DE102020123971A1 - Protection device for an optical element of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective device (2) for an optical element (4) of a motor vehicle (6) with at least one overpressure unit (8) which has at least one pressure build-up means (10) arranged in or on the motor vehicle (6) through which a fluid, in particular air , can be pressurized, and which comprises at least one outlet (14) connected to the pressure build-up means (10), which is arranged on an outer surface of the motor vehicle (6) and at a distance from an optical element (4) arranged on the outer surface of the motor vehicle (6). and through which the pressurized fluid can be supplied to at least one surrounding region (16) which adjoins a surface of the optical element (4) that is accessible from the outside.

Description

The invention relates to a protective device for an optical element of a motor vehicle.

Optical elements are known in various embodiments in the form of cameras, sensors, scanners and headlights in order to be arranged on a motor vehicle. If these are arranged penetratingly on an outer skin or an outer skin of the motor vehicle, they are exposed to environmental conditions, as a result of which the surfaces can get dirty.

Especially in the case of autonomously operated motor vehicles, ie motor vehicles which can be operated without a human user, it is desirable for the optical elements to be in perfect condition for operating the motor vehicle.

Cleaning devices for optical elements are known from the prior art, by means of which contaminants that have deposited on the surface of the optical elements can be removed. However, it has turned out to be disadvantageous that during the cleaning of the optical elements, the detection or illumination of the surroundings by the optical elements is restricted. The motor vehicle can therefore not be used or can only be used to a limited extent during the cleaning process.

An object of an exemplary embodiment of the invention is to propose a protective device for an optical element of a motor vehicle, in which the risk of soiling or contamination of the optical element is at least reduced.

This object is achieved by a protective device for an optical element of a motor vehicle with at least one overpressure unit, which comprises at least one pressure build-up means arranged in or on the motor vehicle, through which a fluid, in particular air, can be pressurized, and which comprises at least one outlet connected to the pressure build-up means , which is arranged on an outer surface of the motor vehicle and spaced apart from an optical element arranged on the outer surface of the motor vehicle and through which the pressurized fluid can be supplied to at least one surrounding region that borders on a surface of the optical element that is accessible from the outside.

Because the pressurized fluid can be supplied to at least the surrounding area through the at least one outlet, a higher pressure than the surrounding area can be generated in the surrounding area, as a result of which a compressed air curtain is generated. This compressed air curtain at least reduces the risk of contaminants such as dust, dirt, water or other particles penetrating to the surface of the optical element. This provides a preventive protection device for the optical element.

The pressure build-up means can be arranged inside or outside the motor vehicle. The pressure build-up means can be a pump or a compressor. The pressure build-up means can include a component specially designed for the protective device or can include a unit that is already present in the motor vehicle.

In addition, the pressure build-up means can remove fluid, in particular air, from a reservoir provided specifically for this purpose or suck in ambient air and pressurize it. In order to ensure that the fluid that can be pressurized and that is supplied to the pressure build-up means is free from contamination, in one embodiment of the protective device a filter unit can be provided through which the fluid can be filtered before it reaches the pressure build-up means.

The fluid can include air, in particular ambient air of the motor vehicle.

The optical element can include a sensor, a scanner, a lamp or a headlight.

The motor vehicle can be designed to be guided by people and/or autonomously. The motor vehicle can include a land vehicle, in particular a passenger car, a truck or a transport vehicle for logistics, warehousing, manufacturing and/or production.

In principle, the outlet can be arranged anywhere on an outer surface of the motor vehicle. It proves to be advantageous here if the fluid flowing out of the outlet has a main outflow direction which runs parallel, transverse or obliquely to the direction of extension of the optical element transverse to the outer surface of the motor vehicle.

This makes it possible to arrange the outlet on the same section of the outer surface of the motor vehicle on which the optical element is also arranged, or on a section of the outer surface of the motor vehicle running obliquely or transversely to it.

The fluid flowing out of the outlet can comprise a free jet. The pressurized fluid coming out of the outlet flows, includes a total pressure, which is made up of a dynamic pressure component and a static pressure component.

The outlet may comprise an opening in the exterior surface of the motor vehicle that has little or no impact on the total pressure composition of the pressurized fluid. In addition, it is conceivable that at least one outlet of the at least one outlet includes a nozzle and/or a diffuser.

If the at least one outlet comprises a nozzle, the dynamic pressure component of the pressurized fluid can thereby be increased, while at the same time the static pressure component of the pressurized fluid is reduced. If the at least one outlet comprises a diffuser, the dynamic pressure component of the pressurized fluid can be reduced and the static pressure component can be increased.

The efficiency of the compressed air curtain can be increased if the static pressure component in the area surrounding the optical element is increased with respect to the static pressure component in the area surrounding the motor vehicle.

In a further development of the cleaning device, it comprises at least one roof-like projection which at least partially overlaps, in particular protrudes, the optical element with respect to its extension transversely to the outer surface of the motor vehicle, and on which at least one outlet of the at least one outlet can be arranged or is arranged.

The provision of a roof-like projection means that dirt, such as splash water, can only reach the optical element if it moves almost horizontally in the direction of the optical element. In such a case, the roof-like projection can be arranged in a horizontal plane with respect to the vehicle floor.

In addition, it is also conceivable that the at least one projection runs in a vertical or inclined plane with respect to the vehicle floor.

By arranging the at least one outlet on the projection, the main outflow direction of the fluid flowing out of the outlet runs transversely or obliquely with respect to the extension direction of the optical element transversely to the outer surface of the motor vehicle.

The projection can include an additional component of the motor vehicle or use a component that is already present in the motor vehicle. In such a case, the projection can comprise, for example, a collision protection system for the motor vehicle.

In a further development of the latter embodiment, it proves to be advantageous if the at least one roof-like projection comprises an arcuate, in particular circular segment-like, outer contour and/or if the at least one outlet, in particular the plurality of outlets, is/are arranged on the outer contour of the projection whose distance to the optical element is maximum.

If the at least one outlet is arranged on an outer contour of the projection, it is possible to build up an overpressure area at a distance from the optics element. This further reduces the risk that contamination can reach the optical element through the overpressure curtain.

In principle, the outer contour of the projection can be of any desired design. In one embodiment of the protective device, the outer contour comprises an outer edge which is bent in the direction of the optical element and on which the at least one outlet is arranged. This allows the main flow direction of the fluid exiting the outlet to be adjusted by the shape of the outer edge of the projection.

In order to be able to supply the at least one outlet with pressurized fluid, it has proven to be advantageous if the overpressure unit comprises at least one line through which at least one outlet can be brought into fluid connection with the at least one pressure build-up means, in particular if the line at least in sections in the or is arranged on the projection.

The at least one conduit can supply only one outlet. In addition, the at least one conduit means can supply pressurized fluid to a plurality of outlets.

In particular, if the at least one outlet is arranged in or on the projection, the at least one conduit can run inside the curved outer edge.

In order to further increase the protection of the optical element, it proves to be advantageous if the protective device comprises two roof-like projections which run essentially parallel or at an angle to one another and which are fixed to the motor vehicle on opposite sides with respect to the optical element.

As a result, the optical element is protected from two sides by roof-like projections. The projections can be arranged in such a way that the main emission direction of the optical element, in particular the transmission and/or reception of electromagnetic waves, is not impeded by the projections.

The protective effect of the compressed air curtain in the surrounding area can be increased if the overpressure unit comprises a plurality of outlets through which the pressurized fluid can be fed to the surrounding area adjoining the surface of the optical element that is accessible from the outside and/or if the plurality of outlets are uniform or uneven spaced apart from each other are arranged surrounding the accessible from the outside surface of the optical element.

The individual outlets can have the same or unequal spacing from one another.

In order to prevent the optical element from becoming soiled when the motor vehicle is not in operation, a further development of the protective device provides at least one cover unit which comprises at least one cover element which, from a release position in which the optical element is accessible from the outside, in a covering position can be transferred, in which at least the surface of the optical element that is accessible from the outside is partially or completely covered towards the outside.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention result from the appended patent claims, from the drawing and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the protective device.

• 1 Eine dreidimensionale Vorderansicht auf ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Schutzvorrichtung;
• 2 Eine schematische Draufsicht auf die Schutzvorrichtung gemäß 1.

In the drawing shows:

• 1 A three-dimensional front view of an embodiment of the protective device;
• 2 A schematic plan view of the protection device according to FIG 1 .

The figures show a protective device for an optical element 4 of a motor vehicle 6, which is given the overall reference number 2.

The protective device 2 comprises an overpressure unit 8. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the overpressure unit 8 comprises a pressure build-up means 10 which is arranged in the motor vehicle 6 and by means of which a fluid, in particular air, can be pressurized. The pressure build-up means 10 is connected via line means 12 to a plurality of outlets 14 which are in fluid communication with the pressure build-up means 10 . The pressurized fluid can be fed through the outlets 14 to a surrounding area 16 which adjoins a surface of the optical element 4 that is accessible from the outside. As a result, a compressed air curtain can be built up by the overpressure unit 8 .

In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the outlets 14 are arranged in such a way that their main outflow direction runs transversely to the direction in which the optical element 4 extends with respect to the outer surface of the motor vehicle 6 .

In addition, the protective device 2 in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures comprises two roof-like projections 18 which protrude beyond the optical element 4 with respect to its extension transversely to the outer surface of the motor vehicle 6 . The two projections 18 are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the optical element 4 and run parallel to one another. The roof-like projections 18 include an arcuate outer contour in which the outlets 14 are arranged. In addition, the outer contour includes an outer edge 20 which is bent in the direction of the optics element 4 and on which the outlets 14 are arranged. As a result, the main direction of flow of the pressurized fluid that flows out of the outlets 14 runs obliquely to the direction in which the optical element 4 extends with respect to the outer surface of the motor vehicle 6.

The outlets 14 are arranged on the outer edge 20 of the projections 18 in such a way that they are equidistant from one another.

The projections 18 include collision protection for the motor vehicle 6.

The at least one line 12 is arranged circumferentially in the curved outer edge 20 of the projection 18 .

• Bei Betrieb des Kraftfahrzeugs 6 wird das Druckaufbaumittel 10 der Überdruckeinheit 8 gestartet. Dieses beaufschlagt Fluid mit Druck und führt dieses den Auslässen 14 zu. Das aus den Auslässen 14 herausströmende und mit Druck beaufschlagte Fluid erzeugt in dem Umgebungsbereich 16 einen Druckluftvorhang, wodurch die Gefahr des Eindringens von Verschmutzungen in Richtung auf das Optikelement 4 reduziert ist.

The functioning of the protective device 2 is briefly outlined below:

• When the motor vehicle 6 is in operation, the pressure build-up means 10 of the overpressure unit 8 is started. This applies pressure to fluid and feeds it to the outlets 14 . The pressurized fluid flowing out of the outlets 14 generates a compressed air curtain in the surrounding area 16, as a result of which the risk of dirt penetrating in the direction of the optical element 4 is reduced.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the claims and in the drawing can be used individually also be essential in any combination in the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.

Reference List

2

protective device

4

optical element

6

motor vehicle

8th

overpressure unit

10

pressure building agent

12

line means

14

outlet

16

surrounding area

18

head Start

20

outer edge

Claims (10)

Protective device (2) for an optical element (4) of a motor vehicle (6) with at least one overpressure unit (8) which has at least one pressure build-up means (10) arranged in or on the motor vehicle (6) and through which a fluid, in particular air, can be pressurised and which comprises at least one outlet (14) connected to the pressure build-up means (10), which is arranged on an outer surface of the motor vehicle (6) and spaced apart from an optical element (4) arranged on the outer surface of the motor vehicle (6) and through which the pressurized fluid can be supplied to at least one surrounding area (16) which adjoins a surface of the optical element (4) that is accessible from the outside. Protection device (2) after claim 1 , characterized in that the fluid flowing out of the outlet (14) comprises a main outflow direction which runs parallel, transverse or oblique to the direction of extension of the optical element (4) transverse to the outer surface of the motor vehicle (6). Protection device (2) after claim 1 or 2 that at least one of the at least one outlet (14) comprises a nozzle and/or a diffuser. Protective device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one roof-like projection (18) which at least partially overlaps, in particular projects beyond, the optical element (4) with respect to its extension transversely to the outer surface of the motor vehicle (6), and on which at least one Outlet (14) of the at least one outlet (14) can be arranged or is arranged. Protection device (2) after claim 4 , characterized in that the at least one roof-like projection (18) comprises an arcuate, in particular circular segment-like, outer contour and/or that the at least one outlet (14), in particular the plurality of outlets (14), on the outer contour of the projection (18) is / are arranged, the distance from the optical element (4) is maximum. Protection device (2) after claim 5 , characterized in that the outer contour comprises an outer edge (20) which is bent in the direction of the optical element (4) and on which the at least one outlet (14) is arranged. Protection device (2) according to one of Claims 4 until 6 , characterized in that the overpressure unit (8) comprises at least one line means (12) through which the at least one outlet (14) can be brought into fluid connection with the at least one pressure build-up means (10), in particular that the line means (12) at least in sections is arranged in or on the projection (18). Protection device (2) according to one of Claims 4 until 7 , characterized by two roof-like projections (18) which are essentially parallel or oblique to one another and which are fixed on opposite sides with respect to the optical element (4) on the motor vehicle (6). Protective device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the overpressure unit (8) comprises a plurality of outlets (14) through which the pressurized fluid reaches the surrounding area adjoining the externally accessible surface of the optical element (4). (16) can be supplied and/or that the plurality of outlets (14) are spaced uniformly or unevenly from one another and are arranged surrounding the surface of the optical element (4) that is accessible from the outside. Protective device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one cover unit, which comprises at least one cover element which can be transferred from a release position, in which the optical element (4) is accessible from the outside, into a cover position, in which at least the externally accessible surface of the optical element (4) is partially or completely covered towards the outside.

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