Optical surface clearing arrangement

• US 20070103780A1
• Filed: 11/20/2006
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph Cooper
• Original Assignee: Joseph Cooper
• Inventors: Cooper, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 10,246,016 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/509
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0602 comprising means for cleaning or deicing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/15 Preventing contamination of the components of the optical system or obstruction of the light path
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B

Abstract

A vehicle side-view mirror water removal arrangement is easily retrofitted to vehicles having an existing source of compressed air and a side-view mirror with a reflective surface. The arrangement includes a valve having an input port connected to the existing source of compressed air and an output port, the valve being movable between open and closed positions to control the flow of compressed air from the existing source of compressed air to the output port of the valve. A conduit'"'"'s proximal end is connected to the output port of the valve with its distal end located at the side-view mirror for conducting the compressed air from the output port of the valve to the side-view mirror. A fastener fastens the distal end of the conduit to the side-view mirror so that the compressed air flows down the reflective surface of the side-view mirror, a nozzle at the distal end being provided to spread the compressed air substantially over an entire width of the side-view mirror to clear any water adhering to the reflective surface of the mirror.

Claims

4-1. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the optical surface is at least one of a window, a camera lens, a transparent camera lens cover, and a mirror.

12. A kit for retrofitting a vehicle with an arrangement of clearing an optical surface on a vehicle of moisture, the kit comprising:

a valve having an input port connected to a source of compressed air and an output port, the valve being movable between open and closed positions to control the flow of compressed air from the source of compressed air to the output port of the valve;

conducting means for conducting the compressed air from the valve to the optical surface;

a nozzle to be positioned on the optical surface for spreading the compressed air substantially downward and onto the optical surface;

a fastener arrangement for fastening the nozzle onto the optical surface; and

a switching mechanism for opening and closing the valve to provide a blast of compressed air over the optical surface to remove any obstructive moisture adhering to the optical surface.

13. A kit according to claim 12, wherein the conducting means comprises flexible tubing.

14. A kit according to claim 12, wherein the nozzle spreads the blast of pressurized air downward and over substantially an entire width of the optical surface.

15. An kit according to claim 14, wherein the fastener arrangement comprises tape for taping the distal end of the conduit at the optical surface and glue for gluing the nozzle to the optical surface.

16. A kit according to claim 12, further comprising a source of compressed air.

17. A device for clearing a remotely located optical surface having a edge, the device comprising;

an air source for providing a blast of pressurized air;

a nozzle positioned on the optical surface for spreading the blast of pressurized air onto the optical surface in a substantially downward direction; and

control means for triggering the air source to provide the blast of pressurized air to the nozzle;

wherein the blast of pressurized air is spread substantially downward by the nozzle onto the optical surface to move any obstructive moisture toward the edge of the optical surface.

18. A device according to claim 18, wherein the nozzle is attached to the optical surface.

19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the nozzle spreads the blast of pressurized air over substantially the entire width of the optical surface.

20. A device according to claim 18, wherein the optical surface is at least one of a window, a mirror, a camera lens and a transparent lens cover.