LENS CLEANING SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The documents US 2017 297536 A1 and JP 2018 100011 A provide an insight into the knowledge of the person skilled in the art at the time of the invention.

[0002] The invention relates to a lens cleaning system comprising a cover plate for closing an opening of a housing and a cleaning device, The cover lens is transparent.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a housing device for installation in a motor vehicle, wherein the housing device comprises a housing which is designed to accommodate one or more light modules and / or one or more sensor devices and / or to fasten one or more light modules and / or one or more sensor devices to the housing, wherein the housing has an opening, and wherein the housing device comprises such a cover lens cleaning system, wherein the opening of the housing is closed with the cover lens of the cover lens cleaning system.

[0004] When using light modules to generate light distributions in vehicle headlights or vehicle lights, such as vehicle taillights, but especially when integrating optical sensors into such vehicle headlights or vehicle lights, or when using optical sensors housed in a corresponding sensor housing, the requirements for a clear view for the light modules, and especially the optical sensors, are high, as otherwise reliable function is not guaranteed. Accordingly, cover lenses, such as clear cover lenses or diffusers, must be cleaned accordingly and reliably.

[0005] The term "transparent" refers to the wavelength range(s) in which the devices arranged in the housing or in the housing device behind the cover plate, e.g. light modules, sensors, etc., emit and / or receive electromagnetic radiation, i.e. the cover plate is transparent to these wavelengths or wavelengths.

[0006] Wavelength ranges are transparent. The cover plate can be designed with varying degrees of transparency in different areas, depending on the devices arranged behind it.

[0007] Reliable cleaning is particularly important for "optically" transparent lenses, i.e. lenses that are transparent in the wavelength range of visible light.

[0008] Examples of currently available cleaning systems include windshield wipers, washer nozzles, high-pressure washer nozzles, or air pressure cleaning for the lens of a vehicle headlight or vehicle light.

[0009] Cleaning using mechanically moving parts is complex and can be expensive. The use of windshield wipers can be problematic in terms of pedestrian safety, high-pressure cleaning systems often suffer from high water consumption, and the cleaning quality is often mediocre.

[0010] It is an object of the invention to provide a solution for cleaning a cover lens of a housing device suitable for installation in a motor vehicle, wherein the housing device is, for example, an (essential) part of a vehicle headlight, a vehicle lamp, or a sensor housing. This solution is based on non-mechanical approaches and simultaneously enables efficient and targeted cleaning. The optical path should not be interrupted, and the design options with regard to the vehicle headlight, the vehicle lamp, or the sensor housing should be restricted as little as possible.

[0011] This object is achieved with a lens cleaning system mentioned at the outset in that, according to the invention, the cleaning device has an air connection, via which air can be supplied to the cleaning device, and an air outlet, and wherein an air guide channel is formed in the cleaning device, which opens into the air outlet, wherein the air supplied to the cleaning device flows via the air guide channel to the air outlet, exits therefrom in the form of an air stream, which, in order to clean the lens, acts on the outer surface of the lens, wherein in the installed position of the lens, the air outlet is arranged in a lower region of the lens such that the air stream is directed from below onto the outer surface of the lens, and wherein on an underside one or more drainage openings leading into an outside space are provided, via which in the cleaning device,for example, moisture or liquid, such as water, located in the air duct can escape, wherein - in the installed position - at least one membrane element is arranged above the one or more drainage openings, which is reversibly deformable and which is designed such that in a first, so-called ON state, in which the cleaning device is supplied with air, the at least one membrane element is deformed such that the one or more drainage openings are closed, and that in a second, so-called OFF state, in which the cleaning device is not supplied with air, the at least one membrane element is deformed such that the one or more drainage openings are at least partially not closed.

[0012] In the ON state, the membrane element is deformed by the incoming air, for example, from a compressor, in such a way that one or more drainage openings are closed. This allows an air flow to build up in the cleaning device, which is directed towards the cover plate, so that it is cleaned with this air flow. After the compressor is switched off, for example, the membrane element is no longer exposed to incoming air and returns to its original state, so that one or more drainage openings are open again.

[0013] However, due to the installation of the cleaning device in such a way that the air outlet is located below the cover plate (so that the air flows out upwards), particularly due to space constraints, water can enter the cleaning device from above. Water can enter the cleaning device in a variety of ways, for example through rain, moisture condensed on the cover plate, melting snow or ice on the plate, water from a car wash, or water that originates from an additional water nozzle provided for cleaning the cover plate, with which the cover plate can be cleaned using water, in particular using a water jet.

[0014] Water that may collect in the cleaning device can exit the cleaning device via the at least one drainage opening. The cleaning device can thus be drained in a targeted manner by the membrane element reopening the at least one drainage opening after the air supply is switched off (i.e., in the OFF state).

[0015] This is crucial because water entering the cleaning device can cause damage to the cleaning device or surrounding systems (e.g., a compressor that supplies compressed air to the cleaning device, etc.). For example, the cleaning device or the air supply line could freeze, etc. It is also possible for liquid to collect in the cleaning device and be blown onto the cover lens during the next cleaning process, which can lead to contamination of the cover lens.

[0016] The cleaning device, in particular its air outlet, is placed outside the housing device so that the outside of the cover plate can be exposed to the air flow for cleaning.

[0017] The cleaning device is preferably formed from a body, on the underside of which, preferably in the installed position, an outlet is arranged, in which the one or more drainage openings are located. The drainage is thus preferably located at the lowest point of the cleaning device, so that any water that has penetrated can drain away.

[0018] The outlet can be designed in the form of an outlet pipe which protrudes from the underside of the body, wherein the outlet pipe opens into the body of the cleaning device, into the air duct, and wherein the outlet pipe is open towards the outside space.

[0019] The outlet pipe can have any cross-section, for example circular, but in particular also rectangular or square.

[0020] It can be provided that a support element, e.g. a support plate, which extends over a complete cross-section of the outlet pipe, is arranged in the outlet pipe, preferably below the body, wherein preferably the one or more drainage openings are arranged in the support element.

[0021] Preferably, the at least one membrane element is arranged in the outlet pipe and rests on an upper side of the support element, at least partially or completely, depending on the OFF or ON state, on the support element.

[0022] Preferably, several drainage openings are provided, which are arranged in the support plate, e.g. in a grid-like manner.

[0023] The air outlet can be designed with a slotted shape. This allows for a strong airflow that is as well directed as possible onto the cover lens.

[0024] Preferably, the air outlet extends over the entire width of the cover plate.

[0025] The membrane element is preferably designed to be flat and, in an OFF state, ie without exposure to air, in particular compressed air, is bent, in particular bent upwards at the edge, ie bent downwards, so that water can drain downwards through the one or more drainage openings.

[0026] Furthermore, it can be provided that if the membrane element is designed to be flat, it is designed to be substantially flat in an ON state, ie when exposed to air, in particular compressed air, so that it can, for example, lie flat on a support element, in particular a support plate.

[0027] In the ON state, the membrane element can therefore be flat.

[0028] For example, a square or rectangular membrane element (in the ON state) is bent upwards at the edge, specifically on two opposite sides, in the OFF state. In the ON state, air pressure pushes the membrane element (bent in the OFF state) downwards, so that the membrane element closes one or more drainage openings, allowing a corresponding airflow to build up to clean the cover plate.

[0029] Preferably, the membrane element has an extension (length and width, or radius) such that in the ON state all drainage openings are completely covered.

[0030] For example, the at least one membrane element is made of an elastic material, such as an elastic plastic, for example silicone.

[0031] As already mentioned at the beginning, the object of the invention is also achieved with a housing device.

[0032] Preferably, the cleaning device is arranged on the housing, e.g. attached to it, or formed integrally with the housing.

[0033] It can be provided that one or more light modules and / or one or more sensor devices are arranged in the housing and / or that these are fastened to the housing.

[0034] For example, the housing device thus forms a motor vehicle headlight, which contains one or more light modules for generating light distributions (e.g., low beam, high beam, daytime running light, etc.), or a vehicle light (e.g., rear light). The motor vehicle headlight or vehicle light may also contain one or more sensors, in particular "optical" sensors, i.e., sensors that operate with wavelengths in the visible range. However, the housing device may also be a "pure" sensor arrangement, in which only one or more sensors, for example, optical sensors, are arranged in the housing.

[0035] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the non-limiting drawings. Fig. 1 a motor vehicle with a housing device according to the invention, Fig. 2a housing device in the form of a lighting device, e.g. a vehicle headlight, with a cleaning device, in a perspective view, Fig. 3 a housing device in the form of a lighting device, e.g. a vehicle headlight, with a cleaning device, in a view from the front, Fig. 4 a detailed view of part of the cleaning device, Fig. 5 the cleaning device in the area of ​​the outlet, in the OFF state, in a vertical section, Fig. 6 the cleaning device in the area of ​​the outlet, in the ON state, in the vertical section from Figure 5 , Fig. 7 a sectional view with top view of the outlet in the area of ​​a support plate with drainage openings without a membrane element, and Fig. 8 the view from Figure 7 , with a membrane element in the ON state.

[0036] Figure 1shows, by way of example, a motor vehicle 1 with a housing device 100 which is installed in the front of the motor vehicle 1. In the example shown, it is assumed that the housing device 100 is a motor vehicle headlight. However, all statements made below apply regardless of whether the housing device 100 is a motor vehicle headlight or another possible embodiment within the scope of the invention as described in the introduction, and regardless of whether it is arranged on the front, rear, or in other areas of the vehicle, and also regardless of which elements (light modules and / or sensors) are arranged in or on the housing device (behind the cover lens).

[0037] Figure 2 shows the housing device 100 in a perspective view, Figure 3in a front view. The device 100 comprises a housing 102, which is designed to accommodate one or more light modules and / or one or more sensor devices. The housing 102 has an opening on its front side, which is closed by a transparent cover plate 101, behind which the described element(s) (light module(s) and / or sensor device(s)) are located.

[0038] The cover lens 101 together with a cleaning device 103 forms a so-called cover lens cleaning system.

[0039] The cleaning device 103 has an air connection 105, through which air can be supplied to the cleaning device 103, as well as an air outlet 108. An air duct 107 is formed in the cleaning device 103, which opens into the air outlet 108. The air supplied to the cleaning device 103 flows via the air duct 107 to the air outlet 108, from which it exits in the form of an air stream. This air stream acts on the outer surface of the cover plate 101.

[0040] The air supplied via the air connection 105 is generated, for example, by a compressor 200 present on the vehicle and is supplied via a line 201 ( Figure 1 ), which opens into the air connection 105, is fed to the cleaning device 103.

[0041] In the installed position of the cover plate 100 or the housing device 100, the air outlet 108 is located in a lower region of the cover plate 101, such that the air flow is directed from below onto the outer surface of the cover plate 101.

[0042] The cleaning device 103 is formed, for example, from a body 203 which, for example, is hollow on the inside (cavity) or has a flow-through chamber, whereby the air guide channel 107 is formed, which opens into the air outlet 108.

[0043] On an underside 103a of the cleaning device 103 or the body 203 (underside 203a), one or more drainage openings 109 leading into an external space are provided, through which moisture or liquid, such as water, located in the cleaning device 103 or in the body 203, for example in the air duct 107, can escape.

[0044] Furthermore, in the installed position, at least one membrane element 106 is arranged above the one or more drainage openings 109 ( Figure 4 - 6 ), which is reversibly deformable, and which is designed such that in a first, so-called ON state, in which the cleaning device 103 is supplied with air, the at least one membrane element 106 is deformed such that the one or more drainage openings 109 are closed ( Figure 6 ), and that in a second, so-called OFF state, in which the cleaning device 103 is not supplied with air, the at least one membrane element 106 is deformed such that the one or more drainage openings 109 are at least partially not closed ( Figure 5 ). Preferably, all drainage openings are completely open in the OFF state.

[0045] Specifically, as shown, it can be provided that an outlet 104 is arranged on the underside 203a of the body 203, which forms the cleaning device 103, in a lower, preferably in one or the lowest region, in which outlet 104 the one or more drainage openings 109 are arranged. The drainage is thus preferably located at the lowest point of the cleaning device 103 or the body 203, so that any water that has penetrated can drain away in a collected manner.

[0046] In the ON state, the membrane element is deformed by the incoming air, for example, from the compressor 200, in such a way that one or more drainage openings are closed. This allows an air flow to build up in the cleaning device, which is directed toward the cover plate, so that it is cleaned with this air flow. After the compressor is switched off, the membrane element is no longer exposed to incoming air and returns to its original state, so that one or more drainage openings are open again.

[0047] However, due to the installation of the cleaning device in such a way that the air outlet is located below the cover plate (so that the air flows out upwards), particularly due to space constraints, water can enter the cleaning device from above. Water can enter the cleaning device in a variety of ways, for example, through rain, moisture condensed on the cover plate, melting snow or ice on the plate, or through water that originates from an additional water nozzle provided for cleaning the cover plate, with which the cover plate can be cleaned using water, in particular using a water jet.

[0048] Water that collects in the cleaning device can accordingly exit the cleaning device via the at least one drainage opening 109. The cleaning device can thus be drained in a targeted manner by the membrane element reopening the at least one drainage opening after the air supply is switched off, i.e., in the OFF state.

[0049] The outlet 104 can be designed in the form of an outlet pipe 111 which projects from the underside of the body 203, wherein the outlet pipe 111 opens into the body 203 of the cleaning device 103, ie into the air duct 107, via an opening 203b, and wherein the outlet pipe 111 is designed to be open towards the outside space 300.

[0050] The outlet pipe can have any cross-section, for example circular, but in particular also rectangular or square.

[0051] In the outlet pipe 111, preferably below the body 203, a support element, e.g. a support plate 110, which extends over a complete cross-section of the outlet pipe 111, is arranged, wherein the one or, in the example shown, the plurality of drainage openings 109 are arranged in the support element.

[0052] The membrane element 106 is arranged in the outlet pipe 111 and rests on an upper side of the support element 110, at least partially or completely, depending on the OFF or ON state.

[0053] The drainage openings 109 are arranged in a grid-like manner in the example shown (see Figure 7 ).

[0054] The air outlet 108 is preferably slot-shaped, whereby a strong and / or as well as possible directed air flow onto the cover plate can be generated.

[0055] Preferably, the air outlet 108 extends over the entire width of the cover plate 101.

[0056] The air outlet is preferably arranged below the lowest area of ​​the cover plate, preferably as close as possible to this cover plate, approximately without any gap.

[0057] The membrane element 106 is preferably formed flat, and in an OFF state, ie without exposure to air, in particular compressed air, is bent, in particular bent upwards at the edge, ie bent downwards, so that water can drain downwards through the one or more drainage openings ( Figure 5 ).

[0058] In the ON state ( Figure 6, Figure 8 ),That is, when exposed to air, in particular compressed air, the membrane element 106 is essentially flat, so that it rests, for example, flatly on a support element, in particular a support plate 110. In the ON state, the membrane element is thus flat.

[0059] For example, in the case of a square or rectangular membrane element (in the ON state), this is bent up at the edge, specifically on two opposite sides, in the OFF state. ( Figure 5 ). In the ON state, the air pressure p L pushes the membrane element (bent in the OFF state) downwards ( Figure 6 ), so that the membrane element closes the one or more drainage openings 109, and a corresponding air flow can build up to clean the cover plate.

[0060] Preferably, the membrane element has an extension (length and width, or radius) such that in the ON state all drainage openings are completely covered

[0061] The cleaning device 103 is preferably arranged on the housing 102.

[0062] It can be provided that one or more light modules and / or one or more sensor devices are arranged in the housing 102 and / or are attached to the housing 102.

[0063] For example, the housing device thus forms a motor vehicle headlight, which contains one or more light modules for generating light distributions (e.g., low beam, high beam, daytime running light, etc.), or a vehicle light (e.g., rear light). The motor vehicle headlight or vehicle light may also contain one or more sensors, in particular "optical" sensors, i.e., sensors that operate with wavelengths in the visible range. However, the housing device may also be a "pure" sensor arrangement, in which only one or more sensors, for example, optical sensors, are arranged in the housing.

[0064] The drainage according to the invention results in the following advantages, among others: It prevents water from entering the air compressor; freezing of the air supply line can be prevented; Contamination of the lens during the cleaning process can be prevented, thus improving the cleaning quality.

Claims

1. Cover lens cleaning system comprising - a cover lens (101) for closing an opening of a housing (102) and - a cleaning device (103), wherein the cover lens (101) is transparent, wherein the cleaning device (103) comprises - an air connection (105), via which air can be supplied to the cleaning device (103), and - an air outlet (108) and wherein an air guide channel (107) is formed in the cleaning device (103), which opens into the air outlet (108), wherein the air supplied to the cleaning device (103) flows to the air outlet (108) via the air guide channel (107) and emerges from the latter in the form of an air flow which, for cleaning the cover lens (101), acts on the outer surface of the cover lens (101), the air outlet (108) being arranged in a lower region of the cover lens (101) in the installed position of the cover lens (100) such that the air flow is directed from below onto the outer surface of the cover lens (101), characterized in that one or more drainage openings (109) leading into an outer space are provided on an underside (103a), via which moisture or liquid, such as water, present in the cleaning device (103), for example in the air duct (107), can escape, wherein - in the installed position - at least one membrane element (106) is arranged above the one or more drainage openings (109), which is reversibly deformable and which is designed in such a way that in a first, the so-called ON-state, in which the cleaning device (103) is pressurized with air, the at least one membrane element (106) is deformed in such a way that the one or more drainage openings (109) are closed, and that in a second, the so-called OFF state, in which the cleaning device (103) is not acted upon by air, the at least one membrane element (106) is deformed in such a way that the one or more drainage openings (109) are at least partially not closed.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device (103) is formed from a body (203), on the underside (203a) of which, preferably - in the installed position - in a lowermost region, an outlet (104) is arranged, in which outlet (104) the one or more drainage openings (109) are arranged.

3. System according to claim 2, wherein the outlet (104) is designed in the form of an outlet pipe (111) which protrudes from the underside of the body (203), wherein the outlet pipe (111) opens into the body (203) of the cleaning device (103), into the air guide duct (107), and wherein the outlet pipe (111) is designed to be open towards the outer space (300).

4. System according to claim 3, wherein a support element, e.g. a support lens (110), which extends over a complete cross-section of the outlet pipe (111), is arranged in the outlet pipe (111), preferably below the body (203).

5. System according to claim 4, wherein the one or more drainage openings (109) are arranged in the support element.

6. System according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the at least one membrane element (106) is arranged in the outlet pipe (111) and rests on an upper side of the support element, at least partially or completely, depending on the OFF or ON state.

7. System according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a plurality of drainage openings (109) are provided, which are arranged in the support lens (110), e.g. in the form of a grid.

8. System according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the air outlet (108) is slot-shaped.

9. System according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the air outlet (108) extends over an entire width of the cover lens (101).

10. System according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the diaphragm element (106) is designed to be flat, and in an OFF state, i.e. without exposure to air, in particular compressed air, is bent through, in particular bent up at the edge, i.e. bent upwards.

11. System according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the membrane element (106) is designed to be flat, and in an ON state, i.e. without being acted upon by air, in particular compressed air, is designed to be essentially flat, so that it can, for example, rest flat on a support element, in particular a support lens (110).

12. System according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one membrane element (106) is made of an elastic material, such as an elastic plastic, for example a silicone.

13. Housing device (100) for installation in a motor vehicle, wherein the housing device (100) comprises a housing (102) which is arranged to receive one or more light modules and / or one or more sensor devices and / or to attach one or more light modules and / or one or more sensor devices to the housing (102), wherein the housing (102) has an opening, and wherein the housing device (100) comprises a cover lens cleaning system according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the opening of the housing (102) is closed with the cover lens (101) of the cover lens cleaning system.

14. Housing device according to claim 13, wherein the cleaning device (103) is arranged on the housing (102).

15. Housing device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein one or more light modules and / or one or more sensor devices are arranged in the housing (102) and / or are attached to the housing (102).