Air delivery device

Abstract

An air delivery device (3) delivers air that is used by a cleaning device (4) installed in a vehicle (2). The air delivery device (3) comprises: a pump mechanism (31) that delivers air to the cleaning device (4); a motor (32) that drives the pump mechanism (31); a housing (33) that has a first section (331) accommodating the motor (32) and a second section (332) accommodating the pump mechanism (31); a bracket (34) via which the first section (331) is supported by a part of the vehicle (2); and an elastic member (35) that is sandwiched between the bracket (34) and the first section (331).

Description

Air supply device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air supply device that supplies air to be used by a cleaning device mounted on a moving body.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cleaning device mounted on a mobile body. The cleaning device sends air toward a sensor mounted on the mobile body to remove foreign matter adhering to the sensor. The air is generated by an air supply device equipped with a motor and a pump mechanism.

[0003] On the other hand, a configuration has been proposed in which air is constantly flowing in front of the sensor to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor. In this case, the motor and pump mechanism must be constantly running, which increases the risk that the vibrations generated by the air supply device will be perceived as noise by the occupants of the vehicle.

[0004] International Publication No. 2018 / 043743

[0005] There is a demand for improved quietness in air supply devices mounted on moving objects.

[0006] A first example embodiment provided by the present disclosure is an air supply device that supplies air to be used by a cleaning device mounted on a mobile body, comprising: a pump mechanism that supplies the air to the cleaning device; a motor that drives the pump mechanism; a housing having a first portion that accommodates the motor and a second portion that accommodates the pump mechanism; a bracket that supports the first portion on a part of the mobile body; and an elastic member that is sandwiched between the bracket and the first portion.

[0007] According to the configuration of the first aspect, the bracket supports the first portion of the housing on a part of the moving body. Furthermore, an elastic member is sandwiched between the bracket and the first portion. A motor, which is heavier than the pump mechanism, is housed in the first portion. Because the first portion, which is relatively heavy, is supported on the bracket via the elastic member, vibrations generated by the pump mechanism and the motor are efficiently absorbed, and transmission of vibrations to the moving body is suppressed. Therefore, the quietness of the air supply device mounted on the moving body can be improved. Even in situations where the pump mechanism and the motor are constantly operating, the risk of the generated vibrations being perceived as noise by occupants of the moving body can be reduced.

[0008] A second example embodiment provided by the present disclosure is an air supply device that supplies air to be used by a cleaning device mounted on a movable body, comprising: a pump mechanism that supplies the air to the cleaning device; a motor that drives the pump mechanism; a housing having a first portion that accommodates the motor and a second portion that accommodates the pump mechanism; a first bracket that holds the first portion; and a second bracket that is attached to a portion of the movable body and supports the first bracket while separating it from the portion of the movable body.

[0009] According to the second aspect, the first bracket supports a first portion that houses a relatively heavy motor. The first bracket is supported by the second bracket while being spaced apart from a portion of the movable body, thereby suppressing transmission of vibrations generated by the pump mechanism and the motor to the movable body. This improves the quietness of the air supply device mounted on the movable body, and reduces the risk that the generated vibrations will be perceived as noise by occupants of the movable body, even when the pump mechanism and the motor are constantly operating.

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the functional configuration of a cleaning system. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a vehicle on which the cleaning system of FIG. 1 is mounted. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an air supply device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the components of the air supply device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an air supply device according to the first embodiment attached to a part of a vehicle. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an air supply device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the components of the air supply device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an air supply device according to the second embodiment attached to a part of a vehicle.

[0011] Examples of embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, the scale of each element has been changed as necessary to make it recognizable.

[0012] Fig. 1 illustrates an example of the functional configuration of a cleaning system 1 according to one embodiment. The cleaning system 1 can be mounted at an appropriate position in a vehicle 2 illustrated in Fig. 2. In this example, the cleaning system 1 is mounted in the rear 21 of the vehicle 2. The vehicle 2 is an example of a moving object.

[0013] 1, the cleaning system 1 includes an air supply device 3, a cleaning device 4, and a camera 5. The air supply device 3 compresses air and sends it to the cleaning device 4. The cleaning device 4 cleans the camera 5 using the compressed air.

[0014] The air supply device 3 is attached, for example, to the back panel 22 located between the trunk and the passenger compartment of the vehicle 2. The air supply device 3 can be driven at all times. The air supply device 3 includes a pump mechanism 31 and a motor 32. The pump mechanism 31 is configured to compress air and send the compressed air to the cleaning device 4. The pump mechanism 31 is, for example, a diaphragm pump. The motor 32 is configured to drive the pump mechanism 31. The motor 32 is heavier than the pump mechanism 31. The motor 32 is, for example, a brushless DC motor.

[0015] The camera 5 is configured to acquire an image of the rear of the vehicle 2. The camera 5 has a lens 51 exposed to the rear of the vehicle 2. The camera 5 is an example of a sensor.

[0016] The cleaning device 4 is configured to inject air A compressed and sent by the air supply device 3 toward the lens 51 of the camera 5. The injection of air A prevents foreign matter from adhering to the lens 51 of the camera 5. The air A may be injected continuously, intermittently, or irregularly.

[0017] The expression "suppressing adhesion of foreign matter" used in this specification refers not only to the case where adhesion of foreign matter to lens 51 is suppressed by constant injection of air A as described above, but also to the case where foreign matter adhering to lens 51 is removed by intermittent or irregular injection of air A, thereby suppressing the settling of foreign matter on lens 51. In other words, injection of air A may be intermittent or irregular.

[0018] (First embodiment) Next, details of the air supply device 3 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the air supply device 3 according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the components of the air supply device 3 according to the first embodiment. Figure 5 illustrates the air supply device 3 attached to a part of a vehicle 2. In addition to a pump mechanism 31 and a motor 32, the air supply device 3 includes a housing 33, a bracket 34, and an elastic member 35. The housing 33 is configured to house the pump mechanism 31 and the motor 32. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the external appearance of the air supply device 3, and the pump mechanism 31 and motor 32 housed therein are not shown.

[0019] The housing 33 has a first portion 331 and a second portion 332. The motor 32 is housed inside the first portion 331. The pump mechanism 31 is housed inside the second portion 332. The housing 33 may be made of, for example, a synthetic resin. In this case, the first portion 331 and the second portion 332 may be monolithically molded.

[0020] The first portion 331 and the second portion 332 are aligned along a first direction D1. The first portion 331 and the second portion 332 are adjacent to each other. The first direction D1 is, for example, the width direction of the vehicle 2. The first direction D1 can be set appropriately depending on the mounting position and mounting direction of the air supply device 3 on the vehicle 2 and the relative positions of the air supply device 3 and the cleaning device 4.

[0021] The first portion 331 has a cylindrical shape extending along the first direction D1. When viewed from the first direction D1, the cross section of the first portion 331 is circular. The second portion 332 has a quadrangular prism shape extending along the first direction D1. When viewed from the first direction D1, the cross section of the second portion 332 is rectangular. In other words, the first portion 331 and the second portion 332 have different cross-sectional shapes when viewed from the first direction D1.

[0022] The bracket 34 is configured to support the first portion 331 of the housing 33 on a part of the vehicle 2. The bracket 34 has a first gripping portion 341 and a second gripping portion 342. The first portion 331 of the housing 33 is sandwiched between the first gripping portion 341 and the second gripping portion 342.

[0023] The first gripping portion 341 has a first curved portion 3411, a first flange 3412, a first base portion 3413, and a first connecting portion 3414. As illustrated in Fig. 5 , the first curved portion 3411 has a semicircular arc shape when viewed from the first direction D1. The first curved portion 3411 is provided to face a part of the outer circumferential surface of the first portion 331 (the lower half in Figs. 3 to 5 ).

[0024] The first flanges 3412 extend from the first curved portion 3411 to both sides.

[0025] The first base portion 3413 is configured to be attached to a part (the back panel 22) of the vehicle 2. The first base portion 3413 has a flat plate shape. The first base portion 3413 can be fixed to the back panel 22 via double-sided tape or the like.

[0026] The first connecting portion 3414 connects the first flange 3412 and the first base portion 3413. The first connecting portion 3414 is provided to support the first curved portion 3411 and the first flange 3412 while keeping them spaced apart from the back panel 22.

[0027] The second gripping portion 342 has a second curved portion 3421 and a second flange 3422. As illustrated in Fig. 5 , the second curved portion 3421 has a semicircular arc shape when viewed from the first direction D1. The second curved portion 3421 is provided to face a part of the outer circumferential surface of the first portion 331 (the upper half in Figs. 3 to 5 ).

[0028] The second flange 3422 extends to both sides from the second curved portion 3421. The second flange 3422 is fixed to the first flange 3412. At this time, the elastic member 35 is sandwiched between the bracket 34 and the first portion 331 of the housing 33.

[0029] The first gripping portion 341 and the second gripping portion 342 do not necessarily have to be separate members used for fastening. The first gripping portion 341 and the second gripping portion 342 may be provided in a state where they are connected by a hinge structure or the like.

[0030] Next, we will explain the quietness of the air supply device 3. The air supply device 3 may be constantly driven to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the lens 51 of the camera 5. In this case, vibrations are constantly generated from the pump mechanism 31 and the motor 32, and there is a risk that the vibrations may be perceived as noise by the occupants of the vehicle 2.

[0031] In this embodiment, a bracket 34 supports the first portion 331 of the housing 33 on a part of the vehicle 2. Furthermore, an elastic member 35 is sandwiched between the bracket 34 and the first portion 331. The motor 32, which is heavier than the pump mechanism 31, is housed in the first portion 331. Because the relatively heavy first portion 331 is supported by the first grip portion 341 of the bracket 34 via the elastic member 35, vibrations generated by the pump mechanism 31 and the motor 32 are efficiently absorbed and transmission of the vibrations to the vehicle 2 is suppressed. Therefore, the quietness of the air supply device 3 mounted on the vehicle 2 can be improved, and even in a situation where the pump mechanism 31 and the motor 32 are constantly operating, the risk of the generated vibrations being perceived as noise by occupants of the vehicle 2 can be reduced.

[0032] In this embodiment, the back panel 22 to which the air supply device 3 is attached is located relatively close to the passenger compartment, so the generated vibrations are likely to be perceived as noise by the occupants of the vehicle 2. Therefore, the aforementioned effect of improving quietness becomes more pronounced.

[0033] In this embodiment, the elastic member 35 is provided so as to surround the entire outer periphery of the first portion 331 of the housing 33. In this case, not only is the vibration absorption capability improved compared to when the elastic member 35 is provided only on a portion of the outer periphery of the first portion 331, but the work of attaching the elastic member 35 to the first portion 331 can also be simplified.

[0034] However, as long as the desired vibration-absorbing effect can be obtained, the elastic member 35 may be provided so as to face only a part of the outer periphery of the first portion 331. For example, the elastic member 35 may be sandwiched only between the first gripping portion 341 and the first portion 331.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first portion 331 and the second portion 332 of the housing 33 are aligned along the first direction D1. When viewed from the first direction D1, the cross section of the first portion 331 is circular. If the cross section of the first portion 331 were rectangular, the shape of the bracket 34 supporting this portion would also need to correspond to the rectangle. To ensure proper holding by the bracket 34, the orientation of the first portion 331 would need to be adjusted so that the sides of the rectangle coincide, which would reduce assembly workability. On the other hand, according to the configuration of this embodiment in which the cross section of the first portion 331 is circular, the degree of freedom in the orientation of the first portion 331 that is allowed to ensure proper holding by the bracket 34 is high, thereby improving assembly workability.

[0036] As long as the desired assembly workability can be ensured, the cross-sectional shape of the first portion 331 as viewed from the first direction D1 is not limited to a circle. Examples of other cross-sectional shapes include an ellipse. In addition, there is no intention to exclude the case where the cross-sectional shape of the first portion 331 as viewed from the first direction D1 is a rectangle.

[0037] 3 to 5 , in this embodiment, the second portion 332 has a facing portion 3321 that faces the bracket 34 in the first direction D1. The facing portion 3321 corresponds to a corner of the rectangular cross section of the second portion 332. When viewed from the first direction D1, the facing portion 3321 is located outward from the outer periphery of the first portion 331. In this embodiment, four facing portions 3321 are provided at the four corners of the rectangle, but the number of facing portions 3321 is not limited to four. It is sufficient that at least one facing portion 3321 is provided in the second portion 332.

[0038] 3 and 5 , both the first gripping portion 341 and the second gripping portion 342 of the bracket 34 abut against the opposing portion 3321 provided on the second portion 332. This makes it easy to position the bracket 34 with respect to the first portion 331. Furthermore, it is easy to prevent the first portion 331 from falling off the bracket 34 due to vibration.

[0039] Second Embodiment Next, details of an air supply device 3A according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the air supply device 3A according to the second embodiment. In the configuration shown in Fig. 6, the same components as those shown in Fig. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the components of the air supply device 3A according to the second embodiment. In the configuration shown in Fig. 7, the same components as those shown in Fig. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. Fig. 8 illustrates an example of the air supply device 3A attached to a part of a vehicle 2. Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate the external appearance of the air supply device 3A, and the pump mechanism 31 and motor 32 housed therein are not shown.

[0040] The air supply device 3A according to this embodiment includes a housing 33 , a first bracket 36 , and a second bracket 37 in addition to a pump mechanism 31 and a motor 32 .

[0041] The first bracket 36 is configured to hold the first portion 331 of the housing 33. The first bracket 36 has a first gripping portion 361 and a second gripping portion 362. The first portion 331 of the housing 33 is sandwiched between the first gripping portion 361 and the second gripping portion 362.

[0042] The first grip portion 361 has a first curved portion 3611 and a first flange 3612. As illustrated in Fig. 8 , the first curved portion 3611 has a semicircular arc shape when viewed from the first direction D1. The first curved portion 3611 is provided to face a part of the outer circumferential surface of the first portion 331 (the lower half in Figs. 6 to 8 ).

[0043] The first flanges 3612 extend from the first curved portion 3611 to both sides.

[0044] The second grip portion 362 has a second curved portion 3621 and a second flange 3622. As illustrated in Fig. 8 , the second curved portion 3621 has a semicircular arc shape when viewed from the first direction D1. The second curved portion 3621 is provided to face a part of the outer circumferential surface of the first portion 331 (the upper half in Figs. 6 to 8 ).

[0045] The second flanges 3622 extend to both sides from the second curved portion 3621. The second flanges 3622 are fixed to the first flange 3612.

[0046] The second bracket 37 is attached to a part (the back panel 22) of the vehicle 2 and is configured to support the first bracket 36 while spacing it away from the part (the back panel 22) of the vehicle 2. The second bracket 37 has a second support portion 371, a second base portion 372, and a second connecting portion 373.

[0047] The second support portion 371 is configured to support the first gripping portion 361 and the second gripping portion 362 of the first bracket 36. The second support portion 371 has a flat plate shape facing the first flange 3612 and the second flange 3622.

[0048] The second base portion 372 is configured to be attached to a part (the back panel 22) of the vehicle 2. The second base portion 372 has a flat plate shape. The second base portion 372 can be fixed to the back panel 22 via double-sided tape or the like.

[0049] The second connecting portion 373 connects the second support portion 371 and the second base portion 372. The second connecting portion 373 is provided to support the first gripping portion 361 and the second gripping portion 362 of the first bracket 36 while separating them from the back panel 22.

[0050] Next, the quietness of the air supply device 3A will be described. The air supply device 3A according to the second embodiment may also be driven constantly. In this case, vibrations from the pump mechanism 31 and the motor 32 may be perceived as noise by the occupants of the vehicle 2.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first bracket 36 holds the first portion 331 that houses the relatively heavy motor 32. The first bracket 36 is supported by the second bracket 37 while being spaced apart from a portion of the vehicle 2, which reduces the transmission of vibrations generated by the pump mechanism 31 and the motor 32 to the vehicle 2. This increases the quietness of the air supply device 3A mounted on the vehicle 2, and reduces the risk that the generated vibrations will be perceived as noise by occupants of the vehicle 2, even in situations where the pump mechanism 31 and the motor 32 are constantly operating.

[0052] In this embodiment, the second bracket 37 supports the first bracket 36 via elastic members 39. Specifically, three elastic members 39 are provided on the second support portion 371 of the second bracket 37. The three elastic members 39 are arranged to surround the center of gravity of the motor 32. In this case, vibrations generated by the motor 32 and the pump mechanism 31 are efficiently absorbed by each elastic member 39, further improving the quietness of the air supply device 3A. The number of elastic members 39 can be determined arbitrarily.

[0053] The second portion 332 of the housing 33 has a facing portion 3322 that faces the first bracket 36 in the first direction D1. The facing portion 3322 corresponds to a corner of the rectangular cross section of the second portion 332. When viewed from the first direction D1, the facing portion 3322 is located outward from the outer periphery of the first portion 331. In this embodiment, four facing portions 3322 are provided at the four corners of the rectangle, but the number of facing portions 3322 is not limited to four. It is sufficient that at least one facing portion 3322 is provided in the second portion 332.

[0054] 6 and 8 , the first gripping portion 361 and the second gripping portion 362 of the first bracket 36 both come into contact with the opposing portion 3322 provided on the second part 332. This makes it easy to position the first bracket 36 with respect to the first part 331. Furthermore, it is easy to prevent the first part 331 from falling off the first bracket 36 due to vibration.

[0055] The configurations described above are merely examples to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure. Each configuration example can be appropriately modified and combined with other configuration examples without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0056] For example, in the air supply device 3A according to the second embodiment, the elastic member 35 according to the first embodiment may be sandwiched between each of the first bracket 36 and the second bracket 37 and the first portion 331 of the housing 33. With this configuration, vibration absorption is further improved, and the quietness of the air supply device 3A is further improved.

[0057] The configurations described in the following items also constitute part of the present disclosure. Item 1: An air supply device that supplies air to be used by a cleaning device mounted on a movable body, comprising: a pump mechanism that supplies the air to the cleaning device; a motor that drives the pump mechanism; a housing having a first portion that accommodates the motor and a second portion that accommodates the pump mechanism; a bracket that supports the first portion on a portion of the movable body; and an elastic member that is sandwiched between the bracket and the first portion. Item 2: The air supply device according to item 1, wherein the elastic member is provided so as to surround the entire outer periphery of the first portion. Item 3: The air supply device according to item 1 or 2, wherein the first portion and the second portion are aligned along a first direction, and a cross section of the first portion is circular when viewed from the first direction. Item 4: The air supply device according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the first portion and the second portion are aligned along the first direction, and the second portion has an opposing portion that faces the bracket in the first direction. Item 5: An air supply device that supplies air to be used by a cleaning device mounted on a movable body, comprising: a pump mechanism that supplies the air to the cleaning device, a motor that drives the pump mechanism, a housing having a first portion that accommodates the motor and a second portion that accommodates the pump mechanism, a first bracket that holds the first portion, and a second bracket that is attached to a portion of the movable body and supports the first bracket while spacing it from the portion of the movable body. Item 6: The air supply device according to Item 5, wherein the second bracket supports the first bracket via at least one elastic member. Item 7: The air supply device according to Item 5 or 6, wherein the first portion and the second portion are aligned along a first direction, and when viewed from the first direction, the second portion has an opposing portion that faces the first bracket.

[0058] This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2024-047626 filed on March 25, 2024, and incorporates by reference all of the contents of the aforementioned Japanese application.

Claims

1. An air supply device that supplies air to be used by a cleaning device mounted on a movable body, comprising: a pump mechanism that supplies the air to the cleaning device; a motor that drives the pump mechanism; a housing having a first portion that houses the motor and a second portion that houses the pump mechanism; a bracket that supports the first portion on a part of the movable body; and an elastic member that is sandwiched between the bracket and the first portion.

2. The air supply device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is provided so as to surround the entire outer periphery of the portion.

3. The air supply device according to claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are aligned along a first direction, and the cross section of the first portion is circular when viewed from the first direction.

4. The air supply device according to claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are aligned along a first direction, and the second portion has an opposing portion that faces the bracket in the first direction.

5. An air supply device that supplies air to be used by a cleaning device mounted on a movable body, comprising: a pump mechanism that supplies the air to the cleaning device; a motor that drives the pump mechanism; a housing having a first portion that accommodates the motor and a second portion that accommodates the pump mechanism; a first bracket that holds the first portion; and a second bracket that is attached to a portion of the movable body and supports the first bracket while separating it from the portion of the movable body.

6. The air supply device according to claim 5, wherein the second bracket supports the first bracket via at least one elastic member.

7. An air supply device as described in claim 5, wherein the first portion and the second portion are aligned along a first direction, and when viewed from the first direction, the second portion has an opposing portion that faces the first bracket.

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