Cleaner

Abstract

To provide a cleaner that can suppress abnormal noises generated during fluid injection. [Solution] The cleaner comprises a cylinder 60 into which air F flows, a piston 61 that can be displaced in the front-rear direction relative to the cylinder and sends the air F that has flowed into the cylinder to a nozzle when displaced forward, a spring member 64 that elastically deforms with the front-rear displacement of the piston, and a displacement mechanism that performs a first operation OP1 which displaces the piston backward and stores elastic energy in the spring member, and a second operation which displaces the piston forward using the elastic energy. The second operation is started when the contact between the parts 70A and 70B where the displacement mechanism and the piston contact each other is released, and at least one of the materials of the contacting parts on the displacement mechanism side and the contacting parts on the piston side is made of rubber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed by this specification relates to a cleaner for removing foreign substances attached to an object to be cleaned.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cleaner that injects high-pressure air toward an object to be cleaned. The cleaner includes a cylinder, a piston, a biasing spring that biases the piston, a moving mechanism that moves the piston to a predetermined position at the rear, and a nozzle. When the piston is moved rearward by the moving mechanism, the biasing spring contracts and a biasing force is applied to the piston.

[0003] The moving mechanism includes a worm rotated by a drive unit, a worm wheel meshed with the worm, and a pinion composed of a plurality of gear teeth provided on the worm wheel. The piston is provided with a plurality of rack teeth that mesh with the pinion. As the worm wheel rotates, the pinion rotates, and the rack teeth of the piston are pushed rearward, so that the piston is moved rearward.

[0004] When the piston is moved to a predetermined position at the rear, the meshing between the pinion and the rack teeth is released, and the piston is displaced forward by the biasing force. As a result, the air flowing into the cylinder is compressed, becomes high-pressure air, and is injected from the nozzle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, when high-pressure air is injected, if the pinion is subjected to biasing force and the engagement between the pinion and the rack teeth is released, the pinion and rack teeth rub against each other strongly, causing an abnormal noise.

[0007] This disclosure aims to provide a cleaner that suppresses abnormal noise generated during fluid injection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The cleaner disclosed herein is a cleaner for removing foreign matter adhering to an object to be cleaned by spraying a fluid from a nozzle toward the object to be cleaned, and comprises a cylinder into which a fluid flows; a piston that can be displaced in the front-rear direction relative to the cylinder and, by displacement in the front direction, sends the fluid that has flowed into the cylinder toward the nozzle; a spring member that elastically deforms with the displacement of the piston in the front-rear direction; and a displacement mechanism that performs a first operation to displace the piston in the rear direction and store elastic energy in the spring member, and a second operation to displace the piston forward by the elastic energy, wherein the second operation is initiated by releasing contact between the parts of the displacement mechanism and the piston that are in contact with each other, and at least one of the materials of the contacting part on the displacement mechanism side and the material of the contacting part on the piston side is made of rubber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The cleaner disclosed herein can suppress abnormal noises generated during fluid injection. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a cleaner mounted on the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the overall configuration of the cleaner. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the cleaner's pump. [Figure 4]Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the cleaner's pump. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the cleaner's pump. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the cleaner's pump. [Figure 7] Figures 7(a) and 7(b) illustrate the state of the worm wheel mounting section before and after the installation of the rubber material. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the worm wheel mounting portion with the rubber material attached. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the rubber material is attached to the piston mounting section. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the rubber material. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] =====Summary of the embodiments related to this disclosure===== First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described.

[0012] (1) The cleaner of the present disclosure is a cleaner for removing foreign matter adhering to an object to be cleaned by spraying a fluid from a nozzle toward the object to be cleaned, comprising: a cylinder into which a fluid flows; a piston that can be displaced in the front-rear direction relative to the cylinder and which sends the fluid flowing into the cylinder toward the nozzle by displacement in the front-rear direction; a spring member that elastically deforms with the displacement of the piston in the front-rear direction; and a displacement mechanism that performs a first operation to displace the piston in the rearward direction and store elastic energy in the spring member, and a second operation to displace the piston forward by the elastic energy, wherein the second operation is started by releasing contact between the parts of the displacement mechanism and the piston that are in contact with each other, and at least one of the materials of the material of the contacting part on the displacement mechanism side and the material of the material of the contacting part on the piston side is made of rubber.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, when the contact between the displacement mechanism and the piston is released at the start of the second operation, and the piston is pushed forward by the elastic force of the spring member, if both the contact portion on the displacement mechanism side and the contact portion on the piston side are made of resin, they will strongly contact each other without elastic deformation, and thus abnormal noise may occur due to the impact when their contact is released. Therefore, by configuring at least one of the material of the contact portion on the displacement mechanism side and the material of the contact portion on the piston side with a rubber material (for example, all materials having rubber elasticity such as nitrile rubber and urethane rubber), since the rubber material is deformed when contacting the other side, the impact when their contact is released is alleviated, and abnormal noise can be suppressed.

[0014] (2) Also, either one of the material of the contacting portion on the displacement mechanism side and the material of the contacting portion on the piston side may be configured with a rubber material.

[0015] By configuring both the material of the contact portion on the displacement mechanism side and the material of the contact portion on the piston side with a rubber material, the abnormal noise generated when their contact is released can be further suppressed.

[0016] (3) Further, the displacement mechanism includes a drive part, a worm rotated by the driving force of the drive part, and a worm wheel meshing with the worm and rotated along with the rotation of the worm. The worm wheel is integrally formed with a pinion having a plurality of gear teeth protruding from the outer peripheral portion and an attachment portion to which the rubber material is attached. The piston includes a plurality of rack teeth meshing with the plurality of gear teeth and displacing the piston backward along with the rotation of the worm wheel.

[0017] By integrally forming a worm wheel meshing with the worm, a pinion meshing with the piston, and an attachment portion to which the rubber material is attached, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case of configuring them individually.

[0018] (4) Further, the attachment portion includes a cylindrical portion having a cylindrical shape, the rubber material has a cylindrical shape, and in a state where the rubber material is attached to the attachment portion, the inner surface of the rubber material and the side surface of the cylindrical portion may be in contact with each other.

[0019] Since the rubber material has a cylindrical shape and is attached to the cylindrical portion of the attachment portion, when the rubber material attached to the attachment portion of the worm wheel comes into contact with the piston before the second operation, due to the elastic force of the spring member, the rubber material rotates with respect to the cylindrical portion while the inner surface of the rubber material and the side surface of the cylindrical portion slide. As a result, the contact portion of the rubber material attached to the attachment portion with the piston changes, and the load applied to the rubber material is dispersed over the entire side surface of the rubber material. Thereby, wear of the rubber material can be suppressed.

[0020] (5) Further, the attachment portion includes a protruding portion that protrudes laterally from the side surface of the cylindrical portion, and the protruding portion may have a tapered surface that slopes toward the bottom surface of the rubber material when viewed from the attachment direction when attaching the rubber material to the cylindrical portion.

[0021] Since the attachment portion is provided with a protruding portion, when the rubber material tries to come off the cylindrical portion, the bottom surface of the rubber material hits the protruding portion, so that the rubber material can be prevented from coming off the attachment portion. Further, since the protruding portion is provided with a tapered surface that slopes toward the bottom surface of the rubber material, when attaching the rubber material to the cylindrical portion, the inner surface of the rubber material slides on the tapered surface and the rubber material can be pushed into the cylindrical portion, so that the rubber material can be more easily attached to the attachment portion compared to the case where there is no tapered surface.

[0022] (6) Further, the rubber material may be configured such that grease is applied thereto.

[0023] By applying grease to the rubber material, the friction coefficient of the grease-applied portion of the rubber material can be reduced. Thereby, for example, it is possible to suppress wear when the side surface of the rubber material comes into contact with the contact portion on the piston side. Further, it is possible to suppress wear when the rubber material slides on the attachment portion.

[0024] (7) The material of the cylindrical portion may be made of polyacetal resin, and the material of the rubber material may be made of nitrile rubber.

[0025] By selecting materials with relatively low coefficients of friction for the cylindrical part and the rubber material, wear of the rubber material when it comes into contact with the piston can be suppressed. Here, polyacetal resin can be selected as the material for the cylindrical part, and nitrile rubber can be selected as the material for the rubber material.

[0026] (8) The piston may also be configured to have a second mounting portion to which a rubber material is attached, the second mounting portion having a second cylindrical portion having a cylindrical shape, the rubber material being cylindrical, the inner surface of the rubber material and the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion being in contact, and the contact portion on the piston side being on the side surface of the rubber material attached to the second mounting portion.

[0027] By using rubber material for both the contact points on the displacement mechanism side and the contact points on the piston side, the abnormal noise generated when contact between them is released can be further suppressed. Furthermore, by providing a second mounting portion on the piston, the rubber material can be attached to the piston.

[0028] (9) The rubber material attached to the mounting portion and the rubber material attached to the second mounting portion may be configured to be the same part.

[0029] By using the same rubber material for both the worm wheel and the piston, the number of different parts used in the cleaner can be reduced.

[0030] (10) In addition, there may be at least two cylindrical portions, and the rubber material may be attached to each of the cylindrical portions, and one of the rubber materials on each of the cylindrical portions may be in contact with the contact portion on the piston side.

[0031] Since at least one of the rubber materials attached to each cylindrical section will come into contact with the contact area on the piston side, the frequency of contact between each rubber material and the contact area on the piston side is reduced. This suppresses wear on the rubber material on the worm wheel side.

[0032] (11) Alternatively, the fluid may be air, and the object to be cleaned may be the lens of an on-board camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle for checking the area around the rear of the vehicle.

[0033] Because the lenses of in-car cameras are generally small, less than 1 cm in size, water droplets adhering to the lens can be easily removed by simply blowing a small amount of air onto it. Therefore, the cleaner's pump can be small, and the cleaner itself can be made smaller, making it easy to install in the vehicle.

[0034] =====Details of the Implementation of This Disclosure===== The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings, based on preferred embodiments. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the embodiments are illustrative and not limiting to the invention, and not all features or combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention.

[0035] =====Implementation Method====== One embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Here, the X direction in Figures 3 to 6 is forward in the front-back direction, and the Y direction is to the right in the left-right direction. Also, the Z direction in Figures 7 to 10 is upward in the up-down direction.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the cleaner 1 is mounted, for example, on the body panel of the back door 200 of the vehicle V. The onboard camera 100 is a camera for checking, for example, the rear of the vehicle, and is mounted so that the lens 101 of the onboard camera 100 (an example of an object to be cleaned) is exposed to the outside of the back door 200 of the vehicle V. For example, when the vehicle V's gear is put into reverse, the onboard camera 100 starts taking pictures under the control of a vehicle control unit (ECU) (not shown). The cleaner 1 is also controlled by the vehicle control unit (ECU) to operate, for example, when the onboard camera 100 starts taking pictures.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the cleaner 1 comprises a nozzle unit 2, a joint member 3, a hose 4, and a pump 5.

[0038] =====Nozzle Unit 2===== As shown in Figure 2, the nozzle unit 2 has a connector 21 and a nozzle 22 (an example of a spray nozzle), and can be attached to and detached from the in-vehicle camera 100 via the connector 21. The connector 21 is connected to the housing 102 of the in-vehicle camera 100 so as to cover the top surface of the in-vehicle camera 100. The nozzle 22 sprays compressed air F (an example of a fluid) toward the lens 101 of the in-vehicle camera 100. This removes foreign matter OBJ such as water droplets adhering to the lens 101.

[0039] The nozzle 22 is integrally formed with the connecting portion 21, and is positioned so that when the connecting portion 21 is connected to the housing 102, the tip of the nozzle 22 faces the lens surface of the lens 101. The nozzle unit 2 is formed from, for example, resin.

[0040] =====Joint component 3, hose 4===== The joint member 3 is a component for joining the nozzle 22 of the nozzle unit 2 to the hose 4. One end of the joint member 3 is connected to the nozzle 22, and the other end is connected to the hose 4. The hose 4, together with the joint member 3, is a piping component that connects the nozzle 22 to the pump 5. One end of the hose 4 is connected to the joint member 3, and the other end is connected to the connecting discharge section 65 of the pump 5. The joint member 3 is made of, for example, resin. The hose 4 is made of, for example, resin or rubber.

[0041] =====Pump 5===== Pump 5 generates high-pressure air F to be sent to nozzle 22. The generated high-pressure air F is sent from the outlet 65A of the connecting discharge section 65 to nozzle 22 via hose 4 and joint member 3. Pump 5 is attached, for example, to a part of the vehicle body on the inside of the vehicle.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, the pump 5 comprises a displacement mechanism 51 and a piston 61. The displacement mechanism 51 and the piston 61 are housed in a case 50. As shown in Figure 3, the case 50 consists of a rear part 501 and a front part 502, and the piston 61 is located in a cylinder 60 formed in the front part 502.

[0043] =====Displacement Mechanism 51===== As shown in Figure 3, the displacement mechanism 51 includes a drive motor 52 (an example of a drive unit), a worm 53, and a worm wheel 54.

[0044] ====Drive motor 52===== As shown in Figure 3, the drive motor 52 has a main body 52A and a motor shaft 52B extending rearward from the main body 52A. A worm 53 is fixed to the motor shaft 52B, and the worm 53 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the motor shaft 52B.

[0045] =====Roller Wheel 54===== The worm wheel 54 is made of polyacetal resin and, as shown in Figure 7, the driven gear 55, the cylindrical portion 50B, the pinion 56, and the pair of mounting portions 72 are integrally formed.

[0046] =====Driven Gear 55===== As shown in Figure 3, the driven gear 55 is a helical gear and meshes with the worm 53, rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the worm 53. As a result, the worm wheel 54 rotates in the rotational direction RD (clockwise) with the support shaft portion 50X as the axis of rotation.

[0047] =====Cylinder part 50B===== As shown in Figure 7, the cylindrical portion 50B is vertically elongated and protrudes upward from the center of the driven gear 55. As shown in Figure 3, the cylindrical portion 50B is inserted through a support shaft portion 50X that protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the rear part 501 in the case portion 50. In this way, the worm wheel 54 is supported by the case portion 50.

[0048] =====Pinion 56===== As shown in Figure 7, the pinion 56 is located above the driven gear 55 and protrudes from the cylindrical portion 50B in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The pinion 56 is coaxial with the driven gear 55 and rotates together with the driven gear 55. The outer diameter of the pinion 56 is smaller than the outer diameter of the driven gear 55.

[0049] =====Gear teeth 57, missing teeth 58===== As shown in Figure 7, the outer circumference of the pinion 56 has multiple gear teeth 57 that protrude radially, and multiple toothless portions 58 that are areas where gear teeth are not provided.

[0050] There are four gear teeth 57, and opposing gear teeth (gear teeth 57A shown in Figure 7 and gear teeth 57B shown in Figure 3) are formed in the same shape. Two opposing gear teeth 57A form a first pair, and two opposing gear teeth 57B located between the first pair form a second pair.

[0051] Each of the four gear teeth 57 is formed such that the spacing between it and one adjacent gear tooth is different from the spacing between it and the other adjacent gear tooth. For example, as shown in Figure 7, in the case of one gear tooth 57B, the spacing between it and the gear tooth 57A on the left side of the page is longer than the spacing between it and the gear tooth 57A on the right side of the page.

[0052] There are four missing teeth 58, and as shown in Figure 3, they are formed so that opposing missing teeth (missing teeth 58A to each other, missing teeth 58B to each other) are the same length. Opposite missing teeth 58A to each other form a first pair, and opposite missing teeth 58B to each other, located between the first pair, form a second pair. As shown in Figure 7, the length of missing teeth 58A is shorter than the length of missing teeth 58B.

[0053] =====Mounting section 72===== As shown in Figure 7, the pair of mounting portions 72 are located above the pinion 56, protruding from the cylindrical portion 50B in directions intersecting the vertical direction, and further protruding upward.

[0054] =====Cylindrical part 74, protruding part 76===== The portion of each mounting section 72 that protrudes upward is a cylindrical section 74, and a projection 76 is provided at the upper end of the cylindrical section 74. The projections 76 are paired and are provided projecting from the cylindrical section 74 in directions that intersect with the vertical direction.

[0055] =====Rubber material 70===== The rubber material 70 is made of nitrile rubber and is cylindrical in shape, as shown in Figure 10. Grease GR is applied to all surfaces of the rubber material 70 (side surface 70F, bottom surface 70S, and inner surface 70N). As shown in Figure 7, the rubber material 70 is attached to the cylindrical portion 74 of the mounting portion 72 from the mounting direction MD (from top to bottom on the cylindrical portion 74). As shown in Figure 8, when the rubber material 70 is attached to the mounting portion 72, the inner surface 70N of the rubber material 70 is in contact with the side surface 74F of the cylindrical portion 74.

[0056] Here, since the cylindrical portion 74 is provided with a pair of protrusions 76, even if the attached rubber material 70 tries to come out upward, the bottom surface 70S of the rubber material 70 will come into contact with the protrusions 76 from below, thereby preventing the rubber material 70 from coming out of the cylindrical portion 74.

[0057] As shown in Figure 8, the protruding portion 76 of the cylindrical portion 74 has a tapered surface 76F that slopes toward the bottom surface 70S of the rubber material 70 when viewed from the mounting direction MD. As a result, when attaching the rubber material 70 to the cylindrical portion 74, the inner surface 70N of the rubber material 70 slides against the tapered surface 76F and is pressed into the cylindrical portion 74, so that the rubber material 70 can be easily attached to the cylindrical portion 74.

[0058] As shown in Figure 4, the gear teeth 57A (shown by dotted lines) of the pinion 56 are located below the mounting portion 72 and the rubber material 70. When viewed from above, the gear teeth 57A are contained within the outer dimensions of the rubber material 70, and therefore the gear teeth 57A cannot be seen from above.

[0059] =====Cylinder 60===== As shown in Figure 3, the cylinder 60 is a long cylindrical shape in the front-rear direction, and a space 60A is formed inside the cylinder 60 in which the piston 61 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 5, when the piston 61 is moved to its maximum rearward position, air F is stored in the space 60A inside the cylinder 60.

[0060] =====Connected discharge part 65===== As shown in Figure 3, a connecting discharge section 65 is formed near the front end of the cylinder 60, protruding to the right. The diameter of the discharge port 65A of the connecting discharge section 65 is smaller than the diameter of the space 60A of the cylinder 60.

[0061] =====Piston 61===== As shown in Figure 3, the piston 61 is composed of a piston body 66 and a rack 62.

[0062] =====Piston body 66, sealing member 61A===== The piston body 66 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and an annular groove is formed on the outer circumference of the piston body 66. A sealing member 61A made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or resin is placed in the groove of the piston body 66.

[0063] The diameter of the sealing member 61A is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the piston body 66, and the outer circumference of the sealing member 61A protrudes slightly outward from the outer surface of the piston body 66. The piston body 66 is configured such that the sealing member 61A slides against the inner surface of the cylinder 60 in the space 60A.

[0064] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the piston 61 reciprocates in the forward and backward direction relative to the cylinder 60. As shown in Figure 6, when the piston 61 is moved to its maximum forward position, the outer circumferential surface of the sealing member 61A is positioned to block the discharge port 65A of the connecting discharge section 65 from the side of the space 60A of the cylinder 60.

[0065] =====Rack 62===== As shown in Figure 3, the rack 62 is formed to extend in the front-rear direction and is connected to the rear side of the piston body 66. The rack 62 is inserted through an insertion hole (not shown) formed in the rear part 501 of the case 50 and is supported by the case 50. The rack 62 reciprocates in the front-rear direction together with the piston body 66.

[0066] As shown in Figure 9, two rack teeth 63 are provided at the rear end of the rack 62, spaced apart in the front-rear direction. Of the two rack teeth 63, the rear one is designated as the first rack tooth 63A, and the front one as the second rack tooth 63B.

[0067] As shown in Figure 4, the distance between the first rack tooth 63A and the second rack tooth 63B is formed to be approximately the same as the distance between the gear tooth 57B of the pinion 56 and the gear tooth 57A immediately behind it in the rotational direction RD of the pinion 56. Each rack tooth 63A, 63B of the rack 62 is capable of meshing with the gear tooth 57 of the pinion 56.

[0068] =====Mounting section 720===== As shown in Figure 9, a mounting portion 720 (an example of a second mounting portion) is provided on the rear side of the rack 62. The mounting portion 720 is composed of a cylindrical portion 740 (an example of a second cylindrical portion) and a protruding portion 760 having a tapered surface 760F, and rubber material 70 is attached to the mounting portion 720. The shapes of the cylindrical portion 740, the protruding portion 760, and the tapered surface 760F in the mounting portion 720 are the same as the shapes of the cylindrical portion 74, the protruding portion 76, and the tapered surface 76F in the mounting portion 72 of the worm wheel 54. Furthermore, the rubber material 70 attached to the mounting portion 720 is the same part as the rubber material 70 attached to the mounting portion 72 on the worm wheel 54 side.

[0069] The cylindrical portion 740 is provided projecting upward from a square plate-shaped portion formed at the upper end of the rack 62, and when viewed from above, is located between the first rack teeth 63A and the second rack teeth 63B. When the rubber material 70 is attached to the mounting portion 720, the inner surface 70N of the rubber material 70 and the side surface 740F of the cylindrical portion 740 are in contact. The other configurations are the same as those of the mounting portion 72 on the worm wheel 54 side.

[0070] =====Spring component 64===== As shown in Figure 3, a spring member 64 is supported between the rear end of the piston body 66 and the rear part 501 of the case 50. The spring member 64 is composed of a compression coil and elastically deforms within the cylinder 60 along with the displacement of the piston 61 in the longitudinal direction. The spring member 64 biases the piston 61 forward.

[0071] =====Positional relationship between gear teeth 57A, 57B and rack teeth 63A, 63B===== As shown in Figure 7, in the pinion 56 of the worm wheel 54, the width W2 of the gear teeth 57B is formed to be less than half the width W1 of the gear teeth 57A. The gear teeth 57B are located on the lower end side of the outer circumference of the pinion 56.

[0072] As shown in Figure 9, in the rack 62, the width W4 of the second rack tooth 63B is less than half the width W3 of the first rack tooth 63A. Also, the second rack tooth 63B is located on the upper side of the left face of the rack 62. As a result, the second rack tooth 63B meshes with the gear tooth 57A of the pinion 56 (as shown in Figure 4), but does not mesh with the gear tooth 57B located on the lower end of the outer circumference of the pinion 56.

[0073] =====Cleaner 1 Operation===== Here, the operation of Cleaner 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 3 to 6. For example, when the gear of vehicle V is switched to reverse or the operating switch of cleaner 1 is turned ON, the drive motor 52 is driven by the control of the vehicle control unit (ECU). The drive of the drive motor 52 rotates the worm 53, and the driven gear 55 of the worm wheel 54, which is meshed with the worm 53, rotates in the rotation direction RD in Figure 3.

[0074] When the driven gear 55 rotates, the pinion 56, which is integrally formed with the driven gear 55, also rotates. As shown in Figure 3, first, the gear teeth 57B of the pinion 56 mesh with the first rack teeth 63A of the rack 62. As a result, the gear teeth 57B push the first rack teeth 63A backward, and the entire piston 61 is displaced backward. The backward displacement of the piston 61 compresses the spring member 64, and elastic energy is stored in the spring member 64.

[0075] As the pinion 56 rotates further, the rack 62 disengages from the gear teeth 57B and the first rack teeth 63A, and the gear teeth 57A of the pinion 56 engage with the second rack teeth 63B of the rack 62, as shown in Figure 4.

[0076] At this time, the rubber material 70 attached to the mounting portion 72 of the worm wheel 54 and the rubber material 70 attached to the mounting portion 720 of the rack 62 come into contact, and as each rubber material 70 undergoes elastic deformation, the gear teeth 57A push the second rack teeth 63B backward. As a result, the piston 61 is displaced further backward, and more elastic energy is stored in the spring member 64. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, this operation in which elastic energy is stored in the spring member 64 is referred to as the first operation OP1.

[0077] Here, since grease GR is applied to the side surface 70F of the rubber material 70, friction caused by contact between the rubber materials 70 is suppressed, and wear of the side surface 70F of the rubber material 70 is inhibited.

[0078] Furthermore, the rubber material 70 is made of nitrile rubber, and the mounting part 72 is made of polyacetal resin, both of which are known to have relatively low coefficients of friction. In addition, to reduce the coefficient of friction of the inner surface 70N of the rubber material 70, grease GR is also applied to the inner surface of the grease GR. Therefore, even if the inner surface 70N of the rubber material 70 slides against the side surface 74F of the cylindrical part 74 due to contact between the rubber materials 70, wear of the inner surface 70N of the rubber material 70 is suppressed.

[0079] Furthermore, since grease GR is also applied to the bottom surface 70S of the rubber material 70, wear of the bottom surface 70S of the rubber material 70 is suppressed even when the bottom surface 70S slides against the protruding portion 76 of the mounting portion 72.

[0080] As the pinion 56 rotates further, the gear teeth 57A and the second rack teeth 63B are disengaged, as shown in Figure 5. At this time, contact is still maintained between the rubber material 70 attached to the mounting portion 72 of the worm wheel 54 and the rubber material 70 attached to the mounting portion 720 of the rack 62.

[0081] Here, as shown in Figure 5, the contact portion 70A on the side surface 70F of the rubber material 70 on the worm wheel 54 side is the portion that contacts the rubber material 70 on the rack 62 side. Also, the contact portion 70B on the side surface 70F of the rubber material 70 on the rack 62 side is the portion that contacts the contact portion 70A of the rubber material 70 on the worm wheel 54 side.

[0082] As the pinion 56 rotates further, the contact between the contact portion 70A of the rubber material 70 on the mounting portion 72 and the contact portion 70B of the rubber material 70 on the mounting portion 720 is released, and the second operation OP2 is initiated, as shown in Figure 6. In the second operation OP2, the piston 61 is displaced forward by the elastic energy stored in the spring member 64. This generates high-pressure air F to remove the foreign matter OBJ.

[0083] Here, since the length of the missing tooth portion 58B is formed to be longer than the length of the missing tooth portion 58A, compared to the case where the lengths of the missing tooth portion 58B and the missing tooth portion 58A are the same, when the piston 61 is displaced forward, the first rack tooth 63A of the rack 62 contacts the gear tooth 57B of the pinion 56, and the reduction in the amount of forward displacement of the piston 61 can be suppressed.

[0084] When cleaning is performed again after the injection of high-pressure air F, the same operation as described above is repeated by the gear teeth 57A and 57B of the opposite pair of pinions 56.

[0085] =====Effects of this section===== Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. According to the cleaner 1 of this embodiment, air F is sprayed from a nozzle 22 (an example of a spray port) toward the lens 101 of the in-vehicle camera 100 to remove foreign matter OBJ adhering to the in-vehicle camera 100, and comprises a cylinder 60 into which air F flows, a piston 61 which can be displaced in the front-rear direction relative to the cylinder 60 and which sends the air F that has flowed into the cylinder 60 to the nozzle 22 when displaced in the front-rear direction, a spring member 64 which elastically deforms with the front-rear displacement of the piston 61, and the piston 61 The displacement mechanism 51 performs a first operation OP1 which displaces the piston 61 backward and stores elastic energy in the spring member 64, and a second operation OP2 which displaces the piston 61 forward using the elastic energy. The second operation OP2 is initiated when the contact between the parts 70A and 70B of the displacement mechanism 51 and the piston 61 is released, and at least one of the materials of the contacting part 70A on the displacement mechanism side 51 and the contacting part 70B on the piston 61 side is made of rubber material 70.

[0086] According to this embodiment, when the contact between the displacement mechanism 51 and the piston 61 is released at the start of the second operation OP2, and the piston 61 is pushed forward by the elastic force of the spring member 64, if both the contact portion 70A on the displacement mechanism 51 side and the contact portion 70B on the piston side are made of resin, they will come into strong contact without elastic deformation, and the impact when the contact is released from each other may generate abnormal noise. Therefore, by making at least one of the materials of the contact portion 70A on the displacement mechanism 51 side and the contact portion 70B on the piston 61 side out of rubber material 70 (for example, any material with rubber elasticity such as nitrile rubber or urethane rubber), the rubber material 70 deforms when it comes into contact with the other side, so the impact when the contact is released from each other is mitigated and abnormal noise can be suppressed.

[0087] Furthermore, both the material of the contact portion 70A on the displacement mechanism 51 side and the material of the contact portion 70B on the piston 61 side are made of rubber material 70.

[0088] By making both the contact portion 70A on the displacement mechanism 51 side and the contact portion 70B on the piston 61 side out of rubber material 70, the abnormal noise generated when contact between them is released can be further suppressed.

[0089] Furthermore, the displacement mechanism 51 includes a drive motor 52 (an example of a drive unit), a worm 53 that is rotated by the driving force of the drive motor 52, and a worm wheel 54 that meshes with the worm 53 and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the worm 53. The worm wheel 54 has a pinion 56 with a plurality of gear teeth 57 protruding from its outer circumference and a mounting portion 72 to which a rubber material 70 is attached integrally formed. The piston 61 has a plurality of rack teeth 63 that mesh with the plurality of gear teeth 57 and displace the piston 61 backward as the worm wheel 54 rotates.

[0090] By integrally forming the worm wheel 54 that meshes with the worm 53, the pinion 56 that meshes with the piston 61, and the mounting portion 72 to which the rubber material 70 is attached, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when each component is constructed individually.

[0091] Furthermore, the mounting portion 72 is equipped with a cylindrical portion 74, and the rubber material 70 is cylindrical in shape. When the rubber material 70 is attached to the mounting portion 72, the inner surface 70N of the rubber material 70 and the side surface 74F of the cylindrical portion 74 are in contact.

[0092] Since the rubber material 70 is cylindrical and attached to the cylindrical portion 74 of the mounting portion 72, when the rubber material 70 attached to the mounting portion 72 of the worm wheel 54 comes into contact with the piston 61 before the second operation OP2, the elastic force of the spring member 64 causes the rubber material 70 to rotate relative to the cylindrical portion 74, with the inner surface 70N of the rubber material 70 sliding against the side surface 74F of the cylindrical portion 74. As a result, the contact area 70A between the rubber material 70 attached to the mounting portion 72 and the piston 61 changes, and the load applied to the rubber material 70 is distributed across the entire side surface of the rubber material 70. This suppresses wear of the rubber material 70.

[0093] Furthermore, the mounting portion 72 includes a projection 76 that protrudes laterally from the side surface of the cylindrical portion 74, and the projection 76 has a tapered surface 76F that is inclined toward the bottom surface 70S of the rubber material 70 when viewed from the mounting direction MD when attaching the rubber material 70 to the cylindrical portion 74.

[0094] Since the mounting portion 72 is provided with a protrusion 76, if the rubber material 70 tries to come out of the cylindrical portion 74, the bottom surface 70S of the rubber material 70 will come into contact with the protrusion 76, thereby preventing the rubber material 70 from coming off the mounting portion 72. Furthermore, since the protrusion 76 is provided with a tapered surface 76F that slopes toward the bottom surface 70S of the rubber material 70, when attaching the rubber material 70 to the cylindrical portion 74, the inner surface 70N of the rubber material 70 slides against the tapered surface 76F, pushing the rubber material 70 into the cylindrical portion 74. Compared to the case without the tapered surface 76F, the rubber material 70 can be attached to the mounting portion 72 more easily.

[0095] Furthermore, grease GR is applied to the side surface 70F of the rubber material 70.

[0096] By applying grease GR to the rubber material 70, the coefficient of friction of the grease GR-applied portion of the rubber material 70 can be reduced. This suppresses wear, for example, when the side surface 70F of the rubber material 70 comes into contact with the contact portion 70B on the piston 61 side. It also suppresses wear when the rubber material 70 slides against the mounting portion 72.

[0097] Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 74 is made of polyacetal resin, and the rubber material 70 is made of nitrile rubber.

[0098] By selecting materials with relatively low coefficients of friction for the cylindrical portion 74 and the rubber material 70, wear of the rubber material 70 when it comes into contact with the piston 61 can be suppressed. Here, polyacetal resin can be selected as the material for the cylindrical portion 74, and nitrile rubber can be selected as the material for the rubber material 70.

[0099] Furthermore, the piston 61 is provided with a second mounting portion 720 to which the rubber material 70 is attached, and the second mounting portion 720 is provided with a second cylindrical portion 740 which is cylindrical in shape, and the inner surface 70N of the rubber material 70 is in contact with the side surface 74F of the cylindrical portion 74, and the contact portion 70B on the piston 61 side is on the side surface 74F of the rubber material 70 attached to the second mounting portion 720.

[0100] By making both the contact portion 70A on the displacement mechanism 51 side and the contact portion 70B on the piston 61 side out of rubber material 70, the abnormal noise generated when contact between them is released can be further suppressed. In addition, by providing a second mounting portion 720 on the piston 61, the rubber material 70 can be attached to the piston 61.

[0101] Furthermore, the rubber material 70 attached to the mounting portion 72 and the rubber material 70 attached to the second mounting portion 720 are considered to be the same part.

[0102] By making the rubber material 70 attached to the worm wheel 54 and the rubber material 70 attached to the piston 61 the same part, the number of parts used in the cleaner 1 can be reduced.

[0103] Furthermore, at least two cylindrical portions 74 are provided, and rubber material 70 is attached to each cylindrical portion 74, with one of the rubber materials 70 on each cylindrical portion 74 contacting the contact portion 70B on the piston 61 side.

[0104] Since at least one of the rubber materials 70 attached to each cylindrical portion 74 comes into contact with the contact portion 70B on the piston 61 side, the frequency of contact between each rubber material 70 and the contact portion 70B on the piston 61 side is reduced. This suppresses wear of the rubber material 70 on the worm wheel 54 side.

[0105] Furthermore, the fluid is air F, and the object to be cleaned is the lens 101 of an onboard camera 100 mounted on the rear of the vehicle V, which is used to check the area around the rear of the vehicle V.

[0106] Since the lens 101 of the in-vehicle camera 100 is generally small, less than 1 cm in size, water droplets adhering to the lens can be easily removed by simply blowing a small amount of air onto the lens. For this reason, the pump 5 of the cleaner 1 can be small, and the cleaner 1 can be made smaller, so the cleaner 1 can be easily mounted on the vehicle V. =====Other Embodiments=====

[0107] (1) In the above embodiment, the on-board camera 100 and the cleaner 1 are mounted on the body panel of the back door 200 of the vehicle V, but are not limited to this. For example, the on-board camera 100 and the cleaner 1 may be mounted on the body panel on the front or side of the vehicle.

[0108] (2) In the above embodiment, the cleaner 1 is a device for an in-vehicle camera 100, but it is not limited to this. For example, it can be applied as a device for cleaning foreign matter adhering to vehicle lights, windows, mirrors, collision avoidance sensors, etc. Furthermore, the cleaner 1 is not limited to in-vehicle use, and may be applied, for example, to cleaning the lenses of outdoor surveillance cameras.

[0109] (3) In the above embodiment, the rubber material 70 was attached to both the mounting portion 72 on the worm wheel 54 side and the mounting portion 720 on the piston 61 side, but it is not limited to this. For example, the rubber material may be attached to at least one of the worm wheel side and the piston side, and the material of the contact portion on the other side to which the rubber material is not attached may be resin.

[0110] (4) In the above embodiment, the gear teeth 57A and 57B of the pinion 56 were arranged in opposing pairs, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the gear teeth 57A and 57B may be arranged individually without pairs.

[0111] (5) In the above embodiment, the pinion 56 was formed such that the length of the missing tooth portion 58B was longer than the length of the missing tooth portion 58A, but it is not limited to this. For example, the pinion may be formed such that the lengths of each missing tooth portion are all the same.

[0112] (6) In the above embodiment, the worm wheel 54, the pinion 56, and the mounting portion 72 were formed as a single unit, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the worm wheel, the pinion, and the mounting portion may each be made as separate parts.

[0113] (7) In the above embodiment, grease GR was applied to all surfaces of the rubber material 70, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, grease GR may be applied only to the side surface 70F of the rubber material 70. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0114] 1… Cleaner 2…Nozzle unit 3… Joint components 4...Hose 5... Pump 21...Connection part 22…Nozzle (spray nozzle) 50...Case part 50X…Support shaft part 50B…Cylinder part 51…Displacement mechanism 52…Drive motor (drive unit) 52A...Main unit 52B...motor shaft 53... Warm 54... Worm wheel 55... Driven gear 56... Pinion 57, 57A, 57B... Gear teeth 58, 58A, 58B... Missing tooth area 60... Cylinder 60A...Space 61... Piston 61A...Sealing material 62... Rack 63, 63A, 63B... rack teeth 64... Spring component 65...Connection discharge part 65A…Discharge port 66... ​​Piston body 70...Rubber material 70A, 70B…Contact area 70N...inner surface 70S…bottom 70F…Side 72, 720... Mounting section (second mounting section) 74, 740...Cylindrical section (second cylindrical section) 74F, 740F…side 76, 760...Protrusion 76F, 760F... Tapered surface 100... Car-mounted camera 101...Lens (object to be cleaned) 102... Housing 200... Back door 501...Rear part 502... Front part V...vehicle F...Air (fluid) OBJ…Foreign object OP1…1st operation OP2...Second operation GR...Grease W1, W2, W3, W4... width RD... Direction of rotation

Claims

1. A cleaner for removing foreign matter adhering to an object to be cleaned by spraying a fluid from a nozzle onto the object to be cleaned, A cylinder into which fluid flows, A piston is provided that can be displaced in the front-rear direction relative to the cylinder, and that the displacement in the front direction sends the fluid flowing into the cylinder to the nozzle. A spring member that elastically deforms with the displacement of the piston in the front-rear direction, The displacement mechanism comprises a first operation that displaces the piston in the rearward direction, thereby storing elastic energy in the spring member, and a second operation that displaces the piston forward using the elastic energy. The second operation is initiated when the contact between the displacement mechanism and the piston is released at the point where they are in contact with each other. A cleaner in which at least one of the materials of the contacting portion on the displacement mechanism side and the contacting portion on the piston side is made of rubber.

2. The cleaner according to claim 1, wherein both the material of the contact portion on the displacement mechanism side and the material of the contact portion on the piston side are made of rubber.

3. The displacement mechanism is, The drive unit and A worm rotated by the driving force of the aforementioned drive unit, The system comprises a worm wheel that meshes with the worm and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the worm, The worm wheel has, A pinion with multiple gear teeth protruding from its outer circumference, The mounting portion to which the rubber material is attached is formed integrally with the mounting portion, The aforementioned piston is The cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of rack teeth that mesh with the plurality of gear teeth and displace the piston rearward as the worm wheel rotates.

4. The aforementioned mounting portion includes a cylindrical part that is cylindrical in shape. The aforementioned rubber material is cylindrical in shape. The cleaner according to claim 3, wherein, when the rubber material is attached to the mounting portion, the inner surface of the rubber material and the side surface of the cylindrical portion are in contact.

5. The mounting portion includes a projection that protrudes laterally from the side surface of the cylindrical portion, The cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the protruding portion has a tapered surface that slopes toward the bottom surface of the rubber material when viewed from the mounting direction when attaching the rubber material to the cylindrical portion.

6. The cleaner according to claim 4, wherein grease is applied to the rubber material in the front.

7. The material of the cylindrical part is made of polyacetal resin. The cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the material of the rubber material is made of nitrile rubber.

8. The piston is equipped with a second mounting portion to which a rubber material is attached, The second mounting portion comprises a second cylindrical portion which is cylindrical in shape. The aforementioned rubber material is cylindrical in shape. The inner surface of the rubber material and the outer surface of the second cylindrical portion are in contact. The cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the contact portion on the piston side is on the side surface of the rubber material attached to the second mounting portion.

9. The cleaner according to claim 8, wherein the rubber material attached to the mounting portion and the rubber material attached to the second mounting portion are the same part.

10. At least two of the aforementioned cylindrical parts are provided. The aforementioned rubber material is attached to each of the aforementioned cylindrical parts. The cleaner according to claim 4, wherein one of the rubber materials of each of the cylindrical parts is in contact with the contact portion on the piston side.

11. The fluid is air. The cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the object to be cleaned is the lens of an on-board camera mounted on the rear of the vehicle for checking the area around the rear of the vehicle.

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