Washing device

Abstract

This prevents external liquids from flowing through the opening into the drive mechanism located inside the case. [Solution] The device comprises cases 22 and 45 having a movable body storage space 47, an opening 50 connecting the external space and the movable body storage space, a drive mechanism storage space 24, and a contacted portion 28 located on the opening side of the drive mechanism storage space; a movable body 55 provided in the movable body storage space that reciprocates between a first position and a second position further from the opening than the first position, and discharges air from the movable body storage space through the opening by moving from the second position to the first position; a drive mechanism 32 provided in the drive mechanism storage space that moves the movable body between the first position and the second position; and a sealing member 60 fixed to one of the movable body and the contacted portion, which elastically deforms and contacts the other of the movable body and the contacted portion when the drive mechanism stops the movable body at a predetermined position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an electric air pump that includes a case having a cylinder, a piston movably disposed in the cylinder, and a drive mechanism disposed inside the case that applies motive force to the piston. In this electric air pump, the piston reciprocates inside the cylinder, whereby air is discharged to the outside from a nozzle provided in the cylinder.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the electric air pump of the above Patent Document 1 is in a non-use state where the piston is stopped, there is a risk that water or the like heading from the outside of the electric air pump toward the electric air pump side enters the cylinder from the nozzle, and intrudes toward the drive mechanism side via the internal space of the cylinder.

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, the present invention has an object to obtain a cleaning apparatus that can prevent external liquid from heading toward the drive mechanism disposed inside the case via the opening portion.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] A cleaning apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a case having a moving body storage space, an opening portion that communicates an external space and the moving body storage space, a drive mechanism storage space that is a space separate from the moving body storage space, and a contacted portion that is located closer to the opening portion side than the drive mechanism storage space; and the moving The device comprises: a movable body provided in a body storage space, which reciprocates between a first position and a second position further away from the opening than the first position, and which moves from the second position back to the first position to discharge air from the opening in the movable body storage space; a drive mechanism provided in the drive mechanism storage space that moves the movable body between the first position and the second position in the movable body storage space; and a sealing member fixed to one of the movable body and the contacted portion, which elastically deforms and contacts the other of the movable body and the contacted portion when the drive mechanism stops the movable body at a predetermined position.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is a cleaning apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein a cylinder is provided in a part of the case, and the moving body is a piston that reciprocates within the cylinder.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is a cleaning apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the predetermined position is a first stop position which is any position between the top dead center of the piston (the first position) and the position where the sealing member begins to contact the other part of the contacted portion with the piston, or a second stop position which is any position between the bottom dead center of the piston (the second position) and the position where the sealing member begins to contact the other part with the other.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a cleaning apparatus that, in the third aspect of the present invention, is further equipped with a position detection means for detecting the position of the piston, the drive mechanism is equipped with an electric motor, and the piston can be stopped at the first stop position or the second stop position by controlling the electric motor using the detection result of the position detection means.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a cleaning device in which the piston can be stopped at a second stop position, in addition to the cleaning device in the fourth aspect of the present invention.

[0011] A cleaning apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a cleaning apparatus according to any of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, wherein the drive mechanism is equipped with an electric motor, and when a predetermined condition is met when the sealing member is not in contact with the other, the power value supplied to the electric motor is reduced to a predetermined adjustment power value, thereby reducing the rotational speed of the electric motor to a predetermined adjustment speed. The electric motor is stopped when the magnitude of the load on the electric motor is greater than a first value, which is the magnitude when the sealing member is not in contact with the other part of the moving body moved by the electric motor rotating at the adjustment speed, and less than a second value, which is the magnitude when the elastic deformation of the sealing member is at its maximum due to the moving body moved by the electric motor rotating at the adjustment power value and the other part of the contacted part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] In the cleaning apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, when the moving body stops moving at a predetermined position, a sealing member fixed to one of the contacted parts of the moving body and the case comes into contact with the other of the moving body and the contacted part while elastically deforming. Therefore, when the moving body stops, the sealing member prevents liquid that has entered the internal space of the case through the opening from moving towards the drive mechanism housing space.

[0013] In a cleaning device according to a second aspect of the present invention, when the piston stops in a cleaning device having a cylinder and a piston, a sealing member prevents liquid that has entered the internal space of the case through the opening from moving towards the drive mechanism housing space.

[0014] In the cleaning apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, when the piston is at a first stop position between the top dead center and the position where the sealing member begins to contact the other part to be contacted, or when the piston is at a second stop position between the bottom dead center and the position where the sealing member begins to contact the other part, the sealing member makes contact with the other part to be contacted while elastically deforming. Therefore, the load on the drive mechanism can be reduced.

[0015] In the cleaning apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the piston can be stopped at the first stop position or the second stop position with high accuracy.

[0016] In the cleaning apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the piston stopped at the second stop position is moved toward the first stop position, liquid located outside the cleaning apparatus is less likely to enter the case through the opening.

[0017] The cleaning apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention facilitates stopping the electric motor when the seal member on the other of the moving body and the contacted portion is in contact while elastically deforming. Brief Description of Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] This is an overall view of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the electric pump device. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the electric pump device. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3 when the piston is at the bottom dead center. [Figure 5] This is a graph showing the relationship between various values related to the electric pump device and time. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3 when the piston of the cleaning apparatus according to the first modification of the present invention is at the bottom dead center. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of the electric pump device of the cleaning apparatus according to the second modification of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a functional block diagram of the CPU of the control device of the cleaning apparatus according to the third modification of the present invention. [Figure 9] This represents the relationship between the rotation angle (horizontal axis) of the electric motor according to the third modification of the present invention and the load (torque) (vertical axis) of the electric motor. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart representing the processing executed by the CPU according to the third modification of the present invention. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] The cleaning apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that directions in the following description are based on the arrows in each figure.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the cleaning device 10 of this embodiment includes an electric pump device 20, a control device (position detection means) 65, and a nozzle unit 70.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the electric pump device 20 comprises a first case (case) 22, a drive mechanism 32, a worm wheel 38, an O-ring 43, a second case (case) 45, a piston (moving body) (contacted part) 55, and a sealing member 60.

[0022] The external structure of the electric pump device 20 is composed of a first case 22 and a second case 45 that are detachable from each other.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, a drive mechanism housing space 24 is formed as a recess inside the first case 22. Furthermore, an outside air intake hole 25 is formed in the first case 22, which connects the outside of the first case 22 to the drive mechanism housing space 24. A part of the outer surface of the first case 22 is a connecting end face 26 which is a flat surface. Furthermore, a communication hole 27 is formed in the center of the connecting end face 26. In the region located on the inner side of the outer peripheral edge of the connecting end face 26, a contacted portion 28, which is an annular surface centered on the communication hole 27, is formed.

[0024] The drive mechanism housing space 24 houses the drive mechanism 32. The drive mechanism 32 comprises an electric motor 33, a worm wheel 38, a rod 39, and a connecting pin 40. The electric motor 33 is a stepping motor having a motor body 34, an output shaft 35 that protrudes from the end face of the motor body 34 and is rotatable about its own axis, and a worm 36 fixed to the output shaft 35. Furthermore, the drive mechanism housing space 24 houses the worm wheel 38. The center of the worm wheel 38 is supported by a rotation support shaft (not shown) provided on the inner surface of the drive mechanism housing space 24, and the worm wheel 38 is rotatable about the rotation support shaft relative to the first case 22. Furthermore, the outer circumference of the worm wheel 38 meshes with the worm 36. Furthermore, one end of the rod 39 provided in the drive mechanism housing space 24 is rotatably connected to a connecting pin 40 fixed to the worm wheel 38.

[0025] The second case 45 has a cylinder 46, a tube connection portion 48, and a plurality of outer peripheral projections 51. A movable body storage space 47 is formed inside the substantially cylindrical cylinder 46. A tube connection portion 48, which is coaxial with the cylinder 46 and has a smaller diameter than the cylinder 46, is connected to the end of the cylinder 46. Inside the tube connection portion 48, an internal flow path 49 is formed that penetrates the entire tube connection portion 48, and the end of the internal flow path 49 is formed by an opening 50. When the opening 50 is cut by a plane perpendicular to the axis of the internal flow path 49, the cross-sectional shape is circular, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening 50 is a predetermined value A. Furthermore, a plurality of outer peripheral projections 51 are fixed in a circumferential direction to the end of the outer surface of the cylinder 46 opposite to the tube connection portion 48.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, a piston 55 is inserted into the movable body storage space 47 of the cylinder 46 so as to be movable relative to the axis of the cylinder 46. The piston 55 has a body portion 56 which is substantially cylindrical in shape, and a connecting piece 58 which is fixed to the center of the end face of the body portion 56 opposite to the tube connection portion 48 and extends from the body portion 56 toward the opposite side of the tube connection portion 48. The outer diameter of the body portion 56 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylinder 46. An annular recess 57 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the body portion 56. A connecting pin 58A is fixed to the connecting piece 58. Furthermore, an annular seal 59 made of an elastic material is fitted into the annular recess 57.

[0027] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a sealing member 60 is fixed in a liquid-tight and airtight state to the end face of the piston 55 opposite to the tube connection portion 48. The sealing member 60 is an integrally molded product made of an elastic material. For example, the sealing member 60 is made of silicone rubber. The sealing member 60 is a hollow, substantially rotationally symmetrical body about the axis of the main body portion 56, and the entire end opposite to the main body portion 56 is open. When the sealing member 60 is in a free state, as shown in Figure 3, the diameter of the sealing member 60 about the axis of the sealing member 60 decreases towards the main body portion 56. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the end of the sealing member 60 opposite to the main body portion 56 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylinder 46 and the outer diameter of the main body portion 56. In addition, a central hole 61 is formed in the center of the end face of the sealing member 60 on the main body portion 56 side. The connecting piece 58 of the piston 55 passes through the central hole 61.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the first case 22 and the second case 45 are fixed to each other via an O-ring 43, which is an integrally molded part made of an elastic material. More specifically, with the O-ring 43 in contact with the end face of the cylinder 46 opposite to the tube connection portion 48, the end face of the second case 45 opposite to the tube connection portion 48 is positioned opposite the contact portion 28 of the first case 22. Furthermore, the cylinder 46 is fixed to the first case 22 with the O-ring 43 sandwiched between the end face of the cylinder 46 opposite to the tube connection portion 48 and the contact portion 28, causing the ring 43 to elastically deform. This connects the first case 22 and the second case 45 in an airtight manner.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, when the second case 45 is connected to the first case 22, the connecting pin 40 and the connecting pin 58A become parallel to each other. In addition, the end of the rod 39 opposite to the connecting pin 40 is rotatably connected to the connecting pin 58A. Therefore, when the worm wheel 38 rotates in the direction of arrow A in Figure 2 as the electric motor 33 rotates forward, the rotational force of the worm wheel 38 is transmitted to the main body 56 via the connecting pin 40, the rod 39, the connecting pin 58A, and the connecting piece 58, causing the main body 56 to reciprocate along the axial direction of the cylinder 46 relative to the cylinder 46. That is, the piston 55 reciprocates linearly between the top dead center (first position) shown by the dashed line in Figure 2 and the bottom dead center (second position) shown by the solid line in Figure 2 relative to the second case 45.

[0030] The control device 65 shown in Figure 1 is electrically connected to the electric motor 33 and the battery (not shown). The control device 65 consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), storage, a communication interface (I / F), and an input / output interface (I / F). The CPU, ROM, RAM, storage, communication interface, and I / O interface are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with one another.

[0031] The control device 65 (CPU) controls the electric motor 33 using battery power when a predetermined input operation is performed using an input device (not shown) connected to the control device 65. Specifically, for example, the control device 65 rotates the electric motor 33 (output shaft 35) in a predetermined forward direction by transmitting a pulse signal to the electric motor 33 for a predetermined period of time. As a result, the worm wheel 38, which is meshed with the worm 36, rotates along the direction of arrow A, and the piston 55 reciprocates within the cylinder 46 for the predetermined period of time.

[0032] Furthermore, the control device 65 can recognize the rotation angle of the rotor (not shown) of the electric motor 33 based on the number of pulse signals transmitted to the electric motor 33. Therefore, the control device 65 can recognize the position of the piston 55 based on the pulse signals transmitted to the electric motor 33.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, a nozzle unit 70 is connected to the tube connection portion 48 of the second case 45. The nozzle unit 70 comprises an air supply tube 71 and an injection nozzle 72. The injection nozzle 72, which is a one-piece molded resin part, has a substantially fan shape. The injection nozzle 72 is a hollow member with openings at both ends. One end of the air supply tube 71 is airtightly connected to one of the narrow ends of the injection nozzle 72. A substantially rectangular injection opening 73 is formed at the other wide end of the injection nozzle 72. The opening area B of the injection opening 73 is smaller than the predetermined value A, which is the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening 50 of the tube connection portion 48. Furthermore, the short side dimension W of the injection opening 73 is a small value less than or equal to a predetermined dimension. This predetermined dimension is, for example, 1 mm. As shown in Figure 1, the end of the air supply tube 71 opposite to the injection nozzle 72 is airtightly connected to the tube connection portion 48 of the second case 45.

[0034] The electric pump device 20 of the cleaning device 10 described above is fixed to the exterior surface of the vehicle, for example. Furthermore, a camera (not shown) is provided on the exterior surface of the vehicle, and the spray opening 73 of the spray nozzle 72 faces the cover glass located directly in front of the camera lens.

[0035] (Mechanism of action and effect) Next, the operation and effects of the embodiment will be described.

[0036] When an operator performs a predetermined input operation using the input device, the electric motor 33 rotates forward for a predetermined time as described above, and the piston 55 reciprocates within the cylinder 46. When the piston 55 moves from the bottom dead center to the top dead center, air outside the electric pump device 20 is introduced into the drive mechanism housing space 24 via the outside air intake hole 25, and the air inside the movable body housing space 47 is compressed by the piston 55. As a result, the compressed air is ejected from the injection opening 73 of the injection nozzle 72 via the tube connection part 48 (internal flow path 49, opening 50) and the air supply tube 71, and is blown onto the camera's cover glass. Furthermore, when the piston 55 moves from the top dead center to the bottom dead center, the air inside the movable body housing space 47 and the drive mechanism housing space 24 on the worm wheel 38 side of the piston 55 is discharged to the outside of the electric pump device 20 via the outside air intake hole 25. Since compressed air is blown onto the cover glass through the spray nozzle 72, if, for example, there is liquid such as rain or dust adhering to the cover glass, this liquid or dust is removed from the cover glass by the compressed air. As a result, the camera can acquire clear image data.

[0037] Furthermore, after the predetermined time has elapsed, the piston 55 moves to the bottom dead center and stops at the bottom dead center.

[0038] Incidentally, for example, if the vehicle is washed using water while the electric pump device 20 is stopped, this water may enter the spray nozzle 72 through the spray opening 73 and flow into the movable body storage space 47 via the air supply tube 71 and the tube connection part 48. Furthermore, in this case, there is a risk that the water that has flowed into the movable body storage space 47 may pass through the minute gap between the inner surface of the cylinder 46 and the annular seal 59 and flow towards the contacted part 28 side of the piston 55.

[0039] However, when the piston 55 moves from the top dead center to a position a predetermined distance away from the bottom dead center towards the top dead center, the seal member 60 begins to contact the contacted portion 28. Then, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, when the piston 55 reaches the bottom dead center, the amount of elastic deformation of the seal member 60 sandwiched between the contacted portion 28 and the piston 55 is maximized, and the end of the seal member 60 on the contacted portion 28 side contacts the contacted portion 28 in a liquid-tight and airtight state. Therefore, even if water enters the area between the piston 55 and the contacted portion 28 in the movable body storage space 47, the seal member 60 and the contacted portion 28 prevent this water from flowing into the drive mechanism storage space 24 through the communication hole 27. Therefore, there is little risk of this water adhering to the electric motor 33, worm wheel 38, rod 39, and connecting pin 40 housed in the drive mechanism storage space 24.

[0040] Furthermore, the opening area B of the injection opening 73 is smaller than the predetermined value A, which is the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening 50. Moreover, the short side dimension W of the injection opening 73 is extremely small (for example, 1 mm). Therefore, for example, when water used during car washing adheres to the end of the injection nozzle 72 on the injection opening 73 side and the piston 55 moves from the top dead center to the bottom dead center side, the negative pressure generated in the cylinder 46 by the piston 55 makes it easy for this water to form a thin film that blocks the internal space of the injection nozzle 72. Therefore, when the electric pump device 20 is stopped in this state, even if water enters the injection nozzle 72 through the injection opening 73 during car washing, this thin film prevents the water from moving toward the movable body storage space 47. Therefore, compared to the case where the opening area of ​​the injection opening 73 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening 50 and the short side dimension W is large, there is less risk of water used for car washing etc. flowing into the drive mechanism storage space 24 through the communication hole 27 when the electric pump device 20 is stopped.

[0041] When the electric pump device 20 operates again after this, the piston 55 moves from the bottom dead center to the top dead center. At this time, the water in the area of ​​the movable body storage space 47 that is on the side of the sealing member 60 to the tube connection part 48 is moved towards the tube connection part 48 by the piston 55 and discharged to the outside from the injection opening 73 of the injection nozzle 72.

[0042] Furthermore, the control device 65 of the cleaning device 10 can recognize the position of the piston 55 with high accuracy based on the number of pulse signals (forward rotation signals) transmitted to the electric motor 33. As a result, the cleaning device 10 can stop the piston 55 at its bottom dead center with high accuracy.

[0043] Figure 5 is a graph showing time (horizontal axis), the pressure inside the electric pump device 20, the amount of air discharged per unit time from the injection nozzle 72, the load on the electric motor 33, the position of the piston 55, and the rotational position (sin curve) of the rotor of the electric motor 33. The load on the electric motor 33 in this graph is the magnitude when the electric pump device 20 is not equipped with a seal member 60. As is clear from this graph, when the electric pump device 20 is not equipped with a seal member 60, the load on the electric motor 33 is maximum when the piston 55 is at position P1 and minimum when the piston 55 is at bottom dead center. When the piston 55 is at bottom dead center, the seal member 60 is deformed by the piston 55 and the contacted part 28, so a force is exerted from the seal member 60 to the electric motor 33 via the piston 55. Therefore, the load on the electric motor 33 increases by the amount of deformation of the seal member 60. However, when the electric pump device 20 is not equipped with a seal member 60, the load on the electric motor 33 is minimum when the piston 55 is at bottom dead center. Therefore, even if a load is generated in the electric motor 33 due to deformation of the sealing member 60, the load generated in the electric motor 33 when the piston 55 is at bottom dead center is smaller than the load generated in the electric motor 33 when the piston 55 is in a position other than bottom dead center and at this position the contacted portion 28 and the piston 55 are sandwiching the sealing member 60. For this reason, the cleaning device 10 of this embodiment can reduce the load on the electric motor 33 when the electric pump device 20 is stopped.

[0044] Although the cleaning device 10 according to the embodiment has been described above, the cleaning device 10 can be appropriately modified in design without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0045] For example, a seal member corresponding to the seal member 60 may be provided on the first case 22 or the second case 45 side instead of the piston 55 side. For example, as shown in the first modified example in Figure 6, instead of providing the seal member 60, the O-ring 43 sandwiched between the first case 22 and the second case 45 and the seal member 80 may be integrally molded. In this case as well, when the piston 55 is positioned between the bottom dead center and a position a predetermined distance from the bottom dead center towards the top dead center, the piston 55 contacts the seal member 80, and when the piston 55 is at the bottom dead center, the seal member 80 is compressed by the contacted portion 28 and the piston 55. Furthermore, when the piston 55 is at the bottom dead center, the amount of elastic deformation of the seal member 80 is maximized, and the piston 55 and the seal member 80 are in airtight and liquid-tight contact.

[0046] Although not shown in the illustration, the O-ring 43 and the sealing member 80 may be manufactured as separate components, and the entire end of the sealing member 80 on the first case 22 side may be fixed to the contact portion 28 of the first case 22 in a liquid-tight and airtight manner.

[0047] Although not shown in the diagram, a sealing member (not shown), which is an annular body corresponding to the sealing member 60, may be fixed to the end face of the piston 55 on the tube connection portion 48 side, and when the piston 55 reaches top dead center, the electric motor 33 may be stopped, and this sealing member may be sandwiched between the piston 55 and the inner surface 52 (contacted portion) (see Figure 2) of the cylinder 46 on the tube connection portion 48 side. In this case, when the piston 55 stops at top dead center, the elastically deformed sealing member will contact the outer peripheral region of the tube connection portion 48 on the inner surface 52 in an airtight and liquid-tight state.

[0048] Although not shown in the diagram, an annular sealing member may be fixed in an airtight and liquid-tight manner to the outer peripheral region of the tube connection portion 48 on the inner surface 52, and the electric motor 33 may be stopped when the piston 55 reaches top dead center. In this case, when the piston 55 is at top dead center, the end face of the piston 55 on the tube connection portion 48 side is in airtight and liquid-tight contact with the sealing member, and the amount of elastic deformation of the sealing member is maximized.

[0049] Furthermore, in the embodiments and each modified example, the stopping position of the piston 55 when the electric pump device 20 stops operating may be a predetermined position different from the bottom dead center and the top dead center. However, this predetermined position is a first stopping position or a second stopping position that satisfies the following conditions. The first stopping position is any position between the top dead center of the piston 55 and the position where the sealing member begins to contact either the inner surface 52 or the piston 55. On the other hand, the second stopping position is any position between the bottom dead center of the piston 55 and the position where the sealing member (sealing member 60, 80) begins to contact either the contacted portion 28 or the piston 55.

[0050] The present invention may also be implemented in the form of the second modified example shown in Figure 7. The cleaning device 85 in Figure 7 includes an electric pump device 86, a control device 65 (not shown in Figure 7), and a nozzle unit 70.

[0051] The electric pump device 86 comprises a first case 88 and a second case 91. A drive mechanism 87 is provided in the drive mechanism housing space 88A, which is the internal space of the first case 88. The drive mechanism 87 has an electric motor 33 and a worm wheel 38 (not shown in Figure 7). The electric motor 33 comprises a motor body 34, an output shaft 35, and a worm 36, and the worm wheel 38 is in conjunction with the worm 36. An outside air intake hole 88B is formed in the first case 88. A communication hole 90 with a circular cross-section is formed in a wall portion 89 that forms part of the first case 88.

[0052] The second case 91 is connected to the first case 88. The cross-sectional shape of the second case 91 is approximately semicircular. The second case 91 is provided with a cylindrical tubular connecting portion (opening) 91A. A wall portion 93, which constitutes part of the outer shape of the second case 91 and to which the tubular connecting portion 91A is connected, is fixed to the wall portion 89 of the first case 88. Furthermore, a circular cross-sectional communication hole 94 is formed in the wall portion 93, which communicates with the communication hole 90 in an airtight manner. Furthermore, a sealing member 95 made of an elastic material is fixed to the inner surface of the wall portion 93. Furthermore, a circular cross-sectional through hole 96 is formed in the sealing member 95, which communicates with the communication hole 94 in an airtight manner. Furthermore, the sealing member 95 is provided with an annular projection 97 that protrudes from the periphery of the through hole 96. A long rotating member (movable body) (contacted portion) 100 is provided in the movable body storage space 98, which is the internal space of the second case 91. Furthermore, the rotational axis 99 penetrates the bottom plate portion 92 of the second case 91 so as to be able to rotate relative to it in an airtight and liquid-tight state, and one end of the rotating member 100 is fixed to the rotational axis 99 in the movable body storage space 98. As a result, the rotating member 100 can rotate between a first position (see dashed line) and a second position (see dashed line).

[0053] Furthermore, a tip recess 102 is formed at the tip of the rotating member 100, and a lip member 103 made of an elastic material is fixed to the inner surface of the tip recess 102. Although not shown in the illustration, a part of the first case 88 is an extension that extends to the back side of the bottom plate portion 92 of the second case 91 (not shown). Furthermore, the end of the rotational axis 99 opposite to the rotating member 100 is fixed to the center of the worm wheel 38 provided within the extension. Therefore, when the electric motor 33 rotates forward under the control of the control device 65, the rotating member 100 moves from the second position to the first position, and when the electric motor 33 rotates in the reverse direction, the rotating member 100 moves from the first position to the second position. When the rotating member 100 rotates between the first and second positions, the lip member 103 elastically deforms and contacts the inner surface of the second case 91.

[0054] The end of the air supply tube 71 of the nozzle unit 70 opposite to the spray nozzle 72 is airtightly connected to the cylindrical connection portion 91A of the second case 91.

[0055] When the electric motor 33 of the cleaning device 85 rotates in forward and reverse directions repeatedly for a predetermined time under the control of the control device 65, the rotating member 100 reciprocates between a first position and a second position. As the rotating member 100 moves from the second position to the first position, air outside the electric pump device 86 is introduced into the drive mechanism housing space 88A via the first case outside air intake hole 88B, and air inside the movable body housing space 98 is compressed by the rotating member 100 and sent to the cylindrical connection part 91A. As a result, this compressed air is blown onto the camera's cover glass from the spray opening 73 of the spray nozzle 72 via the air supply tube 71.

[0056] Furthermore, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the electric pump device 86 started operating, the rotating member 100, which was in the first position, moves to the second position and stops in the second position. When the rotating member 100 has moved from the first position to a position a predetermined distance (predetermined angle) away from the second position, the surface of the rotating member 100 on the sealing member 95 side begins to contact the annular projection 97. Then, as shown in Figure 7, when the rotating member 100 reaches the second position, the amount of elastic deformation of the annular projection 97, which is pressed by the contacted portion 101, which is the surface of the rotating member 100 on the sealing member 95 side, reaches its maximum, and the contacted portion 101 of the rotating member 100 makes contact with the annular projection 97 in a liquid-tight and airtight state. Therefore, even if the vehicle is washed using water while the electric pump device 86 is stopped, and this water flows into the movable body storage space 98 via the spray nozzle 72, air supply tube 71, and cylindrical connector 91A, the rotating member 100 and sealing member 95 (annular projection 97) prevent this water from flowing into the drive mechanism storage space 88A of the first case 88 via the communication holes 94 and 90. As a result, there is little risk of this water adhering to the electric motor 33 and worm wheel 38 housed in the first case 88.

[0057] In the second modified example, instead of providing the sealing member 95, a sealing member equivalent to the sealing member 95 may be fixed to the rotating member 100, so that when the rotating member 100 reaches the second position, this sealing member comes into airtight and liquid-tight contact with the area surrounding the communication hole 94 on the inner surface of the second case 91.

[0058] In the second modified example, instead of providing the sealing member 95, a sealing member equivalent to the sealing member 95 may be fixed to the periphery of the cylindrical connecting portion 91A on the inner surface of the second case 91, so that when the rotating member 100 reaches the first position, this sealing member and the rotating member 100 are in airtight and liquid-tight contact.

[0059] In the second modified example, instead of providing the sealing member 95, a sealing member equivalent to the sealing member 95 may be fixed to the rotating member 100, and when the rotating member 100 reaches the first position, this sealing member may be brought into airtight and liquid-tight contact with the peripheral portion of the cylindrical connecting portion 91A on the inner surface of the second case 91.

[0060] Furthermore, in the modified form of Figure 7 and its modified form, the stopping position of the rotating member 100 when the electric pump device 86 stops operating may be a predetermined position different from the second and first positions. However, this predetermined position is either the first or second stopping position that satisfies the following conditions. The first stopping position is any position between the first position of the rotating member 100 and the position where the sealing member begins to contact the peripheral portion of the cylindrical connecting portion 91A on the inner surface of the second case 91 and one of the rotating member 100. On the other hand, the second stopping position is any position between the second position of the rotating member 100 and the position where the sealing member begins to contact the peripheral portion of the communication hole 94 on the inner surface of the second case 91 and one of the rotating member 100.

[0061] Furthermore, the present invention may be implemented in the third modified form shown in Figures 8 to 10. Note that the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the embodiments, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0062] Figure 8 shows a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the CPU of the control device 65 in the third modified example. The CPU has a load detection unit 651 and a motor control unit 652 as its functional configuration. The load detection unit 651 and the motor control unit 652 are realized when the CPU of the control device 65 reads and executes a program stored in ROM.

[0063] The load detection unit 651 has the function of acquiring the load (torque) of the electric motor 33 based on the magnitude of the current flowing through the electric motor 33.

[0064] The motor control unit 652 has the function of controlling the electric motor 33, which is a stepping motor, using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). That is, the motor control unit 652 can supply power to the electric motor 33 while adjusting the duty cycle. In this way, the motor control unit 652 controls the rotational speed of the electric motor 33 (rotor, output shaft 35). For example, when a predetermined deceleration start time occurs, which is after the time when the above input operation is performed using the above input device (input time), the duty cycle (power value) of the power supplied to the electric motor 33 is changed to a low duty cycle (adjusted power value) which is a predetermined percentage (amount) lower than the normal duty cycle. Note that this normal duty cycle is the duty cycle during the time period between the input time and the deceleration start time. As a result, when the piston 55 is moving to a position different from the top dead center and bottom dead center and not in contact with the seal member 60, the rotational speed of the electric motor 33 decreases from the normal rotational speed, which is the speed when power at the normal duty cycle is supplied, to a predetermined adjusted speed. The value obtained by dividing the adjustment speed by the normal rotation speed is, for example, any magnitude within the range of 0.6 or less and greater than 0. The deceleration start time is set so that the piston 55 does not come into contact with the seal member 60 at the deceleration start time.

[0065] The graph in Figure 9 shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the electric motor 33 (horizontal axis) and the load (torque) of the electric motor 33 (vertical axis). As shown in this graph, the load when the electric motor 33 rotates at the adjusted speed (dashed line) is smaller than the load when the electric motor 33 rotates at the normal rotation speed (solid line). Hereinafter, the maximum value of the load of the electric motor 33 rotating at the adjusted speed, when the piston 55 is not in contact with the seal member 60, is defined as the first value. Furthermore, the load of the electric motor 33 when the piston 55, moved by the electric motor 33 rotating at the adjusted speed, comes into contact with the seal member 60 and the elastic deformation of the seal member 60 is at its maximum is defined as the second value. The second value is greater than the first value. In addition, a predetermined value greater than the first value and less than the second value is set as a threshold.

[0066] Furthermore, the motor control unit 652 has a function to stop the rotation of the electric motor 33 (rotor, output shaft 35) by stopping the power supply to the electric motor 33. That is, the motor control unit 652 has a function to stop the power supply to the electric motor 33 when the load on the electric motor 33 exceeds a threshold value, caused by the piston 55 moving by the electric motor 33 rotating at the adjusted speed coming into contact with the seal member 60 and the seal member 60 elastically deforming. As shown in Figure 9, the rotation angle of the electric motor 33 (output shaft 35) when the load on the electric motor 33 reaches the threshold value is defined as the "stop operation start angle". This stop operation start angle is the rotation angle of the electric motor 33 before the amount of elastic deformation of the seal member 60 becomes maximum. After the power supply to the electric motor 33 (rotor, output shaft 35) is stopped, it continues to rotate by a predetermined angle due to inertia and stops, for example, at the stop angle shown in Figure 9.

[0067] Furthermore, if the above input operation is performed using the above input device, the electric motor 33 will start rotating forward again from this stopping angle.

[0068] Next, the processing flow performed by the CPU of the control device 65 in this embodiment will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 10. The CPU repeatedly executes the processing shown in the flowchart in Figure 10 each time a predetermined calculation time (processing time) has elapsed.

[0069] First, in step S10 (hereinafter, the word "step" will be omitted), the CPU determines whether or not the above input operation using the above input device has been performed.

[0070] If the CPU determines "Yes" in S10, it proceeds to S11 and sends a forward rotation signal to the electric motor 33. At this time, the duty cycle of the power supplied from the control device 65 to the electric motor 33 is the normal duty cycle.

[0071] When the process in S11 is completed, the CPU proceeds to S12 and determines whether or not it is time to start deceleration.

[0072] If the system determines "Yes" in S12, the CPU proceeds to S13 and adjusts the duty cycle of the power supplied to the electric motor 33 from the normal duty cycle to a low duty cycle. A predetermined condition is met when the system determines "Yes" in S12.

[0073] When the processing in S13 is complete, the CPU proceeds to S14 and determines whether the load on the electric motor 33 has exceeded a threshold.

[0074] If the CPU determines "Yes" in S14, it proceeds to S15 and stops supplying power to the electric motor 33.

[0075] When the result in S10, S12, or S14 is determined to be No, or when the process in S15 is completed, the CPU temporarily terminates the process shown in the flowchart in Figure 10.

[0076] Here, we consider a case where the load on the electric motor 33 is determined to be above a threshold without reducing the rotational speed of the electric motor 33 from the normal rotational speed to the adjustment speed. In this case, as is clear from Figure 9, the load on the electric motor 33 may exceed the threshold when the electric motor 33 is rotating at the normal rotational speed with the piston 55 not in contact with the seal member 60. Therefore, in this case, there is a risk that the power supply to the electric motor 33 may be stopped when the electric motor 33 is rotating at the normal rotational speed with the piston 55 not in contact with the seal member 60. In other words, if the rotational speed of the electric motor 33 is not reduced from the normal rotational speed to the adjustment speed, even if the electric motor 33 is controlled while comparing the load on the electric motor 33 with the threshold, there is a risk that the power supply to the electric motor 33 cannot be stopped when the piston 55 is in contact with the seal member 60.

[0077] In contrast, the third modified cleaning device 10 reduces the rotational speed of the electric motor 33 from the normal rotational speed to the adjustment speed, and then determines whether the load on the electric motor 33 is above a threshold. As is clear from Figure 9, the threshold is greater than the maximum value (first value) of the load on the electric motor 33 rotating at the adjustment speed. Furthermore, if the load on the electric motor 33 is above the threshold, the CPU determines that the seal member 60 is being elastically deformed by the piston 55 and stops the power supply to the electric motor 33. Therefore, the third modified cleaning device 10 can stop the power supply to the electric motor 33 when the piston 55 is in contact with the seal member 60.

[0078] Furthermore, in the third modified cleaning device 10, the rotational speed of the electric motor 33 is reduced from the normal rotational speed to the adjusted speed before the power supply to the electric motor 33 is stopped. Therefore, compared to the case where the power supply to the electric motor 33 is stopped while it is rotating at the normal rotational speed, the third modified cleaning device 10 makes it easier to stop the electric motor 33 at a desired rotational angle (stopping angle) using inertia.

[0079] Furthermore, in the third modified cleaning device 10, the power supply to the electric motor 33 can be stopped when the rotation angle of the electric motor 33 reaches the stopping operation start angle, which is the rotation angle of the electric motor 33 before the elastic deformation amount of the seal member 60 reaches its maximum value. In this case, the electric motor 33 rotates by a predetermined angle further due to inertia and stops at the stopping angle shown in Figure 9. As is clear from Figure 9, when the electric motor 33 stops at the stopping angle, the seal member 60, whose elastic deformation amount has reached its maximum value, decreases its elastic deformation amount by a predetermined amount. After this, when the input operation using the input device is performed again, a forward rotation signal is sent from the control device 65 to the electric motor 33 again, and the electric motor 33 rotates forward again. At this time, the seal member 60 attempts to elastically return to its free state, so the elastic deformation force generated by the seal member 60 becomes an assisting force that rotates the stopped electric motor 33 (rotor, output shaft 35) in the forward rotation direction.

[0080] In contrast, in the comparative example cleaning device (not shown), where the electric motor 33 stops between the stopping start angle and the angle at which the elastic deformation of the sealing member 60 is at its maximum, when the stopped electric motor 33 is rotated forward again, the elastic deformation of the sealing member 60 gradually increases toward its maximum value. Therefore, in the comparative example cleaning device, the elastic deformation force generated by the sealing member 60 becomes a resistance force when rotating the stopped electric motor 33 (rotor, output shaft 35) in the forward direction. As a result, the third modified cleaning device 10 can smoothly restart the stopped electric motor 33 with less power compared to the comparative example cleaning device.

[0081] The stopping start angle may be set to any angle as long as the load on the electric motor 33 is above a threshold.

[0082] Furthermore, the third variant may be applied to the second variant and its variant.

[0083] Furthermore, in the embodiments and each modified example, the electric motor 33 may be an electric motor other than a stepping motor. For example, the electric motor 33 may be an AC (alternating current) motor with adjustable rotational speed or a DC (direct current) motor other than a stepping motor with adjustable rotational speed. In this case, for example, a non-contact sensor (magnetic sensor, optical sensor) for detecting the position of the piston 55 or rotating member 100 may be provided in the second cases 45, 91, and the control device 65 may recognize the position of the piston 55 or rotating member 100 based on the detected value of this sensor. Alternatively, in this case, the control device 65 may recognize the rotation angle of the rotor by utilizing the detection result of a rotation angle sensor provided in the electric motor 33 that can detect the rotation angle of the rotor.

[0084] The object to be cleaned, which is the target of the compressed air sprayed from the nozzle unit 70, may be different from the camera described above. For example, the object to be cleaned may be an optical device other than a camera. This optical device may include, for example, an optical sensor (e.g., a distance measuring sensor). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 10...Washing device, 20...Electric pump device, 22...First case (case), 24...Drive mechanism housing space, 28...Contacted part, 32...Drive mechanism, 33...Electric motor, 38...Worm wheel, 45...Second case (case), 46...Cylinder, 47...Moving body housing space, 50...Opening, 52...Inner surface (contacted part), 55...Piston (moving body) (contacted part), 60...C 65...Control device (position detection means), 80...Seal member, 85...Cleaning device, 87...Drive mechanism, 86...Electric pump device, 88...First case (case), 88A...Drive mechanism storage space, 91...Second case (case), 91A...Cylindrical connection part (opening), 95...Seal member, 98...Moving body storage space, 100...Rotating member (moving body) (contacted part), 101...Contacted part

Claims

1. A case having a movable body storage space, an opening that connects the external space and the movable body storage space, a drive mechanism storage space which is a separate space from the movable body storage space, and a contacted portion located on the opening side of the drive mechanism storage space, A movable body is provided in the movable body storage space, which moves back and forth between a first position and a second position further away from the opening than the first position, and moves from the second position back to the first position to discharge air from the movable body storage space through the opening. A drive mechanism provided in the drive mechanism storage space moves the movable body between the first position and the second position in the movable body storage space, A sealing member is fixed to one of the moving body and the contacted portion, and when the drive mechanism stops the moving body at a predetermined position, the sealing member elastically deforms and contacts the other of the moving body and the contacted portion. A cleaning device equipped with the following features.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a cylinder is provided in a part of the case, and the moving body is a piston that moves back and forth within the cylinder.

3. The cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined position is a first stop position which is any position between the top dead center of the piston, which is the first position, and the position where the sealing member begins to contact the piston and the other part to be contacted, or a second stop position which is any position between the bottom dead center of the piston, which is the second position, and the position where the sealing member begins to contact the other part.

4. The system includes a position detection means for detecting the position of the piston, The aforementioned drive mechanism includes an electric motor, The cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein the piston can be stopped at the first stop position or the second stop position by controlling the electric motor using the detection result of the position detection means.

5. The cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the piston is capable of stopping at a second stop position.

6. The aforementioned drive mechanism includes an electric motor, When a predetermined condition is met while the sealing member is not in contact with the other, the power supplied to the electric motor is reduced to a predetermined adjustment power value, thereby reducing the rotational speed of the electric motor to a predetermined adjustment speed. The cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electric motor is stopped when the magnitude of the load on the electric motor is greater than a first value, which is the magnitude when the sealing member is not in contact with the other of the moving body and the contacted part, which are moved by the electric motor rotating at the adjusted speed, and less than a second value, which is the magnitude when the elastic deformation of the sealing member is at its maximum due to the moving body and the other of the contacted part, which are moved by the electric motor rotating at the adjusted power value.

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