Ice scraper for vehicle windows

Abstract

The invention is an ice scraper for vehicle windows, which is essentially a container that can be filled with hot water. Some variants also have a gel mass that serves as a thermal energy store. The hot water heats the entire ice scraper, including the handle and the lip that is pressed against the vehicle window. The heated scraping edge / lip loosens the ice from the vehicle window more quickly and makes it easier to remove. In some versions, the water is also heated internally by a built-in heating element. One variant also proposes a vibrating element that causes the scraping edge / lip to oscillate, thus loosening the ice more easily.

Description

The invention is an ice scraper for vehicle windows that uses externally heated water (e.g., by a water cooker or microwave) to heat the ice scraper edge / lip to make the vehicle windows ice free.The conventional ice scrapers are more or less simple constructions with which ice surfaces can be scraped off from the windshield without damaging the surface of the windshield. Most of these, even the very simple ones, which consist solely of a plastic sheet, actually do their task quite well.It has long been known to use ice scratches to remove ice that has formed on vehicle windshields in winter, for example. Depending on the thickness of the ice layer formed, the removal of an ice layer by means of purely mechanical ice scrapers can be physically burdensome, complicated and difficult. There are therefore also more complex variants thereof which are equipped with all possible features. Ice scrapers, which function electrically and have a rotating disc with scraper troughs, are already on the market longitudinally. Such ice scratches promising a troublefree, rapid removal of ice from the pane, which also succeeds quite well therewith.Further publications describe ice scrapers equipped with a heating element. This makes the ice easier to remove.Ice scrapers are known, for example, from DE 10052281 C2, DE 202006000830 U1 or US 3711679 A, in which the ice is to be heated and melted with the aid of electrically operated heating elements, which may be provided, for example, in the scraping edge.Furthermore, DE 2927887 A1, DE 4300500 A1 (Eisfön), GB 2 295 006 A and GB 2 328 734 A, US 2006 / 0282980 A1 also describe apparatuses in which the ice is melted by means of warm air. These are generally comparatively bulky appliances in the manner of a hot-air gun. In an apparatus described in US 2006 / 0282980 A1, a rotating blade is intended to detach ice, etc., from the disk, and a fan serves to remove the detached ice by means of cold air.The application DE 10 2017 117 106 A1 describes a portable electrically heatable ice scraper. The invention provides a portable electrically heatable ice scraper having an elongate housing which has a front housing section with a housing front end and a scraper edge arranged there and a handle with a rear housing section, wherein an electrically operated fan for generating an air flow in the direction of the scraper edge and at least one electrically operated heating element for heating the air flow are arranged in the housing, and wherein the front housing section and the rear housing section extend substantially in a plane in the housing longitudinal direction or the front housing section is angled with respect to the rear housing section in the housing longitudinal direction at an angle of not more than 35°.EP 0 168 797 A2 describes a device for de-icing windshields in particular, having at least one scraper edge running transversely to a handle piece and a heat source assigned to the latter. This is intended to allow effective defrosting, according to Applicants, without using a power source, but nevertheless a power source is forcibly used to ignite the gas. The thermal energy is produced by gas burning. For this purpose, the scraping edge is connected to a housing, in the interior of which at least one gas-conducting line with a subsequent glow element is provided and an ignition device is assigned to the latter at a distance. The glow element should have a glow layer running between an inner cage and an outer cage for receiving gas. The glow element can also end at a distance from the electrically designed ignition device, the ignition device optionally being a filament.DE 20 2004 014 954 U1 describes an ice scraper with a flat scraping surface. Here, all interrupted edges will simultaneously come into contact with the pane to be cleaned, whereby a continuous surface for removing the snow and ice surface is ensured.DE 20 2006 000 830 U1 describes an ice scraper which is electrically heated. Here, a heat wire is introduced at its scratch edge. This heat wire is electrically heated by a battery, battery or connected to the automobile battery, via a switch.The invention specified in patent claims 1 to 26 is based on the problem of creating a compact ice scraper for vehicle windows which brings with it a thermal energy for loosening the ice layer, which is of simple construction and makes do without electrical components as far as possible.This problem is solved by the features set out in claims 1 to 26. The variants from claim 7 have electrical components, but they are installed for advantageous design.The invention achieves a reliable, low cost ice scraper design that provides quick, simple and reliable ice strata removal from the vehicle windows.Advantages of this ice scraper are:- troublefree ice scraping,- quickly applicable- relatively simple constructionExemplary embodiments are further explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.The following are shown: FIGS. 1 and 2 each show an embodiment of the ice scraper with a heating function and the water container, or with an inner chamber, wherein it consists practically completely of a container, FIG. 3 shows another embodiment which has a gel similar to that used in widely used hand warmers, FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment with a heating element, FIG. 5 shows the oscillating element / vibrating element which brings the ice scraper edge / lip into rapid oscillations, FIG. 6 shows the eccentrically rotating element mechanically connected to the lip, FIG. 7 shows an ice scraper for vehicle windows with a light, FIG. 8 shows an ice scraper equipped with an ultrasonic source, FIG. 9 shows a variant in which a plurality of nozzles are installed which can emit fine water jets on the disk.This invention is directed to providing the ice scraper with thermal energy in part or in whole so that the ice scraper is easier to manipulate. This will be easily achieved by a watertight container installed in the ice scraper, which is filled with hot water. The ice scraper is here practically the container which is filled with hot water. The interior of the container extends from the lip / ice scraper edge to the handle. The closure can be installed at the end of the handle and there filled with hot water. As a result, not only does the ice scraper edge / lip become hot, but also the handle. Nevertheless, the handle can be provided with a foam sheath which protects the user's hand from heat and which nevertheless maintains it pleasantly warm when used.An exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. The ice scraper 1 here has a heating function. The ice scraper has a container or it completely consists of a container 2 (FIG. 2 ) which can be filled with water 3 via an opening 4 with a closure 5. The water can be directly heated in the container by microwave (simply by placing the water-filled ice scraper in a microwave oven for a few minutes) or externally cooked / heated by a water cooker (home) and then practically filled with the ice scraper. The thermal energy is preferably conducted up to the scraping edge / lip 6, as a result of which its contact edge 7, which lies on the vehicle window 8, becomes hot and the ice 9 can thereby be removed more easily. It is not the question of melting the entire ice layer 9, but rather merely melting a minute amount thereof at the contact edge in order to obtain "access" or contact of the scraping edge / lip on the windshield.Because the handle 10 of the ice scraper is also hollow on the inside and part of the container, it also becomes hot. A foam cover 11 protects the user's hand so that the handle does not become excessively hot and becomes more comfortable for use. Instead of water, it is also possible to use another heat-storing liquid or else a gel which is suitable for this purpose.Another embodiment has a similar gel 12 as used in widely used hand warmers (FIG. 3 ). The liquid gel in the pad is sodium acetate trihydrate, the sodium salt of acetic acid (sodium acetate) and water. The sodium acetate trihydrate has a particular property: it remains liquid in a state, although it should be solid. The material is installed in hand warmers. Hand warmers are plastic bags that contain water and a hydrated, i.e. water-containing salt, usually sodium acetate trihydrate (chemical formula: Na(CH 3 COO)·3H 2 O. At room temperature, the salt dissolves only slightly in water. If the temperature is reached by dipping the pouch in a microwave oven or a hot water bath, the salt dissolves completely in the water contained in the pouch. On cooling the bag, the sodium acetate nevertheless remains dissolved and does not crystallize on cooling, as would be the case with a salt solution. However, it crystallizes abruptly when an initiator / metal plate 13 located in the pouch is bent. The bending of the metal plate generates crystallization nuclei and initiates a "chain reaction". During the crystallization, one heat of crystallization is released, which leads to a very rapid temperature rise of the pouch. The pouch remains warm for a somewhat longer time because the water molecules in the salt only thereafter arrange themselves correctly in a process slower than that of crystallization and keep a process in progress in which heat, the so-called salt hydrate formation heat, is released. These processes of thermal charging and discharging can be repeated many times and are also used here in the case of ice scraper. This method is also used here in the ice scraper. The initiator / metal plate 13 is installed at a location which is also easy to operate from the outside.FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which electrical components are nevertheless installed in order to heat the water in the fluid. Here, it is no longer necessary to exchange the water because it is internally heated. The amount of water does not have to be large. For example, 200-300 ml is entirely sufficient to give off heat for about 10 minutes in the ice scraper. More is not actually necessary either. However, the container should be designed so that even if the water is to freeze through, it has enough space for expansion so that the container is not immediately burst. This can be achieved by elastic construction. The electric energy source 14 of the ice scraper can be installed in a removable manner or at least well protected from moisture. In the ice scraper there is installed a heating element 15 which is electrically operated by a battery or power connection point 24 and a cable. When the heating element 15 is turned on by a switch 25, it heats the water 3 and thereafter the ice scraper can be used. During use or ice scraping, the heating element does not have to be energized, so that a long cable is not required. It is sufficient if the water is heated and this allows operation for the next 10-15 minutes. Heating can be quite rapid and, of course, made safe by temperature monitoring electronics 16. An LED temperature indicator 17 can indicate the temperature of the water, or additionally also the external temperature. When a certain water temperature is reached, an automatic shutdown system can be activated, which stops the heating process.The exemplary embodiment from FIG. 5 additionally has a vibration element / vibration element 18 which brings the ice scraper edge / lip 6 into rapid oscillations. The direction of oscillation can be like the direction of movement 19 of the ice scraper by the user during ice scraping, or also in the transverse direction thereto. Similarly, circular motions, where each point in the lip completes circular motions on the vehicle window, may be generated by an eccentrically rotating element (eccentric mass) 20 mechanically connected to the lip (FIG. 6 ). In the ice scraper housing, an electric motor 26 and an eccentric mass 20 are installed here, for example, which generate vibrations and deliver these on the scraper edge. The oscillation amplitude and the oscillation frequency can be regulated arbitrarily by an electronic control. A vibration amplitude of 0.5-5 mm with a frequency of 10-200 Hz is sufficient to remove the ice more easily. The lip edge will "tap" onto the ice layer edge at approximately 10-200 pulses per second and easily release the latter from the pane.FIG. 7 shows an ice scraper for vehicle windows with a light which is intended to illuminate the region to be cleaned. The luminaire may be an LED lamp or a laser diode 21. Helpful and nowadays very inexpensive to make and install here are, for example, also UV LEDs or UV laser diodes.FIG. 8 shows an ice scraper which is additionally equipped with an ultrasonic source 22. The ultrasonic waves are directed at the contact area where the lip impinges upon the vehicle window. The ultrasound is delivered bundled in the gap 30 between the vehicle window and the ice layer and causes generation of microbubbles 23 formed from the thin film of water located between the vehicle window and the ice layer. The microbubbles create increased microcracks in the ice plate and destroy its structural integrity, making the ice much easier to remove from the disk.For heat dissipation from the container to the lip, a metal part 31 or woven wire can be integrated into the lip, which is provided with a flexible or articulated location 33, whereby it is made flexible. Alternatively, a metal ribbon cable 32 may also provide a thermal connection from the container contents to the lip. The ribbon cable may be incorporated into the lip and may be sufficient to the container / chamber from where it transports the heat. This type of cable consists of several thin conductors which are arranged flat and often look like a fabric. They are quite flexible and are frequently used in applications where space and flexibility are important.In FIG. 9, a variant is shown in which the ice scraper discharges the hot water in small quantities or in the form of fine water jets 27 onto the ice upon actuation of a pump 28 (a simple mechanical pump or electric pump) through small nozzles / nozzle openings 29. The amount of water is very small, so that no damage to the vehicle window is to be expected. With the water jets, the ice is not generously melted. It is only the case, in the gap 30, where the ice scraper edge is inserted, between the pane and the ice layer, that the ice is slightly melted and above all a fine water film is produced, in which microbubbles are then generated by ultrasound generators and the ice loosens from the pane.LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS1 Ice scraper 2 Container / water container / inner chamber / chamber 3 Water 4 Opening 5 Closure 6 Scraper edge / lip 7 Contact edge 8 Vehicle window 9 Ice / ice layer 10 Handle 11 Foam casing 12 Gel 13 Initiator / metal plates 14 Energy source 15 Heating element 16 Temperature monitoring electronics 17 LED temperature indicator 18 Oscillating element / vibrating element 19 Direction of movement 20 Eccentrically rotating element 21 LED lamp or a laser diode 22 Ultrasonic source 23 Microbubbles 24 Power connection point 25 Switch 26 Electric motor 27 Water jets 28 Pump (simple mechanical pump or electric pump) 29 Nozzles / nozzle openings 30 Gap 31 Metal part, This directs the heat from the container to the lip 32 metal ribbon cable 33 flexible or jointed locationReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10052281 C2

[0005] DE 202006000830 U1 [0005, 0010]US 3711679 A

[0005] DE 2927887 A1

[0006] DE 4300500 A1

[0006] GB 2 295 006 A

[0006] GB 2 328 734 A

[0006] US 2006 / 0282980 A1

[0006] DE 10 2017 117 106 A1

[0007] EP 0 168 797 A2

[0008] DE 20 2004 014 954 U1

[0009]

Claims

Ice scraper for vehicle windows, characterized in that it has a housing which is a watertight inner chamber in the form of an ice scraper, which can be closed by a built-in closure, and which can be filled with warm / hot water, via which the thermal energy can be transferred from the water, at least to the lip / ice scraper edge.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to claim 1, characterized in that a pumping system and a nozzle or nozzle ledge spraying the area where the scraper edge / lip contacts the vehicle window with water is installed in the housing.Ice scraper for vehicle windows, characterised in that it has at least one housing in which a watertight inner chamber, which can be sealed tightly by a closure and is coupled in a heat-transferring manner to the scraper edge / lip of the ice scraper, in which chamber a warm or hot liquid can be filled, whereby at least the scraper edge / lip of the ice scraper can be heated or heated.Ice scraper for vehicle windows, characterized in that it comprises at least one watertightly closed chamber which is installed in a housing of the ice scraper, which is coupled to the scraper edge / lip of the ice scraper in a heat-transferring manner, in which a gel heated by microwaves is located, whereby at least the scraper edge / lip of the ice scraper can be heated or heated.Ice scraper for vehicle windows, characterized in that it comprises a housing with a closable or closed inner chamber, which housing is installed in the housing and in which a heat-storing liquid or gel is located, as in the conventional hand warmer bags with a crystallization initiation element, which is coupled to the scraper edge / lip in a heat-transferring manner, whereby the scraper edge / lip can be heated, wherein the crystallization initiation element can be easily operated from the outsideIce scraper for vehicle windows according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the liquid gel in the container is sodium acetate trihydrate or a material having similar energy storage properties.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a power connection point on the outside and a heating element through which the liquid in the container or in the inner chamber can be heated are installed in the housing.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the container additionally extends in the handle which the user takes his hand when using the ice scraper and which likewise heats from the inside.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the scraper edge / lip is decoupled from the housing by a built-in connecting element and is designed to be independently movable from the housing.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat-storing liquid or gel is extirpable externally by a conventional heat-generating device.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is equipped with a vibration element which vibrates the scraper edge / lip.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to claim 11, characterised in that the oscillation amplitude and / or the oscillation frequency of the vibrations can be adjusted by a built-in regulator.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the direction of oscillation takes place in the direction of movement of the ice scraper by the user when removing the ice layers on the vehicle window or transversely to this direction of movement.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the direction of oscillation takes place in the direction of movement of the ice scraper by the user when removing the ice layers on the vehicle window or transversely to this direction of movement.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the direction of oscillation is executed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the scraper edge / lip, in the direction of movement of the ice scraper by the user during ice scraping.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to one of Patent Claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the oscillation direction is embodied along a longitudinal axis of the scraper edge / lip.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the vibration element performs circular oscillations, each point of the lip / scraper edge completing a small circular movement.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that it is of cubic or hemispherical or conical construction.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is equipped with a light intended to illuminate the area to be cleaned.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to claim 19, characterised in that the light is an LED lamp or a laser diode.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to claim 19 or 20, characterised in that the light is a UV LED or UV laser diode.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is equipped with an ultrasonic transducer which emits its ultrasonic waves onto the ice layer or in the contact region of the ice layer and the vehicle window.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is equipped with a pump and nozzles which emit water or generate fine water jets which strike the vehicle window when using the ice scraper.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that a metal part is integrated in the scraper edge / lip, which conducts the heat from the water or gel from the container to the scraper edge / lip.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that a metal ribbon cable is integrated in the scraper edge / lip, which cable conducts the heat from the water or gel from the container to the scraper edge / lip.Ice scraper for vehicle windows according to one of Patent Claims 7 to 25, characterized in that it has a rechargeable energy source.

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