Vehicle-mounted cleaning device and cleaning method

Abstract

A cleaning device (1) mounted on a vehicle and configured to clean a surface of the vehicle, said cleaning device comprising a tank (10) configured to contain a gas (11) and a cleaning liquid (12), the tank (10) comprising a gas delivery line (13), a cleaning liquid delivery line (14), a cleaning liquid filling opening and a gas filling opening (16), a gas exhaust port (130) and a cleaning liquid exhaust port (140), a gas pressurizing means (15) fluidly connected to the gas filling opening (16) and configured to pressurize the tank (10), a first nozzle (17) configured to spray the cleaning liquid (12) and / or to spray the gas (11), the first nozzle (17) fluidly connected to the gas delivery line (13) and / or the cleaning liquid delivery line (14), and a first valve (170) fluidly connected to the first nozzle (17).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device mounted on a vehicle, said cleaning device being configured for cleaning a surface of the vehicle, in particular for cleaning a sensor surface of the vehicle.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with the cleaning device and to a method for cleaning a surface of the vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles are required to understand or recognize their unique surroundings. As a result, many vehicles have on-board cameras or vehicle sensors, such as, for example, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors, that are surface mounted on the vehicle. Such vehicles may be equipped with sensors, such as, for example, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors, configured to detect objects and terrain around the vehicle, or cameras that capture or create video images of the surroundings.

[0003] A vehicle sensor is defined as a sensing element that generates an electrical signal proportional to the physical quantity to be measured. More precisely, the sensor is intended to perform the function of detecting the surroundings of the vehicle. For this purpose, such sensors are typically placed on the body of the vehicle and point towards the outside of the vehicle. A Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor is a sensor that can detect the distance, direction, speed, temperature, material distribution characteristics and concentration characteristics of an object by illuminating a laser on the target. The LiDAR sensor generally utilizes a laser that can generate a pulse signal with high energy density and short period, and is used to more accurately monitor the physical characteristics of the environment and distance measurement.

[0004] Unfortunately, on-board cameras and / or on-board sensors, such as lidar sensors, can be adversely affected by foreign objects, such as dirt or liquid droplets, deposited on their surfaces, making it necessary to clean said surfaces to protect the performance of the camera or sensor.

[0005] Cleaning devices have been developed for removing foreign objects from the surface of cameras and / or sensors mounted on vehicles. German patent application DE102019125970A1 discloses a combined device comprising, for example, a gas tank and a cleaning liquid tank. The document US2019 / 0136891 discloses a pressurized tank containing cleaning liquid and gas, but the cleaning device described therein is limited to spraying the cleaning liquid in a first step followed by a blow of compressed air in a second step. The document CN112172744A discloses a cleaning device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] Furthermore, the methods currently used for cleaning the surfaces of vehicles, and more precisely for cleaning the surfaces of cameras or sensors, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors mounted on vehicles, are very time-consuming and laborious and are not adapted to individual needs linked to the nature of the pollutants or weather conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] DE102019125970A1 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0136891 [Patent Document 3] CN112172744A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide an improved device and method for cleaning surfaces on a vehicle, and more specifically for cleaning camera or sensor surfaces, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors mounted on a vehicle.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle-mounted cleaning device that is less complex and less expensive than existing cleaning devices.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for cleaning a surface of a vehicle, more particularly a camera surface or a sensor surface, such as for example a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor mounted on a vehicle, which method has a high degree of flexibility and can be adapted to the individual needs for removing foreign objects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, these objects are achieved by a cleaning device adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and to clean a surface of the vehicle, said cleaning device comprising: a tank configured to contain a gas and a cleaning liquid, the tank comprising a gas delivery line, a cleaning liquid delivery line, cleaning liquid and gas fill openings, a gas exhaust port, and a cleaning liquid exhaust port; a gas pressurizing means fluidly connected to the gas fill opening and configured to pressurize the tank; a first nozzle configured to spray a cleaning liquid and / or to spray a gas, the first nozzle being fluidly connected to the gas delivery line and / or the cleaning liquid delivery line; a first valve fluidly connected to the first nozzle; Equipped with The gas pressurizing means is located completely or partly within the gas volume of the tank.

[0012] The use of a tank configured to contain gas and cleaning liquid, said tank being pressurized using gas pressurization means, allows for either compressed gas or compressed cleaning liquid or both to be supplied to the first nozzle via a gas delivery line or a cleaning liquid delivery line or both. Furthermore, the cleaning device according to the invention does not require any cleaning liquid pressurization pump and is therefore less complex and cheaper than existing cleaning devices.

[0013] The gas pressurization means is located completely or partially within the gas volume of the tank, e.g. a gas dome, so that the gas pressurization means has direct access to the gas. This arrangement allows the gas pressurization means to be kept dry and therefore to be made from simpler materials and with a simpler design.

[0014] The expression "gas delivery line" means a line connecting a gas exhaust port to at least a first nozzle.

[0015] The expression "cleaning fluid delivery line" means a line connecting a cleaning fluid outlet port to at least a first nozzle.

[0016] The expression "a first nozzle configured to spray a cleaning liquid and / or spray a gas" means that the first nozzle is configured to selectively either spray a cleaning liquid or spray a gas, or both spray a cleaning liquid and spray a gas.

[0017] The phrase "the first nozzle is fluidly connected to the gas delivery line and / or the cleaning liquid delivery line" means that the first nozzle is fluidly connected to either the gas delivery line (if the first nozzle is configured to spray gas) or the cleaning liquid delivery line (if the first nozzle is configured to spray cleaning liquid), or both the gas delivery line and the cleaning liquid delivery line (if the first nozzle is configured to both spray gas and spray cleaning liquid).

[0018] The expression "the gas pressurization means is completely located within the gas volume of the tank" means that the gas pressurization means is located entirely within the gas volume of the tank.

[0019] The expression "the gas pressurization means is located partly within the gas volume of the tank" means that the gas pressurization means is located both within the gas volume of the tank and outside the tank, in which case the gas pressurization means penetrates the wall of the tank.

[0020] The expression "within the gas volume of the tank" means the volume of the tank that contains the gas.

[0021] The expression "gas dome" refers to the upper part of the tank relative to the cleaning liquid surface.

[0022] The cleaning liquid filling opening and the gas filling opening are closable openings to ensure pressurization of the tank. The cleaning liquid filling opening and the gas filling opening may be the same opening or may be two separate openings. The first valve is located on the gas delivery line or on the cleaning liquid delivery line or on both, upstream based on the fluid flow direction with respect to the first nozzle. The gas exhaust port is preferably located in the volume of the tank that contains the gas, and the cleaning liquid exhaust port is preferably located in the volume of the tank that contains the cleaning liquid. The gas exhaust port can be located in the tank wall on the top of the tank, this top of the tank being defined as the side wall or top wall of the tank that is in contact with the gas in the tank. The gas exhaust port can be preferably located in the center of the tank top to protect it from cleaning liquid movements, such as waves in the tank. The cleaning liquid exhaust port can be located in the tank wall on the bottom of the tank, this bottom of the tank being defined as the side wall or bottom wall of the tank that is in contact with the cleaning liquid in the tank. Preferably, the vehicle-mounted cleaning device is such that the tank comprises a cleaning liquid bowl arranged in the cleaning liquid volume upstream of the cleaning liquid discharge port. The cleaning liquid discharge port is thus arranged in a so-called liquid trap (bowl) consisting of a separate volume in the tank bottom. This liquid trap (bowl) is filled when the tank is in a horizontal or tilted position, in which case the bowl is at least partially submerged. However, this bowl prevents the cleaning liquid from escaping under various tank tilts and / or cleaning liquid movements. The gas is preferably air and the cleaning liquid is preferably a water-based solution, more preferably an aqueous solution containing an alcohol, for example ethylene glycol.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning device mounted on the vehicle is such that the tank is equipped with an overpressure valve. This overpressure valve makes it possible to avoid high mechanical stresses on the tank due to pressurization by the gas pressurization means. This overpressure valve also makes it possible to avoid the use of advanced control / diagnostic devices / sensors. Preferably, the overpressure valve is arranged in the volume of the tank containing the gas. Said arrangement of the overpressure valve makes it possible to avoid losses of cleaning liquid.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning device mounted on the vehicle is such that the gas pressurizing means is fixed on the wall of the tank. The gas pressurizing means fixed on the wall of the tank allows a reduction in the number of gas lines, since the compressor discharge gas line and the gas tank suction line are not necessary. This allows a significant simplification of the structure of the cleaning device and a reduction in the cost of said cleaning device.

[0025] The expression "the gas pressurizing means is fixed on the wall of the tank" has the same meaning as the expression "the gas pressurizing means is fixed in a leak-tight manner on the wall of the tank".

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the washing device mounted on the vehicle is such that the gas pressurizing means is selected from the group consisting of a compressor or a gas pump. Preferably, the gas pressurizing means is a compressor. Gas pumps are more focused on high flow rates (and low pressure), while compressors are focused on compressed air (high pressure) with or without any flow rate. Moreover, compressors are the simplest and lowest cost solution for high pressure.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning device mounted on the vehicle is such that the cleaning device comprises a second nozzle configured to spray cleaning liquid and / or to blow gas, said second nozzle being fluidly connected to the gas feed line and / or to the cleaning liquid feed line and to the second valve. Thus, it is possible to supply either compressed gas or compressed cleaning liquid or both to the second nozzle via the gas feed line or the cleaning liquid feed line or both. The second valve is arranged on the gas feed line or the cleaning liquid feed line or both upstream of the second nozzle based on the fluid flow direction. The use of the second nozzle allows the cleaning device to provide maximum performance and more flexibility. These nozzles can be used independently of each other to spray cleaning liquid or blow gas on the surface of the vehicle to be cleaned.

[0028] The first nozzle may be located in the gas delivery line and / or cleaning liquid delivery line at a location remote from the first valve. Additionally, the second nozzle may be located in the gas delivery line and / or cleaning liquid delivery line at a location remote from the second valve. In another embodiment, the gas delivery line and / or cleaning liquid delivery line may include a manifold that holds various valves that are fluidly connected to respective nozzles at remote locations closer to the surface of the vehicle to be cleaned.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning device mounted on the vehicle is a device in which a first nozzle is configured to spray an aerosol containing a cleaning liquid and a gas, or to spray a cleaning liquid or to spray a gas, and the first nozzle is fluidly connected to a gas delivery line and to a cleaning liquid delivery line. Both the gas and the cleaning liquid can be sprayed from a single nozzle, which can be positioned at an optimal position and does not require a second nozzle on the same sensor.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning device mounted on the vehicle is such that the tank comprises a liquid-gas separator arranged in the gas volume upstream of the gas outlet port, which ensures that no liquid can leave the tank through the gas outlet, thereby ensuring that a completely cleaning liquid-free gas flow passes through the gas delivery lines, valves and nozzles, thereby ensuring better control over the spraying and better gas jet quality.

[0031] The expression "a liquid-gas separator disposed in the gas volume upstream of the gas exhaust port" means that the liquid-gas separator is disposed upstream of the gas exhaust port based on the fluid flow direction, and further that the liquid-gas separator is disposed in the gas volume of the tank.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the washing device installed on the vehicle is such that the first valve is a solenoid operated valve. The solenoid operated valve can be electrically operated as required. It is therefore possible to set and configure an optimal washing regime. The use of this solenoid operated valve together with an electronic control unit (ECU) ensures flawless execution.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the washing device installed on the vehicle is such that the second valve is a solenoid operated valve. If the second valve is also a solenoid operated valve, the second valve, which may be used to spray the washing liquid or spray the gas, can be controlled independently from the first valve. This ensures more flexibility for optimal washing performance.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the washing device installed on the vehicle is such that the tank is equipped with a level sensor, which makes it possible to detect the actual level of washing liquid in the tank at any given time, thereby making it possible to inform the driver and the service station of the water level in the tank and to warn of the remaining autonomy of the washing device, thereby making it possible to proactively refill it before it runs out.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the washing device mounted on the vehicle is such that the tank is equipped with a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor ensures detection of the tank internal pressure at any point in time. The pressure sensor can be used to operate the compressor if the tank internal pressure is below a certain pressure threshold. The pressure sensor can also be used to stop the compressor if the tank internal pressure exceeds a maximum threshold. Furthermore, the pressure sensor can be used to diagnose the correct operation of the compressor and the correct overall operation of the washing device.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, the washing device installed on the vehicle is such that the tank is equipped with a temperature sensor, which can be used to detect the risk of the washing liquid freezing. Furthermore, the temperature sensor allows a better recognition of the pressure / temperature evolution in the tank of the washing device, which improves the control and diagnosis of the washing device.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, the washing device mounted on the vehicle is such that the tank is equipped with at least one sensor device selected from the group consisting of a level sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and combinations thereof.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, the cleaning device mounted on the vehicle is such that a valve is placed on the line connecting the gas delivery line to the cleaning liquid delivery line. This valve allows the gas delivery line to be connected to the cleaning liquid delivery line. By opening this valve, it is possible to form a gas / cleaning liquid mixture, which increases the volume flow rate through the nozzle of the cleaning device and therefore the cleaning power of the nozzle. Furthermore, this valve allows gas bubbles to remain in the first nozzle when the first nozzle freezes, so that the frozen cleaning liquid is free to expand in the gas bubbles.

[0039] Moreover, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle equipped with a cleaning device according to the present invention, said cleaning device being adapted to clean a surface of said vehicle. By controlling the nozzle of the cleaning device relative to the surface, it is possible to direct all the cleaning forces to a specific location on the vehicle. This surface can thus be cleaned of any solid and / or liquid foreign objects, such as, for example, water droplets, ice, mud, dust, salt, bird droppings or insects.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the vehicle is one in which the surface of the vehicle is a sensor surface or a camera surface. If the surface is for example part of a sensor, it is possible to restore the correct operation of the sensor by removing foreign objects from the surface that alter the signal. The sensor may be a lidar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor and / or a radar sensor. The camera can be an infrared camera or a visual camera. These sensors or parts of the camera can be arranged behind a transparent vehicle surface that is to be cleaned by the cleaning device.

[0041] The expression "camera surface" means the surface of the camera optics or the surface protecting said optics.

[0042] Another object of the present invention is to provide a tank for a cleaning device mounted on a vehicle, said tank being configured to contain gas and cleaning liquid and to be pressurized, said tank comprising a gas delivery line, a cleaning liquid delivery line, a gas fill opening configured to be connected to a cleaning liquid fill opening and a gas pressurization means, a gas exhaust port, and a cleaning liquid exhaust port.

[0043] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for cleaning a surface of a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: Pressurizing a tank containing the gas and cleaning liquid by compressing said gas. Opening a first valve disposed on a cleaning liquid delivery line fluidly connected to the tank or opening a second valve disposed on a gas delivery line fluidly connected to the tank. Spraying a cleaning liquid against the surface or blowing a gas against the surface.

[0044] A single step of blowing gas makes it possible, for example, to dry surfaces during or after periods of rain or to avoid foreign bodies due to impact with insects.

[0045] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for cleaning a surface of a vehicle, said method comprising the following preferably consecutive steps: Pressurising the tank containing the gas and the cleaning liquid by pressurising said gas using pressurising means located completely or partly within the gas volume of the tank. Opening a first valve disposed on a cleaning solution delivery line fluidly connected to the tank. Spraying a cleaning solution onto the surface. Opening a second valve disposed on the gas delivery line fluidly connected to the tank. Blowing a gas against the surface.

[0046] In the sequence described, liquid cleaning of the surface makes it possible to remove foreign matter from the surface, followed by drying of the surface by blowing with gas.

[0047] The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. The following description is provided solely for purposes of illustration and not to limit the scope of the invention. The reference figures listed below refer to the attached drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0048] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a cleaning device mounted on a vehicle according to the invention; FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a cleaning device mounted on a vehicle according to the invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a cleaning device mounted on a vehicle according to the invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a cleaning device mounted on a vehicle according to the invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a cleaning device mounted on a vehicle according to the invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of a cleaning device mounted on a vehicle according to the invention. [Figure 7] 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a vehicle-mounted cleaning device according to the invention shown in FIG. 2, comprising a first valve and a second valve of different types, respectively. [Figure 8] 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a vehicle-mounted cleaning device according to the invention shown in FIG. 2, comprising a first valve and a second valve of different types, respectively. [Figure 9]3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a vehicle-mounted cleaning device according to the invention shown in FIG. 2, comprising a first valve and a second valve of different types, respectively. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of a vehicle-mounted cleaning device according to the invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an eighth embodiment of a cleaning device mounted on a vehicle according to the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a ninth embodiment of a cleaning device mounted on a vehicle according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] In the different drawings, the same reference signs indicate the same or similar elements.

[0050] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but is not limited thereto, but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and relative dimensions do not correspond to the implementation of the invention.

[0051] Moreover, first, second, and like terms in this description and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and are not necessarily used to describe any permutation, either chronologically, spatially, hierarchically, or in any other sense. It will be understood that the terms used in this table are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be practiced in permutations other than those described or illustrated herein.

[0052] It should be noted that the term "comprises" used in the claims should not be interpreted as being limited to the means recited in its object, and does not exclude other elements or steps. It should therefore be interpreted as expressing the presence of the stated features, wholes, steps, or components as referred to, and does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and means B" is not limited to a device consisting of only components A and B. This means that in the context of the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

[0053] Throughout this specification, the phrase "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may all refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, such particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0054] Similarly, in describing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that various features of the present invention may be grouped together in a single embodiment, a single figure, or a single description thereof in order to simplify the disclosure and aid in understanding one or more of the various aspects of the present invention. However, this method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected by the appended claims, aspects of the present invention lie in some of the features of a single described disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims appended to this detailed description are expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features but not others included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are intended to constitute various embodiments within the scope of the present invention and as understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the appended claims, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

[0056] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it will be understood that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order to avoid obscuring an understanding of the description.

[0057] The following terms are provided solely to aid in the understanding of the invention.

[0058] The present invention will now be described by describing in detail several embodiments of the present invention. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can construct other embodiments of the present invention without departing from the original spirit or technical teaching of the present invention, and the present invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a cleaning device 1 mounted on a vehicle according to the invention. Said cleaning device 1 is configured to clean a surface of a vehicle, for example a surface sensor or a camera surface. The cleaning device 1 comprises a tank 10 configured to contain a gas 11 and a cleaning liquid 12, said tank comprising a gas delivery line 13, a cleaning liquid delivery line 14, a cleaning liquid filling opening (not shown) and a gas filling opening 16, a gas exhaust port 130 and a cleaning liquid exhaust port 140. The tank 10 further comprises an overpressure valve 19. The cleaning device 1 comprises gas pressurization means 15 fluidly connected to the gas filling opening 16 and fixed on the wall of the tank 10. Said gas pressurization means 15 is configured to pressurize the tank 10 at a pressure of about 3-10 bar, preferably at a pressure of about 5-10 bar. Said gas pressurizing means 15 is preferably a compressor 15 located partially in the gas volume 111 of the tank 10, pressurizing the tank at a pressure of about 3-10 bar, preferably at a pressure of about 5-10 bar. The cleaning device further comprises a first nozzle 17 configured to spray the cleaning liquid 12 to form a sprayed cleaning liquid 120, said first nozzle 17 being fluidly connected to the cleaning liquid delivery line 14. The spraying of the cleaning liquid is controlled by a first valve 170 fluidly connected to the first nozzle 17. The cleaning device 1 further comprises a second nozzle 18 configured to spray the gas 11 to form the spraying gas 110, said second nozzle 18 being fluidly connected to the gas delivery line 13. The spraying of the gas is controlled by a second valve 180. A line 26 connects the gas delivery line 13 to the cleaning liquid delivery line 14 via a valve 25 located on said line 26. This additional line 26 allows the gas delivery line 13 to be connected to the cleaning liquid delivery line 14 by opening the valve 25 and the gas / cleaning liquid mixture to be sprayed via the first nozzle 17. The cleaning device according to the invention allows the spraying of cleaning liquid or gas onto the surface so that cleaning is performed within 20-50 ms.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a cleaning device 1 mounted on a vehicle according to the invention. Said cleaning device 1 is configured to clean a surface of a vehicle, for example a surface sensor or a camera surface. The cleaning device 1 comprises a tank 10 configured to contain a gas 11 and a cleaning liquid 12, the tank comprising a gas feed line 13, a cleaning liquid feed line 14, a cleaning liquid filling opening (not shown) and a gas filling opening 16, a gas exhaust port 130 and a cleaning liquid exhaust port 140. The cleaning device 1 comprises a gas pressurizing means 15 fluidly connected to the gas filling opening 16 and fixed on the wall of the tank 10. Said gas pressurizing means 15 is configured to pressurize the tank 10 at a pressure of about 3-10 bar, preferably at a pressure of about 5-10 bar, said gas pressurizing means 15 being preferably a compressor 15 located partially in the gas volume 111 of the tank 10 and pressurizing the tank at a pressure of about 3-10 bar, preferably at a pressure of about 5-10 bar. The cleaning device further comprises a first nozzle 17 configured to spray the cleaning liquid 12 to form a sprayed cleaning liquid 120, said first nozzle 17 being fluidly connected to the cleaning liquid delivery line 14. The spraying of the cleaning liquid is controlled by a first valve 170 fluidly connected to the first nozzle 17. The cleaning device further comprises a second nozzle 18 configured to spray the gas 11 to form the spraying gas 110, said second nozzle 18 being fluidly connected to the gas delivery line 13. The spraying of the gas is controlled by a second valve 180. The cleaning device according to the invention allows for the spraying of the cleaning liquid or the spraying of the gas onto the surface such that cleaning is performed within 20-50 ms.

[0061] Figure 3 shows a vertical section of a third embodiment of a cleaning device 1 mounted on a vehicle according to the invention, said third embodiment being a development of the second embodiment shown in figure 2, but with two first nozzles 17 and two second nozzles 18.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a cleaning device 1 mounted on a vehicle according to the invention. Said cleaning device 1 is configured to clean a surface of a vehicle, for example a surface sensor or a camera surface. The cleaning device 1 comprises a tank 10 configured to contain a gas 11 and a cleaning liquid 12, said tank 10 comprising a gas feed line 13, a cleaning liquid feed line 14, a cleaning liquid filling opening (not shown) and a gas filling opening 16, a gas discharge port 130 and a cleaning liquid discharge port 140. The cleaning device 1 comprises a gas pressurizing means 15 fluidly connected to the gas filling opening 16 and fixed on the wall of the tank 10. Said gas pressurizing means 15 is configured to pressurize the tank 10 at a pressure of about 3-10 bar, preferably at a pressure of about 5-10 bar, said gas pressurizing means 15 being a compressor 15 preferably located partially within the gas volume 111 of the tank 10. The cleaning device 1 further comprises a first nozzle 17 configured for spraying the cleaning liquid 12 and for spraying the gas 11, said first nozzle 17 being fluidly connected to the cleaning liquid delivery line 14 and the gas delivery line 13. The spraying of the cleaning liquid is controlled by a first valve 170 fluidly connected to the first nozzle 17 and the spraying of the gas 11 is controlled by a second valve 180 fluidly connected to the first nozzle 17. The cleaning device according to the invention allows the spraying of the cleaning liquid or the spraying of the gas to the surface such that cleaning is performed within 20-50 ms. Such a cleaning device allows the performance of the cleaning step by spraying the gas and / or spraying the cleaning liquid by using only one nozzle.

[0063] Fig. 5 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a cleaning device 1 mounted on a vehicle according to the invention. Said cleaning device 1 is configured to clean a surface of a vehicle, for example a surface sensor or a camera surface. The cleaning device 1 comprises a tank 10 configured to contain a gas 11 and a cleaning liquid 12, the tank comprising a gas feed line 13, a cleaning liquid feed line 14, a cleaning liquid filling opening (not shown) and a gas filling opening 16, a gas exhaust port 130 and a cleaning liquid exhaust port 140. The cleaning device 1 comprises gas pressurizing means 15 fluidly connected to the gas filling opening 16 and fixed on the wall of the tank 10. Said gas pressurizing means 15 is a compressor 15 configured to pressurize the tank 10 at a pressure of about 3-10 bar, preferably at a pressure of about 5-10 bar, preferably located partially within the gas volume 111 of the tank. The cleaning device further comprises a first nozzle 17 configured to spray the cleaning liquid 12 to form the sprayed cleaning liquid 120, the first nozzle 17 being fluidly connected to the cleaning liquid delivery line 14. The spraying of the cleaning liquid is controlled by a first valve 170 fluidly connected to the first nozzle 17. The cleaning device further comprises a second nozzle 18 configured to spray the gas 11 to form the spraying gas 110, the second nozzle 18 being fluidly connected to the gas delivery line 13. The spraying of the gas is controlled by a second valve 180. The cleaning device according to the invention allows the spraying of the cleaning liquid or the spraying of the gas to the surface such that cleaning is performed within 20-50 ms. The first valve 170 and the second valve 180 are solenoid operated valves controlled by an electronic control unit.

[0064] Figure 6 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of a cleaning device 1 mounted on a vehicle according to the invention, which is a development of the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 5, in which a liquid-gas separator 21 is arranged in the gas volume 111 upstream of the gas exhaust port 130.

[0065] Figures 7, 8 and 9 show vertical cross-sectional views of a second embodiment of a washing device 1 mounted on a vehicle according to the invention. Said embodiments comprise a first valve 170 and a second valve 180 of different types. In Figure 7, the first valve 170 and the second valve 180 are hydraulic valves, said hydraulic valves being overpressure relief valves with an opening pressure threshold of, for example, 5 bar. Said hydraulic valves are pneumatically operated valves when driven by gas. They therefore open as soon as the pressure exceeds 5 bar. This overpressure can be generated by pressurizing the tank 10 with a pressure above 5 bar by operating the compressor 15. Figure 8 discloses a washing device 1 with a first valve 170 and a second valve 180, both of which are hydraulic valves, said hydraulic valves being pneumatically operated valves when driven by gas. Finally, FIG. 9 discloses a washing device 1 mounted on a vehicle, comprising a number of hydraulic valves, a first hydraulic valve 170 and a second hydraulic valve 180. The second hydraulic valve 180 is a pneumatically operated valve. The first hydraulic valve 170 is fluidly connected to a second circuit 22, which is fluidly connected to a washing liquid delivery line 14. Said second circuit 22 comprises an overpressure relief valve 23, a check valve 24 and a hydraulic cylinder 27. During a surface washing cycle, the compressor 15 pressurizes the tank 10 with a pressure of more than 8 bar. The first hydraulic valve 170 opens with a pressure of more than 8 bar and the washing liquid 12 is sprayed through the first nozzle 17. During a second step, the compressor 15 pressurizes the tank 10 with a pressure of more than 9 bar and the overpressure relief valve 23 opens, allowing the washing liquid 12 to flow into the hydraulic cylinder 27. The piston in the hydraulic cylinder 27 pushes back the first hydraulic valve 170 in the closed position, stopping the spraying of cleaning liquid through the first nozzle 17. The second hydraulic valve 180 opens at a pressure of 9 bar and the gas 11 is sprayed through the second nozzle 18. Eventually the pressure inside the tank 10 drops below 8 bar. The check valve 24 opens, thereby reducing the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 27. The hydraulic cylinder 27 holds compressible air bubbles (or gas) to push the cleaning liquid back through the check valve 24 if the pressure inside the tank drops below 8 bar.

[0066] Figure 10 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of a vehicle-mounted cleaning device 1 according to the invention, which is a development of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, in which a mounting flange 100 for the gas pressurizing means 15 is mounted in the gas filling opening 16, the gas pressurizing means 15 being fixed on the wall of the tank 10 via the mounting flange 100.

[0067] Figure 11 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of an eighth embodiment of a cleaning device 1 mounted on a vehicle according to the invention, which is a development of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, in which the tank 10 further comprises a number of sensors, such as for example a level sensor 32, a pressure sensor 33 and a temperature sensor 34.

[0068] Figure 12 shows a vertical section view of a ninth embodiment of a cleaning device 1 mounted on a vehicle according to the invention, said ninth embodiment being a development of the first embodiment shown in figure 1, in which the gas pressurisation means 15 are entirely located within the gas volume 111 of the tank 10.

[0069] The embodiment of the cleaning device 1 mounted on a vehicle shown above allows the implementation of a method for cleaning a surface of a vehicle, said method comprising the following steps: pressurising the tank 10 containing the gas 11 and the cleaning liquid 12 by compressing said gas 11 with gas pressurising means 15; - opening a first valve 170 arranged on a cleaning liquid supply line 14 fluidly connected to the tank 10, or opening a second valve 180 arranged on a gas supply line 13 fluidly connected to the tank 10. - spraying a cleaning liquid 12 onto the surface via a first nozzle 17 or blowing a gas 11 onto the surface via a second nozzle 18.

[0070] A single step of spraying gas 11 makes it possible, for example, to dry surfaces during or after periods of rain or to avoid foreign objects such as flying insects.

[0071] The embodiment of the cleaning device 1 mounted on a vehicle shown above further allows the implementation of a method for cleaning a surface of a vehicle, said method comprising the following successive steps: pressurising the tank 10 containing the gas 11 and the cleaning liquid 12 by compressing said gas 11 with gas pressurising means 15; opening a first valve 170 arranged on the cleaning liquid delivery line 14 fluidly connected to the tank 10 . - spraying the cleaning liquid 12 via a first nozzle 17 onto the surface. - opening a second valve 180 disposed on the gas delivery line 13 fluidly connected to the tank 10. - spraying gas 11 against the surface via a second nozzle 18. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 Cleaning device 10. Tank 11. Gas 12 Cleaning solution 13 Gas Transmission Line 14 Cleaning solution supply line 15 Gas pressurization means 16 Gas filling opening 17 First Nozzle 18 Second Nozzle 19 Overpressure valve 21 Liquid gas separator 22 Second Circuit 23 Overpressure relief valve 24 Check valve 25 Valves 26 Line 27 Hydraulic Cylinder 32 Level Sensor 33 Pressure Sensor 34 Temperature Sensor 100 Mounting flange 110 Spray Gas 111 Gas volume 120 Spray cleaning fluid 130 Gas exhaust port 140 Cleaning solution discharge port 170 First Valve 180 Second Valve

Claims

1. A cleaning device (1) adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and to clean a surface of said vehicle, comprising: a tank (10) configured to contain a gas (11) and a cleaning liquid (12), the tank (10) comprising a gas delivery line (13), a cleaning liquid delivery line (14), cleaning liquid and gas fill openings (16), a gas exhaust port (130), and a cleaning liquid exhaust port (140); a gas pressurizing means (15) fluidly connected to the gas fill opening (16) and configured to pressurize the tank (10); a first nozzle (17) configured to spray the cleaning liquid (12) and / or to spray the gas (11), the first nozzle (17) being fluidly connected to the gas delivery line (13) and / or the cleaning liquid delivery line (14); a first valve (170) fluidly connected to the first nozzle (17); A cleaning device (1) comprising: A cleaning device (1), characterized in that the gas pressurizing means (15) are arranged completely or partly within the gas volume (111) of the tank (10).

2. 2. The vehicle-mounted cleaning device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the tank (10) is provided with an overpressure valve (19).

3. 3. A vehicle-mounted cleaning device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gas pressurizing means (15) is fixed on a wall of the tank (10).

4. 3. The vehicle-mounted washing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said gas pressurizing means (15) is selected from the group consisting of a compressor and a gas pump.

5. 3. The cleaning device (1) mounted on a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning device (1) comprises a second nozzle (18) configured to spray the cleaning liquid (12) and / or to spray the gas (11), the second nozzle (18) being fluidly connected to the gas supply line (13) and / or to the cleaning liquid supply line (14) and to a second valve (180).

6. 3. The cleaning device (1) mounted on a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first nozzle (17) is configured to spray an aerosol comprising the cleaning liquid (12) and the gas (11), or to spray the cleaning liquid (12) or to spray the gas (11), and the first nozzle (17) is fluidly connected to the gas supply line (13) and to the cleaning liquid supply line (14).

7. 3. The vehicle-mounted cleaning device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tank (10) comprises a liquid-gas separator (21) arranged in the gas volume (111) upstream of the gas exhaust port (130).

8. 3. The vehicle-mounted washing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first valve (170) is a solenoid operated valve.

9. 6. The vehicle-mounted washing device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the second valve (180) is a solenoid operated valve.

10. 3. The cleaning device (1) mounted on a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tank (10) is provided with at least one sensor device selected from the group consisting of a level sensor (32), a pressure sensor (33), a temperature sensor (34), and combinations thereof.

11. 3. A vehicle-mounted cleaning device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a valve (25) is arranged in a line (26) connecting the gas delivery line (13) to the cleaning liquid delivery line (14).

12. A vehicle equipped with a cleaning device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, The cleaning device is configured to clean a surface of the vehicle. vehicle.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the surface of the vehicle is a sensor surface or a camera surface.

14. 1. A method for cleaning a surface of a vehicle, comprising: - pressurizing a tank (10) containing a gas (11) and a cleaning liquid (12) by compressing said gas (11) using a pressurizing means (15) arranged completely or partly within a gas volume (111) of said tank (10); opening a first valve (170) arranged on a cleaning liquid delivery line (14) fluidly connected to the tank (10) or opening a second valve (180) arranged on a gas delivery line (13) fluidly connected to the tank (10); spraying the cleaning liquid (12) against the surface or blowing the gas (11) against the surface; A method comprising:

15. A method for cleaning a vehicle surface, comprising the following preferably consecutive steps: - pressurising a tank (10) containing a gas (11) and a cleaning liquid (12) by compressing said gas (11) using a pressurising means (15) located completely or partly within a gas volume (111) of said tank (10); opening a first valve (170) disposed on a cleaning solution delivery line (14) fluidly connected to the tank (10); spraying the cleaning liquid (12) onto the surface; opening a second valve (180) disposed on a gas delivery line (13) fluidly connected to the tank (10); spraying the gas (11) against the surface; A method comprising:

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