JP6539320B2 - Air discharge device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air discharge device.

  Heretofore, an air discharge device for sending air to a nozzle for injecting a cleaning fluid to an on-vehicle camera comprises a piston pump operated by an electric motor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-35654 A

In the past, due to limitations such as the installation space in the vehicle and the electric capacity of the on-board battery, it was not possible to use a large-sized, high-power (high-capacity) pump with high power consumption. Therefore, there is a problem that the discharge pressure of the air discharged from the pump is low (weak).
For example, when a fluid for cleaning a camera device is jetted from a nozzle, if air is sent by a pump having such a low discharge pressure, the fluid jetted from the nozzle has no momentum and may blow away dirt such as mud. could not.

  Then, this invention aims at provision of the air discharge apparatus which can send air to a nozzle with high instantaneous pressure, even if an air pump is a small flow volume.

The air discharge apparatus according to the present invention is an air discharge apparatus for sending air through a tube to a nozzle for discharging fluid, which includes an air pump, an electric motor for operating the air pump, and the air pump. Pressure storage tank, and an electromagnetic valve whose inlet is connected to the pressure storage tank and whose outlet is connected to the tube, is built in a resin case, and the pressure storage tank is mainly composed of The whole is integrally molded in the resin case, and the solenoid valve momentarily jets the high pressure air in the pressure storage tank as a sharp pulse waveform jet air in response to intermittent pulse signals. .

  According to the present invention, while using a small-sized, low-power-consuming air pump, air of high pressure can be instantaneously sent from the tube to the nozzle, and fluid can be jetted from the nozzle at instantaneous high pressure. By this, it is possible to remove a small amount of dirt attached to the object with air (fluid). The pump operation noise and the solenoid valve operation noise can be silenced by the housing to improve the quietness. The air pump, the electric motor, the pressure accumulation tank, and the solenoid valve are integrally incorporated in a housing to make the whole compact, and can be easily installed in a narrow mounting site such as a vehicle. As a result, since the portion close to the nozzle can be selected as the mounting site, the tube becomes the shortest. The shorter the tube, the lower the air pressure loss, and the fluid pressure finally injected from the nozzle can be sprayed (instantly) with high pressure to efficiently remove dirt and dust adhering to the main part of the vehicle .

It is a simplified block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the air discharge apparatus of this invention. It is a partially broken perspective view. It is a cross-sectional top view. It is a cross section side view. It is a cross section side view showing a reference example . It is an important section section side view showing an example of a pump unit. It is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a pump unit. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing for demonstrating the operation example of an air pump and a solenoid valve.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the illustrated embodiments.
The air discharge apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, includes an air pump P having a suction port Pa and a discharge port Pb, an electric motor M for driving the air pump P, and an air pump. A pressure storage tank T for storing air discharged from P and a solenoid valve V for discharging air from the pressure storage tank T are built in the housing 1.

  First, when the control signal of the air discharge start is sent from the control means such as the control circuit board 6, the electric motor M is driven and the air pump P is operated. The air pump P sucks in air from the suction port Pa. The air sucked by the air pump P is pressure-fed from the discharge port Pb into the pressure storage tank T. While the solenoid valve V is closed, air is continuously supplied from the air pump P into the accumulator tank T, and the internal pressure in the accumulator tank T is increased. Then, when the solenoid valve V is opened by the control signal (ON signal) from the control means such as the control circuit board 6, etc., the air in the pressure accumulation tank T is discharged from the outlet Vb of the solenoid valve V.

  The solenoid valve V receives intermittent control signals (ON-OFF signals) as shown in FIG. 8 from control means such as the control circuit board 6 in order to discharge the air from the pressure accumulation tank T in a pulsed manner. Operate. During the pump operation time tp during which the air pump P is operating, the solenoid valve V performs the opening and closing operation multiple times (repeated opening and closing). Moreover, the valve opening / closing operation time t3 is longer than the valve opening operation time t2. Therefore, the internal pressure of the pressure accumulation tank T is sufficiently increased, and air of high pressure (discharge pressure) can be discharged from the outlet Vb of the solenoid valve V.

The solenoid valve V performs opening / closing operation based on time (time control) so as to perform closing operation (OFF) with predetermined valve opening operation time t2 from opening operation start (ON).
For example, the predetermined valve opening actuation time t2 is instantaneous (less than 1 second) and preferably 0.1 seconds or more and 0.6 seconds or less. If the time is less than 0.1 seconds, the discharge flow rate may be too low. If it exceeds 0.6 seconds, the discharge pressure may become too low (weak) during the valve opening operation, resulting in waste. By controlling the opening / closing operation in this manner, air of high (strong) pressure can be instantaneously injected from the outlet Vb of the solenoid valve V (an ejection air of a sharp pulse waveform can be instantaneously discharged).

Also, the solenoid valve V performs the first opening operation with a predetermined start time difference t1 after the air pump P (electric motor M) starts operating. Also, the solenoid valve V performs the final closing operation with a predetermined end time difference t4 before the operation end (OFF) of the air pump P (electric motor M).
In FIG. 8, the solenoid valve V is configured to start the opening operation based on the predetermined start time difference t1 after the air pump is operated, but the internal pressure in the pressure storage tank T has a predetermined value. If exceeded, it may be configured to start an open operation (a pressure control may be performed).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the air discharged from the outlet Vb of the solenoid valve V passes through the tube 3 whose proximal end 3a is connected to the outlet Vb of the solenoid valve V, and the tip of the tube 3 It is sent to the nozzle 5 connected to 3b. That is, air is sent as a sharp mountain waveform (in a pulse form) with an instantaneous high pressure from the solenoid valve V to the nozzle 5.

  The nozzle 5 ejects momentary air at high pressure in a pulsed manner. Such jet air is particularly used for the imaging unit (transparent protective cover for camera lenses and lenses) of the on-vehicle camera device 9 such as a rear camera for rear view of a vehicle such as a car or a camera sensor for collision avoidance. It is most suitable for blowing away dirt such as water, mud, dust and so on. Moreover, it is suitable also for local air cooling of a heat-emitting part etc.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the nozzle 5 is connected to the cleaning liquid tank 8 storing the cleaning liquid such as the washer liquid and water via the cleaning liquid piping member 7 and ejects the cleaning liquid together with the air ( It is comprised so that the fluid for washing | cleaning may be injected. Although not shown, the cleaning liquid piping member 7 may be connected to the tube 3. Moreover, the nozzle 5 may inject only air. The tube 3 may be branched and connected to the plurality of nozzles 5.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the housing 1 has an open box-shaped (upper opening shape) case main body 1 a and a lid 1 b disposed in a lid-like shape at the opening of the case main body 1 a. It has a hollow block shape integrally fixed by fixing means such as screwing, an adhesive, ultrasonic solution (fusion) bonding, and the like.

The housing 1 is configured such that external air can enter inside through a gap between the case main body 1a and the lid 1b or a through hole (not shown) connecting the inside of the housing 1 with the outside. The suction port Pa of the pump P sucks the air in the housing 1.
That is, the suction port Pa is not directly open to the outside of the housing 1, and the pump operation noise leaked from the suction port Pa is not directly leaked to the outside, and muffled in the housing 1.

Further, most of the pressure accumulation tank T is integrally molded with the housing 1. A resin molded product case body 1a integrally having a wall portion (enclosed wall portion) for forming the majority of the pressure accumulation tank T, and a wall portion (lid shape wall) for forming the remaining portion of the pressure accumulation tank T The pressure-accumulating tank T is formed in the case body 1 a by fixing the holding member 11 with the holding member 11 by a fixing means such as ultrasonic melting (fusion).
The majority of the pressure accumulation tank T means a portion of 50% or more of all the wall portions forming the pressure accumulation tank T.

  Further, although not shown, the entire pressure accumulation tank T may be integrally molded with the housing 1. Case body 1a of a resin molded product integrally having a wall portion (enclosed wall portion) for forming a part of pressure accumulation tank T, and a wall portion (lid like wall portion) for forming the remaining part of pressure accumulation tank T The pressure storage tank T may be formed in the housing 1 by fixing the lid 1b of a resin molded product integrally having the above.

Further, in the reference example shown in FIG. 5, after the tank member 12 forming the pressure storage tank T and the case main body 1a are respectively molded as separate bodies, the tank member 12 is installed inside the case main body 1a to mutually It adheres to

  In addition, the housing 1 is formed with a longitudinal (longitudinal) dimension S of 85 mm to 115 mm, a width (lateral) dimension of 45 mm to 75 mm, and a height (thickness) dimension of 25 mm to 50 mm. It is a compact size formed. Such a thin hollow block shape (flat rectangular shape in a side view) is suitable for mounting in a place where the installation space is narrow, such as in a rear door of a car or in a vehicle ceiling. For example, the air injection device of the present invention can be disposed close to the nozzle 5 installed in the vicinity of the on-vehicle camera device 9. As a result, the tube 3 is shortened, pressure loss is reduced, and air can be sent to the nozzle 5 at high pressure.

Further, the pressure accumulation tank T has an internal volume of 15 cc or more and 30 cc or less. If it is less than 15 cc, the discharge flow rate is small, and if it exceeds 30 cc, it takes time to reach a predetermined internal pressure (accumulated pressure). Moreover, the housing 1 becomes large.
Further, the air pump P, the pressure accumulation tank T and the solenoid valve V are configured such that leakage or malfunction does not occur even if an air pressure of 100 kPa at the maximum acts.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the housing 1, electric dynamic motor M and the solenoid valve V, and the connector 2 for connection to an external electrical, are fixed to the housing 1. The phrase “electrically connected to the outside” means, for example, that power can be received from an electric power source such as a battery provided outside the housing 1 or a control circuit board 6 provided outside the housing 1 or a computer The control means such as the control means may be connected to receive the control signal such as the ON-OFF signal, or the operation means such as the button may be connected to receive the control signal such as the ON-OFF signal. The connector 2 is electrically connected to the electric motor M and the solenoid valve V in the housing 1.

  When the control means is constituted by the control circuit board 6, although not shown, the control circuit board 6 may be accommodated in the housing 1. Then, the electric motor M and the solenoid valve V may be electrically connected to the connector 2 through the control circuit board 6 in the housing 1.

In addition, the short cylindrical air pump P and the cylindrical electric motor M are integrally fixed coaxially (upper) integrally to form a cylindrical pump unit Y as a whole.
The pump unit Y is small in size, and has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape (about 20 mm to 30 mm in diameter × about 50 mm to 70 mm in length) (excluding the cylindrical projection of the suction port Pa and the discharge port Pb).
Moreover, pump unit Y is lightweight, and is 60 g-70 g, for example.

  The air pump P, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, has a plurality of wedge-shaped diaphragms 95a, and by driving the electric motor M, the pump chambers 80 formed by the wedge-shaped diaphragms 95a are sequentially expanded. It is for multi-cylinder air pumping that is configured to suck and discharge air quantitatively by repeating compression.

  A single cylinder type air pump P having such a diaphragm multi-cylinder type is smaller and lighter than a gear pump having the same discharge amount (work amount), and yet exhibits the same flow rate (work amount) As compared with one of them, the pressure level fluctuation of the discharge air can be reduced, the internal operation sound of the pump is small, and the noise reduction is excellent. In addition, compared with a single cylinder type having one diaphragm, pulsation and vibration are less.

  In the present invention, the design can be changed, and the shape of the housing 1 is not limited to a rectangular shape in plan view as in the example shown in the drawings, but may be L-shaped in plan view or a convex shape in plan view. In addition, although the outlet Vb of the solenoid valve V is projected to the outside of the housing 1 (by inserting the wall of the housing 1), the cylindrical outlet flow passage section connecting the inside and the outside to the housing 1 Alternatively, the outlet Vb of the solenoid valve V may be connected to the proximal end side (the inside of the casing) of the outlet flow channel. The discharge port Pb of the air pump P and the inlet Va of the solenoid valve V are directly connected to the pressure storage tank T, but may be connected via a connection piping member such as a tube. The suction valve structure, the discharge valve structure, and the flow path structure of the air pump P are not limited to the structures shown in FIGS. It is preferable to use three or four wedge-shaped diaphragms 95a because of easy manufacture and less pulsation. The air pump P is not limited to a short cylindrical shape as in the example shown in the drawings, but may be cubic or the like.

  The air pump P will be described more specifically. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the air pump P is made of a resin having a cylindrical projection-type suction port Pa and a cylindrical projection-type single discharge port Pb. Outer lid body 91, resin inner lid body 93, rubber packing 92 interposed between outer lid body 91 and inner lid body 93, and rubber attached to inner lid body 93 A rubber diaphragm assembly 95 in which an umbrella-like suction valve main body 94 and a plurality of (two to four) vertical diaphragms 95a are connected by a flat diaphragm 95b orthogonal to the uniaxial center Lp; A resin supporting member 96 for supporting the diaphragm 95b of the assembly 95, an eccentric rotating body 99 made of resin rotated by the motor output shaft Ma, and a rotating body 99 are attached to the rotating body 99 in an inclined manner and around the uniaxial center Lp. A metallic shaft member 98 that rotates (swings) in a radial direction, and a radial resin swing plate 97 that swings along with the shaft member 98; A bottomed cylindrical case body 90 made of resin for supporting the support member 96, and a.

  The air pump P is provided with a cylindrical suction port Pa and a cylindrical discharge port Pb in a protruding direction (axial center direction La) of the output shaft Ma of the electric motor M. The axial center (one axial center) Lp of the air pump P can be said to be the axial center of the output shaft Ma of the electric motor M.

  In the diaphragm assembly 95, three wedge-shaped diaphragms 95a are arranged equidistantly around a uniaxial center (pump axis) Lp and are connected by a diaphragm 95b. Each wedge-shaped diaphragm 95a has a short cylindrical discharge valve membrane 95c formed by extending the opening edge of the wedge-shaped diaphragm 95a from the diaphragm 95b in one axial direction La. A diaphragm drive portion 95d for compressing and expanding the wedge-shaped diaphragm 95a is provided so as to protrude from the wedge-shaped diaphragm 95a in the other axial direction Lb. A packing edge 95e is provided at the outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm 95b.

The inner lid 93 has a common discharge recess 93 c for discharging the fluid from the discharge port Pb on the side of the axis other direction Lb. Then, a bottomed short cylindrical valve seat 93 e is provided in a protruding manner in the axial other direction Lb. (A part of) the outer peripheral wall of the valve seat 93e is a discharge valve seat which covers the discharge valve membrane 95c so as to be capable of adhering and separating in a freely separating manner as the wedge-shaped diaphragm 95a expands and contracts.
In the bottom wall portion of the valve seat portion 93e, an attachment through hole of the suction valve main body 94, and a suction through hole 93f which opens and closes by the valve portion 94a of the suction valve main body 94 and communicates the pump chamber 80 and the suction port portion Pa in an open state. , And a place where the valve portion 94 a contacts and separates in the bottom wall portion is a suction valve seat portion. The number of vertical diaphragms 95a and the number of valve seat portions 93e are not limited to three, and may be two or four.
The outer lid body 91 has a suction recess 91c communicating with the suction port Pa on the side of the axis other direction Lb, and a discharge recess 91d partitioned with the suction recess 91c and the annular wall and communicating with the discharge port Pb. doing.

  Then, the diaphragm drive portions 95d sequentially reciprocate by the rotating body 99, the shaft member 98, and the rocking plate 97, and the wedge-shaped diaphragms 95a (the pump chambers 80) sequentially compress and It is configured to repeat expansion and contraction. Further, it is configured so that the sucked fluid does not infiltrate into the drive space 83 surrounded by the axial center other direction Lb side of the diaphragm 95b, the support member 96, and the case body 90 and driven by each diaphragm drive 95d and the like. It is done. That is, the fluid suctioned to the drive portion (the output shaft Ma, the rotating body 99, the shaft member 98, the swing plate 97, and the diaphragm drive portion 95d) does not contact, and both gas and liquid can be fed. is there.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an air pump P, an electric motor M for operating the air pump P, and an electric motor M for operating the air pump P in an air discharge device for sending air to the nozzle 5 for discharging fluid through the tube 3 A pressure storage tank T for storing air discharged from the air pump P, and a solenoid valve V for receiving high pressure air in the pressure storage tank T instantaneously at high pressure upon receiving an intermittent pulse signal As it is built in 1, it is possible to discharge the air of high pressure instantaneously while using the air pump P with a small flow rate, and the fluid of instantaneous high pressure (air only or liquid for cleaning from the nozzle 5) And air) can be jetted with a sharp mountain-shaped waveform (pulse waveform), which is suitable for applications such as removal of dirt attached to an object or local air cooling. The pump actuation noise and the solenoid valve actuation noise can be silenced by the housing 1 to improve the quietness. The air pump P, the electric motor M, the pressure storage tank T, and the solenoid valve V are integrally incorporated in the housing 1 so that the whole can be made compact, and can be easily and easily installed in a narrow mounting site such as a vehicle . In a vehicle etc., the air discharge device can be installed close to the nozzle 5 at the set position, the tube 3 can be made the shortest, air pressure loss is reduced, and a sharp mountain shape ( The pulse waveform is hardly shocked into a smooth mountain shape, and the fluid pressure finally injected from the nozzle is injected (instantly) as a high pressure sharp mountain waveform (pulse waveform). It can efficiently remove dirt and dust adhering to the main part of

  In addition, since most or all of the pressure accumulation tank T is integrally molded with the housing 1, the number of parts can be reduced, and the installation work on a narrow attachment site such as a vehicle can be facilitated.

1 body 3 tube 5 nozzle M electric motor P air pump T pressure storage tank V solenoid valve
Va entrance
Vb exit

Claims (1)

In an air discharge device for delivering air to a nozzle (5) for injecting fluid via a tube (3),
An air pump (P), an electric motor (M) for operating the air pump (P), and accumulator tank to store the air (T) which is discharged from the air pump (P), the accumulating pressure tank (T) A solenoid valve (V) connected to the inlet (Va) and connected to the outlet (Vb) to the tube (3 ) is built in a resin case (1) ,
The pressure accumulation tank (T) is formed integrally with the resin casing (1) for the most part or the whole.
The air discharge device characterized in that the electromagnetic valve (V) instantaneously ejects high pressure air in the pressure accumulation tank (T) as injection air of a sharp pulse waveform in response to an intermittent pulse signal .

Images