WO2021170275A1

WO2021170275A1 - Cleaning apparatus for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2021170275A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/084772
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan Klöckner; Karl Martin Fritsch
Original assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
Priority date: 2020-02-28
Filing date: 2020-12-04
Publication date: 2021-09-02
Also published as: DE102020202570A1

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus (2) for a vehicle is proposed, with which at least one cleaning point can be cleaned as required and selectively with pressurized cleaning fluid and/or pressurized ambient air, comprising: • an air path (LP) which feeds a fluid distribution device (10) with the pressurized ambient air, wherein the fluid distribution device (10) is fluidically connected to the cleaning point (12, 13, 14), • a cleaning fluid tank (6) which is fluidically connected to the fluid distribution device (10) via a pump stage (20) for pre-feeding the cleaning fluid into the fluid distribution device, and • a compressed air source for drawing in and conveying the ambient air and for pressurizing the air path (LP). A vehicle having such a cleaning apparatus, use of such a cleaning apparatus and a cleaning method for a vehicle are also proposed.

Description

description

CLEANING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE

The invention relates to a cleaning device for a vehicle, a vehicle with such a cleaning device, a use of such a cleaning device and a cleaning method for a vehicle.

A vehicle is to be understood as any type of vehicle which is operated either with an internal combustion engine and / or with an electric motor, but in particular passenger cars and / or commercial vehicles. These are preferably partially autonomous and, in particular, fully autonomously operated vehicles.

An object of the invention is to enable improved vehicle cleaning. Another object on which the invention is based is to improve a cleaning device for a vehicle.

This object is achieved by a cleaning device proposed according to claim 1 and placed under protection. A vehicle with such a cleaning device is also proposed and placed under protection (cf. claim 6). Furthermore, a cleaning method for a vehicle is proposed and placed under protection (cf. claim 7) as well as a use of the proposed cleaning device (cf. claims 8). Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

A cleaning device for a vehicle is proposed with which at least one cleaning point of the vehicle can be cleaned as required and optionally with pressurized cleaning fluid and / or pressurized ambient air. The proposed cleaning device includes:

• an air path that feeds a fluid distribution device with the pressurized ambient air, wherein the fluid distribution device is fluidically connected to the cleaning point,

A cleaning fluid tank which is fluidically connected to the fluid distribution device via a pump stage for pre-conveying the cleaning fluid into the fluid distribution device, and

• a source of compressed air to pressurize the air path.

The compressed air source can be a compressor stage for sucking in and conveying the ambient air and for applying pressure to the air path. In addition or as an alternative to the compressor stage, a separate compressed air system can also function in the sense of the compressed air source for pressurizing the air path, which provides the pressurized ambient air.

A cleaning point can be understood to mean a cleaning point assigned to a vehicle sensor - for example a cleaning point assigned to a camera, etc. - whereby the cleaning point as such can even be part of the respective vehicle sensor or can be arranged at a distance from it, for example a point on a windshield and the like. A cleaning point can, however, also be another point on the vehicle which as such is not assigned to a vehicle sensor, for example another point on said windshield, a point on a headlight and the like.

In the simplest case, a cleaning liquid can be understood to mean water, but advantageously an aqueous cleaning agent solution, ie water in conjunction with a cleaning agent additive. The cleaning fluid can also advantageously contain an antifreeze or antifreeze agent, which as such lowers the freezing point of the cleaning liquid.

In addition or as an alternative to the air of an actual vehicle environment, ambient air can also be understood to mean the air of a vehicle interior, which is expediently filtered and possibly also preheated air. To filter this vehicle interior air, an air filter that is already provided in an HVAC system (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) or an air conditioning system can advantageously be used. The latter contributes to a reduction in costs.

The use of such a preheated and filtered vehicle interior air or warm air has the advantage that freezing of the cleaning fluid on the respective cleaning point is counteracted at cold outside temperatures in the vehicle environment, for example on a cleaning point that can be assigned to sensor optics. In addition, this warm air proves to be advantageous for drying and defrosting the respective cleaning point.

For fluid lines which are arranged downstream of the fluid distribution device and carry or conduct fluid lines that carry ambient air and / or cleaning fluid and lead to the individual cleaning points, the respective fluid path or air and fluid path through which the cleaning fluid previously flowed is dried or removed by the surrounding air flowing through. is blown free.

As a result, the respective fluid path, which is blown free as a result of the pumping of ambient air, can advantageously not freeze.

In addition, the pumping of ambient air also counteracts the formation of a biomass in the fluid path and thus also the resultant digestion of the fluid path. Ideally, both the formation of biomass and digestion are completely prevented. Furthermore, by means of the proposed cleaning device, a range of a used amount of cleaning liquid is significantly increased or increased compared to a device which as such only conveys cleaning liquid.

By even feeding cleaning fluid and ambient air to the at least one cleaning point via the fluid distribution device - in accordance with the "and / or linking" described above - in a so-called mixed mode, the said range of the cleaning fluid can advantageously be increased even further (so-called . Mixing mode of the cleaning device).

It is also proposed to provide a compressed air reservoir downstream of the compressed air source, for example in the form of the said compressor stage. As a result, the compressor stage can advantageously only be operated when required, which is advantageous in terms of energy.

It is also proposed to drive the compressor stage and / or the pump stage electrically. The compressor stage can be designed in the form of a displacement compressor stage or flow compressor stage. The pump stage can be designed in the form of a displacement pump stage and / or flow pump stage.

It is also proposed a vehicle with a cleaning device of the type described above.

Furthermore, a cleaning method for a vehicle is proposed in which at least one cleaning point is cleaned as required and optionally with pressurized cleaning fluid and / or pressurized ambient air.

In this case, a fluid distribution device, which is fluidically connected to the cleaning point, is fed with the pressurized ambient air by means of the said compressed air source via an air path. A cleaning liquid tank is fluidically connected to the fluid distribution device via a pump stage for pre-conveying the cleaning liquid into the fluid distribution device.

In addition, use of a cleaning device of the type described above for at least cleaning a plurality of cleaning points each assigned to a sensor is proposed.

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to a figure. Further advantageous developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following description of preferred embodiments. Flierzu shows schematically:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a proposed, according to the invention

Cleaning device, as well

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a proposed, according to the invention

Cleaning device.

The proposed cleaning device RV according to FIG. 1 has a compressor 2, also referred to as compressor stage 2, as part of a unit conveying ambient air, the unit also comprising an electric motor which drives the compressor 2 via a corresponding shaft.

The ambient air is sucked in and conveyed upstream of the compressor 2 via an air filter 1 and an associated fluid path or air path section. The compressor 2 can be designed in the form of a displacement and / or flow compressor stage.

With regard to the filtered ambient air, it should be noted that it is either one from a vehicle environment and / or one from a Vehicle interior can act sucked in air (see also the introductory definition of the ambient air).

Downstream of the compressor 2, in the continuation of the air path LP, there is a non-return valve 3 and a compressed air reservoir 4, the pressure of which is monitored by means of a pressure sensor 17. A fluid distribution device 10, into which the air path LP for feeding the device 10 opens via an inlet throttle valve 5a, is arranged downstream of the compressed air reservoir 4.

In a further embodiment, in addition or as an alternative to the compressor 2 and / or the compressed air reservoir 4, a separate compressed air system installed in the vehicle can be used in the sense of an alternative compressed air source, which as such provides pressurized or compressed air or ambient air.

In the latter case, a separate compressed air reservoir is used, for example, of a vehicle air suspension or vehicle braking system, which as such each have a separate compressed air reservoir. As a result, the compressor 2 and also the compressed air reservoir 4 can advantageously be saved.

A cleaning liquid tank 6 is also fluidically connected to this fluid distribution device 10 via a separate fluid or liquid path FP that carries / conducts a cleaning liquid, specifically via an associated inlet throttle valve (not shown), which can be provided on the fluid distribution device 10. As an alternative to this, this inlet throttle valve can also be provided on the cleaning fluid tank 6 or in the associated line.

A pump stage 20 for pre-conveying the cleaning liquid into the fluid distribution device 10 is provided in the liquid path FP. A further check valve 3 is also arranged downstream of the pump stage 20. A fill level sensor 18 is provided for measuring the fill level of the tank 6. In addition, the embodiment of Fig. 1 has a so-called. Return path 16, or just called return 16, via which both pressurized cleaning liquid and / or pressurized or compressed ambient air from the fluid distribution device 10 via a backflow valve 8 on the device 10 to the cleaning liquid tank 6 can be traced back.

Since pressurized ambient air can also reach the tank 6 via the return 16, it is proposed to monitor the pressure within the tank 6 by means of an associated pressure sensor (not shown).

According to FIG. 1, the cleaning liquid can also be fed into the fluid distribution device 10 in advance, quasi-pressure-free (-> pressure-free metering; quasi-pressure-free cleaning liquid container 6). This means that virtually no system pressure has to be overcome during pre-delivery (virtually pressureless filling). In this case, the aforementioned inlet throttle valve (not shown) assigned to the fluid path FP could even be dispensed with. The fluid distribution device 10 is completely filled, for example, in that the pump stage 20 is actuated or operated for a sufficiently long time with the inlet throttle valve 5a closed and the return flow valve 8 open.

A plurality or plurality of outlet metering valves 9 are also provided on the fluid distribution device 10, each of which is fluidically connected via an assigned fluid line 15 to a nozzle 11 assigned to a cleaning point 12, 13, 14.

Via the fluid distribution device 10, the respective cleaning medium or fluid - ie pressurized cleaning liquid and / or pressurized ambient air - is supplied to a plurality or plurality of possible cleaning points 12, 13, 14 of a vehicle as required. This can be cleaning points 12 assigned to a vehicle sensor in each case - for example a cleaning point on a windshield 14 assigned to a camera, etc. - and / or other cleaning points, for example one another point on the windshield 14, a point of a headlight 13 and the like.

According to a further, alternatively proposed embodiment, which is not covered by FIG. 1, the cleaning device RV is designed without a return 16, i.e. without return. Instead of the backflow valve 8 (see FIG. 1), a vent valve, not shown here, may be provided on the device 10, for example on the fluid distribution device. This vent valve can advantageously be designed to be gas-permeable, but not liquid-permeable.

An alternative embodiment without the compressed air reservoir 4 is proposed, which is not covered by FIG. The advantage of such a compressed air reservoir 4 is that the compressor 2 only has to be started up twice or as required in order to either feed the compressed air reservoir 4 to fill it and / or the fluid or air path section LP downstream of the compressed air reservoir 4 to pressurize with compressed ambient air. In this respect, this embodiment without the compressed air reservoir 4 is more advantageous from an energetic point of view.

According to FIG. 2, a check valve 3 or 10 is arranged in the air path LP both upstream and downstream of the compressed air reservoir 4. Analogous to FIG. 1, an inlet throttle valve is also provided in the air path in FIG. 2, only not shown.

According to FIG. 2, the cleaning liquid is pre-conveyed under pressure into the fluid distribution device 10 (-> metering under pressure). This means that a system pressure has to be overcome during the pre-delivery (filling under pressure). During the operation of the pump stage 20, the inlet throttle valve of the air path LP (not shown) is closed and the inlet throttle valve (not shown in FIG. 2) of the fluid path FP is opened. In principle, the inlet throttle valve of the fluid path FP could also be saved if the pump stage 20 is designed as a displacement pump stage. The individual outlet metering valves 9 can advantageously be arranged at the bottom in the position of use of the fluid distribution device 10 in order to avoid incorrect metering of cleaning liquid. In addition or as an alternative to this, the fluid distribution device 10 can have a correspondingly advantageous shape in order to avoid the said incorrect dosing of cleaning liquid.

The cleaning devices RV proposed here are each part of a vehicle, preferably in the form of an at least partially autonomous, but in particular fully autonomously operated vehicle.

By means of these cleaning devices RV, either the said cleaning liquid and / or the said ambient air can be supplied to at least one of the said cleaning points 12, 13, 14, as required and optionally, under pressure.

Compared to a cleaning device which only delivers a cleaning liquid, the range that can be achieved with the cleaning liquid of the cleaning liquid container 6 can be significantly increased or increased according to the invention.

This applies in particular to vehicles that will drive fully autonomously in the future, which, compared to previous vehicles, will have a significantly higher number of sensors, in particular safety-relevant sensors, the functionality of which must be ensured.

Although exemplary embodiments are explained in the preceding description, it should be pointed out that a large number of modifications are possible. It should also be noted that the exemplary statements are only examples and are not intended to limit the scope of protection, the applications and the structure in any way. Rather, the preceding description provides the person skilled in the art with guidelines for the implementation of at least one exemplary embodiment, with various changes, in particular with regard to the function and arrangement of the described components, can be made without leaving the scope of protection as it emerges from the claims and these equivalent combinations of features.

Claims

1. Cleaning device for a vehicle, with which at least one cleaning point (12, 13, 14) can be cleaned as required and optionally with pressurized cleaning fluid and / or pressurized ambient air, comprising: an air path (LP) which has a fluid distribution device (10) feeds the pressurized ambient air, the fluid distribution device (10) being fluidically connected to the cleaning point (12, 13, 14), a cleaning fluid tank (6) which is connected to the fluid distribution device (10) via a pump stage (20) for pre-conveying the cleaning liquid is fluidically connected to the fluid distribution device, as well as a compressed air source for pressurizing the air path (LP).

2. Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the compressed air source has a compressor stage (2) for sucking in and conveying the ambient air and for pressurizing the air path (LP, LPi, LPn) and / or a separate compressed air system of the vehicle for pressurizing the air path (LP, LPi, LPN) is.

3. Cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pressure accumulator (4) is arranged downstream of the compressed air source.

4. Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the compressor stage (2) and / or the pump stage (20) is / are electrically driven.

5. Vehicle with a cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims.

6. Cleaning method for a vehicle, in which at least one cleaning point (12, 13, 14) is cleaned as required and optionally with pressurized cleaning liquid and / or pressurized ambient air, a fluid distribution device (10) by means of a compressed air source via an air path (LP). , which is fluidically connected to the cleaning point (12, 13, 14), is fed with the pressurized ambient air, a cleaning liquid tank (6) being connected to the fluid distribution device (10) via a pump stage (20) for pre-conveying the cleaning liquid into the fluid distribution device (10) ) is fluidically connected.

7. Use of a cleaning device according to one of the preceding

Claims 1 to 4 for at least cleaning a plurality of cleaning points each assigned to a sensor (12).