WO2010043383A1 - Washing system for vehicle windows and check valve for such a system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a washing system for vehicle windows, especially for vehicle windscreens (25), comprising at least one nozzle opening connected to a source providing (2) the cleaning and washing liquid controlled under pressure via a liquid connection (5, 5a, 5b), for the controlled ejection of a cleaning and washing liquid onto the vehicle window. Said system comprises at least one electrical heating element (9) that at least partially extends into the liquid connection (5). The invention is characterised in that the at least one heating element (9) reaches through at least one valve (8, 8a) arranged in the liquid connection (5, 5a, 5b), which, as a check valve, opens when the washing system is activated, to transfer the cleaning and washing liquid to the at least one nozzle opening (7, 33), and closes when the washing system is not activated.

Description

 Washer for vehicle windows and check valve for such

investment

The invention relates to a washing system for vehicles according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a check valve according to the preamble of claim 21.

Washers for vehicle windows, i. for controlled application of a cleaning and washing liquid (usually water, optionally with cleaning and / or antifreeze additives) are known in various designs and basically consist of a formed by a tank for the cleaning and washing liquid and at least one pump, the over at least one fluid connection providing the cleaning and washing fluid controlled at at least one nozzle opening for application to the vehicle window. The at least one nozzle opening is, for example, the nozzle opening of at least one washing nozzle arranged on the vehicle or on the vehicle body, or else a nozzle opening, which is preferably provided together with further nozzle openings on a wiper blade of a windshield wiper system.

In such washing systems, it is known to provide at least one check valve in the fluid connection formed, for example, by at least one hose line, which prevents the liquid connection from running empty when the washing system is not activated, so that each time the washing system is activated, for example manually or via an interval circuit, without a significant delay the cleaning and washing liquid is applied immediately to the vehicle window. The disadvantage here is that with insufficient freeze protection in the cleaning and washing liquid can freeze this in the cold season in the liquid compound and where the liquid connection is not heated or heated, for example, does not pass through a heated or heated space of the vehicle, a Thawing the frozen fluid connection made extremely difficult. It is known (DE 197 45 534 A1) to form a washing nozzle for discharging the cleaning and washing liquid with a valve which has the function of a combined non-return and vent valve, in the form that this valve in the initial state in the housing the washing nozzle formed liquid channel to a leading to the washing nozzle vehicle-side liquid line blocks, simultaneously vents the washing nozzle side liquid channel at least in a partial area to the environment and vice versa in the washing nozzle under pressure supplied cleaning and washing liquid opens the connection to the vehicle-side liquid line and the connection of the washing nozzle side channel locks to the environment, using a single, movably arranged in the washing nozzle valve element. Even when using this known washing nozzle, a freezing of the vehicle-side liquid line and in particular a freezing of residues of the cleaning and washing liquid in the washing nozzle and the resulting malfunction can not be prevented.

In order to avoid malfunctions or malfunctions of a washer system for vehicle windows in the cold season by freezing, it is also already known, the liquid connection to the at least one nozzle opening and the at least one nozzle opening or the nozzle nozzle having the nozzle and / or the respective at least form a nozzle opening having wiper blade electrically heated. Especially for heating the liquid compound is known to provide in this at least one forming an electrical heating element resistance or heating wire. When using non-drainage of the liquid connection preventing check valves, the electrical heating of the liquid connection has been problematic, but in particular it is not yet possible to pass through the provided in a liquid connection electrical heating element through a non-return valve there. The object of the invention is to provide a washing system for vehicle windows, which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages and allows electrical heating of the respective liquid connection including there existing check valves or check and vent valves.

To solve this problem, a car wash according to the patent claim 1 is formed. An at least acting as a check valve valve is the subject of claim 21.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

1 is a schematic representation of a washer for a

Vehicle windscreen;

2 and 3 are each a sectional view of a check valve for use in the washing system of Figure 1, in different operating conditions. 4 shows a section along the line I - I of Figure 2; Figures 5 and 6 representations such as Figures 2 and 3, a combined check and vent valve for use in the washer of Figure 1; 7 shows a simplified schematic representation of a further embodiment of the washing system according to the invention for a vehicle front window; Fig. 8 in a schematic representation of a washing system for a

Vehicle windshield, together with two wiper arms and one each

Wiper blade of a windscreen wiper system; Fig. 9 of the wiper blades of Figure 8 in cross section.

1 is used in a known manner for the controlled discharge of a cleaning and washing liquid (for example water, together with cleaning and / or antifreeze additives) onto a vehicle window, not shown in FIG. The washer 1 includes u.a. a source 2, with which the cleaning and washing liquid is provided with pressure and which consists essentially of a container 3 for receiving the cleaning and washing liquid and of an electrically driven pump 4. The pump 4 is via a fluid connection forming a fluid connection

5 with washing nozzles 6, each having at least one nozzle opening 7 for discharging the cleaning and washing liquid on the vehicle window and are provided directed in the illustrated embodiment to the vehicle body on the vehicle window.

The liquid line 5, which is designed as a hose line at least over a partial length, consists of several line sections, namely from the line section 5.1 between the output of the pump 4 and a designed as a check valve 8, from a line section 5.2 between the outlet of the valve 8 and the Connection of a first washing nozzle

6 and from the line section 5.3 between the first washing nozzle 6 and a further washing nozzle. 6

A special feature is that the liquid line 5 is electrically heated over its entire length as well as the valve 8. For this purpose, acting as an electrical heating element resistance or heating wire 9 is provided within the liquid line 5, which extends from the pump 4 through all sections 5.1 - 5.3 of the liquid line 5 and also through the valve 8.

In the area of the pump 4, the local end of the heating wire 9 is connected via an adapter 10 to a not shown control unit, which this End of the heating wire 9 controlled connects with a pole of the vehicle-side vehicle electrical system. The other, the source 2 remote end of the heating wire 9 is connected to form a closed heating circuit with an electrical line 11, which is externally recirculated to the liquid line 5 to the adapter 10, for connection to the other pole of the vehicle electrical system ,

A special feature is that the heating wire 9 is also passed through the valve 8. For this purpose, the valve 8 is formed, for example, in the manner shown in more detail in Figures 2-4, consisting of a valve housing 12 which is formed substantially in two parts with the two each made as a molded plastic parts housing parts 12.1 and 12.2.

The housing part 12.1 is sleeve-like and rotationally symmetrical to the housing axis executed, with a first valve chamber 13 of the valve forming sleeve opening at one end, ie in the selected for the figures 2 and 3 representation at the lower end of the housing part 12.1 open and at the other At the open end, the housing part 12.1 forms with a local housing section 12.1.1 an externally provided with a barb-like contour 15 connecting piece, with which the valve housing 12 by insertion into the end of the line section 5.1 anchored in this end 16 barb-like. Between its two ends, the housing part 12.1 is provided on the outer surface with a flange-like portion 17 with an enlarged outer diameter, to which the closed end of the housing part 12.1 a housing section 12.1.2 followed by circular cylindrical inner and outer surfaces. In the housing section 12.1.2 a plurality of valve openings 18 are provided distributed around the axis of the valve housing 12. In the area of the valve openings 18, the housing part 12.1 or its housing section 12.1.2 are enclosed by a sleeve-like or tubular valve element 19, which is made of a rubber-elastic material, for example rubber or rubber an elastomeric plastic and closes the valve openings 18 in the pressureless state on the outside of the housing portion 12.1.2.

The housing part 12.2, which is also rotationally symmetrical around its longitudinal axis or about the housing axis in the illustrated embodiment, consists essentially of a housing section 12.2.1 with an enlarged outer and inner cross section. The housing section engages over the housing section 12.1.2 which is provided with the valve element 19 in the manner of a bell and is connected tightly to the flange section 17 at its lower end, for example by gluing and / or welding and / or screwing or in another suitable manner. In the region of this connection, the valve element 19 is also secured against axial displacement at its lower edge in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example by clamping between the flange section 17 and the housing section 12.2.1 or in another suitable manner, e.g. by gluing.

The housing portion 12.2.1 forms an outwardly closed second valve chamber 20, in which the housing portion 12.1.2, the insert 14 and the valve member 19 are received, the latter in a between the outer surface of the housing portion 12.1.2 and the inner surface of the housing section 12.2.1 formed annular space 20.1 of the second valve chamber.

At its flange portion 17 remote and in Figures 2 and 3 upper end, the housing part 12.2 with a housing portion 12.2.2 a tubular connecting piece barb-like outer contour 21, with the (connector) the valve housing 12 by insertion with the end 22 of the line section 5.2 is connected.

The heating wire 9 is performed through the valve chambers 13 and 20 and sealed by the insert 14, without the function of the valve 8 is affected by the heating wire. The heating wire thus also serves at the same time for heating the valve 8. As stated above, the valve openings 18 are sealed with pressure-free liquid line 5 through the valve element 19, so that the line sections 5.2 and 5.3 extending between this valve and the washing nozzles 6 are completely filled with the cleaning and washing liquid in the activated washing system 1 and an emptying This line sections is effectively prevented. Prevented by the closed valve 8 and an idling of the line section 5.1, since the necessary venting of the line section 5.1 is not possible on the valve member 19 closed by the valve openings 18.

When activating the washer 1, the valve 8 is opened by the pressure of the cleaning and washing liquid, by elastic deformation or widening of the diameter of the valve element 19 by the cleaning and washing liquid flowing through the valve openings 18, as shown in FIG is (arrows A). The valve 8 thus acts as a check valve, with the achieved that at each activation of the washer without a time delay, the cleaning and washing liquid from the washing nozzles 6 is applied to the vehicle window.

Figures 5 and 6 show as another possible embodiment, a valve 8a, which differs from the valve 8 only in that the valve 8 is designed as a combined non-return and vent valve, which in not activated washer 1, an idling to the valve 8a connected line sections 5.2 and 5.3 allows. This is advantageous if these run in the flow direction of the cleaning and washing liquid to the valve 8 line sections in an area of the vehicle to which there is an increased risk of freezing the cleaning and washing liquid with insufficient antifreeze additive.

In the case of the valve 8a, the housing section 12.2.1 is in the region of the annular space 20.1 and thus in the area of the valve element 19 with a plurality of vent openings 23 which are open in the annular space 20.1 and on the outside of the housing 12 provided, in such a way that the valve element 19 with non-activated washer 1 in turn closes the valve openings 18 and thereby idling of the valve 8a preceding line section 5.1 is prevented, with activated washer 1, the valve openings 18 releases and at the same time the vents 23 closes such that the cleaning and washing liquid is then passed on to the washing nozzles 6 via the valve 8a without loss or substantially without loss. In order to effectively achieve the closing of the ventilation openings 23 when the washing system is activated, the housing section 12.2.1 is slightly concave on its inner surface having the ventilation openings 23, and in particular also designed such that the width of the annular space 20.1 is reduced towards the flange section 17.

Also, the valve 8a allows passage of the heating wire 9 without affecting the valve function.

It has been assumed above that the heating wire 9 is guided by the adapter 10 to the end of the line section 5.3 in a single wire and an external electrical line 11 is provided to close the heating circuit. Of course, it is also possible to provide the heating wire 9 so that it forms a reaching to the end of the line section 5.2 and up to the local washer nozzle 6 heating loop. In this case, too, there is the possibility of passing the heating wire 9 or its lengths forming the heating loop through the valve 8 or 8a or the insert 14 separating the valve chamber 13 from the valve chamber 20 there.

FIG. 7 shows a washing installation 1a, which differs from the washing installation 1 essentially only in that the liquid connection between the source 2 and the washing nozzles 6 is formed by a liquid line 5a consisting of a line section 5a.1 and two via a T. Piece 24 branched and each leading to a washing nozzle 6 line sections 5a.2 consists. All line sections 5a.1, 5a.2, the T-piece 24 and the washing nozzles 6 are in turn electrically heated, for which an at least a Heizschleife forming heating wire 9 through the entire liquid line 5 and the T-piece 24 extends into the washing nozzles 6. In the line section 5.1 and / or in the line sections 5.2, in turn, a valve 8 or 8a is provided, through which the heating wire 9 is passed.

FIG. 8 shows, as a further embodiment, a washing system 1b together with a vehicle window 25 and two wiper arms 26 with wiper blades 27 of a windshield wiper system for cleaning the vehicle window 25.

In this embodiment, the wiper blades 27 are so-called wet wiper blades, for example in the form of flat wiper blades with a plurality of spray or nozzle openings on at least one wiper blade longitudinal side for the controlled application of the cleaning and washing liquid to the vehicle window. An example of such a wet wiper blade is shown in FIG. This wiper blade consists of a profile rail-like wiper blade body 28 which extends over the entire length of the wiper blade and encloses a spring rail 29. On the wiper blade body 28 of the squeegee 30 is held with wiper lip 30.1. Furthermore, a strip-like, in the illustrated embodiment, a spoiler forming molding 31 is provided on the wiper blade body, in which a respective distribution channel 32 for the cleaning and washing liquid with a plurality of spray or nozzle openings 33 is formed on each wiper blade longitudinal side. Via a liquid connection formed by the liquid line 5b or by line sections 5b.1 and 5b.2, the distribution channels 32 for the controlled discharge of the cleaning and washing liquid are connected to the vehicle window 25 with the source 3 or with the pump 4 there. All line sections 5b.1 and 5b.2 as well as the wiper blades 27 and / or their distribution channels 32 are electrically heated, ie Heizschleifen forming heating wires 9 extend not only within the line sections 5b.1 and 5b.2 and through the line sections 5b. 2 with the line section 5b.1 connecting T-piece, but also into the wiper blades 27, where these heating wires form the respective electric heating element or with a separate electrical Heating element, for example, in the form of a heating foil are electrically connected. On each wiper arm 26, a valve 8 is provided in the immediate vicinity of the attachment for the wiper blade 27, which prevents emptying of the fluid connection with non-activated wash, so when activating the washer immediately and without delay, the cleaning and washing liquid on the vehicle window 25th is applied.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous other changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention. In particular, the wiper blades 27 may also have a design deviating from the specific embodiment of FIG. 9. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide the valves 8 and 8a, for example in wiper blade adapters 35, which removably connects the respective wiper blade 27 to the associated wiper arm.

Claims

claims 1. Washing system for vehicle windows, in particular for vehicle windshields (25), with at least one nozzle opening, which controls the controlled application of a cleaning and washing liquid to the vehicle window via a fluid connection (5, 5a, 5b) with a cleaning and washing fluid under pressure providing source (2), with at least one electrical heating element (9) extending at least partially in the liquid connection (5), characterized in that the at least one heating element (9) is connected through at least one in the liquid connection (5, 5a, 5b). arranged valve (8, 8a) passes through, which opens as a check valve with activated washer for forwarding the cleaning and washing liquid to the at least one nozzle opening (7, 33) and locks when not activated washer. 2. Car wash according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one electrical heating element (9) for heating the at least one valve (8, 8a) is formed. 3. Washer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrical heating element of at least one heating or resistance wire (9) is formed. 4. Car wash according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one valve (8a) is designed as a combined non-return and vent valve and at not activated washer (1, 1a, 1b) connected to the valve (8) and to the at least one nozzle opening (7, 33) leading portion of the liquid connection opens to the environment. 5. Washer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one nozzle opening (7, 33) of at least one provided on the vehicle washing nozzle (6) and / or on at least one wiper blade (27) is provided a windshield wiper system. 6. Washer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case one nozzle opening (7) having washing nozzles (6) and / or at several, each with a nozzle opening (33) provided wiper blades (27) for all nozzles (6) and / or wiper blades (27) a common valve (8, 8a) is provided. 7. Washer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case a plurality of nozzle openings (7) having washing nozzles (6) and / or in each case at least one nozzle opening (33) having wiper blades (27) for each washing nozzle (6) and / or for each wiper blade (27) an independent valve (8, 8a) is provided. 8. Car wash according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one at least one nozzle opening (33) having wiper blade (27) which is releasably secured by a wiper blade adapter to a wiper arm (26), the at least one valve (8, 8a ) is formed in the wiper blade adapter (35). 9. A washing installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one valve (8, 8a) in a valve housing (12) has a first valve chamber (13) connected to one of the source (2) for the cleaning and washing liquid leading portions of the liquid connection (5, 5a, 5b) is connected, and a second valve chamber (20) which is connected to a to the at least one nozzle opening (7, 33) leading portion of the liquid connection (5, 5a, 5b) that in a the two valve chambers (13, 20) separating wall (12.1.2) at least one valve opening (18) is provided with valve element (19), which the valve opening (18) at a pressure in the first valve chamber (13) opens. 10. Car wash according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a wall of the second valve chamber (20) at least one vent opening (23) with valve element (19) is provided, which in the absence of pressure in the first valve chamber (13), the second valve chamber (20) opens via the at least one vent opening (28) for venting or emptying. 11.Waschanlage according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve element (19) of the at least one valve opening (18) and / or the at least one vent opening (23) of an elastically deformable element (19), for example of an elastically deformable membrane-like Element is formed. 12. Car wash according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the at least one valve opening (18) and the at least one vent opening (23) a common valve element (19) is provided. 13. A washing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first valve chamber (13) of the second valve chamber (20) separating wall is formed by a tubular portion (12.1.2) in a second valve chamber (20). forming space of the valve housing (12) extends, and that the at least one valve opening (18) on the jacket of the tubular portion (12.1.2) is provided. 14. Washer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one valve element (19) is a partition (12.1.2) and the at least one local valve opening (18) enclosing annular or hose-like element made of a rubber-elastic material, for example Rubber or an elastomeric plastic is. 15. Washer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on one of the partition wall (12.1.2) opposite wall portion (12.2.1) of the second valve chamber (20), the at least one vent opening (23) is provided. 16. Washer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one valve element (19) in an annular space (20.1) of the second valve chamber (20) is arranged, which (annulus) between the partition (12.1.2) and one of these Partition wall opposite boundary wall (12.2.1) of the second valve chamber (20) is formed, and that the distance between the annular space (20.1) limiting wall sections is selected so that the valve element (19) with closed valve opening (18) the vent opening (23 ) and releases the vent opening (23) when the valve opening (18) is open. 17. Washer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve housing (12) at least two housing parts (12.1, 12.2), of which a housing part (12.1) the first valve chamber (13) and the other housing part (12.2) the second Valve chamber (20), preferably in a housing part (12.1) enclosing the housing portion (12.2.1). 18. Car wash according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one heating element (9) through the valve chambers (13, 20) and by separating these chambers Wall (12.1.2, 14) is passed. 19. Car wash according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one valve opening (18) opposite the passage area at which the at least one heating element (9) sealed by the valve chambers (13, 20) separating wall (12.1.2, 14) is guided, is offset radially to a housing axis. 20. Car wash according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at tubular or at least partially tubular formation of the valve chambers (13, 20) separating wall (12.1.2, 14) the at least one heating element sealed by an end-side section or termination (14 ) is passed through this wall. 21.Ventil for a washing system for vehicle windows, in particular for vehicle windshields (25), with at least one first and at least one second in a valve housing (12) formed and connected to external terminals valve chambers (13, 20), with at least one of the two Valve chambers (13, 20) separating wall (12.1.2), with at least one valve opening (18) in the wall (12.1.2) and with a valve element (19) which at least one valve opening (18) at a pressure in the first valve chamber (13) opens, characterized by at least one through the valve chambers (13, 20) and sealed by the wall (12.1.2) passed through electrical heating element. 22. Valve according to claim 21, characterized in that the electrical heating element is at least one heating or resistance wire (9). 23. Valve according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the valve (8a) is designed as a combined non-return and vent valve and in the absence of pressure in the first valve chamber (13) to the environment opens. 24. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve (8, 8a) is part of a wiper blade adapter (35) for releasably connecting a wiper blade (27) with a wiper arm (26). 25. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a wall of the second valve chamber (20) at least one vent opening (23) is provided with valve element (19), which in the absence of pressure in the first valve chamber (13), the second valve chamber (20) via the at least one vent opening (28) for venting opens. 26. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve element (19) of the at least one valve opening (18) and / or the at least one vent opening (23) of an elastically deformable element (19), for example of an elastically deformable membrane-like Element is formed. 27. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the at least one valve opening (18) and the at least one vent opening (23) a common valve element (19) is provided. 28. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first valve chamber (13) of the second valve chamber (20) separating wall is formed by a tubular portion (12.1.2), in a second valve chamber (20). forming space of the valve housing (12) extends, and that the at least one valve opening (18) on the shell of the tubular portion (12.1.2) is provided. 29. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one valve element (19) a the partition (12.1.2) and the at least one local valve opening (18) enclosing annular or hose-like element made of a rubber-elastic material, for example Rubber or an elastomeric plastic is. 30. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on one of the partition wall (12.1.2) opposite wall portion (12.2.1) of the second valve chamber (20), the at least one vent opening (23) is provided. 31.Ventil according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one valve element (19) in an annular space (20.1) of the second valve chamber (20) is arranged, which (annulus) between the partition (12.1.2) and one of these Partition wall opposite boundary wall (12.2.1) of the second valve chamber (20) is formed, and that the distance between the annular space (20.1) limiting wall sections is selected so that the valve element (19) with closed valve opening (18) the vent opening (23 ) and releases the vent opening (23) when the valve opening (18) is open. 32. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve housing (12) at least two housing parts (12.1, 12.2), of which a housing part (12.1) the first valve chamber (13) and the other housing part (12.2) the second Valve chamber (20), preferably in a housing part (12.1) enclosing the housing portion (12.2.1). 33. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one valve opening (18) opposite the passage area at which the at least one heating element (9) sealed by the valve chambers (13, 20) separating wall (12.1.2, 14) is guided, is offset radially to a housing axis. 34. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at tubular or at least partially tubular formation of the valve chambers (13, 20) separating wall (12.1.2, 14) the at least one heating element sealed by an end-side section or termination (14 ) is passed through this wall.