GB2193627A

GB2193627A - Windscreen washer system

Info

Publication number: GB2193627A
Application number: GB08718712A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hideto Watanabe
Original assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 1986-08-08
Filing date: 1987-08-07
Publication date: 1988-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2007-08-07
Also published as: CA1297645C; GB8718712D0; GB2193627B; DE3726369C2; JPS6328063U; DE3726369A1

Description

GB2193627A 1 SPECIFICATION preventing the special washing solution from

flowing into the tank of the ordinary washing Mechanism for supplying washing solutions solution and also preventing the ordinary to glass washer device washing solution from flowing into the tank of 70 the special washing solution.

The present invention relates to a mechanism There have been proposed in recent years for supplying washing solutions, and more window washer devices which additionally in particularly to a mechanism for supplying clude pipes and nozzles for washing glass washing solutions to a washer device for members such as glass shields for headlamps, washing a glass sheet, for example, such as 75 a rear windshield, and the like. These recent an automotive windshield. window washer devices have however sufWhen an automobile runs in rainy weather, fered from the same problems as described the outer surface of the front windshield above.

thereof is smeared with rain water containing The present invention has been made in an mud or no mud and muddy water splashed 80 effort to effectively eliminate the aforesaid from the road surface. The automobile is nor- drawbacks of the conventional mechanism for mally equipped with a window washer device supplying washing solutions to a washer de for washing away dirt from the front wind- vice for washing a glass sheet such as an shield. The window washer device includes a automotive windshield.

mechanism for supplying a washing solution, 85 It is an object of the present invention to and a wiper blade. The washing solution sup- provide a simple and inexpensive mechanism plying mechanism comprises a washing solu- for supplying washing solutions to a glass tion tank disposed below an engine hood, washer device, the mechanism being capable nozzles disposed near the windshield in con- of preventing a special washing solution for fronting relation thereto, pipes communicating 90 mulated to wash away pitch, tar, insects, and the washing solution tank with the nozzles, other organic dirt from flowing into a tank of and a pump attached to the tank for supplying an ordinary washing solution and also prevent the washing solution from the tank to the ing the ordinary washing solution from being nozzles. The wiper blades are positioned on mixed into a tank of the special washing solu the front windshield and controlled by a wiper 95 tion.

switch near a steering wheel for wiping the The above object can be achieved according front windshield. to the present invention by providing a The conventional window washer device in- mechanism for supplying washing solutions to cludes only one washing solution tank, so that an automotive glass washer device having at only one type of washing solution is ejected 100 least one wiper blade for wiping a glass mem against the windshield. The washing solution ber, comprising at least one nozzle disposed is normally a relatively inexpensive cleaning near the glass member in confronting relation agent or detergent. thereto, a first tank for containing a first While an automobile is running in fine washing solution for cleaning away oridinary weather, the front windshield may be smeared 105 dirt, a first pipe interconnecting the first tank with pitch, tar, and/or insect bodies which hit and the nozzle, a first pump disposed in the the windshield. Since such a smear contain pipe for supplying the first washing solution organic substances, it is less cleanable by the from the first tank to the nozzle, a first switch I ordinary cleaning agent. This problem can be for selectively actuating the first pump, a sec- solved by filling the tank with a special wash- 110 ond tank for containing a second washing so ing solution, i.e., an organic solvent containing lution different from the first washing solution alcohol, which is capable of removing both and containing a substance for cleaning away muddy dirt and organic dirt. Such a special special dirt, a second pipe interconnecting the washing solution is expensive, but is neverthe- second tank and the nozzle, a second pump less required to clean away an ordinary de- 115 disposed in the pipe for supplying the second posit of dirt formed by application of muddy washing solution from the second tank to the water. The special washing solution should nozzle, a second switch for selectively actuat not be diluted with water. One solution would ing the second pump, a first one-way valve be to add a second washing solution tank disposed in the first pipe and coupled be filled with a special washing solution, and the 120 tween the nozzle and the first pump for only ordinary and special washing solutions could allowing the first washing solution to flow selectively be used dependent on the type of from the first tank to the nozzle, and a sec dirt on the windshield. Although such a pro- ond one-way valve disposed in the second posal might reduce the cost of the washing pipe and coupled between the nozzle and the solutions used, the window washer device 125 second pump for only allowing the second would be complex and expensive since washing solution to flow from the second another system of a second pump, second tank to the nozzle.

pipes, and second nozzles would be needed The above and further objects, details and to supply the special washing solution in isola- advantages of the present invention will be tion from the ordinary washing solution while 130 come apparent from the following detailed de- 2 GB2193627A 2 scription of a preferred embodiment thereof, inlets 6a, 7a to the nozzles 6, 7, from which when read in conjunction with the accompany- the first washing solution is ejected against ing drawings. the windshield 4.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a mechanism for A second tank 11 containing an organic Sol- supplying a washing solution to a glass 70 vent (hereinafter referred to as a second washer device according to a preferred em- washing solution) containing alcohol for wash bodiment of the present invention, ing away organic dirt such as pitch, tar, insect FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second washing bodies, and the like is disposed in a right- solution tank of the mechanism shown in FIG. thand (as viewed in the direction of travel of 1; 75 the automobile 30) portion of the engine com- FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the partment 3. The second tank 11 is coupled to instrumental panel of an automobile incorpo- the nozzles 6, 7 through a pump 12 and a rating the mechanism of the present invention; pipe 13. The pump 12, when operated, sup and plies the second washing solution to the FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a circuit for 80 nozzles 6, 7. The pipe 13 comprises a main actuating a pump associated with the washing portion 13c and two branch portions 13a, solution tank shown in FIG. 2. 13b. The main portion 13c has an end con- FIG. 1 schematically shows a glass washer nected to the outlet of the pump 12. The device associated with a mechanism for sup- branch portions 13a, 13b have ends joined to plying a washing solution according to a pre- 85 the other branch inlets 6b, 7b, respectively, of ferred embodiment of the present invention. the nozzles 6, 7. The other end of the main The glass washer device, generally denoted pipe portion 13c is joined to the other ends by the reference numeral 10, is positioned in of the branch portions 13a, 13b through a a front portion of an automobile 30 having a one-way valve 15. The one- way valve 15 al front windshield 4, and hence serves as a 90 lows the washing solution to flow from the front windshield washer device. The automo- second tank 11 to the nozzles 6, 7, while bile 30 has an engine 2 disposed in a front preventing the washing solution from flowing engine compartment 3. A pair of laterally backwards from the nozzles 6, 7 to the sec spaced wiper blades 5 is normally disposed ond tank 11. When the pump 12 is actuated, adjacent to the lower front Surface of the 95 the second washing solution in the second windshild 4 and concealed in their entirety be- tank 12 is supplied via the main pipe portion low an engine hood (not shown). Nozzles 6, 7 13c, the one-way valve 15, the branch pipe are positioned at the lower edge of the wind- portions 13a, 13b, and the branch inlets 6b, shield 4 just in front of the wiper blades 5 7b to the nozzles 6, 7, from which the sec and face the windshield 4. The nozzle 6 has 100 ond washing solution is ejected against the two branch inlets 6a, 6b, and the nozzle 7 windshield 4.

has two branch inlets 7a, 7b. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a battery 16 is A first tank 8 containing a washing solution mounted on a battery holder 17 much larger (hereinafter referred to as a first washing solu- than the size of the battery 16, and held in tion) for washing away ordinary' dirt resulting 105 place by an auxiliary stay 17a. The battery from application of muddy water to the wind- holder 17 has a portion on which the battery shield 4 is disposed in a lefthand (as viewed 16 is placed and another relatively small por in the direction of travel of the automobile 30) tion 17b remote from the battery 16 and on - portion of the engine compartment 3. The which the second tank 11 and the pump 12 tank 8 is coupled to the nozzles 6, 7 through 110 are mounted. The tank 11 is located on the a pump 10 and a pipe 9. The pump 10, when relatively small portion 17b and should prefer operated, supplies the first washing solution ably be in the form of a flexible plate of syn- Y to the nozzles 6, 7. The pipe 9 comprises a thetic resin.

main portion 9c ard two branch portions 9a, FIG. 3 shows an instrumental panel 18 of 9b. The main portion 9c has an end con- 115 the automobile 30. The instrumental panel 18 nected to the outlet of the pump 10. The supports various meters or instruments 21 lo branch portions 9a, 9b have ends joined to cated forwardly of a steering wheel 19. The the branch inlets 6a, 7a, respectively, of the steering wheel 19 is coupled to a steering nozzles 6, 7. The other end of the main pipe column covered with a steering column cover portion 9c is joined to the other ends of the 120 (not shown) provided with a rod-shaped branch portions 9a, 9b through a one-way washer switch 20 having a wiper speed selec valve 14. The one-way valve 14 allows the tion knob 20a on its outer end. The knob 20a washing solution to flow from the first tank 8 is angularly movable about the axis of the to the nozzles 6, 7, while preventing the switch 20 and selectively stoppable in a plu washing solution from flowing backwards from 125 rality of angular positions corresponding to the nozzles 6, 7 to the first tank S. When the wiper stoppage, low-speed wiper operation, pump 10 is actuated, the first washing solu- and high-speed wiper operation. The wiper tion in the first tank 8 is supplied via the main blades 5 are stopped or continuously moved pipe portion 9c, the one-way valve 14, the by shifting the knob 20a into one of the se branch pipe portions 9a, 9b, and the branch 130 - lectable positions. The washer switch 20 is 3 GB2193627A 3 resiliently swingable toward the driver at the nozzles 6, 7 from flowing toward the second steering wheel 19. While the washer switch tank 8.

is being swung toward the driver, the While the washer device 1 for use with the pump 10 is continuously actuated to supply front windshield has been described above, the first washing solution from the first tank 8 70 the principles of the present invention are ap to the nozzles 6, 7 from which the first wash- plicable to a window washer device which ad ing solution is applied to the windshield 4. ditionally includes pipes and nozzles for wash The knob - 20a and the washer switch 20 are ing the glass shields of head lamps or a. rear functionally independent of each other. windshield.

A second washer switch 22 which is resili- 75 Although there has been described what is ently rotatable clockwise is disposed on the at present considered to be the preferred em instrumental panel 18 at a position leftward of bodiment of the present invention, it will be the meters 21. While the second washer understood that the invention may be em switch 22 is being in a rotated position, the bodied in other specific forms without depart pump 12 is continuously operated to supply 80 ing from the spirit or essential characteristics the second washing solution from the second thereof. The present embodiment is therefore tank 11 to the nozzles 6, 7 from which the to be considered in all aspects as illustrative, second washing solution is ejected against the and not restrictive. The scope of the invention windshild 4. is indicated by the appended claims rather As illustrated in FIG. 4, the second washer 85 than by the foregoing description.

switch 22 is electrically connected between

Claims

one terminal of a motor which operates the CLAIMS motor 12 and a positive

power supply termi- 1. A mechanism for supplying washing solu- nal 23, the other terminal of the motor being tions to an automotive glass washer device grounded. 90 having at least one wiper blade for wiping a The glass washer device 1 will operate as glass member, comprising:

follows- at least one nozzle disposed near the glass When the automobile 30 runs in a rain, the member in confronting relation thereto; knob 20a is turned to the low-speed oper- a first tank for containing a first washing ation position for continuously actuating the 95 solution for cleaning away oridinary dirt; wiper blades 5. If any muddy water dirt is a first pipe interconnecting said first tank applied to the windshield 4, then the washer and said nozzle; switch 20 is turned from time to time for a first pump disposed in said pipe for sup- ejecting the first washing solution from the plying said first washing solution from said nozzles 6, 7 toward the windshield 4. The 100 first tank to said nozzle; above process of applying the washing solu- a first switch for selectively actuating said tion to the windshield is already known. first pump; If pitch, tar, or other organic dirt such as a second tank for containing a second insect bodies is attached to the windshield 4 washing solution different from said first while the automobile 30 is running in fine 105 washing solution and containing a substance weather, first the second tank motor switch for cleaning away special dirt; 22 is turned on. The second washing solution a second pipe interconnecting said second is now supplied from the second tank 11 via tank and said nozzle; the nozzles 6, 7 to the windshield 4. Then, a second pump disposed in said pipe for the wiper knob 20 is turned to the low-speed 110 supplying said second washing solution from operation position, for example, to operate the said second tank to said nozzle; wiper blades 5 for a desired time interval a second switch for selectively actuating thereby to wipe out the dirt deposit. There- said second pump; after, the first washer switch 20 is pulled to- a first one-way valve disposed in said first ward the driver to eject the first washing solu115 pipe and coupled between said nozzle and tion against the windshield 4 to clean up the said first pump for only allowing said first windshield 4. washing solution to flow from said first tank The nozzles 6, 7 are connected to the first to said nozzle; and tank 8 and the second tank 11 through the a second one-way valve disposed in said pipes 9, 13, respectively. Therefore, it is not 120 second pipe and coupled between said nozzle necessary to provide special nozzles for use and said second pump for only allowing said with the respective first and second washing second washing solution to flow from said solutions. As a result, the washer device 1 is second tank to said nozzle.

simple in structure and inexpensive to manu-
2. A mechanism according to claim 1, fur- facture. The one-way valve 14 prevents the 125 ther including a second nozzle disposed near second washing solution supplied from the said glass member in confronting relation second tank 11 to the nozzles 6, 7 from thereto; flowing toward the first tank 8. The other said first pipe having a branch portion con- one-way valve 15 prevents the first washing nected between said one-way valve and said solution supplied from the first tank 8 to the 130 second nozzle; and 4 GB2193627A 4 said second pipe having a branch portion connected between said one-way valve and said second nozzle.
3. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said first washing solution is formu- lated for cleaning away dirt which contains substantially no organic substance and said second washing solution is formulated for cleaning away organic dirt.
4. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said glass member is an automotive front windshield.
5. A mechanism for supplying washing solu- tions substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 3 or Figures 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

Published 1988 at The Patent Office, State House, 66/71 High Holborn, London WC 1 R 4TP. Further copies may be obtained from The Patent Office, Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD.

Printed by Burgess & Son (Abingdon) Ltd. Con. 1/87.