Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (100) for cleaning vehicle windows (202), said system (100) comprising:
i. a rain sensor (102) configured to periodically detect the amount of precipitation on a vehicle window (202), and further configured to generate a precipitation signal representative of said detected precipitation amount;
ii. a control unit (104) configured to cooperate with said rain sensor (102) to receive said precipitation signal, said control unit (104) comprising:
• a signal conditioning unit (106) configured to generate a precipitation value based on said received precipitation signal;
• a memory (108) configured to store a pre-determined threshold precipitation value; and
• a comparator (110) configured to cooperate with said signal conditioning unit (106) to receive said precipitation value, and further configured to cooperate with said memory (108) to receive said pre-determined threshold precipitation value, said comparator (110) configured to compare said precipitation value with said pre-determined threshold precipitation value to generate an actuating signal when said precipitation value exceeds said pre-determined threshold precipitation value,
wherein said signal conditioning unit (106) and said comparator (110) are implemented using one or more processors, and
iii. a window cleaning means (112) configured to cooperate with said control unit (104) to receive said actuating signal, and further configured to clean said vehicle windows (202) upon receiving said actuating signal.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said window cleaning means (112) comprises:
i. a window wiping beading (404) embedded in the frame of said window (202); and
ii. a power window actuator configured to cooperate with said control unit (104) to receive said actuating signal, and further configured to roll down said window (202) such that the window surface moves over said window wiping beading (404), thereby facilitating said window wiping beading (404) to wipe away water droplets (208) on said window (202).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said window wiping beading (404) is made of a wiping material selected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene-nonconjugated diene terpolymer (EPDM) rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) mix of plastic and rubber, and a thermoplastic olefin (TPO) polymer/filler blend.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said window cleaning means (112) comprises:
i. a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning unit (HVAC unit) (302) configured to cooperate with said control unit (104) to receive said actuating signal, and further configured to switch on a heater to facilitate heating of air, said HVAC unit (302) configured to open an air valve for facilitating flow of said heated air through a plurality of air ducts (308); and
ii. a plurality of nozzles (304) connected to said air ducts (308), said nozzles (304) configured to direct said heated air received from said air ducts (308) on to said vehicle window (202) to facilitate cleaning of said window (202).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said nozzles (304) are located around the periphery of the vehicle window frame.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said nozzles (304) are located around the periphery of an outer rear-view mirror (ORVM) (306) located in the vicinity of said vehicle window (202).
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said window cleaning means (112) comprises a liquid spraying mechanism configured to cooperate with said control unit (104) to receive said actuating signal, and further configured to spray a cleaning liquid (502) on said window surface for facilitating cleaning of said window surface.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said cleaning liquid (502) is a hygroscopic liquid selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, lithium chloride, lithium zinc chloride, Ethylene glycol, glycerin, ethanol, methanol, and concentrated sodium hydroxide.
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said cleaning liquid (502) is a hydrophobic liquid selected from the group consisting of an acetal, a ketal, an orthoester, and any combinations thereof.
10. A method (600) for cleaning vehicle windows (202), said method (600) comprising the following steps:
i. periodically detecting (602), by a rain sensor (102), the amount of precipitation on a vehicle window (202);
ii. generating (604), by said rain sensor (102), a precipitation signal representative of said detected precipitation amount;
iii. receiving (606), by a control unit (104), said precipitation signal from said rain sensor (102);
iv. generating (608), by a signal conditioning unit (106) of said control unit (104), a precipitation value based on said received precipitation signal;
v. storing (610), in a memory (108) of said control unit (104), a pre-determined threshold precipitation value;
vi. receiving (612), by a comparator (110) of said control unit (104), said precipitation value from said signal conditioning unit (106);
vii. receiving (614), by said comparator (110), said pre-determined threshold precipitation value from said memory (108);
viii. comparing (616), by said comparator (110), said precipitation value with said pre-determined threshold precipitation value to generate an actuating signal when said precipitation value exceeds said pre-determined threshold precipitation value;
ix. receiving (618), by a window cleaning means (112), said actuating signal from said control unit (104); and
x. cleaning (620), by said window cleaning means (112), said vehicle windows (202) upon receiving said actuating signal.
11. The method (600) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said step of cleaning (620), by said window cleaning means (112), said vehicle windows (202) comprising the following sub-steps:
iii. receiving, by a power window actuator, said actuating signal from said control unit (104); and
iv. rolling down said window (202), by said power window actuator, such that the window surface moves over a window wiping beading (404) embedded in the frame of said window (202), thereby facilitating said window wiping beading (404) to wipe away water droplets (208) on said window (202).
, Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to wiping systems in automobiles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for automatic wiping or cleaning of viewing surfaces like windows and windshield in vehicles.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Typically, side-view mirrors are the only effective means for enabling the drivers of automotive vehicles to observe objects or traffic behind the vehicle. Conventional automobiles are equipped with various systems for removing rain water from vehicle windshields. However, vehicle windows and side-view mirrors generally are not provided with such systems. Due to this, the driver, seated in the driver compartment may not able to secure an adequate view of regions behind his/her vehicle by conventional side-view mirrors. The requirement for an adequate view of the region behind the vehicle is particularly necessary when the vehicle is in reverse motion, for example, when the vehicle is backing into a parking space or towards a loading dock. In such situations, if the side-view mirrors and the glass windows have water droplets settled on them, it becomes difficult for the driver to accurately manipulate the vehicle.
This can become a persistent problem, especially in the rainy season. In extreme situations, poor visibility of the regions behind the vehicle, can also result in accident. Further, the prevailing wiping systems that are based on the wiper blades are not effective in addressing the problem.
There is, therefore, felt a need for a system and method for clearing the vehicle glass windows and/or side-view mirrors from rain water in a quick, easy and effective manner without requiring the driver to frequently stop the vehicle and wipe the glass and the mirrors manually, thereby improving overall driving safety on the road.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system for cleaning vehicle windows.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an automatic system for cleaning vehicle windows.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for cleaning vehicle windows that uses minimal number of components.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for cleaning vehicle windows that does not have any moving parts such as blades or wipers.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for cleaning vehicle windows that ensures safe vehicle driving.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an automatic window cleaning system that eliminates the need for manually cleaning the vehicle windows.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for cleaning vehicle windows.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a system for cleaning vehicle windows. The system comprises a rain sensor, a control unit, and a window cleaning means. The rain sensor is configured to periodically detect the amount of precipitation on a vehicle window, and is further configured to generate a precipitation signal representative of the detected precipitation amount. The control unit comprises a signal conditioning unit, a memory, and a comparator. The signal conditioning unit is configured to cooperate with the rain sensor to receive the generated precipitation signal, and is further configured to generate a precipitation value based on the received precipitation signal. The memory is configured to store a pre-determined threshold precipitation value. The comparator is configured to cooperate with the signal conditioning unit and the memory to receive and compare the generated precipitation value with the pre-determined threshold precipitation value, and is further configured to generate an actuating signal for actuating the window cleaning means, when the precipitation value exceeds the pre-determined threshold precipitation value. In an embodiment, the signal conditioning unit and the comparator are implemented using one or more processors.
In an embodiment, the window cleaning means comprises a window wiping beading and a power window actuator. The window wiping beading is embedded in the frame of the window. The power window actuator is configured to cooperate with the control unit to receive the actuating signal, and is further configured to roll down the window such that the window surface moves over the window wiping beading, thereby facilitating the window wiping beading to wipe away the water droplets on the window. The window wiping beading is made of a wiping material selected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene-nonconjugated diene terpolymer (EPDM) rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) mix of plastic and rubber, and a thermoplastic olefin (TPO) polymer/filler blend.
In another embodiment, the window cleaning means comprises a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning unit (HVAC unit) and a plurality of nozzles. The HVAC unit is configured to cooperate with the control unit to receive the actuating signal, and is further configured to switch on a heater to facilitate heating of air. The HVAC unit is also configured to open an air valve for facilitating flow of the heated air through a plurality of air ducts. The nozzles are connected to the air ducts. The nozzles are configured to direct the heated air received from the air ducts on to the vehicle window to facilitate cleaning of the window. In an embodiment, the nozzles are located around the periphery of the vehicle window frame. In another embodiment, the nozzles are located around the periphery of an outer rear-view mirror located in the vicinity of the vehicle window.
In yet another embodiment, the window cleaning means comprises a liquid spraying mechanism configured to cooperate with the control unit to receive the actuating signal, and further configured to spray a cleaning liquid on the window surface for facilitating cleaning of the window surface. In an embodiment, the cleaning liquid is a hygroscopic liquid selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, lithium chloride, lithium zinc chloride, Ethylene glycol, glycerin, ethanol, methanol, and concentrated sodium hydroxide. In another embodiment, the cleaning liquid is a hydrophobic liquid selected from the group consisting of an acetal, a ketal, an orthoester, and any combinations thereof.
The present disclosure also envisages a method for cleaning vehicle windows. The method comprises the following steps:
• periodically detecting, by a rain sensor, the amount of precipitation on a vehicle window;
• generating, by the rain sensor, a precipitation signal representative of the detected precipitation amount;
• receiving, by a control unit, the precipitation signal from the rain sensor;
• generating, by a signal conditioning unit of the control unit, a precipitation value based on the received precipitation signal;
• storing, in a memory of the control unit, a pre-determined threshold precipitation value; and
• receiving, by a comparator of the control unit, the precipitation value from the signal conditioning unit;
• receiving, by the comparator, the pre-determined threshold precipitation value from the memory;
• comparing, by the comparator, the precipitation value with the pre-determined threshold precipitation value to generate an actuating signal when the precipitation value exceeds the pre-determined threshold precipitation value;
• receiving, by a window cleaning means, the actuating signal from the control unit; and
• cleaning, by the window cleaning means, the vehicle windows upon receiving the actuating signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A system for cleaning vehicle windows and a method thereof of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for cleaning vehicle windows;
Figure 2a illustrates a schematic diagram of an optical waveguide type rain sensor of the system of Figure 1;
Figure 2b illustrates waveforms of light emitted by a light source and light received by a photodiode, of the rain sensor of Figure 2;
Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a window cleaning means of the system of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic view of a vehicle door depicting the position of nozzles of the window cleaning means of Figure 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates a schematic view of the vehicle door depicting drops of a hygroscopic liquid on the vehicle window, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figures 6a and 6b illustrate a flow diagram depicting steps involved in a method for cleaning vehicle windows.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – System
102 – Rain sensor
104 – Control unit
106 – Signal conditioning unit
108 – Memory
110 – Comparator
112 – Window cleaning means
202 – Vehicle window
204 – Light source
206 – Photodiode
208 – Rain drop
210 – Waveform of light emitted by the light source
212 – Waveform of light received by the photodiode
302 – HVAC unit
304 – Nozzles
306 – Vehicle outer rear-view mirror (ORVM)
308 – Air ducts
402 – Vehicle door
404 – Window wiping beading
502 – Cleaning liquid
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being "connected to," another element, it may be directly connected to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
A system (hereinafter referred as “system 100”) for cleaning vehicle windows and a method (hereinafter referred as “method 600”) thereof, of the present disclosure, is now being described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 6b.
Referring to Figure 1, the system 100 comprises a rain sensor 102, a control unit 104, and a window cleaning means 112. The rain sensor 102 is configured to periodically detect the amount of precipitation on a vehicle window 202, and is further configured to generate a precipitation signal representative of the detected precipitation amount. Typically, the rain sensors work on the principle of total internal reflection. As shown in Figure 2a, the rain sensor 102 comprises a light source 204 and a photodiode 206. In an embodiment, the light source 204 is an infrared LED light. The light source 204 is configured to beam an infrared light at a 45-degree angle into the glass window 202 from the interior of the vehicle. If the glass is dry, most of the light incident on the glass window 202 is reflected back and received by the photodiode 206. If there are water droplets 208 on the glass window 202, they reflect the incident light in different directions. The wetter the glass, the lesser is the light reflected back into the photodiode 206 of the rain sensor 102. Figure 2b shows a waveform of the light emitted by the light source 204 and a waveform of light received by the photodiode 206 after refracting from the water droplets 208. It can be seen that, the amplitude of the light received by the photodiode 206 reduces due to refractions from the water droplets 208 on the glass window 202. The photodiode 206 generates an electrical signal (precipitation signal) proportional to the amount of light received by it. The control unit 104 is configured to receive the precipitation signal generated by the rain sensor 102 to check if the precipitation amount is within limits. The control unit 104 comprises a signal conditioning unit 106, a memory 108, and a comparator 110. The signal conditioning unit 106 is configured to cooperate with the rain sensor 102 to receive the generated precipitation signal, and is further configured to generate a precipitation value based on the received precipitation signal. The memory 108 is configured to store a pre-determined threshold precipitation value. The comparator 110 is configured to cooperate with the signal conditioning unit 106 and the memory 108 to receive and compare the generated precipitation value with the pre-determined threshold precipitation value, and is further configured to generate an actuating signal for actuating the window cleaning means 112 when the precipitation value exceeds the pre-determined threshold precipitation value. The pre-determined threshold precipitation value is a value corresponding to the transparency of a plain and clear window surface. Thus, the rain sensor 102 essentially senses the visibility level of the window 202 and sends feedback to the control unit 104. The control unit 104 is a processing unit that compares the transparency of a plain and clear window surface with a watery window surface. If the sensed visibility level is poor, then the control unit 104 sends command to actuate the window cleaning means 112.
In an embodiment, the signal conditioning unit 106 includes an Analog to Digital converter configured to receive the analog precipitation signal generated by the rain sensor 102, and further configured to generate a digital precipitation value based on the received analog precipitation signal. In an embodiment, the signal conditioning unit 106 and the comparator 110 are implemented using one or more processors.
In an embodiment, the window cleaning means 112 comprises a window wiping beading 404 and a power window actuator. The window wiping beading 404 is embedded in the frame of the window 202 as shown in Figure 4. The power window actuator is configured to cooperate with the control unit 104 to receive the actuating signal, and is further configured to roll down the window 202 such that the window surface moves over the window wiping beading 404, thereby facilitating the window wiping beading 404 to wipe away the water droplets 208 on the window 202. Once the wiping action is over, the window 202 rolls up to the original position. The control unit 104 keeps checking the visibility level of the window 202. If window surface is clean and the visibility level is high, the power windows 202 will not get actuated automatically. In an embodiment, the window wiping beading 404 is made of a wiping material selected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene-nonconjugated diene terpolymer (EPDM) rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) mix of plastic and rubber, and a thermoplastic olefin (TPO) polymer/filler blend.
In an alternate embodiment, referring to Figure 3, the window cleaning means 112 comprises a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning unit (HVAC unit) 302 and a plurality of nozzles 304. The HVAC unit 302 is powered by the vehicle battery. The HVAC unit 302 is configured to cooperate with the control unit 104 to receive the actuating signal, and is further configured to switch on a heater to facilitate heating of air. The HVAC unit 302 is configured to open an air valve for facilitating flow of the heated air through a plurality of air ducts 308. The nozzles 304 are connected to the air ducts 308. The nozzles 304 are configured to direct the heated air received from the air ducts 308 on to the vehicle window 202 to facilitate cleaning of the window 202. In an embodiment of Figure 4, the nozzles 304 are located around the periphery of the vehicle window frame. In another embodiment, the nozzles 304 are located around the periphery of an outer rear-view mirror (ORVM) 306 located in the vicinity of the vehicle window 202.
In yet another embodiment, the window cleaning means 112 comprises a liquid spraying mechanism configured to cooperate with the control unit 104 to receive the actuating signal, and further configured to spray a cleaning liquid 502 on the window surface for facilitating cleaning of the window surface. In an embodiment, the liquid spraying mechanism is configured to spray the cleaning liquid 502 at regular intervals over the window surface thus preventing any accumulation of water over the surface. Figure 5 shows a view of the vehicle door 402 with droplets of a hygroscopic liquid on the vehicle window 202. In an embodiment, the window cleaning means 112 includes one or more cleaning tools, such as a brush and a wiper blade, and an onboard motor that provides the mechanical force for operating the cleaning tools relative to the window 202. In an embodiment, the cleaning liquid 502 is a hygroscopic liquid selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, lithium chloride, lithium zinc chloride, Ethylene glycol, glycerin, ethanol, methanol, and concentrated sodium hydroxide. In another embodiment, the cleaning liquid 502 is a hydrophobic liquid selected from the group consisting of an acetal, a ketal, an orthoester, and any combinations thereof.
The present disclosure also discloses the method 600 for cleaning vehicle windows 202. Referring to Figures 6a and 6b, the method 600 comprises:
At step 602, periodically detecting, by a rain sensor 102, the amount of precipitation on a vehicle window 202;
At step 604, generating, by the rain sensor 102, a precipitation signal representative of the detected precipitation amount;
At step 606, receiving, by a control unit 104, the precipitation signal from the rain sensor 102;
At step 608, generating, by a signal conditioning unit 106 of the control unit 104, a precipitation value based on the received precipitation signal;
At step 610, storing, in a memory 108 of the control unit 104, a pre-determined threshold precipitation value;
At step 612, receiving, by a comparator 110 of the control unit 104, the precipitation value from the signal conditioning unit 106;
At step 614, receiving, by the comparator 110, the pre-determined threshold precipitation value from the memory 108;
At step 616, comparing, by the comparator 110, the precipitation value with the pre-determined threshold precipitation value to generate an actuating signal when the precipitation value exceeds the pre-determined threshold precipitation value;
At step 618, receiving, by a window cleaning means 112, the actuating signal from the control unit 104; and
At step 620, cleaning, by the window cleaning means 112, the vehicle windows 202 upon receiving the actuating signal.
In an embodiment, the step 620 of cleaning, by the window cleaning means 112, the vehicle windows 202 comprises receiving, by a power window actuator, the actuating signal from the control unit 104 and rolling down the window 202, by the power window actuator, such that the window surface moves over a window wiping beading 404 embedded in the frame of the window 202, thereby facilitating the window wiping beading 404 to wipe away water droplets 208 on the window 202.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a system and method for cleaning vehicle windows that:
• is automatic;
• uses minimal number of components;
• does not have any moving parts such as blades or wipers;
• ensures safe vehicle driving; and
• eliminates the need for manually cleaning the vehicle windows.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.