GB2282320A

GB2282320A - Lens washing device for motor vehicle headlamps

Info

Publication number: GB2282320A
Application number: GB9419744A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Klaus Thiele
Original assignee: Hella KGaA Huek and Co
Current assignee: Hella GmbH and Co KGaA
Priority date: 1993-10-04
Filing date: 1994-09-30
Publication date: 1995-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-30
Also published as: DE4333732C2; FR2710889A1; GB9419744D0; DE4333732A1; GB2282320B; FR2710889B1

Description

2282320 1 LENS WASHING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE HEADLAMPS This invention

relates to lens washing devices which can be mounted on the bodywork of a motor vehicle to wash the vehicle headlamps.

A lens washing device for motor vehicle headlamps is known from German Utility Model 8613734 comprising a nozzle block, which may be arranged above, below or beside the headlamp and is carried by a connecting device arranged essentially within the vehicle bodywork and by means of which the nozzle block can be moved from an inactive position to an active spraying position. A cover is mounted on the nozzle block through two flexibly resilient walls formed on the cover and extending more or less parallel with one another, with a hole for their tiltable attachment to the nozzle block, which has two diametrically opposed pins projecting into the holes in the lugs. In the inactive position of the nozzle block, at its outer rim at least a portion of its outer rim the cover is pressed against the exterior of the bodywork by a restoring force of the connecting device to function as a stop.

The lens washing device of German Utility Model 8613734 has a cover of box-type design, with the flexibly resilient side-walls extending more or less parallel with one another each having a rectangular opening whose long sides extend more or less at right-angles to the setting direction of the washer jet, two diametrically opposed 2 rectangular pins being formed on the lateral surface of the block which holds the washer jet and being releasably locked in the rectangular openings in the opposing sidewalls of the cover. There is play between the pins on the block holding the washer jet and the openings in the sidewalls of the cover. This play is intended to allow the cover to make a relatively slight tilting movement about its attachment points to compensate for any misalignment of the bodywork with the cover. However, with this form of 10 attachment between the cover and the block holding the washer jet, there is a possibility not only that the cover can tilt, but also that it may shift towards the nozzle block. Once the corresponding short sides of the rectangular openings and rectangular pins have come into is contact, further tilting cannot occur.

According to one aspect- of the present invention, -or vehicle there is provided a lens washing device for mol. headlamps, comprising a nozzle block arranged to be movable from an inactive position to an active spraying position, and a cover displaceably mounted on the nozzle block to be adjustably engageable against the exterior of the bodywork in the inactive position of the nozzle block, the nozzle block having two diametrically opposed pivot pins to be received in openings in a pair of generally parallel wall elements formed on the cover, the pivot pins having a circular cross- section and their receiving openings being formed as round holes of similar size, the tilting of the cover being limited by at least one stop projecting from 3 the nozzle block into at least one recess in one or both wall elements, the or each said recess being wider by the amount of tilt required, than the corresponding dimension of the associated stop or stops.

In an alternative and more particular aspect of the invention, a lens washing device is provided comprising a nozzle block arranged above, below or beside the headlamp, a connecting device arranged essentially within the bodywork and carrying the nozzle block for moving the nozzle block from an inactive position to an active spraying position, and a cover mounted on the nozzle block, which, in the inactive position of the nozzle block, is acted on at its outer rim or at least a portion of its outer rim by a restoring force of the connecting device to is be pressed against the exterior of the bodywork, which acts as a stop, two resilient lugs or cheek-pieces formed on the cover providing wall elements extending more or less parallel with one another and each having a hole for tillable attachment to the nozzle block through two diametrically pivot pins of said block which project into said holes, the pivot pins being formed as stub axles of circular cross-section and the holes receiving them being formed as round holes of similar size, the nozzle block being provided, between the stub axles and the cover, with at least one stop for the wall elements which limits the tilting of the cover in both directions, the or each said stop projecting from the nozzle block into a recess in the wall element adjacent thereto, the or each said recess 4 being made larger, by the amount of tilt required, than the stop received in it, said stop or stops being made shorter than the stub axles, and the inside of the wall elements being provided, in the region of the stop or stops, with recesses extending to a lateral edge of the wall elements, and formed as snap-on ramps.

Preferably, the stop is located as close as possible to the cover. This can maximise the leverage in the operation of the stop, and moreover provides greater security against undesired detachment of the wall elements from the pivot pins due to splaying of said wall elements.

To facilitate mounting of the wall elements on the pivot pins, their inside faces can be given recesses, formed as snap-on ramps, extending between the said holes is and the tips of the wall elements. This can allow the wall elements to be slipped on to the pivot pins more easily.

The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment and in which:

Figure 1 shows the nozzle block with cover fitted, and Figures 2 and 3 show the cover and the nozzle block separately.

The cover (1), in the illustrated case essentially consists of a plate carrying two wall elements in the form of two tongue-shaped lugs or cheekpieces (2) extending parallel with one another, by means of which the cover is fitted over the nozzle block, which can be it extended from the bodywork by a rod (4). The tongue-shaped lugs (2) are resiliently flexible and are slipped on not from the end which carries the nozzle (5), but laterally. The lugs (2) are splayed apart and slipped over the stub axles (6) of the nozzle block so that these snap into the round holes (7) in the cheek-pieces with little play. To facilitate the slipping of the lugs (2) over the stub axles (6), the inside faces of the lugs (2) have recesses (9), formed as snap-on ramps, extending between the round holes (7) and the tips (8) of the lugs, and sloping down towards the tips (8). When the lugs (2) have been slipped on to the nozzle block (3) so that the stub axles (6) engage in the round holes (7), the cover (1) is tilted in the direction X (Fig.2).

The end faces of the projecting bosses (10) are thereby guided over the snap-on ramps (11) of entry recesses (12) and finally snap into retaining recesses (13) in the lugs (2). The retaining recesses (13) are formed as round holes with a diameter larger than the diameter of the projecting bosses (10) by the amount necessary in order to obtain the required tilting movement of the cover (1).

When the nozzle block (3) is retracted by the rod (4) the cover (1) rests by its rim (14) against the exterior of the body, and is tilted about the stub axles (6) sufficiently to make contact with the body around its entire rim (14).

To prevent the stub axles (6) from coming out of the round holes (7) when the projecting bosses (10) are 6 being snapped into the recesses (13) in the lugs (2), the bosses (10) are made significantly shorter than the stub axles (6).

By arranging the lens washing device in this manner it is possible to attach the cover to the nozzle block in such a way that only tilting about a defined axis, and no other relative movement between these two connected parts, is possible. It is also possible to ensure that the cover is easily mountable on the nozzle block, and that the 10 rocking movement is limited in a reliable manner.

The form of attachment between cover and nozzle block can also afford the further advantage that only the radial size of the recess need be altered to adjust the angle of tilt of the cover.

15.i.

7

Claims

1. Lens washing device for motor vehicle headlamps, comprising a nozzle block arranged above, below or beside the headlamp, a connecting device arranged essentially within the bodywork and carrying the nozzle block for moving the nozzle block from an inactive position to an active spraying position, and a cover mounted on the nozzle block which, in the inactive position of the nozzle block, is acted on at its outer rim or at least a portion of its outer rim by a restoring force of the connecting device to be pressed against the exterior of the bodywork, which acts as a stop, two resilient wall elements extending more or less parallel with one another being formed on the cover, each with a hole for tillable attachment to the nozzle block through two diametrically opposed pivot pins of said block which project into the holes in the wall elements, the pivot pins being formed as stub axles of circular cross-section and the holes receiving them being formed as round holes of similar size, the nozzle block being provided, between the stub axles and the cover, with at least one stop for the wall elements which limits the tilting of the cover in both directions, the or each said stop projecting from the nozzle block into a recess in the wall element adjacent thereto, the or each said recess being made larger, by the amount of tilt required, than the stop received in it, said stop or stops being made shorter 8 than the stub axles, and the inside of the wall elements being provided, in the region of the stop or stops, with recesses extending to a lateral edge of the wall elements, and formed as snap-on ramps.

2. Lens washing device according to Claim 1, wherein the or each stop is located close to the cover.

3. Lens washing device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the round holes in the wall elements to receive the journals are located close to the tips of the wall elements.

4. Lens washing device according to any one of the is preceding claims, wherein the insides of the wall elements have recesses, formed as snap-on ramps, extending between the round holes receiving the stub axles and free edges o.' the wall elements.

5. Lens washing device for motor vehicle headlamps, comprising a nozzle block arranged to be movable from an inactive position to an active spraying position, and a cover displaceably mounted on the nozzle block to be adjustably engageable against the exterior of the bodywork in the inactive position of the nozzle block, the nozzle block having two diametrically opposed pivot pins to be received in openings in a pair of generally parallel wall elements formed on the cover, the pivot pins having a p 1 4 9 circular cross-section and their receiving openings being formed as round holes of similar size, the tilting of the cover being limited by at least one stop projecting from the nozzle block into at least one recess in one or both wall elements, the or each said recess being wider, by the amount of tilt required, than the corresponding dimension of the associated stop or stops.

6. Lens washing device according to Claim 5, wherein the or each stop is shorter than a pivot pin, and at least one of the wall elements is provided with a recess formed as a snap-on ramp for the introduction of the or one said stop into its associated recess.

7. Lens washing device constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A motor vehicle having headlamps provided with lens washing devices according to any one of the preceding claims.