Universal clearing air system for windows and external mirrors of a vehicle

• US 6,290,361 B1
• Filed: 11/01/2000
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leonid Berzin
• Original Assignee: Leonid Berzin
• Inventors: Berzin, Leonid
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafer, Ricky D.
• Application Number:
  US09/702,639
• Time in Patent Office: 321 Days
• Field of Search: 359/507, 359/509, 359/512, 359/871, 359/872, 454/123, 454/124, 454/125, 152/500.03
• US Class Current: 359/507
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0602 comprising means for cleaning or deicing
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/54 using gas, e.g. hot air
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/544 moving gas spreading means, e.g. arranged in wiper arms
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/56 specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602

Abstract

A clearing system for external mirrors and side windows of a vehicle provides a flow of compressed warm air to an air distribution unit equipped with a number of openings to direct the flow of air towards the surface of the mirror or a side window. In one embodiment, the air compressor, the air heater and an optional air filter are located in the housing of the external mirror. In another embodiment, a supplemental air distribution unit is provided to be mounted along the door of the vehicle to increase the coverage area of the side window. In a further embodiment of the invention, the system is made adjustable for allowing the most appropriate angle for the air openings towards the mirror and the side window. Provisions are also made to use the system for newly designed vehicles and incorporate the elements of the system into the design of the vehicle door. Alternately, an add-on elements are described to allow existing vehicles to benefit from the system. Additional supplemental air disbribution units may be attached to the main system to improve visibility throughout the vehicle.

Claims

1. An air clearing system for an external mirror mounted near a side window of a vehicle, said system comprising:

an air preparation unit having an air compressor connected to an air conditioner for providing pulsatile flow of compressed warm air, and

an air distribution unit for directing said pulsatile flow of compressed warm air through a plurality of air openings onto said external mirror, said air openings located in close proximity to one another and along the upper and side portions of said mirror, said air distribution unit also distributing said pulsatile flow of compressed warm air through an air manifold having a plurality of air nozzles directed towards a portion of said side window next to said external mirror.

2. The air clearing system as in claim 1, wherein said air openings are oriented within said air distribution unit at alternating angles to selectively provide individual air flows towards a center and a periphery of said external mirror.

3. An air clearing system for an external mirror mounted near a side window of a vehicle, said system comprising:

an air preparation unit having an air compressor connected to an air conditioner for providing compressed warm air,

an air distribution unit for directing said compressed warm air through a plurality of air openings onto said external mirror, said air openings located in close proximity to one another and along the upper and side portions of said mirror, said air distribution unit also distributing said compressed warm air through a first air manifold having a plurality of air nozzles directed towards a portion of said side window next to said external mirror, and

a supplemental air distribution unit placed along a front and upper edge of a door of said vehicle, said supplemental air distribution unit comprising a second air manifold having a plurality of air openings for directing said compressed warm air towards said side window.

4. The air clearing system as in claim 3, wherein said supplemental air distribution unit is rotatably placed in a recess in said door, said supplemental air distribution unit further comprising a drive system for rotating thereof to change the direction of said air openings towards said side window.

5. The air clearing system as in claim 4, wherein said drive system is controlled to reciprocally move said supplemental air distribution unit on a continuous basis to widen the area of coverage of said side window by said clearing system.

6. An air clearing system for an external mirror mounted near a side window of a vehicle, said system comprising:

an air preparation unit having an air compressor connected to an air conditioner for providing compressed air,

an air distribution unit for directing said compressed air through a plurality of air openings onto said external mirror, said air distribution unit also distributing said compressed air through a first air manifold having a plurality of air nozzles directed towards a portion of said side window next to said external mirror, and

an “

add-on”

supplemental air distribution unit comprising a mounting system including a pair of slots and corresponding hand tightening screws for mounting thereof along a front and upper edge of said door, said “

add-on”

supplemental unit also including a second air manifold having a plurality of air openings for directing said compressed air towards said side window.

7. The air clearing system as in claim 6, wherein said second air manifold rotatably mounted in said supplemental air distribution unit to allow the direction of said air openings towards said side window to be adjusted.

8. The air clearing system as in claim 6, wherein said “

add-on”

supplemental air distribution unit further comprising two additional air manifolds rotatably mounted along said door of said vehicle between said mirror and said side window, each of said additional manifolds having a plurality of air openings, each of said additional manifolds being individually adjustable to change the direction of said openings correspondingly towards said mirror and said side window.

9. An air clearing system as in claim 6, wherein said first air manifold comprising a flexible “

clip-on”

channel with a plurality of air openings, said channel mounted along an edge of said mirror.