CN117222553A - Dispensing device and liquid dispensing actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a dispensing device D for supplying pressurized liquid to various cleaning positions of a vehicle. The dispensing device comprises a housing 8, a motor-drivable dispenser 16 arranged in the housing, and liquid receiving and liquid guiding means 18, 20, 22, 26, 28. The distributor 16 is here rotatably adjustable relative to the housing 8 into various defined positions in which the pressurized fluid-carrying input port AZ is fluidically connected to one of the plurality of output ports ARSi, arsi+1,. A distributor (16) of substantially cylindrical configuration controls the liquid to flow to one of the output interfaces ARSi, arsi+1, arsi+n via a liquid receiving and guiding means of the radial periphery in accordance with a rotational adjustment. Furthermore, a liquid dispensing actuator 2 having such a dispensing device D, as well as a cleaning device having such a liquid dispensing actuator 2, a vehicle having such a cleaning device and a method of operation are proposed.

Description

Dispensing device and liquid dispensing actuator

The present application relates to a dispensing device for a liquid dispensing actuator, and a liquid dispensing actuator having such a dispensing device.

The object of the present application is to improve the water distribution for vehicle cleaning, especially in view of the increasing number of vehicle sensors.

This object is achieved by a dispensing device as claimed and claimed in claim 1. A liquid dispensing actuator having such a dispensing device is also proposed and claimed (see claim 8). Furthermore, a cleaning device, a vehicle and a method of operation are proposed and claimed (see claims 13, 14 and 15). Advantageous embodiments of the application are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The application proposes a dispensing device for supplying pressurized liquid to various cleaning locations of a vehicle. The dispensing device comprises a housing, a motor-driven dispenser arranged in the housing, and a liquid receiving and guiding device. The distributor can be adjusted in a pivotable manner relative to the housing into a defined position in which the pressurized fluid inlet is fluidically connected to one of the plurality of outlet ports for supplying the corresponding cleaning position.

The distributor is essentially cylindrical in shape and controls or guides the liquid via a liquid receiving and liquid guiding device on the radial periphery (as a function of the orientation or rotational adjustment of the distributor relative to the housing space in which it is accommodated) to a desired position or one of these positions, or to one of the outlet connections of the distributor and thus to a desired cleaning position or one of these cleaning positions of the vehicle.

The liquid receiving and liquid guiding device on the distributor can be embodied, for example, as a radial circumferential annular groove and a radial circumferential longitudinal groove, wherein the longitudinal groove extends transversely (and here, for example, orthogonally) from the annular groove and is thus in fluid connection with the annular groove. The annular groove and the longitudinal groove are thus arranged or disposed on the circumferential side of the distributor or on the radial circumferential side of the distributor and lie opposite the corresponding housing section.

The proposed water distribution mechanism simplifies the vehicle cleaning device or vehicle cleaning system and thus reduces the costs associated, since a plurality of infusion pumps can be dispensed with by means of it. Weight saving is thus also achieved. Since a plurality of transfer pumps is omitted, the corresponding pump control is also simplified.

In addition, the proposed water dispensing mechanism also reduces cleaning liquid consumption. This additionally leads to an increase in the range of the vehicle, which is achieved by filling the cleaning liquid container or tank. This aspect is particularly applicable to future fully automated driving vehicles which will have a significantly higher number of sensors (including safety related sensors) than previous vehicles and their functionality must be ensured.

Furthermore, the elimination of required device components or system components also contributes to the corresponding compactness of such a device or such a system, so that less installation space is required overall.

The cleaning position is understood here to be a cleaning position corresponding to a vehicle sensor. The cleaning position need not be part of the sensor itself, and may also be arranged at a distance from the sensor, for example at a position on the windscreen or the like. However, the cleaning position may also be part of a vehicle sensor, for example a cleaning position corresponding to a camera. However, the cleaning position may also be another position of the vehicle itself that does not correspond to a vehicle sensor, such as another position on the windshield, a position on a headlight, or the like, as described above.

In the simplest case, the liquid or cleaning liquid may be water, but is preferably an aqueous cleaning agent solution, i.e. water combined with a cleaning agent additive. The cleaning solution may advantageously also contain a freeze inhibitor or antifreeze which lowers the freezing point of the cleaning solution.

The dispenser of the dispensing device is embodied here without a seal with respect to the housing of the dispensing device. It is therefore proposed to provide a liquid return structure to the tank. For this purpose, during operation of the dispensing device, the continuous space between the dispenser and the housing, which is filled with the liquid to be delivered, is in fluid connection with the return connection of the dispensing device.

In operation of the dispensing device, the dispenser (which is itself essentially configured as a cylinder) forms a defined radial gap with the corresponding housing part or housing section on the radial circumferential side, through which liquid conveyed through the housing propagates in and through the dispenser, and at the same time forms a liquid leakage film or liquid leakage flow between the dispenser and the housing part or housing section on the radial circumferential side, which liquid leakage film or liquid leakage flow separates the dispenser from the housing. The liquid receiving and guiding device (for example, shaped as the above-mentioned annular groove and longitudinal groove) arranged on the radial periphery of the dispenser controls or guides the liquid to the desired position of the dispensing device, or rather the liquid is controlled or guided to the desired position of the dispensing device in a rotationally regulated manner as a function of the orientation or rotation of the dispenser relative to the housing part or housing section.

Some of the liquid receiving and liquid guiding means on and/or in the dispenser herein cause or facilitate or support a backflow of liquid into the tank.

In one embodiment, a liquid receiving and liquid directing device includes:

a first closed liquid channel arranged in the housing (in terms of its channel cross section), which is in fluid connection with the inlet connection;

a second liquid channel which is arranged on the distributor and is open (in terms of its channel cross section) and is shaped as an annular groove, into which the first liquid channel opens;

a third liquid channel provided on the distributor, which is open (in terms of its channel cross section) and is shaped as a longitudinal groove which runs transversely (and here, for example, orthogonally) to the annular groove and leads out of it; and

a plurality of further fourth liquid channels are provided in the housing, which are closed (in terms of their channel cross section) and are each fluidically connected (one-to-one) to a respective outlet port and are fluidically connectable to the longitudinal grooves of the dispenser as a result of a corresponding rotational adjustment of the dispenser.

In a further embodiment, the liquid receiving and liquid guiding device further comprises:

first return channels of the liquid channels, which are closed in terms of their channel cross section, are arranged in the distributor and distributed in the circumferential direction thereof and extend between the two end sides of the distributor;

the second return channels of the liquid channels, which are open in their channel cross section, are arranged on the distributor on the hydraulic interface side or in the region of the end face of the hydraulic interface side of the distributor and are distributed over the circumference of the distributor in the form of longitudinal grooves (that is to say grooves oriented along the longitudinal axis of the distributor).

Furthermore, a liquid dispensing actuator is proposed, which comprises a dispensing device or a dispensing device of the above-mentioned type, and a motor for driving a rotatable dispenser of the dispensing device.

The actuator may further comprise a control unit for at least the drive motor, which is a component integrated in a housing section of the actuator.

The control unit may be arranged at the end of the actuator on the electrical interface side. It is proposed here that the control unit and the motor are arranged in a common housing section of the actuator.

The control unit can also be configured to control the corresponding infusion pump, which itself is in fluid connection with the actuator.

Furthermore, a cleaning device or a cleaning system for a vehicle is proposed, which cleaning device or cleaning system is used for cleaning a plurality of cleaning positions on the vehicle, wherein the cleaning device or the cleaning system comprises at least one liquid dispensing actuator of the type described above.

Furthermore, a vehicle having a cleaning device of the above-mentioned type is proposed.

A vehicle is understood here to mean any type of vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle and/or a commercial vehicle, in which an internal combustion engine is operated and/or an electric motor is operated. The vehicle is preferably a semi-automatically operated vehicle, in particular a fully automatically operated vehicle.

Furthermore, a method for operating a dispensing device or a liquid dispensing actuator of the above-mentioned type is proposed, wherein, before the rotational adjustment of the dispenser to one of the defined positions for supplying liquid to the liquid passage corresponding to one of the cleaning positions, the liquid pressure prevailing in the dispensing device is reduced, for example the rotational speed of an infusion pump providing a pressure value of the liquid pressure source is correspondingly reduced or reduced.

Drawings

The present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further advantageous developments of the application emerge from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments. Wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a proposed liquid dispensing actuator in a first perspective view;

FIG. 2 illustrates the actuator shown in FIG. 1 in a second perspective view;

FIG. 3 shows the actuator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a first cross-sectional view;

FIG. 4 shows the actuator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a second cross-sectional view (at a somewhat perspective angle);

FIG. 5 illustrates the actuator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a perspective exploded view;

fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the dispensing section of the actuator shown in the previous figures; and

fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the dispenser shown in fig. 3 and 4.

Detailed Description

The proposed liquid dispensing actuator 2 has a substantially cylindrical body design with a first hydraulic-interface-side end 4 with a plurality of hydraulic interfaces a _z (z=input), a _R (r=reflux), a _RSi 、A _{RSi+ 1} ...A _RSi+n (rs=cleaning position), and the main body has a second end 6 on the electrical interface side, which has an interface socket B.

The actuator 2 is divided into three parts and comprises a distributor or distributor section D, a motor or drive section E for driving the distributor D, and a control device or control unit or control section C for actuating the motor E.

The dispensing device D here comprises a housing or housing section 8 in which a motor-driven or motor-driven dispenser 16 is accommodated in a rotatable manner, and further comprises a liquid receiving and guiding device 18, 20, 22, 24 _i 、24 _i+1 、...、24 _i+n 26, 28. The distributor 16 can be adjusted in a pivotable manner relative to the housing 8 into various defined positions in order to provide the pressurized fluid inlet a _z Optionally with a plurality of output interfaces A _RSi 、A _RSi+1 、...、A _RSi+n One of the output interfaces is fluidly connected to the input interface a _z And is formed on the housing cover 12.

Here, input interface a _z A first supply channel 18 which opens into the housing projection V of the distributor device D and is closed with respect to its channel cross section, wherein the supply channel 18 extends in the longitudinal direction X-X of the distributor device D or of the actuator 2.

The inlet channel 18 in turn opens into a second liquid channel which is shaped to close the circumferential annular groove 20 and is open in terms of its channel cross section, from which a third liquid channel which is shaped as a longitudinal groove 22 and is open in terms of its channel cross section is led out, which longitudinal groove is transverse to the annular groove 20 or, for example, orthogonal thereto, and which likewise extends in the longitudinal direction X-X and in the direction of the hydraulic-interface-side end 4.

In this case, the longitudinal grooves 22 can be associated with a plurality of fourth fluid channels a provided in the housing 8, which are closed in terms of their channel cross section, when the distributor 16 is correspondingly rotationally adjusted _RSi 、A _RSi+1 、...、A _RSi+n Fluid connection, the fourth liquid channels each correspond to one of the output ports A _RSi 、A _RSi+1 、...、A _RSi+n In order to supply pressurized liquid or cleaning liquid to various cleaning locations of the vehicle.

The housing section 8 is sufficiently sealed by means of O-rings on the one hand on the hydraulic interface side with respect to the housing cover 12 and on the other hand on the electrical interface side with respect to the housing section 10 and with respect to the separator tank/insulation tank ST extending into the drive section E. However, the dispenser 16 itself is embodied so as to be unsealed from the housing section 8. Advantageously, this helps to reduce friction, as no seals prevent rotational movement of the dispenser 16. Thus, the energy consumption for operating the dispenser 16 is minimized. The reduction in friction also enables faster handling of the dispenser 16, i.e. shortens the switching time for its rotational adjustment.

The dispensing section D is thus implemented for letting liquid back into the tank. For this purpose, the distributor 16 comprises a first return channel shaped as a closed liquid channel 26, for example as a drilled channel or hole, in terms of its channel cross section, which is arranged in the distributor 16 and distributed in the circumferential direction and at both end sides S of the distributor 16 _I 、S _II Extending therebetween (see fig. 3), the distributor comprises a second return channel shaped as a liquid channel open in terms of its channel cross-section, shaped as a longitudinal groove 28, which is arranged at the hydraulic junction of the distributor 18The mouth side or is arranged at the end side S thereof _I And distributed in its circumferential direction. The longitudinal grooves 28 form here a slave end side S _I A slot (see figures 3 and 7) extending into the dispenser 16.

The motor E, which is shaped as a brushless dc motor, for example, comprises a stator S with windings and a rotor R with permanent magnets PM which is located inside and runs wet with respect to the stator. The end of the distributor 16 facing the control section C here carries the permanent magnets PM, which are distributed in the circumferential direction of the end and thus form a rotor R extending into the stator S. Here, the rotor R enters the separation tank ST until it approaches the bottom thereof. The separator tank ST here separates the wet space of the rotor R from the dry space of the stator S.

The control device C is located at the electrical-interface-side end 6 and is an integral component of the actuator 2, wherein the control device is arranged adjacent to the electric motor E within a common housing section 10 of the electric motor E and the control device C. The housing cover 14 with the interface socket B formed thereon substantially hermetically encloses the housing section 10. The housing cover 14 here also supports one of the two printed circuit boards (pcb= Printed Circuit Boards), for example. While the other printed circuit board is accommodated by a further supporting structure inside the housing section 10, which is arranged slightly spaced apart from the motor E. The housing section 10 is, for example, a (sheet metal) shell which is connected to the housing section 8 and is clamped or crimped to the latter. In contrast, the housing section 8, like the distributor 16 and the two housing covers 12, 14, is preferably produced from plastic or injection molded.

In the present exemplary embodiment, control device C is used for controlling both motor E and an infusion pump (not shown here) which is connected via input interface a _z Pressurized liquid is provided.

The way in which the proposed dispensing mechanism works will be described below.

Input interface a with housing cover 12 via a line (not shown) _z The coupled transfer pump feeds the actuator 2 with liquid and generates a liquid transfer pressure of about 5bar to 8bar (the so-called pressure source pressure value). The liquid supplied is here via the inlet port a _z Inflow intoThe inlet channel 18 in the housing section 8 runs into the circumferential annular groove 20 and up to the longitudinal groove 22. The liquid then flows through the liquid channels 24, 24 in the housing section 8, depending on the orientation or rotational adjustment of the dispenser 16 _i+1 、...24 _i+n One of which and a corresponding output interface a on the housing cover 12 _RSi 、A _RSi+1 、...、A _RSi+n And into a further line (not shown here) leading to the cleaning position. The volume flow provided by the transfer pump is here, for example, 200l/h.

It is proposed here that the liquid pressure in the actuator 2 does not drop to 0bar in the state in which the transfer pump is not energized. Specifically, the liquid pressure is maintained at the minimum pressure level (0<p<p _O ) For example slightly below 2bar (p _O =2bar). To enable this, a spring-preloaded locking body, which acts as a valve, is provided on the hydraulic interface side of the actuator 2. Here, at each output interface a _RSi 、A _RSi+1 、...、A _RSi+n With corresponding liquid passages 24, 24 _i+1 、...24 _i+n A locking body of this type, for example in the form of a spring-prestressed valve disk or a spring-prestressed valve disk, is arranged between the valve disk or the valve disk, which sufficiently sealingly or fluidtight blocks the respective fluid channel 24, 24 as long as the fluid pressure to which the valve disk or the valve disk is subjected is less than the minimum pressure, for example p=2bar _i+1 、...24 _i+n Is provided. These locking bodies or valves also prevent the cleaning passage via the output interface a _R (r=reflux) is emptied into the tank.

In the energized state of the transfer pump, the liquid channels 24, 24 are actuated via the longitudinal grooves 22, respectively _i+1 、...24 _i+n The pressure of the liquid present in the locking body is large enough to overcome the pressure spring of the corresponding locking body, so that the liquid can flow out or flow through. Whereas in other non-manipulated channels the corresponding existing liquid pressure is lower than the minimum pressure, e.g. p=2bar. Thus, the liquid is only passed through the liquid channels 24, 24 which are actually handled through the longitudinal grooves 22 _i+1 、...24 _i+n And corresponding (notThe illustrated) cleaning path flows to a corresponding (not illustrated) cleaning position.

The proposed dispensing mechanism is combined with a return mechanism via which a part of the delivered liquid is returned to a tank (not shown here) and delivered again by means of a delivery pump.

In this case, a part of the liquid supplied to the annular groove 20 and the longitudinal groove 22 flows into the intermediate space or gap or radial gap formed between the distributor 16 and the housing section 8 on the radial periphery.

The liquid overflow flows on the one hand into the wet space of the rotor R, thus causing the rotor to be flushed and cooled by the liquid, and on the other hand into the collecting space in the end region of the distributor 16 on the hydraulic interface side, the end side S of the distributor _I Together delimiting or forming the collection chamber and returning from the collection chamber to said tank.

In this case, the liquid flowing out of the circumferential annular groove 20 into the radial gap reaches the wet space of the rotor R on one side, which is formed by the end side S of the distributor 16 _II Together delimited or constituted, on the other side, to the collection chamber described, which, as mentioned above, is defined by the end side S of the distributor 16 _I Together bounded or constructed.

In this case, the liquid flowing out of the longitudinal groove 22 into the radial gap flows in particular in the longitudinal groove 22 into the liquid channels 24, 24 _i+1 、...24 _i+n Flows to the collection chamber at the transition of (c). However, the liquid also flows out of the longitudinal grooves 22 into the radial gap in the circumferential direction of the distributor 16, i.e. clockwise and counterclockwise.

In operation of the dispensing device D, the liquid fed therefore brushes the dispenser 16 on the radial periphery and on the end side or flows around the dispenser and thereby spaces the latter from its surrounding peripheral components. The peripheral component comprises here a housing 8 and a drive section E or a separating tank ST extending into the drive section E, in which separating tank the rotor R is flushed with liquid and is spaced apart from the separating tank ST (see fig. 3).

The continuous space filled with the liquid conveyed between the distributor 16 and its peripheral components is here connected to the return connection a of the distributor device D _R And a fluid connection.

At the bottom of the annular groove 20 and the longitudinal groove 22 there is the described liquid source pressure (pressure source pressure value=5 bar to 8 bar) generated by the transfer pump. The aforementioned liquid pressure in the liquid overflow is affected by different pressure gradients and is adjusted towards the return connection AR to a tank pressure level, e.g. the tank pressure value is ambient pressure.

At the end side S _I The individual longitudinal grooves 28 in the region here support the outflow of the liquid into the collection chamber, via which the liquid passes through a return channel formed centrally on the housing cover 12 or an outlet connection a with the return channel, for example _R (r=return) and flows back into the tank via a line (not shown here) connected to it.

While liquid flows from the wet chamber of the rotor through the respective liquid channel 26 into said collecting chamber and from the collecting chamber (as described above) via the output port a _R (r=return) back into the tank.

Only when the actuator 2 is activated, the dispenser 16 needs to overcome the dry friction. After this, the dispenser 16 only has to overcome the liquid friction.

The operation proposal for the actuator 2 is as follows: temporarily, i.e. before rotational adjustment of the dispenser 16 to one of the desired or defined positions, the liquid pressure supplied by the delivery pump is reduced to 0, for example by correspondingly reducing the rotational speed of the delivery pump, i.e. by rotational speed control<p<p _Q (Q = source pressure value or pressure source pressure value). A higher adjustment speed of the dispenser 16 can thus advantageously be achieved.

While exemplary embodiments are explained in the above description, it should be noted that many modifications are possible. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the application in any way. Rather, the foregoing description will provide those skilled in the art with a guide for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, in which various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described without departing from the scope of the claims and their full range of equivalents.

Claims (16)

1. Dispensing device for supplying pressurized liquid to various cleaning positions of a vehicle, wherein the dispensing device (D) comprises a housing (8), a motor-driven dispenser (16) arranged therein, and liquid receiving and guiding means (18, 20, 22, 26, 28), wherein the dispenser (16) is rotatably adjustable relative to the housing (8) into a defined position in which an input interface (a _z ) With a plurality of output interfaces (A _RSi 、A _RSi+1 、...A _RSi+n ) For supplying the corresponding cleaning position, wherein the distributor (16) in the form of a substantially cylindrical body is rotationally adjustable to control the liquid via the liquid receiving and guiding means on the radial periphery to flow to the outlet port (A _RSi 、A _RSi+1 、...A _RSi+n ) Is provided.

2. Dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser (16) is embodied without a seal with respect to the housing (8).

3. Dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dispensing device (D) is configured with a liquid return structure to the tank, for which purpose, during operation of the dispensing device (D), a continuous space filled between the dispenser (16) and the housing (8) by the liquid delivered is connected to the return connection (a) of the dispensing device (D) _R ) And a fluid connection.

4. A dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in operation of the dispensing device (D), the dispenser (16) forms a defined radial gap with the corresponding housing section (8) on a radial circumferential side, liquid conveyed via the radial gap propagating in the housing (8) and over the dispenser (16), whereupon the conveyed liquid forms a liquid leakage film on the radial circumferential side between the dispenser (16) and the housing section (8), the liquid leakage film spacing the dispenser (16) from the housing section (8).

5. Dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid receiving and guiding device comprises:

a first liquid channel (18) which is arranged in the housing (8) and is closed in terms of the channel cross section and which is connected to the inlet connection (A _z ) A fluid connection;

a second liquid channel arranged on the distributor (16), which is open in terms of the channel cross section and is shaped as an annular groove (20), into which the first liquid channel (18) opens;

a third liquid channel which is arranged on the distributor (16), is open in terms of the channel cross section and is shaped as a longitudinal groove (22) which runs transversely to the annular groove (20) and leads out of it; and

a plurality of further fourth liquid channels (24, 24) which are arranged in the housing (8) and are closed in terms of the channel cross section _i+1 、...24 _i+n ) The fourth liquid channels are respectively connected with the output interface (A _RSi 、A _RSi+1 、...A _RSi+n ) Is fluidly connected to the longitudinal slot (20) due to a corresponding rotational adjustment of the dispenser (16).

6. Dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid receiving and guiding device comprises:

a first return channel of the liquid channel (26) which is closed in terms of channel cross section and which is arranged in the distributor (16) and distributed in the circumferential direction of the distributor and which is arranged at both end sides (S _I 、S _II ) Extending therebetween.

7. Dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid receiving and guiding device comprises:

a second return channel of the liquid channel, which is open in terms of the channel cross section, is arranged on the distributor (18) on the hydraulic interface side and is distributed in the circumferential direction of the distributor in the form of a longitudinal groove (28).

8. A liquid dispensing actuator, the liquid dispensing actuator comprising: dispensing device (D; d=dispensing device) according to any of the preceding claims, and a motor (E) for driving a rotatable dispenser (16) of the dispensing device (D).

9. Liquid dispensing actuator according to claim 8, wherein the actuator (2) further comprises a control unit (C) for driving at least the motor (E), which control unit is an integral part integrated in a housing section (10) of the actuator (2).

10. Liquid dispensing actuator according to claim 9, wherein the control unit (C) is arranged on the end (6) of the actuator (2) on the electrical interface side.

11. Liquid dispensing actuator according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the control unit (C) and the motor (E) are arranged in a common housing section (10) of the actuator (2).

12. The liquid dispensing actuator according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the control unit (C) is further configured for controlling the corresponding infusion pump.

13. A cleaning device for a vehicle for cleaning a plurality of cleaning locations on the vehicle, wherein the cleaning device comprises at least a liquid dispensing actuator according to any one of claims 8 to 12.

14. A vehicle having a cleaning apparatus according to claim 13.

15. A method for operating a dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or a liquid dispensing actuator according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the liquid pressure present in the dispensing device (D) is reduced before rotational adjustment of the dispenser (16) to one of the defined positions for supplying liquid to the liquid passage corresponding to one of the cleaning positions.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the pressure reduction is achieved by reducing a rotational speed of an infusion pump that provides a pressure value of the fluid pressure source.