Windscreen air distribution system

Abstract

Vehicle cab windscreen air distribution system for a windscreen (1) provided with an external windscreen wiper (5) and a windscreen wiper motor (2a) mounted on the inside of the windscreen. The distribution system comprises an air distribution housing (3) which at least partially surrounds the wiper motor (2, 2a), the housing defining a passage (3a) for the supply of air onto the windscreen (1a) in the vicinity of the motor. The passage (3a) for the supply of air is defined between a motor housing (2) and part of the air distribution housing (3),

Claims

1. A tractor cab comprising: a windscreen having an external side and an internal side, the windscreen comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the windscreen being pivotable between a closed position and an open position; a windscreen wiper mounted on the external side of the windscreen; a wiper motor contained in a motor housing, wherein the wiper motor is mounted on the internal side of the windscreen and pivots with the upper portion of the windscreen; and a windscreen air distribution system for the windscreen comprising an air distribution housing, the air distribution housing defining a passage for a supply of air to the internal side of the windscreen, wherein the passage is between an outer surface of the motor housing and an inner surface of the air distribution housing and supplies air onto the windscreen through a gap between the motor housing and the air distribution housing adjacent the wiper motor, wherein the wiper motor moves into a position where it is at least partially surrounded by the air distribution housing when the windscreen is in its closed position to form the gap.

2. The tractor cab according to claim 1 in which the air distribution housing also includes additional outlets spaced from the wiper motor for the discharge of air into the tractor cab.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an external perspective view of an air distribution housing in accordance with the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a front view of the housing of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a section along line A-A of FIG. 2, and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a detail (B) of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

(6) Referring to the drawings, a tractor cab is provided with a two-piece windscreen 1 with an upper part 1a and a lower part 1b. A motor housing 2 encloses a wiper motor 2a and a gearing 2b which are mounted on the inside of the upper part of the windscreen 1a. A wiper 5 is mounted on the outside of the upper part 1a of the windscreen and is driven by motor 2a and gearing 2b.

(7) As is well known, the upper part 1a of the windscreen is pivotally mounted at its upper edge on the cab so that the windscreen can be pivoted together with the wiper 5, motor 2a, gearing 2b and motor housing 2 to an open position by turning a fastening lever 6 to its open position. The upper part 1a of the windscreen 1 is supported in its open position by a gas spring (not shown).

(8) In accordance with the present invention, an air distribution housing 3 is provided which contains a lower part 4 and which partly surrounds the wiper motor housing 2 and defines a passage 3a through which air can flow to the windscreen 1a as shown by the arrow X in FIGS. 3 and 4. As can be seen this air flow exits the housing 3 via the gap 3b between the motor housing 2 and the top edge 3c of housing 3 around the pivot of the wiper and thus air is guided to the windscreen on the inside of the cab. This ensures that the air reaches the middle part of the windscreen as required. Air also exits from the lower part 4 as shown by arrow Y via outlet 9 the flow through which is controlled by flaps 8 which can be moved by the tractor driver or the air ventilating/conditioning system between the full and dotted line positions of FIGS. 3 and 4 to regulate air flow into the cab. Further some slots 7 may be provided in the lower part 4 of the air distribution housing which may be a separate component from the upper housing part 3 along a break line 4a to allow easy access for servicing etc.

(9) FIG. 3 also shows the upper part 1a of the windscreen in its open position 1a in which the motor housing 2 has been moved away from the air distribution housing 3. Although in the arrangement described above, the air is directed between the outer surface of the motor housing 2 and the inside surface of the air distribution housing 3, the air passage may be define completely by the housing 3 preferably by providing a further inner surface 3d to the housing 3 as indicated in dotted detail in FIG. 4. This alternative arrangement serves to shield the motor to a certain extent from the effects of the hot air which may be passed through passage 3a.

(10) The invention can also be used on a one-piece non-opening windscreen, where it is not necessary, to provide a quick defrosting of the middle part of the windscreen around the windscreen wiper mounting.