Window and lens glass cleaning system

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         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, wherein washer fluid situated in the retaining part is heatable with a heating element mounted to the retaining part, wherein a nonreturn valve is located in the retaining part and arranged directly in front of the washer nozzle, as seen in the direction of 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 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 has a recess for accommodating the heating element.  
     
     
         7 . The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the recess can be closed by a flap.  
     
     
         8 . The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed  claim 7 , wherein the retaining part is connected to the flap via a film hinge.  
     
     
         9 . The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the retaining part is manufactured from plastic by injection molding.  
     
     
         10 . The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the washer nozzle has a fluidic nozzle.  
     
     
         11 . The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the washer nozzle has a flat-jet ball.  
     
     
         12 . The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heating element is designed as a thick-film mesh.  
     
     
         13 . The window and lens glass cleaning system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the heating element is designed as a PTC element.  
     
     
         14 . 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 washer nozzle with electric current.  
     
     
         15 . A surface cleaning system for a vehicle, comprising: 
 a wiper arm;    a fluid pipe mounted to the wiper arm;    a retaining part mounted to the wiper arm, the retaining part including a washer nozzle and a heating element, wherein the fluid pipe communicates with the retaining part and wherein fluid transported by the fluid pipe to the retaining part is heatable by the heating element; and    a nonreturn valve located between a portion of the fluid pipe and the washer nozzle.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the nonreturn valve is located within the retaining part and the nonreturn valve is located between the end portion of the fluid pipe and the washer nozzle.  
     
     
         17 . The system of clam  15 , wherein the nonreturn valve is clamped between a connecting branch of the fluid pipe and the retaining part.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining part has a recess for accommodating the heating element and the recess can be closed by a flap that is connected to the retaining part by a film hinge.  
     
     
         19 . A surface cleaning system for a vehicle comprising: 
 a wiper arm;    a fluid conduit on the wiper arm, the fluid conduit terminating in a washer nozzle;    a heating element on the wiper arm which can heat fluid in the fluid conduit; and    a nonreturn valve located in line with the fluid conduit, allowing fluid in the fluid conduit to pass therethrough in one direction.    
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the washer nozzle is located within a retaining part attached to the wiper arm, the heating element is attached to the retaining part, and the nonreturn valve is located within the retaining part.