The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 20, 2005
Filed:
Mar. 08, 2001
Dieter Hoetzer, Schwieberdingen, DE;
Dominique Breider, Echichens, CH;
Dieter Hoetzer, Schwieberdingen, DE;
Dominique Breider, Echichens, CH;
Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart, DE;
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for keeping optical elements clean in motor vehicles, especially sensor or camera covers. This is done according to the present invention by applying a directed stream of gas, for example a stream of air, to the transparent cover in such a way that when the cover moves relative to the surroundings no ambient atmosphere, e.g., no ambient air, reaches the surface of the cover. According to one embodiment, by using a nozzle pressurized air is blown in, producing a transverse air stream. It is also possible, using a cover, to form a buffer space in front of the cover in addition to the transverse air stream. In a further refinement, a cleaning nozzle and a heater for the cover can be provided, in order to also be able to perform cleaning when soiling has occurred during stationary operation and to remove icing at low temperatures. To this end the cleaning fluid and/or the supplied air may also be pre-heated.