阅读说明：本技术 车辆中的清洗系统 (Washing system in vehicle ) 是由 鲍勃·约翰·蒂尔伯里 于 2018-06-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于车辆的清洗系统包括安装在车辆顶部并包括用于存储清洗液的中空体的后扰流板；邻近前挡风玻璃的第一喷嘴；连接到后扰流板和第一喷嘴的第一导管；以及连接到第一导管以将清洗液从后扰流板输送到第一喷嘴的第一泵。(A washing system for a vehicle includes a rear spoiler installed at a roof of the vehicle and including a hollow body for storing a washing liquid; a first nozzle adjacent to the front windshield; a first conduit connected to the rear spoiler and the first nozzle; and a first pump connected to the first conduit to deliver the cleaning liquid from the rear spoiler to the first nozzle.)

1. A washing system for a vehicle, comprising:

a rear spoiler mounted on a roof of the vehicle and including a hollow body for storing a washing liquid;

a first nozzle adjacent to the front windshield;

a first conduit connected to the rear spoiler and the first nozzle; and

a first pump connected to the first conduit to deliver the cleaning fluid from the rear spoiler to the first nozzle.

2. The washing system of claim 1, wherein the first pump is disposed in a D-pillar of the vehicle.

3. The washing system of claim 1, wherein the first pump is disposed below the rear spoiler.

4. The washing system of claim 1, further comprising a second nozzle disposed adjacent a rear windshield and a second pump that delivers the washing liquid to the second nozzle.

5. The washing system of claim 4, wherein the first and second pumps are disposed near the rear spoiler and are surrounded by a housing of a stop light of the vehicle.

6. The washing system of claim 1, further comprising a second nozzle disposed adjacent a rear windshield and a solenoid valve connected to the rear spoiler and the second nozzle, and wherein the washing liquid is delivered to the second nozzle via gravity and the flow of the washing liquid to the second nozzle is controlled by the solenoid valve.

7. The washing system of claim 1, wherein the first conduit extends along a roof of the vehicle from the rear spoiler to the first nozzle.

8. The washing system of claim 1, further comprising a third nozzle disposed adjacent a roof of a vehicle, and the third nozzle is configured to clean a sensor or camera mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

9. The washing system of claim 8, further comprising a third pump and a third conduit connecting the third nozzle and the rear spoiler, wherein the third pump is connected to the third conduit to deliver the washing liquid to the third nozzle.

10. The washing system of claim 1, wherein the rear spoiler comprises a baffle assembly disposed inside the hollow body of the rear spoiler.

11. The washing system of claim 1, wherein the baffle assembly includes a plurality of baffles that are substantially parallel to each other in a transverse direction of the vehicle, and each baffle includes an aperture adjacent a bottom of the rear spoiler.

12. The washing system of claim 1, wherein the rear spoiler includes an opening for receiving washing liquid and a cap for sealing the opening.

13. The washing system of claim 12, wherein an upper surface of the rear spoiler includes an elongated groove that gradually narrows toward the opening to guide rainwater and dew toward the opening, and wherein the cap has a hole to allow the rainwater and dew to self-drain into the hollow body of the rear spoiler.

14. A washing system for a vehicle, comprising:

a rear spoiler mounted on top of the rear windshield and adjacent a lift gate to roof hinge connection and including a hollow body for storing a cleaning liquid;

the front nozzle is arranged adjacent to the front windshield, and the first guide pipe is used for connecting the front nozzle and the rear spoiler;

a first pump connected to the first conduit to deliver the cleaning liquid from the rear spoiler to the front nozzle; and

a rear nozzle adjacent the rear spoiler for cleaning a rear windshield, wherein the cleaning liquid is delivered from the rear spoiler to the rear nozzle via gravity.

15. The washing system of claim 14, further comprising a second conduit connecting the rear nozzle and the rear spoiler, and a solenoid valve, wherein the cleaning liquid is delivered from the rear spoiler to the rear nozzle by the solenoid valve.

16. The washing system of claim 14, wherein the rear spoiler includes a plurality of baffles substantially parallel to each other and disposed within the hollow body in a lateral direction of the vehicle and a horizontal plate disposed on the plurality of baffles.

17. The washing system of claim 14, further comprising a nozzle mounted on the roof, a third conduit connecting the nozzle on the roof and the rear spoiler, and a second pump connected to the third conduit to deliver the wash liquid to the nozzle on the roof.

18. A washing system for a vehicle, comprising:

a rear spoiler disposed above the rear windshield and having a hollow body for storing a cleaning liquid;

a first nozzle disposed adjacent to the front windshield;

a second nozzle disposed adjacent the rear windshield;

a third nozzle provided on a roof of the vehicle;

a first conduit forming a fluid connection between the hollow body and the first nozzle;

a first pump connected to the first conduit to deliver the cleaning fluid to the first nozzle; and

a second conduit forming a fluid connection between the hollow body and the third nozzle; and

a second pump connected to the second conduit to deliver cleaning fluid to the third nozzle.

19. The cleaning system of claim 19, further comprising a third pump, wherein the cleaning liquid from the rear spoiler is delivered to the second nozzle by the third pump.

20. The washing system of claim 19, further comprising a solenoid valve, wherein the washing liquid from the rear spoiler is delivered to the second nozzle via gravity, and flow to the second nozzle is controlled by the solenoid valve.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning system, and more particularly, to a cleaning system that uses a space in a rear spoiler to store a cleaning liquid.

Background

In a vehicle, a washing system is used to clean the vehicle exterior of a component such as a front windshield or a rear windshield by spraying a washing liquid onto the surface of the windshield. Typically, the washing system includes a washing liquid reservoir mounted in the engine compartment. The cleaning solution reservoir receives and stores a cleaning solution. A pump draws liquid from a reservoir and delivers it through a conduit to a nozzle located near the windshield. A separate reservoir for the cleaning liquid in the engine compartment consumes space and the arrangement of the conduits may be complicated. The inventors have recognized the need to free some of the space occupied by the wash liquid reservoir in the engine compartment for other systems and components.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a washing system for a vehicle is provided. The washing system includes a rear spoiler mounted on a roof of the vehicle, a first nozzle disposed adjacent to the front windshield, and a first conduit connected to the rear spoiler and the first nozzle. The rear spoiler includes a hollow body for storing a cleaning liquid. Further, the cleaning system includes a first pump connected to the first conduit to deliver cleaning fluid from the rear spoiler to the first nozzle.

In one embodiment, the first pump may be disposed in a D-pillar of the vehicle.

In another embodiment, the first pump may be disposed below the rear spoiler.

In another embodiment, the washing system may include a second nozzle disposed adjacent the rear windshield and a second pump disposed between the second nozzle and the rear spoiler to deliver the washing liquid to the second nozzle.

In another embodiment, the cleaning system may further comprise a second nozzle disposed below the aft spoiler such that the cleaning liquid is delivered to the second nozzle via gravity. In addition, the washing system may further include a solenoid valve connected to the rear spoiler and the second nozzle to control a flow of the washing liquid toward the second nozzle.

In another embodiment, both the first and second pumps may be disposed below the rear spoiler and surrounded by a housing of a stop light of the vehicle.

In another embodiment, the first conduit may extend along a roof of the vehicle from the rear spoiler to the first nozzle.

In another embodiment, the washing system may further include a third nozzle disposed adjacent the roof of the vehicle. The third nozzle may be configured to clean a sensor or a camera mounted on a roof of the vehicle.

In another embodiment, the washing system may further include a third pump and a third conduit connecting the third nozzle and the rear spoiler. A third pump is connected to the third conduit to deliver the cleaning fluid to the third nozzle.

In another embodiment, the rear spoiler may include a baffle assembly disposed within the hollow body.

In yet another embodiment, the baffle assembly may include a plurality of baffles substantially parallel to each other along a lateral direction of the vehicle. Each baffle may include an aperture adjacent a bottom of the rear spoiler.

In another embodiment, the rear spoiler may include an opening for receiving the cleaning liquid and a cap for sealing the opening.

In another embodiment, the upper surface of the rear spoiler may include an elongated groove that is tapered toward the opening to guide rainwater and dew-water toward the opening.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a washing system for a vehicle includes: a rear spoiler disposed on top of the rear windshield and adjacent to a hinge connection of the lift gate to the roof, and a rear nozzle for cleaning the rear windshield; a front nozzle disposed near the front windshield for cleaning the front windshield; a first conduit connecting the front nozzle and the rear spoiler; and a first pump connected to the first conduit to deliver the cleaning liquid from the rear spoiler to the front nozzle. The rear spoiler includes a hollow body for storing a cleaning liquid. The rear nozzle is mounted at a bottom of the rear spoiler adjacent to the rear windshield, and is configured to deliver the cleaning liquid from the rear spoiler to the rear nozzle via gravity.

In another embodiment, the cleaning system may further comprise a second conduit connecting the rear nozzle and the rear spoiler, and a solenoid valve, wherein the cleaning liquid is delivered from the rear spoiler to the rear nozzle by the solenoid valve.

In another embodiment, the rear spoiler may include a plurality of baffles substantially parallel to each other. The baffle may be disposed inside the hollow body in a lateral direction of the vehicle. Further, a horizontal plate may be provided on the plurality of baffles.

In another embodiment, the washing system may include a third nozzle installed on the roof and a third duct connecting the third nozzle and the rear spoiler. Further, a third pump is connected to the third conduit to deliver the cleaning fluid to the third nozzle via the third conduit.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a washing system for a vehicle includes a rear spoiler disposed on top of a rear windshield, a first nozzle disposed proximate to the front windshield, a second nozzle disposed proximate to the rear windshield, and a third nozzle disposed at a roof of the vehicle. The cleaning system also includes a first conduit connecting the first nozzle and the rear spoiler and a first pump connected to the first conduit to deliver cleaning liquid to the first nozzle. The cleaning system also includes a second conduit connecting the third nozzle and the rear spoiler and a second pump connected to the second conduit to deliver cleaning liquid from the rear spoiler to the third nozzle.

In one embodiment, the cleaning system may include a third pump to deliver cleaning fluid from the rear spoiler to the second nozzle.

In another embodiment, the washing system may include a solenoid valve connected to the rear spoiler, and the second nozzle may be disposed below the spoiler and on top of the rear windshield to receive the washing liquid from the spoiler via gravity.

The disclosed wash system stores wash liquid within the rear spoiler of the vehicle and thus eliminates the need for, or at least reduces the volume of, a separate wash liquid reservoir within the engine compartment.

Drawings

Example embodiments will be more clearly understood from the following brief description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings represent non-limiting example embodiments as described herein.

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle illustrating an environment in which a washing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented;

FIG. 2A is a plan view of the rear of the vehicle showing the rear spoiler and pump of the washing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a perspective exploded view of the rear spoiler and other components of the cleaning system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates the washing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a washing system in a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the rear of the vehicle showing the rear spoiler and other components of the washing system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle showing a washing system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the rear spoiler illustrating the baffle assembly in the rear spoiler of the washing system in the vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is another cross-sectional view of the rear spoiler of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rear of a vehicle showing a rear spoiler of a washing system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that these drawings are intended to illustrate the general characteristics of methods, structures and/or materials used in certain example embodiments, and to supplement the written description provided below. However, the drawings are not to scale and may not precisely reflect the precise structural or performance characteristics of any given embodiment, and should not be construed as defining or limiting the scope of values or attributes encompassed by example embodiments. The use of like or identical reference numbers in the various figures is intended to indicate the presence of like or identical elements or features.

Detailed Description

The disclosed washing system for a vehicle will become better understood by reviewing the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings merely provide examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosed examples may be altered, modified and adapted without departing from the scope of the invention described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various washing systems are provided. The relevant features in the examples may be the same, similar or different in different examples. For the sake of brevity, the explanation of the relevant features will not be repeated in each example. Instead, the reader is reminded using the relevant feature names, and features with relevant feature names may be similar to the relevant features in the previously described examples. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific description of the relevant feature in any given figure or example.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rear portion of a vehicle 2 including a washing system 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2A and 2B show the rear spoiler 12 and other components. Fig. 3 shows the washing system 10 in the vehicle 2. For illustrative purposes, the conduits and associated components of the washing system 10 are shown in solid lines. With reference to fig. 3 and with further reference to fig. 1-2, the cleaning system 10 may include a rear spoiler 12 for storing cleaning liquid, pumps 14 and 15, a first conduit 16, and front nozzles 18, 20. The washing system 10 is used to clean the vehicle exterior of some components, such as the front windshield 22 and the rear windshield 24, by spraying a washing liquid onto the exterior surface of the vehicle exterior. The rear spoiler 12 may be used in a vehicle to reduce adverse air movement across the vehicle body, i.e., to reduce air turbulence or air resistance. Conventional rear spoilers typically have an interior volume containing air. It should be understood that some rear spoilers may be mounted on the vehicle primarily for styling purposes.

Referring to fig. 1, in some embodiments, the rear spoiler 12 is mounted on a roof 26 of the vehicle 2 and above the rear windshield 24. The rear spoiler 12 comprises a hollow body configured to receive and store cleaning fluid used in the cleaning system 10. In some embodiments, the rear spoiler 12 may receive up to 5 liters of cleaning fluid at a maximum capacity. That is, the rear spoiler may provide a volume equal to the volume of a separate cleaning liquid reservoir located in the engine compartment. In the depicted embodiment, the vehicle 2 is an SUV (sport utility vehicle), a truck, or a hatchback. The rear spoiler 12 is mounted adjacent to a hinge connection 28, the hinge connection 28 connecting a lift gate 30 to a vehicle roof 32. As the rear spoiler 12 is closer to the hinge connection 28, the change in force on the gas strut or the electric strut due to the mass of the cleaning fluid is negligible.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the rear spoiler 12 may include an opening 34 to receive additional cleaning fluid. In the depicted embodiment, the opening 34 is disposed on an upper surface 36 of the aft spoiler 12. A user can replenish the cleaning fluid into the hollow body of the rear spoiler 12 via the opening 34. It should be understood that the opening 34 may be provided at any other location on the rear spoiler 12 that is accessible to a user. A cap 38 is provided to seal the opening 34. The cap 38 may be configured to be flush with the upper surface 36 of the rear spoiler 12 in the closed position. Further, the cap 38 may be coated with a layer having the same color as the rear spoiler 12, so that the cap 38 appears as an integral part of the rear spoiler 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, the pump 14 may be a first pump configured to deliver cleaning fluid to a front or first nozzle 18, 20 disposed adjacent a front windshield 22 to spray the cleaning fluid onto an outer surface of the front windshield 22 when the cleaning system 10 is activated by a user to clean the front windshield 22. In one embodiment, at least two first nozzles 18, 20 are disposed near or below a front windshield 22. Cleaning liquid from the rear spoiler 12 is conveyed to the first nozzles 18, 20 via the first conduit 16.

Referring to fig. 2A and 2B, the first pump 14 is disposed below the rear spoiler 12. In some embodiments, the first pump 14 is positioned forward of the aft spoiler 12. It will be understood that "front" refers to a position closer to the forward most portion of the vehicle, and "rear" refers to a position closer to the rearward most portion of the vehicle. In the embodiment shown in fig. 2B, the rear spoiler 12 includes a segmented section 40 to receive a stop light 42. The first pump 14 is arranged in the partition 40 and is covered or surrounded by a housing 43 of the stop lamp 42 in the assembled state. The first pump 14 is fluidly connected to the hollow body 44 of the rear spoiler 12 and includes an outlet 46 connected to the first conduit 16. With further reference to FIG. 3, upon activation of the washing system 10 to clean the front windshield 22, the first pump 14 draws washing liquid from the hollow body 44 and delivers it to the first nozzles 18, 20 via the first conduit 16. The first pump 14 may be powered by the powertrain of the vehicle 2 via a connection through the wiring harness 48. The wiring harness 48 and first conduit are partially concealed by the rear spoiler 12 and the stop lamp 42.

Referring to fig. 2A-3, in some embodiments, the washing system 10 includes a rear or second nozzle 50 disposed adjacent the rear windshield 24. The second nozzle 50 is configured to spray the cleaning liquid to the outer surface of the rear windshield 24. The cleaning system 10 may further include a second pump 15 disposed adjacent the rear spoiler 12 to deliver cleaning liquid to the second nozzle 50. In the depicted embodiment, the second pump 15 is disposed forward of the rear spoiler 12 and surrounded by a stop light 42. The second pump 15 is fluidly connected to the hollow body 44 of the rear spoiler 12 and comprises an outlet 54 connected to a second conduit 56. A second conduit 56 is connected to the second nozzle 50 such that the second pump 15 draws cleaning liquid from the hollow body 44 and delivers it to the second nozzle 50. The second pump 40 is connected to the vehicle's powertrain by a wiring harness 48. It should be appreciated that the first and second pumps may be located at any suitable location on the vehicle.

Fig. 4-5 depict a cleaning system 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, components that are the same as or similar to the components in the embodiments shown in fig. 1-3 will not be described in detail or will only be briefly mentioned. The washing system 100 may include a rear spoiler 112 for storing washing liquid, a pump 114, a first conduit 116, and first nozzles 118, 120. The washing system 100 also includes a second nozzle 150 disposed below the rear spoiler 112. The second nozzle 150 is positioned such that the second nozzle 150 is capable of receiving cleaning fluid from the rear spoiler 112 via gravity. In addition, the washing system 100 may include a solenoid valve 160 connected to the rear spoiler 112, which controls the flow of the washing liquid from the rear spoiler 112 to the second nozzle 150. That is, the solenoid valve 160 may be controlled by a current through the solenoid to open or close the flow from the rear spoiler 112.

Referring to fig. 5, the second nozzle 150 is disposed below the rear spoiler 112 substantially along the center vertical line C of the rear windshield 24. When the cleaning system is activated by a user, the solenoid valve 160 is turned on and the cleaning fluid flows by gravity to the second nozzle 150. When the user turns off the washing system, the solenoid valve 160 is closed and no fluid flows to the second nozzle 150. It will be appreciated that any suitable flow control mechanism known in the art may be used to control the flow of cleaning fluid from the rear spoiler 112 to the second nozzle 150.

Referring to fig. 4, in some embodiments, the first pump 114 may be disposed in a D-pillar 156 of the vehicle. Fig. 4 shows a first conduit 116 connecting the aft spoiler 112 and the first nozzles 118, 120. The first pump 114 disposed on the D-column 156 is connected to the first conduit 116. An inlet of the first pump 114 may be connected to the rear spoiler 112 via a connecting conduit 148, and an outlet of the first pump 114 is connected to the first conduit 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the first conduit 116 extends from the first pump 114 to the first nozzle 118 via the roof 32 of the vehicle 2. In one example, the first conduit 114 may be routed between a roof and a metal panel in the vehicle roof 32.

In some embodiments, the washing system 100 may be configured to clean the headlamps 158 of the vehicle 2. For example, the head lamp nozzle 162 is provided near the head lamp 158. Additional conduits 164, 166 are provided to connect the first conduit 116 to the headlamp nozzles 162 to deliver cleaning fluid to the headlamp nozzles. In another embodiment, a separate pump (not shown) may be provided to deliver cleaning fluid from the rear spoiler 112 to the headlamp nozzles 162.

It should be understood that the washing system may comprise a separate washing unit for the rear windscreen. For example, the rear spoiler may be configured to store a washing liquid to clean the rear windshield. The hollow body of the spoiler may be dimensioned to receive a volume of cleaning liquid for cleaning the rear windscreen. A solenoid valve may be used to control flow from the rear spoiler to the rear nozzle.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a washing system 200 of a vehicle 2 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, components that are the same as or similar to those in the embodiments shown in fig. 1-3 and 4-5 will not be described in detail or will only be mentioned briefly. The washing system 200 may include a rear spoiler 212 for storing washing liquid, a first pump 214 for delivering washing liquid from the rear spoiler 212 to first nozzles 218, 220 via a first conduit 216. The washing system may also include a second nozzle 250 configured to wash a rear windshield (not shown). A second pump 215 may be fluidly connected to the rear spoiler 212 and the second nozzle 250 to deliver the cleaning fluid from the rear spoiler 212 to the second nozzle 250. In some embodiments, the second pump 215 may be disposed below the aft spoiler 212. Alternatively, a solenoid valve may be used instead of the second pump 215.

The washing system 10 may also include one or more third nozzles 254 disposed on the roof 232 of the vehicle 2. The third nozzle 254 is configured to clean the electronics, such as the sensor and camera 256, mounted on the vehicle roof 232. In some embodiments, a second pump 215 may be connected to the rear spoiler 212 and the third nozzle 254 to deliver the cleaning solution to the third nozzle 254 via a third conduit 262. Alternatively, a third pump 260 may be fluidly connected to the rear spoiler 212 and a third conduit 262 to deliver and control the flow from the rear spoiler 212 to the third nozzle 254. The third pump 260 includes an inlet fluidly connected to the rear spoiler 212 and an outlet connected to a third conduit 262. Upon activation to clean the sensor/camera of the washing system, the third pump 260 delivers washing liquid under pressure to the third nozzle 254. Third pump 260 may be connected to the powertrain of vehicle 2 by a wiring harness.

In some embodiments, the rear spoiler may further comprise a baffle assembly to reduce fluid sloshing within the rear spoiler. Fig. 7A and 7B illustrate an example baffle assembly 302 within an aft spoiler 312. In some embodiments, the baffle assembly 302 includes a plurality of baffles 304 disposed within the hollow body 344. The plurality of baffles 304 are substantially parallel to each other along the transverse direction T of the vehicle to form a plurality of chambers 306 to reduce movement of the cleaning liquid in the transverse direction T. In some embodiments, the baffle 304 is made of a lightweight material, such as plastic or fiberglass, that can withstand corrosion from the cleaning fluid. Each baffle 304 may include an aperture 308 adjacent a bottom 310 of an aft spoiler 312 such that the chambers 306 are in fluid communication with each other. In the depicted embodiment, the aperture 308 is formed as a recess below the bottom of the baffle 304. Alternatively, the apertures 308 may be holes formed in each baffle 304. The baffle 304 may be separately formed and assembled within the aft spoiler 312 by any suitable method, such as an adhesive or interference connection. Alternatively, the baffle 304 is made of the same material as that of the rear spoiler 312 and is integrally formed in a molding process. The top 314 of the baffle 304 may be adjacent to or above the midpoint M of the height H of the trailing spoiler 312.

In some embodiments, the baffle assembly 302 may further include a horizontal plate 316 disposed above the plurality of baffles to reduce up and down movement of the cleaning fluid. The horizontal plate 316 may be a grid plate or a grating plate. In some embodiments, a horizontal plate 316 may be disposed on the top 314 of the baffle 304. It should be appreciated that the baffle assembly may have various configurations to reduce sloshing when the cleaning fluid is below a certain level.

Fig. 8 illustrates a cleaning system 400 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The cleaning system 400 includes an elongated groove 402 on an upper surface 404 of a rear spoiler 412. The groove 402 narrows towards the opening 406 to direct rain and/or dew into the hollow body via the opening 406. If the user wants to collect rain/dew for the cleaning liquid, the user can open the cap 408 to allow rain and dew to flow into the hollow body 18 of the rear spoiler 412. Alternatively, a hole 414 in cap 408 may be formed in cap 408. The hole 414 may be small and sized to allow rain and/or dew to drain into the rear spoiler reservoir.

The washing system of the present disclosure stores a washing liquid inside a rear spoiler of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the wash liquid stored in the rear spoiler may provide the fluid needed for cleaning the front and rear windshields and other components (e.g., cameras and sensors and headlamps disposed outside the vehicle) and thus free up the space occupied by a separate wash liquid reservoir within the engine compartment. Further, the cleaning liquid conduit to the various members to be cleaned can be simplified by the wiring of the rear spoiler provided on the roof of the vehicle. Further, by making the washing liquid flow from the rear spoiler to the rear nozzle by using gravity, a pump for supplying the washing liquid to the rear windshield can be eliminated.

The above disclosure covers a number of different inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its specific form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and/or properties disclosed above as well as those inherent to such persons having ordinary skill in the art upon which the inventions pertain.

The claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel and nonobvious. These claims may refer to "an" element or "a first" element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or a related application.