JP2017185871A - On-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device which efficiently attains high cleaning performance.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device jets air from an air jetting port 7 of a second nozzle unit 8 to a lens surface of an on-vehicle camera mounted on a vehicle to remove foreign objects adhering to the lens surface. The second lens unit 8 includes: a movable nozzle member 10 having the air jetting port 7; and a housing member (a case 9 and a base end closing member 11) which supports the movable nozzle member 10 so that the movable mozzle member 10 can move forward and rearward. The housing member includes: a jetting air introduction port 12a communicating with the air jetting port 7 of the movable nozzle member 10 in at least a state where the movable nozzle member 10 moves forward; and a forward movement air introduction port 17a which communicates with a sealing part 16 defined by a base end part of the movable nozzle member 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device for cleaning a sensing surface such as an optical lens or a protective glass of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various safety devices have been put into practical use in which an optical sensor is mounted on a front portion or a rear portion of a vehicle and driving safety is ensured based on a light reception signal of the optical sensor.
Such an optical sensor can sense an optical signal around the vehicle or imaging data around the vehicle via a sensing surface such as an optical lens exposed to the outside or a protective glass, which in turn obstructs the driver. It plays the role of announcing the presence or absence.

  And since sensing surfaces, such as the above optical lenses and protective glass, are exposed to the exterior of a vehicle, they are easy to get dirty. Therefore, in order to obtain a stable optical signal or imaging data, the vehicle is preferably provided with an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that removes dirt on the sensing surface.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a cleaning device that cleans the sensing surface by injecting high-pressure air onto the sensing surface (lens surface).

International Publication (WO) 2015/159963

  However, in the above-described on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, the air injection port is located at a certain position with respect to the sensing surface, so that the cleaning performance is low. Specifically, the air injection port in the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device as described above must be disposed at a position that does not interfere with sensing of the on-vehicle optical sensor, and cannot be disposed at a position close to the front of the sensing surface. It is arrange | positioned in the position close | similar to the side along this, and will inject air. Therefore, especially when the sensing surface is a spherical lens surface, it is difficult for the air to partially hit and it is difficult to clean the whole well.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that can obtain high cleaning performance efficiently.

  An in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that solves the above-described problem is for ejecting a fluid from a fluid ejection port of a fluid ejection nozzle onto a sensing surface of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle, and removing foreign matter attached to the sensing surface. In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, the fluid ejection nozzle includes a movable nozzle member having the fluid ejection port, and a housing member that supports the movable nozzle member so as to be able to move forward and backward. In a state where the movable nozzle member has advanced, a fluid is introduced into the sealed chamber in communication with an ejection fluid introduction port that communicates with the fluid ejection port of the movable nozzle member, and a sealed chamber defined by a base end portion of the movable nozzle member. And an advanceable fluid inlet for introduction.

  According to this configuration, since the fluid ejection nozzle includes the movable nozzle member having the fluid ejection port and the housing member that supports the movable nozzle member so as to be able to move forward and backward, for example, the movable nozzle member is advanced only during cleaning. Thus, the fluid can be ejected onto the sensing surface from an angle close to the front surface during cleaning without interfering with the sensing of the in-vehicle optical sensor during non-cleaning. Therefore, high cleaning performance can be obtained. Further, since the housing member has an injection fluid introduction port that communicates with a fluid injection port of the movable nozzle member at least when the movable nozzle member is advanced, the fluid introduced from the injection fluid introduction port while the movable nozzle member is advanced Can be ejected from the fluid ejection port. Moreover, since the housing member has a forward fluid introduction port that communicates with the sealed chamber defined by the proximal end portion of the movable nozzle member, the movable nozzle member is advanced by the fluid introduced from the forward fluid introduction port. be able to. In addition, since the ejection fluid introduction port and the advance fluid introduction port are provided separately and the sealed chamber is independent (not in communication) with respect to the fluid ejection port, for example, an operation of moving the movable nozzle member forward And the operation of ejecting fluid from the fluid ejection port can be performed independently. Therefore, for example, the waste generated when the fluid is introduced from one injection port and the fluid is ejected from the ejection port while the movable nozzle member is advanced (specifically, the fluid from the ejection port during the advancement process of the movable nozzle member). It is possible to perform the cleaning operation while avoiding waste) such as leakage, and efficiently obtain high cleaning performance.

In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, it is preferable that the fluid ejection nozzle ejects air from the fluid ejection port.
According to this configuration, since the fluid ejection nozzle ejects air from the fluid ejection port, for example, the effect of avoiding the above-described waste is increased. That is, for example, waste generated when air is injected from an injection port while the movable nozzle member is advanced by air introduced from one introduction port (specifically, air is discharged from the injection port during the advancement process of the movable nozzle member). The waste that the air leaks becomes more conspicuous than the case where the liquid is ejected (because air has a smaller mass and viscosity than the liquid). And since the remarkable waste can be avoided, a big effect can be acquired.

In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, it is preferable that the fluid introduced into the forward fluid introduction port is air.
According to this configuration, since the fluid introduced into the forward fluid introduction port is air, for example, the movable nozzle member can smoothly move backward. That is, since air has a lower viscosity than liquid, when the movable nozzle member moves backward, it is easier to escape from the sealed chamber than liquid. Therefore, the backward movement of the movable nozzle member can be performed smoothly.

In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, it is preferable that the fluid introduced into the sealed chamber from the advance fluid introduction port is discharged from the advance fluid introduction port.
According to this configuration, since the fluid introduced into the sealed chamber from the forward fluid inlet is discharged from the forward fluid inlet, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of openings communicating with the outside of the sealed chamber. Therefore, it can be set as a simple housing member.

  In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, after air is supplied to the advancement fluid introduction port and the movable nozzle member is advanced, air is supplied to the injection fluid introduction port and air is supplied from the fluid injection port. It is preferable to provide a single air pump for injection.

  According to the configuration, after the movable nozzle member is advanced by supplying air to the forward fluid introduction port, the single air pump is provided to supply air to the ejection fluid introduction port and eject air from the fluid ejection port. Therefore, a simple configuration can be achieved without requiring a plurality of electric pumps.

  In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, the air pump is provided with a cylindrical pump case having a discharge port, and a piston that is reciprocally movable in the pump case and varies a volume of a compression chamber in the pump case. The forward fluid, and a motor for reciprocating the piston, and a discharge valve that is provided between the compression chamber and the discharge port and is opened by operating the piston that moves forward. Preferably, the introduction port communicates with the compression chamber, and the ejection fluid introduction port communicates with the discharge port.

  According to this configuration, since the advance fluid introduction port communicates with the compression chamber, when the piston moves forward, the volume of the compression chamber is reduced and the air in the compression chamber is compressed, and the advance fluid introduction port The air is supplied to the sealed chamber through the nozzle, and the movable nozzle member is advanced. When the piston is further moved forward, the discharge valve is operated by the piston to open (the compression chamber communicates with the discharge port), and the compressed air in the compression chamber is instantaneously discharged from the discharge port. Air is ejected from the fluid ejection port via the ejection fluid introduction port. Therefore, specifically, air can be ejected from the fluid ejection port after the movable nozzle member is advanced by a single air pump with a simple configuration.

In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, it is preferable that the sealed chamber communicates with a discharge portion capable of discharging a fluid to the outside.
According to this configuration, since the sealed chamber communicates with the discharge part capable of discharging fluid to the outside, for example, even when a device (such as an air pump) that supplies fluid to the sealed chamber stops operating. By releasing the fluid from the discharge portion to the outside, the fluid in the sealed chamber can be reduced and the movable nozzle member can be moved backward (retracted).

In the above-described on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, it is preferable that the fluid supplied to the sealed chamber is air, and the discharge portion has air permeability while being waterproof.
According to this configuration, the fluid supplied to the sealed chamber is air, and the discharge portion has waterproofness and air permeability. For example, it is possible to prevent liquid from entering the sealed chamber. it can.

  According to the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device of the present invention, high cleaning performance can be obtained efficiently.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the vehicle-mounted optical sensor washing | cleaning apparatus of one Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 1st and 2nd nozzle unit. The bottom view which shows the 1st and 2nd nozzle unit. Sectional drawing which shows a 2nd nozzle unit. Explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a 2nd nozzle unit and an air pump. Explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a 2nd nozzle unit and an air pump. Explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a 2nd nozzle unit and an air pump. Explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a vehicle-mounted optical sensor washing | cleaning apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a vehicle-mounted optical sensor washing | cleaning apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a vehicle-mounted optical sensor washing | cleaning apparatus. The time chart which shows the operation timing of an air pump and a washer pump. Sectional drawing which shows the 2nd nozzle unit in another example. The perspective view which shows the 1st and 2nd nozzle unit in another example.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a back door Ba is provided behind the vehicle S, and an in-vehicle camera 1 as an in-vehicle optical sensor is provided in the back door Ba.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the in-vehicle camera 1 is attached to the attachment frame 2 and attached to the back door Ba via the attachment frame 2. And the lens surface 3 as a sensing surface of the vehicle-mounted camera 1 is exposed toward the vehicle rear. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, when the shift lever SL of the transmission is operated to the reverse position, the in-vehicle camera 1 transmits a captured image behind the vehicle S to the display DSP in the vehicle for display.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a first nozzle unit 5 having a cleaning liquid injection port 4 is attached to the mounting frame 2, and a washer pump P (see FIG. 1) is attached to the first nozzle unit 5. ), The cleaning liquid stored in the storage tank T is supplied. When the cleaning liquid is supplied, the first nozzle unit 5 ejects the cleaning liquid 6 from the cleaning liquid ejection port 4.

  The cleaning liquid ejection port 4 is disposed obliquely above the lens surface 3. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning liquid injection port 4 has a constricted portion 4a having a narrow opposing surface, thereby injecting the cleaning liquid in a film shape.

A second nozzle unit 8 as a fluid ejection nozzle having an air ejection port 7 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) as a fluid ejection port is attached to the mounting frame 2.
As shown in FIG. 5, the second nozzle unit 8 is supported by a cylindrical case 9 so that a cylindrical movable nozzle member 10 can be projected and retracted and can be moved forward and backward. An air injection port 7 that is opened in a direction substantially perpendicular to the forward / backward direction is provided.

  A proximal end closing member 11 is fitted and fixed to the proximal end side of the case 9. In the present embodiment, the case 9 and the base end closing member 11 constitute a housing member. The base end blocking member 11 is provided with a cylindrical cleaning air introduction pipe 11a extending in the forward direction of the movable nozzle member 10 in the case 9, and the cleaning air introduction pipe 11a is a cylindrical movable nozzle. The movable nozzle member 10 is supported by the member 10 so as to be able to move forward and backward along the case 9 and the cleaning air introduction pipe 11a. Further, the base end closing member 11 has an ejection air introduction port as an ejection fluid introduction port that extends outside the case 9 and extends to the opposite side of the cleaning air introduction tube 11a and communicates with the cleaning air introduction tube 11a. A first joint portion 12 having 12 a is provided, and the first joint portion 12 is connected to an air pump 14 (see FIG. 2) via a first supply pipe 13.

  When the high-pressure cleaning air is supplied from the air pump 14 through the first supply pipe 13, the second nozzle unit 8 is supplied with the jet air introduction port 12a, the cleaning air introduction pipe 11a, and the movable nozzle member. High-pressure air HA is ejected from the air ejection port 7 through the inside 10.

  In the case 9, a coil spring 15 is disposed around the movable nozzle member 10. One end of the coil spring 15 is in contact with the flange portion 10 a provided at the proximal end portion of the movable nozzle member 10, and the other end is in contact with the distal end portion of the case 9. The movable nozzle member 10 is always urged in the backward (immersion) direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5) by the urging force of the coil spring 15 with the tip of the case 9 as a fulcrum.

  Further, on the base end side of the case 9, a sealed chamber 16 is provided that is partitioned by a base end portion (flange portion 10 a) of the movable nozzle member 10. A seal rubber 10b is fixed to the base end portion (flange portion 10a) of the movable nozzle member 10, and the seal rubber 10b is in close contact (sliding contact) with the inner peripheral surface of the case 9 and the outer peripheral surface of the cleaning air introduction pipe 11a. ), The airtightness of the sealed chamber 16 is maintained. The proximal end closing member 11 is a forward fluid introduction port that is outside the case 9 and extends in the orthogonal direction of the first joint portion 12, communicates with the sealed chamber 16 and can introduce fluid into the sealed chamber 16. The second joint portion 17 having the forward air inlet 17a is provided, and the second joint portion 17 is connected to the air pump 14 (see FIG. 2) via the second supply pipe 18.

  Then, when air is supplied from the air pump 14 via the second supply pipe 18, the second nozzle unit 8 moves forward by the movable nozzle member 10 being pushed out of the case 9 due to an increase in atmospheric pressure in the sealed chamber 16. To do. Then, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the air injection port 7 is disposed at the injection position approaching the side facing the lens surface 3 on the side (vehicle width direction) of the lens surface 3, and at the injection position. High-pressure air HA can be ejected from a certain air ejection port 7 toward the lens surface 3. Further, in the second nozzle unit 8, when the air in the sealed chamber 16 is depressurized, the movable nozzle member 10 moves backward by the urging force of the coil spring 15, so that the air injection port 7 faces the lens surface 3. Move away from the non-injection position. The second nozzle unit 8 does not require a check valve and is not provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the air pump 14 is supported in a cylindrical pump case 19 so that the piston 20 can reciprocate, and a compression chamber 21 is secured between the front end of the piston 20 and the inner surface on the front end side of the pump case 19. ing.

  A drive shaft 22 having a screw engraved on its outer peripheral surface is screwed into the piston 20. The base end of the drive shaft 22 is connected to the output shaft 23 a of the motor 23. When the drive shaft 22 rotates forward by the operation of the motor 23, the piston 20 moves forward to the tip side (in the direction of the arrow B) of the pump case 19, the volume of the compression chamber 21 is reduced, and the air in the compression chamber 21 is reduced. Is pressurized (compressed). Further, when the drive shaft 22 is reversed by the operation of the motor 23, the piston 20 moves backward to the base end side (in the direction of arrow C) of the pump case 19 to increase the volume of the compression chamber 21 and the air in the compression chamber 21. Is depressurized.

  The second supply pipe 18 communicating with the inside of the compression chamber 21 is connected to the distal end side of the pump case 19. When the air in the compression chamber 21 is pressurized, the air is supplied to the sealed chamber 16 of the second nozzle unit 8 through the second supply pipe 18 and the forward air introduction port 17a.

  A discharge port 19a is provided at the tip of the pump case 19, and the first supply pipe 13 is connected to the discharge port 19a. In the pump case 19, a discharge valve 24 is provided between the compression chamber 21 and the discharge port 19a. The discharge valve 24 is operated (pressed) by the piston 20 moving forward. Specifically, the discharge valve 24 is attached in a direction in which the communication hole between the compression chamber 21 and the discharge port 19a is closed by the coil spring 25 and in a direction opposite to the forward movement direction of the piston 20 (that is, the backward movement direction). It is energized. The discharge valve 24 is provided with an operation rod 24a that protrudes toward the piston 20, and when the operation rod 24a is pressed by the tip of the piston 20 that moves forward, the compression chamber 21 and the discharge port 19a (the first one) One supply pipe 13) is in communication.

  Therefore, when the piston 20 moves forward (in the direction of arrow B) and the air in the compression chamber 21 is compressed and the piston 20 presses the operating rod 24a, the compressed high-pressure air in the compression chamber 21 instantaneously. The air is discharged from the discharge port 19a, and the air is supplied from the first supply pipe 13 to the injection air introduction port 12a.

  The piston 20 is provided with a suction valve (umbrella valve) 26. The suction valve 26 opens when the piston 20 moves backward (in the direction of arrow C) and the inside of the compression chamber 21 becomes negative pressure, and enters the compression chamber 21 from outside the pump case 19 through the communication holes 27a, 27b, and 27c. Air is introduced into the.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when air is introduced into the sealed chamber 16 and the movable nozzle member 10 moves forward so as to be pushed out of the case 9, the air injection port 7 approaches the side facing the lens surface 3 (see FIG. 4). When the discharge valve 24 (see FIG. 2) is opened in this state, high-pressure air HA is injected from the air injection port 7 toward the lens surface 3.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the air injection port 7 is formed so that the air injection axis Z of the air HA to be injected is mixed with the cleaning liquid 6 (air HA) injected from the cleaning liquid injection port 4 and the lens. It is set to face the surface 3. From a different point of view, the air injection port 7 is set such that the air injection axis Z of the air HA to be injected is directed toward the lens surface 3 while passing the cleaning liquid 6 injected from the cleaning liquid injection port 4. In other words, the air injection port 7 is set so that the air injection axis Z of the air to be injected is directed toward the lens surface 3, and the cleaning liquid injection port 4 is set so that the cleaning liquid 6 to be injected intersects the air injection axis Z. Has been.

  Further, the cleaning liquid ejection port 4 of the present embodiment is set so that the cleaning liquid ejection axis X of the cleaning liquid 6 to be ejected is directed in a direction shifted from the lens surface 3 (a direction not intersecting with the lens surface 3). Furthermore, the cleaning liquid injection port 4 of the present embodiment is set so that the cleaning liquid injection axis X of the cleaning liquid 6 to be injected passes through the side close to the air injection port 7 between the air injection port 7 and the lens surface 3. .

  The air injection port 7 of the present embodiment is set so that the air injection axis Z of the air HA to be injected intersects the lens surface 3 on the side closer to the air injection port 7 than the center axis Ca of the lens surface 3. ing. Moreover, the air injection port 7 of this embodiment cross | intersects the flat surface (surface orthogonal to a thin thickness direction) of the film | membrane-like washing | cleaning liquid 6 inject | poured from the washing | cleaning-liquid injection port 4 with the air injection axis Z of the air HA to inject. (It is orthogonal in this embodiment). In other words, the restricting portion 4a is set in the cleaning liquid injection port 4 so that the flat surface of the film-like cleaning liquid 6 to be injected intersects with the air injection axis Z (orthogonal in this embodiment).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the washer pump P and the air pump 14 are electrically connected to the control unit 31 and controlled by the control unit 31 based on the operation of the operation switch SW by the driver. As shown in FIG. 12, when the operation switch SW is operated, the control unit 31 first operates the air pump 14 for a predetermined time t1. Thereby, high-pressure air HA is injected from the air injection port 7.

  Thereafter, for example, when the driver continues to operate the operation switch SW without the dirt of the lens surface 3 being removed by the high-pressure air HA, the control unit 31 stops the operation of the air pump 14 and is set to a predetermined constant. After waiting for time t2, the air pump 14 and the washer pump P are operated. Then, the cleaning liquid 6 is injected from the cleaning liquid injection port 4 and the high-pressure air HA is injected from the air injection port 7 at a fixed time t3.

  Thereafter, when the operation of the operation switch SW by the driver is released, the control unit 31 stops the washer pump P and then continues the operation of the air pump 14 for a predetermined time t4. Thereby, for example, the cleaning liquid adhered to the lens surface 3 is blown off. During operation, the air pump 14 repeats the reciprocating motion of the piston 20, and high-pressure air HA is repeatedly injected from the air injection port 7.

Next, the operation of the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device configured as described above will be described.
When the cleaning and cleaning of the lens surface 3 are started by the operation of the operation switch SW, the air pump 14 (motor 23) is activated, and the piston 20 is in the backward movement end position shown in FIG. Thus, the piston 20 advances to a state where it abuts against the operation rod 24a of the discharge valve 24. Then, air is supplied to the sealed chamber 16 of the second nozzle unit 8 and the movable nozzle member 10 moves forward so that the air injection port 7 reaches the injection position.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, when the piston 20 further advances and presses the operation rod 24 a of the discharge valve 24, the high-pressure air in the compression chamber 21 is transferred from the second supply pipe 18 to the second nozzle unit 8. Supplyed (sent), and high-pressure air HA is ejected from the air ejection port 7 toward the lens surface 3. By this operation, dust or the like attached to the lens surface 3 is blown away.

  Next, if the operation switch SW is continuously operated, the air pump 14 and the washer pump P operate after waiting for the predetermined time t2. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the cleaning liquid 6 supplied (supplied) from the washer pump P (see FIG. 3) is injected from the cleaning liquid injection port 4 (see FIG. 4), and then, as shown in FIG. The movable nozzle member 10 of the second nozzle unit 8 advances and the air injection port 7 (see FIG. 4) advances to the injection position. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, high-pressure air HA is injected toward the lens surface 3 from the air injection port 7 (see FIG. 4).

  At this time, the air injection port 7 is set so that the air injection axis Z of the air to be injected is mixed with the cleaning liquid 6 (air HA) injected from the cleaning liquid injection port 4 and toward the lens surface 3. Therefore, fine particles of the cleaning liquid 6 (that is, a fluid in which the cleaning liquid 6 and the air HA are mixed) are sprayed onto the lens surface 3 together with the high-pressure air HA. As a result, the dirt adhered to the lens surface 3 is washed away.

  When the operation switch SW is released after such a cleaning operation, the operation of the washer pump P is stopped and the operation of the air pump 14 is continued for a predetermined time t4. Then, only the high-pressure air HA is blown onto the lens surface 3, and the cleaning liquid 6 attached to the lens surface 3 is blown off, so that the lens surface 3 is in a dry state.

In the above-described in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The 2nd nozzle unit 8 is provided with the movable nozzle member 10 which has the air injection port 7, and the housing member (Case 9 and the base end obstruction | occlusion member 11) which supports the movable nozzle member 10 so that a back-and-forth advance is possible. Therefore, for example, by moving the movable nozzle member 10 forward only at the time of cleaning, air HA is injected to the lens surface 3 from an angle close to the front at the time of cleaning without interfering with the sensing (imaging) of the in-vehicle camera 1 at the time of non-cleaning. Can be made. Therefore, high cleaning performance can be obtained. Further, since the housing member (the case 9 and the base end closing member 11) has an injection air introduction port 12a that communicates with the air injection port 7 of the movable nozzle member 10 in a state in which the movable nozzle member 10 has advanced, the movable nozzle member 10 The air introduced from the blast air inlet 12a in a state where the air has advanced can be ejected from the air blast port 7. Further, since the housing member (the case 9 and the base end closing member 11) has the forward air introduction port 17a communicating with the sealed chamber 16 defined by the base end portion of the movable nozzle member 10, the forward air introduction port is provided. The movable nozzle member 10 can be moved forward by the air introduced from 17a. The blast air inlet 12a and the forward air inlet 17a are provided separately, and the sealed chamber 16 is independent (not in communication) with the air blast port 7. Therefore, for example, a movable nozzle member The operation of advancing 10 and the operation of injecting air HA from the air injection port 7 can be performed independently. Therefore, for example, the waste generated when the fluid is introduced from one injection port and the fluid is ejected from the ejection port while the movable nozzle member is advanced (specifically, the fluid from the ejection port during the advancement process of the movable nozzle member). It is possible to perform the cleaning operation while avoiding waste) such as leakage, and efficiently obtain high cleaning performance. Further, for example, in the case where the fluid is injected from the injection port while the movable nozzle member is advanced by the fluid introduced from one introduction port, the fluid leaks from the injection port in the forward process of the movable nozzle member. Although there is a possibility that the movable nozzle member does not advance to the forefront, this can also be avoided.

  (2) Since the fluid ejection nozzle is the second nozzle unit 8 that ejects air from the air ejection port 7 as the fluid ejection port, for example, the effect of avoiding the above-described waste is increased. That is, for example, waste generated when air is injected from an injection port while the movable nozzle member is advanced by air introduced from one introduction port (specifically, air is discharged from the injection port during the advancement process of the movable nozzle member). The waste that the air leaks becomes more conspicuous than the case where the liquid is ejected (because air has a smaller mass and viscosity than the liquid). And since the remarkable waste can be avoided, a big effect can be acquired.

  (3) Since the fluid introduced into the forward air introduction port 17a as the forward fluid introduction port is air, for example, the backward movement of the movable nozzle member 10 can be performed smoothly. That is, since air has a lower viscosity than liquid, when the movable nozzle member 10 moves backward, it is easier to escape from the sealed chamber 16 than liquid. Therefore, the backward movement of the movable nozzle member 10 can be performed smoothly.

  (4) Since the air introduced into the sealed chamber 16 from the forward air introduction port 17a is discharged from the forward air introduction port 17a, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of openings that communicate the inside and outside of the sealed chamber 16. Therefore, it can be set as a simple housing member (case 9 and the base end obstruction | occlusion member 11).

  (5) A single air pump for supplying air to the air jet port 7a by supplying air to the jet air inlet port 12a after supplying the air to the forward air inlet port 17a and moving the movable nozzle member 10 forward. 14 is provided, a simple configuration can be achieved without requiring a plurality of electric pumps.

  (6) The air pump 14 is provided between the compression chamber 21 and the discharge port 19a, and includes a discharge valve 24 that is operated and opened by the piston 20 that moves forward. The forward air introduction port 17a is the compression chamber. 21, and the blast air inlet 12 a communicates with the discharge port 19 a (that is, with the compression chamber 21 via the discharge valve 24). Therefore, when the piston 20 is moved forward, the volume of the compression chamber 21 is reduced, the air in the compression chamber 21 is compressed, and air is supplied to the sealed chamber 16 via the forward air introduction port 17a to move. The nozzle member 10 is advanced. When the piston 20 is further moved forward, the discharge valve 24 is operated by the piston 20 to open (the compression chamber 21 communicates with the discharge port 19a), and the compressed air in the compression chamber 21 is instantaneously The air is discharged from the discharge port 19a, and the air is injected from the air injection port 7 through the injection air introduction port 12a. Therefore, specifically, the air can be ejected from the air ejection port 7 after the movable nozzle member 10 is advanced by the single air pump 14 with a simple configuration.

You may implement the said embodiment in the following aspects.
-You may make the sealed chamber 16 of the said embodiment connect with the discharge | release part which can discharge | release fluid (air) outside.

  For example, it may be changed as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 13, the proximal end blocking member 11 of this example communicates with the sealed chamber 16 while extending in the orthogonal direction of the first joint portion 12 instead of the second joint portion 17 of the above embodiment. A communication pipe 41 is provided, and a second joint portion 42 having a forward air inlet 42 a that extends in parallel with the first joint portion 12 from the intermediate portion of the communication pipe 41 and communicates with the sealed chamber 16 is provided. ing. The air pump 14 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the second joint portion 42 via the second supply pipe 18 in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

  Further, a waterproof and moisture permeable material 43 that constitutes a discharge part capable of releasing air to the outside is provided at the tip of the communication pipe 41. Specifically, an accommodation recess 41a having a diameter larger than the passage diameter of the communication tube 41 is formed at the tip of the communication tube 41, and the passage of the communication tube 41 is blocked at the bottom of the accommodation recess 41a. Further, a waterproof and moisture permeable material 43 is arranged, and an annular fixing member 44 is press-fitted and fixed so that the outer edge of the waterproof and moisture permeable material 43 is sandwiched between the bottom of the accommodation recess 41a in the accommodation recess 41a. The waterproof and moisture permeable material 43 is a material having air permeability while being waterproof. Further, the communication pipe 41 can release air to the outside through the waterproof and moisture permeable material 43, but the discharge capacity (discharge amount per unit time) of the waterproof and moisture permeable material 43 (release portion) is set to be extremely small. Has been. Specifically, when the air pump 14 (motor 23) is operated and the piston 20 is moved from the backward end position to the forward end position (that is, the position where the operating rod 24a is pressed), the water pump is waterproof so that almost no air is released. The discharge capability of the moisture permeable material 43 (release portion) is set.

  In this case, for example, even when the air pump 14 has stopped operating for some reason in a state where the piston 20 is brought into contact with the operating rod 24a or moved forward to the vicinity thereof and the movable nozzle member 10 has advanced, By gradually releasing air from the waterproof and moisture permeable material 43 to the outside, the air in the sealed chamber 16 is reduced (decompressed), and the movable nozzle member 10 is moved backward (retracted). Therefore, even when the air pump 14 stops operating for some reason, such as a failure, it can be avoided that the movable nozzle member 10 remains in the advanced state. For example, the movable nozzle member 10 is mounted on the in-vehicle camera 1. This avoids obstructing the sensing (imaging). Moreover, since the discharge | release part which has such a function was comprised with the waterproof moisture-permeable raw material 43 which has air permeability while having waterproofness, the penetration | invasion of the liquid into the sealed chamber 16 can be prevented, for example.

  Moreover, although the discharge | release part was comprised with the waterproof moisture-permeable material 43 in the said other example, if the fluid (air) of the sealed chamber 16 can be discharge | released gradually outside, for example, it will be set as a fine through-hole etc. You may change to the discharge | release part of the structure of. Moreover, you may provide discharge | release parts (the waterproof moisture-permeable material 43 and a minute through-hole) in other parts, such as the case 9, the 2nd supply pipe | tube 18, the pump case 19, etc., for example.

  In the above embodiment, the fluid ejecting nozzle is the second nozzle unit 8 that ejects air from the air ejecting port 7 as the fluid ejecting port. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the nozzle is configured to eject liquid (cleaning liquid). It may be changed.

  In the above embodiment, the air (fluid) introduced into the sealed chamber 16 from the forward air introduction port 17a is discharged from the forward air introduction port 17a. An opening for discharging the introduced fluid may be provided separately.

  In the above embodiment, after the air is supplied to the forward air introduction port 17a and the movable nozzle member 10 is advanced, the air is supplied to the injection air introduction port 12a and the air is injected from the air injection port 7. However, a pump for supplying air to the forward air introduction port 17a and a pump for supplying air to the ejection air introduction port 12a may be provided. The forward air introduction port 17a may be configured to use a liquid pump as an introduction port for introducing liquid. That is, the movable nozzle member 10 may be advanced by supplying liquid to the sealed chamber 16.

  In the above embodiment, the cleaning liquid is also ejected in addition to the air. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning apparatus that ejects only air without including the cleaning liquid ejection port 4 may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the air injection port 7 is set so that the air injection axis Z of the air HA to be injected intersects the lens surface 3 on the side closer to the air injection port 7 than the central axis Ca of the lens surface 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the air injection axis Z may be set to intersect the lens surface 3 at the position of the central axis Ca of the lens surface 3. Further, for example, the air injection axis Z may be set so as to intersect the lens surface 3 on the side farther from the air injection port 7 than the center axis Ca of the lens surface 3.

  In the above embodiment, the cleaning liquid ejection port 4 is disposed above the lens surface 3 and the air ejection port 7 is disposed on the side of the lens surface 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cleaning liquid ejection port The cleaning liquid spray port 4 and the air spray port 7 may be disposed at other positions, such as 4 is disposed on the side of the lens surface 3 and the air spray port 7 is disposed above the lens surface 3.

  In the above embodiment, the jet air introduction port 12a is configured to communicate with the air jet port 7 of the movable nozzle member 10 regardless of the forward / backward movement state of the movable nozzle member 10, but at least the movable nozzle member 10 has advanced. If it is the structure which communicates with the air injection port 7 of the movable nozzle member 10, you may change.

  -Control of the washer pump P and the air pump 14 by the control part 31 of the said embodiment may be changed suitably. For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the operation switch SW is operated, first, the control for operating only the air pump 14 is performed. However, when the operation switch SW is operated without performing such control, the washer is first operated. Both the pump P and the air pump 14 may be operated.

  -In above-mentioned embodiment, although the vehicle-mounted optical sensor was set to the vehicle-mounted camera 1 provided in the back door Ba, it is not limited to this, For example, it is concrete as other vehicle-mounted optical sensors, such as a vehicle-mounted camera provided ahead of the vehicle. May be used. Further, the object to be cleaned (sensing surface) is not limited to the lens surface 3, and may be a protective glass provided to be exposed to the outside so as to protect the in-vehicle optical sensor. As an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device for cleaning the protective glass Also good.

The technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described below.
(A) The on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sensing surface is a lens surface.

  According to this configuration, since the sensing surface is a spherical lens surface, the effect of being able to inject air from an angle close to the front is increased.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Car-mounted camera (vehicle-mounted optical sensor), 3 ... Lens surface (sensing surface), 7 ... Air injection port (fluid injection port), 8 ... Second nozzle unit (fluid injection nozzle), 9 ... Part of housing member 10 ... movable nozzle member, 11 ... base end blocking member constituting a part of the housing member, 12a ... jet air introduction port (jet fluid introduction port), 14 ... air pump, 16 ... sealed chamber, 17a, 42a ... forward air inlet (forward fluid inlet), 19 ... pump case, 19a ... discharge port, 20 ... piston, 21 ... compression chamber, 23 ... motor, 24 ... discharge valve, 43 ... waterproof and moisture permeable material ( Discharge part), S ... vehicle, HA ... air.

Claims (8)

An in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device for ejecting fluid from a fluid ejection port of a fluid ejection nozzle to a sensing surface of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle and removing foreign matter attached to the sensing surface,
The fluid ejection nozzle includes a movable nozzle member having the fluid ejection port, and a housing member that supports the movable nozzle member so as to be movable forward and backward.
The housing member communicates with an ejection fluid introduction port that communicates with the fluid ejection port of the movable nozzle member in a state where at least the movable nozzle member is advanced, and a sealed chamber defined by a proximal end portion of the movable nozzle member. And an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device having a forward fluid introduction port through which fluid can be introduced into the sealed chamber. The on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to claim 1,
The on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, wherein the fluid ejection nozzle ejects air from the fluid ejection port. The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2,
The on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid introduced into the forward fluid introduction port is air. The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, wherein the fluid introduced from the forward fluid introducing port into the sealed chamber is discharged from the forward fluid introducing port. The on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
A single air pump for supplying air to the ejection fluid introduction port and ejecting air from the fluid ejection port after supplying air to the advance fluid introduction port to advance the movable nozzle member; In-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device characterized by the above. The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to claim 5,
The air pump is
A cylindrical pump case having a discharge port;
A piston that is reciprocally movable in the pump case, and that varies a volume of a compression chamber in the pump case;
A motor for reciprocating the piston;
A discharge valve that is provided between the compression chamber and the discharge port and is opened by operating the piston that moves forward; the fluid introduction port for advance is communicated with the compression chamber; An in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, wherein the introduction port communicates with the discharge port. The on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, wherein the sealed chamber communicates with a discharge unit capable of discharging fluid to the outside. The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to claim 7,
The fluid supplied to the sealed chamber is air,
The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the discharge portion has waterproofness and air permeability.

Images