Fluid distribution assembly for cleaning a vehicle sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid distribution assembly (1) for cleaning the surface of a sensor on a motor vehicle. The fluid distribution assembly (1) comprises: - a high-pressure source (10) designed to deliver a pressurized fluid; - a nozzle (13) equipped with a valve; - a flexible hose fluidly connecting the high-pressure source (10) and the valve such that, when the valve is closed, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source (10) can be collected in said flexible hose and sprayed under high pressure onto the sensor surface by the nozzle (13) when the valve is open. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Fluid distribution assembly for cleaning a vehicle sensor FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle cleaning system and a method for cleaning it. In particular, the present invention relates to a fluid distribution system designed to clean at least one sensor of a motor vehicle, and in particular an autonomous vehicle.

[0002] In particular, the present invention aims to provide a fluid distribution assembly for which the reaction time is shorter than fluid distribution assemblies known in the prior art, and requiring a reduced space for their installation.

[0003] DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE

[0004] Motor vehicles are now equipped with numerous sensors, cameras, lidars, or radars (hereinafter "sensors") for driver assistance purposes. These sensors can be located inside or outside the vehicle to provide the driver with a complete view of the vehicle's surroundings. For example, sensors can be located in the bumper, side skirt, side mirror, behind the windshield, under the hood, near the headlights, or on a roof-mounted sensor.

[0005] However, these sensors, being exposed to the environment, are susceptible to becoming covered with dirt or dust and, consequently, may suffer performance degradation. Frequent cleaning of these sensors is therefore required to guarantee their performance.

[0006] In this regard, motor vehicles may be equipped with a cleaning system consisting in particular of pipes and nozzles for distributing cleaning fluid. The nozzles are arranged, in particular, at the ends of the fluid distribution pipes and in the immediate vicinity of the sensors. According to this arrangement, it is possible to dispense cleaning fluid onto the surface of each sensor and thus remove traces of dust or dirt.

[0007] In this regard, previously known fluid distribution systems are disclosed in US documents 2020 / 361421, WO2018188823 and WO2019029915. Such fluid distribution systems are arranged for cleaning surface sensors located all around the perimeter of the motor vehicle.

[0008] However, such a fluid distribution system may not be optimal in terms of response time.

[0009] Indeed, and particularly in the case of autonomous vehicles, frequent cleaning of sensors may be required to limit the time sensors are out of service, and to comply with the safety requirements associated with driving an autonomous vehicle.

[0010] In addition, the space for the installation of the fluid distribution assembly is of paramount importance.

[0011] An objective of the present invention is to provide a fluid distribution assembly for cleaning sensors for which the response time is shorter than fluid distribution assemblies known from the prior art.

[0012] Another objective of the present invention is also to provide a fluid distribution assembly for cleaning sensors that requires limited space. Summary of the invention

[0013] The present invention relates to a fluid distribution assembly for cleaning the surface of a sensor on a motor vehicle, the fluid distribution assembly comprising:

[0014] - a high-pressure source designed to deliver a fluid under pressure;

[0015] - a nozzle equipped with a valve;

[0016] - a flexible hose fluidly connecting the high-pressure source and the valve so that, when the valve is in a closed state, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source can be accumulated in said flexible pipe, and sprayed under high pressure onto the surface of the sensor by the nozzle when the valve is in an open state.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the high-pressure source comprises a pressure tank designed to be filled with a fluid under high pressure, advantageously the high pressure is greater than 3 bars, more advantageously greater than 4 bars.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the high-pressure source includes a compressor designed to pressurize the fluid.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the flexible hose has an internal diameter of less than 4.5 mm.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the flexible hose further comprises an additional volume.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the additional volume is a secondary reserve.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the additional volume is in the immediate vicinity Advantageously, the length of flexible hose between the valve and the additional volume is less than 100 mm.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the fluid comprises air.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the sensor is a camera.

[0025] The invention also includes a motor vehicle which includes at least one sensor, and the fluid distribution assembly according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Other features and advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description of the fluid distribution assembly for cleaning a vehicle surface sensor according to the invention, provided by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a distribution set of isolated fluid according to the present invention;

[0028] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a representation of a nozzle equipped with a valve and po positioned in the immediate vicinity of the sensitive surface of a sensor;

[0029] [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a representation of a motor vehicle equipped with the fluid distribution assembly according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The present invention relates to a fluid distribution assembly, and in particular a fluid distribution assembly for cleaning a sensor of a motor vehicle.

[0031] In particular, the fluid distribution assembly comprises:

[0032] - a high-pressure source designed to deliver a fluid under pressure;

[0033] - a nozzle equipped with a valve;

[0034] - a flexible hose fluidly connecting the high-pressure source and the valve so that, when the valve is in a closed state, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source can be accumulated in said flexible pipe, and sprayed under high pressure onto the surface of the sensor by the nozzle when the valve is in an open state.

[0035] Figures 1 and 3 show an example of a fluid distribution assembly 1 for cleaning a sensor of a motor vehicle 100.

[0036] The fluid distribution assembly 1 includes a high-pressure source 10 for delivering a pressurized fluid. The high-pressure source 10 may include a compressor 11 and, in particular, a compressor 11 combined with a pressure vessel 12. In particular, the pressure vessel 12 may be designed to store a fluid, and in particular a gas, under pressure. Furthermore, the compressor may be designed to increase the fluid pressure in the pressure vessel 12.

[0037] Advantageously, the pressure tank 12 is designed to be filled with a fluid under high pressure, advantageously the high pressure is greater than 3 bars, more advantageously greater than 4 bars.

[0038] The fluid distribution assembly 1 comprises at least one nozzle 13 (illustrated in [Fig. 2]). In particular, the nozzle 13 is located in the immediate vicinity of a sensitive surface of a sensor 2 so that said nozzle can spray a fluid onto said sensor 2. surface to remove dust or particles from said surface.

[0039] The nozzle 13 is advantageously provided with a valve 14, and in particular with an electronically controlled valve. In particular, the valve 14 can adopt either an open state or a closed state.

[0040] The fluid distribution assembly 1 further includes a flexible hose 16 fluidically connecting the high-pressure source and the valve 14 such that, when the valve 14 is closed, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source can be collected in said flexible hose and sprayed under high pressure onto the sensor surface by the nozzle when the valve is open. Advantageously, the flexible hose 16 has an internal diameter of less than 4.5 mm.

[0041] The flexible hose 16 may further include an additional volume, for example a secondary reservoir 15. Advantageously, the additional volume is in the immediate vicinity of the valve. In particular, the length of flexible hose between the valve and the additional volume is less than 100 mm.

[0042] The fluid distribution assembly 1 according to the present invention allows for the cleaning of sensors with a relatively short response time. High-pressure cleaning also provides high efficiency for signal recovery from the cleaned sensor. Furthermore, the fluid distribution assembly requires minimal installation effort and a small footprint.

Claims

Demands

1. Fluid distribution assembly (1) for cleaning a sensor surface of a motor vehicle, the fluid distribution assembly (1) comprising: - a high-pressure source (10) designed to deliver a fluid under pressure; - a nozzle (13) provided with a valve (14); - a flexible hose fluidly connecting the high-pressure source (10) and the valve (14) such that, when the valve (14) is in a closed state, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source (10) can be accumulated in said flexible hose, and sprayed under high pressure onto the sensor surface by the nozzle (13) when the valve is in an open state.

2. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the high pressure source (10) comprises a pressure vessel (12) designed to be filled with a fluid under high pressure, advantageously the high pressure is greater than 3 bar, more advantageously greater than 4 bar.

3. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the high pressure source (10) includes a compressor (11) designed to pressurize the fluid.

4. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flexible hose has an internal diameter of less than 4.5 mm.

5. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flexible hose further comprises an additional volume.

6. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein the additional volume is a secondary reservoir (15).

7. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the additional volume is in the immediate vicinity of the valve, advantageously, the length of flexible hose between the valve and the additional volume is less than 100 mm.

8. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fluid comprises air.

9. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sensor is a camera.

10. Motor vehicle (100) comprising at least one sensor, and the fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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