Two-chamber storage tank for collecting rainwater with mixing system for cleaning or antifreeze, heating element and high-pressure output for cleaning vehicle windows

Abstract

System for the automatic refilling of a windshield washer system in motor vehicles by collecting rainwater accumulating on the vehicle, wherein the rainwater is fed via a funnel with sieve or mesh structures and replaceable filter element located in the area of ​​the vehicle body to the main container designed as a two-chamber container, in the first chamber of which the rainwater is received and in the second chamber of which a cleaning or antifreeze concentrate is provided, wherein a washing fluid is produced as required by means of a mixing device and optionally the proportion of the concentrate is adaptively adjusted depending on the ambient temperature, wherein a heating chamber with a heating element heats the washing fluid before discharge and a high-pressure pump delivers the fluid to nozzles.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for automatically refilling a windshield washer system in motor vehicles by collecting and supplying rainwater accumulating on the vehicle, and for producing a washer fluid tailored to the specific requirements by mixing it with cleaning agents or antifreeze. Furthermore, the invention relates to heating the washer fluid and its high-pressure discharge for improved cleaning of vehicle windows, headlights, and vehicle sensors. State of the art

[0002] In conventional windshield washer systems, the washer fluid is stored in a separate reservoir that the user must refill manually on a regular basis. This is typically done using a mixture of water and cleaning or antifreeze concentrate. A disadvantage of these systems is that with frequent use, especially in adverse weather conditions, the reservoir is quickly depleted, necessitating manual refilling.

[0003] A system is known from DE 41 01 820 A1 in which rainwater is collected via collection channels and fed into a reservoir for windshield washer fluid. The water is passed through simple filters to remove coarse impurities.

[0004] US 5 669 986 A describes a process in which rainwater is first directed over a deflector device so that the first quantity of contaminated water is discarded before the subsequent water is directed into a container.

[0005] Furthermore, systems that collect rainwater and use it to refill windshield washer fluid have become known from experimental projects, for example by Ford as part of a "Jugend forscht" (Young Researchers) competition. However, these systems have not been introduced into mass production.

[0006] All known solutions have in common that they only provide for the collection and simple filtration of rainwater. A combination with a separate concentrate tank, targeted heating of the washing liquid, and high-pressure discharge for enhanced cleaning are not disclosed. Object of the invention

[0007] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a system that enables automatic refilling of the reservoir with collected rainwater and simultaneously provides for on-demand mixing with a cleaning or antifreeze concentrate as well as heating of the washer fluid. Furthermore, the washer fluid should be able to be applied to the vehicle windshield and other optical components at increased pressure in order to efficiently remove dirt, snow and ice deposits and to ensure the functionality of headlights, cameras and sensors. Solution to the task

[0008] The rainwater first enters a funnel located near the vehicle body. The funnel's inlet pipes are equipped with sieves or mesh to retain coarse particles. The funnel contains a replaceable filter element that can be manually removed for cleaning or replacement. A sensor monitors the flow rate through the filter and reports any blockage to the system, alerting the user when cleaning or filter replacement is necessary.

[0009] The water collected and pre-filtered in the hopper is then directed into the main tank, which is designed as a two-chamber storage tank. Rainwater enters the first chamber. A semipermeable membrane is positioned between the first and second chambers, further filtering the water and allowing for a controlled transfer into the second chamber. In this way, the collected rainwater is purified and selectively mixed with the main contents of the second chamber.

[0010] The high-pressure section of the system is designed to generate a compressed air purge when needed to clear deposits from the hopper and dislodge blockages. The main tank is equipped with two auxiliary tanks, one containing a shampoo / cleaning agent concentrate and the other an antifreeze concentrate. These concentrates can be added as required via a mixing device, or a pre-mixed solution can be added directly to the main tank. The mixing device can be adaptively controlled to automatically adjust the concentrate ratio based on the ambient temperature.

[0011] The fluid is fed from the main reservoir into a special heating chamber equipped with a heating element. In this chamber, the water is heated rapidly and then pumped under increased pressure to the nozzles, allowing the fluid to be applied at high pressure to the windshield, headlights, cameras, and other vehicle sensors. Advantages of the invention

[0012] The proposed system enables automatic and resource-efficient refilling of the windshield washer fluid reservoir. The user needs to refill the reservoir manually less frequently. Multi-stage filtration with a replaceable filter element and an additional membrane ensures high water quality and targeted mixing. Air pressure flushing allows for quick cleaning of the reservoir without manual intervention. The combination with separate reservoirs for shampoo and antifreeze concentrate allows for the production of a suitable washer fluid even in winter conditions. Heating the fluid improves its cleaning performance and increases operational reliability at low temperatures. The high-pressure jet facilitates the removal of stubborn dirt and ice deposits and supports the function of the windshield wipers.Furthermore, cleaning headlights, cameras and sensors ensures the functionality of modern driver assistance systems and automated driving functions. Description for Fig. 1 In Fig. The diagram shows a system for automatically refilling a windshield washer system. Two feed channels direct rainwater collected from the vehicle into a funnel equipped with a special, mesh-like filter element. This filter element retains coarse particles and allows the pre-filtered water to flow into the main reservoir.

[0013] The main tank is designed as a two-chamber storage tank. Filtered rainwater enters the first chamber, which is connected to the second chamber via a semipermeable membrane. This membrane allows for controlled mixing of the rainwater with the main contents in the second chamber, while simultaneously providing additional filtration. The second chamber either contains a pre-filled washing solution or serves as a mixing chamber for producing the required liquid.

[0014] Two auxiliary containers are attached to the main tank, one containing a shampoo or cleaning agent concentrate and the other an antifreeze concentrate. Both auxiliary containers can be opened as needed and the required amount added according to a predetermined mixing ratio. Alternatively, clean water or a pre-mixed solution can be added directly through an additional opening in the main tank.

[0015] Two outlet channels lead from the main tank. The first outlet is directly connected to a high-pressure pump, allowing the fluid to be directed straight to the nozzles. The second outlet leads to a special heating chamber equipped with a heating element. There, the water or mixture is heated rapidly and then pumped to the nozzles under increased pressure. This makes it possible to clean the discs with either cold water or a mixture, or with heated fluid.

[0016] The system also includes a connection between the high-pressure pump and the funnel. This connection allows for compressed air purging, which can be used to blow out the funnel as needed and clear the filter pores and mesh structures of deposits. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 41 01 820 A1

[0003] US 5 669 986 A

[0004]

Claims

[1] System for the automatic refilling of a windshield washer system in motor vehicles by collecting rainwater accumulating on the vehicle, wherein the rainwater is fed via a funnel with sieve or mesh structures and replaceable filter element located in the area of ​​the vehicle body to the main container designed as a two-chamber container, in the first chamber of which the rainwater is received and in the second chamber of which a cleaning or antifreeze concentrate is provided, wherein a washing fluid is produced on demand by means of a mixing device and optionally the proportion of the concentrate is adaptively adjusted depending on the ambient temperature, wherein a heating chamber with a heating element heats the washing fluid before discharge and a high-pressure pump delivers the fluid to nozzles. [2] System according to claim 1, characterized bythat the main container has an additional filling port through which clean water or a pre-mixed solution can be directly added. [3] System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the mixing device is adaptively controlled and automatically adjusts the proportion of concentrate depending on the ambient temperature. [4] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the heating chamber is designed as a rapid heating module, which heats the washing liquid to a temperature between 30 °C and 50 °C within a few seconds. [5] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the high-pressure nozzles can be used optionally for cleaning the windshield, headlights, cameras or other vehicle sensors. [6] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the funnel is equipped with a flow sensor that detects a blockage and sends a message to the vehicle control unit. [7] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the high-pressure pump can be switched between a surface spray jet and a directed high-pressure jet via a controllable nozzle geometry. [8] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the high-pressure pump is connected to the funnel and causes an air pressure rinse, which removes deposits from the filter element and the sieve or mesh structures and ensures a continuous water supply. [9] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the two-chamber storage container has a semipermeable membrane between the first and second chambers, through which the rainwater collected in the first chamber is filtered and transferred in a controlled manner to the second chamber, thus enabling additional cleaning and targeted mixing with the main contents.

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