GB2537100A

GB2537100A - Dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2537100A
Application number: GB1504853.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Doe Andrew
Original assignee: GREAT CLARITY Ltd
Current assignee: GREAT CLARITY Ltd
Priority date: 2015-03-23
Filing date: 2015-03-23
Publication date: 2016-10-12
Also published as: GB201504853D0

Abstract

A washer fluid dispensing apparatus 100 comprises a screen wash reservoir 120, a water supply 130, a dispensing outlet connected to the screen wash reservoir 120 and a water supply 130. A screen wash flow controller 122 controlsthe flow of screen wash from the screen wash reservoir 120 to the dispensing outlet in response to control signals. A water supply controller 132 controls the flow of water from the water supply 130 to the dispensing outlet. The dilution controller 110 issues signals to the screen wash flow controller 122 and the water supply controller 132 so as to dispense washer fluid comprising a mixture of screen wash and water in a desired ratio (WSW ratio). The ratio may be varied due to current or predicted weather conditions. The apparatus may be provided with a payment module such as coins, notes or credit cards.

Description

Dispensing Apparatus

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus and in particular to a dispensing apparatus operable to dispense washer fluid comprising a mixture of screen wash and water in a controllable ratio.

Background to the Invention

Most modern motor vehicles are provided with a windscreen washer system. A windscreen washer system typically comprises a washer fluid reservoir, a pump and one or more nozzles. In operation, fluid is drawn from the reservoir by the pump and directed onto the windscreen by the nozzles. Usually, activation of the washer system also triggers activation of the vehicle windscreen wipers so as to spread the fluid and ultimately remove excess fluid and other matter from the windscreen.

The fluid reservoir of the windscreen washer system is typically filled with a washer fluid comprising a mixture of water and screen wash. There are many different screen wash formulations but most contain a combination of solvent, detergents and in some instances anti-freeze.

Screen wash is commonly supplied as in a concentrate which a motorist has to dilute to the required ratio with water when refilling the fluid reservoir of a windscreen washer system. Whilst this minimises bulk for supply and storage, it can be inconvenient and messy for a motorist to refill the fluid reservoir with an appropriate ratio. This problem can be addressed by supplying premixed screen wash diluted to a suitable concentration with water. This however adds significant bulk and weight to the product supplied, thereby increasing transport and storage costs for retailers which can have a significant cost impact to the end user.

A further problem is that the optimum ratio of water to screen wash (the WSW ratio) varies depending on the season. For nstance, in summer a WSW ratio of say 9:1 may be suitable whereas in winter a WSW ratio of say, 4:1, may be required.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method which at least partially alleviates or overcomes the above problems.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a washer fluid dispensing apparatus comprising: a screen wash reservoir; a water supply; a dispensing outlet fluidly connected to the screen wash reservoir and the water supply; a screen wash flow controller operable to control the flow of screen wash from the screen wash reservoir to the dispensing outlet in response to control signals; a water supply controller operable to control the flow of water from the water supply to the dispensing outlet in response to control signals; and a dilution controller operable to issue control signals to the screen wash flow controller and the water supply controller so as to dispense washer fluid comprising a mixture of screen wash and water in a desired ratio (the WSW ratio).

The apparatus of the present invention thus provides a convenient means for filling a fluid reservoir of a vehicle windscreen washers system with a mixture of screen wash and water with a desired WSW ratio.

The screen wash flow controller may comprise a valve, a pump or a combination thereof The water flow controller may comprise a valve, a pump or a combination thereof The screen wash flow controller and the water supply controller may additionally be provided with flow metering means to monitor output of screen wash and water respectively.

The water supply may comprise a water reservoir. Alternatively, the water supply may comprise a mains connection. The water may be filtered water. In embodiment having a water reservoir this may be achieved by filling the reservoir with filtered water. In embodiments having a mains supply, this may be achieved by providing a water filer operable to filter the water supply prior to the water flow controller.

The dispensing outlet may comprise a fixed nozzle In such embodiments, the nozzle is preferably downwardly directed. Alternatively, the dispensing outlet may be provided at the end of a flexible hose. In one embodiment, the dispensing outlet may be provided at the end of two flexible hoses, one flexible hose fluidly connecting the screen wash reservoir to the dispensing outlet and the other flexible hose fluidly connecting the water supply to the reservoir to the dispensing outlet. In some embodiments, the flexible hose (or flexible hoses) may be retractable. In such embodiments, the hose (or hoses) may be biased to retract.

The fixed nozzle may be provided within an outlet head. The outlet head may be provided with a user actuable trigger. The user actuable trigger may be connected to a flow valve within the head. Preferably, the flow valve is operable to control the flow of washer fluid to the dispensing outlet in response to actuation of the trigger. The trigger may be activated and/or deactivated in response to the dilution controller. This can enable fluid dispensation to be ceased after a predetermined volume has been dispensed.

The dispensing apparatus may be provided with a user interface. The user interface may comprise a display screen and user actuable input means. In some embodiments, the input means may comprise one or more touch or pressure sensitive input switches. In a preferred embodiment, the user nterface may comprise a touch sensitive display screen.

The dispensing apparatus may be provided with a payment module. The payment module may comprise a coin or note acceptor operable to identify inserted coins or notes and determine an associated credit value. The payment module may further include one or more secure receptacles for storing accepted coins or notes. Additionally or alternatively, the payment module may include a card acceptor operable to accept payment from credit or debit cards or dedicated dispensing cards. In further embodiments, the payment module may be adapted to comprise a token acceptor, optical sensor or key pad. This can enable payment to be accepted at a remote location and a user to be issued with a suitable token, optical pattern (e.g. barcode or QR code) or code number.

The dilution controller may be operable in response to the user interface and/or the payment module. The dilution controller may be operable to vary the WSW ratio in response to inputs received via the user interface. In some embodiments, the user interface may be operable to enable user selection of a desired WSW ratio.

In some embodiments, the dilution controller may be operable in response to user selection of other parameters in order to vary the WSW ratio. In particular, the user interface may enable selection of the make and model of their vehicle. In such cases, the dilution controller may be able to determine a recommended WSW ratio by reference to a look up table. The look up table may be stored in a local memory unit or may be stored at remote server.

In some embodiments, the dilution controller may be operable to vary the WSW ratio in response to other criteria. The other criteria may include but are not limited to: recent, current or predicted weather conditions, especially recent, current or predicted air temperatures. In some embodiments, the variation of the WSW ratio with recent, current or predicted air temperature may be continuous. In other embodiments, the WSW ratio may be varied in discrete steps for specific temperature ranges. In respect of predicted weather or air temperature conditions, the predictions may be based on predicted conditions over a preset future period. In particular, the preset future period may fall in the range of a few days to a few week. More particularly, the preset future period may be of the order of 10 days.

I5 The dilution controller may be operable to dispense fixed or specified volumes of washer fluid with a desired WSW ratio. Additionally or alternatively, the dilution controller may be operable to continuously dispense washer fluid with a desired WSW ratio.

The screen wash reservoir may comprise a screen wash till level sensor. The screen wash fill level sensor may be operable to output a signal indicative of the volume of screen wash in the screen wash reservoir to the dilution controller. The dilution controller may be operable to output information relating to the volume of screen wash in the screen wash reservoir to external devices and/or the user interface. In some embodiments, the dilution controller may be operable to output a low screen wash alarm or to activate a dedicated low screen wash indicator in response to a low volume of screen wash being detected in the screen wash reservoir.

The dispensing apparatus may be provided with a communication unit. The communication unit may be operable with any suitable fixed line or wireless communication link. The communication unit may facilitate communication of data and/or command signals between the dispensing apparatus and one or more remote devices. In particular, the communication unit may facilitate any one or more of the following: download of data relating to recent, current or predicted weather conditions; exchange of information between the payment module and external systems; upload of telemetry data relating to the operation or condition of the apparatus, in particular with relation to screen wash levels in the screen wash reservoir.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment/embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of one embodiment of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the dispensing apparatus of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the relationship between the various components of the present invention; and Figure 4 provides a schematic flow diagram illustrating the operation of the dispensing apparatus in one possible implementation.

Turning now to figure 1, a washer fluid dispensing apparatus 100, for dispensing washer fluid having a desired water to screen wash (WSW) ratio is shown. The apparatus 100 is provided within a housing 101 and has a user interface 102 (typically a touch sensitive screen) and a payment module 103. Following interaction with eth user interface 102 and/or payment module 103, washer fluid can be dispensed from nozzle 114 on outlet head 112 at a desired WSW ratio. The nozzle 114 is provided at the end of a flexible hose 111 Flow from the nozzle 114 can be controlled by means of a flow valve 116 operated in response to a user actuable trigger 113.

Turning now to figure 2, within the housing 101 is provided a screen wash reservoir 120 which retains a volume of concentrated screen wash. In use, screen wash can exit the reservoir 120 through conduit 121. The housing 101 also contains a connection to a mains water supply 130. Water from mains supply 103 may pass along conduit 131. In order to control the flow of screen wash from conduit 121 to nozzle 114 a screen wash flow controller 122 (typically a valve) is provided within housing 101. Similarly, in order to control the flow of water from conduit 131 to nozzle 114 a water flow controller 132 (typically a valve) is provided within housing 101.

The flow controllers 122, 132 are each operable in response to a dilution controller 110 (described further below) to control the permissible flow rate. The trigger 113 is also activated and/or deactivated in response to the dilution controller 110 (described further below). When the flow controllers 122, 132 are open and trigger 113 is activated, water and screen wash are permitted to mix in an outlet conduit 115 to form washer fluid with the desired WSW ratio. Subsequently actuation of the trigger 113 permits the washer fluid to exit the nozzle 114.

The dilution controller 110 is operable to maintain a record of the washer fluid WSW ratio last dispensed. In this manner, if a different ratio is subsequently to be dispensed, the dilution controller can vary the operation of the flow controllers 122 and 132 during the next dispensation action to ensure that fluid of the different desired dilution ratio is dispensed.

Turning now to figure 3, a schematic block diagram illustrates the relationship between the dilution controller 110 and the other key components of the apparatus. As discussed previously, the dilution controller 110 is connected to and operable to issue control signals to the screen wash flow controller 122, the water flow controller 132 and the trigger 113.

The dilution controller 110 is also connected to the user interface 102, payment module 103 and a communication unit 104 (typically a fixed line or wireless data connection). In this manner, the dilution controller 110 is operable to control the screen wash flow controller 122 and the water flow controller 132 in response to user selections made via the user interface 102 and/or payments made via the payment module 103 and/or signals exchanged with external devices via the communication unit 104.

In particular, the dilution controller may be operable to determine a WSW ratio in response to user selections via the user interface 102. This may be achieved by looking up a suitable WSW ratio based on user selections from a look up table stored in local memory 105 or accessed remotely via communication unit 104.

In another possible implementation, the dilution controller 110 may be operable in response to information accessed via communications unit 104 to determine a WSW ratio. In particular, such information may comprise recent, current or predicted weather conditions, especially recent, current or predicted air temperatures. In such embodiments, the WSW ratio may be varied to include proportionally more screen wash as the air temperature drops. In some embodiments, the WSW ratio may vary continuously with air temperature. More preferably, a specific WSW ratio from a may be selected whenever the air temperature falls in a corresponding temperature range.

The dilution controller 110 may enable or disable the trigger 113 in response to the payment module 103, user interface 102 or in response to the volume of fluid dispensed. This can ensure that the trigger 113 is activated to enable dispensation of washer fluid when a payment has been made. It may further ensure that the trigger 113 is deactivated once a purchased volume of washer fluid is dispensed.

In order that operation of the dispensing apparatus 100 can be monitored, the dilution controller 110 may be operable to exchange information relating to operations to external devices or systems via communication unit 104. Information exchanged could include details of sales, updated pricing information, details of operation issues and/or indications that additional screen wash needs to be added to the reservoir 120.

Turning now to figure 4, one possible sequence of operation of the dispensing apparatus 100 is described, by way of example only. At step S1, a user nserts a payment card into a card acceptor provided within the payment module 103. By use of the payment module 103 and/or the user interface 102, the user requests that washer fluid is dispensed and pre-authorises card payment. At step S2, the dilution controller looks up the average predicted air temperature for the next few days via communication unit 104.

At step S3, the dilution controller 110 determines whether the average predicted air temperature over the next 10 days is above or below a threshold level, in this example 10°C. In the event that the average predicted air temperature is determined to be above the threshold level, the sequence moves to S4 and the dilution controller 110 selects a summer WSW ratio say, 9:1. In the event that the average predicted air temperature is determined to be below the threshold level, the sequence moves to S5 and the dilution controller 110 selects a winter WSW ratio, say 4:1. In the event the average predicted air temperature is determined to be below a severe weather threshold level (say 0°C), it is possible for the dilution controller 110 to select a severe weather WSW ratio, say 1:1.

At step S6, the dilution controller 110 sends control signals to the screen wash flow controller 122 and the water flow controller 132. In this manner, the flow controllers adopt the correct settings to produce the desired WSW ratio. At S7, the user lifts the outlet head 112 and positions nozzle 114 in or above the inlet for the washer fluid reservoir of their vehicle. In some embodiments, sensor means may be provided to detect movement of the head 112 away from the housing 101 or a dedicated retaining bracket. In response to such detection, the trigger 113 can be activated.

At S8, the user actuates the trigger 113. Screen wash from conduit 121 and water from conduit 131 are then able to flow into the mixing chamber 116 in the desired WSW ratio and mix to provide washer fluid with the desired WSW ratio. Subsequently, the washer fluid can exit nozzle 114 to fill the vehicle washer fluid reservoir.

At S9, the trigger 113 can be released to cease flow of washer fluid through nozzle 114. The head 112 can be returned to the housing 101 and at S10, the user's card is charged for the washer fluid dispensed.

The above embodiment is described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.