Fluid handling – Systems – Plural tanks or compartments connected for serial flow
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-22
2001-05-29
Kashnikow, Andres (Department: 3752)
Fluid handling
Systems
Plural tanks or compartments connected for serial flow
C239S284100, C239S074000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237627
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a fluid delivery system and more particularly, relates to improvements in automotive vehicle windshield washer systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Modern motor vehicles typically include a windshield washer system wherein a windshield washer fluid reservoir is connected by suitable conduits to the inlet of a fluid pump. The outlet of the fluid pump is connected by hoses to nozzles which direct a stream of windshield washer fluid against the windshield of the motor vehicle. The windshield washer fluid may be directed through nozzles mounted on the hood of the vehicle or to nozzles within the windshield wipers themselves. The windshield washer fluid is usually an alcohol based system with cleansing agents to clean dirt, debris and insects from the windshield to provide better visibility. As such, the windshield washer system is a necessity to provide for safe operation of the vehicle and for the safety of the vehicle operator and passengers.
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is usually installed in the engine compartment of the motor vehicle by the manufacturer. When, during the normal course of operation, the supply of windshield washer fluid becomes depleted, the reservoirs must be refilled manually to replenish the supply of windshield washer fluid. This may either be done by the vehicle operator or at a service station by physically accessing the fluid reservoir and pouring fluid into it. The fluid is normally sold in what might be referred to as a retail container and which retail container is usually of a volume sufficient to refill the fluid reservoir one or more times.
In order to access the windshield fluid reservoir, it is usually necessary to open the engine compartment of the vehicle, locate the proper reservoir, remove its lid or cap and then pour the windshield washer fluid from the retail container into the fluid reservoir through an opening. Subsequently, it is necessary to replace the lid or cap. This process is time consuming and awkward. The windshield fluid reservoir lids or caps are often difficult to remove and it is not always easy to identify which is the windshield fluid reservoir—it can, for example, easily be confused with the reservoir for antifreeze to the vehicle.
A major problem associated with the windshield washer system is that the refilling is often required on an expressway or at night or in an unfamiliar area and this can render the task more difficult and possibly even hazardous. The necessity of refilling the windshield fluid reservoir usually happens at times when the fluid is being actively used such as in conditions where a lot of grime is being thrown on the windshield from the road due to adjacent vehicles. In particular, in somewhat colder climates, a mixture of cold water and road grime can be thrown on the windshield which necessitates very frequent cleaning of the windshield in order to maintain adequate visibility. Such conditions frequently occur on expressways where no stopping or only very limited stopping is available. As such, it becomes extremely dangerous as the driver whose windshield washer fluid has been depleted is forced to try to operate the vehicle with very limited visibility.
Furthermore, the difficulty of opening the engine compartment, removing the cap or lid of the windshield fluid reservoir and attempting to pour fluid from one container into a relatively small opening can result in damage to personal property and clothing as well as waste and pollution due to spillage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for an improvement in a vehicle wherein there is provided a secondary fluid delivery system for use with a retail container of windshield washer fluid.
According to one aspect of the present invention, in a vehicle having a windshield washer system including a primary fluid reservoir for supplying windshield washer fluid to a windshield, there is provided the improvement which comprises a secondary fluid delivery system for use with a retail container of washer fluid, the secondary fluid delivery system comprising cover means designed to fit on the retail container of washer fluid, conduit means extending between the retail container and the primary fluid reservoir, pump means operatively connected to the conduit means to pump windshield fluid from the retail container to the primary fluid reservoir, first sensing means for sensing a fluid level within the primary fluid reservoir, and second sensing means for sensing a fluid level within the retail container.
In a preferred embodiment, the first sensing means includes both a low fluid level sensor and a high fluid level sensor while the second sensing means would include a low fluid level sensor to detect a low level of fluid in the retail container and an empty sensor for sensing when the retail container is empty—i.e. when there is not sufficient fluid to pump to the primary fluid reservoir. The system may be arranged to have both manual and automatic modes—the manual mode including a control pad wherein the operations are initiated by the operator of the vehicle and the control pad will thus have suitable controls and visual status indicators. In an automatic mode, the pump will automatically operate when fluid is required and this would be reflected on a status panel providing visual indicating means when the pump is operating and for one or more fluid levels.
The retail container may be mounted anywhere in the vehicle which is convenient for access thereto. Examples would be in the trunk or passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Most of the retail containers presently available on the market have screw caps which are screw threadably engageable with threads on the neck of the retail container, which neck surrounds the dispensing aperture thereof. The fluid delivery system of the present invention may incorporate different caps which are sized for the various retail containers on the market. Alternatively, one could use a frustraconically shaped plug member which would be adapted to fit within the dispensing aperture and as such, could be sized to fit a variety of different retail containers.
The pump is preferably mounted proximate to the auxiliary reservoir. A pump unit could be enclosed in a suitable structure to include the pump, the electronic control device and connecting tubing and wiring. Preferably, the inlet of the pump is connected to the pickup unit and the pickup unit may be formed of a rigid tubing which passes through a bushing or the like which may be formed in the cap or other device connected to the retail container. The bushing may have an aperture therein through which the electrical conductor passes to provide power and a signal return for the fluid sensors. The sensors are connected by means of an electrical conductor to the control device in the pump unit using an appropriate plug. The sensors are designed to send signals concerning the level of or absence of fluid in the retail container.
The control device per se is preferably an electronic control device and it is well within the skill of those knowledgeable in the art to manufacture such a device to perform the functions set forth herein.
In a manual mode, there is provided a control pad for controlling the operation of the system. The control pad will be connected to the control device in the pump by means of a suitable electrical conductor which is attached to the control device by a plug. The control device provides power to the control pad and the on/off switch and which in turn provides power to the pump motor in the pump unit and the sensors for both the first and second sensing means.
Preferably, a plurality of light emitting diodes are used as visual indicating devices. Preferably, each LED is of a different color, examples of which are given below. Thus, when the on/off switch is placed in the on position, a small red LED on the control panel may be lit to provide evidence that there is power to the pump unit and that the sensors are on. A green LED would indicate that the sensor in
Fincham Eric
Kashnikow Andres
Nguyen Dinh Q.
LandOfFree
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