Vehicle windshield cleaning system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. 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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. Apparatus for providing a cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Apparatus for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface comprising:
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a) an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid;
b) a stainless steel heating element through which fluid from the inlet port 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, through the heating element, to the outlet. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface comprising:
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a. an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid;
b. an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of heated fluid;
c. a heating element for heating fluid that passes from the inlet to the outlet;
d. a temperature sensor coupled directly to the heating element; 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. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface comprising:
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a) coupling a heating element to a source of cleaning fluid;
b) routing a cleaning fluid into an inlet port of the heating element such that the fluid flows from the inlet into the heating element to an outlet port of the heating element;
c) energizing the heating element with a voltage to heat the fluid passing through the heating element;
d) selectively opening a path from a source of said voltage to the heating to prevent the fluid from reaching a boiling point of the fluid; and
e) directing the fluid from the outlet port to a nozzle for dispensing heated fluid against said surface. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. Apparatus for providing heated fluid to a nozzle on a motor vehicle comprising:
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a fluid bottle providing a walled chamber which acts as a reserve for fluid;
a heating coil that fits into the walled chamber of the fluid bottle;
an electronics module attached to the fluid bottle with electrical connections coupled to spaced apart portions of the heater coil for electrically energizing the heater coil;
a pump for pumping fluid through the heating coil within the fluid bottle to a bottle outlet; and
a conduit for routing fluid from the bottle outlet to a dispensing nozzle for delivery of heated fluid against a surface of the motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. Apparatus for preheating fluid dispensed onto a motor vehicle surface comprising:
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a dual chambered fluid bottle a filler neck allowing fluid to enter into a first chamber of the dual chambered fluid bottle;
a pump mounted to an outer wall of chamber for drawing fluid from the first chamber and dispensing fluid into a second chamber;
a continuous length heater tube having a first segment positioned inside the second chamber wherein the heater tube exits the second chamber and extends along a path to a nozzle for dispensing heated fluid; and
electrical terminal connections spaced from each other along a length of said heater tube; and
a control circuit for coupling a source of energy to the terminal connections to heat fluid passing through said continuous length of heater tube. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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37. Apparatus for providing a cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface comprising:
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a) a heater comprising;
i) an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid;
ii) a reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet port for storing fluid which enters a reservoir interior from the inlet port; and
iii) an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of fluid;
b) a control circuit for controlling dispensing of the fluid from the outlet port; and
c) a fluid delivery system for delivering fluid from the outlet port of the heater to a dispensing nozzle comprising;
i) a first conduit coupled to the outlet port of the heater for delivering fluid to the nozzle; and
ii) a second conduit coupled to the first conduit for recycling fluid in the first conduit back to the heater. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. Apparatus for providing a cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface comprising:
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a) a heater comprising;
i) an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid;
ii) a reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet port for storing fluid which enters a reservoir interior from the inlet port; and
iii) an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of fluid;
iv) first and second coils positioned within the reservoir for heating fluid that enters the inlet port; and
v) a coupling for routing fluid moving through the first and second coils to the outlet port;
b) a control circuit for controlling dispensing of the fluid from the outlet port and selectively energizing the coils with an energizing voltage; and
c) a fluid delivery system for delivering fluid from the outlet port of the heater to a dispensing nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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Specification