Headlamp cleaning device

• US 6,854,666 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2002
• Issued: 02/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Company KG (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Company KG (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Jenkins, Martyn
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GORMAN, DARREN W
• Application Number:
  US10/232,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20030066909A1
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 239/284.2, 239/288, 239/284.1, 239/288.3, 239/288.5, 152/500.02, 134/172, 134/179
• US Class Current: 239/284.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/528 the spreading means being moved between a rest position and a working position B60S1/526 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/603 the operation of at least a part of the cleaning means being controlled by electric means

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for cleaning headlamps on motor vehicles using a cleaning fluid to be discharged through at least one spray nozzle. The spray nozzle, in a rest position, is arranged concealed or recessed in the bumper or the bodywork of the motor vehicle and can be positioned by an actuator in a cleaning position. The cleaning device according to the invention is distinguished in that the spray nozzle is arranged on a mounting which is secured pivotably to the bodywork and which in the rest position is pivoted into the bodywork and which can be pivoted out into the cleaning position by the actuator.

Claims

1. A device for cleaning headlamps or windscreens on a motor vehicle by means of cleaning fluid which is to be discharged through at least one spray nozzle, wherein in a rest position the spray nozzle is arranged concealed and/or recessed in the bodywork of the motor vehicle and by means of an actuator can be positioned in a cleaning position in which discharge of the cleaning fluid is effected, characterised in that the spray nozzle is arranged on a mounting which is secured pivotably to the bodywork and which in the rest position is pivoted into the bodywork and which can be pivoted out into the cleaning position by the actuator, characterised in that the actuator is in the form of a piston-cylinder unit operated by hydraulic pressure of the cleaning fluid and that the piston of the actuator acts with its end directly on a traction element that passes into the cylinder and which is connected to a pivot arm or a pivot lever.

2. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the spray nozzle is arranged under a pivotable flap which in the rest position covers an opening in the bodywork in flush relationship.

3. A device according to claim 2 characterised in that the flap can be extended outwardly at its side which faces towards the surface to be cleaned, with a pivot axis thereof extending approximately at the level of the outer surface of the bodywork.

4. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the actuator is operated hydraulically, preferably by the cleaning fluid.

5. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the actuator acts on said pivot arm or pivot lever which produces the outward extension movement of the spray nozzle into the cleaning position.

6. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the spray nozzle is held in the rest position by a return spring.

7. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that there is provided a pivot arm assembly comprising two pivot arms which are arranged rotatably about a common pivot axis.

8. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that the spray nozzle (7) is arranged on a cover (39) which can be lifted out of the bodywork and which can be pivoted into a position in front of the surface to be cleaned and which in the rest position closes an opening in the bodywork in flush relationship.

9. A device according to claim 8 characterised in that the spray nozzle (7) is fixed on the outside of the cover (39).

10. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that at least one duct for passing the cleaning fluid to the spray nozzle (7) is provided in at least one pivot arm (18).

11. A device according to claim 1 characterised in that it is integrated into the bumper or the trim cladding thereof or the headlamp assembly of a motor vehicle.