Anti-fouling device and computer program

Abstract

To provide a dirt prevention device and a computer program capable of reducing attachment of foreign matter such as dust contained in driving wind to a vehicle. A dirt prevention device including: a charging device provided in an upstream region of a vehicle body in driving wind generated when the vehicle is driven, which generates charged wind by charging the driving wind; and a control unit that controls the charging device, the control unit controlling the charging device to generate the charged wind in such a manner that a detection unit provided to receive the driving wind in a downstream region of the vehicle body in the driving wind is charged to the same potential as a charging tendency of the charged wind.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an anti-fouling device and computer program for inhibiting dust adhesion. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, measuring devices equipped with optical systems such as cameras have been used in vehicles for driver assistance. It is known that the airflow generated during vehicle movement electrifies the vehicle body, causing dust particles in the air to adhere. Patent Document 1 describes a technique for removing dust from a gas flow in the flow path of a measuring device for an optical system. This technique involves generating an electric field at a dielectric generating part, such as a pair of metal electrode plates located midway through the flow path, causing dust to adhere to the dielectric generating part.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-313771 Summary of the Invention

[0004] If the technology described in Patent Document 1 is to be implemented in a vehicle, a large metal electrode plate is required, resulting in a large device structure.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an anti-fouling device and computer program that can reduce the adhesion of dust and other foreign objects contained in the wind during driving to a vehicle.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an anti-fouling device comprising: an electrified device disposed in an upstream region of the vehicle body where the driving wind is generated during vehicle movement, which generates electrified wind by electrifying the driving wind; and a control unit that controls the electrified device to generate the electrified wind in such a way that the potential of a detection unit disposed in a downstream region of the vehicle body where the driving wind is received is the same as the electrification tendency of the electrified wind.

[0007] Invention Effects

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the adhesion of foreign objects such as dust contained in the wind during driving to the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the vehicle involved in the implementation method.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a side view showing the structure of an electrical device installed in a vehicle.

[0011] Figure 3 It is a flowchart showing the process of the anti-fouling method performed in the anti-fouling device. Detailed Implementation

[0012] like Figure 1As shown, vehicle 1 includes a detection unit 2 for detecting data required for driving. The detection unit 2 includes, for example, a camera 2A that captures images of the environment surrounding vehicle 1. Camera 2A is configured to generate image data based on light input from an optical lens. The optical lens is covered by a protective component, such as transparent glass or transparent resin. Camera 2A can be replaced by a radar device or a lidar device. In this case, the radar device or lidar device can also be covered by a protective component.

[0013] The detection unit 2 includes a charged sensor 2B for detecting the potential of static electricity. The charged sensor 2B is configured to detect the potential of static electricity generated in the protective component covering the camera 2A. The charged sensor 2B is disposed separately from the camera 2A. The charged sensor 2B is a sensor that detects the potential of the electric field of a charged object without contact.

[0014] The detection unit 2 includes a raindrop sensor 2C for detecting raindrops. The raindrop sensor 2C is configured, for example, to detect raindrops adhering to the windshield of the vehicle 1. The raindrop sensor 2C is a sensor that detects the intensity of input light. The detection unit 2 also includes a vehicle speed sensor 2D for detecting the speed of the vehicle 1. The vehicle speed sensor 2D is configured, for example, an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration.

[0015] Vehicle 1 is equipped with an anti-fouling device 5 to prevent foreign matter, such as dust, contained in suspended particulate matter, from adhering to the detection unit 2. The anti-fouling device 5 is equipped with an electrification device 6 for electrifying air. The electrification device 6 is equipped with an electrification generating unit 6A for electrifying gas. The electrification generating unit 6A may be composed of, for example, an ionizer that ionizes gas by performing corona discharge, or a van der Graff electrode that electrifies gas based on friction between two objects. The electrification generating unit 6A can use any device, as long as it can electrify the gas.

[0016] The energized device 6 includes an electric shock protection device 6B for preventing electric shock. The electric shock protection device 6B is configured, for example, to cut off the operation of the energizing unit 6A when a user approaches and to electrically ground the device, thus preventing electric shock to the user. The electric shock protection device 6B can be any device, as long as it can prevent electric shock to the user.

[0017] The anti-fouling device 5 includes a control device 10 for controlling the electrified device 6. The control device 10 is configured to control the output of the electrified device 6 based on the detection values ​​of the electrified sensor 2B, the raindrop sensor 2C, the vehicle speed sensor 2D, and the anti-electric shock device 6B. The control unit 11 consists of at least one hardware processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0018] The anti-fouling device 5 includes a storage unit 12 for storing data and computer programs required for storage control. The storage unit 12 is composed of non-transitory storage media such as flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD), and solid-state drive (SSD).

[0019] like Figure 2 As shown, when vehicle 1 is in motion, the surrounding air moves relative to it. A driving wind F is generated on the surface of vehicle 1 due to this relative atmospheric movement. The driving wind F generates static electricity through friction with the surface of vehicle 1. Static electricity is generated on the surface of vehicle 1 by the driving wind F. Foreign matter such as dust suspended around vehicle 1 is attracted and adheres to it due to the Coulomb force of the static electricity on the surface of vehicle 1. The anti-fouling device 5 prevents foreign matter attracted by the driving wind F from adhering to vehicle 1.

[0020] Camera 2A is mounted, for example, on the roof of vehicle 1. The mounting location of camera 2A is in the downstream region of the vehicle body where the wind is blowing. Camera 2A is configured to receive the wind in the downstream region of the vehicle body where the wind is blowing. An electrostatic sensor 2B is positioned in front of camera 2A to detect the electrostatic potential of camera 2A.

[0021] The electrification device 6 is, for example, installed at the front of the vehicle 1. The electrification device 6 is located in the upstream region of the vehicle body of the travel wind F generated when the vehicle 1 is in motion. The electrification device 6 electrifies the travel wind F via the electrification generating unit 6A, generating an electrified wind E. The electrified wind E flows along the streamline of the travel wind F on the surface of the vehicle 1. The detection unit 2 receives the electrified wind E in the downstream region of the travel wind F. The degree of electrification of the electrified wind E is controlled by the control unit 11 as follows.

[0022] The control unit 11 acquires the vehicle speed detection value from the vehicle speed sensor 2D. When the control unit 11 determines that the vehicle 1 is moving based on the vehicle speed detection value, it controls the energizing device 6 to energize the driving wind F. The control unit 11 acquires the energizing detection value from the energizing sensor 2B. Based on the energizing detection value, the control unit 11 controls the energizing device 6 to energize the driving wind F in such a way that the potential of the camera 2A when receiving the driving wind F is the same as the charging tendency of the energized wind E.

[0023] For example, when the camera 2A is positively charged, the control unit 11 controls the electrification device 6 to generate an electrified wind E that positively charges the travel wind F. When the positively charged wind E impacts the camera 2A, any foreign objects contained in the electrified wind E become positively charged, thus causing electrostatic repulsion between them and the camera 2A. Therefore, based on the positive charging tendency of the electrified wind E, foreign objects are prevented from adhering to the camera 2A.

[0024] Similarly, when camera 2A is negatively charged, control unit 11 controls the electrifying device 6 to generate an electrified wind E that negatively charges the driving airflow F. In this case, the negative charging tendency of the electrified wind E also prevents foreign objects from adhering to camera 2A. The electrified wind E circulates not only through camera 2A but also through the windshield of vehicle 1, thus preventing foreign objects from adhering to the windshield. Control unit 11 can perform feedback control as follows: it controls the electrifying device 6 based on the detection value of electrified sensor 2B and adjusts the charging degree of electrified wind E according to the charging degree of camera 2A. Thus, detection unit 2 generates an electrified wind E that is least likely to attract foreign objects based on the air quality around vehicle 1, thereby improving dust removal performance in dusty areas.

[0025] The control unit 11 acquires raindrop detection values ​​from the raindrop sensor 2C. When the raindrop sensor 2C detects raindrops, the control unit 11 stops the operation of the electrified device 6. This is because, during rainfall, the driving wind F is less likely to generate static electricity. In cases where there is a risk of electric shock, the control unit 11 activates the anti-electric shock device, stopping the operation of the charge-generating unit 6A installed on the electrified device 6. Even when the vehicle 1 is stopped, the control unit 11 can continue operating the charge-generating unit 6A installed on the electrified device 6 if the anti-electric shock device 6B is not activated.

[0026] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the processing flow of the anti-fouling method executed in the anti-fouling device 5. The anti-fouling method is executed according to a computer program installed in the computer mounted on the anti-fouling device 5. The computer program causes the control unit 11 of the anti-fouling device 5 to perform the following processing: The control unit 11 acquires the vehicle speed detection value of the vehicle speed sensor 2D and determines whether the vehicle 1 is moving (S100). If the control unit 1 determines that the vehicle 1 is moving, it acquires the raindrop detection value of the raindrop sensor 2C and determines whether raindrops are present (S102).

[0027] In the absence of raindrops, the control unit 11 acquires the charge detection value of the charge sensor 2B (S104). The control unit 11 controls the charge device 6 to generate charged wind that charges the driving wind generated when the vehicle is moving, based on the charge detection value, and generates charged wind E so that the potential of the camera 2A, which constitutes the detection unit 2 configured to receive the driving wind F, is the same as the charging tendency of the charged wind E (S106).

[0028] As described above, according to the anti-fouling device 5, the adhesion of foreign matter such as dust contained in the driving wind F to the camera 2A installed in the vehicle 1 can be reduced. According to the anti-fouling device 5, by generating an electrified wind E, the adhesion of foreign matter to the camera 2A can be reduced. According to the anti-fouling device 5, the electrified wind E is generated in such a way that the potential of the camera 2A is the same as the charging tendency of the electrified wind E, so that the foreign matter contained in the electrified wind E is electrically repelled from the camera 2A, and the adhesion of foreign matter to the camera 2A can be suppressed.

[0029] In the above embodiments, the computer program executed in the anti-fouling device 5 can be provided in the form of a computer-readable removable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, magnetic recording medium, or optical recording medium. The computer program product including the computer program described in the above embodiments can be stored in a storage medium or provided via a communication line.

[0030] Symbol Explanation

[0031] 1-Vehicle, 2-Detection unit, 2A-Camera, 2B-Electrified sensor, 2C-Raindrop sensor, 2D-Vehicle speed sensor, 5-Anti-fouling device, 6-Electrified device, 6A-Electrified generation unit, 6B-Anti-electric shock device, 10-Control device, 11-Control unit, 12-Storage unit, E-Electrified air, F-Driving air.

Claims

1. A pollution prevention device, characterized in that, have: An electrified device, located upstream of the vehicle body in the direction of the wind generated during vehicle movement, generates electrified wind by electrifying the wind; and The control unit controls the energized device. The control unit controls the electrified device to generate the electrified wind in a manner that the potential of the detection unit receiving the driving wind is the same as the electrification tendency of the electrified wind, located in the downstream region of the vehicle body in the driving wind.

2. The anti-fouling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit continues the operation of the energized device when the vehicle stops, provided that the anti-electric shock mechanism of the energized device is not activated.

3. The anti-fouling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the rain sensor installed on the vehicle detects raindrops, the control unit stops the operation of the energized device.

4. The anti-fouling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit controls the energized device to adjust the potential based on the detection value of the energized sensor that detects the charge of the detection unit.

5. A computer program installed on a computer of an anti-fouling device for preventing contamination of a detection unit installed on a vehicle, the computer program being characterized in that it causes the computer to perform the following processing: Control of the electrical devices installed in the vehicle; Electric wind is generated by electrifying the wind produced during the movement of the vehicle; and The charged wind is generated in such a way that the potential of the detection unit that receives the traveling wind is the same as the charging tendency of the charged wind.

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