CZ29058U1 - Device for dispensing liquids to windshield wipers and liquid distribution system to windshield wipers - Google Patents

Description

Technical field

The technical solution relates to a device for dispensing fluids to vehicle washers, especially summer and winter water washers. The dispensing equipment is primarily intended for placement in the filling station premises, for example near dispensers. The technical solution also describes a new, environmentally friendly system for the distribution of windscreen washer fluid using dispensers.

Background Art

Windshield washers or lights in motor vehicles have different sized tanks, from which they pump fluid, usually a mixture of water and additives, in winter an antifreeze. In case of bad weather, the vehicle sometimes needs to refill the fluid more often into the washer tank as it needs refueling. Windshield washer fluids are currently distributed through pumping stations where fluids are delivered in a variety of disposable containers. These containers, especially in the form of plastic canisters and bottles, represent waste that is polluting the environment after emptying. At the same time, such a wrapper increases the cost of the fluid, in the case of a summer blend, the value of the wrapper may be higher than the value of the fluid itself.

Packing bags with a filling neck are known, where the empty container is less weight, but such packaging is more susceptible to damage and more complicated to pour into the washer container.

In other areas of fluid distribution, returnable packaging is also known, which is reused or recycled at least. In the case of relatively cheap windscreen washer fluids, the introduction of returnable packaging is logistically demanding and uneconomical.

It is also common for spills of liquids to be poured from different canisters, bottles, and the like, because other units in the engine compartment are filled around the opening of the washer container, and pouring requires wrapping. Spilled liquid, especially in the case of a winter mixture (eg glycol base), loads soil and groundwater. This is partly solved by more complicated containers having a longer filling neck or having a container vent. However, these packages are more demanding in production and require more material.

Such a solution is desirable to reduce the environmental burden, reduce the amount of packaging material, and also simplify pouring into differently positioned washer reservoirs. The new solution should also streamline logistics and fluid distribution according to the season and reduce the necessary storage space.

The essence of the technical solution

The drawbacks of the prior art substantially eliminate the motor vehicle washer fluid dispensing device, wherein the device has a reservoir, a fluid container disposed in an overhead dispenser according to the present invention, having a flexible hose accessible from the outside on one side with the container, at the other end the hose is provided with a dispensing nozzle and the device has a measuring element for measuring the amount of fluid dispensed.

The term nozzle means any element capable of controlling, opening, closing the fluid flow at the end of the hose, but may or may not have the external appearance of the gun. It can also be a ball valve, a rotary tap and the like.

The container is stably mounted in the rack, only the end of the hose moves with the gun. The gun allows the liquid to be poured without spilling it into the vicinity of the washer reservoir, since the pistol is first inserted into the reservoir neck and the fluid flow is released. There is no need to turn around when stopping pouring

-1 GB 29058 Ul canister, just release the gun and the flow stops. This will reduce or completely prevent the spillage of liquids and the environmental impact of various chemicals.

An essential advantage of the device is the complete removal of disposable packaging. Only in the case of a small country like the Slovak Republic and with incomplete replacement, this represents a saving of 580,000 packages, 200 tonnes of material.

From the standpoint of energy independence, it will be desirable if the container is placed in the rack at a height higher than that of the washers of the windscreen washer fluid reservoirs, usually by placing the bottom of the container at least at the height of the car bonnet. The container in the rack should have a bottom greater than 0.7 m above the level of the surrounding terrain on which the passenger vehicle is standing. In the case of vans and wagons, this may be higher. By such an arrangement, a liquid-flowing state is achieved by gravity and the equipment does not need to have pumps. The height of the container can also be increased in order to achieve a good flow in the hose with a small cross section. The design without pumps brings not only an energy advantage, but eliminates safety risks from possible pump failure. Although the liquid in the container is non-combustible and non-explosive, the device will usually be located in an environment with a risk of explosion, where, for example, a seized pump in a conventional, non-explosive design could cause a fire. The advantage of the present technical solution is also that the simple construction does not create safety risks. At the same time, the solution does not exclude the ability to support gravity by an electric pump to increase flow.

The measuring element in the device may be of different designs. It may be a simple hydro-mechanical counter with an indication of the amount of fluid dispensed, it may be a weight that measures the weight of the fluid container and the like. It will be appreciated that the measuring element will be part of a dispensing module that measures the appropriate volume or weight of the dispensed fluid. For example, the dispensing module may be configured to dispense a selected volume fluid upon release of the gun at the end of the hose. This volume should correspond to conventional vehicle tank volumes, for example 2, 3, 4, 5 liters.

It is advisable to use the dispenser module even if the dispensing of the fluid (eg with a summer mixture) is free of charge in order to avoid waste. For example, to free up every liter of summer fluid free of charge, the driver will have to push the dispenser button again to keep the fluid out of indifference. In most cases, the dispensing of the fluid will be subject to a charge and therefore it will be desirable for the dispensing module to be coupled to the payment module. The payment module can work on coins or tokens. Such an arrangement will allow the payment module and the dispensing module to be purely mechanical, which will not require any energy, and the entire dispensing device will operate without an electrical connection, which may be complicated according to national safety regulations in the vicinity of the fuel dispenser.

The payment module can also take the form of an electronic card reader, chips, or a connection to a gas station cash desk. Any type of payment module will instruct you to release the paid amount of fluid. For example, a coin or token mechanism after inserting a coin, respectively. the chip releases the dispenser module and the fluid outflow is now dependent only on starting the dispensing nozzle.

The container stand can be designed as a stand-alone stand that is placed on the ground, or the stand can be adapted to be attached to existing pump station structures. For example, the stand may be mounted on a pole or may be encircled by a column that supports the fuel dispenser enclosure. The rack at the bottom can also include a waste bin and paper towel feeder. The exterior surfaces of the stand may also be an advertising surface carrier.

It is advantageous if the device is also provided with a fluid level measuring element, which makes it possible to signal the approaching missed fluid in the vessel. This level measurement can take various forms, such as a float, a weighing container, an optical level sensor. It will be appreciated that, in the case of a non-electrical embodiment of the device, the level measurement element will be mechanical or

-2C 29058 Ul Optical. The simplest level measurement element is a simple scale that is visible through the transparent shell of the container.

The device may also include a filter module that serves to treat the water added to the vessel if the liquid is produced in situ by concentrate dilution. The inlet of the treated water can be directed into the vessel so that the water causes swirling and thus mixing of the fluid.

In a more complex arrangement, the device may have its own power source, for example, in the form of an accumulator or photovoltaic panels at the top of the device. Thin-layer amorphous a-Si panels can be used, although they have less efficiency as crystalline, but produce electrical energy even from diffuse light, that is to say under shading that can be assumed under the roof of a pumping station. Electricity will be advantageously used for control, measurement and communication, the actual transport of fluid from the vessel through the hose should continue to be ensured by gravity, ie without energy consumption.

The actual power source will allow the arrangement where the device also has a communication module such as a GSM platform, Wi-Fi and the like. The communication module is connected to a level measurement element in the vessel. A reduced fluid level signal in the vessel may be sent to the central unit to provide refilling. Linking to the supply center makes it easy to order fluid as needed on site. The communication module will have an identification element in the form of an IP address, IMEI code, SIM card number and the like. According to the identification element, the device status is assigned to the respective rack in the central unit. If multiple devices are located at one pump station, the communication architecture can be configured such that all devices have a Wi-Fi communication channel, through which all devices can send the level status information to one main device having a GSM communication module. Through this main device, level information from all neighboring facilities is sent to the headquarters, saving on communication fees.

In case the installation of the equipment is already planned for the construction of a new filling station, the communication module may take the form of a network card. Thanks to the network card, each device with its own IP address will be part of the petrol station's PC network and the level information in each device will be transmitted to the headquarters via the Internet protocol.

The communication element can be used in both directions. In this case it will be advantageous if the communication element is also connected to the dosing module. This will make it possible to pay for the issued liquid via SMS payment. The necessary SMS message is sent to the headquarters number and it then instructs to release the appropriate fluid dose. In order to make it easier for the buyer to identify a particular device (so that the batch release order is not sent to the wrong rack), a QR code can be placed on the device, which the customer loads with his mobile phone. The device may be part of a wider loyalty system in which liquid dispensing is subtracted from the customer's credit. The GPS receiver can also be connected to the communication module. In such an arrangement, the device will not only be able to indicate its position and thus identify itself in the system, but the GPS receiver may be used as an anti-theft device.

The existence of a power source within the facility will allow the use of other payment systems. The device can not only have an EM V payment module for electronic payment card payments, but can also have a local chip reader, scanner or NFC reader for mobile phone payments.

The device can also be controlled by an order transferred from the petrol station cash desk. For example, refueling at a certain level may generate a signal in the system for transmitting a given fluid dose. Such a signal from a nearby fuel dispenser may be received by the device contactlessly. Thus, the equipment can become part of a loyalty system, a fuel purchase system, and the environmental impact of such a reward can be emphasized.

In addition to the dispensing module, the device may also have a counter of dispensing the amount of fluid dispensed, which may serve to easily record and control between the dispensed amount of fluid and the paid state. The summation of the amount released can also be transmitted to the central office. The frequency of sensing the fluid state and the frequency of sending information can be set according to different

-3C 29058 UL Rules. For example, data may be sent once a day and, in addition, always when the liquid stock falls below a specified minimum reserve level.

The equipment in convenient use will be located in the area of the fuel filling station. It will be particularly advantageous if the device is located in the line of fuel dispensers, but will be distant from these fuel dispensers but not more than the normal length of passenger motor vehicles. The fuel tank necks are located at the rear of the passenger cars, the washer nozzle throats are usually under the front hood. In order for the customer not to move the vehicle to the windshield washer dispenser, this device should be placed according to this rule. While waiting to fill the fuel tank, the customer can fill the washer reservoir. Naturally, a separate device at the edge of a pumping station is not excluded, where one device will serve all lines of fuel dispensers.

The device will preferably be part of unmanned service stations where payments are made exclusively electronically or by cash-dispensers.

In order to achieve efficient logistics and thus small service and distribution costs per unit sold, respectively. the dispensed fluid, it will be desirable for the device to be part of a system where a separately functioning device is located at multiple locations, having a central supply, planned according to the actual fluid level measurements in the container. There may be a program in the headquarters that chooses a suitable fluid refill schedule at different locations according to consumption rate and travel routes. In the interim period, the program also plans to change the summer blend to winter and vice versa with the weather forecast.

The new method of distributing vehicle washer fluid according to the present invention is that windscreen washer fluid is discharged by a mobile tanker to multiple fluid dispensing devices, a tank is filled from a tanker where it is ready to be dispensed into a vehicle windshield washer reservoir, and balancing fluids are controlled by the emptying status data from each device.

The term mobile tank refers not only to a conventional tank truck with a fixed tank attached, but also to a passenger, delivery or freight vehicle having a container in the cargo bay, a container for transporting fluids.

The new distribution method may also include the step of mixing the fluid from the concentrate at the location of the dispensing device. Most fluids have a water base, which means that they have been packaged and disposed of mainly water in disposable packaging, which is also available at the point of sale. In the case of a summer mixture, the operator can pour concentrate from the central to the equipment container and mix it with water from the local distribution system. Similarly, only with a different dilution ratio will operators from the headquarters proceed in the case of a winter mixture. This saves the cost of delivering the water itself that is contained in the fluid washer fluid.

The present technical solution is easy to use at existing filling stations, significantly reduces the consumption of disposable packaging, reduces the environmental burden and simplifies ordering and delivery of petrol stations. Among the advantages of the described technical solution is also a high level of safety at low costs and minimal interference with the building structures of already built petrol stations. In the case of fluid production by dilution from the concentrate, the cost of delivering the water contained in the liquid is also saved.

Clarifying drawings

The technical solution is explained in more detail with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The specific design of the device as well as the surrounding objects is only illustrative and cannot be used as a narrowing range of protection.

Figure 1 shows a two-hose device for two different dispensing quantities with two coin mechanisms, a waste bin and a paper towel dispenser.

-4CZ 29058 Ul

Figure 2 shows the location of the equipment on the pumping station in the line of fuel dispensers. Consequently, Figure 3 shows a stand-alone device.

Figure 4 schematically illustrates an example of a dosing module with a separate measuring vessel, where a summary counter is mounted on the inlet connection of the measuring vessel to the main vessel.

Figure 5 shows the hose volume dispensing module. The connection of the nozzle holder to the flap is shown only schematically as an example of a possible embodiment.

Figure 6 schematically depicts a central unit monitoring the status of multiple devices at different pumping stations. The communication environment designated as GSM / GPRS / web / LAN as well as the illustrated number of devices is illustrative. The height of the dark rectangle indicates the level of the level in the device containers. The signal shown at the last device shows the alarm status of the empty vessel. An empty rectangle above the indicator shows the identification of the device with the location information. The specific display graphics in the headquarters are not limited.

Examples of technical solutions

Example 1

In this example of Figures 1, 2 and 4, the device has a metal stand 2 which is intended to be placed on a solid and horizontal substrate.

In the upper part of the stand 2 there is a container U The device has two hoses 3 which are connected to the container 1 via separate dosing modules 6. These are in this example formed by rechargeable vessels into which liquid flows from the container 1 through the float valve. it is set to flow 2 liters of liquid, the other is set to flow 4 liters of fluid. In this example, the measuring element 5 is a float system which functions similarly to a flush tank.

After the fluid has flowed into the metering container, the fluid is ready to be released into the hose 3. The release of the respective valve is conditional upon the desired coin being inserted into the mechanical payment module 7. After pressing the trigger on the dispensing nozzle 4, fluid from the respective metering container is made available through the hose 3. In such a simple way, the exact amount of fluid can be measured and released without the need for an electrical supply. The fluid flow from the vessel to both collection vessels is routed through a common pipe in which a summary counter 11 is mounted.

The device is positioned in line with the other fuel dispensers, being moved forward in the direction of the stopped vehicle.

Example 2

In the example of Figures 3 and 5, the device is positioned as a stand-alone device. The measuring element 5 and the dispensing module 6 for two different dispensing quantities are formed by simply using two hoses 3 of different internal volume. The hoses 3 are differentiated from each other by the color, thickness and color of the dispensing nozzle 4. After the dispensing nozzle 4 has been inserted into the holder, the valve flap is released and fluid flows into the hose 3. In this step, the nozzle 4 is blocked in the holder. The payment module 7, for example in the form of a coin mechanism, releases the dispensing nozzle 4 from the holder to the payment and the customer can subsequently refill the washer reservoir in the car. Upon release of the dispensing nozzle 4 from the holder with the valve flap, the supply of additional fluid to the hose 3 is blocked, and the amount of fluid dispensed is thus determined by the amount of fluid in the hose 3. Thus, the measuring element 5 has the form of the hose 3 itself in this example.

The level measurement element 8 has a mark on the container shell 1, the shell is partially transparent.

Near the line is the device number, rack number. Service station service at specified intervals, eg every day it sends a photo of the line with the line as an MMS message to central 12, where the received photo is automatically processed and evaluated. Device identification and level are detected. In this way, it is possible to obtain continuous status information from the purely mechanical device at central 12

-5GB 29058 Ul Fluids in Individual Devices. The program at Headquarters 12 can, according to a statistical analysis, develop a fluid replenishment plan.

The device is located on the edge of the pumping station and one device serves the entire pumping station.

Example 3

The device has at its upper part photovoltaic panels 10 that charge the battery located within the device. Owing to its own power source, the device in this example also has a communication module 9. The measuring element 5, the payment module 7, the level measurement element 8 as well as the summation counter ii are in electronic form. The communication module 9 serves to send data about the current fluid storage in the vessel and to the central station 12, for example using a GSM or GPRS platform.

The measuring element 5 controls the valve to close the container connection with the hose 3. In the central unit 12, the state of the fluids in the devices is shown, whereby the program automatically proposes the most efficient fluid replenishment route.

Example 4

The communication module 9 in the four devices at one service station has a Wi-Fi element. One device also has a GSM element. Level data in all devices is first sent to the main device with a GSM element via which it is sent to central station 12. It is also possible to arrange the Wi-Fi element to communicate with the PC network of the petrol station and the operator from center 12 reads data from the device via the Internet protocol.

In this example, the device also has a potable water filter. The liquid is produced from the concentrate at the point of delivery. The staff from Headquarters 12 will bring and pour the concentrate into container I and then enter and mix the treated water from the local water main. The vehicle from center 12 distributes the concentrate and saves transport costs.

Industrial usability

The industrial applicability of the technical solution is obvious. According to the present invention, it is possible to manufacture and use the fluid dispenser dispensers industrially and repeatedly, and also to distribute the respective fluids to the washers in a new way.

Claims (28)

PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS An apparatus for dispensing a windshield washer fluid in a motor vehicle, the apparatus having a fluid container (1) disposed in an overhead stand (2), characterized in that it has at least one flexible hose (3) accessible from the outside, which on one side communicates with the container (1) and on the other end the hose (3) is provided with a dispensing nozzle (4), has a measuring element (5) for measuring the amount of dispensed liquid, and the bottom of the container (1) is gravity dispensing of fluid from the hose (3). A device for dispensing a windshield washer fluid according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a dosing module (6) for measuring the dose of the dispensed fluid, the dosing module (6) being arranged between the container (1) and the dispensing nozzle (4). A motor vehicle washer fluid dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the dosing module (6) has a measuring vessel with a float valve, through which fluid flows from the vessel (1) to the measuring vessel, to the hose (3) is connected to the sampling vessel. 4. The windshield washer fluid dispensing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the fluid dispensing device has two measuring vessels having different fluid levels. Windshield washer fluid delivery system according to claim 2, characterized in that a hose (3) with a corresponding internal volume of retained fluid is used as the dosing module (6). Windshield washer fluid delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has a pump which connects the container (1) to the flexible hose (3). 7. A device for dispensing a windshield washer fluid according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a payment module (7) which is connected to the measuring element (5) and / or to the dosing module (6). Windshield washer fluid delivery device according to claim 7, characterized in that the payment module (7) is mechanical, for coins and / or tokens. 9. The windshield washer fluid delivery system according to claim 7, wherein the payment module (7) is electronic. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the payment module (7) has a chip and / or card reader. Apparatus for dispensing a windshield washer fluid according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it has an element (8) for measuring the level of the fluid in the container (1). A device for dispensing motor vehicle washer fluids according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it has a filter module for treating water from a local source. Apparatus for dispensing a windshield washer fluid according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it has a summary counter (11). Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the stand (2) has a box structure which transfers the weight of the container (1) to the ground. Apparatus for dispensing motor vehicle washer fluids according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the stand (2) is a holder adapted to transmit the weight of the container (1) to the roof of the pump station roof. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the stand (2) has a litter bin and / or disposable hygiene container at the bottom. Apparatus for dispensing motor vehicle washer fluids according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it has its own source of electric power. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it has a photovoltaic panel (10) and a rechargeable accumulator. -7GB 29058 Ul The windshield washer fluid dispensing device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that it has a communication module (9) adapted to be connected to the central (12). Windshield washer device according to claim 19, characterized in that the communication module (9) is in the form of a GSM and / or Wi-Fi and / or network card. Windshield washer device according to claim 20, characterized in that the communication module (9) has an identification code in the form of an IP address or an IMEI code or a SIM card number. Apparatus for dispensing a motor vehicle washer fluid according to any one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that it has a GPS receiver, the GPS receiver being connected to a communication module (9). Apparatus for dispensing fluids for motor vehicle washers according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that it is located on the premises of a fuel filling station. 24. The windshield washer fluid delivery system of claim 23, wherein the fluid dispenser is disposed in line with the fuel dispensers. A system for distributing fluids to motor vehicle washers, comprising a fluid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the devices are located at mutually spaced locations, wherein the devices are centrally supplied. A windshield washer fluid distribution system, comprising a fluid dispensing device according to claim 25, wherein the devices are in communication with the central office (12) and the supply is scheduled according to the current fluid scales in the container (1). . Windshield washer fluid distribution system for motor vehicles according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that it comprises a mobile washer fluid tank to a plurality of fluid dispensing devices, wherein the system at the central office (12) is adapted to collect status data emptying of individual devices. Windshield washer system according to claim 26, characterized in that the central unit (12) is adapted for collecting and processing weather forecast data.