DEVICE AND METHOD FOR WASHING A SURFACE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE PART AND FLUID CONTROL VALVE FOR SUCH DEVICE

Abstract

The device comprises a first fluid pump for supplying first fluid from a first fluid source to the fluid control valve, a second fluid pump for supplying a flow of a second fluid from a second fluid source to the fluid control valve, and a pressure container for containing pressurized second fluid, the fluid control valve comprising a first fluid channel, a separate second fluid channel, a valve member for closing the second fluid channel when no first fluid flows through the fluid control valve or opening the second fluid channel when no second fluid flows through the fluid control valve or when second fluid flows with a low pressure, and a spring for biasing the valve member for closing the fluid control channel.

Claims

1. A fluid control valve comprising at least one first fluid channel and at least one second fluid channel separate from the first fluid channel, wherein it further comprises a valve member configured to be driven into a closed position closing the second fluid channel when first fluid flows through the first fluid channel with a first fluid pressure (PA) higher than a predetermined valve member pressure (PV) plus a second fluid channel pressure (PA) or into an open position opening the second fluid channel when no first fluid flows through the first fluid channel or when first fluid flows with a first fluid pressure (PA) lower than the predetermined valve member pressure (PV) plus the second fluid channel pressure (PA).

2. The fluid control valve of claim 1, wherein the predetermined valve member pressure (PV) is lower than 2 bar.

3. The fluid control valve of claim 1, wherein it comprises biasing means for biasing the valve member for closing the first fluid channel.

4. The fluid control valve of claim 3, wherein the amount of the valve member pressure (PV) is greater than or equal to a force applied by the biasing means for biasing the valve member for opening the first fluid channel.

5. The fluid control valve of claim 1, wherein the valve member is a piston or membrane mechanism.

6. The fluid control valve of claim 2, wherein it comprises biasing means for biasing the valve member for closing the first fluid channel.

7. The fluid control valve of claim 6, wherein the amount of the valve member pressure (PV) is greater than or equal to a force applied by the biasing means for biasing the valve member for opening the first fluid channel.

8. The fluid control valve of claim 7, wherein the valve member is a piston or membrane mechanism.

9. A device for washing a surface of a motor vehicle part, the device comprising: a fluid control valve including at least one first fluid channel and at least one second fluid channel separate from the first fluid channel, a valve member configured to be driven into a closed position closing the second fluid channel when first fluid flows through the first fluid channel with a first fluid pressure (PA) higher than a predetermined valve member pressure (PV) plus a second fluid channel pressure (PA) or into an open position opening the second fluid channel when no first fluid flows through the first fluid channel or when first fluid flows with a first fluid pressure (PA) lower than the predetermined valve member pressure (PV) plus the second fluid channel pressure (PA); a first fluid pump for supplying first fluid from a first fluid source to the fluid control valve; a second fluid pump for supplying a flow of a second fluid from a second fluid source to the fluid control valve; at least one first fluid outlet for supplying first fluid from the fluid control valve to the motor vehicle part; and at least one second fluid outlet for supplying second fluid from the fluid control valve to the motor vehicle part.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the first and second fluid pumps are adapted to operate such that first fluid is allowed to flow through the fluid control valve to the surface of the motor vehicle part while second fluid is prevented from flowing through the fluid control valve, with the second fluid pump in operation while the first fluid pump is shut down such that no first fluid flows through the fluid control valve (100) and a second fluid burst is supplied to the surface of the motor vehicle part.

11. The device of claim 9, further comprising: a pressure container adapted to contain a second fluid pressurized by the second fluid pump.

12. The device of any of claim 11, wherein the pressure container is one of a dedicated container, defined by an interior volume of a second fluid circuit, and defined by at least one pipe.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second fluid outlets includes a nozzle that is configured to direct a fluid burst to a surface of a motor vehicle part.

14. The device of claim 9, further comprising: a control unit configured such that after a second fluid burst has been supplied to the surface of the motor vehicle part, a continuous flow of second fluid is supplied to the surface of the motor vehicle part during a predetermined period of time.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the control unit is configured for operating the second fluid pump at least during operation of the first fluid pump.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein the first fluid pump is configured for supplying first fluid with a pressure higher or equal than the first fluid pressure (PA) and the second fluid pump is configured for supplying second fluid with a second fluid pressure (PA) higher or equal than the second channel pressure (PA) when the second fluid flows through the second channel, the first fluid pressure (PA) being higher than the second fluid channel pressure (PA) plus the valve member pressure (PV).

17. The device of claim 9, further comprising: a first fluid tank for containing first fluid to be pumped to the fluid control valve.

18. The device of claim 13, further comprising: a control unit configured such that after a second fluid burst has been supplied to the surface of the motor vehicle part, a continuous flow of second fluid is supplied to the surface of the motor vehicle part during a predetermined period of time.

19. The device of claim 14, wherein the first fluid pump is configured for supplying first fluid with a pressure higher or equal than the first fluid pressure (PA) and the second fluid pump is configured for supplying second fluid with a second fluid pressure (PA) higher or equal than the second channel pressure (PA) when the second fluid flows through the second channel, the first fluid pressure (PA) being higher than the second fluid channel pressure (PA) plus the valve member pressure (PV).

20. A method for washing a surface of a motor vehicle part using the device of claim 7, wherein the method comprises: operating the first fluid pump for causing a first fluid to flow through the first fluid channel of the fluid control valve with a first fluid pressure (PA) and out towards a surface of a motor vehicle part; closing the second fluid channel of the fluid control valve by the flow of first fluid through the first fluid channel of the fluid control valve; operating the second fluid pump for causing a second fluid to flow through the second fluid channel of the fluid control valve with a second fluid pressure (PA) into a pressure container causing the second fluid to be pressurized therein; shutting down the first fluid pump; preventing the first fluid from flowing through the first fluid channel of the fluid control valve or reducing the first fluid pressure (PA) lower than the predetermined valve member pressure (PV) plus the second fluid channel pressure (PA); and allowing the second fluid to flow through the second fluid channel of the fluid control valve resulting in a burst of the second fluid being supplied towards the surface of the motor vehicle part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Various features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed non-limiting embodiments. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a non-limiting, exemplary, embodiment of a device for washing a surface of a motor vehicle part;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a general isometric view of a fluid control valve of the device shown in FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the fluid control valve in FIG. 2, shown in a default state; and

[0041] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the fluid control valve in FIG. 2, shown in an operating state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] According to the drawings in FIGS. 1 through 4, one example of a device 200 for washing a surface of a motor vehicle part 300 is shown. In the example shown, the motor vehicle part is a camera lens 300.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, a first fluid pump 210 is provided for supplying first fluid, water hereinafter, from a water source 270 to a fluid control valve, air-water control valve 100 hereinafter, through a first pipe 400.

[0044] A second fluid pump 220 is also provided for supplying second fluid, air hereinafter, from an air source, not shown, through a second pipe 410 to a pressure container 250, which will be described further below, and hence to the air-water control valve 100, through a third pipe 420.

[0045] Unless otherwise indicated, pressure refers to pressure values in the fluid control valve. Supply pressure values in fluid pump are usually higher than, or equal to, those in fluid control valve.

[0046] A first fluid nozzle 240 is provided for supplying water from the air-water control valve 100 to the motor vehicle part 300 through fourth pipe 440. A second fluid nozzle 230 is also provided for supplying air from the air-water control valve 100 to the motor vehicle part 300 through fifth pipe 430. Fluid nozzles 240, 230 may be made integral with the vehicle part.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the air-water control valve 100 is configured as a four-way valve comprising a water channel 110 and an air channel 120 that is separate from the water channel 110, that is, both channels 110, 120 are configured as independent fluid channels. The water channel 110 is formed in an air-water control valve body and it may define an area referred to as controller side. The air channel 120 is also formed in the air-water control valve body and it may define an area referred to as supply side.

[0048] The air-water control valve 100 is fluidly connected to first and third pipes 400, 420, on one side, and to the above mentioned fourth and fifth pipes 440, 430, on the other side. The fourth pipe 440 leads to water nozzle 240 while the fifth pipe 430 leads to air nozzle 230. The air-water control valve 100 also comprises a valve member 130. The valve member in the example shown is configured as a membrane 130. The membrane 130 may be made for example of rubber or any other similar material capable for opening or closing the water channel 110 and the air channel 120 when deformed (i.e., when bent), depending on fluid flowing through the air-water control valve 100. Membrane 130 is configured such that its deformation or bending under pressure built-up on both sides of the air channel 120 causes the air circuit to close in only few milliseconds, with air escape being negligible if any. The membrane 130 is made so as to prevent leakage and water backflow.

[0049] The air-water control valve 100 is thus operable at least into two different positions of the membrane 130. The air-water control valve 100 is operable into a closed position of the membrane 130 where the air channel 120 is closed when water is flowing through the water channel 110 with a water pressure PA higher than a predetermined valve element pressure or cracking pressure PV plus a second fluid channel pressure PA. The air-water control valve 100 is also operable into an open position of the membrane 130 where the water channel 110 is open when no water flows through the water channel 110 or when water flows with a water pressure PA lower than the cracking pressure PV plus the second fluid channel pressure PA.

[0050] A compression spring 140 is fitted in the air-water control valve 100 for biasing the membrane 130 through a pusher 150 upwards in FIGS. 3 through 4 so as to close the water channel 110 of the air-water control valve 100. While water pressure PA is lower than the cracking pressure PV plus second fluid channel pressure PA water flow is stopped by membrane 130 and spring 140 acting as a check valve.

[0051] In this example, the cracking pressure PV in the air-water control valve 100 is lower than 2 bar, preferably 0.5 bar. In general, the water pressure may be of the order of 10 bar or less, preferably, 6 bar or less. Air pressure PA in the air-water control valve 100 may be of the order of 4 bar or less, preferably, 0.1-2.5 bar. Other ranges of pressure values are still possible.

[0052] FIG. 3 shows the air-water control valve 100 in a non-operating state where the water channel 110 is closed and the air channel 120 is open. FIG. 4 shows the air-water control valve 100 in an operating state where the water channel 110 is open and the air channel 120 is closed as a result of the membrane 130 being deformed or bent by water flow.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a pressure container 250 is provided for containing air to be pressurized by the air pump 220. In the example shown, a volume of the pressure container 250 is within a range of ten to fifty milliliters (10-50 ml). A water tank 270 is provided for containing water to be pumped to the air-water control valve 100.

[0054] In use, the water pump 210 is operated for pumping water with a pressure higher than the above mentioned cracking pressure PV plus the second fluid channel pressure PA causing membrane 130 to be deformed, or bend (and/or even displaced), in a way that the water channel 110 of the air-water control valve 100 is open allowing water to flow therethrough and out towards a surface of a motor vehicle part 300 through water nozzle 240. Then, the air channel 120 of the air-water control valve 100 is closed by the flow of water through the water channel 110 of the air-water control valve 100. This causes air pump 220 to be operated pumping air to flow through the air channel 120 of the air-water control valve 100 with an air fluid pressure PA into the pressure container 250 and the second and third pipes 410, 420. This causes air to be pressurized inside the pressure container 250 and the pipes between the air pump 220 and the air-water control valve 100. The water pump 210 is then shut down while the air pump 220 is still in operation. As a result, water is prevented from flowing through the water channel 110 of the air-water control valve 100, and water pressure PA is lower than the cracking pressure PA plus the second fluid channel pressure PA. Air is then allowed to flow through the air channel 120 of the air-water control valve 100 causing an air burst to be ejected towards the surface of the motor vehicle part 300 through air nozzle 230. Afterwards, a continuous air flow may be supplied by the air pump 220 that could still remain in operation during a given period of time after the water pump 210 is shut down. Water and air pumps 210, 220 are then shut down and membrane 130 returns back to an original, rest position. Air burst time may be within a range of 0.1 to 0.5 seconds

[0055] A control unit, in this case, a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU), 260 is provided. The ECU 260 may be configured for controlling the air pump 220 to continue supplying the above mentioned continuous flow of air to the surface of the motor vehicle part 300, during a predetermined period of time, such as for example ten seconds or less after the air burst has been supplied to the surface of the motor vehicle part 300. The ECU 260 may be also configured for operating the water pump 210 and/or the air pump 220 at least during operation of the water pump 210. Other control means such as timers may be used together with or as an alternative to the ECU 260.

[0056] In one embodiment, a washing cycle time when water pump 210 is in operation may be within a range of 0.3 seconds to 5.0 seconds.

[0057] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, or material, to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.