Nozzle system for cleaning a vehicle part, in particular a windscreen of a motor vehicle, and cleaning method

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a nozzle system for cleaning a vehicle part and a method for cleaning a vehicle part. The vehicle part is, in particular, a windshield of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Nozzle systems are often used to clean vehicle parts, especially vehicle windshields. For example, in various classes of motor vehicles, so-called nozzle chains with multiple nozzles are installed on the underside of the vehicle's hood to ensure the cleaning of a vehicle's windshield using a washer or cleaning fluid. This allows washer fluid to be applied to the windshield via the nozzles at the driver's request. To ensure better performance at low temperatures and to prevent freezing at the point where the washer fluid exits the nozzle body, the nozzle chains are equipped with a heater.

[0003] Such nozzle chains with a heating function are usually based on the PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heating principle. Each nozzle body contains a PTC element. The PTC elements are electrically connected in series. A disadvantage of this heating concept is the comparatively high cost of the PTC elements. Another disadvantage is that installing the PTC elements in the nozzle body is very complex, as this requires an adhesive process. In particular, fully automated assembly is not possible.

[0004] Alternatively, other heating concepts are often used that deviate from PTC technology. These often use a heating wire that runs through the entire nozzle chain, heating the entire nozzle chain—i.e., the nozzle body and the connecting hoses—equally. However, this has the disadvantage that not only the nozzle body, which is crucial for the operation of the nozzle chain, but also the hose connectors between the nozzle bodies are heated. This leads to significantly higher energy consumption compared to PTC heating.

[0005] An example of a cleaning device heated with a heating wire is described in the document DE 10 2018 221 354 A1. A chamber that can be filled with a cleaning fluid is formed in a housing and is hydraulically connected to at least one spray nozzle for the cleaning fluid. A heatable heating wire extends into the chamber. To enable particularly rapid defrosting, a heat-conducting element is arranged in the chamber to enlarge a heat-transfer convection surface.

[0006] As a further example, the document DE 10 2015 215 932 A1 describes a nozzle system for cleaning a windshield of a motor vehicle, which nozzle system is attached to a wiper arm. The nozzle system comprises a nozzle for discharging a cleaning fluid, a tube, a valve, and a heating wire. The nozzle, the valve, and the tube form a channel that can be switched by the valve, with the heating wire arranged in the tube.

[0007] The document DE 7431778 U describes an electric heating device for spray nozzles of vehicle windscreen washer devices, with a heating wire which is mounted in the bore of the spray nozzle.

[0008] EP 0456 024 A1 describes an electrically heated hose for windshield washer systems in vehicles. It contains a heating element in the form of a coaxial cable with an inner copper conductor and a wire mesh surrounding it. These conductors are connected to each other near one end of the hose.

[0009] Further heating devices for windscreen washer systems are described in the publications DE 37 09 308 A1, EP 1 958 832 A1 and EP 2 078 647 A2.

[0010] It is the object of the invention to provide a nozzle system and a cleaning method for cleaning vehicle parts and in particular vehicle windows, which is effectively heated, can be produced with little effort and at low cost, and has only low energy consumption during operation.

[0011] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous features and details emerge from the dependent claims.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, a nozzle system for cleaning a vehicle part and in particular a vehicle window is provided, comprising at least one nozzle body with a nozzle for applying a cleaning fluid to the vehicle part, a fluid line arrangement which is designed to be connected to a fluid-based cleaning system of the vehicle in order to guide the cleaning fluid to the nozzle body, and an electrically conductive heating wire which runs through the fluid line arrangement and through the at least one nozzle body, wherein the heating wire comprises sections which have different cross-sections depending on their respective position in the nozzle system.The heating wire has a smaller cross-section in an area inside the nozzle body than in an area of ​​the fluid line arrangement outside the nozzle body, so that significantly more heat energy is introduced in the area of ​​the nozzle body than in the fluid line arrangement.

[0013] The invention enables particularly effective heating of the nozzle system with low energy consumption. The energy input can be efficiently used where it is actually needed. Manufacturing effort is minimal and costs minimal, as PTC elements are no longer required, which are relatively expensive and also require considerable effort to install.

[0014] The basic idea of ​​the invention lies in particular in the fact that the heating wire has different cross-sections depending on its position in the nozzle chain. The nozzle system preferably has several nozzle bodies arranged one behind the other and connected to one another by the fluid line arrangement. One or more nozzle bodies are designed such that a portion of the supplied cleaning fluid exits its nozzle, while another portion of the cleaning fluid is passed on to a nozzle element arranged downstream in the direction of flow.

[0015] The fluid line arrangement preferably comprises a plurality of sections that connect a plurality of spaced-apart nozzle bodies. Advantageously, the sections of the fluid line arrangement and the nozzle bodies form a continuous fluid channel, in which the heating wire extends, in particular, continuously.

[0016] In particular, the fluid line arrangement is formed by a hose system, wherein the nozzle bodies are connected by individual hose sections.

[0017] The heating wire runs advantageously through the complete hose system of the nozzle chain and through the nozzles themselves.

[0018] For example, the heating wire has a relatively high cross-section in the area of ​​hose pieces that form fluid lines and, for example, connect the nozzles, whereas the cross-section of the heating wire in the area of ​​the nozzles is relatively small.

[0019] The different resistances of the heating wire in the thick and thin cross-section areas ensure that the heating wire heats up significantly only in the thin areas. These thin cross-section areas are advantageously located directly in the nozzle bodies themselves.

[0020] Advantageously, the diameter of the heating wire in the region of the one or more nozzle bodies is less than 1 / 5, preferably less than 1 / 10, and particularly preferably less than 1 / 20 of its diameter in the region of the fluid line arrangement.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for cleaning a vehicle part and in particular a vehicle window is specified, comprising the steps of: supplying a cleaning fluid through a fluid line arrangement to at least one nozzle formed in a nozzle body; and applying the cleaning fluid to the vehicle part by means of the nozzle; wherein the nozzle body is heated by a heating wire which runs in the fluid line arrangement to the nozzle body, and wherein in the region of the nozzle body, by means of different cross-sections of the heating wire, substantially more heat energy is introduced than in the fluid line arrangement.

[0022] The invention enables, in particular, low energy consumption, since targeted heating takes place at the points of the nozzle bodies.

[0023] Preferably, the cleaning fluid is supplied by means of the fluid line arrangement to several nozzle bodies, each of which is specifically heated by the heating wire.

[0024] In particular, the cleaning process is carried out with a nozzle system according to the invention.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is provided which comprises a cleaning system with a nozzle system according to the invention.

[0026] Advantages, details, and features described in connection with one aspect of the invention also apply reciprocally to the other aspects of the invention.

[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings, in which: Fig. 1a schematic view of a nozzle system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein one of the nozzle bodies is additionally shown in an enlarged section as a view from below; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle equipped with a nozzle system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 3 a nozzle body with a nozzle surrounded by a cover.

[0028] In the figures, identical or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals and are therefore not described repeatedly unless appropriate. Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the various embodiments shown and described may represent independent, inventive, or inventive solutions.

[0029] Fig. 1shows a nozzle system 10 for cleaning a vehicle part according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the example shown here, the nozzle system 10 serves to clean a windscreen 11 of a motor vehicle 12, which is Fig. 2 The nozzle system 10 forms a nozzle chain and has several nozzle bodies 13, in each of which a nozzle 14 is arranged, which in Fig. 3 is shown to spray a cleaning fluid onto the window 11 of the vehicle 12.

[0030] As in Fig. 1 As shown, the nozzle bodies 13 are connected to one another by a fluid line arrangement 15, which is designed to conduct the cleaning fluid, such as windshield washer fluid, to the nozzle bodies 13. For this purpose, the fluid line arrangement 15 is provided with a connection element 16, which is designed for connection to a fluid-based cleaning system 17 of the vehicle 12.

[0031] The fluid line arrangement 15 comprises a plurality of fluid lines or sections 20, 22, 24, which form a hose system and connect the spaced-apart nozzle bodies 13. The sections 20, 22, 24, designed as hose pieces, together with the nozzle bodies 13, each of which has a cavity or channel for conducting the fluid, form a continuous fluid channel.

[0032] A heating wire 18 extends longitudinally through the fluid line arrangement 15 and also through each of the nozzle bodies 13. This means that the heating wire 18 extends continuously longitudinally through the fluid channel. Depending on its position in the fluid channel and thus in the nozzle system or nozzle chain 10, the heating wire 18 has sections with different cross-sections. This means that different sections, parts, or subregions of the heating wire 18 have different cross-sections, with the cross-section of the respective section depending on its position in the nozzle system 10 or in the fluid channel.

[0033] The enlarged section A in Figure 1shows an enlarged view of the first nozzle body 13 of the nozzle system 10 as a view from below, together with the line sections 20, 22, which are adjacent to both sides of the nozzle body 13 and are connected to it to conduct the cleaning fluid. The nozzle body 13 is surrounded laterally and at the top by a cover element 13a, while its underside 34 is exposed. In the nozzle body 13, the heating wire 18 has a significantly smaller cross-section than in the line sections 20, 22 of the fluid line arrangement 15.

[0034] This means that the heating wire 18 has a relatively large cross-section in the area of ​​the line sections 20, 22, 24, whereas the cross-section of the heating wire 18 in the area of ​​the nozzle bodies 13 and thus in the area of ​​the nozzles 14 is very small.

[0035] The sections of the heating wire 18 in the area of ​​the line sections 20, 22, 24 are marked with the reference numeral 26, while the sections of the heating wire 18 in the area of ​​the nozzle body 13 are marked with the reference numeral 28.

[0036] Due to the different electrical resistances of the heating wire 18, i.e. in the areas or line sections 22, 24, 26 with a high or large cross-section on the one hand and in the areas of the nozzle body 13 with a thin or small cross-section on the other hand, the heating wire 18 is only significantly heated at the thin points, i.e. in the heating wire sections 28 which run in the nozzle bodies 13. These points or sections 28 with a thin cross-section are advantageously located directly in the nozzle bodies 13 themselves. In this way, the introduced energy can be used efficiently where it is actually needed.

[0037] The diameter of the heating wire 18 in the region of the nozzle body 13 or in the respective section 28 is advantageously less than 1 / 5, preferably less than 1 / 10 and particularly preferably less than 1 / 20 of its diameter in the regions 26 of the fluid line arrangement 15.

[0038] Due to the design of the heating wire 18 described here, a much lower total energy input into the heater or the heating wire is required in order to achieve the same heating output in the area of ​​the nozzle body 13 as in a nozzle system with a continuous heating wire that has a constant cross-section, since this would heat up equally over its entire length.

[0039] The connecting element 16 for connecting the nozzle chain or the nozzle system 10 to the cleaning system 17 of the vehicle 12 is formed by a connecting piece in the form of a hose connector and by an electrical connection for electrically connecting the heating wire 18 to a voltage source not shown in the figures.

[0040] To secure the nozzle chain 10 to the vehicle 12 or the vehicle body, fastening elements 30a, 30b are attached to the nozzle chain 10 and are fastened to the various sections 20, 22, 24 of the fluid line arrangement 15. The fastening elements 30a, 30b are designed, for example, as clamping elements or clips and serve to guide the fluid line arrangement or the hose so that it can be fastened or is fastened to the front flap 32 of the vehicle 12 and is held there.

[0041] In addition, Fig. 3a plan view of the nozzle 14, which is formed in the nozzle body 13 largely surrounded by the cover element 13a.

[0042] The underside 34 of the nozzle body 13 is designed as a support surface or plate-like. Projections 36 are formed on the underside 34, which engage the sheet metal of the front flap 32 of the vehicle 12 to secure the nozzle chain 10.

[0043] The nozzle system according to the invention can be attached to the vehicle 12 in various ways and used to clean a vehicle part, such as a windshield. For example, the nozzle system can also be attached to or inserted into a wiper arm of the windshield wiper system in order to clean a vehicle window. In other embodiments, the nozzle system is designed to clean a rear window of a vehicle. In further embodiments, the nozzle system is designed to clean sensors or sensor surfaces, cameras, and other vehicle parts. In general, the nozzle system can be used for water-based or fluid-based cleaning systems for cleaning parts or their surfaces in vehicles.

[0044] To clean a vehicle part, a cleaning fluid is supplied to the nozzle bodies 13 via the fluid line arrangement 18 of the nozzle system 10 and from there applied to the vehicle part via the nozzle 14 arranged in the respective nozzle body 13. The vehicle part is, for example, the windshield or front window 11 of the vehicle 12. In this case, the heating wire 18 introduces significantly more heat energy in the area of ​​the nozzle body 13 than in the area of ​​the fluid line arrangement 15 or the fluid line sections 20, 22, 24.

[0045] Different embodiments of the nozzle system are possible, for example, as shown in the figures with multiple nozzle bodies 13, or with just one nozzle body 13. In the case of multiple nozzle bodies 13, some of the nozzle bodies are designed so that the cleaning fluid flows through one or more nozzle bodies 13 and then reaches one or more further nozzle bodies 13. As it passes through the respective nozzle body 13, a portion of the cleaning fluid is sprayed and / or squirted onto the vehicle part or window 11 through its nozzle 14 or through multiple nozzles of the nozzle body.

[0046] The invention increases cleaning effectiveness while simultaneously reducing manufacturing costs. Energy consumption is reduced because the energy required for heating is applied precisely where it is needed. Furthermore, the invention enables highly efficient cleaning nozzle systems for vehicles without the need for PTC elements. This allows for significantly simpler, automated, and therefore more cost-effective production as well as far more options for supplying the components, further increasing manufacturing efficiency. List of reference symbols:

[0047] 10Nozzle system / nozzle chain 11Window / windscreen 12Motor vehicle 13Nozzle body 13aCover element 14Nozzle 15Fluid line arrangement 16Connection element 17Cleaning system 18Heating wire 20, 22, 24Sections of the fluid line arrangement / line sections 26Sections of the heating wire in the area of ​​the line sections 28Sections of the heating wire in the area of ​​the nozzle bodies 30a, 30bFastening elements 32Front flap 34Underside 36Protrusion

Claims

1. Nozzle system (10) for cleaning a vehicle part (11), in particular a window of a motor vehicle (12), comprising at least one nozzle body (13) having a nozzle (14) for applying a cleaning liquid to the vehicle part (11), a fluid line arrangement (15), which is configured for connection to a fluid-based cleaning system (17) of the vehicle (12), in order to conduct the cleaning liquid to the nozzle body (13), an electrically conducting heating wire (18) which runs through the fluid line arrangement (15) and through the at least one nozzle body (13), characterized in that the heating wire (18) comprises portions (26, 28) which have different cross sections in dependence on their respective position in the nozzle system (10), wherein the heating wire (18) has a smaller cross section within the nozzle body (13) than in a region of the fluid line arrangement (15) outside of the nozzle body (13), such that significantly more heat energy is introduced in the region of the nozzle body (13) than in the fluid line arrangement (15).

2. Nozzle system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fluid line arrangement (15) comprises a plurality of portions (20, 22, 24) which connect a plurality of nozzle bodies (13) which are spaced apart from one another to one another, wherein the portions (20, 22, 24) of the fluid line arrangement (15) and the nozzle bodies (13) form a continuous fluid channel in which the heating wire (18) continuously extends.

3. Nozzle system according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid line arrangement (15) is formed by a hose system, wherein the nozzle bodies (13) are connected by individual hose portions.

4. Nozzle system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the heating wire (18) in the region of the one or more nozzle bodies (13) is less than 1 / 5 of its diameter in the region of the fluid line arrangement (15).

5. Method for cleaning a vehicle part (11), in particular a window of a motor vehicle (12), comprising the steps: feeding a cleaning liquid through a fluid line arrangement (15) to at least one nozzle (14) configured in a nozzle body (13); and applying the cleaning liquid to the vehicle part (11) by means of the nozzle (14); wherein the nozzle body (13) is heated by a heating wire which runs in the fluid line arrangement (15) as far as the nozzle body, and wherein, by means of different cross sections of the heating wire (18), significantly more heat energy is introduced in the region of the nozzle body (13) than in the fluid line arrangement (15).

6. Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that the cleaning liquid is fed to a plurality of nozzle bodies (13) by means of the fluid line arrangement (15), each of said nozzle bodies being heated in a targeted manner by means of the heating wire (18).

7. Method according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it is carried out by means of a nozzle system according to one of Claims 1 to 4.

8. Motor vehicle (12), characterized in that it comprises a cleaning system (17) having a nozzle system according to one of Claims 1 to 4.