Fluid and air nozzle and method for cleaning vehicle lenses
First Claim
1. A method for cleaning a vehicle vision device, visible indicator, or sensor, comprising:
- providing a fluid-air nozzle near the vision device, visible indicator, or sensor; and
directing a jet of air from said fluid-air nozzle and a jet of cleaning fluid from said fluid-air nozzle so said jet of cleaning fluid intersects with said jet of air so as to form a spray mixture that is propelled toward said vision device, visible indicator, or sensor of the vehicle, further comprising the step of directing a jet of air substantially in absence of a jet of fluid, after said step of directing a jet of air and a jet of cleaning fluid.
16 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Fluid and air nozzle assemblies are capable of propelling streams of a cleaning fluid and air mixture onto a vehicle vision device, visible indicator, or sensor. These nozzle assemblies are mounted on a vehicle adjacent to the vehicle vision device, visible indicator, or sensor and positioned such that liquid and air jets from the nozzles intersect prior to impinging upon the vehicle vision device, visible indicator, or sensor to form a spray mixture that cleans the vehicle vision device, visible indicator, or sensor. These nozzle assemblies have an adjustment feature for the purpose of aiming the fluid-air spray toward the vehicle vision device, visible indicator, or sensor. The nozzle assemblies are associated with a control valve capable of connection in a pressurized air system on the vehicle and in the pressurized washer system for the windshield wipers and also capable of automatically directing liquid from the vehicle washer system and pressurized air on the vehicle to the liquid and air nozzles perform cleaning of a vehicle vision device, visible indicator, or sensor upon manual activation of the pressurized windshield washer system of the vehicle, upon activation of brakes, or upon timed intervals.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for cleaning a vehicle vision device, visible indicator, or sensor, comprising:
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providing a fluid-air nozzle near the vision device, visible indicator, or sensor; and
directing a jet of air from said fluid-air nozzle and a jet of cleaning fluid from said fluid-air nozzle so said jet of cleaning fluid intersects with said jet of air so as to form a spray mixture that is propelled toward said vision device, visible indicator, or sensor of the vehicle, further comprising the step of directing a jet of air substantially in absence of a jet of fluid, after said step of directing a jet of air and a jet of cleaning fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
wherein said performing of said cleaning steps may be activated or deactivated by a vehicle operator.
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18. A method for cleaning a vehicle vision device, visible indicator, or sensor, comprising:
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providing a fluid-air nozzle near the vision device, visible indicator, or sensor; and
directing a jet of air from said fluid-air nozzle and a jet of cleaning fluid from said fluid-air nozzle so said jet of cleaning fluid intersects with said jet of air so as to form a spray mixture that is propelled toward said vision device, visible indicator, or sensor of the vehicle, wherein said nozzle comprises;
a rotatable spool with an air outlet orifice and a fluid outlet orifice;
an air endcap; and
a fluid endcap. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
a first circumferential sealing surface that frictionally engages said air endcap to said spool; and
a second circumferential sealing surface that frictionally engages said fluid endcap to said spool, wherein said sealing surfaces act as seals between said spool and said endcaps, and maintain a surface for rotation of said spool.
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20. The method for cleaning a vehicle vision device, visible indicator, or sensor according to claim 18,
wherein said performing of said cleaning steps may be activated or deactivated by a vehicle operator.
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21. A fluid-air cleaning nozzle for cleaning a vehicle vision device, visible indicator, mirror, or sensor, said nozzle comprising:
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a fluid-air nozzle body with an air inlet fitting and a fluid inlet fitting; and
a rotatable spool with an air outlet orifice and a fluid outlet orifice, wherein a jet of air from said air outlet orifice intersects a jet of cleaning fluid from said fluid outlet orifice so as to form a spray mixture that is directed toward a vision device, visible indicator, mirror, or sensor of a vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification