Windshield washer system for automotive vehicle

• US 20030066907A1
• Filed: 10/05/2001
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Drouillard, Jerome R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,719,215 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/284.1
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 9/002 incorporating means for heating or cooling, e.g. the material to be sprayed
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/485 including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/488 electrically
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/50 Arrangement of reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/522 moving liquid spreading means, e.g. arranged in wiper arms

Abstract

A windshield washer system for an automotive vehicle includes a fluid reservoir, a pump mounted within the fluid reservoir, a heater mounted in proximity to the pump so as to provide heat to the fluid contained within the reservoir and a nozzle operatively associated with the pump for applying fluid from the reservoir to an outside surface of the automotive vehicle at an even sub-freezing temperatures, with aqueous-based fluids either none, or minimal freezing point depressants contained therein.

Claims

1. A windshield washer system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a fluid reservoir;

a pump mounted within said fluid reservoir; and

a heater mounted in proximity to said pump, so as to provide heat to fluid contained within said reservoir.

2. A windshield washer system according to claim 1, further comprising a close-coupled nozzle operatively associated with said pump, for applying fluid from said reservoir to an outside surface of an automotive vehicle.

3. A windshield washer system according to claim 1, wherein said heater comprises an electric resistance element mounted about a pumping chamber of said pump.

4. A windshield washer system according to claim 1, wherein said heater comprises a positive temperature coefficient electric resistance element.

5. A windshield washer system according to claim 1, wherein said heater provides sufficient heat to fluid contained within said reservoir to prevent water in the fluid from freezing at ambient temperatures normally encountered by automobiles.

6. A windshield washer system according to claim 1, further comprising a nozzle coupled directly to and extending from a housing of said pump, for applying fluid from said reservoir to an outside surface of an automobile, with said nozzle having a first position for spraying, and a second position when it is not spraying.

7. A windshield washer system according to claim 1, wherein said fluid comprises

neat water.

8. A windshield washer system according to claim 1, further comprising a self-draining nozzle operatively associated with said pump, for applying fluid from said reservoir to an outside surface of an automotive vehicle.

9. A windshield washer system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a fluid reservoir containing an aqueous washer fluid;

a pump mounted within said fluid reservoir;

a heater mounted in proximity to said pump, so as to provide heat to fluid contained within said reservoir in an amount sufficient to prevent said fluid from freezing; and

a nozzle coupled to said pump, for applying fluid from said pump to an outside surface of an automobile, with said nozzle having an extended position in which fluid is directed upon an outside surface of an automobile, and a retracted position which is assumed when no fluid is flowing through the nozzle.

10. A windshield washer system according to claim 9, wherein said nozzle comprises a fluidic nozzle.

11. A windshield washer system according to claim 9, wherein said nozzle comprises a motor driven oscillating sprayer.

12. A windshield washer system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a fluid reservoir containing an aqueous washer fluid;

a pump mounted within said fluid reservoir;

a heater mounted in proximity to said pump, so as to provide heat to fluid contained within said reservoir in an amount sufficient to prevent said fluid from freezing;

a nozzle coupled to said pump, for applying fluid from said pump to a windshield of an automobile;

a sensor system for determining the temperature of the windshield to which the fluid is to be applied, with said sensor system inhibiting the operation of said pump in the event that said temperature is below a predetermined threshold.