Cleaning apparatus for a motor vehicle sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus (1) for cleaning a sensor (2) in a motor vehicle, wherein the cleaning apparatus (1) has a liquid protection device (3) which at least partly delimits a receiving space (4) and has a front opening (5), wherein the cleaning apparatus (1) has a fluid dispensing device (6) which is at least partly arranged in the receiving space (4), and wherein the liquid protection device (3) is fluid-tightly connectable to a vehicle component (8) of the motor vehicle, said component having an opening (7), in such a way that the receiving space (4) of the liquid protection device (3) is accessible via the opening (7) in the vehicle component (8) and an exchange of liquid between the receiving space (4) of the liquid protection device (3) and an interior space (9) formed by the vehicle component (8) and the liquid protection device (3) is prevented. The invention further relates to a vehicle body component and to a sensor apparatus.

Description

[0001] Page 1 / 29 Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GmbH & Co. KG Our Ref: P81055DE August 26, 2024 Cleaning Device for a Motor Vehicle Sensor The invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning a sensor in a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a body component. The invention further relates to a sensor device. Sensors perform a variety of tasks in a motor vehicle. For example, sensors are used to monitor the surroundings of a motor vehicle for autonomous or semi-autonomous driving. In particular, optical systems, radar systems, and LiDAR systems are used here. Often, such systems are concealed behind a body component for aesthetic reasons. At the same time, the part of the surface through which the electromagnetic radiation emitted by or received by the sensor penetrates the body component must be kept free of contaminants.Various cleaning devices are known in the prior art for this purpose. Typically, the cleaning device is positioned next to the sensor device and, for aesthetic reasons, also behind the body panel. To allow the cleaning device to penetrate the body panel and clean the sensor surface located on its outer surface, the body panel has a cutout. Page 2 / 29 P81055DE Through this cutout, liquids and dirt can enter the cavity surrounded by the body panel. Due to the increasing integration of electronic components, particularly for (semi-)autonomous driving, it is necessary to keep these cavities watertight and dustproof.Against this background, the problem arises that, in the current state of the art, the technically necessary penetration of the body component cannot be kept watertight and dustproof from the vehicle environment, so that electronic components located behind the body component can be damaged. The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a cleaning device by means of which a sensor surface can be reliably cleaned and at the same time prevents fluid exchange and the ingress of dirt between the vehicle exterior and a cavity formed by a vehicle component. The objectives of the invention are achieved by a cleaning device with the features of claim 1 of the present invention. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.More precisely, the problem underlying the invention is solved by a cleaning device for cleaning a sensor or a viewing window in a motor vehicle, wherein the cleaning device has a liquid protection device which at least partially delimits a receiving space and has a front opening, wherein the cleaning device has a fluid dispensing device which is at least partially arranged in the receiving space, and the liquid protection device can be connected to a vehicle component having an opening (page 3 / 29 P81055DE) of the motor vehicle in such a fluid-tight manner that the receiving space of the liquid protection device is accessible via the opening of the vehicle component and fluid exchange between the receiving space of the liquid protection device and an interior formed by the vehicle component and the liquid protection device is prevented.By using a liquid protection element and a fluid-tight connection to a vehicle component, which in this case could be a body panel or a lens cover, the cleaning device is encapsulated, creating a continuous, fluid-tight enclosure of an internal cavity. This provides particularly reliable protection against the ingress of moisture and dirt. Simultaneously, such an encapsulated cleaning device enables particularly reliable cleaning of the sensor surface and / or the field of view (FOV) of a sensor. The cleaning device serves to clean a sensor. In this context, the sensor can be a sensor for determining the distance of an object to the vehicle. Specifically, the sensor can be a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, a camera, or a capacitive sensor.A fluid containment device can be a device that, when connected to a vehicle component, protects a cavity located behind the vehicle component and the fluid containment device from the ingress of liquids or contaminants. A fluid containment device can form a continuous and fluid-tight shell together with a vehicle component. Page 4 / 29 P81055DE The fluid containment device serves to prevent fluid exchange. For this purpose, the fluid containment device can be made of a waterproof material. In particular, the fluid containment device can be made of a plastic. If the fluid containment device is made of a waterproof material, especially a plastic, advantages may arise with regard to protection against ingress of moisture.The liquid containment device at least partially delimits a cavity. This can mean that the liquid containment device has several side surfaces which delimit a space in at least three lateral directions. The cavity thus defined includes at least the space formed by the side surfaces and by the surfaces connecting the edges of the side surfaces. The cleaning device has a fluid dispensing device. Here, a fluid dispensing device can be a device for conveying liquid and generating a fluid jet. In particular, the fluid dispensing device can have a cleaning nozzle for generating a fluid jet. The fluid dispensing device can have a pressure-generating device, in particular a pump, for generating a fluid jet. Alternatively, the fluid dispensing device can convey a pressurized liquid and thus generate a fluid jet.If the fluid dispensing device includes a pressure-generating device, particularly thorough cleaning of the sensor can be achieved. If the fluid dispensing device directs a pressurized fluid to generate a fluid jet, the amount of sensitive electronics in the cleaning device is reduced, which can offer advantages in terms of protection against moisture. Page 5 / 29 P81055DE The fluid dispensing device is located at least partially within the fluid containment device. "At least partially" here can mean that part or all of the fluid dispensing device is surrounded by the fluid containment device. However, it can also mean that, in certain states of the cleaning device, part of the fluid dispensing device is not surrounded, or not completely surrounded, by the fluid containment device.In particular, this can mean that at least part of the fluid dispensing device protrudes from the fluid containment structure when extended. The cleaning device is designed to be fluid-tightly connected to a vehicle component of the motor vehicle. A vehicle component of a motor vehicle can, in particular, be a component of the vehicle's outer skin. The vehicle component of the motor vehicle can, for example, be a body panel, a windscreen, or a plastic component. Some examples of a vehicle component according to the invention are a bumper cover, a door panel, a tailgate panel, a fender panel, a front grille, or a radiator cover.A vehicle component can, for example, also be part of a bumper cover, a part of a door outer panel, a part of a tailgate outer panel, a part of a fender cover, a part of a front grille, or a part of a radiator grille. A front grille is the part of a vehicle where the radiator grille used to be in combustion engine vehicles. Particularly in electric vehicles, this front grille is no longer designed as an air intake for the radiator (which is no longer present), but rather as a design element in the center of the vehicle. Page 6 / 29 P81055DE The fact that the fluid protection device of the cleaning unit can be connected fluid-tight to a vehicle component of the motor vehicle can, in particular, mean that the cleaning unit has elements for creating a fluid-tight connection, especially sealing elements.Furthermore, it can mean that the fluid containment device provides a connection surface designed to create a particularly strong, bonded connection with the vehicle component. The fact that the fluid containment device's receiving space is accessible through the opening of the vehicle component can mean that there is a direct connection between the vehicle's surroundings and the interior, which is either not obstructed or only partially obstructed by a movable element. The cleaning device can be connected to a vehicle component in such a way that fluid exchange between the fluid containment device's receiving space and an interior formed by the vehicle component and the fluid containment device is prevented.This can mean that the vehicle component, the cleaning device, and, if applicable, other elements of the motor vehicle form a shell that protects an interior created by the shell against the ingress of liquid or dirt, particularly from the vehicle environment or the fluid dispensing device located in the receiving space. According to an advantageous embodiment, the cleaning device has a compressed air dispensing device with a compressed air nozzle, wherein the compressed air dispensing device is at least partially located in the receiving space. The cleaning device designed accordingly can have the advantage that, after cleaning the sensor with a cleaning fluid (page 7 / 29 P81055DE), the liquid remaining on the sensor surface can be efficiently removed, thus offering advantages in terms of efficient cleaning.A compressed air nozzle can be a device for generating a directed jet of compressed air. The compressed air output device can include a valve, in particular a pressure intensifier. The compressed air output device can be configured to output compressed air at a pressure of at least 0.5 bar, preferably at least 1 bar, and more preferably at least 2 bar. This can have the advantage of particularly efficient cleaning of the sensor surface.According to an advantageous embodiment, the fluid dispensing device is fluidly connected to a fluid supply element, and the fluid containment device has a first through-opening for the fluid-tight passage of the fluid supply element. Preferably, the compressed air dispensing device is fluidly connected to a compressed air supply element, and the fluid containment device has a second through-opening for the fluid-tight passage of the compressed air supply element. The cleaning device designed accordingly can offer the advantage of a particularly reliable seal against fluid exchange.The fact that the fluid dispensing device is fluidly connected to a fluid supply element can mean that the fluid dispensing device and the fluid supply element are connected in such a way that a fluid can be conveyed from the fluid supply element to the fluid dispensing device. The fluid supply element can be connected to another component belonging to the motor vehicle, in particular a cleaning agent supply unit. Analogously to the above, it follows that the compressed air dispensing device is connected to a compressed air supply element in such a way that a flow of compressed air can reach the compressed air dispensing device from the compressed air supply element.A fluid-tight feedthrough can be a feedthrough that establishes a fluid-tight connection at the contact point between the liquid supply element or the compressed air supply element on the one hand and the liquid containment device on the other, so that no liquid can enter or leave the liquid containment device at this point. In particular, the feedthrough must not impede the movement of the liquid supply element or the compressed air supply element. According to an advantageous embodiment, the cleaning device has a movable cover element for covering the front opening, wherein the cover element can be moved into an open and a closed position. In addition to aesthetic advantages, this can have the technical advantage of achieving a particularly efficient seal against fluid exchange.The cover element can, in particular, serve to completely cover the front opening. The cover element is movable. The cover element can, in particular, perform a lateral and / or tilting movement. This can have the advantage of particularly efficient cleaning of the sensor surface. Page 9 / 29 P81055DE It can also be provided that the cover element is movable exclusively laterally, in particular exclusively along one axis. This can enable a particularly reliable seal against liquids. An open state can be a state in which the cover element does not cover the front opening or only partially covers it. In this respect, the open state can also be described as the open position. A closed state can be a state in which the cover element completely or partially covers the front opening and thus, in particular, prevents access to the receiving space of the liquid protection device.Therefore, the closed state can also be referred to as the closed position. If the cover element is arranged in the opening of the vehicle component, advantages can arise not only in terms of aesthetics but also with regard to a reliable seal against liquids. According to an advantageous embodiment, the compressed air nozzle is attached to the cover element and is preferably integrated into the cover element. The correspondingly designed cleaning device can offer advantages in terms of particularly efficient cleaning and a reliable seal against liquids. Furthermore, the correspondingly designed cleaning device is particularly compact. The compressed air nozzle can be attached to the cover element by a material-locking or form-fit connection. Page 10 / 29 P81055DE "Integrated" here can mean that the compressed air nozzle is part of the cover element.In this case, the cover element can have a connection device for a fluid-conducting connection to the compressed air supply device. Sometimes, the cover element may be formed by a projecting part of the compressed air nozzle. Preferably, the cleaning device is designed such that the sensor or the viewing window can be supplied with compressed air via the compressed air nozzle when the cover element is closed. The cleaning device designed accordingly has the advantage that, for example, the sensor or a viewing window of the sensor can be cleaned by means of a jet of compressed air emitted from the compressed air nozzle in the case of minor soiling, without having to move the cover element to its open position. Furthermore, a cleaning process of the sensor or...The sensor's viewing window can be cleaned using the fluid dispensing device followed by the compressed air dispensing device for a shortened time, during which the cover element is in the open position. According to an advantageous embodiment, the cover element is connected to the fluid dispensing device. The correspondingly designed cleaning device can offer advantages in terms of reliable sealing against liquids. Particularly in the case of a movable cover element, advantages can also arise with regard to reliable cleaning of the sensor surface. Page 11 / 29 P81055DE It can be provided that the fluid dispensing device has a cleaning nozzle and that the fluid dispensing device is connected to the cover element via this cleaning nozzle. However, it can also be provided that the fluid dispensing device is connected to the cover element via a different part.In particular, the fluid dispensing device can be connected to the cover element in such a way that, when the cover element is open, the fluid dispensing device can apply a jet of liquid to the sensor surface. According to an advantageous embodiment, the fluid dispensing device has a telescopic arm that is coupled to the cover element, allowing the cover element to be moved between the open state and the closed state by means of the telescopic arm. This enables particularly efficient cleaning of the sensor surface and reliable sealing against liquids. The fact that the telescopic arm is coupled to the cover element means that movement of the telescopic arm can be transmitted directly or indirectly to the cover element.If the cover element is movable between the open and closed positions by means of the telescopic arm, this can mean that a movement of the telescopic arm, in particular a contraction or expansion of the telescopic arm, can cause the cover element to be moved from the open state to the closed state or from the closed state to the open state. According to an advantageous embodiment, the cover element is coupled to the movement of the fluid dispensing device by means of the telescopic arm. Page 12 / 29 P81055DE The fact that the cover element is coupled to the movement of the fluid dispensing device by means of the telescopic arm can mean that a movement, in particular a contraction or expansion, of the telescopic arm causes a movement of part of the fluid dispensing device, and this movement is transmitted to the cover element. In particular, a purely lateral movement can be generated in this way.According to an advantageous embodiment, the cover element seals the fluid protection device in a fluid-tight manner when closed. "Fluid-tight" here can mean, in particular, that no fluid can pass from the vehicle environment into the receiving chamber of the fluid protection device and vice versa. According to an advantageous embodiment, the cleaning device has a heating element. This allows the cleaning device to remain operational even at low ambient temperatures, especially in freezing conditions, resulting in advantages with regard to reliable cleaning of the sensor surface. The heating element can be freely arranged on the cleaning device. Preferably, the heating element is arranged in the receiving chamber of the cleaning device, and more preferably, the heating element is arranged on the fluid dispensing device. In particular, the heating element can at least partially surround the fluid dispensing device.This allows the fluid dispensing device to be protected particularly efficiently from frost, which can offer advantages in terms of reliable cleaning of the sensor surface. Page 13 / 29 P81055DE The heating element is preferably an electric heating element. According to an advantageous embodiment, the liquid protection device has a side wall element and a bottom element, wherein the bottom element is preferably bonded or monolithically connected to the side wall element. The appropriately designed cleaning device enables a particularly reliable seal against liquids. The side wall element can, in particular, define the receiving space in four spatial directions, wherein the bottom element can define the receiving space in a fifth direction. Preferably, the front opening is located opposite the bottom element.According to an advantageous embodiment, the compressed air supply element comprises an elastic element, in particular a bellows. In the correspondingly designed cleaning device, especially if the compressed air supply element is connected to or part of the cover element, the compressed air nozzle can be carried along with the cover element. This can offer advantages with regard to the reliable cleaning of the sensor surface. An elastic element can be one that allows significant and non-destructive longitudinal expansion of the compressed air supply element. A bellows can be a flexible component consisting of several interconnected, foldable segments or lamellae made of an elastic material such as rubber, plastic, or metal mesh.Page 14 / 29 P81055DE According to an advantageous embodiment, the liquid protection device has a sealing element on an edge surrounding the front opening, which, in a state connected to a vehicle component, creates a fluid-tight seal. This allows for a particularly reliable seal against liquids. A state connected to a vehicle component can be a state in which the liquid protection device is in a permanent connection with a vehicle component. The sealing element can be made of an elastomer.According to an advantageous embodiment, the fluid dispensing device is arranged within the liquid protection device such that, in a retracted state, the fluid dispensing device does not penetrate the front opening, and in an extended state, it does penetrate the front opening. In particular, a cleaning nozzle of the fluid dispensing device is located outside the interior of the liquid protection device. This can offer advantages with regard to the reliable cleaning of the sensor surface. A retracted state of the fluid dispensing device can correspond to the closed state of the cover element. An extended state of the fluid dispensing device can correspond to the open state of the cover element. In particular, the fluid dispensing device and the cover element can be moved together from the closed and retracted state to the open and extended state.Page 15 / 29 P81055DE Penetrating the front opening can mean that part of the fluid dispensing device is located on the inside side of the front opening from the perspective of the liquid containment device, and another part is located outside the front opening. The fluid dispensing device may include a cleaning nozzle. A cleaning nozzle can be a device designed to generate a directed jet of liquid. If the cleaning nozzle is located outside the interior of the liquid containment device, this can mean that the part of the cleaning nozzle that directly generates the jet of liquid is located outside the interior of the liquid containment device.The present invention also aims to provide a body component which reliably protects a particularly secure seal against penetrating moisture in an interior located behind the body component and enables particularly reliable cleaning of a sensor surface located on the body component.The problem underlying the present invention is solved by a body component comprising a vehicle component and a cleaning device as described above, wherein the vehicle component has an opening, the cleaning device being arranged in the opening, and the cleaning device, in particular the fluid protection device, being fluid-tightly connected to one of the openings of the vehicle component, so that the receiving space of the fluid protection device is accessible via the opening of the vehicle component and fluid exchange between the receiving space of the fluid protection device and an interior formed by the vehicle component and the fluid protection device is prevented. Page 16 / 29 P81055DE The vehicle component can be a part of the body of a motor vehicle, a panel element, or another visible part of the outer shell of a motor vehicle.Preferably, the cleaning device can be connected to the opening of the vehicle component by a material-bonded or force-fit connection. In particular, a sealing element of the cleaning device can be arranged between the cleaning device and the opening of the vehicle component in such a way that a fluid-tight seal is created. The present invention also aims to provide a sensor device that enables particularly reliable cleaning of a sensor surface located on the outer surface of a body component.The problem underlying the present invention is solved by a sensor device for a body component described above, wherein the sensor device comprises a sensor which is arranged on or in the region of an inner wall of the body component such that the body component is positioned in front of the sensor in the sensor's line of sight, wherein the sensor device has a sensor surface which is arranged on an outer wall of the body component and opposite the sensor in relation to the body component, and wherein the cleaning device is arranged on the body component such that the sensor surface can be supplied with a cleaning fluid from the outside by a liquid jet generated by the fluid dispensing device. The sensor can be any sensor used in a motor vehicle. In particular, the sensor can be a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, a camera, or a capacitive sensor.Page 17 / 29 P81055DE An inner wall of the body component can be a side of the body component that is not visible from the outside. In particular, an inner wall can be a side of the body component facing away from the outer shell of the vehicle. The sensor's line of sight can be the direction of connection from the sensor to a center point of the sensor's field of view. "In front of the sensor in the line of sight" can mean that the body component is located within the sensor's field of view. In other words, the sensor "sees" through the body component. This can mean that the electromagnetic radiation emitted and / or received by the sensor penetrates the body component. The fact that the sensor surface is arranged opposite the sensor with respect to the body component can mean that the sensor and the sensor surface are located directly opposite each other on two different sides of the body component.In particular, the sensor area can correspond to the surface on which the sensor's field of view emerges from the body component. An outer wall of the body component can be an externally visible side of the body component. An outer wall of the body component can be a side opposite the inner wall of the body component. Further advantages, details, and features of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below.Specifically, the following are shown: Page 18 / 29 P81055DE Figure 1: a sectional view of a cleaning device according to the invention in the closed / retracted state; Figure 2: a sectional view of a cleaning device according to the invention in the open / extended state; Figure 3: a sectional view of a liquid protection device; Figure 4: a top view of the front opening of a liquid protection device; In the following description, the same reference numerals denote the same components or the same features, so that a description given with respect to one figure also applies to the other figures, thus avoiding repetitive descriptions. Furthermore, individual features described in connection with one embodiment can also be used separately in other embodiments. Figure 1 shows a sectional view of an exemplary cleaning device 1 according to the invention.The cleaning device 1 serves to clean a sensor 2 of a motor vehicle, which is not shown here. The cleaning device 1 has a liquid protection device 3 that limits a receiving chamber 4 except for a front opening 5. The liquid protection device 3 has a side wall element 19 and a bottom element 20. The side wall element 19 and the bottom element 20 are either bonded together or monolithically formed. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, the bottom element 20 has a first through-opening 13 and a second through-opening 15. The cleaning device 1 has a cover element 16. The cover element 16 can assume a closed position in which it covers the front opening 5. Figure 1 shows the cleaning device 1 in the closed position.The cover element can also assume an open state shown in Figure 2, in which the cover element 16 is spaced away from the front opening 5 and thus does not cover the front opening 5. A fluid dispensing device 6 is arranged in the receiving chamber 4 of the fluid protection device 3. The fluid dispensing device 6 has a cleaning nozzle 24 with which cleaning fluid can be applied in a fluid jet 28 to a sensor surface 26 for cleaning. The fluid dispensing device 6 can be fluidly connected to a fluid supply element 12 on a component of the vehicle (not shown here) for supplying cleaning fluid. The fluid dispensing device 6 has a telescopic arm 17 with which the fluid dispensing device 6 can be moved along a lateral displacement direction between a retracted state and an extended state.The fluid dispensing device 6 is connected to the cover element 16 in such a way that movement of the fluid dispensing device 6 also results in movement of the cover element 16. Thus, the retracted state of the fluid dispensing device 6 corresponds to the closed state of the cover element 16, and the extended state of the fluid dispensing device 6 corresponds to the open state of the cover element 16. A compressed air dispensing device 10 is also arranged in the receiving chamber 4 of the liquid containment device 3. The compressed air dispensing device 10 has a compressed air nozzle 11, with which compressed air can be applied to the sensor surface 26 to remove excess cleaning fluid or loose contamination. The compressed air dispensing device 10 can be fluidly connected to a compressed air supply element 14 on a unit of the vehicle (not shown here) for the supply of compressed air.In the illustrated embodiment, the compressed air nozzle 11 is integrated into the cover element 16 and oriented such that, when the cover element 16 is open, it is directed towards the sensor surface 26 and can apply a jet of compressed air to the sensor surface 26. Alternatively or additionally, the compressed air nozzle 11 can also be directed towards the sensor surface 26 when the cover element 16 is closed and apply a jet of compressed air to the sensor surface 26. The compressed air supply element 14 has an elastic element 21, which is designed here as a bellows. When the cover element 16, and thus the compressed air nozzle 11, is moved from the closed to the open state, the compressed air outlet 10 follows the compressed air nozzle 11, thereby compressing the bellows.The liquid supply element 12 and the compressed air supply element 14 are guided through the first through-opening 13 and the second opening 15 of the liquid protection device 3 in such a way that the liquid protection device 3 remains fluid-tight. For this purpose, the liquid protection device 3 has corresponding sealing elements, not shown here. The cleaning device 1 also has a heating element 18, which is arranged here in the receiving chamber 4. Alternatively or additionally to the arrangement of the heating element 18 shown in Figures 1 and 2, it can be arranged directly on the cleaning nozzle 24. Page 21 / 29 P81055DE The cleaning device 1 is arranged in an opening 7 of a vehicle component 8, which is only indicated here.The edge 23 of the liquid protection device 3 can be connected to the vehicle component 8 in such a way that the receiving chamber 4 of the liquid protection device 3 is accessible via the opening 7 of the vehicle component 8, and fluid exchange between the receiving chamber 4 of the liquid protection device 3 and an interior space 9 formed by the vehicle component 8 and the liquid protection device 3 is prevented. Figure 3 shows the liquid protection device 3 in a sectional view, and Figure 4 shows the liquid protection device 3 in a top view looking at the front opening 5. A sealing element 22 is located at the edge 23 of the liquid protection device 3, which enables a tight connection between the cleaning device 1 and the vehicle component 8. Figure 1 also shows a body component according to the invention.The cleaning device 1 is arranged in an opening 7 of a vehicle component 8, wherein the vehicle component 8 is a part of the body shell of a motor vehicle. Figure 1 also shows a sensor device according to the invention. The sensor 2 is arranged on the inner wall 25 of the vehicle component 8. Alternatively, it is of course also possible for the sensor 2 to be located away from the inner wall 25 of the vehicle component 8. On the outer wall 27 opposite the inner wall 25, the sensor surface 26 or the field of view 26 of the sensor is arranged opposite the sensor 2. The body component is positioned in front of the sensor 2 in the viewing direction R of the sensor 2. Page 22 / 29 P81055DE The cleaning device 1 is arranged on the body component in such a way that the sensor surface 26 can be supplied with a cleaning fluid from the outside by a liquid jet 28 generated by the fluid dispensing device 6.

[0002] Page 23 / 29 P81055DE Reference List 1 Cleaning Device 2 Sensor 3 Liquid protection device 4 Receiving chamber 5 Front opening 6 Fluid dispensing device 7 Öffnung 8 Vehicle component 9 Interior 10 Compressed air dispensing device 11 Compressed air nozzle 12 Fluid supply element 13 First through-opening 14 Compressed air supply element 15 Second through-opening 16 Cover element 17 Telescopic arm 18 Heating element 19 Side wall element 20 Floor element 21 Elastic element 22 Sealing element 23 Rand 24 Cleaning nozzle 25 Inner wall 26 Sensor surface / viewing window 27 Outer wall 28 Liquid jet

Claims

Page 24 / 29 Applicant: KAUTEX TEXTRON GmbH & Co. KG Our reference: P81055DE Patent claims 1.Cleaning device (1) for cleaning a sensor (2) or a viewing window (26) in a motor vehicle, wherein the cleaning device (1) has the following features: - the cleaning device (1) has a liquid protection device (3) which at least partially delimits a receiving space (4) and has a front opening (5); - the cleaning device (1) has a fluid discharge device (6) which is at least partially arranged in the receiving space (4); - the liquid protection device (3) can be connected to a vehicle component (8) of the motor vehicle having an opening (7) in such a fluid-tight manner that the receiving space (4) of the liquid protection device (3) is accessible via the opening (7) of the vehicle component (8) and fluid exchange between the receiving space (4) of the liquid protection device (3) and an interior space (9) formed by the vehicle component (8) and the liquid protection device (3) is prevented.Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning device (1) has a compressed air dispensing device (10) with a compressed air nozzle (11), wherein the compressed air dispensing device (10) is at least partially arranged in the receiving chamber (4).

3. Cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fluid dispensing device (6) is fluidly connected to a liquid supply element (12) and the liquid protection device (3) is a first. Page 25 / 29 P81055DE A through-opening (13) for the fluid-tight passage of the liquid supply element (12) is preferably connected to a compressed air supply element (14) in a fluid-conducting manner, and the liquid protection device (3) has a second through-opening (15) for the fluid-tight passage of the compressed air supply element (14).

4. Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cleaning device (1) has a movable cover element (16) for covering the front opening (5), wherein the cover element (16) can be brought into an open state and a closed state.

5. Cleaning device according to a combination of claims 2 and 4, characterized in that the compressed air nozzle (11) is attached to the cover element (16) and is preferably integrated into the cover element (16). 6.Cleaning device according to claim 5, characterized in that the sensor (2) or the viewing window (26) can be supplied with compressed air by means of the compressed air nozzle (11) when the cover element (26) is in the closed state.

7. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the cover element (16) is connected to the fluid dispensing device (6).

8. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the fluid dispensing device (6) has a telescopic arm (17) which is coupled to the cover element (16) for movement, so that the cover element (16) can be moved between the open state and the closed state by means of the telescopic arm (17). Page 26 / 29 P81055DE9. Cleaning device according to claim 8, characterized in that the cover element (16) is motion-coupled by the fluid dispensing device (6) via the telescopic arm (17).

10. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the cover element (16) closes the liquid protection device (3) in the closed state, preferably in a fluid-tight manner.

11. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cleaning device (1) has a heating element (18).

12. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the liquid protection device (3) has a side wall element (19) and a bottom element (20), preferably that the bottom element (20) is materially bonded or monolithically connected to the side wall element (19). 13.Cleaning device according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the compressed air supply element (14) comprises an elastic element (21), in particular a bellows.

14. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the fluid protection device (3) comprises a sealing element (22) on an edge (23) surrounding the front opening (5), which, in a state connected to a vehicle component (8), forms a fluid-tight seal.

15. Cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the fluid dispensing device. Page 27 / 29 P81055DE (6) is arranged in the liquid containment device (3) in such a way that the fluid dispensing device (6) does not penetrate the front opening (5) in a retracted state and penetrates the front opening (5) in an extended state and, in particular, a cleaning nozzle (24) of the fluid dispensing device (6) is located outside the interior (9) of the liquid containment device (3).16.Body component comprising a vehicle component (8) and a cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the vehicle component (8) has an opening (7), wherein the cleaning device (1) is arranged in the opening (7), wherein the cleaning device (1), in particular the fluid protection device (3), is fluid-tightly connected to one of the openings (7) of the vehicle component (8), so that the receiving space (4) of the fluid protection device (3) is accessible via the opening (7) of the vehicle component (8) and fluid exchange between the receiving space (4) of the fluid protection device (3) and an interior space (9) formed by the vehicle component (8) and the fluid protection device (3) is prevented.17.Sensor device for a body component according to claim 16, characterized by the following features: - the sensor device has a sensor (2) which is arranged on or in a region of an inner wall (25) of the body component such that the body component is positioned in front of the sensor (2) in the viewing direction R of the sensor (2). Page 28 / 29 P81055DE - the sensor device has a sensor surface (26), wherein the sensor surface (26) is arranged on an outer wall (27) of the body component and in relation to the body component opposite the sensor (2), - the cleaning device (1) is arranged on the body component in such a way that the sensor surface (26) can be exposed to a cleaning fluid from the outside by a liquid jet (28) generated by the fluid dispensing device (6).

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