GB2304032A

GB2304032A - Washer nozzle arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2304032A
Application number: GB9621765A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Masato Hagiwara
Original assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date: 1993-08-06
Filing date: 1994-07-28
Publication date: 1997-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2014-07-28
Also published as: GB9621765D0; GB2304032B

Abstract

A washer nozzle arrangement for a vehicle headlamp, comprises a casing 2, a nozzle (14 figure 2) for ejecting fluid, a fluid supply pipe 9, means 18 for preventing rotation of the fluid supply pipe secured to the casing (figure 2) and means 23 for attaching the casing to a vehicle 21 being fixed to the rotation preventing means. The rotation preventing means 18 may project laterally from the fluid supply pipe. The attaching means may comprise a bolt 19 embedded in the lateral projection 18 or an elastic metal bracket 23 secured to the rotation preventing means by a bolt 19 and nut 29. The casing may be secured to the fluid supply pipe via a flange (16 figures 2 and 3) on the fluid supply pipe and mounting screw (20 figure 2).

Description

HEADLAMP CLEANER The present invention relates to a headlamp cleaner for a vehicle, and more particularly to a novel attachment structure of a headlamp cleaner in which the attachment to a vehicle body is stable.

There has been known a headlamp cleaner in which the end portion of a cleaning water supply pipe provided with a cleaning water injection nozzle in its upper end portion is covered with a casing.

Fig. 1 shows an example of such a conventional headlamp cleaner a. The reference letter b represents a cleaning fluid supply pipe, and a cleaning fluid injection nozzle d is held by a nozzle holder portion c formed at the upper end portion of the supply pipe b. A lower end portion e of the cleaning fluid supply pipe b is made as a hose connection portion, and an externally screw threaded bush f is formed immediately above and adjacently to the hose connection portion e. The reference letter g represents a casing for covering approximately the upper half of the supply pipe b. The injection nozzle d faces to the outside through a front hole h formed in front of the upper end portion of the casing g.

The headlamp cleaner a having such a structure is attached to a vehicle body member such as a bumper i of a car, in a manner as follows: The hose connection portion e of the supply pipe b and the bush are inserted into an insertion hole j formed in the bumper i. A nut k is screwed onto the portion of the bush portion f which projects back through the bumper i, so that the bumper i is held between the nut k and the casing g. Thus the headlamp cleaner a is attached to the bumper 1.

In the above-mentioned conventional headlamp cleaner a, since the bush f is formed directly on the supply pipe b so that the nut k can be fitted thereto, it is necessary to form this bush f and the hose connection portion e end to end. Accordingly, there is a problem that the length of the cleaning fluid supply pipe b, particularly, the length of the portion projecting downward from a vehicle body member such as the bumper i is longer than is desirable.

Moreover, since the portion of the supply pipe b which is inserted into the bumper i has a circular cross sectional outline, there is a problem that the cleaning fluid supply pipe b may be rotated by a twisting force.

Further, if something hits against the casing g and gives an impact to the cleaning fluid supply pipe b, the impact is directly transferred to the bush f screwed into the nut k, so that the bush f may be broken, resulting in leakage of cleaning fluid.

Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a headlamp cleaner in which the length of a cleaning fluid supply pipe can be shortened.

Another object of the invention is to provide a headlamp cleaner capable of being prevented from rotating.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a headlamp cleaner capable of preventing the cleaning fluid from leaking even if any unintentional damage is applied.

According to the present invention, a headlamp cleaner for an automobile comprises a hollow casing having a front hole, a cleaning fluid injection nozzle for ejecting fluid, in use, from the front hole towards a headlamp; a cleaning fluid supply pipe having means for holding the nozzle, and means for preventing rotation of the cleaning fluid supply pipe, the rotation preventing means being secured to the casing; and means for attaching the casing to the automobile, the attaching means being fixed to the rotation preventing means of the cleaning fluid supply pipe.

The outer shape of the portion of the cleaning fluid supply pipe which is inserted into the vehicle body member may be made non-circular in cross section, so that the cleaning fluid supply pipe is not rotated even in the absence of a special means for preventing the rotation.

Parent application GB 2280598 discloses a headlamp cleaner for an automobile comprising a hollow casing having a front hole; a cleaning fluid injection nozzle for ejecting fluid, in use, from the front hole towards a headlamp; an elastic bracket member for engagement with an automobile body; a cleaning fluid supply pipe having a main section, a nozzle holding section at a first end facing the front hole of the casing with the nozzle being press-fitted in the nozzle holding section, a bolt receiving section projecting laterally relatively to the main section and arranged to be fitted through an insertion hole formed in a bumper of the automobile, and a flange disposed inside the casing and secure thereto; and a mounting bolt embedded in the bolt receiving portion and being secured to the bracket member with a nut.

With this construction, it is not necessary to form a screw threaded portion on the cleaning fluid supply pipe directly. Accordingly, the portion of the cleaning fluid supply pipe which projects downward from a vehicle member can be made so much shorter, so that freedom can be given to the layout of parts in the lower portion of the vehicle body member to which the cleaning fluid supply pipe is attached.

Further, even if something hits the casing and gives an impact to the portion which is coupled with a nut, that is, a mounting bolt, so as to break off a bolt planting portion, the cleaning fluid supply pipe itself is prevented from being broken, so that a fear of liquid leakage is reduced. Moreover, even if such an impact is given, there is an advantage that the flexibility of the bracket absorbs the impact to a great extent.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating an example of a conventional headlamp cleaner; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of a headlamp cleaner according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a cleaning fluid supply pipe of the cleaner shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line IV-IV in Fig 2; Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line V-V in Fig. 1; and, Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a second embodiment of a headlamp cleaner according to the present invention.

The first embodiment shown in Figs. 2 to 5, of a headlamp cleaner according to the present invention, has a casing 2, which is formed from rubber material such as synthetic rubber or the like.

A front hole 3 is formed in the front surface of the upper end portion of the casing 2. In the casing 2, a large socket portion 4 opening in the lower end surface thereof is formed, and the portion 4 communicates with the front hole 3 through a chamber 5. The cross-sectional shape of the chamber 5 is a little smaller than that of the socket portion 4.

A mounting plate 6, which is formed from a metal plate, has a frame shape, and a screw hole 7 is formed in the rear end portion thereof.

The mounting plate 6 having such a structure is fixed integrally with the casing 2 by so-called insert moulding.

That is, the mounting plate 6 is attached between the socket portion 4 and the chamber 5 of the casing 2. The cross-sectional shape of an aperture 8 in the mounting plate 6 approximately corresponds to that of the chamber 5 of the casing 2.

As best shown in Fig. 3, a cleaning fluid supply pipe 9, formed from hard synthetic resin, has a main portion 10.

The main portion 10 is formed with an obtuse angle near to the lower end portion, and formed into a " < " shape. The portion outwardly of the bend is made as a hose connection portion 11, and annular ribs 12 are provided on the outer circumference thereof so as to project therefrom.

The upper end portion of the main portion 10 is connected via a bend to a nozzle holding portion 13. A cleaning fluid in injection nozzle 4 is pressed into the nozzle holding portion 13 so as to be held therein. The nozzle 14 is rotatable within the nozzle holding portion 13 upon a strong force being applied thereto, so that the direction thereof can be changed. In the nozzle 14, there are formed a not shown communication hole opening through lower end surface thereof and a cleaning fluid injection hole 15 opening to the front of the upper end portion and communicating with the communication hole.

A mounting flange 16 projects integrally from the upper end of the main portion 10, and a mounting hole 17 is formed through the mounting flange 16.

A bolt receiving portion 18 is integrated with and projects sideways from the main portion 10. The bolt receiving portion 18 has a block-like shape elongate in the up/down direction. A portion 19a of a mounting bolt 19 is received and fixed into the bolt receiving portion 18, and a screw shaft portion 19b projects from the end of the bolt receiving portion 18.

The part above the mounting flange 16 of the supply pipe 9 is fitted into the chamber 5 of the casing 2 through the aperture 8 of the mounting place 6, and the mounting flange 16 of the pipe 9 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the mounting plate 6. A mounting screw 20 is inserted into the mounting hole 17 of the mounting flange 16 and is screwed down into the screw hole 7 of the mounting plate 6. Accordingly, the casing 2 and the cleaning fluid supply pipe 9 are coupled with each other, so that the headlamp cleaner 1 is assembled. Then, the cleaning fluid injection hole 15 of the cleaning fluid injection nozzle 14 faces to the outside through the front hole 3 of the casing 2.

The headlamp cleaner 1 is attached to a vehicle body in a manner as follows: An insertion hole 22 is formed in a car bumper 21.

The insertion hole 22 has a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the portion of the cleaning fluid supply pipe 9 where the bolt receiving portion 18 is formed.

A bracket 23 formed from plate spring material, which is constituted by integrally formed from a plate-like main portion 24 and elastic contact portions 25 and 25' are bent upward at an angle from both the front and rear edges of the main portion 24. Upper end portions 26 and 26' of the elastic contact portions 25 and 25' are curved away from the main portion 24 so as to form abutment portions. In the main portion 24, there are formed an insertion hole 27 into which the main portion 10 of the cleaning fluid supply pipe 9 is inserted, and a mounting hole 28 into which the screw shaft portion 19b of the mounting bolt 19 is inserted.

The part of the main portion 10 of the supply pipe 9 where the bolt planting portion 18 is formed and is inserted into the insertion hole 22 of the bumper 21.

Then, the casing 2 is put on the upper surface of the bumper 21. A nut 29 is screwed down onto the portion of the screw shaft portion 19b which projects from the mounting hole 28. The screwing of the nut 29 is continued till the main portion 24 of the bracket 23 is brought into contact with the lower end of the bolt receiving portion 18. Consequently, the abutment portions 26 and 26' of the elastic contact portions 25 and 25' of the bracket 23 are brought into abutment against the lower surface of the bumper 21. Further, the elastic contact portions 25 and 25' are flexed so that their abutment portions 26 and 26' abut strongly elastically against the lower surface of the bumper 21. Accordingly, the headlamp cleaner 1 is attached to the bumper 21 stably.

Thus even if something hits the casing 2 so that a force to rotate the headlamp cleaner 1 is given thereto, there is no fear that the headlamp cleaner is rotated. For the portion of the supply pipe 9 which is inserted into the bumper 21 has a non-circular cross sectional shape.

In addition, for example, even if something hits the casing 2 so that an impact is given thereto, the impact is absorbed by the flexibility of the bracket 23, particularly its elastic contact portions 25 and 25'. Accordingly, the cleaning fluid supply pipe 9 is prevented from being broken off. If such an impact could not be absorbed so as to break off the cleaning fluid supply pipe 9, the impact would concentrate on the bolt planting portion 18.

Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the worst case of liquid leakage.

This second embodiment shown in Fig. 6 has only one difference from the first embodiment. That is, the cleaning fluid supply pipe is divided into two portions.

The other features are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, only the difference from the first embodiment will be described in detail. Parts the same as those in the first embodiment are referenced correspondingly, and they will not be described in detail.

The reference number 1A represents a headlamp cleaner, which has a cleaning fluid supply pipe 9A divided into two portions, that is, a joint portion 30 and a nozzle holder portion 31.

The joint portion 30 is made from hard synthetic resin, and its pipe-like main portion 32 is bent at an obtuse angle into a " < " shape when it is seen sideways. A mounting flange 16 is formed on and integrated with the upper end of the main portion 32. A bolt receiving portion 18 is formed on and integrated with the portion lower than the mounting flange 16 of the main portion 32 so that the bolt receiving portion 18 projects sideways. A portion 19a of a mounting bolt 19 is received in the bolt planting portion 16.

A cylindrical fitting portion 33 is integrated with the mounting flange 16 and projects upwards therefrom. The fitting portion 33 communicates with the main portion 32.

An annular groove 34 is formed in the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion 33.

The nozzle holder portion 31 is constituted by a nozzle holding portion 13 formed as its upper end portion, a cylindrical fitting portion 35 formed as its lower end portion, and a cylindrical intermediate portion 36 connecting the nozzle holding portion 13 to the fitting portion 35, these three portions being formed from hard synthetic resin integrally. In addition, a mounting flange 37 having the same shape as the mounting flange 16 is provided in the lower end of the fitting portion 35 so as to project thereon. In the mounting flange 37, a mounting hole 38 is formed in the position corresponding to a mounting hole 17 of the mounting flange 16.

Then, the fitting portion 33 of the joint portion 30 is pressed and fitted into the fitting portion 35 of the nozzle holder portion 31 while an 0-ring 39 is engaged with the groove 34 in the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion 33. Consequently, the joint portion 30 and the nozzle holder portion 31 are coupled with each other so that the cleaning fluid supply pipe 9A is formed, and the mounting flanges 16 and 37 are overlapped so that their mounting holes 17 and 38 are overlapped.

The portion of the cleaning fluid supply pipe 9A above the mounting flange 37 is inserted into the chamber 5 of the casing 2 so that the mounting flange 37 comes into contact with a mounting plate 6. A mounting screw 20 inserted into the mounting holes 17 and 38 is screwed down into a screw hole 7 of the mounting plate 6 so as to integrate the cleaning fluid supply pipe 9A with the casing 2.

Claims

1. A headlamp cleaner for an automobile, the cleaner comprising a hollow casing having a front hole; a cleaning fluid injection nozzle for ejecting fluid, in use, from the front hole towards a headlamp; a cleaning fluid supply pipe having means for holding the nozzle, and means for preventing rotation of the cleaning fluid supply pipe, the rotation preventing means being secured to the casing; and means for attaching the casing to the automobile, the attaching means being fixed to the rotation preventing means of the cleaning fluid supply pipe.

2. A cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the rotation preventing means projects laterally from the cleaning fluid supply pipe.

3. A cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the attaching means comprises a bolt embedded in the lateral projection.

4. A cleaner according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the attaching means comprises an elastic bracket secured to the rotation preventing means by a bolt.

5. A cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the bracket is formed from metal.

6. An automobile having a headlamp fitted with a cleaner according to any one of the preceding claims, the cleaning fluid supply pipe being fitted through an insertion hole in a bumper of the automobile and the laterally projecting bolt receiving section cooperating with the insertion hole to prevent rotation of the supply pipe.