Vehicle cleaning device, vehicle cleaning system, and control method of vehicle cleaning system

Abstract

A vehicle cleaning device (21, 22, 120a, 120b) removes foreign matter attached to a cleaning object (11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 106-108, 115, 116) of a vehicle (10, 101). The vehicle cleaning device comprises: a cleaning liquid supply device (13, 110) installed on the vehicle; and a wiper device (W1, W2) including a wiper drive unit (31, 124a, 124b) and a wiper blade (32, 123). The wiper drive unit comprises: a direct-acting action unit (35, 36, 41, 125b, 125c) that generates a direct-acting action based on the supply of cleaning liquid (Ws) pressure-fed from the cleaning liquid supply device (13, 110); and an action conversion unit (37, 40, 130, 132) that converts the direct-acting action into a rotational action. The wiper blade is arranged to be in contact with the object to be cleaned. The wiper device is configured so that the wiper blade performs a reciprocating wiping motion based on the rotational motion of the motion conversion unit.

Description

[0001] Citation of related applications

[0002] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-121197 filed on June 26, 2018 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-2569 filed on January 10, 2019, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle cleaning device, a vehicle cleaning system, and a control method of the vehicle cleaning system for cleaning a cleaning object of a vehicle. Background Art

[0004] In recent years, the technology of advanced driving assistance and autonomous driving of vehicles has been continuously developed, and the number of sensors for grasping the surrounding conditions of vehicles has been increasing (for example, see Patent Document 1). As one of them, for example, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging, or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging), which is a distance measurement system using an optical sensor, is known, and the distance is measured based on the emission and reception of light between the vehicle and the object.

[0005] The sensing surface of the sensor for grasping the surrounding conditions of the vehicle (for example, the outer surface of a lens, a cover glass, etc.) is formed in a form exposed to the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, foreign matter such as raindrops or mud may adhere to the sensing surface of the sensor, and in the above-mentioned ranging system, there is a possibility that the ranging accuracy is reduced because the foreign matter is located on the optical path of the optical sensor.

[0006] Therefore, research and development of the following technology has been conducted: blowing gas (air), cleaning liquid, or a gas-liquid mixed fluid of air and cleaning liquid (for example, see Patent Document 2) to the sensing surface of the sensor to remove and clean foreign matter attached to the sensing surface.

[0007] Prior art literature

[0008] Patent Literature

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-37100

[0010] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-222074 Summary of the invention

[0011] However, foreign matter may remain on the sensing surface of the sensor, for example, the foreign matter is firmly attached to the sensing surface of the sensor. Of course, in this case, due to concerns about the impact on the ranging accuracy, it is hoped that the foreign matter on the sensing surface can be removed and cleaned more reliably. In addition, this is not only the sensor, but also the cleaning objects in various parts of the vehicle, such as the vehicle-mounted camera, may also have an impact on image recognition, so the same applies.

[0012] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle cleaning device, a vehicle cleaning system, and a method for controlling the vehicle cleaning system, which are capable of more reliably removing and cleaning foreign matter attached to a cleaning object of a vehicle.

[0013] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a vehicle cleaning device (21, 22, 120a, 120b) of a first embodiment of the present disclosure removes foreign matter attached to a cleaning object (11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 106-108, 115, 116) of a vehicle (10, 101). The vehicle cleaning device comprises: a cleaning liquid supply device (13, 110) installed in the vehicle; and a wiper device (W1, W2) including a wiper drive unit (31, 124a, 124b) and a wiper blade (32, 123). The wiper drive unit includes: a direct-acting action unit (35, 36, 41, 125b, 125c) that generates a direct-acting action based on the supply of the cleaning liquid (Ws) pressure-fed from the cleaning liquid supply device (13, 110); and an action conversion unit (37, 40, 130, 132) that converts the direct-acting action into a rotational action. The wiper blade is configured to be able to contact the cleaning object. The wiper device is configured so that the wiper blade performs a reciprocating wiping action based on the rotational action of the action conversion unit.

[0014] According to the above-mentioned method, the vehicle cleaning device includes a wiper device. The wiper device has a wiper drive unit, which operates based on the supply of cleaning fluid pressurized from a cleaning fluid supply device installed on the vehicle. The wiper drive unit has a direct-acting action unit that generates a direct-acting action based on the supply of the cleaning fluid. The wiper drive unit also has an action conversion unit that converts the direct-acting action into a rotational action. The wiper drive unit causes the wiper blade to perform a reciprocating wiping action based on the converted rotational action. That is, foreign matter attached to the cleaning object of the vehicle is directly scraped off and removed by the wiper blade in the wiping action. Therefore, the cleaning object can be reliably cleaned.

[0015] The second mode of the vehicle cleaning system disclosed herein removes foreign matter attached to a cleaning object of a vehicle. The vehicle cleaning system includes a vehicle cleaning device and a control unit (50, 51, 52, 150, 151, 152). The vehicle cleaning device includes a cleaning liquid supply device installed on the vehicle, a spray nozzle, a wiper device and a switching unit. The spray nozzle sprays the cleaning liquid pressure-sent from the cleaning liquid supply device to the cleaning object. The wiper device includes a wiper blade and a wiper drive unit, the wiper blade is configured to contact the cleaning object, and the wiper drive unit performs a wiping action of the wiper blade based on the supply pressure of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply device. The switching unit switches the supply of the cleaning liquid pressure-sent from the cleaning liquid supply device to the spray nozzle or the wiper drive unit. The control unit controls the cleaning liquid supply device and the switching unit, thereby controlling the spraying of the cleaning liquid and the wiping action of the wiper blade.

[0016] The control method of the vehicle cleaning system of the third aspect of the present disclosure removes foreign matter attached to the cleaning object of the vehicle. The above-mentioned vehicle cleaning system includes a vehicle cleaning device. The vehicle cleaning device includes a cleaning liquid supply device installed on the above-mentioned vehicle, a spray nozzle, a wiper device and a switching unit. The above-mentioned spray nozzle sprays the cleaning liquid pressure-sent from the above-mentioned cleaning liquid supply device to the above-mentioned cleaning object. The above-mentioned wiper device has a wiper blade and a wiper drive unit, and the above-mentioned wiper blade is configured to contact the above-mentioned cleaning object, and the above-mentioned wiper drive unit performs a wiping action of the above-mentioned wiper blade based on the supply pressure of the above-mentioned cleaning liquid from the above-mentioned cleaning liquid supply device. The above-mentioned switching unit switches the supply of the above-mentioned cleaning liquid pressure-sent from the above-mentioned cleaning liquid supply device to the above-mentioned spray nozzle or the above-mentioned wiper drive unit. The above-mentioned control method includes: controlling the above-mentioned cleaning liquid supply device and the above-mentioned switching unit, thereby controlling the spraying of the above-mentioned cleaning liquid and the wiping action of the above-mentioned wiper blade.

[0017] According to the second to third embodiments, the cleaning device for a vehicle includes: a spray nozzle, which sprays the cleaning fluid pressed from the cleaning fluid supply device to the cleaning object; and a wiper device, which receives the supply pressure of the cleaning fluid and drives the wiper drive unit to perform a wiping action of the wiper blade. By switching the supply target of the cleaning fluid to the spray nozzle or the wiper drive unit through the switching unit, the spray supply of the cleaning fluid and the wiping action of the wiper blade can be appropriately selected. That is, for foreign matter attached to the cleaning object of the vehicle, a more reliable cleaning and removal including the wiping action of the wiper blade can be performed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.

[0019] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 It is used to illustrate Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the structure and operation of a cleaning device for a vehicle.

[0021] Figure 3 It is used to illustrate Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of the structure and operation of a cleaning device for a vehicle.

[0022] Figure 4 It is used to illustrate Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of the structure and operation of a cleaning device for a vehicle.

[0023] Figure 5 (a) to (c) are used to illustrate Figure 2 A top view of the structure and operation of a cleaning device for a vehicle.

[0024] Figure 6 It is used to illustrate Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the structure of a cleaning device for a vehicle.

[0025] Figure 7 It is a structural diagram of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle cleaning device according to the second embodiment.

[0026] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A structural diagram of a cleaning device for a vehicle.

[0027] Fig. 9 Yes means Figure 8 Flow chart of a control method of a cleaning device for a vehicle.

[0028] Fig.10 It is a configuration diagram of a vehicle cleaning device according to a third embodiment.

[0029] Fig.11 This is a flowchart showing a control method of the vehicle cleaning device according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] (First Embodiment)

[0031] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the vehicle cleaning device will be described.

[0032] exist Figure 1In the vehicle 10 shown, a first distance measuring sensor 11 is provided at the center of the front end, and a second distance measuring sensor 12 is provided at the center of the rear end. The first distance measuring sensor 11 and the second distance measuring sensor 12 are configured using optical sensors that transmit and receive light of a predetermined wavelength toward the front and rear of the vehicle 10, respectively. The first distance measuring sensor 11 and the second distance measuring sensor 12 are used in a distance measuring system (LIDAR, etc.) that measures the distance between the vehicle and a front object and a rear object, respectively, and are used in a system that implements advanced driving assistance, automatic driving, etc. of the vehicle 10.

[0033] The first distance measuring sensor 11 and the second distance measuring sensor 12 have their own sensing surfaces (e.g., outer surfaces of lenses, cover glasses, etc.) 11a, 12a formed to be exposed to the outside of the vehicle 10. That is, since foreign matter such as raindrops or mud adheres to the sensing surfaces 11a, 12a, the ranging accuracy may be reduced, and therefore, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a vehicle cleaning system 20 for removing and cleaning foreign matter adhered to the sensing surfaces 11a, 12a.

[0034] The vehicle cleaning system 20 has a first cleaning device 21 and a second cleaning device 22 as vehicle cleaning devices. The first cleaning device 21 uses a first distance measuring sensor 11 provided at the front center of the vehicle 10 as a cleaning object, and the second cleaning device 22 uses a second distance measuring sensor 12 provided at the rear center of the vehicle 10 as a cleaning object. The first cleaning device 21 and the second cleaning device 22 respectively include spray nozzles N1 and N2 and wiper devices W1 and W2, and the spray nozzles N1 and N2 spray and supply cleaning fluid Ws toward the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a of the respective distance measuring sensors 11 and 12, and the wiper devices W1 and W2 abut against the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a to perform a wiping action on substantially the entire surface. The wiper devices W1 and W2 of this embodiment operate based on the supply pressure of the cleaning fluid Ws.

[0035] Here, the vehicle 10 is generally equipped with a washer device 13 as a washer liquid supply device. The washer device 13 is driven by a washer liquid pump 14 driven by an electric motor, and the washer liquid Ws stored in the container 15 is pressed toward a nozzle (not shown) and supplied to the outer surface of each windshield FW, RW. The spray nozzle is set to target the front windshield FW and the rear windshield RW. In this embodiment, the washer liquid Ws pressed from the washer device 13 is also supplied to each cleaning device 21, 22.

[0036] like Figure 2As shown, the first and second distance measuring sensors 11 and 12 of this embodiment are substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and each sensing surface 11a, 12a is a laterally long rectangle. Each distance measuring sensor 11, 12 is arranged so that the long side of each sensing surface 11a, 12a extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle 10.

[0037] The spray nozzles N1 and N2 of the first cleaning device 21 and the second cleaning device 22 are arranged, for example, at the lower side (lower side in the gravity direction) of the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a in the vertical direction of the vehicle 10 and at the center of the left-right direction. The spray ports Nx of the spray nozzles N1 and N2 face upward, and the cleaning liquid Ws is supplied from the spray ports Nx to appropriate locations on the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a. The spray nozzles N1 and N2 are connected to the switching valves 23 and 24 as switching parts via the nozzle side hoses HN.

[0038] In addition, each switching valve 23, 24 is connected to each wiper device W1, W2 via a wiper side hose HW. Each switching valve 23, 24 is an electrically controllable solenoid valve. That is, each switching valve 23, 24 operates to switch the supply destination of the cleaning liquid Ws pumped from the cleaning liquid pump 14 to each injection nozzle N1, N2 or each wiper device W1, W2, or to stop the supply of the cleaning liquid Ws.

[0039] The wiper devices W1 and W2 of the first cleaning device 21 and the second cleaning device 22 are arranged, for example, on the upper side (upper side in the gravity direction) of the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a and in the center in the left-right direction, and are respectively integrally mounted on the fixing portion 30 provided on the upper surface of each ranging sensor 11 and 12. Each wiper device W1 and W2 includes a wiper drive unit 31 and a wiper blade 32. The wiper drive unit 31 is configured to be roughly cylindrical, and the wiper blade 32 is mounted on one end of the cylindrical axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the axial direction) of the wiper drive unit 31. In addition, since the wiper devices W1 and W2 have the same structure, their detailed structures and operations are generally described below.

[0040] like Figure 2 and Figure 6As shown, the wiper drive unit 31 of each wiper device W1, W2 includes a first housing shell 33 and a second housing shell 34 that are roughly cylindrical with a bottom. The first housing shell 33 constitutes the axial base end side half of the wiper drive unit 31, and the second housing shell 34 constitutes the axial front end side half of the wiper drive unit 31. Each housing shell 33, 34 is arranged in a manner that the openings 33a, 34a are opposite to each other. In the central part of the bottom wall of the first housing shell 33 located at the base end of the wiper drive unit 31, a roughly cylindrical hose connecting portion 33b for connecting to the wiper side hose HW is provided. The cleaning fluid Ws flows into the first housing shell 33 through the hose connecting portion 33b.

[0041] In the first housing shell 33, a housing space 33c with a circular cross section is continuously formed in the axial direction. A disc-shaped piston 35 is accommodated in the housing space 33c so as to be movably accommodated in the axial direction. That is, the piston 35 and the housing space 33c in the first housing shell 33 together constitute an inflow chamber 33x for the cleaning liquid Ws to flow into. The piston 35 is moved toward the axial front end side by the pressure from the cleaning liquid Ws flowing into the inflow chamber 33x. In addition, the piston 35 is provided with a seal 35a on the outer peripheral surface in contact with the inner wall surface of the first housing shell 33, so as to suppress the leakage of the cleaning liquid Ws out of the inflow chamber 33x. Moreover, the piston 35 moves in the axial direction integrally with the shaft member 36. The piston 35 and the shaft member 36 function as a direct-acting action part.

[0042] The shaft member 36 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and an insertion protrusion 36a protruding in the axial direction is provided at the center of the base end surface. The insertion protrusion 36a is loosely fitted with an insertion hole 35b provided in the center of the piston 35. The shaft member 36 is formed into a connection structure that can move in the axial direction together with the piston 35 and can rotate relative to the piston 35.

[0043] A pair of guide protrusions 36b are provided at the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the outer side surface of the shaft member 36, and each guide protrusion 36b is located on the opposite side of the axial center of the shaft member 36. Each guide protrusion 36b has a side surface 36b1 located on the axial base end side of the shaft member 36 and a side surface 36b1 located on the axial front end side of the shaft member 36. Both side surfaces 36b1 are formed into arc-shaped curved surfaces, and abut against inclined surface portions 37x and 38x described later, respectively.

[0044] The front end side portion of the shaft member 36 includes a small diameter portion 36c and a front end connecting portion 36d, wherein the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 36c is smaller than that of the main body, and the front end connecting portion 36d is located at a position closer to the front end side than the small diameter portion 36c. The front end connecting portion 36d includes a plurality of ridges arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Each ridge extends in the axial direction and has, for example, a triangular cross section. Moreover, the portion of the shaft member 36 closer to the front end side than the guide protrusion 36b is inserted into the conversion member 37 having a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0045] The conversion member 37 includes a cylindrical portion 37a having a substantially cylindrical shape and a mounting portion 37b provided in a flange shape at the front end side of the cylindrical portion 37a. The cylindrical portion 37a extends to a position closer to the base end side than the mounting portion 37b. The conversion member 37 is installed in a manner that the mounting portion 37b is clamped between the opening portions 33a and 34a of the first and second housing shells 33 and 34. An engaging protrusion 37c is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting portion 37b, and the engaging protrusion 37c engages with the opening portion 34a of the second housing shell 34 to function as a rotation stopper. When the conversion member 37 is installed relative to each housing shell 33 and 34, the cylindrical portion 37a is inserted into the first housing shell 33.

[0046] The base end surface of the cylindrical portion 37a has a pair of inclined portions 37x (in Figure 2 and Figure 6 Only one side is shown in the figure). Each of the pair of inclined portions 37x is formed into a shape that is inclined so as to shift from the axial base end side to the front end side as it advances in the clockwise direction when viewed from the axial base end side to the front end side of the wiper drive unit 31. The paired guide protrusions 36b are respectively in contact with the paired inclined portions 37x.

[0047] Here, a pair of inclined portions 38x axially opposite to the inclined portion 37x of the conversion member 37 is integrally formed in the accommodation space 33c of the first accommodation shell 33. The pair of inclined portions 38x are in an inclined shape that is the same as each other in each half cycle. The inclined portion 38x can also be assembled as a component different from the first accommodation shell 33. The pair of inclined portions 38x is formed into an inclined shape that is parallel to the pair of inclined portions 37x of the conversion member 37. That is, the guide protrusion 36b of the shaft member 36 is guided between the two inclined portions 37x and 38x, and the axial linear motion of the shaft member 36 is converted into a rotational motion.

[0048] The small diameter portion 36c and the front end connecting portion 36d of the shaft member 36 are provided on the surface of the mounting portion 37b of the conversion member 37 on the opposite side to the cylindrical portion 37a. The small diameter portion 36c and the front end connecting portion 36d protrude from the conversion member 37. A substantially C-shaped locking plate 39 is mounted on the small diameter portion 36c of the shaft member 36 in the orthogonal direction to the axis, and the locking plate 39 is mounted in a flange-like manner relative to the shaft member 36. The locking plate 39 abuts against the base end of the biasing spring 41 described later to become a fulcrum on the base end side, and further movement of the shaft member 36 to the base end side is restricted by abutting against the mounting portion 37b of the conversion member 37. The front end side portion from the locking plate 39, including the front end connecting portion 36d of the shaft member 36, is accommodated in the second accommodation housing 34.

[0049] The second housing shell 34 contains a driving member 40, a force spring 41, and a bearing 42. The driving member 40 includes: a connecting tube 40a that is roughly cylindrical; a flange 40b that is roughly disc-shaped and is arranged on the front end side of the connecting tube 40a; and a driving shaft 40c that protrudes from the flange 40b to the front end side in a roughly cylindrical shape. The connecting tube 40a has a connecting hole 40d on the inside. The connecting hole 40d is formed into an inner circumferential surface shape corresponding to the outer circumferential surface shape of the front end connecting portion 36d of the shaft member 36, and includes a plurality of protrusions arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Each protrusion extends in the axial direction and has, for example, a triangular cross-section. The front end connecting portion 36d of the shaft member 36 is inserted into the connecting hole 40d movably in the axial direction. In addition, the front end connecting portion 36d is locked relative to the connecting hole 40d in the rotation direction. That is, the connecting tube portion 40a of the driving member 40 is formed as a connecting structure in which the distal end connecting portion 36d of the shaft member 36 inserted inside is movable in the axial direction and integrally rotatable with the distal end connecting portion 36d.

[0050] Here, the force spring 41 is composed of a compression coil spring and is roughly cylindrical. The front end of the force spring 41 abuts against the flange 40b of the drive member 40, and the base end of the force spring 41 abuts against the locking plate 39. In addition, the connecting tube 40a of the drive member 40 is in the form of being inserted into the front end side of the force spring 41. The force spring 41 is arranged between the flange 40b and the locking plate 39 in a compressed state, and the shaft member 36 is forced toward the base end side via the locking plate 39 with the flange 40b as the starting point. In addition, since the drive member 40 and the shaft member 36 rotate as a whole, no relative rotation will occur between the locking plate 39 and the flange 40b, and the force spring 41 arranged therebetween will not be twisted.

[0051] The driving shaft portion 40c of the driving member 40 has a flange portion 40b, a shaft support portion 40c1 and a connecting portion 40c2, wherein the shaft support portion 40c1 is located at the base end side relative to the flange portion 40b, and the connecting portion 40c2 is located at the front end side relative to the flange portion 40b and is partially chamfered to form a D-shaped cross section. The shaft support portion 40c1 is rotatably supported by a bearing 42 installed near the bottom wall of the second housing shell 34. At this time, the flange portion 40b of the driving member 40 abuts against the bearing 42 in the axial direction. The connecting portion 40c2 protrudes to the outside through the insertion hole 34b provided in the central portion of the bottom wall of the second housing shell 34, and becomes a connecting portion with the wiper blade 32.

[0052] The wiper drive unit 31 is configured in this manner and is fixed to the fixing unit 30 in such a manner that its axial direction extends in a direction orthogonal to the sensing surface 11a of the first distance measuring sensor 11 and the sensing surface 12a of the second distance measuring sensor 12, that is, in the depth direction. Since each distance measuring sensor 11, 12 itself has a certain length in the depth direction, the structure and arrangement of the wiper drive unit 31 adapted thereto are reasonable. Furthermore, the wiper drive unit 31 is configured so that a portion of the front end side including the connecting portion 40c2 protrudes further than each sensing surface 11a, 12a.

[0053] The wiper blade 32 includes a wiper arm 45 and a scraper rubber 46. One end of the wiper arm 45 is connected to the connecting portion 40c2 and is fixed in an axial direction to prevent it from falling off. That is, one end of the wiper arm 45 has a fitting hole 45a whose inner circumferential surface shape corresponds to the outer circumferential surface shape of the connecting portion 40c2 of the drive shaft portion 40c. The wiper arm 45 operates integrally with the drive shaft portion 40c through the connection between the fitting hole 45a and the connecting portion 40c2. A scraper rubber 46 is installed on the wiper arm 45. The scraper rubber 46 is configured to be able to contact the sensing surfaces 11a, 12a of each ranging sensor 11, 12 respectively.

[0054] In addition, the stop position of the wiper blade 32 is set at Figure 2 The position shown in FIG. 1 is that when viewed from the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a, the front end side portion of the wiper blade 32 is located slightly below the base end side portion of the wiper blade 32 in the horizontal direction. Then, the wiper blade 32 is driven by the wiper drive unit 31. Figure 3 The middle position Figure 4 The reciprocating wiping action is performed within the range of the line symmetrical position of the reverse position, which is the stop position at this time, so as to remove and clean the foreign matter attached to the sensing surface 11a, 12a. In this way, each cleaning device 21, 22 including each wiper device W1, W2 is constructed.

[0055] like Figure 1As shown, the washer fluid pump 14 of the washer device 13 that pressurizes the washer fluid Ws, and the switching valves 23 and 24 that switch the supply destination of the washer fluid Ws to any one of the wiper devices W1 and W2 and the spray nozzles N1 and N2 in the first cleaning device 21 and the second cleaning device 22 are controlled by various ECUs (Electronic Control Units) installed in the vehicle 10. That is, the washer fluid pump 14 and the switching valves 23 and 24 are controlled by the upper ECU 50, the front ECU 51, and the rear ECU 52. The front ECU 51 has a function of controlling the washer fluid pump 14 and a function of controlling the switching valve 23 of the first cleaning device 21. The rear ECU 52 has a function of controlling the switching valve 24 of the second cleaning device 22. The upper ECU 50 performs overall control of the front ECU 51 and the rear ECU 52.

[0056] The operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0057] In the upper ECU 50, based on whether foreign matter such as raindrops or mud is attached to the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a of the first distance measuring sensor 11 and the second distance measuring sensor 12, or whether there is foreign matter, a cleaning instruction is issued to the corresponding first cleaning device 21 and the second cleaning device 22 at a predetermined time interval. If the cleaning instruction is issued, the upper ECU 50 controls the driving of the washer fluid pump 14 and the driving of the switching valves 23 and 24 through the front ECU 51 and the rear ECU 52, so that the washer fluid pump 14 and the switching valves 23 and 24 are linked.

[0058] For example, when the wiper devices W1 and W2 of the cleaning devices 21 and 22 are driven, the switching valves 23 and 24 are switched in conjunction with the driving of the washer fluid pump 14 so that the washer fluid pump 14 and the wiper driving unit 31 of the wiper devices W1 and W2 are connected.

[0059] So, in Figure 2 and Figure 5 In the stopped state of the wiper blade 32 shown in (a), the cleaning fluid Ws flows into the inflow chamber 33x of the wiper drive unit 31, and the shaft member 36 moves toward the front end side in the axial direction together with the piston 35. At this time, the guide protrusion 36b of the shaft member 36 is in sliding contact with the inclined surface 37x, and when viewed from the base end side to the front end side, the shaft member 36 moves forward while rotating in the clockwise direction. The front end connecting portion 36d of the shaft member 36 is a connecting structure that allows axial movement relative to the connecting cylinder 40a of the drive member 40 and is locked in the rotational direction. Therefore, only the rotational force is transmitted from the shaft member 36 to the drive member 40. Thus, the wiping action of the wiper blade 32 that moves integrally with the drive member 40 begins.

[0060] The reciprocating wiping action of the wiper blade 32 is Figure 2 and Figure 5 (a) to the front end of the wiper blade 32 facing downward. Figure 3 and Figure 5 (b) and then to the front end of the wiper blade 32 toward the right side. Figure 4 and Figure 5 During the wiping operation of the wiper blade 32 from the stop position to the reverse position on the outward side, the washer fluid pump 14 is continuously driven to continuously supply the washer fluid Ws to the wiper drive unit 31. As a result, the shaft member 36 continuously performs the rotation operation and the forward operation, and therefore, the biasing spring 41 is gradually compressed and deformed to accumulate the biasing force.

[0061] After the wiper blade 32 reaches the reverse position, the driving of the washer fluid pump 14 is stopped at a predetermined time in consideration of the wiping action (i.e., reverse action) on the return side. Then, the force spring 41 uses its own accumulated force (the restoring force of the force spring 41 after compression deformation) to cause the shaft member 36 to move backward. At this time, the guide protrusion 36b of the shaft member 36 is in sliding contact with the inclined surface 38x, and the shaft member 36 moves backward while rotating in the counterclockwise direction. Thus, the wiper blade 32 performs a reverse action from the reverse position to the stop position. The accumulated force of the force spring 41 gradually decreases.

[0062] In addition, in order to smoothly perform the backward movement of the shaft member 36, it is necessary to smoothly drain the cleaning liquid Ws in the inflow chamber 33x caused by the movement of the piston 35 accompanying this. The cleaning liquid Ws may also be returned to the container 15 due to the stop of the cleaning liquid pump 14, or drained to a drainage portion provided at a predetermined position on the flow path of the cleaning liquid Ws. In the case where a drainage portion is provided in the switching valves 23 and 24 or between the switching valves 23 and 24 and the wiper drive unit 31, the flow path to the wiper drive unit 31 can also be cut off by the switching valves 23 and 24.

[0063] In this way, by making the wiper blade 32 perform a reciprocating wiping action more than once, foreign matter such as raindrops or mud attached to the sensing surfaces 11a, 12a of each distance measuring sensor 11, 12 is directly scraped off by the wiper blade 32. Therefore, foreign matter can be removed more reliably. In addition, before or during the wiping action of the wiper blade 32, the cleaning liquid Ws can be sprayed and supplied to the sensing surfaces 11a, 12a from the spray nozzles N1, N2, so as to assist in the removal and cleaning of foreign matter. In this case, it is preferred to wipe the sensing surfaces 11a, 12a with the cleaning liquid Ws after supplying the cleaning liquid Ws to the sensing surfaces 11a, 12a so that the cleaning liquid Ws itself does not remain.

[0064] The effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0065] (1) The cleaning devices 21 and 22 include wiper devices W1 and W2. The wiper devices W1 and W2 have a wiper drive unit 31, which operates based on the supply of cleaning fluid Ws pumped from a washer device 13 installed on the vehicle 10. The wiper drive unit 31 has a piston 35 and a shaft member 36 as a direct-acting unit, and the direct-acting unit generates an axial direct-acting motion based on the supply of the cleaning fluid Ws. The wiper drive unit 31 also includes a conversion member 37 and a drive member 40 as an action conversion unit, and the above-mentioned action conversion unit converts the direct-acting motion into a rotational motion. The wiper drive unit 31 causes the wiper blade 32 to reciprocate and wipe based on the converted rotational motion. That is, foreign matter attached to the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a of the distance measuring sensors 11 and 12 as the cleaning objects of the vehicle 10 is directly scraped off and removed by the wiper blade 32 performing the wiping action. Therefore, the sensing surfaces 11 a and 12 a can be cleaned more reliably.

[0066] (2) The piston 35 and the shaft member 36 constituting the direct-acting action portion, and the conversion member 37 and the driving member 40 constituting the action conversion portion are arranged in parallel on the axis of the wiper drive unit 31 itself, which is also the rotation axis of the wiper blade 32. That is, the wiper drive unit 31 of the present embodiment can be constructed as a compact columnar shape along the width direction. Since the distance measuring sensors 11 and 12 used in the present embodiment have an appropriate depth, the structure and configuration of the wiper drive unit 31 as in the present embodiment are reasonable. In addition, since it is easy to configure the rotation axis of the wiper blade 32 near the sensing surface 11a, 12a serving as the cleaning surface and make it rotate, it is easy to achieve the wiper blade 32 wiping the sensing surface 11a, 12a.

[0067] (3) With regard to the reciprocating direct motion of the shaft member 36 of the wiper drive unit 31, the forward motion of the shaft member 36 is an action in which the force is accumulated in the biasing spring 41 based on the supply of the cleaning fluid Ws. The backward motion of the shaft member 36 is an action in which the force accumulated in the biasing spring 41 is received based on the stop of the supply of the cleaning fluid Ws. That is, the direct motion on one side is based on the action of the cleaning fluid Ws, and the direct motion on the other side is based on the action of the biasing spring 41. Therefore, the flow path of the cleaning fluid Ws can be simplified, and the structure of the wiper drive unit 31 can be expected to be simplified.

[0068] (4) If the spray nozzles N1 and N2 for spraying and supplying the cleaning liquid Ws to the sensing surfaces 11 a and 12 a are simultaneously used, it can be expected that foreign matter adhering to the sensing surfaces 11 a and 12 a can be removed and cleaned more reliably.

[0069] The first embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. The present embodiment and the following modifications can be implemented in combination with each other within the scope of no technical contradiction.

[0070] The structure of the wiper driving unit 31 is an example and may be modified as appropriate.

[0071] In the first embodiment, the piston 35, the shaft member 36, the conversion member 37 and the drive member 40 are arranged coaxially, and the wiper drive unit 31 is formed in a columnar shape. The arrangement structure may be changed to form a structure with a shorter axial length.

[0072] In the first embodiment, the direct motion on one side is based on the cleaning fluid Ws, and the direct motion on the other side is based on the biasing spring 41 . However, both reciprocating direct motions may be based on the cleaning fluid Ws, and the biasing spring 41 may be omitted.

[0073] The installation positions of the wiper devices W1 and W2 with respect to the sensing surfaces 11 a and 12 a may be changed as appropriate.

[0074] The installation position of the injection nozzles N1 and N2 relative to the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a is preferably arranged on the lower side of the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a in the direction of gravity so that the droplets from the injection nozzles N1 and N2 after injection do not reach the sensing surfaces 11a and 12a, but it can also be changed appropriately. In addition, the injection nozzles N1 and N2 can also be omitted. In this case, the switching valves 23 and 24 can also be omitted.

[0075] The distance measuring sensors 11 and 12 are respectively arranged at the front center of the vehicle 10 and the rear center of the vehicle 10 , but the arrangement is not limited thereto and may be arranged at the left and right sides of the vehicle 10 .

[0076] The sensing surfaces 11a and 12a of the distance measuring sensors 11 and 12 are used as cleaning objects, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in addition to a camera that captures the surroundings of the vehicle 10, a sensor other than the above-mentioned optical sensor, and a sensor other than the above-mentioned optical sensor, for example, Figure 1 The headlight 16, taillight 17, reflector 18, etc. are shown as the cleaning objects.

[0077] (Second Embodiment)

[0078] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the vehicle cleaning device, the vehicle cleaning system, and the method for controlling the vehicle cleaning system will be described.

[0079] like Figure 7As shown, a pump device 112 is provided in parallel with a cleaning liquid container 111 disposed in a front storage space 102 of a vehicle 101, for example. The pump device 112 uses a pump motor 113 as a driving source. The pump device 112 is driven by the rotation of the pump motor 113 to pressurize the cleaning liquid Ws stored in the cleaning liquid container 111 to various parts of the vehicle 101. The cleaning liquid container 111 and the pump device 112 are a cleaning liquid supply device 110 generally installed on a vehicle, which supplies the cleaning liquid Ws from a supply nozzle not shown toward the outer surface of the front windshield 103 or the rear windshield 104 of the vehicle 101, and are also commonly used in a vehicle cleaning device 120a described later in this embodiment.

[0080] In the vehicle 101, a first optical sensor 115 is arranged at the center of the front end of the vehicle 101, and a second optical sensor 116 is arranged at the center of the rear end of the vehicle 101. The first optical sensor 115 and the second optical sensor 116 are vehicle-mounted optical sensors of a ranging system (LIDAR) for transmitting and receiving light of a predetermined wavelength toward the front or rear of the vehicle 101 to measure the distance to an object in front or behind. The ranging system is used to implement systems such as advanced driving assistance and automatic driving of the vehicle 101.

[0081] Here, the first optical sensor 115 and the second optical sensor 116 are in a form in which their own sensing surfaces (e.g., outer surfaces such as lenses and cover glass) 115a and 116a are exposed to the outside of the vehicle 101, so foreign objects such as raindrops and mud may adhere to the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a. If foreign objects adhere to the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a of each optical sensor 115 and 116, it is possible that the ranging accuracy is reduced, which is likely to affect the system for implementing advanced driving assistance, automatic driving, etc. Therefore, for the first optical sensor 115 and the second optical sensor 116, a vehicle cleaning device 120a for cleaning and removing foreign objects attached to each sensing surface 115a and 116a includes a first cleaning device 121a and a second cleaning device 122a.

[0082] The first cleaning device 121a includes a jet nozzle N1 and a wiper device W1. The jet nozzle N1 sprays and supplies the cleaning liquid Ws toward the sensing surface 115a of the first optical sensor 115 on the front side of the vehicle 101, and the wiper device W1 abuts against the sensing surface 115a to wipe the substantially entire surface. The second cleaning device 122a also includes a jet nozzle N2 and a wiper device W2. The jet nozzle N2 sprays and supplies the cleaning liquid Ws toward the sensing surface 116a of the second optical sensor 116 on the rear side of the vehicle 101, and the wiper device W2 abuts against the sensing surface 116a to wipe the substantially entire surface. In addition, the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a of the first optical sensor 115 and the second optical sensor 116 of the present embodiment are rectangular, and a set of relative edges are arranged in the horizontal direction (a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction of the vehicle 101).

[0083] like Figure 8 As shown, each of the spray nozzles N1 and N2 of the first cleaning device 121a and the second cleaning device 122a is arranged on the lower side of each optical sensor 115 and 116 in the vertical direction of the vehicle 101, and the spray port Nx is directed upward (the upper side of the vehicle 101), and the cleaning liquid Ws can be sprayed and supplied to the sensing surface 115a and 116a from the spray port Nx. In detail, each of the spray nozzles N1 and N2 is arranged so that at least the spray port Nx protrudes further to the outside of the vehicle 101 than the optical sensor 115 and 116 (sensing surface 115a and 116a). The cleaning liquid Ws sprayed and supplied from each spray port Nx is formed in the following spraying form: it spreads at least in the entire horizontal direction range of each sensing surface 115a and 116a, in other words, it spreads in the entire longitudinal direction range of the wiper blade 123. Each of the spray nozzles N1 and N2 is connected to the switching valve 127 as a switching unit and the nozzle side hose HN described later in a manner that the cleaning liquid Ws can flow.

[0084] The wiper devices W1 and W2 of the first cleaning device 121a and the second cleaning device 122a are arranged to be arranged on the upper side of the optical sensors 115 and 116 in the vertical direction of the vehicle 101 (relative to the upper side of the injection nozzles N1 and N2), and the wiper blade 123 is arranged on the upper edge of the sensing surface 115a and 116a, and the wiper blade 123 can reciprocate on the sensing surface 115a and 116a. Each wiper device W1 and W2 includes a wiper blade 123 and a wiper drive unit 124a. The wiper drive unit 124a includes a drive cylinder 125, a force spring 126 and an action conversion unit 130. In addition, since each wiper device W1 and W2 has the same structure, the wiper blade 123 and the wiper drive unit 124a (drive cylinder 125, force spring 126 and action conversion unit 130) are marked with the same symbols. The wiper drive unit 124a is connected via a switching valve 127 and a wiper side hose HW to allow the cleaning fluid Ws to flow. Specifically, a cylinder unit 125a and a switching valve 127 are connected via a wiper side hose HW to allow the cleaning fluid Ws to flow.

[0085] In the wiper driving unit 124a of the second embodiment, the reciprocating direct motion of the output rod 125b of the driving cylinder 125 is converted into the reciprocating rotation motion of the wiper blade 123 by the motion conversion unit 130. The rotation fulcrum of the wiper blade 123 is set at the substantially central portion of the upper edge of the sensing surface 115a, 116a on the opposite side of the injection nozzles N1, N2, and the posture of the wiper blade 123 at the stop position is set to a posture in which the long side direction of the wiper blade 123 is substantially horizontal. Then, by the reciprocating rotation of the wiper blade 123, a wiping motion of a predetermined angle is performed on the sensing surface 115a, 116a.

[0086] The driving cylinder 125 includes a cylindrical cylinder portion 125a and an output rod (piston rod) 125b, wherein the output rod 125b has a supply pressure bearing portion 125c at one end and is connected to the wiper blade 123 at the other end. The supply pressure bearing portion 125c and the output rod (piston rod) 125b function as a direct-acting action portion. The force spring 126 is arranged inside the cylinder portion 125a in a manner of being clamped by one end face of the supply pressure bearing portion 125c and the inner surface of the cylinder portion 125a opposite to the one end face of the supply pressure bearing portion 125c. When the wiper blade 123 is in the initial position, the output rod 125b is accommodated in the cylinder portion 125a.

[0087] The wiper drive unit 124a receives the supply pressure of the cleaning fluid Ws at the other end face of the supply pressure receiving portion 125c of the output rod 125b. When receiving the supply pressure of the cleaning fluid Ws, the output rod 125b overcomes the force of the force spring 126 and protrudes from the cylinder portion 125a. As a result, the wiper blade 123 rotates from one side in the other direction within a specified angle on each sensing surface 115a, 116a. That is, the wiper blade 123 rotates along the forward movement direction. When the supply pressure of the cleaning fluid Ws disappears, the cleaning fluid Ws in the driving cylinder 125 is discharged from the discharge port not shown in the figure, and the output rod 125b is stored in the cylinder portion 125a by the force of the force spring 126. As a result, the wiper blade 123 rotates from one side in the other direction within a specified angle on each sensing surface 115a, 116a. That is, the wiper blade 123 rotates along the backward movement direction.

[0088] A resin member (not shown) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the supply pressure receiving portion 125c and is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 125a. The resin member has a function of preventing the cleaning liquid Ws from leaking into the space inside the cylinder 125a where the biasing spring 126 is arranged.

[0089] In addition, a compression coil spring is used as the biasing spring 126, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a tension coil spring may be used as the biasing spring. In this case, the tension coil spring is disposed between the other end face of the supply pressure receiving portion 125c and the inner surface of the cylinder portion 125a opposite to the other end face of the supply pressure receiving portion 125c, in a state of being locked to the other end face of the supply pressure receiving portion 125c and the inner surface of the cylinder portion 125a.

[0090] The washer fluid Ws pressure-sent from the pump device 112 is supplied to the wiper drive unit 12a4 and the spray nozzle N1 of the wiper device W1 of the first cleaning device 121a, respectively, with the switching valve 127 as a branching portion. In addition, similarly, for the second cleaning device 122a, the washer fluid Ws pressure-sent from the pump device 112 is supplied to the wiper drive unit 124a and the spray nozzle N2 of the wiper device W2, respectively, with the switching valve 127 as a branching portion. Each switching valve 127 of each cleaning device 121a, 122a is, for example, an electromagnetic valve having a solenoid portion. The two switching valves 127 of the cleaning devices 121a, 122a are switched and controlled by the front ECU 151 and the rear ECU 152 described later, respectively. Each of the switching valves 127 selectively selects a flow path for supplying the washer fluid Ws to the wiper drive unit 124a or the spray nozzles N1, N2 of each of the wiper devices W1, W2. Each switching valve 127 is connected to the pump device 112 via a common hose HC so that the cleaning fluid Ws can flow therethrough.

[0091] The pump device 112 (pump motor 113), the switching valves 127 of the first cleaning device 121a and the second cleaning device 122a are controlled by various ECUs (Electronic Control Units) installed in the vehicle 101, namely, the upper ECU 150, the front ECU 151 and the rear ECU 152. The upper ECU 150, the front ECU 151 and the rear ECU 152 function as control units. The front ECU 151 is an ECU on the front side of the vehicle 101 that includes a function of controlling the pump motor 113 and the switching valve 127 of the first cleaning device 121a. The rear ECU 152 is an ECU on the rear side of the vehicle 101 that includes a function of controlling the switching valve 127 of the second cleaning device 122a. The upper ECU 150 performs overall control of the front ECU 151 and the rear ECU 152. The host ECU 150, the front ECU 151, and the rear ECU 152 are installed at predetermined locations of the vehicle 101. The vehicle cleaning device 120a (the first cleaning device 121a and the second cleaning device 122a) and the ECUs 150 to 152 constitute a vehicle cleaning system of the present embodiment.

[0092] The control method and operation of the vehicle cleaning system according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0093] Fig. 9 The control flow of the second embodiment shown is executed under the overall processing of the host ECU 150 in cooperation with the front ECU 151 and the rear ECU 152 .

[0094] In step S1, it is determined whether the operating condition of the cleaning device 120a is satisfied. If the predetermined operating condition is satisfied, the control unit (150, 151, 152) proceeds to the next step S2. An example of the operating condition is that the ignition switch of the vehicle 101 is turned on ( Figure 7 IG is turned on), the working switch of the cleaning device 120a is turned on ( Figure 7 The cleaning in the process is turned on), and the foreign matter detection sensor detects that foreign matter is attached to the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a of the optical sensors 115 and 116 ( Figure 7 The working conditions can also be changed appropriately. If it is set to automatic cleaning at regular intervals, foreign object detection is not required.

[0095] In step S2, the pump motor 113 is driven to start the pressure delivery of the cleaning liquid Ws. In addition, the switching valve 127 is used to open the portion of the flow path of the pressure-delivered cleaning liquid Ws toward the injection nozzles N1 and N2, and to close the portion toward the wiper devices W1 and W2 (wiper drive unit 124a). In addition, if the flow path form is formed in advance, the form is maintained. After executing step S2, the control unit (150, 151, 152) transfers to step S3.

[0096] In step S3, the cleaning liquid Ws is sprayed and supplied from the spray nozzles N1 and N2 of one or both of the optical sensors 115 and 116 that are judged to need cleaning. As a result, foreign matter attached to the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a is peeled off and removed by the spray pressure of the cleaning liquid Ws or the cleaning components of the cleaning liquid Ws. After executing step S3, the control unit (150, 151, 152) transfers to step S4.

[0097] In step S4, the switching valve 127 is switched to open the portion of the flow path of the pressure-sent cleaning fluid Ws toward the wiper devices W1 and W2, and to close the portion toward the injection nozzles N1 and N2. That is, the injection supply of the cleaning fluid Ws from the injection nozzles N1 and N2 is stopped, and on the other hand, the supply pressure of the cleaning fluid Ws is applied to the wiper drive unit 124a. After executing step S4, the control unit (150, 151, 152) transfers to step S5.

[0098] In step S5, the wiper driving unit 124a receives the supply pressure of the washer fluid Ws to perform the wiping action of the wiper blade 123. Since the wiper blade 123 performs the wiping by sliding contact on the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a, the foreign matter or the washer fluid Ws itself that remains and firmly adheres to the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a even when the washer fluid Ws is sprayed and supplied is also reliably removed by the direct wiping of the wiper blade 123 itself. In addition, in one reciprocating wiping action of the wiper blade 123, the wiper driving unit 124a performs forward movement (drives from one side to the other side within a predetermined angle range) while the supply pressure of the washer fluid Ws acts on the wiper driving unit 124a, and performs the return movement (drives from the other side to one side within a predetermined angle range) based on the urging force of the urging spring 126 while the supply pressure of the washer fluid Ws does not act. After executing step S5, the control unit (150, 151, 152) transfers to step S6.

[0099] In step S6, steps S5 and S6 are repeated until the reciprocating wiping action of the wiper blade 123 is performed a predetermined number of times. The wiping action of the wiper blade 123 is performed multiple times by repeatedly driving and stopping the pump motor 113. In addition, the switching valve 127 may be repeatedly switched between the wiper drive unit 124a and the injection nozzles N1 and N2. In this case, the injection of the cleaning liquid Ws alternately with the wiping action of the wiper blade 123 is also performed multiple times. When the reciprocating wiping action of the wiper blade 123 is performed a predetermined number of times, the control unit (150, 151, 152) proceeds to the next step S7.

[0100] In step S7, after the wiper blade 123 performs the reciprocating wiping action a predetermined number of times, the wiper blade 123 returns to the initial position and stops the wiping action by stopping the driving of the pump motor 113. After executing step S7, the control unit (150, 151, 152) proceeds to step S8.

[0101] In step S8, the portion of the flow path in the switching valve 127 that faces the wiper devices W1 and W2 is kept open, and the portion that faces the injection nozzles N1 and N2 is kept closed. This can prevent the cleaning fluid Ws from leaking out of the injection nozzles N1 and N2. In addition, the processing of step S8 can also be omitted. The above steps S1 to S8 are a series of cleaning actions.

[0102] In this way, in the cleaning device 120a of the second embodiment, not only the foreign matter on the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a is removed by the spraying of the cleaning liquid Ws, but also the wiping removal by the wiper blade 123 is added, so that the foreign matter firmly attached to the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a can be cleaned and removed more reliably. In addition, the wiping action of the wiper blade 123 is performed by applying the supply pressure of the cleaning liquid Ws sent to the spray nozzles N1 and N2 to the wiper drive unit 124a by switching the flow path of the switching valve 127. Therefore, an electric motor for driving the wiper is not required, and a simple cleaning device 120a can be constructed.

[0103] The effects of the second embodiment will be described.

[0104] (2-1) The vehicle cleaning device 120a of the second embodiment includes: injection nozzles N1 and N2 for injecting and supplying the cleaning liquid Ws pressure-fed from the cleaning liquid supply device 110 to the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a of the optical sensors 115 and 116 as the cleaning target of the vehicle 101; and wiper devices W1 and W2 for receiving the supply pressure of the cleaning liquid Ws and driving the wiper drive unit 124a to perform a wiping operation of the wiper blade 123. By switching the supply destination of the cleaning liquid Ws to the injection nozzles N1 and N2 or the wiper drive unit 124a through the switching valve 127, the injection supply of the cleaning liquid Ws or the wiping operation of the wiper blade 123 can be appropriately selected. That is, it is possible to more reliably clean and remove foreign matter attached to the cleaning target of the vehicle 101, including the wiping operation of the wiper blade 123. Furthermore, since the wiper driving unit 124a that performs the wiping operation of the wiper blade 123 obtains driving force from the supply pressure of the washer fluid Ws, the vehicle cleaning device can be realized with a simple structure that does not use an electric motor for wiper driving.

[0105] (2-2) The wiper drive unit 124a uses a drive cylinder 125 as a direct-acting device that performs a direct-acting motion by receiving the supply pressure of the cleaning fluid Ws, and an action conversion unit 130 that converts the direct-acting motion of the drive cylinder 125 into a rotational motion. The wiper devices W1 and W2 are configured to perform a rotational wiping motion based on the wiper blade 123 based on the rotational motion of the action conversion unit 130. That is, the wiper devices W1 and W2 can be configured by a simple mechanism in which the action conversion unit 130 converts the direct-acting motion of the drive cylinder 125 into a rotational motion.

[0106] (2-3) The wiper devices W1 and W2 make the wiper blade 123 perform a rotational wiping action through a rotation fulcrum set at the substantially central portion of the upper edge of the sensing surface 115a and 116a. Due to such a structure, raindrops or drops of cleaning fluid Ws on the sensing surface 115a and 116a can be easily and reliably removed from the front end side of the wiper blade 123.

[0107] (2-4) The wiper drive unit 124a is configured such that the output rod 125b of the drive cylinder 125 protrudes under the supply pressure of the washer fluid Ws, and when the supply of the washer fluid Ws is stopped, the output rod 125b is returned by the biasing force of the biasing spring 126. That is, the wiper devices W1 and W2 can be configured such that only the protruding side (the forward movement side of the wiper blade) is driven by the supply pressure of the washer fluid Ws, and the return side (the return movement side of the wiper blade) is actuated by the biasing spring 126.

[0108] (2-5) Since the injection nozzles N1 and N2 are arranged at a position vertically lower than the wiper blade 123 (lower in the vertical direction of the vehicle 101), the cleaning liquid Ws sprayed and supplied from the injection nozzles N1 and N2 can be properly wiped by the wiper blade 123. In addition, since the injection nozzles N1 and N2 are arranged below the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a, it is possible to reduce the situation where unnecessary cleaning liquid Ws leaked from the injection nozzles N1 and N2 adheres to the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a.

[0109] (2-6) The ECU 150 (ECU 151, 152) controls the pump motor 113 and the switching valve 127 so that the cleaning liquid Ws is sprayed and supplied from the spray nozzles N1, N2 to the sensing surfaces 115a, 116a, and then the wiper blade 123 is reciprocated on the sensing surfaces 115a, 116a. That is, the foreign matter on the sensing surfaces 115a, 116a is removed by spraying and supplying the cleaning liquid Ws, and then the sensing surfaces 115a, 116a are properly cleaned by performing the wiping action of the wiper blade 123 using the cleaning liquid Ws on the sensing surfaces 115a, 116a.

[0110] (Third Embodiment)

[0111] Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the vehicle cleaning system (vehicle cleaning device) will be described.

[0112] Fig.10 The first cleaning device 121b and the second cleaning device 122b of the vehicle cleaning device 120b of the third embodiment shown perform wiping action based on the reciprocating rotation of the wiper blade 123 in the same manner as the second embodiment, but do not use the driving cylinder 125 of the second embodiment, but replace it with a bourdon tube type wiper drive unit 124b.

[0113] That is, in the wiper drive unit 124b of the third embodiment, one end of the bourdon tube 131 is connected to the switching valve 127 via the wiper side hose HW, and the other end of the bourdon tube 131 is connected to one end of the swing member 134 via the connecting rod 133 constituting the motion conversion unit 132. That is, when the supply pressure of the cleaning liquid Ws acts on the bourdon tube 131 via the switching valve 127, the annular portion 131a on the other end side of the bourdon tube 131 expands outward and deforms, and this deformation becomes the swinging motion of the swing member 134 via the connecting rod 133. The other end of the swing member 134 becomes a sector gear 135, which meshes with a spur gear 136 of a support shaft fixed to one end of the wiper blade 123. Therefore, the swinging motion of the swing member 134 becomes the rotational motion of the wiper blade 123. The wiper blade 123 can be reciprocated and rotated using such a bourdon tube type wiper drive unit 124b. Note that the portions other than the structure of the wiper driving unit 124 b are the same as those of the second embodiment.

[0114] Effects of the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the same effects as the effects (2-1), (2-3), (2-5), and (2-6) of the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0115] (3-1) The wiper drive unit 124b uses a bourdon tube 131 that deforms in response to the supply pressure of the cleaning fluid Ws and a motion conversion unit 132 that converts the deformation of the bourdon tube 131 into a rotational motion. The wiper devices W1 and W2 are configured to perform a rotational wiping motion based on the wiper blade 123 based on the rotational motion of the motion conversion unit 132. That is, the wiper devices W1 and W2 can be configured with a simple mechanism in which the deformation of the bourdon tube 131 is converted into a rotational motion by the motion conversion unit 132.

[0116] (Fourth Embodiment)

[0117] Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the method for controlling the vehicle cleaning system will be described.

[0118] Fig.11 The control flow of the fourth embodiment shown is similar to Fig. 9 The control flow of the second embodiment shown is different. In addition, the control object of the fourth embodiment is the cleaning device 120a of the second embodiment.

[0119] exist Fig.11 In step S1, it is determined whether the working conditions of the cleaning device 120a are met. If the prescribed working conditions are met, the control unit (150, 151, 152) proceeds to the next step S11 to perform raindrop detection. In addition, in the raindrop detection, for example, a raindrop sensor 105 (see Figure 7 ). In addition, raindrop detection (water drop detection) may be performed on the sensing surface 115a, 116a or other parts (for example, an optical sensor provided near the sensing surface 115a, 116a, etc.). When no raindrops are detected, that is, when there is no rainfall, and it is determined that the cleaning liquid Ws needs to be sprayed onto the sensing surface 115a, 116a, the control unit (150, 151, 152) proceeds to step S2, and performs multiple sprays of the cleaning liquid Ws and wiping actions of the wiper blade 123 based on the supply pressure of the cleaning liquid Ws, similar to steps S2 to S6 of the second embodiment.

[0120] On the other hand, when raindrops are detected, that is, raindrops instead of the cleaning liquid Ws are attached to the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a, and it is determined that the cleaning liquid Ws does not need to be sprayed, the control unit (150, 151, 152) proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the cleaning liquid Ws is pumped by driving the pump motor 113, and the portion of the flow path for pumping the cleaning liquid Ws toward the wiper devices W1 and W2 is switched to open by the switching valve 127, and the portion toward the spray nozzles N1 and N2 is switched to closed (if the flow path form is previously set, the form is maintained). As a result, the wiper blade 123 is wiped without spraying the cleaning liquid Ws. In the next steps S13 and S14, the wiper blade 123 is wiped multiple times. That is, in the fourth embodiment, when raindrops are attached to the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a, a control method is used to prevent the unnecessary spraying of the cleaning liquid Ws.

[0121] Effects of the fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the same effects as the effects (2-1) to (2-5) of the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0122] (4-1) The ECU 150 (ECU 151, 152) determines whether it is not necessary to spray the cleaning fluid Ws onto the sensing surfaces 115a, 116a to be cleaned, based on the raindrop detection performed by the raindrop sensor 105 installed on the vehicle 101. If it is determined that it is not necessary, the ECU 150 (ECU 151, 152) controls the pump motor 113 and the switching valve 127 to prohibit the spraying of the cleaning fluid Ws and mainly perform the wiping operation of the wiper blade 123. That is, when raindrops instead of the cleaning fluid Ws are attached to the sensing surfaces 115a, 116a, the consumption of the cleaning fluid Ws can be reduced by performing the wiping operation of the wiper blade 123 using raindrops instead of the cleaning fluid Ws.

[0123] The second embodiment to the fourth embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The second embodiment to the fourth embodiment and the following modified examples can be combined and implemented within a range that does not technically contradict each other.

[0124] The optical sensors 115 and 116 for the distance measuring system (LIDAR) are respectively arranged at the front center of the vehicle 101 and the rear center of the vehicle 101 , but may also include components arranged at the left and right sides of the vehicle 101 .

[0125] The sensing surfaces 115a and 116a of the optical sensors 115 and 116 for the ranging system (LIDAR) are used as the cleaning objects, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the vehicle-mounted camera as an optical sensor for photographing the surroundings of the vehicle 101, the vehicle-mounted sensor other than the optical sensor, and the sensor, for example, Figure 7 The headlight 106, taillight 107, reflector 108, etc. are shown as the cleaning objects.

[0126] The wiper drive units 124a and 124b are respectively composed of a drive cylinder 125, a force spring 126, an action conversion unit 130, a bourdon tube 131 and an action conversion unit 132. However, as long as the wiper blade 123 can be driven by the supply pressure of the cleaning fluid Ws to perform a wiping action, the structure can be appropriately changed.

[0127] The wiper devices W1 and W2 are disposed above the sensing surfaces 115 a and 116 a , and the nozzles N1 and N2 are disposed below the sensing surfaces 115 a and 116 a . However, the respective arrangement positions may be changed as appropriate.

[0128] As an example of the operating conditions of the cleaning devices 120a and 120b, the ignition switch of the vehicle 101 is turned on (IG is turned on), the operating switch of the cleaning device 120a is turned on (cleaning is turned on), and foreign matter is attached to the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a (foreign matter is present), but the operating conditions can be changed appropriately. In addition, automatic cleaning can also be performed regularly.

[0129] The spray nozzles N1 and N2 are arranged so that at least the spray port Nx always protrudes further to the outside of the vehicle 101 than the sensing surfaces 115a and 116a, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a so-called pop-up nozzle may be used, in which the spray nozzle is protruded toward the outside of the vehicle by the supply pressure of the cleaning liquid, and after the cleaning liquid is sprayed, the spray nozzle is retracted toward the inside of the vehicle 101 by the force of the coil spring. In this case, the spray nozzle can be configured not to protrude toward the outside of the vehicle when the cleaning liquid is not sprayed, thereby improving the appearance of the vehicle.

[0130] The first embodiment, the modification of the first embodiment, the second embodiment to the fourth embodiment, and the modification of the second embodiment to the fourth embodiment can be combined with each other and implemented within the range of no technical contradiction.

[0131] Although the present disclosure is described based on the embodiments, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and structures. The present disclosure also includes various modifications and modifications within the scope of equivalence. In addition, various combinations and methods, further including other combinations and methods with only one element, more than one or less than one element, also belong to the scope and concept of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A vehicle cleaning device, the vehicle cleaning device removing foreign matter attached to a cleaning object of the vehicle, include: a cleaning liquid supply device, the cleaning liquid supply device being installed on the vehicle; as well as A wiper device, the wiper device comprising a wiper drive unit and a wiper blade, The wiper driving unit comprises: a direct-acting operating portion that generates a direct-acting motion based on the supply of the cleaning liquid pressure-fed from the cleaning liquid supply device; and a motion conversion unit, the motion conversion unit converting the linear motion into a rotational motion, The wiper blade is configured to contact the cleaning object. The wiper device is configured to cause the wiper blade to perform a reciprocating wiping motion based on the rotational motion of the motion conversion portion. The direct-acting part and the motion conversion part are arranged side by side on the rotation axis of the wiper blade. The direct-acting portion includes: a piston, the piston being directly acted by the pressure of the cleaning liquid pumped from the cleaning liquid supply device; and a shaft member, the shaft member being connected to the piston so as to be directly acted. The shaft member is connected to the piston so as to be rotatable relative to the piston. The motion conversion unit includes a conversion member that converts a linear motion of the shaft member into a rotational motion of the shaft member, and a drive member that is connected to the wiper blade and is connected to be rotatable together with the shaft member.

2. The vehicle cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein: The direct-acting part is a member that includes a biasing spring and performs a reciprocating direct-acting motion. The direct-acting action on one side is performed to accumulate the urging force in the urging spring based on the supply of the cleaning fluid. The other side is subjected to the biasing force accumulated in the biasing spring due to the stop of the supply of the cleaning fluid, thereby performing a direct motion operation.

3. The vehicle cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein: The cleaning liquid supply device further includes a spray nozzle configured to spray and supply the cleaning liquid pressure-fed from the cleaning liquid supply device to the cleaning object.

4. The vehicle cleaning device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The device further includes a switching unit that switches supply of the washer fluid pressure-fed from the washer fluid supply device to the injection nozzle or the wiper drive unit.

5. The vehicle cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein: The injection nozzle is arranged vertically below the wiper blade.

6. The vehicle cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The cleaning object of the vehicle is a sensing surface of a distance measuring sensor installed on the vehicle.

7. A vehicle cleaning system comprising the vehicle cleaning device according to claim 4, Also includes a control unit, The control unit controls the washer fluid supply device and the switching unit to control the spraying of the washer fluid and the wiping operation of the wiper blade.

8. The vehicle cleaning system according to claim 7, wherein: Also included is a raindrop sensor installed on the vehicle and performing raindrop detection, When the control unit determines that it is not necessary to spray the washer fluid onto the cleaning object based on raindrop detection by the raindrop sensor, the control unit controls the washer fluid supply device and the switching unit so that the wiper blade mainly performs a wiping operation.

9. A method for controlling a vehicle cleaning system, comprising: a method for controlling a vehicle cleaning system comprising the vehicle cleaning device according to claim 4, The control method comprises: The washer fluid supply device and the switch are controlled to control the spraying of the washer fluid and the wiping operation of the wiper blade.

10. The control method of the vehicle cleaning system according to claim 9, characterized in that: include: Controlling the cleaning liquid supply device and the switching unit; controlling the cleaning liquid supply device and the switching unit to spray the cleaning liquid from the spray nozzle toward the cleaning object; as well as Then, the washer fluid supply device and the switch are controlled so that the wiper blade reciprocates to wipe the cleaning object.

11. The control method of the vehicle cleaning system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The vehicle cleaning system further includes a raindrop sensor installed on the vehicle and detecting raindrops. Controlling the cleaning liquid supply device and the switching unit includes: When the raindrop sensor detects raindrops, the switching unit is controlled to prohibit the spraying of the cleaning liquid from the spray nozzle to the cleaning object; and The washer fluid supply device and the switch are controlled so that the wiper blade reciprocates to wipe the cleaning object.

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