GB2120928A

GB2120928A - Headlamp cleaning device

Info

Publication number: GB2120928A
Application number: GB08315118A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Emmett Goodchild; Neil Christopher Morrison
Original assignee: EAST RANCH Ltd
Current assignee: EAST RANCH Ltd
Priority date: 1982-06-02
Filing date: 1983-06-02
Publication date: 1983-12-14
Also published as: GB8315118D0

Abstract

A headlamp cleaning device 9 comprises a hub 12, two propeller-like blades 13,14 and brushes 15,16 projecting beyond the trailing edges of the blades. The hub is mounted for rotation on a support 10 which, in use, is adhered to a motor vehicle headlamp glass 11. As the vehicle travels along, air impinges on the blades thereby causing the device to rotate. Such rotation causes the brushes 15,16 to sweep across the headlamp glass and clean the surface thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A cleaning device The invention relates to a cleaning device and is particularly but not exclusively concerned with a device for cleaning headlamps of a motor vehicle.

In recent years certain motor vehicle manufacturers have provided vehicles with headlamp wiper blades. However, such blades require electric driving motors which can add considerably to the cost of a vehicle. An object of the present invention is to provide a relatively lowcost cleaning device particularly applicable to the cleaning of vehicle headlamps.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a cleaning device comprising a blade-like member mounted for rotation about an axis so as to clean a surface, rotation of the blade-like member, in use, being effected by air impinging on the blade-like member.

The blade-like member is preferably arranged so that air impinging thereon in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of rotation will cause the blade to rotate about the axis. Where the blade-like member is used to clean a headlamp glass the air will impinge on the blade-like member as the vehicle moves forward so as to drive the blade, the rotational axis pointing forward in such a case.

At least part of the blade-like member may be of aerofoil shape in transverse cross section.

The blade-like member may be twisted to provide a blade angle which varies with radius or the blade member may be flat. In the former case the shape of the blade-like member may resemble a propeller blade especially of the type used on an aircraft.

Preferably the blade-like member comprises a driving section and a cleaning element on the driving section which sweeps across the surface. In such a case the cleaning element may be mounted in a recess formed in the driving section and may extend beyond the trailing edge of the driving section. Preferably the cleaning element is a brush.

The blade-like member may be rotatably mounted on a support which, in use, is adhered or otherwise secured to the said surface to be cleaned. In such a case the blade-like member includes a hub rotatably mounted on the support. Preferably the support includes a shaft which extends with working clearance through a bore in the hub so that the hub can rotate on the shaft, retaining means being provided to retain the hub axially on the shaft.

A cleaning device in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first form of cleaning device in accordance with the invention on a vehicle headlamp, Figure 2 is an elevation of a second form of cleaning device in accordance with the invention shown partly in cross-section.

Figure 2A is a transverse cross-section through part of the device shown in Figure 2, Figure 3 is an elevation of a third form of cleaning device in accordance with the invention.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the device of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a cross-section of the device shown in Figure 4 on the line A-A in Figure 4, Figure 6 is a cross-section of the device shown in Figure 3 on the line B-B in Figure 3, Figure 7 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 3 looking in the direction of arrow X in Figure 3, Figure 8 is an elevation of a fourth form of cleaning device in accordance with the invention, Figure 9 is a plan view of the device of Figure 8, Figure 10 is a cross-section of the device shown in Figure 9 on the line A-A of Figure 9, Figure 11 is a cross-section of the device shown in Figure 8 on the line B-B of Figure 8, and Figure 12 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 8 looking in the direction of arrow X in Figure 8.

In Figure 1 a support 10 is glued to the centre of a transparent headlamp glass 11. A blade-like member 9 is mounted for rotation on the support and comprises a hub 12, two diametrically opposed propeller-like blades 13, 14 and brushes 15, 16 along the trailing edges 8 of the blades. The trailing edges may project rearwardly of the hub to a position close to the headlamp glass and carry relatively short bristles or may be arranged as shown in Figure 2 where the brush bristles are appreciably longer.

As the vehicle travels along, air impinges on the blades in a direction substantially parallel with tlhe rotational axis Y of the blade-like member. The impinging air causes the propeller-like blades to tuwn the hub about axis Y. On so doing the brushes 15, 16 sweep across the headlamp glass keeping it free 0 dust and other foreign matter, the blades constituting the aforesaid driving sections.

The blades 13, 14 may be curved so that they follow the headlamp curvature or may be substantially straight when the device is to be used on flat headlamp glass. However, it should be appreciated that the blades may be straight even when the device is used to clean curved headlamp glass, provided that the brushes 15, 16 are profiled to be substantially complementary to the curvature of the headlamp glass.

Reference is now made to Figure 2 in which parts corresponding to parts shown in Figure 1 carry the same reference numerals.

The hub 12 has a rearwardly extending spindle 17 which is held captive in a socket 18 in the mounting by a projection 19. The projection 19 locates with working clearance in a peripheral recess in the socket. The front face of the hub 12 may carry a pair of further propeller-like blades 20, 22 or other arrangement on which air will impinge to turn the hub. Alternatively, a nose-cone or spinner-like arrangement 23 shown in broken lines may be provided.

The trailing edge 8 of each blade may be formed with an undercut groove 24 as shown in Figure 3.

The groove receives a mounting strip 25 for the brush bristles 15, 16 or other cleaning means. The mounting strip 25 may be glued in the groove 24.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 7 in which parts corresponding to parts in Figures 1, 2 and 2A carry the same reference numerals, the support 10 has a forwardly extending shaft 30 which passes with working clearance through the hub 12 of the bladelike member 9. The shaft 30 terminates in a counterbore 31 in the hub and the hub is held axially captive on the shaft by a retaining washer 32 which frictionally engages the shaft. The blade-like member 9 has blades 13, 14 having leading edges 33 and trailing edges 8 which are curved in elevation and plan. Each blade has a blade angle 6 (Figure 5) which increases with increasing radius. Angle 6 is measured from the chord-line C of the blade cross-section which is a line passing through the leading and trailing edges of the blade.Each blade has a leading portion 35 of aerofoil cross-section which terminates at a recess 36 and has a flat foward-facing surface 34. The recesses receive mounting strips 37 for respective brushes 15, 16 which project beyond the trailing edges 8 of the blades for engagement with a curved headlamp glass 11. The radially inner ends of the trailing edges 8 terminate at skirts 38 having curved inner surfaces which clear the periphery of the support.

Referring to Figures 8 to 12 in which parts corresponding to parts in Figures 3 to 7 carry the same reference numerals, the cleaning device is designed for attachment to a "flat" headlamp glass.

In fact the term "flat" headlamp glass is used herein in respect of a glass having a radius of, say, 500mum or more and the term "curved" in respect of a glass having a radius of, say, around 150mum. In Figures 8 to 12 the basic arrangeent of support 10 and hub 12 is the same as for Figures 3 to 7 and will not be described again. However, both the leading and trailing edges 33,8 of the blades 13, 14 are straight and the forward facing surfaces 34 are concave. The opposite surface of each blade is recessed to receive brushes 15, 16. As in Figures 3 to 7 the blade angle 0 increases with increasing radius. If desired the trailing edges may be curved slightly e.g. lOOOmm radius.

In Figures 3 to 12 the blades and hub are moulded as a single unit from ABS plastics to which the brush mounting strips 37 can be glued. The support 10 may be formed from nylon. Whilst a retaining washer 32 has been proposed, it is envisaged that the support and hub may snap-fit together whilst remaining relatively rotatable.

Although the blades illustrated have a varying blade angle it would be possible to use blades which are flat or cambered in cross-section and which have a constant blade angle.

The method of attachment of the support to the headlamp glass may be by means of a double sided adhesive tape or pad. The undersurface of the support is preferably concave to accomodate the glass curvature.

Instead of using brushes, the blade-like member may comprise a hub and blades having flexible trailing edges which effect cleaning of the headlamp glass.

A braking arrangement (not shown) may be provided in the support so that as the speed of the vehicle increases the rotational speed of the hub 12 remains substantially constant, decreases or at least does not exceed a given maximum to reduce wear.

To achieve a similar end, the rear face of the hub 12 may be arranged to press with increasing pressure against the front face of the support 10 as vehicle speed increases. However, where the latter arrangement is not required, the said faces may be held apart by suitable low friction means, e.g. P.T.F.E.

washer, to keep friction between the hub and the support to a minimum.

Any number of blades (including a single blade and a counter-weight) may be provided on the hub.

The device of the invention is far cheaper to produce than the motor-driven headlamp wipers which are used in motor vehicles. The device can be used with the usual headlamp washer which will moisten the brushes to aid cleaning.

It is envisaged that the device may also be used on windows of buildings which are not easily accessible for cleaning in the normal manner.

Claims

1. A cleaning device comprising a blade-like member mounted for rotation about an axis so as to clean a surface, rotation of the blade-like member, in use, being effected by air impinging on the blade-like member.

2. A cleaning device according to claim 1 in which the blade like member is arranged so that air impinging therein in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of rotation will cause the blade to rotate abut the axis.

3. A cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2 in which at least part of the blade-like member is of aerofoil shape in transverse cross-section.

4. A cleaning device according to claim 1,2 or3 in which the blade-like member is twisted to provide a blade angle which varies with radius.

5. A cleaning device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the blade-like member is substantially flat.

6. A cleaning device according to any preceding claim in which the blade-like member comprises a driving section, and a cleaning element on the driving section which sweeps across the surface.

7. A cleaning device according to claim 6 in which the cleaning element is mounted in a recess formed in the driving section.

8. A cleaning device according to claim 6 or 7 in which the cleaning element extends beyond the trailing edge of the driving section.

9. A cleaning device according to claim 6, 7 or 8 in which the cleaning element is a brush.

10. A cleaning device according to any preceding claim in which the blade-like member is rotatably mounted on a support which, in use, is adhered or otherwise secured to the said surface to be cleaned.

11. A cleaning device according to claim 10 in which the blade-like member includes a hub rotatably mounted on the support.

12. A cleaning device according to claim 11 in which the support includes a shaft which extends with working clearance through a bore in the hub so that the hub can rotate on the shaft, retaining means being provided to retain the hub axially on the shaft.

13. A cleaning device according to claim 12 in which the retaining means comprises a projection on the shaft or hub locatable with working clearance in a peripheral groove in said hub or shaft respectively.

14. A cleaning device according to claim 12 in which the retaining means comprises a ring-like member secured to the shaft after the hub has been located on the shaft.

15. A cleaning device according to any of claims 11 to 14 in which two diametrically opposed blades extend from the hub and carry cleaning elements.

16. A cleaning device constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 1, Figures 2 and 2a, Figures 3 - 7 or Figures 8 12 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A cleaning device comprising cleaning means engageable with a surface to be cleaned and an air-driven member mounted on or adjacent the surface for rotation about an axis so as to move the cleaning means over the surface.

18. A cleaning device according to claim 17 in which the said member is blade-like and the cleaning means is secured thereto.

19. A motor vehicle including a headlamp provided with a cleaning device according to any preceding claim, the surface to be cleaned comprising a transparent headlamp glass.