Apparatus for cleaning object surface

Abstract

Apparatus for cleaning object surface, wherein the apparatus for cleaning object surface is adapted to be arranged to or accommodate an object, wherein the apparatus is arranged to supply cleaning fluid to the object surface, wherein the apparatus comprises a body provided with an opening with a circumferentially extending flexible part, flange or lip partly covering the object surface in circumferential direction thereof and in engagement with the object surface with a pretension force, and wherein the apparatus is arranged to supply cleaning fluid interior of the body and the flexible part, flange or lip is arranged to bend away from the object surface when subjected to cleaning fluid supplied interior of the body.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface (102) adapted for arrangement to or to accommodate an object (100) and configured to supply cleaning fluid to the object surface (102), comprising a body (11) provided with an opening (12) with a circumferentially extending flexible element selected from the group consisting of a part, flange and lip (13) configured to partly cover the object surface (102) in a circumferential direction thereof and engageable with the object surface (102) with a pretension force, wherein the apparatus (10) is arranged to supply cleaning fluid interior of the body (11) and the flexible element (13) is arranged to bend away from the object surface (102) when subjected to cleaning fluid supplied interior of the body (11).

2. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (10) is arranged to supply cleaning fluid in contact with the object surface (102) and where the cleaning fluid remains in contact with the object surface (102) until the cleaning fluid is ejected away from the object surface (102).

3. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus (10) is arranged for supplying cleaning fluid in a circumferential direction of the object surface (102) and a flow from the circumferential direction and towards a center of the object surface (102) where the cleaning fluid is ejected substantially perpendicularly away from the object surface (102).

4. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 3, wherein the mechanical cleaning device (310) is arranged at one end to the body (11) and is arranged at another end to a driving unit (320), or is arranged to a driving unit (320) at both ends.

5. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 4, wherein the mechanical cleaning assembly (300) comprises a locking mechanism (330) to selectively prevent operation of the mechanical cleaning assembly (310).

6. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 2, wherein the mechanical cleaning device (310) is arranged at one end to the body (11) and is arranged at another end to a driving unit (320), or is arranged to a driving unit (320) at both ends.

7. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 6, wherein the mechanical cleaning assembly (300) comprises a locking mechanism (330) to selectively prevent operation of the mechanical cleaning assembly (310).

8. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 1, comprising a seal (33) within the body (11) sealing against the object (100) providing a sealing barrier for cleaning fluid in the apparatus (10).

9. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 8, wherein the mechanical cleaning device (310) is arranged at one end to the body (11) and is arranged at another end to a driving unit (320), or is arranged to a driving unit (320) at both ends.

10. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 9, wherein the mechanical cleaning assembly (300) comprises a locking mechanism (330) to selectively prevent operation of the mechanical cleaning assembly (310).

11. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanical cleaning assembly (300) comprising a mechanical cleaning device (310) for physical cleaning of the object surface (102).

12. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 11, wherein the mechanical cleaning device (310) is formed by an elastic element.

13. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 12, wherein the mechanical cleaning device (310) is arranged at one end to the body (11) and is arranged at another end to a driving unit (320), or is arranged to a driving unit (320) at both ends.

14. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 11, wherein the mechanical cleaning device (310) is arranged at one end to the body (11) and is arranged at another end to a driving unit (320), or is arranged to a driving unit (320) at both ends.

15. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface to claim 14, wherein the mechanically cleaning assembly (300) is driven by one or more of cleaning fluid, mechanically or electrically.

16. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 14, wherein the drive unit (320) comprises one or more from the group consisting of rotor (321), chain (360), wire, belt and thread.

17. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 14, wherein the mechanical cleaning assembly (300) comprises a locking mechanism (330) to selectively prevent operation of the mechanical cleaning assembly (310).

18. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 11, wherein the mechanically cleaning assembly (300) is driven by one or more of cleaning fluid, mechanically or electrically.

19. The apparatus (10) for cleaning object surface according to claim 11, wherein the mechanical cleaning assembly (300) comprises a locking mechanism (330) to selectively prevent operation of the mechanical cleaning assembly (310).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will below be described in further detail with references to the attached drawings, where:

(2) FIGS. 1A-1B are principle drawings of a first embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning object surface arranged to an object,

(3) FIG. 2 is a principle drawing of second embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning object surface,

(4) FIG. 3 is a principle drawing of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus in FIG. 2,

(5) FIGS. 4A-4B are principle drawings of a further embodiment of the apparatus for cleaning object surface,

(6) FIGS. 5A-5C are principle drawings an embodiment of the apparatus for cleaning object surface provided with a mechanical cleaning assembly,

(7) FIGS. 6A-6B are principle drawings of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus for cleaning object surface provided with a mechanical cleaning assembly,

(8) FIGS. 7A-7B are principle drawings of a further alternative embodiment of the apparatus for cleaning object surface,

(9) FIGS. 8A-8B are principle drawings of a further alternative embodiment of the apparatus for cleaning object surface,

(10) FIGS. 9A-9C are principle drawings of a further embodiment of the apparatus for cleaning objects surface provided with a mechanical cleaning assembly, and

(11) FIG. 10 is a principle drawing of a further embodiment of the apparatus for cleaning objects surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) The disclosed apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface is formed by a main body 11 provided with an opening 12 with a circumferentially extending flexible part, flange or lip 13 partly covering an object surface 102 in circumferential direction thereof and in engagement with the object surface 102 with a pretension force. An object 100 will in the following example description comprise a body or housing 101, and wherein the object surface 102 will be the surface of the body or housing 101 or object 100 itself.

(13) Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A-1B which are principle drawings of a first embodiment of an apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface. According to the first example embodiment, the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface is adapted to be arranged to and accommodate a part of an object 100. In the shown example, the object 100 is camera, such as a vehicle-mounted camera. An object 100, such as a camera, is typically formed by a housing 101 arranged for accommodating a camera with a lens 103, wherein the lens 103 is e.g. mainly circular as shown, and wherein surface of the lens 103 forms the object surface 102, e.g. with a convex shape, as shown in the example. In connection with the example, which is a vehicle-mounted camera, the camera will typically be arranged in connection with a vehicle exterior surface. The object surface 102 will thus be subject to foreign matter, such as dust, rain, snow, fog, ice, mud, etc., limiting the function or visibility of the object 100, i.e. camera.

(14) According to the first disclosed embodiment, the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface is formed by a main body 11 adapted to be arranged to and accommodating a part of the object 100, in the shown example the lens 103 of the camera. In the shown embodiment, the main body 11 is formed by a housing 20 and a mainly disc-shaped body 30 integrated with the housing 20 to form one unit. In the shown example, the mainly disc-shaped body 30 is provided with an inner centrally through hole 31 adapted for being arranged to and accommodating a part of the object 100, in the shown example the lens 103 of the camera, and wherein inner wall 32 of the inner centrally through hole 31 is provided with sealing means 33, such as an O-ring, for providing a sealed barrier between the object 100, i.e. lens 103, and the mainly disc-shaped body 30, in circumferential direction of the object 100, i.e. lens 103. The sealing means 33 will in this embodiment also work as attachment means for the mainly disc-shaped body 30 to the object 100, i.e. camera.

(15) The apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface is further provided with cleaning means for cleaning the object surface 102 by that the apparatus 10 is arranged for supply of cleaning fluid interior of the main body 11. In the shown embodiment this is achieved by that the mainly disc-shaped body 30 is provided with at least one through hole 34, in the shown embodiment at least two through holes 34 distributed in circumferential direction thereof, for supplying cleaning fluid in circumferential direction of the object surface 102, i.e. surface of the lens 103 in the example. The housing 20 of the apparatus 10 is further in the shown embodiment provided with a channel 21 extending in circumferential direction of the housing 20 enclosing the at least one through hole 34 of the mainly disc-shaped body 30 and in fluid communication with the at least one through hole 34 for supplying cleaning fluid to the at least one through hole 34 in the mainly disc-shaped body 30. The channel 21 and at least one through hole 34 of the mainly disc-shaped body 30 are arranged close to exterior wall 22 of the housing 20.

(16) The opening 12 of the main body 11 is in this embodiment arranged in the exterior wall 22 of the housing 20, arranged in correspondence with the through hole 31, wherein the opening 12 has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the inner through hole 31, wherein the diameter of the opening 12 is adapted to the field of view/function area of the object 100, i.e. field of view of the lens 103 in the shown example.

(17) Accordingly, when the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface is arranged to the object 100, i.e. the camera in the shown embodiment, the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface is enclosing and accommodating a part (i.e. the lens 103) of the object 100, such that exterior wall 22 lies onto the object surface 102, in circumferential direction thereof.

(18) At least a part, flange or lip 13 of the opening 12, i.e. exterior wall 22 surrounding the object surface 102 is formed by a flexible material or a material exhibiting flexible properties, and lying onto the object surface 102 with a pretension force. By that the flexible part, flange or lip 13 of the opening 12, i.e. exterior wall 22, is formed by a flexible material or a material exhibiting flexible properties the flexible part, flange or lip 24 is adapted to be manipulated by cleaning fluid pressure in the main body 11 of the apparatus 10 such that it bends away from the object surface 102 with the free end when subjected to cleaning fluid supplied interior of the main body 11, in the shown embodiment via the at least one through hole 34 of the mainly disc-shaped body 30.

(19) The apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface is further arranged to a cleaning fluid supply, which according to the shown embodiment is achieved by that the housing 20 is provided with an extension 23 at one side for connecting the channel 21 to a supply channel 24 for cleaning fluid. E.g. the supply channel 24 can, in the mentioned example of vehicle-mounted camera, be arranged to a supply system for cleaning of windshield, rear window or light of a vehicle, such that when cleaning fluid is supplied to the windshield, rear window or lights of a vehicle, cleaning fluid is also supplied to the apparatus 10 or by separate control. Alternatively, the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface is arranged to a separate supply for supply of cleaning fluid.

(20) Accordingly, the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface according to the above described embodiment works such that when cleaning fluid is supplied to the object surface 102 via the at least one through hole 34 in the mainly disc-shaped body 30, in circumferential direction of the object surface 102, the flexible part, flange or lip 13 of the opening 12/exterior wall 22 will, due to pressure of the supplied cleaning fluid, be lifted at the free end thereof from the object surface 102, resulting in that cleaning fluid will flow from circumferential direction of the object surface 102 and towards centre of the object surface 102, whereupon the cleaning fluid will be ejected away from the object surface 102 along longitudinal axis of the object 100. It should further be mentioned that opening 12/exterior wall 22 via the flexible part, flange or lip 13 will seal against the object surface 102 when cleaning is not performed.

(21) Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which is a principle drawing of an embodiment of the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface adapted for use with an object 100 in the form of a sensor. The main body 11 of the apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is formed by a mainly cylinder-shaped body 30 adapted to receive and accommodate the object 100, i.e. the sensor, at a closed or open end 36 thereof. The housing 20 is in this embodiment mainly cylinder-shaped and adapted for arrangement to the mainly cylinder-shaped body 30 by that the mainly cylinder-shaped housing 20 and mainly cylinder-shaped body 30 are provided with corresponding connection means in the form of threads 50, 51, respectively. In the shown embodiment, the mainly cylinder-shaped body 30 exhibits a part with a smaller diameter and wherein the part with smaller diameter is provided with exterior threads 51, at lower end thereof. The mainly cylinder-shaped housing 20 is at lower part of the mainly cylinder-shaped housing 20 provided with interior threads 50, adapted for engagement with the exterior threads 51 of the mainly cylinder-shaped body 30 such that the mainly cylinder-shaped housing 20 can be fixed to the mainly cylinder-shaped body 30 via the interaction of the threads 50, 51.

(22) The exterior diameter of the mainly cylinder-shaped body 30 and the interior diameter of the cylinder-shaped housing 20 are adapted such that there is provided an annulus 200 between the mainly cylinder-shaped body 30 and the mainly cylinder-shaped housing 20 when they are arranged together, and wherein there is arranged sealing means 33, such as an O-ring, at lower part of the annulus 200 providing a sealed barrier at lower side of the apparatus 10/main body 11.

(23) The mainly cylinder-shaped body 30 is further provided with at least one through hole 34, preferably at least two through holes 34, diametrically arranged in circumferential direction thereof for supplying cleaning fluid to the annulus 200, preferably at a lower part thereof. The mainly cylinder-shaped body 30 is further provided with an interior cleaning fluid supply channel 37 for supplying cleaning fluid to the at least one through hole 34.

(24) As in the previous described embodiment the main body 11 is provided with an opening 12 in the housing 20 provided with a part, flange or lip 13 exhibiting a smaller diameter than the interior diameter of the mainly cylinder-shaped housing 20, as described for the prior embodiments. The flexible part, flange or lip 13 is also in this embodiment formed by a flexible material or material exhibiting flexible properties, and lying onto the objects surface 102, which in this embodiment is the upper end of the body 30/object surface 102 with a pretension force, as well as allowing the flexible part, flange or lip 13 to bend away from the end/object surface 102, and thus object 100 arranged therein, with the free end when subjected to cleaning fluid supplied to the annulus 200 via the at least one through hole 34.

(25) The channel 37 of the mainly cylinder-shaped body 30 is, e.g. for an object 100 in the form of a vehicle-mounted sensor, arranged to a supply system for cleaning of windshield, rear window or light of a vehicle, such that when cleaning fluid is supplied to the windshield, rear window or lights of a vehicle, cleaning fluid is also supplied to the apparatus 10 or by separate control. Alternatively, the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface is arranged to a separate supply for supply of cleaning fluid.

(26) Accordingly, the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface according to the embodiment adapted for enclosing an object 100 works similar to the prior described embodiments by that that when cleaning fluid is supplied to the annulus 200 via the at least one through hole 34, the flexible part, flange or lip 13 will, due to pressure of the supplied cleaning fluid, be lifted at the free end thereof from the object surface 102, and accordingly the object 100, resulting in that cleaning fluid will flow from a circumferential direction and towards center of the object surface 102, whereupon the cleaning fluid will be ejected away from the object surface 102 along longitudinal axis of the object 100/mainly cylinder-shaped body 30. It should further be mentioned that the flexible part, flange or lip 13 of the main body 11/exterior wall 22 of the housing 20 due to the pretension force will seal against the object surface 102 of the mainly cylinder-shaped body 30 or object 100 when cleaning is not performed.

(27) It should be mentioned that cleaning fluid in the form of liquid, (compressed) air or steam are suitable in this embodiment.

(28) The apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface according to this embodiment is suitable for implementation in e.g. a vehicle, in the same manner as a sensor is arranged according to prior art.

(29) Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which is a principle drawing of an alternative embodiment of the embodiment in FIG. 2. In this embodiment the housing 20 at inner circumference thereof or the cylinder-shaped body 30 at exterior circumference thereof is provided with deflectors 210 or nozzles inclined in relation to the horizontal plane. The inclination of the deflectors 210 or nozzles will provide a rotation of the supplied fluid in the annulus 200 resulting in a whirling motion of the fluid towards the flexible part, flange or lip 13 and the opening 12 thereof. This whirling motion would e.g. be favorable for removing snow or ice attached to the object surface 102.

(30) Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-4B which show principle drawings of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface adapted for use with an object 100 arranged in an object housing 110. In the shown embodiment the mainly disc-shaped body 30 constitutes an integrated part of the housing 20. In this embodiment the flexible part, flange or lip 13 of the main body 11/exterior wall 22 of the housing 20 is arranged at end of a protruding part 25, extending mainly perpendicularly from the exterior wall 22, and positioning the flexible part, flange or lip 13 in a parallel horizontal plane of the exterior wall 22. Inner wall 26 of the protruding part 25 can further be provided with spacers (not shown) in circumferential direction thereof for centering the object 100/object housing 110. In this embodiment, the part 25 is also formed by a flexible material or material exhibiting flexible properties.

(31) Accordingly, this embodiment will work similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1B. Further, it should be mentioned that cleaning fluid in the form of liquid, (compressed) air or steam are suitable in this embodiment.

(32) Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A-5C showing principle drawing of a modified embodiment of the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface 102 shown in FIGS. 1A-1B. In the modified embodiment, the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface in addition to cleaning the object surface 102 with cleaning fluid is also arranged for physical cleaning of the object surface 102 by means of a mechanical cleaning assembly 300.

(33) The apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface according to the modified embodiment includes the same features as described for the embodiment described under FIG. 1A-1B, i.e. the housing 20 and mainly disc-shaped body 30 and associated parts.

(34) In this embodiment the housing 20 is arranged to the mainly disc-shaped body 30 by means of corresponding connection means in the form of threads 50 and 51, respectively, arranged at inner circumference of the housing 20 and outer circumference of the mainly disc-shaped body 30. There is further preferably arranged sealing means 52, such as an O-ring, for providing a sealed barrier lower side of the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface.

(35) The mainly disc-shaped body 30 is further arranged for accommodating the mechanical cleaning assembly 300. The mechanical cleaning assembly 300 is in this embodiment formed by a mechanical cleaning device 310 and a driving unit 320. The driving unit 320 is in this embodiment fluid driven, i.e. driven by cleaning fluid.

(36) The driving unit 320 comprises at least one rotor 321-322. In the shown embodiment, the driving unit 320 comprises an outer rotor 321 in the form of a mainly disc-shaped turbine wheel, and an inner rotor 322 in the form of a mainly disc-shaped turbine wheel.

(37) In this embodiment the at least one through hole 34 in the mainly disc-shaped body 30 is inclined, wherein longitudinal center axis through the at least one inclined through hole 34 exhibits an angle deviating from a central axis through the mainly disc-shaped body 30.

(38) The outer rotor 321 is arranged to be accommodated and rotate within the mainly disc-shaped body 30, which outer rotor 321 is provided with inclined through holes 323 for providing the interior of the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 with cleaning fluid, wherein longitudinal center axis through the inclined through holes 323 exhibit an angle deviating from a central axis through the mainly disc-shaped body 30, wherein the inclined through holes 323 deviate in the opposite direction of the at least one inclined through hole 34 of the mainly disc-shaped body 30.

(39) The inner rotor 322 is arranged to be accommodated and rotate within the outer rotor 321, which inner rotor 322 is provided with inclined through holes 324 for providing the interior of the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 with cleaning fluid, wherein longitudinal center axis through the inclined through holes 324 exhibit an angle deviating from a central axis through the mainly disc-shaped body 30, wherein the inclined through holes 324 deviate in the opposite direction of the through holes 323 of the outer rotor 321.

(40) Accordingly, the outer 321 and inner 322 rotor are arranged to rotate in an annular recess 35 in the mainly disc-shaped body 30 due to supply of cleaning fluid and the inclined holes 34, 323 and 324.

(41) The mechanical cleaning assembly 300 is further provided with a locking mechanism. In the shown embodiment, this is achieved by that the inner rotor 322 is provided with an elastic lock element 330 with an extension along a part of the outer circumference of the inner rotor 322. The elastic lock element 330 is fixed to the inner rotor 322 at one end and free at the other end, allowing it to be manipulated by cleaning fluid pressure in the mechanical cleaning assembly 300. The elastic lock element 330 is at the free end provided with a protruding locking element 331 adapted to be received in a locking recess 332 arranged in the inner circumference of the outer rotor 321. The locking recess 332 is preferably tapered from one end to ensure that the protruding element 331 safely comes into engagement with the locking recess 332. Accordingly, the elastic lock element 330 is designed such that it exhibits a pretention force, which initially ensure that the protruding locking element 331 is in engagement with the locking recess 332.

(42) The mechanical cleaning device 310 is preferably in the form of an elastic element, such as thread, wire, wiper, chain or similar, arranged/fixed to the outer rotor 321 at one end and arranged/fixed to the inner rotor 322 at the other end. By means of the locking mechanism, it is ensured that mechanical cleaning device 310 will not be activated until cleaning fluid is present at the object surface 102 and further ensure that the mechanical cleaning device 310 will be positioned outside the field of view/function area of the object surface 102 when cleaning is not performed.

(43) The apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface with the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 works in the way that when cleaning fluid is supplied via the supply channel 21, the cleaning fluid will flow into the at least one inclined through hole 34 of the mainly disc-shaped body 30, and further into the inclined through holes 323 of the outer rotor 321 and into the through holes 324 of the inner rotor 322 and flow from the circumference of the object surface 102 and towards center of the object surface 102. When the pressure of the cleaning fluid in the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 has reached a certain pressure, the protruding locking element 331 of the elastic lock element 330 will be forced out of engagement with the locking recess 332 of outer rotor 321 resulting in that the inner 322 and outer 321 rotor will start to rotate. The rotation of the outer rotor 321 and inner rotor 322 will result in that the mechanical cleaning device 310 will start to move in a more or less random or fixed pattern by that the fixed ends of the mechanical cleaning device 310 in the outer rotor 321 and inner rotor 322 rotate, at the same time as the mechanical cleaning device 310 will be affected by the flow of cleaning fluid over the object surface 102. The outer 321 and inner 322 rotor will rotate in the opposite directions or in the same direction. When rotated in the same direction it will be preferable that they are rotated with different rotational velocity. The rotational velocity will depend on the size of the respective inclined through holes, as well as the number of inclined through holes in the respective rotor, as well as the mainly disc-shaped body 30. Accordingly, the locking mechanism 330 of the mechanical cleaning device 310 will be cleaning fluid activated, ensuring that the mechanical cleaning device 310 will not move in relation to the object surface 102 before the object surface 102 is wetted which is achieved by that a certain pressured is required to allow rotation of the rotors 321-322.

(44) Reference is made to FIG. 5C which show principle drawings of a time series of how the mechanical cleaning device 310 will exhibit a different pattern depending how the fixation/arrangement points of the mechanical cleaning device 310 in the outer rotor 321 and inner rotor 322 are positioned in relation to each other. Accordingly, depending on the position of the fixation/arrangement points of the mechanical cleaning device 310 in the inner rotor 322 and outer rotor 321, the mechanical cleaning device 310 will be tightened and loosened in a random or fixed pattern ensuring that the object surface 102 will be cleaned from any film or material deposited thereon, as well as water droplets.

(45) Accordingly, in only a few cycles the mechanical cleaning device 310 will have been drawn over the entire object surface 102.

(46) When the cleaning fluid supply is cut, the inner rotor 322 will stop to rotate when the pressure of the cleaning fluid drops to a certain pressure, whereupon the pretension force in the elastic lock element 330 will result in that the outer rotor 321 is stopped by that the locking element 331 comes into engagement with the locking recess 332 and at the same time the mechanical cleaning device 310 will be in a position outside the field of view/function area object 100.

(47) Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A-6B which is a principle drawing of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface with mechanical cleaning assembly 300 in FIGS. 5A-5B. The apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface according to this embodiment includes the same features as described for the embodiment in FIGS. 1A-1B and 5A-5C as regards the housing 20 and the mainly disc-shaped body 30.

(48) The mechanical cleaning assembly 300 in this embodiment comprises a driving unit 320 comprising only one rotor 321. As for the embodiment in FIGS. 5A-5C the mainly disc-shaped body 30 is provided with at least one inclined through hole 34 and the rotor 321 is arranged to be accommodated and rotating in the mainly disc-shaped body 30, and wherein the at least one inclined through hole 323 of the rotor 321 deviate in the opposite direction of the at least one inclined through hole 34 of the mainly disc-shaped body 30.

(49) The rotor 321 comprises as above an elastic lock element 330 with an extension along a part of the outer circumference of the rotor 321, but the locking recess 332 is in this embodiment arranged at the inner circumference of the mainly disc-shaped body 30. Further, in this embodiment the mechanical cleaning device 310 is fixed inside the housing 20 or to the body 30 at one side, i.e. unlike the embodiment in FIGS. 5A-5C, and will not rotate, but will be stationary at all time. The other end arranged to the rotor 321 will move and provide a more or less random or fixed pattern for movement of the mechanical cleaning device 310 over the object surface 102, as shown in FIG. 6B. The mechanical cleaning assembly 300 will work similarly as the embodiment described in FIGS. 5A-5C, by that the cleaning fluid will flow through the at least one inclined through hole 34 of the mainly disc-shaped body 30 and inclined through holes 323 of rotor 321 and when a certain cleaning fluid pressure is achieved the protruding element 331 of the elastic lock element 330 is released from engagement with the locking recess 332. As the rotor 321 rotates this will result in that one end of the mechanical cleaning device 310 is provided with a circumferential movement which will result in a more or less random or fixed pattern of the mechanical cleaning device 310 over the object surface 102.

(50) Reference is now made to FIGS. 7A-7B which are principle drawings of a further embodiment of the apparatus 10. In this embodiment the main body 11 is formed by a mainly disc-shaped housing 20 and a mainly disc-shaped body 30, as described for the previous embodiments. The flexible part, flange or lip 13 is in this embodiment formed as a separate component, wherein the housing 20 at upper part is adapted to receive and accommodate the flexible part, flange or lip 13 and held in place by a fixation plate 29, which is detachably arranged to the housing 20 by means of corresponding threads.

(51) The housing 20 is as in the previous embodiments arranged for receiving and accommodating the mechanical cleaning assembly 300. The mechanical cleaning assembly 300 can be formed as in any one of the described embodiments. In the shown embodiment is however an alternative embodiment of the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 of the one in FIGS. 6A-6B shown. As for the embodiment in FIGS. 6A-6B the mainly disc-shaped body 30 is provided with at least one inclined through hole 34 and the rotor 321 is arranged to be accommodated and rotating in the mainly disc-shaped body 30. This embodiment is based on the use of a rotor 321 provided with propeller blades 325 at exterior surface thereof, deviating with an angle in the opposite direction of the at least one inclined through hole 34 of the mainly disc-shaped body 30. The rotor 321 and mainly disc-shaped main body 30 are provided with interior corresponding locking devices 330. By supplying cleaning fluid via the at least one through hole 34 this will result in that the propeller blades 325 rotates the rotor 321 as well as lifting the rotor 321 from the mainly disc-shaped main body 30 upwards limited by the flexible part, flange or lip 13 such that the locking devices 330 goes out of engagement with each other and the rotor 321 is free to rotate, similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6B. When the cleaning process is finished and the cleaning fluid pressure drops and the flexible part, flange or lip 13 will push the rotor 321 towards the mainly disc-shaped main body 30 and the locking devices 330 will again go into engagement and lock the two parts together. The mechanical cleaning device 310 will similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 6A-6B also in this embodiment be fixed at one end to the main body 30 or the housing 20, and at the other end be arranged to the rotor 321 as described above.

(52) The function and operation of the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 is similar to the one described in FIGS. 6A-6B.

(53) Reference is now made to FIGS. 8A-8B which are principle drawings of an embodiment where the mechanical cleaning device 300 is electrically driven. The driving unit 320 according to this embodiment is formed by a rotor 321 and a stator 340, wherein the stator the stator 340 is arranged fixed in the annular recess 35 of the mainly disc-shaped body 30 and the rotor 321 is arranged to rotate within the stator 340. The stator 340 can alternatively be an integrated part of the mainly disc-shaped body 30 or housing 20. The stator 340 is connected to a power supply source 350 and the rotor 321 will be provided with permanent magnets or windings distributed along the circumference thereof. By applying a current to the stator 340, this will induce a magnetic field in the rotor 321 resulting in that the rotor 321 will rotate. The mechanical cleaning device 310 will be arranged/fixed at one end to the rotor 321, while at the other end is arranged/fixed to the mainly disc-shaped body 30 or housing 20. This embodiment enables cleaning by the mechanical cleaning device 310 both with cleaning fluid and without cleaning fluid. The mechanical cleaning device 310 can thus also be used as a wiper without cleaning fluid. By using an electrically driven solution, one can use a delay to be sure that the object surface is wetted before the mechanical cleaning device 310 is operated. An electrically driven solution can also be used to ensure that the mechanical cleaning device 310 is positioned out of the field of view/function area of the object 100 when cleaning is not performed by that one know the position of the rotor 321, and thus the fixation point of the mechanical cleaning device 310. By appropriate controlling, one can thus position the rotor 321 and thus fixation/arrangement point of the mechanical cleaning device 310 thereon in a position where one is sure that the mechanical cleaning device 310 is positioned out of the field of view/function area of the object 100.

(54) Reference is now made to FIGS. 9A-9B which are principle drawing of an alternative embodiment of the mechanical cleaning assembly 300. In the shown embodiment the object 100 is exemplified by a light of a vehicle or camera. In this embodiment the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 is mechanically driven. In this embodiment, the driving unit 320 for the mechanical cleaning device 310 comprises a chain 360, wire, belt or thread arranged for moving in a track 361 extending mainly along the circumference of the object surface 102, i.e. the chain 360 is arranged to rotate along the circumference of the object surface 102. The driving unit 320 further comprises a cogwheel 370 providing movement of the chain 360, wire, belt or thread, wherein the rotational movement of the cogwheel 370 is provided by an electric motor (not shown). The mechanical cleaning device 310 will in this embodiment be arranged/fixed at one end to a position on the chain 360, wire, belt or thread and at the other end is fixed/arranged to the body 11. In the example is shown the use of a beaded chain 360 arranged to move in a mainly tubular track 361, wherein the tubular track 361 exhibits a slot (not shown) facing the interior side thereof, through which slot the mechanical cleaning device 310 extends such that the mechanical cleaning device 310 is free to move over the object surface 102. The use of a beaded chain 360 moving in a tubular track 361 will provide a solution with low friction. By moving the chain 360, wire, belt or thread by means of the cogwheel 370, one end of the mechanical cleaning device 310 will move as described above and a more or less random or fixed pattern is achieved, wherein the flexible part, flange or lip 13 will keep the mechanical cleaning device 310 tensioned over the object surface 102.

(55) Accordingly, this embodiment enables cleaning by the mechanical cleaning device 310 both with cleaning fluid and without cleaning fluid. The mechanical cleaning device 310 can thus also be used as a wiper without cleaning fluid. It should also be mentioned that this embodiment provides a solution where the chain 360, wire, belt or thread can be moved in both directions by the rotational direction of the cogwheel 370, and thus also move the mechanical cleaning device 310 in opposite directions. It should be noted that wheels, cogwheels or similar can be arranged in corners of the circumference of the object surface 102 to facilitate the movement of the chain 360, wire, belt or thread along the circumference thereof.

(56) Reference is now made to FIG. 9c which is an alternative embodiment of the embodiment in FIGS. 9A-9B, where both ends of the mechanical cleaning device 310 is arranged to separate chains 360, wires, belts or threads or threads, moving in the same direction or opposite direction. When moved in the same direction it will be preferable that the cogwheels 370 are operated at different rotational velocity. This embodiment will work similarly to the one described in FIGS. 5A-5C.

(57) Reference is now made to FIG. 10 which is a principle drawing of a further embodiment of the apparatus 10. Parts of the main body 11 are omitted in the shown embodiment for revealing details. In this embodiment the driving unit 320 for the mechanical cleaning device 310 is mechanically driven. In this embodiment the driving unit 320 comprises a pitch rack 380 arranged in rotational engagement with the rotor 321 by means of a transmission device (not shown), such as one or more cogwheels, transferring longitudinal movement of the pitch rack 380 to rotational movement of the rotor 321.

(58) The driving unit 320 is in this embodiment arranged to a driving device 400 providing longitudinal movement of the pitch rack 380.

(59) In the shown embodiment is also an assembly 500 for supplying cleaning fluid to the apparatus shown, which can be operated at the same time as the mechanical cleaning device 310 is operated.

(60) The driving device 400 is formed by a shaft 401 driven by a driving source 402, such as an electric motor or a solenoid, for moving the shaft 401 in a longitudinal direction of the driving source 402. In the example, there is shown the use of a solenoid and wherein the shaft 401 is extending through the solenoid 402 and wherein the shaft 401 at one end 403 is connected to the driving unit 320 of the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 and the assembly 500 for supplying cleaning fluid.

(61) The assembly 500 for supplying cleaning fluid is in the shown embodiment comprising a piston assembly 510 comprising a cylinder 511, wherein a piston 512 operated by a piston rod 513 is arranged. The cylinder 511 is at one side of upper part thereof provided with a fluid inlet 520 connected to a fluid supply 530 via a non-return valve 521. The cylinder 511 is further at the opposite side at the upper part thereof provided with a fluid outlet 540 connected to the fluid supply channel 26 of the housing 20 via a non-return valve 541.

(62) In the shown embodiment, the mentioned pitch rack 380 and piston rod 513 of the piston assembly 500 are both arranged to the end 403 of the shaft 402 for parallel longitudinal movement. There is preferably further arranged a spring 514 to the piston rod 513, between the cylinder 511 and the end 403 of the shaft 402.

(63) Accordingly, the chamber of the cylinder 511 will be filled with cleaning fluid when the piston 512 is in a retracted position. When a cleaning process is activated the longitudinal movement of the shaft 402 will push cleaning fluid out of the fluid outlet 540 supplying cleaning fluid to the apparatus 10 at the same time as the pitch rack 380 is moved in longitudinal direction resulting in rotation of the rotor 321 driving the mechanical cleaning assembly 310 as described above. When the cleaning process is completed the spring 514 will ensure that the piston 512 is retracted and the shaft 402 moved longitudinally in the opposite direction. This opposite movement of the shaft 402 results in that the chamber of the cylinder 511 is again filled with cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid supply 530, and that the pitch rack 380 is moved in opposite direction, resulting in that the rotor 321 is rotated in the opposite direction moving the mechanical cleaning device 310 in the opposite direction wiping of the object surface 102 like a wiper.

(64) Accordingly, in this embodiment the supply of cleaning fluid and operation of the mechanical cleaning device 310 is achieved in a combined manner by longitudinal movement of the shaft 402.

(65) It should further be mentioned that the above-described solution can be used for driving of the assembly 500 for fluid supply alone or the rotor 321 alone.

(66) The shown embodiment also gives an example of how a heating element 600 can be implemented for heating of the cleaning fluid in winter time. In the shown example, this is achieved by that the heating element 600 is attached to the cylinder 511 for heating of cleaning fluid therein. Another alternative will be that the heating element is enclosing the channel 26.

(67) An obvious modification of the above-described embodiments is that the mentioned at least one rotor 321-322 can be arranged to be rotated directly by an electrical motor or via one or more transmission devices.

(68) All the above-described embodiments can be combined to form modified and new embodiments within the scope of the attached claims.

(69) Accordingly, by the apparatus 10 for cleaning of object surface according to the latter disclosed embodiments is achieved an apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface with a mechanical cleaning assembly 300 which effectively and rapidly can perform cleaning of the object surface 102 within a few seconds, as well as removing film, material or water droplets on the object surface 102 effectively.

(70) By ensuring that, in some of the above-described embodiments, the mechanical cleaning device 310 at all times would be in cleaning fluid, and due to the fact that the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface is arranged to ensure that cleaning fluid is present at the object surface 102 it is provided low friction and long operating time.

(71) Further, the disclosed embodiments provide a robust apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface which will withstand the forces of a high-pressure washer due to the use of the flexible part, flange or lip 13, and the design of the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 ensures that the mechanical cleaning device 310 will be positioned behind the flexible part, flange or lip 13, protecting it at all time when not used.

(72) The apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface further provides a compact and robust solution.

(73) The disclosed embodiments further provide an apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface which is easy to arrange to and dismount from the relevant object 100 it is to be used on.

(74) The size and shape of the mechanical cleaning device 310 can be adapted to the object surface 102 it is to be used on. It can e.g. be formed as a thread, as a wiper or similar shapes, which will be within the knowledge of a skilled person.

(75) The above-described principles can be used on any kind of object requiring cleaning for improving function or visibility. Examples of objects 100 are typically vehicle-mounted sensors providing information about the surroundings, such as, but not limited to, proximity sensors, sensors for parking assistance, blind zone object detection, traffic lane departure, traffic signal identification, rear view mirror substitution etc., and lidars or other kind of sensor where it is required to clean the surface for dust, ice, snow, rain or dirt of any kind which could reduce the operation of the sensor. The same applies for sensors on seagoing crafts, airplanes, drones or similar.

(76) Other kinds of objectives will be applicable, e.g., but not limited to, cameras on crafts, airplanes, drones or similar, surveillance cameras in public areas, tunnels, etc.

(77) The disclosed embodiments are also applicable for cleaning of windows, cover, signs, boards, signposts or similar, of any kind and shape.

(78) Further, the principles of the disclosed embodiments will be applicable on any kind of object surface, i.e. the object surface can be concave, convex or planar or any other shape. Further, the principles are applicable on any kind of shape of the object, such as, but not limited to, mainly rectangular, mainly quadratic, mainly disc-shaped, mainly cylindrical, or mainly cylinder-shaped.

(79) Even though it in some of the embodiments above is described an apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface acting directly on the object surface, the apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface can be used on cover windows/glass or housings located facing the object.

(80) The apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface can further be arranged to use more than one cleaning fluid, hereunder also (compressed) air.

(81) The apparatus 10 for cleaning object surface can further be arranged to an automatic activation system, which will initiate a cleaning procedure if the visibility of the object is reduced.