DE102022206247A1 - Fluid ejection device with a switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a particularly compact fluid ejection device (1) for operation with at least two different fluids (2, 3), comprising at least one first fluid source (4) for a first fluid (2), and at least one second fluid source (5) for a second Fluid (3), the first fluid source (4) being connected to a switching device (2) via a first supply line (6) and the second fluid source (5) via a second supply line (7) for the purpose of particularly efficient switching between the fluids (2,3). 8) are connected, which allows either the first fluid (2) or the second fluid (3) to pass into a working line (9), and the working line (9) with the fluid (2, 3) being passed through has at least one outlet point (10). Ejecting the fluid (2,3) towards its destination.

Description

The invention relates to a fluid ejection device, in particular a vehicle-integrated cleaning device for cleaning optical external surfaces on the vehicle, especially optical sensor devices such as cameras, laser-based distance measuring devices and the like.

Modern motor vehicles are increasingly being equipped with assistance systems that are intended to increase driving safety or enable autonomous driving and to reliably record and monitor the vehicle's surroundings at all times, including with sensor devices operating in the optical wavelength range.

For optical sensor devices such as cameras or laser range finders (LiDAR), it is important that optical surfaces such as camera lenses or transparent covers are kept free of all sources of interference. An established solution for cleaning optical surfaces are cleaning devices whose working medium is an aqueous cleaning liquid, which is applied under pressure to the surface to be cleaned. However, after cleaning with cleaning liquid, residual water can remain on the sensors and cameras, which can impair or even prevent reliable detection or evaluation of the signals due to the light-refractive effect of individual droplets or due to deposits remaining after drying out.

In order to solve this problem, it is known to blow off the optical surface with a stream of air immediately after the cleaning process in order to actively remove residual water. The use of unlimited air as a working medium also offers additional advantages in humid weather. With air flow, for example, water droplets and moist dirt can be removed without having to use up limited reserves of the cleaning fluid carried.

It is generally known to use separate distribution systems, each with independent outlet points for both working media. However, such solutions are not optimal, especially for small cleaning purposes with particularly tight installation spaces.

Particularly for such applications, it is advantageous to use a single outlet point, for example a nozzle, for both working media, which is supplied at least in the last line section via a line common to both working media. In order to be able to use this method efficiently, there must be a technical solution that allows switching between the working media as quickly and effectively as possible.

Out of WO 2018189018 A1 A cleaning device is known which is operated either with air or liquid, with both working media initially being guided via separate supply lines, which connect at a certain point to form a common line. To switch between different operating modes, a switchable check valve can be installed in the respective air and liquid supply line in front of their connection point. The two valves are electrically controlled independently of each other. The effort required for manufacturing, laying many cables, making multiple electrical connections, synchronization effort and the required installation space appear to be in need of improvement with this solution.

Against this background, the invention is based on the object of providing an improved device which is particularly compact and allows efficient switching between fluid working media.

This task is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Further developments and exemplary embodiments of the invention result from the subclaims and the following description and figures.

The invention provides that a common switching device is set up for two different fluids, which are provided from two separate supply lines, which selectively allows either only the first fluid or only the second fluid to pass into a subsequent working line and blocks the other, whereby the Working line supplies an outlet point connected to it with the fluid passed through.

This means that separate switching devices for each fluid, including the associated actuators and signal supply, can be dispensed with, the fluid ejection device can be designed to be particularly compact, and the effort required for assembly and cable laying is also significantly reduced.

• 1 Skizze eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung einer ersten Schaltstellung.
• 2 Skizze gemäß 1, jedoch einer zweiten Schaltstellung.
• 3 Skizze eine weiteren Ausführungsform mit mehreren Austrittsstellen.
• 4 Skizze eine anderen, beheizten Ausführungsform in Modulbauweise

Further details and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below using two exemplary embodiments. Show it:

• 1 Sketch of a device according to the invention of a first switching position.
• 2 According to sketch 1 , but a second switching position.
• 3 Sketch another embodiment with several exit points.
• 4 Sketch of another heated embodiment in modular design

Fig.1

1 shows, in the form of a highly simplified sketch, a fluid ejection device 1, which is set up to operate with 2 different fluids 2,3. If the application is a vehicle-integrated cleaning device described above for cleaning external optical surfaces on a vehicle, the first fluid 2 can be, for example, an aqueous cleaning liquid and the second fluid 3 can be air. However, it is also conceivable that the first fluid 2 is an aqueous mixture with cleaning concentrate, whereas the second fluid 3 is, for example, an antifreeze.

The first fluid 2 is conveyed under pressure into a first supply line 6 by a first fluid source 4, for example a hydraulic pump. The second fluid 3 is in turn conveyed into the second supply line 7 by a second fluid source 5, for example an air compressor or a compressed air reservoir.

The two supply lines 6,7 are connected to a switching device 8, which serves to connect either one or the other of the two supply lines to the following components and to block the other at the same time.

The switching device 8 is designed as an electromagnetically switchable type of 3/2-way valve, whose functionality, however, is used differently compared to conventional use. The valve is used to switch either one or the other of the two supply lines 6, 7 to a common output line or working line 9, depending on its switching position. In the first switching position shown here, which is the normal position of the valve, the first fluid 2 is let through from the supply line 6 into the working line 9, while the second, in this case pneumatic supply line 7, remains blocked. The first fluid 2 or the cleaning liquid is conveyed under pressure through the switching device 8 and the working line 9 to an exit point 10, for example a spray nozzle, and from there in the form of a spray jet to the destination, for example a camera lens.

Fig.2

The ones in the 2 The second switching position shown is actively set by an actuator 12, which is electromagnetic in this exemplary embodiment. A return spring 13 is compressed, which returns the switching device 8 to its normal position after the switching stimulus generated by the actuator 12 disappears 1 set back. The electromagnetic actuator 12 can be controlled via an electrical line 14, which requires a single electrical interface 15, for example a plug connection, which makes the overall installation effort simple.

The invention allows the switching stimulus for switching the switching device 8 to be generated differently instead of by the preferred electromagnetic actuator 12 described above, for example by a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator or by any other source.

Fig.3

In the 3 a further development of the embodiment described above is shown, which does not serve a single exit point, but rather several spaced-apart exit points 10, 10 ', 10'' are simultaneously supplied from the common working line 9, which serves as a type of collecting line. In cleaning devices, such structures are also referred to as a nozzle chain if several outlet points or nozzles 10, 10 ', 10'' are connected to a common fluid line via corresponding interfaces 11, 11', 11''.

It goes without saying that the invention does not have to be limited to the area of application described above and may be used in other areas.

Fig.4

4 shows another, particularly compact embodiment of the fluid ejection device 1. In the embodiment shown, the switching device 8, the working line 9 and the outlet point 10 are combined in a module 16. This can preferably have a common housing 17, wherein the working line 9 could preferably be integrated therein as an internal channel. The exit point 1 can also be integrated directly into the housing 17 or, for example, inserted into the housing 17 in a seat in the mouth area of the channel forming the working line 9.

The module 16 also has an integrated heating device 18, which is intended to ensure the desired fluid permeability even at temperatures that are too low. The heating device 18 can be designed, for example, as a resistance heating element and is preferably positioned in the immediate vicinity of the working line 9 and the exit point 10 in the housing 17, whereby a high level of efficiency can be achieved.

The required electrical conductors for supplying and controlling the heating device 18 can be efficiently combined in a common electrical line 14 together with corresponding conductors for supplying and controlling the actuator 12 of the switching device 8. This can be connected to the module 16 via a single common electrical interface 15, for example a combination plug, which simplifies assembly. When used in a cleaning device, a module constructed in this way can function as a type of “active cleaning nozzle”, which, in addition to the passive function of fluid distribution, also includes switching and heating.

Reference symbol list

1

Fluid ejection device

2

first fluid

3

second fluid

4

first fluid source

5

second fluid source

6

first fluid line

7

second fluid line

8th

Switching device

9

Work management

10

Exit point

11

interface

12

actuator

13

return spring

14

electrical line

15

electrical interface

16

module

17

Housing

18

Heating device

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2018189018 A1 [0007]

Claims (13)

Fluid ejection device (1) for operation with at least two different fluids (2,3), comprising at least one first fluid source (4) for a first fluid (2), at least one second fluid source (5) for a second fluid (3), wherein the The first fluid source (4) is connected via a first supply line (6) and the second fluid source (5) is connected via a second supply line (7) to a switching device (8), which supplies either the first fluid (2) or the second fluid (3). into a working line (9), and the working line (9) supplies at least one outlet point (10) with the passed fluid (2,3) for ejecting the fluid (2,3) towards its destination. Fluid ejection device (1). Claim 1 characterized in that at least one outlet point (10) together with the working line (9) and the switching device (8) are combined in a module 16, the working line (9) being designed as a channel in a housing (17). Fluid ejection device (1). Claim 2 characterized in that the exit point (10) is integrated into the housing (17). Fluid ejection device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid ejection device (1) comprises a heating device (18) which is set up to heat the working line (9) and/or the outlet point (10). Fluid ejection device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching device (8) is designed as a multi-way valve, which in a first position allows the first fluid (2) to pass into the working line (9) and the second fluid (3) blocks and in a second position allows the second fluid (3) to pass into the working line (9) and blocks the first fluid (2). Fluid ejection device (1). Claim 5 characterized in that the first position is set up as a normal position in which the switching device (8) is in the absence of a switching stimulus or forcibly returns after the switching stimulus has been removed. Fluid ejection device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching device (8) can be switched electromagnetically. Fluid ejection device (1) at least after Claims 4 and 7 characterized in that electrical conductors for supplying and controlling the heating device (18) and the switching device (8) are combined in a common electrical line (14), which can be connected to the fluid ejection device (1) via a common electrical interface (15). Fluid ejection device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the working line (9) is set up to supply at least two separate outlet points (10, 10'). Fluid ejection device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid ejection device (1) is a vehicle-integrated cleaning device for cleaning external optical surfaces on a vehicle. Fluid ejection device (1). Claim 6 characterized in that the fluid ejection device (1) is a vehicle-integrated cleaning device for cleaning an optical sensor device. Fluid ejection device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first fluid (2) is a liquid and the second fluid (3) is gaseous. Fluid ejection device (1). Claim 9 characterized in that the first fluid (2) is an aqueous cleaning liquid and the second fluid (3) is air.

Images