Patent Publication Number: US-2023159319-A1

Title: Windshield Washer Fluid Dispensing Self Service Station

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to vehicle servicing tools. More specifically, the present invention is a windshield washer fluid dispensing self service station for the upkeep and cleaning of vehicle windshields. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     While driving in a vehicle, the windshield of the vehicle prevents the driver from being affected by the wind, wildlife, or debris that may otherwise collide with the driver. Because of the purpose the windshield serves, the windshield is frequently covered with dirt or grime from the road, insects struck by the windshield, or other debris. This debris can lead to difficulty seeing through the windshield and concurrently danger while driving. As vehicles have become more and more advanced over the years, windshield wipers and windshield washer fluid dispensers were added. These additions made it possible to clean the windshield of the vehicle at any time while the vehicle is being operated. The windshield wipers of vehicles are effective but are only capable of cleaning a specific area of the windshield. Additionally, the windshield wipers follow a specific pattern which may make it difficult to clean specific areas of the windshield. Windshield washer fluid and tools for cleaning windshields are often available at select gas stations. However, typically the fluid is held within a bucket and may be of low quality. Alternatively, the particular gas station may charge money for the application of fresh, higher quality windshield washer fluid and provision of said fluid by an attendant. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to offer a solution to the issues mentioned above. The present invention is a windshield washer fluid dispensing self service station. The present invention attempts to provide a system for applying high quality windshield washer fluid to a vehicle&#39;s windshield. To accomplish this, the present invention comprises components and utilizes technologies to provide a self-service system that enables users to properly clean the windshield on one&#39;s vehicle without the need of an attendant. In other words, the present invention provides a system that is capable of providing a user with high quality windshield washer fluid and the ability to utilize the windshield washer fluid manually. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a windshield washer fluid dispenser self service station. The combination of components involved in the present invention allows one to properly clean the windshield on one&#39;s vehicle without the need of an attendant. The present invention provides a system that is capable of providing a user with high quality windshield washer fluid and the ability to utilize the windshield washer fluid manually. To accomplish this, the system includes a body, that houses a user-friendly dispenser container, a blend center unit that can instantaneously mix liquids to make a windshield washer solution, and a HID (human interface device) that can dispense the windshield washer solution according to users&#39; needs. Further, the system includes a display device, a payment system, a sign board and necessary accessories that help with the smooth functioning of the system. Thus, the device utilizes simple, user-interactive, and cost-effective technologies to provide the windshield washer fluid dispenser self service station. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a top front right perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a top front right perspective view of the present invention shown without the outer protective cover, to reveal the inner components. 
         FIG.  3    is a bottom rear right perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a front elevational view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a rear elevational view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a left side elevational view of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a block diagram of the electrical and electronic components of the present inventions, wherein thicker lines represent electronic connection, thinner lines represent electrical connections, and broken lines represent wireless connections. 
         FIG.  8    is a rear perspective view of the electrical and electronic components of the present invention. 
         FIG.  9    is a front view of the electrical and electronic components of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     In reference to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  9    the present invention is a windshield washer fluid dispenser self service station. The combination of components involved in the present invention allows one to properly clean the windshield on one&#39;s vehicle without the need of an attendant. The present invention provides a system that is capable of providing a user with high quality windshield washer fluid and the ability to utilize the windshield washer fluid manually. Further, the present invention utilizes simple, user-interactive, and cost-effective technologies to provide the windshield washer fluid dispenser self service station. 
     The following description is in reference to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  9   . According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a receptacle  1 , a cavity  2 , a dispenser container enclosure compartment  3 , a dispenser container  4 , a display device  5 , a user detecting device  6 , a microcontroller  7 , an HID (human interface device)  8 , and a blend center unit  9 . As seen in  FIG.  1   , the receptacle  1  is a rectangular box that acts as a protective outer covering and main body of the present invention. Accordingly, the receptacle  1  is made of a plurality of rectangular panels that are made of a sturdy solid material such as metal and arranged in such a way to form the rectangular box or body. Preferably, the receptacle  1  is composed of proprietary anodized aluminum extrusion assembled into the shape of a vertical rectangular prism as shown in  FIG.  1   . In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of panels consists of three-millimeter ACM panels. However, the receptacle  1  may comprise any other material, shape, components, and arrangement of components that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art, as long as the intents of the present invention are not altered. 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the plurality of panels encloses an internal portion or cavity  2  of the present invention. To that end, the cavity  2  traverses through the receptacle  1 , wherein the cavity  2  extends from a first end  1   a  of the receptacle  1  through a second end  1   b  of the receptacle  1 . Preferably, the first end  1   a  constitutes a top end of the receptacle  1 , and the second end  1   b  constitutes a bottom end  1   b  of the receptacle  1 . Thus, the first end  1   a  is positioned opposite to the second end  1   b  across the receptacle  1 . 
     As seen in  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  2   , and  FIG.  3   , the dispenser container enclosure compartment  3  is laterally integrated onto a first surface  1   c  of the receptacle  1 , in such a way that the dispenser container enclosure compartment  3  extends into the cavity  2 . In the preferred embodiment, the first surface  1   c  constitutes a front surface of the receptacle  1 . In other words, the dispenser container enclosure compartment  3  is a rectangular indent in the front surface of the body as shown in  FIG.  1   . This is so that, the dispenser container  4  may be detachably positioned within the dispenser container enclosure compartment  3 . 
     Additionally, residing on the front surface of the body is the display device  5 . In other words, the display device  5  is laterally integrated onto the first surface  1   c  of the receptacle  1 . The display device  5  is an electronic component capable of displaying advertisements. Preferably, the display device  5  is a tablet run by the Android operating system. Further, the user detecting device  6  is preferably a camera that is integrated into the display device  5 . In another embodiment, the user detecting device  6  may be at least one wireless sensor, that can detect the presence of a user through motion sensing, face recognition, blue tooth activation, voice activation etc. However, the display device  5  and the user detecting device  6  may comprise any other brand, size, shape, technology, components, arrangement of components etc. that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art, as long as the intents of the present invention are not altered. To enable smooth functioning, the display device  5  and the user detecting device  6  are electronically coupled to the microcontroller  7 . This is so that, when the user detecting device  6  detects the presence of a user, a signal is sent to the display device  5  through the microcontroller  7  and the display device  5  turns active. In other words, the display device  5  is operably coupled to the user detecting device  6 , wherein the display device  5  is actuated by the user detecting device  6 . To that end, the microcontroller  7  is a processing device that manages the operation of the electrical components within the present invention. The microcontroller  7  is an integrated circuit that may comprise any brand, size, components, arrangement of components etc. that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art, as long as the intents of the present invention are not altered. 
     The HID  8  is, in the preferred embodiment, a small circular component accessible via the front surface of the body of the present invention. In other words, the HID  8  is laterally integrated onto the front surface of the receptacle  1  and is a circular button. The HID  8  is a part of the blend center unit  9 , and accordingly the blend center unit  9  is mounted adjacent to the HID  8 . As seen in  FIG.  8    and  FIG.  9   , the blend center unit  9  resides within the cavity  2  and is primarily a rectangular prism in shape. According to the preferred embodiment, the HID  8  is operably coupled to the blend center unit  9 , wherein operating the HID  8  governs dispensing of a windshield washer solution from the blend center unit into the dispenser container. In other words, the windshield washer solution located at the blend center unit  9  will be dispensed into the dispenser container  4  when the user operates the HID  8  or pushes the circular button. On releasing the HID  8 , dispensing of the windshield washer solution stops. To enable this, on the paid version units only, a solenoid valve is integrated onto the HID  8 . However, the HID  8  may have any other shape and technology, such as voice activation, a pulling lever etc., that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art, as long as the objectives of the present invention are fulfilled. 
     A more detailed description of the internal components of the present invention follows. According to the preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a concentrate container  10 , a concentrate suction tube  11 , a water supply tube  12 , and a mixed product dispenser tube  13 . Preferably, the concentrate container  10 , the concentrate suction tube  11 , and the water supply tube  12  are mounted within the cavity  2 . Within the body of the present invention and resting towards the bottom end of the receptacle  1  is the concentrate container  10 . In other words, the concentrate container  10  is mounted adjacent to the second end  1   b  of the receptacle  1 , as seen in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   . In the preferred embodiment, the concentrate container  10  is large enough to hold a sufficient amount of windshield washer fluid concentrate while being small enough to be accessed or removed through an opening or door on the receptacle  1 . As seen in  FIG.  2   , rising vertically from the concentrate container  10  and connecting to the blend center unit  9  is the concentrate suction tube  11 . The concentrate suction tube  11  is a portion of a cylindrical tubing that is in fluid communication with the concentrate container  10  and the blend center unit  9 . Also connected to the blend center unit  9  is the water supply tube  12 . In other words, the blend center unit  9  is in fluid communication with the concentrate suction tube  11  and the water supply tube  12 . Extending downward from the blend center unit  9  to the top of the dispenser container  4  is a straight, cylindrical component referred to as the mixed product dispenser tube  13 . In other words, the mixed product dispenser tube  13  extends from the blend center unit  9 , and the mixed product dispenser tube  13  is oriented towards the dispenser container  4 . This arrangement is so that, a specific set of functions may be performed for the smooth operation of the self-service windshield washer dispensing station. More specifically, when the HID  8  or activation button is pressed and held down to activate the blend center unit  9 , the concentrate suction tube  11  draws concentrate from the concentrate container  10 . This is enabled as the water from the water supply tube  12  flows through the blend center unit  9 . Further, at the blend center unit  9 , the concentrate mixes with the water from the water supply tube  12 , by means of siphoning. Subsequently, the mixed product dispenser tube  13  releases the mixed product or the windshield washer solution into the dispenser container  4 . 
     As seen in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  4   , the dispenser container  4  comprises a container body  14 , an internal compartment  15 , a mouth  16 , a handle  17 , and a spout  18 . In the preferred embodiment, the internal compartment  15  traverses into the container body  14 . Further, the mouth  16  is oriented towards the mixed product dispenser tube  13 , wherein the mouth  16  provides access into the internal compartment  15 . This is so that mixed product dispenser tube  13  may release the windshield washer solution into the dispenser container  4  through the mouth  16  of the dispenser container  4  and fill the internal compartment  15  with the proper mixture. For easy handling by the user, the handle  17  is laterally mounted onto the container body  14 . For pouring out the windshield washer solution onto vehicle windshields in a controlled manner, the spout  18  laterally extends from the container body  14  opposite to the handle  17 , and the spout  18  is in fluid communication with the internal compartment  15 . 
     In order to supply water to the water supply tube  12 , the water supply tube  12  is connected to a hose inlet water supply at one of the corners of the bottom of the receptacle  1 , as seen in  FIG.  5   . To that end, the present invention comprises a water inlet valve  19 , and an inlet water source  20 . Preferably, the inlet water source  20  is a hose that is connected to an external source such as a tank or a tap. As seen in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , the water inlet valve  19  traverses laterally through the receptacle  1 , and the water inlet valve  19  is positioned adjacent to the second end  1   b  of the receptacle  1 . Further, for smooth operation of the system, the water supply tube  12  is connected to the inlet water source  20  through the water inlet valve  19 , as seen in  FIG.  5   . 
     In reference to  FIG.  7    though  FIG.  9   , the present invention comprises an electric casing  21 , a wireless communication module  22 , and a power source  23 . Preferably, the electric casing  21  is mounted within the cavity  2 , and the microcontroller  7 , the wireless communication module  22 , and the power source  23  are mounted within the electric casing  21 . This is so that the sensitive electrical components may be safely arranged in a secure box and protected from hazardous outside elements such as pipes dealing with liquid connections. It is an aim of the present invention to incorporate wireless activations and operations such as voice activation, blue tooth activation, face recognition etc. To that end, the wireless communication module  22  is electronically connected to the microcontroller  7 . In other words, the microcontroller  7  may comprise a wireless communication module, that connects and communicates with external devices via wireless data transmission protocols. Example standards of what the wireless communication module  22  is capable of using includes, but are not limited to, Bluetooth, WI-FI, GSM, CDMA, ZigBee, etc. In order to provide electrical power to the electric components of the present invention, the power source  23  is electrically connected to the microcontroller  7 . Preferably, the power source  23  is an electrical power strip with surge protection. However, any other source of power, or a combination of the following sources may be employed for the smooth functioning of the present invention. Examples of such power sources include, but are not limited to, Li ion batteries, magnetic power converters, solar power converters, etc. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises an electrical terminal that allows the present invention to receive electrical power from an external power supply, and/or an electrical terminal that allows the present invention to send electrical power to an external electrical load. To that end, the present invention comprises a power cord  24 , wherein the power cord  24  is electrically connected to the power source  23 . As seen in  FIG.  2   ,  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  6   , the power cord  24  extends out of the receptacle  1 . 
     Continuing with the preferred embodiment, the present invention further comprises a speaker  25 , and the speaker  25  is electronically connected to the microcontroller  7 . This is so that the speaker  25  may provide audio for the advertisements being shown on the display device  5 , or any other programmed commands. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises at least one access door  26 . Preferably, the at least one access door  26  is laterally integrated onto the receptacle  1 . Further, the at least one access door  26  is operably coupled to the receptacle  1 , wherein operating the at least one access door  26  enables access to the cavity  2  within the receptacle  1 . As seen in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  4   , the at least one access door  26  comprises a large access door  26   a  below the dispenser container enclosure compartment  3 . The large access door  26   a  is an entry point on the front surface of the present invention and operates via a hinge mechanism. Further, the concentrate container  10  may be accessed or removed via the large access door  26   a . Furthermore, the large access door  26   a  may be opened if maintenance or refilling of the concentrate container  10  is needed. In reference to  FIG.  6   , the at least one access door  26  comprises a small access door  26   b . The small access door  26   b  can be opened for any necessary maintenance that may be needed for the components residing towards the top of the present invention. 
     As seen in  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  6   ,  FIG.  8    and  FIG.  9   . the preferred embodiment comprises a sign board  27 . Preferably, the sign board  27  is mounted onto a second surface  1   d  of the receptacle  1 , wherein the second surface  1   d  is positioned adjacent to the first end  1   a  of the receptacle  1 . In other words, a circular sign board is mounted onto the second surface  1   d , which constitutes a top surface of the receptacle  1 . However, the sign board  27  may comprise any other shape, size, location, orientation etc. as long as the intents of the present invention are not altered. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to enable both paid and unpaid versions for the service station. Accordingly, the present invention may comprise a payment system  28 , wherein the payment system  28  is electronically connected to the microcontroller  7 . For example, the payment system  28  may be a card reader, a scanner code, a number, or any other technology that is known to one of ordinary skill in the art, as long as the intents of the present invention are not altered. 
     To provide necessary illumination for guidance as well as decorative purposes, the present invention comprises at least one light source  29 . Preferably, the light source  29  is electronically connected to the microcontroller  7  and the light source  29  is mounted onto the receptacle  1 . However, the at least one light source  29  may comprise any color, power source, location etc. as long as the objectives of the present invention are fulfilled. 
     In summary, the windshield washer fluid dispenser self service station provides a method for dispensing windshield washer fluid into a vehicle for the purpose of cleaning the vehicle windshield. For the windshield washer fluid dispenser self service station to be utilized, a specific method must be performed. The electronic components of the present invention may be powered via a power source and the power cord extending from the back surface of the body of the present invention. The display device or tablet is activated automatically once the camera on the tablet captures motion and displays operating instructions and advertisements during the dispensing process. One may use a card reader to pay for the specific amount windshield washer fluid about to be used by tapping one&#39;s credit or debit card against the card reader. The present invention mixes highly concentrated windshield washer liquid from the container with water from the hose inlet water supply. The activation button may be pressed and held down to activate the blend center unit. The concentrate suction tube draws concentrate from the container, created as the water from the hose inlet water supply flows through the blend center unit and mixes with the water from the hose inlet water supply, by means of siphoning. The mixed product dispenser tube releases the mixed product through the opening of the dispenser container and fills the primary compartment of the dispenser container with the proper mixture. Depending on the amount of fluid dispensed into the dispenser container, one will be charged a specific amount of money to one&#39;s credit or debit card. Once the desired amount of fluid has been produced, one can relieve the activation button of pressure. The solenoid valve then closes, preventing fluid from entering the blend center unit and stopping the blend center unit from running. The dispenser container may then be picked up and removed from the dispenser container enclosure compartment via the handle. When one would like to dispense the fluid from the dispenser container, one can tilt the dispenser container at an angle so that fluid is spilled from the spout. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.