JP2018204591A - Electric pump device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electric pump device that has a small size and can feed fluid to a plurality of parts.SOLUTION: An electric pump device 11 includes: a single motor 12; a pump part 14 for discharging air from a discharge port with driving force of the motor 12; and a flow passage switching part 15 including a plurality of outlets B1 to B4 capable of being communicated to the discharge port and switching between the outlets B1 to B4 to be communicated to the discharge port with the driving force of the motor 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric pump device.

  Conventionally, as an electric pump device, a piston in a cylinder is driven by a driving force of a motor to generate compressed air, the compressed air is discharged from a discharge port of the cylinder, and a camera or the like from a nozzle port communicating with the discharge port Some in-vehicle sensors inject air into the sensing surface (lens, cover glass, etc.) (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  By the way, in recent years, a vehicle is provided with a plurality of in-vehicle sensors such as cameras, and a nozzle port may be provided for each in-vehicle sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 3). In such a case, for example, it is conceivable to provide an electric pump device for each on-vehicle sensor (for each nozzle port) and to eject fluid from each nozzle port.

  In addition, for a cover glass having a relatively large area, a plurality of nozzle openings are provided in parallel, and the fluid is branched upstream thereof so that the fluid is simultaneously ejected from the nozzle openings (see, for example, Patent Document 4). .

International Publication (WO) 2015/159963 JP2015-83830A JP 2007-53448 A JP 2002-240628 A

  However, in the configuration in which the electric pump device is provided for each nozzle port as described above, a plurality of electric pump devices are required, which increases the volume and weight, and consequently increases the cost. Further, in the configuration in which the fluid is branched and the fluid is simultaneously ejected from each nozzle port, the electric pump device can be single, but the injection amount per nozzle port is reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the size of the electric pump device, which also increases the volume and weight, which in turn increases the cost.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric pump device that is small in size and can feed fluid to a plurality of locations.

  An electric pump device that solves the above problems includes a single motor, a pump unit that discharges fluid from a discharge port by the driving force of the motor, and a plurality of outlets that can communicate with the discharge port. A flow path switching unit that switches an outlet communicated with the discharge port by a driving force.

  According to this configuration, fluid can be discharged from the discharge port of the pump unit with a single motor driving force, and the outlet that communicates with the discharge port is switched by the flow path switching unit with the same motor driving force. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to sequentially supply fluid from a plurality of outlets with a configuration having a single motor, for example, to sequentially eject fluid from a plurality of nozzle ports. That is, in the same configuration, for example, the number of electric pump devices (motors and pump units) can be reduced compared to a configuration in which an electric pump device (motor and pump unit) is provided for each nozzle port, and the fluid is branched. In comparison, the electric pump device (motor and pump unit) can be reduced in size, and the fluid can be satisfactorily supplied to a plurality of locations while being reduced in size.

  In the above electric pump device, the flow path switching unit is provided with a linear motion member that linearly operates with a driving force of the motor, the linear motion member and the linear motion direction in contact with the linear motion member, and the linear motion It is preferable to have a rotating member that rotates in the circumferential direction by being biased by a linear motion of the member and switches the outlet connected to the discharge port.

  According to this configuration, when the linear motion member is linearly operated by the driving force of the motor, the rotation member is rotated in the circumferential direction by being urged by the linear motion of the linear motion member and communicated with the discharge port. The outlet is switched. Therefore, specifically, the fluid can be sequentially fed from a plurality of outlets.

  In the electric pump device, at least one of the linear motion member and the rotation member is provided with an inclined surface that is inclined in a circumferential direction, and the linear motion of the linear motion member is rotated by the inclination surface of the rotation member. It is preferably converted into motion.

  According to this configuration, the linear motion of the linear motion member is converted into the rotational motion of the rotational member by the circumferentially inclined surface provided on at least one of the linear motion member and the rotational member, and the outlet communicates with the discharge port. Is switched. Therefore, specifically, the fluid can be sequentially fed from a plurality of outlets.

  In the electric pump device, the linear motion member is urged in one direction by the driving force of the motor and the flow path switching unit is urged to bias the linear motion member in the other direction. It is preferable to have a biasing member.

  According to this configuration, the linear motion member is operated by being urged in one direction by the driving force of the motor, and is operated by being urged in the other direction by the urging force of the urging member. If it does in this way, the drive force of a motor should just be transmitted to one direction, and the structure which carries out drive connection of a motor and a linear motion member becomes simple.

  In the electric pump device, the pump unit includes a cylinder and a piston that reciprocates within the cylinder by a driving force of the motor, and the linear member is operated by being urged by the piston. It is preferable to do.

  According to this configuration, since the linear motion member is operated by being urged by the piston of the pump unit, the piston of the pump unit also serves as a mechanism for urging the linear motion member in one direction. Compared to a configuration having a separate mechanism for biasing the member, a simple configuration can be achieved.

  The electric pump device of the present invention is small and can feed fluid to a plurality of locations.

The perspective view of the vehicle-mounted sensor cleaning apparatus in one Embodiment. The front view of the camera unit in one Embodiment. The top view of the electric pump apparatus in one Embodiment. The partial sectional view of the electric pump device in one embodiment. The partial sectional view of the electric pump device in one embodiment. The partial sectional view of the electric pump device in one embodiment. The disassembled perspective view of the flow-path switching part in one Embodiment. The partial cross section perspective view of the flow-path switching part in one Embodiment. The partial cross section perspective view of the flow-path switching part in one Embodiment. The partial cross section perspective view of the flow-path switching part in one Embodiment. The partial cross section perspective view of the flow-path switching part in one Embodiment. The partial cross section perspective view of the flow-path switching part in one Embodiment. The partial cross section perspective view of the flow-path switching part in one Embodiment. The top view of the flow-path switching part in one Embodiment. The front view of the camera unit in another example. The front view of the camera unit in another example. The front view of the camera unit in another example. The top view of the flow-path switching part in another example. (A)-(f) is a top view of the flow-path switching part in another example. The schematic block diagram of the vehicle-mounted sensor cleaning apparatus in another example. The schematic diagram of the vehicle-mounted sensor cleaning apparatus in another example. The schematic diagram of the vehicle-mounted sensor cleaning apparatus in another example.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an in-vehicle sensor cleaning device will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a camera unit 1 provided in a vehicle includes a housing 2 and an in-vehicle camera 3 as an in-vehicle sensor fixed to the housing 2, and the housing 2 is fixed to the vehicle. The housing 2 is provided with a cover glass 4 as a sensing surface exposed to the outside of the vehicle, and the in-vehicle camera 3 images the outside of the vehicle through the cover glass 4. In addition, the cover glass 4 of this embodiment is formed in the rectangular shape where the outer surface is a flat surface and the side in the horizontal direction is long with respect to the direction of gravity.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 2 includes a plurality of (first to fourth) inlets A1 to A4 (see FIG. 1) and each of the inlets A1 to A4 (independently A plurality of (first to fourth) nozzle ports N1 to N4 (see FIG. 2) communicating with each other are provided. Each of the nozzle openings N1 to N4 is opened so as to be able to eject fluid toward the cover glass 4, and is arranged in parallel along one side (upper side) of the cover glass 4 on the antigravity direction side. F1 to F4 are set so as to face the direction of gravity when viewed from the front of the cover glass 4 (in parallel). Further, the nozzle ports N1 to N4 of the present embodiment are formed so that the width becomes wider toward the opening end.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an electric pump device 11 is provided in the vehicle. The electric pump device 11 includes a single motor 12, a pump unit 14 that discharges fluid from a discharge port 13 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, with a driving force of the motor 12, and a plurality that can communicate with the discharge port 13. The first to fourth outlets B <b> 1 to B <b> 4 are provided, and the flow path switching unit 15 that switches the outlets B <b> 1 to B <b> 4 communicated with the discharge port 13 by the driving force of the motor 12 is provided. The first to fourth outlets B1 to B4 are connected to the first to fourth inlets A1 to A4 via the hose H, respectively, and when the electric pump device 11 is driven, the first to fourth outlets are connected. It is possible to sequentially eject air (compressed air) as a fluid from the nozzle ports N1 to N4.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the motor 12 includes a motor body 18 in which an armature 16 is accommodated in a yoke 17, a worm 20 that rotates integrally with a rotating shaft 19 of the armature 16, and the worm 20. A meshing worm wheel 21 has a speed reducing portion 23 housed in a gear housing 22.

  The pump unit 14 includes a cylindrical cylinder 24 that is formed integrally with the gear housing 22, and a piston 25 that reciprocates within the cylinder 24 by the driving force of the motor 12. The piston 25 is rotatably connected to the other end of the transmission rod 26 whose one end is rotatably connected to a position shifted from the axial center of the worm wheel 21, so that the motor 12 is driven and the worm wheel 21 is driven. When it rotates, it reciprocates in the axial direction of the cylinder 24.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a cylinder end 27 is fixed to one end opening of the cylinder 24. A through hole 27 a is formed at the center of the cylinder end 27, and the cylinder outside end of the through hole 27 a serves as the discharge port 13. A valve portion 32 formed integrally with a linear motion member 31 described later is urged toward the discharge port 13 by a compression coil spring 33 as an urging member described later, and a shaft portion 32a extending from the valve portion 32 is provided. Is arranged so as to penetrate the through hole 27a (so that the tip side protrudes into the cylinder 24). A seal rubber 34 is fixed to the side of the valve portion 32 facing the discharge port 13 so as to be fitted on the shaft portion 32a.

  Therefore, when the piston 25 is moved forward, the pump portion 14 is urged by the shaft portion 32 a by the piston 25, and the valve portion 32 opens against the urging force of the compression coil spring 33. Compressed air is discharged from.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the flow path switching unit 15 includes a substantially bottomed cylindrical case 35 fixed to the outer edge of the cylinder end 27 of the pump unit 14, and the straight section accommodated in the case 35. It has the moving member 31, the linear motion rotation member 36, the rotation switching member 37, and the compression coil springs 33 and 38 from which a diameter differs. In the present embodiment, the linear motion rotating member 36 and the rotation switching member 37 constitute a rotating member. In the present embodiment, a part of the cylinder end 27 constitutes a part of the flow path switching unit 15.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the cylinder end 27 is formed with a cylindrical portion 27b that is fitted into the proximal end side of the case 35, and protrudes radially inward from the distal end side of the cylindrical portion 27b. A plurality of fixed convex portions 27c are formed in the circumferential direction extending in the axial direction. Note that twelve fixed protrusions 27c of the present embodiment are formed at equiangular (30 °) intervals in the circumferential direction. An inclined surface 27d that is inclined in the circumferential direction (specifically, the height in the axial direction is lowered toward the clockwise direction when viewed from the distal end side) is formed on the distal end surface of each fixed convex portion 27c.

  Further, the first to fourth outlets B1 to B4 (see FIG. 7) are formed at equiangular (90 °) intervals on the bottom 35a, which is the end of the case 35 opposite to the cylinder end 27. Yes. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a cylindrical large-diameter cylindrical portion 35b extending toward the cylinder end 27 is formed in the center of the bottom portion 35a, and a small diameter is formed at the tip of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 35b. Thus, a bottomed cylindrical small-diameter cylindrical portion 35c extending further to the cylinder end 27 side is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the linear motion member 31 includes a disk part 31a extending radially outward from the outer edge of the valve part 32, a cylinder part 31b extending in the axial direction from the outer edge of the disk part 31a, and the cylinder part. A plurality of linearly-moving convex portions 31c are provided in a circumferential direction that protrudes radially outward from the tip side of 31b and extends in the axial direction. Note that twelve linearly-moving convex portions 31c of the present embodiment are formed at equiangular (30 °) intervals in the circumferential direction. This linearly-moving convex part 31c is arranged between the fixed convex parts 27c in the circumferential direction, and is provided so as to be immovable in the circumferential direction and movable in the axial direction with respect to the fixed convex part 27c. Only the linear motion of the member 31 is allowed. An inclined surface 31d that is inclined in the circumferential direction (specifically, the height in the axial direction is lowered toward the clockwise side when viewed from the tip side) is formed on the tip surface of each linearly moving convex portion 31c. . The disk portion 31a has a plurality of air holes 31e through which air passes. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the linear motion member 31 has the valve portion 32 by the compression coil spring 33 that is externally fitted to the small diameter cylindrical portion 35c and supported by a step with the large diameter cylindrical portion 35b. At the same time, it is biased toward the cylinder end 27 (discharge port 13).

  The linear motion rotation member 36 includes a cylindrical portion 36a having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical portion 31b of the linear motion member 31, and an inner portion extending radially inward from the base end side (the discharge port 13 side) of the cylindrical portion 36a. It has the extending part 36b (refer FIG. 4) and the some linear motion rotation convex part 36c in the circumferential direction which protrudes to a radial direction outer side from the front end side of the said cylinder part 36a. It should be noted that six linear motion rotating projections 36c of the present embodiment are formed at equiangular (60 °) intervals in the circumferential direction. An inclined surface 36d that is inclined in the circumferential direction (specifically, along the inclined surface 27d of the fixed convex portion 27c and the inclined surface 31d of the linear motion convex portion 31c) is formed on the base end surface of each linearly rotating convex portion 36c. Is formed. The linearly rotating member 36 is accommodated in the cylindrical part 31b of the linearly moving member 31 at the base end side of the cylindrical part 36a, and the linearly rotating convex part 36c is connected to the inclined surface 27d of the fixed convex part 27c and the linearly moving part. It is provided so that it can contact | abut with the inclined surface 31d of the convex part 31c in an axial direction, respectively. Further, the linear motion rotation convex portion 36c can be disposed between the fixed convex portions 27c in the circumferential direction in a state where the linear motion rotation member 36 is on the discharge port 13 side. In this state, the linear motion rotation member 36 is In a state where only a linear motion is allowed and the linear motion rotating member 36 is on the side opposite to the discharge port 13, the linear motion rotating member 36 is also permitted to rotate.

  The rotation switching member 37 includes an accommodation cylinder portion 37a that can accommodate the distal end side of the linear motion rotation member 36, and a disk portion that extends radially inward from the distal end side of the accommodation cylinder portion 37a and faces the bottom portion 35a of the case 35. 37b. In addition, a plurality (six) of engaging convex portions 37c (see FIG. 4) that are engaged with the linearly-rotating convex portions 36c in the circumferential direction are provided on the inner surface of the accommodating cylinder portion 37a in the circumferential direction. 37 is provided so as to be able to rotate integrally with the linear motion rotary member 36 (relative rotation is impossible) and to be movable in the linear motion direction with respect to the linear motion rotary member 36. A compression coil spring 38 is interposed between the disk portion 37b of the rotation switching member 37 and the inwardly extending portion 36b of the linear motion rotation member 36 in a compressed state. Thereby, the rotation switching member 37 (disk part 37b) is pressed and contacted with the bottom part 35a of the case 35, and the linear motion rotating member 36 is urged toward the discharge port 13 side. The disk portion 37b is provided with a communication hole 37d, and the rotation switching member 37 closes (communicates) at least one of the first to fourth outlets B1 to B4 according to the rotation position. The outlets B1 to B4 communicated with the discharge port 13 can be switched.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 14, three communication holes 37d of this embodiment are formed at equiangular (120 °) intervals, and different outlets B1 to B4 are sequentially provided every 30 ° rotation. It is configured to communicate with the discharge port 13 through one communication hole 37d. That is, in the state shown in FIG. 14, the communication hole 37d is in a position coincident with the first outlet B1, and the first outlet B1 communicates with the discharge port 13 (see FIG. 4) through the communication hole 37d. The second to fourth outlets B2 to B4 are closed by the disk portion 37b and are not in communication with the discharge port 13. Then, from the state shown in FIG. 14, for example, when the rotation switching member 37 is rotated 30 ° counterclockwise, the communication hole 37d (upper left in FIG. 14) is in a position that coincides with the second outlet B2, The second outlet B2 is communicated with the discharge port 13 through the communication hole 37d. Then, when the rotation switching member 37 further rotates 30 ° counterclockwise from that state, the communication hole 37d (upper right in FIG. 14) is positioned to coincide with the third outlet B3, and the third outlet B3 The discharge port 13 communicates with the communication hole 37d. Then, when the rotation switching member 37 further rotates 30 ° counterclockwise from that state, the communication hole 37d (lower in FIG. 14) becomes a position coincident with the fourth outlet B4, and the fourth outlet B4 The discharge port 13 communicates with the communication hole 37d. Then, when the rotation switching member 37 further rotates 30 ° counterclockwise from that state, the communication hole 37d (upper left in FIG. 14) becomes a position coincident with the first outlet B1, and the first outlet B1 The outlet B1 communicates with the discharge port 13 through the communication hole 37d, and the outlets B1 to B4 are sequentially communicated with the discharge port 13 through the communication hole 37d by such repetition. In addition, the inclined surfaces 27d, 31d, and 36d of the present embodiment are illustrated with their inclination directions reversed, and do not correspond to the rotation direction of the rotation switching member 37 described above.

Next, the operation of the above-described on-vehicle sensor cleaning device will be described.
First, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, when the piston 25 is in the bottom dead position (the position farthest from the cylinder end 27), the linear motion member 31 is on the cylinder end 27 side, and the discharge port 13 is the valve. It is blocked by the part 32. Further, in this state, the linear motion convex portion 31c of the linear motion member 31 is buried between the fixed convex portions 27c, and the linear motion rotation convex portion 36c of the linear motion rotation member 36 enters between the fixed convex portions 27c. Thus, the movement (rotation) in the circumferential direction of the linear motion rotation member 36 and the rotation switching member 37 is restricted.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the motor 12 is driven and the piston 25 is moved forward, the air in the cylinder 24 is compressed until the piston 25 comes into contact with the shaft portion 32 a of the linear motion member 31. .

  Next, when the piston 25 is further moved forward, the shaft portion 32 a is biased by the piston 25, and the linear motion member 31 including the valve portion 32 resists the biasing force of the compression coil spring 33. When a slight linear movement is made to the distal end side (the bottom 35a side of the case 35), the valve portion 32 opens and compressed air is discharged from the discharge port 13. At this time, for example, air is jetted from the first outlet B1 that is located at the position coincident with the communication hole 37d and communicates with the discharge port 13. Then, the air is supplied to the first inlet A1 via the hose H (see FIG. 1), and is injected toward the cover glass 4 from the first nozzle port N1 (see FIG. 2). At this time, the linear motion rotating member 36 is also urged against the urging force of the compression coil spring 38 (the bottom portion 35a of the case 35) by urging the linear motion convex portion 36c to the linear motion convex portion 31c. Side) slightly linearly.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the linear motion member 31 (linear motion convex portion 31 c) further linearly moves toward the distal end by the forward movement of the piston 25, the linear motion rotation is performed at a preset position. The linear motion rotating member 36 also moves linearly toward the distal end side (the bottom 35a side of the case 35) until the convex portion 36c does not contact the fixed convex portion 27c in the circumferential direction.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, when the linear motion member 31 (linear motion convex portion 31c) further linearly moves to the distal end side by the forward movement of the piston 25, the linear motion rotation exceeds the preset position. The convex portion 36c does not contact the fixed convex portion 27c in the circumferential direction, and the linear motion is converted into a rotational motion by the inclined surfaces 31d and 36d, and the linear motion rotating member 36 and the rotation switching member 37 rotate.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the linear motion rotating convex portion 36 c of the linear motion rotating member 36 is in a state of being aligned with the fixed convex portion 27 c in the axial direction (a state where the circumferential position is matched).
Then, as shown in FIG. 12, when the piston 25 is moved backward and the linearly moving convex portion 31c of the linearly moving member 31 is buried between the fixed convex portions 27c, the compression coil is formed by the inclined surfaces 27d and 36d. The linear motion by the spring 38 is converted into a rotational motion, and the linear motion rotation member 36 and the rotation switching member 37 further rotate.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the linearly rotating convex portion 36 c of the linearly rotating member 36 enters between the adjacent fixed convex portions 27 c in the initial state (see FIG. 8), and linearly rotates. Movement (rotation) in the circumferential direction of the member 36 and the rotation switching member 37 is restricted. At this time, for example, the communication hole 37d is positioned to coincide with the second outlet B2, and when the valve is opened next, air is injected from the second outlet B2 communicated with the discharge port 13. Become.

  By repeating such an operation, air is sequentially ejected from the first to fourth nozzle openings N1 to N4 in a preset order. In the present embodiment, the preset order is an order in which each nozzle port N1 to N4 is selected one by one and each nozzle port N1 to N4 is selected once, and the pattern is A pattern from one end side in the juxtaposition direction (right side in FIG. 2, first nozzle port N1) to the other end side (left side in FIG. 2, fourth nozzle port N4) one by one. It is said that.

Next, the effect of the said embodiment is described below.
(1) The electric pump device 11 includes a pump unit 14 that discharges air from the discharge port 13 by the driving force of the motor 12, and first to fourth outlets B1 to B4 that can communicate with the discharge port 13. A flow path switching unit 15 that switches the outlets B <b> 1 to B <b> 4 communicated with the discharge port 13 with a driving force of 12 is provided. Therefore, an outlet that can discharge fluid from the discharge port 13 of the pump unit 14 with the driving force of the single motor 12 and communicates with the discharge port 13 with the driving force of the same motor 12 by the flow path switching unit 15. B1 to B4 can be switched. Therefore, air can be sequentially supplied from the plurality of outlets B1 to B4 with the configuration having the single motor 12, and for example, air is sequentially injected from the plurality of nozzle ports N1 to N4 as in the present embodiment. be able to. That is, in the same configuration, for example, the number of the electric pump devices 11 can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which an electric pump device (motor and pump unit) is provided for each of the nozzle openings N1 to N4, compared to a configuration in which air is branched. The electric pump device 11 can be reduced in size, and air can be supplied to a plurality of locations while being reduced in size.

  (2) The linear motion member 31 is urged in one direction by the driving force of the motor 12 and is operated in the other direction by the urging force of the compression coil spring 33. In this way, the driving force of the motor 12 only needs to be transmitted in one direction, and the configuration for drivingly connecting the motor 12 and the linear motion member 31 is simplified. That is, as in the present embodiment, a simple configuration can be obtained in which the linear motion member 31 only needs to be urged only when the piston 25 moves forward.

  (3) Since the linear motion member 31 is operated by being urged by the piston 25 of the pump unit 14, a mechanism in which the piston 25 of the pump unit 14 urges the linear motion member 31 in one direction (discharges air). For example, compared to a configuration having a separate mechanism for biasing the linear motion member 31, a simple configuration can be achieved.

  (4) Fluid supply from the discharge port 13 of the pump unit 14 to the outlets B1 to B4 before the linear motion rotation member 36 and the rotation switching member 37 are rotated in the circumferential direction by the linear motion of the linear motion member 31. Therefore, before the outlets B1 to B4 communicated with the discharge port 13 are switched, the supply of air from the outlets B1 to B4 is completed. That is, air is not jetted while the outlets B1 to B4 are being switched.

  (5) Since the cover glass 4 of the in-vehicle camera 3 is washed by injecting air from the first to fourth nozzle openings N1 to N4 in a preset order, air is supplied to the nozzle openings N1 to N4. It is possible to reduce the size while using a single electric pump device 11 for feeding.

  (6) Since the preset order is an order in which each nozzle opening N1 to N4 is selected one by one and each nozzle opening N1 to N4 is selected once, each nozzle opening N1 to N1 is repeated. The cover glass 4 can be sequentially and evenly washed with the air jetted from N4. Moreover, since the said pattern is a pattern which goes to the other end side one by one from the one end side of the juxtaposition direction of the 1st to 4th nozzle ports N1-N4, the cover glass 4 is taken from the one end side of the said juxtaposition direction. It can wash | clean uniformly in order toward the other end side.

  (7) The first to fourth nozzle openings N1 to N4 are open toward the single cover glass 4, and the injection axes F1 to F4 of the air injected from the nozzle openings N1 to N4 are coaxial. Since it is set in a direction that is not, a wide area of the cover glass 4 can be cleaned well.

  (8) Since the first to fourth nozzle openings N1 to N4 are arranged on the antigravity direction side of the cover glass 4, it is possible to inject air toward the gravitational direction and inject against gravity. Compared to the case, the cover glass 4 can be cleaned more favorably.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows.
In the above embodiment, the nozzle ports N1 to N4 are set so that the injection axes F1 to F4 face the direction of gravity when viewed from the front of the cover glass 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may set so that axis line F1-F4 may incline with respect to the gravity direction seeing from the front of the cover glass 4. FIG.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the nozzle ports N <b> 1 to N <b> 4 are changed so that the injection axes F <b> 1 to F <b> 4 are inclined toward the other end direction in the parallel arrangement direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 15). May be. If it does in this way, the dirt on cover glass 4 will be sequentially driven to the other end side in the above-mentioned arrangement direction, and cover glass 4 can be washed favorably.

  In the above embodiment, the first to fourth nozzle openings N1 to N4 are arranged on the antigravity direction side of the cover glass 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cover glass 4 is arranged on the gravity direction side. It may be arranged and set so that the injection axis is directed in the antigravity direction.

In the above embodiment, the first to fourth nozzle openings N1 to N4 (outlets B1 to B4) are used. However, the number may be plural, and may be changed to other numbers.
For example, as shown in FIG. 16, it is good also as a structure which has the 1st-5th nozzle ports N1-N5. In this example, the pattern of the order of jetting air starts from the center position in the juxtaposed direction of the nozzle ports N1 to N5, and is switched to one end side and the other end side in the juxtaposed direction alternately. The pattern is directed toward the end in the parallel direction. If it does in this way, the cover glass 4 can be sequentially wash | cleaned toward the both ends from the center position of the said juxtaposition direction.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 17, you may change the setting of the injection axis F1-F5 of the 1st-5th nozzle openings N1-N5 in the said another example (refer FIG. 16). That is, in this example (see FIG. 17), the injection axis F1 of the first nozzle port N1 at the center position in the juxtaposition direction is not inclined in the juxtaposition direction. The second and fourth nozzle ports N2 and N4 on one end side in the juxtaposed direction have their injection axes F2 and F4 inclined toward one end direction in the juxtaposed direction, and the other end in the juxtaposed direction. The third and fifth nozzle ports N3 and N5 on the side have their injection axes F3 and F5 inclined toward the other end direction in the parallel arrangement direction. If it does in this way, the dirt on cover glass 4 will be driven away from the center in the juxtaposition direction to both ends one by one, and cover glass 4 can be washed favorably.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 18, in the case of having five nozzle ports N1 to N5 as in the other examples (see FIGS. 16 and 17), the flow path switching unit 15 includes first to fifth outlets B1 to B1. It is necessary to set it as the structure which has B5. Specifically, in this example (see FIG. 18), the flow path switching unit 15 has first to fifth outlets B1 to B5 at equiangular (72 °) intervals, and the communication hole of the rotation switching member 37 Two 37d are formed at equiangular (180 °) intervals, and each time the rotation switching member 37 rotates 36 °, different outlets B1 to B5 are sequentially communicated with one communication hole 37d. The state shown in FIG. 18 is a state in which the first outlet B1 communicates with the communication hole 37d. When the rotation switching member 37 is rotated 36 ° in the clockwise direction from that state, each time it is rotated. The second to fifth outlets B2 to B5 are configured to communicate with the communication hole 37d in that order.

Moreover, you may change the number of outlets (nozzle opening) and the pattern of the order which injects air, for example, as shown to Fig.19 (a)-(f).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19A, the flow path switching unit 15 includes first and second outlets B1 and B2 separated by 150 °, and the communication hole 37d of the rotation switching member 37 is equal. Six may be formed at an angle (60 °) interval, and different outlets B1, B2 may be sequentially communicated with one communication hole 37d each time the rotation switching member 37 rotates 30 °.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.19 (b), the flow-path switching part 15 has 1st-3rd outlets B1-B3 at equiangular (120 degree) space | intervals, and the communication hole 37d of the rotation switching member 37 is formed. Four outlets may be formed at equiangular (90 °) intervals, and different outlets B1 to B3 may be sequentially communicated with one communication hole 37d each time the rotation switching member 37 rotates 30 °.

  As shown in FIG. 19C, the flow path switching unit 15 has first and second outlets B1 and B2 separated by 135 °, and the communication hole 37d of the rotation switching member 37 is equiangular (90 It may be configured such that four outlets are formed at intervals and different outlets B1 and B2 are sequentially communicated with one communication hole 37d each time the rotation switching member 37 rotates 45 °.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.19 (d), the flow-path switching part 15 has 1st-4th outlets B1-B4 by equiangular (90 degree) space | interval, and the communication hole 37d of the rotation switching member 37 is the same. The two outlets B1 to B4 may be formed so as to be spaced apart from each other by 135 °, and each time the rotation switching member 37 rotates 45 °, the different outlets B1 to B4 sequentially communicate with the one communication hole 37d. In this example, the outlets B1 to B4 (nozzle ports) communicated with the communication hole 37d do not repeat the pattern selected once. Specifically, when the rotation switching member 37 is rotated 45 degrees clockwise from the state of FIG. 19D, the first outlet B1, the second outlet B2, the third outlet B3, the first The outlet B1, the fourth outlet B4, the third outlet B3, the second outlet B2, and the fourth outlet B4 communicate with the communication hole 37d in this order.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.19 (e), the flow-path switching part 15 has 1st-3rd outlets B1-B3 by equiangular (120 degree) space | interval, and the communication hole 37d of the rotation switching member 37 is the same. Three outlets B1 to B3 are sequentially formed each time the rotation switching member 37 is rotated by 40 °, which is formed by separating from the reference communication hole 37d by 40 ° clockwise and by 160 ° counterclockwise. You may comprise so that it may connect with the one communication hole 37d. In this example, the outlets B1 to B3 (nozzle ports) communicating with the communication hole 37d do not repeat the pattern selected once. Specifically, when the rotation switching member 37 is rotated 40 degrees clockwise from the state of FIG. 19 (e), the first outlet B1, the second outlet B2, the third outlet B3, the third The outlet B3, the first outlet B1, the second outlet B2, the second outlet B2, the third outlet B3, and the first outlet B1 communicate with the communication hole 37d in this order.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.19 (f), the flow-path switching part 15 has 1st-6th outlets B1-B6 at equiangular (60 degree) space | intervals, and the communication hole 37d of the rotation switching member 37 is formed. Two outlets B <b> 1 to B <b> 6 may be formed so as to be communicated with one communication hole 37 d in sequence every time the rotation switching member 37 is rotated by 30 degrees. In this example, the outlets B1 to B6 (nozzle ports) communicated with the communication hole 37d do not repeat the pattern selected once. Specifically, when the rotation switching member 37 is rotated 30 ° clockwise from the state of FIG. 19F, the first outlet B1, the second outlet B2, the third outlet B3, the fourth Outlet B4, fifth outlet B5, first outlet B1, sixth outlet B6, third outlet B3, second outlet B2, fifth outlet B5, fourth outlet B4, sixth outlet It communicates with the communication hole 37d in the order of B6.

  -In above-mentioned embodiment, although the electric pump apparatus 11 was set as the structure in which the motor 12, the pump part 14, and the flow-path switching part 15 were provided integrally, it is not limited to this, They are provided integrally. It is good also as a structure which is not (provided with the different housing | casing).

  For example, as schematically shown in FIG. 20, the motor 51 and the first pump unit 52 are integrally provided, the second pump unit 53 and the flow path switching unit 54 are integrally provided, and these are hose. It may be configured to communicate with H2. In this example, for example, the first pump unit 52 is a centrifugal pump, and the second pump unit 53 is a cylinder type in which the piston 55 is driven by the air from the first pump unit 52.

  The flow path switching unit 15 of the above embodiment has a plurality of outlets that can communicate with the discharge port of the pump unit, and can switch the outlet communicated with the discharge port by the driving force of the motor that drives the pump unit. It may be changed to other configurations.

  In the above embodiment, the linear motion member 31 is operated by being urged in one direction by the driving force of the motor 12 and operated by being urged in the other direction by the urging force of the compression coil spring 33. However, it is not limited to this, For example, it is good also as a structure which operate | moves in one direction and another direction with the drive force of a motor.

  In the above embodiment, the linear motion member 31 is configured to operate by being urged by the piston 25 of the pump unit 14, but is not limited thereto. For example, the linear motion member 31 is driven by the driving force of the motor 12. It is good also as a structure which has the mechanism to energize separately.

  In the above embodiment, the first to fourth nozzle openings N1 to N4 jet air toward the single cover glass 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of sensing surfaces (cover glass and It is good also as what injects air to a lens etc., respectively. The on-vehicle sensor cleaning device is not limited to air, and may be cleaned by injecting a fluid such as a cleaning liquid.

  For example, it may be changed as shown in FIG. That is, the electric pump device 11 has first and second outlets B1 and B2 (see FIG. 19C), and the first and second outlets communicated with the first and second outlets B1 and B2, respectively. The nozzle openings N1 and N2 may inject air toward the lenses 61a and 62a as sensing surfaces of the two in-vehicle cameras 61 and 62, respectively.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 22, you may change. That is, the electric pump device 11 has first to fifth outlets B1 to B5 (see FIG. 18), and the first to fourth nozzle ports communicated with the first to fourth outlets B1 to B4, respectively. N1 to N4 are the same as those in the above embodiment (injecting air to one cover glass 4), and the fifth nozzle port N5 communicating with the fifth outlet B5 is a separately provided on-vehicle camera 63. The air may be jetted toward the lens 63a.

In the above embodiment, the cover glass 4 is assumed to have a flat outer surface. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cover glass 4 may be a curved surface having a curved outer surface.
In the above embodiment, although not particularly mentioned, the operation may be continued until the cycle is completed at the time of stopping by setting the air to be injected from all the nozzle ports N1 to N4 as a cycle. Specifically, for example, the control device that controls the electric pump device 11 always injects air from the first outlet B1 at the time of starting, and receives a signal indicating that the operation is stopped. The motor 12 may be driven until air is injected from the outlet B4 (at the end of the cycle). In this way, for example, the sensing surface corresponding to each of the nozzle openings N1 to N4 can be evenly cleaned without causing the operation to end without cleaning some sensing surfaces when operated. .

The technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment and other examples will be described below together with the effects thereof.
(A) In the electric pump device according to claim 3, the rotating member is provided so as to be able to contact the linear motion member in the linear motion direction thereof, and is urged by the linear motion of the linear motion member. Thus, the linear motion member moves linearly with the linear motion member to a preset position and rotates in the circumferential direction when the preset position is exceeded, and is provided so as to be integrally rotatable with the linear motion rotation member. A rotation switching member which is provided so as to be movable in the linear motion direction with the linear motion rotation member, and which switches at least one of the outlets and switches the outlet communicated with the discharge port according to the rotation position thereof. An electric pump device characterized by the above.

  According to this configuration, when the linear motion member is linearly operated by the driving force of the motor, the linear motion rotating member is energized by the linear motion of the linear motion member so that the linear motion rotation member is moved to a preset position together with the linear motion member. When it moves linearly and exceeds a preset position, it rotates in the circumferential direction. Then, when the linear motion rotation member rotates, the rotation switching member rotates integrally, and at least one of the outlets is closed according to the rotation position, and the outlet communicated with the discharge port is switched. Therefore, specifically, the fluid can be sequentially fed from a plurality of outlets.

  (B) The electric pump device according to claim 2, wherein the fluid from the discharge port of the pump unit to the outlet is in a state before the rotating member is rotated in the circumferential direction by the linear motion of the linear motion member. An electric pump device characterized in that it is set to complete the feeding.

  According to this configuration, since the rotation member is set so that the fluid supply from the discharge port of the pump unit to the outlet is completed before the rotation member rotates in the circumferential direction by the linear motion of the linear motion member, the rotation member rotates. Before the member rotates and the outlet communicated with the discharge port is switched, the fluid supply from the outlet is completed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12,51 ... Motor, 13 ... Discharge port, 14 ... Pump part, 15, 54 ... Flow path switching part, 24 ... Cylinder, 25, 55 ... Piston, 31 ... Linear motion member, 31d, 36d ... Inclined surface, 33 ... Compression coil spring (biasing member), 36... Direct acting rotation member constituting a part of the rotation member, 37... Rotation switching member constituting a part of the rotation member, 52, 53. Pump part), B1-B6 ... 1st to 6th outlet.

Claims (5)

With a single motor,
A pump unit that discharges fluid from a discharge port by the driving force of the motor;
An electric pump device comprising: a plurality of outlets that can communicate with the discharge port; and a flow path switching unit that switches an outlet communicated with the discharge port by a driving force of the motor. The electric pump device according to claim 1,
The flow path switching unit is
A linear member that linearly moves with the driving force of the motor;
A rotating member that is provided so as to be able to abut on the linear motion member and the linear motion direction thereof, and that rotates in the circumferential direction by being urged by the linear motion of the linear motion member to switch the outlet communicated with the discharge port. An electric pump device characterized by comprising: The electric pump device according to claim 2,
At least one of the linear motion member and the rotating member is provided with an inclined surface that is inclined in the circumferential direction, and the linear motion of the linear motion member is converted into the rotational motion of the rotating member by the inclined surface. Electric pump device. The electric pump device according to claim 2 or 3,
The linear motion member is urged in one direction by the driving force of the motor and operates.
The electric path switching unit includes an urging member that urges the linear motion member in the other direction. The electric pump device according to claim 4,
The pump unit has a cylinder and a piston that reciprocates within the cylinder by the driving force of the motor,
The electric pump device, wherein the linear motion member is operated by being urged by the piston.