FR2585311A1 - Windscreen cleaner arrangement for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The windscreen cleaning arrangement has an air inlet funnel (10) fitted in the front of the engine compartment by which air is passed to a heat exchanger unit (12) fitted to the engine exhaust manifold from which warm air is taken to an outlet (23) close to the rest position of the vehicle windscreen wipers (24). A branch pipe (15) from the warm air channel passes to a heater coil (16) fitted in the windscreen washer bottle (17) from where it passes to a connector unit (18) from which the air is passed into an outer pipe surrounding the water pipe (20) from the windscreen washer pump (19) to the washer nozzles.

Description

 The present invention relates to a windshield washing system for motor vehicles, comprising a washing liquid reservoir, a pump and at least one washing liquid line leading to a nozzle housed in a nozzle body, the reservoir being placed at least partially inside an air duct which receives heat from a heat exchanger.

 Many attempts have been made to guarantee or improve the operability of a windshield cleaning system, even in winter. Most of these attempts have been limited to preventing the washing liquid from freezing in the nozzle area. For this purpose, nozzles heated electrically or by hot air have been proposed. American patent 3,366,336 thus presents a windshield washing system in which hot air is sent from a heat exchanger, supplied by the heat from the exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine, in the area of nozzles of the wiper system, and in which the washing liquid line partially crosses, namely in its extreme zone located in front of the nozzle, the hot air line. A design of this type certainly makes it possible to prevent the nozzles proper do not freeze, but the operating capacity of the washing system is not guaranteed in cold weather because you can prevent, without adding chemicals to the washing liquid, the washing water in the tank and in some parts of the washing liquid line, which extends outside the hot air line, does not freeze.

 The object of the present invention is to improve the operating capacity of a windshield washing system by means that are as simple as possible.

 This object is achieved by a windshield washing system characterized in that a hot air pipe, intended to heat the washing liquid, passes through the tank area, and preferably passes through the tank.

 The invention is therefore based on the principle that hot air is also used to directly heat the washing liquid in the washing liquid tank. This principle can be realized in different ways. First, one can consider making a separate hot air pipe from the heat exchanger, winding it around the washing liquid tank or passing it through this tank. However, a design of this type requires the provision of a distributor for the two parallel hot air ducts, which unnecessarily increases the price of the system.

 An embodiment is therefore preferred in which only one hot air pipe is provided which heats, in a way by a series connection, the nozzle, the washing liquid pipe and the reservoir. This principle also authorizes several designs because the hot air line can first leave from the heat exchanger to reach the nozzle and, from there, end up in the washing liquid tank after having intercepted the washing liquid line. .

 However, according to an advantageous improvement of the invention, it is more often preferred to use another solution in which the hot air pipe starts first from the heat exchanger, crosses the tank, intercepts the washing liquid pipe just behind the tank and then joins the nozzle body. Such a design is also thermally optimal, as it is in the tank, where a relatively large amount of washing liquid has to be warmed, that the highest heat prevails.

 In the known design according to US Patent 3,336,336, the nozzle body is located inside the hot air duct, that is to say that the hot air circulates around the nozzle body, at the outside of it. A relatively small amount of heat is therefore transmitted to the nozzle itself, so that the critical place, namely the orifice of the nozzle, is not sufficiently heated. To improve the operating capacity of the windshield washing system, it is therefore proposed, in accordance with an improvement of the invention, that the hot air is sent into the nozzle body, namely in an annular space located one short distance from the bore of # this nozzle body leading to the nozzle. In a first version, this annular space therefore opens onto the front face of the nozzle, so that the hot air escapes from the nozzle body substantially in the direction of projection of the nozzle. This therefore allows the nozzle to be particularly well heated. However, the fact that these orifices intended for hot air can freeze and therefore that their proper functioning is compromised may constitute a drawback. This is the reason why another version is preferred in which a bore starting from the annular space opens onto the edge of the nozzle body under the body part in which the nozzle body is normally fixed. This largely eliminates the risk that the orifice of the hot air pipe freezes and the hot air is nevertheless brought close to the orifice intended for the washing liquid.

Other advantageous improvements of the invention are linked to the characteristics of the various components of the windshield washing system, these components being designed in modular form and being able to be connected together in a simple manner.
The various objects and characteristics of the invention will now be detailed in the description which follows, given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended figures which represent
- Figure 1, a schematic view of a windshield washing system,
FIG. 2, a sectional view of a mixer,
FIG. 3, a sectional view of a dispenser,
FIG. 4, a perspective view of a mixed pipe intended for washing water and hot air,
FIG. 5, a sectional view of a first embodiment of a nozzle body,
FIG. 6, a sectional view of a second embodiment of a nozzle body,
FIGS. 7 to 10, views in partial section of another embodiment of a nozzle body,
FIGS. 11 to 13, views in partial section of a mixer,
FIGS. 14 to 17, views in partial section of a dispenser,
FIG. 18, a schematic view of a heat exchanger,
FIG. 19, a schematic view of a hot air system,
FIGS. 20 to 22, views in partial section of a wiper blade to which hot air is also sent,
- Figures 23 to 25, views in partial section of another wiper blade.

 Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a windshield washing system mounted in the engine area of a motor vehicle. In the front area of a vehicle, heat is guided, via a funnel 10, to a heat exchanger 11 which is located near the exhaust manifold 12 of an internal combustion engine 13. The air flow can be increased by a fan 14.

 From the heat exchanger 11 there is a hot air pipe 15 which terminates in a heating coil 16 situated inside the washing liquid tank 17. The hot air pipe 17 then opens into a mixer 18 to which is sent the washing liquid supplied by a pump 19. The mixer 18 is located just behind the reservoir 17. The washing liquid line 20 is introduced into the hot air line 15 inside the mixer 18, so that it is completely surrounded by hot air up to the nozzle 21. The reference numeral 22 designates a distributor which is intended for the hot air line and for the washing liquid line and which makes it possible to supply another nozzle .

 It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that another hot air pipe 15 ′ can also lead to air outlet slots 23 located near the rest position of a wiper blade intended to clean the windscreen 25. When it is at rest, the wiper blade is therefore heated and it is in particular kept free of ice and snow.

 It can therefore be seen in FIG. 1 that the hot air pipe 15, intended for heating the washing liquid, crosses the reservoir 17. The hot air pipe 15 intercepts the washing liquid pipe just behind this tank, which It also makes it possible to provide heating over a relatively long distance to the nozzle 21 fixed to a part of the body, namely to the engine hood 26. This thus prevents any freezing of the washing liquid, so that the capacity the operation of the washing system is guaranteed, even when the outside temperature is low.

 FIG. 2 illustrates the basic design of a mixer 18. This mixer 18 consists of a non-deformable coupling element 30 which is made in one piece and which makes it possible to connect two washing water pipes 31 and 32. On this internal coupling element 30 is fitted a coupling element 35 which is produced in several parts and which is intended for the hot air pipes 36 and 37. The internal coupling element 35 comprises two connections 33 and 34 which are arranged axially with respect to each other and which are intended for the washing water pipes 31 and 32. The washing liquid circulates in the direction of arrow W. Transverse to the direction of supply washing liquid is provided with a connector 38 intended for the hot air pipe 36 not shown in FIG. 2, the hot air circulating inside this pipe in the direction of the arrow L. A connection 39, intended for the hot air pipe 37, is molded coaxially on the fitting 34 intended for the washing water pipe 32. The pipes are fitted onto these fittings in a known manner, in a liquid and air tight manner. The hot air penetrates transversely into this mixer 18, while the washing liquid can pass through it in a straight line. This has an advantage, namely that the washing liquid meets no significant resistance to flow, which makes it possible to use a relatively weak pump.

 FIG. 3 illustrates, in schematic form, the design of a distributor 22 intended for the hot air pipe and for the washing liquid pipe which must serve two nozzles. The schematic design of this dispenser is identical to that of the mixer 18. An internal coupling element 40, produced in one piece and associated with the connections 41, 42 and 43 of the washing water pipes 32, 44 and 45, is also planned. An external coupling element 46, intended for the hot air duct, is fitted on the internal coupling element 40, this external coupling element consisting of several parts and comprising fittings 47, 48 and 49 intended to hot air pipes 37, 50 and 51.

 In principle, the different hot air pipes and the washing water pipes can be made separately and connected to the corresponding fittings provided on the wiper or the distributor.

However, mounting can be facilitated by using a design in which the wash water pipe and the hot air pipe are made in one piece, preferably by extrusion. A mixed pipe 55 of this type is shown in FIG. 4. The washing water pipe 56 crosses the hot air pipe 57 at its center and is connected to it by means of three connecting ribs distributed uniformly 58. All portions of hose carrying both hot air and washing liquid are designed in this way.

Consequently, the washing water pipe 45 of FIG. 3 can also be designated by the reference number 56, and the hot air pipe 51 by the reference number 57.

 FIG. 5 represents a nozzle body 60 which is provided with a ball nozzle 61 and which is fixed in a known manner in a hole in the floater hood 26. A hole 62, intended for the washing liquid and leading the ball nozzle 61 , is provided in a known manner inside the nozzle body 60. A short distance from this bore 62, an annular space 63, intended for hot air, is also provided in the nozzle body 60, this annular space opening out on the front face of the nozzle body, so that the hot air comes out of the nozzle body 60 substantially in the direction of projection. It can be seen in the figure that the hot air therefore does not envelop the outside of the nozzle body, but enters the nozzle body 60 and passes in front of the ball nozzle and the bore 62 of the washing liquid, at a distance as small as possible of these elements.

 FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a nozzle body 60, in which at least one bore 64 is made radially at the edge of the nozzle body From the annular space 63.

The opening of this hole 64 is therefore located on the side of the engine cover 26 opposite the nozzle 61, so that this hole 64 for hot air outlet cannot freeze or become blocked. As shown in FIG. 6, the hot air is nevertheless brought close to the ball nozzle 61.

 Figures 7 to 10 show views and partial sections of a concrete embodiment of a nozzle produced in accordance with Figure 5. Figure 7 is a view of the nozzle body 60, and Figure 8 a section along l 'axis VII. Figure 9 is a left view of the nozzle body 60 facing the direction of projection. It appears in these figures that orifices 65 for the outlet of hot air are provided at a short distance and has been removed from the ball nozzle 61. The mixed pipe 55, not shown in these figures, is introduced into the liquid pipe. washing 56. A non-deformable connection between the mixed pipe and the nozzle body 60 is provided by a locking element 67 which surrounds the mixed pipe and engages in the latter by means of locking hooks 68. Locking elements 69 adapted to each other are provided on the nozzle body 60 and on the locking element 67.

 FIG. 11 is a view of an external coupling element 40 of the mixer 18. This coupling element 40 consists of two parts 70 and 71 connected together by a film forming a hinge 72. The two parts 70 and 71 can be folded over one another as shown in Figure 13. At the free ends, locking elements 73 adapted to each other ensure reciprocal locking. The assembly is carried out so that the non-deformable interior coupling element, not shown in the figure, is introduced first into the pipes to be connected and then into one of the semicircular recesses 74. Next, the two parts 70 and 71 are folded over one another and locked, after which they rest, under the effect of prestressing, against the outer wall of the mixed pipe.

 The distributor 22 shown in Figures 14 to 17 is designed according to the same principle. The external coupling element 46 is made in two parts, the parts 70 and 71 being connected together by a film forming a hinge and the free ends being provided with locking elements 73 ensuring the mutual locking of the two parts. , these locking elements being adapted to each other. The assembly is carried out as described above, that is to say that the mixed pipes 46 are fitted onto the fittings of the non-deformable interior coupling element 40, not shown, then this assembly is introduced into the element d 'external coupling 46 and, finally, the two parts 70 and 71 are folded over one another and locked. Figures 16 and 17 show sectional views along axes XVI and, respectively, XVII.

 Figures 18 and 19 illustrate the design principle of the heat exchanger 11 connected to the exhaust manifold 12.

The heat exchanger 11 is very simply composed of a metal tube 75 of rectangular section, which surrounds in the manner of a U the collector tubes arranged side by side in parallel. At least between two manifold tubes, the opposite tube parts are preloaded by a retaining element 76 designed in the form of a fixing flange or an assembly with through bolts, so that a profile is obtained. corrugated in this area and the metal tube rests on the collector tube over a larger part of its surface. A flange 77 or, respectively, 77 'is provided at the two ends of this metal tube, these two flanges being fixed to one another by connecting elements 78.

The flanges and the connecting element therefore contribute to fixing the metal tube 75 to the exhaust manifold in a simple manner.

 It can be seen in FIG. 19 that, unlike the diagrammatic view of FIG. 1, the cold air directed towards the heat exchanger 11 can also be taken from a central zone, under the windshield of the vehicle, using a funnel d air inlet 80. This air inlet or, respectively, the air inlet funnel 80 is connected to one of the ends 79 of the metal tube 75 of the heat exchanger. Hot air lines from the other end 79 'open laterally on the edge of the windshield at the air outlet slots 23 and 23'. An embodiment of this type has an advantage, know that the treated air is clean, while in the embodiment according to Figure 1, it may happen that exhaust gases from the front vehicle arrive in the area of the windshield and, from there, enter the passenger compartment through the usual ventilation system. We chose to place the air inlet funnel 80 in the center and the air outlet slots 23 on the sides because there is a significant difference in pressure when the vehicle is moving, which eventually makes it possible to make the economy of an additional fan. In this regard, it will be specified that, in a very general manner, the various hot air pipes and washing water pipes connecting the members fixed to the vehicle body and those fixed to the engine. Internal combustion must be flexible to prevent the connection pipes from being destroyed by vibrations from the internal combustion engine.

 In FIGS. 20 to 25, it is finally indicated that the hot air supplied by heat exchanger 11 can also be used to heat the wiper blade. In the embodiment according to Figures 20 to 22, a conventional wiper blade is coated with a protective sheath 85 comprising a connector 86 for a hot air pipe 87. The hot air passes through the protective sheath and comes out at the opposite end to point 88. This allows the articulated connections of the wiper blade support caliper parts and 11 wipers to maintain perfect mobility, even when the outside temperature is low. .

 Figures 23 to 25 show an embodiment in which the hot air is introduced into a pipe 90 located inside a deflector 91. From this pipe 90 leave the outlet openings 92 which are in particular directed towards the articulated connections 93 located between the wiper blade support bracket parts. In addition, parallel to the hot air line 90 located in the deflector 91, there is provided a washing liquid line 94 from which several outlet openings 95 distributed along the wiper blade. The washing liquid heated to the outlet opening is therefore sprayed a short distance in front of the wiper blade. FIG. 25 also shows that the hot air and / or washing liquid pipes can be fixed to the wiper rod 97 using a clip 96.

 Finally, it should be noted that the system can of course be designed so that the hot air supplied by the heat exchanger is sent to other members of the motor vehicle. In particular, in addition to the nozzles of the windshield washing system, those of the headlamp cleaning system and those of the rear window wiper system can also be heated. Finally, hot air can also be used to heat the door locks and the diesel fuel in the tank of a diesel engine vehicle.

 Of course, the system can be improved so as to be able to regulate the supply of hot air. For example, the fan can be turned on and off depending on the outside temperature or the cooling temperature. It is also possible to provide an adjustable shutter which closes the hot air pipe as soon as a given temperature is reached at which it is no longer necessary to heat the nozzles.

 If cold air is taken from the windshield area, one can also consider using the heat provided by the heat exchanger to heat the passenger compartment. Indeed, the heat exchanger supplied by the exhaust manifold reacts very quickly after starting the internal combustion engine, which provides better heating than with conventional thermal exchangers connected to the cooling circuit.

Claims (21)

BEVENDICATIONS  1. Windshield washing system for motor vehicles, comprising a washing liquid reservoir, a pump and at least one washing liquid line leading to a nozzle housed in a nozzle body, the reservoir being placed at the at least partially inside an air line which receives heat from a heat exchanger, characterized in that a hot air line (15), intended for heating the washing liquid, passes through the tank area, and preferably crosses the tank (17).  2. windshield washing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the hot air pipe starts first from the heat exchanger to reach the nozzle and, from 1dD ends up in the washing liquid tank after have intercepted the washing liquid line.  3. Windshield washing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the hot air pipe (15) starts first from the heat exchanger (11), passes through the tank (17), intercepts the washing liquid line (20) just behind the tank and then joins the nozzle body (20).  4. windshield washing system according to claim 3, characterized in that, transverse to the direction of supply of washing liquid, the heat exchanger (15) opens into a T-shaped mixer (18 ) which comprises, on one side, a fitting (33) intended for a washing water pipe (31) coming from the pump and, on the axially opposite side, fittings (34, 39) intended for a cleaning pipe wash water (32) and has a hot air pipe (37), these fittings being arranged coaxially with each other.  5. windshield washing system according to claim 4, characterized in that the hot air pipe (37) and the washing water pipe (32) connect a mixer (18) to a distributor (22 ) comprising several connections, preferably two axially opposite connections (42, 48; 43, 49) intended for a hot air pipe (51; 51) and for a washing water pipe (45; 44), each d 'them leading to the nozzle bodies (60).  6. windshield washing system according to claim 51 characterized in that each nozzle body (60) comprises a bore (62) leading to the nozzle (61) intended for the washing liquid and, at a small distance from said bore , an annular space (63) intended for hot air.  7. windshield washing system according to claim 6, characterized in that the annular space (63), intended for hot air, terminates at the level of the front face of the nozzle body (60) and the air hot comes out of the nozzle body (60) substantially in the direction of projection of the nozzle.  8. windshield washing system according to claim 6, characterized in that from the annular space (63) of the nozzle body (60), at least one bore (64) is formed substantially radially at the edge of the nozzle body (60), in that the nozzle body is held in a known manner in a hole provided in a body part (26) of the motor vehicle, and in that the opening of the hole (64) is located on the side of the body part (26) opposite the nozzle (61).  9. windshield washing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the washing water pipe (56) and the hot air pipe (57) are made in one piece , preferably by extrusion.  10. windshield washing system according to claim 9, characterized in that the washing water pipe (56) passes through the hot air pipe (57) at its center and is connected thereto via d at least two, preferably three uniformly distributed connecting ribs (58).  11. Windshield washing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mixer (18) and the distributor (22) are both made using a non-deformable coupling element (30 , 40) in a single piece, intended for washing water pipes, and a coupling element (35, 36) in several parts, intended for the hot air pipes connected thereto.  12. Windshield washing system according to claim 11, characterized in that the two parts of the coupling elements (30, 40) intended for the hot air pipes are connected together by a film forming a hinge (72 ) and comprise, on their free ends, locking elements (73) adapted to one another and intended to lock the parts.  13. Windshield washing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat exchanger (11) is supplied by the heat produced by the exhaust manifold (12) of the internal combustion engine. (13).  14. windshield washing system according to claim 13, characterized in that the heat exchanger (11) consists of a flexible tube (75) which surrounds in the manner of a U the collector tubes arranged side by side in parallel, the opposite tube parts being clamped relative to each other by a retaining element (76) at least between two collector tubes.  15. windshield washing system according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that each of the two ends (79, 79 ') of the metal tube (75) comprises a flange (77, 77') for connecting the air pipes, and the two flanges (77, 77 ') are connected to each other by coupling elements (70).  16. Windshield washing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the ends of the flexible tube (75) of the heat exchanger (11) is connected to an inlet opening air (80) provided centrally under the vehicle windshield (25), and in that from the other end (79 ') leaves the hot air line (15') which leads to openings of air outlet provided in lateral position on the edge of the glass.  17. Windshield washing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hot air pipes and the washing water pipes connecting the members fixed to the vehicle body and those fixed to the internal combustion engine are flexible.  18. Windshield washing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hot air supplied by the heat exchanger is used to heat the wiper blades and the nozzles of the system. windshield cleaning, the headlamp cleaning system, the rear window wiper system and, if necessary, to heat the door locks and the diesel fuel in the tank of a vehicle. Diesel generator.  19. Windshield washing system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hot air supplied by the heat exchanger (11) is brought by a pipe into a protective sheath (85) surrounding a wiper blade.  20. Windshield washing system according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the hot air supplied by the heat exchanger (11) is brought by a pipe into a pipe (94) which is provided inside a deflector (91) assigned to a wiper and, from there, is directed towards the wiper blade, in particular on the articulated connections (93) provided between the stirrup parts for the wiper blade.  21. Windshield washing system according to claim 20, characterized in that, parallel to the hot air pipe (90) located inside the deflector (90) is provided a washing liquid pipe ( 94) comprising several outlet openings (95) distributed along the wiper blade.