JPH05238358A - Window washer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically produce a washer solution in a given mixture ratio (concentration) only by supplying water to a washer tank for storing a washer solution and to change concentration of the washer solution depending on a summer season and a winter season. CONSTITUTION:A float 13 is arranged in a washer tank 7, and also a turbine 9 rotationally driven according to rising movement of the float 13 is provided. A washer stock solution 4 in an amount responding to an amount of water supplied in the washer tank 7 is fed from a tank 5 for a washer stock solution use to the washer tank 7 with the aid of the turbine 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a window washer device for cleaning windshields of automobiles and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the engine room of an automobile,
A window washer device for ejecting washer liquid is installed on the front surface of the windshield. This window washer device is a washer tank that stores a washer solution that is a mixture of undiluted washer solution and water, a washer nozzle that is connected to this tank, and the washer solution in the tank is pressure-fed from the washer nozzle to the front window. It is composed of a pump or the like for injecting it onto the front surface of the glass.

By the way, conventionally, the driver manually mixes the washer solution and water at a certain ratio to prepare a washer solution, and the washer solution is poured into a washer tank for storage. It is the actual situation. In winter, it is necessary to increase the mixing ratio of the washer stock solution in order to prevent the washer solution from freezing.
Therefore, it is desirable that the mixing ratio of the undiluted washer solution be different in winter and summer.

[0004]

As described above, in the past, the driver himself had to manually mix the washer stock solution and the water each time the water was poured, and moreover, the washer stock solution and the water were mixed together. The mixing ratio had to be changed between winter and summer, and its management was very troublesome.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to automatically mix a stock solution of washer and water without a manual operation of a driver. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a window washer device which can be used to obtain a washer liquid having a predetermined mixing ratio.

A second object of the present invention is to change the mixing ratio of the washer undiluted solution and water by operating the switching operation mechanism, so that the desired mixing ratio can be set in winter and summer. It is to provide a window washer device.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned first object, in the present invention, a tank dedicated to washer concentrate and a washer tank for storing a mixture of the washer concentrate and water as a washer liquid are separately provided. In a window washer device configured to inject the washer liquid in the washer tank through a washer nozzle, a float is arranged in the washer tank, and a turbine that is driven to rotate according to an upward movement of the float is installed. The washer stock solution is provided by the turbine from the tank dedicated to the washer stock solution into the washer tank in an amount corresponding to the amount of water supplied to the washer tank.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned second object, according to the present invention, the float is attached to a free end of a rotary shaft so as to be movable in the axial direction of the rotary shaft, and the float is rotated. A switching operation means for switching the relative position of the float in the axial direction of the moving shaft is provided, and the mixing ratio of the washer stock solution and water is changed by the switching operation of the switching operation means.

[0009]

[Function] As the water in the washer tank that stores the washer liquid is replenished, the float in the washer tank moves upward, and the turbine is rotated accordingly, and the amount of undiluted washer liquid corresponding to the amount of water replenished Is supplied to the washer tank. As a result, the makeup water and the washer undiluted solution are mixed in the washer tank to obtain a washer solution having a predetermined mixing ratio.

Further, by operating the switching operation means, the float in the washer tank is moved along the axial direction of the rotary shaft, and the relative position of the float with respect to the rotary shaft is switched. In response to this, the rotation angle of the rotation shaft with respect to the increment of the same amount of water is changed, and thus the mixing ratio of the water and the washer undiluted solution is changed.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an automobile 2 equipped with a window washer device 1 according to the present invention.
Are arranged in the engine room 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the window washer device 1 described above includes a washer undiluted solution dedicated tank 5 for storing the undiluted washer solution 4, and a washer solution composed of a mixed solution of the washer undiluted solution 4 and water. A washer tank 7 for storing 6 is separately provided. And the washer tank 7 and the washer undiluted solution tank 5
Are connected to each other via a connecting pipe 8, and a turbine 9 is arranged in the middle of the connecting pipe 8.

On the other hand, inside the washer tank 7, a float mechanism 10 is provided. This float mechanism 1
As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, 0 is one straight rotation shaft 11 and this rotation shaft 1
The rotation center shaft 12 is fixed to the base end 11a of the first rotation shaft 11, and the float 13 is attached to the free end 11b of the rotation shaft 11 so as to be movable along the axial direction of the rotation shaft 11. The rotation center shaft 12 is attached to the upper portion of the washer tank 7 so as to be rotatable about its axis (perpendicular to the axis of the rotation shaft 11) (see FIG. 5). 12 and the rotating shaft 9a of the turbine 9 are coaxially connected to each other via a ratchet mechanism (not shown). Thus, due to the function of the ratchet mechanism, the rotating shaft 9a of the turbine 9 is rotated only when the rotating center shaft 12 is rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 3 and 5 as the float 13 moves upward. It is configured to be integrally driven with the central shaft 12 so as to be rotationally driven. When the float 13 moves downward, the rotation center shaft 12 is the rotation shaft 9a of the turbine 9.
In contrast to this, the shaft 9a is made to rotate in the direction of arrow B relative to the shaft B, so that in this case the rotary shaft 9a of the turbine 9 is not driven to rotate.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a hollow portion 15 is formed in the axis of the rotating shaft 11, and the end face on the base end 11a side communicates with the hollow portion 15. An opening 16 is formed. Further, the rotating shaft 11
A pair of slits 17a, 17b communicating with the hollow portion 15 is formed at a position on the free end 11b side of the float 13, and a central connecting portion 13a integrally formed at the central part of the float 13 has a pair of slits 17a, which face each other. 17b and the hollow portion 15 are so arranged as to penetrate therethrough. The peripheral surfaces of the recesses 13b and 13c of the float 13 formed on both sides of the central connecting portion 13a and the rotating shaft 1
1 and 1 are in sliding contact with each other.

An operating rod 18 is connected to the central connecting portion 13a of the float 13, and the operating rod 18 passes through the hollow portion 15 of the rotating shaft 11 and its tip 18a is pulled out from the opening 16 to the outside. It is connected to the operation wire 22. The operation rod 18 is configured to be appropriately operated by the switching operation means 19 shown in FIG. That is, in this example, as shown in FIG.
A room temperature adjusting lever 21 of a heater (air conditioner) arranged on the instrument panel 20 is used as a switching operation means 19. By operating this lever 21, the operation rod 18 and thus the float 13 are shown via an operation wire 22. 7 and 8, the movement is switched by pulling in the directions of arrows C and D.

On the other hand, the washer liquid 6 in the washer tank 7 is supplied from the washer nozzle 25 attached to the front hood 24 to the front window by operating the electric pump 23 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). It is configured to be jetted toward the glass 26.

Next, the function of the window washer device 1 configured as described above will be described.

First, in the summer, the float 13 is fixed to the free end 11b of the rotary shaft 11 at the end side in response to the room temperature adjusting lever 21 being set at the low temperature side, as shown in FIG. Will be placed. So in this case,
As shown in FIG. 5A, the rotation center shaft 12 and the float 1
3, the length, that is, the turning radius L ₁ is relatively long.

Thus, as the washer liquid 6 is used, the washer liquid 6 in the washer tank 7 decreases and the liquid surface 6
When a decreases, the float 13 descends following the liquid surface 6a as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5 (a). In response to this, the rotation center shaft 12 rotates, but the rotation center shaft 12 idles with respect to the rotation shaft 9a of the turbine 9 due to the function of the ratchet mechanism (not shown). To be placed.

When water is replenished to the washer tank 7 when the float 13 has descended to some extent, the liquid surface 6a of the washer liquid 6 rises accordingly, and the float 13 is shown by a chain line in FIG. 5 (a). As shown by, rises following the liquid surface 6a. At this time, the rotation shaft 11 rotates together with the rotation center shaft 12 about the axis of the rotation center shaft 12, and the rotation center shaft 12 and the rotation shaft 9a of the turbine 9 rotate.
By the function of the ratchet mechanism between and, the rotating shaft 9a is rotationally driven by an amount corresponding to the amount of increase of the liquid surface 6a, that is, the amount of water supplied (increase amount). Then, this rotating shaft 9a
A plurality of moving blades 9b mounted around the
As a result, the washer undiluted solution 4 in an amount corresponding to the amount of makeup water is sucked from the washer undiluted solution dedicated tank 5 and supplied into the washer tank 7 through the connecting pipe 8. As a result, the water and the washer undiluted solution 4 respectively supplied to the washer tank 7 are mixed at a predetermined mixing ratio and stored in the washer tank 7.

In winter, the operating wire 22 is actuated and the operating rod 18 is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow D in FIG. 8 in response to the room temperature adjusting lever 21 being set to the high temperature side. Along with this, the central connecting portion 1 of the float 13
Since 3a is slidably moved in the slits 17a and 17b, the float 13 is fixedly arranged at a position moved to the rotation center shaft 12 side along the axial direction of the rotation shaft 11. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the length between the rotation center shaft 12 and the float 13, that is, the rotation radius L ₂ is relatively short (L ₂ <L ₁ ). It will be rotated. Then, under this state, as in the case described above, the float mechanism 10 and the ratchet mechanism are activated, and the washer stock solution 4 is injected into the washer tank 7.

According to such a window washer device 1, the float 1 with respect to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 11 is shown.
Since the turning radius is switched to L ₁ or L ₂ according to the movement position of 3, the turning angle of the turning shaft 11 (for example, even if the amount of water injected into the washer tank 7 is the same).
The angles indicated by α and β in FIGS. 5A and 5B are made different (α <β), and as the turning radius becomes shorter, more washer stock solution 4 is supplied to the washer tank 7. .. That is, the turning radius L ₁ in the summer
When the length (see FIG. 5 (a)) is lengthened, the supply ratio of the washer stock solution 4 to the makeup water becomes relatively small,
The washer liquid 6 having a low concentration is stored in the washer tank 7. Also, in the winter season, the turning radius L ₂ (Fig. 5 (b))
In the case where the washer stock solution 4 is shortened, the ratio of the washer stock solution 4 to the makeup water is relatively large, and the washer solution 6 having a high concentration is stored in the washer tank 7. Therefore, it can be used in summer and winter respectively.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the room temperature adjusting lever 21 arranged on the instrument panel 20 is used as a switching operation means for changing the position of the float 13 with respect to the rotating shaft 11. The concentration of the washer liquid 6 is appropriately switched according to the seasonal change of No. 3, which is very practical without requiring the driver's hand.

The above is a description of one embodiment of the present invention.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention. For example, the configuration for moving the float 13 with respect to the rotating shaft 11 can be changed in various ways. Also,
As the switching means for switching the relative position of the float 13,
Not limited to the room temperature adjusting lever 21, a summer / winter switching button or the like may be provided exclusively.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, the turbine which is rotationally driven in response to the upward movement of the float in the washer tank is provided and the washer stock solution is supplied into the washer tank by this turbine. Therefore, simply by replenishing the washer tank with water, the washer stock solution is automatically injected into the washer tank, mixed with water, and stored as a washer solution. Therefore, it is not necessary for the driver to manually mix the water and the washer undiluted solution to make the washer solution, and the washer solution having a predetermined mixing ratio (concentration) is automatically provided only by supplying the water to the washer tank. Can be obtained.

Further, in the present invention, since the switching operation means for switching the relative position of the float in the axial direction of the rotating shaft is provided, the mixing ratio of the water and the washer stock solution can be adjusted only by operating the switching operation means. It can be changed arbitrarily. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a washer solution having a low concentration in the summer and a wash solution having a high concentration in the winter.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile equipped with a window washer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a window washer device arranged in an engine room.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of a window washer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing a rotating operation of the float mechanism in summer, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing a rotating operation of the float mechanism in winter.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a float mechanism.

7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6, showing the position of the float in the summer.

FIG. 8 is a view showing the position of the float in winter.
It is a sectional view similar to FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Window washer device 2 Car 4 Washer stock solution 5 Washer stock solution tank 6 Washer solution 7 Washer tank 9 Turbine 10 Float mechanism 11 Rotating shaft 11a Base end 11b Free end 12 Rotation center axis 13 Float 19 Switching operation means 21 Room temperature adjustment lever 25 Washer nozzle L ₁ , L ₂ Rotation radius α, β Rotation angle

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A washer stock solution dedicated tank and a washer tank for storing a mixed solution of washer stock solution and water as a washer solution are separately provided, and the washer solution in the washer tank is jetted through a washer nozzle. In the window washer device, a float is arranged in the washer tank, and a turbine that is rotationally driven according to the upward movement of the float is provided.
A window washer device configured to supply the washer stock solution in an amount corresponding to the amount of water replenished into the washer tank from the tank dedicated to the washer solution into the washer tank by the turbine. 2. A switch for mounting the float on a free end of a rotary shaft so as to be movable in the axial direction of the rotary shaft, and for switching a relative position of the float in the axial direction of the rotary shaft. 2. The window washer device according to claim 1, wherein an operating means is provided, and the mixing ratio of the washer stock solution and water is changed by the switching operation of the switching operation means.