Windshield washer fluid dispensing device for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle comprising such a device

Abstract

The invention provides a device for dispensing windshield washer fluid (3) for a motor vehicle, comprising a reservoir (9) for storing the fluid, said reservoir (9) having a fluid inlet (11) for filling and a fluid outlet for dispensing, characterized in that it has a neck (15) having a first end (15a) connected to said fluid inlet (11) and a second free end (15b) through which filling is carried out, the second end (15b) being accessible from outside the vehicle and closed by a closure means (19) movable from a closed position to a retracted position of the closure means (19). Figure 3 (for the abstract)

Description

Title of the invention: Device for dispensing windshield washer fluid for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle comprising such a device Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a device for distributing windshield cleaning fluid for a motor vehicle.

[0002] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a windshield cleaning fluid distribution device. Technical background

[0003] Windshield washer fluid dispensing devices for internal combustion engine vehicles are known. These devices consist of reservoirs containing windshield washer fluid or water, located under the hood. To access them, the vehicle user must open the hood. The reservoir can then be seen, and the filling inlet is directly accessible. Simply remove the cap closing the inlet, fill the reservoir with the fluid, then replace the cap and close the hood.

[0004] In electric motor vehicles, the engine hood no longer opens, as access to the engine is no longer necessary. Consequently, there is no longer access to the windshield washer fluid reservoir. To solve this problem, it is known to relocate the windshield washer fluid reservoir to the vehicle's fender and create an access panel, similar to a fuel filler flap, on the fender to provide access to the reservoir's filling inlet.

[0005] However, this solution has disadvantages, including the distance of the tank from the windshield, which leads to a lengthening of the product distribution circuit, and an additional cost related to the integration of a hatch in a wing of a motor vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the various disadvantages stated above, by means of a windshield washer fluid distribution device for motor vehicles which allows the reservoir to be positioned as close as possible to the windshield, under the engine hood, accessible without opening the hood, and with simple implementation and low cost integration.

[0007] The device according to the invention comprises, in a conventional manner, a reservoir suitable for storing the liquid, said reservoir having a liquid inlet for filling and a liquid outlet for distribution.

[0008] This device is characterized primarily in that it comprises a neck having a first end connected to said liquid inlet, and a second free end through which filling is carried out, the second end being accessible from outside the vehicle and obstructed by a movable closing means from a closed position to a position of withdrawal of the closing means.

[0009] In other words, the opening of the second end 15b is feasible from outside the vehicle, in particular from outside without having to open the hood, directly, without an actuation of the collar 15 by the user, except for the opening of the second end 15b.

[0010] The closing means is easily accessible by the user to put it in the retracted position, i.e. in a position in which the user can open the end 15b, and vice versa.

[0011] The closure means protects the cleaning liquid from dirt.

[0012] According to the different embodiments of the invention, which may be considered together or separately: • Applying pressure to the locking mechanism allows the mechanism to move from the closed position to the retracted position and vice versa. • the neck is connected to said liquid inlet at the first end by a fixed connection, • The connection between the neck and the reservoir is watertight In the retracted position, the closing means is rotationally mobile so as to move from the retracted position to an open position in which the second end is open. • the second end includes a filter sieve, • The neck comprises a conduit extending from the first end to the second end, the first and second ends being axially offset, • the closure means is connected to the collar in the closed position and / or in the retracted position and / or in the open position. the neck is positioned parallel to an upper wall of the tank.

[0013] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a front hood, a front windshield, and a front windshield cleaning fluid distribution device as described above, the reservoir being positioned under the front hood, the second end being accessible from a gap between the front hood and the front windshield.

[0014] Indeed, the reservoir is positioned as close as possible to the windshield, specifically to the area where the product is ejected onto the windshield. It is common practice to have a gap between the hood and the windshield, typically closed by a grille to prevent dead leaves from entering. and other impurities do not clog the gap which includes the vehicle's ventilation areas.

[0015] According to the different embodiments of the invention, which may be considered together or separately: • The gap between the front hood and the front windshield is closed by a grille, the closing mechanism being flush with the grille in the closed position. • the closing mechanism is located above the grille in the retracted position, • the closing mechanism is located flush with the grille in the retracted position. • the closing means is locked in the closed position by at least a windshield wiper at rest, • The closing mechanism is locked in the closed position by a wiper drive. • the closing means is locked in the closed position by an extension of a wiper drive. Brief description of the figures

[0016] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front part of a motor vehicle, with a tank according to the prior art;

[0018] Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front part of a motor vehicle, with a device according to the invention, the closing means being in the closed position;

[0019] Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the front part of a motor vehicle, with a device according to the invention, the closing means being in the retracted position;

[0020] Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the device according to the invention in which the closing means is in the closed position;

[0021] Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the device according to the invention in which the closing means is in the retracted position;

[0022] Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the device according to the invention in which the closing means is in the open position. Detailed description of the invention

[0023] In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions will be designated by the same references.

[0024] Certain directions will be given with reference to Earth's gravity.

[0025] Each figure shows a front hood 1 and a front windshield 3 of a motor vehicle. The hood 1 and the windshield 3 are illustrated by a line showing their respective profiles.

[0026] There is a gap 5 between the hood 1 and the windshield 3, through which air circulates.

[0027] It is customary to close this gap 5 with a grid 7, so that the leaves dead and other impurities do not enter under the hood 1 or into ventilation areas connected to the interior of the passenger compartment.

[0028] A windshield cleaning fluid distribution device 3 is located under the hood 1 and very close to the windshield 3.

[0029] More specifically the device is located at the boundary between the hood 1 and the windshield 3. It is integrated with the wiper linkage.

[0030] The cleaning fluid distributed consists, for example, of windshield washer fluid, or water.

[0031] The dispensing device includes a reservoir 9 suitable for storing the liquid. This reservoir 9 has a liquid inlet 11 for filling, and a liquid outlet for dispensing (not shown).

[0032] The liquid outlet to be distributed is connected to a liquid spraying system on the windshield 3.

[0033] The liquid inlet 11 is always located in the upper part of the reservoir 9, so that the reservoir 9 can be filled by gravity.

[0034] In [Fig. 1], the dispensing device has a liquid inlet 11 according to the prior art. In this case, this inlet 11 is located under the cover 1 and is closed by a plug 13. The user can see it through the gap 5, but cannot access this inlet 11 to fill the reservoir 9 because the cover 1 is in the way. The user is obliged to open the cover 1 to access the liquid inlet 11 and have enough space to transfer the liquid from a container to the reservoir 9.

[0035] In Figures 2 and 3, the distribution device has a liquid inlet 11 according to the invention. This inlet 11 is always located under the hood 1, but is surmounted by a neck 15 which includes an end accessible by the user from outside the vehicle to fill the reservoir 9.

[0036] This neck 15 consists of a conduit 17 having a first end 15a connected to the liquid inlet 11, and a second free end 15b through which the filling takes place.

[0037] Thus, according to the invention, the second end 15b is accessible from outside the vehicle and is obstructed by a movable closure means 19 from a closed position to a retraction position of the closure means 19.

[0038] In other words, the opening of the second end 15b is feasible from outside the vehicle, in particular from outside without having to open the hood 1.

[0039] Furthermore, the opening of the second end 15b is feasible directly, without an actuation of the collar 15 by the user, except for the opening of the second end 15b.

[0040] The closing means 19 is easily accessible by the user to put it in the retracted position, i.e. in a position in which the user can open the end 15b, and vice versa.

[0041] The closure means 19 protects the cleaning fluid from dirt.

[0042] With the reservoir 9 positioned under the front hood 1, the second end 15b is advantageously accessible from the gap 5 between the front hood 1 and the front windshield 3, for example at the level of the grille 7 as in the example illustrated here.

[0043] It can thus be seen that in this example of embodiment, the closing means 19 is flush with the grid 7 in the closed position ([Fig.2]) and it is located above the grid 7 in the retracted position ([Fig.3]).

[0044] The connection between the neck 15 and the reservoir 9 is made in a sealed manner.

[0045] In particular, the collar 15 is connected to said liquid inlet 11 at the level of The first end 15a is fixed by a fixed connection. In other words, once in position on the tank 9, the neck 15 is not mobile relative to the tank 9. The second end 15b is accessible from outside the vehicle without the user having to move the neck 15, for example by a translational, rotational and / or pivoting movement.

[0046] In the embodiment shown here, the neck 15 includes a conduit 17 extending from the first downward-directed end 15a to the second upward-directed end 15b.

[0047] Preferably, the first end 15a and the second end 15b are axially offset.

[0048] Preferably, the conduit 17 extends substantially perpendicularly to the vertical, that is to say substantially to the axis of orientation of the first end 15a and the second end 15b.

[0049] Here, the conduit 17 extends parallel to the bottom of the windscreen 3, that is to say parallel to the gap 5 and the grille 7 located between the hood 1 and the windscreen 3.

[0050] Depending on the length of the conduit 17, and the angle formed with respect to the horizontal, it is possible to adapt the collar 15 to all vehicles and to ensure that the second end 15b and therefore the closing means 19 are accessible from outside the vehicle, in particular without opening the hood 1.

[0051] Advantageously, pressure on the closing means 19 allows the closing means 19 to move from the closed position ([Fig.4]) to the retracted position ([Fig.5]), and vice versa.

[0052] This is, for example, a push-pull or push-lock system, that is to say a system in which pressure allows the locking or unlocking of the closing means 19.

[0053] Here, pressure on the closing means 19 allows it to move into the retracted position, that is to say into a position in which the user can grip it to complete the opening of the second end 15b.

[0054] This system allows that in the closed position, the closing means 19 is flush with the grid 7 as illustrated in [Fig.2] and that in the retracted position, the closing means 19 is located above the grid 7 as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0055] To complete the opening of the second end 15b, the closing means 19 is rotationally mobile when it is in the retracted position so as to move from the retracted position to an open position in which the second end 15b is open.

[0056] Thus, the closure means 19 slides in rotation around a connection point 21 between the closure means 19 and the neck 15. This allows, for example, the closure means 19 connected to the neck to be kept in the open position and thus prevents it from being lost when the reservoir 9 is being refilled with cleaning fluid.

[0057] The closing means 19 is thus connected to the collar 15 in the closed position and / or in the retracted position and / or in the open position.

[0058] Advantageously, the second end 15b includes a filter screen 23 visible in [Fig. 6]. The filter screen 23 prevents the introduction of particles, for example dead leaves, gravel and other impurities, when filling the tank 9 with cleaning liquid, i.e. when the closing means 19 is in the open position.

[0059] According to one possible configuration of the invention, the closing means 19 is locked in the closed position by at least one windshield wiper. This prevents any malicious person from siphoning the windshield washer fluid present in the reservoir 9.

[0060] More specifically, the motor vehicle includes at least one windshield wiper, capable of wiping the front windshield 3, and housed in the gap 5 between the hood 1 and the windshield 3 when it is at rest.

[0061] The windshield wiper conventionally comprises an arm and a blade (not shown).

[0062] The wiper arm is a mechanical component that provides the connection between the wiper motor, which gives the rotational movement, and the wiper blade, which is responsible for wiping the windshield 3.

[0063] The arm consists of a first slender section connected to the brush, and a second rigid section connected to the motor. This second section is also called the drive.

[0064] The first section and the second section can be joined together by a joint.

[0065] When the wiper is at rest, the arm extends above the collar 15, in particular above the second end 15b and therefore above the closing means 19 in the closed position.

[0066] Preferably, the second section of the arm rests on the collar 15, in particular on the second end 15b and therefore on the closing means 19 in the closed position.

[0067] Preferably, an extension of the second section of the arm extends above the collar, in particular above the second end 15b and therefore above the closing means 19 in the closed position.

[0068] On current motor vehicles, the windshield wiper, when at rest, is housed in the gap 5, slightly below the windshield 3, so that a malicious person cannot manually remove the wiper, particularly by pulling on the joint to extend the first section. Indeed, the cover 1 prevents any movement between the two sections.

[0069] Thus the collar 15, in particular the second end 15b and therefore the closing means 19 are well protected by the windshield wiper at rest.

[0070] To actuate the closing means 19, that is to say to move it from the closed position to the position of retraction of the closing means 19, the user must put the windshield wiper in the service or maintenance position, by means of a specific control on the control panel of the vehicle, and the windshield wiper then positions itself towards the middle of the windshield 3, thus clearing access to the collar 15, in particular to the second end 15b and therefore to the closing means 19.

[0071] In the maintenance position, the arm is no longer superimposed on the collar 15, in particular at the second end 15b and therefore on the closing means 19. The user can, for example, change the wiper blade, or fill the reservoir 9 with windshield washer fluid.

[0072] The configurations shown in the cited figures are only possible examples, by no means limiting, of the invention which on the contrary encompasses variants of forms and designs within the reach of a person skilled in the art.

Claims

Demands

1. Windshield washer fluid distribution device (3) for a motor vehicle, comprising a reservoir (9) suitable for storing the fluid, said reservoir (9) having a fluid inlet (11) for filling and a fluid outlet for dispensing, characterized in that it has a neck (15) having a first end (15a) connected to said fluid inlet (11) and a second free end (15b) through which filling is carried out, the second end (15b) being accessible from outside the vehicle and obstructed by a closure means (19) movable from a closed position to a retraction position of the closure means (19), characterized in that pressure on the closure means (19) allows passage from the closed position to the retraction position of the closure means (19) and vice versa.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the neck (15) is connected to said liquid inlet (11) at the first end (15a) by a fixed connection.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the retracted position the closing means (19) is rotationally mobile so as to move from the retracted position to an open position in which the second end (15b) is open.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second end (15b) comprises a filtering sieve (23).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the neck (15) comprises a conduit (17) extending from the first end (15a) to the second end (15b), the first end (15a) and the second end (15b) being axially offset.

6. Device according to claim 3 taken in combination with claim 4, characterized in that the closing means (19) is connected to the neck (15) in the closed position and / or in the retracted position and / or in the open position.

7. A motor vehicle comprising a front hood (1), a front windshield (3), and a device for dispensing windshield (3) cleaning fluid according to any one of the preceding claims, the reservoir (9) being positioned under the front hood (1), the second end (15b) being accessible from a gap (5) between the front hood (1) and the front windscreen (3).

8. Vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the gap (5) between the front hood (1) and the front windscreen (3) is closed by a grille (7), the closing means (19) being flush with the grille (7) in the closed position.

9. Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the closing means (19) is located above the grille (7) or flush with the grille (7) in the retracted position.

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