Patent ID: 8925834
Filing Date: 2015-01-06
Classification: B60S

Abstract:
1. A fluid dispensing circuit for dispensing windshield washer fluid for a vehicle; the fluid dispensing circuit including: at least one nozzle; a windshield washer fluid tank and a feed pump associated with the tank to pump washer fluid from the tank; a tube connecting the tank and feed pump to the at least one nozzle; a valve assembly positioned along said tube and dividing the tube into (1) a lower tube section extending between said valve assembly and said tank and feed pump and (2) an upper tube section extending between said valve assembly and said at least one nozzle; said valve assembly comprising a body defining a chamber having a bottom surface and a side wall extending upwardly from said bottom surface; a lower opening in said bottom surface to which said lower tube section is operatively connected such that said fluid tank is in fluid communication with said chamber, said lower opening defining both a windshield washer supply inlet and a chamber drain; at least one upper opening in said side wall of said body, said at least one upper opening being spaced above said lower opening and being operatively connected to said tube upper section such that said at least one nozzle is in fluid communication with said chamber; a float housed in said chamber and having a density less than a density of the windshield washer fluid, said float being movable between a lower position in which it sealingly engages said lower opening and an upper position in which said float is spaced from said lower opening; and a guide for guiding said float between its said lower and upper positions; whereby, when said pump is activated, said float is moved from its lower position to its upper position as fluid is pumped into said chamber such that fluid will flow through said chamber and out said upper opening to be dispensed through said at least one nozzle; and, when said pump is deactivated, washer fluid in said at least one nozzle, said upper tube section and said chamber drains through said lower opening to pass into said lower tube to return at least a portion of said windshield wiper fluid to said tank and, as the fluid drains, the float lowers with the level of fluid in the chamber from its said upper position to its said lower position, and when said float is in its said lower position, said nozzle and upper tube section are empty of fluid and said float seals said lower opening and generates a suction cup effect to prevent fluid in said lower tube section from draining into said tank, such that said circuit maintains a column of fluid in said lower tube section when said pump is not activated.