SENSOR CLEANING SYSTEM

Abstract

A sensor cleaning system includes: an air nozzle that sprays compressed air toward a sensor; a liquid nozzle that sprays liquid toward the sensor; a fluid tank that stores compressed air to be supplied to the air nozzle and liquid to be supplied to the liquid nozzle; an air compressor that compresses external air and feeds it into the fluid tank; and a manifold that selectively feeds compressed air from the fluid tank to the air nozzle and selectively feeds liquid from the fluid tank to the liquid nozzle.

Description

BACKGROUNDTechnical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sensor cleaning system for cleaning a sensor installed in a vehicle. Description of the state of the art

[0002] Generally, a camera or lens used in a sensor installed in or on a vehicle captures images from the surrounding environment and remains in the same location for an extended period of time. The lens (optics) of such sensors can easily become contaminated by the surrounding environment, and the sharpness or clarity of the captured images can be easily affected by such contamination. Furthermore, for sensors required for autonomous vehicle driving, a serious problem can be caused by the deterioration of the accuracy of sensors used for vehicle driving.

[0003] Because of this problem, sensors are generally installed in a housing with a protective glass in front of the sensors to prevent contamination. However, the protective glass, which faces outward, becomes contaminated over time by the external environment. Therefore, the sharpness or clarity of captured images can easily be compromised due to contamination of the protective glass, even if the sensors are protected from direct contamination.

[0004] Accordingly, a sensor cleaning system is used to remove contaminants from a sensor or a protective glass that protects the outer surface of the sensor.

[0005] The conventional sensor cleaning system for a vehicle is equipped with a liquid cleaning device that uses liquid and an air cleaning device that uses air. The liquid cleaning device and the air cleaning device are configured separately. This poses the problem of limited manufacturability of the sensor cleaning system because the size or volume of the sensor cleaning system is excessively increased and the required electrical wiring and piping become excessive.

[0006] In particular, the conventional sensor cleaning system has the problem that an air tank and a fluid tank are installed separately, resulting in an overly large or complicated layout. The system is complicated by the fact that electrical wiring components and piping components are required for both the connection between an air compressor and an air tank and the connection between a liquid pump and a liquid tank for pressurizing and transferring air and liquid. OVERVIEW

[0007] The present disclosure is provided in consideration of the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a sensor cleaning system that achieves improved manufacturability and improved efficiency by simplifying the system configuration and structure.

[0008] The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned objects. Other objects of the present disclosure not mentioned above can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present disclosure proposes a sensor cleaning system. The system includes an air nozzle that sprays compressed air toward a sensor and a liquid nozzle that sprays liquid toward the sensor. The system also includes a fluid tank that stores the compressed air to be supplied to the air nozzle and the liquid to be supplied to the liquid nozzle. The system also includes an air compressor that compresses external air and feeds the compressed external air into the fluid tank. The system also includes a manifold that selectively supplies compressed air from the fluid tank to the air nozzle and selectively supplies liquid from the fluid tank to the liquid nozzle.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fluid tank may be configured to pressurize and transfer the liquid in the fluid tank using the pressure of the compressed air in the fluid tank.

[0011] Furthermore, the distributor may comprise: a housing having an air chamber connected to the air nozzle and a liquid chamber connected to the liquid nozzle; an air chamber valve provided in the housing and controlled to open or close a vent port of the air chamber; and a liquid chamber valve provided in the housing and controlled to open or close a vent port of the liquid chamber.

[0012] The fluid tank may be connected to the air chamber via an air line. The air line may include an air supply control valve configured to control the flow of compressed air supplied from the fluid tank to the air chamber.

[0013] Furthermore, the fluid tank may be connected to the fluid chamber via a fluid line. The fluid line may include a fluid supply control valve configured to control the flow of fluid from the fluid tank into the fluid chamber.

[0014] In addition, a pressure relief line can branch off from the air line, which can contain an electronic pressure relief valve (relief valve) controlled by a controller.

[0015] If the controller detects that a fluid inlet in the fluid tank is open, the compressed air in the fluid tank can be switched to an open mode by operating the electronic pressure relief valve and the air supply control valve.

[0016] Furthermore, the controller may be configured to operate the air chamber valve in an open mode when the electronic pressure relief valve and the air supply control valve operate in an open mode.

[0017] In addition, the controller can be configured to monitor the internal pressure of the fluid tank via a pressure sensor.

[0018] The fluid inlet can be equipped with a mechanical pressure relief valve (relief valve) to relieve excess pressure in the fluid tank. The mechanical relief valve can release compressed air from the fluid tank by opening the fluid inlet when the internal pressure of the fluid tank exceeds a predetermined pressure.

[0019] In addition, the interior of the fluid tank may include a partition module that divides the interior of the fluid tank into two halves and has a ventilation structure through which fluid can pass.

[0020] In particular, the partition module may comprise a plurality of partition plates that bisect the interior of the fluid tank. The plurality of partition plates may have vent openings and be spaced apart from one another in a row. The vent openings of the individual baffles may be arranged at different locations in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement directions of the partition plates. Furthermore, each partition plate may have a structure that slopes from an edge to a vent opening in the center of the partition plate.

[0021] Furthermore, the liquid nozzle can be connected to the liquid chamber via a liquid pipe. The liquid pipe can be equipped with a heater that operates selectively depending on the outside temperature.

[0022] According to the embodiments for solving the above-described problem, the present disclosure provides the following effects.

[0023] First, an air tank and a fluid tank from a conventional sensor cleaning system are integrated. Accordingly, compressed air and fluid can be pressurized and delivered to a sensor using a single air compressor. This simplifies the system configuration and structure, improves system efficiency, and reduces costs and weight.

[0024] Secondly, by eliminating the need for a separate liquid pump, the vibration and noise caused by the liquid pump are reduced or eliminated, and the operating power of the system is also lower compared to conventional systems.

[0025] Third, because the air and fluid tanks of the conventional sensor cleaning system are integrated, and the compressed air and fluid can be pressurized and delivered to a sensor using only the air compressor, the system's electrical wiring and piping are simplified, thereby reducing the energy loss caused by the fluid's pressurized transmission.

[0026] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects. Other effects of the present disclosure not mentioned above can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a sensor cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The Fig. 2-4 show an operating state of the sensor cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a mechanical relief valve of a sensor cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are views showing an operating state of a mechanical pressure relief valve according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 is a view showing a partition module provided in a fluid tank of a sensor cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a forced emission process of a fluid tank in a sensor cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REVELATION

[0027] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The elements or components illustrated in the accompanying drawings are for describing embodiments of the present disclosure and may differ from those actually implemented.

[0028] Furthermore, in the present disclosure, it is to be understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element discussed below could be referred to as a second element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Similarly, the second element could also be referred to as a first element.When a component, device, element, or the like of the present disclosure is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, or the like, the component, device, or element should be considered herein as being "configured to" fulfill that purpose or perform that operation or function.

[0029] As in Fig. 1, a sensor cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an air nozzle 10 for spraying pressurized air onto a sensor 90 to be cleaned, a liquid nozzle 20 for spraying liquid onto the sensor 90, and a fluid tank 30 for storing the pressurized air and the liquid.

[0030] The air nozzle 10 cleans the sensor 90 by spraying compressed air onto the sensor 90, and the liquid nozzle 20 cleans the sensor 90 by spraying liquid onto the sensor 90. The liquid may be a cleaning fluid for cleaning the sensor 90.

[0031] The fluid tank 30 stores the compressed air supplied to the air nozzle 10 and the liquid supplied to the liquid nozzle 20. In the fluid tank 30, the compressed air and the liquid can be separated by density difference and gravity. The compressed air is stored in a first space of an interior of the fluid tank 30, and the liquid is stored in a second space of the interior of the fluid tank 30. The interior of the fluid tank 30 includes the first space and the second space. Based on the direction of the gravity effect, the first space may be located above the second space. In other words, the first space may be an upper space of the interior of the fluid tank 30, and the second space may be a lower space of the interior of the fluid tank 30.

[0032] Compressed air is air that is pressurized to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. The compressed air is pressurized by an air compressor 38 and then fed into the fluid tank 30. The liquid is selectively pressurized and then transported out of the fluid tank 30 by the pressure of the compressed air. The liquid can be pressurized by the pressure of the compressed air in the fluid tank 30 and then transported from the fluid tank 30 to the liquid nozzle 20 and sprayed through the liquid nozzle 20 toward the sensor 90.

[0033] The air compressor 38 can be mounted at the upper end of the fluid tank 30. The air compressor is provided in the fluid tank 30 such that the air compressor is connected to the first chamber of the fluid tank 30, which stores compressed air. The operation of the air compressor 38 is controlled by a controller 80.

[0034] The controller 80 controls a sensor cleaning system as a whole. The controller 80 can monitor the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30 via a pressure sensor 39 that detects the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30. In this case, the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30 can refer to the pressure of the compressed air.

[0035] The fluid tank 30 includes an air outlet 31 for discharging compressed air, a liquid outlet 32 ​​for discharging liquid, and a liquid inlet 33 for injecting or supplying liquid. As shown in Fig. 1, the air outlet 31 is located at an upper part of the fluid tank 30 and the liquid outlet 32 ​​is located at the lower part of the fluid tank 30. The liquid inlet 33 can be arranged on one side of the fluid tank 30 regardless of the height of the liquid stored in the fluid tank 30.

[0036] The air outlet 31 is connected to an air line 34 for the flow of compressed air. The liquid outlet 32 ​​is connected to a liquid line 35 through which liquid can flow. The fluid tank 30 is connected to the distributor 40 via the air line 34 and the liquid line 35 through which liquid (e.g., air or liquid) can flow. Furthermore, the fluid tank 30 is connected to the air nozzle 10 and the liquid nozzle 20 via the distributor 40.

[0037] The distributor 40 is configured to selectively supply compressed air supplied from the fluid tank 30 to the air nozzle 10, and it is configured to selectively supply liquid supplied from the fluid tank 30 to the liquid nozzle 20.

[0038] Specifically, the distributor 40 comprises a housing 41 having an air chamber 42 and a liquid chamber 44 independently of each other, an air chamber valve 46 for opening or closing a vent opening 43 of the air chamber 42, and a liquid chamber valve 48 for opening or closing a vent opening 45 of the liquid chamber 44.

[0039] The air chamber 42 is connected to the fluid tank 30 via the air line 34 such that air can flow through it. The liquid chamber 44 is connected to the fluid tank 30 via the liquid line 35 such that liquid can flow through it.

[0040] Furthermore, the vent opening 43 of the air chamber 42 is connected to the air nozzle 10 via an air pipe 12 such that liquid can flow through. The vent opening 45 of the liquid chamber 44 is connected to the liquid nozzle 20 via a liquid pipe 22 such that liquid can flow through.

[0041] The air chamber valve 46 is an electronic solenoid valve controlled by the controller 80. The air chamber valve 46 is configured to open or close the vent opening 43 of the air chamber 42 by a plunger 47 that moves linearly by an electromagnetic force. As shown in Fig. 1, the air chamber valve 46 is arranged at the lower part of the air chamber 42 and is configured to open or close the vent opening 43 of the air chamber 42 by the linear movement of the plunger 47.

[0042] The fluid chamber valve 48 is also an electronic solenoid valve controlled by the controller 80. The fluid chamber valve 48 is configured to open or close the vent opening 45 of the fluid chamber 44 by a plunger 49 that moves linearly by an electromagnetic force. As shown in Fig. 1, the liquid valve 48 is arranged at the lower part of the liquid chamber 44 and is configured to open or close the vent opening 45 of the liquid chamber 44 by the linear movement of the plunger 49.

[0043] In addition, the air line 34 is provided with an air supply control valve 36 that controls the compressed air flowing from the fluid tank 30 through the air line 34 into the air chamber 42. The liquid line 35 is provided with a liquid supply control valve 37 that controls the liquid flow from the fluid tank 30 to the liquid chamber 44 via the liquid line 35. The air supply control valve 36 and the liquid supply control valve 37 are controlled by the controller 80.

[0044] In the sensor cleaning system of the present disclosure configured as described above, the compressed air in the fluid tank 30 flows through the air line 34 to the air chamber 42, as shown in Fig. 2 when the air compressor 38 is operated by (e.g., upon instruction) the controller 80 and the air supply control valve 36 and the air chamber valve 46 operate in an open mode. The compressed air flowing into the air chamber 42 is supplied to the air nozzle 10 through the vent opening 43 of the air chamber 42 and sprayed onto the sensor 90 through the air nozzle 10 such that the sensor 90 is cleaned.

[0045] Furthermore, in the sensor cleaning system, when the air compressor 38 is operated by (e.g., upon instruction) the controller 80 and the liquid supply control valve 37 and the liquid chamber valve 48 operate in an open mode, the liquid in the fluid tank 30 flows through the liquid line 35 to the liquid chamber 44, as shown in Fig. 3. The liquid flowing into the liquid chamber 44 is supplied to the liquid nozzle 20 through the vent opening 45 of the liquid chamber 44 and sprayed through the liquid nozzle 20 toward the sensor 90 in such a way that the sensor 90 is cleaned. In this case, the liquid is pressurized and transported from the fluid tank 30 to the liquid nozzle 20 by the pressure of the compressed air in the fluid tank 30 and then sprayed to the sensor 90.

[0046] In addition, the liquid pipe 22 is provided with a heater 23 to prevent the liquid nozzle 20 and the liquid pipe 22 from freezing at low outside temperatures. The heater 23 is controlled by the controller 80 and operates selectively (e.g., it generates heat selectively) depending on the outside temperature. The heating element 23 enables the heating of the liquid nozzle 20 by transferring the heat of the heating element 23 to the liquid nozzle 20 when the liquid pipe 22 is heated. Furthermore, the heating element enables the direct heating of the liquid nozzle 20 when the end portion of the heating element 23 is in contact with or close to the liquid nozzle 20. The heating element 23 can be connected to the controller 80 via a connection 24 provided in the manifold 40. The controller 80 can be stacked in the lower part of the manifold 40 (see Fig. 1).

[0047] In addition, the sensor cleaning system is also capable of spraying compressed air and liquid onto the sensor 90 at the same time, as shown in Fig. 4. The control of the controller 80, which sprays compressed air through the air nozzle 10 onto the sensor 90, takes place simultaneously with the control of the controller 80, which sprays liquid through the liquid nozzle 20 onto the sensor 90.

[0048] At the same time, the fluid inlet 33 in the fluid tank 30 is equipped with a mechanical relief valve (pressure relief valve) 50. The mechanical pressure relief valve 50 for relieving the excess pressure in the fluid tank 30 releases compressed air from the fluid tank 30 by selectively opening the fluid inlet 33. The mechanical pressure relief valve 50 relieves the excess pressure in the fluid tank 30, for example, by opening the fluid inlet 33 when the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30 exceeds a predetermined pressure when starting or parking a vehicle.

[0049] For this purpose, the liquid inlet 33 protrudes outwards from the outer surface of the fluid tank 30 and is arranged higher than a predetermined maximum height of the liquid to be stored in the fluid tank 30.

[0050] As in Fig. 5, the mechanical pressure relief valve 50 is configured to include a valve housing 51 having a vent opening 52, a valve body 53 located in the valve housing 51 to open or close the vent opening 52, and a valve cap 54 to elastically urge the valve body 53 toward the vent opening 52.

[0051] To enable the mechanical pressure relief valve 50 to function as a closure for the fluid inlet 33, the valve housing 51 is removably attached to the fluid inlet 33. The vent opening 52 is directly connected to the fluid inlet 33.

[0052] In particular, the valve housing 51 may have an outer surface with a spiral structure that can be attached to the inner surface of the liquid inlet 33. The valve housing 51 may have a vent opening 52 on its underside. The top of the valve housing is covered with a valve cap 54. The valve cap 54 is mounted on the top of the valve housing 51 for linear movement.

[0053] A spring element 56 is arranged between the valve cap 54 and the valve body 53 and is connected thereto. The valve body 53 is pressed downward toward the vent opening 52 by the elastic restoring force of the spring element 56.

[0054] The valve body 53 is mounted so that it is linearly movable inside the valve housing 51 and moves in the direction in which the vent opening 52 is opened by selectively compressing the spring element 56 by the pressure of the compressed air flowing and acting through the vent opening 52.

[0055] The valve cap 54 has a cap outlet 55 that is selectively connected to the vent opening 52 and discharges compressed air to the outside through the cap outlet 55 when the vent opening 52 is opened. When the valve cap 54 is rotated by a user in the valve housing 51 in the release direction, the valve cap 54 moves linearly away from the vent opening 52, as shown in Fig. 6. Accordingly, when the spring element 56 is loosened, the elastic restoring force of the spring element 56 pressing on the valve body 53 is reduced, and the vent hole 52 is opened. In this way, the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30 can be manually relieved when necessary.

[0056] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, when the fluid tank 30 is overpressured, the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30 increases and becomes greater than the elastic restoring force of the spring element 56. This further compresses the spring element 56, causing the valve body 53 to move toward the valve cap 54, which is located at a position opposite the vent opening 52. Accordingly, when the vent opening 52 is opened, the compressed air (compressed air) in the fluid tank 30 is discharged to the outside, and the overpressure in the fluid tank 30 is relieved.

[0057] When the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30 increases and exceeds a predetermined pressure, the excess pressure in the fluid tank 30 is relieved by discharging the compressed air in the fluid tank 30 to the outside through the mechanical pressure relief valve 50.

[0058] In addition, the cap outlet 55 can be connected to a vent hose 57. The vent hose 57 can be routed to the underside of a vehicle or in such a way that a user is not obstructed when operating the mechanical pressure relief valve 50.

[0059] Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the Fig. 1. The partition module 60 is arranged inside the fluid tank 30. The partition module 60 bisects the interior of the fluid tank 30 into a first space and a second space.

[0060] The first space of the fluid tank 30 stores compressed air, the second space of the fluid tank 30 stores liquid, and a part of the second space of the fluid tank 30 (ie, the space next to the partition module) can store compressed air.

[0061] The partition module 60 prevents liquid from flowing into the first space of the fluid tank 30 when the fluid tank 30 is subjected to vibrations or shocks during driving.

[0062] In addition, the partition module 60 bisects the interior of the fluid tank 30 into a first and a second space and has a ventilation structure through which fluid can flow so that the pressure of the compressed air stored in the first space can act on the liquid stored in the second space.

[0063] In other words, the partition module 60 has at least one vent opening 64, 65 and 66 so that the pressure of the compressed air can act on the second space of the fluid tank 30 and at the same time prevent liquid from flowing into the first space of the fluid tank 30.

[0064] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the partition module 60 includes a plurality of partition plates 61, 62, 63 that divide an interior of the fluid tank 30 into a first and a second space. A plurality of the partition plates 61, 62, 63 are spaced apart in a row within the fluid tank 30 and each have a vent opening 64, 65, 66. A plurality of the partition plates 61, 62, 63 can be arranged at the top and bottom (e.g., vertically) within the fluid tank 30.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the partition module 60 includes a first partition plate 61, a second partition plate 62, and a third partition plate 63. The first partition plate 61 has a first vent hole 64 located at its center and a rim portion fixed in an inner wall surface of the fluid tank 30. A second partition plate 62 is disposed above the first partition plate 61 and has a second vent hole 65 located at the center of the partition plate and a rim portion fixed in the inner wall of the fluid tank 30. Furthermore, a third partition plate 63 is disposed above the second partition plate 62 and has a third vent hole 66 located at its center and a rim portion fixed in the inner wall surface of the fluid tank 30.

[0066] The first partition plate 61, the second partition plate 62, and the third partition plate 63 are sheet metal structures whose edges are firmly and completely bonded to the inner wall surfaces of the fluid tank 30. The first partition plate 61, the second partition plate 62, and the third partition plate 63 allow the liquid to flow only through the respective vent holes 64, 65, and 66. At this time, to prevent liquid from flowing through the vent holes 64, 65, and 66 into the first space of the fluid tank 30, the first vent hole 64, the second vent hole 65, and the third vent hole 66 are arranged at a different location in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the partition plates 61, 62, and 63. For example, if the partition plates 61, 62, 63 are arranged at the top and bottom (e.g. vertically), the vent openings 64, 65, 66 are positioned at a different location in the horizontal direction relative to each other.

[0067] To allow the liquid to flow smoothly back into the second space of the fluid tank 30 when the liquid enters the first space of the fluid tank 30 through the vent holes 64, 65, 66, each partition plate 61, 62, 63 has a structure that slopes from its edge to the vent holes 64, 65, 66 in the center. For example, each partition plate 61, 62, 63 may have a funnel structure or a trumpet structure.

[0068] In addition, condensate water, which is formed when moisture in the compressed air condenses, can flow into the second space of the fluid tank 30 through the inclined structure of the partition plates 61, 62, 63. As shown in Fig. 1, the liquid inlet 33 of the fluid tank 30 can be positioned at a location lower than the partition module 60.

[0069] Meanwhile, as in Fig. 1, a pressure relief line 70 branches off (e.g., branches, diverges) from the air line 34 connected to the fluid tank 30. The pressure relief line 70 is provided with an electronic relief valve 71 controlled by the controller 80.

[0070] The electronic pressure relief valve 71 can force the compressed air in the fluid tank 30 to be released before injecting or supplying liquid into and filling the fluid tank 30. In other words, the electronic pressure relief valve 71 can forcefully release the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30 until atmospheric pressure is reached by operating in an open mode when the liquid inlet 33 is opened to inject liquid into the fluid tank 30.

[0071] If the controller 80 determines that the liquid inlet 33 is open (S100), the controller switches the electronic pressure relief valve 71 and the air supply control valve 36 to an open mode (S110), as shown in Fig. 9. Next, the controller 80 determines whether the internal pressure (Ptank) of the fluid tank 30 reaches atmospheric pressure S120. When the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30 reaches atmospheric pressure, the controller 80 switches the electronic pressure relief valve 71 and the air supply control valve 36 to a closed mode S130.

[0072] When the controller 80 operates the electronic pressure relief valve 71 and the air supply control valve 36 in an open mode, the controller may also operate the air chamber valve 46 in an open mode, thereby shortening the forced venting time in the fluid tank 30.

[0073] The controller 80 can monitor the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30 via a pressure sensor 39. The pressure sensor 39 is arranged in the fluid tank 30 and detects the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30 in real time. If the controller 80 determines that the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30 drops below a predetermined pressure, the controller 80 can determine that the liquid inlet 33 is open. The liquid inlet 33 is opened by separating the valve housing 51 of the mechanical pressure relief valve 50 from the liquid inlet 33.

[0074] In addition, the controller 80 can control the operation of the air compressor 38 based on the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30.

[0075] Meanwhile, it is not possible to clean the sensor 90 while the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30 is rising at atmospheric pressure by the air compressor 38 when a vehicle is restarted. Accordingly, the controller 80 can forcibly clean the sensor 90 by applying and transmitting compressed air to the air nozzle 10 when the fluid inlet 33 is opened immediately after the vehicle engine is turned off. This eliminates the need to clean the sensor 90 immediately after a vehicle is restarted.

[0076] Furthermore, the internal pressure of the fluid tank 30 is maintained when the fluid inlet 33 is not opened after the engine of a vehicle is turned off. Furthermore, the constant power of the vehicle is used for forced ventilation of the fluid tank 30 and for the air compressor 39 to detect whether the fluid inlet 33 is open or not when the engine of a vehicle is turned off.

[0077] Embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, but the terms used in the specification and claims are not to be construed in their ordinary or dictionary sense. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and improvements that can be made by those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims are also included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

[1] Sensor cleaning system, comprising: an air nozzle configured to spray compressed air onto a sensor; a liquid nozzle configured to spray liquid onto the sensor; a fluid tank configured to store compressed air to be supplied to the air nozzle and liquid to be supplied to the liquid nozzle; an air compressor configured to compress external air and feed the compressed external air into the fluid tank; and a distributor configured to selectively supply compressed air from the fluid tank to the air nozzle and to selectively supply liquid from the fluid tank to the liquid nozzle. [2] The sensor cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the fluid tank is configured to pressurize and transfer the liquid in the fluid tank using the pressure of the compressed air in the fluid tank. [3] Sensor cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the manifold comprises: a housing having an air chamber connected to the air nozzle and a liquid chamber connected to the liquid nozzle; an air chamber valve provided in the housing and controlled to open or close a vent opening of the air chamber; and a fluid chamber valve provided in the housing and controlled to open or close a vent opening of the fluid chamber. [4] The sensor cleaning system of claim 3, wherein the fluid tank is connected to the air chamber via an air line, and wherein the air line includes an air supply control valve configured to control the flow of pressurized air supplied from the fluid tank to the air chamber. [5] The sensor cleaning system of claim 3, wherein the fluid tank is connected to the fluid chamber via a fluid line, and wherein the fluid line includes a fluid supply control valve configured to control the flow of fluid supplied from the fluid tank to the fluid chamber. [6] Sensor cleaning system according to claim 4, wherein a pressure relief line branches off from the air line and comprises an electronic pressure relief valve controlled by a controller. [7] The sensor cleaning system of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to divert the pressurized air in the fluid tank by operating the electronic pressure relief valve and the air supply control valve in an open mode when the controller detects that a liquid inlet provided in the fluid tank is open. [8] The sensor cleaning system of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to operate the air chamber valve in an open mode when the electronic pressure relief valve and the air supply control valve operate in an open mode. [9] Sensor cleaning system according to claim 6, wherein the controller is arranged to monitor the internal pressure of the fluid tank via a pressure sensor. [10] Sensor cleaning system according to claim 7, wherein the fluid inlet is provided with a mechanical pressure relief valve to relieve the excess pressure in the fluid tank. [11] The sensor cleaning system of claim 10, wherein the mechanical relief valve releases compressed air in the fluid tank from the fluid tank by opening the fluid inlet when the internal pressure of the fluid tank exceeds a predetermined pressure. [12] The sensor cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid tank is provided with a partition module, and wherein the partition module bisects the interior of the fluid tank and has a ventilation structure through which a fluid can pass. [13] The sensor cleaning system of claim 12, wherein the partition module comprises a plurality of partition plates bisecting the interior of the fluid tank, the plurality of partition plates having vent holes and being spaced apart in a row, and the vent holes of each of the partition plates being arranged at different locations in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the partition plates. [14] The sensor cleaning system of claim 13, wherein each partition plate has a structure that slopes from its edge to an air opening in the center. [15] Sensor cleaning system according to claim 3, wherein the liquid nozzle is connected to the liquid chamber via a liquid pipe and the liquid pipe is provided with a heater which operates selectively depending on the outside temperature.

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