Vehicle window cleaning apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016272159-A1
Application number	US-201615071777-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 16, 2016
Priority date	Mar 18, 2015
Publication date	Sep 22, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Apparatus for cleaning a window of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes: a fluid extraction opening provided on the vehicle in proximity to the window of the vehicle; a suction pump mounted in the vehicle; and a fluid tight conduit extending between the fluid extraction opening and the suction pump.

First claim

1 . Apparatus for cleaning a window of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a fluid extraction opening provided on the vehicle in proximity to the window of the vehicle; a suction pump mounted on the vehicle; and a fluid tight conduit extending between the fluid extraction opening and the suction pump.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the suction pump is air powered.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the suction pump comprises a venturi duct through which air flows; and
wherein an outlet of the fluid tight conduit is in fluidic communication with the flow of air at a throat of the venturi duct.

4 . The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the suction pump comprises:
a first piston configured to be acted upon by pressurised air; and
a second piston configured to act upon the flow within the fluid tight conduit; wherein
the first piston and the second piston are mechanically coupled.

5 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the air is ram air provided by a ram air source of the vehicle.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the air is bled from a ram air system configured to provide ram air to another system of the vehicle.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the air is bled from an enhanced induction system for an engine of the vehicle.

8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the fluid extraction opening is provided on a wiper blade, wherein the wiper blade is mounted on the vehicle and engages the window.

9 . The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the apparatus further comprises:
a controller, wherein the controller comprises one or more modules configured to determine whether the ram air source is demanded by another system of the vehicle.

10 . A controller for use in the apparatus of claim 9 .

11 . A method for removing water from a window of a vehicle, the method comprising:
providing a fluid extraction opening in proximity to the window of the vehicle; providing a suction pump on the vehicle; and providing a fluid tight conduit between the fluid extraction opening and the suction pump.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the suction pump is air powered; and wherein the method further comprises supplying pressurised air to the suction pump.

13 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the pressurised air is ram air from a ram air source of the vehicle; and wherein the method further comprises drawing pressurized air from the ram air source.

14 . The method according to claim 13 , including bleeding the pressurized air from a ram air system configured to provide ram air to another system of the vehicle.

15 . The method according to claim 14 , including bleeding the pressurised air from an enhanced induction system for an engine of the vehicle.

16 . The method according to claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises:
determining whether the ram air source is demanded by another system of the vehicle.

17 . The method according to claim 16 further comprising monitoring the presence of water and/or dirt on the vehicle window, and adjusting the operation of the suction pump accordingly.

18 . A vehicle comprising the apparatus according to claim 1 .

19 . A vehicle comprising the apparatus according to claim 9 .

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Barr William Gerald

Classifications

• B60S1/32

  characterised by constructional features of wiper blade arms {or blades} · CPC title

• B60S1/38 Primary

  Wiper blades {(provided with liquid spreading means B60S1/524; provided with gas spreading means B60S1/546)} · CPC title

• B60S1/546 Primary

  arranged in wiper blades · CPC title

• B60S1/0475

  Cleaning of wiper blades · CPC title

• B60S1/3862 Primary

  Transport of liquid there through · CPC title