CLEANING DEVICE FOR A DETECTION SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning device (1) for a detection system (2) in a vehicle, comprising an air circuit (4) and a liquid circuit (7) configured to spray air and liquid on the detection system (2), the cleaning device (1) comprising a first chamber (6) and a second chamber (9). The first chamber (6) is configured to be filled by one of air and liquid, whereas the second chamber (9) is configured to be filled by the other one of said air and liquid. The total volume of the first and second chambers (6, 9) is fixed, and the cleaning device (1) is configured to vary the volume of one of the first and second chambers (6, 9) so as to change the pressure in the other one of the first and second chambers (6, 9).

Claims

1. A cleaning device for a detection system in a vehicle, comprising: an air circuit and a liquid circuit configured to spray air and liquid on the detection system; a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber being configured to be filled by one of air and liquid, the second chamber being configured to be filled by the other one of said air and liquid, wherein the total volume of the first and second chambers is fixed, wherein the cleaning device is configured to vary the volume of one of the first and second chambers so as to change the pressure in the other one of the first and second chambers.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the air circuit comprises an air nozzle and a first electrovalve, wherein air circulation inside the air circuit depends on the first electrovalve.

3. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid circuit comprises a liquid nozzle and a second electrovalve, wherein liquid circulation inside the liquid circuit depends on the second electrovalve.

4. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the air circuit comprises an air flow valve.

5. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber is configured to be filled by air and the second chamber is configured to be filled by liquid.

6. The cleaning device according to the preceding claim 5, wherein the second chamber is configured to be expanded in volume due to the filled liquid in the second chamber so as to reduce the volume of the first chamber and increase the pressure of the filled air in the first chamber.

7. The cleaning device according to claim 5, combined with the claim 4, wherein the air flow valve is disposed on a wall of the first chamber.

8. The cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein the air flow valve is configured to fill the first chamber by air.

9. The cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the first chamber is configured to be filled by liquid and the second chamber is configured to be filled by air.

10. The cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the first chamber is configured to be expanded in volume due to the filled liquid in the first chamber so as to reduce the volume of the second chamber and increase the pressure of the filled air in the second chamber.

11. The cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the air flow valve is disposed on the air circuit.

12. The cleaning device according to claim 11, wherein the air flow valve is configured to fill the second chamber by air.

13. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the total volume of the first and second chambers is delimited by a rigid housing and the volume of the second chamber is delimited by a flexible socket arranged inside the rigid housing.

14. A method of cleaning a detection system executed by a cleaning device according to claim 1, the method comprising: compression of the air filled in one of the first and second chambers by expanding the volume of the other one of the first and second chambers filled by liquid, spraying of the air to the detection system by opening of the air circuit.

15. The method of cleaning according to claim 14, further comprising: spraying of the liquid to the detection system by opening of the liquid circuit, prior or simultaneous to the compression of the air.

Description

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a cleaning device for a detection system included in a side mirror,

[0050] FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment of the cleaning device from a different angle of view in order to detail some characteristics of it,

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the detection system,

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a schematic drawing of a first chamber and a second chamber according to the first embodiment during a first stage,

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a schematic drawing of the first chamber and the second chamber according to the first embodiment during a second stage,

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a schematic drawing of the first chamber and the second chamber according to the first embodiment during a third stage,

[0055] FIG. 7 shows a schematic drawing of the first chamber and the second chamber according to the first embodiment during a fourth stage,

[0056] FIG. 8 shows a schematic drawing of a first chamber and a second chamber according to a second embodiment during a first stage,

[0057] FIG. 9 shows a schematic drawing of the first chamber and the second chamber according to the second embodiment during a second stage,

[0058] FIG. 10 shows a schematic drawing of the first chamber and the second chamber according to the second embodiment during a third stage,

[0059] FIG. 11 shows a schematic drawing of the first chamber and the second chamber according to the second embodiment during a fourth stage.

[0060] The FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a cleaning device 1 which is included in a vehicle. The cleaning device 1 is able to spray some liquid and some compressed air on a detection system 2 in order to clean it. More particularly, it's a detection area of the detection system 2 which could need to be cleaned, for example in case of an obstruction of a field of view of the detection system 2. The cleaning device 1 can be activated by a manual operation made by a user in the vehicle. The cleaning device 1 can also be activated by an automatic manner, for example if the detection system 2 comprises a sensor which is able to transmit a command to the cleaning device 1 which indicates that the detection area is obstructed. In the FIG. 1, the cleaning device 1 and the detection system 2 are arranged on a side mirror 3. The detection system 2 passes across the side mirror 3 in order to have a clear field of view. The cleaning device 1 is mainly arranged behind the side mirror 3. Nevertheless, it's possible to arrange the cleaning device 1 in any part of the vehicle which comprises a detection system 2.

[0061] In order to spray both liquid and compressed air, the cleaning device comprises an air circuit 4 and a liquid circuit 7. According to the first embodiment of the cleaning device 1, the air circuit 4 consists in a duct which extends from a first chamber 6 to an air nozzle 5.

[0062] The liquid circuit 7 can be linked to any liquid tank arranged in the vehicle and the circulation of the liquid can be initiated for example by a pump. The liquid tank and the pump are not illustrated in the FIG. 1. Such liquid can be some water or some cleaning liquid. The liquid circuit 7 is divided in a first way 71 and a second way 72. The first way 71 of the liquid circuit 7 leads the liquid to a second chamber 9.

[0063] The total volume of the first and second chambers 6, 9 is delimited by a rigid housing 61. In order to limit a mechanical expansion of the cleaning device 1, the rigid housing 61 can be configured to mold a form of the part of the vehicle where the cleaning device 1 is arranged, here the size mirror 3 according to the FIG. 1. The rigid housing 61 can be in rigid polymers for example.

[0064] According to the first embodiment of the cleaning device 1, the second chamber 9 defines a volume 92, or an internal volume 92 in a more accurate way, delimited by a flexible socket 91 and the first chamber 6 defines a volume 62, or an internal volume 62 in a more accurate way, delimited by the remaining space non-occupied by the second chamber 9 in the rigid housing 61. The first chamber 6 is here configured to be filled by air.

[0065] The flexible socket 91 is in flexible polymers, in rubber for example. Thanks to its flexibility, the flexible socket 91 is able to expand itself when it's filled by a fluid. Thus, the volume 92 of the second chamber 9 is able to increase or decrease according to a quantity of fluid which is contained inside the second chamber 9. In the FIG. 1, the flexible socket 91 is totally expanded.

[0066] The second chamber 9 is arranged inside the rigid housing 61. In the FIG. 1, the second chamber 9 is virtually visible by transparency for reasons of clarity. According to the first embodiment of the cleaning device 1, the second chamber 9 is configured to be filled by liquid, water or cleaning liquid for example. When the liquid fills the second chamber 9, it expends itself and fills the volume 62 of the first chamber 6. Thus, the air which is contained in the first chamber 6 is compressed by the expansion of the second chamber 9.

[0067] When the cleaning device 1 is activated, more particularly when it's necessary to spray some air against the detection system 2, the air circulates along the air circuit 4, starting from the first chamber 6 to the air nozzle 5. In order to spray compressed air to the detection system 2, the air nozzle 5 need to pass across the side mirror 3.

[0068] The air circuit 4 comprises a first electrovalve 11. The first electrovalve 11 is arranged between the first chamber 6 and the air nozzle 5. When the first electrovalve 11 is open, for example once the air inside the first chamber 6 is compressed, the air can circulate from the first chamber 6 to the air nozzle 5. When the first electrovalve 11 is closed, the air is maintained between the first chamber 6 and the first electrovalve 11. The first electrovalve 11 will be further described in details.

[0069] The cleaning device 1 comprises an air flow valve 10. In the first embodiment, the air flow valve 10 is arranged on a wall of the rigid housing 61 of the first chamber 6. The air flow valve 10 authorizes an entry of the ambient air inside the first chamber 6 and forbids an exit of the air which is contained in the first chamber 6. Thus, the air can be compressed inside the first chamber 6, the first electrovalve 11 being closed and the air flow valve 10 forbidding any air release. Once the compressed air is sprayed by the air nozzle 5, the air inside the first chamber 6 is renewed by entering through the air flow valve 10.

[0070] The second way 72 of the liquid circuit 7 is extending until a liquid nozzle 8. As the air nozzle 5, the liquid nozzle 8 needs to pass across the side mirror 3 to be able to spray liquid against the detection system 2. The liquid spraying is controlled by a second electrovalve 12. As the first electrovalve 11, the second electrovalve 12 has the function to authorize the circulation of the liquid all along the second way 72 until the liquid nozzle 8. The opening or the closing of the second electrovalve 12 depends on a need of the detection system 2 to be cleaned. The second electrovalve 12 can be identical to the first electrovalve 11 and will be further describing in details too.

[0071] When the detection system 2 needs to be cleaned, the cleaning device 1 starts by spraying liquid thanks to the liquid nozzle 8. After that, the cleaning device 1 sprays compressed air thanks to the air nozzle 5 in order to blow out of the detection system 2 any drops of liquid which could be staying on the detection area of the detection system 2. In this case, liquid circulates both in the first way 71 and the second way 72 of the liquid circuit 7.

[0072] In another situation, for example in case of raining weather, the cleaning device 1 just has to blow any raining drops which are on the detection system 2. In this case, only the air nozzle 5 needs to be activated. Consequently, the liquid circulates only in the first way 71 of the liquid circuit 7.

[0073] The FIG. 2 illustrates only the cleaning device 1 according to the first embodiment and allows to describe in details the two electrovalves. The first electrovalve 11 and the second electrovalve 12 are divided into two parts. Each electrovalve comprises an electrical part 13 and a fluidic part 14.

[0074] The electrical part 13 contains some electrical and electronicalo components which participate to the opening or the closing of the electrovalve. The electrical part 13 comprises an electrical outlet 15. The electrical outlet 15 is configured to receive an electrical connector which makes the link between the electrovalve and a control unit, which isn't represented on the FIG. 2. The control unit is able to control simultaneously both electrovalves. More particularly, the control unit is able to open or close the fluidic part 14 of each electrovalve.

[0075] The fluidic part 14 is the part of the electrovalve where each fluid is passing through. The first electrovalve 11 is arranged in the air circuit 4 and controls the crossing of the compressed air. The second electrovalve 12 is arranged in the second way 72 of the liquid circuit 7 and controls the crossing of the liquid.

[0076] Each fluidic part 14 of each electrovalve comprises a fluidic duct 16, a fluidic inlet 17 and a fluidic outlet 18. Each fluid in each circuit crosses each electrovalve by passing the fluidic inlet 17, the fluidic duct 16 and the fluidic outlet 18 in this order. It's the fluidic duct 16 which is opened or closed by the electric part 13. If the fluidic duct 16 is closed, the fluid is blocked at the fluidic inlet 17 of the electrovalve. When the electrovalve is opened, the fluid crosses it, and is lead until the nozzle of the involved circuit via the fluidic outlet 18.

[0077] The fluidic duct 16 is extended in its main direction from the fluidic inlet 17 to a plug 19 which ensures the tightness. The fluidic outlet 18 is arranged in a perpendicular manner to the fluidic duct 16.

[0078] The air flow valve 10 comprises an air filter 20. Any ambient air which passes across the air flow valve 10 crosses the air filter 20 too. The air filter 20 filters the air to ensure that the air in the air circuit 4 is purified from any particles which risk to obstruct the air circuit 4 for example.

[0079] The FIG. 3 is a representation of the detection system 2 sprayed by the air nozzle 5 and the liquid nozzle 8. In the FIG. 3, the detection system 2 is represented by a small camera comprising a detection area 21. The detection area 21 can correspond to a camera lens for example. It's the detection area 21 which has to be cleaned in order to maintain an optimal field of view for the detection system 2 and keep it operating.

[0080] The air nozzle 5 and the liquid nozzle 8 are arranged on both sides of the detection system 2. Nevertheless, it's possible to arrange the two nozzles differently, the essence being to not obstruct the field of view of the detection system 2 and to correctly orient each nozzle toward the detection area 21.

[0081] The air nozzle 5 is arranged on a side of the air circuit 4 and is able to spray compressed air 51 on the detection area 21 of the detection system 2. The liquid nozzle 8 is arranged on a side of the second way 72 of the liquid circuit and is able to spray liquid 81 on the detection area 21 of the detection system 2. Both sprayings depend on the opening of both electrovalves. The first electrovalve authorizes the circulation of the compressed air 51 in the air circuit 4 whereas the second electrovalve authorizes the circulation of the liquid 81 in the second way 72 of the liquid circuit.

[0082] The air nozzle 5 can be operated alone in order to evacuate the existing drops on the detection area 21, for example during raining weather, or just after a liquid spraying coming from the liquid nozzle 8.

[0083] FIGS. 4 to 7 shows a progress of the interaction of the first chamber 6 and the second chamber 9 according to the first embodiment of the cleaning device and in order to spray some compressed air on the detection system. As a reminder, according to the first embodiment, the first chamber 6 is configured to contain air and the second chamber is configured to contain liquid.

[0084] In the FIG. 4, the first chamber 6, more particularly the volume 62 delimited by the remaining space non-occupied by the second chamber 9 in the rigid housing 61, is full of air at a normal pressure. The second chamber 9 is empty and the flexible socket 91 is huddled up on itself. The volume 92 of the second chamber 9 has a null or noticeably null value. The first electrovalve 11 is schematically represented on the FIG. 4 in a closed position. According to the FIG. 4, a manual or automatic command has been executed in order to spray an amount of compressed air to the detection system. That's why a liquid flow is coming from the first way 71 of the liquid circuit in order to fill the second chamber 9.

[0085] In the FIG. 5, the liquid fills the second chamber 9. That's why the flexible socket 91 expends itself and appears as a maximum expansion in the FIG. 5. The filling of the flexible socket 91 increases the volume 92 of the second chamber 9 and reduces the volume 62 of the first chamber 6, which corresponds to total volume of the rigid housing 61 minus the volume 92 of the second chamber 9. The liquid flow passing by the first way 71 of the liquid circuit is continuous, so the flexible socket 91 is maintained at its maximum expansion.

[0086] The first electrovalve 11 is still closed. Thus, the air which is inside the first chamber 6 is compressed in some free space of the volume 62 of the first chamber 6 and in a part of the air circuit 4 between the first chamber 6 and the first electrovalve 11. The high pressure of the air included in the first chamber 6 forbids any entry or exit of the air by the air flow valve 10. Thus, in the FIG. 5, the compressed air is contained in a sealed recipient.

[0087] In the FIG. 6, the compressed air is ready to be ejected from the first chamber 6 in order to be sprayed on the detection system. The first electrovalve 11 is opened thanks to the control unit. Consequently, the compressed air is entering into the air circuit 4, through the first electrovalve 11, in order to be sprayed. Once the compressed air is ejected from the first chamber 6, the liquid flow is reaching the maximum expansion.

[0088] The interruption of the liquid flow creates a decreasing of the volume 92 of the second chamber 9, as illustrated in the FIG. 7. Such decreasing is due to the flexible socket 91, which isn't submitted to the liquid flow anymore, and which progressively retrieves its initial position, huddling up on itself, as illustrated in the FIG. 4. The flexible socket 91 pushes the liquid contained in the volume 92 of the second chamber 9 back to the first way 71 of the liquid circuit.

[0089] The decreasing of the volume 92 of the second chamber 9 leads to an increasing of the volume 62 of the first chamber 6. Thus, the first chamber 6 retrieves a normal pressure, and ambient air progressively enters inside the volume 62 of the first chamber 6 by the air flow valve 10. The first electrovalve 11 being closed up, the air entering by the air flow valve 10 is maintained in the first chamber 6 and in the part of the air circuit 4 between the first chamber 6 and the first electrovalve 11. Thus, the air is renewed inside the first chamber 6 for a future spraying of compressed air to the detection system.

[0090] FIGS. 8 to 11 shows a progress of the interaction of the first chamber 6 and the second chamber 9 according to a second embodiment of the cleaning device. Contrary to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the first chamber 6 is configured to contain liquid and the second chamber 9 is configured to contain air. Such interchanging leads to some differences from the first embodiment of the cleaning device, concerning in particular the connections between each circuit and each chamber.

[0091] Thus, in this second embodiment, the air circuit 4 comprises the second chamber 9, so that the air circuit 4 passes across the rigid housing 61 of the first chamber 6. The air flow valve 10 is arranged in the air circuit 4, between the second chamber 9 and the first electrovalve 11, in order to have an access to ambient air. The liquid circuit, in contrast, includes the first chamber 6, and the first way 71 of the liquid circuit is linked to the rigid housing 61. But as the first embodiment, the air is compressed thanks to the liquid.

[0092] In the FIG. 8, the second chamber 9 is full of air. Such air fills the flexible socket 91 which is in its maximum expansion. The first electrovalve 11 is closed and the air can't exit by the air flow valve 10. As the first embodiment, in order to compress the air, a liquid flow circulates in the first way 71. According to the second embodiment, the liquid fills the volume 62 of the first chamber 6 and flows all around the second chamber 9.

[0093] As the liquid continues to fills the volume 62 of the first chamber 6, it ends up making a pressure on the second chamber 9, as represented in the FIG. 9. The liquid presses the flexible socket 91 and decreases the volume 92 of the second chamber 9 by increasing the volume 62 of the first chamber 6. The loss of volume 92 of the second chamber 9 compresses the air contained inside it, the first electrovalve 11 being closed and the air flow valve 10 forbidding any air release.

[0094] When the compressed air is ready to be sprayed, the first electrovalve 11 is opening, as represented in the FIG. 10. The compressed air is ejected from the second chamber 9 in order to be sprayed by the air nozzle to the detection area of the detection system. Thus, the air being ejected, the liquid totally or almost totally presses the light socket 91 which is huddled up on itself.

[0095] After that, according to the figure ii, the liquid flow is stopped, and the liquid doesn't press the second chamber 9 anymore, whose pressure is coming back to normal. The air flow valve 10 allows the ambient air to enter inside the air circuit 4, more particularly in the second chamber and in a part of the air circuit 4 between the second chamber 9 and the first electrovalve 11, which is closed up. The entry of ambient air inside the second chamber 9 allows the flexible socket 91 to expand inside the first chamber 6. Thus, the flexible socket 91 pushes the liquid inside the first chamber 6 back to the first way 71 of the liquid circuit. When the flexible socket 91 is in its maximum expansion, the cleaning device is ready for a future spraying of compressed air to the detection system.

[0096] It will be understood from the foregoing that the present invention provides a cleaning device for a detection system which is able to spray both liquid and compressed air on the detection system, such compressed air being generated by pressure of such liquid.

[0097] However, the invention cannot be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein, and it also extends to any equivalent means or configurations and to any technically operative combination of such means.