Air cleaning device

Abstract

A cleaning device for cleaning a cover lens of a vehicle headlight, wherein the cleaning device is configured to generate at least one air flow and to direct the air flow towards the cover lens, wherein the cleaning device comprises: an air flow device configured to generate at least one air flow, wherein each air flow device comprises: an air chamber having a dispersing section, a homogenizing section, and a nozzle, wherein the dispersing section comprises at least one guide channel configured to direct received air to the homogenizing section of the air chamber, wherein the at least one air flow device is formed by a combination of: a main part; a separation part, wherein the separation part and the main part form the dispersing section of each air flow device; and a cover part, wherein the cover part, the main part, and the separation part form the homogenizing section and the nozzle of the air flow device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for cleaning the cover lens of a vehicle headlight, wherein the cleaning apparatus is configured to generate at least one airflow and guide the airflow toward the cover lens.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a vehicle headlight comprising a cover lens and at least one cleaning device according to the invention. Background Technology

[0003] Modern vehicle headlights typically also include optical sensors for detecting the environment in front of the headlights; these sensors are housed within the headlight housing. These sensors require a clear field of view through the headlight's lens cover.

[0004] To meet these requirements, vehicle headlights also include cleaning devices for cleaning the lens cover. However, existing cleaning devices are often not effective enough when only specific areas of the lens cover need to be cleaned. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an enhanced adjustment device.

[0006] To achieve this purpose, the cleaning device includes:

[0007] - At least one airflow device, each of the at least one airflow device being configured to generate at least one airflow along the airflow direction, wherein each airflow device includes:

[0008] An air chamber has an inlet for receiving air, a dispersion section for dispersing the received air, a homogenization section for homogenizing the dispersed air, and a nozzle for outputting the received air in the airflow direction to form a corresponding airflow. The dispersion section includes at least one guide channel extending transversely to the airflow direction from the inlet of the air chamber and includes a channel outlet. The guide channel is configured to disperse the received air transversely to the airflow direction and guide the received air to the homogenization section of the air chamber.

[0009] The homogenization section receives the dispersed air via a separate channel output from the guide channel, and the homogenization section is configured to homogenize the dispersed air along the nozzle of the air chamber.

[0010] At least one airflow device is formed by a combination of the following components:

[0011] - Main components, which include the inlet of the air chamber of each airflow device, a portion of the dispersion section, a portion of the homogenization section, and a portion of the nozzle.

[0012] - A separating component, comprising a portion of a dispersing section and a portion of a nozzle for each air chamber, wherein the separating component is arranged on a main component such that the main component and the separating component together form the dispersing section of each airflow device, and

[0013] - A covering component, comprising a portion of a homogenizing section and a portion of a nozzle for each air chamber, wherein the covering component is arranged on a separating component and a main component such that the covering component, together with the main component and the separating component, forms the homogenizing section and the nozzle of each airflow device.

[0014] The separator arranged between the main component and the cover component is configured to separate the main component and the cover component, such that a gap extending transversely to the airflow direction is formed between the main component and the cover component, the gap defining the nozzle of each air chamber.

[0015] Advantageously, the main components are constructed as separate parts or manufactured as a single unit with the cover lens.

[0016] In addition, the cleaning device may advantageously include a separate water cleaning system, which is not included in the airflow device, and which helps to clean the cover lens.

[0017] Advantageously, the cleaning device includes a detection system for detecting contaminants (e.g., dust or dirt) on the cover lens, wherein when the detection device detects a contaminant, an airflow device that only reaches the area of ​​the contaminant is activated to clean the cover lens in that area.

[0018] Advantageously, the cleaning device includes at least two airflow devices.

[0019] Advantageously, at least one airflow device includes a dispersing section comprising at least two guide channels branching laterally from the inlet of the air chamber in the airflow direction, and each guide channel comprising a separate channel outlet, wherein the guide channels are configured to disperse the received air laterally in the airflow direction and guide the received air to a homogenizing section of the air chamber.

[0020] Advantageously, the separator is constructed as a foil of a certain thickness, wherein the thickness of the foil defines the gap between the nozzles of each air chamber.

[0021] Advantageously, the foil has a thickness in the range of 30 μm to 70 μm, preferably 50 μm.

[0022] Advantageously, the foil is made of plastic material.

[0023] Advantageously, the main component has an abutting portion, wherein the separating component is disposed on the abutting portion of the main component.

[0024] Advantageously, the airflow device is separated by a bridging component, which consists of a part of the main component and a separating component.

[0025] Advantageously, the airflow device can be controlled independently, preferably by a control device.

[0026] Advantageously, the airflow devices are activated one by one, starting with the first airflow device, with the next adjacent airflow device being activated at a certain time offset.

[0027] Advantageously, the dispersion section of the air chamber of each airflow device includes exactly two guide channels.

[0028] This objective is also achieved by a vehicle headlight that includes a cover lens and at least one cleaning device according to the invention.

[0029] Advantageously, the at least one cleaning device is arranged such that, when viewed with the vehicle headlights properly installed in the vehicle, the airflow direction has an upward path. Such a path is advantageous when the cleaning device is installed in a moving vehicle.

[0030] When observed with the vehicle's headlights correctly installed, the airflow direction can also have a downward path or a path from one side to the other. Attached Figure Description

[0031] In the following sections, to further illustrate the invention, illustrative and non-limiting embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings, which illustrate:

[0032] Figure 1 A perspective view of a vehicle headlight including a cover lens and a cleaning device. The cleaning device is configured to generate an airflow and guide the airflow to the cover lens. The cleaning device includes an airflow mechanism constructed from main components, separating components, and a cover component.

[0033] Figure 2A Figure 1 The main components of the cleaning device in the middle,

[0034] Figure 2B Figure 2A The main components, together with the partition components arranged on the main components,

[0035] Figure 2C Figure 2B The main components and partition components, as well as the covering components arranged on the main components and partition components,

[0036] Figure 3 A detailed view of the main components, which include the inlet of the air chamber of each airflow device, a portion of the dispersion section, a portion of the homogenization section, and a portion of the nozzle, and

[0037] Figure 4 for Figure 2C A schematic cross-sectional view of the cleaning device shown. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Figure 1 A vehicle headlight 20 is shown, including a cover lens 30 and a cleaning device 10, wherein the cleaning device 10 is configured to clean the cover lens 30 of the vehicle headlight 20, and wherein the cleaning device 10 is arranged such that when the vehicle headlight 20 is viewed in a state where it is properly installed in the vehicle, the airflow direction X of the airflow 50 has an upward path.

[0039] The cleaning device 10 is configured to generate at least one airflow 50 and direct the airflow 50 toward the cover lens 30. The cleaning device 10 includes airflow devices 60, each of which is configured to generate an airflow 50 along the airflow direction X. The airflow devices 60 are independently controllable, preferably controllable by a control device.

[0040] Each airflow device 60 includes an air chamber 100 having an inlet 110 for receiving air, a dispersion section 120 for dispersing the received air, a homogenization section 130 for homogenizing the dispersed air, and a nozzle 140 for outputting the received air along the airflow direction X to form a corresponding airflow 50—these can be, for example, in… Figure 3 I saw it in the middle.

[0041] In the example shown, each dispersion section 120 includes two guide channels 121 branching laterally from the inlet 110 of the air chamber 100 in the airflow direction X, and each guide channel 121 includes a separate channel outlet 122, wherein the guide channel 121 is configured to disperse the received air laterally in the airflow direction X and guide the received air to the homogenization section 130 of the air chamber 100.

[0042] The homogenization section 130 receives dispersed air via a separate channel output section 122 of the guide channel 121, wherein the homogenization section 130 is configured to homogenize the dispersed air along the nozzle 140 of the air chamber 100.

[0043] The airflow device 60 is formed by a combination of a main component 200, a partition component 300, and a cover component 400.

[0044] The main component 200 includes an inlet 110 of the air chamber 100 of each airflow device 60, a portion of the dispersion section 120, a portion of the homogenization section 130, and a portion of the nozzle 140. Figure 2A The main component 200 and its various parts are shown.

[0045] The separator 300 includes a portion of the dispersion section 120 of each air chamber 100 and a portion of the nozzle 140, wherein the separator 300 is arranged on the main component 200 such that the main component 200 and the separator 300 together form the dispersion section 120 of each airflow device 60. Figure 2B The arrangement in Figure 2A The main component is the partition component 300.

[0046] The cover member 400 includes a portion of the homogenization section 130 and a portion of the nozzle 140 of each air chamber 100, wherein the cover member 400 is arranged on the separator 300 and the main member 200 such that the cover member 400, together with the main member 200 and the separator 300, forms the homogenization section 130 and the nozzle 140 of each airflow device 60. Figure 2C A cover member 400 is shown arranged on the main member 200 and the partition member 300.

[0047] A separator 300 is arranged between the main component 200 and the cover component 400. The separator 400 is configured to separate the main component 200 from the cover component 400, such that a gap extending transversely to the airflow direction X is formed between the main component 200 and the cover component 400, the gap defining the nozzle 140 of each air chamber 100.

[0048] In other words, the airflow device 60 is separated by a bridging member 211, which consists of a part of the main component 200 and a separating component 300.

[0049] Figure 4 A better overview of components 200, 300, and 400 arranged together is shown below. Figure 4 It shows Figure 2C The cross-sections of these components.

[0050] In the example shown in the figure, the separator 300 is constructed as a foil with a thickness D, wherein the thickness D of the foil defines the gap of the nozzle 140 of each air chamber 100, wherein the foil has a thickness D in the range of 30 μm to 70 μm, preferably having a thickness D of 50 μm. The foil may be made of a plastic material.

[0051] Furthermore, the main component 200 has an abutment portion 210 (this abutment portion may, for example, be located in...). Figure 2A As seen in the image, the separating component 300 is disposed on the abutting portion 210 of the main component 200.

[0052] Furthermore, the airflow devices 60 can be activated one by one, starting with the first airflow device 60, wherein the next adjacent airflow device 60 is activated with a certain time offset.

[0053] List of reference numerals

[0054] Cleaning device 10

[0055] Vehicle headlights 20

[0056] Covering lens 30

[0057] Airflow 50

[0058] Airflow device 60

[0059] Air chamber 100

[0060] Imported 110

[0061] Dispersed section 120

[0062] Guidance Channel 121

[0063] Channel output unit 122

[0064] Homogenization section 130

[0065] Nozzle 140

[0066] Main components 200

[0067] 210 (connecting part)

[0068] Bridge component 211

[0069] Separator 300

[0070] Covering component 400

[0071] Thickness D

[0072] airflow direction X

Claims

1. A cleaning device (10) for cleaning the lens (30) covering a vehicle headlight (20), wherein, The cleaning device (10) is configured to generate at least one airflow (50) and direct the airflow (50) toward the cover lens (30), wherein the cleaning device (10) includes: - At least one airflow device (60), each of the at least one airflow device (60) being configured to generate at least one airflow (50) along the airflow direction (X), wherein each airflow device (60) includes: An air chamber (100) has an inlet (110) for receiving air, a dispersion section (120) for dispersing the received air, a homogenization section (130) for homogenizing the dispersed air, and a nozzle (140) for outputting the received air along the airflow direction (X) and forming a corresponding airflow (50). The dispersing section (120) includes at least two guide channels (121) that branch laterally from the inlet (110) of the air chamber (100) in the airflow direction (X), and each guide channel (121) includes a separate channel outlet (122). The guide channels (121) are configured to disperse the received air laterally in the airflow direction (X) and guide the received air to the homogenizing section (130) of the air chamber (100). The homogenizing section (130) receives the dispersed air via a separate channel output (122) of the guide channel (121), wherein the homogenizing section (130) is configured to homogenize the dispersed air along the nozzle (140) of the air chamber (100). The at least one airflow device (60) is formed by a combination of the following components: - Main component (200), the main component (200) including the inlet (110) of the air chamber (100) of each airflow device (60), a portion of the dispersing section (120), a portion of the homogenizing section (130), and a portion of the nozzle (140), - A partition member (300) comprising a portion of the dispersion section (120) of each air chamber (100) and a portion of the nozzle (140), wherein the partition member (300) is arranged on the main component (200) such that the main component (200) and the partition member (300) together form the dispersion section (120) of each airflow device (60), and - A cover component (400) comprising a portion of a homogenizing section (130) of each air chamber (100) and a portion of the nozzle (140), wherein the cover component (400) is arranged on the partition component (300) and the main component (200) such that the cover component (400) together with the main component (200) and the partition component (300) forms the homogenizing section (130) and the nozzle (140) of each airflow device (60). The separating member (300) disposed between the main component (200) and the cover component (400) is configured to separate the main component (200) from the cover component (400) such that a gap is formed between the main component (200) and the cover component (400) extending transversely to the airflow direction (X), the gap defining the nozzle (140) of each air chamber (100).

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein, The cleaning device (10) includes at least two airflow devices (60).

3. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein, The separating component (300) is constructed as a foil with a thickness (D), wherein the thickness (D) of the foil defines the gap of the nozzle (140) of each air chamber (100).

4. The cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein, The foil has a thickness (D) in the range of 30 µm to 70 µm.

5. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The foil is made of plastic material.

6. The cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The main component (200) has an abutment portion (210), wherein the partition component (300) is disposed on the abutment portion (210) of the main component (200).

7. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, The airflow device (60) is separated by a bridging member (211), which is composed of a part of the main component (200) and the separating component (300).

8. The cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The airflow device (60) can be controlled independently.

9. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The airflow device (60) is configured to be activated sequentially, starting with the first airflow device (60), wherein the next adjacent airflow device (60) can be activated with a certain time offset.

10. The cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The dispersion section (120) of the air chamber (100) of each airflow device (60) includes exactly two guide channels (121).

11. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The foil has a thickness (D) of 50 µm.

12. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The airflow device (60) can be controlled by a control device.

13. A vehicle headlight (20) comprising a cover lens (30) and at least one cleaning device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The vehicle headlight according to claim 13, wherein, At least one of the cleaning devices (10) is arranged such that when observed with the vehicle headlights (20) properly installed in the vehicle, the airflow direction (X) of the airflow (50) has an upward path.

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