Abstract:
A valve is disclosed that includes a valve body defining an inlet and a plurality of outlets, the inlet and the plurality of outlets cooperating to form a plurality of alternative fluid flow paths through the valve body. The valve further includes an outlet selection member carried by the valve body and defining a port configured to complete a fluid flow path selected from the plurality of alternative fluid flow paths. The valve further includes a first magnet assembly configured to enable reciprocation of the outlet selection member and a second magnet assembly configured to enable rotation of the outlet selection member. A washer fluid supply system incorporating the valve and a method of operating the valve are also disclosed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention generally relates to a valve that enables fluid flowing into an inlet defined by the valve to be directed to an outlet selected from a plurality of outlets defined by the valve, a washer fluid supply system associated with such a valve, and a method of operating such a valve. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Single-inlet, multiple-outlet valves with simplified, efficient designs that allow precise selection of any one of a plurality of alternative fluid flow paths are scarce in the prior art, particularly in washer fluid supply systems such as those utilized on motor vehicles having multiple surfaces that require periodic mechanized washing initiated by an operator. 
         [0003]    Some prior art valves employ designs that rely on fluid pressure for valve actuation, cause undue valve wear, or give rise to other inefficiencies. For instance, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0222156 A1 to Bissonnette (“Bissonnette”) discloses a washing apparatus for multiple vehicle surfaces that includes a valve system to enable operator selection of the vehicle surface to be washed. However, the alternative valve systems disclosed in Bissonnette are either pressure responsive or include multiple valves. The pressure responsive valve system and associated components disclosed in Bissonnette may cease to operate effectively as fluid supply diminishes and may wear quickly as a result of being actuated by fluid pressure. The alternative valve system disclosed in Bissonnette that includes multiple valves and associated components unduly increases the cost and complexity of system assembly and maintenance. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A valve is disclosed that includes a valve body defining an inlet and a plurality of outlets, the inlet and the plurality of outlets cooperating to form a plurality of alternative fluid flow paths through the valve body. The valve further includes an outlet selection member carried by the valve body and defining a port configured to complete a fluid flow path selected from the plurality of alternative fluid flow paths. The valve further includes a first magnet assembly configured to enable reciprocation of the outlet selection member and a second magnet assembly configured to enable rotation of the outlet selection member. 
         [0005]    A washer fluid supply system in a machine including an operator cabin and a plurality of work surfaces is disclosed. The washer fluid supply system includes a washer switch within the operator cabin, the washer switch associated with one of the plurality of work surfaces. The washer fluid supply system further includes a reservoir of washer fluid, a pump for pumping washer fluid from the reservoir, and a valve for directing the washer fluid from the pump to the work surface associated with the washer switch. The valve includes a valve body defining an inlet and a plurality of outlets, the inlet and the plurality of outlets cooperating to form a plurality of alternative fluid flow paths through the valve body. The valve further includes an outlet selection member carried by the valve body and defining a port configured to complete a fluid flow path selected from the plurality of alternative fluid flow paths. The valve further includes a first magnet assembly configured to enable reciprocation of the outlet selection member and a second magnet assembly configured to enable rotation of the outlet selection member. 
         [0006]    A method is disclosed for operating a valve to direct fluid flow from an inlet defined by the valve to an outlet selected from a plurality of outlets defined by the valve. The method includes the step of providing a valve that includes a valve body defining an inlet and a plurality of outlets, the inlet and the plurality of outlets cooperating to form a plurality of alternative fluid flow paths through the valve body. The provided valve further includes an outlet selection member carried by the valve body and defining a port configured to complete a fluid flow path selected from the plurality of alternative fluid flow paths. The provided valve further includes a first magnet assembly configured to enable reciprocation of the outlet selection member and a second magnet assembly configured to enable rotation of the outlet selection member. The method further includes the step of activating at least one of the first magnet assembly and the second magnet assembly to position the outlet selection member such that the port defined by the outlet selection member completes the selected fluid flow path. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a valve according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the outlet selection member of the valve shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the valve shown in  FIG. 1 , taken through line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the valve shown in  FIG. 1 , taken through line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    A valve according to an embodiment of the invention is shown broadly in  FIG. 1  at reference numeral  10 . The valve  10  includes a valve body  11  and an outlet selection member  12 . In the disclosed embodiment, the valve body  11  is substantially rectangular and includes a top surface  13 , a bottom surface  14  ( FIG. 3 ) opposite the top surface  13 , an inlet surface  15  ( FIG. 3 ), and an outlet surface  20  opposite the inlet surface  15 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  4 , the valve body  11  defines an inlet  21  having a longitudinal axis, an inlet chamber  22 , an outlet selection bore  23  for receiving the outlet selection member  12 , and a plurality of outlets  24  including a default outlet  25 . The outlet selection bore  23  has a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inlet  21 . The inlet  21  comprises an inlet port  26  and an inlet channel  27  downstream from the inlet port  26 , and each of the outlets in the plurality of outlets  24  comprises an outlet channel  28  and an outlet port  29  downstream from the outlet channel  28 . 
         [0012]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the outlet selection member  12  is illustrated. The outlet selection member  12  is at least partially housed in the outlet selection bore  23  ( FIG. 1 ) and defines a port  30  substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the outlet selection member  12 . A plurality of alternative fluid flow paths are defined by the valve body  11  and the outlet selection member  12 . Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  4 , the inlet port  26 , the inlet channel  27 , the inlet chamber  22 , the port  30  defined by the outlet selection member  12 , the plurality of outlet channels  28 , and the plurality of outlet ports  29  cooperate to form the plurality of alternative fluid flow paths through the valve body  11 . In the disclosed embodiment, there are nine outlets forming nine alternative fluid flow paths. As described further below, a desired fluid flow path may be selected from the plurality of alternative fluid flow paths. 
         [0013]    Still looking at  FIG. 2 , in the disclosed embodiment, the outlet selection member  12  is a substantially cylindrical pin with first and second opposing ends  31 ,  32 . A first outlet selection member projection  33  adjacent to the first end  31  of the outlet selection member  12  is attached to or integral with the outlet selection member  12 . In the disclosed embodiment, the first outlet selection member projection  33  is a substantially annular cap. Second and third outlet selection member projections  34 ,  35  adjacent to the second end  32  of the outlet selection member  12  are attached to or integral with the outlet selection member  12 . In the disclosed embodiment, the second and third outlet selection member projections  34 ,  35  are substantially rectangular tabs angularly spaced apart from one another by approximately 90 degrees. 
         [0014]    Turning to both  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , a first valve body projection  40  oriented in magnetic proximity to the first outlet selection member projection  33  is attached to or integral with the top surface  13  of the valve body  11 . In the disclosed embodiment, the first valve body projection  40  is a collar substantially encircling a port  41  ( FIG. 3 ) defined by the top surface  13  of the valve body  11  for access into the outlet selection bore  23 . A second valve body projection  42  oriented in magnetic proximity to the second and third outlet selection member projections  34 ,  35  is attached to or integral with the bottom surface  14  of the valve body  11 . In the disclosed embodiment, the second valve body projection  42  is a substantially rectangular post. 
         [0015]    The first outlet selection member projection  33  and the first valve body projection  40  comprise a first magnet assembly  43 . Multiple options are available for magnetizing the first magnet assembly  43 . For instance, the first magnet assembly  43  could include two electromagnetic components or an electromagnetic component and a non-electromagnetic component. More specifically, both the first outlet selection member projection  33  and the first valve body projection  40  may be electromagnets, or one may be an electromagnet while the other is either a permanent magnet or formed of a magnetically responsive substance such as steel. 
         [0016]    The second and third outlet selection member projections  34 ,  35  together with the second valve body projection  42  comprise a second magnet assembly  44 . Multiple options are available for magnetizing the second magnet assembly  44 . For instance, the second and third outlet selection member projections  34 ,  35  could be electromagnets while the second valve body projection  42  is either a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, or formed of a magnetically responsive substance such as steel. Alternatively, the second and third outlet selection member projections  34 ,  35  could be permanent magnets and/or formed of a magnetically responsive substance such as steel while the second valve body projection  42  includes one or more electromagnets. 
         [0017]    As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the electromagnets in the first and second magnet assemblies  43 ,  44  may be solenoids (not shown) electrically connected to terminals (not shown) attached to, integral with, or separate from the valve body  11 . The terminals and in turn, the solenoids, may be powered by a battery (not shown) on a machine (not shown) carrying the valve  10 . 
         [0018]    The first magnet assembly  43  is configured to enable reciprocation of the outlet selection member  12  within the outlet selection bore  23 . Specifically, one or more electromagnets in the first magnet assembly are selectively activated, causing the first outlet selection member projection  33  and the first valve body projection  40  to be either attracted to or repelled by one another, thereby reciprocating the outlet selection member  12  to a selected location within the outlet selection bore  23 . The second magnet assembly  44  is configured to enable rotation of the outlet selection member  12  within the outlet selection bore  23 . Specifically, one or more electromagnets in the second magnet assembly  44  are selectively activated, causing the second outlet selection member projection  34  and the second valve body projection  42  to be either attracted to or repelled by one another and/or causing the third outlet selection member  35  and the second valve body projection  42  to be either attracted to or repelled by one another, thereby rotating the outlet selection member  12  to a selected location within the outlet selection bore  23 . This selective reciprocation and rotation of the outlet selection member  12  within the outlet selection bore  23  enables the user to select a desired fluid flow path from the plurality of alternative fluid flow paths through the valve body  11 . 
         [0019]    One or more springs  45  such as a torsion spring are installed around the first and/or second ends  31 ,  32  of the outlet selection member  12 . The spring  45  urges the outlet selection member  12  to rotate and/or reciprocate to a default position upon deactivation of the first and/or second magnet assemblies  42 ,  44 . When the outlet selection member  12  of the disclosed embodiment is oriented in the default position, the default outlet channel  25  is the centermost outlet of the plurality of outlets  24  and the second and third outlet selection member projections  34 ,  35  are approximately equidistant from the second valve body projection  42 . 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0020]    The valve  10  is one component of a washer fluid supply system in a machine (not shown) that includes an operator cabin (not shown) and a plurality of work surfaces (not shown). In addition to the valve  10 , the washer fluid supply system includes a washer switch (not shown) within the operator cabin, a reservoir of washer fluid (not shown), and a pump (not shown) for pumping the washer fluid from the reservoir. The washer switch, the reservoir, and the pump are designed and configured in accordance with the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0021]    The washer switch is associated with one of the plurality of work surfaces. The association of the washer switch with one of the plurality of work surfaces may be accomplished by implementing any one of a plurality of possible washer switch configurations. There may be multiple washer switches within the operator cabin, each of the multiple washer switches being associated with a single, specific work surface on the machine. For instance, the multiple washer switches may include a first washer switch associated with a front windshield of the machine and a second washer switch associated with a rear windshield of the machine, thereby enabling the operator to cause the washer fluid supply system to direct washer fluid to the front windshield of the machine or the rear windshield of the machine, respectively, as needed or desired. Alternatively, a single washer switch could be included in the operator cabin along with a work surface selector, thereby enabling the operator to actuate the work surface selector to select one of the plurality of work surfaces of the machine for washing and to subsequently actuate the washer switch to cause the washer fluid supply system to direct washer fluid to the selected work surface. 
         [0022]    When the washer switch is actuated by the operator relative to the selected work surface, the first magnet assembly  43  and/or the second magnet assembly  44  of the valve  10  are activated to position the outlet selection member  12  such that the port  30  defined by the outlet selection member  12  completes the selected fluid flow path through the valve body  11 , i.e., the fluid flow path associated with the selected work surface. More specifically, the first magnet assembly  43  and/or the second magnet assembly  44  rotate and/or reciprocate the outlet selection member  12  in the outlet selection bore  23  such that the port  30  defined by the outlet selection member  12  brings the inlet chamber  22  into fluid communication with the outlet channel  28  of the outlet among the plurality of outlets  24  that, in turn, is in fluid communication with the selected work surface. Alternatively, if the selected work surface is in fluid communication with the default outlet  25  of the plurality of outlets  24 , the first and second magnet assemblies  43 ,  44  either deactivate or refrain from activating, thereby enabling the spring  45  to urge the outlet selection member  12  to the default position in order to bring the inlet chamber  22  into fluid communication with the default outlet  25 . The default position of the outlet selection member  12  and the default outlet  25  of the valve  10  may be associated with the most frequently washed work surface of the plurality of work surfaces on the machine, for instance the front windshield of the machine. 
         [0023]    Many variations of the disclosed embodiments of the invention may be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the valve could be formed of plastic or metal. In addition, the valve body could be substantially spherical or elliptical and/or could define a lesser or greater number of outlets than disclosed. Further, the first and second magnet assemblies could be oriented adjacent to the same end of the outlet selection member, the various structures of the first and second magnet assemblies could be shaped or sized differently than disclosed, and the first and second magnet assemblies could include a greater number of structures than disclosed. For instance, the first magnet assembly could comprise two or more structures attached to or integral with the valve body in place of the first valve body projection and/or the first magnet assembly could comprise two or more structures attached to or integral with the outlet selection member in place of the first outlet selection member projection. In any event, the potential embodiments of the invention disclosed above are provided only as examples and do not abridge the scope of the invention, as the full scope of the invention is defined only by the claims.