Fluid distribution assembly for the cleaning of a sensor of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention concerns a fluid distribution assembly (1) comprising: - a high-pressure source (10); - a nozzle (13); - a hose (16) fluidically connecting the high-pressure source (10) and a nozzle (13); - a valve (15) disposed in between two sections of the hose (16) said, respectively, main section (16a) and end section (16b), the main section (16a) connecting the high-pressure source (10) and the valve (15), and the end section (16b) connecting the valve (15) and the nozzle (13); the hose (16) being configured so that, when the valve (15) is in a closed state, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source (10) can be accumulated, under the predetermined pressure, in the main section (16a), and sprayed under pressure to the surface of the sensor by the nozzle (13) when the valve (15) is in an open state.

Description

Fluid distribution assembly for the cleaning of a sensor of a vehicleFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the vehicle cleaning assembly and the cleaning method thereof. In particular, the present invention concerns a fluid distribution assembly configured for cleaning at least one sensor of an automotive vehicle and in particular an autonomous vehicle.

[0002] Notably, the present invention aims at proposing a fluid distribution assembly for which the reaction time is shorter than fluid distribution assemblies known from prior art, and require reduced space for their installation.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0003] Automotive vehicles are now equipped with many sensors, cameras, lidars or radars (hereinafter "sensors") for driving assistance purposes. These sensors may be located inside or outside the vehicle in order to offer the driver a complete visibility of the environment in which the vehicle is located. For example, sensors may be located in the bumper, in the side-skirt, on the side mirror, behind the windshield, under the hood, nearby the headlamps, on a roof pod.

[0004] However, these sensors, exposed to the environment, are likely to be covered with dirt or dust, and consequently may encounter performance degradations. Frequent cleanings of these sensors are therefore required to guarantee their performances.

[0005] In this respect, automotive vehicles may be provided with a cleaning system equipped in particular with cleaning fluid distribution ducts and nozzles. The nozzles are notably arranged at the ends of the fluid distribution ducts and in close proximity of the sensors. According to this arrangement, it is possible to dispense a cleaning fluid on the surface of each of the sensors and thus remove traces of dust or dirt.

[0006] To this regard, fluid distribution systems known from the prior are disclosed in documents US 2020 / 361421, WO2018188823 and WO2019029915. Such fluid distribution systems are arranged for the cleaning of surface sensors disposed all around the perimeter of the automotive vehicle.

[0007] However, such fluid distribution system may not be optimum in terms of response time.

[0008] Indeed, and notably in the case of autonomous vehicles, frequent sensor cleanings may be required to limit the downtime of sensors, and to meet the safety requirements associated with the driving of an autonomous vehicle.

[0009] It is furthermore of paramount to the space needed for the installation of the fluid distribution assembly.

[0010] One purpose of the present invention is to propose a fluid distribution assembly for the cleaning of sensors for which response time is shorter than fluid distribution assemblies known from prior art.

[0011] Another purpose of the present invention is also to propose a fluid distribution assembly for the cleaning of sensors which requires a limited space.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The invention concerns a fluid distribution assembly for the cleaning of a surface of a sensor of an automotive vehicle, the fluid distribution assembly comprising:

[0013] - a high-pressure source configured to deliver a fluid under a predetermined pressure ;

[0014] - at least one nozzle ;

[0015] - at least one hose fluidically connecting the high-pressure source and at least one nozzle;

[0016] - at least one valve disposed in between two sections of the hose said, respectively, main section and end section, the main section connecting the high-pressure source and the at least one valve, and the end section connecting the at least one valve and the at least one nozzle;

[0017] the hose being configured so that, when the valve is in a closed state, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source can be accumulated, under the predetermined pressure, in the main section, and sprayed under pressure to the surface of the sensor by the nozzle when the valve is in an open state.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the high-pressure source comprises a tank configured to be filled with a fluid and a compressor designed to pressurize the fluid at the predetermined pressure and to deliver said fluid at the predetermined pressure into the tank, advantageously the predetermined pressure is above 3 bars, more advantageously above 4 bars, and below 8 bars.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the ratio of the length of the end section over the cumulated length of the main section and the end section is below one over ten, advantageously below two hundredths.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the length of the end section is below 10 cm, advantageously below 5 cm.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the main section is smooth and is made of an expendable material, advantageously the expendable material comprises a rubber, for example such as EPDM.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the main section has an internal diameter below 4.5 mm, advantageously below 4.5 mm, when empty.

[0023] According to one embodiment, said fluid distribution assembly further comprises an additional fluid accumulator, said fluid accumulator comprising a first section and a second section separated by a flexible membrane, the first section forming an additional volume of the main section, while the second section being filed with a gas at a second pressure, second pressure being above 3 bars, advantageously above 4 bars.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the first section having an inlet for receiving the fluid at the predetermined pressure and an outlet for delivering said fluid.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the second section is fluidically connected to a high pressure gas source configured to impose the second pressure in the second section.

[0026] According to one embodiment, said fluid distribution assembly further comprises an additional hose configured to allow recirculation in a close loop of the fluid accumulated in the main section.

[0027] According to one embodiment, said fluid distribution assembly further comprises a recirculation pump, said recirculation pump being designed to trigger the recirculation of the fluid in the close loop formed by the main section and the additional hose.

[0028] According to one embodiment, said fluid distribution assembly comprises heating means configured to heat the fluid accumulated in the main section.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the heating means comprise a heating wire or a heating band.

[0030] The invention also concerns an automotive vehicle which comprises at least one sensor, and the fluid distribution assembly according to the present invention.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the main section is arranged in the automotive vehicle to allows thermal exchanges between the fluid accumulated in the mean section and a heat produced by said automotive vehicle.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the additional hose is arranged in the automotive vehicle to allows thermal exchanges between the fluid accumulated in the additional hose and a heat produced by said automotive vehicle.

[0033] According to one embodiment, thermal exchanges take place in at least one of the locations chosen among: in close proximity of the battery pack of the automotive vehicle, in close proximity of the sensors of the automotive vehicle, in close proximity of the engine.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Other features and advantages will be better understood after reading the following description of the fluid distribution assembly for the cleaning of surface sensor of a vehicle according to the invention, provided as non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0035] is a schematical representation of an isolated fluid distribution assembly according to the present invention;

[0036] is a representation of an additional fluid accumulator;

[0037] is a schematical representation of an isolated fluid distribution assembly according to the present invention and comprising the;

[0038] is a representation of an automotive vehicle provided with the fluid distribution assembly according to the present invention.DETAILLED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] The present invention concerns a fluid distribution assembly, and notably a fluid distribution assembly for the cleaning of a sensor of an automotive vehicle.

[0040] In particular, the fluid distribution assembly comprises:

[0041] - a high-pressure source configured to deliver a fluid under a predetermined pressure ;

[0042] - at least one nozzle ;

[0043] - at least one hose fluidically connecting the high-pressure source and at least one nozzle;

[0044] - at least one valve disposed in between two sections of the hose said, respectively, main section and end section, the main section connecting the high-pressure source and the at least one valve, and the end section connecting the at least one valve and the at least one nozzle;

[0045] the hose being configured so that, when the valve is in a closed state, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source can be accumulated, under the predetermined pressure, in the main section, and sprayed under pressure to the surface of the sensor by the nozzle when the valve is in an open state.

[0046] Theshows an example of a fluid distribution assembly 1 for the cleaning of a sensor of an automotive vehicle 100.

[0047] The fluid distribution assembly 1 comprises a high-pressure source 10 to deliver a fluid under pressure, and notably under a predetermined pressure. In particular, the predetermined pressure is above 3 bar, advantageously above 4 bar, more advantageously above 5 bar, even more advantageously above 8 bar.

[0048] The high-pressure source 10 can comprise a compressor 11 and a tank 12. In particular, the compressor 11 is combined with the pressure tank 12. Notably, the compressor 11 may be configured to build the fluid pressure in the tank 12. In other words, the tank 12 configured to be filled with the fluid and the compressor 11 is designed to pressurize the fluid at the predetermined pressure and to deliver said fluid at the predetermined pressure into the tank 12.

[0049] Advantageously, the tank 12 is configured to be filled with a fluid under a pressure above 3 bar, advantageously above 4 bar, more advantageously above 5 bar, even more advantageously above 8 bar.

[0050] The fluid distribution assembly 1 comprises at least one nozzle 13 (illustrated in). Notably, the nozzle 13 is located in close proximity of a sensitive surface of a sensor so that said nozzle can spray a fluid on said surface to remove dust or particles form said surface.

[0051] The fluid distribution assembly further comprises at least one hose 16 fluidically connecting the high-pressure source and the at least one hose.

[0052] The fluid distribution assembly also comprises at least one valve 15. In particular, the at least one valve 15 is disposed in between two sections of the hose 16 said, respectively, main section 16a and end section 16b. Notably, the main section 16a connects the high-pressure source 10 and the at least one valve 15, and the end section 16b connects the at least one valve 15 and the at least one nozzle 13.

[0053] The at least one valve 15 is advantageously electronically controlled. Furthermore, the valve can adopt one or the other of an open state and a close state. Notably, the open state is a state for which the fluid can flow from the main section 16a towards the end section 16b while the close state is a state for which the fluid cannot flow from the main section 16a towards the end section 16b.

[0054] According to the present invention, the hose is configured so that, when the valve is in a closed state, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source can be accumulated, under the predetermined pressure, in the main section, and sprayed under pressure to the surface of the sensor by the nozzle when the valve is in an open state.

[0055] According to a particular embodiment, the ratio of the length of the end section over the cumulated length of the main section and the end section can be below one over ten, advantageously below two hundredth.

[0056] According to an alternative or complementary embodiment, the length of the end section is below 10 cm, advantageously below 5 cm.

[0057] Advantageously, the main section is smooth and is made of an expendable material. For example, the main section has a modulus of elasticity in the range 0 GPa to 5 GPa.

[0058] For example, the expendable material can comprise a rubber, for example such as EPDM (Ethylene Propylene diene Monomer Rubber).

[0059] Advantageously, the main section 16a has an internal diameter below 4.5 mm, advantageously below 4.5 mm, when empty.

[0060] According to a quite advantageous embodiment illustrated in, the fluid distribution assembly further comprises an additional fluid accumulator 17. The fluid accumulator 17 comprises a first section 18 and a second section 19 separated by a flexible membrane 20, the first section forming an additional volume of the main section, while the second section being filed with a gas at a second pressure, second pressure being above 3 bars. The second section filed with a gas at the second pressure and the flexible membrane 20 are specifically designed to maintain the fluid in the first section under pressure.

[0061] Advantageously, the second section is fluidically connected to a high-pressure gas source configured to impose the second pressure in the second section so that the pressure level into the second section can be adapted.

[0062] The first section 18 may have an inlet 18a for receiving the fluid at the predetermined pressure and an outlet 18b for delivering said fluid.

[0063] The fluid distribution assembly can further comprise an additional hose 21 configured to allow recirculation in a close loop of the fluid accumulated in the main section 16a ().

[0064] In particular, the fluid distribution assembly can also comprise a recirculation pump 22. Notably, the recirculation pump 22 can be designed to trigger the recirculation of the fluid in the close loop formed by the main section and the additional hose.

[0065] In a particular embodiment, the fluid distribution assembly can comprise heating means configured to heat the fluid accumulated in the main section. For example, the heating means can comprise a heating wire or a heating band.

[0066] The invention also concerns an automotive vehicle which comprises at least one sensor, and the fluid distribution assembly according to the present invention ().

[0067] According to an advantageous embodiment, the main section 16a is arranged in the automotive vehicle to allows thermal exchanges between the fluid accumulated in the mean section and a heat produced by said automotive vehicle.

[0068] In particular, and when considered, the additional hose can be arranged in the automotive vehicle to allows thermal exchanges between the fluid accumulated in the additional hose and a heat produced by said automotive vehicle.

[0069] Thermal exchanges, advantageously, take place in at least one of the locations chosen among: in close proximity of the battery pack of the automotive vehicle, in close proximity of the sensors of the automotive vehicle, in close proximity of the engine.

[0070] The fluid distribution assembly 1 according to the present invention allows the cleaning of sensors in a quite short reaction time. The high-pressure cleaning further provides high efficiency for recovering the cleaned sensor signal. The fluid distribution assembly also requires rather low installation efforts and a reduced space.

Claims

A fluid distribution assembly (1) for the cleaning of a surface of a sensor of an automotive vehicle (100), the fluid distribution assembly (1) comprising:- a high-pressure source (10) configured to deliver a fluid under a predetermined pressure ;- at least one nozzle (13) ;- at least one hose (16) fluidically connecting the high-pressure source (10) and at least one nozzle (13);- at least one valve (15) disposed in between two sections of the hose (16) said, respectively, main section (16a) and end section (16b), the main section (16a) connecting the high-pressure source (10) and the at least one valve (15), and the end section (16b) connecting the at least one valve (15) and the at least one nozzle (13);the hose (16) being configured so that, when the valve (15) is in a closed state, the fluid delivered by the high-pressure source (10) can be accumulated, under the predetermined pressure, in the main section (16a), and sprayed under pressure to the surface of the sensor by the nozzle (13) when the valve (15) is in an open state;the ratio of the length of the end section (16b) over the cumulated length of the main section (16a) and the end section (16b) is below one over ten.The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the high-pressure source (10) comprises a tank (12) configured to be filled with a fluid and a compressor (11) designed to pressurize the fluid at the predetermined pressure and to deliver said fluid at the predetermined pressure into the tank (12), advantageously the predetermined pressure is above 3 bars, more advantageously above 4 bars, and below 8 bars.The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the end section (16b) is below 10 cm, advantageously below 5 cm.The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claim 1 to 3, wherein the main section (16a) is smooth and is made of an expendable material, advantageously the expendable material comprises a rubber, for example EPDM.The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main section (16a) has an internal diameter below 5 mm, advantageously below 4.5 mm, when empty.The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said fluid distribution assembly (1) further comprises an additional fluid accumulator (17), said fluid accumulator comprising a first section (18) and a second section (19) separated by a flexible membrane (20), the first section (18) forming an additional volume of the main section (16a), while the second section (19) being filed with a gas at a second pressure, second pressure being above 3 bars.The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first section (18) having an inlet for receiving the fluid at the predetermined pressure and an outlet for delivering said fluid.The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second section (19) is fluidically connected to a high pressure gas source configured to impose the second pressure in the second section (19).The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 8, wherein said fluid distribution assembly (1) further comprises an additional hose (21) configured to allow recirculation in a close loop of the fluid accumulated in the main section (16a).The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claim 9, wherein said fluid distribution assembly (1) further comprises a recirculation pump (22), said recirculation pump (22) being designed to trigger the recirculation of the fluid in the close loop formed by the main section (16a) and the additional hose (21).The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to claims 9 or 10, wherein said fluid distribution assembly (1) comprises heating means configured to heat the fluid accumulated in the main section (16a).The fluid distribution assembly (1) according to the claim 11, wherein the heating means comprise a heating wire or a heating band.An automotive vehicle (100) which comprises at least one sensor, and the fluid distribution assembly (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12.The automotive vehicle (100) according to claim 13, wherein the main section (16a) is arranged in the automotive vehicle (100) to allows thermal exchanges between the fluid accumulated in the mean section and a heat produced by said automotive vehicle (100).The automotive vehicle (100) according to claim 14 in combination with claim 9, wherein the additional hose (21) is arranged in the automotive vehicle (100) to allows thermal exchanges between the fluid accumulated in the additional hose (21) and a heat produced by said automotive vehicle (100).The automotive vehicle (100) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein thermal exchanges take place in at least one of the locations chosen among: in close proximity of the battery pack of the automotive vehicle (100), in close proximity of the sensors of the automotive vehicle (100), in close proximity of the engine.

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