Inventor: Peleg Aharoni

Title: Anti-Icing for Vehicles While The Ignition Is Off

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for preventing icing and other accumulations on surfaces of vehicles and more particularly to a system and method for applying an applicator to a surface of a vehicle when the ignition is off to remove ice, snow, moisture, humidity, dirt and/mud.

Some people park their cars overnight in their enclosed garage. However, many others, of necessity, leave their cars outside where they are exposed to the elements. While in temperate zones there are usually no adverse effects from exposure to the elements, in cold climates, sub zero temperatures and precipitation can cause ice to form and cover the car or other vehicle. When ice forms on a part of the car such as the windshield, a side view mirror, surround cameras or any other suitable part that needs to be kept clean, the ice sticks to it strongly and obstructs visibility, usually making driving the car impossible until the ice is removed.

Removing the ice can be an arduous and difficult process.

Currently the most common way of removing ice from the windshield is with the use of an ice scraper. The ice scraper resembles a hard-plastic spatula with either a clean blade or a serrated one, or a combination of both. By placing the blade along the windshield or other wipeable part of the vehicle and scraping back and forth, the ice is slowly and laboriously scraped off. Removing ice in this manner is time consuming and labor intensive and generally not a desired activity to engage in as part of a morning routine. Besides ice, snow, condensation, dirt, mud and moisture may also obstruct vision on vehicle windshields.

Improved systems and methods that solve this problem are important.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is a system for wiping a surface of a vehicle when an ignition of the vehicle is turned off, the surface having been exposed to outdoor weather conditions, comprising a movable applicator configured to wipe at least one of snow, ice, moisture, dirt or mud off the surface of the vehicle; an electromechanical movement mechanism for moving the applicator and/or actuating a liquid spraying system so as to wipe the surface of the vehicle; at least one of a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor; an electronic controller configured to actuate the movement mechanism automatically, while the ignition remains off, based on comparing sensor outputs from the at least one of the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor to pre-set threshold levels of the at least one of humidity and temperature, the controller and movement mechanism drawing power from a battery of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the at least one the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are positioned along the surface.

In some embodiments, the applicator is configured to move in a repeating motion.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a current consumption tracking element configured to monitor a level of electric current consumed by the movable applicator and movement mechanism and output the level to the electronic controller.

In some embodiments, the electronic controller is configured to shut of the movement mechanism whenever the level of electric current consumed exceeds a threshold level indicative of a mechanical obstacle to the applicator.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a battery level monitor configured to output a battery level to the electronic controller, and wherein the electronic controller is configured to shut off the movement mechanism whenever the battery level monitor indicates that the battery is lower than a pre-set voltage value.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises (i) a battery level monitor and (ii) a current consumption tracking element configured to monitor a level of electric current consumed by the movable applicator and movement mechanism, wherein the electronic controller is configured to shut of the movement mechanism whenever either of the following is true: (i) the level of electric current consumed exceeds a threshold level indicative of a mechanical obstacle to the applicator, (ii) the battery level monitor indicates that the battery is lower than a pre-set voltage value.

In some embodiments, the surface is a front windshield, a rear windshield or a side window. In some embodiments, the surface is a surface of a vehicle camera.

In some embodiments, the surface is on a roof of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the surface is a surface of side view mirror of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the surface is a surface of a headlight of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the electronic controller is configured to actuate the movement mechanism according to adjustable settings defining an interval between wipes and a speed of a wipe.

In some embodiments, the electronic controller is configured to shut off the movement mechanism whenever the engine is turned on.

In some embodiments, the vehicle is a land vehicle.

In some embodiments, the electronic controller is also configured to actuate the electro-mechanical movement mechanism automatically while the ignition remains off at pre-set times based on advance user inputs and to operate the movement mechanism based on advance user inputs of at least one of (i) pre-set wiping frequencies and (ii) pre-set wiping speeds.

In some embodiments, the electronic controller is also configured to actuate the electro-mechanical movement mechanism automatically while the ignition remains off at pre-set times based on advance user inputs and to operate the movement mechanism whenever the controller receives an instruction from a user, the instruction being manual or remote.

Another aspect of the invention is a system for wiping a surface of a vehicle when an ignition of the vehicle is turned off, the surface having been exposed to outdoor weather conditions, comprising a movable applicator configured to wipe at least one of snow, ice, moisture, dirt or mud off the surface of the vehicle; an electromechanical movement mechanism for moving the applicator and/or actuating a liquid spraying system so as to wipe the surface of the vehicle; an electronic controller configured to actuate the electro-mechanical movement mechanism automatically while the ignition remains off at pre-set times based on advance user inputs and to operate the movement mechanism based on advance user inputs of at least one of (i) pre-set wiping frequencies and (ii) pre-set wiping speeds, the controller and movement mechanism drawing power from a battery of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a current consumption tracking element configured to monitor a level of electric current consumed by the movable applicator and movement mechanism and output the level to the electronic controller.

In some embodiments, the electronic controller is configured to shut of the movement mechanism whenever the level of electric current consumed exceeds a threshold level indicative of a mechanical obstacle to the applicator.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises a battery level monitor configured to output a battery level to the electronic controller, and wherein the electronic controller is configured to shut off the movement mechanism whenever the battery level monitor indicates that the battery is lower than a pre-set voltage value.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises (i) a battery level monitor and (ii) a current consumption tracking element configured to monitor a level of electric current consumed by the movable applicator and movement mechanism, wherein the electronic controller is configured to shut of the movement mechanism whenever either of the following is true: (i) the level of electric current consumed exceeds a threshold level indicative of a mechanical obstacle to the applicator, (ii) the battery level monitor indicates that the battery is lower than a pre-set voltage value.

In some embodiments, the surface is of at least one of (i) a front windshield, a rear windshield or a side window of the vehicle, (ii) a vehicle camera and (iii) a roof, a side view mirror or a headlight of the vehicle.

A still further aspect of the invention is a method of protecting a surface of a vehicle exposed to outdoor weather conditions from ice when an ignition of the vehicle is turned off, comprising using at least of a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor to monitor at least one of a temperature and humidity at the surface of the vehicle; setting an electronic controller to actuate a movement mechanism

automatically while the ignition remains off and at times and frequencies based on one of the following: (i) user inputs of times defining in advance when the movement mechanism should operate and (ii) comparing sensor outputs from the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor to pre-set threshold levels of humidity and

temperature; using at least one of an applicator and liquid spray system to wipe at least one of snow, ice, moisture off the surface of the vehicle, the applicator moved by an electro-mechanical movement mechanism, the movement mechanism controlled by the electronic controller, the controller and movement mechanism drawing power from a battery of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the method further comprises monitoring at least one of the following in order to determine whether to shut off the movement mechanism: (i) a battery level monitor and (ii) a current consumption tracking element configured to monitor a level of electric current consumed by the movable applicator and movement mechanism.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises using the electronic controller to shut off the movement mechanism whenever at least one of the following is true: the level of electric current consumed exceeds a threshold level indicative of a mechanical obstacle to the applicator, (ii) the battery level monitor indicates that the battery is lower than a pre-set voltage value.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, descriptions and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system applied to a vehicle windshield, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a system applied to a surface of a vehicle camera, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a system applied to a surface of a roof of a vehicle, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view that includes a current consumption tracking element and a battery level monitor, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of a system applied to a vehicle windshield and to a vehicle camera; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention generally provides a system and method of preventing the formation of ice (and/or snow, moisture, dirt, mud) on the windshield or other surfaces, and thereby obviating the need to scrape off the ice (and/or snow, moisture, dirt or mud), through the action of a system that operates while the ignition of the vehicle is off. The vehicle is typically a car or truck or other land vehicle. The surfaces include any surfaces, such as a wipeable surface, of the vehicle that can be wiped or have the ice, snow, moisture, dirt and/or mud removed using an applicator or any other suitable electro -mechanical device. The invention in certain embodiments involves the automatic or semi-automatic periodic activation of an electro-mechanical movement mechanism while the vehicle is parked outdoors with the engine off, as for example, when the car is parked on the street or in the driveway on a cold and moist winter night. An electronic controller is configured to actuate the movement mechanism automatically, while the ignition remains off, based on one of several ways. In an automatic version, the controller actuates the movement mechanism by comparing sensor outputs from at least one of a temperature sensor and the humidity sensor to pre-set threshold levels of the at least one of humidity and temperature. In a second version, sometimes referred to as an semi-automatic version, the electronic controller is configured to actuate the movement mechanism automatically while the ignition remains off at pre-set times based on advance user inputs and to operate the movement mechanism based on advance user inputs of at least one of (i) pre-set wiping frequencies and (ii) pre-set wiping speeds. In a manual version, the controller is configured to operate the movement mechanism whenever the controller receives an instruction from a user, the instruction being manual or remote. The controller and movement mechanism draw power from a battery of the vehicle in some

embodiments. In certain embodiments, the wipers or other electro-mechanical device are on windshields, and/or side view mirrors, and/or cameras such as surround and reverse, and/or lamps, and/or headlights and/or any other parts of the car that have a surface capable of being wiped. Such other parts of the car include the roof, boot and/or bonnet of the car or other vehicle. Although presently there may or may not be devices suited for wiping the roof, boot or bonnet of a car or other vehicle, in the future there may be such devices. Wipers are an example of an electro-mechanical device for removing the ice, snow, moisture, dirt and/or mud from a surface of the vehicle, such as by a wiping motion performed for example by an applicator. Other examples are any other electro mechanical device that is configured to remove ice, snow, moisture, humidity, dirt and/or mud from a surface of the vehicle. References below to "wipers" should be understood to broadly encompass all such electro-mechanical devices or mechanisms. In addition, references herein to a "car" should be understood to apply equally to other vehicles such as trucks, buses or any other vehicles having applicators such as wipers or other electromechanical devices for removing the ice, snow, moisture or humidity, dirt and/or mud.

In one embodiment, the system is an Anti-icing Wiper Mode (AWM) that activates the surface applicator, for example windshield wipers, and/or liquid spray system periodically while the car engine is off and parked at a time and in a place where ice is likely to, or may, form and stick to the surface. This is accomplished by periodically and automatically or semi-automatically wiping away moisture from the windshield or other wipeable parts during the period that the car is parked thereby preventing ice from forming and sticking to the surface (i.e. windshield) or other wipeable part in the first place.

In one implementation of the invention, a driver planning to park his car outside for the night in the winter when sub-zero temperatures and a high chance of snow or other precipitation are anticipated or forecast, would activate the system of the invention before leaving the car for the night. This would cause the applicators (i.e. the windshield wipers or the applicators for any other cleanable surface of the vehicle) to activate the applicator for a specific time or number of swipes at pre-set intervals until the system is either disabled manually or is disabled by turning on the engine (for example in the morning) or is disabled at its pre-set time of turning off. The number of swipes or duration of the swiping and the time intervals between activations of the applicator on the surface in some embodiments is fixed and in other embodiments is adjustable as desired.

The principles and operation of a method and apparatus for Applying an Applicator to a Vehicle Surface While the Ignition Is Off may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

As seen from the schematic illustration of Fig. 1, a system 10 is shown for wiping a surface 12 of a vehicle 14 when an ignition of the vehicle 14 is turned off. In any of the embodiments herein, the surface 12 of the vehicle 14 is a surface on the outside of the vehicle 14 and is exposed to outdoor weather conditions. System 10 may comprise a movable applicator 20 configured to wipe at least one of snow, ice, moisture, dirt or mud off the surface 12 of the vehicle 14. System 10 may also comprise an electro-mechanical movement mechanism 30 for moving the applicator 20 and/or actuating a liquid spray system 31 so as to wipe the surface 12 of vehicle 14. In some embodiments, the applicator 20 is a wiper, such as a windshield wiper, that moves along the surface 12 to remove at least one of ice, snow, moisture, humidity, dirt and mud from surface 12 and as shown in Fig. 5 works in conjunction with a spray that gets sprayed on surface 12 by fluid spray system 31 that includes a fluid spray tank 33. In some embodiments, applicator 20 moves in a repeating motion and is controlled by a switch 3 (Fig. 5).

As shown in Fig. 1, in an automatic version of the invention, system 10 also comprises at least one of a temperature sensor 42 and a humidity sensor 44. The at least one of the temperature sensor 42 and humidity sensor 44, or both, are positioned in some embodiments adjacent or along the surface 12 of the vehicle, or at such distance from surface 12 as is sufficient to obtain reliable temperature and/or humidity data concerning surface 12. Non-limiting examples of such distances from surface 12 include 1mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm, 1 cm.

In the automatic version, system 10 may comprise an electronic controller 50 (or part of the vehicle engine control unit 52 (Fig. 5) using specialized software 55) configured to actuate the movement mechanism 30 automatically, while the ignition remains off, based on comparing sensor outputs from the at least one of the temperature sensor 42 and the humidity sensor 44 to pre-set threshold levels of the at least one of humidity and temperature, the controller 50 and movement mechanism 30 drawing power from a battery 60 of the vehicle 14. There is no point in activating the applicator if the temperature has not fallen below 0°C since no ice can form. Other sensors besides the temperature sensor 42 and humidity sensor 44 include a moisture sensor (not shown). These can be used separately or in combination in any suitable manner so as to restrict the activation of the applicator, as much as possible, only to times when movement of applicator 20 is needed.

In this version, the activation of the applicator 20 by the movement mechanism 30 wipers could rely on sensors 42, 44 that output temperature and/or humidity data fed to controller 50 wherein the outputted sensor data is then used to calculate the probability of ice formation and/or detect the formation of ice or of the presence of moisture and a sufficiently low temperature and then turn on the applicator 12 as needed.

Fig. 2 illustrates a version of system 10 (sensors 42, 44 not shown) wherein surface 12 is a surface 12 of an external camera 13 of the vehicle 14 having LEDs 15. Fig. 3 shows a version of system 10 wherein surface 12 is a surface 12 of a roof 16 of a vehicle 14. Surface 12, in other embodiments, is a surface 12 of a roof of the vehicle 14, a side view mirror of the vehicle 14, a headlight of the vehicle 14, a side window of the vehicle 14 or a rear windshield of the vehicle 14. Fig. 5 shows a system 10 applied to a surface 12, namely a vehicle windshield, and also to a surface 12, namely a surface of a camera 13 of vehicle 14.

In the second version sometimes referred to as the "semi-automatic" version because it is based on user inputs and after the user inputs have been inputted it becomes automatic, system 10 may comprise an electronic controller 50 configured to actuate the electro-mechanical movement mechanism 30 automatically while the ignition remains off at pre-set times based on advance user inputs and to operate the movement mechanism based on advance user inputs of at least one of (i) pre-set wiping frequencies and (ii) pre-set wiping speeds. The controller and movement mechanism may draw power from a battery 60 of vehicle 14.

Instead of setting the parameters manually, the activation of the electromechanical movement mechanism 30 is in this version performed automatically by using the car's internal clock once the user selects the times. In one non-limiting example, system 10 would activate movement mechanism 30 to activate applicator 20 whenever the engine of vehicle 40 was off from 6pm to 6am from November 1 ^st through April 30. These dates and times are non-limiting examples.

In a third version of system 10, controller 50 is configured to operate the movement mechanism 30 whenever controller 50 receives an instruction from a user, the instruction being manual or remote. In this "manual" version, movement mechanism 30 that moves applicator 20 and actuates fluid spray system 31 is activated and controlled by an application on the driver's cellphone. The application in some embodiments also makes use of the phone connectivity to the Internet (or other telecommunications network) in order to obtain current information about local weather forecasts and feed the current information to controller 50 of system 10 to help set up an optimal wiping program, which in certain embodiments can also be adjusted or confirmed by the user in the second or semi-automatic version.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic of system 10 applied to a surface 12 that is a windshield and to a surface 12 of a vehicle camera 13 in which movement mechanism 30 comprises a motor 30. The fluid spray system includes a fluid spray such as liquid spray 31 and a fluid spray tank such as liquid spray tank 33. In the particular embodiment shown in Fig. 5, controller 50 is separate from engine control unit (ECU) 52, although there is communication between them as shown by the arrows in both directions. The communications in some embodiments are Can bus communications (Controller Area Network) and/or analog communications,

The system 10 of the invention in some embodiments is added as an aftermarket product and in some embodiments is included by the original equipment manufacturer. In case system 10 is included in serial manufacturing by the original equipment manufacturer, the software 55 of controller 50 will be embedded in engine control unit (ECU) 52 and the ECU will activate the movement mechanism 30 for applicator 20 (for example, wipers 20). There is no need for a second controller 50 in that case. In the case of an aftermarket product, a separate controller 50 having software 55 will communicate with ECU 52 by Can bus communication and/or analog communications. In one configuration (which is typically but not necessarily for the aftermarket scenario), analog and Can bus -controller 50 will turn on analogically ECU 52 and a Can bus command from controller 50 to ECU 52 will activate the movement mechanism 30 for applicator 20 (i.e. the wipers) in the desired sequence. In another configuration (which is also typically but not necessarily for the aftermarket scenario), analog-controller 50 will totally bypass the wires from ECU 52 to the movement mechanism 30 actuating the applicator 20 during the ignition switch "Off position and will activate the movement mechanism 30 for applicator 20 (i.e. the wipers) in the desired sequence.

Accordingly, whenever the controller is specified in the claims as being included in system 10, it can be either controller 50 or controller 52 unless a distinctive type of controller is specified. In addition, when the controller is described in this Description as controller 50, it is understood that this refers to where system 10 is an aftermarket product but that the system 10 can also use controller 52

(incorporating software 55) where system 10 is installed by the original equipment manufacturer. The versions of system 10 may be combined by treating each version of system 10 or of controller 50 as a mode of operation within a single system 10. For example, the automatic and semi-automatic versions may be combined to represent two different operational modes within the same system 10. In this case, controller 50 is configured both to actuate the movement mechanism 30 automatically, while the ignition remains off, based on comparing sensor outputs from the at least one of the temperature sensor 42 and the humidity sensor 44 to pre-set threshold levels of the at least one of humidity and temperature, and the controller is also configured to actuate the electro-mechanical movement mechanism 30 automatically while the ignition remains off at pre-set times based on advance user inputs and to operate the movement mechanism based on advance user inputs of at least one of (i) pre-set wiping frequencies and (ii) pre-set wiping speeds. In this case, the controller 50 has an automatic mode and a semi-automatic mode and system 10 allows a user to switch from the automatic mode to the semi-automatic mode or vice-versa by selecting the mode of operation. Any combined version that includes the automatic version or mode necessarily also includes within it the at least one of temperature sensor 42 and humidity sensor 44, even when the automatic version is inactive and the semiautomatic mode is active.

The third version, sometimes referred to as the "manual" version, may also be combined with the automatic version, or with the semi-automatic version or with the combined automatic and semi-automatic version. In this case, the electronic controller 50 of either the automatic version, the semi-automatic version or the combined automatic and semi-automatic versions, is further configured to operate the movement mechanism 30 in a mode in which whenever the controller 50 receives an instruction from a user, the instruction being manual or remote, the movement mechanism 30 operates the applicator 20 to wipe or remove the ice, snow, moisture, mud and/or dirt. Accordingly, the automatic version and the semi-automatic in some embodiments are activated and controlled by an application on the driver's cellphone.

The controller 50 and movement mechanism 30 in certain embodiments draw power from a battery 60 of vehicle 14. Controller 50 includes all hardware and specialized software 55 necessary to implement the functions described herein.

System 10, in any embodiment herein, may further comprise a current consumption tracking element 64 configured to monitor a level of electric current 62 consumed by the movable applicator 20 and/or movement mechanism 30 and output the level to the electronic controller 50. In some embodiments, electronic controller 50 is configured to shut off the movement mechanism 30 whenever the level of electric current 62 in battery 60 consumed exceeds a threshold level indicative of a mechanical obstacle to the applicator 20.

In some further embodiments, system 10 further comprises a battery level monitor 61 configured to monitor and determine a voltage level of battery 60, called the battery level 61 A, and output and transmit this level to electronic controller 50. In some embodiments, the electronic controller 50 is configured to shut off the movement mechanism 30 (or in other embodiments reduce the frequency or speed of applicator 20) whenever the battery level monitor 61 indicates that the battery 60 has a lower voltage remaining than a pre-set voltage value. This will ensure that the vehicle will be able to start the next morning.

In some further embodiments, system 10 comprises both (i) a battery level monitor 61 and (ii) a current consumption tracking element 64 configured to monitor a level of electric current consumed by the movable applicator 20 and movement mechanism 30, wherein the electronic controller 50 is configured to shut of the movement mechanism 30 whenever either of the following is true: (i) the level of electric current 62 consumed exceeds a threshold level indicative of a mechanical obstacle to the applicator 20, (ii) the battery level monitor 61 indicates that the battery 60 is lower in voltage than a pre-set voltage value.

Use of the System

In use, the system 10, once activated, would initiate a wiping program which would, for example, activate the applicator, for example windshield wipers, to initiate a sequence of a certain number of wipes, for example two wipes, every pre-defined amount of time, for example 30 minutes. The periodic wiping of the windshield 12 or other surface 12 of the vehicle that can be wiped or cleaned would break up any thin film of ice that may have formed, snow that may have fallen, condensation that may have accumulated, mud or dirt that mat have accumulated. When the driver returns to the car (usually in the morning), there would not be any accumulation of ice adhering to the windshield or other surface 12 obstructing the driver's view so that the driver can immediately get into the car and drive away, rather than having to scrape the ice from the surface 12. In one embodiment, the system 10 is automatically deactivated as soon as the engine is turned on. The sequence and interval of the movement of applicator 20 is complex in some embodiments in order to increase effectiveness. For example, the sequence could include different numbers of slow wipes, fast swipes, pauses between swipes and time intervals between sets of swipes. Faster wipes may be more effective for clearing thin films of ice that may have managed to form during the interval, while slow wipes may be better suited for clearing snow from the windshield or other wipeable parts of the car. A short pause could allow snow from the top of the windshield or other wipeable parts of the car to slide within reach of the wipers so that another wipe would push the snow out of the way. The sequence and interval between sequences could vary depending on the manual setting the driver chose when he left the car, or through continual monitoring of the outdoor conditions.

In other embodiments, sensors can continually monitor outdoor conditions throughout the period and feed data to the controller 50 so as to craft or adjust as nearly an optimal wiping program as possible. The continual monitoring makes it possible to revise or change the sequence and interval of the wipers in real time so as to reflect changing weather conditions (temperature, humidity, moisture on the surface 12 of the vehicle. For example, in some embodiments, detection of falling snow would cause a shortening of the intervals between swipes of applicator 12. No detection of moisture or an elevation of the temperature above a pre-set value may in some embodiments cause the swiping to cease altogether, thereby preventing the applicator from scratching the dry windshield or other dry surface of the vehicle and saving energy, which may be supplied by the car's battery.

As seen from Fig. 6, an embodiment of the invention is a method 100 of protecting a surface of a vehicle exposed to outdoor weather conditions from ice when an ignition of the vehicle is turned off. Method 100 may comprise a step 110 of using at least of a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor to monitor at least one of a temperature and humidity at the surface of the vehicle. A further step 120 of method 100 is setting an electronic controller to actuate the movement mechanism

automatically while the ignition remains off and at times and frequencies that are based on at least one of the following, and at any given time are based on one of the following: (i) user inputs of times defining in advance when the movement mechanism should operate and (ii) comparing sensor outputs from the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor to pre-set threshold levels of humidity and

temperature. Method 100 may also include a step of 130 of using at least one of an applicator and liquid spray system to wipe at least one of snow, ice, moisture off the surface of the vehicle, the applicator moved by an electro-mechanical movement mechanism, the movement mechanism controlled by the electronic controller, wherein the controller and movement mechanism draw power from a battery of the vehicle.

In some versions of method 100, there is also a step of monitoring at least one of the following in order to determine whether to shut off the movement mechanism: (i) a battery level monitor and (ii) a current consumption tracking element configured to monitor a level of electric current consumed by the movable applicator and movement mechanism. In certain further versions of method 100 there is also a step of using the electronic controller to shut off the movement mechanism whenever at least one of the following is true: the level of electric current consumed exceeds a threshold level indicative of a mechanical obstacle to the applicator, (ii) the battery level monitor indicates that the battery is lower than a pre-set voltage value.

It is noted that in all the versions of method 100, the structural elements used in methodlOO are those referred to in describing system 10 above.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. Therefore, the claimed invention as recited in the claims that follow is not limited to the embodiments described herein.