US5037189A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cleaning apparatus for a mirror
Assignee: Aisin Corp
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Filing: 1989-02-27
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Granted: 1991-08-06
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Expires: 2009-02-27
Abstract
Abstract Ultrasonic vibrators, attached to the back of a mirror, are vibrated according to an A.C. signal pattern which is selected from various A.C. signal patterns for the removal of water, frost and/or ice from the surface of the mirror. Further included is a temperature detecting device attached to the back of the mirror for inhibiting operation of the ultrasonic vibrators when the temperature of the mirror exceeds a predetermined temperature, to thus avoid thermally-induced damage to the mirror.
Inventors
- 👤 Naofumi Fujie
- 👤 Yasuo Kuwabara
- 👤 Shoji Okada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:55
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/0006; B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/0207; B06B1/0223; B06B1/023; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/06; B60R1/0602; B06B2201/00; B06B2201/20; B06B2201/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning foreign materials from a mirror comprising: ultrasonic vibrating means for vibrating the mirror; oscillating means for generating an A.C. signal and for supplying the A.C. signal to said ultrasonic vibrating means; switching means for selecting an A.C. signal pattern from a plurality of A.C. signal patterns, a first A.C. signal pattern being for effecting a vibrating mode, and a second A.C. signal pattern being for effecting a heating mode where the vibrating means oscillates with heat due to an energy consumption which is greater than an energy consumption of said first A.C. signal pattern; and controlling means for turning on and off the oscillating means based on a selected A.C. signal pattern.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning foreign materials from a mirror comprising: ultrasonic vibrating means for vibrating the mirror; oscillating means for generating an A.C. signal and for supplying the A.C. signal to said ultrasonic vibrating means; switching means for selecting an A.C. signal pattern from a plurality of A.C. signal patterns, a first A.C. signal pattern being for effecting a vibrating mode, and a second A.C. signal pattern being for effecting a heating mode where the vibrating means oscillates with heat due to an energy consumption which is greater than an energy consumption of said first A.C. signal pattern; and controlling means for turning on and off the oscillating means based on a selected A.C. signal pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning foreign materials from a mirror comprising: ultrasonic vibrating means for vibrating the mirror; oscillating means for generating an A.C. signal and for supplying the A.C. signal to the ultrasonic vibrating means; controlling means for turning on and off the oscillating means based on a predetermined A.C. signal pattern; temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the mirror; and inhibiting means for inhibiting an oscillation of the mirror on the basis of the A.C. signal from said oscillating means when the temperature of the mirror exceeds a predetermined temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
94 words
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning foreign materials from a mirror comprising: ultrasonic vibrating means for vibrating the mirror; oscillating means for generating an A.C. signal and for supplying the A.C. signal to the ultrasonic vibrating means; controlling means for turning on and off the oscillating means based on a predetermined A.C. signal pattern; temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the mirror; and inhibiting means for inhibiting an oscillation of the mirror on the basis of the A.C. signal from said oscillating means when the temperature of the mirror exceeds a predetermined temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said ultrasonic vibrating means is comprised of a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a matrix in engagement with a rear surface of said mirror.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said controlling means includes a pulse pattern generating circuit having selecting means for providing different pulse patterns depending on environmental conditions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said temperature detecting means is a thermistor disposed in contact with said mirror within said matrix.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-08-05 | 1995-02-04 | 1995-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-05 | 1999-02-04 | 1999-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-05 | 2003-02-04 | 2003-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |