JP2006130948A - Cleaning device of lighting fixture for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein there is a fear that a clearance and rattling are generated between a cover and an outer side surface of a bumper in a conventional cleaning device of a lighting fixture for a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: A coil spring 7 always urges the cover 8 to a nozzle 6 direction side and pivotably retains it in all directions. As a result, the cover 8 is pivotable relative to the nozzle 6 in all directions by the coil spring 7. Therefore, the cover 8 can certainly follow to the outer side surface of the bumper 2 and generation of the clearance and rattling between the cover 8 and the outer side surface of the bumper 2 can be certainly prevented by that degree. Appearance is enhanced by eliminating the clearance and rattling between the cover 8 and the outer side surface of the bumper 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp cleaner for cleaning a lens by spraying a cleaning liquid from a nozzle onto the lens of the lamp.

  Conventionally, this type of vehicle lamp cleaner has been known (for example, Patent Document 1). A conventional vehicle lamp cleaner will be described below. In addition, the code | symbol with a parenthesis respond | corresponds to patent document 1. FIG. This conventional vehicle lamp cleaner device (1) is equipped with a cylinder (2) provided inside a bumper (11) as an exterior part of a vehicle, and the cylinder (2) is extendable and retractable. A piston (32) that extends due to the pumping of the cleaning liquid, and the piston (32) are provided. The piston (32) extends outward from the opening (74) of the bumper (11) by the extension of the piston (32), and the cleaning liquid is supplied to the vehicle. A nozzle (67) for injecting the lens of the lamp, and a cover (75) that is mounted on the nozzle (67) via a cover holder and covers the opening (74) when not operating. is there. The cover holder is composed of a sphere (65) and a joint (80) which are fitted to each other so as to be rotatable.

  The operation of the conventional vehicle lamp cleaner device (1) will be described below. When the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank is pumped into the cylinder (2) by a pump, the piston (32) extends from the cylinder (2), and the nozzle (67) protrudes outward from the opening (74) of the bumper (11), The cleaning liquid is sprayed from the nozzle (67) onto the lens of the vehicle lamp. Thereby, the lens of the vehicle lamp is cleaned with the cleaning liquid. When cleaning is stopped and the pumping of the cleaning liquid is stopped, the spraying of the cleaning liquid from the nozzle (67) stops, the piston (32) is retracted into the cylinder (2), and the nozzle (67) is bumpered. The opening (74) of (11) is housed inside, and the cover (75) covers the opening (74) of the bumper (11). At this time, the cover (75) covers the opening (74) following the outer surface of the bumper (11) by the mutual rotating action of the sphere (65) of the cover holder and the joint (80). There is no gap or rattling between the cover (75) and the outer surface of the bumper (11).

  However, in the conventional vehicle lamp cleaner (1), the plate-shaped anti-rotation portion (66) of the ball portion (65) is engaged with the slit (84) of the joint (80) so that the ball portion ( 65) and the joint (80) are configured to prevent mutual lateral rotation. For this purpose, in the conventional vehicle lamp cleaner device (1), the rotation preventing portion (66) and the slit (84) in which the cover (75) is engaged with the bumper (11). Can rotate within a certain angle in one direction of the plane direction, but only the small gap between the rotation preventing portion (66) and the slit (84) rotates in the other direction. For this reason, in the conventional vehicular lamp cleaner device (1), there is a possibility that a gap or rattling may occur between the cover (75) and the outer surface of the bumper (11).

JP-A-8-58532

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that, in the conventional vehicle lamp cleaner (1), there is a possibility that a gap or rattling occurs between the cover (75) and the outer surface of the bumper (11). There is in point to be.

  The present invention is characterized in that the spring constantly biases the cover toward the nozzle direction and holds the cover so as to be swingable in all directions.

  In the vehicle lamp cleaner according to the present invention, the cover can swing in all directions with respect to the nozzle by the spring. For this reason, the vehicle lamp cleaner device of the present invention reliably follows the outer surface of the exterior part of the vehicle as compared with the conventional vehicle lamp cleaner device having a rotating function in one direction. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent generation of gaps and rattling between the cover and the outer surface of the exterior part. The appearance is improved by eliminating a gap or rattling between the cover and the outer surface of the exterior part. In particular, the vehicle lamp cleaner device of the present invention constantly urges the cover toward the nozzle direction by the spring, so even if the position of the outer surface of the exterior part varies in the cover and nozzle insertion / removal direction, It is possible to cope with fluctuations, and the cover can be securely adhered to the outer surface of the exterior part. As a result, the generation of gaps and rattles between the cover and the outer surface of the exterior part can be further reliably prevented, and the appearance is further improved.

  Embodiments of a vehicle lamp cleaner according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  Hereinafter, the structure of the vehicle lamp cleaner device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle lamp cleaner device in this embodiment. The cleaner apparatus 1 is for cleaning dirt on the surface of a lens (not shown) of a headlamp of an automobile with a cleaning liquid, for example.

  The cleaner device 1 includes an exterior part of a vehicle, in this example, a cylinder 3 provided inside a bumper 2, a piston 4 that is provided in the cylinder 3 so as to be extendable and contracted, and is extended by pumping a cleaning liquid, The piston 4 is equipped with a nozzle 6 that protrudes outward from the opening 5 of the bumper 2 by the extension of the piston 4 and injects cleaning liquid onto the lens, and a spring, for example, a coil coil spring 7, is connected to the nozzle 6. And a cover 8 that covers the opening 5 when not in operation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle 6 includes two injection nozzles 9 and a nozzle holder 10 that holds the two injection nozzles 9 at one end of the piston 4. In addition, although the injection direction of the two injection nozzles 9 is the same in the vertical direction (the expansion and contraction direction of the piston 4), it may be changed.

  The cover 8 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. Cylindrical portions 11 and 12 are provided on surfaces of the cover 8 and the nozzle holder 10 that face each other. That is, the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 11 is integrally provided on the upper surface of the nozzle holder 10. On the other hand, the upper end of the second cylindrical portion 12 is integrally provided on the lower surface of the cover 8. In the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12, slits 13 and 14 are provided in the axial direction of the cylindrical portions 11 and 12, respectively. Engagement notches 17 and 18 are provided at the ends of the slits 13 and 14 via stoppers 15 and 16, respectively.

  Both ends of the coil spring 7 constitute inner bent engagement portions 21 and 22, respectively. Both end portions of the coil spring 7 are fitted into the cylindrical portions 11 and 12 from the outside. The engaging portions 21 and 22 at both ends of the coil spring 7 are dropped into the slits 13 and 14 and engaged with the engaging notches 17 and 18 through the stoppers 15 and 16, respectively. Yes. As a result, the spring 7 always urges the cover 8 toward the nozzle 6 and holds the cover 8 so as to be swingable in all directions.

  A recess 19 is provided in the bumper 2 at a location where the cover 8 is located. The concave portion 19 has a rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the cover 8 when viewed from above, and has a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the cover 8. As a result, when the cover 8 is accommodated in the recess 19 with almost no gap, the outer surface of the cover 8 and the outer surface of the bumper 2 are substantially flush with each other.

  The opening 5 is provided at the bottom of the concave portion 19 of the bumper 2. The opening 5 is slightly smaller than the cover 8 and is slightly larger than the nozzle 6 and the coil spring 7. A curved guide portion 20 that accommodates and guides the cover 8 in the concave portion 19 is provided at a corner portion of the concave portion 19.

  Then, the cylinder 3 is attached to a bracket (not shown) inside the bumper 2. The cylinder 3 and a cleaning liquid tank (not shown) are connected to each other by a cleaning liquid pressure feed pipe (not shown) via a pump (not shown). The nozzle 6 faces the opening 5 of the bumper 2. Further, the cover 8 is positioned on the opening 5 of the bumper 2. Thereby, the said cleaner apparatus 1 is equipped with a vehicle.

  The configuration of the vehicular lamp cleaner device 1 in this embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below.

  When the cleaner is not operated (when the cleaner is not used), the piston 4 is housed in the cylinder 3 by the spring force of the piston spring (not shown) as shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 2 (A). The closing valve (not shown) is closed by the spring force of the closing valve spring (not shown). Further, since the piston 4 is accommodated in the cylinder 3, the cover 8 is accommodated in the concave portion 19 of the bumper 2 and covers the opening 5 of the bumper 2.

  When the cleaner is operated (when the cleaner is used), as shown in FIG. 2B, the pump is operated to pump the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank into the cylinder 3 through the cleaning liquid pumping pipe. When the pressure of the cleaning liquid in the cylinder 3 becomes larger than the spring force of the piston spring, the piston 4 extends from the cylinder 3. As a result, the cover 8 is separated from the bumper 2 to open the opening 5 of the bumper 2, and the nozzle 6 protrudes from the opening 5 to face the lens of the headlamp. Further, when the pressure of the cleaning liquid in the cylinder 3 becomes larger than the spring force of the closing valve spring, the closing valve opens, and the cleaning liquid passes through the pistons from the two injection nozzles 9 to the vehicle lamp, for example, the lens of the headlamp. Be injected. Thereby, the lens of the headlamp is cleaned with the cleaning liquid.

  When the cleaning is completed, the pump operation is stopped and the pumping of the cleaning liquid to the cylinder 3 is stopped. When the pressure of the cleaning liquid in the cylinder 3 becomes smaller than the spring force of the closing valve spring, the closing valve is closed and the injection of the cleaning liquid from the two injection nozzles 9 is stopped. Further, when the pressure of the cleaning liquid in the cylinder 3 becomes smaller than the spring force of the piston spring, the piston 4 is retracted and stored in the cylinder 3, and the state shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 2 (A) is obtained. . That is, the nozzle 6 is accommodated in the bumper 2 from the opening 5, and the cover 8 is accommodated in the recess 19 of the bumper 2 to cover the opening 5 of the bumper 2.

  The vehicle lamp cleaner 1 according to this embodiment has the above-described configuration and operation, and the effects thereof will be described below.

  In the vehicle lamp cleaner 1 according to this embodiment, a coil spring 7 allows a cover 8 to swing in all directions with respect to a nozzle 6 composed of two injection nozzles 9 and a nozzle holder 10. . Therefore, the vehicular lamp cleaner device 1 in this embodiment has a cover 8 that reliably follows the outer surface of the bumper 2 as compared with a conventional vehicular lamp cleaner device having a rotating function in one direction. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent generation of a gap or rattling between the cover 8 and the outer surface of the bumper 2. By eliminating a gap or rattling between the cover 8 and the outer surface of the bumper 2, the appearance is improved.

  Further, in the vehicle lamp cleaner 1 in this embodiment, the cover 8 is always urged toward the nozzle 6 by the coil spring 7, so that the cover 8 can be brought into close contact with the outer surface of the bumper 2. In particular, even if the position of the outer surface of the bumper 2 fluctuates or tilts in the direction in which the cover 8 and the nozzle 6 are put in and out (up and down direction), the fluctuation or inclination can be dealt with. 1 can be securely adhered to the outer surface of the bumper 2 as indicated by a solid line or a chain double-dashed line. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of a gap or rattling between the cover 8 and the outer surface of the bumper 2 and further improve the appearance.

  Further, the vehicle lamp cleaner device 1 according to this embodiment constantly biases the cover 8 toward the nozzle 6 by the coil spring 7 and holds the cover 8 so as to be swingable in all directions. Further, dimensional errors such as the cover 8 and the recess 19 can be sufficiently absorbed in all directions. In addition, the outer surface of the bumper 2 having a three-dimensional shape (that is, the outer surface in the longitudinal direction of the bumper 2 is a curved surface (curved surface having a small curvature), and the outer surface in the short direction of the bumper 2 is a curved surface. (The curved surface has a curvature larger than the curvature of the curved surface in the longitudinal direction)), and it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of gaps and rattling between the cover 8 and the outer surface of the bumper 2, Appearance is improved.

  Furthermore, the vehicular lamp cleaner device 1 in this embodiment is equipped with the cover 8 on the nozzle 6 by the coil spring 7, so that the number of parts is small and the manufacturing cost is reduced accordingly. Moreover, in the vehicle lamp cleaner 1 according to this embodiment, the engaging portions 21 and 22 at both ends of the coil spring 7 are notched through the nozzles 6 and the stoppers 15 and 16 of the cylindrical portions 11 and 12 of the cover 8. Since the portions 17 and 18 are engaged with each other, the coil spring 7 can be prevented from being detached from the nozzle 6 and the cover 8.

  In particular, the vehicular lamp cleaner device 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a recess 19 in the bumper 2 where the cover 8 is located. For this reason, in the vehicle lamp cleaner device 1 in this embodiment, the cover 8 is accommodated in the recess 19 with almost no gap when not in operation, and the outer surface of the cover 8 and the outer surface of the bumper 2 are substantially surface. Become one. Therefore, the appearance of the vehicle lamp cleaner device 1 in this embodiment is further improved.

  In addition, since the vehicle lamp cleaner device 1 in this embodiment is provided with the curved guide portion 20 at the corner of the recess 19, the cover 8 is covered when the cover 8 is accommodated in the recess 19 when not operating. 8 is reliably accommodated in the recess 19 by the accommodation guide action of the curved guide portion 20, and the outer surface of the cover 8 and the outer surface of the bumper 2 are substantially flush with each other. Therefore, the appearance of the vehicle lamp cleaner device 1 in this embodiment is further improved.

  Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp cleaner 1 in this embodiment, the cover 8 and the nozzle 6 are attached by the coil spring 7, so that the cover 8 is aligned with the body color of the bumper 2, etc. Parts other than the cover 8, that is, the cylinder 3, the piston 4, the nozzle 6, and the coil spring 7 can be shared (shared). Thereby, the manufacturing cost becomes low. Moreover, the cover 8 can be arbitrarily replaced.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a first modification of the vehicle lamp cleaner device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing a non-actuated state, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing an actuated state.

  The vehicular lamp cleaner 1A according to the first modification is such that no recess is provided in a bumper 2A of an exterior part of a vehicle. That is, the portion of the bumper 2A where the cover 8 is located is substantially flat, and the opening 5 is provided in this flat portion. The vehicular lamp cleaner device 1A according to the first modification can achieve substantially the same operational effects as the vehicular lamp cleaner device 1 in the above-described embodiment.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a main part showing a second modification of the vehicle lamp cleaner device in the embodiment. The vehicle lamp cleaner 1B according to the second modification is provided with through holes 23 and 24 in the diameter direction in the cylindrical portions 11 and 12, and the pins 25 and 26 are fitted into the through holes 23 and 24, respectively. The two ends of the coil spring 7 are prevented from being detached from the cylindrical portions 11 and 12. The vehicle lamp cleaner 1B according to the second modified example has substantially the same functions and effects as the vehicle lamp cleaner 1 according to the above-described embodiment and the vehicle lamp cleaner 1A according to the first modified example. Can be achieved.

  The vehicle lamp cleaner device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the vehicle lamp cleaner device 1A according to the first modified example, and the vehicle lamp cleaner device 1B according to the second modified example (hereinafter simply referred to as the cleaner device). 1, 1A and 1B) are bumper 2 and 2A as exterior parts of the vehicle, but in the present invention, in addition to the bumper 2 and 2A, a part of the design of the vehicular lamp may be used. For example, a dummy lens (so-called finisher) that is integral with or separate from the lens of a vehicle lamp (headlamp). An opening 5 is provided in the dummy lens, and the opening 5 is opened and closed by a cover 8.

  The cleaner devices 1, 1 </ b> A, and 1 </ b> B are required for each of the left and right headlamps because vehicle lamps to be cleaned, for example, headlamps, are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the front portion of the vehicle (automobile). On the other hand, the shape of the outer surface of the exterior part of the vehicle on which the left and right cleaner apparatuses 1, 1A, 1B are respectively mounted is different from left to right and is substantially bilaterally symmetric. Therefore, the left and right cleaner apparatuses 1, 1A, 1B Similarly to the shape of the outer surface of the exterior part, the shape of the outer surface of the cover 8 is different on the left and right sides and is almost symmetrical. For this purpose, the left and right dedicated cleaner devices 1, 1A, 1B and the cover 8 respectively corresponding to the left and right headlamps are required. Therefore, the left and right cleaner devices 1, 1A, 1B are accurately attached to the left and right cleaner devices 1, 1A, 1B. It is necessary to assemble to. Accordingly, the cover 8 and the second cylindrical portion 12 are configured separately, and an incorrect assembly prevention structure is provided between the cover 8 and the second cylindrical portion 12, whereby the left and right cleaner devices 1, The left and right covers 8 can be accurately assembled to 1A and 1B. In addition, examples of the misassembly prevention structure include a structure in which the second cylindrical portion 12 and the cover 8 are provided with unevenness and the like whose size, direction, shape, and the like are changed exclusively for left and right.

  In the cleaner devices 1, 1A and 1B, the coil spring 7 is used as a spring. In the present invention, a spring other than the coil spring, for example, a plate spring or a torsion spring may be used. good.

It is explanatory drawing which expanded the principal part which shows the Example of the cleaner apparatus of the vehicle lamp concerning this invention. Similarly, it is explanatory drawing which shows the front at the time of cleaner operation | movement, and the front at the time of cleaner non-operation. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 1st modification of the cleaner apparatus of the vehicle lamp concerning this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the principal part which shows the 2nd modification of the cleaner apparatus of the vehicle lamp concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A, 1B Cleaner device 2, 2A Bumper (vehicle exterior parts)
3 Cylinder 4 Piston 5 Opening 6 Nozzle 7 Coil Spring (Spring)
8 Cover 9 Injection nozzle 10 Nozzle holder 11 1st cylindrical part 12 2nd cylindrical part 13, 14 Slit 15, 16 Stopper 17, 18 Engagement notch part 19 Recess 20 Curved guide part 21, 22 Engagement part 23, 24 Through hole 25, 26 pins

Claims (5)

In a vehicle lamp cleaner for cleaning a lens of a lamp mounted on a vehicle with a cleaning liquid,
A cylinder equipped inside the exterior part of the vehicle;
A piston that is extendable and retractable to the cylinder, and extends by pumping the cleaning liquid;
Equipped with the piston, and a nozzle that projects outwardly from the opening of the exterior component by the extension of the piston and injects a cleaning liquid onto the lens;
The nozzle is equipped with a spring, and a cover that covers the opening when not operating,
With
The cleaner for a vehicle lamp, wherein the spring constantly biases the cover toward the nozzle direction and holds the cover so as to be swingable in all directions.   Cylindrical portions are respectively provided on the mutually facing surfaces of the cover and the nozzle, the spring is a coil spring, and both ends of the coil spring are provided between the cylindrical portion of the cover and the nozzle. The vehicle lamp cleaner device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaner device is fixed to the cylindrical portion. In a vehicle lamp cleaner for cleaning a lens of a lamp mounted on a vehicle with a cleaning liquid,
An exterior part of the vehicle in which an opening is provided at the bottom of the recess;
A cylinder installed inside the exterior part;
A piston that is telescopically mounted on the cylinder, and that extends by pumping the cleaning liquid;
Equipped with the piston, and a nozzle that projects outwardly from the opening of the exterior component by the extension of the piston and injects a cleaning liquid onto the lens;
The nozzle is equipped with a spring, and when not in operation, a cover that is accommodated in the recess and covers the opening;
With
The cleaner for a vehicle lamp, wherein the spring constantly biases the cover toward the nozzle direction and holds the cover so as to be swingable in all directions.   Cylindrical portions are respectively provided on mutually facing surfaces of the cover and the nozzle, the spring is a coil spring, and both end portions of the coil spring are provided between the cylindrical portion of the cover and the nozzle. The vehicle lamp cleaner device according to claim 3, wherein the cleaner device is fixed to the cylindrical portion.   5. The vehicle lamp cleaner device according to claim 3, wherein a curved guide portion that accommodates and guides the cover is provided at a corner portion of the concave portion.

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