Systems and methods for cleaning, drying, and thermally managing vehicle components are described herein. In some embodiments, the vehicle components can include various sensors and, more particularly, the surfaces of cameras, LIDAR sensors, etc., that need to be clean to effectively perceive the environment around the vehicle. In one embodiment, a cleaning system includes a central delivery system configured to route fluid, such as washer fluid, along one or more delivery channels to remote holding chambers. The holding chambers can hold and/or heat the fluid before delivering the fluid to nozzles that spray the fluid on nearby vehicle components to clean the components.

A washer fluid heating device includes: a cover portion attached to one end of a container to face an accommodation space of a washer fluid; heating means that includes a case having a proximal end portion attached to the cover portion and extending toward the accommodation space, and a heating unit provided inside the case to heat the washer fluid inside the accommodation space through the case; and a detector for detecting a no-water burning state generated due to a decrease in washer fluid inside the accommodation space. The detector is provided inside the case and disposed on a side of the proximal end portion of the case from the healing unit.

A washer fluid heater disposed within a vehicle having an engine cooling system and a washer fluid dispensing system. The washer fluid heater includes a plurality of thin walled, closely spaced tubular members concentrically arranged around a central axis of the washer fluid heater. Each of the tubular members is separated from an adjacent tubular member by one of a plurality of flow channels. The plurality of flow channels includes first and second groups of flow channels. The washer fluid heater also includes a first end cap and a second end cap, where the first end cap includes a first washer fluid port and a first coolant port and the second end cap includes a second washer fluid port and a second coolant port. The first and second washer fluid ports are coupled to the first group of flow channels while the first and second coolant ports are coupled to the second group of flow channels.

Methods and systems for thermal management of sensors of a vehicle. The system includes a sensor that is attached to a vehicle, a temperature monitor configured to collect temperature data corresponding to the sensor, a processor, and a sensor cleaning subsystem. The sensor cleaning subsystem includes a cleaning fluid reservoir and a port that is positioned to direct cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the sensor. The processor is configured to: receive temperature data corresponding to the sensor from the temperature monitor, determine that a current temperature of the sensor is greater than a first threshold temperature, and cause the sensor cleaning subsystem to initiate a cleaning cycle and direct the cleaning fluid to the sensor to cool down the sensor in response to determining that the current temperature of the sensor is greater than the first threshold temperature.

Methods and systems for thermal management of sensors of a vehicle. The system includes a sensor that is attached to a vehicle, a temperature monitor configured to collect temperature data corresponding to the sensor, a processor, and a sensor cleaning subsystem. The sensor cleaning subsystem includes a cleaning fluid reservoir and a port that is positioned to direct cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the sensor. The processor is configured to: receive temperature data corresponding to the sensor from the temperature monitor, determine whether a current temperature of the sensor is less than a threshold temperature, and in response to determining that the current temperature is less than the first threshold temperature, cause the sensor cleaning subsystem to: heat the cleaning fluid, and initiate a cleaning cycle and direct the heated cleaning fluid to the sensor to heat the sensor.

A safety device for heating hoses is provided to prevent overheating of a heating wire. The safety device includes a first hose that connects between a reservoir and a connector and a second hose that is fluidly connected to the first hose and allows windshield washer fluid to flow from the connector to a spray nozzle. A housing encloses the connector and a heating wire is disposed in at least one of the first and second hoses. A terminal is disposed inside the housing and is connected to the heating wire to apply electric power from a power supply unit to the heating wire. A circuit breaker is connected to the terminal and the heating wire and cuts off electric power applied to the heating wire based on a temperature condition.

A heatable fluid chamber assembly for a window or headlight washer system of a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly comprises a fluid chamber having a first fluid port and a heating line, arranged in the fluid chamber and generally arranged in the first fluid port. A rotary disk is arranged rotatably about an axis in or on the fluid chamber. A deflector extends into the fluid chamber. A portion of the heating line is deflectable by the deflector during a rotation of the rotary disc. A method of manufacturing the heatable fluid chamber assembly is also disclosed. The method comprises providing the fluid chamber having the first fluid port and passing the heating line through the first fluid port into the fluid chamber. A portion of the heating line is deflected by rotating the rotary disk which is arranged rotatably about the axis in or on the fluid chamber.

A cleaning device for a surface, such as a windshield of a vehicle, has a housing that holds a spray bar, rotatable brush and a wiper blade. An engagement mechanism moves spray bar, the brush, and the wiper blade out from a disengaged position within the housing to an engaged position outside the housing so that they can be used to clean, brush, and dry the surface. After the spray bar, brush, and wiper blade are used to, respectively, clean, brush, and dry the surface, the engagement mechanism then moves the spray bar, the brush, and the wiper blade to a disengaged position within the housing.

A cleaning device for cleaning a transparent element of an optical or optoelectronic device with a fluid cleaning agent, includes a housing in which the device is arranged. The housing is equipped with an annular channel which can be filled with the cleaning agent via a cleaning agent inlet and encloses at least some areas of the transparent element, and at least one nozzle which is designed to deflect the cleaning agent onto the transparent element and is supplied from the annular channel. The cleaning device allows an increase of uptime and ensured functionality of the optical or optoelectronic device in all weather conditions and operating conditions or to maintain a high degree of uptime and ensured functionality at all times. At least one electrically conductive heating element is provided for heating the annular channel and/or the area of housing directly adjoining the annular channel or the cleaning agent inlet.

Window wiping device for a motor vehicle comprising at least one link (2, 3), a mobile arm (6) adapted to be mounted on the vehicle by said link (2, 3) and effect an angular to-and-fro movement (A), a flexible washing liquid feed tube (16), rigidly fastened to said mobile arm (6), which device is characterized in that it further comprises a means (20) for limitation of a curvature assumed by said flexible feed tube (16) configured to surround the flexible feed tube (16) so as to prevent it cracking.