System for cleaning components of vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a system for cleaning parts of a vehicle, which comprises a cleaning controller, a distributor, a liquid storage tank, a liquid pump, a hose and a plurality of nozzles respectively arranged at a plurality of parts of the vehicle, under the condition that the cleaning controller receives an instruction for cleaning the selected parts from a whole vehicle controller of the vehicle, the distributor is used for distributing the liquid storage tank, the liquid pump and the hose, the cleaning controller controls the liquid pump and the distributor to work, so that the cleaning liquid is conveyed from the liquid storage tank to the nozzle located at the selected part through the distributor and the hose at the required pressure, and therefore the selected part is cleaned. According to the cleaning system, the fluid channels between the liquid storage tank and the corresponding nozzles are opened and closed by means of the distributor controlled by the cleaning controller, so that an electronically-controlled valve does not need to be arranged at each nozzle, and the cleaning system is simple in structure, low in cost and capable of saving space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicles and electronic control, and in particular to a system for cleaning vehicle components and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] At present, during the driving process of a vehicle, it is often necessary to clean multiple parts of the vehicle according to the vehicle's self-inspection results or the user's instructions, such as the front and rear windshields, lidar, cameras, headlights, etc.

[0003] In the existing solution, a liquid storage tank storing cleaning liquid is connected to a plurality of nozzles by a hose, each nozzle is used to clean a different component, and an electronically controlled valve is provided at each nozzle. When a selected component needs to be cleaned, the valve at the nozzle corresponding to the selected component is opened and the valves at other nozzles are closed, thereby cleaning the selected component.

[0004] However, this method provides an electronically controlled valve for each nozzle, so the structure is complex, the cost is high and it occupies a large space. Summary of the invention

[0005] The starting point of the present invention is to provide a system for washing vehicle components and a vehicle, thereby solving the above-mentioned problems in the prior art.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention provides a system for washing vehicle components, the system comprising a washing controller, a distributor, a liquid storage tank, a liquid pump, a hose, and a plurality of nozzles respectively arranged at a plurality of vehicle components, wherein the liquid storage tank stores washing liquid, the distributor has a washing liquid inlet and a plurality of washing liquid outlets, the liquid storage tank is connected to the washing liquid inlet through a hose, each washing liquid outlet is connected to a corresponding nozzle through a hose, the liquid pump is used to pump the washing liquid from the liquid storage tank to the corresponding nozzle via the distributor, the distributor and the liquid pump are both in communication with the washing controller, wherein,

[0007] When the cleaning controller receives an instruction from the vehicle controller of the vehicle to clean the selected components, the cleaning controller controls the liquid pump and the dispenser to deliver the cleaning liquid at the required pressure from the liquid storage tank through the dispenser and the hose to the nozzle located at the selected component, thereby cleaning the selected component.

[0008] Optionally, the dispenser comprises a motor and a rotary switching device driven by the motor, wherein rotation of the rotary switching device enables a fluid channel to be established between a cleaning fluid inlet of the dispenser and a cleaning fluid outlet of the dispenser corresponding to the selected component.

[0009] Optionally, the liquid pump includes a motor and a gear pump driven by the motor.

[0010] Optionally, the system also includes a liquid level sensor, which is used to collect liquid level information of the cleaning fluid in the liquid storage tank; the cleaning controller is communicatively connected to the liquid level sensor to monitor the liquid level of the liquid storage tank in real time, wherein, when the liquid level of the liquid storage tank is lower than a set liquid level threshold, the cleaning controller sends an alarm signal to the vehicle controller of the vehicle to remind the user of the vehicle that the cleaning fluid needs to be replenished.

[0011] Optionally, the system also includes a pressure sensor, which is used to monitor the liquid pressure at the outlet of the liquid pump; the cleaning controller is communicatively connected to the pressure sensor so as to monitor the liquid pressure at the outlet of the liquid pump in real time. When the liquid pressure does not meet the pressure required for cleaning the selected components, the cleaning controller adjusts the rotation speed of the liquid pump in real time to adjust the liquid pressure at the outlet of the liquid pump to the required pressure.

[0012] Optionally, the system further comprises a cleaning liquid reflux port, wherein the cleaning liquid reflux port is connected to the liquid storage tank, and the used cleaning liquid flows back to the liquid storage tank through the cleaning liquid reflux port.

[0013] Optionally, in the event of a failure in the system, the cleaning controller sends a fault signal to a vehicle controller of the vehicle to remind the user of the vehicle that the fault needs to be corrected.

[0014] Optionally, the purge controller is integrated into the dispenser.

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention also provides a vehicle, comprising a vehicle controller, multiple components and the above-mentioned system provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the vehicle controller is used to send instructions for cleaning selected components to the cleaning controller based on the vehicle's self-inspection results or user instructions, and the components include at least one of the following: front and rear windshields, lidar, camera, and headlights.

[0016] The system for cleaning vehicle components and the vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention have at least the following advantages:

[0017] In the present invention, the fluid channel between the liquid storage tank and the corresponding nozzle is opened and closed by means of a distributor controlled by a cleaning controller, thereby eliminating the need to set an electronically controlled valve at each nozzle. Therefore, the system structure of the present invention is simple, the cost is low and space is saved.

[0018] In the present invention, the liquid level information of the cleaning fluid in the liquid storage tank can be collected by the liquid level sensor, and when the liquid level in the liquid storage tank is lower than the set liquid level threshold, an alarm signal is sent to the vehicle controller of the vehicle, thereby reminding the user of the vehicle that the cleaning fluid needs to be replenished.

[0019] In the present invention, the liquid pressure at the outlet of the liquid pump can be monitored by a pressure sensor, and when the pressure value does not meet the requirement, the rotation speed of the liquid pump is adjusted in real time to adjust the liquid pressure at the outlet of the liquid pump to the required pressure.

[0020] In the present invention, in the event of a system failure, a fault signal can be sent to the vehicle controller of the vehicle, thereby reminding the user of the vehicle that the fault needs to be eliminated.

[0021] In the present invention, the cleaning controller can be integrated into the dispenser, thereby further saving space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Other details and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. It should be understood that the following drawings are merely schematic and not drawn to scale, and thus cannot be regarded as limiting the present application. The following will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a system for washing components of a vehicle according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0024] Figure 2 An electronic control architecture of a vehicle including the system of the present invention according to another specific embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, many specific details are set forth so that those skilled in the art can more fully understand and implement the present invention. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be implemented without some of these specific details. In addition, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, any combination of the features and elements described below may be considered to implement the present invention, regardless of whether they relate to different embodiments. Therefore, the following aspects, features, embodiments and advantages are for illustrative purposes only and should not be regarded as elements or limitations of the claims unless clearly stated in the claims.

[0026] Now refer to Figure 1 , showing a schematic diagram of a system for washing components of a vehicle according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] like Figure 1As shown, the system for washing vehicle components includes a washing controller, a dispenser, a liquid storage tank, a liquid pump, a hose, a liquid level sensor, a pressure sensor, and a plurality of nozzles respectively arranged at a plurality of vehicle components. The vehicle components include but are not limited to: front and rear windshields, laser radars, cameras, and vehicle lights.

[0028] The reservoir is used to store cleaning fluid.

[0029] The distributor has a cleaning liquid inlet and a plurality of cleaning liquid outlets. The cleaning liquid inlet is connected to a liquid storage tank via a hose. Each cleaning liquid outlet is connected to a corresponding nozzle via a hose. The distributor also has a motor and a rotary switching device driven by the motor. The rotation of the rotary switching device enables a fluid channel to be established between the cleaning liquid inlet of the distributor and the cleaning liquid outlet corresponding to the selected component.

[0030] The liquid pump is used to pump the cleaning liquid from the liquid storage tank to the cleaning liquid inlet of the distributor, so that the cleaning liquid is delivered to the nozzle located at the selected component through the distributor and the hose at the required pressure. The liquid pump can be composed of a motor and a gear pump driven by the motor, so that the pressure can be quickly built up and the pressure can be adjusted. Different pressure values ​​can meet the cleaning needs of different components.

[0031] The distributor and the liquid pump are both connected to the cleaning controller for communication. When the cleaning controller receives an instruction from the vehicle controller for cleaning the selected component, the cleaning controller controls the liquid pump and the distributor to work so as to deliver the cleaning liquid from the liquid storage tank through the distributor and the hose to the nozzle located at the selected component at the required pressure, thereby cleaning the selected component. Specifically, after receiving the instruction, the cleaning controller controls the liquid pump to start running, the liquid pump quickly builds pressure, and outputs the cleaning liquid from the liquid storage tank at the required pressure of the target nozzle. At the same time, the cleaning controller controls the distributor to start working, the motor inside the distributor rotates, and drives the rotary switching device (for example, a turntable) to rotate to establish a fluid channel between the cleaning liquid inlet of the distributor and the cleaning liquid outlet of the distributor corresponding to the selected component, and finally the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the corresponding nozzle to complete the cleaning process.

[0032] The wash controller can be integrated into the dispenser to further save space.

[0033] The liquid level sensor is used to collect the liquid level information of the cleaning fluid in the liquid storage tank. The cleaning controller is connected to the liquid level sensor in communication to monitor the liquid level of the liquid storage tank in real time. When the liquid level of the liquid storage tank is lower than the set liquid level threshold, the cleaning controller sends an alarm signal to the vehicle controller of the vehicle to remind the user of the vehicle that the cleaning fluid needs to be replenished.

[0034] The pressure sensor is used to monitor the liquid pressure at the outlet of the liquid pump. The cleaning controller is connected to the pressure sensor for real-time monitoring of the liquid pressure at the outlet of the liquid pump. If the liquid pressure does not meet the pressure required for cleaning the selected components, the cleaning controller adjusts the speed of the liquid pump in real time to adjust the liquid pressure at the outlet of the liquid pump to the required pressure.

[0035] In addition, the system further comprises a cleaning liquid reflux port (not shown), which is connected to the liquid storage tank, and the used cleaning liquid can flow back into the liquid storage tank through the cleaning liquid reflux port.

[0036] In the event of a system failure, the cleaning controller may send a fault signal to the vehicle's vehicle controller to alert the vehicle's user that the fault needs to be corrected.

[0037] Now refer to Figure 2 , shows an electronic control architecture of a vehicle including the system of the present invention according to another specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, the cleaning controller of the system for cleaning vehicle parts of the present invention is connected to the vehicle controller of the vehicle. After the system is integrated into the vehicle, it can provide cleaning for the front and rear windshields, laser radar, camera and headlights of the vehicle. For example, the following specific process can be used for cleaning:

[0039] 1. Front and rear windshield cleaning

[0040] When the user of the vehicle manually operates the human-computer interaction device (for example, the wiper lever combination switch or the large screen of the car computer) to request cleaning, the combination switch or the large screen of the car computer can communicate with the body controller (BCM) through the LIN (Local Interconnect Network) line. The body controller processes the signal and sends the cleaning request instruction to the vehicle control unit (VCU). The vehicle control unit sends an instruction to the cleaning controller (the instruction may include the position information of the nozzles corresponding to the front and rear windshields and the required cleaning fluid pressure information, etc.), and the cleaning controller controls the liquid pump and dispenser to complete the cleaning process.

[0041] 2. LiDAR and camera cleaning

[0042] Automatic cleaning: 1. When the vehicle is powered on, the laser radar and camera self-check. If the laser radar and camera are detected to be blocked, the cleaning controller is automatically started. The cleaning controller communicates with the vehicle controller, and the vehicle controller sends a cleaning command. The cleaning controller starts working after receiving the command. 2. When the Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS) is in operation, if the laser radar and camera are detected to be blocked, the vehicle controller sends a cleaning command, and the cleaning controller starts working after receiving the command.

[0043] Manual cleaning: The vehicle user can communicate with the body controller through a human-computer interaction device (for example, a large screen or hard buttons on the vehicle), the body controller communicates with the vehicle controller, the vehicle controller sends a cleaning instruction, and the cleaning controller starts working after receiving the instruction.

[0044] 3. Car light (e.g. headlight) cleaning: The vehicle user can communicate with the body controller through a human-computer interaction device (e.g., a large screen or hard buttons on the vehicle), the body controller communicates with the vehicle controller, the vehicle controller sends a cleaning instruction, and the cleaning controller starts working after receiving the instruction.

[0045] The system for washing vehicle parts of the present invention can be powered by a 12V battery of the vehicle. After the vehicle is powered on, the system can first start initialization and self-diagnosis, including tank level, temperature, pump and distributor fault diagnosis, etc. If a fault occurs during the system initialization stage, a fault signal can be immediately sent to the vehicle controller to remind the user of the vehicle that the fault needs to be corrected.

[0046] In the present invention, the communication connection between different devices (for example, between the cleaning controller and the dispenser, between the cleaning controller and the liquid pump, between the cleaning controller and the vehicle controller) can be achieved through any suitable wired or wireless communication method, and these variations do not exceed the protection scope of the present invention.

[0047] Compared with the prior art, the system for cleaning vehicle components and the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention have at least the following advantages:

[0048] In the present invention, the fluid channel between the liquid storage tank and the corresponding nozzle is opened and closed by means of a distributor controlled by a cleaning controller, thereby eliminating the need to set an electronically controlled valve at each nozzle. Therefore, the system structure of the present invention is simple, the cost is low and space is saved.

[0049] In the present invention, the liquid level information of the cleaning fluid in the liquid storage tank can be collected by the liquid level sensor, and when the liquid level in the liquid storage tank is lower than the set liquid level threshold, an alarm signal is sent to the vehicle controller of the vehicle, thereby reminding the user of the vehicle that the cleaning fluid needs to be replenished.

[0050] In the present invention, the liquid pressure at the outlet of the liquid pump can be monitored by a pressure sensor, and when the pressure value does not meet the requirement, the rotation speed of the liquid pump is adjusted in real time to adjust the liquid pressure at the outlet of the liquid pump to the required pressure.

[0051] In the present invention, in the event of a system failure, a fault signal can be sent to the vehicle controller of the vehicle, thereby reminding the user of the vehicle that the fault needs to be eliminated.

[0052] In the present invention, the cleaning controller can be integrated into the dispenser, thereby further saving space.

[0053] The technical solution of the present invention, in essence or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor or a microcontroller to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the steps of implementing the above-mentioned method embodiments can be completed by hardware related to program instructions. The aforementioned program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, the steps of the above-mentioned method embodiments are executed; and the aforementioned storage medium includes: ROM, RAM, disk or optical disk and other media that can store program codes.

[0055] Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes and modifications made by any person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention, and therefore the protection scope of the present invention should be subject to the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A system for cleaning a component of a vehicle, characterized in that The system includes a cleaning controller, a distributor, a liquid storage tank, a liquid pump, a hose, and a plurality of nozzles respectively arranged at a plurality of components of a vehicle, wherein the liquid storage tank stores cleaning liquid, the distributor has a cleaning liquid inlet and a plurality of cleaning liquid outlets, the liquid storage tank is connected to the cleaning liquid inlet through a hose, each cleaning liquid outlet is connected to a corresponding nozzle through a hose, the liquid pump is used to pump the cleaning liquid from the liquid storage tank to the corresponding nozzle via the distributor, the distributor and the liquid pump are both in communication with the cleaning controller, wherein, When the cleaning controller receives an instruction from the vehicle controller of the vehicle to clean the selected components, the cleaning controller controls the liquid pump and the dispenser to deliver the cleaning liquid at the required pressure from the liquid storage tank through the dispenser and the hose to the nozzle located at the selected component, thereby cleaning the selected component.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The dispenser includes a motor and a rotary switching device driven by the motor, wherein rotation of the rotary switching device can establish a fluid channel between a cleaning fluid inlet of the dispenser and a cleaning fluid outlet of the dispenser corresponding to a selected component.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The liquid pump includes a motor and a gear pump driven by the motor.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The system further comprises a liquid level sensor, which is used to collect liquid level information of the cleaning liquid in the liquid storage tank; The cleaning controller is communicatively connected to the liquid level sensor so as to monitor the liquid level of the liquid storage tank in real time. When the liquid level of the liquid storage tank is lower than a set liquid level threshold, the cleaning controller sends an alarm signal to the vehicle controller of the vehicle to remind the user of the vehicle that the cleaning fluid needs to be replenished.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The system further comprises a pressure sensor for monitoring the liquid pressure at the outlet of the liquid pump; The cleaning controller is communicatively connected to the pressure sensor so as to monitor the liquid pressure at the outlet of the liquid pump in real time. When the liquid pressure does not meet the pressure required for cleaning the selected components, the cleaning controller adjusts the rotation speed of the liquid pump in real time to adjust the liquid pressure at the outlet of the liquid pump to the required pressure.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning liquid reflux port, wherein the cleaning liquid reflux port is connected to the liquid storage tank, and the used cleaning liquid flows back to the liquid storage tank through the cleaning liquid reflux port.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein: In the event of a failure in the system, the cleaning controller sends a fault signal to the vehicle controller of the vehicle to remind the user of the vehicle that the fault needs to be corrected.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The purge controller is integrated into the dispenser.

9. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle comprises a vehicle controller, a plurality of components and a system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The vehicle controller is used to send instructions for cleaning the selected components to the cleaning controller according to the vehicle self-test results or the user's instructions. The components include at least one of the following: front and rear windshields, laser radar, cameras, and headlights.

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