An imaging device images rearward of a vehicle through a windshield from inside a cabin of the vehicle, and a vehicle washing device includes a wiping device and a controller. The wiping device is capable of reciprocatingly wiping a predetermined range of the windshield. The predetermined range of the windshield includes an imaging range for the imaging device. The controller switches operation of the wiping device to one of a first mode or a second mode in accordance with an input. In the first mode, the wiping device wipes the predetermined range of the windshield. In the second mode, the wiping device wipes the imaging range of the windshield preferentially compared to the first mode.

The present invention pertains to an automotive vehicle windshield cleaning system for cleaning outer windshield surfaces by an alternative means to wiper blades. The alternative windshield cleaning system includes a windshield component that applies a nano-hydrophobic coating or photocatalytic coating. A plurality of nozzles are arranged near the windshield periphery to spray or distribute generated compressed air. A control valve controls compressed air flow to the plurality of nozzles and regulates compressed air flow. A control unit operably connects and controls valving based on information received from one or more sensors. The control valve regulates compressed air flow towards the plurality of nozzles. Nozzles spray or direct compressed air onto a windshield's outer surface to remove extraneous elements residing on or along windshield surfaces.

A windscreen washer system for vehicles, in particular for motor vehicles, including at least one rainwater collection element connected to at least one suction pump for collecting rainwater and conveying the same to a collection tank connected in turn to a pump for delivering windscreen washer fluid where the rainwater collection element is integrated in at least one wiper blade.

The subject disclosure relates to features that facilitate the automatic cleaning of optical sensors and in particular Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors used in autonomous vehicle deployments. In some aspects, the disclosed technology includes a sensor cleaning apparatus having a housing, wherein the housing is configured to be rotatably coupled to an optical sensor, a wiper blade coupled to the housing, wherein the wiper blade is disposed at a downward angle relative to a top-surface of the optical sensor, and one or more nozzles disposed within the wiper blade, wherein the nozzles are configured to apply compressed gas to a surface of the optical sensor.

An aircraft windshield wiper system includes a wiper arm, a wiper blade coupled to a first end of the wiper arm, and an output shaft coupled to a second end of the wiper arm. The wiper blade includes a fluid dispensing system including nozzles, a fluid control unit, fluid lines, fluid source, and a user interface. The wiper blade with the fluid dispensing system is configured to dispense a variety of fluids directly from the wiper blade onto the windshield of an aircraft.

A windshield wiper system is described and comprises of a windshield wiper blade and an air system. The windshield wiper blade can connect to an existing wiper arm on a vehicle. The windshield wiper blade is configured with an air channel and a heating element. The air system includes a fan and an air hose, wherein the air system is adapted to intake air from the fan and blow air through the connected air hose into the air channel in the wiper blade. The air hose is connected to the windshield wiper blade to provide the air from the air system to the windshield wiper blade which is deposited onto the windshield to move water and debris off the windshield while the wiper arm is reciprocating the wiper blade. The heating element warms up the air moving through the air channel to melt ice and snow on the windshield.

The invention relates to a wiper blade (10) to clean a vehicle window (1), with a wiper blade body (18), with the wiper blade adapter (14) to fasten the wiper blade (10) to a wiper arm (12), with at least one spray opening (20) arranged on the longitudinal side of the wiper blade body (18) for spraying a cleaning medium on the vehicle window (1), wherein the at least one spray opening (20) is hydraulically connected to a supply element (30) arranged in the area of the wiper blade adapter (14), and wherein the supply element (30) has at least one connection element (31, 32) to supply at least one cleaning liquid (2) to the supply element (30). It is provided according to the invention that the supply element (30) has a device (40) to supply air and a mixing device (35) to generate a cleaning foam as a cleaning medium, the cleaning medium being composed of the cleaning liquid (2) and the air.

A surface wiper device which includes a carrier which supports a blade. The carrier attaches to a wiper arm which urges the blade against and moves the blade across the surface of a windshield. The carrier further provides a plurality of outlets each of which communicate between a hollow passage inside the carrier and a location on the external surface of the carrier. A fluid can be delivered from a fluid source fluidicly coupled to the hollow passage of the carrier under sufficient pressure to be dispersed from the plurality of outlets onto the windshield during movement of the blade. A fluid heater can be thermally coupled with the fluid delivered from the fluid source to the plurality of outlets to increase the temperature of the fluid dispersed onto the windshield. The fluid can be sufficiently heated to generate a heated gas.

A multifunction windshield wiper includes a wiper arm, a wiper blade holder, and a wiper blade to facilitate, through channels, the direct distribution of the liquid or an air on the windshield surface. The direct distribution of the liquid and an air maximize the wiping effect and minimizes their usage. The wiper arm is assembled with wiper blade holder within the flexible spherical joints to refine the contact with a curved surface during the operational movement of the windshield wiper in the different weather conditions. The windshield wiper arm has a flexible joint with the link arm to facilitate the tension on the windshield surface during the wiping process.

A surface wiper device which includes a carrier which supports a blade. The carrier attaches to a wiper arm which urges the blade against and moves the blade across the surface of a windshield. The carrier further provides a plurality of outlets each of which communicate between a hollow passage inside the carrier and a location on the external surface of the carrier. A fluid can be delivered from a fluid source fluidicly coupled to the hollow passage of the carrier under sufficient pressure to be dispersed from the plurality of outlets onto the windshield during movement of the blade. A fluid heater can be thermally coupled with the fluid delivered from the fluid source to the plurality of outlets to increase the temperature of the fluid dispersed onto the windshield. The fluid can be sufficiently heated to generate a heated gas.