JP5425572B2 - Washer pump system and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washer pump system that selectively supplies washer fluid to a plurality of fluid supply paths and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a washer pump system that is suitable for cleaning windows and the like in automobiles and a control method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a washer pump system that is mounted on an automobile and selectively supplies a washer liquid in a washer tank to either a front window or a rear window.

  As this type of washer pump system, for example, a pump device having two discharge ports for discharging the washer liquid with a discharge pressure whose magnitude relationship is reversed according to the rotation direction of the impeller, and 2 connected to each of these discharge ports, respectively. By having two outlet channels and operating according to the pressure difference between the discharge pressures, the outlet channel with the lower pressure of the two outlet channels is closed and the outlet channel with the higher pressure is opened. A device provided with a valve mechanism is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-224214 A

  In the above prior art, the supply path of the washer fluid (for the front window or for the rear window) can be easily changed only by changing the rotation direction of the pump (impeller). However, in the above prior art, when trying to supply the washer liquid to another supply destination (for example, a headlamp) (that is, when it is necessary to supply the washer liquid to three or more fluid supply paths), a new one is newly added. It was necessary to prepare another washer pump.

  The present invention has been devised in view of such problems of the prior art. In a simple configuration using one pump device, the washer liquid is selectively used for at least three or more fluid supply paths. It is an object of the present invention to provide a washer pump system and a control method therefor.

  A first invention made to solve the above-described problem is a washer pump system (1) that selectively supplies washer fluid to a plurality of fluid supply paths, which is large or small depending on the rotation direction of the impeller (2). A pump device (5) having two discharge ports (3, 4) each discharging a washer liquid with a discharge pressure whose relationship is reversed, and first and second outlet channels (6) respectively communicating with the respective discharge ports 7), and closes the low-pressure side outlet channel and opens the high-pressure side outlet channel according to the pressure difference of the washer liquid discharged from each outlet. A valve mechanism (8), a sub-valve mechanism (10) connected to the valve mechanism, and a pump control device (11) for controlling the rotational operation of the impeller, wherein the sub-valve mechanism includes the first lead-out mechanism. Flow The first and second distribution channels (112, 114) communicating with the first distribution channel, and operating according to the pressure of the washer liquid discharged from the first outlet channel, One of the distribution channels is selectively closed and the other distribution channel is opened.

  As a second invention, the sub-valve mechanism has a valve body (63) that operates according to the pressure of the washer liquid discharged from the first outlet flow path, In the initial state, one of the two distribution channels is closed and the other is opened, while the one distribution channel is opened and the other distribution channel is opened by being displaced or deformed by a predetermined pressure of the washer liquid. It can be set as the structure which consists of a diaphragm which closes the other distribution channel.

  As a third aspect of the invention, the valve body may have a communication hole (97) that communicates the first outlet channel and the other distribution channel in the initial state.

  As a fourth aspect of the invention, the sub-valve mechanism further includes urging means (101) for urging the valve body in a direction that resists displacement or deformation of the valve body due to the pressure of the washer fluid. be able to.

  The fifth invention is a control method of a washer pump system according to the first invention, wherein the pump control device controls the rotation direction of the impeller and the rotation operation of the impeller in at least one rotation direction. By doing so, the washer liquid is selectively supplied to any one of the second outlet channel, the first distribution channel, and the second distribution channel.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the pump device includes an electric motor that rotationally drives the impeller, and the pump control device controls a rotation speed of the impeller by adjusting a driving voltage of the electric motor. It can be set as the structure to do.

  As a seventh aspect of the invention, the pump control device can be configured to duty control the voltage applied to the electric motor.

According to the first and fifth inventions described above, in a simple configuration using one pump device, the rotation direction of the impeller and the rotation operation of the impeller in one rotation direction (that is, guided to the first lead-out flow path). By controlling the pressure of the washer liquid, the washer liquid is selected for the three fluid supply paths (second outlet flow path, first distribution flow path, and second distribution flow path). This provides an excellent effect of being able to be supplied automatically.
In addition, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily realize a mechanism that closes one of the two distribution channels and opens the other distribution channel according to the pressure of the washer liquid. be able to.
Further, according to the third aspect of the invention, a mechanism for closing one of the two distribution flow paths and opening the other distribution flow path according to the magnitude of the pressure of the washer liquid is a simpler flow. It can be realized by a road configuration.
In addition, according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to reliably close one of the two distribution channels by the valve body in the initial state.
According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the pressure of the washer liquid guided to the first outlet channel is easily adjusted (that is, whether the first and second distribution channels are closed or opened). Can do.
According to the seventh aspect, even when a constant power supply voltage is supplied from the power supply, the voltage applied to the electric motor can be easily adjusted.

It is a block diagram of the washer pump system which concerns on this invention. It is a side view of the pump apparatus provided with the valve mechanism. It is a cross-sectional perspective view of a sub valve mechanism. It is the perspective view seen from the upper surface side of the valve body of a sub valve mechanism. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of a sub valve mechanism. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of a washer pump system.

  Hereinafter, a washer pump system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, the term indicating the direction is determined according to the display of the drawing to be referred to, but these do not necessarily coincide with the arrangement of each practical component. The cross sections of the washer pump 5 and the valve mechanism 8 shown in FIG. 1 correspond to the II cross section in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a washer pump system 1 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown) and enables the supply of washer fluid to three-way supply paths corresponding to a front window, a rear window, and a headlamp. is there. The washer pump system 1 includes first and second discharge pipes (discharge ports) 3 and 4 that discharge the washer liquid with discharge pressures whose magnitudes are reversed according to the rotation direction of the impeller 2 that is rotationally driven. The pump (pump device) 5 has first and second outlet flow passages 6 and 7 communicating with the discharge pipes 3 and 4, respectively. The pressure difference of the washer liquid discharged from the discharge pipes 3 and 4 is Accordingly, a valve mechanism 8 that closes the low-pressure side lead-out flow path and opens the high-pressure side lead-out flow path among the two lead-out flow paths 6 and 7 is connected to the valve mechanism 8 via a pipe 9. The sub-valve mechanism 10 and a pump control device 11 that controls the rotation operation of the impeller 2 are mainly provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the washer pump 5 has a main body case 22 in which the electric motor 21 is accommodated. In the main body case 22, a pump chamber 24 is formed in which the impeller 2 attached to the rotating shaft 21a (see FIG. 1) of the electric motor 21 is accommodated. Washer liquid is supplied to the pump chamber 24 from a washer liquid tank (not shown) through a washer liquid supply pipe 25. Further, the first and second discharge pipes 3 and 4 communicating with the pump chamber 24 are provided so as to project substantially symmetrically in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the impeller 2.

  In the washer pump 5, when the impeller 2 (electric motor 21) rotates in the forward direction (rotates counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 1), the discharge pressure of the second discharge pipe 4 is the first pressure. It becomes higher than the discharge pressure of the discharge pipe 3. On the other hand, when the impeller 2 rotates in the reverse direction (rotates in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 1), the discharge pressure of the first discharge pipe 3 becomes higher than the pressure of the second discharge pipe 4.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the valve mechanism 8 is composed of first and second divided housings 31 and 32 having a substantially bilaterally symmetric shape, and has a substantially cylindrical shape with both left and right ends closed. have. The housing main body 33 is provided with first and second inflow pipes 35 and 36 projecting from the peripheral wall in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (left and right direction in FIG. 1). Are connected to the two discharge pipes 3, 4 of the washer pump 5, respectively. Further, the housing body 33 is provided with first and second outflow pipes 37 and 38 extending outward in the axial direction so as to penetrate the left and right walls from the inside.

  The two divided housings 31 and 32 are fitted to each other in a state where a membrane valve body 41 made of a resin diaphragm is interposed. The membrane valve body 41 includes an annular outer peripheral portion 41a sandwiched between the fitting portions of the divided housings 31 and 32, a thick and relatively hard disc portion 41b provided substantially at the center, and the outer periphery thereof. It has the flexible ring part 41c which has the flexibility which connects the part 41a and the disc part 41b. The disc portion 41b has an axial direction (in FIG. 1) because the flexible portion 41c is bent and deformed by the pressure of the washer liquid (more precisely, the pressure difference of the washer liquid discharged from the discharge pipes 3 and 4). It can be displaced in the horizontal direction).

  Here, the annular end edges 37a, 38a located inside the first and second outflow pipes 37, 38 function as valve seats for the membrane valve body 41, respectively. That is, the disc portion 41b of the membrane valve element 41 is displaced in the right direction by the pressure of the washer fluid, so that the right side surface thereof is in close contact with the end edge 37a to close the first outflow pipe 37. On the other hand, when the disc portion 41b is displaced leftward, the membranous valve body 41 closes the second outflow pipe 38 with the left side surface being in close contact with the edge 38a.

  In the valve mechanism 8, annular communication passages 51 and 52 are formed between the peripheral wall of the housing body 33 (excluding the fitting portion) and the first and second outflow pipes 37 and 38. A solid line arrow C and a one-dot chain line arrow D in FIG. 1 are formed by the communication passages 51 and 52, the first and second inflow pipes 35 and 36, and the first and second outflow pipes 37 and 38. 1 and 2, first and second outlet channels 6 and 7 for transporting the washer liquid are defined. Here, in the first and second outlet channels 6 and 7, the parts defined by the communication passages 51 and 52 and the first and second outflow pipes 37 and 38 are separated left and right by the membrane valve body 41. Thus, the flow paths are formed as mutually independent flow paths. Here, an example is shown in which the valve mechanism 8 is provided separately from the washer pump 5 and connected to each other. However, some or all of the components of the valve mechanism 8 may be integrated with the washer pump 5. Is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the sub valve mechanism 10 includes a first divided housing 61, a second divided housing 62 connected to one end side (here, the lower side) of the first divided housing 61, And a membrane valve body 63 made of a rubber diaphragm interposed between the two divided housings 61 and 22.

  The first divided housing 61 has a bottomed (here, the upper end is closed) cylindrical main body 71 and a horizontal surface (a direction perpendicular to the axial direction) extending from the peripheral surface of the main body 71. An inflow pipe 72 provided, a first branch pipe 73 extending in the axial direction so as to penetrate the center of the upper wall from the inside of the main body 71, and one end (here, the lower end) of the main body 71 And a hook-shaped portion 74 formed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface so as to protrude outward in the circumferential direction. The inflow pipe 72 communicates with the first outflow pipe 37 of the valve mechanism 8 through the pipe 9 (see FIG. 1).

  The second divided housing 62 has a bottomed (here, closed lower end) cylindrical main body 81 and extends vertically from the inside of the main body 81 through the center of the lower wall. An extended second branch pipe 83, and a hook-like portion 84 formed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface so as to project outward from one end (here, the upper end) of the main body portion 81 in the circumferential direction. Have The main body 81 has a smaller diameter than the main body 71 of the first split housing 61 and is disposed coaxially with the main body 71. The second branch pipe 83 has a smaller diameter than the first branch pipe 73 and is disposed coaxially with the first branch pipe 73.

  A fitting portion 91 that forms an outer peripheral edge that protrudes downward from the hook-shaped portion 74 is fitted inside a fitting portion 92 that forms an outer peripheral edge that protrudes upward from the hook-shaped portion 84. As shown in FIG. 4, the membrane valve body 63 includes an annular outer peripheral portion 63 a sandwiched between hook-shaped portions 74 and 84 that are connected to each other, and a relatively thick and relatively hard portion provided at the center. Disc part 63b and an annular flexible part 63c having flexibility connecting these outer peripheral part 63a and disc part 63b.

  The disc part 63b can be displaced in the axial direction (substantially up and down in FIG. 3) when the flexible part 63c is bent and deformed by the pressure of the washer liquid flowing into the inflow pipe 72. In addition, the flexible portion 63 c includes an inner peripheral flat plate portion 95 and a curved portion 96 having a convex cross section that continues to the outer peripheral side of the flat plate portion 95. A plurality of (here, three) through-holes (communication holes) 97 are formed in the flat plate portion 95 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A thick portion 97a having a circular cross section and projecting up and down the flexible portion 63c is formed.

  A compression spring 101 extending in the axial direction is attached to the outer periphery of the second branch pipe 83. The lower end of the compression spring 101 abuts on the upper surface of the lower wall of the main body 81, and the upper end of the compression spring 101 is fitted to the lower part of the disc part 63 b of the membrane valve 63. Here, the diameter of the disk portion 63b is substantially the same (slightly larger) as the coil diameter of the compression spring 101 by reducing the diameter of the lower portion thereof.

  Here, the annular end edges 73a and 83a located inside the first and second branch pipes 73 and 83 function as valve seats corresponding to the membrane valve body 63, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5A, in the initial state, the membrane valve body 63 closes the first branch pipe 73 with the upper surface of the disk portion 63b being in close contact with the edge 73a. At this time, since the disc part 63b is urged | biased upward (end edge 73a side) by the compression spring 101, it is possible to close the 1st branch pipe 73 reliably. On the other hand, when the pressure of the washer fluid flowing into the inflow pipe 72 exceeds a predetermined value, the disc-shaped valve portion 63 is displaced downward against the compression spring 101 by this pressure. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the lower surface of the disk portion 63b is in close contact with the end edge 83a to close the second branch pipe 83. At this time, all the through-holes 97 of the membranous valve body 63 are closed when the thickened portion 97a at the periphery thereof is in close contact with the upper surface (closed portion) of the flange-shaped portion 84.

  In the sub-valve mechanism 10, an annular communication path 111 is formed between the peripheral wall of the main body 71 in the first divided housing 61 and the first branch pipe 73. When the first branch pipe 73 is closed, the communication channel 113 and the second branch pipe 83 are used to transport the washer liquid as shown by an arrow E in FIG. Two distribution channels 114 are defined. At this time, the washer fluid flowing in from the first divided housing 61 side flows through the through holes 97 in the open state to the second divided housing 62 side. With such a configuration of the through hole 97, a mechanism for closing the first branch pipe 73 and opening the second branch pipe 83 according to the magnitude of the pressure of the washer liquid is realized with a simpler flow path configuration. be able to.

  Further, in the sub-valve mechanism 10, when the second branch pipe 83 and all the through holes 97 are closed, the communication path 111 and the first branch pipe 73 cause the arrow in FIG. As shown by F, a first distribution channel 112 for transporting the washer liquid is defined. At this time, the above-described second distribution channel 114 is in a state of being double-blocked not only by closing the second branch pipe 83 but also by closing all the through holes 97. A compression spring 101 is accommodated in the annular communication path 113 between the peripheral wall of the main body 81 and the second branch pipe 83 in the second divided housing 62.

  With such a configuration, the sub-valve mechanism 10 closes one of the two distribution flow paths 112 and 114 in accordance with the pressure of the washer liquid supplied from the valve mechanism 8 and the other distribution flow. A mechanism for opening the path can be easily realized. Here, although the example in which the sub valve mechanism 10 is connected to the valve mechanism 8 via the pipe 9 is shown, at least a part of the components of the sub valve mechanism 10 (for example, the inflow pipe 72) is connected to the valve mechanism 8. A structure provided integrally is also possible.

  The pump control device 11 incorporates an inverter circuit (not shown) composed of a microprocessor, a switching element, etc., and changes the duty ratio related to ON / OFF of the power supply of the electric motor 21 by a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) method. Thus, the rotation speed of the electric motor 21 is controlled. With this pump control device 11, the washer pump system 1 adjusts the pressure of the washer liquid guided to the first outlet channel 6 (that is, the first and second distribution channels 112 and 114 are closed or opened). To select). Further, even when a constant power supply voltage is supplied from the power supply, there is an advantage that it is easy to adjust the voltage applied to the electric motor 21. In FIG. 2, the pump control device 11 is attached to the washer pump 5, but may be provided separately from the washer pump 5.

  Next, a control method of the washer pump system 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when an operator (here, an automobile driver) performs a switch operation for supplying washer fluid, the pump control device 11 receives an execution command generated in response to the switch operation as a rear window, a front window, And the headlamp is determined. When the execution command is for the rear window (S101: Yes), the pump control device 11 controls the electric motor 21 to rotate forward (rotate in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1) at a low speed (S102). ). At this time, as indicated by an arrow D in FIG. 1, a low pressure (for example, pressure of 150 kPa) washer fluid is supplied toward the rear window via the second outlet channel 7.

  When the execution command is not for the rear window (S101: No) but for the front window (S104: Yes), the pump control device 11 rotates the electric motor 21 at low speed (arrow B in FIG. 1). (S105). At this time, as indicated by an arrow C in FIG. 1, a low pressure (for example, 150 kPa) washer fluid is supplied toward the sub-valve mechanism 10 via the first outlet channel 6. Further, in the sub valve mechanism 10, as indicated by an arrow E in FIG. 5A, a low pressure washer fluid is supplied toward the front window via the second distribution channel 114.

  If the execution command is not for the rear window or the front window (S101: No, S104: No), the pump control device 11 reverses the electric motor 21 at high speed (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1). (S107). At this time, as indicated by an arrow D in FIG. 1, a high-pressure (for example, pressure of 220 kPa) washer fluid is supplied toward the sub-valve mechanism 10 via the first outlet flow path 6. Further, in the sub-valve mechanism 10, as indicated by an arrow F in FIG. 5B, a high-pressure washer liquid is supplied toward the headlamp via the first distribution channel 112. In addition, since it is necessary to drop mud etc. only with the pressure of a washer liquid with respect to a headlamp, compared with a rear window and a front window, the washing | cleaning by the washer liquid of a high pressure and a large flow volume is effective.

  As described above, in the washer pump system 1 according to the present invention, the sub valve mechanism 10 that operates according to the pressure of the washer liquid is provided together with the washer pump 5, so that the simple configuration using one washer pump 5 is used. By controlling the rotation direction of the impeller 2 and the rotation operation of the impeller 2 in one rotation direction, the washer liquid is selectively supplied to three fluid supply paths (for the rear window, the front window, and the headlamp). It becomes possible to do. In the above embodiment, the sub-valve mechanism 10 is connected to the first outflow pipe 37 side, but can also be connected to the second outflow pipe 38 side. Further, by providing two sub-valve mechanisms respectively connected to both the first and second outflow pipes 37 and 38, it becomes possible to selectively supply the washer liquid to the four fluid supply paths.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on specific embodiments, the above embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, the washer pump system and the control method thereof according to the present invention can be used not only for the rear window, the front window, and the headlamp as described above, but also for selectively supplying the washer liquid to three or four arbitrary fluid supply paths. It can be used for supplying purposes.

1 Washer pump system 2 Impeller 3 First discharge pipe (discharge port)
4 Second discharge pipe (discharge port)
5 Washer pump (pump device)
6 First outlet channel 7 Second outlet channel 8 Valve mechanism 10 Sub valve mechanism 11 Pump control device 21 Electric motor 35 First inflow pipe 36 Second inflow pipe 37 First outflow pipe 38 Second outflow Pipe 63 Membrane valve body 63a Outer peripheral part 63b Disk part 63c Flexible part 72 Inflow pipe 73 First branch pipe 83 Second branch pipe 97 Through hole (communication hole)
101 Compression spring (biasing means)
112 1st distribution flow path 114 2nd distribution flow path

Claims (5)

A washer pump system for selectively supplying washer fluid to a plurality of fluid supply paths,
A pump device having two discharge ports for discharging the washer liquid each with a discharge pressure whose magnitude relationship is reversed according to the rotation direction of the impeller;
There are first and second outlet passages communicating with the respective outlets, and the lower outlet side of the two outlet passages according to the pressure difference of the washer liquid discharged from each outlet. A valve mechanism that closes the flow path and opens the outlet flow path on the high-pressure side;
A sub valve mechanism connected to the valve mechanism;
A pump control device for controlling the rotational operation of the impeller,
The sub-valve mechanism operates according to the magnitude of the pressure of the washer liquid discharged from the first and second distribution flow channels communicating with the first discharge flow channel and the first discharge flow channel. Have
In the initial state, the valve body closes one of the two distribution channels and opens the other, while being displaced or deformed by a pressure higher than a predetermined level of the washer liquid, thereby the one distribution channel. A washer comprising a diaphragm for opening the other distribution channel and closing the other distribution channel, and having a communication hole for communicating the first lead-out channel and the other distribution channel in the initial state Pump system. The sub-valve mechanism is characterized by further comprising biasing means for biasing the valve body in a direction against the displacement or deformation of the valve body by the pressure of the washer fluid, washer pump according to claim 1 system. A method for controlling a washer pump system according to claim 1,
The pump control device controls the rotation direction of the impeller and the rotation operation of the impeller in at least one rotation direction, whereby the second lead-out flow path, the first distribution flow path, and the second A method for controlling a washer pump system, wherein a washer liquid is selectively supplied to any one of the distribution flow paths. The pump device has an electric motor that rotationally drives the impeller,
The method of controlling the washer pump system according to claim 3 , wherein the pump control device controls a rotation speed of the impeller by adjusting a driving voltage of the electric motor. The method of controlling a washer pump system according to claim 4 , wherein the pump control device performs duty control on a voltage applied to the electric motor.

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