FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of automobiles. In particular, the present
disclosure to the field of radiators for vehicles.
BACKGROUND
Radiators are heat exchangers, which are typically installed in the automobiles 5 s for
cooling the internal combustion engines. Radiators also find application in pistonengine
aircraft, railway locomotives, motorcycles, stationary generating plant, or
any similar setup which employ the usage of engines. The internal combustion
engines are typically cooled by circulating a liquid called engine coolant through
10 the engine block, where it absorbs the heat from the engine and is fed back to the
radiator, where the coolant loses the heat to the atmosphere. In vehicles such as
cars, trucks, and tractors, the radiator is typically placed proximal the front grill or
other locations, which are typically exposed to dirt and dust that tend to deposit on
the coils of the radiator. The deposition of dirt and dust on the radiator coils
15 reduces the surface are available for heat transfer, thereby causing the radiator to
function inefficiently. In order to have the radiator to function efficiently again, a
user has to dismantle the radiator from the vehicle and clean the radiator manually
using conventionally available cleaning means. This is a laborious and timeconsuming
task and causes a lot of inconvenience to the user.
20 There is, therefore, felt a need for a system that automates the process of cleaning
the radiator, thereby alleviating the drawback of having to dismantle the radiator
for cleaning purposes.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment
25 herein satisfies are as follows:
3
An object of present disclosure is to provide a radiator cleaning system that
automates the process of cleaning the radiators.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a radiator cleaning system
that eliminates the need of the user having to dismantle the radiator for cleaning
purposes5 .
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from
the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figure,
which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
10 The present disclosure envisages an inbuilt radiator cleaning system for a vehicle.
The system comprises a dual mode radiator fan, wherein the fan is configured, in
a suction mode, to rotate in a first direction for facilitating cooling of a radiator of
the vehicle. In a blowing mode, the fan is configured to rotate in a second
direction to blow air through the fins of the radiator for dislodging dirt therefrom.
15 In an embodiment, the system further comprises a control unit for controlling the
fan. The control unit includes a toggle switch. An electromagnetic switch is
connected to the toggle switch, the fan, and a thermostat switch. A power source
is coupled with the electromagnetic switch via an ignition switch and an ignition
relay for providing selective switching of the supply of power to the fan. The
20 control unit is configured, in the suction mode, to rotate the fan in a first direction
when the ignition switch is activated, the thermostat switch is activated, and the
toggle switch is deactivated, thereby facilitating the cooling of a radiator as the
fan operates in the suction mode while rotating in the first direction. The control
unit is further configured, in the blowing mode, to rotate the fan in a second
25 direction when the ignition switch is deactivated, the thermostat switch is
deactivated, and the toggle switch is activated, thereby facilitating the cleaning of
the radiator as the fan operates in the blowing mode while rotating in the second
direction and dislodging particles collected on the radiator.
4
In an embodiment, the electromagnetic switch is a Double Pole Double Throw
(DPDT) relay.
In another embodiment, the electromagnetic switch comprises a coil having
connecting terminals configured at operative ends thereof, a pair of normally open
contactors, a pair of normally closed contactors, and a third pair of contac5 tors
having a pair of changeover contacts connected at one end thereof and the fan
connected to other end thereof. In accordance with the present disclosure, the coil
is configured proximal the changeover contacts, and the energization of the coil
facilitates selective switching of the changeover contacts, thereby either
10 connecting the pair of normally open contactors to the fan or the pair of normally
closed contactors to the fan.
In another embodiment, a first connecting terminal of the coil is connected to the
toggle switch, and a second connecting terminal of the coil is connected to the
ignition relay.
15 In the suction mode, when the thermostat switch is activated, the activation of the
ignition switch energizes the ignition relay, and the deactivation of the toggle
switch deenergizes the coil, thereby connecting the pair of normally closed
contactors with the fan via the third pair of contactors and facilitating the flow of
supply from the power source to the fan to cause the rotation of the fan in the first
20 direction.
In the blowing mode, the deactivation of the ignition switch deenergizes the
ignition relay, and the activation of the toggle switch energizes the coil, thereby
connecting the pair of normally open contactors with the fan via the third pair of
contactors and facilitating the flow of supply from the power source to the fan to
25 cause the rotation of the fan in the second direction..
In another embodiment, the first direction is clockwise direction, which causes the
fan to operate in the suction mode, and the second direction is anti-clockwise
direction, which causes the fan to operate in blowing mode.
5
In another embodiment, the thermostat switch is activated when engine coolant
temperature reaches a pre-determined temperature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An in-built radiator cleaning system, of the present disclosure, will now be
described with the help of the accompanying drawing, 5 , in which:
Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B illustrate circuit diagrams of the in-built radiator cleaning
system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A radiator is a heat exchanger that is employed in various vehicles to facilitate the
10 cooling of an engine. More specifically, the radiator facilitates the cooling of the
cooling medium that is circulated within the engine block for cooling the engine.
Typically, the radiator is mounted at locations in the vehicle where it is exposed to
a lot of dirt, which tends to deposit on the radiator fins. For example, in cars, the
radiator is generally mounted proximal the front grill of the car. As such, the
15 radiator is exposed to the dirt from the ground, which becomes unsettled due to
the movement of the front tyres on the driving surface and ultimately tends to
deposit on the radiator. In case of tractors, agricultural operations cause the
radiator to be exposed to a lot of dirt during the service life of the radiator. This
causes the accumulation of dirt on the radiator fins, thereby reducing the surface
20 area available for the most optimal heat exchange of the cooling medium with the
atmosphere. This causes improper cooling of the engine, which is not desired.
To overcome the aforementioned problem, a user has to manually dismantle the
radiator and clean the radiator using the conventional methods, which include the
use of specialized cleaning mediums. The entire process is laborious and time
25 consuming, which causes a lot of inconvenience to the user.
In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, the present disclosure
envisages an in-built radiator cleaning system which automates the process of
6
cleaning the radiator, thereby preventing the need to manually dismantle the
radiator for cleaning purposes. The in-built radiator cleaning system also has a
very simple configuration and operation, which does not involve the use of
complicated software and circuitry.
The inbuilt radiator cleaning system of the present disclosure, in hereinaf5 ter
described with reference to accompanying figures, Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B. The
inbuilt radiator cleaning system 100 (hereinafter interchangably referred to as
system 100) comprises a dual mode radiator fan 102 (hereinafter interchangably
referred to as fan 102), wherein the fan 102 is configured, in a suction mode, to
10 rotate in a first direction for facilitating cooling of a radiator of the vehicle. In an
embodiment, the first direction is the anti-clockwise direction. In the first
direction, the fan 102 creates a suction zone proximal the radiator (not shown in
figures), thereby accelerating the convection to facilitate quick cooling of the
radiator.
15 In a blowing mode, the fan 102 is configured to rotate in a second direction to
blow air through the fins of the radiator for dislodging dirt therefrom. In an
embodiment, the second direction is the clockwise direction. In accordance with
the present disclosure, the rotation of the fan 102 is controlled by the control unit
104. The control unit 104 comprises a toggle switch 106. In accordance with an
20 embodiment of the present disclosure, the toggle switch 106 is a switch provided
on the dashboard of the vehicle.
The control unit 104 further comprises an electromagnetic switch 108 that is
connected to the toggle switch 106, the fan 102, and a thermostat switch 110. A
power source 112 is coupled with the electromagnetic switch 108 via an ignition
25 switch 114 and an ignition relay 116 for providing selective switching of the
supply of power to the fan 102. More specifically, the control unit 104 is a simple
electrical circuit that controls the direction in which the fan 102 rotates.
In an embodiment, the electromagnetic switch 108 is a Double Pole Double
Throw (DPDT) relay. In another embodiment, the electromagnetic switch 108
7
comprises a coil 118 having connecting terminals 118A, 118B configured at
operative ends thereof. The electromagnetic switch 108 further comprises a pair of
normally open contactors 120, a pair of normally closed contactors 122, and a
third pair of contactors 124 having a pair of changeover contacts connected at one
end thereof and the fan 102 connected to the other end thereof. In accordance 5 with
the present disclosure, the coil 118 is configured proximal the changeover
contacts, and the energization of the coil 118 facilitates selective switching of the
changeover contacts, thereby either connecting the pair of normally open
contactors 122 to the fan 102 or the pair of normally closed contactors 122 to the
10 fan 102. In an embodiment, a first connecting terminal 118A of the coil 118 is
connected to the toggle switch 106, and a second connecting terminal 118B of the
coil 118 is connected to the ignition relay 116.
The operative configuration in of the system 100, which is effected via the control
unit 104 is hereinafter described with reference to accompanying figures, Fig. 1A
15 and Fig. 1B. The control unit 104 is configured, in the suction mode, to rotate the
fan 102 in the first direction when the ignition switch 114 is activated, the
thermostat switch 110 is activated, and the toggle switch 106 is deactivated,
thereby facilitating the cooling of a radiator as the fan 102 operates in the suction
mode while rotating in the first direction. In the suction mode, when the
20 thermostat switch 110 is activated, the activation of the ignition switch 114
energizes the ignition relay 116, and the deactivation of the toggle switch 106
deenergizes the coil 118, thereby connecting the pair of normally closed
contactors 122 with the fan 102 via the third pair of contactors 124 and facilitating
the flow of supply from the power source 112 to the fan 102 to cause the rotation
25 of the fan 102 in the first direction. In an embodiment, the system 100 further
comprises a fuse 112A for cutting of the current supply from the power source
112A in cases of current surge.
More specifically, in the normal operating condition of the vehicle, the toggle
switch 106 is in OFF condition or in a deactivated state. This is because in the
30 normal operating condition of the vehicle, the fan 102 needs to operate in the
8
suction mode for providing cooling of the radiator. The ignition relay 116 is
activated via the ignition switch 114 when the user initiates the operation of the
vehicle. The activation of the ignition switch 114 is the first condition for the
operating the fan 102 in the suction mode. The second condition for the operating
the fan 102 in the suction mode is the activation of the thermostat switch 110. 5 0. The
thermostat switch 110 is configured to be actuated when the temperature of the
cooling medium in the radiator exceeds a pre-determined threshold value. The
activation of the thermostat switch 110 and the ignition switch 114 provides a
path for the flow of current. More specifically, on activation of the thermostat
10 switch 110 and the ignition switch 114, the supply/current form the power source
112 flows through a first path, indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1A. The current
flows from the power source 112 to a first closed contactor 122, and subsequently
to the fan 102 for rotating the fan 102 in the first direction. Subsequent to this, the
current flows from the fan 102 to a second normally closed contactor, and
15 therefrom to the thermostat switch 110, which is grounded.
Another operative configuration in of the system 100 is hereinafter described with
reference to Fig. 1B. The control unit 104 is configured, in the blowing mode, to
rotate the fan 102 in the second direction when the ignition switch 114 is
deactivated, the thermostat switch 110 is deactivated, and the toggle switch 106 is
20 activated, thereby facilitating the cleaning of the radiator as the fan 102 operates
in the blowing mode while rotating in the second direction and dislodging
particles collected on the radiator. In the blowing mode, the deactivation of the
ignition switch 114 deenergizes the ignition relay 116, and the activation of the
toggle switch 106 energizes the coil 118, thereby connecting the pair of normally
25 open contactors 120 with the fan 102 via the third pair of contactors 124 and
facilitating the flow of supply from the power source 112 to the fan 102 to cause
the rotation of the fan 102 in the second direction.
It is to be noted that the toggle switch 106 is only activated when the vehicle is
inoperational. More specifically, in the inoperational condition of the vehicle, the
30 toggle switch 106 is in ON condition or in an activated state. The ignition relay
9
116 is deenergized as the ignition switch 114 is deactivated. The deenergization of
the ignition switch 114 is the first condition for the operating the fan 102 in the
blowing mode. The second condition for the operating the fan 102 in the blowing
mode is the activation of the deactivation of the thermostat switch 110 and the
activation of the toggle switch 106. More specifically, on deactivation of 5 the
thermostat switch 110 and the ignition switch 114, the supply/current form the
power source 112 flows through a second path, indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1B.
The current flows from the power source 112 to a first normally open contactor
120, and subsequently to the fan 102 for rotating the fan 102 in the second
10 direction. Subsequent to this, the current flows from the fan 102 to a second
normally open contactor 120, and therefrom to the toggle switch 106, which is
grounded.
It is to be noted that the system 100 has a very simple construction and operative
configuration. The system 100 does not involve the use of complicated software
15 modules and can be easily implemented in the vehicles such as tractors.
The system 100, as disclosed in the present disclosure, facilitates the automatic
cleaning of the radiator on activation of the toggle switch 106. The toggle switch
106 can be activated when the vehicle is inoperational. On activation of the toggle
switch 106, the fan 102 is made to operate in the blowing mode for dislodging the
20 dust that is accumulated on the radiator fins and coils.
The use of the system 100, as disclosed in the present disclosure, eliminates the
need to manually dismantle the radiator for the purpose of cleaning. In case the
user feels that the radiator needs to be cleaned, the user only needs to activate the
toggle switch 106 to facilitate the cleaning of the radiator.
25 TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages
including, but not limited to, a radiator cleaning system, which:
10
 automates the process of cleaning the radiators; and
 eliminates the need of the user having to dismantle the radiator for
cleaning purposes.
The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying
embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. 5 . The
description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
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
10 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.
15 The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed 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
20 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
25 within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as
“comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated
element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the
11
exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or
steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or
more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment
of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or result5 s.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has
been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context
for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these
matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the
10 field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of
this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions
or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values
higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or
15 quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the
specification specific to the contrary.
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
20 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.

WE CLAIM:
1. An inbuilt radiator cleaning system for a vehicle, said system comprising a
dual mode radiator fan, wherein said fan is configured:
 in a suction mode, to rotate in a first direction for facilitating cooling of a
radiator of said vehicle; 5 ; and
 in a blowing mode, to rotate in a second direction to blow air through the
fins of said radiator for dislodging dirt therefrom.
2. The inbuilt radiator cleaning system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
a control unit which includes:
10  a toggle switch;
 an electromagnetic switch connected to said toggle switch, said fan, and a
thermostat switch;
 a power source coupled with said electromagnetic switch via an ignition
switch and an ignition relay for providing selective switching of the supply
15 of power to said fan;
 wherein said control unit is configured:
o in said suction mode, to rotate said fan in said first direction when
said ignition switch is activated, said thermostat switch is
activated, and said toggle switch is deactivated, thereby facilitating
20 the cooling of said radiator as said fan operates in said suction
mode while rotating in said first direction; and
o in said blowing mode, to rotate said fan in said second direction
when said ignition switch is deactivated, said thermostat switch is
deactivated, and said toggle switch is activated, thereby facilitating
25 the cleaning of said radiator as said fan operates in a blowing
mode while rotating in said second direction and dislodging
particles collected on said radiator.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said electromagnetic switch is a
Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) relay.
13
4. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said electromagnetic switch
comprises:
 a coil having connecting terminals configured at operative ends thereof;
 a pair of normally open contactors;
 a pair of normally closed contactors; a5 nd
 a third pair of contactors having a pair of changeover contacts connected at
one end thereof and said fan connected to other end thereof, wherein said
coil is configured proximal said changeover contacts, and the energization
of said coil facilitates selective switching of said changeover contacts,
10 thereby either connecting said pair of normally open contactors to said fan
or said pair of normally closed contactors to said fan.
5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein a first connecting terminal of said
coil is connected to said toggle switch, and a second connecting terminal of
said coil is connected to said ignition relay.
15 6. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein in said suction mode, when said
thermostat switch is activated, the activation of said ignition switch energizes
said ignition relay, and the deactivation of said toggle switch deenergizes said
coil, thereby connecting said pair of normally closed contactors with said fan
via said third pair of contactors and facilitating the flow of supply from said
20 power source to said fan to cause the rotation of said fan in said first direction.
7. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein in said blowing mode, the
deactivation of said ignition switch deenergizes said ignition relay, and the
activation of said toggle switch energizes said coil, thereby connecting said
pair of normally open contactors with said fan via said third pair of contactors
25 and facilitating the flow of supply from said power source to said fan to cause
the rotation of said fan in said second direction.
8. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first direction is clockwise
direction, which causes said fan to operate in the suction mode.
14
9. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second direction is anticlockwise
direction, which causes said fan to operate in blowing mode.
10. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said thermostat switch is activated
when engine coolant temperature reaches a pre-determined temperature.