초록 ▼

A vehicle liquid dispensing system having a dispenser which may be retracted or concealed within the dashboard, a thermoelectric liquid heat exchanger for heating or cooling the liquids, an esthetically pleasing liquid reservoir and a pump: all components are disposed within the structure of the veh

A vehicle liquid dispensing system having a dispenser which may be retracted or concealed within the dashboard, a thermoelectric liquid heat exchanger for heating or cooling the liquids, an esthetically pleasing liquid reservoir and a pump: all components are disposed within the structure of the vehicle and do not take up passenger compartment space. In embodiments, an on/off switch may be provided to prevent dispensing, a switch may be provided at the dispenser to activate the pump, the pump may be electrical, and the fluid connections between the components of the system may be provided with connectors allowing easy cleaning.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A vehicle having a liquid supply, a dashboard and a structure, the said liquid supply comprising: a liquid supply reservoir, the liquid supply reservoir being disposed in the structure of the vehicle; a thermoelectric heat exchanger having a heat exchanger element, which is w

What is claimed is: 1. A vehicle having a liquid supply, a dashboard and a structure, the said liquid supply comprising: a liquid supply reservoir, the liquid supply reservoir being disposed in the structure of the vehicle; a thermoelectric heat exchanger having a heat exchanger element, which is wound around a liquid connection to heat or cool the liquid connection, said liquid connection is connected between the liquid supply reservoir and a liquid dispenser, disposed in the structure of the vehicle; the liquid dispenser having a first position on the exterior of the dashboard of the vehicle; and a pump disposed in the structure of the vehicle and operatively connected to the liquid connection, whereby liquid may be urged to pass from the reservoir through the thermoelectric heat exchanger to the liquid dispenser, wherein the liquid connection is disposed inside of the structure of the vehicle. 2. The vehicle liquid supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid dispenser has a second position concealing the liquid dispenser within the vehicle dashboard. 3. The vehicle liquid supply apparatus of claim 2, wherein the liquid dispenser retracts into the dashboard in the second position, and extends out of the dashboard in the first position. 4. The vehicle liquid supply apparatus of claim 2, wherein the liquid dispenser folds between the first and second positions. 5. The vehicle liquid supply apparatus of claim 2, wherein the liquid dispenser slides between the first and second positions. 6. The vehicle liquid supply apparatus of claim 2, wherein the liquid dispenser further comprises a door, and further wherein when the door is in an open position, the liquid dispenser is in the first position, and when the door is in a closed position, the liquid dispenser is in the second position. 7. The vehicle liquid supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reservoir has an esthetically pleasing exterior. 8. The vehicle liquid supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reservoir has an exterior appearance similar to a home appliance. 9. The vehicle liquid supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump is an electrical pump having a directly wired operative electrical connection to the vehicle electrical system. 10. The vehicle liquid supply apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a first switch having a first position in which it provides electrical energy to the pump and a second position in which it prevents flow of electrical energy, and a second switch in series with the first switch, the second switch having a default position in which it prevents flow of electrical energy, the second switch disposed upon the liquid dispenser and dimensioned and configured such that when the liquid dispenser is used by an occupant of such vehicle, the second switch is activated to provide electrical energy to the pump. 11. The vehicle liquid supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump is a mechanical pump powered by the mechanical energy of the engine. 12. The vehicle liquid supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first switch is the vehicle ignition switch. 13. The vehicle liquid supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first switch is mounted on the driver's side door. 14. The vehicle liquid supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operative liquid connection further comprise: a conduit having a hollow core and two ends, and each end further comprises an adapter having a first connected position and a second disconnected position. 15. The vehicle liquid supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric heat exchanger has a directly wired operative electrical connection to the vehicle electrical system, whereby when the vehicle electrical system is on, the thermoelectric heat exchanger receives electrical energy from the vehicle electrical system.