Cleaning and spray device for a washing fluid for a motor vehicle

Abstract

A retractable cleaning device (1) for a component of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one piston (10) movable by sliding within a hollow body (20) and comprising at a first end (10a) an inlet (101) for washing fluid and at a second end (10b) at least one outlet (102) for washing fluid, said cleaning device (1) comprising a washing fluid dispensing nozzle (30) fixed to the second end (10b) of the piston (10), said dispensing nozzle (30) comprising at least one ejection outlet (31) for washing fluid fluid connected fluidly to at least one outlet (102) for washing fluid of the second end (10b), the cleaning device (10) comprising at least one elastically deformable membrane (40) disposed between the second end (10b) and the dispensing nozzle (30), said at least one membrane (40) covering and closing said at least one outlet (102) for washing fluid,said at least one membrane (40) being deformable under a determined pressure of the washing fluid so as to allow fluidic connection between at least one washing fluid outlet (102) and at least one washing fluid ejection outlet (31).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cleaning devices, in particular for spraying washing liquid onto a surface to be cleaned.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a device for spraying washing liquid onto a glazed surface of a motor vehicle, of the type comprising a cylindrical body fixed to a bodywork element of the vehicle and a piston comprising at one end a nozzle for dispensing the washing liquid. The piston is in particular configured to move axially relative to the cylindrical body between a retracted position and a projecting position, under the effect of the pressure of the washing liquid and through an orifice arranged in the bodywork element.

[0003] In addition to the aesthetic interest of such a retractable cleaning device, which thus avoids the presence of a prominent block on the surface of the vehicle bodywork, such an arrangement has the advantage of better protecting the nozzle, particularly from frost.

[0004] In fact, the nozzle is no longer cooled by the air flowing along the bodywork when the vehicle is moving and can even benefit, in the case where the nozzle is installed on the vehicle's engine hood, from the heat provided by the combustion engine to prevent ice plugs from appearing in cold weather.

[0005] However, when the cleaning device is arranged on a lower part of the motor vehicle and the washing liquid reservoir is arranged higher than the cleaning device, for example in order to spray washing liquid onto the headlight lenses, risks of passive flow of the washing liquid by simple gravity may arise and thus empty the washing liquid reservoir even when the cleaning device is retracted.

[0006] One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to at least partially remedy the drawbacks of the prior art and to propose a retractable cleaning device limiting the risks of passive flow of the washing liquid.

[0007] The present invention therefore relates to a retractable cleaning device for an element of a motor vehicle, said cleaning device comprising at least one piston movable in sliding along a longitudinal axis in a hollow body, said piston also being hollow and comprising at a first end a washing liquid inlet and at a second end at least one washing liquid outlet, said cleaning device further comprising a washing liquid dispensing nozzle fixed to the second end of the piston, said dispensing nozzle comprising at least one washing liquid ejection outlet fluidly connected to the at least one washing liquid outlet of the second end of the piston, the cleaning device comprising at least one elastically deformable membrane arranged between the second end of the piston and the dispensing nozzle, said at least one membrane covering and closing said at least one washing liquid outlet of the piston, said at least one membrane being deformable under a determined pressure of the washing liquid so as to allow the fluid connection between the at least one washing liquid outlet of the piston and the at least one washing liquid ejection outlet of the dispensing nozzle.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one membrane is deformable at a determined washing liquid pressure greater than or equal to 0.1 bar, preferably 0.6 bar.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one membrane is a sleeve comprising a first and a second end, said sleeve surrounding the second end of the piston.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one washing liquid outlet of the piston is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal sliding axis of said piston and in that the first and second ends of the sleeve are open.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one washing liquid outlet of the piston is arranged in the longitudinal sliding axis of the piston, and the first end of the sleeve is open and surrounds the second end of the piston, and the second end of the sleeve is closed and arranged opposite the at least one washing liquid outlet of the piston, said second closed end of the sleeve comprising at least one opening slot configured so as to allow the passage of the washing liquid from a determined pressure.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the dispensing nozzle compresses at least a portion of the at least one membrane against the second end of the piston so as to maintain said at least one membrane.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the dispensing nozzle and / or the membrane comprises an excess thickness at the location of the compressed portion of the at least one membrane.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the compressed portion is disposed at the location of the first end of the sleeve.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one membrane is a sleeve surrounding the second end of the piston, the compressed portion extending over the entire periphery of the second end of the piston.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one membrane is made of an elastomeric material.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the cleaning device is a telescopic washing liquid distribution ramp.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, the telescopic boom comprises at least one nozzle.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the telescopic boom comprises two nozzles.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the telescopic boom comprises a plurality of nozzles.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the telescopic ramp comprises at least one elastically deformable membrane having at least one of the characteristics described above.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, the telescopic boom extends at least partially along the surface to be cleaned.

[0023] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, provided for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, and the appended drawings in which: [ Fig 1 ] there figure 1 shows a schematic perspective representation of a retractable cleaning device, [ Fig 2 ] there figure 2 shows a schematic sectional representation of a cleaning device in the retracted position, [ Fig 3 ] there figure 3 shows a schematic sectional representation of a cleaning device in the deployed position, [ Fig 4 ] there figure 4 shows a schematic sectional representation of the nozzle of a cleaning device, [ Fig 5 ] there figure 5 shows a schematic perspective representation of a membrane according to a first embodiment, [ Fig 6 ] there figure 6 shows a schematic representation in perspective and in section of the nozzle of a cleaning device according to a first embodiment, [ Fig 7 ] there figure 7 shows a schematic representation in perspective and in section of the nozzle of a cleaning device according to a second embodiment.

[0024] In the different figures, identical elements bear the same reference numbers.

[0025] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0026] In this description, certain elements or parameters may be indexed, such as first element or second element, as well as first parameter and second parameter, or first criterion and second criterion, etc. In this case, it is a simple indexing to differentiate and name elements or parameters or criteria that are close, but not identical. This indexing does not imply a priority of one element, parameter or criterion over another and such names can easily be interchanged without departing from the scope of this description. This indexing also does not imply an order in time, for example, to assess this or that criterion.

[0027] There figure 1 shows a retractable cleaning device 1 for spraying washing liquid onto a surface to be cleaned for a motor vehicle. The cleaning device 1 comprises in particular at least one piston 10 movable in sliding along a longitudinal axis L in a hollow body 20 between a retracted position (visible in figures 1 et 2 ) and a deployed position (visible figure 3 ). The seal between the hollow body 20 and the piston 10 can be ensured by an O-ring 104 arranged around its first end 10a.

[0028] The hollow body 20 comprises in particular a connection end piece 201 connected by a pipe (not shown) to a washing liquid reservoir (not shown). The piston 10 is also hollow and comprises at a first end 10a a washing liquid inlet 101 and at a second end 10b at least one washing liquid outlet 102. The washing liquid inlet 101 and outlet 201 of the piston 10 may in particular be connected by a channel 103. The hollow body 20 may comprise a closure means 210 closing the washing liquid inlet 101 of the piston 10 when the latter is in the retracted position. An elastic means 105, here a spring, may be arranged in the hollow body 20 in order to passively push the piston 10 into the retracted position. When a washing liquid pressure greater than the pressure exerted by the elastic means 105 is sent into the hollow body 20, the washing liquid pushes the piston 10 back into the deployed position (see figure 3 ). In the deployed position, the closure means 210 no longer obstructs the washing liquid inlet 101 allowing the washing liquid to be ejected.

[0029] In the example illustrated in figures 1 à 3 , the closing means 210 is a finger extending along the longitudinal axis L and inserted into a housing 106 formed in the first end 10a of the piston 10. In the retracted position, the finger 210 is inserted into this housing 106 and obstructs the inlet 101 of washing liquid of the piston 10. The seal between the finger 210 and the housing 106 can be ensured by an O-ring 205 surrounding the finger 210. The base of the housing 106 can be flared so that in the deployed position, the finger 210 no longer obstructs the inlet 101 of washing liquid of the piston 10 (see figure 3 ).

[0030] The cleaning device 1 further comprises a washing liquid dispensing nozzle 30 fixed to the second end 10b of the piston 10. This dispensing nozzle 30 comprises at least one washing liquid ejection outlet 31 fluidically connected to the at least one washing liquid outlet 102 of the second end 10b of the piston 10. The dispensing nozzle 30 may in particular be clipped onto the second end 10b of the piston 10.

[0031] As shown in more detail in the figure 4 , the cleaning device 10 comprises at least one elastically deformable membrane 40 arranged between the second end 10b of the piston 10 and the dispensing nozzle 30. This at least one membrane 40 covers and closes the at least one washing liquid outlet 102 of the piston 10. This at least one membrane 40 is more particularly deformable under a determined pressure of the washing liquid so as to allow the fluid connection between the at least one washing liquid outlet 102 of the piston 10 and the at least one washing liquid ejection outlet 31 of the dispensing nozzle 30.

[0032] The membrane 40 may in particular be made of an elastomer material, for example silicone.

[0033] The presence of this membrane 40 makes it possible, in particular when the cleaning device 1 is arranged at a lower height than the washing liquid reservoir, to limit the risks of passive flow of the washing liquid, even if the piston 10 is in the retracted position.

[0034] The at least one membrane 40 is deformable at a determined washing liquid pressure greater than or equal to 0.1 bar, preferably 0.6 bar. Advantageously, the membrane 40 is sufficiently strong not to deform at a pressure corresponding to the weight of a volume of washing liquid of the capacity of the washing liquid reservoir.

[0035] According to a first embodiment illustrated in figures 2 à 7 , the at least one membrane 40 may be a sleeve comprising a first 40a and a second 40b end. The sleeve 40 surrounds the second end 10b of the piston 10.

[0036] According to a first variant illustrated in figures 2 à 4 And 6 , the at least one washing liquid outlet 102 of the piston 10 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of sliding of said piston 10. In the illustrated example, the second end 10b of the piston 10 comprises two openings arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis L acting as washing liquid outlets 102. Still according to this first variant, the first 40a and second 40b ends of the sleeve 40 are both open. The sleeve 40 is inserted around the second end 10b of the piston 10 by its first end 40a and covers the openings 102. When washing liquid passes through the piston 10 and arrives at the openings 102, if the pressure is sufficient, this deforms the side wall of the sleeve 40 which lifts and the washing liquid can reach the distribution nozzle 30 by the second end 40b of the sleeve 40.

[0037] According to a second variant illustrated in the figure 7 , the at least one outlet 102 for washing liquid of the piston 10 is arranged in the longitudinal axis L of sliding of the piston 10. The first end 40a of the sleeve 40 is open and surrounds the second end 10b of the piston 10. The sleeve 40 is inserted around the second end 10b of the piston 10 by its first end 40a and covers the openings 102. The second end 40b of the sleeve 40 is closed and is arranged opposite the at least one outlet 102 for washing liquid of the piston 10.

[0038] Still according to this second variant, the second closed end 40b of the sleeve 40 comprises at least one opening slot 43 configured so as to allow the passage of the washing liquid from a determined pressure. The second closed end 40b of the sleeve 40 may in particular comprise a multitude of opening slots 43 arranged in a star shape. When washing liquid passes through the piston 10 and arrives at the second closed end 40b of the sleeve 40, if the pressure is sufficient, this deforms the side wall of the sleeve 40 and the opening slots 43 move apart allowing the washing liquid to reach the dispensing nozzle 30.

[0039] According to a second embodiment not shown, the membrane 40 may be a simple sheet arranged opposite an outlet 102 of washing liquid from the piston 10.

[0040] In order to maintain the at least one membrane 40, the dispensing nozzle 30 may in particular compress at least a portion of the at least one membrane 40 against the second end 10b of the piston 10. In order to facilitate this compression, the dispensing nozzle 30 and / or the membrane 40 may comprise an excess thickness 41 at the location of the compressed portion of the at least one membrane 40.

[0041] When the at least one membrane 40 is a sleeve, the compressed portion may in particular be arranged at the location of the first end 40a of the sleeve 40. In the examples illustrated in figures 2 à 7 , the sleeve 40 thus comprises an annular bead 41 surrounding its first end 40a.

[0042] In order to improve the redirection of the washing liquid towards the ejection outlet 31 of the washing liquid of the dispensing nozzle 30, when the at least one membrane 40 is a sleeve surrounding the second end 10b of the piston 10, the compressed portion may in particular extend over the entire periphery of the second end 10b of the piston 10. This also makes it possible to form a seal between the dispensing nozzle 30 and the piston 10 and thus makes it possible to guarantee the seal between these two elements.

[0043] Thus, it is clearly seen that the presence of the at least one membrane 40 makes it possible to block the flow of the washing liquid up to a certain pressure determined by the deformability of the at least one membrane 40. This thus makes it possible to prevent, when the cleaning device is arranged lower than the washing liquid reservoir, the washing liquid from flowing passively even if the piston 10 is retracted.

Claims

1. Retractable cleaning device (1) for a component of a motor vehicle, said cleaning device (1) comprising at least one piston (10) movable in sliding along a longitudinal axis (L) in a hollow body (20), said piston (10) also being hollow and comprising at a first end (10a) an inlet (101) for washing liquid and at a second end (10b) at least one outlet (102) for washing liquid, said cleaning device (1) further comprising a nozzle (30) for dispensing the washing liquid fixed to the second end (10b) of the piston (10), said dispensing nozzle (30) comprising at least one ejection outlet (31) for the washing liquid fluidically connected to the at least one outlet (102) for washing liquid of the second end (10b) of the piston (10), characterized in thatthe cleaning device (10) comprises at least one elastically deformable membrane (40) arranged between the second end (10b) of the piston (10) and the dispensing nozzle (30), said at least one membrane (40) covering and closing said at least one outlet (102) of washing liquid of the piston (10), said at least one membrane (40) being deformable under a determined pressure of the washing liquid so as to allow the fluid connection between the at least one outlet (102) of washing liquid of the piston (10) and the at least one ejection outlet (31) of the washing liquid of the dispensing nozzle (30).

2. Cleaning device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one membrane (40) is deformable at a determined washing liquid pressure greater than or equal to 0.1 bar, preferably 0.6 bar.

3. Cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe at least one membrane (40) is a sleeve comprising a first (40a) and a second (40b) end, said sleeve (40) surrounding the second end (10b) of the piston (10).

4. Cleaning device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one outlet (102) for washing liquid of the piston (10) is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of sliding of said piston (10) and in that the first (40a) and second (40b) ends of the sleeve (40) are open.

5. Cleaning device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one outlet (102) for washing liquid of the piston (10) is arranged in the longitudinal axis (L) of sliding of the piston (10), and in that the first end (40a) of the sleeve (40) is open and surrounds the second end (10b) of the piston (10), and in thatthe second end (40b) of the sleeve (40) is closed and arranged opposite the at least one washing liquid outlet (102) of the piston (10), said closed second end (40b) of the sleeve (40) comprising at least one opening slot (43) configured so as to allow the passage of the washing liquid from a determined pressure.

6. Cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing nozzle (30) compresses at least a portion of the at least one membrane (40) against the second end (10b) of the piston (10) so as to maintain said at least one membrane (40).

7. Cleaning device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the dispensing nozzle (30) and / or the membrane (30) comprises an excess thickness (41) at the location of the compressed portion of the at least one membrane (30).

8. Cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7 in combination with any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the compressed portion is arranged at the location of the first end (40a) of the sleeve (40).

9. Cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the at least one membrane (40) is a sleeve surrounding the second end (10b) of the piston (10), the compressed portion extending over the entire periphery of the second end (10b) of the piston (10).

10. Cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one membrane (40) is made of an elastomeric material.