Connection module for flexible type windshield washer reservoir

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection module for a flexible pouch windshield washer fluid reservoir, comprising a rigid hollow body (21) including a single connection interface (23) intended to be attached to said pouch at an opening provided therein so as to be in fluidic communication with it, said hollow body (21) also including at least one connection fitting (24, 25) for an electric pump; characterized in that said rigid hollow body (21) includes a vertical hollow column (22) fluidically connected to said connection interface (23), as well as at least two said connection fittings (24, 25) extending from said column (22). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Connection module for flexible type windshield washer reservoir Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to windshield washer reservoirs for motor vehicles. It relates in particular to flexible type windshield washer reservoirs. Prior art

[0002] The windscreen washer reservoirs are filled with a washing liquid such as water or an alcohol-based anti-freeze liquid intended to supply nozzles associated with wiping means for cleaning the glass surfaces of a motor vehicle, in particular those of the front windscreen and / or its rear window.

[0003] These tanks, which are conventionally molded from rigid plastic using an injection or blowing process, generally have a significant bulk due to their capacity, which must be sufficient to allow use for a long period between two fillings, this capacity being able to commonly reach three to five liters and being above all limited by the space available to house it usually in the engine compartment of this vehicle.

[0004] Due to their large volume, windshield washer reservoirs incur particularly high logistics transport costs between their manufacturing sites and the assembly sites in which these reservoirs are installed on motor vehicles.

[0005] In order to overcome this drawback, French patent application FR 2 935 121 A1 describes a windscreen washer reservoir comprising two flexible plastic sheets superimposed on each other and assembled in a sealed manner along their periphery so as to define between them a pocket capable of receiving a washing liquid.

[0006] This reservoir also comprises a first and a second rigid hollow insert made of plastic material attached to this pocket at the level of an opening made in the latter and via corresponding connection interfaces, these inserts each comprising a connection end piece respectively to a filling spout and to an electric pump.

[0007] Such a tank made from two flexible plastic sheets has the advantage of being relatively flat when empty (only the two inserts protrude slightly from these sheets) and therefore of having a small footprint, which makes it possible to considerably reduce logistical transport costs as well as polluting emissions during this transport phase.

[0008] Furthermore, certain motor vehicles are equipped with headlight washers and / or camera washers ensuring the projection and spraying of a washing liquid onto the external surface of the headlight glass or the camera lens.

[0009] Such a projector and / or camera washing device comprises at least one spray nozzle arranged and oriented so as to project a washing jet onto the external surface of the glass of a projector or the lens of a camera.

[0010] The spray nozzle(s) of each of these devices must be supplied with washing liquid by a specific electric pump connected to the windscreen washer reservoir.

[0011] In the case where this reservoir is of the flexible type, the connection of this or these pumps requires providing one or more additional hollow inserts attached to this pocket, each at the level of a corresponding opening.

[0012] This multiplication of the number of inserts and therefore of openings in the pocket leads to a significant increase in the risks of leaks due to poor sealing between the connection interface of such an insert and the periphery of the corresponding opening on which it is fixed, especially since these connection zones are stressed each time the tank is filled or emptied by the deformation of the flexible sheets. Statement of the invention

[0013] The present invention therefore aims to improve the situation.

[0014] To this end, it proposes a connection module for a windscreen washer reservoir with a flexible pocket, comprising a rigid hollow body comprising a single connection interface intended to be attached to said pocket at an opening provided in the latter so as to be in fluid communication with it, said hollow body also comprising at least one connection end piece for an electric pump; characterized in that said rigid hollow body comprises a vertical hollow column fluidly connected to said connection interface, as well as at least two said connection tips extending from said column.

[0015] The connection module according to the invention makes it possible to fluidically connect several electric pumps to the flexible pocket of a windshield washer reservoir using a single connection interface on the pocket, so as to significantly reduce the risks of leaks during the period of use of a windshield washer reservoir with a flexible pocket.

[0016] According to preferred characteristics of said connection module according to the invention: - said connection end pieces are offset vertically from each other; - said connection end pieces extend radially from said column in directions angularly spaced from each other; - said hollow body also comprises clamping members projecting from said column, each directly above a respective end piece so as to provide support for a corresponding pump; - said connection module comprises a plug mounted on the open upper end of said column and in which a vent hole is provided; - said connection module comprises a liquid level sensor comprising a housing attached to the external face of said column and housing a magnetically controlled switch acted upon by a magnet carried by a float housed inside said column; and / or - said connection module comprises means for sliding adjustment of the vertical position of said housing along at least a portion of said column.

[0017] The invention also relates, in a second aspect, to 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 capable of receiving a washing liquid, a first hollow insert in fluid communication with said pocket and provided with a connection end piece to a filling spout, and a second rigid hollow insert in fluid communication with said pocket and provided with at least one connection end piece to an electric pump; characterized in that said second insert is constituted by such a connection module.

[0018] Said reservoir advantageously comprises a rigid peripheral frame surrounding said pocket along the peripheral periphery of said flexible sheets and secured to the pocket by fixing means preferably comprising two pins extending transversely from two opposite corner zones of said frame and each being snapped into a respective eyelet crimped onto two superimposed corner portions of said sheets projecting from said pocket. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, given below for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0020] [fig. 1] represents a perspective view of a flexible type windscreen washer reservoir comprising a connection module according to the invention; and

[0021] [fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of the tank of figure 1, taken at the level of the transverse diametrical plane of the connection module, and

[0022] [fig.3] represents a perspective view of the connection module alone. Description of the embodiments

[0023] Figures 1 and 2 show a flexible type windscreen washer reservoir 1 intended to be installed in a motor vehicle.

[0024] As is clearly visible in these figures, the tank 1 comprises two flexible plastic sheets 2, 3 of the same dimensions, the latter being superimposed on one another and assembled in a sealed manner along their periphery by a joining bead advantageously produced by heat-sealing.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The reservoir 1 also comprises a first hollow tubular insert 5 made of rigid plastic material, a first end of which is fixed by gluing or heat-welding to the external face of the flexible sheet 3, on the periphery of a first corresponding opening (not visible) formed in the latter in the upper part of the pocket P, so that this insert 5 is in fluid communication with this pocket.

[0027] The second end of this first insert 5 has a tubular end piece 7 arranged to allow the connection of a filling spout not shown and conventionally in the form of a pipe provided at its free end with an orifice closed by a plug.

[0028] The reservoir 1 also comprises a frame 8 made of rigid plastic material, surrounding the pocket P along the peripheral periphery of the two flexible sheets 2, 3.

[0029] The frame 8 is secured to the pocket P by means of two pins 9 extending transversely from two opposite corner zones of this frame 8 and each being snapped into a respective metal eyelet 10 crimped onto two superimposed corner portions of the sheets 2, 3 projecting from the pocket P.

[0030] The frame 8 also includes 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.

[0031] These fixing means comprise two T-shaped attachment members 11 extending from and above the upper edge of this frame 8, being longitudinally spaced from each other.

[0032] These attachment members 11 are each designed to cooperate in sliding manner with an elongated slot provided in a corresponding fixing lug of the support.

[0033] These fixing means also comprise a protrusion 12 projecting transversely from the central part of the lower edge of the frame 8 and extending at its free end by a right-angled tab 13 having a circular orifice 14 making it possible to lock by screwing, onto a bodywork element of the vehicle, the position of the tank 1 after it has been slidably placed in the compartment. engine compartment of this vehicle via the attachment components 11.

[0034] The tank 1 further comprises a second insert constituted by the connection module 20 shown alone in FIG. 3.

[0035] This connection module 20 comprises a main body 21 made of rigid plastic material, advantageously molded from a thermoplastic polymer such as Polypropylene (PP) or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), optionally reinforced with natural and / or synthetic fibers.

[0036] The main body 21 comprises a hollow vertical tubular column 22, open on top and extending along a lateral edge of the frame 8, as well as a tubular connection interface of the fir tree type 23 fluidly connected to this column 22 from which it projects radially near its lower end, and being fixedly and tightly interposed (advantageously by heat welding) in an opening formed between the two superimposed lateral edges of the sheets 2, 3 near the lower end of the pocket P, so as to be in fluid communication with this pocket P.

[0037] In order to ensure that the connection module 20 is held against the lateral edge of the frame 8, the latter comprises two C-shaped clamps 15 extending laterally from its external face at different heights and cooperating by snap-fastening with the column 22 (see figure 1).

[0038] As illustrated in Figure 3, the main body 21 also comprises: - a first tubular end piece 24 extending radially from the column 22 and close to its lower end to allow the connection of a first electric pump not shown and intended to supply the circuit of the windscreen washer device; and - a second tubular end piece 25 extending radially from the column 22 and above this first end piece 24 to allow the connection of a second electric pump not shown and intended to supply the circuit of the headlight washer device.

[0039] Advantageously, the two end pieces 24, 25 extend in angularly spaced directions so as to avoid any risk of interference between the two pumps.

[0040] Still with reference to Figure 3, the main body 21 further comprises two clamping members 26, 27 projecting radially from the column 22 directly above a respective end piece 24, 25 and each intended to support a corresponding pump.

[0041] The connection module 20 also comprises a plug 28 mounted on the upper end of the tubular column 22 so as to close it and advantageously having a vent hole 29 making it possible to balance the levels of washing liquid in bag P and column 22.

[0042] The connection module 20 finally comprises a liquid level sensor making it possible to alert a user of the vehicle when the volume of washing liquid contained in the pocket P becomes insufficient (for example, when there is only one liter of washing liquid left before the pump connected to the second nozzle 25 becomes inoperative and can no longer supply the circuit of the headlight washer device).

[0043] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the level sensor comprises a substantially parallelepipedal hollow housing 30 attached to the external face of the column 22 and defining an internal housing housing a magnetically controlled switch constituted in this case by a flexible blade switch 31 (also commonly referred to as a “Reed bulb”) forming a dipole connected between two conductive connection terminals 32 (only one of them being visible in Figure 2) to a connector of an electrical circuit for signaling a lack of washing liquid, not shown.

[0044] Such a flexible 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 apart from each other by a few micrometers in the absence of a magnetic field.

[0045] The level sensor also comprises a permanent magnet in the form of a pellet 33 carried by a cylindrical float 34 housed inside the hollow column 22 and mounted to slide along its upper part.

[0046] With reference to Figure 2 and as long as the level of washing liquid contained in the reservoir 1 is higher than a minimum threshold height, the float 34 subjected to Archimedes' thrust occupies a raised position with respect to the housing 30 in which the permanent magnet 33 is too far from the flexible reed switch 31 so that the magnetic force that it exerts on this switch remains insufficient to cause its change of state.

[0047] When this liquid level reaches this minimum threshold height, the float 34 is substantially at the height of the housing 30 in a position where the permanent magnet 33 has moved sufficiently close to the flexible reed switch 31 so that the magnetic force that it exerts on this switch then becomes sufficiently strong to actuate its change of state and cause the emission of an alert signal via the electrical circuit signaling a lack of washing liquid.

[0048] As can be seen in Figure 3, the connection module 20 comprises means for sliding adjustment of the vertical position of the housing 30 along the upper part of the column 22, constituted in this case by a pair of slides 35 each comprising a fixed rail 35A arranged on this column 21 and a rail mobile 35B arranged on this case 30.

[0049] These means for adjusting the vertical position of the housing 30 make it possible to adapt the alert level according to the shape and / or the volume of the pocket P, so that the change of state of this switch occurs, independently of the characteristics of the pocket P, when the remaining volume of washing liquid reaches a predetermined minimum value.

[0050] According to alternative embodiments not shown, the number of tubular end pieces that the column comprises is different, for example equal to three to allow the connection of a third electric pump intended to supply the circuit of a camera washing device of the vehicle.

[0051] According to other embodiments not shown, the column is partially trapped between two lateral extension strips of the flexible sheets by two vertical joining beads made between these two sheets and bordering it laterally.

[0052] According to still other variant embodiments: - the connection interface is attached by gluing or heat-sealing to the external face of one of the flexible sheets, on the periphery of a corresponding opening made in the latter near a lower corner of the pocket; - the first insert is made from a flexible thermoplastic polymer advantageously identical to that constituting the flexible sheets (for example, polyurethane (PU)), which makes it easier to weld this element onto one of these flexible sheets as well as its connection to a filling spout or a pump, avoiding the need for sealing gaskets; - the housing is shaped differently (for example, square or rectangular section); and / or - the magnetic switch can be of a different type, for example Hall effect.

Claims

Claims

1. Connection module for a windshield washer reservoir with a flexible pocket, comprising a rigid hollow body (21) comprising a single connection interface (23) intended to be attached to said pocket at an opening provided in the latter so as to be in fluid communication with it, said hollow body (21) also comprising at least one connection end piece (24, 25) for an electric pump; characterized in that said rigid hollow body (21) comprises a vertical hollow column (22) fluidly connected to said connection interface (23), as well as at least two said connection end pieces (24, 25) extending from said column (22).

2. Connection module according to claim 1, characterized in that said connection end pieces (24, 25) are vertically offset from each other.

3. Connection module according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said connection end pieces (24, 25) project radially from said column (22) in directions angularly spaced from each other.

4. Connection module according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said hollow body (21) also comprises clamping members (26, 27) projecting from said column (22), each in line with a respective end piece (24, 25) so as to ensure the support of a corresponding pump.

5. Connection module according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a plug (28) mounted on the open upper end of said column (22) and in which a vent hole (29) is provided.

6. Connection module according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a liquid level sensor comprising a housing (30) attached against the external face of said column (22) and housing a magnetically controlled switch (31) acted upon by a magnet (33) carried by a float (34) housed inside said column (22).

7. Connection module according to claim 6, characterized in that said connection module comprises sliding adjustment means (35) of the vertical position of said housing (30) along at least one axis. at least a portion of said column (22).

8. Windshield washer reservoir for a motor vehicle comprising two flexible sheets (2, 3) superimposed on each other and assembled in a sealed manner along their periphery so as to define between them a pocket (P) capable of receiving a washing liquid, a first hollow insert (5) in fluid communication with said pocket (P) and provided with a connection end piece (7) to a filling neck, and a second hollow insert (20) in fluid communication with said pocket (P) and provided with at least one connection end piece (24, 25) to an electric pump characterized in that said second insert is constituted by a connection module (20) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Windscreen washer reservoir according to claim 8, characterized in that it also comprises a rigid peripheral frame (8) surrounding said pocket (P) along the peripheral periphery of said flexible sheets (2, 3) and secured to the pocket (P) by fixing means (9, 10).

10. Windscreen washer reservoir according to claim 9, characterized in that said fixing means comprise two pins (9) extending transversely from two opposite corner zones of said frame (8) and each being snapped into a respective eyelet (10) crimped onto two superimposed corner portions of said sheets (2, 3) projecting from said pocket (P).

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