JP2022054817A - Deposit removal device and deposit removal method - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable a deposit removal device to be attached to a narrow space without impairing the appearance.SOLUTION: A deposit removal device according to an embodiment includes a nozzle and a first movable part. The nozzle is disposed so that an injection port for injecting a fluid to a detection surface of a sensor is oriented to a body part of the sensor. The first movable part moves the sensor in an optical axis direction so that the injection port is relatively exposed to the side of the detection surface when the fluid is injected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The disclosed embodiments relate to a deposit removing device and a deposit removing method.

Conventionally, a deposit removing device for removing deposits adhering to a lens by injecting a fluid such as a cleaning liquid or compressed air from a nozzle having an injection port toward the lens of an in-vehicle camera has been known (for example, a patent). See Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-000599

However, the above-mentioned prior art has room for further improvement in that it can be mounted in a narrow space without spoiling the appearance.

For example, when retrofitting a conventional debris removal device to an existing in-vehicle camera, it is necessary to arrange a nozzle injection port toward the lens, but for that purpose, the injection port is located near the exposed surface of the existing in-vehicle camera. It is necessary to secure the placement space for.

However, in many vehicles, the clearance between the exposed surface of the vehicle-mounted camera and the opening on the vehicle side that exposes the exposed surface is often narrowed, and it is difficult to secure a space for arranging the injection port. Further, the above-mentioned opening is formed in, for example, a garnish, but there is a design problem in expanding the opening by scraping it.

One aspect of the embodiment is made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a deposit removing device and a deposit removing method that can be attached to a narrow space without spoiling the appearance. ..

The deposit removing device according to one embodiment includes a nozzle and a first movable portion. The nozzle is arranged so that the injection port for injecting the fluid toward the detection surface of the sensor faces the main body of the sensor. The first movable portion moves the sensor in the optical axis direction so that the injection port is relatively exposed to the side of the detection surface when the fluid is injected.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, it can be mounted in a narrow space without spoiling the appearance.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle provided with an in-vehicle camera. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA'shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a deposit removing device according to a comparative example. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing problems when the deposit removing device according to the comparative example is retrofitted. FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view of the deposit removing method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory view of the deposit removing method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram (No. 1) showing a configuration example of the deposit removing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram (No. 2) showing a configuration example of the deposit removing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram (No. 1) showing a configuration example of the deposit removing device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram (No. 2) showing a configuration example of the deposit removing device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram (No. 1) showing a configuration example of the deposit removing device according to the modified example of the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram (No. 2) showing a configuration example of the deposit removing device according to the modified example of the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the deposit removing apparatus and the deposit removing method disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below.

Further, in the following, a case where the camera to which the deposit removing device is attached is an in-vehicle camera 5 mounted on the vehicle V will be described as an example. It is assumed that the vehicle-mounted camera 5 is a rear camera that is arranged at the rear of the vehicle V and photographs the rear of the vehicle V.

First, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle V provided with an in-vehicle camera 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle-mounted camera 5 is installed, for example, at a position above the license plate 93 at the rear of the vehicle V and substantially at the center of the vehicle V in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle-mounted camera 5 captures, for example, a back view image behind the vehicle V from such a position.

Subsequently, FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA'shown in FIG. Note that FIG. 2 illustrates an in-vehicle camera 5 that does not have a nozzle for ejecting a fluid for convenience of explanation.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the rear part of the vehicle V, the license plate 93 is attached to the metal body panel 91. Further, in the upper part of the license plate 93, a garnish 92 made of, for example, resin is attached to the vehicle body panel 91.

A space 94 in which parts and the like can be placed is formed between the vehicle body panel 91 and the garnish 92. The bottom surface 92a of the garnish 92 is provided so that its plane direction is substantially parallel to, for example, the horizontal direction. A garnish hole 92b is opened in the bottom surface 92a.

The vehicle-mounted camera 5 is supported with respect to the vehicle body panel 91 via, for example, a bracket 7. The bracket 7 is fixed so as to cover the body hole 91a opened in the vehicle body panel 91. The vehicle-mounted camera 5 is attached to the bracket 7 and is supported by the bracket 7 in a state where the optical axis direction is tilted with respect to the vertical direction so that the rear of the vehicle V can be imaged.

The base end side of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 is arranged inside the vehicle, and wiring is connected. The tip side is arranged on the space 94 side, and the lens 5a is exposed from the garnish hole 92b. The clearance between the vehicle-mounted camera 5 and the garnish 92 may be about several millimeters depending on the type of the vehicle V, and is almost closed.

Here, the deposit removing device 10 according to the comparative example of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the deposit removing device 10 according to the comparative example. As shown in FIG. 3, the deposit removing device 10 includes a nozzle 11 and an injection mechanism 12.

The nozzle 11 is connected to the injection mechanism 12 and injects the fluid delivered from the injection mechanism 12 toward the lens 5a of the vehicle-mounted camera 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle 11 is formed so as to be able to be in close contact with the outer shape of the upper portion of the main body 5b of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 with resin or the like and to have a low profile.

Further, the nozzle 11 is arranged so that the injection port 11a can inject fluid from the side toward the lens 5a of the vehicle-mounted camera 5. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle 11 is formed so that the injection port 11a hangs down toward the lens 5a. Then, the nozzle 11 is integrally fixed to the bracket 7 with the vehicle-mounted camera 5.

The injection mechanism 12 generates, for example, compressed air as a fluid, and the nozzle 11 is triggered by a case where adhesion of deposits to the lens 5a is detected by a detection device (not shown), a case where a user's manual operation is accepted, or the like. The generated compressed air is injected toward the lens 5a via the lens 5a.

Here, consider a case where the deposit removing device 10 according to the comparative example is retrofitted to the vehicle-mounted camera 5. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing problems when the deposit removing device 10 according to the comparative example is retrofitted.

When the deposit removing device 10 according to the comparative example is retrofitted to the existing vehicle-mounted camera 5, it is necessary to arrange the injection port 11a of the nozzle 11 toward the lens 5a as described above, but for that purpose, the vehicle-mounted camera 5 It is necessary to secure an arrangement space for the injection port 11a in the vicinity of the exposed surface of the above.

However, as already described, in many vehicle Vs, the clearance between the opening of the garnish 92 that exposes the vehicle-mounted camera 5 and the vehicle-mounted camera 5 is often narrowed. That is, as shown on the left side of FIG. 4, there is no gap for arranging the nozzle 11 integrally with the vehicle-mounted camera 5. On the other hand, as shown on the right side of FIG. 4, it is conceivable to cut the garnish 92 to widen the opening, but there may be a design problem.

Therefore, in the method for removing deposits according to the embodiment, as the first embodiment, the nozzle 11 is set so that the injection port 11a for injecting the fluid toward the lens 5a of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 faces the main body portion 5b of the vehicle-mounted camera 5. The in-vehicle camera 5 is moved in the optical axis direction so that the injection port 11a is relatively exposed to the side of the lens 5a when the fluid is injected.

In addition, as a second embodiment, when the fluid is injected, the nozzle 11 is moved so that the injection port 11a approaches the center of the lens 5a. The deposit removing device to which the deposit removing method according to the first embodiment is applied is hereinafter referred to as a deposit removing device 10A. Further, the deposit removing device to which the deposit removing method according to the second embodiment is applied is hereinafter referred to as a deposit removing device 10B.

FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view of the deposit removing method according to the first embodiment. Further, FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory view of the deposit removing method according to the second embodiment.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, first, in the deposit removing method according to the first embodiment, the nozzle 11 is arranged so that the injection port 11a of the deposit removing device 10A faces the main body 5b of the vehicle-mounted camera 5. do. Then, when the fluid is injected, the vehicle-mounted camera 5 is moved in the optical axis direction so that the injection port 11a is relatively exposed to the side of the lens 5a (see the arrow 501 in the figure). Then, when the injection port 11a is relatively exposed to the side of the lens 5a, the fluid is injected from the injection port 11a to remove the deposits adhering to the lens 5a.

The vehicle-mounted camera 5 is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward along the optical axis direction, and after removing the deposits, it returns to the original position before the injection of the fluid.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the deposit removing method according to the second embodiment, the injection port 11a of the deposit removing device 10B faces the main body 5b of the vehicle-mounted camera 5, as in the first embodiment. The nozzle 11 is arranged so as to be. However, in addition to the first embodiment, the nozzle 11 is further movably provided so that the injection port 11a approaches the center of the lens 5a.

Then, when the fluid is injected, the vehicle-mounted camera 5 is moved in the optical axis direction so that the injection port 11a is relatively exposed to the side of the lens 5a (see arrow 601 in the figure). Then, when the injection port 11a is relatively exposed to the side of the lens 5a, the nozzle 11 is further moved so that the injection port 11a approaches the center of the lens 5a (see the arrow 602 in the figure). Then, when the injection port 11a approaches the center of the lens 5a, the fluid is injected from the injection port 11a to remove the deposits adhering to the lens 5a.

The in-vehicle camera 5 is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward along the optical axis direction, and the nozzle 11 is provided so as to be movable so that the injection port 11a moves forward and backward with respect to the center of the lens 5a. After that, each returns to the original position before the injection of the fluid.

According to the deposit removing method according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the deposit removing devices 10A and 10B can be attached to a narrow space without spoiling the appearance.

Hereinafter, the configuration examples of the deposit removing devices 10A and 10B according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically in order.

(First Embodiment)
7 and 8 are diagrams (No. 1) and (No. 2) showing a configuration example of the deposit removing device 10A according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the deposit removing device 10A according to the first embodiment includes a first movable portion 13. The first movable portion 13 includes a first drive source 13a, a gear 13b, and a rack 13c.

The first drive source 13a is, for example, a motor. The first drive source 13a is driven and controlled by a trigger such as when the above-mentioned detection device detects the adhesion of an adhered substance to the lens 5a or when a user's manual operation is accepted.

The rack 13c is provided integrally with the main body portion 5b of the vehicle-mounted camera 5, and is connected to the first drive source 13a via the gear 13b. Further, as described above, the nozzle 11 is arranged so that the injection port 11a faces the main body portion 5b of the vehicle-mounted camera 5.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, at the time of injecting the fluid, the deposit removing device 10A connects the first movable portion 13 via the gear 13b by driving the first drive source 13a controlled by the above-mentioned trigger. The rack 13c is pulled in the direction of the arrow 801 in the figure. The direction of the arrow 801 is substantially parallel to the optical axis direction of the vehicle-mounted camera 5.

As a result, the deposit removing device 10A moves the in-vehicle camera 5 in the optical axis direction so that the injection port 11a is relatively exposed to the side of the lens 5a (see arrow 802 in the figure). Then, when the injection port 11a is relatively exposed to the side of the lens 5a, the fluid is injected from the injection port 11a to remove the deposits adhering to the lens 5a.

Further, after removing the deposits, the first movable portion 13 pushes the rack 13c in the opposite direction of the arrow 801 in the drawing by driving the first drive source 13a, and the in-vehicle camera 5 is the original before the injection of the fluid. It will be returned to the position of.

As described above, the deposit removing device 10A according to the first embodiment includes a nozzle 11 and a first movable portion 13. The nozzle 11 ejects the fluid toward the lens 5a (corresponding to an example of the "detection surface") of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 (corresponding to an example of the "sensor") so that the injection port 11a faces the main body 5b of the vehicle-mounted camera 5. Is placed in. The first movable portion 13 moves the vehicle-mounted camera 5 in the optical axis direction so that the injection port 11a is relatively exposed to the side of the lens 5a when the fluid is injected.

Therefore, according to the deposit removing device 10A according to the first embodiment, it can be attached to a narrow space without spoiling the appearance.

(Second embodiment)
Next, FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams (No. 1) and (No. 2) showing a configuration example of the deposit removing device 10B according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the deposit removing device 10B according to the second embodiment further includes a second movable portion 14 in addition to the deposit removing device 10A according to the first embodiment. The second movable portion 14 includes a second drive source 14a, a gear 14b, a rack 14c, and a guide shaft 14d.

The second drive source 14a is, for example, a motor. Similar to the first drive source 13a, the second drive source 14a is driven by a trigger such as when the above-mentioned detection device detects the adhesion of deposits to the lens 5a or when a user's manual operation is accepted. Be controlled.

The rack 14c is connected to the second drive source 14a via the gear 14b. Further, a cam groove 14ca is formed in the rack 14c. The guide shaft 14d is provided integrally with the nozzle 11 and is arranged so as to engage with the cam groove 14ca.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the nozzle 11 is movably provided so that the injection port 11a moves forward and backward with respect to the center of the lens 5a. The cam groove 14ca moves the guide shaft 14d along the cam groove 14ca to which the guide shaft 14d is applied as the rack 14c moves forward and backward in the direction of the arrow 1003 in FIG. 10 or vice versa, so that the nozzle 11 moves as described above. It is formed into a movable shape.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, when the fluid is injected, the deposit removing device 10B connects the first movable portion 13 via the gear 13b by driving the first drive source 13a controlled by the above-mentioned trigger. The rack 13c is pulled in the direction of the arrow 1001 in the figure. The direction of the arrow 1001 is substantially parallel to the optical axis direction of the vehicle-mounted camera 5.

As a result, the deposit removing device 10B moves the in-vehicle camera 5 in the optical axis direction so that the injection port 11a is relatively exposed to the side of the lens 5a (see arrow 1002 in the figure).

Further, in the deposit removing device 10B, the second movable portion 14 is connected to the rack via the gear 14b by the drive of the second drive source 14a controlled by the trigger described above, similarly to the first drive source 13a. Pull 14c in the direction of arrow 1003 in the figure. The direction of the arrow 1003 is substantially parallel to the optical axis direction of the vehicle-mounted camera 5.

As a result, the deposit removing device 10B moves the nozzle 11 so that the injection port 11a approaches the center of the lens 5a (see arrow 1004 in the figure). Then, when the injection port 11a approaches the center of the lens 5a, the fluid is injected from the injection port 11a to remove the deposits adhering to the lens 5a.

Further, after removing the deposits, the first movable portion 13 pushes the rack 13c in the opposite direction of the arrow 1001 in the drawing by the drive of the first drive source 13a, and the second movable portion 14 is the second. By driving the drive source 14a, the rack 14c is pushed out in the opposite direction of the arrow 1003 in the drawing, and the in-vehicle camera 5 and the nozzle 11 are returned to their original positions before the fluid is injected.

In the configuration examples shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the timings at which the first movable portion 13 and the second movable portion 14 are movable may be simultaneous or may be different.

As described above, the deposit removing device 10B according to the second embodiment further includes a second movable portion 14 that moves the nozzle 11 so that the injection port 11a approaches the center of the lens 5a when the fluid is injected. Be prepared.

Therefore, according to the deposit removing device 10B according to the second embodiment, it can be mounted in a narrow space without spoiling the appearance, and by moving the nozzle 11 closer to the center of the lens 5a, the fluid is surely fluid. Can be jetted onto the lens 5a.

Further, the first movable portion 13 includes a first drive source 13a for moving the vehicle-mounted camera 5. Further, the second movable portion 14 includes a second drive source 14a for moving the nozzle 11.

Therefore, according to the deposit removing device 10B according to the second embodiment, it is possible to individually control the operations of the first movable portion 13 and the second movable portion 14.

By the way, in FIGS. 9 and 10, an example in which the in-vehicle camera 5 and the nozzle 11 are moved by two drive sources, the first drive source 13a and the second drive source 14a, is given, but only the first drive source 13a is shown. The vehicle-mounted camera 5 and the nozzle 11 may be moved respectively. Next, a modified example will be described.

(Modified example of the second embodiment)
11 and 12 are diagrams (No. 1) and (No. 2) showing a configuration example of the deposit removing device 10C according to the modified example of the second embodiment.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the deposit removing device 10C according to the modified example of the second embodiment is the second of the second movable portion 14 with the configuration example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. 2 The difference is that the drive source 14a, the gear 14b, and the rack 14c are not provided. Further, the cam groove 14ca is different in that it is integrally formed with the vehicle-mounted camera 5.

The guide shaft 14d is provided integrally with the nozzle 11 and is arranged so as to engage with the cam groove 14ca, as in the configuration examples shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the nozzle 11 is movably provided so that the injection port 11a moves forward and backward with respect to the center of the lens 5a. The cam groove 14ca moves along the cam groove 14ca on which the guide shaft 14d is applied as the rack 13c moves back and forth in the direction of the arrow 1201 in FIG. 12 or vice versa, so that the nozzle 11 moves as described above. It is formed in a shape that allows it to move.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, when the fluid is injected, the deposit removing device 10C connects the first movable portion 13 via the gear 13b by driving the first drive source 13a controlled by the above-mentioned trigger. The rack 13c is pulled in the direction of the arrow 1201 in the figure. The direction of the arrow 1201 is substantially parallel to the optical axis direction of the vehicle-mounted camera 5.

As a result, the deposit removing device 10C moves the in-vehicle camera 5 in the optical axis direction so that the injection port 11a is relatively exposed to the side of the lens 5a (see arrow 1202 in the figure).

Further, with the movement of the vehicle-mounted camera 5, the cam groove 14ca integrated with the vehicle-mounted camera 5 moves relative to the guide shaft 14d, the nozzle 11 is moved along the cam groove 14ca, and the injection port 11a is the center of the lens 5a. Move it so that it approaches toward (see arrow 1203 in the figure). Then, when the injection port 11a approaches the center of the lens 5a, the fluid is injected from the injection port 11a to remove the deposits adhering to the lens 5a.

After removing the deposits, the first movable portion 13 pushes the rack 13c in the opposite direction of the arrow 1201 in the drawing by driving the first drive source 13a, and the second movable portion responds to the movement. 14 moves the nozzle 11 in the opposite direction of the arrow 1203 in the drawing, and returns the in-vehicle camera 5 and the nozzle 11 to the original positions before the injection of the fluid.

As described above, the first movable portion 13 of the deposit removing device 10C according to the modified example of the second embodiment includes the first drive source 13a for moving the in-vehicle camera 5, and the second movable portion 14 is the second movable portion. 1 The nozzle 11 is moved by mechanically interlocking with the movement of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 driven by the drive source 13a.

Therefore, according to the deposit removing device 10C according to the modified example of the second embodiment, it can be mounted in a narrow space without spoiling the appearance, and the nozzle 11 can be brought closer to the center of the lens 5a. It is possible to ensure that the fluid is ejected to the lens 5a. Further, the first movable portion 13 and the second movable portion 14 can be operated synchronously by one drive source. Further, since only one drive source is required, it can be arranged in a narrower space than the deposit removing device 10B.

In each of the above-described embodiments, an example is given in which the target from which the deposits are removed by the deposit removing devices 10A, 10B, 10C is the lens 5a, which is the detection surface of the vehicle-mounted camera 5, but the present invention is limited to this. is not.

That is, for example, it may be an optical sensor that acquires an image through a lens or acquires information on a target around the vehicle. Specifically, the detection surface of various optical sensors such as a radar device that detects an object around the vehicle can be targeted.

Further, the deposit removing devices 10A, 10B, and 10C may be provided not only in a vehicle but also in a ship, an aircraft, or the like. In addition to such a moving machine, it may be provided as a deposit removing device for a machine installed and operated at a certain place.

Further effects and variations can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. For this reason, the broader aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details and representative embodiments described and described above. Thus, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

5 In-vehicle camera 5a Lens 5b Main body 7 Bracket 10A, 10B, 10C Adhesion removal device 11 Nozzle 11a Injection port 12 Injection mechanism 13 First movable part 13a First drive source 13b Gear 13c Rack 14 Second movable part 14a Second drive Source 14b Gear 14c Rack 14ca Cam groove 14d Guide shaft V Vehicle

Claims (5)

A nozzle in which an injection port for injecting fluid toward the detection surface of the sensor is arranged so as to face the main body of the sensor, and a nozzle.
A deposit removing device comprising a first movable portion that moves the sensor in the optical axis direction so that the injection port is relatively exposed to the side of the detection surface when the fluid is injected. The deposit removing device according to claim 1, further comprising a second movable portion for moving the nozzle so that the injection port approaches the center of the detection surface when the fluid is injected. The first movable part is
A first drive source for moving the sensor is provided.
The second movable part is
The deposit removing device according to claim 2, further comprising a second drive source for moving the nozzle. The first movable part is
A first drive source for moving the sensor is provided.
The second movable part is
The deposit removing device according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle is mechanically interlocked with the movement of the sensor by driving the first drive source. It is a deposit removing method using a deposit removing device equipped with a nozzle that injects fluid toward the detection surface of the sensor.
The arrangement process of arranging the nozzle so that the injection port faces the main body of the sensor, and
A method for removing deposits, which comprises a first movable step of moving the sensor in the optical axis direction so that the injection port is relatively exposed to the side of the detection surface when the fluid is injected.

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