GB2241431A

GB2241431A - Fluid outlet nozzles for windscreen cleaning

Info

Publication number: GB2241431A
Application number: GB9100734A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Keen; Nicholas John Starling
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-01-12
Filing date: 1991-01-14
Publication date: 1991-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-14
Also published as: GB9100734D0; GB2241431B

Abstract

A fluid outlet nozzle comprises a body 1 having an axially extending through passageway 2 connected at one end to a fluid inlet duct 3 and at the other end to a fluid outlet duct 4. Apertures 5, 6 through the body define fluid jet outlets and connect with a manifold 7 formed by a recessed area in the body. The body coaxially houses a rotatable valve member 8 with a flat 9 which co-operates with the manifold 7 such that the member 8 may be rotated by a lever 12 movable in an arcuate slot 13 to vary the fluid flow to jet outlets 5, 6. To heat fluid within the nozzle 1 and ducts 3 and 4 an electrical heating wire 10 extends therethrough together with a second return wire 11. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE Fluid Outlet Nozzle This invention relates to a fluid outlet nozzle primarily but not essentially for use in a vehicle windscreen washing system and wherein the fluid supply duct to the nozzle incorporates an electrical heating element. Such a system is disclosed in GB 2121681 and the present invention provides an improved nozzle construction which may be attached to the windscreen wiper arm.

According to this invention there is provided a fluid supply nozzle comprising a body having an axially extending passageway with one end of said passageway having a coupling means for a fluid supply and the other end of said passageway having coupling means for fluid outlet, an aperture through the side wall of the body forming a fluid jet, a rotatable member within the body, the said member having a skirt within the passageway in the body and being rotatable relative thereto, the skirt co-operating with the aperture to provide control of fluid flow therethrough by rotation of the member.

Such a construction facilitates use of the nozzle in a heated system wherein heating wires may extend through the passageway with the nozzle forming an in-line arrangement.

The aperture through the side wall of the body may comprise one or more ducts whereby the outlet fluid flow is directed in the form of a jet or spray in a selected direction. In one embodiment an annular channel is provided around the whole or part of the external periphery of the body with the aperture (or apertures) opening into the base of said channel. Preferably located within the channel, a complementary shaped ring member is provided with the inner facing surface or surfaces having channels through which fluid from the aperture in the body may flow in the form of an external jet.

The skirt may comprise a cylindrical extension entering the passageway in the body. A portion of the skirt may include a cut away or slotted part which, on rotation, may progressively obstruct the aperture or apertures thereby to provide a means for controlling the flow of fluid.

According to this invention there is further provided a windscreen cleaning system for vehicles comprising a fluid duct feeding a fluid supply nozzle, said nozzle having at least one orifice positioned in proximity to the blade the fluid duct being connected with a fluid supply and delivery means, the duct having an electric heating element extending therein and the fluid supply nozzle comprising a body having an axially extending passageway with one end of said passageway having a coupling means for the fluid duct, an aperture through a side wall of the body forming a fluid jet outlet and a fluid outlet duct connection at the other end of the body, the electrical heating element extending along the supply tubing through the passageway and along the outlet duct.Preferably a rotatable member is provided within the body, the member having a skirt engaging the passageway in the body and being rotatable relative thereto, the skirt co-operating with the aperture to provide fluid flow control through rotation.

An embodiment according to this invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings which also illustrate a number of preferred features.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through one embodiment of fluid supply nozzle according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a cross-section on A-A of Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows a cross-section on B-B of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings a fluid outlet nozzle comprises a body 1 having an axially extending through passageway 2 connected at one end to a fluid supply duct 3 and at the other end to a fluid outlet duct 4.

Apertures 5,6 through the body 1 define fluid jet outlets and connect with a manifold 7 formed by a recessed area in the body. The body coaxially houses a rotatable valve member 8 with a flat 9 which co-operates with the manifold 7 such that the member 8 may be rotated to vary the fluid flow to jet outlets 5,6.

To heat fluid within the nozzle 1 and supply outlet ducts 3 and 4 an electrical heating wire 10 extends therethrough together with a second return wire 11. The construction of nozzle facilitates this simple arrangement.

Adjustment of the relative positions of the member 8 and body 1 is effected by a valve control lever 12 on member 8 which protrudes through an arcuate slot 13 in body 1. Fluid-tight sealing is achieved by 0-rings 14 and 15 disposed in annular channels each side of the lever 12.

Abutment shoulders 16 and 17 longitudinally locate the member 2 within body 1.

This invention thus provides a nozzle of simple construction which can be formed from plastics by a moulding process and wherein the body is made of two longitudinally split halves joined by adhesive or other means. The invention also provides a washer system for vehicle windscreens wherein a heating element passes through the nozzle with a number of such nozzles being provided serially along a supply duct.

Claims

1. A fluid supply nozzle comprising a body having an axially extending passageway with one end of said passageway having a coupling means for a fluid supply and the other end of said passageway having coupling means for fluid outlet, an aperture through the side wall of the body forming a fluid jet, a rotatable member within the body, the said member having a skirt within the passageway in the body and being rotatable relative thereto, the skirt co-operating with the aperture to provide control of fluid flow therethrough by rotation of the member.

2. A fluid supply nozzle according to Claim 1, wherein the aperture through the side wall of the body comprises one or more ducts whereby the outlet fluid flow is directed in the form of a jet or spray in a selected direction.

3. A fluid supply nozzle according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein an annular channel is provided around the whole or part of the external periphery of the body with the aperture (or apertures) opening into the base of said channel.

4. A fluid supply nozzle according to any preceding claim, wherein the skirt comprises a cylindrical extension entering the passageway of the body.

5. A fluid supply nozzle according to Claim 4, wherein a portion of the skirt includes a cut away or slotted part which, on rotation, may progressively obstruct the aperture or apertures thereby to provide a means for controlling the flow of fluid.

6. A fluid supply nozzle comprising a body with a through bore defining an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end, a rotatably cylindrical member within the body, a skirt at one end of the cylindrical member adjacent a fluid outlet port through a side wall of the body, the skirt progressively increasing or decreasing the cross-section of said port according to the rotational position.

7. A nozzle as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the body has a peripheral slot through the side wall, the cylindrical member having a lever extending through the slot whereby the member may be rotated.

8. A nozzle as claimed in Claim 7, wherein fluid seals are provided between the outer periphery of the cylindrical member and the bore of the body each side of the lever.

9. A windscreen cleaning system for vehicles comprising a fluid duct feeding a fluid supply nozzle, said nozzle having at least one orifice positioned in proximity to the blade the fluid duct being connected with a fluid supply and delivery means, the duct having an electric heating element extending therein and the fluid supply nozzle comprising a body having an axially extending passageway with one end of said passageway having a coupling means for the fluid duct, an aperture through a side wall of the body forming a fluid jet outlet and a fluid outlet duct connection at the other end of the body, the electrical heating element extending along the supply tubing through the passageway and along the outlet duct.

10. A windscreen cleaning system according to Claim 9, wherein a rotatable member is provided within the body, the member having a skirt engaging the passageway in the body and being rotatable relative thereto, the skirt cooperating with the aperture to provide fluid flow control through rotation.

11. A fluid supply nozzle as described herein and exemplified with reference to the drawings.

12. A windscreen cleaning system as described herein with reference to the drawings.