WINDSHIELD DEICER POWER CONSERVATION SYSTEM

摘要

Vehicle apparatus includes a glass windshield and a wiper system. A wiper blade has a parking region on the windshield. A deicer selectably provides heat to the parking region. A windshield temperature sensor detects a temperature of the windshield at the parking region. A head-up display is mounted proximate the windshield to display a temperature indicator responsive to the detected temperature. An automatic control circuit is configured to automatically deactivate the deicer when detecting a deiced condition in response to the detected temperature. A manual control element is configured to manually activate and deactivate the deicer. Thus, excessive heating can be avoided based on feedback of the windshield temperature. In addition, the driver is reminded that the deicer is active in a way that simultaneously provides information enabling the driver to independently evaluate the vehicle conditions and to make informed decisions about when to intervene in the automatic operation.

主权项

1. Vehicle apparatus comprising:
a glass windshield; a wiper system including a wiper blade having a parking region on the windshield; a deicer selectably providing heat to the parking region; a windshield temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the windshield at the parking region; a head-up display proximate the windshield displaying a temperature indicator responsive to the detected windshield temperature; an automatic control circuit configured to automatically deactivate the deicer; and a manual control element configured to manually activate and deactivate the deicer.