Self replenishing windshield washer system

• US 5,261,254 A
• Filed: 05/18/1992
• Issued: 11/16/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Cattane, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Capossela, Ronald C.
• Application Number:
  US07/884,819
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 62/91, 62/93, 62/94, 62/244, 62/291, 62/271, 15/250.01, 15/250.001
• US Class Current: 62/271
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/32331 comprising means for the use of condensed liquid, e.g. for humidification or for improving condenser performance
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2003/028 the devices comprising regeneration means
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/024 for only dehumidifying the air
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/48 Liquid supply therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/50 Arrangement of reservoir

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for self-replenishment of the solution contained within an automobile windshield washer system. Water is extracted from air such as through the use of a desiccant system in combination with an automobile air conditioning system. This water is combined with a stored concentrated anti-freeze liquid in a preselected ratio to produce a windshield washer solution having sufficient freezing point depression for use during winter weather conditions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for producing an anti-freeze water solution in a vehicle comprising:

extracting means including a desiccant for extracting water from an air stream,

a first reservoir containing a concentrated anti-freeze liquid;

a heating means for heating of said desiccant to release water from the desiccant material; and

mixing means for mixing water extracted from the air stream with the concentrated anti-freeze liquid in a preselected ratio to yield an anti-freeze water solution.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second reservoir for collecting the anti-freeze water solution.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the extracting means comprises a desiccant collection system.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a second sensor means for sensing when the anti-freeze water solution in the second reservoir is in low supply.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a third reservoir for collecting the extracted water from the extracting means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a third sensor means for sensing when the water in the third reservoir is in short supply.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the extracting means further comprises an air conditioner system.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mixing means comprises a mixing valve.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the extracting means further comprises a desiccant system operating in combination with an air conditioner system.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a control means for controlling the relative extracting operation of the desiccant system and the air conditioner system.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the concentrated anti-freeze liquid is methyl alcohol.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first sensor means for sensing when the concentrated anti-freeze liquid in the first reservoir is in low supply.

13. An apparatus for producing an anti-freeze water solution comprising:

a desiccant system for extracting water from an air stream, said desiccant system comprising a plurality of desiccant material cartridges and heating means for heating the desiccant cartridges to thereby release water from the desiccant material;

a reservoir containing a concentrated anti-freeze liquid; and

mixing means for mixing water extracted from the air stream with the concentrated anti-freeze liquid in a preselected ratio to yield an anti-freeze water solution.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the desiccant material is a molecular sleeve.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the heating means comprises a resistance coil located about the desiccant system.

16. An apparatus for producing an anti-freeze water solution comprising:

a molecular sieve collection device for extracting water from an air stream;

an air conditioning system for extracting water from air;

a first reservoir containing concentrated methanol;

a mixing valve for mixing water from the molecular sieve collection device with the concentrated methanol to yield an anti-freeze water solution;

a second reservoir for collecting the anti-freeze water solution; and

sensor means for sensing when the anti-freeze water solution is in low supply.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a third reservoir for collecting the extracted water from the molecular sieve collection device.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a second sensor means for sensing when the concentrated methanol is in low supply.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a third sensor means for sensing when the water in the third reservoir is in short supply.