Washer system and pump for same

Abstract

A pump for a washer system includes a housing enclosing a motor driven pump and providing first and second outlets. First and second check valves are fluidly connected to and downstream from the first and second outlets. In one example, the first and second check valves are arranged in the housing. The check valves are configured such that one of the check valves is open to provide the fluid through the one of the outlets while the other check valve is closed to block fluid through the other of the outlets. In operation, a pumping element is rotated to pump fluid through an open first check valve, with the second check valve in the closed position. Reversing rotation of the pumping element pumps fluid through an open second check valve with the first check valve in the closed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pump for a washer system comprising:
 a housing providing first and second outlets;   a motor driven pumping element arranged within the housing, the motor configured to be reversible enabling the pumping element to selectively pump fluid through one of the outlets; and   first and second check valves respectively in fluid communication with the first and second outlets and arranged in the housing, and configured such that one of the check valves is open to provide the fluid through the one of the outlets while the other check valve is closed to block fluid through the other of the outlets.   
     
     
         2 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes multiple housing portions secured to one another, a first housing portion providing a cavity within which the pumping element is disposed, the first and second outlets in fluid communication with the cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The pump according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing includes second and third housing portions respectively enclosing the first and second check valves and secured to the first housing portion. 
     
     
         4 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein pump is without a diaphragm arranged between the first and second outlets, and the first and second check valves are normally closed. 
     
     
         5 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing, motor, pumping element, first and second check valves are integrated to provide a unitary, preassembled component. 
     
     
         6 . A washer pump system comprising:
 a housing providing first and second outlets;   a motor driven pumping element arranged within the housing, the motor configured to be reversible enabling the pumping element to selectively pump fluid through one of the outlets; and   first and second check valves respectively fluidly connected to the first and second outlets, the first and second check valves respectively fluidly between the first and second outlets and the pumping element, and configured such that one of the check valves is open to provide the fluid through the one of the outlets while the other check valve is closed to block fluid through the other of the outlets.   
     
     
         7 . The washer pump system according to  claim 6 , wherein the housing, motor, pumping element, first and second check valves are integrated to provide a unitary, preassembled component. 
     
     
         8 . The washer pump system according to  claim 6 , comprising first and second components, and first and second fluid circuits respectively fluidly connected to the first and second outlets and configured to spray fluid respectively on the first and second components. 
     
     
         9 . The washer pump system according to  claim 8 , comprising a switching element electrically connected to the motor and configured to reverse the polarity of power provided to the motor to a desired rotational direction of the motor and selectively deliver fluid to one of the first and second components. 
     
     
         10 . The washer pump system according to  claim 6 , wherein the first and second check valves respectively include first and second closing forces that are different than one another. 
     
     
         11 . The washer pump system according to  claim 6 , wherein the first and second check valves provide normally closed positions. 
     
     
         12 . A method of pumping washer fluid comprising the steps of:
 providing first and second check valves associated with the first and second outlets of a pump, the first and second check valves having normally closed positions;   rotating a pumping element to pump fluid through an open first check valve, with the second check valve in the closed position; and   reversing rotation of the pumping element to pump fluid through an open second check valve with the first check valve in the closed position.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the reversing step includes changing a polarity of power provided to the pump. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the rotating step includes delivering fluid to a front vehicle glass, and the reversing step includes delivering fluid to a rear vehicle glass.