Windscreen washer system for a rail vehicle

Abstract

Rail vehicle (1) with a windscreen washer system (5), with a first washer fluid reservoir (10) and a washer fluid pump (13), characterized in that the windscreen washer system (5) has at least one second washer fluid reservoir (11) which is spaced apart from the first washer fluid reservoir (11), wherein the first washer fluid reservoir (10) and the second washer fluid reservoir (11) are arranged in the rail vehicle (1) at the same height, spaced apart from one another and on opposite sides of the rail vehicle (1), each in an access area of an associated maintenance opening in order to be able to access the washer fluid reservoirs (10, 11) from the respective outside and to fill them, wherein the washer fluid reservoirs (10, 11) are each provided with a filling device (12) for this purpose, by means of which washer fluid is pumped into the first and second washer fluid reservoirs (11).second washer fluid reservoir (10, 11) can be filled, wherein the first washer fluid reservoir (10) and the second washer fluid reservoir (11) are connected to one another via a line (14, 15) and enables level compensation between the first washer fluid reservoir (10) and the second washer fluid reservoir (11), so that if washer fluid is refilled into one of the washer fluid reservoirs (10, 11) via only one of the two filling devices (12), the other washer fluid reservoir (11, 10) is automatically filled via the line (14, 15).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a windscreen washer system for a rail vehicle, comprising a first washer fluid reservoir, a washer fluid pump and a first line connecting the first washer fluid reservoir to the washer fluid pump.

[0002] Rail vehicles typically have windshield washer systems that allow windshields to be cleaned of dirt while driving. Washer fluid is pumped onto the windshield and then, or simultaneously with the wiper movement, distributed over the windshield and then removed. The washer fluid can be treated with detergent additives to improve its cleaning effect.

[0003] Washer fluid tanks are used to store washer fluid. Ideally, their volume is sufficient to supply the windshield washer system with washer fluid for the entire duration of an operating cycle, i.e., for the entire period between two maintenance operations. Depending on weather conditions and environmental influences, such as dusty air, the volume of washer fluid required to reliably clean the windshield can vary. Ideally, the volume of the washer fluid tank is sized so that the available washer fluid volume is sufficient for the entire duration of an operating cycle, even with very high cleaning requirements.

[0004] In modern rail vehicles, the ratio of vehicle mass to passenger is becoming increasingly important. The mass of a vehicle is directly related to the space available within it. For this reason, optimal use of the available space is crucial. This reduces the space available on the vehicle for arranging components. Regarding the required washer fluid volume, this creates the problem that a sufficiently large washer fluid tank cannot be accommodated on the vehicle.

[0005] A windshield washer system of the type mentioned above is shown in DE 298 12 671 U1. All components of the windshield washer system, such as the water reservoir, windshield wipers, and the washer pump, are arranged close together in a washer fluid housing. The integrated arrangement of the components reduces the space required for the windshield washer system, but at the same time results in a reduced washer fluid volume.

[0006] DE 10 2017 011 343 A1 discloses a windshield washer reservoir for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing for holding windshield washer fluid. At least one stiffening element is arranged within the housing, which has such rigidity that the windshield washer reservoir is suitable as an actuating element for applying pressure to a vehicle wheel in the event of a crash.

[0007] DE 39 16 337 A1 describes a heating device for a windscreen washer system of a motor vehicle, wherein the windscreen washer system has two storage containers.

[0008] JP H04 - 166 461 A and JP S62 - 386 862 A each disclose a windscreen washer system with two connected washer fluid tanks.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a rail vehicle with a windscreen washer system that ensures reliable cleaning of the windscreens of a rail vehicle even in adverse weather conditions.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention with a rail vehicle having the windshield washer system according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are contained in the subclaims.

[0011] According to the invention, the solution to the problem is that the windscreen washer system has at least one second washer fluid reservoir which is spaced apart from the first washer fluid reservoir.

[0012] An advantage of the solution according to the invention is that by dividing the washer fluid volume into a first and a second washer fluid reservoir, different installation spaces can be used to accommodate the washer fluid volume, including installation spaces that are spaced apart from one another. The limited space available in modern rail vehicles often means that no larger, contiguous installation space is available, but rather several smaller installation spaces. The invention allows the use of several small installation spaces to accommodate the required washer fluid volume. Ideally, the washer fluid reservoirs are dimensioned such that the windshield washer system ensures optimal cleaning of the windshields of a rail vehicle, even under unfavorable ambient conditions, at least over a complete operating cycle.

[0013] According to the invention, a first and a second washer fluid reservoir are arranged in the rail vehicle at the same height, spaced apart from each other, and on opposite sides of the rail vehicle, each within an access area of ​​a corresponding maintenance opening. The washer fluid reservoirs can be spaced apart from the washer fluid pump. This allows a separate installation space to be used for the washer fluid pump as well.

[0014] According to the invention, the first washer fluid reservoir and the second washer fluid reservoir are connected to each other via a line. In a further embodiment of the invention, the line can comprise a first line connecting the first washer fluid reservoir to the washer fluid pump and a second line connecting the second washer fluid reservoir to the windshield washer system. Flexible lines, in particular, can be used to enable a correspondingly flexible arrangement of the components.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second washer fluid reservoir is connected to the first washer fluid reservoir via the second line. This connection between the washer fluid reservoirs enables level compensation between the reservoirs. The first and second washer fluid reservoirs are each provided with a filling device. For example, only the first washer fluid reservoir can be filled with washer fluid, with the washer fluid also reaching the second reservoir via the second line. For this purpose, a base of the second washer fluid reservoir can be arranged at the same level as the base of the first washer fluid reservoir in order to be able to completely empty the second washer fluid reservoir when the washer fluid is pumped from the first washer fluid reservoir.

[0016] The second washer fluid reservoir is equipped with a filling device. In this embodiment, the bottom of the second washer fluid reservoir can be at the same level as the bottom of the first washer fluid reservoir or positioned at a higher level, ensuring that the second washer fluid reservoir can also be completely emptied when the first washer fluid reservoir connected to the washer fluid pump is emptied.

[0017] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, the first and second lines are connected to one another. The first and second lines can be connected directly or via a connecting device, e.g., a T-piece. In this way, the lines can serve not only to equalize the level between the first and second washer fluid reservoirs, but also to directly convey the washer fluid toward a windshield.

[0018] According to a further expedient development of the invention, the first and second lines can open into a third line, through which the first and second lines are connected to the washer fluid pump.

[0019] The first washer fluid reservoir and the second washer fluid reservoir are arranged at a distance from each other in the vehicle. The washer fluid reservoirs are arranged, in particular, on opposite sides of the washer fluid pump, and the first and second lines can be connected to each other and to the washer fluid pump via a T-piece. This allows for an overall reduction in line length.

[0020] In one embodiment of a rail vehicle with a windshield washer system according to the invention, the first washer fluid reservoir and the second washer fluid reservoir can be housed in spaced-apart installation spaces. Other components can be arranged between the installation spaces. Any installation spaces large enough to store a usable amount of washer fluid can be used.

[0021] In particular, the washer fluid reservoirs are arranged on opposite sides of the rail vehicle. The washer fluid reservoirs can be arranged symmetrically to a center plane of the rail vehicle in order to optimize the weight distribution within the vehicle.

[0022] The first and second washer fluid reservoirs are located on opposite sides of the vehicle, each within an access area of ​​a maintenance opening. The washer fluid reservoirs are each equipped with a filling device. This allows both washer fluid reservoirs to be filled from either side of the vehicle, regardless of the location of the platform.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment of the rail vehicle, it can have a crash structure, wherein the washer fluid reservoirs are arranged in the region of the crash structure or directly on the crash structure. The crash structure can serve to attach the washer fluid reservoirs, or the washer fluid reservoirs can be attached to the crash structure. The washer fluid reservoirs can extend into the deformation space of the crash structure or be arranged within it. In this way, the deformation space of the crash structure can be advantageously used for arranging the washer fluid reservoirs.

[0024] The washer fluid reservoirs can be made of a relatively flexible, easily deformable material, in particular plastic, so that in the event of a crash no significant forces are transmitted via the washer fluid reservoirs or the washer fluid reservoirs can deform without impairing the function of the crash structure.

[0025] A further advantageous embodiment of the rail vehicle provides that the first and second washer fluid tanks have outlet openings arranged essentially at the same height. This ensures that both washer fluid tanks can be completely emptied, particularly when a common line connects both washer fluid tanks to a washer fluid pump or a washer fluid nozzle.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment, in which the washer fluid tanks are arranged at different heights, the first washer fluid tank can be connected to the washer fluid pump and arranged below the second washer fluid tank. The second washer fluid tank can have a filling device. The first washer fluid tank can be equipped with a measuring device for determining the washer fluid supply, in order to be able to determine the amount even when the water supply is low.

[0027] The accompanying drawing illustrates an embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention. A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the figure. The figure shows a rail vehicle with a windshield washer system according to the invention.

[0028] The figure shows a front view of a rail vehicle 1. The rail vehicle 1 has a car body 2 equipped with a driver's cab 3. The car body 2 is shown with the front panel open. The driver's cab 3 is protected from environmental influences by a windshield 4. If the windshield 4 becomes dirty, a windshield washer system 5 is used to clean the windshield 4.

[0029] The windshield washer system 5 comprises a windshield wiper 6, which is pivotally mounted and driven by a windshield wiper motor (not shown here) located below the windshield 4. The windshield wiper 6 has a windshield wiper arm 7, to the upper end of which a wiper blade 8 is attached. A washer fluid nozzle 9 is arranged in the area of ​​the wiper blade 8, through which washer fluid can be pumped onto the windshield 4.

[0030] A first washer fluid reservoir 10 and a second washer fluid reservoir 11 are provided for storing the washer fluid. The washer fluid reservoirs 10, 11 have essentially the same structure. The washer fluid reservoirs 10, 11 are mounted at the same height and on opposite sides of the rail vehicle 1. Due to the lateral arrangement of the washer fluid reservoirs 10, 11, they are accessible from the outside of the rail vehicle 1. Maintenance hatches (not shown here) in the outer paneling of the rail vehicle 1 serve to access the washer fluid reservoirs 10, 11 for filling them.

[0031] For filling, the washer fluid reservoirs 10, 11 have filling devices 12. The filling devices 12 include inlets through which washer fluid can be poured into the washer fluid reservoirs 10, 11. The filling devices 12 can be formed, for example, by screw caps.

[0032] A washer fluid pump 13 serves to pump washer fluid from the washer fluid reservoirs 10, 11 to the washer fluid nozzle 9. The first washer fluid reservoir 10 is connected to the washer fluid pump 13 via a first line 14. A first outlet opening 21 is provided on the first washer fluid reservoir 10 for connecting the first line 14.

[0033] The second washer fluid reservoir 11 is connected to the washer fluid pump 13 by a second line 15. A second outlet opening 22 is provided on the second washer fluid reservoir 11 for connecting the second line 15.

[0034] The first line 14 and the second line 15 are connected to a T-piece 16, which connects the first and second lines 14, 15 to a delivery line 17 integrated into the washer fluid pump 13. The delivery line 17 opens into a third line 18, which carries the washer fluid to the windshield wiper 6 or the washer fluid nozzle 9. For this purpose, the third line 18 can be connected to a line integrated into the windshield wiper 6 or directly to the washer fluid nozzle 9.

[0035] The washer fluid pump 13 draws the washer fluid from the first washer fluid reservoir 10 via the delivery line 17, the T-piece 16, and the first line 14. At the same time, the washer fluid pump 13 draws washer fluid via the delivery line 17, the T-piece 16, and the second line 15. Because the two washer fluid reservoirs 10, 11, or in particular the first and second outlet openings 21, 22, are located on a common plane, the first line 14 and the second line 15 are always filled with washer fluid as long as there is washer fluid in the washer fluid reservoirs 10, 11. The first line 14, the T-piece 16, and the second line 15 function together as a compensating line. In addition, it is possible to refill the washer fluid into one of the washer fluid reservoirs via only one of the filling devices 12, whereby the second washer fluid reservoir is automatically filled via the first line 14, the T-piece 16 and the second line 15.

[0036] The two washer fluid reservoirs 10, 11 are arranged via fastening interfaces 19, 20. The fastening interfaces 19, 20 serve to fasten a crash structure of the rail vehicle 1 (not shown here). The fastening interfaces 19, 20 or the crash structure fastened to the fastening interfaces 19, 20 can also serve to fasten the washer fluid reservoirs 10, 11. To prevent the arrangement of the washer fluid reservoirs 10, 11 from impairing the function of the crash structure in the event of a crash, they are preferably made of a flexible material whose energy absorption in the event of a crash is negligible compared to the energy absorption of the crash structure.

[0037] The specific embodiments described and illustrated are not binding for the practice of the invention, but may be suitably modified within the scope of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. List of reference symbols 1 rail vehicle 2 car bodies 3 Driver's cab 4 Windshield 5 Windscreen washer system 6 windshield wipers 7 Windscreen wiper arm 8 wiper blades 9 Windshield washer nozzle 10 First washer fluid reservoir 11 Second washer fluid reservoir 12 Filling device 13 Windshield washer pump 14 First line 15 Second line 16 T-piece 17 Conveyor line 18 Third line 19, 20 mounting interfaces 21 First outlet opening 22 Second outlet opening

Claims

[1] Rail vehicle (1) with a windscreen washer system (5), with a first washer fluid reservoir (10) and a washer fluid pump (13), characterized byin that the windscreen washer system (5) has at least one second washer fluid reservoir (11) which is spaced apart from the first washer fluid reservoir (11), wherein the first washer fluid reservoir (10) and the second washer fluid reservoir (11) are arranged in the rail vehicle (1) at the same height, spaced apart from one another and on opposite sides of the rail vehicle (1), each in an access area of ​​an associated maintenance opening in order to be able to access the washer fluid reservoirs (10, 11) from the respective outside and to fill them, wherein the washer fluid reservoirs (10, 11) are each provided with a filling device (12) for this purpose, by means of which washer fluid can be filled into the first orsecond washer fluid reservoir (10, 11) can be filled, wherein the first washer fluid reservoir (10) and the second washer fluid reservoir (11) are connected to one another via a line (14, 15) and enables level compensation between the first washer fluid reservoir (10) and the second washer fluid reservoir (11), so that if washer fluid is refilled into one of the washer fluid reservoirs (10, 11) via only one of the two filling devices (12), the other washer fluid reservoir (11, 10) is automatically filled via the line (14, 15). [2] Rail vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the first and second washer fluid reservoirs (10, 11) are spaced apart from the washer fluid pump (13). [3] Rail vehicle (1) according to one of the above claims, characterized bythat the line has a first line (14) which connects the first washer fluid reservoir (10) to the washer fluid pump (13), and a second line (15) through which the second washer fluid reservoir (11) is connected to the windscreen washer system (5). [4] Rail vehicle (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the second washer fluid reservoir (11) is connected to the first washer fluid reservoir (10) via the second line (15). [5] Rail vehicle (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized by that the first line (14) and the second line (15) are connected to each other. [6] Rail vehicle (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by that the first line (14) and the second line (15) open into a third line (18) through which the first line (14) and the second line (15) are connected to the washer fluid pump (13). [7] Rail vehicle (1) according to one of the above claims, characterized bythat the first washer fluid reservoir (10) and the second washer fluid reservoir (11) are accommodated in installation spaces spaced apart from one another. [8] Rail vehicle (1) according to one of the above claims, characterized by that the rail vehicle (1) has a crash structure and the washer fluid containers (10, 11) are arranged in the region of the crash structure or directly on the crash structure. [9] Rail vehicle (1) according to one of the above claims, characterized by that the first washer fluid reservoir (10) and the second washer fluid reservoir (11) each have an outlet opening (21, 22), wherein the outlet openings (21, 22) are arranged at the same height. [10] Rail vehicle (1) according to one of the above claims, characterized by that the washer fluid containers (10, 11) each have an inlet and the inlets are arranged at the same height.

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