Patent Publication Number: US-2017369038-A1

Title: Wiperless auto windshield system for applying air pressure to clean the windshield

Description:
PRIOR APPLICATION 
     Applicant claims priority from provisional patent application No. 62/285,966 filed on Dec. 7, 2015. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a wiperless windshield system for cleaning the windshield of a car, truck or other vehicle using air pressure and no windshield wipers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Present systems typically use windshield wipers to clean windshields of cars, trucks or other vehicles by applying water to the surface of the windshield. Such existing systems have drawbacks which include the need to constantly clean, repair and replace windshield wipers. A more efficient economical system is desirable and needed to avoid such drawbacks. The present invention provides such an improved system. 
     DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,328 discloses a system that does not use windshield wipers to clean the windshield. Instead it uses fluid to wash the windshield. Thus, this system still has the drawback of using fluid to clean the windshield. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,322,776 discloses a system that cleans the windshield with liquid and a gaseous fluid. Thus this system still has the drawback of using liquid to clean the windshield. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system for cleaning windshields without wipers by supplying sufficient air pressure to the windshield surface. 
     It is another object of the present invention to supply air pressure from the vehicle&#39;s engine or manifold into an air canister to maintain sufficient air pressure to clean the windshield. 
     It is another object of the present invention to activate an electric pump to produce the needed air pressure to the air jets to clean the windshield surface without wipers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved system for cleaning the windshield of cars, trucks, and other vehicles without using wipers by supplying sufficient air pressure to air jets located around the windshield surface to clean it. The air pressure is supplied to the air jets from the vehicle&#39;s engine or manifold which supplies air into one or more regulated air canisters which apply sufficient air pressure to the air jets to clean the windshield. The system has an electric pump which is actuated to produce the needed air pressure to the canister. When the canister needs more air pressure, an air supply sensor and relief valve of the canister is closed off to allow the electric pump to supply additional air to fill the canister, so it can supply additional air to the air jets to clean the windshield surface without wipers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a diagram of the system of the present invention, including the engine manifold, the air supply hose, the regulated air canister, the PSI sensor and relief valve, the electric pump, the air supply hose, and the air jets around the windshield; and 
         FIG. 2  shows a diagram of the windshield with the surrounding air jets. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  shows the system  10  of the present invention, including the engine  12  having an air manifold  14  for supplying air pressure to the system  10 . Air manifold  14  supplies air pressure to an air supply hose  16  which is connected to a regulated air supply canister  20 , so that air pressure is supplied from supply hose  16  to canister  20 . 
     Air canister  20  has a PSI sensor and air relief valve  22  for sensing when the canister has a decrease in air pressure and needs more air. When this occurs, an electric pump  30  actuates the air manifold  14  to supply additional air to air canister  20 . When this occurs, the air supply from the air sensor and air relief valve  22  on air canister  20  is closed to allow the air canister  20  to receive and build up its air supply to the required pressure. Canister  20  and electric pump  30  may be one unit or housing with valve  22  in the same housing between canister  20  and pump  30 . 
     An air supply hose  40  is connected on one end to the air canister  20 , and the other end of hose  40  is connected to the air jets  50  for supplying the required air pressure to the windshield  60  for cleaning it with only the air jets  50  and without windshield wipers. 
     The preferred range of pressure is 120 to 150 PSI, but this may vary according to the number of air jets  50  that are used. The number of air jets  50  may range from 10 to 30 air jets, but this number may vary according to the size of the windshield. In addition, multiple air hoses  40  may be connected to the air jets  50  depending on the number of air jets. 
     Advantages of the Present Invention 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to provide an improved system for cleaning windshields without wipers by supplying sufficient air pressure to the windshield surface. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to supply air pressure from the vehicle&#39;s engine or manifold into an air canister to maintain sufficient air pressure to clean the windshield. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to activate an electric pump to produce the needed air pressure to the air jets to clean the windshield surface without wipers. 
     A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.