Fluid distribution assembly for cleaning a vehicle sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid distribution assembly (1) comprising: - a high pressure source (10); - a nozzle (13); - a flexible hose (16) fluidly connecting the high pressure source (10) and a nozzle (13); - a valve (15) disposed between two sections of the flexible hose (16) called, respectively, main section (16a) and end section (16b), the main section (16a) connecting the high pressure source (10) and the valve (15), and the end section (16b) connecting the valve (15) and the nozzle (13); The flexible hose (16) is designed so that, when the valve (15) is closed, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source (10) can be accumulated, under predetermined pressure, in the main section (16a), and sprayed under pressure onto the sensor surface by the nozzle (13) when the valve (15) is open. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Fluid distribution assembly for cleaning a vehicle sensor. FIELD OF THE 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 a 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 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 determined;

[0015] - at least one nozzle;

[0016] - at least one flexible hose fluidly connecting the high-pressure source and at least one nozzle;

[0017] - at least one valve disposed between two sections of the flexible pipe, respectively, main section and end section, the main section connecting the high pressure source and at least one valve, and the end section connecting at least one valve and at least one nozzle;

[0018] the flexible hose being designed so that, when the valve is in a closed state, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source can be accumulated, under the predetermined pressure, in the main section, and sprayed under pressure onto the surface of the sensor by the nozzle when the valve is in an open state.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the high-pressure source comprises a tank designed to be filled with a fluid and a compressor designed to pressurize the fluid to the predetermined pressure and to deliver said fluid at the predetermined pressure into the tank, advantageously the predetermined pressure is greater than 3 bar, more advantageously greater than 4 bar, and less than 8 bar.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the ratio of the length of the end section to the cumulative length of the main section and the end section is less than one in ten, advantageously less than two hundredths.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the length of the end section is less than 10 cm, advantageously less than 5 cm.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the main section is smooth and is made of an expandable material, advantageously the expandable material comprises a rubber, for example such as EPDM.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the main section has an internal diameter of less than 4.5 mm, advantageously less than 4.5 mm, when it is empty.

[0024] According to one embodiment, said fluid distribution assembly further comprises an additional fluid accumulator, said fluid accumulator comprising a first section and a second section separated by a flexible membrane, the first section forming an additional volume of the main section, the second section being filled with a gas at a second pressure, the second pressure being greater than 3 bar, advantageously greater than 4 bar.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the first section has an inlet for receiving the fluid at the predetermined pressure and an outlet for delivering said fluid.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the second section is fluidly connected to a high-pressure gas source designed to exert the second pressure in the second section.

[0027] According to one embodiment, said fluid distribution assembly further includes an additional flexible hose designed to allow recirculation in a closed loop of the fluid accumulated in the main section.

[0028] According to one embodiment, said fluid distribution assembly further includes a recirculation pump, said recirculation pump being designed to trigger the recirculation of the fluid in the closed loop formed by the main section and the additional flexible hose.

[0029] According to one embodiment, said fluid distribution assembly includes heating means designed to heat the fluid accumulated in the main section.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the heating means comprise a heating wire or a heating strip.

[0031] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle which includes at least one sensor, and the fluid distribution assembly according to the present invention.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the main section is arranged in the motor vehicle to allow heat exchange between the fluid accumulated in the middle section and heat produced by said motor vehicle.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the additional flexible hose is arranged in the motor vehicle to allow heat exchange between the accumulated fluid in the additional flexible hose and heat produced by said motor vehicle.

[0034] According to one embodiment, heat exchanges take place in at least one of the locations chosen from: in the immediate vicinity of the battery pack of the motor vehicle, in the immediate vicinity of the sensors of the motor vehicle, in the immediate vicinity of the engine. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] 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:

[0036] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a distribution set of isolated fluid according to the present invention;

[0037] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a representation of an additional fluid accumulator;

[0038] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a schematic representation of a distribution set of isolated fluid according to the present invention and comprising the;

[0039] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a representation of a motor vehicle equipped with the fluid distribution assembly according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] The present invention relates to a fluid distribution assembly, and in particular a fluid distribution assembly for cleaning a sensor of a motor vehicle.

[0041] In particular, the fluid distribution assembly comprises:

[0042] - a high-pressure source designed to deliver a fluid under pressure determined;

[0043] - at least one nozzle;

[0044] - at least one flexible hose fluidly connecting the high-pressure source and at least one nozzle;

[0045] - at least one valve disposed between two sections of the flexible pipe, respectively, main section and end section, the main section connecting the high pressure source and at least one valve, and the end section connecting at least one valve and at least one nozzle;

[0046] the flexible hose being designed so that, when the valve is in a closed state, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source can be accumulated, under the predetermined pressure, in the main section, and sprayed under pressure onto the surface of the sensor by the nozzle when the valve is in an open state.

[0047] Fig. 1 shows an example of a fluid distribution assembly 1 for cleaning a sensor of a motor vehicle 100.

[0048] The fluid distribution assembly 1 includes a high-pressure source 10 for delivering a pressurized fluid, and in particular under a predetermined pressure. In particular, the predetermined pressure is greater than 3 bar, advantageously greater than 4 bar, more advantageously greater than 5 bar, or even more advantageously greater than 8 bar.

[0049] The high-pressure source 10 may include a compressor 11 and a tank 12. In particular, the compressor 11 is combined with the pressure tank 12. Notably, the compressor 11 may be designed to increase the fluid pressure in the tank 12. In other words, the tank 12 is designed to be filled with the fluid and the compressor 11 is designed to pressurize the fluid to the predetermined pressure and to deliver said fluid at the predetermined pressure into the tank 12.

[0050] Advantageously, the tank 12 is designed to be filled with a fluid under a pressure greater than 3 bar, advantageously greater than 4 bar, more advantageously greater than 5 bar, even more advantageously greater than 8 bar.

[0051] The fluid distribution assembly 1 includes 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 so that said nozzle can spray a fluid onto said surface to remove dust or particles from said surface.

[0052] The fluid distribution assembly further includes at least one flexible hose 16 fluidly connecting the high-pressure source and at least one flexible hose.

[0053] The fluid distribution assembly also includes at least one valve 15. In particular, at least one valve 15 is disposed between two sections of the flexible hose 16, referred to respectively as the main section 16a and the end section 16b. Specifically, the main section 16a connects the high-pressure source 10 and at least one valve 15, and the end section 16b connects at least one valve 15 and at least one nozzle 13.

[0054] At least one valve 15 is advantageously electronically controlled. Furthermore, the valve can adopt either an open state or a closed state. In particular, the open state is a state in which the fluid can flow from the main section 16a to the end section 16b, whereas the closed state is a state in which the fluid cannot flow from the main section 16a to the end section 16b.

[0055] According to the present invention, the flexible hose is designed so that, when the valve is in a closed state, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source can be accumulated, under predetermined pressure, in the main section, and sprayed under pressure onto the sensor surface by the nozzle when the valve is in an open state.

[0056] According to a particular embodiment, the ratio of the length of the end section to the cumulative length of the main section and the end section may be less than one in ten, advantageously less than two hundredths.

[0057] According to an alternative or complementary embodiment, the length of the end section is less than 10 cm, advantageously less than 5 cm.

[0058] Advantageously, the main section is smooth and is made of an expandable material. For example, the main section has a modulus of elasticity in the range of 0 GPa to 5 GPa.

[0059] For example, the expandable material may include a rubber, for example such as EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber).

[0060] Advantageously, the main section 16a has an internal diameter of less than 4.5 mm, advantageously less than 4.5 mm, when empty.

[0061] According to a highly advantageous embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], the fluid distribution assembly further comprises an additional fluid accumulator 17. The fluid accumulator 17 comprises a first section 18 and a second section 19 separated by a flexible membrane 20, the first section forming an additional volume of the main section, while the second section is filled with a gas at a second pressure, the second pressure being greater than 3 bar. The second section filled with a gas at the second pressure and the flexible membrane 20 are specifically designed to maintain the fluid in the first section under pressure.

[0062] Advantageously, the second section is fluidly connected to a high-pressure gas source designed to exert the second pressure in the second section so that the pressure level in the second section can be adapted.

[0063] The first section 18 may have an inlet 18a for receiving the fluid at the predetermined pressure and an outlet 18b for delivering said fluid.

[0064] The fluid distribution assembly may further include an additional flexible hose 21 designed to allow recirculation in a closed loop of the fluid accumulated in the main section 16a ([Fig.3]).

[0065] In particular, the fluid distribution assembly may also include a recirculation pump 22. In particular, the recirculation pump 22 may be designed to trigger the recirculation of the fluid in the closed loop formed by the main section and the additional flexible hose.

[0066] In a particular embodiment, the fluid distribution assembly may include heating means designed to heat the fluid accumulated in the main section. For example, heating means may include a heating wire or a heating strip.

[0067] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle which includes at least one sensor, and the fluid distribution assembly according to the present invention ([Fig.4]).

[0068] According to an advantageous embodiment, the main section 16a is arranged in the motor vehicle to allow heat exchange between the fluid accumulated in the middle section and heat produced by said motor vehicle.

[0069] In particular, and where envisaged, the additional flexible hose may be arranged in the motor vehicle to permit heat exchange between the fluid accumulated in the additional flexible hose and heat produced by said motor vehicle.

[0070] Heat exchanges advantageously take place in at least one of the locations chosen from: in the immediate vicinity of the battery pack of the motor vehicle, in the immediate vicinity of the sensors of the motor vehicle, in the immediate vicinity of the engine.

[0071] 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. The fluid distribution assembly also requires minimal installation effort and a small footprint.

Claims

Demands

1. Fluid distribution assembly (1) for cleaning a surface of a sensor of a motor vehicle (100), the fluid distribution assembly (1) comprising: - a high-pressure source (10) designed to deliver a fluid under a predetermined pressure; - at least one nozzle (13); - at least one flexible hose (16) fluidly connecting the high-pressure source (10) and at least one nozzle (13); - at least one valve (15) disposed between two sections of the flexible hose (16) referred to, respectively, as the main section (16a) and the end section (16b), the main section (16a) connecting the high-pressure source (10) and at least one valve (15), and the end section (16b) connecting at least one valve (15) and at least one nozzle (13);the flexible hose (16) being designed so that, when the valve (15) is in a closed state, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source (10) can be accumulated, under the predetermined pressure, in the main section (16a), and sprayed under pressure onto the surface of the sensor by the nozzle (13) when the valve (15) is in an open state, the ratio of the length of the end section (16b) to the cumulative length of the main section (16a) and the end section (16b) is less than one in ten.;

2. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the high pressure source (10) comprises a reservoir (12) designed to be filled with a fluid and a compressor (11) designed to pressurize the fluid to the predetermined pressure and to deliver said fluid at the predetermined pressure into the reservoir (12), advantageously the predetermined pressure is greater than 3 bar, more advantageously greater than 4 bar, and less than 8 bar.

3. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the length of the end section (16b) is less than 10 cm, advantageously less than 5 cm.

4. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the main section (16a) is smooth and is made of an expandable material, advantageously the expandable material comprises a rubber, for example, EPDM.

5. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main section (16a) has an internal diameter of less than 5 mm, advantageously less than 4.5 mm, when empty.

6. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said fluid distribution assembly (1) further comprises an additional fluid accumulator (17), said fluid accumulator comprising a first section (18) and a second section (19) separated by a flexible membrane (20), the first section (18) forming an additional volume of the main section (16a), while the second section (19) is filled with a gas at a second pressure, the second pressure being greater than 3 bar.

7. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first section (18) has an inlet for receiving the fluid at the predetermined pressure and an outlet for delivering said fluid.

8. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second section (19) is fluidically connected to a high-pressure gas source designed to exert the second pressure in the second section (19).

9. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said fluid distribution assembly (1) further comprises an additional flexible hose (21) designed to permit recirculation in a closed loop of the fluid accumulated in the main section (16a).

10. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 9, wherein said fluid distribution assembly (1) further comprises a recirculation pump (22), said recirculation pump (22) being designed to initiate the recirculation of the fluid in the closed loop formed by the main section (16a) and the additional flexible hose (21).

11. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claims 9 or 10, wherein said fluid distribution assembly (1) comprises heating means designed to heat the fluid accumulated in the main section (16a).

12. Fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 11, wherein the heating means comprise a heating wire or a heating strip.

13. Motor vehicle (100) comprising at least one sensor, and the fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 14, wherein the main section (16a) is arranged in the motor vehicle (100) to permit heat exchange between the fluid accumulated in the middle section and heat produced by said motor vehicle (100).

15. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 14 in combination with claim 9, wherein the additional flexible hose (21) is arranged in the motor vehicle (100) to permit heat exchange between the fluid accumulated in the additional flexible hose (21) and heat produced by said motor vehicle (100).

16. Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein heat exchanges take place in at least one of the locations selected from: in the immediate vicinity of the battery pack of the motor vehicle (100), in the immediate vicinity of the sensors of the motor vehicle (100), in the immediate vicinity of the engine.

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