JP5758682B2 - Cleaning device for vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp cleaning apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technical field in which a cylinder is formed in a shape that opens in a direction in which a piston protrudes to reduce manufacturing costs by reducing the number of parts.

  There is a cleaning device that cleans the surface of the cover of a vehicle headlamp by ejecting a cleaning liquid from an injection nozzle partly protruding from an opening formed in a vehicle body or a bumper.

  The cleaning device includes a valve case having an injection nozzle that is provided on the front end side and injects cleaning liquid, a piston to which the valve case is connected, and a cylinder that movably supports the piston, and is attached to a vehicle body or a bumper by a bracket. Yes.

  In such a cleaning device, the valve case and a part of the piston protrude forward from the opening formed in the vehicle body or the bumper, and the cleaning liquid is injected from the injection nozzle to perform cleaning. The valve case and the piston are retracted and housed inside (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The cleaning device described in Patent Document 1 includes a cylinder opened rearward, a piston movably supported by the cylinder in a state in which a part projects forward from the cylinder, and a cap closing the opening at the rear end of the cylinder. (Joint).

  In the cleaning device described in Patent Document 1, an O-ring is provided between the cylinder and the cap to ensure the sealing of both, and an annular formed by a rubber material or the like at the rear end of the piston The seal body is attached. Therefore, when the cleaning liquid is supplied from the supply tank to the inside of the cylinder through the cap, liquid leakage from the cylinder is prevented by the O-ring, and the cleaning liquid is forwarded to the front side of the sealing body inside the cylinder by the sealing body. Inflow is prevented.

JP 2006-151151 A

  However, in the cleaning device described in Patent Document 1, a cap is attached to the rear end of the cylinder, and the cleaning liquid is supplied to the cylinder through the cap. There is a problem that it is necessary to arrange an O-ring for ensuring the sealing property of both, and there is a problem that the number of parts is large and the manufacturing cost is high.

  Therefore, an object of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention is to reduce the manufacturing cost by reducing the number of parts.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a vehicular lamp cleaning apparatus is provided with a connecting portion to which a connecting pipe for feeding a cleaning liquid from a supply tank is connected to one end portion in the axial direction, and the other end in the axial direction is opened. A cylinder having an opening formed therein, a piston supported by the cylinder so as to be movable in the axial direction in a state in which part of the piston projects from the opening, and an injection nozzle for injecting the cleaning liquid. A valve case coupled to one end in the axial direction; and a cap attached to the other end of the cylinder and closing a gap between the cylinder and the piston in the opening , and the piston is supported by the cylinder. In this state, a tension coil spring is supported between the cylinder and the piston, and the tension coil spring is An intermediate portion to be inserted into parts and has an annular engagement portion to be supported by the outer fitting shape to the intermediate part spring support portion which is wound formed in the piston with a large diameter than.

  Therefore, in the vehicular lamp cleaning apparatus, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the inside of the cylinder through the connecting portion provided in the cylinder.

The vehicular lamp cleaning apparatus of the present invention is a cylinder in which a connecting portion to which a connecting pipe for sending a cleaning liquid from a supply tank is connected is provided at one end portion in the axial direction and the other end in the axial direction is opened to form an opening A piston partly protruding from the opening and supported by the cylinder so as to be movable in the axial direction; and an injection nozzle for injecting the cleaning liquid at one end of the piston in the axial direction. A valve case coupled to the other end of the cylinder, and a cap that closes a gap between the cylinder and the piston in the opening , and the piston is supported by the cylinder; A tension coil spring is supported between the pistons, and the tension coil spring includes an intermediate portion inserted into the piston. Characterized in that it has an annular engagement portion to be supported by the outer fitting shape to the intermediate part spring support portion which is wound formed in the piston with a large diameter than.

  Therefore, since the connecting portion is provided in the cylinder, there is no need to provide an O-ring for preventing the liquid leakage from the cylinder of the cleaning liquid, and accordingly, the manufacturing cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts. it can.

  In the invention described in claim 2, a dust cover is attached to the cap or the other end of the cylinder from the outside so as to cover the cap from the outside and the inner peripheral portion of the cap contacts the outer peripheral surface of the piston.

  Therefore, the dust cover can prevent dust and moisture from entering the cylinder.

  In the invention described in claim 3, the cylinder is held by a bracket attached to a vehicle body or a bumper, a pressing portion is provided on the bracket, and the dust cover is pressed from the outside by the pressing portion. .

  Therefore, the dust cover is prevented from falling off from the cap and the cylinder, and a good function of the dust cover can be secured.

  The best mode for carrying out the vehicular lamp cleaning apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The cleaning device 1 includes a cylinder 2, a piston 3 supported by the cylinder 2 so as to be movable in the axial direction (front-rear direction), and a valve case 4 connected to the front end of the piston 3 (FIGS. 1 to 3). reference).

  The cylinder 2 protrudes rearward from the cylindrical portion 5 formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction, the rear surface portion 6 projecting inward from the rear end portion of the cylindrical portion 5, and the inner peripheral portion of the rear surface portion 6. And a connecting portion 7.

  The front end of the cylindrical portion 5 is opened forward to form an opening 5a.

  The central hole of the rear surface portion 6 is formed as an inflow hole 6a, and the rear surface portion 6 is provided with a spring hooking protrusion 6b protruding from the inner peripheral surface.

  The connecting portion 7 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Connected to the connecting portion 7 is a connecting tube (tube) 100 connected to a supply tank (not shown) in which a cleaning liquid described later is stored.

  The piston 3 includes a cylindrical portion 8 that extends in the front-rear direction, a support engagement portion 9 that protrudes forward from the front end portion of the cylindrical portion 8, and a flange portion 10 that protrudes outward from a position near the rear end of the cylindrical portion 8. Have.

  For example, the cylindrical portion 8 has a regular hexagonal cross-sectional shape. The front end portion of the cylindrical portion 8 is provided as a piston side fitting portion 11.

  The support engagement portion 9 has an outer shape smaller than the outer shape of the cylinder portion 8, and includes a cylindrical coupling cylinder portion 12 continuous to the cylinder portion 8 and a spring support portion 13 protruding forward from the coupling cylinder portion 12. .

  The coupling cylinder portion 12 has an outer diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the spring support portion 13, and an outer peripheral portion on the front surface is formed as a spring receiving surface 12a.

  The spring support portion 13 is formed in a semicircular arc shape.

  A seal body 14 is attached to the rear side of the flange portion 10. The seal body 14 is made of an elastically deformable material such as a rubber material, and has an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 5 of the cylinder 2.

  The internal space of the piston 3 is formed as a first flow path 3a through which the cleaning liquid flows.

  A portion of the piston 3 excluding the front end portion is inserted into the cylinder 2 from the front, and is supported by the cylinder 2 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. In a state where the piston 3 is inserted and supported in the cylinder 2, the outer peripheral portion of the seal body 14 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 2, and the cleaning liquid is supplied to the inside of the cylinder 2 from the seal body 14. Inflow of the cleaning liquid to the front side is also prevented.

  In a state where the piston 3 is supported by the cylinder 2, a cap 15 is attached to the front end portion of the cylinder 2. The cap 15 is formed in a substantially annular shape, and is attached to the front end portion of the cylinder 2 in a state of being fitted on the cylinder portion 8 of the piston 3. The gap between the cylinder 2 and the piston 3 in the opening 5 a of the cylinder 2 is closed by the cap 15.

  A dust cover 16 is attached to the front side of the cap 15. The dust cover 16 is formed in a substantially annular shape by an elastically deformable material such as a rubber material, and its inner peripheral surface is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 8 of the piston 3. Therefore, the dust cover 16 prevents entry of dust, moisture, etc. into the cylinder 2.

  When the piston 3 is moved in the front-rear direction with respect to the cylinder 2, the seal body 14 is slid on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 2, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 8 of the piston 3 is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the dust cover 16. To be slid.

  In a state where the piston 3 is supported by the cylinder 2, the tension coil spring 17 is supported between the cylinder 2 and the piston 3. The tension coil spring 17 is provided as an intermediate portion 17a wound at the same diameter except for the front and rear ends, and the front end portion is provided as an annular engagement portion 17b wound at a larger diameter than the intermediate portion 17a. The portion is provided as a hooking portion 17c formed in a hook shape.

  A portion of the tension coil spring 17 other than the annular engagement portion 17b is inserted into the piston 3 from the front (see FIG. 4). When the tension coil spring 17 is inserted into the piston 3 from the front, the annular engagement portion 17b is supported on the spring support portion 13 of the piston 3 in an outer fitting manner, and the rear surface of the annular engagement portion 17b is the coupling cylinder portion 12. Is pressed against the spring receiving surface 12a (see FIG. 5). The hooking portion 17c of the tension coil spring 17 protrudes rearward from the inside of the piston 3 and is engaged with and supported by the spring hooking projection 6b of the cylinder 2 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  Accordingly, the piston 3 is urged rearward with respect to the cylinder 2 by the tension coil spring 17, and the rear end surface is pressed against the front surface of the rear surface portion 6 of the cylinder 2. The position where the rear end surface of the piston 3 is pressed against the front surface of the rear surface portion 6 is the storage position of the piston 3.

  The valve case 4 has a base portion 18 and a pair of nozzle holding portions 19 and 19 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

  The base portion 18 includes a substantially cylindrical coupling holding portion 20 that extends in the front-rear direction and a cylindrical coupling protrusion 21 that is continuous with the rear end of the coupling holding portion 20.

  The coupling holding part 20 is closed by a lid member 22 attached to the front end part. An urging spring 23 is disposed inside the coupling holding portion 20 (see FIG. 6). The biasing spring 23 is, for example, a compression coil spring, and the front end is attached to the lid member 22. A valve 24 is attached to the rear end portion of the urging spring 23. A substantially annular restricting portion 25 projecting inward is provided at the rear end portion of the coupling holding portion 20.

  In a state where no force in the compression direction (forward) is applied to the urging spring 23, the valve 24 is pressed against the restricting portion 25 from the front.

  The internal space of the coupling protrusion 21 in the valve case 4 is formed as a second flow path 4a through which the cleaning liquid flows.

  The coupling protrusion 21 includes a throttle portion 26 that is continuous with the coupling holding portion 20 and a same-diameter portion 27 that is continuous with the rear end of the throttle portion 26. The narrowed portion 26 is formed in a shape that decreases in diameter as it goes forward. The rear end portion of the coupling protrusion 21 is provided as a case side fitting portion 28.

  The nozzle holding portions 19, 19 protrude from the rear end portion of the coupling holding portion 20 to the side (outward), and the internal spaces communicate with the internal space of the coupling holding portion 20. Internal spaces from the rear end portion of the coupling holding portion 20 to the outer end portions of the nozzle holding portions 19 and 19 are formed as third flow paths 4b and 4b through which the cleaning liquid flows, respectively.

  The nozzle holding portions 19 and 19 hold injection nozzles 29 and 29 at outer ends, respectively. The injection ports 29a and 29a of the injection nozzles 29 and 29 are communicated with the third flow paths 4b and 4b, respectively, and the injection holes 29a and 29a are open holes to the atmosphere of the air existing in the third flow paths 4b and 4b, respectively. Function as.

  As described above, the second flow path 4a and the third flow path branched from the second flow path 4a to the left and right are communicated with the injection ports 29a and 29a of the injection nozzles 29 and 29, respectively, inside the valve case 4. Channels 4b and 4b are formed, and a continuous portion of the second flow path 4a and the third flow paths 4b and 4b is formed as a branch portion 30.

  A valve 24 attached to the rear end portion of the urging spring 23 is located at the branch portion 30. Therefore, when the valve 24 is moved and the tension coil spring 17 is expanded and contracted in the front-rear direction, the branch portion 30 is opened and closed by the valve 24.

  The valve case 4 is coupled to the piston 3 by press fitting into a coupling projection 21 fitted on the coupling cylinder 12.

  When the valve case 4 is coupled to the piston 3, the case side fitting portion 28 is fitted to the piston side fitting portion 11.

  A nozzle cover 31 is coupled to the valve case 4 (see FIG. 7). The nozzle cover 31 functions as a cover that opens and closes an opening formed in a vehicle body or a bumper described later as the piston 3 moves. The nozzle cover 31 has a cover portion 32 formed in a shape according to the design of the vehicle, such as a horizontally long flat plate facing in the front-rear direction, and a coupling portion 33 protruding rearward from the cover portion 32 and formed in a cylindrical shape. (See FIG. 7).

  The nozzle cover 31 is moved rearward relative to the valve case 4 and is coupled to the valve case 4 by fitting the coupling portion 33 to the coupling holding portion 20.

  The cleaning device 1 is attached to the vehicle body 200, a bumper, or a vehicle headlamp by a bracket 50 (see FIGS. 1 and 8). The bracket 50 includes a cylindrical cylinder holding portion 51, a cylindrical closing portion 52 protruding forward from the cylinder holding portion 51, and attached portions 53, 53,... Protruding outward from the cylinder holding portion 51. Consists of.

  A pressing portion 51a projecting inward is provided at the front end of the cylinder holding portion 51 (see FIG. 8).

  The blocking part 52 is formed in a horizontally long substantially rectangular tube shape.

  In the bracket 50, the cylinder holding portion 51 is attached to the front end portion of the cylinder 2 with the closing portion 52 covering the valve case 4, and the attached portions 53, 53,. It is attached to the headlight by using screws. Accordingly, the cleaning device 1 is attached to the vehicle body 200, the bumper, or the vehicle headlamp by the bracket 50.

  In a state where the bracket 50 is attached to the vehicle body 200, the bumper or the vehicle headlamp, the front end surface of the closing portion 52 is on the rear opening edge of the opening 200a formed in the vehicle body 200, the bumper or the vehicle headlamp. It is abutted from behind. Therefore, entry of dust or the like into the inside of the valve case 4 or the like is prevented by the closing portion 52.

  In a state where the bracket 50 is attached to the vehicle body 200, a bumper, or a vehicle headlamp, the dust cover 16 is pressed from the outside by the pressing portion 51 a of the cylinder holding portion 51. Therefore, the dust cover 16 is prevented from falling off from the cap 15 and the cylinder 2, and a good function of the dust cover 16 is ensured.

  In the cleaning device 1 configured as described above, the piston 3 is urged rearward by the urging force of the tension coil spring 17 in the storage state stored inside the vehicle. The outer peripheral portion is in close contact with the front opening edge of the opening 200a formed in the vehicle body 200, the bumper or the vehicle headlamp, and the opening 200a is closed (see FIG. 8).

  At this time, the valve 24 is pressed against the restricting portion 25 by the biasing spring 23 disposed inside the valve case 4, and the second flow path 4 a and the third flow paths 4 b and 4 b are separated by the valve 24. (See FIG. 6).

  When the cleaning liquid is supplied from the supply tank to the inside of the piston 3 through the connecting pipe 100 in the above-described storage state, the cleaning liquid passes through the first flow path 3a of the piston 3 and the second flow path of the valve case 4. 4a. At this time, since the valve 24 is closed, the cleaning liquid does not flow into the third flow paths 4b and 4b.

  When the cleaning liquid flows into the second flow path 4a, the supplied cleaning liquid increases the internal pressure, the extension coil spring 17 is extended, the piston 3 protrudes forward from the cylinder 2, and the piston 3 moves forward. Accordingly, the valve case 4 and the nozzle cover 31 are integrally moved forward (see FIG. 9). When the valve case 4 is moved forward, the opening 200a of the vehicle body 200, the bumper or the vehicle headlamp is opened, and the valve case 4 protrudes forward from the opening 200a.

  When the flange portion 10 of the piston 3 contacts the cap 15 attached to the front end portion of the cylinder 2, the forward movement of the piston 3 and the like is stopped. When the forward movement of the piston 3 or the like is stopped, the internal pressure is further increased by the supplied cleaning liquid, the valve 24 is opened, the biasing spring 23 is compressed, and the cleaning liquid flows from the second flow path 4a to the third flow path. Flow into the flow paths 4b and 4b (see FIG. 10). The cleaning liquid 300 that has flowed into the third flow paths 4b and 4b from the second flow path 4a is sprayed from the spray ports 29a and 29a of the spray nozzles 29 and 29 toward the cover 400 of the vehicular headlamp. The cover 400 is cleaned with the cleaning liquid 300 (see FIG. 9).

  When the supply of the cleaning liquid from the supply tank is stopped, the internal pressure is reduced, the biasing spring 23 is extended, the valve 24 is closed, and the injection of the cleaning liquid 300 from the injection nozzles 29 and 29 is stopped.

  When the internal pressure further decreases, the urging force of the tension coil spring 17 moves the piston 3, the valve case 4 and the nozzle cover 31 rearward to return them to the retracted state (see FIG. 8).

  The shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the best mode for carrying out the invention described above are merely examples of the embodiments performed in practicing the present invention. The range should not be interpreted in a limited way.

FIG. 2 to FIG. 10 show the best mode of the vehicular lamp cleaning apparatus of the present invention, and this figure is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus shown together with a bracket. It is sectional drawing of a washing | cleaning apparatus. It is a side view which shows a washing | cleaning apparatus partially in cross section. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the state by which a tension coil spring is inserted in a piston. It is a perspective view which shows the state from which the valve case was isolate | separated from the piston. It is an enlarged top view which shows the state by which the valve is obstruct | occluded by making a part into a cross section. It is a perspective view which shows the state from which the nozzle cover was isolate | separated from the valve case. It is a side view which shows the state before a washing | cleaning liquid is injected in part in cross section. It is a side view which shows the state by which the washing | cleaning liquid is injected in part in cross section. It is an enlarged plan view which shows the state which supplied the washing | cleaning liquid and opened the valve partly in cross section.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cleaning apparatus, 2 ... Cylinder, 3 ... Piston, 4 ... Valve case, 7 ... Connection part, 13 ... Spring support part, 15 ... Cap, 16 ... Dust cover, 17 ... Extension coil spring, 17a ... Middle part, 17b annular Engagement part 29 ... Injection nozzle, 50 ... Bracket, 51a ... Holding part, 100 ... Connecting pipe, 200 ... Car body, 300 ... Cleaning fluid

Claims (3)

A connecting part connected to a connecting pipe for sending a cleaning liquid from a supply tank to one end part in the axial direction, and a cylinder in which the other end in the axial direction is opened to form an opening;
A piston that is supported by the cylinder so as to be movable in the axial direction with a portion protruding from the opening;
A valve case having an injection nozzle for injecting the cleaning liquid and coupled to one end of the piston in the axial direction;
A cap that is attached to the other end of the cylinder and that closes a gap between the cylinder and the piston in the opening;
In a state where the piston is supported by the cylinder, a tension coil spring is supported between the cylinder and the piston,
The tension coil spring includes an intermediate portion inserted into the piston, and an annular engagement portion that is wound with a larger diameter than the intermediate portion and is externally supported by a spring support portion formed on the piston. A vehicular lamp cleaning apparatus characterized by the above. 2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein a dust cover is attached to the cap or the other end of the cylinder from the outside so as to cover an inner periphery of the cap with an outer peripheral surface of the piston. Cleaning device. The cylinder is held by a bracket attached to the vehicle body or bumper,
A holding part is provided on the bracket,
The vehicle lamp cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the dust cover is pressed from outside by the pressing portion.

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