Cleaning device for an environment detection device and environment detection device for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device (10; 10a) for an environment recognition device (100) of a vehicle, wherein the cleaning device (10; 10a) is designed to clean the environment recognition device (100) at least in the region of a field of vision (108) of a viewing window (106), with at least one spray nozzle (38) for spraying a cleaning liquid (RF) onto the viewing window (106) and at least one compressed air nozzle (36) for supplying compressed air (DL) to the viewing window (106), wherein the at least one spray nozzle (38) and the at least one compressed air nozzle (36) are arranged on a common structural unit (26; 26a).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning device for an environment detection device of a vehicle, which has a relatively simple structure for arranging and moving at least one spray nozzle for a cleaning fluid and at least one compressed air nozzle. Furthermore, the invention relates to an environment detection device with a cleaning device designed according to the invention. State of the art

[0002] Environment detection devices for detecting the surroundings of a vehicle are required to enable semi-autonomous or autonomous driving of the vehicle. For this purpose, it is known to arrange a sensor, for example a lidar sensor or a camera, particularly in the roof area of ​​the vehicle within a housing of the environment detection device, which detects the surroundings in the area of ​​a field of view via a viewing window of the housing. For example, in the event of rain, due to dirt, or other circumstances, it is necessary to clean the field of view of the environment detection device to ensure safe driving. For example, cleaning devices are known in which a wiper blade is arranged on an endless belt in a similar way to that used for vehicle windows, so that the wiping element is moved along the window to clean the field of view. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] The cleaning device according to the invention for an environment detection system of a vehicle has the advantage that it enables the cleaning of the field of view of a viewing window using both a cleaning fluid and compressed air in a structurally simple manner. While the cleaning fluid can be used to remove or at least loosen dirt adhering to the viewing window, the compressed air can be used either to remove the previously applied cleaning fluid from the viewing window or the field of view, or, for example, in the case of precipitation or rain, to simply wipe off the moisture present on the viewing window or remove it from the field of view using compressed air without prior activation of a spray nozzle for the cleaning fluid.

[0004] Against the background of the above explanations, a cleaning device according to the invention for an environment detection device of a vehicle with the features of claim 1 therefore has at least one spray nozzle for spraying a cleaning fluid onto the viewing window and at least one compressed air nozzle for supplying compressed air to the viewing window. It is essential that the at least one spray nozzle and the at least one compressed air nozzle are arranged on a common structural unit, wherein the structural unit is coupled to a drive mechanism designed to move the structural unit back and forth, preferably in parallel, along the viewing window. Furthermore, it is mentioned that according to the invention the at least one spray nozzle and the at least one compressed air nozzle can also be realized by a single (common) nozzle, which enables the supply of both media.

[0005] Advantageous further developments of the cleaning device according to the invention for an environment detection device are specified in the subclaims.

[0006] The assembly is preferably coupled to a drive element of the drive mechanism, which can be moved by a drive motor, in particular an electric motor. In a further development of such a drive element, this is designed as an endless drive belt, wherein the drive belt is guided around two deflection pulleys. Furthermore, the assembly is connected to the drive element or the drive belt and is movable in a region between the two deflection pulleys.

[0007] In order to enable the drive belt and assembly to be arranged as compactly as possible, a further development of the last proposal provides for the assembly to be arranged on an underside of the drive belt facing away from the viewing window between the two deflection pulleys.

[0008] As an alternative to using a drive belt, it can be provided that the drive element is designed as a rotary spindle which can be rotated about a rotational axis and whose thread interacts with a counter-thread of the structural unit, so that the structural unit can be moved along the rotary spindle when the rotary spindle rotates.

[0009] To achieve the required different directions of movement of the assembly, the direction of rotation of the drive motor is designed to be reversible. It should also be mentioned that, in accordance with known designs for windshield wiper drives for vehicle windows, it is also conceivable to realize the back-and-forth movement of the assembly along the viewing window using a crank mechanism in which the drive motor is always rotated in a single direction. However, such a design is more complex in terms of device construction than a reversible drive motor (electric motor) and also requires additional installation space.

[0010] It is particularly preferred if the assembly can be positioned in a parking position in which the assembly is covered by a cover element on an upper side of the assembly facing the viewing window, at least in the region of the at least one compressed air nozzle and the at least one spray nozzle. The cover element thus prevents contamination of at least the outlet areas of the spray nozzle and the compressed air nozzle in the parking position, in which the cleaning device is deactivated.

[0011] In a preferred development of the last proposal, it is provided that the cover element is arranged at a short distance from the upper side of the structural unit and has a recess at least along the field of view of the viewing window in order to enable the compressed air and the cleaning fluid to be discharged by means of the structural unit by means of the at least one compressed air nozzle and the at least one spray nozzle outside the parking position.

[0012] In order to supply the cleaning fluid and the compressed air to the assembly, it is provided that the at least one spray nozzle and the at least one compressed air nozzle are each connected at least indirectly via flexible hoses to a pump for supplying the cleaning fluid and to a compressed air source.

[0013] Furthermore, the invention also comprises an environment detection device for a vehicle with a cleaning device designed according to the invention as described so far.

[0014] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the drawings. Description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a simplified representation of a first embodiment of a cleaning device for an environment detection device of a vehicle with a drive belt as a drive element, Fig. 2 a sectional view of the arrangement according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 one opposite the Fig. 1 modified cleaning device in which a structural unit with a spray nozzle and a compressed air nozzle is movable by means of a rotating spindle as a drive element. Embodiments of the invention

[0015] Identical elements or elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0016] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a simplified illustration of a cleaning device 10 for an environment detection device 100 of a vehicle (not shown). The environment detection device 100 is typically arranged in the roof area of ​​the vehicle and serves to detect the surroundings of the vehicle in order to enable semi-autonomous or autonomous driving of the vehicle. For this purpose, the environment detection device 100 has a housing 102, in the interior of which a sensor 104, for example a lidar sensor (illustrated only symbolically), is arranged. It should also be mentioned that, if necessary, several sensors 104, in particular of different designs, can also be arranged in the housing 102, for example a camera, a radar sensor, or similar sensors 104.

[0017] Viewed in the direction of travel of the vehicle, the housing 102 has a viewing window 106 with a rectangular field of view 108, wherein the field of view 108 is located within the area of ​​the viewing window 106 and is smaller than the viewing window 106. The field of view 108 defines the area through which the sensor 104 can detect the surroundings of the vehicle, wherein the material of the field of view 108 or the viewing window 106 is transparent to the wavelength of the sensor 104. For example, the viewing window 106 and the field of view 108 are made of glass.

[0018] In order to remove any dirt or precipitation, such as rain, adhering to the housing 102 in the area of ​​the viewing window 106, in particular in the area of ​​the field of vision 108, in order to ensure the function of the environment recognition device 100, the cleaning device 10 is arranged at a (short) distance in the direction of travel in front of the environment recognition device 100 or in front of the housing 102.

[0019] The cleaning device 10 has a drive mechanism 14. The drive mechanism 14, which is preferably arranged in a housing (not shown) separate from the housing 102 of the environment detection device 100, comprises a drive element 16 in the form of an endless drive belt 18, which is guided around two deflection pulleys 20, 22. One of the two deflection pulleys 20, 22, the deflection pulley 22 in the illustrated embodiment, is coupled to a drive motor 24 in the form of an electric motor 25, shown only symbolically. The drive motor 24 or the electric motor 25 is reversible in rotation in order to move a structural unit 26 fastened to the conveyor element 16 or the drive belt 18 back and forth in the direction of the double arrow 28 parallel to the viewing window 106, at least in the area of ​​the field of view 108.For reasons of compact design, the assembly 26 is attached to the underside of the drive belt 18 in the region of a recess 30 of the drive belt 18 in the area between the two deflection pulleys 20, 22. Furthermore, the drive mechanism 14 or the drive belt 18 is at least partially covered by a cover element 32.

[0020] In the Fig. 1 shows a parked position of the assembly 26, in which the assembly 26 is arranged near one deflection roller 20. In the parked position, the upper side of the assembly 26 is arranged at a short distance from the cover element 32, so that the assembly 26 is arranged in a protected manner. In the area below the field of view 108, which is to be cleaned by the cleaning device 10, the cover element 32 has an elongated or slot-shaped recess 34. In the area of ​​the recess 34, the assembly 26 is at least partially freely accessible to enable cleaning of the viewing window 106 or the field of view 108.

[0021] The assembly 26 has at least one compressed air nozzle 36 and at least one spray nozzle 38 on the side facing the viewing window 106 or the field of vision 108. The compressed air nozzle 36 is coupled to a compressed air source 42 via a (flexible) hose 40 in order to direct compressed air DL via the compressed air nozzle 36 onto the viewing window 106 at least in the region of the field of vision 108 of the environment detection device 100. The at least one spray nozzle 38 is connected via a further (flexible) hose 44 to a pump device 46 for supplying a pressurized cleaning fluid RF to the spray nozzle 38. The pump device 46 conveys the cleaning fluid RF from a reservoir (not shown).

[0022] As shown by the Fig. 2, the outlet areas of the compressed air nozzle 36 and the spray nozzle 38 are aligned with the viewing window 106 or the viewing field 108 in such a way that the compressed air DL or the cleaning fluid RF hits the viewing window 106 or the viewing field 108 at the desired location.

[0023] During operation of the cleaning device 10, the assembly 26 is moved back and forth in the area between the two deflection rollers 20, 22 by means of the drive motor 24 or the electric motor 25 in the direction of the double arrow 28. The compressed air nozzle 36 or the spray nozzle 38 is activated only in the areas outside the parking position, in which the assembly 26 is in the area of ​​the recess 42.

[0024] In the Fig. 3 is a comparison with the Fig. 1 and Fig.2 shows a modified cleaning device 10a. Its drive mechanism 14a has a rotating spindle 52 as the drive element 16, whose external thread (not shown) interacts with an internal thread formed on the structural unit 26a as a counter-thread. By rotating the rotating spindle 52 in one or the other direction of its rotational axis 54, the structural unit 26a is moved back and forth along the viewing window 106 or the viewing field 108, in a manner analogous to the cleaning device 10.

[0025] The cleaning device 10, 10a or the environment detection device 100 described so far can be modified in a variety of ways without deviating from the inventive concept. In particular, it is conceivable that the at least one compressed air nozzle 36 and at least one spray nozzle 38 are replaced by a single nozzle, which serves to supply or distribute both media. Reference symbol 10, 10a Cleaning device 14, 14a Drive mechanism 16 Drive element 18 drive belts 20 pulley 22 pulley 24 drive motor 25 electric motor 26, 26a unit 28 Double arrow 30 recess 32 cover element 34 recess 36 compressed air nozzle 38 spray nozzle 40 hose 42 Compressed air source 44 hose 46 Pumping device 52 turning spindle 54 axis of rotation 100 environment detection device 102 housings 104 Sensor element 106 Viewing window 108 field of view DL compressed air RF cleaning fluid

Claims

[1] Cleaning device (10; 10a) for an environment recognition device (100) of a vehicle, wherein the cleaning device (10; 10a) is designed to clean the environment recognition device (100) at least in the region of a field of vision (108) of a viewing window (106), with at least one spray nozzle (38) for spraying a cleaning liquid (RF) onto the viewing window (106) and at least one compressed air nozzle (36) for supplying compressed air (DL) onto the viewing window (106), wherein the at least one spray nozzle (38) and the at least one compressed air nozzle (36) are arranged on a common structural unit (26; 26a), and wherein the structural unit (26; 26a) is coupled to a drive mechanism (14; 14a) which is designed to move the structural unit (26; 26a back and forth, preferably in parallel, along the viewing window (106). [2] Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the structural unit (26; 26a) is coupled to a drive element (16) of the drive mechanism (14; 14a) which is movable by a drive motor (24), in particular an electric motor (25). [3] Cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized by that the drive element (16) is designed as an endless drive belt (18) which is guided around two deflection rollers (20, 22), that the structural unit (26) is connected to the drive element (16), and that the structural unit (26) is movable in a region between the two deflection rollers (20, 22). [4] Cleaning device according to claim 3, characterized by that the structural unit (26) is arranged on an underside of the drive belt (18) facing away from the viewing window (106) between the two deflection rollers (20, 22). [5] Cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized bythat the drive element (16) is designed as a rotary spindle (52) rotatable about a rotation axis (54), the thread of which cooperates with a counter thread of the structural unit (26a), so that the structural unit (26a) is movable along the rotary spindle (52) when the rotary spindle (52) rotates. [6] Cleaning device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by that the direction of rotation of the drive motor (25) is reversible to change the direction of movement of the structural unit (26; 26a). [7] Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the structural unit (26; 26a) can be positioned in a parking position in which the structural unit (26; 26a) is covered by a cover element (32) on an upper side of the structural unit (26; 26a) facing the viewing window (106), at least in the region of the at least one compressed air nozzle (36) and the at least one spray nozzle (38). [8] Cleaning device according to claim 7, characterized bythat the cover element (32) is arranged at a short distance from the upper side of the structural unit (26; 26a) and has a recess (34) at least along the field of view (108) of the viewing window (106) in order to enable the compressed air (DL) and the cleaning liquid (RF) to be discharged by means of the structural unit (26; 26a) by means of the at least one compressed air nozzle (36) and the at least one spray nozzle (38) outside the parking position. [9] Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the at least one spray nozzle (38) and the at least one compressed air nozzle (36) are each connected at least indirectly via flexible hoses (40, 44) to a pump device (46) for supplying the cleaning liquid (RF) and to a compressed air source (42). [10] Environment detection device (100) for a vehicle, with a cleaning device (10; 10a) which is designed according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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