JP2016222074A - On-vehicle optical sensor washing system and on-vehicle optical sensor washing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-vehicle optical sensor washing system capable of jetting a gas-liquid mixed fluid in which a washing liquid and air are mixed, with higher pressure.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle optical sensor washing system comprises: a washer pump WP for feeding a washing liquid; an air pump AP for discharging air by an opening operation of an exhaust valve in a state where air in a cylinder is compressed; and a nozzle member 9 having an injection port 8 for injecting a gas-liquid mixed fluid in which the washing liquid from the washer pump WP and the air from the air pump AP are mixed toward a lens of an on-vehicle camera. The on-vehicle optical sensor washing system removes foreign objects adhering to the lens. The on-vehicle optical sensor washing system also comprises a control unit 81 for controlling the washer pump WP and the air pump AP to store the washing liquid inside the nozzle member 9 so as to close the injection port 8, and in that state, to inject the gas-liquid mixed fluid by feeding air to the nozzle member 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system and an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning method.

  In recent years, an in-vehicle optical sensor is provided at a front part or a rear part of a vehicle, and an image captured by the in-vehicle optical sensor is widely used. And since the sensing surface (lens and protective glass) of such an in-vehicle optical sensor has a possibility that foreign matters, such as mud, may adhere, high-pressure water (water / compressed air) from the nozzle outlet toward the sensing surface An in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system that removes foreign matters by jetting air or air has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-171491 A

  However, although the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system as described above uses a compressed air generation unit, it does not specifically show how to inject the high-pressure cleaning liquid (water), so that the cleaning effect is improved. In order to increase this, a technique for injecting the cleaning liquid at higher pressure is required.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system and an in-vehicle optical that can eject a gas-liquid mixed fluid in which a cleaning liquid and air are mixed at a higher pressure. It is to provide a sensor cleaning method.

  An in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system that solves the above problems includes a washer pump that supplies cleaning liquid, an air pump that opens an exhaust valve in a compressed state of the air in the cylinder, and discharges the air, and a filter from the washer pump. An in-vehicle optical sensor that includes a nozzle member having an injection port for injecting a gas-liquid mixed fluid in which cleaning liquid and air from the air pump are mixed toward a sensing surface of the in-vehicle optical sensor, and removes foreign matter attached to the sensing surface In the cleaning system, the cleaning liquid is stored inside the nozzle member so as to close the injection port, and air is supplied to the nozzle member in that state so that the gas-liquid mixed fluid is injected. It has a control part which controls a washer pump and the air pump.

  According to this configuration, the washer pump and the air pump are controlled by the control unit, the cleaning liquid is stored inside the nozzle member so as to close the injection port, and the air is supplied to the nozzle member in that state, whereby the cleaning liquid A gas-liquid mixed fluid in which air and air are mixed is ejected. In this way, when air is fed into the nozzle member, the air pressure is instantaneously further increased because the cleaning liquid remains so as to block the injection port, and the cleaning liquid is pushed by the high pressure. While being mixed with air, it is injected from the injection port. Therefore, the gas-liquid mixed fluid can be ejected at a higher pressure, and the sensing surface can be cleaned more effectively.

In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system, it is preferable that the control unit controls the air pump so that only air is injected after the gas-liquid mixed fluid is injected.
According to this configuration, after the air pump is controlled by the control unit and the gas-liquid mixed fluid is injected, only air is injected. Therefore, the cleaning liquid adhering to the sensing surface by jetting the gas-liquid mixed fluid can be blown away by jetting only air.

  In the above-described on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system, the nozzle member is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward while being accommodated in a cylinder housing, the injection port is provided at a distal end portion, and the nozzle member is urged by the air supply pressure to advance. It is preferable.

  According to this configuration, the nozzle member is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward while being accommodated in the cylinder housing, the tip is provided with the injection port, and the nozzle member is advanced by being energized by the air supply pressure. In a state in which is not fed, the tip portion can be in a state that does not protrude, and the designability at the time of non-cleaning can be improved.

  An in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning method that solves the above-described problem is a foreign matter adhered to the sensing surface by a nozzle member having an injection port that injects a gas-liquid mixed fluid in which cleaning liquid and air are mixed toward the sensing surface of the in-vehicle optical sensor. In-vehicle optical sensor cleaning method for removing the gas, the cleaning liquid is stored inside the nozzle member so as to block the injection port, and air is supplied to the nozzle member in that state, whereby the gas-liquid mixed fluid To spray.

  According to this method, the cleaning liquid is stored inside the nozzle member so as to close the injection port, and air is supplied to the nozzle member in that state, so that a gas-liquid mixed fluid in which the cleaning liquid and air are mixed is injected. Is done. In this way, when air is fed into the nozzle member, the air pressure is instantaneously further increased because the cleaning liquid remains so as to block the injection port, and the cleaning liquid is pushed by the high pressure. While being mixed with air, it is injected from the injection port. Therefore, the gas-liquid mixed fluid can be ejected at a higher pressure, and the sensing surface can be cleaned more effectively.

  The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system and the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning method of the present invention provide an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system and an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning method that can eject a gas-liquid mixed fluid in which a cleaning liquid and air are mixed at a higher pressure. be able to.

(A) is a schematic block diagram of the vehicle of one Embodiment. (B) is a schematic diagram of the display of one Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the vehicle-mounted optical sensor unit in one Embodiment. The perspective view of the vehicle-mounted optical sensor unit in one Embodiment. The front view of the vehicle-mounted optical sensor unit in one Embodiment. The rear view of the vehicle-mounted optical sensor unit in one Embodiment. The cross-sectional perspective view of the vehicle-mounted optical sensor mounting bracket in one Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the downward direction of the vehicle-mounted optical sensor mounting bracket in one Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the upper direction of the vehicle-mounted optical sensor mounting bracket in one Embodiment. (A) is a disassembled perspective view of a piston unit. (B) is an exploded perspective view of an introduction side housing member. (C) is an exploded perspective view of a nozzle unit. (D) is a perspective view of a nozzle unit. Sectional drawing of the nozzle unit of the state of the non-cleaning position in one Embodiment. Sectional drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the nozzle unit in one Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the air pump in one Embodiment. (A) And (b) is a partially expanded sectional view for demonstrating operation | movement of an air pump. The operation | movement time chart of the washer pump and air pump in one Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1A, a back door 2 is provided behind the vehicle 1, and an in-vehicle optical sensor unit 3 is provided on the back door 2. The in-vehicle optical sensor unit 3 of the present embodiment is fixed so as to be slightly displaced from the center line C in the width direction of the vehicle 1 toward the driver's seat side (right side).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the in-vehicle optical sensor unit 3 includes an in-vehicle camera 5 as an in-vehicle optical sensor, a nozzle unit 6 as an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, and an in-vehicle optical sensor mounting bracket 7.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle camera 5 includes a substantially cubic main body 5a in which an image sensor (not shown) is housed, and a sensing surface (external imaging surface) provided on one surface of the main body 5a. Lens 5b.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, for example, when the shift lever SL of the transmission is operated to the reverse position, the in-vehicle camera 5 transmits the captured image of the rear of the vehicle 1 to the display DSP in the vehicle. Display. The in-vehicle camera 5 is fixed to the back door 2 via the in-vehicle optical sensor mounting bracket 7 so that the lens 5b side faces obliquely downward so as to capture an image of the obliquely lower part behind the vehicle 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 9 (d), 10, and 11, the nozzle unit 6 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, and is moved from a non-cleaning position (see FIGS. 2 and 10) to a cleaning position ( 11 is a unit having a nozzle member 9 that protrudes to the outside in a state of moving to the lens 5b (see FIG. 2) and ejects fluid from the ejection port 8 toward the lens 5b (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the on-vehicle optical sensor mounting bracket 7 includes a sensor housing portion 7a for housing the on-vehicle camera 5 so that the lens 5b is exposed to the outside, and a nozzle housing portion for housing the nozzle unit 6. 7b and the vehicle fixing part 7c are integrally formed.

  More specifically, the on-vehicle optical sensor mounting bracket 7 of the present embodiment includes a rectangular tube portion 7d in which a sensor housing portion 7a for housing a substantially cubic in-vehicle camera 5 is formed, and a substantially cylindrical nozzle unit. The nozzle accommodating part 7b for accommodating 6 has the cylindrical part 7e formed in an inside, and these are arranged in parallel by the aspect with which the side walls were joined. Specifically, the square tube portion 7d is formed with a circular exposure port 7f that exposes the lens 5b of the in-vehicle camera 5 to the outside at the distal end side, and the base end side is opened so that the in-vehicle camera 5 can be inserted. . The cylindrical portion 7e is formed such that a nozzle port 7g that allows the nozzle member 9 to protrude and retract on the distal end side is continuous with a part of the exposing port 7f, the proximal end side is opened, and the nozzle unit 6 is inserted. It is possible. Further, the cylindrical portion 7e is arranged in an inclined state with respect to the rectangular cylindrical portion 7d so as to approach the rectangular cylindrical portion 7d toward the distal end side. Moreover, the cylindrical part 7e (nozzle accommodating part 7b) is arrange | positioned with respect to the square cylinder part 7d (sensor accommodating part 7a) at the driver's seat side (right side) of the width direction of the vehicle 1 (FIG. 1 (a)). reference).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the in-vehicle camera 5 accommodated in the sensor accommodating portion 7 a has the fixing member 11 engaged with the rear end thereof fixed to the in-vehicle optical sensor mounting bracket 7 with a screw 12. Thus, it is prevented from coming off from the sensor housing portion 7 a and is fixed to the in-vehicle optical sensor mounting bracket 7.

  Further, the nozzle unit 6 accommodated in the nozzle accommodating portion 7b has a fixing portion 13 protruding from its outer shape fixed to the in-vehicle optical sensor mounting bracket 7 by a screw 14 to prevent the nozzle unit 6 from coming off from the nozzle accommodating portion 7b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle optical sensor mounting bracket 7 of the present embodiment has a position corresponding to the injection port 8 of the nozzle member 9 in the non-cleaning position (leaked from the injection port 8). Liquid escape portions 7j and 7k serving as spaces into which the cleaning liquid can flow are formed. The liquid escape portions 7j and 7k of the present embodiment communicate with the sensor housing 7a and the nozzle housing portion 7b at positions corresponding to the injection ports 8 (no partition walls are formed). It is formed in both the part 7a and the nozzle accommodating part 7b. That is, when the cleaning liquid leaks from the ejection port 8 of the nozzle member 9 at the non-cleaning position, the cleaning liquid may flow into the liquid escape portions 7j and 7k formed in both the sensor storage portion 7a and the nozzle storage portion 7b. It is possible.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the liquid escape portions 7j and 7k are on the direction side different from the exposure port 7f (lens 5b) side, and in this embodiment, on the gravity direction side (lower side). Discharge ports 7m and 7n are formed in the opening. The discharge ports 7m and 7n of the present embodiment include a discharge port 7m corresponding to the liquid escape portion 7j on the sensor housing portion 7a side and a discharge port 7n corresponding to the liquid escape portion 7k on the nozzle housing portion 7b side. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the gap between the in-vehicle camera 5 and the in-vehicle optical sensor mounting bracket 7 (that is, the liquid escape) is formed at the inner edge of the in-vehicle camera 5 at the discharge port 7m on the sensor accommodating portion 7a side. In addition to enlarging the part 7j), an inclined surface 7p is formed for guiding the cleaning liquid leaked to the liquid escape part 7j to the discharge port 7m.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning liquid guided to the discharge port 7m in the liquid escape portion 7j is placed at both ends of the outer edge of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 at the discharge port 7m on the sensor housing portion 7a side. An inclined surface 7q for facilitating drainage from the discharge port 7m to the outside of the sensor housing portion 7a is formed so as to be substantially along the direction of gravity in the disposed state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a detent that is a groove that engages in a circumferential direction by fitting a convex detent 15 (described later) (see FIG. 9D) into the upper portion of the nozzle accommodating portion 7 b. A portion 16 is formed.

  And the said vehicle fixing | fixed part 7c protrudes in the shape of a flange from the base end part of the square cylinder part 7d and the cylindrical part 7e, and is fixed with respect to the vehicle 1 by the fixing pin which is not shown in figure through the fixing hole 7r. It will be.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9 to 11, the nozzle unit 6 includes a long cylindrical cylinder housing 21, a piston unit 28, an introduction-side housing member 22, and the like.
As shown in FIGS. 9 (c) and 9 (d), the cylinder housing 21 is formed in a long cylindrical shape, and the outer peripheral surface thereof is fitted into the anti-rotation portion 16 (see FIG. 8) in the circumferential direction. The said surrounding stop part 15 which engages with is convexly provided. Further, a cylindrical elastic member R is fitted on the outer periphery of the cylinder housing 21, and the cylinder housing 21 is accommodated while being pressed against the inner surface of the nozzle accommodating portion 7b via the elastic member R. Further, a holder support portion 21a that extends radially inward and engages with a spring holder 23 (see FIG. 2, FIG. 9A and FIG. 9C), which will be described later, is formed at the tip of the cylinder housing 21. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 10, the piston unit 28 includes the nozzle member 9, a compression coil spring 27, and the like. The nozzle member 9 has a long cylindrical tubular portion 24a and a nozzle portion 24b that bulges from the distal end portion of the tubular portion 24a to one of the radially outer sides and has the injection port 8 formed at the distal end thereof. It has a piston nozzle member 24 and a flange member 25 fixed to the proximal end side of the piston nozzle member 24. In the present embodiment, the inside of the front end side of the piston nozzle member 24 of the nozzle member 9 (inside the injection port 8) constitutes a common introduction chamber D into which cleaning liquid and air can be introduced. The flange member 25 includes an outer fitting cylindrical portion 25a that is fitted and fitted to the proximal end portion of the cylindrical portion 24a, and a proximal flange portion 25b that protrudes radially outward from the proximal end portion of the outer fitting cylindrical portion 25a. And have.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the base end flange portion 25 b is formed with a packing fitting concave portion 25 c that is opened radially outward on the entire circumference. A lip packing 26 is fitted in the packing fitting recess 25c. The lip packing 26 includes an annular fitting portion 26a fitted into the packing fitting recess 25c, a lip portion 26b extending in the axial direction from the radially outer end of the fitting portion 26a (base end direction), The lip portion 26b has an annular sliding contact portion 26c that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface on the tip end side in an arc shape in cross section and is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder housing 21. Further, a retaining groove 25d that is recessed in the axial direction is formed in the packing fitting recess 25c of the present embodiment. The retaining groove 25d of the present embodiment is formed (a pair) on both end surfaces in the axial direction of the packing fitting recess 25c, and is annularly provided along the packing fitting recess 25c. The fitting portion 26a of the lip packing 26 is formed with a pair of retaining protrusions 26e that fit into the retaining grooves 25d.

  The nozzle member 9 is externally fitted to the cylindrical portion 24a and is fitted to the cylindrical portion 24a. The spring holder 23 is allowed to slide in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 24a and restricts relative rotation around the axis. At the same time, a compression coil spring 27 held in a compressed state is assembled between the spring holder 23 and the proximal flange portion 25b to constitute a piston unit 28. That is, in the piston unit 28, the spring holder 23 and the compression coil spring 27 are fitted from the base end side of the cylindrical portion 24a of the piston nozzle member 24, and in this state, the flange member 25 is attached to the base end portion of the cylindrical portion 24a. The outer fitting cylinder part 25a is fitted and comprised.

  The piston unit 28 assembled in advance is inserted from the base end side of the cylinder housing 21, the nozzle portion 24 b protrudes outside from the tip end portion of the cylinder housing 21, and the spring holder 23 is located at the tip end portion of the cylinder housing 21. Engage with the holder support portion 21a, and further movement is restricted and assembled. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 10, the spring holder 23 has a disk portion 23 a having a larger diameter than the holder support portion 21 a formed at the tip of the cylinder housing 21. The cylinder housing 21 is prevented from rotating by having a fitting portion 23b that is fitted inside the holder support portion 21a and engaged in the circumferential direction. The nozzle member 9 arranged in this manner can be moved forward and backward while being accommodated in the cylinder housing 21, and when the proximal end flange portion 25b is urged toward the injection port 8 by the fluid supply pressure, the compression coil It moves forward against the urging force of the spring 27 and moves to the cleaning position (see FIG. 11). When the feeding pressure disappears, it moves backward to the non-cleaning position by the urging force of the compression coil spring 27. Become.

An introduction-side housing member 22 is assembled to the base end portion of the cylinder housing 21.
As shown in FIGS. 9B and 10, the introduction-side housing member 22 includes an inlet member 31, an introduction member 32, a cleaning liquid-side check valve 33, and an air-side check valve 34.

  The inlet member 31 includes a substantially cylindrical outer fitting portion 31a that is fitted and fitted to the proximal end portion of the cylinder housing 21, and a proximal end that extends in the axial direction from the proximal end portion of the outer fitting fitting portion 31a. Side channel portion 31b, inwardly extending portion 31c extending inwardly from the base end portion of external fitting and fitting portion 31a, and cylindrical inlet portion extending from inwardly extending portion 31c to the side opposite to base end side channel portion 31b 31d. The base end side flow passage portion 31b is formed in an oval cylindrical shape composed of parallel lines and arcs connecting them as viewed from the extending direction (axial direction). As shown in FIG. 10, the inwardly extending portion 31c is formed so as to be inclined so as to be farther from the proximal-side flow path portion 31b toward the inside. Further, the inwardly extending portion 31 c forms a space SP with the base end flange portion 25 b inside the cylinder housing 21. The inlet portion 31d has an outer diameter set slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 24a so as to be loosely fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 24a from the proximal end side of the nozzle member 9. Further, the fixing portion 13 (see FIG. 5) that protrudes radially outward and is fixed to the vehicle-mounted optical sensor mounting bracket 7 by the screw 14 is formed at the proximal end portion of the outer fitting fitting portion 31a in the inlet member 31. Has been.

  The introduction member 32 is formed in an axial direction from an outer fitting fitting portion 32a fitted and fitted to the proximal end flow passage portion 31b of the inlet member 31, and from a bottom portion 32b on the proximal end side of the outer fitting fitting portion 31a. A cylindrical cleaning liquid introduction path 32c and an air introduction path 32d extending in parallel are provided. Specifically, the outer fitting / inserting portion 32a is formed in an oval cylindrical shape corresponding to the oval-shaped tubular base end side channel portion 31b (so that it can be fitted externally), and the bottom 32b is formed in an oval shape. It is formed in the shape of a plate. In addition, an air-side through portion 32e is formed at the position of the bottom 32b at the center of one arc of the base-end-side flow passage portion 31b, and the air introduction path 32d communicates with the air-side through portion 32e straightly. It is formed to do. Further, a cleaning liquid side through portion 32f is formed in the bottom 32b at a position that is the axial center of the other arc of the base end side flow passage portion 31b, and the cleaning liquid introduction path 32c is outside the cleaning liquid side through portion 32f (see FIG. 10 is formed so as to be shifted to and communicate with the air introduction path 32d. That is, the distance between the cleaning liquid introduction path 32c and the air introduction path 32d is sufficient to connect the cleaning liquid hose H1 and the air hose H2, but the distance between the cleaning liquid side penetration part 32f and the air side penetration part 32e. Is narrowed, and the size of the proximal end side flow passage portion 31b of the inlet member 31 and the external fitting and fitting portion 32a of the introduction member 32 are kept small. The cleaning liquid side check valve 33 communicates with the cleaning liquid side through part 32 f between the cleaning liquid introduction path 32 c and the common introduction chamber D and inside the proximal end side flow path part 31 b of the inlet member 31. In the position. Further, the air-side check valve 34 communicates with the air-side through portion 32e between the air introduction passage 32d and the common introduction chamber D and inside the proximal end side flow passage portion 31b of the inlet member 31. In the position. The cleaning liquid side check valve 33 and the air side check valve 34 of the present embodiment are duckbill type check valves having a shape in which the opening on the downstream side (the common introduction chamber D side) is crushed, to the downstream side. The fluid flow is allowed and the fluid flow to the upstream side is blocked.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a washer pump WP is connected to the cleaning liquid introduction path 32c via a cleaning liquid hose H1, and an air pump AP is connected to the air introduction path 32d via an air hose H2.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the washer pump WP is capable of feeding a cleaning liquid as a fluid stored in the tank T, and when a pump motor (not shown) is driven, the cleaning liquid hose H1. Then, the cleaning liquid is supplied (introduced) to the nozzle unit 6 (specifically, the cleaning liquid introduction path 32c).

  The air pump AP is capable of instantaneously discharging compressed high-pressure air. When driven, the air pump AP sends air to the nozzle unit 6 (specifically, the air introduction path 32d) via the air hose H2. Will be paid (introduced).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the air pump AP of the present embodiment is a positive displacement air pump that discharges a constant volume of air, and is capable of reciprocating within the long cylindrical cylinder 41 and the cylinder 41. A piston 42 is provided, and a motor unit 43 is disposed on the backward movement side (left side in FIG. 12) of the piston 42 and drives the piston 42 to reciprocate.

  13 (a) and 13 (b), the air pump AP includes an exhaust valve 45 that opens and closes to open and close an exhaust valve port 44 that communicates the inside and outside of the cylinder 41, and the inside and outside of the piston 42. And an intake valve 47 that opens and closes so as to open and close an intake valve port 46 that communicates with each other. When the piston 42 is moved forward so as to narrow the space (pump chamber P) in the cylinder 41, the air in the cylinder 41 is compressed, and thereafter, the exhaust valve 45 is opened and the exhaust valve 45 is opened. When the compressed air is exhausted from the port 44 and the piston 42 is moved back, the intake valve 47 is opened and air is sucked into the cylinder 41 from the intake valve port 46.

  More specifically, the cylinder 41 is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, a central hole 41b is formed at the center of the bottom 41a (right end in FIG. 13), and the opening outside the central hole 41b is an exhaust valve. It is a mouth 44. A substantially bottomed cylindrical valve housing 49 having a valve chamber 48 communicating with the exhaust valve port 44 inside is fixed to the outside of the bottom 41 a of the cylinder 41. At the bottom of the valve housing 49, there is formed an air outlet passage 49a that communicates with the valve chamber 48 and protrudes in a cylindrical shape, and the air hose H2 is connected to the air outlet passage 49a.

  The exhaust valve 45 extends from the outer peripheral edge of the disc portion 51 along the inner peripheral surface of the valve chamber 48 in the axial direction (on the right side in FIG. 13) and extends in the valve chamber 48. An exhaust valve main body 54 in which a cylindrical portion 52 that guides movement in the axial direction and an operation convex portion 53 that protrudes from the center of the disc portion 51 to the inside of the cylinder 41 are integrally formed, and a base end of the operation convex portion 53 It has a disk-shaped rubber member 55 that is externally fitted to the part. An exhaust communication hole 51 a penetrating in the axial direction is formed in a part of the disc portion 51 in the circumferential direction. The exhaust valve 45 is movable along the reciprocating direction of the piston 42, the closing operation in a direction in which the rubber member 55 comes into close contact with the exhaust valve port 44 (closes the exhaust valve port 44), and the rubber member 55 An opening operation in a direction away from the exhaust valve port 44 (opening the exhaust valve port 44) is possible. The exhaust valve 45 is biased toward the inside of the cylinder 41 (left side in FIG. 13) by a coil spring 56 supported on the bottom of the valve housing 49. The coil spring 56 is set so that the exhaust valve 45 is not opened only by compressed air (to be described later) (spring constant or the like).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the piston 42 includes a substantially disc-shaped piston main body 62 that is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 41 via a seal ring 61 fitted on the outer periphery, and an outer periphery of the piston main body 62. A pair of column portions 63 extending in the axial direction from a part of the side, and a substantially disc-shaped disc portion 64 that connects the tip portions of the column portions 63 and is formed in a flange shape. A piston communication hole 65 penetrating in the axial direction is formed in a part of the piston body 62 in the circumferential direction, and an opening inside the piston communication hole 65 (on the bottom 41a side of the cylinder 41) is the intake valve port 46. It is said that. The piston communication hole 65 is formed at a position (angle) where the column part 63 is not formed in the piston main body part 62. The disk portion 64 is also formed with a communicating portion 66 that communicates in the axial direction.

  The intake valve 47 of the present embodiment is an umbrella valve, and includes a disc-shaped center support portion 47a and an elastic deformation portion 47b extending radially outward from the center support portion 47a. The intake valve 47 has a central support portion 47 a fixed to the piston main body 62 by an operation member 67 so that the elastic deformation portion 47 b covers the intake valve port 46. Specifically, a cylindrical large-diameter portion 62a is projected in the axial direction at the center of the piston main body 62, and a cylindrical small-diameter portion 62b having a small diameter is further projected in the axial direction at the center of the large-diameter portion 62a. It is installed. The central support portion 47a of the intake valve 47 is externally fitted to the small diameter portion 62b and is interposed between the large diameter portion 62a and the disk plate 68 in the axial direction, and the central holes of the small diameter portion 62b and the large diameter portion 62a. The disc plate 68 is fixed by the head portion 67a of the operation member 67 screwed or press-fitted into the 62c, so that the disc plate 68 is sandwiched (between the large diameter portion 62a and the disc plate 68). The operating member 67 pushes the operating convex portion 53 of the exhaust valve 45 by the forward movement of the piston 42 to open the exhaust valve 45 (see FIG. 13B).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the piston 42 includes a forward damper portion 71a that contacts the forward movement restricting portion 70 at the forward movement end position, and a backward movement damper that contacts the backward movement restriction portion 72 at the backward movement end position. A damper member 71 formed integrally with the portion 71b is provided. Specifically, a plurality of fixing holes 64a penetrating in the axial direction are formed in the disk portion 64 of the piston 42 in the circumferential direction. The damper member 71 includes a shaft portion 71c accommodated in the fixed hole 64a, a forward damper portion 71a formed at one end of the shaft portion 71c, and a return damper portion 71b formed at the other end of the coaxial portion 71c. And have. The forward damper portion 71a and the backward damper portion 71b of the present embodiment are formed in a hemispherical shape having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft portion 71c. For example, the forward damper portion 71a is crushed and passed through the fixing hole 64a. Thus, the shaft portion 71c is disposed and fixed in the fixing hole 64a. A forward movement restricting portion 70 is formed on the inner surface of the cylinder 41 so as to protrude inward so as to come into contact with the forward damper portion 71 a at the forward movement end position of the piston 42. An end housing 73 as a housing of the motor unit 43 is fixed to the opening of the cylinder 41 so as to close the opening, and the end surface of the end housing 73 moves backward at the return end position of the piston 42. It is set as the backward movement control part 72 which contact | abuts the damper part 71b.

  A screw hole 64b is formed in the center of the disk portion 64 of the piston. Then, a screw shaft 74 that rotates by driving of the motor unit 43 is screwed into the screw hole 64b. When the screw shaft 74 is driven to rotate, the piston 42 that is prevented from rotating is reciprocated by a screw action. Specifically, the motor unit 43 includes a substantially bottomed cylindrical yoke housing 75 and the end housing 73 that closes an opening (right end portion in FIG. 12) of the yoke housing 75. The motor unit 43 is fixed to the rotating shaft 77 and a magnet 76 fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the yoke housing 75, a rotating shaft 77 rotatably supported at the axis center of the yoke housing 75, and windings. Armature core 78, commutator 79, and the like. The screw shaft 74 is connected to the rotary shaft 77 so as to be integrally rotatable.

  Here, the end housing 73 of the motor portion 43 is formed with a communication hole 73a that penetrates in the axial direction and communicates the inside of the motor portion 43 and the space in which the piston 42 in the cylinder 41 is accommodated. The end housing 73 is formed with an external communication hole 73b that penetrates in the radial direction (vertical direction in FIG. 12) and communicates the inside of the motor unit 43 and the external space. Thus, the intake valve port 46 in which the intake valve 47 is disposed is communicated with the outside through the piston communication hole 65, the communication part 66, the communication hole 73a, and the external communication hole 73b.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the air pump AP and the washer pump WP configured as described above are electrically connected to the control unit 81 and driven and controlled by the control unit 81.

Next, the operation and action of the control unit 81 of the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system (in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device) configured as described above will be described.
First, in a state where the washer pump WP and the air pump AP are not driven, the nozzle unit 6 is in a state where the nozzle member 9 is moved back to the non-cleaning position by the urging force of the compression coil spring 27 (see FIG. 10). The member 9 is housed in the nozzle housing portion 7b of the in-vehicle optical sensor mounting bracket 7 so as not to protrude from the in-vehicle optical sensor mounting bracket 7, and the injection port 8 (the tip portion of the nozzle member 9) is outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5. Placed in. Therefore, when the image is taken without cleaning, the ejection port 8 (the tip portion of the nozzle member 9) does not interfere with the imaging. Moreover, the nozzle unit 6 including the nozzle member 9 is housed neatly in the in-vehicle optical sensor mounting bracket 7.

  The control unit 81 starts cleaning, for example, when a switch SW (see FIG. 1A) provided in the vehicle is operated, or when the shift lever SL of the transmission is operated to the reverse position. When a signal to this effect is input, the washer pump WP (pump motor) and the air pump AP (motor unit 43) are driven and controlled to eject fluid from the ejection port 8.

  Specifically, the control unit 81 first stores the cleaning liquid in the common introduction chamber D inside the nozzle member 9 so as to close the injection port 8, and supplies air to the nozzle member 9 in that state, thereby cleaning the cleaning liquid. The washer pump WP and the air pump AP are controlled so as to inject a gas-liquid mixed fluid in which air and air are mixed. Further, the control unit 81 controls the air pump AP so that only air is injected after the gas-liquid mixed fluid is injected.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the controller 81 first drives the washer pump WP (pump motor) for a preset time T1. Then, the cleaning liquid from the washer pump WP is supplied to the cleaning liquid introduction path 32 c via the cleaning liquid hose H 1, and the cleaning liquid introduced from the cleaning liquid introduction path 32 c passes through the cleaning liquid side check valve 33 to the inside of the nozzle member 9. To be supplied. At this time, the nozzle unit 6 is housed and fixed in the nozzle housing portion 7b by the in-vehicle optical sensor mounting bracket 7 so that the injection port 8 is positioned below the common introduction chamber D in the gravity direction. Is stored in the common introduction chamber D so as to block the injection port 8 (so as to slightly leak from the injection port 8). At this time, the cleaning liquid also wraps around the space SP on the proximal end flange portion 25b side through a gap formed by loose fitting between the cylindrical portion 24a and the inlet portion 31d.

  Then, the control unit 81 drives the air pump AP (motor unit 43) after stopping the washer pump WP (pump motor). Specifically, the control unit 81 first drives the motor unit 43 by normal rotation (see time T2 in FIG. 14). Then, when the screw shaft 74 rotates forward together with the rotating shaft 77, the piston 42 moves forward so as to narrow the space (pump chamber P) in the cylinder 41, and the air in the space (pump chamber P) is compressed. Go.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the operating member 67 of the piston 42 reaches the operating convex portion 53 of the exhaust valve 45 and presses the operating convex portion 53, the exhaust valve 45 is opened and compressed. The high-pressure air thus generated is instantaneously exhausted (exhausted) from the air outlet passage 49a via the exhaust valve port 44 and the exhaust communication hole 51a. Then, the air from the air pump AP is supplied to the air introduction path 32d of the nozzle unit 6 via the air hose H2, and the air introduced from the air introduction path 32d is the nozzle member via the air-side check valve 34. 9 is mixed with the cleaning liquid stored in the common introduction chamber D and injected from the injection port 8 as a gas-liquid mixed fluid. At this time, the main flow of the fluid (air) goes straight to the tip end side (jet port 8 side) of the nozzle member 9 by the inlet portion 31d. In addition, the tributary of fluid (air) flows into the space SP on the proximal end flange portion 25b side from the clearance due to the loose fitting between the cylindrical portion 24a and the inlet portion 31d, and the nozzle member 9 moves forward by the feeding pressure ( FIG. 11). Thereby, the injection port 8 of the nozzle member 9 is moved from the non-cleaning position (see FIG. 10) to the cleaning position (see FIG. 11) so as to approach the imaging range center X of the in-vehicle camera 5, as shown in FIG. Move to. In addition, the imaging range of this embodiment is a range which the vehicle-mounted camera 5 (its imaging device) images via the lens 5b, and is a range displayed on the display DSP. Further, in FIG. 1B, the scenery displayed on the display DSP and the injection port 8 (the front end portion of the nozzle member 9) arranged in the imaging range are illustrated, and the imaging is performed at the non-cleaning position. The injection port 8 (tip portion of the nozzle member 9) arranged outside the range is schematically illustrated by a two-dot chain line. At this time, the air pressure of the introduced air is instantaneously further increased because the cleaning liquid remains so as to block the injection port 8, and the cleaning liquid is mixed with the air while being pushed by the high pressure, and is mixed from the injection port 8. Be injected. Therefore, the gas-liquid mixed fluid is ejected at a higher pressure, and the lens 5b is cleaned well.

  Then, the control unit 81 drives the motor unit 43 in reverse (see time T3 in FIG. 14). Then, when the screw shaft 74 rotates in reverse with the rotating shaft 77, the piston 42 is moved backward to widen the space (pump chamber P) in the cylinder 41, and the space (pump chamber P) becomes negative pressure. The intake valve 47 is opened and air is sucked into the cylinder 41 (pump chamber P) from the intake valve port 46. Specifically, this air is supplied from the outside of the air pump AP into the cylinder 41 (pump chamber P) via the external communication hole 73b, the communication hole 73a, the communication part 66, and the piston communication hole 65 (intake valve port 46) of the motor unit 43. Inhaled. At this time, when the operation member 67 of the piston 42 is separated from the operation convex portion 53 of the exhaust valve 45, the exhaust valve 45 is closed and the exhaust valve port 44 is closed.

  Then, the control unit 81 drives the motor unit 43 of the air pump AP in the normal direction as described above without driving the washer pump WP (pump motor) in order to inject only air (in FIG. 14, (See time T4). Then, the air from the air pump AP is supplied to the air introduction path 32d via the air hose H2, and the air introduced from the air introduction path 32d enters the nozzle member 9 via the air-side check valve 34. As described above, the nozzle member 9 is moved forward (cleaning position) as described above, and only air is injected from the injection port 8. Thereby, the cleaning liquid adhering to the lens 5b by the jet of the gas-liquid mixed fluid is blown off by the jet of only air.

  Then, the control unit 81 drives the motor unit 43 of the air pump AP in the reverse direction as described above (see time T5 in FIG. 14), and air is sucked into the cylinder 41 (pump chamber P). To end the control.

Next, the characteristic effects of the above embodiment will be described below.
(1) The washer pump WP and the air pump AP are controlled by the control unit 81, and the cleaning liquid is stored inside the nozzle member 9 (the common introduction chamber D) so as to close the injection port 8. , The gas-liquid mixed fluid in which the cleaning liquid and the air are mixed is ejected. In this way, when air is fed into the nozzle member 9, the air pressure is instantaneously further increased because the cleaning liquid remains so as to block the injection port 8, and the high pressure causes the cleaning liquid to flow. While being pushed, it is mixed with air and injected from the injection port 8. Therefore, the gas-liquid mixed fluid can be ejected at a higher pressure, and the lens 5b can be cleaned more effectively.

  (2) After the air pump AP is controlled by the control unit 81 and the gas-liquid mixed fluid is injected, only air is injected. Therefore, the cleaning liquid adhering to the lens 5b by jetting the gas-liquid mixed fluid can be blown away by jetting only air. Thereby, the captured image in which distortion based on the cleaning liquid is suppressed can be displayed on the display DSP.

  (3) The nozzle member 9 is accommodated in the cylinder housing 21 so as to be able to move forward and backward. The nozzle 8 is provided at the tip, and is advanced by being energized by the air supply pressure. In the state where it is not supplied, it can be in a state where the tip portion does not protrude, and the designability at the time of non-cleaning can be improved. In addition, the nozzle member 9 does not interfere with imaging at a non-cleaning position outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5 when not cleaning, and moves to a cleaning position close to the imaging range center X of the in-vehicle camera 5 during cleaning, It is possible to effectively wash the lens 5b by ejecting fluid from the vicinity of the front surface of the lens 5b.

  (4) Since the control unit 81 stops the washer pump WP (pump motor) and then drives the air pump AP (motor unit 43) to inject the gas-liquid mixed fluid, the air after the cleaning liquid is reliably stored Therefore, the gas-liquid mixed fluid can be reliably injected at a higher pressure.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows.
In the above embodiment, the control unit 81 controls the air pump AP so as to inject only the air after injecting the gas-liquid mixed fluid. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and injects the gas-liquid mixed fluid ( You may make it complete | finish control, without injecting only air.

  In the above embodiment, the nozzle member 9 is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward while being accommodated in the cylinder housing 21. The nozzle 8 is provided at the tip, and is advanced by being energized by the fluid (air) supply pressure. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be changed to a nozzle member that is provided so as not to move relative to the vehicle 1 and does not move forward and backward.

  In the above embodiment, the control unit 81 stops driving the washer pump WP (pump motor) and then starts driving the air pump AP (motor unit 43) to inject the gas-liquid mixed fluid. If the cleaning liquid is stored inside the nozzle member 9 (the common introduction chamber D) so as to close the nozzle 8, and air is supplied to the nozzle member 9 in this state, the control may be changed to another control.

  For example, the driving of the air pump AP (motor unit 43) may be started before the washer pump WP (pump motor) is stopped. More specifically, for example, the driving of the washer pump WP (pump motor) and the air pump AP (motor unit 43) is started simultaneously, and the operation member 67 of the air pump AP is exhausted after the washer pump WP (pump motor) is stopped. Control may be performed such that the exhaust valve 45 is opened by pressing the operation convex portion 53 of the valve 45. If it does in this way, time until a gas-liquid mixed fluid is injected can be shortened.

The technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described below.
(A) In the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the control unit stops the washer pump and then drives the air pump to inject the gas-liquid mixed fluid. An on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system characterized in that

  According to this configuration, air is supplied after the cleaning liquid is reliably stored, and the gas-liquid mixed fluid can be reliably injected at a higher pressure.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Vehicle-mounted camera (vehicle-mounted optical sensor), 5b ... Lens (sensing surface), 8 ... Injection port, 9 ... Nozzle member, 21 ... Cylinder housing, 41 ... Cylinder, 45 ... Exhaust valve, 81 ... Control part, AP ... Air pump , WP ... Washer pump.

Claims (4)

A washer pump for feeding cleaning liquid;
An air pump in which the exhaust valve is opened to discharge air while the air in the cylinder is compressed;
A nozzle member having an injection port for injecting a gas-liquid mixed fluid, in which the cleaning liquid from the washer pump and the air from the air pump are mixed, toward the sensing surface of the in-vehicle optical sensor; An in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system to be removed,
The washer pump and the air pump are configured to inject the gas-liquid mixed fluid by storing cleaning liquid in the nozzle member so as to block the injection port and supplying air to the nozzle member in that state. An in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system comprising a control unit for controlling. In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system according to claim 1,
The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system, wherein the control unit controls the air pump to inject only air after injecting the gas-liquid mixed fluid. In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system according to claim 1 or 2,
The in-vehicle optical sensor is characterized in that the nozzle member is accommodated in a cylinder housing so as to be movable forward and backward, the tip is provided with the injection port, and is advanced by being energized by the air supply pressure. Cleaning system. An in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning method for removing foreign matter adhering to the sensing surface by a nozzle member having an injection port for injecting a gas-liquid mixed fluid in which a cleaning liquid and air are mixed toward a sensing surface of the in-vehicle optical sensor,
In-vehicle optical sensor cleaning characterized in that cleaning liquid is stored inside the nozzle member so as to block the injection port, and the gas-liquid mixed fluid is injected by supplying air to the nozzle member in that state. Method.