WO2021240088A1 - Flexible windscreen washer fluid tank equipped with a rigid cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a windscreen washer fluid tank for a motor vehicle comprising two flexible sheets (2, 3) superimposed on one another and sealingly assembled along their periphery so as to define a bag (P) between them capable of receiving a washing liquid, two hollow inserts (5, 6) in fluid communication with the bag (P) and each provided with an end piece for connection respectively to a filler neck and to an electric pump; characterised in that it also comprises a hollow cover (20), the open inner end of which is fixedly and sealingly attached to one of the faces of a first (2) of the flexible sheets (2, 3), being fluidly connected to the bag (P), the cover (20) also housing at least one mechanical and/or electrical device (22) designed to interact with the washing liquid.

Description

Description

Title of the invention: Flexible type windscreen washer reservoir with a rigid cowling

[1] i [Technical field]

[2] The present invention claims the priority of French application 2005472 filed on May 25, 2020, the content of which (texts, drawings and claims) is incorporated here by reference.

[3] The present invention relates generally to windshield washer reservoirs for motor vehicles. It relates in particular to flexible type windscreen washer reservoirs.

[4] [Prior art]

[5] The windshield washer reservoirs are filled with a washing liquid such as water or an alcohol-based anti-freeze liquid intended for supplying nozzles associated with sweeping means for cleaning the glass surfaces of a motor vehicle, in particular those of the front windshield and / or of its rear window.

[6] These tanks which have conventionally come from molding in rigid plastic material from an injection or blow molding process, generally have a substantial size due to their capacity which must be sufficient to allow use for a long time. between two fillings, this capacity being able to reach commonly three to five liters and being above all limited by the space available to house it usually in the engine compartment of this vehicle.

[7] Due to their large volume, windshield washer reservoirs induce particularly high logistical transport costs between their manufacturing sites and the assembly sites where these reservoirs are installed on motor vehicles.

[8] In order to overcome this drawback, French patent application FR 2935 121 A1 describes a windscreen washer reservoir comprising two flexible plastic sheets superimposed on one another and assembled in a sealed manner. along their periphery so as to define between them a pocket suitable for receiving a washing liquid.

[9] This reservoir also comprises a first and a second rigid hollow plastic inserts attached to this bag so as to be in fluid communication with it, and each comprising a connection nozzle respectively to a filler neck and to an electric pump .

[10] Such a reservoir made from two flexible plastic sheets has the advantage of being relatively flat when empty (only the two inserts projecting slightly from these sheets) and therefore of small bulk, which makes it possible to considerably reduce the costs of logistic transport as well as the polluting emissions associated with this transport.

[11] In addition, some windshield washer reservoirs are fitted with a level sensor that can alert a user of the vehicle when the level of washing liquid is too low.

[12] Level sensors of the "crocodile" type are traditionally used comprising a housing housing a magnetically operated switch, such as a reed switch (also commonly referred to as

"Reed bulb") forming a dipole connected between two conductive terminals for connection to a connector of an electrical circuit for signaling the lack of washing liquid, this switch being controlled by a permanent magnet housed in a float pivotally mounted on the housing around a horizontal axis.

[13] The decrease in the level of washing liquid in the tank causes the float to lower, which approaches this magnetic switch.

[14] When the washing liquid level reaches a minimum threshold height, the float becomes sufficiently close to this magnetic switch to cause its change of state and cause the emission of a warning signal via the electrical signaling circuit. lack of washing liquid.

[15] It is also known to house other types of electrical devices inside such windshield washer reservoirs, such as in particular wash liquid heaters in order to improve the efficiency of the washer fluid. cleaning the windshield or rear window thanks to the surfactant effect of the liquid on the glass or the polycarbonate.

[16] Unfortunately, these electrical devices cannot be installed inside a flexible type tank, due to the progressive approach of its two sheets which would compress them so as to disturb their operating kinematics (for example in the case of a level sensor whose float could no longer move) or to damage the bag (for example in the case of a heating device that could melt the leaves).

[17] [Disclosure of the invention]

[18] The present invention therefore aims to improve the situation.

[19] For this purpose, it proposes a windscreen washer reservoir for a motor vehicle, comprising two flexible sheets superimposed on one another and assembled in a sealed manner along their periphery so as to define between them a pocket suitable for receiving a washing liquid, a first hollow insert in fluid communication with said bag and provided with a nozzle for connection to a filling chute, and a second hollow insert in fluid communication with said bag and provided with a nozzle for connection to a electric pump; characterized in that it also comprises a hollow cowling, the open internal end of which is attached fixedly and in a sealed manner against a first of said flexible sheets while being fluidly connected to said pocket, said cowling further accommodating at least one mechanical device and / or electric designed to interact with the washing liquid.

[20] The addition of this cover in fluid communication with the flexible bag and housing such a mechanical and / or electrical device prevents the operation of this device from being disturbed and / or the flexible bag being damaged by this. last because of the progressive approach of the two flexible sheets during the emptying of this pocket.

[21] According to preferred characteristics of said tank according to the invention:

- said cowling is made in one piece with at least one of said inserts;

- Said part also comprises a plate peripherally bordering the open internal end of at least one of said inserts as well as that of said cowling, and being fixed by gluing or heat-welding on one of the faces of said first flexible sheet, at the periphery of at least one corresponding opening made in the latter;

- Said cover is produced independently of said inserts by being provided with a collar bordering its open internal end and being fixed by gluing or heat-welding on one of the faces of said first flexible sheet at the periphery of a corresponding opening made in this last ;

- Said device is removably introduced inside said cowling through an inlet orifice formed on the latter, by being carried, at its end opposite to that of introduction into said orifice, by a nozzle support projecting outside said cowling and attached fixedly and in a sealed manner against the latter;

- Said cowling comprises holding means for a said pump comprising a clamp designed to cooperate by snap-fastening with the body of this pump;

- Said cowling comprises fastening means comprising at least one T-profile fastening member provided to cooperate slidingly with an elongated slot made in a corresponding fastening lug of a support provided on the vehicle;

- Said at least one device consists of a washing liquid level sensor; and or

- Said at least one device consists of a heating device comprising at least one electrical resistance molded from a thermally conductive material.

[22] The invention also relates in a second aspect to a motor vehicle comprising such a windshield washer reservoir.

[23] [Brief description of the drawings]

[24] The description of the invention will now be continued with the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, given below by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[25] [Fig 1] shows a perspective view of a flexible type windshield washer reservoir according to the invention; and [26] [Fig 2] is a partial perspective and sectional view of the tank of Figure 1 along a vertical longitudinal plane passing through the cowling.

[27] [Detailed description]

[28] Figures 1 and 2 show a windshield washer reservoir 1 according to the invention.

[29] As is clearly visible in these figures, the reservoir 1 comprises two flexible plastic sheets 2, 3 of the same dimensions (the sheet 3 being visible only in FIG. 2), the latter being superimposed on one another. 'other and assembled in a sealed manner along their periphery by a joining bead advantageously produced by heat-welding.

[30] Made from a thermoplastic polymer such as advantageously polyurethane (PU), these two flexible plastic sheets 2, 3 define between them a pocket P capable of receiving a washing liquid such as water. or an alcohol-based anti-freeze liquid.

[31] The reservoir 1 also comprises two rigid hollow tubular inserts 5, 6 made of plastic material and each having a first open internal end fluidly connected to the pocket P.

[32] The first insert 5 of elongated shape has at its second end a tubular end piece 7 arranged to allow the connection of a filler neck, not shown and conventionally in the form of a pipe provided at its free end with an orifice closed by a plug.

[33] The second insert 6 in the form of an elbow has at its second end a tubular end piece 8 arranged to allow the connection of an electric pump, not shown.

[34] Still with reference to the figure, the reservoir 1 further comprises an L-shaped strip 11 made of rigid plastic material and comprising:

- a first branch 11 A extending horizontally above the pocket P being trapped between two upper extension bands 2A of the flexible sheets 2, 3 by a heat-welded joint bead made between these two sheets along the upper edge of this branch 11 A; and

- a second branch 11 B of shorter length extending vertically over a lateral side, the pocket P being trapped between two lateral extension bands 2B of the flexible sheets 2, 3 by a heat-welded joint bead made between these two sheets along the outer lateral edge of this branch 11B.

[35] The strip 11 also comprises means for fixing the tank 1 to a support, not shown, provided in the engine compartment of the vehicle and integral with the structure of this vehicle.

[36] These fastening means comprise two fastening members 14 with a T-profile extending spaced above the first horizontal branch

11 A of the strip 11 from its upper edge, each at the level of two superimposed notches made in the upper extension bands of the flexible sheets 2, 3.

[37] These fasteners 14 are each provided to cooperate slidingly with an elongated slot formed in a corresponding fixing lug of the support.

[38] The reservoir 1 also includes means for holding the pump against one of its lateral sides. These holding means are constituted by a C-shaped clamp 15, taking root from the lower edge of the second branch 11 B of the strip 11, and being able to cooperate by snap-fastening with the body of the pump.

[39] According to the invention, the reservoir finally comprises a hollow cowling 20 made of rigid plastic material and the open internal end of which is attached fixedly and in a sealed manner against the external face of the first flexible sheet 2 while being fluidly connected. in the pocket P.

[40] As illustrated in Figure 1, this cowling 20 is advantageously molded in one piece with the two hollow inserts 5, 6 from a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene (PP) or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), optionally reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers.

[41] This molded part also comprises a plate 21 peripherally bordering the open internal ends of the inserts 5, 6 as well as that of the cowling 20, and being fixed by gluing or heat-welding on the external face of the first flexible sheet 2, at the periphery of at least one corresponding opening 4 made in the latter on a lateral zone of the pocket P.

[42] As illustrated in Figure 2, the hollow cowling 20 houses a liquid level sensor 22 of the crocodile type making it possible to alert a user of the vehicle when the volume of washing liquid contained in the pocket P becomes insufficient.

[43] This level sensor 22 comprises a hollow housing with a horizontal axis 23 and a float 30 mounted to pivot about a transverse axis on the housing 23, these two elements being inserted in a removable manner inside the cowling 20 through a circular inlet orifice formed on a lateral face 20A of this cowling.

[44] The housing 23 is carried, at its end opposite to that of introduction into the orifice, by a support end piece 25 projecting outside the cowling 20 and attached fixedly and in a sealed manner against its lateral face 20A. at the periphery of this orifice.

[45] The attachment of this end piece 25 can be carried out by various known means, in particular by radial tightening, by screwing a threaded portion of this end piece into an internal thread formed in the orifice, by snap-fastening of clipping tabs projecting from this end piece on this orifice, or even by a bayonet device.

[46] The seal is advantageously obtained by an elastomer ring, not shown, compressed at the periphery of the orifice between the lateral face 20A of the cowling 20 and a shoulder 26 of this end piece 25.

[47] The housing 23 houses a reed switch 27 (also commonly referred to as the “Reed bulb”) forming a dipole connected between two conductive connection tabs 28 (only one of them being visible in the figure 2) opening out of the cowling 20 in the bottom of a female connector 29 projecting above the end piece 25 and intended to receive a male connector of an electrical circuit for signaling the lack of washing liquid, not shown. [48] Such a reed switch generally consists of a protective glass bulb containing a non-oxidizing atmosphere (without oxygen or water vapor) and two flexible magnetizable contacts spaced from each other by a few micrometers in the absence of a magnetic field.

[49] The float 30 houses a permanent magnet in the form of a pellet 31 arranged substantially opposite the reed switch 27.

[50] With reference to FIG. 2 and as long as the level of washing liquid contained in the tank 1 is greater than a minimum threshold height, the float 30 subjected to Archimedean thrust occupies an elevated position vis-à-vis of the housing 23 in which the permanent magnet 31 is too far from the reed switch 27 so that the magnetic force which it exerts on this switch remains insufficient to cause its change of state (the latter therefore remains open ).

[51] When this liquid level reaches this minimum threshold height, the float 30 comes into alignment with this housing 23 in a position (shown in broken lines) where the permanent magnet 31 has come sufficiently close to the reed switch 27 so that the magnetic force which it exerts on this switch then becomes sufficiently large to actuate its change of state (ie: its closing) and cause the emission of an alert signal via the electrical circuit for indicating lack of washing liquid.

[52] The fact that the level sensor 22 is housed inside the rigid casing 20 makes it possible to prevent its operation from being disturbed by the bringing together of the two flexible sheets 2, 3 occurring progressively during the emptying of the bag. P.

[53] According to variant embodiments, the inserts and / or the cowling can be made in a flexible thermoplastic polymer advantageously identical to that constituting the flexible sheets (for example, in polyurethane (PU)), which makes it possible to facilitate the welding. of these elements on these flexible sheets as well as their connection to a filler neck, a pump or a level sensor, avoiding the need for gaskets. [54] According to yet other variant embodiments:

- the cowling can be made of a single piece with only one of the two inserts,

- the cowling can be produced independently of these two inserts by being provided with a collar bordering its open internal end and being attached in a sealed manner by gluing or heat-welding on one of the flexible sheets at the periphery of a corresponding opening made in the latter,

- the open internal ends of the inserts and / or the cover are fixed against the internal face of one or the other of the flexible sheets,

- the cowling may also include holding means for a pump, constituted for example by a C-shaped clamp such as 15, extending from one of its side faces, and being able to cooperate by snap-fastening with the body the pump,

- The cowling can also include means for fixing the tank on a support provided in the engine compartment of the vehicle and integral with the structure of this vehicle, constituted for example by an attachment member with a T-profile such as 14, s' extending from its upper face, and intended to cooperate slidably with an elongated slot formed in a corresponding fixing tab of the support, and / or

- the cowling can house a level sensor of a different type and more generally any mechanical and / or electrical device intended to interact with the washing liquid, such as in particular a heating device comprising, for example, one or more electric resistances possibly overmolded with a material thermally conductive.

[55] Finally, the rigid cowling can be dimensioned so that it accommodates several mechanical and / or electrical devices, or else provide two cowls each housing such a device. !

Claims

Claims [Claim 1] Windscreen washer reservoir for a motor vehicle, comprising two flexible sheets (2, 3) superimposed on one another and assembled in a sealed manner along their periphery so as to define between them a pocket (P) adapted to receive a washing liquid, a first hollow insert (5) in fluid communication with said bag (P) and provided with a connection end (7) to a filling spout, and a second hollow insert (6) in fluid communication with said pocket (P) and provided with a connection end piece (8) to an electric pump; characterized in that it also comprises a hollow cowling (20), the open internal end of which is attached fixedly and in a sealed manner against a first (2) of said flexible sheets (2, 3) while being fluidly connected to said pocket (P ), said cowling (20) further housing at least one mechanical and / or electrical device (22) provided to interact with the washing liquid. [Claim 2] A tank according to claim 1, characterized in that said cowling (20) is integrally molded with at least one of said inserts (5, 6). [Claim 3] Tank according to claim 2, characterized in that said part also comprises a plate (21) peripherally bordering the open internal end of at least one of said inserts (5, 6) as well as that of said cowling (20) , and being fixed by gluing or heat-welding on one of the faces of said first flexible sheet (2), at the periphery of at least one corresponding opening (4) made in the latter. [Claim 4] Tank according to claim 1, characterized in that said cowling is produced independently of said inserts by being provided with a collar bordering its open internal end and being fixed by gluing or heat-welding on one of the faces of said first flexible sheet at the periphery of a corresponding opening formed in the latter. [Claim 5] Tank according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said device (22) is removably introduced inside said cowling (20) through an inlet orifice formed on this. last, being carried, at the level of its end opposite to that introduction into said orifice, by a support end piece (25) projecting outside said cowling (20) and attached fixedly and in a sealed manner against the latter. [Claim 6] Tank according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said cowling (20) comprises holding means for a said pump comprising a clamp (15) provided to cooperate by snap-fastening with the body of this pump. . [Claim 7] Tank according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said cowling (20) comprises fixing means comprising at least one T-profile fastening member (14) provided to cooperate slidingly with an elongated slot formed in a corresponding fixing lug of a support provided on the vehicle. [Claim 8] Tank according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said at least one device consists of a washing liquid level sensor (22). [Claim 9] Tank according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said at least one device consists of a heating device comprising at least one electrical resistance molded from a thermally conductive material. [Claim 10] Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a windshield washer reservoir according to one of claims 1 to 9.!