A vehicle (100; fig. 1) comprising a camera (108; fig. 1) and a reservoir 208 fluidly coupled to a cavity 211 of a flexible housing 210, which has an outlet valve 222 adjacent a lens 206 of the camera. A solenoid 212, 214 is able to flex the housing to affect the pressure in the cavity, with the valve 222 opening when the cavity pressure is greater than a predetermined threshold to spray washer fluid 204 (and maybe air) onto the lens - i.e. a solenoid actuated pump. The housing 210 may be a plunger (figure 4) or a flexible tube (figure 2, 3), with the outlet valve 222 at one end and an inlet valve 220 at the other end, both valves being one-way check valves. There may be two solenoids which are coupled one to each side of the housing via armatures 226, 234 and connecting arms 224, 232. Also claimed is a method for washing vehicle cameras, the method including actuating the armatures in response to a signal based on the vehicle ignition switch transitioning to an on position, the transmission transitioning to reverse gear or a wiper stalk switch being activated.
Methods and apparatus for application of washer fluid to vehicle cameras
2019-01-02
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
IPC: | B60S SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR , Warten, Reinigen, Instandsetzen, Unterstützen, Anheben oder Rangieren von Fahrzeugen, soweit nicht anderweitig vorgesehen / B60R Fahrzeuge, Fahrzeugausstattung oder Fahrzeugteile, soweit nicht anderweitig vorgesehen , VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR / F04B Verdrängerkraft- und Verdrängerarbeitsmaschinen für Flüssigkeiten , POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS |
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR APPLICATION OF WASHER FLUID TO VEHICLE CAMERAS
Europäisches Patentamt | 2018
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