Automotive washer system utilizing a freezable washer liquid and a freeze-resistant washer liquid
First Claim
1. A washer system comprising:
- a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein in fluid communication with said freezable washer liquid when said first reservoir is in at least a full state;
a temperature sensor for measuring a critical temperature corresponding to approximately a freezing temperature of said freezable washer liquid;
a drain plug sealingly communicating with said drain port;
a fluid level sensor for providing a fluid level signal, said fluid level sensor coupled to said first reservoir; and
an electrical control unit in operative communication with said temperature sensor and said drain plug, said electrical control unit controlling said drain plug to drain said liquid from said first reservoir in response to said critical temperature and to said fluid level sensor.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A washer system which includes a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein. The drain port is in fluid communication with the freezable washer liquid when the first reservoir is in at least a full state. The washer system also includes a temperature sensor for measuring a critical temperature corresponding to approximately a freezing temperature of the freezable washer liquid, a drain plug sealingly communicating with the drain port, and an electrical control unit in operative communication with the temperature sensor and the drain plug. The electrical control unit controls the drain plug to drain the liquid from the first reservoir in response to the critical temperature.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A washer system comprising:
-
a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein in fluid communication with said freezable washer liquid when said first reservoir is in at least a full state;
a temperature sensor for measuring a critical temperature corresponding to approximately a freezing temperature of said freezable washer liquid;
a drain plug sealingly communicating with said drain port;
a fluid level sensor for providing a fluid level signal, said fluid level sensor coupled to said first reservoir; and
an electrical control unit in operative communication with said temperature sensor and said drain plug, said electrical control unit controlling said drain plug to drain said liquid from said first reservoir in response to said critical temperature and to said fluid level sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A washer system comprising:
-
a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein in fluid communication with said freezable washer liquid when said first reservoir is in at least a full state;
a drain plug sealingly communicating with said drain port;
a fluid level sensor for providing a fluid level signal, said fluid level sensor coupled to said first reservoir; and
a thermal actuator coupled to said first reservoir and in operative communication with said drain plug, said actuator controlling said drain plug to drain said liquid from said first reservoir in response to a critical temperature and to said fluid level signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A washer system for a vehicle comprising:
-
a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein in fluid communication with said freezable washer liquid when said first reservoir is in at least a full state;
a second reservoir containing a freeze-resistant washer fluid;
at least one pump fluidically connected to said first and second reservoirs, a temperature sensor for measuring a critical temperature corresponding to approximately a freezing temperature of said freezable washer liquid;
a fluid level sensor coupled to said first reservoir and providing a fluid level signal;
a drain plug sealingly communicating with said drain port; and
an electrical control unit in operative communication with said fluid level sensor, said temperature sensor, said at least one pump and said drain plug, said electrical control unit controlling said drain plug to drain said liquid from said reservoir in response to said critical temperature and said fluid level signal, and said at least one pump being controlled by said electrical control unit in response to a temperature signal from said temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
-
Specification