Vehicle cleaning system

Abstract

Title: Vehicle cleaning system Vehicle cleaning system (10) comprising a first medium unit (12), an acceleration unit (14), a second medium unit (16), a third medium unit (17), and a control unit (20); - the first medium unit (18) leads a first medium, in particular a cleaning liquid, into the acceleration unit (14), - the acceleration unit (14) emits the first medium as a flow, - the second medium unit (16) introduces a second medium, in particular a pressurized gas, through a second outlet (31) into the flow, - the third medium unit (17) distributes a third medium through a third outlet (32) at an angle to the flow direction, and - the control unit (20) controls the flow (37) of the third medium to adapt the flow development with the third medium. Figure 1

Description

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

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle cleaning system and a vehicle equipped with such a cleaning system. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Many means are currently known for cleaning surfaces in the automotive field. However, the development of the surfaces to be cleaned in a vehicle and the sensors continuously increases the need for available cleaning liquid.

[0003] However, the constant reduction of weight in the automotive sector to reduce consumption and increasing competition result in pressures on costs so that more advantageous and more efficient components for vehicles are the subject of greater demand.

[0004] DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The subject of the invention is a vehicle cleaning system comprising:

[0006] - a first middle unit,

[0007] - an acceleration unit,

[0008] - a second middle unit,

[0009] - a third middle unit, and

[0010] - a control unit,

[0011] cleaning system in which

[0012] - the first medium unit conducts a first medium, in particular a liquid of cleaning in the acceleration unit,

[0013] - the acceleration unit emits the first medium as a predefined flow by a first cleaning system outlet,

[0014] - the second medium unit introduces a second medium, in particular a gas under pressure through a second outlet in the flow,

[0015] - the third medium unit distributes a third medium through a third orifice of exit at an angle towards the flow, and

[0016] - the control unit controls the flow of the third medium to adapt the development of the flow with the third medium.

[0017] Thus, the invention develops a vehicle cleaning system, in particular for road vehicles such as passenger vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, buses, transporters or others. The cleaning system according to the invention has the advantage over known solutions of significantly reducing the consumption of cleaning liquid (windscreen washer fluid). This reduces the frequency of refilling of cleaning fluid for the vehicle user. In addition, the dissolution of dirt and the cleaning effect are improved by the combination of three media according to the invention. This combination of three media also makes it possible to reduce the pressure of one or more media, which results in reduced wear on the cleaning system and lower energy consumption by the cleaning system.

[0018] It should further be noted that the first outlet orifice and the second outlet orifice are preferably located substantially in a plane next to each other so that the respective directions of flow of the first medium and the second medium at the outlet of the orifices are limited to such arrangement and / or alignment of the respective outlet orifices.

[0019] In other words, the vehicle cleaning system is a cleaning system installed near the surface to be cleaned or a wiping device that cleans a surface. The surface of the vehicle to be cleaned can in principle be any surface of the vehicle; but it is, in particular, an interface with the environment for a vehicle sensor (for example an ultrasonic sensor and / or a radar sensor and / or a lidar sensor and / or a camera) or the outer surface of a window of the vehicle and / or a lighting of the vehicle. The first medium unit is preferably connected to a fluid system or a gas system; the first medium unit is connected to a pump and / or a compressor and / or a valve and / or a tank for transporting the first medium into the first unit.

[0020] The first unit can be connected to an acceleration unit or both can be made in one piece. The first medium unit is connected by a fluid connection to the acceleration unit. The acceleration unit has an acceleration channel which develops a predefined vein or flow. Preferably, the predefined flow is formed with the first medium and / or the second medium. The first medium is preferably a liquid and the second medium a gas or a mixture of gases. The first medium can be a gas or a mixture of gases (for example air and the second medium a liquid. Liquids include mixtures of liquid with solid bodies. Furthermore, the first medium can be a first fluid and the second medium a second fluid. Furthermore, the predefined flow is designed to clean the surface.

[0021] The predefined flow can be specifically adjusted by the contour or shape of the acceleration channel. In addition, the acceleration channel forms a nozzle that changes the material properties of the first medium, for example, vaporizes it.

[0022] The acceleration unit and the second medium unit are preferably connected when these units are in several parts or they can be made in a single part. Up to the outlet of the first medium from the acceleration unit and up to the outlet of the second medium from the second medium unit, the first medium and the second medium are preferably separated from each other. Only at the outlet of the first medium leaving the acceleration unit and the outlet of the second medium from the second medium unit are the first medium and the second medium mixed, i.e. the second medium arrives in the first medium. The second medium unit may also be connected to a pump and / or a compressor and / or a valve and / or a reservoir to supply the second medium. The second medium unit may have a cavity receiving the second medium.

[0023] Preferably, a slot is left between the acceleration unit and the second medium and the latter exits the second medium unit through this slot.

[0024] The third medium unit emits a third medium through a third outlet, obliquely towards the flow of the first medium and the second medium; the third medium is preferably a gas, a gas mixture such as air. The third medium unit preferably also has a connection with a pump and / or a compressor and / or a valve and / or a reservoir for supplying the third medium. It is also conceivable that the third medium is alternatively or additionally a fluid.

[0025] Generally, it is to be noted that the respective actuators (for example, the pumps, compressors, valves or others mentioned above) for transferring the first medium, the second medium and the third medium are used at least partly in common to transport the respective media if some media are identical. It can thus be envisaged, for example, that in a case in which the second and the third media are air, the two media compressed by the same compressor are used and supplied, in a controlled manner, independently of the compressor by downstream valves. Furthermore, in principle any other combination of actuators can be envisaged which give the respective combinations of the media.

[0026] It is furthermore generally noted that the respective geometries of the surfaces of the first and second and third outlet orifices are fixed in principle, in any manner and independently of each other. In a case like that described above of the slot between the acceleration unit of the first medium and that of the second medium, the first outlet orifice corresponds, for example, to a circular opening surface while the second outlet orifice corresponds to the slot surrounding the first outlet orifice or corresponds to an annular opening surface. The third outlet orifice has, in such a case, for example, also a circular opening surface or a different surface, for example, a rectangular opening surface.It is further possible to envisage that the respective surfaces of the first and / or second and / or third outlet orifices are elliptical, rectangular, polygonal, star-shaped, moon-shaped or shapes derived therefrom.

[0027] It is not essential that the second outlet completely surrounds the first outlet. Instead, it is possible for the first outlet to be only partially surrounded or only adjacent to the first outlet.

[0028] The control unit controls at least one flow of the third medium to adapt the development of the flow with the third medium. The control unit is advantageously connected by a computer link to an actuator (for example, to those mentioned above, pump, valve or compressor) to distribute the third medium. In this context, the control unit adjusts the pressure and / or the volume flow rate and / or the dispensed quantity and / or the composition of the third medium.

[0029] The use of the third medium unit for adapting the flow of the first medium and the second medium offers in summary the particular advantage of a surface cleaning which is, for example, flexible and adapted to the current boundary conditions. As already described, this also makes it possible to reduce the volume of cleaning liquid which must be in the vehicle because the surface cleaning is particularly targeted. Particularly preferably, the control unit controls a flow of the first medium and / or a flow of the second medium. In particular, the control unit controls the flow of the first and / or the second and / or the third medium by a series of switching operations.Such a switching sequence makes it possible, on the one hand, to distribute all the media at the same time or to distribute only some of the media simultaneously or to distribute, in a time-shifted manner, (for example, with time overlap or without overlap). Thus, it is, for example, advantageous with a simultaneous distribution of the first and the second and the third media to first soften the dirt on the surface to be cleaned of the vehicle and then to remove it exclusively with the second medium or the third medium (for example, with air), which reduces the required quantity of the first medium (for example, cleaning liquid). Alternatively, a sequential distribution of the first and / or the second medium or the third medium can also be envisaged.Besides the mere activation and deactivation of the distribution of the respective media, the control unit can, in addition, adapt the pressure and / or flow speed of the respective media, in addition to the sequence of switching operations.

[0030] As already indicated, the cleaning system has a nozzle for accelerating and / or vaporizing a predefined flow. The advantage of this embodiment is that by vaporizing the predefined flow, the cleaning effect of the cleaning system is improved accordingly because the vaporization of the first medium, the surface area of ​​which is thus increased, potentially allows more dirt particles to be removed. In addition, this makes it possible to reduce the required portion of cleaning agent if it is, for example, mixed with air. The nozzle can, in particular, be installed on the second medium unit and / or be made in one part with the second medium unit.

[0031] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the cleaning system has a jet forming unit, this forming unit having a first outlet opening and a second outlet opening on the outer side of the cleaning system for forming the flow with the first medium unit and with the second medium unit or limiting the development of the flow. For this purpose, the jet forming unit is, for example, funnel-shaped or cylindrical or a shape derived therefrom. It is further possible to envisage a jet forming unit movably mounted on the cleaning system and designed to be tilted by one or more actuators and / or to be rotated in order to additionally influence the shape and / or direction of the flow in addition to the jet forming unit.Particularly advantageously, the third outlet port is provided on the jet forming unit and in particular on the inner side of the jet forming unit without limiting such an installation position.

[0032] According to a further advantageous development, the third medium unit guides the third medium indirectly onto the flow in that the third medium is distributed towards the inner surface of the jet forming unit and is deflected by its contact with the inner surface in the direction of the flow. This offers, for example, greater flexibility for the installation of the third outlet and / or for influencing the flow development.

[0033] Preferably, the main jet direction of the third medium exiting the outlet orifice intersects the main jet direction of the flow at an angle of 30° to 90°, preferably at an angle of 45° to 90° and even more preferably at an angle of 60° to 90° in order to influence the flow in a particularly effective manner. Very advantageously, the third medium unit (in particular in conjunction with an actuator and the control unit) adapts the shape and / or the dimension and / or the direction of the flow. In this context, it is also conceivable that the third orifice is adapted by another actuator to adapt to the main jet direction and / or to a shape and / or a dimension of an outlet jet of the third medium, in order to influence the flow of the first and second medium in an even more targeted manner.

[0034] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the third medium unit comprises a set of third outlet orifices which are in the environment of the first outlet orifice and the second outlet orifice. Advantageously, the control unit actuates the distribution of the third medium through all of the third outlet orifices at least partly independently. It should be noted that the dimension and / or geometry of the respective third outlet orifices may vary for all of the third outlet orifices. outlet which may be identical or at least partially differ from each other. Furthermore, the third outlets are equidistant from each other or are equidistant from the first and / or second outlet or are variably installed. Particularly advantageously, the control unit relies on actuators to control the distribution of the third medium through the third outlets, independently for each third outlet. This applies, for example, in that all third outlets are supplied with the third medium from the same pump, but each outlet is preceded upstream by valves controlled by the control unit. The use of a set of third outlets has the particular advantage of being able to adjust, very flexibly and / or precisely, the influence of the flow with the third medium.This allows, for example, to increase the cleaning power of the cleaning system, which results in a reduction in the consumption of cleaning fluid.

[0035] Furthermore, preferably, the control unit makes it possible to continuously change the distribution pressure of the third medium during a cleaning operation to continuously deflect and / or change the shape of the flow. This makes it possible to guide the flow, for example, in the form of a continuous wiping movement over the surface to be cleaned of the vehicle, in order to be able to remove dirt from the surface to be cleaned in a particularly effective manner. This is done, for example, in conjunction with a jet shape assisting the flow by the third medium which guides the flow, for example, in a fan shape over the surface to be cleaned.

[0036] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit adapts the flow development depending on the influencing variables acting on the flow at the time and / or depending on the instantaneous cleaning requirements for the cleaning system. An influencing variable acting on the flow is, for example, the circulating wind, which can deflect the flow from the desired direction of action in a manner unfavorable to the surface to be cleaned. By appropriately controlling the distribution of the third medium with the control unit, such an unfavorable flow deviation is at least partially compensated. The current cleaning demand on the cleaning system may relate, for example, to the degree of soiling of the surface to be cleaned and is preferably captured by a sensor on the vehicle. This makes it possible to adapt the distribution of the third medium in a targeted manner depending on the respective degree of soiling.Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning request may present itself differently depending on the current driving mode, for example, in the case of partially automated driving, to have more thorough cleaning for a particular vehicle sensor than for manual driving which benefits from the additional control by the driver.

[0037] According to a further development, the invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a cleaning system according to the first development above and a surface to be cleaned with such a cleaning system; the surface to be cleaned, for example, a sensor surface, a window of the vehicle, the surface of a lighting installation or the like. Brief description of the drawings

[0038] The present invention will be described hereinafter in more detail with the aid of embodiments of a cleaning system shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0039] [Fig-1] embodiment of a cleaning system according to the invention,

[0040] [Fig.2] another embodiment of a cleaning system according to the invention in connection with a surface to be cleaned, and

[0041] [Fig.3] example of a vehicle equipped with a cleaning system according to the invention.

[0042] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0043] [Fig.l] shows an embodiment of a cleaning system 10 of a vehicle 100 (see [Fig.3]); the cleaning system 10 has a first medium unit 12, an acceleration unit 14, a second medium unit 16, a third medium unit 17 and a control unit 20.

[0044] The first medium unit 12 conducts a first medium, which is here cleaning liquid, into the acceleration unit 14. The first medium unit 12 is therefore connected by a pipe (not shown) to a fluid system (not shown) which comprises a reservoir (not shown) containing the cleaning liquid.

[0045] The acceleration unit 14 which comprises a nozzle 50 guides a first medium as a predefined fluid flow 18 through a first outlet orifice 30 of the cleaning system 10; the second medium unit 16 introduces a second medium which is here air through a second outlet orifice 31 into the flow 18.

[0046] The second medium unit 16 forms a gap with the first medium unit 12 to introduce air into the direct environment of the first outlet orifice 30 in the flow 18.

[0047] The third medium unit 17 provides a third medium which is also air through a set of third outlet ports 32 slanted at an angle of 45° to 90° relative to the main flow direction 18 in the direction of the flow 18. The third outlet ports 32 are provided on the inner side of a jet forming unit 40; this jet forming unit 40 thus delimits and shapes the flow in space.

[0048] It should be noted that the third medium unit 17 or the air-conducting channels of the third medium unit 17 are only indicated for reasons of clarity. The air-conducting channels comprise, for example, in the area of ​​the formation unit jet 40 and / or in another component of the cleaning system 10 of the pipe connections to be connected to a first valve not shown.

[0049] The control unit 20 which is a microcontroller controls the flow 37 of the third medium through the respective third outlet orifices 32 to adapt the direction of the jet and the shape of the flow 18 with the third medium.

[0050] The control unit 20 is connected in a computer connection with a compressor (not shown) and with the first valve to pass the compressed air by the opening control of the first valve, through the third medium unit 17 connected by a pipe to the first valve, towards the third outlet ports 32.

[0051] The control unit 20 in connection with respective corresponding actuators (e.g., a second valve which transports compressed air supplied by a compressor to the second medium unit 16 and a pump which supplies the cleaning liquid to the first medium unit 12) additionally controls the flow 35 of the first medium and / or the flow 36 of the second medium to adapt the cleaning power of the cleaning system 10 to the current marginal conditions.

[0052] [Fig.2] shows another embodiment of the cleaning system 10 in connection with a surface 80 to be cleaned which is here the protective glass of a lidar sensor.

[0053] [Fig.2] shows the respective flows 35, 36, 37 of a first and a second and a third medium of the cleaning system 10 as well as the distribution directions of the respective medium at the outlet of the cleaning system 10.

[0054] By appropriate control of the flow 37 of the third medium (in this case air), the flow 18 is diverted relative to the surface to be cleaned 80 in order to increase the cleaning power and reduce the consumption of cleaning liquid which corresponds to the first medium.

[0055] [Fig. 3] shows an embodiment of a vehicle 100 according to the invention equipped with a cleaning system 10 according to the invention intended for cleaning an environmental sensor 80 of the vehicle 100. The environmental sensor 80 and the cleaning system 10 are connected by a computer link to the control unit 20 of the vehicle; this unit determines with the signal from the surrounding field sensor 80 the degree of fouling of the environmental interface (i.e. the measuring interface) of the surrounding field sensor 80; depending on the degree of fouling, it controls the respective actuators (not shown) of the cleaning system 10 to obtain, by the cleaning system 10, the flow 18 (see [Fig. 1] or [Fig. 2]) for cleaning the surrounding field sensor 80.

[0056] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0057] 10 Cleaning system

[0058] 12 First middle unit

[0059] 14 Acceleration Unit

[0060] 16 Second medium unit

[0061] 17 Third medium unit

[0062] 18 Flow

[0063] 20 Control unit

[0064] 30 First outlet unit

[0065] 31 Second outlet unit

[0066] 32 Set of third outlets

[0067] 35 Flow of the first medium

[0068] 36 Flow of the second medium

[0069] 37 Flow of the third medium

[0070] 40 Jet forming unit

[0071] 50 Nozzle

[0072] 80 Surface to be cleaned

[0073] 100 Vehicle

Claims

Claims

1. Cleaning system (10) for a vehicle (100) comprising: - a first medium unit (12), - an acceleration unit (14), - a second medium unit (16), - a third medium unit (17), and - a control unit (20), wherein - the first medium unit (12) conducts a first medium, in particular a cleaning liquid, into the acceleration unit (14), - the acceleration unit (14) emits the first medium as a predefined flow (18) through a first outlet (30) of the cleaning system (10), - the second medium unit (16) introduces a second medium, in particular a pressurized gas, through a second outlet (31) into the flow (18), - the third medium unit (17) distributes a third medium through a third outlet (32) at an angle to the flow (18), and - the control unit (20) controls the flow (37) of the third medium (17), medium to adapt the flow development (18) with the third medium.

2. Cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (20): - controls the flow (35) of the first medium and / or the flow (36) of the second medium, and / or - a flow (35, 36, 37) of the respective media by a series of switching operations.

3. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning system (10) has a nozzle (50), - the nozzle (50) sprays the predefined flow (18).

4. A cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a jet forming unit (40), - the jet forming unit (40) surrounds the first outlet opening (30) and the second outlet opening (31) on the outer side of the cleaning system (10) to form the fluid jet (18) with the first medium unit (12) and the second medium unit (16), and / or - the third outlet opening (32) is on the jet forming unit (40), in particular on the inner side of the jet forming unit (40).

5. A cleaning system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the third medium unit (17) guides the third medium indirectly onto the stream (18) emitting the third medium toward an inner surface of the jet forming unit (40) and is deflected upon contact with the inner surface toward the stream (18).

6. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - a main jet direction of the third medium exiting the third outlet orifice (32) has a main jet direction of the third medium exiting the third outlet orifice (32) intersects the main jet direction of the flow (18) at an angle of 30° to 90°, preferably at an angle of 45° to 90° and even more preferably at an angle of 60° to 90°, and / or - the third medium unit (17) adapts the shape and / or the dimension and / or the direction of the flow (18).

7. A cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the third medium unit (17) has a set of third outlets (32) which are in the environment of the first outlet (30) and the second outlet (31), and / or - the control unit (20) actuates the distribution of the third medium through the set of third outlets (32) at least partly independently of each other.

8. A cleaning system (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the control unit (20) continuously modifies the development of the third medium during the cleaning operation to have a continuous deviation and / or a variation in the shape of the flow (18).

9. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (20) adapts the development of the flow (18) in the background, - instantaneously, to the influencing quantities acting on the flow (18), and / or - instantaneously, to the cleaning requirements of the cleaning system (10).

10. Vehicle (100) comprising at least one cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims and a surface (80) to be cleaned with the cleaning system (10).

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