Windshield washer system for automotive vehicle

• US 6,711,776 B1
• Filed: 09/05/2002
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Krause, Edward K., Wojan, Scott Alan, Wallington, Timothy John
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US10/064,978
• Publication Number:
  US 20040046518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 188/71.6, 219/200, 219/201, 219/202, 219/203, 152/500.5
• US Class Current: 15/250.05
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/487 the liquid being heated nozzles provided with heating means B60S1/52
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2055/0016 Brake calipers
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2065/784 the coolant not being in direct contact with the braking surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 65/78 Features relating to cooling

Abstract

A windshield washer system for an automotive vehicle includes a reservoir for holding windshield washer fluid, and an applicator system for furnishing washer fluid from the reservoir to an exterior surface of the vehicle. A heat transfer system recovers heat from a braking system of the vehicle and conveys the recovered heat to the washer fluid contained within the reservoir.

Claims

1. A windshield washer system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a reservoir for holding windshield washer fluid;

an applicator system for furnishing washer fluid from the reservoir to an exterior surface of a vehicle; and

a heat transfer system for recovering heat from a braking system of the vehicle and for conveying the recovered heat to the washer fluid contained within the reservoir.

2. A windshield washer system according to claim 1, wherein said applicator system furnishes washer fluid to a windshield.

3. A windshield washer system according to claim 1, wherein said windshield washer fluid is water based.

4. A windshield washer system according to claim 1, wherein said windshield washer fluid is neat water.

5. A windshield washer system according to claim 1, wherein said braking system comprises a friction braking system.

6. A windshield washer system according to claim 5, wherein said friction braking system comprises a brake caliper adapted to engage a brake rotor, with said heat transfer system circulating a fluid through the caliper to recover heat from the caliper and to transfer the recovered heat to the windshield washer fluid reservoir.

7. A windshield washer system according to claim 1, wherein said braking system comprises a regenerative braking system of an electrodrive vehicle.

8. A windshield washer system according to claim 1, wherein said braking system comprises a regenerative braking system of an electrodrive vehicle having at least one traction motor, with said heat transfer system circulating a fluid through the traction motor to recover heat from the traction motor and to transfer the recovered heat to the windshield washer fluid reservoir.

9. A windshield washer system according to claim 1, further comprising a heat exchanger for transferring heat from engine coolant to washer fluid within said reservoir.

10. A windshield system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a heated windshield;

a reservoir for holding windshield washer fluid;

an applicator system for furnishing washer fluid from the reservoir to an exterior surface of the windshield; and

a heat transfer system for recovering heat from a braking system of the vehicle and for conveying the recovered heat to fluid contained within the reservoir.

11. A windshield system according to claim 10, further comprising a heat exchanger for transferring heat from engine coolant to washer fluid within said reservoir.

12. A method for providing heated washer fluid to the vision unit of an automotive vehicle, comprising the steps of:

maintaining a supply of washer fluid within a reservoir;

recovering heat from a braking system of the vehicle and conveying the recovered heat to the washer fluid within the reservoir;

furnishing heated fluid from the reservoir to the windshield.

13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of heating the fluid within the reservoir with a heat exchanger having engine coolant circulating therethrough.