Automotive windscreen cleaner and impact detection device therefor
By designing a collision detection device on the car windshield cleaner, and using the relative positional changes of the collision components and triggering components to output signals, the cleaner can be stopped or moved out of narrow gaps in time, solving the problems of jamming and wear of traditional cleaners, and improving the reliability and safety of cleaning operations.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HENGYANG HUIDI INTELLIGENT TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
Smart Images
Figure CN224490982U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cleaning equipment technology, and in particular to an automobile windshield cleaner and its collision detection device. Background Technology
[0002] Traditional cleaning robots for car windshields (such as the front windshield) are typically equipped with collision detection devices, but these devices only work when the glass surface is perpendicular to the frame. However, these traditional collision detection devices are ineffective when dealing with the narrow gap between the windshield and the vehicle's center console. Therefore, when the cleaning machine moves into this gap, it is prone to getting stuck, causing the cleaning operation to be interrupted. In severe cases, this can also exacerbate equipment wear and increase the risk of windshield scratches. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a collision detection device specifically designed for this type of cleaning machine (car windshield cleaner) to ensure that it can stop or move out of the narrow gap between the windshield and the vehicle's center console in a timely manner. Utility Model Content
[0003] One of the purposes of this invention is to provide a collision detection device for a car windshield cleaner, in order to solve the problem that the cleaner cannot be stopped or moved out in time when it is moved into the gap between the center console and the windshield.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0005] The collision detection device for the car windshield washer includes:
[0006] The collision component is mounted on the cleaning machine housing via an elastic connector and can move relative to the housing when subjected to external impact.
[0007] The triggering component includes a triggering part and a sensing part that cooperate with each other, one of which is disposed on the collision component and the other is disposed on the cleaning machine housing;
[0008] The collision component is configured to change the relative position between the triggering part and the sensing part when it is subjected to an external force, thereby triggering the sensing part to output a collision signal, and to be driven to reset by the elastic connector after the external force is removed.
[0009] Furthermore, the external force is generated by the compression of the collision component by the vehicle interior trim when the cleaning machine enters the narrow space between the windshield and the interior trim.
[0010] The vehicle interior components include, but are not limited to, components that form a gap with the windshield, such as the center console, dashboard, and A-pillar trim.
[0011] Furthermore, there are two elastic connectors, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the direction of movement of the collision component.
[0012] Furthermore, the triggering component includes two sets of triggering parts and sensing parts respectively disposed on both sides of the moving direction of the collision component.
[0013] Furthermore, the triggering component also includes a set of triggering parts and sensing parts cooperating structures disposed in the middle of the collision component.
[0014] Furthermore, the collision component is provided with an anti-detachment part, and the cleaning machine housing is provided with a mounting hole that slides with the anti-detachment part; the end of the anti-detachment part is provided with an anti-detachment structure, which forms a limiting fit with the edge of the mounting hole when the anti-detachment part moves, to prevent the collision component from detaching from the cleaning machine housing.
[0015] Furthermore, the sensing element is any one of the following:
[0016] A contact sensor that generates a signal when the triggering part makes physical contact; or
[0017] A non-contact sensor generates a signal when the triggering part enters a preset sensing distance.
[0018] Furthermore, the contact sensor is a micro switch or a spring contact switch.
[0019] Furthermore, the non-contact sensor is a Hall sensor, a photoelectric sensor, or a capacitive proximity sensor.
[0020] Another objective of this invention is to provide an automotive windshield cleaner, which includes a housing on which the aforementioned collision detection device is mounted.
[0021] This invention's collision detection device, through the cooperation of a collision component and a triggering assembly, enables the cleaning machine to receive the impact (external force) of the interior trim components when it moves into the gap between the center console and the windshield. This impact causes a change in the relative position between the triggering and sensing parts, triggering the sensing part to output a collision signal. This signal allows the cleaning machine to take timely countermeasures, such as stopping or retracting out of the gap. When the cleaning machine moves out of the gap, the upper surface of the collision component is no longer subjected to the impact of the interior trim components, and the elastic connector will drive the collision component to automatically reset. This collision detection device has a simple and reliable structure, effectively solving the problem of the cleaning machine being unable to stop or move out in time when it enters the gap between the center console and the windshield. Attached Figure Description
[0022] Figure 1 3D for car windshield cleaners Figure 1 ;
[0023] Figure 2 3D for car windshield cleaners Figure 2 Collision components omitted;
[0024] Figure 3 An exploded view of a car windshield washer.
[0025] Figure 4 This is a 3D view of the collision components.
[0026] In the picture:
[0027] 1 - Collision component; 2 - Elastic connector
[0028] 3—Shell 3a—Body
[0029] 3b – Cover 3b1 – Notch
[0030] 4 – Triggering unit; 5 – Sensing unit
[0031] 6——Protective part 6a——Protruding part
[0032] 7 - Mounting holes. Detailed Implementation
[0033] To facilitate a clearer understanding of the concept of this utility model by those skilled in the art, the following description, in conjunction with embodiments and accompanying drawings, will provide a further explanation.
[0034] like Figure 1-3 As shown, this embodiment provides an automotive windshield cleaner, which mainly consists of a housing 3 and functional components such as a suction module, cleaning element, walking mechanism, and controller mounted on the housing 3. These components work together to achieve the core functions of the cleaner: the suction module uses suction to firmly adhere the machine to the windshield; the walking mechanism drives the machine to move on the windshield surface; the cleaning element contacts the windshield and wipes it during the machine's movement, thereby completing the cleaning task. This embodiment does not impose any particular limitations on the specific structure of the above components, as long as the above functions are achieved. The innovation of this utility model does not lie in the structural design of these basic components, and therefore will not be elaborated upon. The main improvements of this utility model will be described in detail below.
[0035] Unlike traditional car windshield washer machines, this embodiment adds a collision detection device to the housing 3. When the washer machine moves into the gap between the center console and the windshield, this device generates a collision signal, allowing the washer machine to take timely countermeasures, such as stopping or retracting out of the gap. This improvement effectively solves the problem that traditional washer machines often encounter due to the lack of suitable detection devices: traditional equipment may get stuck when entering a gap, forcing the cleaning operation to be interrupted, and in severe cases, it may even aggravate equipment wear and increase the risk of the windshield being scratched.
[0036] This embodiment mainly uses the front windshield as an example for illustration, but the relevant technical solutions are also applicable to the rear windshield.
[0037] The structure and principle of the collision detection device in this embodiment will be explained in detail below.
[0038] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the collision detection device in this embodiment mainly consists of a collision component 1, an elastic connector 2, and a triggering assembly. This collision detection device is typically located at the end of the housing 3, such as the front or rear end, or it can be located at both the front and rear ends simultaneously.
[0039] The collision component 1 is mounted on the housing 3 via an elastic connector 2, allowing it to move relative to the housing 3 upon impact from external sources such as the center console. The elastic connector 2 can be an elastic plate, with its two ends fixed to the collision component 1 and the housing 3, respectively. In practical applications, a portion of one or both ends of the housing 3 can be cut off to serve as the collision component 1, thus achieving the desired function while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the housing 3. Furthermore, a certain gap is reserved between the lower surface of the collision component 1 and the upper surface of the housing 3 to ensure that the collision component 1 can smoothly move towards the housing 3 upon impact.
[0040] In this embodiment, there are two elastic connectors 2, which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the collision component 1 in the direction of movement. This design allows the collision component 1 to move smoothly relative to the housing 3 even when a squeezing force is applied to the collision component 1 from both sides of the upper surface of the collision component 1.
[0041] In this embodiment, the triggering assembly includes a triggering part 4 and a sensing part 5 that cooperate with each other, one of which is mounted on the collision component 1 and the other is mounted on the housing 3. The specific mounting positions of the triggering part 4 and the sensing part 5 can be reasonably selected according to actual needs. In this embodiment, the triggering part 4 is disposed on the lower surface of the collision component 1, while the sensing part 5 is disposed on the upper surface of the housing 3. This arrangement allows for effective relative displacement between the triggering part 4 and the sensing part 5 when the collision component 1 moves, thereby realizing the triggering function.
[0042] When the collision component 1 is subjected to an external force, the relative position between the triggering part 4 and the sensing part 5 changes, thereby triggering the sensing part 5 to output a collision signal. After the external force is removed, the collision component 1 will reset under the drive of the elastic connector 2. This external force is usually caused by the compression of the collision component 1 by the vehicle interior trim when the cleaning machine enters the narrow space between the windshield and the interior trim. The vehicle interior trim includes, but is not limited to, components that form a gap with the windshield, such as the center console, dashboard, and A-pillar trim.
[0043] In this embodiment, the triggering component includes multiple sets of mating structures for triggering parts 4 and sensing parts 5, respectively disposed on both sides and in the middle of the collision component 1 along its moving direction. Specifically, each side has a set of mating structures for triggering parts 4 and sensing parts 5, used to detect collisions when the upper surface of the collision component 1 is subjected to lateral impacts; the middle has a set of mating structures for triggering parts 4 and sensing parts 5, used to detect collisions when the upper surface of the collision component 1 is subjected to impacts in the middle direction. These three sets of mating structures can work separately or simultaneously when the upper surface of the collision component 1 is subjected to impacts in different directions, ensuring the comprehensiveness and reliability of collision detection. In practice, simply providing the above-mentioned mating structures on both sides of the collision component 1 along its moving direction is usually sufficient to meet basic detection requirements. However, to further improve the reliability of detection, adding a set of mating structures in the middle of the collision component 1 is a better choice. Therefore, depending on actual needs, it is possible to choose to provide mating structures only on both sides of the collision component 1 along its moving direction, or to provide them simultaneously on both sides and in the middle, to achieve more comprehensive collision detection.
[0044] The sensing unit 5 can be selected as a contact sensor or a non-contact sensor according to actual needs. Contact sensors include, but are not limited to, microswitches or spring contact switches, which generate a signal when the trigger unit 4 makes physical contact with the sensor. Non-contact sensors include, but are not limited to, Hall effect sensors, photoelectric sensors, or capacitive proximity sensors, which generate a signal when the trigger unit 4 enters a preset sensing distance.
[0045] In this embodiment, the collision component 1 is provided with an anti-detachment part 6, and the housing 3 has a mounting hole 7 that slides with the anti-detachment part 6. The end of the anti-detachment part 6 is provided with an anti-detachment structure (e.g., a protrusion 6a). During the movement of the anti-detachment part 6, the anti-detachment structure forms a limiting fit with the edge of the mounting hole 7, thereby preventing the collision component 1 from detaching from the housing 3. This anti-detachment structure is similar to a common snap-fit structure.
[0046] Furthermore, the shell 3 can be a one-piece structure or a split structure. For example, the shell 3 consists of a body 3a and a cover 3b (see [reference]). Figure 3In this configuration, the collision component 1 can be mounted on the housing 3b via the elastic connector 2, while the sensing part 5 is disposed on the body 3a. Accordingly, a notch 3b1 is provided on the housing 3b so that the triggering part 4 can pass through the notch 3b1 and contact the sensing part 5. A mounting hole 7 is also provided on the housing 3b.
[0047] The collision detection device in this embodiment, through the cooperation of the collision component 1 and the triggering component, enables the cleaning machine to receive the impact (i.e., external force) of the interior trim components when it moves into the narrow gap between the center console and the windshield. This impact causes a change in the relative position between the triggering part 4 and the sensing part 5, thereby triggering the sensing part 5 to output a collision signal. This signal allows the cleaning machine to take timely countermeasures, such as stopping or retracting out of the gap. After the cleaning machine moves out of the gap, the upper surface of the collision component 1 is no longer subjected to the impact of the interior trim components, at which point the elastic connecting part 2 will drive the collision component 1 to automatically reset. This collision detection device has a simple and reliable structure, and can effectively solve the problem of the cleaning machine being unable to stop or move out in time when it moves into the gap between the center console and the windshield.
[0048] The above embodiments are preferred implementations of this utility model. Any obvious substitutions without departing from the concept of this technical solution are within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A collision detection device for an automotive windshield cleaner, characterized in that, include: The collision component (1) is mounted on the cleaning machine housing (3) via an elastic connector (2) and is able to move relative to the housing (3) when subjected to external impact; The triggering component includes a triggering part (4) and a sensing part (5) that cooperate with each other, one of which is disposed on the collision component (1) and the other is disposed on the cleaning machine housing (3); The collision component (1) is configured to change the relative position between the triggering part (4) and the sensing part (5) when it is subjected to an external force, so as to trigger the sensing part (5) to output a collision signal, and to be driven to reset by the elastic connector (2) after the external force is removed.
2. The collision detection device for the car windshield cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external force is generated by the compression of the collision component (1) by the vehicle interior trim when the cleaning machine enters the narrow space between the windshield and the interior trim.
3. The collision detection device for the car windshield cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are two elastic connectors (2), which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the moving direction of the collision component (1).
4. The collision detection device for an automotive windshield cleaner according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: The triggering component includes a cooperative structure consisting of two sets of triggering parts (4) and sensing parts (5) respectively located on both sides of the moving direction of the collision component (1).
5. The collision detection device for the car windshield cleaner according to claim 4, characterized in that: The triggering component also includes a set of triggering parts (4) and sensing parts (5) located in the middle of the collision component (1) in a cooperative structure.
6. The collision detection device for the car windshield cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that: The collision component (1) is provided with an anti-detachment part (6). The cleaning machine housing (3) is provided with an installation hole (7) that slides with the anti-detachment part (6). The end of the anti-detachment part (6) is provided with an anti-detachment structure. When the anti-detachment part (6) moves, the anti-detachment structure forms a limiting fit with the edge of the installation hole (7) to prevent the collision component (1) from detaching from the cleaning machine housing (3).
7. The collision detection device for an automotive windshield cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensing element (5) is any one of the following: A contact sensor that generates a signal when the trigger part (4) makes physical contact; or The non-contact sensor generates a signal when the triggering part (4) enters a preset sensing distance.
8. The collision detection device for an automotive windshield cleaner according to claim 7, characterized in that: The contact sensor is a micro switch or a spring contact switch.
9. The collision detection device for an automotive windshield cleaner according to claim 7, characterized in that: The non-contact sensor is a Hall sensor, a photoelectric sensor, or a capacitive proximity sensor.
10. A car windshield cleaner, comprising a housing (3), characterized in that: The housing (3) is equipped with a collision detection device as described in any one of claims 1-9.