JP7024757B2 - How to set up a vehicle cleaning system and a vehicle cleaning system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle cleaning system that blows a fluid onto a vehicle cleaning target to remove foreign substances, and a method for setting a vehicle cleaning system that changes and sets the output mode of the fluid.

In recent years, advanced driving support and automatic driving technologies for vehicles have been advancing, and the number of sensors for grasping the surrounding conditions of vehicles is increasing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As one of them, for example, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging, or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging), which is a distance measuring system using an optical sensor, is known, and distance measurement is performed between a vehicle and an object by projection and reception. Will be.

The sensor for grasping the surrounding condition of the vehicle has a mode in which the sensing surface (for example, the outer surface of a lens, a cover glass, etc.) is exposed to the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, there is a concern that foreign matter such as raindrops adheres to the sensing surface of the sensor, and the foreign matter is located on the optical path of the optical sensor in the distance measuring system or the like, so that the distance measuring accuracy is lowered.

Therefore, the development of a technology for removing and cleaning foreign matter adhering to the sensing surface by spraying air (air), a cleaning liquid, or a gas-liquid mixed fluid in which these are mixed (see, for example, Patent Document 2) on the sensing surface of the sensor is being studied. It is done.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-37100 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-22274

By the way, in order to more reliably remove and clean the foreign matter adhering to the sensing surface of the sensor, use a large drive pump for spraying the fluid on the sensing surface, and spray the fluid strongly on the sensing surface. However, when it comes to vehicles, it is necessary to fully consider the mounting space and driving power. Therefore, as a developer, it has been an issue to be examined to improve the removal and cleaning performance of foreign matter without increasing the size of the drive pump and to improve the stability of the cleaning power of this removal and cleaning.

Further, in addition to ensuring the above-mentioned stability in the method of spraying the fluid to the cleaning target, that is, the fluid output mode, it was also examined whether the fluid output mode could be easily changed according to the cleaning target.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to remove foreign substances adhering to a vehicle to be cleaned. A vehicle cleaning system capable of improving cleanability and ensuring stability. , And a method of setting a vehicle cleaning system, which makes it possible to easily change and set the output mode of the fluid.

The vehicle cleaning system that solves the above problems uses the fluid (CA1) supplied from the drive pump (23) to clean the vehicle (10) from the injection nozzle (25) (11, 12, 15, 16, 17). , 18) is a vehicle cleaning system (20) that removes and cleans foreign matter adhering to the cleaning target, and is a valve device (24) and a chamber between the drive pump and the injection nozzle. (26, 26a, 26b) are provided so that the fluid from the drive pump is stored in the chamber and supplied to the valve device, and the valve device is arranged from the drive pump via the chamber. To spray the cleaning target based on the repeated operation of opening and closing the valve itself, which operates by accumulating pressure to a pressure higher than the discharge pressure (P0) of the drive pump using the fluid supplied to the pump. It was configured to produce a pulsed output fluid (CA2) at high pressure.

According to the vehicle cleaning system, a valve device and a chamber are provided between the drive pump and the injection nozzle, and the fluid from the drive pump is stored in the chamber and supplied to the valve device while being accumulated. The valve device repeatedly opens and closes its own valve, which operates by accumulating pressure up to a pressure higher than the discharge pressure of the drive pump using the fluid supplied from the drive pump via the chamber. This produces a high pressure, pulsed output fluid to be sprayed onto the object to be cleaned. In other words, it is possible to generate an output fluid with improved foreign matter removal performance without increasing the size of the pump. In addition, since the fluid from the drive pump is stabilized and supplied to the valve device via the chamber, it is possible to generate stable output fluid and improve the stability of the cleaning power for foreign matter removal and cleaning. be. The above-mentioned "discharge pressure of the drive pump" is the pressure in the flow path when the drive pump and the injection nozzle are directly connected.

The method of setting the vehicle cleaning system to solve the above problems is to clean the vehicle (10) from the injection nozzle (25) using the fluid (CA1) supplied from the drive pump (23) (11, 12, 15, It is a setting method of a vehicle cleaning system (20) that sprays on 16, 17, 18) to remove and clean foreign matter adhering to the cleaning target, and is a valve between the drive pump and the injection nozzle. A device (24) and a chamber (26, 26a, 26b) are provided, the fluid from the drive pump is stored in the chamber and arranged to be supplied to the valve device, and the valve device is driven. Using the fluid supplied from the pump via the chamber, the pressure is accumulated to a pressure higher than the discharge pressure (P0) of the drive pump, and after the accumulation, the valve is opened and closed repeatedly. In the chamber, which is configured to generate a pulsed output fluid (CA2) at high pressure to be sprayed onto the object to be cleaned, the fluid from the drive pump is stored and supplied to the valve device. A plurality of pumps having different volumes (V1, V2, V3) were prepared, and the chambers having different volumes were selectively set in order to change the output mode of the output fluid.

According to the setting method of the vehicle cleaning system, the output of the output fluid is output by selectively setting different volumes in the chamber that stores the fluid from the drive pump and stabilizes and supplies it to the valve device. The aspect is changed. That is, it is possible to easily change and set the output mode of the fluid simply by replacing the chambers having different volumes according to the demand of the output mode of the fluid.

The schematic block diagram of the vehicle cleaning system in one Embodiment. Schematic block diagram of a cleaning device used in a vehicle cleaning system. Schematic diagram of a cleaning device with an enlarged valve device. Schematic block diagram of the valve device. Schematic block diagram used to explain the operation of the cleaning device. Schematic block diagram used to explain the operation of the cleaning device. Waveform diagram used to explain the operation of the cleaning device. (A) is a schematic configuration diagram of a cleaning device used for explaining the change setting of the output mode, and (b) is a waveform diagram when the output mode is changed. (A) is a schematic configuration diagram of a cleaning device used for explaining the change setting of the output mode, and (b) is a waveform diagram when the output mode is changed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle cleaning system and a vehicle cleaning system setting method will be described.
In the vehicle 10 shown in FIG. 1, a first distance measuring sensor 11 is installed at the center of the front end, and a second distance measuring sensor 12 is installed at the center of the rear end. The first and second ranging sensors 11 and 12 are configured by using optical sensors that emit and receive light having a predetermined wavelength toward the front and rear of the vehicle 10, respectively. The first and second ranging sensors 11 and 12 are used in a ranging system (LIDAR, etc.) that measures the distance between the own vehicle and the front object and the rear object, respectively, and are used for advanced driving support and automatic driving of the vehicle 10. It is used in the system to carry out such things.

The first and second ranging sensors 11 and 12 have a mode in which their own sensing surfaces (for example, outer surfaces such as a lens and a cover glass) 11a and 12a are exposed to the outside of the vehicle 10. That is, foreign matter such as raindrops, which may reduce the distance measurement accuracy, may adhere to the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a. Therefore, the vehicle 10 is a vehicle cleaning system that removes and cleans the foreign matter adhering to the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a. 20 is installed.

The vehicle cleaning system 20 includes first and second cleaning devices 21 and 22. The first cleaning device 21 targets the first distance measuring sensor 11 installed in the central portion of the front end of the vehicle 10, and the second cleaning device 22 is the second ranging sensor 12 installed in the central portion of the rear end of the vehicle 10. Is targeted for cleaning.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first and second cleaning devices 21 and 22, respectively, include a drive pump 23, a valve device 24, an injection nozzle 25, and a chamber 26, and have the same configuration. Since the first and second cleaning devices 21 and 22 have the same configuration, the same description will be given using FIGS. 2 and 3 and the like.

In the first and second cleaning devices 21 and 22, the drive pump 23 and the valve device 24 are connected to each other via the chamber 26. That is, the drive pump 23 and the chamber 26 are connected to each other by the connecting hose 27a, and the chamber 26 and the valve device 24 are connected to each other by the connecting hose 27b. The valve device 24 and the injection nozzle 25 are connected to each other by a connecting hose 27c. The connecting hoses 27a, 27b, 27c are made of a flexible material such as a rubber hose.

The drive pump 23 is composed of an electric air pump such as a gear pump as a positive displacement pump capable of generating compressed air CA1 as a fluid. The chamber 26 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, for example, and stores the compressed air CA1 generated by the drive pump 23 by a predetermined volume V1 and stores the compressed air CA1 with a small pressure fluctuation in the valve device 24 on the downstream side. Supply. That is, the chamber 26 is intended to stabilize the supply of the compressed air CA1 to the valve device 24. The valve device 24 converts the compressed air CA1 continuously supplied from the drive pump 23 through the chamber 26 into a higher pressure and a pulse shape (intermittent shape), and the pressure is pulsed, that is, intermittently high pressure. The increased output air CA2 is supplied to the injection nozzle 25. The injection nozzle 25 has its own injection port 25a arranged toward the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a of the first and second ranging sensors 11 and 12, respectively shown in FIG. 1, and has a high pressure supplied from the valve device 24. The pulsed output air CA2 is blown toward a suitable range of the respective sensing surfaces 11a and 12a.

The valve device 24 is preferably arranged in the vicinity of the injection nozzle 25 in order to minimize the piping loss to the injection nozzle 25 of the output air CA2 generated by the valve device 24. Further, the connection hose 27c shown in FIG. 3 for connecting the valve device 24 and the injection nozzle 25 may be omitted, and the valve device 24 and the injection nozzle 25 may be integrally configured. Further, it may be used as one drive pump common to the first and second cleaning devices 21 and 22.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the valve device 24 includes a base member 31, a cover member 32, a diaphragm 33, and urging springs 34, 35. Among these components, a part of the base member 31, the cover member 32, the diaphragm 33, and the urging springs 34 and 35 constitute the valve main body portion 30. Hereinafter, the base member 31 will be described as the lower side and the cover member 32 as the upper side, but the orientation of the valve device 24 when used is not limited to this.

The base member 31 is made of resin and has a base portion 31a in an upper portion and a connecting portion 31b in a lower portion. The base portion 31a constitutes a lower portion of the housing of the valve main body portion 30, and has a circular bottom wall portion 31c and an annular shape standing upward from the peripheral portion of the bottom wall portion 31c. It has a side wall portion 31d. On the other hand, the cover member 32 constitutes the upper portion of the housing of the valve main body portion 30, and is an annular shape extending downward from the peripheral portion of the circular upper wall portion 32a and the upper wall portion 32a. It has a side wall portion 32b of the above. The base member 31 and the cover member 32 are assembled so that the upper end surface of the side wall portion 31d and the lower end surface of the side wall portion 32b are in contact with each other, and the peripheral edge portion 33x of the diaphragm 33 is sandwiched between the end faces. The seal is achieved by sandwiching the peripheral edge portion 33x. The diaphragm 33 has a valve chamber 36 as a space formed by itself, a bottom wall portion 31c of the base portion 31a, and a side wall portion 31d, and a space formed by the upper wall portion 32a and the side wall portion 32b of the cover member 32. It is partitioned as a back pressure chamber 37.

The connecting portion 31b is provided on the lower surface side of the base portion 31a, and has an inverted T shape that extends downward from the bottom wall portion 31c of the base portion 31a and then extends bifurcated from the bottom wall portion 31c. The connection portion 31b has a pump side connection portion 31e for connecting one bifurcated side to the connection hose 27b on the chamber 26 side (drive pump 23 side), and a connection hose on the injection nozzle 25 side for the other bifurcated side. The nozzle side connection portion 31f for connecting to the 27c is used. The introduction flow path 38 formed inside the pump side connection portion 31e and the discharge flow path 39 formed inside the nozzle side connection portion 31f are independent of each other, and the bottom wall portion 31c of the base portion 31a The openings 38a and 39a of the introduction flow path 38 and the discharge flow path 39 are formed in the substantially central portion, respectively. Each of the openings 38a and 39a has a shape that slightly protrudes from the bottom surface of the bottom wall portion 31c in a cylindrical shape.

The diaphragm 33 is formed of a flexible material in a substantially disk shape, and has a substantially columnar shape at positions facing the openings 38a and 39a of the introduction flow path 38 and the discharge flow path 39 in the substantially central portion. It has valves 33a and 33b. In the diaphragm 33, while each valve body 33a, 33b and the peripheral portion 33x both have a thickness, other parts, that is, between the valve body 33a and the valve body 33b, and each valve body 33a, 33b and the peripheral portion 33x. The space between the valve body 33a and 33b is formed as a thin portion 33c thinner than the peripheral portion 33x. That is, the diaphragm 33 is configured such that the valve bodies 33a and 33b connected to the fixed peripheral edge portion 33x via the thin wall portion 33c can be displaced, and the valve bodies 33a and 33b can also be displaced independently of each other. Displacement. Due to the displacement operation of each of the valve bodies 33a and 33b, the valve body 33a abuts or separates from the opening 38a of the introduction flow path 38 between the chamber 26 side (drive pump 23 side) and the valve chamber 36. The flow path is opened and closed, and the valve body 33b opens and closes the flow path between the injection nozzle 25 side and the valve chamber 36 in contact with or separated from the opening 39a of the discharge flow path 39.

The cover member 32 is made of resin and has projecting portions 32c and 32d at positions facing the valve bodies 33a and 33b on the upper wall portion 32a, respectively. The protruding portions 32c and 32d are protrusions for restricting the positions of the urging springs 34 and 35 made of compression coil springs, and the upper side of the urging springs 34 and 35 is inserted into the protruding portions 32c and 32d, respectively. .. The upper end portions of the urging springs 34 and 35 abut on the upper wall portion 32a. On the other hand, the lower ends of the urging springs 34 and 35 abut on the valve bodies 33a and 33b. That is, each urging spring 34, 35 urges each valve body 33a, 33b downward from the upper wall portion 32a, that is, each valve body 33a, 33b is used as an opening of the introduction flow path 38 and the discharge flow path 39. Bounce toward the portions 38a and 39a. The urging force of the urging spring 35 is set to be relatively smaller than the urging force of the urging spring 34. Further, the upper wall portion 32a has a back pressure chamber 37 at a position outside the protruding portions 32c and 32d so that the displacement operation of the valve bodies 33a and 33b is not affected by the pressure in the back pressure chamber 37. It has, for example, two communication holes 32e that communicate with the outside of the cover member 32 (open to the atmosphere).

In this way, the valve devices 24 of the first and second cleaning devices 21 and 22 are configured. Further, the valve main body portion 30 of the valve device 24 is the introduction flow path 38 side and the valve body 33a side is the first valve portion 30a, and the discharge flow path 39 side and the valve body 33b side is the second valve portion 30b. It is composed. The detailed operation of the valve device 24 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, each drive pump 23 of the first and second cleaning devices 21 and 22 is controlled by various ECUs (Electronic Control Units) mounted on the vehicle 10, that is, the upper ECU 50, the front ECU 51 and the rear ECU 52. To. The front side ECU 51 includes a function of controlling the drive pump 23 of the first cleaning device 21, and the rear side ECU 52 includes a function of controlling the drive pump 23 of the second cleaning device 22. The upper ECU 50 performs integrated control of the front side ECU 51 and the rear side ECU 52.

The operation and operation of this embodiment will be described.
In the upper ECU 50, the corresponding first and first ones are based on the adhesion of foreign matter such as raindrops to the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a of the first and second ranging sensors 11 and 12, or at predetermined time intervals regardless of the presence or absence of foreign matter. 2 When a cleaning command is issued to the cleaning devices 21 and 22, the drive pumps 23 of the cleaning devices 21 and 22 are driven through the front and rear ECUs 51 and 52.

In the non-operating state of the valve devices 24 of the cleaning devices 21 and 22, the first and second valve portions 30a and 30b are completely closed, that is, the valve bodies 33a of the diaphragm 33, as shown in FIG. 33b seals the openings 38a and 39a of the introduction flow path 38 and the discharge flow path 39.

Then, when the compressed air CA1 is stored in the chamber 26 having a predetermined volume V1 by the drive of the drive pump 23 and the compressed air CA1 is further continuously supplied, the valve body is urged by the urging spring 34. Due to the action of maintaining the valve closed state of 33a, the compressed air CA1 is stored in the chamber 26 in the accumulated pressure state, and the pressure P1 on the introduction side including the introduction flow path 38 of the valve device 24 and the connection hose 27b is indicated by the arrow in FIG. As shown by a, it rises. As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure P1 on the introduction side acts on a portion having an area S1 acting on the valve body 33a, that is, a portion having a relatively narrow area equal to the area of the opening 38a. The pushing force F1 acting on the valve body 33a is the product of the pressure P1 on the introduction side and the area S1 and F1 = P1 × S1. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the pressure P1 in the valve closed state on the introduction side is increased to a pressure sufficiently higher than the discharge pressure P0 of the drive pump 23. Here, the discharge pressure P0 of the drive pump 23 is the pressure in the flow path when the drive pump 23 is driven when the drive pump 23 and the injection nozzle 25 are directly connected by a connecting hose (hereinafter, simply). It is referred to as "discharge pressure P0 of the drive pump 23").

Further, as the pressure P1 on the introduction side rises, in the first valve portion 30a, as shown in FIG. 5, a slight gap is formed between the valve body 33a and the opening 38a, and the valve chamber 36 has a slight gap. A part of the compressed air CA1 is slightly leaked as a leak CAx. Therefore, the pressure P2 in the valve chamber 36 also gradually increases. As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure P2 in the valve chamber 36 is a portion having an area S2 acting on the thin-walled portion 33c of the diaphragm 33 (area S1 <area S2), that is, the thin-walled portion excluding the areas of the openings 38a and 39a. It acts on a relatively large area corresponding to the area of the entire 33c (strictly speaking, including the peripheral edges of the valve bodies 33a and 33b). In this case, the pushing force F2 acting on the thin portion 33c is the product of the pressure P2 in the valve chamber 36 and the area S2, F2 = P2 × S2. Since the area S2 of the thin-walled portion 33c on which the pressure P2 acts is wider than the area S1 of the valve body 33a on which the pressure P1 acts, even if the pressure P2 is lower than the pressure P1, the influence as the pushing force F2 is large.

Then, when both the pressure P1 on the introduction side and the pressure P2 in the valve chamber 36 increase to the point b shown in FIG. 7, the diaphragm which is the sum of the push-up force F1 on the valve body 33a side and the push-up force F2 on the thin-walled portion 33c side. The pushing force "F1 + F2" of 33 exceeds the predetermined pushing force (both urging forces of the urging springs 34 and 35). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the entire diaphragm 33 is greatly displaced, and the first and second valve portions 30a and 30b are both opened. That is, the valve bodies 33a and 33b are both separated from the openings 38a and 39a, and the introduction flow path 38, the valve chamber 36 and the discharge flow path 39 are in a conductive state.

The pressure P1 on the introduction side immediately before the valve opening is increased to the point b shown in FIG. 7, which is sufficiently higher than the discharge pressure P0 of the drive pump 23, and the high-pressure compressed air CA1 on the introduction flow path 38 side is generated by the valve opening. It flows through the valve chamber 36 at once to the discharge flow path 39. The pressure P3 on the discharge side rapidly increases as shown by the arrow c in FIG. That is, high-pressure air is supplied to the injection nozzle 25 as output air CA2.

On the other hand, the pressure P1 on the introduction side sharply decreases as shown by the arrow d in FIG. Eventually, after the point e shown in FIG. 7 where the pressure P3 on the discharge side coincides with the pressure P1 on the introduction side, both pressures P3 and P1 decrease, and when the pressure P3 on the discharge side reaches the point f shown in FIG. 7, the diaphragm 33 opens. Switch from valve to closed valve. That is, the pressure P2 in the valve chamber 36 also decreases, and the urging force of the urging springs 34 and 35 is superior to the pushing force "F1 + F2" of the diaphragm 33 based on both pressures P1 and P2, and the first and second valves. The valve bodies 33a and 33b of the portions 30a and 30b close the openings 38a and 39a of the introduction flow path 38 and the discharge flow path 39. The pressure P3 on the discharge side becomes zero, and the pressure P1 on the introduction side starts to rise again. The pressure P1 on the introduction side is increased again by the leak CAx until the diaphragm 33 opens. Then, by repeating the above, the diaphragm 33 (valve bodies 33a, 33b) repeatedly opens and closes the valve, and a pulsed output air CA2 is generated at high pressure.

The high-pressure pulsed output air CA2 generated in this way is blown from the injection nozzle 25 onto the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a of the first and second ranging sensors 11 and 12. As a result, foreign matter such as raindrops that may adhere to the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a can be effectively removed and cleaned, and the distance measurement accuracy can be maintained satisfactorily. Moreover, since the output air CA2 having a pressure sufficiently higher than the discharge pressure P0 of the drive pump 23 can be generated, a small drive pump 23 can be used.

Further, since the compressed air CA1 of the drive pump 23 is stored and supplied in the chamber 26 toward the valve device 24 that generates the output air CA2, a relatively large amount of compressed air is stored in the chamber 26 having a predetermined volume V1. The CA1 is stored in a compressed state, and sufficient compressed air CA1 with a small pressure fluctuation is supplied to the valve device 24. That is, the valve device 24 stabilizes its operation based on the stable supply of the compressed air CA1, and can generate the same output air CA2 for each individual pulse of the pulsed output air CA2 at high pressure. Is. Further, even if the distance between the valve device 24 and the drive pump 23 is different for each cleaning target, if the distance between the valve device 24 and the chamber 26 is set to be equal, the same output air CA2 is generated. Is possible. That is, the degree of freedom in the installation position of the drive pump 23 is high.

Further, the bottomed cylindrical chamber 26 used in the present embodiment is, for example, a medium-capacity chamber having a volume V1 having an axial length L1 and a diameter L2. Then, by making the volume V1 of the chamber 26 different, that is, by replacing it with the small-capacity chamber 26a shown in FIG. 8A or the large-capacity chamber 26b shown in FIG. 9A, high-pressure pulsed output air is generated. It was found that the output mode of CA2 can be easily changed. Incidentally, the chamber 26a shown in FIG. 8A is a small-capacity chamber having the same axial length L1 and a small diameter L3 and a volume V2. The small-capacity chamber 26a has a characteristic that the amount of air stored and stored is small, but the pressure rises rapidly to a predetermined pressure. On the other hand, the chamber 26b shown in FIG. 9A is a large-capacity chamber having the same axial length L1 and a large diameter L4 and a volume V3. The large-capacity chamber 26b has a large amount of air that is stored and stored, but has a characteristic that the pressure rises slightly to a predetermined pressure.

As a result, when the medium capacity chamber 26 is replaced with the small capacity chamber 26a as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the output mode of the output air CA2 becomes the above medium capacity as shown in FIG. 8 (b). Compared with the case of using the chamber 26 of the above, the pressure is slightly suppressed, but the interval between pulses is shortened. Even though the pressure of the output air CA2 is slightly suppressed, it is sufficiently higher than the discharge pressure P0 of the drive pump 23. If the pressure of the output air CA2 is slightly suppressed and the interval between pulses is short, for example, the specifications are suitable for quickly removing and cleaning foreign matter adhering to the object to be cleaned.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the medium capacity chamber 26 is replaced with the large capacity chamber 26b, the output mode of the output air CA2 becomes the medium capacity as shown in FIG. 9B. Compared with the case of using the chamber 26 of No. 1, the pressure becomes larger, while the interval between pulses becomes longer. If the pressure of the output air CA2 is large and the interval between pulses is long, for example, the specifications are suitable for removing and cleaning foreign matter adhering to the object to be cleaned at once even if it takes some time.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washer device 13 generally mounted on the vehicle 10 and the first and second cleaning devices 21 and 22 may be configured to cooperate with each other through the front ECU 51. The washer device 13 supplies the cleaning liquid stored in the tank 13a to the windshield or the like by driving the washer pump 13b. Then, if the output air CA2 is blown after or while the cleaning liquid is supplied to each of the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a, the effect of removing foreign substances such as dirt that is difficult to remove only by blowing air can be improved. You can expect it.

The effect of this embodiment will be described.
(1) A valve device 24 and chambers 26 (26a, 26b) are provided between the drive pump 23 and the injection nozzle 25, and the compressed air CA1 from the drive pump 23 is stored in the chamber 26 and accumulated in a valve. It is supplied to the device 24. The valve device 24 repeatedly opens and closes its own valve by accumulating pressure up to a pressure higher than the discharge pressure P0 of the drive pump 23 using the compressed air CA1 supplied from the drive pump 23 via the chamber 26. Do the action. As a result, a high-pressure pulse-shaped output air CA2 for spraying on the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a of the distance measuring sensors 11 and 12 is generated. That is, it is possible to generate the output air CA2 having improved foreign matter removing performance without increasing the size of the drive pump 23. Further, since the compressed air CA1 from the drive pump 23 is stabilized through the chamber 26 and supplied to the valve device 24, stable output air CA2 is generated, and the cleaning power for foreign matter removal cleaning is stable. Can be enhanced.

(2) The valve portion 30a of the valve device 24 closes the introduction flow path 38 of the compressed air CA1 by the valve body 33a, and the compressed air CA1 supplied from the drive pump 23 via the chambers 26 (26a, 26b). Accumulates pressure higher than the discharge pressure P0 of the drive pump 23. Further, in addition to the valve portion 30a that also functions as an auxiliary mechanism of the valve device 24, the valve portion 30b and the like cause leakage CAx of the compressed air CA1 from the introduction flow path 38 side at the time of the above-mentioned pressure accumulation, and cause leakage CAx on the leakage side (valve chamber 36). Etc.) to accumulate pressure. Next, the valve body 33a is opened based on both pressures P1 and P2 accumulated in the introduction flow path 38 side and the leakage side (valve chamber 36, etc.), and the compressed air CA1 accumulated in the introduction flow path 38 side is used. Output to the discharge flow path 39. Then, after that, the valve body 33a is closed and returned so that the pressure can be accumulated again on the introduction flow path 38 side, and a pulsed output air CA2 at high pressure is generated based on the repeated operation of opening and closing the valve of these valve bodies 33a. Will be done. That is, the pulsed output air CA2 can be generated at high pressure by the configuration and operation of the valve device 24 and the like.

(3) By closing the discharge flow path 39 at the second valve portion 30b and accumulating the leaked CAx of the compressed air CA1 in the valve chamber 36, the accumulating pressure can be reliably performed. That is, the effect of stabilizing the operation of the valve device 24 can be expected.

(4) The first valve body 33a and the second valve body 33b are integrally provided in one diaphragm 33, and the first valve portion 30a and the second valve portion 30b are configured as one valve device 24. By standardizing, the number of parts and assembly man-hours can be reduced, and the valve device 24 can be easily handled.

(5) In the chambers 26, 26a, 26b that store the compressed air CA1 from the drive pump 23 and stably supply it to the valve device 24 while accumulating the pressure, different volumes V1, V2, and V3 are selectively set. This makes it possible to change the output mode of the output air CA2. That is, the output mode of the output air CA2 can be easily changed and set by simply replacing the chambers 26, 26a, 26b having different volumes V1, V2, V3 according to the request of the output mode of the output air CA2. Further, the output mode of the output air CA2 can be changed by changing the hose length of the connection hose that directly connects the drive pump 23 and the valve device 24 without using the chambers 26, 26a, 26b. For example, when a long hose length is required, the chambers 26, 26a, and 26b are used to improve the mountability on the vehicle 10.

This embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The present embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.
The configuration of the valve device 24 is an example and may be changed as appropriate.

For example, in the valve device 24, the second valve portion 30b has a valve structure substantially the same as that of the first valve portion 30a, but the second valve portion 30b has a valve structure different from that of the first valve portion 30a. You may use it.

Further, the valve device 24 has one structure including two valve portions, a first valve portion 30a and a second valve portion 30b. For example, two valve devices having a single valve portion are arranged in series. It may be a connected configuration. In this case, a check valve may be used on the downstream side.

Further, in the valve device 24, the leaked CAx of the compressed air CA1 is generated from between the valve body 33a and the opening 38a and accumulated in the valve chamber 36, but the leaked CAx is leaked to the valve chamber 36. May be provided separately. For example, a very small hole or slit in which the introduction flow path 38 and the valve chamber 36 communicate with each other, or a contact surface with which the valve body 33a of the opening 38a abuts may be a rough surface.

-Although compressed air was blown to the object to be cleaned as a fluid, it may be a mode in which a gas-liquid mixed fluid or a liquid is blown. When a liquid is used, it is preferable that the liquid itself is surely scattered from the object to be cleaned.

The distance measuring sensors 11 and 12 were arranged at the center of the front end of the vehicle 10 and the center of the rear end of the vehicle 10, respectively, but even if they are arranged on the left and right sides of the vehicle 10. good.

-The distance measuring sensors 11 and 12 (sensing surfaces 11a and 12a) are targeted for cleaning, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a camera that captures the surroundings of the vehicle 10, sensors other than these optical sensors, and other than the sensors, for example, the headlight 15, the tail lamp 16, the electronic side mirror camera 17, the vehicle surroundings confirmation camera 18, and the like shown in FIG. 1 are to be cleaned. May be.

In the image captured by the electronic side mirror camera 17, it is often confirmed instantly during traveling. Therefore, when the electronic side mirror camera 17 is targeted for cleaning, the cleaning devices 21 and 22 select a small-capacity chamber 26a capable of outputting the output air CA2 suitable for quickly removing and cleaning the adhering foreign matter. It is possible to do. Further, in the image captured by the vehicle surroundings confirmation camera 18, it takes some time from the operation of the shift lever to the reverse position when parking to the display on the in-vehicle monitor, and the vehicle is in a state close to a stop. In many cases, instant confirmation is not required. Therefore, when the vehicle surroundings confirmation camera 18 is targeted for cleaning, the cleaning devices 21 and 22 can output an output air CA2 suitable for removing and cleaning the attached foreign matter at once even if it takes some time. A large capacity chamber 26b may be selected. In this way, by simply selecting and replacing any of the medium-capacity chamber 26, the small-capacity chamber 26a, and the large-capacity chamber 26b, the output mode of the output air CA2 suitable for each of the objects to be cleaned can be easily obtained. It is possible to change.

-When changing the volumes V1, V2, V3 in the bottomed cylindrical chambers 26, 26a, 26b, the diameter L2, L3, L4 was changed while the axial length L1 was changed, but this is not the only limitation. Instead, the diameter may be constant and the axial length may be changed, or both the axial length and the diameter may be changed. Further, the chambers 26, 26a, 26b may have a shape other than the bottomed cylindrical shape, for example, a rectangular box shape, a polygonal box shape, or the like.

10 ... Vehicle, 11, 12 ... 1st and 2nd distance measuring sensors (cleaning target), 15 ... Headlight (cleaning target), 16 ... Tail lamp (cleaning target), 17 ... Electronic side mirror camera (cleaning target), 18 ... Vehicle surroundings confirmation camera (cleaning target), 20 ... Vehicle cleaning system, 23 ... Drive pump, 24 ... Valve device, 25 ... Injection nozzle, 30a ... First valve part (valve part, auxiliary mechanism), 30b ... No. 2 valve portion (auxiliary mechanism), 33 ... diaphragm (auxiliary mechanism), 33a ... first valve body (valve body), 33b ... second valve body, 36 ... valve chamber (auxiliary mechanism), 38 ... introduction flow path, 39 ... Discharge flow path, CA1 ... Compressed air (fluid), CA2 ... Output air (output fluid), CAx ... Leakage, P0 ... Discharge pressure, P1, P2 ... Pressure, V1, V2, V3 ... Volume.

Claims (6)

The fluid (CA1) supplied from the drive pump (23) is used to spray the injection nozzle (25) onto the cleaning target (11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18) of the vehicle (10), and the cleaning is performed. A vehicle cleaning system (20) that removes and cleans foreign matter adhering to the target.
A valve device (24) and a chamber (26, 26a, 26b) are provided between the drive pump and the injection nozzle, and the fluid from the drive pump is stored in the chamber and supplied to the valve device. Arrange and
The valve device has its own valve opening and closing that operates by accumulating pressure to a pressure higher than the discharge pressure (P0) of the drive pump using the fluid supplied from the drive pump via the chamber. A vehicle cleaning system configured to generate a pulsed output fluid (CA2) at high pressure for spraying onto the cleaning object based on repetitive motion. The valve device is
A valve portion that closes the fluid introduction flow path (38) by a valve body (33a) and stores the fluid supplied from the drive pump through the chamber to a pressure higher than the discharge pressure of the drive pump. (30a) and
The fluid leak (CAx) is generated from the introduction flow path side at the time of the accumulator, and the accumulator is based on the accumulator on the leak side due to the leakage and the pressure accumulated on both the introduction flow path side and the leak side (P1, P2). Based on the valve opening of the valve body, the output of the fluid accumulated on the introduction flow path side based on the valve opening of the valve body to the discharge flow path (39), and the output of the fluid to the discharge flow path. It is equipped with an auxiliary mechanism (30a, 30b, 33, 36) configured to return the valve body to the valve so that pressure can be accumulated on the introduction flow path side, and the valve body of the valve device is opened and closed. The vehicle cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the output fluid is configured to generate a pulsed output fluid at high pressure based on repeated operation with a valve. When the valve portion having the valve body is the first valve portion (30a) having the first valve body (33a), the auxiliary mechanism of the valve device is the second valve having the second valve body (33b). Consists of a portion (30b).
The second valve portion closes the discharge flow path by the second valve body to accumulate the leakage of the fluid from the introduction flow path side, and the pressure accumulated on the leakage side is the first and second valves. 2. The vehicle cleaning system according to claim 2, which is configured to act on the valve opening of a valve body. The first and second valve portions are configured as one of the valve devices.
The vehicle cleaning system according to claim 3, wherein the first and second valve bodies are integrally provided on one diaphragm (33). The vehicle cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the drive pump is an air pump that supplies compressed air (CA1) as the fluid. The fluid (CA1) supplied from the drive pump (23) is used to spray the injection nozzle (25) onto the cleaning target (11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18) of the vehicle (10), and the cleaning is performed. It is a setting method of the vehicle cleaning system (20) that removes and cleans foreign matter adhering to the target.
A valve device (24) and a chamber (26, 26a, 26b) are provided between the drive pump and the injection nozzle, and the fluid from the drive pump is stored in the chamber and supplied to the valve device. Arrange and
The valve device uses the fluid supplied from the drive pump via the chamber to accumulate a pressure higher than the discharge pressure (P0) of the drive pump, and after the accumulation, the valve opens and closes itself. It is configured to generate a pulsed output fluid (CA2) at high pressure for spraying on the cleaning target based on the repeated operation of.
In the chamber that stores the fluid from the drive pump and supplies it to the valve device, a plurality of chambers having different volumes (V1, V2, V3) are prepared, and the output mode of the output fluid is changed. A method of setting a vehicle cleaning system in which different chambers are selectively set.

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