back-up camera each time the windshield wipers cycle.