Headlamp Patents (Class 239/284.2)
  • Patent number: 11938906
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus, optimized for cleaning optical and optoelectronic sensor devices in motor vehicles, comprising a housing, and a reciprocating piston movable in a pressure-controlled manner in the housing and movable from a retracted position into a deployed position along an actuation axis is disclosed. The reciprocating piston has an inner channel to transport a cleaning fluid through the reciprocating piston to a spray nozzle. A miniaturized, easily and inexpensively producible cleaning apparatus which makes possible exact and precise orientation of the cleaning jet, quick operational readiness, reduced tendency for follow-up flow of the cleaning fluid, and improved adaptability to different installation positions, is also disclosed. In an embodiment at least the cleaning apparatus has at least one guide to prevent rotation of the reciprocating piston about the actuation axis during its entire stroke, the at least one guide means arranged at least regionally in the inner channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Ringler, Stefan Schäckel, Reiner Krauße, Ilja Prygunkov
  • Patent number: 11845092
    Abstract: A vehicle washing device includes: a cylinder including a cylinder tube to which a washing fluid is supplied; a piston including a piston tube that is movably inserted into the cylinder tube and opens at both ends; and a spray nozzle that is mounted at a leading end, in an extension direction, of the piston tube protruding from the cylinder tube. The spray nozzle is configured to spray the washing fluid, supplied through the inside of the piston tube, toward an object-to-be-washed. The outer circumference of the spray nozzle is fitted on the inner circumference of the piston tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Sakai, Yasuhiro Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 11548480
    Abstract: Described herein are sensor assembly cleaning apparatuses and methods of operation thereof that utilize a fluid such as pressurized air to cause dispersion of debris, rain droplets/water droplets from other sources, condensation, or any other environmental contaminant that may obscure a transparent surface such as a glass window of a camera housing from the glass window. In this manner, the pressurized air acts to clean the transparent surface, and as a result, improve the clarity of the field-of-view provided through that transparent surface to a camera housed in the camera housing. In addition, sensor assembly cleaning apparatuses described herein can include a water nozzle that is adapted to eject high pressure water onto the transparent surface as well as towards an air nozzle or an air vent that is adapted to eject the pressurized air. The water nozzle can thus be used to remove debris form the air nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Pony AI Inc.
    Inventor: Anatolii Vitanov
  • Patent number: 11458934
    Abstract: In a cleaning nozzle unit including an inner liquid passage guiding a cleaning solution, an inner air passage feeding air to an outlet of the inner liquid passage, and an injection port that mixes the cleaning solution guided by the inner liquid passage and the air fed by the inner air passage and injects a mixture of the cleaning solution and the air to a surface of an object, a plurality of the injection ports are provided, are disposed at predetermined intervals and inject the mixtures in directions such that the mixtures hits each other in the surface at a substantially predetermined angle in a front view of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: CLARION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Morita, Hideyuki Tamura, Tetsuo Hata, Nobuhiro Sato, Nobuhiko Mochiji, Hiroshi Shojima, Norihiko Nakano, Hiroshi Aoki, Yukari Akiyama, Naohiro Noguchi, Hiroko Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 11453018
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a first sensor window defining a first plane, a second sensor window fixed relative to the first sensor window and defining a second plane different than the first plane, and a nozzle positioned to deliver fluid to the first and second sensor windows. The nozzle is translatable along a first axis, rotatable about the first axis, and rotatable about a second axis transverse to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ashwin Arunmozhi, Michael Robertson, Jr., Tyler D. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11433858
    Abstract: A cleaning device for selectively applying a first medium to a surface includes a high pressure reservoir configured to store the first medium held under a storage pressure, a pulse nozzle configured to apply the first medium under the storage pressure in a pulsed manner to the surface, and a switching valve that includes a nozzle port and a high pressure reservoir port for selectively establishing a first connection between the high pressure reservoir and the pulse nozzle, and a feed port for establishing a second connection between the high pressure reservoir and a first medium source. The high pressure reservoir and the switching valve are structurally integrated in a reservoir valve module. The switching valve comprises a solenoid valve to switch between the first and the second connection when the high pressure reservoir port is under the storage pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Jan Fiebrandt, Helge Westerkamp
  • Patent number: 11407384
    Abstract: A device for dispensing liquid onto a target area of a vehicle surface is described, and includes a mixing valve that is in communication with a pressurized fluidic supply system via a fluidic distribution system, and a controller. The mixing valve includes an outlet orifice that is disposed proximal to the target area, and the mixing valve includes first and second valve conduits that are fluidly connected to the outlet orifice via a mixing portion. The first valve conduit includes a first control valve, and the second valve conduit includes a second control valve. The fluidic distribution system includes a first fluidic conduit and a second fluidic conduit. The controller is operatively connected to the fluidic supply system, and the first and second control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: UUSI, LLC
    Inventors: Demetris A. Agrotis, David Shank, Edward J. Cox
  • Patent number: 11338315
    Abstract: An improved nozzle assembly includes a housing having an inlet for directing media (e.g. cleaning fluid) into the housing, and a nozzle core rotatably coupled to the housing. The nozzle core includes a sprayer shaft and a vane coupled thereto. The sprayer shaft defines a peripheral outlet, and is adapted for passage of media from the housing through the outlet. The vane is adapted to receive media from the inlet to rotationally bias the nozzle core in a first direction and radially orient the outlet to an activated position. The nozzle core is rotationally biased in a second direction opposite the first to radially orient the outlet to a home position different than the activated position. A system including the nozzle assembly, and methods of using each of the same, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: A. RAYMOND ET CIE
    Inventor: Larry Rachow
  • Patent number: 11305733
    Abstract: A wiping device for an optical device with a lens includes a surface, such as a curved or calotte-shaped surface, where the wiping device has a wiping element for wiping the surface of the lens free from water and dirt particles with at least one passage channel and at least one outlet channel which branches off from the passage channel in order to guide cleaning fluid onto the surface of the lens. In addition, a rear view device for a motor vehicle with an optical device includes such a wiping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Andreas Herrmann, Ilka Rötzer
  • Patent number: 11264164
    Abstract: An inductor for a boost converter in a hybrid vehicle includes a core, a coil winding, and an end cap. The coil winding is disposed about the core. The end cap is disposed over a first end of the inductor, overhangs the coil winding, defines a channel that is configured to receive fluid from a pump, defines at least one nozzle that is configured to direct fluid from an overhanging portion of the end cap and onto the coil, and defines a fluid reservoir that is in fluid communication with the channel and the at least one nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Casci, Moon Young Lee, Vincent T. Skalski
  • Patent number: 11192528
    Abstract: A vehicle light assembly is provided. The vehicle lighting assembly includes a housing, a light source, a lens disposed in front of the light source, a light sensor disposed outside the lens for sensing light intensity of light output from the lens, and a controller controlling the light source to adjust intensity of the light based on the sensed light intensity. The controller may also control a lens cleaner based on the sensed light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, John Shutko
  • Patent number: 11155225
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper cleaning device includes a selectively longitudinally movable, laterally-extending, bumper sweeper comprising a first end and an opposed second end and configured for disposition proximate an upper surface of a vehicle bumper. The vehicle bumper cleaning device also includes a selectively movable first actuator attached proximate the first end of the bumper sweeper. The vehicle bumper cleaning device also includes a selectively movable second actuator attached proximate the second end of the bumper sweeper, the selectively movable first actuator and the selectively movable second actuator configured to selectively and reversibly move the bumper sweeper rearward and forward across the vehicle bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Paxton S. Williams
  • Patent number: 11124160
    Abstract: A telescopic cleaning device, for a glass surface to be cleaned of a motor vehicle, includes at least one hollow conveying body (5) for the cleaning fluid, closed at an upstream end by an inlet flange (12) and accommodating a movable piston (8) which is configured so as to slide in said hollow conveying body (5). The hollow conveying body additionally accommodates a rod (14) which extends jutting out from the inlet flange and around which the movable piston is capable of sliding, the movable piston and the rod being configured so as to allow the fluid to flow between them from the inlet flange to the distribution element. A heating element (22) is arranged on the rod (14), between said rod and the movable piston (8), such that the fluid flowing between the rod and the movable piston is set to flow in contact with the heating element (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Philippe Picot, Jordan Vieille, Sébastien Rollet, Grégory Kolanowski, Giuseppe Grasso, Xavier Bousset, Maxime Baudouin
  • Patent number: 10870415
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning device (100) for projecting at least one fluid onto a surface to be cleaned of a motor vehicle, such as an optical sensor of an optical detection system, wherein a mobile piston (3) sliding in a hollow body (1) around a fixed rod extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and carrying at one end a cleaning fluid dispensing element (8, 9) enables the fluid to flow to the dispensing element (8, 9), through passage channels (12) arranged between the piston and the rod and having different axial dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Frédéric Giraud, Marcel Trebouet
  • Patent number: 10744979
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a sensor window, a deflector fixedly positioned to deflect a first airflow travelling in an opposing direction to a direction of travel of the sensor window to one or more directions tangential to the sensor window, and a nozzle fixedly positioned to direct a second airflow through the nozzle to a space between the sensor window and the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Schmidt, Scott A. Black, Katherine Jo Ralston
  • Patent number: 10724704
    Abstract: A water heating device (5) includes an infrared light emitting diode (50) configured to emit a light beam in a wavelength band including a wavelength of 1.4 ?m or more. With the application of an infrared light beam emitted from the infrared light emitting diode (50) toward an applied body (e.g., a front cover (11)), at least a part of the infrared light beam is absorbed into water attached to the applied body to heat the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuaki Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 10220817
    Abstract: A device for cleaning a sensor can include a support structure and a platform assembly. The platform assembly can include a platform structure that includes a set of channels and a raised lip structure that is provided around at least a portion of the perimeter of the platform structure. The raised lip structure includes a set of cavities that is connected to the set of channels and a set of openings to enable air to move from the set of cavities to outside the raised lip structure in a direction towards a center of the platform structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Uber Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesly Mason Rice
  • Patent number: 10183654
    Abstract: An assembly for securing to a body part of a motor vehicle, a headlamp washer that is retractable through an opening made in this body part, the assembly having a support intended to receive the headlamp washer and a base, wherein one or the other of the base or the support comprises integrally produced connecting elements, these connecting elements being dimensioned such that they, alone, allow the body part to be sandwiched between the base and the support and allow this sandwiching to be maintained durably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Raphael Jeanton, Sebastien Rivoire
  • Patent number: 9834180
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing a build up of snow or dust. The apparatus includes a plurality of air nozzles positioned around a periphery of a target area to be kept clear of snow or dust. Each of the nozzles directs a stream of air away from the target area. A deflector is positioned around a periphery of the target area. The deflector deflects the stream of air from each nozzle across the target area, wherein an air curtain is formed preventing snow or dust from landing on the target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: Craig McConnell
  • Patent number: 9499133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for washing a motor vehicle wind shield (10) using a washing device (1) comprising reservoirs (2, 3) of first and second fluids, a channel (5) connecting the reservoirs (2, 3) to orifices (15) for ejecting the fluids onto the wind shield, at least one pump (20) intended to circulate the fluids in the channel (5), and at least one wiper blade (30), characterized in that, when the channel contains the first fluid, the method comprises the following steps: a) activating the pump system (20) so as to cause the second fluid to circulate in the channel system (5) so as to purge the channel of the first fluid, and b) deactivating the pump system (20) when the second fluid reaches the orifices (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Giuseppe Grasso, Grégory Kolanowski, Pierre-Emmanuel Negre, Marcel Trebouet
  • Patent number: 9004373
    Abstract: A headlight washer assembly includes a bracket secured to a rear surface of a component of a vehicle adjacent an opening therein through which a headlight washer device is configured to extend and retract. The bracket provides a recessed mounting surface for securing the headlight washer device to the component of the vehicle such that, unlike prior art approaches, the fasteners do not protrude from the front surface of the component of the vehicle. A cap concealing the opening in the component is received within the opening flush with the front surface of the component. In one embodiment, the component is a body panel of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nick A. Massaro, Erich W. Bauer
  • Patent number: 8984706
    Abstract: A window washer system for a vehicle may include a fluid reservoir and a nozzle. The fluid reservoir may be disposed on an exterior side of a tailgate of the vehicle and may be adapted to store a quantity of window washer fluid. The nozzle may be in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and may be operable to deposit the window washer fluid onto a rear window of the vehicle. The window washer system may be disposed proximate a spare tire carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: John S. Kargilis
  • Patent number: 8967495
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dispensing a liquid, including a piston that is movable within a chamber and a nozzle connected to the piston such that the movement of the piston causes the movement of the nozzle, wherein one end of the piston engages the chamber so as to form a non-return valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Brahim Hamza, Jean-Michel Issartel, Akim Driss Bouguerra, Rodolphe Emaille, Christophe Broquet, Gérard Jeuffe
  • Publication number: 20140367488
    Abstract: A window and/or lamp washer system for a vehicle comprising a washer fluid container, a washer fluid pump arranged in fluid communication with the washer fluid container, at least one washer fluid pressure tank for storing pressurized fluid, arranged in fluid communication with the washer fluid pump, and comprising a fluid inlet for receiving pressurized fluid from the pump and at least one fluid outlet for providing pressurized fluid in the form of a washer fluid jet, sensor means arranged to provide a signal representing the measured pressure within the at least one washer fluid pressure tank, a control unit connected to the sensor means and the washer fluid pump, and arranged to receive the signal, wherein the control unit is configured to operate the washer fluid pump based on the signal, whereby a signal representing a value below a predetermined level cause the pump to increase the pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christer DOMINIQUE, Anneli JOHANSSON
  • Patent number: 8905328
    Abstract: The invention refers to a headlamp cleaning device for motor vehicles comprising an elongate housing (2) formed with an inlet port (3) connectable to a source of pressurized cleaning fluid and a retractable hollow cleaning liquid supply tube (4) slidably arranged within the housing (2) and being biased in the retracted position, at least one spray nozzle (6) provided at the distal end of the cleaning fluid supply tube (4) and a fluid valve (22) at the proximal of the cleaning liquid supply tube (4) allowing ingress of the cleaning fluid into the tube once the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined amount, the fluid valve being designed as a resilient closure cap which at the same time functions as a piston seal for the cleaning fluid supply tube (4) (FIG. 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Paul Hartnell
  • Patent number: 8876019
    Abstract: A cleaning device (1) for a lens (2) of a headlight of a motor vehicle has two telescoping tubes (6, 7), the outer tube (6) holding a spray nozzle (9). The outer tube (6) is also surrounded by a protective tube (8) to be fixed in the motor vehicle. When the outer tube (6) is pulled out (9), the spray nozzle is displaced over the lens (2). The connections of the tubes (6, 7) are reliably protected from dirt accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Discher, Matthias Goldbach, Uwe Martin, Rolf-Dieter Schlein, Annegret Kuech
  • Publication number: 20140008460
    Abstract: A headlight washer assembly includes a bracket secured to a rear surface of a component of a vehicle adjacent an opening therein through which a headlight washer device is configured to extend and retract. The bracket provides a recessed mounting surface for securing the headlight washer device to the component of the vehicle such that, unlike prior art approaches, the fasteners do not protrude from the front surface of the component of the vehicle. A cap concealing the opening in the component is received within the opening flush with the front surface of the component. In one embodiment, the component is a body panel of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Nick A. Massaro, Erich W. Bauer
  • Patent number: 8596554
    Abstract: Provided is a light cleaning device for washing lights located on an external portion of a vehicle. The device has an elongate housing formed with an inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized liquid and a rinsing head fitted with at least one jet nozzle. The jet nozzle is mounted at a distal end of a telescopically retractable hollow tube of the device, which is normally retracted. There is a liquid flow path from the housing to the rinsing head which can emit a jet spray therefrom when the tube is projected from the housing. The nozzle may have a jet forming member fitted therein to turbulate the jet spray fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Raviv—Agriculture Cooperative Societies Ltd.
    Inventors: Konstantin Litvinov, Michael Levitsky
  • Patent number: 8550374
    Abstract: A main body of the cleaning apparatus is of a cylindrical structure and internally provided with a compression spring and a movable seal valve which is matched with the inner wall of a casing of the cleaning apparatus. When cleaning solution flows in the cleaning apparatus through a cleaning solution inlet on a base, the pressure of the cleaning solution overcomes the spring force of the compression spring and drives a transmission guide rod, the movable seal valve and a nozzle to move together, and the transmission guide rod stops when moving to a limit position. When cleaning is finished, the pressure of the cleaning solution disappears, the movable seal valve is closed under the function of the compression spring then the transmission guide rod retracts into the casing and closes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Shanghai Koito Automotive Lamp Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tianzhong Guo, Chao Wang, Minghua Zhu
  • Patent number: 8511582
    Abstract: A multi-nozzle spray head washer fluid delivery system which utilizes both a wide spray pattern nozzle and a narrow spray pattern nozzle to provide selective adjustment of the spray pattern delivered to the surface of the windshield. A control system incorporates either or both of an autonomous selection of spray pattern and driver selection of spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David T. Renke, Thomas W. Cox
  • Patent number: 8430108
    Abstract: In a device (1) for cleaning a window (2) or a lens of a motor vehicle, a wash nozzle (5) is of spherical design and is held in a ball socket (13) of a nozzle stem (4). The wash nozzle (5) produces a fan-type jet (6) and can be adjusted by an angle of inclination ? and a tilting angle ? in relation to the nozzle stem (4). The device can be freely adjusted to different designs of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Bettenhausen, Patrick Opel, Dirk Ringler, Heiko Weitzel
  • Patent number: 8366022
    Abstract: A windshield heated liquid spray assembly including a liquid heating assembly and a heated liquid spray assembly operative to spray the heated liquid onto a windshield, the liquid heating assembly including a liquid heating chamber, at least one heating element disposed in the liquid heating chamber and an electrical power supply connection to the at least one heating element that includes a meltable conductor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: M-Heat Investors, LLC
    Inventor: Uri Arkashevski
  • Patent number: 8366021
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a windshield wiper system that affords for deicing of a windshield for a motor vehicle. The system includes a first container having a first liquid, a second container having a second liquid along with a spray nozzle or jet proximate to the windshield and in fluid communication with the first container and the second container. A pump operable to pump or force the second liquid through the spray nozzle and onto the windshield is also included. In addition, a time delay switch activates the windshield wiper only after the second liquid has been on the windshield a preset time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Arthur Trager
  • Patent number: 8245953
    Abstract: An adjustably mounted spray nozzle (4) for windshield washer fluid of a motor vehicle is designed to be easy to install and adjust. To this end, the spray nozzle (4) has the following features: it has a bearing axis (7) by means of which it can be attached to a vehicle in a manner that enables it to pivot about a y-axis of said vehicle; the spray nozzle (4) is provided with an adjusting-means element for pivoting about its bearing axis (7); the adjusting-means element is designed to cooperate with an adjusting-drive manipulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Rehau AG & Co.
    Inventors: Matthias Beyer, Horst Stickel, Jürgen Sporer, Daniel Utz, Peter Zielke
  • Patent number: 8210835
    Abstract: In a pump apparatus of a washer system, a closure member closes an opening of a motor housing and an opening of a circuit box. The closure member includes a plurality of terminal receiving holes. Each corresponding terminal is inserted through a corresponding one of the terminal receiving holes. One end of each terminal is placed at an interior part of the pump apparatus and is electrically connected to a corresponding one of a motor received in the motor housing and a control circuit received in the circuit box while the other end of each terminal is placed at the exterior part of the pump apparatus and forms a connection contact that is electrically connectable with a corresponding connection contact of an external connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Asaka
  • Publication number: 20120126031
    Abstract: Provided is a light cleaning device for washing lights located on an external portion of a vehicle. The device has an elongate housing formed with an inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized liquid and a rinsing head fitted with at least one jet nozzle. The jet nozzle is mounted at a distal end of a telescopically retractable hollow tube of the device, which is normally retracted. There is a liquid flow path from the housing to the rinsing head which can emit a jet spray therefrom when the tube is projected from the housing. The nozzle may have a jet forming member fitted therein to turbulate the jet spray fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: RAVIV - AGRICULTURE COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES LTD.
    Inventors: Konstantin LITVINOV, Michael LEVITSKY
  • Publication number: 20120126030
    Abstract: Provided is a light cleaning device for washing lights located on an external portion of a vehicle. The device has an elongate housing formed with an inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized liquid and a rinsing head fitted with at least one jet nozzle. The jet nozzle is mounted at a distal end of a telescopically retractable hollow tube of the device, which is normally retracted. There is a liquid flow path from the housing to the rinsing head which can emit a jet spray therefrom when the tube is projected from the housing. The nozzle may have a jet forming member fitted therein to turbulate the jet spray fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: RAVIV - AGRICULTURE COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES LTD.
    Inventors: Konstantin LITVINOV, Michael LEVITSKY
  • Patent number: 8113444
    Abstract: A light cleaning device for washing lights located on an external portion of a vehicle. The device has an elongate housing formed with an inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized liquid and a rinsing head fitted with at least one jet nozzle. The jet nozzle is mounted at a distal end of a telescopically retractable hollow tube of the device, which is normally retracted. There is a liquid flow path from the housing to the rinsing head which can emit a jet spray therefrom when the tube is projected from the housing. The nozzle may have a jet forming member fitted therein to turbulate the jet spray fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Raviv-Agriculture Cooperative Societies Ltd.
    Inventors: Konstantin Litvinov, Michael Levitsky
  • Patent number: 8074898
    Abstract: Disclosed is a windshield wiper reservoir system for cleaning a windshield of a vehicle. The reservoir system includes a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a motor system, and a plurality of wiper tubes coupled to the motor system. The first reservoir is configured to store a wiper fluid and the second reservoir is configured to store a de-icing fluid. The motor system is configured to drive at least one of the wiper fluid from the first reservoir and the de-icing fluid from the second reservoir. Each of the plurality of wiper tubes includes a spray head. Further, the each of the plurality of wiper tubes is configured to receive the at least one of the wiper fluid and the de-icing fluid. Furthermore, the spray head is configured to spray the at least one of the wiper fluid and the de-icing fluid onto the windshield of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventor: Cleve Franklin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8042749
    Abstract: Disclosed is an economical washer device of a headlamp for a vehicle includes a nozzle unit integrally mounted onto a nozzle cover, the nozzle unit including a washer discharging opening and a washer introducing opening, wherein a washer liquid is fed through the washer introducing opening and selectively discharged through the discharging opening, and a slide drive unit integrated with the nozzle unit and configured and dimensioned to rotatably support the nozzle unit when the nozzle unit is rotated by an ejection pressure of the washer liquid discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sung Won Son, Young Jun Suh
  • Publication number: 20110215173
    Abstract: The invention refers to a headlamp cleaning device comprising at least one nozzle carrier (7) for mounting on a cleaning liquid supply tube (4a, 4b), the nozzle carrier (7) defining at least one cleaning liquid supply conduit (8) for a pressurized cleaning fluid and being provided with at least one cleaning fluid distribution chamber (13), said chamber communicating with said cleaning liquid supply conduit (8) and with at least one spray nozzle (9) mounted on said nozzle carrier (7), wherein said distribution chamber (13) is provided with at least one inlet port (20) which in a non-pressurized state is closed by a fluid valve and wherein said fluid valve is designed as a springless valve (FIG. 1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON CVS LIMITED
    Inventor: Paul Hartnell
  • Publication number: 20110155823
    Abstract: The invention refers to a headlamp cleaning device for motor vehicles comprising an elongate housing (2) formed with an inlet port (3) connectable to a source of pressurized cleaning fluid and a retractable hollow cleaning liquid supply tube (4) slidably arranged within the housing (2) and being biassed in the retracted position, at least one spray nozzle (6) provided at the distal end of the cleaning fluid supply tube (4) and a fluid valve at the proximal of the cleaning liquid supply tube (4) allowing ingress of the cleaning fluid into the tube once the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined amount, the fluid valve being designed as a resilient closure cap which at the same time functions as a piston seal for the cleaning fluid supply tube (4) (FIG. 3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GBMH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Paul Hartnell
  • Patent number: 7891582
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a vehicle lamp includes a cylinder, a piston slidably supported in the cylinder, an ejecting nozzle attached to a leading end portion of the piston, and a bracket for insertion into an attaching hole on a bumper of the vehicle. A structure for attaching the cleaning device to the bumper includes an opening edge portion surrounding the attaching hole of the bumper, engagement portions on the bracket, each of the engagement portions being elastically deformable and including a holding portion which comes into contact with a first surface of the bumper, and abutting surface portions on the bracket to face the respective holding portions. Each of the abutting surface portions comes into contact with a second surface of the bumper, and the opening edge portion is held between the holding portions and the abutting surface portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junji Baba
  • Patent number: 7891581
    Abstract: A cover of a headlight cleaning system, which cover covers an opening in a vehicle front-end part and at the same time bears the headlight cleaning system, can be positioned precisely via latching mounts on the vehicle front-end part and latching lugs on the opposite cover. The effect achieved by this is that the cover, when retracted from an operative position into an inoperative position in a stamped formation, is arranged in a precise gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Markus Keller, Adrian Beer, Heinz-Arno Kruschhausen
  • Patent number: 7878421
    Abstract: A wash system for window glasses and/or headlamps of a vehicle, with a fluid line through which a fluid is conducted from a fluid reservoir into a nozzle and with a heating cable which is laid in the fluid line is disclosed. The heating cable is laid so as to enter the nozzle or to pass through the nozzle and to heat not only the fluid line but also the nozzle. One obtains a wash system that can be manufactured at low cost and ensures freeze protection at reduced energy expense by the fact that the heating cable is laid in a meander pattern in the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Vola Plast Werner Hoppach, KG
    Inventors: Jurgen Hofmann, Markus Bickel, Lutz Seyfarth
  • Patent number: 7841546
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid distributing apparatus for a windscreen or head lamp washer system of a vehicle, including a body (102, 202, 302) for fluid distribution, a holding apparatus (110, 210, 310) for attaching said fluid distributing apparatus to the vehicle and at least one connecting tubing (104, 206, 208, 308) for connecting a fluid line, said body (102, 202, 302) being retained for pivotal movement with respect to said holding apparatus (110, 210, 310), an adjusting apparatus being attached to said body (102, 202) or to said connecting tubing (308) for pivotal movement of said body (102, 202, 302) with respect to said holding apparatus (110, 210, 310) and for retaining said body (102, 202, 302) in the desired position with respect to said holding apparatus (110, 210, 310), said adjusting apparatus being configured to be a set screw (112, 212, 312), a tubular retaining fixture (132, 332) having an internal thread being attached to said body (102, 202) or to said connecting tubing (308), said set
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Vola Plast Werner Hoppach KG
    Inventor: Jürgen Hofmann
  • Patent number: 7753287
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a cleaning system for headlamps, windshields or other surfaces, particularly of motor vehicles, comprising a tube system with liquid reservoir and a pump for providing and supplying a cleaning liquid and a nozzle configuration with liquid exit for applying a cleaning liquid of a surface to be cleaned wherein said liquid exit comprises a curved slot and/or a sphere arrangement to apply the cleaning liquid with low liquid pressure onto the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Fico Cables, S.A.
    Inventors: Miguel Mota Lopez, Juan Jesus Elvira Peralta
  • Publication number: 20100133357
    Abstract: Disclosed is an economical washer device of a headlamp for a vehicle includes a nozzle unit integrally mounted onto a nozzle cover, the nozzle unit including a washer discharging opening and a washer introducing opening, wherein a washer liquid is fed through the washer introducing opening and selectively discharged through the discharging opening, and a slide drive unit integrated with the nozzle unit and configured and dimensioned to rotatably support the nozzle unit when the nozzle unit is rotated by an ejection pressure of the washer liquid discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sung Won Son, Young Jun Suh
  • Patent number: 7703701
    Abstract: A system for spraying liquid for a windshield of an aircraft includes a spray-liquid supply circuit, a pressurized-gas supply circuit designed to purge the spray-liquid supply circuit, and at least one nozzle disposed downstream from the circuits and designed to spray the spray liquid and pressurized gas on an aircraft windshield, wherein the system includes a control device able to simultaneously actuate the temporary spraying of spray liquid and of pressurized gas respectively in the spray-liquid spraying circuit and in the pressurized-gas spray circuit in such a way that a pressurized-gas spraying time is strictly greater than a spraying-liquid spraying time. For example, the control device includes a time-lag relay controlling the pressurized-gas supply circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventors: Amelie Le Louarn, Gilles Chene
  • Patent number: 7699244
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning the front cover lens of a vehicular lamp, including a bracket 8 that is attached to the cylinder of a spray nozzle 5 and positions the cylinder in the opening formed in a vehicle body, a fixing member 9 that covers the bracket, and an elastic member (a clip spring) 101 disposed between the bracket and the fixing member. Engagement pieces 83b and 84a of a pair of arm elements 83 and 84 of the bracket engage the front (outer) side of the opening, a plurality of contact portions 92a, 93a, 94a and 95a of the fixing member are in contact with the rear (inner) side of the opening, and the elastic member interposed between the bracket and the fixing member urges the fixing member toward the opening, thus securing the bracket to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Sakai, Masaaki Sato