Window and lens glass cleaning system

• US 6,393,652 B1
• Filed: 07/22/1999
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Vogt, Gerhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Gary K.
• Application Number:
  US09/360,355
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 15/250.04,250.01,250.02,250.05,250.07 239/284.1,284.2,570,571,135,130
• US Class Current: 15/250.04
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/522 moving liquid spreading means, e.g. arranged in wiper arms

Abstract

In a window and lens glass cleaning system for a window/lens glass of a motor vehicle, a washer nozzle, a heating element and a nonreturn valve are in each case arranged on or in a retaining part. The retaining part is fastened on a wiper arm which can pivot over the window/lens glass. The invention largely prevents washer fluid in the washer nozzle from freezing.

Claims

1. A window and lens glass cleaning system for a window/lens glass of a motor vehicle, comprising a pivotally mounted wiper arm for holding a wiper lip, which slides over the window/lens glass, said system comprising at least one washer fluid pipe which is mounted on the wiper arm and is connected to a retaining part mounted on the wiper arm, the retaining part having a washer nozzle and a recess for accommodating an electric heating element that is mounted on the retaining part in close proximity to the washer nozzle, wherein the recess can be closed by a flap that is connected to the retaining part via a film hinge and washer fluid situated in the washer nozzle is heatable by the heating element, and wherein a nonreturn valve is attached to the retaining part in front of the washer nozzle, in the direction of the washer fluid flow.

2. The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washer nozzle together with the heating element and the nonreturn valve is configured as a constructional unit which can be preassembled.

3. The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nonreturn valve is pretensioned into a closed position by a force provided for sustaining a washer fluid column.

4. The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nonreturn valve is configured as a duckbill valve.

5. The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washer nozzle is arranged on the retaining part and the nonreturn valve is clamped between a connecting branch of the washer fluid pipe and the retaining part.

6. The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining part is manufactured from plastic by injection molding.

7. The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washer nozzle has a fluidic nozzle.

8. The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washer nozzle has a flat-jet ball.

9. The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating element is designed as a thick-film mesh.

10. The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating element is designed as a PTC element.

11. The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washer fluid pipe is manufactured as one piece together with electric leads for supplying the heating element of the retaining part with electric current.