Liquid level detection device and cleaning system of pilotless automobile

Abstract

A liquid level detection device comprises a circuit board, a magnet, a connecting piece, a floating body and a fixing piece. One end of the connecting piece fixes the floating body, the other end of the connecting piece is provided with a fixing part, the fixing part is rotatably connected to the fixing piece, the fixing piece is installed on the side face of the box body, the circuit board is installed on the magnet installation part of the fixing piece, the circuit board is provided with the Hall element, and the Hall element is right opposite to a magnet in the magnet installation part. When the floating body drives the magnet to rotate under the action of liquid buoyancy to change the output voltage of the Hall element, the Hall element provides a measured voltage signal for the controller, and the controller determines the rotating angle of the connecting piece according to the relation between the output voltage of the Hall sensor and the magnetic field of the magnet, so that the liquid level is calculated. The invention further provides a cleaning system of the pilotless automobile with the liquid level detection device. The liquid level detection device can detect the liquid volume of the cleaning system in real time and monitor the liquid volume at any time, measurement is more correct, and therefore the safety of the pilotless automobile is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a liquid level detection device and a cleaning system of an unmanned vehicle comprising the liquid level detection device. Background Art

[0002] The cleaning system of driverless cars is an important part of ensuring that vehicle sensors, cameras and other key components remain clean to maintain their normal operation. The existing cleaning system used in the car cleaning system has room for improvement in the detection of cleaning fluid. Summary of the invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art and provide a liquid level detection device and a cleaning system for an unmanned vehicle comprising the liquid level detection device, so as to measure the liquid level timely and accurately.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above problems is: A liquid level detection device, characterized in that it includes a circuit board, a magnet, a connector, a float, and a fixing member; the connector fixes the float at one end and has a fixing portion at the other end, the fixing portion is rotatably connected to the fixing member, the fixing member is mounted on the side of a box body, the circuit board is mounted on the magnet mounting portion of the fixing member, a Hall element is mounted on the circuit board so that the Hall element is directly opposite to the magnet in the magnet mounting portion, when the float is driven by the buoyancy of the liquid to rotate the magnet and change the output voltage of the Hall element, the Hall element provides a measured voltage signal to the controller, and the controller determines the angle of rotation of the connector based on the relationship between the output voltage of the Hall sensor and the magnetic field of the magnet, thereby calculating the liquid level.

[0005] Preferably, the cross section of the fixing portion is in the shape of an I, two brackets parallel to each other are arranged on the fixing member, the middle of the fixing portion is inserted into the circular holes of the two brackets, and the inner sides of the two ends of the fixing portion respectively abut against the outer sides of the two brackets.

[0006] Preferably, a groove is provided at one end of the fixing portion, and the magnet has the same shape and size as the groove and is fixed inside the groove and sealed by an outer cover, so that the magnet can be better sealed.

[0007] Preferably, an elastic buckle is provided at one end of the connecting piece, and after the elastic buckle passes through the central hole of the floating body, the elastic head pops out to buckle the floating body.

[0008] A cleaning system for an unmanned vehicle comprises a box, a liquid level detection device, a cleaning pump, a solenoid valve, a nozzle and a controller; the liquid level detection device and the cleaning pump are respectively mounted on the box, the liquid detection device is connected to the controller, the liquid level signal detected by the liquid detection device in the box is transmitted to the controller and the liquid level is calculated in real time; the controller determines the liquid level information, if the liquid level is too low, then outputs liquid replenishment information, and inputs corresponding liquid from the outside; if the liquid level is normal, then it is in a waiting state; the nozzle is connected to the outlet of the cleaning pump through the solenoid valve, the cleaning pump and the solenoid valve are controlled by the controller, the cleaning liquid is sprayed out or closed from the nozzle by the opening and closing of the cleaning pump and the solenoid valve, and the corresponding type of sensor is cleaned.

[0009] More specifically, the nozzles are front cleaning nozzles, rear cleaning nozzles, and sensing sensor cleaning nozzles.

[0010] Preferably, the side wall of the box body is provided with a recess, and the cleaning pump is fixed in the recess, so that the structure is compact and the volume is small.

[0011] Preferably, a bottom plate, a buckle and a top plate are provided at the recessed part, the bottom of the cleaning pump is supported by the bottom plate, the sides of the cleaning pump are mounted on the side walls of the box body by buckles, and the top surface of the cleaning pump is limited by the top plate, thereby firmly mounting the cleaning pump in the recessed part.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the advantages that: due to the use of the liquid level detection device, it can detect the liquid capacity of the cleaning system in real time, and monitor at any time, and the measurement is more accurate, thereby ensuring the safety of the driverless car. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a structural principle diagram of a cleaning system for an unmanned vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a cleaning system for an unmanned vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view in the vertical direction of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view in the horizontal direction of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of part P.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of a liquid level detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 7 It is an initial schematic diagram between the magnetic field of the magnet and the Hall sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 8 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between the magnetic field direction of the magnet and the output voltage of the Hall sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0022] like Figure 1-8 As shown, a cleaning system for an unmanned vehicle includes a box body 1, a liquid level detection device 2, a cleaning pump 3, a solenoid valve 4, a front cleaning nozzle 5, a rear cleaning nozzle 6, a sensing sensor cleaning nozzle 7, and a controller 8.

[0023] The liquid detection device 2 is connected to the controller 8, and transmits the liquid level signal detected by the liquid detection device 2 in the box 1 to the controller 8 and calculates the liquid level in real time. The controller 8 determines the liquid level information. If the liquid level is too low, it outputs the liquid replenishment information and inputs the corresponding liquid from the outside. If the liquid level is normal, it is in the waiting state.

[0024] In this embodiment, the driverless car uses three types of nozzles, namely, a front cleaning nozzle 5, a rear cleaning nozzle 6, and a sensing sensor cleaning nozzle 7. The front cleaning nozzle 5, the rear cleaning nozzle 6, and the sensing sensor cleaning nozzle 7 respectively clean corresponding types of sensors.

[0025] The inlet of the cleaning pump 3 is connected to the box, and the outlet is connected to the pipeline, and is controlled by the controller 8. The opening or closing of the cleaning pump 3 is controlled by the switch instruction of the controller 8.

[0026] The front cleaning nozzle 5, the rear cleaning nozzle 6, and the sensing sensor cleaning nozzle 7 are connected to the outlet of the cleaning pump 3 through the solenoid valve 4, and the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 4 are used to control the cleaning liquid to be sprayed out or closed from the front cleaning nozzle 5, the rear cleaning nozzle 6, and the sensing sensor cleaning nozzle 7.

[0027] When the controller 8 receives a signal that one or some sensors need to be cleaned, the controller 8 outputs an on signal, controls the cleaning pump 3 to run, and opens the solenoid valve 4 of the nozzle corresponding to the one or some sensors to be cleaned. The cleaning liquid is sprayed out from the tank through the cleaning pump 3 and the solenoid valve 4 from the corresponding nozzle to clean the corresponding one or some sensors. After cleaning, the solenoid valve 4 and the cleaning pump 3 are closed.

[0028] like Figure 2-4 As shown, the side wall of the box body 1 is provided with a liquid level detection device mounting hole 113 , and the liquid level detection device 2 is mounted on the side wall of the box body 1 through the liquid level detection device mounting hole 113 .

[0029] The side wall of the box body 1 is provided with a recess 16, and a cleaning pump bottom plate 119, a mounting hole 116, a buckle 117, and a top plate 120 are provided at the recess. The bottom of the cleaning pump 3 is supported by the bottom plate 119, and the inlet 32 ​​of the cleaning pump 3 is installed on the cleaning pump mounting hole 116. The side surface 31 of the cleaning pump 3 is installed on the side wall of the box body 1 through the buckle 117, and the top surface 33 of the cleaning pump 3 is limited by the top plate 120, thereby firmly installing the cleaning pump 3 in the recess 16.

[0030] The bottom of the box body 1 is also provided with a mounting portion 115, which is installed at the installation position of the car through the mounting holes on the mounting portion 115, and the side mounting portions 112 and 118 are provided on the side, which are installed at other positions of the driverless car through the mounting holes of the side mounting portions 112 and 118, so that the box body 1 and other components are firmly fixed to the driverless car.

[0031] The box body 1 also has a cover 12 and an opening 111 .

[0032] The cleaning pump 3 is also provided with a connection joint 34 for power supply and control signal, and the connection joint 34 is connected to the controller 8 .

[0033] like Figure 4-8 As shown, the liquid level detection device 2 includes a circuit board 22 , a magnet 24 , a connecting member 25 , a floating body 26 , a fixing member 27 , a sealing member 28 , and an electrical connector 21 .

[0034] An elastic buckle 253 is disposed at one end of the connecting member 25 . After the elastic buckle 253 passes through the central hole 261 of the floating body 26 , the elastic head 254 pops out and buckles the floating body 26 .

[0035] A fixing portion 251 is provided at the other end of the connecting member 25, and the cross-section of the fixing portion 251 is in the shape of an I. Two brackets 274 parallel to each other are provided on the fixing member 27, and the middle of the fixing portion 251 is inserted into the circular holes 271 and 272 of the bracket 274. The inner sides of the two ends of the fixing portion 251 respectively abut against the outer sides of the bracket 274, so that the other end of the connecting member 25 can be rotatably fixed on the bracket 274.

[0036] A groove is formed at one end of the fixing portion 251 . The magnet 24 has the same shape and size as the groove and is fixed inside the groove and sealed by the outer cover 23 , so that the magnet 24 can be better sealed.

[0037] The circuit board 22 is mounted on the magnet mounting portion of the fixing member 27. The Hall element 222 is mounted on the circuit board 22 so that the Hall element 222 is directly opposite to the magnet 24 mounted in the fixing portion 251. The initial position relationship is shown in FIG. Figure 7 .

[0038] The fixing portion 273 of the fixing member 27 is provided with a first groove 275, the sealing member 28 is embedded in the first groove 275, the sealing member 28 is provided with a second groove, and the edge of the liquid level detection device installation hole 113 is inserted into the second groove, so as to achieve better sealing.

[0039] The electrical connector 21 is connected to the fixing member 27, the electrical connector 21 is connected to the controller 8, the electrical connection ends 211, 212, 213 of the electrical connector 21 are connected to the electrical connector 221 on the circuit board 22, and the Hall element 222 provides the controller with the measured corresponding voltage signal.

[0040] The initial position of the magnet 24 is that the N pole faces upward and the S pole faces downward. As the water level changes, the connector 25 rotates. If the water level rises, the connector 25 rotates upward, and the magnet 24 rotates clockwise. If the water level drops, the connector 25 rotates downward, and the magnet 24 rotates counterclockwise. The Hall element 222 changes its output voltage due to the rotation angle of the magnet 24. There is a linear relationship between the magnetic field direction of the magnet 24 and the output voltage of the Hall sensor. The linear relationship in this embodiment is as follows: Figure 7 , 8 shown.

[0041] The liquid level detection device is installed on the box body 1 through the fixing member 27 , and specifically, the fixing member 27 is installed on the installation hole 113 of the box body 1 .

[0042] The box body 1 is also provided with a support bar 114 to support the fixing member 27 .

[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, when the float 26 of the connector 25 of the liquid level detection device touches the bottom of the box, the angle between the connector 25 and the vertical direction is θ1, that is, the angle between the magnetic field of the magnet 24 and the Hall element 222 is θ1, and when the float 26 rises to the highest position when the liquid level rises, the angle between the connector 25 and the vertical direction is θ2, that is, the angle between the magnetic field of the magnet 24 and the Hall element 222 is θ2. Since there is a linear relationship between the magnetic field direction of the magnet 24 and the output voltage of the Hall sensor, the output voltage of the Hall sensor can be measured, and then the height of the float in the box 1, that is, the height of the liquid level, can be calculated based on the linear relationship between the angle of the magnet 24 and the Hall sensor.

Claims

1. A liquid level detection device, characterized in that: It includes a circuit board, a magnet, a connector, a float and a fixing part; the connector fixes the float at one end and has a fixing part at the other end, the fixing part is rotatably connected to the fixing part, the fixing part is installed on the side of the box body, the circuit board is installed on the magnet mounting part of the fixing part, a Hall element is installed on the circuit board so that the Hall element is directly opposite to the magnet in the magnet mounting part, when the float is driven by the buoyancy of the liquid to rotate the magnet and change the output voltage of the Hall element, the Hall element provides a measured voltage signal to the controller, the controller determines the rotation angle of the connector according to the relationship between the output voltage of the Hall sensor and the magnetic field of the magnet, thereby calculating the liquid level.

2. The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross section of the fixing part is in the shape of an I. Two brackets parallel to each other are arranged on the fixing member. The middle of the fixing part is inserted into the circular holes of the two brackets. The inner sides of the two ends of the fixing part respectively abut against the outer sides of the two brackets.

3. The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A groove is provided at one end of the fixing part. The magnet has the same shape and size as the groove and is fixed inside the groove and sealed by an outer cover.

4. The water storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An elastic buckle is arranged at one end of the connecting piece, and after the elastic buckle passes through the central hole of the floating body, the floating body is buckled due to the elastic head popping out.

5. A cleaning system for an unmanned vehicle, comprising a housing, a liquid level detection device, a cleaning pump, a solenoid valve, a nozzle, and a controller; the liquid level detection device and the cleaning pump are respectively mounted on the housing, the liquid detection device is connected to the controller, the liquid level signal detected by the liquid detection device in the housing is transmitted to the controller and the liquid level is calculated in real time; the controller determines the liquid level information, if the liquid level is too low, it outputs the liquid replenishment information, and inputs the corresponding liquid from the outside; if the liquid level is normal, it is in a waiting state; the nozzle is connected to the outlet of the cleaning pump through a solenoid valve, the cleaning pump and the solenoid valve are controlled by the controller, and the cleaning liquid is sprayed out or closed from the nozzle by opening and closing the cleaning pump and the solenoid valve to clean the corresponding type of sensor.

6. The cleaning system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The liquid level detection device is the liquid level detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The cleaning system for an unmanned vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that: The nozzles are a front cleaning nozzle, a rear cleaning nozzle, and a sensing sensor cleaning nozzle.

8. The cleaning system for an unmanned vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that: The side wall of the box body is provided with a recess, and the cleaning pump is fixed in the recess.

9. The cleaning system for an unmanned vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that: The recessed part is provided with a bottom plate, a buckle and a top plate, the bottom of the cleaning pump is supported by the bottom plate, the side of the cleaning pump is mounted on the side wall of the box body through the buckle, and the top surface of the cleaning pump is limited by the top plate.

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