Vehicle cleaning system

Abstract

Title: Vehicle Cleaning System A vehicle cleaning system (10) for a vehicle (100) comprising: - a telescopic unit (12), and a cleaning unit (14) for distributing at least one fluid to clean a surface (16) of the vehicle (100). The cleaning unit (14) is mounted on the telescopic unit (12), and the telescopic unit (12) positions the cleaning unit (14) relative to the surface (16) so that the cleaning unit (14) deflects an air stream at least partially onto the surface (16). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle cleaning system. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle cleaning system for cleaning sensors fitted to the vehicle. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Numerous technical solutions for cleaning surfaces in the automotive sector are currently known. However, the increasing number of surfaces to be cleaned on a vehicle and on sensors is continuously increasing the need for stored cleaning fluid. Furthermore, cleaning requirements, particularly for sensors, are becoming increasingly stringent, necessitating efficient and resource-conserving solutions to meet this demand.

[0003] Moreover, the continuous reduction of weight in the field of vehicles to decrease consumption and the development of competition result in pressure on costs so that more advantageous and economical components are needed for vehicles.

[0004] DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a vehicle cleaning system comprising: a telescopic unit, a cleaning unit for distributing at least one fluid to clean a surface of the vehicle, a system in which the cleaning unit is installed on the telescopic unit, and the telescopic unit positions the cleaning unit relative to the surface so that the cleaning unit deflects a stream of air at least partially onto the surface.

[0006] The vehicle cleaning system according to the invention has the advantage, compared to the prior art, that the telescopic unit allows the cleaning unit to be positioned within the air stream so that the cleaning unit deflects the air stream relative to that surface, in particular the sensor surface. The cleaning unit makes it possible to direct portions of the air stream in a targeted manner onto the surface to improve the cleaning effect, in particular with the cleaning fluid, and to clean the surface, especially the surface of a sensor. The cleaning unit makes it possible to modify the air stream to increase its velocity and thus increase the impact velocity of the air stream or the cleaning fluid. This improves the efficiency of the cleaning unit and, where applicable, reduces the consumption of cleaning fluid.

[0007] According to the invention, the vehicle has a cleaning system with a telescopic unit to move the cleaning unit and position it relative to the surface to be cleaned.

[0008] In other words, the cleaning unit can, during vehicle movement, deflect the air stream at least partially away from the surface to improve the cleaning effect. The cleaning unit can also deflect at least a portion of the air stream onto the specific surface to be cleaned, in combination with the distribution of cleaning fluid to clean the sensor surface. The distribution of the fluid to clean the vehicle surface allows for cleaning with air, water, or an air-water mixture (or air-windshield washer fluid). The cleaning system includes a nozzle for dispensing air, water (windshield washer fluid), or the air-liquid mixture.

[0009] The telescopic unit moves the cleaning unit from its storage position to its cleaning position in which the outer contour of the cleaning unit and the outer contour of the surface to be cleaned overlap at least partially.

[0010] This embodiment has the advantage that the cleaning unit acts as a kind of screen, or windbreak, for the surface, and at least partially deflects the airflow away from the surface. Furthermore, this arrangement has the advantage that during cleaning, the cleaning unit also provides protection against dirt.

[0011] By way of example, the air stream is oriented perpendicularly above the surface. Thus, the top of the surface has an outer contour which corresponds in particular to the edge of the sensor. The cleaning unit, in cross-sectional view, also has an outer contour perpendicular to the air stream. This outer contour of the cleaning unit in the cleaning position overlaps the outer contour of the surface to be cleaned.

[0012] The cleaning unit has a deployable protective element which deflects the air stream from the surface when deployed.

[0013] This embodiment has the advantage of increasing the surface area of ​​the cleaning unit by means of this deployable protective element and thus significantly increasing the protection against air for surface cleaning or, in other words, further improving cleaning efficiency. The protective element includes a detachment edge that generates an air vortex deflecting the air stream away from the surface to be cleaned.

[0014] The cleaning unit diverts the fluid to clean or retract or deploy the protective element.

[0015] This embodiment has the advantage of not requiring another fluid or control means, thus reducing the total number of components in the cleaning system. The cleaning unit can therefore use the pressurized cleaning fluid or liquid to move the protective element and extend or retract it. The protective element is, for example, in the form of a telescopic canopy or shelter with a control cylinder which receives the cleaning fluid to deploy; the exit of the cleaning fluid from the cylinder produces the retraction of the telescopic canopy.

[0016] The protective element preferably has a wiping element for cleaning the surface.

[0017] This embodiment has the advantage of allowing, with the wiping element, the removal of particularly stubborn dirt from the surface by abrasion, thus significantly improving the efficiency of the cleaning system. The wiping element may also preferably have a wiping blade, a cleaning relief, a cleaning cloth, or similar equipment on the movable protective element in the direction of its deployment and retraction.

[0018] According to another feature, the cleaning unit deflects the air stream so that the distributed fluid is at least partially directed onto the surface or is accelerated by the air stream.

[0019] This embodiment has the advantage that the fluid distribution direction and speed can be increased or adjusted by modifying the air stream using the cleaning unit. This significantly improves the cleaning efficiency of the system. The cleaning unit can also distribute fluid in a first distribution direction, and this cleaning unit is further designed to modify the fluid distribution direction by diverting the air stream, for example, to target a specific area of ​​the surface to be cleaned with the fluid.

[0020] In addition, the cleaning unit makes it possible to accelerate the fluid after its distribution with the speed of the air stream to increase the impact speed of the fluid on the surface and make the cleaning effect by the fluid more effective.

[0021] The cleaning unit has at least one deflector element (or canopy) to deflect the stream, this element being chosen from the group comprising: fin, radius of curvature of the housing of the cleaning unit, wing element, drilling in the housing of the cleaning unit or outer contour of the housing of the cleaning unit.

[0022] Preferably, the cleaning unit distributes the fluid according to a predefined pattern, which has the advantage that the fluid pattern can be a succession of cleaning steps and geometric shapes of the distribution direction of the fluid distribution surface adapted to a cleaning program which, thanks to the pattern, makes it possible to increase the cleaning efficiency accordingly.

[0023] The cleaning unit develops a predefined pattern, symmetrical with respect to the surface, which has the advantage that the symmetry generates a uniform spray image of the cleaning unit, thus reducing the consumption of cleaning liquid.

[0024] Preferably, the predefined pattern has, in sections according to the direction of movement of the vehicle, an equilateral triangle shape.

[0025] In addition, preferably, the surface of the section of the cleaning unit is orthogonal to the direction of movement of the vehicle.

[0026] The cleaning unit has a sealing unit to achieve a practically completely closed volume with the cleaning unit around the surface to soften the fouling of the surface to be cleaned.

[0027] This solution has the advantage that a virtually completely closed volume allows the surface fouling to be softened with a liquid that cannot escape from this closed volume or be deflected by the air stream. After the virtually completely closed volume is opened by moving the cleaning unit relative to the surface, the cleaning unit can deflect the air stream to dry the surface with the deflected air stream.

[0028] According to another advantageous feature, the telescopic unit presses the sealing unit with the cleaning unit to form a virtually completely closed volume.

[0029] In this embodiment, the telescopic unit can position the cleaning unit in a first position to deflect the air stream, and in a second position to expand the volume to a virtually completely closed state. Thus, the total number of components in the cleaning system is reduced accordingly, as is its weight.

[0030] Preferably, the cleaning unit distributes at least two fluids, the first fluid to clean the surface and the second fluid to adjust the direction of distribution of the first fluid.

[0031] This solution has the advantage that, with the second fluid, the direction of fluid distribution can be adjusted to, for example, apply it in an equilateral triangular shape to the surface to be treated. This makes it possible to uniformize the spray pattern.

[0032] According to an advantageous feature, the cleaning unit mixes the first fluid with the second fluid so that a mist of the first fluid can be created with the second fluid to increase, for example, the cleaning efficiency of soiling. For instance, a type of dust on the surface can be better cleaned with a mist formed from droplets of the second fluid.

[0033] The telescopic unit moves the cleaning unit along a determined trajectory which is linear, radial, or arc-shaped.

[0034] The advantage of this solution is that with a predefined trajectory, the cleaning unit is positioned in a targeted manner with the telescopic unit in front of the surface to increase the efficiency of the cleaning by the cleaning system.

[0035] Another development of the invention is a vehicle equipped with a cleaning system as described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0036] The present invention will be described in more detail below, using different embodiments of a cleaning system according to the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0037] [Fig-1] Diagram of a first embodiment of a cleaning system,

[0038] [Fig.2] Front view of the surface to be cleaned completely covered by the unit cleaning,

[0039] [Fig.3] Diagram of another embodiment of the cleaning unit,

[0040] [Fig.4] Diagram of another embodiment of the wiping unit,

[0041] [Fig. 5] Front view showing the wiping unit forming with the sealing unit a space surrounding the surface to be cleaned,

[0042] [Fig.6] view of another embodiment of the mobile cleaning system according to a radial trajectory,

[0043] [Fig.7] Diagram of a cleaning system with a cleaning position deflecting the air vein,

[0044] [Fig.8] Diagram of a cleaning system with a deployable protective element,

[0045] [Fig.9] Diagram of a cleaning system with a protective element equipped with a wiping element,

[0046] [Fig. 10] diagram of a vehicle equipped with a cleaning system.

[0047] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT METHODS OF THE INVENTION

[0048] Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of a cleaning system.

[0049] The cleaning system 10 comprises a telescopic unit 12 connected to the cleaning unit 14. The cleaning unit 14 distributes a fluid, in particular a cleaning agent, to clean a surface 16. The cleaning unit 14 deflects an air stream 20 away from the surface 16. The cleaning unit 14 is moved, preferably by the telescopic unit, between a storage position 42 and a cleaning position 40. Thus, the outer contour 44 of the cleaning unit 14 and the outer contour 64 of the surface 16 overlap when the cleaning unit 14 is in its cleaning position 40.

[0050] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the cleaning system 10 which has a cleaning unit 14 completely covering the surface 16. The cleaning unit 14 has a section 18 which is orthogonal to the direction of movement of the vehicle 100.

[0051] Figure 3 shows a cleaning system 10 with a telescopic unit 12 and a cleaning unit 14. The cleaning unit 14 has a section 18 that partially intersects the surface 16. The surface 16 forms the cross-sectional surface 17 of the surface 16 which is orthogonal to the direction of movement of vehicle 100. The surface of section 18 of the cleaning unit 14 and the section 17 of the surface 16 overlap at least partially.

[0052] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a cleaning system 10 which includes a telescopic unit 12 and a cleaning unit 14. The cleaning unit 14 distributes the fluid in a predefined distribution direction 24 on the surface 16. The cleaning unit 14 has a sealing unit 36 ​​which forms a practically completely closed volume 38 around the surface 16.

[0053] In this embodiment, depending on the selected cleaning program, the distance between the cleaning unit 14 and the surface 16 is modified or adjusted by applying appropriate pressure. Thus, for example, by enclosing the sensor element with the cleaning unit 14, the sensor is rinsed with windshield washer fluid and then subjected to air pressure by moving the cleaning unit 14 further away from the sensor, thereby "drying" it. Optionally, openings or outlets can be provided on the cleaning unit 14 in the enclosed area on the vehicle 100 or in areas of the cleaning unit 14 to allow controlled drainage of the windshield washer fluid. This has the significant advantage that virtually no area of ​​the vehicle 100 will come into contact with the windshield washer fluid. In addition, such openings in the cleaning unit 14 create suction of the windshield washer fluid within the enclosed volume.This allows the cleaning unit 14 to conduct the windshield washer fluid into the vehicle 100 and back into the reservoir or onto the road. A separate collection tank can also be used.

[0054] The cleaning unit 14 can be moved from the storage position 42 to the cleaning position 40. In addition, the cleaning unit 14 can be moved from the storage position to a sealing position 41 in which the cleaning unit 14 and the sealing unit 36 ​​in the sealing position 41 develop the volume 38 practically completely closed in order to, for example, soften the fouling of the surface 16 with the fluid. Then, the cleaning unit 14 can be placed in the cleaning position 40 in which the cleaning unit 14 can dry the surface 16 by diverting the air stream 20.

[0055] Fig. 5 shows a cleaning system 10 comprising a cleaning unit 14. The cleaning unit 14 forms the volume 38 with the sealing unit 36 ​​surrounding the surface 16.

[0056] Figure 6 shows a cleaning system 10 with a telescopic unit 12 and a cleaning unit 14. The cleaning unit 14 distributes the fluid over the surface 16 in a predefined distribution direction 24. The cleaning unit 14 can also distribute the fluid according to a predefined pattern 25. As shown in Figure 6, The predefined pattern 25 is an equilateral triangle between the nozzle of the cleaning unit 14 and the surface 16. The telescopic unit 18 moves the cleaning unit 14 along a predefined path 31 between its storage position 42 and its cleaning position 40. As shown in [Fig.6], the predefined path 34 is a radial path.

[0057] Figure 7 shows a cleaning system 10 comprising a telescopic unit 12 and a cleaning unit 14. The telescopic unit 12 is moved along a predefined radial path 34 from its storage position 42 to its cleaning position 40 to deflect the air stream 20 by the cleaning unit 14. Thus, the cleaning unit 14 can distribute, in cleaning position 40, in a predefined distribution direction 24 on the surface 16.

[0058] Figure 8 shows a cleaning system 10 with a cleaning unit 14 mounted on a telescopic unit 12. The cleaning unit 14 includes a deployable protective element 28 that is deployed or retracted by a fluid. The deployable protective element 28 deflects the air stream from the surface 16, thus creating wind protection.

[0059] Figure 9 shows a cleaning system 10 with a telescopic unit equipped with a cleaning unit 14. The cleaning unit 14 includes a deployable protective element 28. The deployable protective element 28 carries a wiping element 30 which cleans, in particular, the surface 16 abrasively, preferably by the deployment and retraction movement of the deployable protective element 28.

[0060] Fig. 10 shows very schematically a vehicle 100 equipped with a cleaning system 10 for cleaning the surface 16 of the vehicle 100. The surface 16 is, in particular, the surface of a sensor of the vehicle 100.

[0061] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0062] 10 Cleaning system

[0063] 12 Telescopic Unit

[0064] 14 Cleaning Unit

[0065] 16 Surface to be cleaned

[0066] 17 Surface section 16

[0067] 18 Section orthogonal to the direction of movement of the vehicle

[0068] 20 Air vein

[0069] 24 Predetermined distribution direction on the surface to be cleaned

[0070] 25 Predefined pattern of fluid distribution on the surface to be cleaned

[0071] 28 Deployable protective element

[0072] 31 Predefined trajectory of the cleaning unit

[0073] 36 Sealing unit

[0074] 38 Volume around the surface to be cleaned

[0075] 40 Cleaning position

[0076]

[0077]

[0078]

[0079] 42 Storage position 44 Outer contour of the cleaning unit 64 Outer contour of the surface to be cleaned 100 Vehicle

Claims

Demands

1. A vehicle (100) cleaning system (10) comprising: - a telescopic unit (12), - a cleaning unit (14) for distributing at least one fluid to clean a surface (16) of the vehicle (100), a system wherein - the cleaning unit (14) is installed on the telescopic unit (12), and - the telescopic unit (12) moves the cleaning unit (14) and positions the cleaning unit (14) relative to the surface (16) so that the cleaning unit (14) deflects an air stream at least partially over the surface (16), - the direction of movement of the cleaning unit (14) is inclined relative to the surface (16).

2. Cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic unit (12) moves the cleaning unit (14) into a storage position (42) and a cleaning position (40), and - in the cleaning position (40), the outer contour (40) of the cleaning unit (14) and the outer contour (46) of the surface (16) overlap at least partially.

3. Cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning unit (14) includes a deployable protective element (28), and - the protective element (28) in the deployed position deflects the air stream (20) from the surface (16).

4. Cleaning system (10) according to claim 3, wherein the cleaning unit (14) diverts the cleaning fluid to retract or deploy the protective element (28).

5. Cleaning system (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein the protective element (28) comprises at least one wiping element (30) for cleaning the surface (16).

6. Cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning unit (14) deflects the air stream (20) so that the dispensed fluid is guided or accelerated by the air stream (20) at least partly over the surface (16).

7. Cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning unit (14) includes a deflector element (22) for diverting the air stream (20), this element being selected from the group comprising: fin, radius of curvature of the housing (21) of the cleaning unit (14), fin element, hole in the housing (21) of the cleaning unit (14) or outer contour of the housing (21) of the wiping unit (14).

8. Cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wiping unit (14) applies the fluid according to a predefined pattern.

9. Cleaning system (10) according to claim 8, wherein the cleaning unit (14) develops the predefined pattern symmetrically with respect to the surface (16).

10. Cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning unit (14) has a sealing unit (36), - the sealing unit (36) makes a volume (38) practically completely closed with the cleaning unit (14) around the surface (16) to soften the fouling of the surface (16).

11. A cleaning system (10) according to claim 10, wherein the telescopic unit (12) presses the sealing unit (36) by the cleaning unit (10) to form the volume (38) which is practically completely closed

12. Cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cleaning unit (14) distributes at least two fluids, - the first fluid cleaning the surface (16), - the second fluid regulating the distribution direction (24) of the first fluid.

13. Cleaning system (10) according to claim 12, wherein the cleaning unit (14) mixes the first fluid with the second fluid.

14. Cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the telescopic unit (12) moves the cleaning unit (14) along a predefined path (31), and the predefined path (31) is linear (32), radial (34) or curved.

15. Vehicle (100) comprising a cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims for cleaning a surface (16) of the vehicle (100).

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