Automotive washer system utilizing a freezable washer liquid and a freeze-resistant washer liquid

• US 20030041897A1
• Filed: 09/24/2002
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Lee, Ellen Cheng-Chi, Ellwood, Kevin Richard John, Wojan, Scott Alan
• Granted Patent: US 6,782,908 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/59
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/481 the operation of at least part of the liquid supply being controlled by electric means electrical washing liquid warming-up means B60S1/488
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/50 Arrangement of reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1189 Freeze condition responsive safety systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1353 Low temperature responsive drains
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1963 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6881 Automotive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7306 Electrical characteristic sensing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7316 Self-emptying tanks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86027 Electric

Abstract

A washer system which includes a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein. The drain port is in fluid communication with the freezable washer liquid when the first reservoir is in at least a full state. The washer system also includes a temperature sensor for measuring a critical temperature corresponding to approximately a freezing temperature of the freezable washer liquid, a drain plug sealingly communicating with the drain port, and an electrical control unit in operative communication with the temperature sensor and the drain plug. The electrical control unit controls the drain plug to drain the liquid from the first reservoir in response to the critical temperature.

Claims

1. A washer system comprising:

a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein in fluid communication with said freezable washer liquid when said first reservoir is in at least a full state;

a temperature sensor for measuring a critical temperature corresponding to approximately a freezing temperature of said freezable washer liquid;

a drain plug sealingly communicating with said drain port; and

an electrical control unit in operative communication with said temperature sensor and said drain plug, said electrical control unit controlling said drain plug to drain said liquid from said first reservoir in response to said critical temperature.

2. A washer system according to claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor is coupled to said first reservoir and measures a temperature of said freezable washer liquid.

3. A washer system according to claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor measures a temperature of ambient air proximate the first reservoir.

4. A washer system according to claim 1 wherein said drain port is located at a fluid level corresponding to approximately an amount of freezable washer liquid that can freeze without damaging said first reservoir.

5. A washer system according to claim 1 comprising an actuator coupled to said drain plug and in operative communication with said electrical control unit, said electrical control unit controlling said actuator to open said drain plug and drain said liquid from said reservoir in response to said critical temperature.

6. A washer system according to claim 5 wherein said electrical control unit controls said actuator to open said drain plug for a predetermined period of time in response to said critical temperature.

7. A washer system according to claim 1 comprising a fluid level sensor for providing a fluid level signal, said fluid level sensor coupled to said first reservoir, and wherein said electrical control unit controls said drain plug to drain said liquid from said reservoir in response to said critical temperature and said fluid level signal.

8. A washer system according to claim 7 wherein said fluid level sensor indicates a fluid level corresponding to approximately an amount of freezable washer liquid that can freeze without damaging said first reservoir.

9. A washer system according to claim 1 comprising a second reservoir containing a freeze-resistant washer fluid and at least one pump fluidically connected to said first and second reservoirs, said at least one pump being controlled by said electrical control unit in response to a temperature signal from said temperature sensor.

10. A washer system comprising:

a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein in fluid communication with said freezable washer liquid when said first reservoir is in at least a full state;

a drain plug sealingly communicating with said drain port; and

a thermal actuator coupled to said first reservoir and in operative communication with said drain plug, said actuator controlling said drain plug to drain said liquid from said first reservoir in response to a critical temperature.

11. A washer system according to claim 10 comprising a fluid level sensor for providing a fluid level signal, said fluid level sensor coupled to said first reservoir, and wherein said thermal actuator controls said drain plug to drain said liquid from said reservoir in response to said critical temperature and said fluid level signal.

12. A washer system according to claim 11 wherein said fluid level sensor indicates a fluid level corresponding to approximately an amount of freezable washer liquid that can freeze without damaging said first reservoir.

13. A washer system according to claim 10 comprising a fluid level sensor for providing a fluid level signal and an electrical control unit in operative communication with said fluid level sensor and said thermal actuator, said fluid level sensor coupled to said first reservoir, and wherein said thermal actuator opens said drain plug to drain said liquid from said reservoir in response to said critical temperature and said electrical control unit closes said drain plug in response to said fluid level signal.

14. A washer system according to claim 10 wherein said drain port is located at a fluid level corresponding to approximately an amount of freezable washer liquid that can freeze without damaging said first reservoir.

15. A washer system according to claim 10 wherein said drain port is located proximate a bottom of said first reservoir and said thermal actuator controls said drain plug to drain said liquid from said reservoir in response to said critical temperature for a predetermined period of time.

16. A washer system according to claim 10 comprising an electrical control unit, a temperature sensor in operative communication with said electrical control unit, a second reservoir containing a freeze-resistant washer fluid and at least one pump fluidically connected to said first and second reservoirs, said at least one pump being controlled by said electrical control unit in response to a temperature signal from said temperature sensor.

17. A washer system for a vehicle comprising:

a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein in fluid communication with said freezable washer liquid when said first reservoir is in at least a full state;

a second reservoir containing a freeze-resistant washer fluid;

at least one pump fluidically connected to said first and second reservoirs, a temperature sensor for measuring a critical temperature corresponding to approximately a freezing temperature of said freezable washer liquid;

a fluid level sensor coupled to said first reservoir and providing a fluid level signal;

a drain plug sealingly communicating with said drain port; and

an electrical control unit in operative communication with said fluid level sensor, said temperature sensor, said at least one pump and said drain plug, said electrical control unit controlling said drain plug to drain said liquid from said reservoir in response to said critical temperature and said fluid level signal, and said at least one pump being controlled by said electrical control unit in response to a temperature signal from said temperature sensor.

18. A washer system according to claim 17 wherein said drain port is located at a fluid level corresponding to approximately an amount of freezable washer liquid that can freeze without damaging said first reservoir.

19. A washer system according to claim 17 wherein said drain port is located proximate a bottom of said first reservoir.

20. A washer system according to claim 17 wherein said fluid level sensor indicates a fluid level corresponding to approximately an amount of freezable washer liquid that can freeze without damaging said first reservoir and said electrical control unit opens said drain plug to drain said liquid from said reservoir in response to said critical temperature and closes said drain plug in response to said fluid level signal.