Pneumatic windscreen wiper for transparent elements of a vehicle

Abstract

To provide a pneumatic windscreen wiper that can be easily and inexpensively manufactured, does not require periodic maintenance, and is essentially self-cleaning. [Solution] A pneumatic windscreen wiper (11) for a transparent element (6) of a vehicle (1) has at least one nozzle arranged on the edge of the transparent element (6) and capable of emitting a compressed air jet that is directed towards the transparent element (6) and hits and wipes the transparent element (6), a compressed air source (14), and a control valve (15) arranged between the nozzle and the compressed air source (14) and suitable for regulating the flow of compressed air.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This patent application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102020000011689, filed May 20, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a pneumatic windscreen wiper for a transparent element of a vehicle.

[0003] The invention finds advantageous application in pneumatic windscreen wipers for transparent elements of motor vehicles, to which explicit reference will be made in the following description without loss of generality. [Background technology]

[0004] A windscreen wiper is a device used to clear rain, snow and debris from the windshield (or another transparent element such as the glass covering the headlamps or the rear window).

[0005] Windscreen wipers traditionally include at least one resilient brush, held against the windshield by a spring-loaded arm, and moved back and forth at an adjustable speed by an electric or air motor (vehicles with compressed air brakes may use pneumatically powered windscreen wipers via a mechanism that directs air from the brake system to an air motor located directly under the windshield).

[0006] Modern windscreen wipers have proven effective in keeping the windshield properly clean. However, their presence poses both problems in terms of aerodynamic efficiency and aesthetic issues. Furthermore, modern windscreen wipers require fairly frequent brush replacement to maintain their cleaning effectiveness. Modern windscreen wipers are relatively large (due to the dimensions of the electric motor and movement mechanism) and therefore impose significant limitations on the vehicle's structural provisions. Finally, modern windscreen wipers are relatively fragile and can therefore be damaged while washing the vehicle, for example, at an automatic washing station.

[0007] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014117701, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-87219, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 20070097388, International Publication No. 2009060413, Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-52755, and International Publication No. 2016177380 disclose pneumatic windscreen wipers for transparent elements of vehicles, comprising a plurality of nozzles, each nozzle being disposed on an edge of the transparent element, directed toward the transparent element, and adapted to emit a compressed air jet that strikes and wipes the transparent element. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a pneumatic windscreen wiper for transparent elements of vehicles, which does not suffer from the aforementioned drawbacks and at the same time can be manufactured easily and at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to the invention there is provided a pneumatic windscreen wiper for a transparent element of a vehicle according to the appended claims.

[0010] The appended claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention and form an integral part of this specification. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with three pneumatic windscreen wipers according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the automobile of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of a portion of the automobile of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the nozzle of a pneumatic windscreen wiper. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the automobile of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which: In Figure 1, the number 1 generally indicates a rear (or mid-engine) motor vehicle with a chassis supporting a pair of front wheels 2 and a pair of rear wheels 3.

[0013] Between the front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3 is a passenger compartment 4, to which access is granted via a pair of doors 5; at the front, the passenger compartment 5 is delimited by a windshield 6. In front of the passenger compartment 4 is a front compartment (for example, but not limited to, luggage) that is closed at the top by a front-hinged hood 7. On the sides of the front hood 7 are two headlamps 8, each closed at the front by a transparent glass 9. Behind the passenger compartment 4 is the rear engine compartment, which is closed at the top by a hinged rear hood 10 (shown in Figure 2). This hood is transparent, central, and normally positioned in a substantially horizontal position.

[0014] According to FIG. 2, the automobile 1 is equipped with four pneumatic wipers 11, a first pneumatic wiper 11 coupled to the windshield 6 for cleaning the windshield 6, two second pneumatic wipers 11 coupled to the transparent glass 9 of the two headlamps 8 for cleaning the transparent glass 9, and a third pneumatic wiper 11 coupled to the rear hood 10 for cleaning the rear hood 10.

[0015] Each pneumatic wiper 11 comprises a plurality of nozzles 12 arranged side by side at a predetermined distance from one another along the edge of the corresponding transparent element 6, 9 or 10, each nozzle 12 being designed to emit a compressed air jet 13 (schematically shown in FIG. 3 ) aimed at the corresponding transparent element 6, 9 or 10, which jet strikes the corresponding transparent element 6, 9 or 10 to wipe it. In particular, the compressed air jet 13 emitted by each nozzle 12 is directed parallel to the corresponding transparent element 6, 9 or 10. In the same wiper 11, the nozzles 12 may have a non-uniform distribution in space (i.e., mutual distance); for example, in the case of a windshield 6, the nozzles 12 may be closer to one another in the region of the windshield 6 in front of the driver and further away from one another in the region of the windshield 6 in front of the passengers.

[0016] The compressed air jet 13 emitted by each nozzle 12 is preferably a supersonic jet, i.e., the compressed air exiting the nozzle 12 has a velocity greater than the speed of sound. In other words, each nozzle 12 is shaped to emit the compressed air jet 13 at supersonic speed.

[0017] In each pneumatic wiper 11, the nozzle 12 is preferably arranged in the region of the leading edge of the corresponding transparent element 6, 9 or 10 relative to the direction of travel D of the vehicle 1. In this way, the air flow generated by the movement of the motor vehicle 1 adds to the compressed air jet 13 emitted by the nozzle 12 and thus increases its effectiveness.

[0018] According to a possible embodiment, at least some of the nozzles 12 have an elongated shape (as shown in Figure 4) in which the lateral dimension perpendicular to the direction of travel D of the motor vehicle 1 is greater than the longitudinal dimension parallel to the direction of travel D of the motor vehicle 1, this embodiment allowing a single nozzle 12 to direct its compressed air jet 13 at a larger surface of the corresponding transparent element 6, 9 or 10 and therefore allowing the nozzles 12 to be spaced more widely apart from each other (obviously, this solution applies mainly when the corresponding transparent elements 6, 9 or 10 are large in size, which is the case for the windshield 6).

[0019] According to FIG. 5, each pneumatic wiper 11 also comprises a compressed air source 14 and (at least one) control valve 15 located between the nozzle 12 and the compressed air source 14 and designed to regulate the flow of compressed air.

[0020] Generally speaking, each pneumatic wiper 11 is provided with a single control valve 15 that opens or closes the supply of compressed air to all nozzles 12, but alternatively there may be several valves 15 for the same pneumatic wiper 11, thus dividing the nozzles 12 into different areas that are controlled independently of each other (thus, although it is obvious, the solution mainly applies when the size of the corresponding transparent element 6, 9 or 10 is large, which is the case for the windshield 6). For example, in the case of a windshield 6, only the area of the windshield 6 in front of the driver can be kept clean (by not supplying compressed air to the nozzles 12 located in front of the passenger) when the passenger seat is empty (the presence or absence of a passenger is a known item of information due to the sensor used to warn of unfastened seatbelts).

[0021] Generally speaking, each control valve 15 is an on-off valve and is adapted to assume only an open or closed position. This solution is preferred because it is simpler, more economical, more energy-efficient and allows the operation of the pneumatic wiper 11 divided into multiple parts in any way, adjusting the timely duration and / or frequency of a single opening of the control valve 15.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the compressed air source 14 is common to all pneumatic wipers 11, ie the pneumatic wipers 11 share the same compressed air source 14, which is one and only one.

[0023] The (single) common compressed air source 14 comprises a compressed air tank 16 connected to a control valve 15 and a compressor 17 feeding the compressed air tank 16 .

[0024] A heat exchanger 18 is provided which is located between the compressor 17 and the compressed air tank 16 and is adapted to cool the compressed air supplied by the compressor 17 to the compressed air tank 16, thus reducing the volume occupied by the compressed air in the compressed air tank 16. By cooling the compressed air supplied by the compressor 17 to the compressed air tank 16, a larger amount (mass) of compressed air can be stored in the compressed air tank 16, the pressure being equal.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the compressor 17 receives its motion directly from the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle 1. Alternatively, the compressor 17 receives its motion from the front axle (i.e., the two front wheels 2) or the rear axle (i.e., the two rear wheels 3). In other words, the rotor of the compressor 17 can be connected to the front axle (i.e., the two front wheels 2) or the rear axle (i.e., the two rear wheels 3) in order to be operated by the front wheels 2 or the rear wheels 3 (and thus utilize the motion of the front wheels 2 or the motion of the rear wheels 3).

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the control unit 19 operates the compressor 17 in such a way as to use the kinetic energy possessed by the vehicle 1, which would otherwise be dissipated as heat by the braking system, using (in particular) the movement received from the wheels 2 or 3 or the internal combustion engine 4 during the braking phase.

[0027] According to other embodiments not shown in this specification, the pneumatic wiper 11 is used to clean transparent elements covering optical sensors (e.g., cameras) of the vehicle 1 used in autonomous driving mode, or transparent elements protecting turn indicators or taillights.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the pneumatic wiper 11 is mounted on a motor vehicle 1. According to other embodiments not shown here, the pneumatic wiper 11 is mounted on different types of road vehicles (e.g. vans, trucks or buses) or even on non-road vehicles (e.g. trams, locomotives, aircraft, boats).

[0029] The embodiments described herein can for this reason be combined with one another without exceeding the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] The pneumatic wiper 11 described above has many advantages.

[0031] Firstly, the pneumatic wiper 11 described above is completely "invisible" (ie hidden) both from an aerodynamic point of view (ie does not impair aerodynamic efficiency) and from an aesthetic point of view.

[0032] Furthermore, the pneumatic wipers 11 described above do not require any type of regular maintenance and are essentially "self-cleaning" (i.e., they are able to remove any deposits or dirt that may accumulate on the vehicle if it is left parked outdoors for an extended period of time).

[0033] The above-described pneumatic wiper 11 has a very small size near the transparent element 6, 9 or 10 (the compressed air source 14 and the control valve 15 can be located away from the nozzle 12) and therefore does not impose any significant restrictions on the regulations of the vehicle's architecture.

[0034] The pneumatic wiper 11 described above remains entirely within the dimensions of the vehicle body and is therefore not exposed to the risk of accidental damage, for example when being washed at an automatic washing station.

[0035] Finally, the pneumatic wiper 11 described above can share a single compressed air source 12 with all other pneumatic wipers 11 installed in the same vehicle 1, making it possible to clean all transparent elements of the vehicle 1 at a moderate increase in cost. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1. Automobiles 2 front wheels 3 rear wheels 4 guest rooms 5-door 6. Windshield 7 Front hood 8. Headlamps 9. Clear Glass 10 Rear hood 11 Pneumatic wipers 12 nozzles 13 Compressed Air Jet 14 Compressed Air Source 15 Control valve 16 Tank 17 Compressor 18 Heat exchanger 19 Control Unit D Direction of travel

Claims

1. A pneumatic windscreen wiper (11) for a transparent element (6; 9; 10) of a vehicle (1), said pneumatic windscreen wiper (11) comprising: at least one nozzle (12) arranged at the edge of said transparent element (6; 9; 10) and capable of emitting a compressed air jet (13) directed towards said transparent element (6; 9; 10) and wiping said transparent element (6; 9; 10); a compressed air source (14) comprising a compressed air tank (16) and a compressor (17) adapted to supply compressed air to said compressed air tank (16); a control valve (15) located between said nozzle (12) and said compressed air source (14) and suitable for regulating the flow of compressed air; and wherein the compressed air source (14) comprises a heat exchanger (18) located between the compressor (17) and the compressed air tank (16) and suitable for cooling the compressed air supplied by the compressor (17) to the compressed air tank (16).

2. Pneumatic windscreen wiper (11) according to claim 1, wherein the compressed air jet (13) emitted by the nozzle (12) is directed parallel to the transparent element (6; 9; 10).

3. Pneumatic windscreen wiper (11) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said nozzle (12) is shaped to emit said compressed air jet (13) at supersonic speed.

4. Pneumatic windscreen wiper (11) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the nozzle (12) is arranged at the leading edge of the transparent element (6; 9; 10) relative to the direction of travel (D) of the vehicle (1).

5. Pneumatic windscreen wiper (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a plurality of nozzles (12) arranged next to each other at a distance along the edge of said transparent element (6; 9; 10).

6. Pneumatic windscreen wiper (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control valve (15) is of the on / off type and can only assume an open position and a closed position.

7. Pneumatic windscreen wiper (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the nozzle (12) has an elongated shape with a lateral dimension perpendicular to the direction of travel (D) of the vehicle (1) that is greater than a longitudinal dimension parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle (1).

8. a transparent element (6; 9; 10); A pneumatic windscreen wiper (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A vehicle (1) comprising:

9. 9. A vehicle (1) according to claim 8, wherein the compressor (17) receives its motion directly from the internal combustion engine of the vehicle (1).

10. 9. The vehicle (1) according to claim 8, wherein the compressor (17) receives motion from the front or rear axle of the vehicle (1).

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