Abstract:
A hollow container may have a light source entirely positioned in a cavity defined by a bottom exterior surface of the container. A rigid base of the light source may be flush with the bottom exterior surface around the cavity. The cavity may be concave inward toward a center of the hollow container. A fluid level sensor switch may protrude through a bottom wall of the hollow container to sense a fluid level in the hollow container. A circuit connected to the fluid level sensor switch and the light source may be wired to cause the light source to blink when the fluid level sensor switch detects a predetermined fluid level within the hollow container and a hood switch detects an open vehicle hood. A hole in a top exterior surface may have a cap and facilitate addition or removal of a liquid to the hollow container.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a fluid reservoir with a light source. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. Modern vehicles, such as automobiles, may be equipped with a variety of fluid holding reservoirs, or more simply, fluid reservoirs, located under a hood and/or within an engine compartment of a vehicle. However, such fluid reservoirs are not without their share of limitations. One such limitation of current fluid reservoirs is related to the material from which many are currently made. Many fluid reservoirs are molded or formed from a white or opaque material, such as plastic, and located in an area of a vehicle engine compartment that is not subjected to much natural light when a hood of the vehicle is opened. Moreover, due to the complexity of modern vehicles, fluid reservoirs may be obstructed by other objects, such as engine covers, hoses and other mechanical and electrical components. Utilizing a hand-held flashlight may assist a person in viewing the fluid level within a fluid reservoir; however, if the reservoir material is an opaque plastic, shining light directly on the reservoir from outside of the reservoir may cause such light to reflect, thereby making the viewing of a fluid level within the reservoir more difficult than if no exterior direct light were used. What is needed then, is a device that does not suffer from such limitations. Such a device will allow a user standing outside of the vehicle to look into an engine compartment and easily view a fluid level within a fluid reservoir. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. An apparatus with a light source may employ a hollow container with a bottom exterior surface, which may define a cavity with the light source positioned with the cavity. A rigid base may be attached to the light source and be secured within the cavity. Moreover, the rigid base may form a flush surface with the bottom exterior surface of the hollow container to facilitate stable and secure placement of the hollow container within an engine compartment. The hollow container may define a hole in an exterior surface for facilitating addition or removal of a liquid within the hollow container. A cap may seal and unseal the hole in the top surface of the hollow container and provide selective access. The cavity defined by the bottom exterior surface may be concave inward toward a center of the hollow container. A fluid level sensor switch may protrude through a bottom wall of the hollow container to sense a level of a fluid inside the hollow container. An electrical control circuit may be connected to the fluid level sensor switch and the light source. The electrical control circuit may be wired or connected to cause the light source to flash when the fluid level sensor switch detects a predetermined fluid level within the hollow container. A vehicle hood may interact with a hood switch such that the hood switch may be wired to cause the light source to light when the vehicle hood is opened. A positive electrical wire may be connected to the light source, a negative electrical wire may be connected to the light source, a positive electrical wire may be connected to the fluid level sensor switch, a negative electrical wire may be connected to the fluid level sensor switch, and an electrical connector may secure or bind the positive electrical wire connected to the light source, the positive electrical wire connected to the fluid level sensor switch, the negative electrical wire connected to the light source, and the negative electrical wire connected to the fluid level sensor switch. The connector may plug into a vehicle wiring harness to obtain electrical current from a vehicle battery. 
         [0004]    A method of controlling a light source may entail providing a light source within a fluid container, raising a hood on a vehicle thereby causing electrical closing of a hood switch, energizing a light source and causing the light source to illuminate upon electrical closing of the hood switch, sensing a fluid level below a predetermined level, causing the light source to flash in response to sensing the fluid level below the predetermined level, and installing the fluid container within an engine compartment of a vehicle. 
         [0005]    Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a vehicle depicting a location of an engine compartment within which a fluid reservoir may be located in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an engine compartment of a vehicle depicting several exemplary locations of a fluid reservoir in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a fluid reservoir depicting a location of a light in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view depicting a location and fluid reservoir wall in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view depicting a location of a fluid level sensor switch and a light installed through a wall of the fluid reservoir in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of connectivity of devices in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a circuit diagram of a control circuit in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to  FIGS. 1-7  of the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  depicts a vehicle  10  and a location of an engine compartment  12  within which fluid reservoirs  14 ,  28  may be located in accordance with the present disclosure. Turning now to  FIG. 2 , vehicle  10  is depicted with hood  16  in an open position, revealing engine compartment  12 , which contains engine  18  and engine cover  20 .  FIG. 2  depicts representative locations of the teachings of the present disclosure. More specifically, fluid reservoir  14  is depicted employed as a expansion tank for radiator  22 . When employed as an expansion tank, fluid reservoir  14  employs an expansion tank hose  24  with one end connected to fluid reservoir  14  and another end connected to radiator neck  26  of radiator  22  to provide a fluid transfer link between fluid reservoir  14  and radiator  22 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  also depicts fluid reservoir  28  employed as a washer fluid tank for washing front windshield  30 . More specifically, fluid reservoir  28  may be fluidly linked to a first washer nozzle  32  and a second washer nozzle  34  by a washer fluid hose  36  which is equipped with an inline fluid pump  38  to pump washer fluid from within fluid reservoir  28  to washer nozzles  32 ,  34 . Because fluid reservoir  14  and fluid reservoir  28  may be constructed in the same fashion, only construction of fluid reservoir  14  will be described hereinafter, unless otherwise noted. 
         [0017]      FIG. 3  depicts fluid reservoir  14  filled to just over a reservoir mid-point  40  with fluid  42 . Fluid reservoir  14  may be equipped with a reservoir cap  44  which may be selectively removable in order to fill fluid reservoir  14  with fluid  42 . For the present discussion, fluid reservoir  14  may be assumed to be filled to just over reservoir mid-point  40  with fluid  42 , thus defining a fluid reservoir  14  filled portion  46  and an unfilled portion  48 . Within the unfilled portion  48 , fluid reservoir  14  may have a molded-in full line  50  to designate a full fluid reservoir  14 . Thus, a human eye  52  may view an exterior of fluid reservoir  14  to determine an extent of filled portion  46  of fluid reservoir  14 .  FIG. 3  also depicts fluid reservoir  14  equipped with a light source  54 , which will be further explained in conjunction with  FIG. 4 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 4  depicts an enlarged cross-sectional view of an area of fluid reservoir  14  that is equipped with light source  54 . More specifically, light source  54  may be partly or completely installed within a recessed portion  56  of a wall  58  that forms part of fluid reservoir  14 . Recessed portion  56  may be concave toward a center (e.g. geometric center) of fluid reservoir  14  to receive light source  54 , which may have a rigid base  60  that may be partially or completely installed within recessed portion  56 . More specifically, rigid base  60  may snap into or wedge into recessed portion  56  in a friction type of fit. Alternatively, rigid base  60  may be glued to wall  58  that bounds recessed portion  56 . Still yet, traditional screw-type fasteners or glue may secure base within recessed portion  56 . Light source  54  may be any of a variety of light sources, including but not limited to, an incandescent light bulb, a light emitting diode (LED), or other source of light. Light source  54  may employ a positive lead  62  and a negative lead wire  64  to accommodate electrical supply from a Direct Current (“DC”) source. As depicted in  FIG. 3  and enlarged in  FIG. 4 , light source  54  may be installed within and surrounded by a bottom surface  66  of fluid reservoir  14 . Part of light source  54  or the entirety of light source  54  may be installed within recessed portion  56 . Wires  62 ,  64  may or may not be considered part of light source  54 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 5  depicts fluid reservoir  14 , with the addition of a fluid level sensor switch  72 . More specifically, fluid reservoir  14  may employ fluid level sensor switch  72  and light source  54 , both installed in a bottom surface  74  of fluid reservoir  70 . That is, fluid level sensor switch  72  may be installed through bottom surface  74  of fluid reservoir  70 , such as partially through bottom surface  74 .  FIG. 5  also depicts an electrical connector  76 , which may be a four-pin connector, that may be used in conjunction with positive lead wire  62  and negative lead wire  64  of light source  54  and positive lead wire  78  and negative lead wire  80  of fluid level sensor switch  72 . More specifically, lead wires  62 ,  64 ,  78 ,  80  may be installed into electrical connector  76  to provide electrical current to both light source  54  and fluid level sensor switch  72 . Electrical connector  76  may be plugged into a vehicle wiring harness (not shown) of vehicle  10  and receive electrical energy from battery  86 . To permit fluid reservoir  14  to rest securely on a flat or level surface, bottom surface  74 , rigid base  60  of light source  54  and longitudinal end of fluid level sensor switch  72  may be flush or at the same level. Stated differently, rigid base  60  of light source  54  and longitudinal end of fluid level sensor switch  72  may not protrude past or beyond bottom surface  74 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of devices used in conjunction with the present disclosure. More specifically,  FIG. 6  depicts a control circuit  82  electrically linked to fluid reservoirs  14 ,  28 , to hood switch  84  and battery  86 , which may be a 12 volt battery as is known to provide electrical power to vehicles. Continuing, hood switch  84  (see also  FIG. 1 ), which may be an electrical contact switch that is known in the art, may be arranged within engine compartment  12  to cause light source  54  to illuminate when hood  16  is lifted thereby “switching” and providing contact for contacts within switch and causing electricity to flow to light source  54 . Continuing, fluid level sensor switch  72  (see also  FIG. 1 ), which may be a fluid level sensor that is known in the art, such as a float type sensor, may be arranged within engine compartment  12  to cause light source  54  to flash (i.e. turn a supply of electricity “on” and “off” at a predetermined time interval) when hood  16  is lifted and a level or volume of fluid is less than a predetermined level or volume. When liquid within fluid reservoir  14  is at or below a predetermined level or volume, electricity flows to light source  54  in a prescribed manner such that light source  54  “flashes” or turns “on” and “off” when hood  16  is lifted.  FIG. 7  depicts control circuit  82 , which may be used to control electricity that flows to light source  54  of fluid reservoir  14  depending upon a position of hood switch  84  and fluid level sensor switch  72 . More specifically, when hood  16  is in an up position thereby causing electricity to flow to light source  54 , and fluid level sensor switch senses a fluid level at or above a predetermined level, light source  54  illuminates at a consistent illumination. However, when hood  16  is in an up position thereby causing electricity to flow to light source  54 , and fluid level sensor switch senses a fluid level below a predetermined value, light source  54  flashes or blinks. 
         [0021]    A method of controlling light source  54  may entail installing or providing a fluid reservoir  14 ,  28  within an engine compartment  12  of vehicle  10  and providing light source  54  within fluid reservoir  14 ,  28 . Providing light source within fluid container may mean providing the light source within a concave cavity that is formed with an exterior wall of fluid reservoir  14 ,  28  such that light source  54  and any light source mounting bracket is located entirely or partially within such concave cavity. That is, light source  54 , or at least an illuminating part of light source  54 , may be completely, entirely or partially surrounded by a material (e.g. plastic) forming or defining such concave cavity. Thus, light may radiate from light source, through a wall thickness of the fluid container material, through a level of fluid within the container, out of the fluid within the container, again through a wall thickness of container, and reaching an eye  52  of a viewer. Continuing, method of controlling light source  54  may entail raising hood  16  on vehicle  10  thereby causing electrical closing (i.e. closing of electrical contacts) of hood switch  84 , energizing light source  54  with electricity and causing light source  54  to illuminate upon electrical closing (i.e. closing of electrical contacts) of hood switch  84 . Moreover, method of controlling light source  54  may entail sensing or measuring a level of fluid  42  as being below a predetermined level while hood  16  is raised, thereby causing a closed hood switch  84  to permit electricity to pass and thereby causing light source  54  to flash (i.e. blink “on” and “off”) in response to sensing the level of fluid  42  being below the predetermined level. 
         [0022]    The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. 
         [0023]    Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
         [0024]    When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
         [0025]    Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.