FR3141497A1 - Valve of a system for projecting a cleaning liquid comprising means of compensation in the event of freezing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve (1) of a system for projecting a cleaning liquid (20) comprising in particular means (50) for compensating for the frozen liquid and a system for projecting a cleaning liquid (20). comprising such a valve (1). Figure for abstract: figure 1

Description

Valve of a system for projecting a cleaning liquid comprising means of compensation in the event of freezing

The invention relates to the field of liquid projection systems for cleaning motor vehicles and in particular to the valves used in these systems.

Motor vehicles now all have a cleaning fluid projection system to keep the vehicle's windshield clean and allow the driver's optimal outward vision. Other optical devices, such as sensors or cameras, may also require such projection systems.

These systems generally include a cleaning liquid reservoir, a pump and at least one valve configured to allow or block the passage of the cleaning liquid to the various projection nozzles or nozzles.

One of the problems with hydraulic valves placed in the hydraulic circuit of projection systems is the risk of valve malfunction related to valve icing. In addition, in the event of very low temperatures, the cleaning liquid present in the valve may freeze, which may cause damage to the valve due to the expansion of the water when it freezes, thus causing a breakdown. of the cleaning liquid projection system. In fact, when the valve is closed, a significant portion of liquid remains trapped in the valve body and pressure builds up. In the event of a sharp drop in temperature (for example for temperatures below 5°C), the liquid freezes and expands within the valve body, thus risking damage to the internal components of the latter and harming its performance. good operation.

In order to avoid such damage, systems are known with valves provided with an internal compression element, for example provided with a compressible elastic element closing a gas and being arranged in the hydraulic cavity, around the piston. However, such solutions are complicated to implement given the complexity of assembly required to do so, in particular because of the location of this compressible elastic element. In addition, the location of this internal element also induces risks of damage to the internal elements of the valve during the assembly of said compression element. In other words, the aforementioned assembly complexity goes hand in hand with a risk of deterioration of the internal elements of the valve, again risking harm to its proper functioning.

The invention aims in particular to remedy this drawback by proposing a valve which is both resistant when temperatures are low and which can be assembled in a simple and secure manner.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a valve for a system for projecting a cleaning liquid, said valve comprising:

- a valve body enclosing a hydraulic cavity configured to be fluidly connected to a hydraulic channel and intended to receive the cleaning liquid,

characterized in that the valve further comprises compensation means intended to compensate for an expansion in volume of the frozen liquid within the hydraulic cavity, said compensation means comprising:

- a compressible elastic element impermeable to liquid and

- a housing forming a housing and stop for the compressible elastic element and comprising a liquid inlet fluidly connected to the hydraulic cavity.

Thus, it is possible to compensate for the increase in volume of the liquid trapped within the valve body, when it is closed and the temperatures drop, so as to avoid any damage to the elements constituting and allowing the proper functioning of the valve. . The valve according to the invention also allows easier assembly of the compensation means since they are offset from the valve body. It is therefore also possible to drastically reduce the risks of damage linked to the assembly of the means of compensating the internal elements of the valve. This therefore results in a valve whose lifespan and operation are improved, even in the event of freezing of the liquid within it, compared to the valves currently available in the state of the art.

According to other optional characteristics of the invention taken alone or in combination:

- the valve body comprises a plunger configured to be moved in the hydraulic cavity between an open position in which it allows the cleaning liquid to pass into the hydraulic channel and a closed position in which it blocks the passage of the cleaning liquid through the hydraulic channel;

- the valve body comprises a lower portion in which a first orifice corresponding to a liquid inlet orifice and a second orifice corresponding to a liquid outlet orifice are provided, the housing being assembled to said lower portion of the valve body , preferably the housing being assembled by welding to said lower portion of the valve body;

- the housing is assembled as close as possible to a welding zone of the valve body;

- the compressible elastic element is a foam or a rubber;

- the rubber is ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer “EPDM”;

- the housing includes means for holding the elastic element;

- the holding means comprise fins internal to the housing and locally and radially compressing said compressible elastic element;

- the case is cylindrical in shape;

- the diameter of the liquid inlet of the housing is less than the diameter of the compressible elastic element;

- the electromagnetic valve also comprising a coil configured to move a plunger from a closed position in which it blocks the passage of the cleaning liquid through the hydraulic channel to an open position in which it allows the cleaning liquid to pass into the hydraulic channel.

The invention also relates to a system for projecting a cleaning liquid comprising a liquid reservoir, a pump, at least one nozzle for projecting cleaning liquid and at least one valve according to any of the preceding variants.

Brief description of the figures

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

is a perspective view representing a valve according to the invention for a system for projecting a cleaning liquid,

is a front view of the valve according to the invention,

is a sectional view of the valve according to the ,

is a view representing a system for projecting a cleaning liquid according to the invention.

In these figures, identical elements bear the same references.

The following achievements are examples. Figures 1 to 4 show a valve of a system for projecting a cleaning liquid according to the invention, designated by the general reference 1.

Figures 1 to 3 represent a valve 1 of a cleaning liquid projection system 20, said valve 1 comprising:

- a valve body 3 enclosing a hydraulic cavity (5a, 5b) configured to be fluidly connected to a hydraulic channel 15 and intended to receive the cleaning liquid,

- a plunger 7 configured to be moved in the hydraulic cavity (5a, 5b) between an open position in which it lets the cleaning liquid pass into the hydraulic channel 15 and a closed position in which it blocks the passage of the liquid cleaning through the hydraulic channel 15. The valve 1 further comprises compensation means 50 intended to compensate for an expansion in volume of the frozen liquid within the hydraulic cavity (5a, 5b), said compensation means 50 comprising:

- an elastic element 52 that is compressible and impermeable to liquid and

- a housing 51 forming a housing and stop for the compressible elastic element 52 and comprising a liquid inlet 53 fluidly connected to the hydraulic cavity (5a, 5b).

The valve 1 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve comprising a coil 13 whose power supply makes it possible to control the movement of a plunger 7 like that described in the remainder of the description. However, the invention is not limited to electromagnetic valves and can also be applied to other types of valves. Such a valve 1 is configured to be arranged in a projection system 20 of a cleaning liquid as shown in the .

The electromagnetic valve 1 comprises a valve body 3 enclosing a hydraulic cavity (5a, 5b) in which a plunger 7 is positioned. The valve body 3 comprises a first part 3a comprising a coil 13 arranged around a first portion 5a of the hydraulic cavity (5a, 5b) and a second part 3b in which are provided a first orifice 9 corresponding to a fluid inlet orifice and a second orifice 11 corresponding to a fluid outlet orifice and enclosing a second portion 5b of the hydraulic cavity 5.

The first orifice 9 is configured to be connected to a fluid supply hose 28, for example a cleaning or washing liquid. The supply hose 28 is for example connected to a reservoir 22 of cleaning liquid via a supply pump 24 allowing the supply of the cleaning liquid. The second orifice 11 is configured to be connected to a projection nozzle 26 via a distribution hose 30.

The electromagnetic valve 1 also comprises a hydraulic channel 15 connecting the first orifice 9 and the second orifice 11, said hydraulic channel 15 being in fluidic relationship with the hydraulic cavity (5a, 5b) in which the plunger 7 is arranged (the hydraulic channel 15 is therefore locally confused with the second portion 5b of the hydraulic cavity (5a, 5b)). The hydraulic channel 15 is configured to be extended on either side of the electromagnetic valve 1, in particular via the hoses 28, 30, so as to transmit the cleaning liquid from the reservoir 22 to a projection nozzle 26.

The plunger 7 is configured to move between an open position (not shown) in which it allows the cleaning liquid to pass between the supply hose 28 and the distribution hose 30 and a closed position (shown on the ) in which it blocks the passage of the cleaning liquid between the supply hose 28 and the distribution hose 30. For this purpose, the plunger 7 comprises a first portion 7a, corresponding to a flexible end in the present case, for example an end made of elastomer or rubber to allow good sealing in the closed position, the first portion 7a coming into contact with a wall of the valve body 3 in the closed position to block the passage of the cleaning liquid through the hydraulic channel 15 , that is to say between the first orifice 9 and the second orifice 11. The movement of the plunger 7 from the closed position to the open position is carried out via the power supply of the coil 13 (for example au- above a predetermined voltage threshold). An elastic constraint element 17, for example a helical spring, can be arranged between the valve body 3 (or an element fixed relative to the valve body 3) and the plunger 7, and configured to constrain the plunger 7 in the position of closing in the absence of power supply to coil 13 (or in the event of power supply below the predetermined voltage threshold).

In order to avoid damage to the valve body 3 when the cleaning liquid inside the hydraulic cavity (5a, 5b) freezes, for example for temperatures below 5°C, the electromagnetic valve 1 also includes compensation means 50 intended to compensate for an expansion in volume of the frozen liquid within the hydraulic cavity (5a, 5b). These compensation means 50 comprise an elastic element 52 which is compressible and impermeable to liquid, located within a housing 51 forming a housing and stop for the compressible elastic element 52. This housing 51 comprises a liquid inlet 53 fluidly connected to the cavity hydraulic (5a, 5b). Thus, when the liquid contained within the hydraulic cavity (5a, 5b) freezes and expands within the valve body and the piston 7 is in its closed position, the liquid can penetrate into the housing 51, via the inlet 53, and compress the elastic element 52. It is thus possible to compensate for the increase in volume of the liquid trapped within the valve body 3, thus preserving the different constituent elements of the valve 1, all via easy assembly of the compensation means 50, since these are offset relative to the valve body 3.

The elastic element 52 can, for example, be a foam or a rubber, preferably ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer “EPDM”.

In order to facilitate the mounting of the housing 51 to the valve body 3, the housing 51 is assembled to said lower portion 3b of the valve body 3. Such a configuration is advantageous in the context of mounting the housing 51 by welding since this portion of the valve body 3 is easier to access for an operator.

In order to structurally reinforce the valve, the housing 51 is assembled as close as possible to a welding zone 3c of the valve body 3.

In order to guarantee good repeatability over time of the compression phases of the elastic element 52, the housing 51 comprises means 54 for holding the elastic element 52. Advantageously, these means for holding the elastic element 52 include fins 54 internal to the housing 51 and compressing locally and radially said compressible elastic element 52 thus ensuring that it is held immobile.

Advantageously, the housing 51 is of cylindrical shape which facilitates homogeneous welding of the latter to the valve body 3.

In order to guarantee that the elastic element 52 cannot be extracted from the housing 51 and thus risk hindering the mechanical elements of the valve 1, the diameter of the liquid inlet 53 of the housing 51 is less than the diameter of the compressible elastic element 52.

There represents a cleaning liquid projection system 20 comprising a liquid reservoir 22, a pump 24, a cleaning liquid projection nozzle 26 configured for example to spray a cleaning liquid on the windshield or on optical elements of 'a motor vehicle. The projection system 20 also includes a valve 1 as described previously to control the distribution of the cleaning liquid towards the projection nozzle 26. The valve 1 is connected to the reservoir 22 by a supply hose 28 and the nozzle of projection 26 is connected to valve 1 by a distribution hose 30.

In addition, the projection system 20 may also include several valves supplying several projection nozzles, thus making it possible to supply cleaning liquid to several destinations of the vehicle in which the system 20 is implemented.

Reference list

1: valve

3: valve body

3a: first part of the valve body

3b: second part of the valve body

3c: weld zone of the valve body

5a: first part of the hydraulic cavity

5b: second part of the hydraulic cavity

7: diver

7a: first portion of the diver

9: first port of the valve

11: second valve port

13: coil

15: hydraulic channel

17: elastic constraint element/helical spring

20: cleaning liquid projection system

22: cleaning fluid reservoir

24: pump

26: projection tip

28: supply hose

30: distribution hose

50: means of compensation

51: case

52: compressible elastic element

53: liquid inlet from the box

54: internal fins of the case

Claims (11)

Valve (1) of a cleaning liquid projection system (20), said valve (1) comprising a valve body (3) enclosing a hydraulic cavity (5a, 5b) configured to be fluidly connected to a channel hydraulic (15) and intended to receive the cleaning liquid,
characterized in that the valve (1) further comprises compensation means (50) intended to compensate for an expansion in volume of the frozen liquid within the hydraulic cavity (5a, 5b), said compensation means (50) comprising:
- an elastic element (52) compressible and impermeable to liquid and
- a housing (51) forming a housing and stop for the compressible elastic element (52) and comprising a liquid inlet (53) fluidly connected to the hydraulic cavity (5a, 5b). Valve (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the valve body (3) comprises a lower portion (3b) in which a first orifice (9) corresponding to a liquid inlet orifice and a second orifice (11) are provided. ) corresponding to a liquid outlet orifice, the housing (51) being assembled to said lower portion (3b) of the valve body (3), preferably the housing (51) being assembled by welding to said lower portion (3b) of the valve body (3). Valve (3) according to the preceding claim, in which the housing (51) is assembled as close as possible to a welding zone (3c) of the valve body (3). Valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the compressible elastic element (52) is a foam or a rubber. Valve (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the rubber is ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer “EPDM”. Valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (51) comprises means for holding (54) the elastic element (52). Valve according to the preceding claim, in which the holding means comprise fins (54) internal to the housing and locally and radially compressing said compressible elastic element (52). Valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (51) is cylindrical in shape. Valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the diameter of the liquid inlet (53) of the housing (51) is less than the diameter of the compressible elastic element (52). Valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims being is an electromagnetic valve also comprising:
- a coil (13) configured to move a plunger (7) from a closed position in which it blocks the passage of the cleaning liquid through the hydraulic channel (15) to an open position in which it allows the passage of the cleaning liquid in the hydraulic channel (15). System for projecting a cleaning liquid (20) comprising a liquid reservoir (22), a pump (24), at least one cleaning liquid projection nozzle (26) and at least one valve (1) according to the any of the preceding claims.