WO2017189219A1

WO2017189219A1 - Pane wash nozzle having two nozzle openings and a lesser degree of complexity

Info

Publication number: WO2017189219A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/026898
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander Limpert; Florian DULL
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Current assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date: 2016-04-28
Filing date: 2017-04-11
Publication date: 2017-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-28
Also published as: DE102016107947A1

Abstract

Pane wash nozzle (1) for a motor vehicle, wherein the pane wash nozzle (1) has - a liquid inlet (2), - an insert body (10) with a first nozzle opening (11) predominantly formed by the insert body (10), - and an insert body holder (20) into which the insert body (10) is insertable or inserted in a receptacle (22), wherein the insert body holder (10) has a second nozzle opening (21) predominantly formed by the insert body holder (10). A motor vehicle with such a pane wash nozzle and to a method for producing such a pane wash nozzle are also contemplated.

Description

PANE WASH NOZZLE HAVING TWO NOZZLE OPENINGS

AND A LESSER DEGREE OF COMPLEXITY

[0001] The invention relates to a pane wash nozzle for producing at least two nozzle jets for cleaning a vehicle pane, in particular for cleaning the windshield or rear window. Such a pane wash nozzle is shown, for example in EP 2 144 702 B l . A nozzle chip which has a plurality of openings for different spray jets is present there. If the spray pattern of such a nozzle is intended to be asymmetrical, different nozzle chips are necessary for the driver's side and front passenger's side.

[0002] The inventors found this pane wash nozzle disadvantageous in so far as the design there is complex. It is the object of the present invention to improve these drawbacks. The object is achieved by the independent claims. Advantageous developments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0003] In particular, the object is achieved by a pane wash nozzle for a motor vehicle, wherein the pane wash nozzle has a liquid inlet, an insert body with a first nozzle opening predominantly formed by the insert body, and an insert body holder into which the insert body is insertable or inserted in a receptacle, wherein the insert body holder has a second nozzle opening predominantly formed by the insert body holder.

[0004] The object is furthermore achieved in particular by a method for producing a pane wash nozzle, containing the following steps:

[0005] producing an insert body, wherein a first nozzle opening in the insert body is predominantly formed by the insert body;

[0006] producing an insert body holder into which the insert body is subsequently inserted,

[0007] wherein during the production of the insert body holder a second nozzle opening is formed predominantly in the insert body holder. [0008] The object is furthermore achieved in particular by a motor vehicle having a pane wash nozzle according to the invention.

[0009] By this means, a combination of a plurality of nozzle openings is provided in a pane wash nozzle in a simple manner and keeping the number of components low. The component complexity present in the case of the plurality of nozzle openings is therefore divided between the insert body and the insert body holder.

[0010] The pane to be cleaned with the pane wash nozzle can be, for example, a windowpane (for example windshield), a headlight lens or a camera lens of the vehicle. The pane wash nozzle is preferably designed as a compact module. Preferably, one pane wash nozzle is provided for the driver's side and one for the front passenger's side of the windshield. The motor vehicle preferably has one pane wash nozzle for the driver's side and one for the front passenger's side of the windshield.

[0011] The pane wash nozzle is preferably suppliable with washing liquid via the liquid inlet. For example, a hose of the washing liquid system of the vehicle is connected to the liquid inlet.

[0012] An insert body is known in the prior art. It is preferably a nozzle chip, and the insert body holder is then correspondingly a nozzle chip holder. A structure for producing an oscillating liquid jet is frequently introduced in the prior art, and this is preferably also the case here.

[0013] Formed predominantly is preferably understood as meaning that, of all the components which form the border of the nozzle opening, the predominantly formed component forms the largest portion of the border of the nozzle opening. For example, the first nozzle opening of the insert body can be formed predominantly by the insert body and at the same time, but not predominantly, by the insert body holder, wherein the insert body forms three sides of the opening and/or the opening edge over a circumferential angle about the opening center point of more than 180°, while the insert body holder forms only one side and/or less than 180° of the opening edge. In this case, the nozzle opening is a nozzle opening of the insert body.

[0014] A nozzle opening is preferably understood as meaning an outlet opening which forms the end of a liquid channel of the pane wash nozzle, after which outlet opening the liquid then leaves the pane wash nozzle as a whole. The liquid preferably exits from the nozzle opening into the open air.

[0015] The first nozzle opening is preferably a nozzle opening for producing a fan jet, in particular a fan jet produced by an oscillating jet.

[0016] The second nozzle opening is preferably a nozzle opening for producing a spot jet. The difference between various jet characteristics of wash nozzles of this type is familiar to a person skilled in the art, and accordingly, spot jet here should be understood relative to a fan jet and not exclusively ideally physically.

[0017] The first and second nozzle opening are preferably arranged on a same end side of the pane wash nozzle, wherein the end side then expediently faces the pane to be cleaned.

[0018] The insert body holder is preferably mountable onto the vehicle. It preferably has an adjustment device, for example an adjustment mechanism, by means of which it is mountable adjustably on the vehicle. In addition to the liquid inlet, it preferably has a liquid outlet. From the liquid inlet (and outlet, if present) there is a duct system which diverts liquid to the two nozzle openings.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second nozzle opening is partially bounded by an outer side of the insert body. By this means, the second nozzle opening can advantageously be formed in the insert body holder, in particular by means of injection molding.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insert body holder has a shaft as receptacle, and a liquid duct leading to the second nozzle opening is formed on an inner wall of the shaft. By this means, the liquid supply to the second nozzle opening can be realized in a space-saving manner.

[0021] The shaft preferably has an inner contour corresponding to the outer contour of the insert body in such a manner that the insert body can be inserted into the shaft. The insert body is preferably fixable in the shaft by means of an interference fit.

[0022] The liquid duct preferably runs outside the insert body and connects the second nozzle opening fluidically to the liquid inlet. The liquid duct is preferably at least partially bounded by an outer wall of the insert body. [0023] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid duct is formed as a groove in the inner wall. By this means, the liquid duct can easily be produced, for example building on an insert body holder design which is already present, and by means of injection molding. At the same time, sufficient space can be retained for an interference fit if an interference fit of the insert body in the insert body holder is intended to be provided.

[0024] The groove preferably extends in the longitudinal direction of the shaft.

[0025] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insert body holder has a liquid branching-off portion by means of which two separate liquid flows can be produced, one to the first nozzle opening and another to the second nozzle opening.

[0026] By this means, the two liquid flows to the different nozzle openings are already separated from each other at an early point and therefore said flows no longer influence each other, which leads to greater flexibility and robustness in the design of the nozzles.

[0027] The liquid branching-off portion is preferably formed by two separate passages in the shaft of the insert body holder, preferably passages through the bottom region of the shaft.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insert body holder with the second nozzle opening has a symmetrical configuration such that it is useable both for cleaning on the driver's side and for cleaning on the front passenger's side of the motor vehicle, and a spray pattern, which is symmetrical with respect to the center axis between driver's side and front passenger's side, of the second nozzle opening is produced. By this means, the insert body holder is useable more universally.

[0029] The symmetrical design is preferably present by the insert body holder being axially symmetrical to a horizontal axis, wherein, in the state installed in the vehicle, the horizontal axis is oriented parallel to the y axis according to the system of co-ordinates of the vehicle.

[0030] The center axis between driver's side and front passenger's side preferably lies in the x-z plane according to the system of co-ordinates of the vehicle. The pane wash nozzle and/or the spray pattern thereof is preferably symmetrical to a preferably horizontal axis, parallel to the y axis and asymmetrical to a preferably vertical axis which is perpendicular thereto and is parallel to the z axis. [0031] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle has a height h which, in the state installed in the vehicle, is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the carriageway, and the second nozzle opening is arranged at half of the height h. By this means, the axis of symmetry is advantageously obtained. By a 180° rotation of the insert body holder, the latter is exchangeable between driver's side and front passenger's side.

[0032] The insert body has the first nozzle opening preferably centrally with respect to the insert body width, wherein the insert body width is oriented perpendicularly to the height h of the receptacle. In addition, the first nozzle opening is preferably arranged on the upper or lower edge of the insert body eccentrically with respect to the height of the insert body, wherein the height of the insert body is oriented parallel to the height h of the receptacle. This eccentric arrangement is advantageous in particular if the first nozzle opening is intended to produce an oscillating jet since the structure necessary for this purpose can then be simply formed on the upper side and/or lower side of the insert body. On account of this frequently selected eccentric positioning of the first nozzle opening, whenever a spray pattern which is asymmetrical per se needs to be produced with the plurality of nozzle openings present in the insert body, different insert bodies have to be produced for the front passenger side and the driver's side. By means of the shifting according to the invention of the additional nozzle from the insert body into the axially symmetrical receptacle and/or the axially symmetrical insert body holder, different insert bodies can be avoided.

[0033] A direction which, in the state installed in the vehicle, is substantially

perpendicular to the plane of the carriageway is preferably the z direction according to the system of co-ordinates of the vehicle.

[0034] In a further method according to the invention, the insert body holder is injection molded, and, during the injection molding process, the second nozzle opening is formed by the injection molding die. By this means, production is achieved in very few steps.

[0035] In a further method according to the invention, the insert body holder is injection molded, and, after the injection molding, the second nozzle opening is formed in a subsequent material removal step. This achieves great production flexibility since it is possibly intended for not all of the pane wash nozzles to obtain a second nozzle opening and this can be decided by omitting or carrying out the material removal step. [0036] Preferably milling or drilling, particularly preferably laser milling or laser drilling, is carried out as the material removal step.

[0037] The second nozzle opening is preferably completely formed in the material removal step. The second nozzle opening is particularly preferably already preformed during the injection molding, for example a material weakening is introduced at the future location of the second nozzle opening, and then the second nozzle opening is finally formed by means of the material removal step.

[0038] Further methods according to the invention also include the production of the further preferred embodiments of the pane wash nozzle according to the invention. The invention will now be illustrated further by way of example with reference to drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a front view of a pane wash nozzle according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of a pane wash nozzle based on fig. 1 with further advantageous features,

Figs. 3a-3c show various views of a pane wash nozzle based on fig. 2 with further advantageous features. Figs 3b and 3c each show a comparison of the pane wash nozzle to clarify the symmetrical design which is useable both for the driver's side and for the front passenger's side.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a front view of a pane wash nozzle 1 according to the invention. The pane wash nozzle 1 is intended for a motor vehicle. It has a liquid inlet 2

[0040] an insert body 10 with a first nozzle opening 11 predominantly formed by the insert body 10,

[0041] and an insert body holder 20 into which the insert body 10 is inserted in a receptacle 22. Furthermore, the insert body holder 20 has a second nozzle opening 21 predominantly formed by the insert body holder 20.

[0042] The isolated drawing details in the right part of the drawing illustrate the predominant formation of the individual nozzle openings 11, 21 by the different components. In this example, three sides of the first nozzle opening 11 are formed by the insert body 10 while only one side is formed by the insert body holder 20. The insert body 10 forms the opening edge of the first nozzle opening 11 over a circumferential angle 13 around the opening center point of more than 180°, here approximately 280°. Furthermore, three sides of the second nozzle opening 21 are formed by the insert body holder 20 while only one side is formed by the insert body 10. The insert body holder 20 forms the opening edge of the second nozzle opening 21 over a circumferential angle 26 about the opening center point of more than 180°, here approximately 210°.

[0043] In addition, the nozzle here is implemented as a preferred compact module, and the second nozzle opening 21 is preferably partially bounded by an outer side of the insert body 10. The first and second nozzle openings 11, 21 are preferably arranged on the same end side of the pane wash nozzle 1, wherein the end side then faces the pane to be cleaned. Furthermore, in a preferred manner, the first nozzle opening 11 is arranged centrally with respect to the insert body width, wherein the insert body width is oriented perpendicularly to the height h of the receptacle. In addition, the first nozzle opening 11 is arranged at the lower edge of the insert body eccentrically with respect to the height h of the insert body, wherein the height of the insert body is oriented parallel to the height h of the receptacle. Furthermore, the insert body 20 is a preferred nozzle chip, and the insert body holder 10 is correspondingly a nozzle chip holder.

[0044] The pane wash nozzle 1 is produced in the following steps:

[0045] producing an insert body 10, wherein a first nozzle opening 11 in the insert body 10 is predominantly formed by the insert body 10;

[0046] producing an insert body holder 20 into which the insert body 10 is subsequently inserted, wherein during the production of the insert body holder 20 a second nozzle opening 21 is formed predominantly in the insert body holder 20.

[0047] Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of a pane wash nozzle 1 on the basis of fig. 1 with further advantageous features, wherein the insert body 10 is not inserted here for the purposes of better illustration. The insert body holder 20 has a shaft as receptacle 22, and a liquid duct 23 leading to the second nozzle opening 21 is formed in an inner wall 22.1 of the shaft as a groove in the longitudinal direction of the shaft in the inner wall 22.1. The section runs between end side and the bottom of the shaft. The shaft has an inner contour corresponding to the outer contour of the insert body 10 in such a manner that the insert body 10 can be inserted into the shaft and is held by means of an interference fit. The liquid duct 23 runs outside the insert body 10 and connects the second nozzle opening 21 fluidically to the liquid inlet 2. The liquid duct 23 is at least partially bounded by an outer wall of the insert body 10.

[0048] The insert body holder 20 has a liquid branching-off portion 24 by means of which two separate liquid flows can be produced, one to the first nozzle opening 11 and another to the second nozzle opening 21. The liquid branching-off portion is formed by two separate passages 24.1, 24.2 into the shaft, which lead through the bottom region of the shaft. The insert body holder 20 with the second nozzle opening 21 has a symmetrical configuration such that it is useable both for cleaning on the driver's side and for cleaning on the front passenger's side of the motor vehicle, and a spray pattern, which is

symmetrical with respect to the center axis between the driver's side and front passenger's side of the second nozzle opening 21 is produced. The receptacle 22 has a height h which, in the state installed in the vehicle, is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the carriageway, i.e. is preferably parallel to the z direction, and the second nozzle opening 21 is arranged at half of the height h. The insert body holder 20 is axially symmetrical to an axis S which is preferably horizontal and, in the state installed in the vehicle, is oriented parallel to the y axis according to the system of co-ordinates of the vehicle.

[0049] Figs 3a-3c show various views of a pane wash nozzle 1 on the basis of fig. 2 with further advantageous features. Figs 3b and 3c each show a comparison of the pane wash nozzle to clarify the symmetrical design which is useable both for the driver's side and for the front passenger's side. The insert body holder 20 has a liquid outlet 3, and also a toothing as an adjustment gearing part 25, by means of which the spray direction is adjustable vertically on an axis. The insert body holder 25 is itself also mounted rotatably about a horizontal axis in a further holder (not shown) which has a worm wheel engaging in the toothing. The pane wash nozzle 1 is mounted as a module onto the vehicle via said further holder. Hoses of the washing liquid system of the vehicle are connected to the liquid inlet 2 and to the liquid outlet 3. The pane to be cleaned with the pane wash nozzle 1 is a windshield of a vehicle. One pane wash nozzle 1 is provided for the driver's side and one for the front passenger's side of the windshield, i.e. a pane wash nozzle 1 for the driver's side and another pane wash nozzle 1 for the front passenger's side. A structure for producing an oscillating liquid jet is introduced in the insert body 10, said structure producing a wide spray jet 11.1 or fan jet emerging from the first nozzle opening 11. The second nozzle opening 21 is a nozzle opening for producing a spot jet 21.1. [0050] This invention has presented a pane wash nozzle with a plurality of spray jets, wherein one spray jet is formed by an insert body and another by the element into which the insert body is inserted. By means of a symmetrical design, it is possible to orient the jet formed by the insert body holder by means of the installation position without having to change the insert body or having to add additional parts. The nozzle opening in the insert body constitutes a robust alternative to the production of more complex insert bodies. The early division of the liquid flows between the individual nozzle openings achieves a more constant inflow and therefore a more constant spray power; in particular, oscillating spray systems are susceptible to fluctuations in the inflow. It is possible to produce a universally (on the right/left) insertable insert body which can then be highly optimized and adjusted since no change of dies or different dies are required.

List of reference signs

Pane wash nozzle 2 Liquid inlet

Liquid outlet 22 Receptacle

Insert body 22.1 Inner wall of the shaft

First nozzle opening 23 Liquid duct

Spray jet of the 24 Liquid branching-off first nozzle opening 24.1 First passage

Outer wall of the portion insert body 24.2 Second passage

Angle 25 Adjustable gearing part

Insert body holder 26 Angle

Second nozzle opening h Height of the receptacle

Spray jet of the S Axis of symmetry second nozzle opening

Claims

Patent claims

1. A pane wash nozzle (1) for a motor vehicle, wherein the pane wash nozzle (1) has

- a liquid inlet (2),

- an insert body (10) with a first nozzle opening (11) predominantly formed by the insert body (10),

- and an insert body holder (20) into which the insert body (10) is insertable or inserted in a receptacle (22), wherein the insert body holder (20) has a second nozzle opening (21) predominantly formed by the insert body holder (2).

2. The pane wash nozzle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second nozzle opening

(21) is partially bounded by an outer side of the insert body (10).

3. The pane wash nozzle (1) as claimed in either of the preceding claims, wherein the insert body holder (20) has a shaft as receptacle (22), and wherein a liquid duct (23) leading to the second nozzle opening (21) is formed on an inner wall (22.1) of the shaft.

4. The pane wash nozzle (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the liquid duct (23) is formed as a groove in the inner wall (22.1).

5. The pane wash nozzle (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert body holder (20) has a liquid branching-off portion (24) by means of which two separate liquid flows can be produced, one to the first nozzle opening (11) and another to the second nozzle opening (21).

6. The pane wash nozzle (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert body holder (20) with the second nozzle opening (21) has a symmetrical configuration such that it is usable both for cleaning on the driver's side and for cleaning on the front passenger's side of the motor vehicle, and a spray pattern, which is symmetrical with respect to the center axis between driver's side and front passenger's side, of the second nozzle opening (21) is produced.

7. The pane wash nozzle (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the receptacle (22) has a height h which, in the state installed in the vehicle, is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the carriageway, and the second nozzle opening (21) is arranged at half of the height h.

8. A motor vehicle with a pane wash nozzle (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims.

9. A method for producing a pane wash nozzle (1), containing the following steps:

- producing an insert body (10), wherein a first nozzle opening (11) in the insert body (10) is predominantly formed by the insert body (10);

- producing an insert body holder (20) into which the insert body (10) is subsequently inserted, wherein during the production of the insert body holder (20) a second nozzle opening (21) is formed predominantly in the insert body holder (20).

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the insert body holder (20) is injection molded, and wherein, during the injection molding process, the second nozzle opening (21) is formed by the injection molding die.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the insert body holder (20) is injection molded, and wherein, after the injection molding, the second nozzle opening (21) is formed in a subsequent material removal step.

12. A pane wash nozzle for a motor vehicle, wherein the pane wash nozzle comprises: a liquid inlet, an insert body, an insert body holder, a first nozzle opening and a second nozzle opening, wherein the insert body holder includes a receptacle into which the insert body is inserted, the first nozzle opening is predominantly formed by the insert body, and the second nozzle opening is predominantly formed by the insert body holder.

13. The pane wash nozzle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second nozzle opening is partially bounded by an outer side of the insert body.

14. The pane wash nozzle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the insert body holder has a shaft that forms the receptacle, and wherein a liquid duct leading to the second nozzle opening is formed on an inner wall of the shaft.

15. The pane wash nozzle as claimed in claim 14, wherein the liquid duct is formed as a groove in the inner wall.

16. The pane wash nozzle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the insert body holder has a liquid branching-off portion by means of which first and second separate liquid flow paths are produced, the first liquid flow path to the first nozzle opening and the second liquid flow path to the second nozzle opening.

17. A motor vehicle with a first pane wash nozzle according to claim 12 and a second pane wash nozzle according to claim 12, the first pane wash nozzle installed along a driver's side of a windshield pane, the second pane wash nozzle installed along a front passenger's side of the windshield pane, wherein the insert body holder of the second pane wash nozzle is installed in a 180° rotated orientation compared to the insertd body holder of the first pane wash nozzle, wherein the insert body of the second pane wash nozzle is installed in the receptacle of the insert body holder of the second pane wash nozzle in an opposite orientation of install of the insert body of the first pane wash nozzle in the receptacle of the insert body holder of the first pane wash nozzle, wherein a sequence of nozzle openings across the windshield from the driver's side to the front passenger's side is the second nozzle opening of the first pane wash nozzle, the first nozzle opening of the first pane wash nozzle, the first nozzle opening of the second pane wash nozzle and the second nozzle opening of the second pane wash nozzle, such that a spray pattern, which is symmetrical with respect to a center axis between the driver's side of the windshield pane and the front passenger's side of the windshield pane, from the second nozzle openings is produced.

18. A motor vehicle with a pane wash nozzle as claimed in claim 12.