Fluid dispensing assembly for cleaning sensor of vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid distribution assembly (1) for cleaning a surface of a sensor of a motor vehicle, the fluid distribution assembly (1) comprising:-a high pressure source (10) configured to convey a fluid under pressure; -a nozzle (13) provided with a valve; and-a hose fluidly connecting the high-pressure source (10) and the valve such that the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source (10) can be accumulated in said hose when the valve is in a closed state and the fluid is sprayed by the nozzle (13) at high pressure to the surface of the sensor when the valve is in an open state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to vehicle cleaning components and cleaning methods thereof. In particular, this invention relates to a fluid distribution component configured for cleaning at least one sensor of a motor vehicle, especially an autonomous vehicle.

[0002] It is worth noting that the present invention aims to provide a fluid distribution assembly with a shorter response time than fluid distribution assemblies known in the prior art, and with a smaller installation space requirement.

[0003] Description of related technologies

[0004] Motor vehicles are currently equipped with multiple sensors, cameras, lidar, or radar (hereinafter referred to as "sensors") for driver assistance purposes. These sensors can be located inside or outside the vehicle to provide the driver with complete visibility of the vehicle's surroundings. For example, sensors can be located in the bumper, side skirts, side mirrors, behind the windshield, under the hood, near the headlights, or on roof pods.

[0005] However, these sensors exposed to the environment may become covered in dirt or dust, which can lead to performance degradation. Therefore, frequent cleaning of these sensors is necessary to maintain their performance.

[0006] In this regard, the vehicle can be equipped with a cleaning system, specifically featuring a cleaning fluid distribution pipe and nozzles. Notably, the nozzles are located at the end of the fluid distribution pipe and close to the sensor. This arrangement allows cleaning fluid to be distributed to the surface of each sensor, thereby removing traces of dust or dirt.

[0007] For this purpose, fluid distribution systems known in the prior art are disclosed in the following documents: US 2020 / 361421, WO2018188823, and WO2019029915. Such fluid distribution systems are arranged to clean all surface sensors positioned around the perimeter of a motor vehicle.

[0008] However, such fluid distribution systems may not be optimal in terms of response time.

[0009] In practice, and especially in the case of autonomous vehicles, it may be necessary to clean sensors frequently to limit sensor downtime and meet safety requirements associated with driving autonomous vehicles.

[0010] In addition, the space required for installing fluid distribution components is crucial.

[0011] One object of the present invention is to provide a fluid dispensing assembly for cleaning sensors, which has a shorter response time than fluid dispensing assemblies known in the prior art.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid dispensing assembly for cleaning sensors that requires only a limited space. Summary of the Invention

[0013] This invention relates to a fluid distribution assembly for cleaning the surface of sensors in motor vehicles, the fluid distribution assembly comprising:

[0014] - A high-pressure source configured to deliver fluid under pressure;

[0015] - A nozzle equipped with a valve;

[0016] - A hose fluidly connects the high-pressure source and the valve, such that when the valve is closed, the fluid supplied by the high-pressure source can be accumulated in the hose, and when the valve is open, the fluid is sprayed by the nozzle onto the surface of the sensor under high pressure.

[0017] It should be understood that "nozzle equipped with a valve" and "valve equipped with a nozzle" have the same meaning;

[0018] According to one embodiment, the high-pressure source includes a pressure tank configured to be filled with a high-pressure fluid, advantageously above 3 bar, more advantageously above 4 bar.

[0019] According to one implementation, the high-pressure source includes a compressor configured to pressurize the fluid.

[0020] According to one implementation, the hose has an inner diameter of less than 4.5 mm.

[0021] According to one implementation, the hose also includes additional volume.

[0022] According to one implementation, the additional volume is an auxiliary storage unit.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the additional volume is located adjacent to the valve, and advantageously, the hose length between the valve and the additional volume is less than 100 mm.

[0024] According to one implementation, the fluid includes air.

[0025] According to one implementation, the sensor is a camera.

[0026] The invention also includes a motor vehicle comprising at least one sensor and a fluid distribution assembly according to the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Other features and advantages will be better understood after reading the following description of the fluid distribution assembly for a surface sensor for cleaning a vehicle according to the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting example only, in which:

[0028] [ Figure 1 ][ Figure 1 [Illustration] is a schematic diagram of an isolated fluid distribution assembly according to the present invention;

[0029] [ Figure 2 ][ Figure 2 [Illustration of a nozzle equipped with a valve and positioned close to the sensitive surface of a sensor;]

[0030] [ Figure 3 ][ Figure 3 [Illustration] is a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle equipped with a fluid distribution assembly according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0031] This invention relates to a fluid distribution assembly, and more particularly to a fluid distribution assembly for a sensor used in cleaning motor vehicles.

[0032] Specifically, the fluid distribution assembly includes:

[0033] - A high-pressure source configured to deliver fluid under pressure;

[0034] - A nozzle equipped with a valve;

[0035] - A hose fluidly connects the high-pressure source and the valve, such that when the valve is closed, the fluid supplied by the high-pressure source can be accumulated in the hose, and when the valve is open, the fluid is sprayed by the nozzle onto the surface of the sensor under high pressure.

[0036] Figure 1 and Figure 3 An example of a fluid distribution assembly 1 for a sensor used to clean a motor vehicle 100 is shown.

[0037] The fluid distribution assembly 1 includes a high-pressure source 10 for delivering fluid under pressure. The high-pressure source 10 may include a compressor 11, and more particularly, a compressor 11 combined with a pressure tank 12. It is noteworthy that the pressure tank 12 may be configured to store fluid, and particularly gas, under pressure. Furthermore, the compressor may be configured to establish fluid pressure within the pressure tank 12.

[0038] Advantageously, the pressure tank 12 is configured to be filled with a high-pressure fluid, advantageously above 3 bar, more advantageously above 4 bar.

[0039] The fluid distribution assembly 1 includes at least one nozzle 13 (in [ Figure 2(As shown in the figure). It is worth noting that the nozzle 13 is positioned close to the sensitive surface of the sensor 2, so that the nozzle can spray fluid on the surface to remove dust or particles from the surface.

[0040] Advantageously, the nozzle 13 is provided with a valve 14, especially an electronically controlled valve. In particular, the valve 14 can be in an open state or a closed state.

[0041] The fluid distribution assembly 1 also includes a hose 16 fluidly connected to a high-pressure source and a valve 14, such that when the valve 14 is closed, fluid supplied by the high-pressure source can be collected in the hose, and when the valve is open, the fluid is sprayed under high pressure by a nozzle onto the surface of the sensor. Advantageously, the hose 16 has an inner diameter of less than 4.5 mm.

[0042] The hose 16 may also include an additional volume, such as an auxiliary reservoir 15. Advantageously, the additional volume is located immediately adjacent to the valve. In particular, the hose length between the valve and the additional volume is less than 100 mm.

[0043] The fluid distribution assembly 1 according to the invention allows for cleaning of the sensor in a relatively short response time. High-pressure cleaning further provides high efficiency for restoring the cleaned sensor signal. The fluid distribution assembly also requires relatively low installation effort and less space.

Claims

1. A fluid distribution assembly (1) for cleaning the surface of a sensor in a motor vehicle, the fluid distribution assembly (1) comprising: - High pressure source (10), the high pressure source being configured to deliver fluid under pressure; - Nozzle (13), the nozzle being provided with a valve (14); - A hose fluidly connects the high-pressure source (10) and the valve (14) such that when the valve (14) is closed, the fluid supplied by the high-pressure source (10) can be accumulated in the hose, and when the valve is open, the fluid is sprayed under high pressure by the nozzle (13) onto the surface of the sensor.

2. The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the high pressure source (10) comprises a pressure tank (12) configured to be filled with a high pressure fluid, advantageously, the high pressure being higher than 3 bar, more advantageously higher than 4 bar.

3. The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the high pressure source (10) includes a compressor (11) configured to pressurize the fluid.

4. The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hose has an inner diameter of less than 4.5 mm.

5. The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hose further comprises an additional volume.

6. The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein the additional volume is an auxiliary reservoir (15).

7. The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the additional volume is adjacent to the valve, and advantageously, the hose length between the valve and the additional volume is less than 100 mm.

8. The fluid dispensing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fluid comprises air.

9. The fluid dispensing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sensor is a camera.

10. A motor vehicle (100) comprising at least one sensor and a fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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