Hydraulic distributor and associated cleaning device

Abstract

Hydraulic distributor and associated cleaning device The present invention relates to a hydraulic distributor (1, 1') for a cleaning device (20) of a motor vehicle (31) comprising: - an inlet port (5, 5') configured to be fluidically connected to a reservoir (21) of a cleaning fluid, - a plurality of outlet ports (13, 13') configured to be connected to orifices or spray nozzles (23) of the cleaning fluid, - at least one moving part (3, 11, 3', 8, 11') whose position allows fluidic communication between the inlet port (5, 5') and at least one of the outlet ports (13, 13'), the hydraulic distributor (1, 1') also comprising a first actuator (15) and a second actuator (17) configured to move the, at least one, moving part (3, 11, 3', 8, 11'). .

Description

Title of the invention: Hydraulic distributor and associated cleaning device

[0001] The present invention is part of the field of hydraulic distributors and in particular of cleaning devices for motor vehicle equipment.

[0002] Modern motor vehicles increasingly include optical equipment such as cameras or Lidar sensors, in addition to other optical equipment such as windshields or headlights. However, to ensure the proper functioning of this equipment, it is necessary to clean it regularly while minimizing the consumption of cleaning fluid and the energy consumption associated with this cleaning.

[0003] For this purpose and due to the limited space inside the vehicle, it is necessary to limit the size and mass of these cleaning devices.

[0004] It is known to use a single cleaning fluid reservoir from which the cleaning fluid is pumped and to use a plurality of solenoid valves to select the equipment to which cleaning fluid should be sprayed.

[0005] However, solenoid valves have a non-negligible mass, generally on the order of 100 to 120g per solenoid valve, which means that their multiplication can quickly generate a significant weight, for example if 6 or 7 solenoid valves are required.

[0006] Moreover, due to their architecture, solenoid valves generally induce a significant pressure loss which requires the use of pumps with greater power and therefore also greater energy consumption.

[0007] It is therefore necessary to find a solution allowing the cleaning liquid to be distributed selectively to the different pieces of equipment whose weight and pressure losses are limited.

[0008] To this end, the present invention relates to a hydraulic distributor for a motor vehicle cleaning device comprising: - an inlet port configured to be fluidly connected to a reservoir of cleaning fluid, - a plurality of outlet ports configured to be connected to ports or nozzles for projecting the cleaning fluid, - at least one moving part whose position allows fluid communication between the inlet port and at least one of the outlet ports, the hydraulic distributor also comprising a first actuator and a second actuator configured to move the, at least one, moving part.

[0009] The use of a hydraulic distributor with at least one moving part driven by two actuators allows for simple and rapid distribution of liquid to one or more nozzles without requiring a solenoid valve.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, the first actuator and the second actuator comprise respectively a first electric or piezoelectric motor and a second electric or piezoelectric motor.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, the hydraulic distributor comprises a single moving part configured to move along a first and a second dimension.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, the first dimension is a rotation about an axis of rotation and the second dimension is a translation along said axis of rotation.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, the moving part is a hollow body of generally cylindrical shape.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, the hydraulic distributor comprises a first moving part associated with the first actuator and a second moving part associated with the second actuator.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, the second moving part is configured to allow the selection of at least one outlet orifice intended to be in fluidic communication with the inlet orifice and the first moving part is configured to allow or not the fluidic communication between the inlet orifice and the selected, at least one, outlet orifice.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, the inlet orifice and the outlet orifices are oriented substantially along the first axis of rotation.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a device for cleaning motor vehicle equipment comprising a reservoir of a cleaning fluid, a plurality of orifices or spray nozzles, a pump configured to pump the cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the orifices or spray nozzles and at least one hydraulic distributor as described above and disposed between the reservoir and the orifices or spray nozzles.

[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0019] [Fig-1] represents a schematic exploded and cross-sectional view of a distributor hydraulic according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] [Fig.2] represents a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic distributor of [Fig.1];

[0021] [Fig.3] represents a perspective view of the hydraulic distributor of the [Fig.1];

[0022] [Fig.4] shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a distributor hydraulic according to the present invention;

[0023] [Fig. 5a] represents a part of the hydraulic distributor of the [Fig. 1] in a first position;

[0024] [Fig. 5b] represents a part of the hydraulic distributor of the [Fig. 1] in a second position;

[0025] [Fig. 6] represents a schematic perspective view of a hydraulic distributor according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] [Fig.7] represents an exploded schematic view of the hydraulic distributor of the [Fig.6].

[0027] [Fig.8a] represents a schematic perspective view of a first part of the hydraulic distributor of the [Fig.6].

[0028] [Fig.8b] represents a schematic perspective view of a first face of a second part of the hydraulic distributor of the [Fig.6].

[0029] [Fig.8c] represents a schematic perspective view of a second face of a second part of the hydraulic distributor of the [Fig.6].

[0030] [Fig.8d] represents a schematic perspective view of a first face of a third part of the hydraulic distributor of the [Fig.6].

[0031] [Fig.8e] represents a schematic perspective view of a second face of a third part of the hydraulic distributor of the [Fig.6].

[0032] [Fig.9] represents a schematic view of a front part of a motor vehicle equipped with a cleaning device according to the present invention.

[0033] In these figures, identical elements bear the same references.

[0034] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features from different embodiments can also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0035] The present invention relates to a hydraulic distributor configured to selectively connect one inlet of the hydraulic distributor and at least one outlet of the hydraulic distributor. The present invention also relates to a vehicle cleaning device comprising such a hydraulic distributor.

[0036] Figures 1 to 6 represent a first example of an embodiment of a hydraulic distributor 1 according to the present invention.

[0037] The hydraulic distributor 1 comprises a first part 3, for example a hollow body of generally cylindrical shape comprising an inlet orifice 5 configured for be fluidly connected to a reservoir 21 of a cleaning fluid (visible in [Fig.9]), for example via a pipe 24. The inlet port 5 can be located on the side face of the cylinder or at one end of the cylinder.

[0038] The first part 3 also includes an internal channel 7 connecting the inlet port 5 to a lateral port 9 located on the curved lateral face of the cylinder, for example near the end of the cylinder as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The lateral port 9 is thus in fluidic communication with the inlet port 5 via the internal channel 7. In Figures 1 to 4, the internal channel 7 has a bend with an angle of approximately 90°, but a smaller angle can be used to further reduce pressure losses at the hydraulic distributor 1.

[0039] The hydraulic distributor 1 also includes a second cylindrical part 11 comprising a plurality of outlet ports 13 configured to be connected to nozzles or spray nozzles 23 of the cleaning fluid (visible in [Fig.9]), for example via hoses 24. The nozzles or spray nozzles 23 are for example associated with optical equipment or devices of a motor vehicle.

[0040] In the example shown in Figures 1 to 6, the hydraulic distributor 1 comprises six outlet ports 13. The first three outlet ports 13 are distributed around a first section of the cylinder (for example, spaced 120° apart), and the other three outlet ports 13 are distributed around a second section of the cylinder (for example, spaced 120° apart) which is axially offset from the first section. A different number of outlet ports 13 and / or a different distribution of the outlet ports 13 is also possible.

[0041] The second part 11 is a hollow cylinder intended to come at least partially around the first part 3.

[0042] In addition, the first part 3 is mobile in rotation and translation relative to the second part 11 so that the lateral orifice 9 can come into contact with the various outlet orifices 13 so as to put into fluidic communication the inlet orifice 5 and one of the outlets 13 of the hydraulic distributor 1.

[0043] To allow rotational and translational movement of the first part 3, the hydraulic distributor 1 also includes a first actuator 15 and a second actuator 17 (visible in figures 5a and 5b).

[0044] The first actuator 15 allows the first part 3 to rotate around the X-axis as indicated by the arrows F in [Fig. 5a]. The second actuator 17 allows the first part 3 to move in translation along the X-axis.

[0045] The first actuator 15 is, for example, an electric motor, in particular a stepper motor or a piezoelectric motor. The second actuator 17 can be a linear actuator or can be an electric or piezoelectric motor similar to the first actuator 15. In the latter case, the translational movement is obtained, for example, via a rack as shown in Figures 5a and 5b.

[0046] The first 15 and second 17 actuators can be controlled simultaneously to allow rapid movement of the lateral orifice 9 to move from a position opposite an outlet orifice 13 to a position opposite another outlet orifice 13.

[0047] Alternatively, the first actuator 15 and the second actuator 17 can be configured to move the second part 11. Alternatively again, the first actuator 15 can be configured to move the first part 3 and the second actuator 17 can be configured to move the second part 11.

[0048] Furthermore, the first part 3 can be provided with a seal 14 such as a lip seal or an O-ring at the lateral port 9. The seal 14 is, for example, disposed in a groove formed around the lateral port 9. This seal 14 is configured to create a leak-proof connection between the first part 3 and the inner wall of the second part 11 so that when the lateral port 9 is not opposite an outlet port 13, no cleaning fluid is transmitted via the outlet ports 13.

[0049] According to an alternative embodiment shown in [Fig.4], the first part 3 may include a first lateral orifice 9a disposed at a first distance from one end of the first moving part 3 and a second lateral orifice 9b disposed at a second distance different from the first distance from the end of the first moving part 3, the first and second lateral orifices 9a, 9b being in fluidic relation with the inlet orifice 5.

[0050] The hydraulic distributor 1 is then configured so that, during a first period of use, only the first lateral orifice 9a is in contact with the outlet orifices 13, the second lateral orifice 9b being housed in an upper area ZI of the second part 11 which is devoid of outlet orifices 13 and wider than the lower area Z2 in which the outlet orifices 13 are located. Thus, during this first period of use, the seal 14 associated with the second lateral orifice 9b is not in contact with the second part 11. Furthermore, during this first period, only the first lateral orifice 9a is in fluidic communication with the inlet orifice 5 (the second lateral orifice 9b is not in fluidic communication with the inlet orifice 5).

[0051] The hydraulic distributor 1 is also configured so that during a second period of use, the second lateral port 9b comes into the lower zone Z2 and only the second lateral port 9b comes in relation to the outlet ports 13. During this second period, only the second lateral port 9b is in fluidic communication with the inlet port 5 (the first lateral port 9a is not in fluidic communication with the inlet port 5).

[0052] During both periods of use, the use of a seal (not illustrated), for example a lip seal, between the first part 3 and the second part 11 ensures the seal between the two parts and prevents leaks of fluid from the hydraulic distributor 1.

[0053] The initial service life corresponds, for example, to the lifespan of the seal 14. The transition to the initial service life can also be selected by the user or occur automatically if a leak in the hydraulic distributor 1 is detected. This embodiment increases the service life of the hydraulic distributor 1. A number of lateral ports greater than two can also be used.

[0054] According to an alternative embodiment, the hydraulic distributor 1 may include several lateral ports 9 configured to come simultaneously opposite respective outlet ports 13 to allow the simultaneous transmission of cleaning fluid to two outlet ports 13 (in this case the various lateral ports 9 are in fluidic communication with the inlet port 5.

[0055] According to a second embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 8c, the hydraulic distributor 1' comprises a first cylindrical part 3' including an inlet orifice 5' configured to be fluidly connected to a reservoir of a cleaning fluid, for example via a hose. The inlet orifice 5' is, for example, disposed on a first end face of the cylinder (flat face of the cylinder).

[0056] The first part 3' also includes two intermediate ports 6' arranged on the second end face of the cylinder and connected to the inlet port 5' by an internal channel 7'. The intermediate ports 6' are, for example, arranged diametrically opposite each other as shown in [Fig. 8a]. The intermediate ports 6' are thus in fluidic communication with the inlet port 5'. In Figures 1 to 4, the internal channel 7' has bends with an angle of approximately 90°, but smaller angles can be used to further reduce pressure losses at the hydraulic distributor 1'.

[0057] The hydraulic distributor 1 also includes a second cylindrical part 8' which is movable in rotation relative to the first part 3'. The first part 3' and the second part 8' have, for example, similar diameters and are configured to be arranged coaxially about a central axis Y.

[0058] The second part 8' comprises two first orifices 10' arranged on a first flat face called the inlet face (best seen in [Fig. 8b]) configured to be opposite the first part 3', and two second orifices 12' arranged on a second flat face called the outlet face (best seen in [Fig. 8c]). The first orifices 10' are in fluidic communication with the respective second orifices 12' via a first internal channel 14' and a second internal channel 16'.

[0059] In the example of Figures 7, 8a and 8b, the first orifices 10' and the second orifices 12' are arranged opposite each other respectively (the first and second internal channels 14' and 16' are oriented along the central axis Y). Furthermore, the first two orifices 10' are not arranged diametrically opposite each other. so that for a given position of the second part 8' (relative to the first part 3'), only one of the first orifices 10' of the second part 8' can be positioned opposite an intermediate orifice 6' of the first part 3'.

[0060] The hydraulic distributor 1 also includes a third cylindrical part 11' comprising a plurality of outlet ports 13', six outlet ports 13' in the example of Figures 6 to 8c (but a different number of outlet ports 13' may be used), configured to be connected to spray ports or nozzles 23 for the cleaning fluid, for example via hoses 24 (visible in [Fig. 9]). The spray ports or nozzles 23 are, for example, associated with optical equipment or devices of a motor vehicle 31. The outlet ports 13' are, for example, arranged on a flat face of the cylinder called the outlet face (best seen in [Fig. 8e]).

[0061] The third part 11' also includes six intermediate orifices 18' (better visible in [Fig. 8d]) arranged on the flat face referred to as the inlet face and in fluidic communication with the six respective outlet orifices 13' (an intermediate orifice 18' is in fluidic communication with an outlet orifice 13') via six internal channels (not shown). The internal channels extend, for example, along the central Y axis.

[0062] The third part 11' and the second part 8' have, for example, similar diameters and are configured to be arranged coaxially along a central axis Y.

[0063] The inlet port 5' and the outlet ports 13' can be oriented substantially along the direction of the central axis Y, which makes it possible to limit pressure losses.

[0064] In addition, the third part 11' is mobile in rotation relative to the second part 8' so that one of the second orifices 12' can come opposite one of the intermediate orifices 18' so as to put in fluidic communication the inlet orifice 5' and one of the outlet orifices 13' (if the position of the second part 8' is positioned so as to put in fluidic communication an intermediate orifice 6' and a first orifice 10').

[0065] Alternatively, the first part 3' can be a movable part and one of the second part 8' or of the third part 11' can be a fixed part.

[0066] The operation of the hydraulic distributor 1' thus requires the rotational movement of two parts from among the first 3', second 8' and third 11' parts.

[0067] In the example of [Fig.6], the first part 3' is fixed and the second 8' and third 11' parts are mobile in rotation as indicated by the arrows F'.

[0068] The hydraulic distributor 1' also includes a first actuator 15' configured to rotate the second part 8'.

[0069] The hydraulic distributor 1' also includes a second actuator 17' configured to rotate the third part 11'.

[0070] The first and second actuators are, for example, arranged in an axis passing through the second and third parts 8' and 11'. Alternatively, the actuators can be arranged around the second and third parts 8' and 11'. The first 15' and second 17' actuators are, for example, electric motors, in particular stepper motors, or piezoelectric motors.

[0071] Thus, the angular position of the third part 11' can be adjusted to select the outlet orifice 13' to which the cleaning fluid should be transmitted and the angular position of the second part 8' can be adjusted to allow or not the passage of the cleaning fluid to the selected outlet orifice 13'.

[0072] The hydraulic distributor 1' may also include seals 18' such as lip seals or O-rings to ensure the sealing of the hydraulic distributor 1', particularly at the ports located between the first part 3' and the second part 8' or between the second part 8' and the third part 11'. In the example shown in Figures 7 to 8e, seals 18' are located at the intermediate ports 6' and the second ports 12'. The seals 18' are, for example, located in grooves surrounding the intermediate ports and the second ports 12'.

[0073] Other configurations of the hydraulic distributor 1' are also possible, particularly with regard to the internal channels and the various orifices of each part, so that transmission of the cleaning fluid to several outlet orifices 13' can also be envisaged. More specifically, other locations for the various orifices 6', 10', 12', 18', 13' are possible, and other configurations or shapes are also possible for the internal channels 7', 14', 16' (and those of the third part 11').

[0074] The present invention also relates to a cleaning device 20 for motor vehicle equipment comprising a hydraulic distributor 1,1' according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0075] Figure 9 shows a schematic perspective view of the front portion of a motor vehicle 31. The motor vehicle 31 comprises a windshield 33 surrounded by pillars 35 connecting a hood 37 to the roof 39 of the motor vehicle 31. Mirrors 41 are also positioned on either side of the windshield 33, for example on the pillars 35. The motor vehicle 31 also comprises a grille 43 and a bumper 45 located under the hood 37. These various elements can accommodate optical devices. In the case of Figure 1, the optical devices include a Lidar sensor 47 located on the roof 39, a camera 49 arranged at the level of the bumper 45 and infrared sensors 51 arranged on the mirrors 41.

[0076] Other optical devices can also be arranged on other parts of the vehicle such as for example a camera in the rear bumper.

[0077] In order to clean all these optical devices, the motor vehicle 31 includes a cleaning device 20. The cleaning device 20 includes, for example, a cleaning fluid reservoir 21, a pump 22, a plurality of orifices or spray nozzles 23 arranged, for example, adjacent to the optical devices, and a plurality of hoses 24 for connecting the various spray orifices or spray nozzles 23 to the cleaning fluid reservoir 21 via the pump 22 and the hydraulic distributor 1, 1'. The pump 22 thus pumps the cleaning fluid from the reservoir 21 to the hydraulic distributor 1, 1' and then to the orifices or spray nozzles 23. The hydraulic distributor selects the orifice(s) or spray nozzle(s) 23 to which the cleaning fluid is to be delivered.

Claims

Demands

1. Hydraulic distributor (1, 1') for a cleaning device (20) of a motor vehicle (31) comprising: - an inlet port (5, 5') configured to be fluidically connected to a reservoir (21) of a cleaning fluid, - a plurality of outlet ports (13, 13') configured to be connected to spray ports or nozzles (23) of the cleaning fluid, - at least one moving part (3, 11, 3', 8, 11') whose position allows fluidic communication between the inlet port (5, 5') and at least one of the outlet ports (13, 13'), characterized in that the hydraulic distributor (1, 1') also comprises a first actuator (15) and a second actuator (17) configured to move the, at least one, moving part (3, 11, 3', 8, H').

2. Hydraulic distributor (1, 1') according to the preceding claim in which the first actuator (15, 15') and the second actuator (17, 17') respectively comprise a first electric or piezoelectric motor and a second electric or piezoelectric motor.

3. Hydraulic distributor (1, 1') according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the hydraulic distributor (1) comprises a single movable part (3) configured to move along a first and a second dimension.

4. Hydraulic distributor (1) according to claim 3 wherein the first dimension is a rotation about an axis of rotation (X) and the second dimension is a translation along the axis of rotation (X).

5. Hydraulic distributor (1) according to the preceding claim in which the moving part (3) is a hollow body of generally cylindrical shape.

6. Hydraulic distributor (1, 1') according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the hydraulic distributor (1') comprises a first moving part (8') associated with the first actuator (15') and a second moving part (11') associated with the second actuator (17').

7. Hydraulic distributor (1') according to the preceding claim in which the first moving part (8') is movable in rotation around of a first axis of rotation (Y) and the second moving part (11') is mobile in rotation around the first axis of rotation (Y).

8. Hydraulic distributor (1') according to the preceding claim wherein the second moving part (11') is configured to allow the selection of at least one outlet port (13') intended to be in fluidic communication with the inlet port (5') and the first moving part (8') is configured to allow or not the fluidic communication between the inlet port (5') and the selected, at least one, outlet port (13').

9. Hydraulic distributor (1') according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the inlet port (5') and the outlet ports (13') are oriented substantially along the first axis of rotation (Y).

10. A cleaning device (20) for motor vehicle equipment (31) comprising a reservoir (21) of a cleaning fluid, a plurality of spray orifices or nozzles (23), a pump (22) configured to pump the cleaning fluid from the reservoir (21) to the spray orifices or nozzles (23) and at least one hydraulic distributor (1, 1') according to any one of the preceding claims disposed between the reservoir (21) and the spray orifices or nozzles (23).

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