With Heating Means Patents (Class 15/250.05)
  • Patent number: 11396160
    Abstract: Laminated glass having an opaque frame area is obtained by laminating at least one film A containing polyvinyl acetal PA and optionally at least one plasticiser WA and at least one film B containing a polyvinyl acetal PB and at least one plasticiser WB between two glass sheets, wherein prior to lamination the amount of plasticiser WA in film A is less than 22% by weight the amount of plasticiser WB in film B is at least 22% by weight and film A comprises at least on one surface a non-transparent region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: KURARAY EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Charles Butler, Uwe Keller, Niklas Steinbach, Robert Fuss
  • Patent number: 10556569
    Abstract: A vehicular wiper device includes a first wiper arm, a first drive source, a rocking mechanism, a second drive source, an extension and retraction mechanism, and a control unit. A first wiper blade for wiping a surface to be wiped of a vehicle is connected to the front end of the first wiper arm. The first drive source is directly or indirectly affixed to the vehicle body. The rocking mechanism is driven by the drive force of the first drive source and reciprocates and rocks the first wiper arm. The second drive source is directly or indirectly affixed to the vehicle body separately from the first drive source. The extension and retraction mechanism is driven by the drive force of the second drive source and extends and retracts the first wiper arm in the longitudinal direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihiro Sugimoto, Yasuhide Ito, Shinichi Okada, Takafumi Negi, Atsushi Kato, Kohei Shibata, Tomohiro Aoyama
  • Patent number: 10391978
    Abstract: The invention concerns a wiper device (1) comprising: a driving arm (7) configured to transmit a wiping movement and having a longitudinal end (8), a windscreen wiper (3), a fixing device (5) disposed between the longitudinal end (8) of the arm (7) and the windscreen wiper (3), wherein the wiper (3) is equipped with at least one electrical element (23), characterized in that the longitudinal end (8) of the arm (7) is equipped with a sending coil (27) and in that the wiper (3) is equipped at the level of the fixing device (5) with a receiving coil (29), the cooperation of the sending coil (27) with the receiving coil (29) enabling supply of power to said electrical element (23) by magnetic induction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Vincent Gaucher
  • Patent number: 9963114
    Abstract: Heating device including at least one vertebra (3) adapted to be mounted longitudinally in at least one housing of a windscreen wiper, the so-called upper face (13) of the vertebra (3) facing the actuator arm in the assembled position of the wiper and the actuator arm and at least one heating element (2) a first portion (14) of which is on the upper face (13) of the vertebra (3). A second portion (14?) of the heating element (2) is on the lower face (13?) of the vertebra (3), opposite the upper face (13), the first and second portions (14, 14?) of the heating element (2) on the upper face (13) and the lower face (13?) of the vertebra (3) being in electrical contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Gérald Caillot
  • Patent number: 9603200
    Abstract: The portable windshield defroster is a device that sits on the exterior side of a windshield and melts snow and ice that has accumulated on the windshield. The portable windshield defroster is powered either through the automobile electrical system or through solar panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Camille Bennett
  • Patent number: 9441840
    Abstract: A heating apparatus can have a sealed combustion chamber and a burner. The heating apparatus can have an air shutter that controls the amount of air that mixes with fuel directed toward the burner. The air shutter can be controlled by rotating a shaft that connects to the air shutter. The heating apparatus can also have a system of channels along its front face which direct air along the front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: David Deng
  • Patent number: 9216770
    Abstract: A motor vehicle including a motor vehicle body defined by two body sides and a vehicle floor, and a wall attached laterally to the body sides and transversely to the floor, to separate a passenger compartment of the vehicle from the engine compartment. The motor vehicle further includes an upper firewall crossbeam having a cross-section that opens toward outside of the vehicle, and which is closed by the wall. The upper firewall crossbeam is omega-shaped, including a first portion configured to be attached onto the wall and a second portion configured to be attached onto the wall, the first and second portions being connected via swaged portions, the first portion extending toward the engine compartment of the vehicle via a first swaged portion, which is inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The upper crossbeam includes openings configured to engage with a mechanism for attaching windshield-wiper crankpins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventor: Christian Delord
  • Publication number: 20150135462
    Abstract: A vehicle window wiper system including at least one windscreen wiper driven in movement by an arm that is articulated to the wiper by at least one connector/adapter assembly, is disclosed. The wiper system is provided with a heating device. The heating system includes at least one heating indicator indicating that at least one element of said wiper system is at a temperature higher than a predefined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Gérald Caillot, Vincent Izabel, Jean-Michel Jarasson
  • Patent number: 9010661
    Abstract: A washer nozzle includes a heat emitting unit for smoothly washing a glass in a winter season is installed. The washer nozzle for a vehicle which, by realizing a new type of washer nozzle to which an integral structure of a heat conductor and a nozzle cover is applied through insert injection-molding of the heat conductor is applied and to which a structure where a heat emitter is firmly fastened to the housing by using a structure in the housing is applied, can improve a washer liquid ejecting performance through an increase in a heat transfer efficiency inside the nozzle and reduce the number of processes and a defect rate through fixing of the heat emitter at an optimum location, thereby improving quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Soo Nam Kim, Jae Hyun An, Jin Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 8973208
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle may include a motor assembly, a wiper and a switch. The motor assembly may be mounted to a spare tire carrier on a tailgate of the vehicle and may include an output shaft that is rotatable relative to the spare tire carrier. The wiper may be attached to the output shaft for rotation with the output shaft relative to a rear window pane of the vehicle. The switch may be electrically connected to the motor assembly and may be operable to allow electrical current to reach the motor assembly when the wiper is in contact with the rear window pane. The switch may be operable to prevent electrical current from reaching the motor assembly in response to the wiper and the rear window pane being spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: John S. Kargilis
  • Patent number: 8938846
    Abstract: A screen wiper arrangement is provided including a window screen and a screen wiper for cleaning the window screen, wherein the window screen is arranged in an opening of a cabin and inserted in a window frame, and wherein the window screen includes at least one screen portion which can be moved between an open and a closed position. The window screen includes an electrically conductive element coupleable to an electrical circuit which has at least a first state in response to a first position of the at least one screen portion and a second state in response to a second position of the at least one screen portion. One or more contact points are available for detecting if the electrical circuit is in the first or the second state, and a wiper control element is provided which controls the activation of the screen wiper system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Oliver Bichler
  • Patent number: 8938845
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid heating device for an automobile that comprises two independent liquid flow paths (10a, 10b) integrally formed in at least one part (1a) made of a heat-conducting material, each liquid flow path (10a) being capable of enabling a flow of liquid between a connection terminal defining an inlet and a connection terminal defining an outlet (12a, 12b), each of the connection terminals being capable of sealingly receiving a liquid supply duct or tube, and a heating means (14) thermally coupled with said part (1a) and capable of heating said part (1a) so that the liquid flowing through said flow paths can absorb the heat of said part (1a). The invention advantageously enables the very flexible use thereof for one or more systems requiring heated liquid inside a single vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Denis Grandjean, Marcel Trebouet
  • Publication number: 20140352095
    Abstract: The invention relates to a component (10) for a system (9) for supplying and/or distributing a liquid for a wiping apparatus for a motor vehicle, including a space, defined by a wall, in which the liquid can be accommodated, characterized in that the wall is made of a plastic heat-conducting material. The invention can be used for motor vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Gérald Caillot, Vincent Izabel, Jean-Michel Jarasson
  • Publication number: 20140259503
    Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle windscreen wiper windscreen washer liquid distribution system including a windscreen washer liquid distribution network having: at least one hydraulic pipe (7, 8) including at least one windscreen washer liquid circulation passage, at least one hydraulic connector (9, 10, 11, 15) connected to the circulation passage, characterized in that said distribution system further includes at least one thermally conductive member (16, 22, 31, 33, 39) in thermal contact on the one hand with at least one hydraulic connector (9, 10, 11, 15) and on the other hand with a heating element (5, 6, 21) of the distribution system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Gérald Caillot, Jean-Michel Jarasson, Vincent Izabel
  • Patent number: 8671504
    Abstract: A vehicle optical sensor device has a snow/ice removal orifice for jetting the cleansing fluid toward an upper space of a lens and an optical sensor cleansing orifice for jetting the cleaning fluid toward a lens surface of the lens of a camera. The jetted fluid from the snow/ice removal orifice and the optical sensor cleansing orifice removes snow/ice protruding from a sensor top cover of a case into a front upper space of the lens in an eaves shape and foreign matter on the lens surface of the lens of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Manabu Ono, Toshihiro Hattori
  • Publication number: 20130192014
    Abstract: A windshield wiper having a unitary structure including: a blade with a spine; at least one drain including a plurality of inlets, integrated with the blade such that the at least one drain is aligned with a flow path of precipitation guided up the blade sidewall. A coupler for connects the at least one drain via tubing to a pump. A system incorporating the windshield wiper and vehicles having the system installed are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: INTEGRATED WIPER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence Jacobowitz
  • Publication number: 20130125330
    Abstract: This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a heated wiper arm system which is electrically heated for use on the windshields of vehicles, such as automobiles, trucks, trains, boats, airplanes and the like so as to prevent the accumulation of ice, sleet or snow on the arm of the wiper assembly. More particularly, this invention has references to an improved heating arrangement designed to be used in windshield wiper arm assemblies. A heating element of resistance wire is disposed the entire length of the passageway of The wiper arm system and beyond into the blade carrier. The heating arrangement is connected to the vehicle battery to heat the heating element allowing the entire outer circumference of the entire wiper arm system and blade carrier to melt frozen precipitation on the wiper arm assembly and blade carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Edwin King, JR.
  • Patent number: 8327496
    Abstract: A wiper blade is provided capable of wiping a windshield of a vehicle in a suitable operating condition even in a cold winter season. The wiper blade includes a wiper strip configured to contact and wipe a glass surface of the windshield, a frame coupled to the wiper strip, an adapter disposed at a center of the frame and configured to be joined to the wiper arm, and a heating unit attached to the frame to heat the wiper blade. The heating unit includes a power source and a heating element heated by power supplied from the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: ADM21 Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: In Kyu Kim
  • Publication number: 20120291216
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper device (10) for vehicle windows, in particular for vehicle windscreens, with a wiper arm (11) which carries an adapter (16) on the wiper arm side, which is able to be connected with a wiper blade (20; 20a; 20b; 70) by means of an adapter element (18; 18a) on the wiper blade side, wherein the wiper blade (20; 20a; 20b; 70) has a wiper rubber (21) and at least one carrier rail (26, 27; 71) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade (20; 20a; 20b; 70), which is arranged in operative connection with a heating arrangement (28; 28a; 72) having an electrical connection (46; 56, 57; 76). According to the invention, provision is made that the electrical connection (46; 56; 57; 76) of the heating arrangement (28; 28a; 72) is held in a sealing manner in a first plug connector body (48; 54, 55; 77).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES D'ESSUYAGE
    Inventors: Michael Schäuble, Frank Wondratschek, Bruno Egner Walter
  • Publication number: 20120204374
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface having an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid; a housing bounding a reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet port; and an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of heated fluid. A heater element heats fluid that passes from the inlet to the outlet port through the reservoir. A heat exchanger in thermal contact with the heater element for conveying heat to the fluid within the reservoir has a strut that divides fluid entering the housing through the inlet port into two flow paths and elongated fins that extend outwardly from the strut at transverse angles that bound fluid flow channels for fluid moving through said reservoir. A control circuit energizes the heater element with a voltage to heat the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: David Shank, John Washeleski, Peter Strom
  • Publication number: 20120138090
    Abstract: A screen wiper arrangement is provided including a window screen and a screen wiper for cleaning the window screen, wherein the window screen is arranged in an opening of a cabin and inserted in a window frame, and wherein the window screen includes at least one screen portion which can be moved between an open and a closed position. The window screen includes an electrically conductive element coupleable to an electrical circuit which has at least a first state in response to a first position of the at least one screen portion and a second state in response to a second position of the at least one screen portion. One or more contact points are available for detecting if the electrical circuit is in the first or the second state, and a wiper control element is provided which controls the activation of the screen wiper system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventor: Oliver Bichler
  • Patent number: 7761952
    Abstract: An auto side-window washing system includes a worm gear having a spiral surface, the gear having a rotational output of a reciprocating wiper motor. The system also includes a spiral gear rotationally secured to a pivot point on a system platform, the gear having a cylindrical surface proportioned for complemental engagement with the spiral surface of the worm gear, a first rigid linear element is secured to the spiral gear along a radius. A wiper arm is provided that includes a first end and a second end, the second end pivotally secured at an outer end of the rigid element. Also provided is a second rigid linear element having a first end and a second end which end is pivotally secured to the wiper arm at a distance from its end generally equal to a length of the second linear element. An auto window wiper blade is pivotally coupled at about a middle of the wiper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventor: Mark C. Alliman
  • Publication number: 20090283605
    Abstract: A liquid heating unit for use in a vehicle surface cleaning and deicing system, the liquid heating unit including a liquid heating assembly, having an inlet through which a washing fluid is received from a reservoir and an outlet through which the fluid is discharged for cleaning at least one vehicle surface, at least one heating element for heating fluid in the liquid heating assembly and a freeze protection element located in the liquid heating assembly, the freeze protection element including a deformable container being deformable in at least two generally perpendicular axial directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: MICROHEAT INC.
    Inventors: Uri Arkashevski, Vychislav Ivanov, Joseph Rogozinski
  • Patent number: 7555807
    Abstract: This is a windshield-blowing device, which can retract through an existing device placed on the hood of the vehicle. It will direct air from an air supply towards a series of tubes, which telescope, and eventually through a series of holes in a manifold that can pivot or swivel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher Mastandrea
  • Publication number: 20090151106
    Abstract: A vehicle windshield wiper assembly for providing a vehicle user with a set of windshield wipers for removing grime, insect deposits and other debris off a front windshield of a vehicle. The invention includes a pair of spaced apart wiper blade elements (rubber squeegies) having thin flexible wiping edges with a nylon bristle brush occupying the space between the wiper blade elements said bristle brush making contact with the vehicle windshield as pressure is applied to the wiper assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: VON STACH MARKETING GROUP INC.
    Inventor: John VON STACH
  • Publication number: 20090151107
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface having an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid; a housing bounding a reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet port; and an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for dispensing an amount of heated fluid. A heater element heats fluid that passes from the inlet to the outlet port through the reservoir. A heat exchanger in thermal contact with the heater element for conveying heat to the fluid within the reservoir has a strut that divides fluid entering the housing through the inlet port into two flow paths and elongated fins that extend outwardly from the strut at transverse angles that bound fluid flow channels for fluid moving through said reservoir. A control circuit energizes the heater element with a voltage to heat the heating element and the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet through the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: David Shank, John Washeleski, Peter Strom
  • Publication number: 20090100626
    Abstract: A wiper blade is provided capable of wiping a windshield of a vehicle in a suitable operating condition even in a cold winter season. The wiper blade includes a wiper strip configured to contact and wipe a glass surface of the windshield, a frame coupled to the wiper strip, an adapter disposed at a center of the frame and configured to be joined to the wiper arm, and a heating unit attached to the frame to heat the wiper blade. The heating unit includes a power source and a heating element heated by power supplied from the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicants: ADM21 CO., LTD.
    Inventor: In Kyu Kim
  • Patent number: 7438352
    Abstract: In a sealing arrangement, e.g., for sound-insulating sealing of a gap between a windscreen of a vehicle and instrument panel, a first sealing element is arranged between the instrument panel and the windscreen, below the first sealing element a second sealing element is arranged between the windscreen and a base component, the sealing arrangement including openings through which air may flow into a passenger compartment of the vehicle. As a result, both a defrosting of the wiper system and also sound insulation may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Daniel Albu, Bernard Zobec
  • Patent number: 7401379
    Abstract: A windshield-wiper system for a motor vehicle with a wiper-blade carrier, a wiper blade held on the wiper-blade carrier, which wiper blade has an elastically flexible wiper element, includes a heating mechanism for the wiper blade. The wiper-blade carrier has at least one wall section which conducts heat in sections, and which is operatively connected heat-conductingly or heat-transmittingly to the wiper element and/or the wiper blade. At least one cooling-medium line of a cooling-medium cycle of a drive motor of the motor vehicle, which cooling-medium line consists of a heat-conducting material, is laid along the wall section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Kaessbohrer Gelaendefahrzeug AG
    Inventor: Dieter Hienzsch
  • Publication number: 20080163445
    Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly having a windshield wiper blade housing and a windshield wiper blade attached to the windshield wiper blade housing. A heating wire is affixed at one end to a rubber cover on the wiper blade and at another end to an electrical power source, wherein the electrical power source enables the heating wire to heat the wiper blade. A remote control device can be utilized for selectively activating and deactivating the heating wire in heating the wiper blade. The remote control device, or the wiper assembly or vehicle console itself, can contain utilize a timer device for selectively activating and deactivating the heating wire in heating the wiper blade. Further, the heating wire is positioned externally to an interior or cab of the vehicle, whereby no wiring is required within the interior or cab of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Ray King
  • Patent number: 7304443
    Abstract: A remote auxiliary switch for activating an automotive window washer of a window without activating a window wiper for the window is disclosed. An operator may conveniently dispense washer fluid from the on board reservoir of the existing wiper system to use when cleaning the window manually. The remote auxiliary switch is operable external to a vehicle cabin and may function as a wireless remote. Optionally, a servo valve may also be operated through the auxiliary switch to selectively control delivery of the washer fluid to a specific nozzle when a plurality of nozzles are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventors: Randy Argo, Michael Clifford
  • Patent number: 7171716
    Abstract: Apparatus (20) for cleaning a window (24) of a vehicle (22), including a vessel (28) having an inlet (32) through which a washing fluid is received from a reservoir and an outlet (34) through which the fluid is discharged for cleaning the window. There is a heating (50) for heating the fluid in the vessel, which element preheats the vessel before the washing fluid is received therein, whereby at least an initial quantity of the fluid is rapidly heated and discharged from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Micro-Heat, Inc.
    Inventors: Shlomi Franco, Jossef Wodnik, Vyshislav Ivanov
  • Patent number: 6954965
    Abstract: Windshield wiper apparatus is provided to substantially increase the amount of heat and the speed with which the heat is delivered to the wiper mechanism and blade to clean the ice and snow accumulation. Hot air is provided from either or both the exhaust system or a special electric heater directly into the modified windshield wiper and onto the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventors: Arnold P. Jacobson, Chi Chi L. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 6906287
    Abstract: Opposing substrates of a vehicle window are laminated to one another using a polymer inclusive interlayer which has a notch or cut-out portion defined therein. Following lamination, at least one bus bar(s) supported by one of the substrates is exposed in this notch or cut-out portion of the interlayer. Then, an external connector may be electrically connected to the bus bar(s) at a location between the opposed substrates, by sliding a portion of the connector into a gap between the two laminated substrates at a location where the bus bar(s) is exposed due to the notch or cut-out in the interlayer. Because the connector can be electrically connected to the bus bar(s) after the lamination process, various techniques (e.g., nipper rolls, vacuum apparatus, etc.) may be used to laminate the substrates to one another prior to this electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Sol
  • Patent number: 6892417
    Abstract: Apparatus (20) for cleaning a window (24) of a vehicle (22), including a vessel (28), having an inlet (32) through which a washing fluid is received from a reservoir and an outlet (34) through which the fluid is discharged for cleaning the window. There is a heating element (50) for heating the fluid in the vessel, which element preheats the vessel before the washing fluid is received therein, whereby at least an initial quantity of the fluid is rapidly heated and discharged from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Micro-Heat, Inc.
    Inventors: Shlomi Franco, Jossef Wodnik, Vyshislav Ivanov
  • Publication number: 20040226127
    Abstract: A windshield cleaning system has a pump supplying washer fluid through a heat exchanger to a dispenser tube equipped with a plurality of nozzles in a spaced pattern. The fluid is dispensed in pulses to enhance its heating effect and improve system efficiency. The average pulsatile flow rate is such that operation of the system with a one-gallon reserve is feasible for about 30 minutes under extreme climatic conditions of temperature, snow, ice and/or freezing rain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Jerome J. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 6802102
    Abstract: A windshield wiper includes a drive shaft (10), to which shaft a crank (12) is fastened. A base body (14) of the drive shaft (10) is made from an extruded light metal profile and on its free end, in the region of a fastening part, carries a connection part (16, 22) of a harder material, which has a screw thread (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Merkel, Roger Daenen
  • Patent number: 6730877
    Abstract: A heating element or heater for use with an automotive windshield is adapted to prevent the accumulation of ice and slush on windshield wipers. The heater is defined by a laminate having an electrical resistance member sandwiched between the first and second films forming the laminate. Contacts extend out of the laminate for connection to a source of power. The electrical resistance member, preferably, comprises a resistance wire which reaches a temperature sufficient to melt snow and ice accumulating on the windshield wipers, but which is insufficient to melt the laminate or to create a fire hazard. Optimally, the heater is powered through an automotive lighter outlet or accessory power outlet disposed within the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: William P. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6726122
    Abstract: The invention is based on a heatable washer system (10) for vehicle windows having at least one spraying nozzle (16) that is acted upon with washer fluid via a pressure valve (38), and the housing (40) of which is connected via a water line (14) to a water pump (20, 58) that delivers washer fluid from a reservoir (12) to the spraying nozzle (16), wherein a heating device (18) is located in the reservoir (12). It is proposed that the water line (14) comprise two passages (26, 28), one (26) of which is connected to the pressure side of the water pump (20), and the other (28) of which is connected to the reservoir (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6711776
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward K. Krause, Scott Alan Wojan, Timothy John Wallington
  • Patent number: 6678915
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses an electrical heating element 16 welded at 26 to the under side of the wiper housing 28, creating continuous surface contact between the metals. Through conduction, the heating element 16 heats the wiper arm components 14, 30 to a temperature sufficient to eliminate the build-up of ice during inclement weather conditions. The electric heating element 16 is wired to the windshield wiper control unit 20 and the power source 22. The heating element 16 will keep the wiper arm 30 above freezing temperatures. The system can be activated by deploying a switch located on the wiper control unit 20 by the driver when ice and freezing weather conditions prevail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Preston L Ravenell
  • Patent number: 6654982
    Abstract: A rearview truck mirror and wiper assembly for improving the rear view for truckers by keeping the mirror clean and lighted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: William Q. Cowan
  • Patent number: 6634053
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for activating heat conductive wires by detecting a rotating angle of a wiper arm, wherein said heat conductive wires Installed on the both side of a wiper blade are activated when the detected rotating angle is smaller than a predetermined angle, so that the accumulated snow is melted away due to the heat emitted from said heat conductive wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Bong-Yull Bae
  • Patent number: 6615438
    Abstract: Apparatus (20) for cleaning a window (24) of a vehicle (22), including a vessel (28), having an inlet (32) through which a washing fluid is received from a reservoir and an outlet (34) through which the fluid is discharged for cleaning the window. There is a heating element (50) for heating the fluid in the vessel, which element preheats the vessel before the washing fluid is received therein, whereby at least an initial quantity of the fluid is rapidly heated and discharged from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Micro-Heat Inc.
    Inventors: Shlomi Franco, Jossef Wodnik, Vyshislav Ivanov
  • Patent number: 6507973
    Abstract: A heated wiper system is provided for mounting on a wiper arm of a windshield wiper assembly of a vehicle. A wiper blade selectively mounts on the free end of the wiper arm having a resilient wiper element arranged to slidably receive a heating element therein. A connector selectively mounts the heating element and an associated thermostat to an electrical supply of the system enabling the thermostat and heating element to be replaced independently of the wiper blade. When more that one wiper blade is provided, the respective heating elements preferably have lengths which correspond to the length of the respective wiper elements within which they are mounted. When the heating elements are of different length, a longest one of the heating elements preferably has a lower electrical resistance per unit length thereof than a shortest one of the heating elements. Total electrical resistances of the respective heating elements may thus be substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Harvey Friesen
  • Patent number: 6470696
    Abstract: In a device and method for sensing condensation conditions and for removing such condensation from a surface, a first thermal sensor is in thermally conductive contact with the surface. A second thermal sensor is in thermally conductive contact with a cooling device. A circuit activates the cooling device in order to maintain the second thermal sensor at a temperature that is lower than a temperature of the first thermal sensor. A humidity sensor is in thermally conductive contact with the cooling device. A circuit causes a condensation removal mechanism to be activated for removing liquid from the surface when the humidity sensor indicates a presence of condensation at the temperature that is lower than the temperature of the first thermal sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventors: Valerie Palfy, Don A. Skomsky
  • Patent number: 6463621
    Abstract: The invention relates to a windshield wiper having arm (10), which is driven via a drive shaft and on which a wiper blade is (20) is pivotably connected. At least one spray nozzle (64) for providing fluid to the windshield is disposed on one of the pivotable parts (10,22) and is connected via a water inlet (56) to a water pump. A nozzle body (40) with one inlet conduit (42) and at least one outlet conduit (44) is provided in a housing (36). A spray nozzle is mounted in the nozzle body. Both inlet and outlet conduits have openings on a jacket face of the nozzle body. A diaphragm (58,70), in a pressureless state, closes the inlet conduit (42) and the outlet conduit (44) on the jacket face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Zimmer, Norbert Wegner