Patent classifications
B60S1/48
WINDSCREEN WIPER ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE
A windscreen assembly (10) for a vehicle 1 is described, comprising:—a windscreen panel group (11, 12) comprising a windscreen panel (11) and a support structure (12) to support the windscreen panel (11); and—a wiper group (20. The wiper group (20) comprises a wiper (13), a drive motor group (14) for actuating the wiper (13), a tank (15) for a liquid and a pump (16) operationally connected to the tank (15). The wiper group (20) is supported by the windscreen panel group (11, 12) and said windscreen assembly (10) is configured to be removably coupled to said vehicle.
Wiper with ice removal apparatus
Apparatuses and methods for removing ice from a windshield. A windshield wiper includes a wiper assembly, a scrubber assembly, and an engaging assembly. The wiper assembly includes a wiper support structure and a wiper blade attached to the wiper support structure. The scrubber assembly includes a scrubber support structure, an elongated scrubber element and a motor. The scrubber element is movably attached to the scrubber support structure and extends between a first end and a spaced apart second end along a central longitudinal axis. The scrubber element can have a hardness value sufficient to remove ice from the windshield. The motor is mounted to the scrubber support structure and is engaged with the scrubber element to move the scrubber element to remove ice. An engaging assembly can be coupled with the wiper assembly and the scrubber assembly to raise and lower the scrubber assembly with respect to the wiper assembly.
Vehicle cleaner system and vehicle including vehicle cleaner system
A vehicle cleaner system includes: a window washer configured to clean a front window of a vehicle; a lamp cleaner configured to clean a headlamp; a sensor cleaner configured to clean a sensor that detects information outside the vehicle; and a cleaner control unit configured to operate at least one of the window washer, the lamp cleaner, and the sensor cleaner in accordance with input of a signal. The cleaner control unit is configured to operate the window washer, the lamp cleaner, and the sensor cleaner such that at least two or more of a number of operations of the window washer, a number of operations of the lamp cleaner, and a number of operations of the sensor cleaner are different in accordance with a predetermined number of signals.
SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF CLEANING A SURFACE OF A SENSOR ON A SELF-DRIVING CAR
There is provided a delivery unit for a cleaning system and a method of operation. The delivery unit has a liquid nozzle for delivering a liquid jet and directing the liquid jet towards a surface of a sensor system, an air nozzle for delivering an air jet and directing the air jet towards the surface of the sensor system, and a deflection orifice for delivering an other air jet for deflecting the liquid jet away from the air nozzle. The liquid nozzle is located proximate to the air nozzle. The air nozzle and the deflection orifice are in fluid communication with a single air manifold.
Washer liquid heating apparatus integrated into washer reservoir
A washer liquid heating apparatus integrated into a reservoir may include a plate-type heater that may be installed in a hole of the reservoir to heat a washer liquid within the reservoir, a protect cover that may be assembled into the reservoir to surround the heater, and a fastening device for fixing the heater and the protect cover to the reservoir, wherein the plate-type heater may be fixed to be exposed to an inside of the reservoir through the hole such that a heating surface where heating may be performed heats the washer liquid within the reservoir.
WIPER CONTROL APPARATUS
When an ECU 41 for wiper motor detects that a SP operation has been carried out in the midst of swinging motion of a wiper blade, the ECU 41 for wiper motor outputs a motor stopping signal to an ECU 42 for washer pump. When the ECU 42 for washer pump receives the motor stopping signal, the ECU 42 for washer pump stops a washer pump 30 even if an injection switch for jetting out washer fluid is on. In this manner, when a wiper blade is stopped from being swung for replacement of the wiper member, the pump for causing washer fluid to jet out is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the waste of washer fluid, and to further save washer fluid.
AUTONOMOUS ECOLOGIC RAINWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR REPLENISHING WASHER FLUID IN A MOTOR VEHICLE
A rainwater collection system is provided for a motor vehicle. That rainwater collection system includes a rainwater collector, a gate for the rainwater collector and a controller. The controller is configured to open and close the gate in response to data input respecting the occurrence of precipitation, a level of windshield washer fluid in a windshield washer system of the motor vehicle and in accordance with other monitored parameters including motor vehicle speed and battery voltage level. A related method is also disclosed.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A FLOW OF AIR ABOUT A LENS OF A SENSOR OF A VEHICLE
System and methods are disclosed herein for preventing debris accumulation and/or for removing debris about a lens of a sensor of a vehicle. The sensor may include one or more LIDAR units disposed about the vehicle. An airflow device may be disposed about the lens of the sensor. The airflow device may be configured to provide an airflow about the lens of the sensor. The airflow provided to the lens may be a constant flow of air about the lens at a low pressure and/or bursts of air about the lens at a higher pressure.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A FLOW OF AIR ABOUT A LENS OF A SENSOR OF A VEHICLE
System and methods are disclosed herein for preventing debris accumulation and/or for removing debris about a lens of a sensor of a vehicle. The sensor may include one or more LIDAR units disposed about the vehicle. An airflow device may be disposed about the lens of the sensor. The airflow device may be configured to provide an airflow about the lens of the sensor. The airflow provided to the lens may be a constant flow of air about the lens at a low pressure and/or bursts of air about the lens at a higher pressure.
SENSOR CLEANING SYSTEM, SENSOR CLEANING METHOD, AND VEHICLE
A sensor cleaning system cleans a sensor surface of an external sensor mounted on a vehicle. Specifically, the sensor cleaning system estimates a water droplet amount of a water droplet adhering to the sensor surface of the external sensor. The sensor cleaning system determines whether a cleaning start condition is satisfied based on the water droplet amount. The sensor cleaning system executes a cleaning process of cleaning the sensor surface when the cleaning start condition based on the water droplet amount is satisfied.