Cleaning device

Abstract

This invention relates to a cleaning device for a vehicle, which can clean at least one cleaning location using pressurized cleaning fluid and / or pressurized ambient air. The cleaning device includes: a pump-compressor stage PVS for drawing and delivering the cleaning fluid and / or ambient air; a fluid path (8) that fluidly connects the pump-compressor stage PVS upstream to a cleaning fluid container (6) and, on the other hand, to the environment (U) of the cleaning device; and a fluid distribution device (10) located upstream of the pump-compressor stage PVS, which is capable of supplying pressurized cleaning fluid and / or pressurized ambient air through the pump-compressor stage PVS, wherein the fluid distribution device (10) is fluidly connected to the cleaning location. Furthermore, a vehicle having such a cleaning device, a first application, a second application, and a cleaning method for a vehicle are proposed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device for a vehicle, a vehicle having such a cleaning device, a first application and a second application, and a cleaning method for a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Here, "vehicle" is understood to refer to any type of vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine and / or an electric motor, particularly passenger cars and / or commercial vehicles. Preferably, it refers to partially autonomous vehicles, and especially fully autonomous vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of this invention is to achieve improved vehicle cleaning. Another object of this invention is to improve a cleaning device for vehicles.

[0004] This objective is achieved by the cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1. Furthermore, a vehicle having such a cleaning apparatus is proposed and protected (see claim 7). Furthermore, applications of a pump-compressor stage and the proposed cleaning apparatus are proposed and claimed (see claims 8 and 9). Furthermore, a cleaning method for a vehicle is proposed and claimed (see claim 10). Furthermore, a computer program for implementing the cleaning method and a computer program product are proposed and claimed (see claims 12 and 13). Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] A cleaning device for vehicles is proposed herein, which can be used to clean at least one cleaning location of a vehicle by selectively using pressurized cleaning fluid and / or pressurized ambient air.

[0006] The cleaning device proposed here includes:

[0007] • Pumps used for pumping and delivering cleaning fluids and / or ambient air – compressor stage.

[0008] • A fluid path that connects the pump-compressor stage upstream to the cleaning fluid container, and on the other hand, connects the fluid to the environment of the cleaning unit.

[0009] • A fluid distribution device downstream of the pump-compressor stage, which can be supplied with pressurized cleaning fluid and / or pressurized ambient air through the pump-compressor stage, wherein the fluid distribution device is fluidly connected to the cleaning location.

[0010] Here, "cleaning position" can be understood as the cleaning position corresponding to a vehicle sensor, such as the cleaning position corresponding to a camera. The cleaning position itself can even be a part of the corresponding vehicle sensor or arranged at intervals therefrom, such as a position on the windshield. However, the cleaning position can also be other positions on the vehicle that do not correspond to vehicle sensors, such as other positions on the windshield, positions on the headlights, etc.

[0011] In its simplest case, cleaning fluid can be understood as water, but advantageously it is an aqueous cleaning solution, i.e., water with added cleaning agent. Furthermore, cleaning fluid may advantageously contain antifreeze or antifreeze agents, which themselves lower the freezing point of the cleaning fluid.

[0012] Here, the air attached to or replacing the actual vehicle's surrounding environment, which can also be understood as the air inside the vehicle's interior space, is appropriately filtered and, if necessary, preheated. For filtering the air inside the vehicle's interior space, air filters already installed in the HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) or air conditioning equipment can advantageously be used. The latter helps reduce costs.

[0013] The advantage of using preheated vehicle interior air or warm air is that it prevents the cleaning fluid from freezing at the corresponding cleaning locations, such as those corresponding to sensor lenses, in cold external vehicle environments.

[0014] The proposed cleaning device reduces the number of components required, thus simplifying the device and lowering its cost. By designing the pump-compressor stage to deliver both cleaning fluid and ambient air, separate fluid delivery components for either are eliminated, along with their associated individual fluid connections on the device. Consequently, the control of this cleaning device is also simplified, as fewer components need to be controlled.

[0015] Here, applicable both upstream and downstream of the proposed pump-compressor stage is that the respective fluid paths previously traversed by the cleaning fluid—at least partially applicable to the fluid path upstream of the pump-compressor stage, i.e., for the section conveying ambient air—are dried or blown by the ambient air flowing through them.

[0016] Thus, the corresponding fluid path, dried by the delivery of ambient air, advantageously does not freeze.

[0017] Furthermore, the transport of ambient air also inhibits the formation of biological matter in the fluid pathways, thus preventing blockages in the fluid pathways. Ideally, the formation and decay of biological matter are completely suppressed.

[0018] Furthermore, the proposed cleaning device significantly increases the effective range of the cleaning fluid used compared to devices that only deliver cleaning fluid.

[0019] Upstream of the proposed pump-compressor stage, a shut-off and release device in the fluid path can be used to select and shut off the cleaning fluid branch and / or the ambient air branch of the fluid path.

[0020] By selecting the pump-compressor stage—corresponding to the previously described "and / or relationship"—in a so-called mixed mode, the cleaning fluid and ambient air can even be simultaneously drawn in and delivered, advantageously further increasing the range of action of the cleaning fluid. In this delivery mode, for example, the ambient air branch is sometimes completely controlled or released, while the cleaning fluid branch is only partially controlled or released during that time (the so-called mixed mode of the cleaning device).

[0021] Here, the cleaning fluid branch and the ambient air branch can each be equipped with at least one separate release and shut-off device, for example, in the form of a release and shut-off valve.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, a multi-way valve can be installed between the cleaning fluid branch and the ambient air branch, which can optionally realize cleaning fluid delivery and / or surround air delivery, or switch between these two delivery modes of the device. Furthermore, this centralized reversing valve can save structural space.

[0023] It is also recommended that the pump-compressor stage be electrically driven, wherein the pump-compressor stage can be easily controlled for each specific fluid delivery requirement. The pump-compressor stage can be constructed in the form of a positive displacement pump stage and / or a vane pump stage.

[0024] Furthermore, the present invention also proposes a vehicle having a cleaning device of the aforementioned type.

[0025] Furthermore, the aforementioned pump-compressor stage is proposed for applications of selectively pumping and delivering cleaning fluid and / or ambient air, and for pressurizing a fluid path leading to a fluid distribution device, wherein the fluid distribution device is fluidly connected to at least one cleaning location on the vehicle.

[0026] A cleaning device of the aforementioned type is also proposed for use in applications that clean at least a plurality of cleaning locations corresponding to sensors.

[0027] In addition, a cleaning method for vehicles is proposed, wherein at least one cleaning location is cleaned by using pressurized cleaning fluid and / or pressurized ambient air, depending on the selection.

[0028] Here, the pump-compressor stage selectively draws in and delivers cleaning fluid and / or ambient air, and also supplies pressurized cleaning fluid and / or pressurized ambient air to a fluid distribution device downstream of the pump-compressor stage, wherein the fluid distribution device is fluidly connected to at least one cleaning location on the vehicle.

[0029] In the case of the electrically driven pump-compressor stage, its rotational speed can be simply matched to the corresponding fluid-specific delivery requirements. This is because the rotational speed required for ambient air delivery is significantly higher than that required for cleaning fluid delivery. Only through this significant increase in rotational speed can the necessary motion conditions be generated on the pump impeller, ultimately leading to the desired increase in air pressure suitable for cleaning.

[0030] Furthermore, a computer program for implementing the cleaning method and a computer program product are proposed, wherein the computer program and the computer program product represent the method using software technology. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other advantageous improvements of the invention will be derived from the following description of the dependent claims and preferred embodiments. These are illustrated schematically:

[0032] Figure 1 The proposed, inactive cleaning device is shown.

[0033] Figure 2 This shows the effect during cleaning fluid delivery. Figure 1 The cleaning device shown in the image, and

[0034] Figure 3 Showing during ambient air delivery Figure 1 The cleaning device shown in the image. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The proposed cleaning device 2 has a fluid delivery unit 4, which includes, for example, a pump-compressor stage PVS in the form of a vane pump stage and an electric motor 14 driving the pump-compressor stage PVS. The electric motor 14 drives a pump-compressor-impeller or pump-compressor-transfer wheel 18 via a shaft 16. In the case of a vane pump stage, this is, for example, a side-channel pump impeller and / or a peripheral channel pump impeller. Here, the pump-compressor-stage housing 20 housing the impeller or transfer wheel 18 is fluidly connected to a fluid distribution device via a discharge port 22, from which fluid lines (not shown) discharge. The pump-compressor stage PVS can, for example, be constructed in the form of a centrifugal pump.

[0036] The appropriate cleaning medium or cleaning fluid is delivered to multiple possible cleaning locations on the vehicle via a fluid distribution device. This may involve cleaning locations corresponding to vehicle sensors (e.g., cleaning locations on the windshield corresponding to cameras, etc.) and / or other cleaning locations, such as other locations on the windshield, the headlights, etc.

[0037] Furthermore, the pump-compressor stage housing 20 is connected to the fluid path 8 via an inlet port. This fluid path connects the pump-compressor stage PVS to the cleaning fluid container 6 on one hand and to the surrounding environment U of the cleaning device 2 on the other. Here, the fluid path 8 includes a cleaning fluid branch 8a and an ambient air branch 8b, through which cleaning fluid and / or ambient air can be delivered as needed and selectively. The cleaning fluid branch 8a and the ambient air branch 8b themselves converge or separate at branching or bifurcation points of the fluid path 8. For completeness, it should be noted that an air filter (not shown) is advantageously also provided in the ambient air branch 8b facing the environment. Regarding the filtered ambient air, it should be noted that it can be air drawn from the vehicle's surrounding environment and / or from the vehicle's interior space, as also referred to the previous definition of ambient air.

[0038] In the proposed embodiment of the cleaning device 2, the cleaning fluid branch 8a and the ambient air branch 8b are each equipped with separate release and shut-off devices, such as release and shut-off valves 10 and 12, which release and / or shut off the respective branches to achieve the desired delivery of cleaning fluid and / or the desired delivery of ambient air as selected.

[0039] In another proposed embodiment of the cleaning device 2, a multi-way valve may be attached to or replaced by the previously mentioned separate release and shut-off devices 10, 12 in a correspondingly adjustable manner between the cleaning fluid branch 8a and the ambient air branch 8b, which may selectively achieve the desired delivery of cleaning fluid and / or the desired delivery of ambient air as needed, or switch accordingly between these delivery modes of the device 2.

[0040] Here, the cleaning device 2 is part of a vehicle, which is preferably a vehicle that operates at least partially autonomously, but especially completely autonomously.

[0041] Therefore, the cleaning device 2 can, selectively and as needed, pressurize and deliver the aforementioned cleaning fluid and / or ambient air to at least one of the aforementioned cleaning locations. Here, the rotational speed of the pump-compressor stage PVS or impeller / transfer wheel 18 is matched to the corresponding fluid-specific delivery requirements. This is because the required rotational speed n for delivering ambient air... uL (UL = Ambient Air; see also) Figure 3 (n) relative to the rotational speed n required for delivering the cleaning fluid R(R = cleaning solution; see also) Figure 2 ) at a higher or even significantly higher level (n uL >n R or n uL >>n R ).

[0042] The proposed cleaning device 2 eliminates the need for two separate fluid delivery units connected to corresponding separate fluid connections on the device 2. Therefore, the proposed cleaning device 2 reduces the number of components required for such a device and thus also reduces the cost of the device.

[0043] This reduction in the number of device components also contributes to the device's compactness, thus requiring less structural space overall.

[0044] The rotational speed of the impeller / conveyor 18 is thus matched to the specific conveying requirements of the ambient air, so that on the one hand, the corresponding fluid path is dried well, and on the other hand, the corresponding cleaning position is cleaned well by means of pressurized ambient air.

[0045] Compared to cleaning devices that only deliver cleaning fluid, the present invention can significantly increase the effective range of the cleaning fluid achievable using the cleaning fluid container 6.

[0046] This is especially true for fully autonomous vehicles of the future, which will have a significantly higher number of sensors than vehicles to date, particularly safety-related sensors, the functionality of which must be guaranteed.

[0047] While exemplary embodiments have been described in the foregoing description, it should be noted that numerous variations are possible. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, application, or structure in any way. The foregoing description is more of a guide to those skilled in the art for the transformation of at least one exemplary embodiment, in which various changes can be made, particularly regarding the function and arrangement of the various parts, without departing from the scope of protection given by the claims and their equivalent combinations of features.

Claims

1. A cleaning device for a vehicle, wherein the cleaning device can clean at least one cleaning location as needed and selectively using pressurized cleaning fluid and / or pressurized ambient air, the cleaning device comprising: For the pump-compressor stage used to selectively pump and deliver cleaning fluid and / or ambient air, a fluid path (8) connects the pump-compressor stage upstream to the cleaning fluid container (6) and to the environment (U) of the cleaning unit on the other hand. A fluid distribution device (10) is located downstream of the pump-compressor stage, the fluid distribution device being supplied with pressurized cleaning fluid and / or pressurized ambient air by the pump-compressor stage, wherein the fluid distribution device (10) is fluidly connected to the cleaning location, wherein the cleaning fluid branch (8a) and / or ambient air branch (8b) of the fluid path (8) can be shut off or released by means of a shut-off and release device in the fluid path (8); a multi-way valve is arranged between the cleaning fluid branch (8a) and the ambient air branch (8b); wherein the ambient air is the air inside the vehicle, which is filtered and, if necessary, preheated air.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the cleaning fluid branch (8a) and the ambient air branch (8b) is equipped with at least one separate release and shut-off device.

3. The cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The pump-compressor stage is electrically driven.

4. The cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The pump-compressor stage is configured as a positive displacement pump stage and / or a vane pump stage.

5. A vehicle having a cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims.

6. An application that uses a pump-compressor stage for pumping and delivering cleaning fluids and / or ambient air as needed and selectively, and for pressurizing a fluid path leading to a fluid distribution device, wherein, The fluid distribution device is fluidly connected to at least one cleaning location of the vehicle, wherein the cleaning fluid branch (8a) and / or ambient air branch (8b) of the fluid path (8) can be shut off or released by means of a shut-off and release device in the fluid path (8); a multi-way valve is arranged between the cleaning fluid branch (8a) and the ambient air branch (8b); the ambient air is the air inside the vehicle, which is filtered and, if necessary, preheated air.

7. An application of the cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for cleaning at least a plurality of cleaning positions respectively corresponding to the sensor (12).

8. A method for cleaning a vehicle, wherein, At least one cleaning location is cleaned as needed and as selected using pressurized cleaning fluid and / or pressurized ambient air, wherein the cleaning fluid and / or ambient air are selectively drawn and delivered by means of a pump-compressor stage, and pressurized cleaning fluid and / or pressurized ambient air are supplied to a fluid distribution device (10) downstream of the pump-compressor stage, wherein the fluid distribution device is fluidly connected to at least one cleaning location of the vehicle, wherein the cleaning fluid branch (8a) and / or ambient air branch (8b) of the fluid path (8) can be selectively shut off or released by means of a shut-off and release device in the fluid path (8); a multi-way valve is arranged between the cleaning fluid branch (8a) and the ambient air branch (8b); wherein the ambient air is the air inside the vehicle, which is filtered and, if necessary, preheated air.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The pump-compressor stage speed is matched to the corresponding fluid-specific delivery requirements.

10. A computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer-readable data carrier, wherein when the program code means is run on a computer, the program code means performs the method according to any one of claims 8 or 9.

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