Abstract:
A vehicle cleaning system in which washer fluid is dispensed onto a vehicle windshield or headlight wiper blade via an integral channel and nozzles arrayed in a way so as to insure efficient dispensation of cleaning solution onto the vehicle windshield or headlight. The vehicle cleaning system comprises a fluid reservoir, an element to heat the fluid based on outside ambient temperature, a valve which regulates the fluid flow creating a hammering action during fluid application, and a surface wiper with an integral fluid dispensing apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This U.S. Patent Application is related to and claims priority to the Patent issued from the Patent Department of Republic of Bulgaria, Bulgarian Patent Registration No. 111311, filed on Sep. 20, 2012, by Pasko Todorov Paskov, Svilen Evgeniev Konstantinov, Rositsa Dimitrova Stoykova, and Stanyu Dimitrov Stoykov, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/850,750, filed on Feb. 23, 2013, by Pasko Todorov Paskov, Svilen Evgeniev Konstantinov, Rositsa Dimitrova Stoykova, and Stanyu Dimitrov Stoykov; and PCT/BG2013/000044, filed Sep. 18, 2013 by Pasko Todorov Paskov, Svilen Evgeniev Konstantinov, Rositsa Dimitrova Stoykova, and Stanyu Dimitrov Stoykov. 
     
    
     FIELD OF USE 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a windshield or headlight wiper blade in which the washer fluid is applied via integral nozzles mounted into, or molded as an integral part of the wiper blade with a wiper fluid heating element mounted inline between the reservoir and the wiper blade to supply heated cleaning fluid adjusted for outside ambient temperature. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Ensuring that the driver can see road conditions, oncoming traffic, pedestrians, and other obstacles is of paramount importance to the safe operation of any vehicle. 
         [0004]    Prior approaches have the washer fluid nozzle located on the wiper arm, instead of being an integral part of the wiper blade itself, while others have the washer nozzles which are located on the hood of the vehicle. Both approaches use more fluid. In addition, the fluid is prone to freezing in cold temperatures as temperatures drop. Also, the spraying of the fluid across the windshield is not uniform, leading to over-spraying some portions while under-spraying other portions. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,804,854 (Hasegawa; et al.) discloses an arm head of a windshield wiper device is provided on a backside thereof with an undulated groove formed by sidewalls. The sidewalls have plural hill portions protruding in opposite directions alternately in a width direction of the arm head so as to be opposed to one another in a longitudinal direction thereof. The tops of the hill portions on one width side of the arm head are integrally provided at upper surfaces thereof with projections extending perpendicularly to a depth direction of the groove to overhang the groove. 
         [0006]    U.S. Patent Document No. 20120284948 (Guidez) discloses a motor vehicle windshield wiper, comprising a windshield wiper blade that is hinged onto a windshield wiper arm by means of an arm/blade connector; and a washing liquid-spraying device that is arranged on the windshield wiper blade and connected by means of a connecting device to a washing liquid delivery channel that extends at least partially along the windshield wiper arm. 
         [0007]    U.S. Patent Document No. 20120291216 (Schauble; et al.) discloses a wiper device for vehicle windows and wiper blade with a heating arrangement. The wiper device is for vehicle windows, in particular for vehicle windscreens, with a wiper arm which carries an adapter on the wiper arm side, which is able to be connected with a wiper blade by means of an adapter element on the wiper blade side, wherein the wiper blade has a wiper rubber and at least one carrier rail arranged in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade, which is arranged in operative connection with a heating arrangement having an electrical connection. 
         [0008]    U.S. Patent Document No. 20120297564 (Jeuffe; et al.) discloses a windscreen wiper blade having a built-in washer liquid conduit. The system relates to a windshield wiper blade of a motor vehicle, comprising an elongate flexible strip, wherein at least one end of the strip is covered by a cap with a built-in conduit provided with a nozzle offset on the side of the flexible strip relative to the longitudinal median plane of said flexible strip. 
         [0009]    What is needed is an enhanced windshield or headlight wiper system with an integral washer fluid dispensing system and a fluid heating element; dispersion of fluid under high pressure and in close proximity to the surface to be cleaned, ensuring efficient cleaning and removal of stubborn stains. What is needed is a vehicle windshield or a headlight wiper and cleaning system designed to remove rain and debris from a windshield or a headlight in all types of motor vehicles operating at temperatures as low as −40° C. without freezing even in the harshest winter conditions. 
         [0010]    What is needed is a formation of partially closed area between the wiper blade and the surface being cleaned, ensuring an even distribution of the cleaning solution across the surface being cleaned; the presence of the heating system throughout the wiper blade enables the application of heated fluid or steam to the wiper ensuring efficient cleaning in extreme weather conditions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The enhanced vehicle windshield wiper system of the present invention addresses these needs. 
         [0012]    The enhanced vehicle windshield wiper system of the present invention is for cleaning a vehicle windshield or headlights. 
         [0013]    The wiper system of the present invention comprises a reservoir for storing cleaning solution, an integral fluid channel through which said cleaning solution is channeled upon activation, a pump which applies pressure to said cleaning solution moving said cleaning solution into and through nozzles in a wiper blade, a cleaning solution heating element which heats said cleaning solution based upon ambient temperature, a valve which regulates the flow of said cleaning solution to ensure a hammering action of said cleaning solution upon activation, and a plurality of nozzles disposed in said wiper blade. The plurality of nozzles is generally evenly spaced along the length of the wiper blade to provide an even distribution of cleaning solution across the surface to be cleaned. 
         [0014]    Upon activation of the enhanced vehicle windshield wiper system of the present invention, the cleaning solution is applied to the vehicle windshield or headlights by a hammering action to remove debris and stains from the vehicle windshield or headlights. Upon activation of said enhanced vehicle windshield wiper system, vaporized fluid is channeled through the plurality of nozzles onto the vehicle windshield or headlights. 
         [0015]    For purposes of illustration, the system of the present invention is depicted in a mechanism for cleaning debris from windshield. However, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the system of the present invention has numerous other applications, including particularly, cleaning debris from the headlights of a vehicle. 
         [0016]    In addition, for a complete understanding of the enhanced wiper system of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which the presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example. As the invention may be embodied in many forms without departing from spirit of essential characteristics thereof, it is expressly understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts a schematic of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade system of the present invention, including the fluid reservoir, the electric pump, the fluid tube, fluid heater, the valve, and the quick disconnect. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  depicts an isometric view of the underside of a first preferred embodiment of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade of the present invention, showing the passages whereby the cleaning fluid is pulsed onto the surface to be cleaned, delivering a hammering effect to clean said surface. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  depicts a partial sectional view of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  depicts a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade of the present invention of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  depicts an isometric view of the first preferred embodiment of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade of  FIG. 2  attached to a windshield wiper. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  depicts a side elevational view of a second preferred embodiment of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  depicts a side elevational view of a third preferred embodiment of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  depicts an exploded sectional detailed view of a nozzle of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  depicts another view of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade of  FIG. 1 , showing the quick disconnect that enables easy removal for servicing and replacement. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  depicts a cross-sectional view of the windshield wiper blade and the quick disconnect taken from  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts the block diagram of enhanced vehicle wiper blade system of the present invention. The wiper blade system comprises the fluid reservoir [ 28 ], electric pump [ 30 ] which pulls the fluid from the reservoir [ 28 ] and pushes it through the fluid tube [ 32 ]. The cleaning fluid passes through a fluid heater [ 36 ] where the cleaning fluid is heated, if necessary to the proper temperature based upon outside temperature. The cleaning fluid then passes through the valve [ 40 ], into the windshield wiper [ 10 ] which is connected to the fluid tube [ 32 ] via the quick disconnect [ 42 ], through the nozzles [ 20  and  22 ] for the integral nozzles in  FIG. 2 , and onto the windshield or headlight surface to be cleaned. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 2-5  depict an assortment of exploded views of a first preferred embodiment of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade of the present invention, showing the passages whereby the cleaning fluid is pulsed onto the surface to be cleaned, delivering a pulsed and hammering effect to clean the surface. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is the elevational view of the first embodiment in  FIG. 2  with a partial cross-section, wherein the nozzles [ 20 ,  22 ] are clearly visible as well as the two cleaning edges [ 12 ], and the channel [ 44 ] in between the edges. The cylindrical channel [ 16 ] feeds cleaning solution into and through the fluid spray nozzles [ 20 ] which are spaced at generally evenly-spaced intervals along the cleaning edge of the wiper blade [ 10 ]. The spray nozzles [ 20 ] are normally closed and open as pressurized cleaning solution is circulated through them. 
         [0030]    The nozzle [ 20 ] provides an essentially triangular shaped spray which is attached to the wiper blade [ 14 ] and is in fluid communication with the cylindrical channel [ 16 ]. The nozzle is preferably about 2.5 mm tall, about 1.6 mm wide, about 2 mm wide at its widest point, with the channel [ 16 ] preferably having a generally cylindrical shape being disposed in the substantially in the middle of the wiper blade [ 10 ]. The nozzle 
         [0031]    is preferably about 1.2 mm at its widest at the top and tapers to about 0.2 mm at its outlet. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  depicts the enhanced vehicle windshield wiper system of the present invention comprising a standard wiper arm motor and arm assembly. The windshield wiper [ 10 ] has a hollow channel [ 16 ], wherein the cleaning solution is routed through via nozzles [ 20 ] which are generally spaced at generally equal intervals along the wiper blade. The nozzles [ 20 ] are designed to be closed under normal driving conditions and to open when cleaning solution, under pressure, is forced through them. When the cleaning function is activated, the cleaning solution is circulated through the hollow channel [ 16 ] onto the windshield wiper [ 10 ] under high pressure and out of the nozzles [ 20 ], thus opening the nozzles [ 20 ] and spraying the cleaning solution onto the cleaning surface as desired by the vehicle operator. The nozzles [ 20 ] are positioned along the length of the windshield wiper [ 10 ] on the side which faces away from the vehicle driver and passenger. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  depicts a cross-sectional view of the windshield wiper blade of  FIG. 4 . The windshield wiper blade [ 10 ] comprises two cleaning surfaces [ 12 ] while the contour of its cross section which connects the vertices of the two edges forms a semicircle [ 14 ]. Running through the center of the blade, is a cylindrical channel [ 16 ] in which the fluid flows through. The top of the wiper blade [ 10 ] is preferably about 8.2 mm in width, with the top width of the cleaning surfaces is about 9 mm tapering down to 7 mm, then 5.4 mm. The height of the wiper blade [ 10 ] is preferably about 12.2 mm from the semi-circular tip [ 14 ] to the top surface of the blade. The radius of the semi-circular tip [ 14 ] is preferably about 4.5 mm. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  depicts a side elevational view of a second preferred embodiment of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade of the present invention. 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  depicts a third preferred embodiment of the windshield wiper blade [ 10 ] of the present invention in which the fluid flows through the cylindrical channel [ 16 ] which is disposed in the center of the blade and onto the surface to be cleaned via integral nozzles [ 22 ] which are spaced at regular intervals along the cleaning edge of the windshield wiper blade [ 10 ]. The integral nozzles [ 22 ] are hemispherical in shape with the openings having a conical shape to improve spreading the liquid over a larger area, improving cleaning ability, while using up to 30-40% less fluid as compared to other systems. Activation of the integral nozzles [ 22 ] is via pressurized fluid during use. The nozzles [ 22 ] remain closed when the system is not activated. 
         [0036]    In this embodiment, the cylindrical cavity [ 16 ] which comprises the channel in the center of the wiper blade [ 10 ] from which the cleaning solution is then sprayed onto the vehicle windshield or headlight, is molded with integral nozzles so as to reduce production times and cost. The nozzles [ 22 ] are preferably hemispherical in shape so as to improve the concentration of the cleaning solution stream, while the conical shape of the opening aids in spreading the cleaning solution across a larger area. 
         [0037]    Also, the valve [ 40 ] enables a better distribution of the cleaning solution being sprayed across the windshield or headlight. The valve [ 40 ] also enables a hammering action of the cleaning solution upon activation, enabling a more efficient cleaning by increasing pressure. As a result of use of the valve [ 40 ], it is estimated there will be a 30-40% savings in cleaning solution as compared with conventional systems. 
         [0038]    The cleaning surface [ 12 ] is split into two surfaces, leaving a space between, creating a channel [ 44 ] into which the nozzles [ 20 ] inject the cleaning solution. This channel 
         [0039]    enables the efficient cleaning of the windshield by preventing the cleaning solution from blowing away under high vehicle speeds, reducing the amount of cleaning solution used. The distance of the nozzles [ 20 ] from the windshield in this channel [ 44 ] is 3-4 mm. 
         [0040]    The windshield wiper blade has two cleaning edges [ 12 ], with an attachment at one end for the fluid pipe, which is located inside the wiper blade. The wiper blade [ 10 ] is connected to the fluid reservoir [ 28 ], electric pump [ 30 ], and fluid heater [ 36 ]. The fluid heater [ 36 ] raises the temperature of the cleaning solution, based on outside temperature, perhaps even to a vaporized state, as the cleaning solution flows out of the reservoir and into the cavity into the wiper blade. The system uses a temperature sensor mounted outside the vehicle, or an existing temperature sensor in the vehicle engine compartment, or elsewhere in the vehicle to determine outside ambient temperature and adjust the washer fluid temperature accordingly. 
         [0041]      FIG. 8  depicts an exploded detailed sectional view of a typical nozzle of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade of the present invention. 
         [0042]      FIG. 9  depicts another preferred embodiment of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade of the present invention, showing the quick disconnect [ 42 ] that enables easy removal for servicing and replacement.  FIG. 10  depicts a cross-sectional view of the windshield wiper blade and the quick disconnect taken from  FIG. 9 . 
         [0043]    A valve [ 40 ] is included which activates the cleaning solution to create a hammering action, aiding in cleaning and regulating the amount of the liquid or vaporized cleaning solution which is channeled through the nozzles onto the vehicle windshield or headlights. A quick disconnect [ 42 ] enables the enhanced windshield wiper blade assembly of the present invention [ 10 ] to be easily removed for servicing and replacement. 
         [0044]    A heater [ 36 ] enables a vaporization of the fluid in instances where steam is needed, such as in harsh winter conditions in which there is heavy ice buildup, or the cleaning of dead insects on the windshield or headlight. 
         [0045]    For the most efficient operation of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade system of the present invention, it is recommended that the following ranges and parameters be used. The pressure of the liquid into the reservoir is between 1.5 and 2.5 bars and preferably about 2.0 bars, which is also the pressure of the operational system while in the working regime of hot cleaning solution. The temperature of the liquid cleaning solution initially varies between 35° C. and 55° C., and preferably in the range of 40° C. to 50° C., when the cleaning solution flows out of the nozzles because of the differences in diameters of feeding pipe and nozzles the pressure increases two to three times (to about 4-6 bars). This is the working pressure of the system on the cleaning surface. 
         [0046]    Adding the valve [ 40 ] into the system provides two additional advantages:
       breaking up the flow of the liquid and delivering the “hammer effect” of pulses (3-5 pulses per/sec) increases the cleaning effect onto the surface to be cleaned; and   preserving the amount of cleaning solution because of the working regime of the valve [ 40 ] and regulated the time of opening and closing define the flow rate of the cleaning solution.       
 
         [0049]    When the system is in working regime the vaporized cleaning solution will be in the temperature range of 100° C. and 118° C., and preferably between 105° C. and 110° C. The pressure on the cleaning surface will preferably be 1 Bar=1 kg/cm 2 , adding the diameter of the nozzle with pressure of 4 Bar=4 kg/cm 2 , or 0.04 kg/mm 2 . 
         [0050]    Also, the wiper blade [ 10 ] is preferably a rubber or rubber-like material and is the same color as the body of the vehicle. That is, for example, a red-colored wiper blade is used to match a red vehicle. This will enhance the marketing of the windshield wiper of the present invention. 
         [0051]    In addition, a heavy-duty motor and gear reduction system is recommended in extreme weather conditions, to ensure that the wiper blades have sufficient power to overcome any build-up of snow and sleet on the surface to be cleaned. 
         [0052]    The system may be part of a vehicle as supplied by an OEM or sold in kit form so as to enable aftermarket installation onto any vehicle in 45-50 minutes by someone skilled in the art. The kit comprises; two wiper blades, a heater element with valves, an electronic control unit, installation wires, a new fluid tube, mounting plates and instruction manual. The existing pump and reservoir are re-useable. 
         [0053]    Throughout this application, various Patents and Applications are referenced by number and inventor. The disclosures of these documents in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this specification in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. 
         [0054]    It is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations of the enhanced vehicle wiper blade of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the metes and bounds of the present invention be determined by the appended claims rather than by the language of the above specification, and that all such alternatives, modifications, and variations which form a conjointly cooperative equivalent are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of these claims. 
       PARTS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           10 . Wiper Blade 
           11 . Windshield Wiper 
           12 . Cleaning Surfaces 
           14 . Semicircular Tip 
           16 . Cylindrical Channel 
           20 . Nozzle 
           22 . Integral Nozzles 
           28 . Fluid Reservoir 
           30 . Electric Pump 
           32 . Fluid Tube 
           36 . Fluid Heater 
           40 . Valve 
           42 . Quick Disconnect 
           44 . Channel