阅读说明：本技术 车载传感器清洗装置 (Vehicle-mounted sensor cleaning device ) 是由 山内雄介 木山真晃 针田康弘 于 2018-06-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：车载传感器清洗装置包括喷嘴口(2a、105a～108a)、泵(4、109)、流路、开闭阀(5、110)和蓄压部(6、111、146)。喷嘴口是为了向车载传感器(1、101～104)的感测面(1a、101a～104a)喷射流体而设置的。泵向喷嘴口送出流体。流路将喷嘴口和泵连通。开闭阀设于流路并基于控制信号打开关闭该流路。蓄压部在流路上设于开闭阀与泵之间的部位即泵侧部位。(The in-vehicle sensor cleaning device includes nozzle ports (2a, 105a to 108a), pumps (4, 109), a flow path, on-off valves (5, 110), and pressure storage sections (6, 111, 146). The nozzle opening is provided for ejecting fluid to a sensing surface (1a, 101a to 104a) of an in-vehicle sensor (1, 101 to 104). The pump sends fluid to the nozzle opening. The flow path communicates the nozzle opening and the pump. The on-off valve is provided in the flow path and opens and closes the flow path based on a control signal. The pressure accumulating portion is provided in the flow path at a pump side portion, which is a portion between the opening/closing valve and the pump.)

1. An on-vehicle sensor belt cleaning device characterized by comprising:

nozzle openings (2a, 105 a-108 a) for ejecting fluid to sensing surfaces (1a, 101 a-104 a) of vehicle-mounted sensors (1, 101-104);

a pump (4, 109) that sends fluid to the nozzle opening;

a flow path that communicates the nozzle opening and the pump;

an on-off valve (5, 110) that is provided in the flow path and opens and closes the flow path based on a control signal; and

and a pressure accumulating unit (6, 111, 146) provided in the flow path at a pump side position, which is a position between the on-off valve and the pump.

2. The in-vehicle sensor washing device according to claim 1,

the fluid pump further includes a check valve (7, 112) that is provided in a portion between the accumulator and the pump in the flow path and restricts a flow of the fluid from the accumulator to the pump.

3. The in-vehicle sensor washing device according to claim 2,

the nozzle opening, the opening/closing valve, the pressure accumulating portion, and the check valve are provided in a single housing (21, 142).

4. The in-vehicle sensor washing device according to claim 2 or 3,

further comprising a control device (8, 123) which controls the opening and closing valve and the pump,

the control device is configured to drive the pump in a state where the flow path is closed by the on-off valve,

then, the flow path is opened by the on-off valve in a state where the pump is stopped, and the fluid is ejected from the nozzle opening.

5. The on-vehicle sensor washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

a portion between the pressure accumulation portion and the pump in the flow path is constituted by a first hose,

a portion between the pressure accumulating portion and the nozzle opening in the flow path is constituted by a second hose,

at least a portion of the first hose has an inner diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the second hose.

6. The on-vehicle sensor washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

a portion between the pressure accumulation portion and the pump in the flow path is constituted by a first hose,

a portion between the pressure accumulating portion and the nozzle opening in the flow path is constituted by a second hose,

at least a portion of the first hose has a hardness that is lower than a hardness of the second hose.

7. The on-vehicle sensor washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the accumulator portion is provided so as to be able to receive air compressed by the cleaning liquid sent from the pump,

the vehicle-mounted sensor cleaning device further comprises:

an auxiliary nozzle opening (12a) for ejecting air toward the sensing surface;

another flow path that communicates the auxiliary nozzle port and the pressure accumulating portion; and

and an auxiliary on-off valve (13) that is provided in the other flow path and opens and closes the other flow path based on an auxiliary control signal.

8. The in-vehicle sensor washing device according to claim 1,

the nozzle opening (2a, 105 a-108 a) is one of a plurality of nozzle openings (105 a-108 a),

the opening/closing valve is a communication valve (110) that can communicate between a pump-side portion in the flow path and at least one of the plurality of nozzle openings or between the pump-side portion in the flow path and none of the plurality of nozzle openings.

9. The in-vehicle sensor washing device according to claim 8,

the fluid pump further includes a check valve (7, 112) that is provided in a portion between the accumulator and the pump in the flow path and restricts a flow of the fluid from the accumulator to the pump.

10. The in-vehicle sensor washing device according to claim 9,

further comprising a control device (8, 123) controlling the communication valve and the pump,

the control device is configured to drive the pump in a state where the flow path is set to a non-communicating state by the communication valve,

then, the communication valve communicates the pump-side portion of the flow path with any one of the plurality of nozzle openings in a state where the pump is stopped, and the fluid is ejected from the nozzle opening.

11. The in-vehicle sensor washing device according to claim 9 or 10,

a portion between the check valve and the nozzle opening in the flow path is constituted by a second hose,

a portion of the flow path between the check valve and the pump is constituted by a first hose,

the second hose is set to have a hardness higher than that of the first hose.

12. The in-vehicle sensor washing device according to claim 8 or 9,

further comprising a control device (8, 123) controlling the communication valve and the pump,

the control device is configured to drive the pump in a state where the communication valve makes the flow path non-communicated based on a control signal for cleaning,

thereafter, the communication valve allows the pump-side portion of the flow path to communicate with any one of the plurality of nozzle openings, and the process is continued until the fluid is ejected from the nozzle opening.

13. The on-vehicle sensor washing device according to any one of claims 8 to 12,

further comprising a drive source (115),

the communication valve is a rotary plate having a communication hole provided in a part of the circumferential direction,

the communication valve is driven to rotate by the drive source so that the communication valve can communicate the communication hole with any one of the plurality of nozzle openings or none of the plurality of nozzle openings.

14. The on-vehicle sensor washing device according to any one of claims 8 to 13,

the communication valve is configured to enable the pressure accumulation portion to communicate with any one of the plurality of nozzle openings.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a vehicle-mounted sensor cleaning device.

Background

In recent years, a vehicle is provided with an in-vehicle sensor such as a camera, and an in-vehicle sensor cleaning device that ejects fluid from a nozzle opening onto a sensing surface (such as a lens or a cover glass) of the in-vehicle sensor to clean the sensing surface is provided.

For example, patent document 1 discloses an in-vehicle sensor cleaning device in which a check valve is provided in a flow path that communicates a nozzle opening and a pump that sends fluid to the nozzle opening. In the above vehicle-mounted sensor washing device, the fluid is prevented from accidentally leaking from the nozzle opening by the check valve.

Disclosure of Invention

In the conventional vehicle-mounted sensor cleaning device, particularly when a flow path (pipe) from the pump to the nozzle opening is long, there is a problem that pressure loss occurs in the flow path and high-pressure fluid cannot be ejected from the nozzle opening. That is, the pressure of the fluid near the nozzle opening is greatly reduced with respect to the pressure of the fluid near the pump, and the flow rate of the fluid ejected from the nozzle opening is reduced. In the vehicle-mounted camera washing device in which the check valve is provided near the nozzle opening, the check valve is opened when the pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined pressure, and therefore the fluid corresponding to the predetermined pressure can be injected. In other words, the pressure for opening the check valve needs to be set to a pressure much lower than the pressure generated by the pump. Therefore, the vehicle-mounted sensor cleaning device also has a problem that the high-pressure fluid cannot be ejected from the nozzle opening.

The invention aims to provide an on-vehicle sensor cleaning device capable of ejecting high-pressure fluid from a nozzle opening.

An in-vehicle sensor cleaning device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a nozzle opening, a pump, a flow path, an on-off valve, and a pressure accumulating portion. The nozzle opening is provided to eject the fluid onto a sensing surface of the in-vehicle sensor. The pump sends fluid to the nozzle opening. The flow path communicates the nozzle opening and the pump. The on-off valve is provided in the flow path and opens and closes the flow path based on a control signal. The pressure accumulator is provided in the flow path at a pump side portion, which is a portion between the on-off valve and the pump.

According to the above configuration, the in-vehicle sensor cleaning device includes the on-off valve that is provided in the flow path that communicates the nozzle opening and the pump that sends the fluid to the nozzle opening and that opens and closes the flow path based on the control signal, and the pressure accumulating portion that is provided in the pump side portion that is a portion between the on-off valve and the pump in the flow path. Therefore, the fluid in the pressure accumulating portion can be brought into a high pressure by driving the pump with the flow path being closed by the on-off valve. Further, by opening the flow path with the on-off valve in a state in which the fluid is at a high pressure, the high-pressure fluid can be sent from the position of the on-off valve to the nozzle opening, and the high-pressure fluid can be ejected from the nozzle opening to the sensing surface.

Drawings

The above objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an in-vehicle sensor washing device of a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the pressure accumulating portion of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the pressure accumulating portion of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of the in-vehicle sensor washing device of fig. 1.

FIG. 5 is a time-pressure characteristic diagram of the washer pump and pressure accumulator of FIG. 1.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a vehicle-mounted sensor washing device according to a modification.

Fig. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle-mounted sensor cleaning device according to a modification.

Fig. 8 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of the in-vehicle sensor washing device of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of an in-vehicle sensor washing device of the second embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of the in-vehicle sensor washing device of fig. 9.

Fig. 11 (a) is a perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera and wash unit of fig. 9 at a non-wash position, and fig. 11 (b) is a perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera and wash unit of fig. 9 at a wash position.

Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the in-vehicle camera and the wash unit of fig. 11 (a).

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the nozzle unit of fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle-mounted sensor washing device according to a modification.

Fig. 15 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of the in-vehicle sensor washing device of fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of an in-vehicle sensor washing device of the third embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the flow path switching device of fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the flow path switching device of fig. 17.

Fig. 19 (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views for explaining the operation of the flow channel switching device of fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a time-pressure characteristic diagram of the third embodiment.

Fig. 21 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of the in-vehicle sensor washing device of fig. 16.

Fig. 22 is a sectional view of a flow path switching device according to a modification.

Fig. 23 is a partially exploded perspective view of a flow path switching device according to a modification.

Fig. 24 is a sectional view of a flow path switching device according to a modification.

Fig. 25 is a partially exploded perspective view of a flow path switching device according to a modification.

Fig. 26 is a sectional view of a flow path switching device according to a modification.

Fig. 27 is an exploded perspective view of a flow path switching device according to a modification.

Fig. 28 is a schematic configuration diagram of an in-vehicle sensor washing device of the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 29 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of the in-vehicle sensor washing device of fig. 28.

Fig. 30 (a) is a perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera and wash unit of fig. 28 at a non-wash position, and fig. 30 (b) is a perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera and wash unit of fig. 28 at a wash position.

Fig. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the in-vehicle camera and the wash unit of fig. 30 (a).

Fig. 32 is a sectional view of the nozzle unit of fig. 31.

Fig. 33 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle-mounted sensor washing device according to a modification.

Fig. 34 is a perspective view of a flow channel switching device according to the same modification.

Detailed Description

(first embodiment)

A first embodiment of the in-vehicle sensor washing device will be described below with reference to fig. 1 to 2.

As shown in fig. 1, a nozzle 2 having a nozzle opening 2a for ejecting a cleaning liquid as a fluid to a lens 1a as a sensing surface of an in-vehicle camera 1 is provided in the vicinity of the in-vehicle camera 1 as an in-vehicle sensor provided in a vehicle.

A washer pump 4 is provided in a washer fluid tank 3 provided in the vehicle, and the washer pump 4 is a pump capable of sending out the washer fluid in the washer fluid tank 3 to the nozzles 2 (nozzle openings 2 a).

In the present embodiment, an on-off valve 5 that opens and closes the flow path in response to a control signal is provided in the middle of the flow path that connects the nozzle 2 (nozzle opening 2a) and the washer pump 4 and in a position near the nozzle 2. The opening/closing valve 5 is a valve such as an electromagnetic valve that can open and close a flow path based on a control signal.

Further, a pressure accumulating portion 6 is provided in the middle of the flow path connecting the opening/closing valve 5 and the washer pump 4 and in the vicinity of the opening/closing valve 5. That is, the pressure accumulating portion 6 is provided at a pump side portion between the opening/closing valve 5 and the washer pump 4 on a flow path communicating the nozzle opening 2a and the washer pump 4. The pressure accumulating portion 6 has a space capable of accumulating an amount of the cleaning liquid required for at least one cleaning.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the pressure accumulating portion 6 includes a housing 21, a cover 22, a movable member 23, and a coil spring 24. The housing 21 includes a cylindrical tube portion 21a, a reduced diameter portion 21b, and a small diameter tube portion 21c, the diameter of the reduced diameter portion 21b decreases from the lower end of the tube portion 21a toward the lower end side, and the small diameter tube portion 21c extends cylindrically from the lower end of the reduced diameter portion 21 b. The small-diameter cylinder portion 21c is connected to, for example, a T-joint TJ described later via a hose H.

The cover 22 is formed in a substantially disk shape and closes one end side (upper end in fig. 2) of the cylindrical portion 21 a. The movable member 23 is formed in a substantially disk shape, is slidable on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 21a, and is movable in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 21 a. Further, a seal rubber or the like, not shown, is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the movable member 23 to liquid-tightly partition the space inside the pressure storage portion 6. Further, a coil spring 24 is located between the cover 22 and the movable member 23. The cap 22 is biased toward the small-diameter cylindrical portion 21c by a coil spring 24.

Further, a check valve 7 is provided in the middle of a flow path that connects the pressure accumulating portion 6 and the washer pump 4 and in the vicinity of the pressure accumulating portion 6, and this check valve 7 restricts the flow (reverse flow) of the cleaning liquid from the pressure accumulating portion 6 to the washer pump 4.

In the present embodiment, the nozzle 2, the opening/closing valve 5, the pressure accumulating portion 6, and the check valve 7 are each independently configured and connected via a hose H constituting a flow path. The pressure accumulating portion 6 is connected to a hose H connected to the opening/closing valve 5 and a hose H connected to the check valve 7 via a hose H and a T-joint TJ. The check valve 7 and the washer pump 4 are connected by a hose Ha (first hose) that is thinner than the hose H (second hose) (inner diameter).

In the present embodiment, the hardness of the hose H (second hose) connecting the nozzle 2, the opening/closing valve 5, the pressure accumulating portion 6, and the check valve 7 is set to be higher than the hardness of the hose Ha (first hose) connecting the check valve 7 and the washer pump 4.

The washer pump 4 and the opening/closing valve 5 are electrically connected to a control device 8 that can drive and control them. For example, when a wash switch of a driver's seat is operated or when dirt is detected by a sensor, the control device 8 drives the washer pump 4 in a state where the flow path is closed by the open/close valve 5. After that (when the pressure in the pressure accumulating portion 6 becomes high), the controller 8 stops the washer pump 4, and in this state, the flow path is opened by the on-off valve 5 to eject the washer fluid from the nozzle opening 2 a.

Next, a specific operation example (operation) of the above-described in-vehicle sensor washing device will be described.

As shown in fig. 4, for example, when a wash switch of the driver's seat is operated at a time T1 or dirt is detected by a sensor, the control device 8 brings the flow path into a closed state by the opening and closing valve 5. Thereafter, the control device 8 drives the washer pump 4 at time T2. At this time, the washer pump 4 is driven by the control device 8 for a preset time T (from time T2 to time T3).

Then, as shown in fig. 5, immediately after the washer pump 4 is driven, the pressure Pa at the outlet of the washer pump 4 rises, and then, until the predetermined time T (the period during which the washer pump 4 is driven) elapses, the pressure Pa becomes a substantially constant high pressure. At this time, the pressure Pb in the accumulator 6 (the pressure in the path from the on-off valve 5 to the check valve 7) is set to a high pressure substantially equal to the pressure Pa at the outlet of the washer pump 4.

Then, at a time T4 after the time T3 at which the washer pump 4 is stopped, the controller 8 drives the on-off valve 5 to open the flow path. In the state at the time T4, the pressure Pa at the outlet of the washer pump 4 decreases, but the pressure Pb in the pressure accumulating portion 6 (the pressure in the path from the opening/closing valve 5 to the check valve 7) remains high. Then, a high-pressure cleaning liquid is ejected from the nozzle opening 2a to clean the lens 1a of the onboard camera 1. In addition, when the cleaning liquid is ejected, the pressure Pb in the pressure accumulating portion 6 decreases. Fig. 5 shows a waveform obtained from the experimental result, where the pressure Pa is a value obtained by connecting a pressure gauge to the outlet of the washer pump 4, and the pressure Pb is a value obtained by connecting a pressure gauge between the opening/closing valve 5 and the T-joint TJ.

Next, advantageous effects of the first embodiment are as follows.

(1) The on-off valve 5 is provided in the middle of a flow path that connects the nozzle opening 2a and the washer pump 4, and opens and closes the flow path based on a control signal. The pressure accumulating portion 6 is provided in the middle of a flow path that communicates the opening/closing valve 5 and the washer pump 4. In other words, the pressure accumulator 6 is provided between the on-off valve 5 and the washer pump 4 in the flow path in which the on-off valve 5 is provided. Therefore, the washer pump 4 is driven with the flow path closed by the on-off valve 5, and the cleaning liquid in the accumulator 6 can be brought to a high pressure. Further, by opening the flow path by the on-off valve 5 in a state where the cleaning liquid is at a high pressure, the high-pressure cleaning liquid can be sent to the nozzle opening 2a from the position of the on-off valve 5, and the high-pressure cleaning liquid can be ejected from the nozzle opening 2a to the lens 1 a. Thus, a higher cleaning force can be obtained with less cleaning liquid. Further, according to the above configuration, compared to the case where, for example, the opening/closing valve 5 is not included, it is not necessary to consider pressure loss in the flow path that communicates the opening/closing valve 5 (or the check valve 7) and the washer pump 4. Therefore, the flow path can be formed by a thin pipe (hose) or the like, and the component parts can be made inexpensive and easy to install. Specifically, in the present embodiment, Ha, which connects the check valve 7 and the washer pump 4 and is provided and extended in the vehicle, can be made thinner than the hose H, which connects the nozzle 2, the opening/closing valve 5, the pressure accumulating portion 6, and the check valve 7, and thus the present embodiment is easy to provide and inexpensive. In the present embodiment, the hardness of the hose H connecting the nozzle 2, the opening/closing valve 5, the pressure accumulator 6, and the check valve 7 is set to be higher than the hardness of the hose Ha connecting the check valve 7 and the washer pump 4. Therefore, the release of pressure of the hose H from the check valve 7 to the nozzle opening 2a due to flexibility can be reduced. Further, in the above structure, since the hardness of the hose Ha is low, it is easy to provide.

(2) The check valve 7 is provided in the middle of a flow path that connects the pressure accumulator 6 and the washer pump 4. In other words, the check valve 7 is provided between the pressure accumulating portion 6 and the washer pump 4 in the flow path in which the on-off valve 5 is provided. The check valve 7 restricts the flow of the cleaning liquid from the pressure accumulator 6 to the washer pump 4. Therefore, the cleaning liquid in the pressure accumulating portion 6 is not decompressed by flowing back toward the washer pump 4. Therefore, the passage can be closed by the on-off valve 5 to drive the washer pump 4, thereby making the cleaning liquid in the pressure accumulator 6 high-pressure, and after the washer pump 4 is stopped, the passage can be opened by the on-off valve 5 to eject only high-pressure fluid from the nozzle port 2 a. In the present embodiment, the control device 8 performs the above-described operation. That is, for example, in a configuration not including the check valve 7, in order to prevent the cleaning liquid in the pressure accumulating portion 6 from flowing backward toward the washer pump 4, it is necessary to open the flow path by the open/close valve 5 while keeping the washer pump 4 driven, and to eject the cleaning liquid from the nozzle opening 2 a. In this case, the electric power consumption of the washer pump 4 increases, and it is possible to eject the washer fluid that has not accumulated pressure as well, but this can be avoided.

(second embodiment)

Next, a second embodiment of the in-vehicle sensor cleaning device will be described. Note that, in the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a part or all of the description will be omitted.

As shown in fig. 9, 11, and 12, the in-vehicle sensor washing device of the present embodiment includes a washing unit 30 provided integrally with the in-vehicle camera 1.

The wash unit 30 has a coupling fixing member 31 fixed to the onboard camera 1 and a nozzle unit 32 fixed to the coupling fixing member 31. The coupling and fixing member 31 has a substantially square tubular holding portion 31a into which the in-vehicle camera 1 can be fitted, and the coupling and fixing member 31 is fixed to the in-vehicle camera 1 by fitting the in-vehicle camera 1 into the holding portion 31 a. In addition, fig. 9 shows a state in which the in-vehicle camera 1 and the wash unit 30 are separated.

The coupling and fixing member 31 has a pair of fixed pieces 31b, and the pair of fixed pieces 31b have a pair of opposing surfaces, and grooves are formed on the same opposing surfaces. The nozzle unit 32 is detachably attached and fixed to the fixed piece 31 b.

The nozzle unit 32 includes a substantially cylindrical first housing 33 and a second housing 34 externally fitted and fixed to a base end side of the first housing 33. The nozzle unit 32 is detachably attached and fixed to the fixed piece 31b (the coupling and fixing member 31) by fitting a pair of fixing projections 33a (only one of which is shown in fig. 11 (a) and fig. 12) formed on the outer periphery of the first housing 33 into the grooves of the fixed piece 31 b. A cylindrical introduction tube portion 34a is formed to protrude from the bottom portion of the second housing 34, and an introduction port 34b (see fig. 13) communicating with the inside of the first housing 33 is formed inside the introduction tube portion 34 a. Further, a seal ring S1 is sandwiched between the first housing 33 and the second housing 34.

As shown in fig. 12 and 13, the nozzle unit 32 includes a movable nozzle 35 and a compression coil spring 36, the movable nozzle 35 is provided to be movable forward and backward so as to extend and retract from the front end opening portion of the first housing 33, and the compression coil spring 36 serves as an urging member for urging the movable nozzle 35 in a backward direction (a proximal end direction of the first housing 33).

Specifically, as shown in fig. 13, the movable nozzle 35 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a smaller diameter than the first housing 33, and a nozzle opening 35a facing the side (the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) is formed at the distal end portion of the movable nozzle 35. A base end member 37 is fitted and fixed to the outside of the base end portion of the movable nozzle 35. Further, a seal ring S2 is sandwiched between the movable nozzle 35 and the base end member 37. The base end member 37 has a flange portion 37a extending radially outward, and the flange portion 37a is biased by the compression coil spring 36. One end side of the compression coil spring 36 is supported by the front end side of the first housing 33. Thereby, the movable nozzle 35 is biased in the backward direction (rightward in fig. 13). Further, an annular seal member 38 that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the first housing 33 and is in sliding contact is fitted to the base end portion of the base end member 37.

A restricting post 34c is formed on the bottom of the second housing 34, and the restricting post 34c extends on the opposite side of the introduction tube portion 34 a. In addition, in the present example, three (only two shown in fig. 13) restricting posts 34c are formed at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. The restricting post 34c abuts against the base end surface of the base end member 37 biased by the compression coil spring 36, and restricts the base end member 37 (movable nozzle 35) from retreating from the abutting position.

As shown in fig. 9, the washer pump 4 is connected to the introduction tube portion 34a (introduction port 34b) so as to be able to supply the cleaning liquid toward the cleaning unit 30 (nozzle unit 32). An on-off valve 5 and a T-joint TJ are provided between the flow path between the washer unit 30 and the washer pump 40 from a position close to the washer unit 30. The cleaning unit (the introduction tube portion 34a), the opening/closing valve 5, and the pressure accumulating portion 6 are each independently configured and connected via a hose H, Ha that constitutes a flow path. The pressure accumulating portion 6 is connected to a hose H connected to the opening/closing valve 5 and a hose Ha connected to the washer pump 4 via a hose H and a T-joint TJ. That is, in this example, the check valve 7 of the first embodiment is omitted. The hose Ha constituting the flow path between the washer pump 4 and the pressure accumulating portion 6 has a smaller inner diameter, that is, is thinner, than the other hoses H. Further, the hose Ha is set to have a lower hardness than the other hoses H.

When the cleaning liquid is supplied from the introduction port 34b into the movable nozzle 35 provided as described above, the base end surface of the base end member 37 is biased by the conveying pressure of the cleaning liquid, and the movable nozzle 35 is advanced against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 36.

Here, by moving the movable nozzle 35 forward and backward, the nozzle opening 35a of the movable nozzle 35 in the in-vehicle sensor washing device configured as described above can be moved to the washing position close to the imaging range (imaging range center) of the in-vehicle camera 1 and the non-washing position farther from the imaging range than the washing position. The imaging range of the present embodiment is a range in which the in-vehicle camera 1 (the imaging device) captures an image through the lens 1 a.

In detail, in the present embodiment, the non-cleaning position is set at a position where the nozzle opening 35a is located outside the imaging range of the onboard camera 1, and the cleaning position is set at a position where the nozzle opening 35a is located within the imaging range of the onboard camera 1. That is, in the retreated state (the state in which the base end surface of the base end member 37 abuts against the restricting post 34 c) in which the movable nozzle 35 is retreated, the nozzle opening 35a is disposed at the non-cleaning position outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 1, and in the advanced state in which the movable nozzle 35 is advanced, the nozzle opening 35a is disposed at the cleaning position within the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 1.

In the present embodiment, the movable nozzle 35 is disposed so as to be inclined in the forward and backward movable direction with respect to the direction toward the lens 1a of the in-vehicle camera 1 (the central axis of the lens 1a and the imaging axis). That is, in the forward state in which the movable nozzle 35 is advanced, the nozzle opening 35a is disposed obliquely closer to the imaging axis (the central axis of the lens 1a) than to the center in the imaging range of the onboard camera 1, and the cleaning liquid is ejected from the nozzle opening 35a toward the center of the lens 1 a.

In the present embodiment, the movable nozzle 35 is disposed on the horizontal side of the onboard camera 1 such that the nozzle opening 35a is disposed on the horizontal side of the lens 1a at the non-cleaning position.

Next, an operation example (operation) of the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, in a state where the washer pump 4 is not driven, the movable nozzle 35 is retracted to the non-washing position by the urging force of the compression coil spring 36 (see fig. 11 a), and therefore the nozzle opening 35a (the tip end portion of the movable nozzle 35) is disposed outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 1. Therefore, when the image is taken without cleaning, the nozzle opening 35a (the tip portion of the movable nozzle 35) does not interfere with the image taking.

As shown in fig. 10, for example, when a wash switch of the driver's seat is operated at a time T11 or dirt is detected by a sensor, the control device 8 brings the flow path into a closed state by the opening and closing valve 5. Thereafter, the control device 8 drives the washer pump 4 at time T12. Then, immediately after the washer pump 4 is driven, the pressure at the outlet of the washer pump 4 rises to become a substantially constant high pressure. At this time, the pressure in the pressure accumulating portion 6 also becomes the same high pressure.

Next, at a time T13, the controller 8 drives the opening/closing valve 5 to open the flow path. Then, the high-pressure cleaning liquid is ejected from the movable nozzle 35 (nozzle opening 35 a). This removes foreign matter and the like adhering to the lens 1a, and the cleaning is performed.

Next, at time T14, for example, the controller 8 drives the opening/closing valve 5 to close the flow path, thereby stopping the ejection of the cleaning liquid from the movable nozzle 35 (nozzle opening 35 a).

Next, at time T15, the control device 8 stops the washer pump 4. By driving the washer pump 4 until the ejection of the washer fluid from the movable nozzle 35 is stopped in this way, the washer fluid ejected from the movable nozzle 35 can be brought to a high pressure.

The above-described in-vehicle sensor washing device has the following advantageous effects in addition to the effects of the first embodiment (1).

(3) Since the movable nozzle 35 having the nozzle opening 35a is provided so that the nozzle opening 35a can move to the cleaning position close to the center of the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 1 and the non-cleaning position farther from the center of the imaging range than the cleaning position, the lens 1a can be cleaned satisfactorily without being hindered from imaging by moving to the cleaning position only during cleaning.

(4) The movable nozzle 35 having the nozzle opening 35a is provided to be movable forward and backward so as to be movable to the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position. Therefore, compared to a case where, for example, the external imaging surface (the lens 1a) and the nozzle opening 35a are relatively rotated, the area required for the movement can be reduced.

(5) Since the in-vehicle camera 1 having the lens 1a is fixed to the vehicle, a stable captured image can be obtained, for example. Further, since the nozzle opening 35a is provided in the movable nozzle 35 supported to be movable forward and backward with respect to the vehicle, the forward and backward movement can be performed more easily than in the case where the nozzle opening 35a is fixed to move the in-vehicle camera 1 forward and backward. That is, for example, when the external imaging surface (lens 1a) is movable forward and backward, a large-sized mechanism including the in-vehicle camera 1 is provided. When the exterior imaging surface is directly or indirectly (the in-vehicle camera 1) provided on the vehicle, the movable nozzle 35 can be made smaller and lighter than the above mechanism. Therefore, switching of the forward and backward movement of the movable nozzle 35 is facilitated.

(6) Since the movable nozzle 35 advances so that the nozzle opening 35a is close to the lens 1a of the in-vehicle camera 1, it is easy to spray the cleaning liquid from, for example, a front position close to the shooting axis (the central axis of the lens 1a) to a central position of the lens 1 a. Therefore, the lens 1a can be cleaned better.

(7) Since the movable nozzle 35 advances toward the cleaning position by the feeding pressure of the cleaning liquid (fluid), an electric driving device or the like for advancing the movable nozzle 35 is not necessary, and the structure can be simplified.

(8) Since the movable nozzle 35 is retracted to the non-cleaning position by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 36 (biasing member), an electric driving device or the like for retracting the movable nozzle 35 is not required, and the structure can be simplified.

(9) Since the nozzle unit 32 having the movable nozzle 35 provided to be movable forward and backward is detachably attached to the vehicle, for example, when the movement of the movable nozzle 35 moving forward and backward is deteriorated, the nozzle unit 32 can be easily detached and replaced with a new one.

(10) Since the nozzle opening 35a is formed in a rectangular shape as viewed from the opening direction, the cleaning liquid can be ejected over a wide area while maintaining a high ejection pressure, and the lens 1a can be cleaned more effectively.

(11) Since the fluid is a mixture of the cleaning liquid (liquid) and air, the lens 1a can be cleaned more favorably by increasing the ejection pressure (increasing the flow rate) as compared with the case where the fluid is a simple cleaning liquid (liquid), for example. Further, the consumption amount of the cleaning liquid can be reduced.

(12) Since the nozzle opening 35a is disposed only on the lateral side of the lens 1a in the horizontal direction at the non-cleaning position, even if, for example, the liquid drops downward from the nozzle opening 35a moved to the non-cleaning position after cleaning, the liquid that has dropped can be prevented from adhering to the lens 1 a.

(13) The non-cleaning position is a position where the nozzle opening 35a is located outside the shooting range of the onboard camera 1, and the cleaning position is a position where the nozzle opening 35a is located within the shooting range of the onboard camera 1. Therefore, by moving the nozzle opening 35a to the cleaning position only during cleaning, the lens 1a can be cleaned satisfactorily without disturbing the image pickup.

The first and second embodiments described above may be modified as follows.

In the first embodiment, the nozzle 2 (nozzle opening 2a), the opening/closing valve 5, the pressure accumulating portion 6, and the check valve 7 are each independently configured (connected by the hose H), but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the nozzle opening 2a, the opening/closing valve 5, the pressure accumulating portion 6, and the check valve 7 may be provided in a single housing, for example.

Specifically, as schematically shown in fig. 6, the housing 11 is provided with a pressure accumulating portion 6 (compartment) and with a nozzle opening 2a and an inflow port 11a that communicate with the pressure accumulating portion 6. Further, in the housing 11, an opening/closing valve 5 is provided between the pressure accumulating portion 6 and the nozzle opening 2a, and a check valve 7 is provided between the pressure accumulating portion 6 and the inflow port 11 a. The washer pump 4 communicates with the inlet 11a via a pipe (e.g., a hose Ha).

Since the nozzle port 2a, the opening/closing valve 5, the pressure accumulating portion 6, and the check valve 7 are provided in the single housing 11, it is not necessary to use a hose H or the like for communicating these members, and the structure can be simplified. It is to be noted that the nozzle 2 (nozzle opening 2a) may be provided separately, and the on-off valve 5, the pressure accumulator 6, and the check valve 7 may be provided in a single housing, or the like, and may be combined as desired.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the present invention is applied to the in-vehicle sensor cleaning device that sprays only the cleaning liquid, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to the in-vehicle sensor cleaning device that sprays air.

For example, the washer pump 4 may be changed to an air pump capable of sending out air.

The in-vehicle sensor cleaning device may be changed to the configuration shown in fig. 7 or the configuration shown in fig. 14. As shown in fig. 7, the accumulator portion 6 can contain air (and the cleaning liquid) compressed by the cleaning liquid sent from the washer pump 4. The in-vehicle sensor cleaning device may include an auxiliary nozzle port 12a (auxiliary nozzle 12) for injecting air into the lens 1a, and an auxiliary on-off valve 13 provided in a middle of a flow path that connects the auxiliary nozzle port 12a and (an upper portion of) the pressure accumulating portion 6 and that opens and closes the flow path based on a control signal.

In this way, the high-pressure cleaning liquid can be ejected from the nozzle opening 2a and the high-pressure air can be ejected from the auxiliary nozzle opening 12 a. Specifically, for example, the washer pump 4 can be driven with the open/close valve 5 and the auxiliary open/close valve 13 closing their respective flow paths to thereby make the cleaning liquid and the air in the pressure accumulating portion 6 high-pressure, and the auxiliary open/close valve 13 opening its flow path to thereby inject the high-pressure air from the auxiliary nozzle port 12a to the lens 1 a.

Fig. 8 is a timing chart showing a control example of the in-vehicle sensor washing device having the configuration shown in fig. 7.

As shown in fig. 8, for example, when a wash switch of the driver's seat is operated at a time T1 or dirt is detected by a sensor, the control device 8 brings the flow path into a closed state by the opening and closing valve 5 and the opening and closing valve 13. Thereafter, the control device 8 drives the washer pump 4 at time T2. At this time, the washer pump 4 is driven by the control device 8 for a preset time T (from time T2 to time T3).

Then, at a time T4 after the time T3 at which the washer pump 4 is stopped, the controller 8 drives the on-off valve 5 to open the flow path. In the state at the time T4, the pressure Pa at the outlet of the washer pump 4 decreases, but the pressure Pb in the pressure accumulating portion 6 (the pressure in the path from the opening/closing valve 5 to the check valve 7) remains high. Then, a high-pressure cleaning liquid is ejected from the nozzle opening 2a to clean the lens 1a of the onboard camera 1. In addition, when the cleaning liquid is ejected, the pressure Pb in the pressure accumulating portion 6 decreases.

Next, at time T5 after the ejection of the cleaning liquid from the nozzle 2 is completed, the controller 8 closes the flow path by the on-off valve 5.

Next, the control device 8 drives the washer pump 4 at time T6. At this time, the washer pump 4 is driven by the control device 8 for a preset time T (from time T6 to time T7).

Next, at a time T8 after the time T7 at which the washer pump 4 is stopped, the controller 8 drives the on-off valve 13 to open the flow path. In the state at the time T8, the pressure Pa at the outlet of the washer pump 4 decreases, but the pressure Pb in the pressure accumulating portion 6 remains high. Then, high-pressure air is ejected from the nozzle opening 12a, and the lens 1a of the onboard camera 1 is cleaned.

The structure shown in fig. 14 is a structure in which the check valve 7 is omitted from the structure shown in fig. 7. Even with the above configuration, it is possible to eject the cleaning liquid at high pressure from the nozzle opening 2a and to eject the air at high pressure from the auxiliary nozzle opening 12 a. Specifically, for example, the washer pump 4 can be driven with the open/close valve 5 and the auxiliary open/close valve 13 closing their respective flow paths to thereby make the cleaning liquid and the air in the pressure accumulating portion 6 high-pressure, and the auxiliary open/close valve 13 opening its flow path to thereby inject the high-pressure air from the auxiliary nozzle port 12a to the lens 1 a. In addition, the cleaning unit 30 shown in the second embodiment may be adopted in the above configuration.

Fig. 15 is a timing chart showing a control example of the in-vehicle sensor washing device having the configuration shown in fig. 14.

As shown in fig. 15, for example, when a wash switch of the driver's seat is operated at a time T21 or dirt is detected by a sensor, the control device 8 brings the flow path into a closed state by the opening and closing valve 5 and the opening and closing valve 13. Thereafter, the control device 8 drives the washer pump 4 at time T22. Then, immediately after the washer pump 4 is driven, the pressure at the outlet of the washer pump 4 rises to become a substantially constant high pressure. At this time, the pressure in the pressure accumulating portion 6 also becomes the same high pressure.

Next, at time T23, the control device 8 drives the opening/closing valve 5 to open the flow path. Then, a high-pressure cleaning liquid is ejected from the nozzle 2 (nozzle opening 2 a). This removes foreign matter and the like adhering to the lens 1a, and the cleaning is performed.

Next, at time T24, for example, the control device 8 drives the opening/closing valve 5 to close the flow path, thereby stopping the ejection of the cleaning liquid from the nozzle 2 (nozzle opening 2 a).

Next, at time T25, the control device 8 stops the washer pump 4. By driving the washer pump 4 until the ejection of the washer fluid from the movable nozzle 35 is stopped in this way, the washer fluid ejected from the movable nozzle 35 can be brought to a high pressure.

Next, the control device 8 drives the washer pump 4 at time T26. Then, immediately after the washer pump 4 is driven, the pressure at the outlet of the washer pump 4 rises to become a substantially constant high pressure. At this time, the pressure in the pressure accumulating portion 6 also becomes the same high pressure.

Next, at time T27, the controller 8 drives the on-off valve 13 to open the flow path. Then, high-pressure air is ejected from the nozzle opening 12a, and the lens 1a of the onboard camera 1 is cleaned.

In the first and second embodiments, the pressure accumulating portion 6 is provided as an independent compartment, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the flow path (e.g., a hose) itself may function as the pressure accumulating portion. Specifically, for example, the pressure accumulating portion 6 and the T-joint TJ of the above-described embodiment may not be provided, and the hose H connecting the nozzle 2, the opening/closing valve 5, and the check valve 7 may function as the pressure accumulating portion. In this case, by making the hose H connecting the nozzle 2, the opening/closing valve 5, and the check valve 7 thicker than the hose Ha connecting the check valve 7 and the washer pump 4, the hose Ha provided and extended in the vehicle can be easily provided at low cost while ensuring the volume of the pressure accumulating portion.

In the first embodiment, the control device 8 drives the washer pump 4 for the preset time T (see fig. 5), but the present invention is not limited to this, and the washer pump 4 may be stopped based on the pressure in the pressure accumulating portion 6 after the washer pump 4 is driven, for example. It is to be noted that the control device 8 may be operated based on time and pressure at time T4 when the on-off valve 5 is driven and the flow path is opened.

In the first and second embodiments, the pressure Pb of the accumulator 6 is reduced to almost zero (the second time of ejection cannot be performed unless the washer pump 4 is driven again) after the primary ejection of the cleaning liquid, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the cleaning liquid in the accumulator 6 may be made to have a high pressure once, and the cleaning liquid may be ejected a plurality of times.

In the first and second embodiments, the lens 1a of the in-vehicle camera 1 is washed by spraying the washing liquid, but the washing may be carried out by spraying the fluid onto the sensing surface (lens, cover glass, etc.) of another in-vehicle sensor other than the in-vehicle camera 1. For example, as the in-vehicle sensor, an optical sensor (so-called laser radar) that emits an infrared laser beam (light emission) and receives scattered light reflected from an object to measure a distance to the object may be used. Further, a radar using a radio wave (for example, a millimeter wave radar) or an ultrasonic sensor used as an angle sensor may be used.

The first and second embodiments and the respective modifications described above may be combined as appropriate.

A third embodiment of the in-vehicle sensor washing device will be described below with reference to fig. 16 to 21.

As shown in fig. 16, first to fourth nozzles 105 to 108 are provided (for each of the onboard cameras 101) in the vicinity of a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) onboard cameras 101 to 104 as onboard sensors provided in the vehicle, respectively, and the first to fourth nozzles 105 to 108 have nozzle ports 105a to 108a for ejecting a cleaning liquid as a fluid to lenses 101a to 104a as sensing surfaces of the onboard cameras 101 to 104. The in-vehicle cameras 101 to 104 according to the present embodiment are, for example, an in-vehicle camera 101 provided at a driver seat door, an in-vehicle camera 102 provided at a passenger seat door, a pair of in- vehicle cameras 103 and 104 provided at a front glass, and the like, and the in-vehicle cameras are provided at relatively close positions.

A washer pump 109 is provided in a washer fluid tank WT provided in the vehicle, and the washer pump 109 is a pump capable of sending out the washer fluid in the washer fluid tank WT to the first to fourth nozzles 105 to 108 (nozzle ports 105a to 108 a).

In the present embodiment, a communication valve 110 is provided in the middle of the flow path that connects the first to fourth nozzles 105 to 108 (nozzle openings 105a to 108a) and the washer pump 109 and in the vicinity of the first to fourth nozzles 105 to 108, and the communication valve 110 can connect the flow path on the washer pump 109 side and any one of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a or can connect none of the flow path on the washer pump 109 side and the nozzle openings 105a to 108a based on a control signal.

Further, a pressure accumulating portion 111 is provided in the middle of the flow path that connects the communication valve 110 and the washer pump 109. That is, the pressure accumulating portion 111 is provided at a pump side portion between the rotating plate (communication valve) 110 and the washer pump 109 on a flow path that communicates the nozzle openings 105a to 108a and the washer pump 109. The pressure accumulating portion 111 has a space capable of storing an amount of the cleaning liquid required for cleaning at least once.

Further, a check valve 112 is provided in the middle of a flow path that connects the pressure accumulating portion 111 and the washer pump 109 and in the vicinity of the pressure accumulating portion 111, and the check valve 112 restricts the flow (reverse flow) of the cleaning liquid from the pressure accumulating portion 111 to the washer pump 109. That is, the check valve 112 is provided at a position between the pressure accumulating portion 111 and the washer pump 109 on a flow path that communicates the pressure accumulating portion 111 and the washer pump 109.

Here, in the present embodiment, the communication valve 110 and the pressure accumulating portion 111 are provided integrally as a flow path switching device 113.

In detail, as shown in fig. 17 and 18, the flow path switching device 113 includes: the communication valve 110 as a rotary plate; a substantially bottomed cylindrical case 114 constituting the pressure accumulating portion 111; a stepping motor 115 as a driving source; an inlet member 116; first to fourth outlet members 117 to 120; a compression coil spring 121; and four annular seal rubbers 122.

A peripheral wall through hole 114a is formed in a part of the peripheral wall of the housing 114, and a substantially cylindrical inlet member 116 is fixed to the peripheral wall through hole 114a so as to protrude outward. Four bottom through holes 114b are formed at equal angular intervals (90 °) in the bottom of the housing 114, and substantially cylindrical first to fourth outlet members 117 to 120 are fixed to the bottom through holes 114b so as to protrude outward. In addition, a housing groove 114c is formed in the bottom surface of the housing 114 around each bottom through hole 114b, and the sealing rubber 122 is housed and held in each housing groove 114 c. The sealing rubber 122 is formed in a shape in which a part thereof protrudes from the housing groove 114c (in a no-load state) while being housed and held in the housing groove 114 c.

The stepping motor 115 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a rotation shaft 115b of the rotor 115a is configured to protrude from the center of the lower surface of the stepping motor 115. The stepping motor 115 is fixed to the housing 114 by a screw N (see fig. 18) so that the opening of the housing 114 is closed by the lower surface thereof.

The communication valve 110 is formed in a disk shape having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the housing 114, and includes a communication hole 110a provided in a circumferential part at a radial position corresponding to the bottom through hole 114b (the first to fourth outlet members 117 to 120). A shaft portion 110b is provided at the axial center of the communication valve 110, and the shaft portion 110b extends toward the stepping motor 115, is coupled to the rotary shaft 115 so as to be rotatable integrally (relatively non-rotatable in the circumferential direction), and is movable in the axial direction. A compression coil spring 121 is disposed in a compressed state (so as to be penetrated by the rotary shaft 115b and the shaft portion 110 b) between the lower surface of the stepping motor 115 and the upper surface of the communication valve 110, and the lower surface of the communication valve 110 is biased toward the bottom surface of the housing 114 so as to press the sealing rubber 122 protruding from the storage groove 114 c. This prevents the first to fourth outlet members 117 to 120 from communicating with the interior of the housing 114 (i.e., the pressure accumulating portion 111) through a path other than the communication hole 110a, i.e., prevents accidental leakage of the cleaning liquid. As shown in fig. 17, the flow path switching device 113 according to the present embodiment is fixed to the vehicle such that the distal ends of the first outlet member 117 to the fourth outlet member 120 face downward (in the direction of gravity).

As shown in fig. 16, the inlet member 116 is connected to (communicates with) the check valve 112 via a hose H1, and the check valve 112 is connected to (communicates with) the washer pump 109 via a hose H2. The first to fourth outlet members 117 to 120 are connected to (communicated with) the first to fourth nozzles 105 to 108 (nozzle ports 105a to 108a) via hoses H, respectively. Further, the hose H2 connecting the check valve 112 and the washer pump 109 is a hose having a smaller (inner diameter) diameter than the other hose H, H1. The other hose H, H1 (second hose) has a higher hardness than the hose H2 (first hose) connecting the check valve 112 and the washer pump 109.

Further, as shown in fig. 16, the washer pump 109 and the stepping motor 115 are electrically connected to a control device 123 capable of drive-controlling them. When a control signal for cleaning is input, for example, by operating a cleaning switch of a driver's seat or by a sensor detecting dirt, the control device 123 controls the drive of the washer pump 109 and the stepping motor 115 in order to eject the cleaning liquid from any one of the nozzle openings 105a to 108 a. At this time, in a state where the flow path is not communicated by the communication valve 110, the controller 123 drives the washer pump 109 and then stops the washer pump 109. In a state where the washer pump 109 is stopped, the control device 123 causes the communication valve 110 to communicate between the flow path (pressure accumulation section 111) on the washer pump 109 side and any one of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a, thereby ejecting the cleaning liquid from the nozzle openings 105a to 108 a. When the cleaning control signal is input, the controller 123 drives the cleaner pump 109 in a state where the communication valve 110 brings the flow path into a non-communication state, and thereafter, the communication valve 110 brings the flow path (pressure accumulation section 111) on the cleaner pump 109 side into communication with any one of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a, and continues the process until the cleaning liquid is ejected from the nozzle openings 105a to 108a (without interruption).

Next, a specific operation example (operation) of the above-described in-vehicle sensor washing device will be described.

As shown in fig. 21, for example, at a time T1 before the washer pump 109 is driven, when a washer switch of the driver's seat is operated or dirt is detected by a sensor, the control device 123 drive-controls the stepping motor 115 so that the position of the communication hole 110a reaches a prescribed position.

Specifically, as shown in (a) of fig. 19, the control device 123 drive-controls the stepping motor 115 and drives the communication valve 110 to rotate so that the position of the communication hole 110a reaches a position near the first outlet member 117 and between the first outlet member 117 and the fourth outlet member 120. The first outlet member 117 corresponds to the nozzle opening 105a of the first nozzle 105 to be ejected next. The stepping motor 115 according to the present embodiment is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions, and for example, when the current position (angle) is directed to the target position, the communication valve 110 is driven to rotate in a direction in which the amount of rotation is small.

Next, for example, at time T2, the control device 123 drives the washer pump 109 for a preset time T while the flow path (pressure accumulation section 111) on the washer pump 109 side and the nozzle openings 105a to 108a are not communicated by the flow path switching device 113 (communication valve 110).

Then, as shown in fig. 20, immediately after the washer pump 109 is driven, the pressure Pa at the outlet of the washer pump 109 rises, and then reaches a substantially constant high pressure until the predetermined time T (the period during which the washer pump 109 is driven) has elapsed. At this time, the air in the pressure accumulating portion 111 is compressed, and the pressure Pb in the pressure accumulating portion 111 (the pressure in the path from the communication valve 110 to the check valve 112) becomes a high pressure substantially equal to the pressure Pa at the outlet of the washer pump 109.

Next, at a time T4 after the time T3 at which the washer pump 109 is stopped, the control device 123 causes the communication valve 110 to communicate the flow path (the pressure accumulating portion 111) on the washer pump 109 side with the nozzle opening 105a of the first nozzle 105 to be ejected.

Specifically, as shown in (b) of fig. 19, the control device 123 drive-controls the stepping motor 115 and drives the communication valve 110 to rotate so that the position of the communication hole 110a coincides with and communicates with the first outlet member 117. In the state at the time T4, the pressure Pa at the outlet of the washer pump 109 decreases, but the pressure Pb in the pressure accumulating portion 111 (the pressure in the path from the communication valve 110 to the check valve 112) remains high. Then, a high-pressure cleaning liquid is ejected from the nozzle opening 105a of the first nozzle 105, and the lens 1a of the onboard camera 1 is cleaned. In addition, when the cleaning liquid is ejected, the pressure Pb in the pressure accumulating portion 111 decreases. Fig. 20 shows waveforms obtained from experimental results, where the pressure Pa is a value obtained by connecting a pressure gauge to the outlet of the washer pump 109, and the pressure Pb is a value obtained by connecting a pressure gauge to the pressure accumulating portion 111.

Next, the control device 123 drive-controls the stepping motor 115 at a timing T5, driving the communication valve 110 to rotate so as to be located at a position between the first outlet member 117 and the second outlet member 118. Thereby, the flow path on the washer pump 109 side and the nozzle opening 105a of the first nozzle 105 are not communicated, and the ejection of the cleaning liquid from the first nozzle 105 (nozzle opening 105a) is stopped. At this time, the flow path (pressure accumulating portion 111) on the washer pump 109 side and the nozzle openings 105a to 108a are not communicated with each other by the flow path switching device 113 (communication valve 110). By repeating the above-described operation, the cleaning liquid can be ejected from the other nozzles 106 to 108 (nozzle openings 106a to 108 a).

Next, the effects of the third embodiment are as follows.

(14) The in-vehicle sensor cleaning device includes a communication valve 110, and the communication valve 110 is provided in the middle of a flow path that communicates the nozzle ports 105a to 108a with the washer pump 109, and is capable of communicating the flow path on the washer pump 109 side (the pump-side portion on the flow path) with any one of the nozzle ports 105a to 108a, or not communicating the flow path on the washer pump 109 side (the pump-side portion on the flow path) with the nozzle ports 105a to 108a, based on a control signal. Therefore, the flow path on the washer pump 109 side can be communicated with any one of the nozzle ports 105a to 108a as necessary. Further, since the communication valve 110 can make the flow path on the washer pump 109 side not communicate with the nozzle openings 105a to 108a, and includes the pressure accumulating portion 111, and the pressure accumulating portion 111 is provided in the middle of the flow path communicating the communication valve 110 and the washer pump 109, the cleaning liquid in the pressure accumulating portion 111 can be brought into a high pressure by driving the washer pump 109 while the flow path is brought into a non-communicating state by the communication valve 110. Then, in a state where the cleaning liquid is at a high pressure, the communication valve 110 allows the flow path (the pressure accumulation portion 111) on the cleaner pump 109 side to communicate with any one of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a, so that the high-pressure cleaning liquid can be sent to the nozzle openings 105a to 108a, and the high-pressure cleaning liquid can be ejected from any one of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a to the lenses 101a to 104 a. Thus, a higher cleaning force can be obtained with less cleaning liquid. Further, according to the above configuration, for example, compared with a device not including the pressure accumulating portion 111, since there is no need to consider pressure loss in the flow path that connects the communication valve 110 (or the check valve 112) and the washer pump 109, the flow path can be configured with a thin pipe (hose) or the like, and the components can be made inexpensive and easy to install. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the hose H2, which connects the check valve 112 and the washer pump 109 and extends inside the vehicle, can be made thinner than the other hose H, H1, and thus the present embodiment is easy to install and inexpensive. Further, since the hose H, H1 extending from the check valve 112 to the nozzle ports 105a to 108a has a higher hardness than the hose H2 connecting the check valve 112 and the washer pump 109, it is possible to reduce pressure release at the above-mentioned portion due to the flexibility of the hose H, H1. Further, in the above structure, since the hardness of the hose H2 is low, it is easy to provide. Further, since the communication valve 110 communicates the pressure accumulating portion 111 with any one of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a, for example, a cleaning liquid at a higher pressure can be ejected from the single nozzle opening 105a to 108a than in the case where the pressure accumulating portion 111 is communicated with a plurality of nozzle openings 105a to 108a at the same time.

(15) Since the in-vehicle sensor cleaning device includes the check valve 112 provided in the middle of the flow path that connects the pressure accumulating portion 111 and the washer pump 109 and restricting the flow of the cleaning liquid from the pressure accumulating portion 111 to the washer pump 109, the cleaning liquid in the pressure accumulating portion 111 is not decompressed by flowing backward toward the washer pump 109. Therefore, the cleaning liquid in the accumulator 111 can be brought to a high pressure by driving the washer pump 109 while the flow path is not communicated by the communication valve 110, and after the washer pump 109 is stopped, the flow path (accumulator 111) on the washer pump 109 side and any one of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a can be communicated by the communication valve 110, and only the high-pressure cleaning liquid can be ejected. In the present embodiment, the control device 123 performs the above-described operation. That is, for example, in a configuration not including the check valve 112, in order to prevent the cleaning liquid in the accumulator 111 from flowing backward toward the washer pump 109, it is necessary to communicate the flow path (accumulator 111) on the washer pump 109 side with any of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a by the communication valve 110 while the washer pump 109 is being driven, and to eject the cleaning liquid from the nozzle openings 105a to 108 a. In this case, the electric power consumption of the washer pump 109 increases, and it is possible to eject the washer fluid that has not accumulated pressure as well, but this can be avoided.

(16) Based on the cleaning control signal, the control device 123 drives the cleaner pump 109 in a state where the communication valve 110 brings the flow path into a non-communication state, and thereafter, the communication valve 110 brings the flow path (pressure accumulation section 111) on the cleaner pump 109 side into communication with any one of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a, and continues the process (without interruption) until the cleaning liquid is ejected from the nozzle openings 105a to 108 a. Therefore, the cleaning liquid in the pressure accumulating portion 111 can be prevented from being left in a high pressure state. This can prevent a high voltage load from being applied to the pressure accumulating portion 111 at all times.

(17) The communication valve 110 is a rotating plate as follows: the communication hole 110a is provided in a part of the circumferential direction, and is rotated by the stepping motor 115, so that the communication hole 110a can be communicated with any one of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a or none of the nozzle openings 105a to 108 a. Therefore, a high-pressure cleaning liquid can be ejected from any one of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a with a simple configuration using a single driving source (stepping motor 115).

(fourth embodiment)

Next, a fourth embodiment of the in-vehicle sensor washing device will be described. Note that, in the present embodiment, differences from the third embodiment will be mainly described, and the same components as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a part or all of the description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 28, the vehicle-mounted sensor cleaning device of the present embodiment includes cleaning units 151 to 154 provided integrally with the respective vehicle-mounted cameras 101 to 104. In the present embodiment, a flow path switching device 113 substantially similar to that of the third embodiment is used. The inlet member 116 provided in the flow path switching device 113 and the washer pump 109 are connected to the hose Ha. That is, the check valve 112 of the third embodiment is omitted. The hose Ha constituting the flow path between the washer pump 109 and the pressure accumulating portion 111 has a smaller inner diameter, that is, is narrower than the other hoses H. The hose Ha is set to have a lower hardness than the other hoses H.

Since each of the cleaning units 151 to 154 has substantially the same configuration, the cleaning unit 151 will be described below, and detailed description of the other cleaning units 152 to 154 will be omitted.

As shown in fig. 30 (a), (b), and 31, the cleaning unit 151 includes a coupling fixing member 161 fixed to the in-vehicle camera 101, and a nozzle unit 162 fixed to the coupling fixing member 161. The coupling and fixing member 161 has a substantially square tubular holding portion 161a into which the in-vehicle camera 101 can be fitted, and the coupling and fixing member 161 is fixed to the in-vehicle camera 101 by fitting the in-vehicle camera 101 into the holding portion 161 a. In addition, fig. 28 shows a state in which the in-vehicle camera 101 and the wash unit 151 are separated.

The coupling and fixing member 161 has a pair of fixed pieces 161b, and the pair of fixed pieces 161b has a pair of opposing surfaces, and grooves are formed in the pair of surfaces, respectively. The nozzle unit 162 is detachably attached and fixed to the fixed piece 161 b.

The nozzle unit 162 includes a substantially cylindrical first housing 163 and a second housing 164 fitted and fixed to the base end side of the first housing 163. The nozzle unit 162 is detachably attached and fixed to the fixed piece 161b (the coupling and fixing member 161) by fitting a pair of fixing projections 163a (only one of which is shown in fig. 30 (a) and (b) and fig. 31) formed on the outer periphery of the first housing 163 into the grooves of the fixed piece 161 b. A cylindrical introduction tube portion 164a is formed to protrude from the bottom portion of the second housing 164, and an introduction port 164b (see fig. 32) communicating with the inside of the first housing 163 is formed inside the introduction tube portion 164 a. Further, a seal ring S1 is sandwiched between the first case 163 and the second case 164. The first outlet member 117 is connected to the introduction port 164b via a hose H. The second outlet member 118 to the fourth outlet member 120 are connected to the introduction ports 164b of the other cleaning units 152 to 154 via hoses H.

As shown in fig. 31 and 32, the nozzle unit 162 includes a movable nozzle 165 that is movable forward and backward so as to extend and retract from the front end opening of the first housing 163, and a compression coil spring 166 that serves as an urging member that urges the movable nozzle 165 in the backward direction (the proximal end direction of the first housing 163).

Specifically, as shown in fig. 32, the movable nozzle 165 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a smaller diameter than the first housing 163, and a nozzle opening 165a facing the side (the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction) is formed at the distal end portion of the movable nozzle 165. A base end member 167 is fitted and fixed to the outside of the base end of the movable nozzle 165. Further, a seal ring S2 is sandwiched between the movable nozzle 165 and the base end member 167. The base end member 167 has a flange portion 167a extending radially outward, and the flange portion 167a is biased by a compression coil spring 166. One end side of the compression coil spring 166 is supported by the front end side of the first housing 163. Thereby, the movable nozzle 165 is biased in the backward direction (rightward in fig. 32). Further, an annular seal member 168 which is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the first housing 163 and is in sliding contact is fitted to the base end portion of the base end member 167.

A restricting post 164c is formed on the bottom of the second housing 164, and the restricting post 164c extends to the opposite side of the introduction tube portion 34 a. In addition, in the present example, three (only two shown in fig. 32) restricting posts 164c are formed at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. The restricting post 164c abuts against the base end surface of the base end member 167 biased by the compression coil spring 166, and restricts the base end member 167 (movable nozzle 165) from retreating from the abutting position.

When the cleaning liquid is supplied from the introduction port 164b to the inside, the base end surface of the base end member 167 is biased by the conveying pressure of the cleaning liquid, and the movable nozzle 165 provided as described above is advanced against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 166.

Here, by moving the movable nozzle 165 forward and backward, the nozzle opening 165a of the movable nozzle 165 in the in-vehicle sensor washing device configured as described above can be moved to a washing position close to the imaging range (imaging range center) of the in-vehicle camera 101 and a non-washing position farther from the imaging range than the washing position. The imaging range in the present embodiment is a range in which the in-vehicle camera 101 (the imaging device) captures an image through the lens 101 a.

In detail, in the present embodiment, the non-cleaning position is set at a position where the nozzle opening 165a is located outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 101, and the cleaning position is set at a position where the nozzle opening 165a is located within the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 101. That is, in the retreated state (the state in which the base end surface of the base end member 167 abuts against the restricting post 164 c) in which the movable nozzle 165 retreats, the nozzle opening 165a is disposed at the non-cleaning position outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 101, and in the advanced state in which the movable nozzle 165 advances, the nozzle opening 165a is disposed at the cleaning position within the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 101.

In the present embodiment, the movable nozzle 165 is arranged so that the direction in which it can move back and forth is inclined with respect to the direction toward the lens 101a of the in-vehicle camera 101 (the central axis of the lens 101a and the imaging axis). That is, in the forward state in which the movable nozzle 165 is moving forward, the nozzle opening 165a is disposed obliquely closer to the imaging axis (the central axis of the lens 101 a) than to the center in the imaging range of the onboard camera 101, and the cleaning liquid is ejected from the nozzle opening 165a toward the center of the lens 101 a.

In the present embodiment, the movable nozzle 165 is disposed on the horizontal side of the onboard camera 101 such that the nozzle opening 165a is disposed on the horizontal side of the lens 101a at the non-cleaning position.

Next, an operation example (operation) of the in-vehicle sensor washing device according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, in a state where the washer pump 109 is not driven, the movable nozzle 165 is in a state of being retracted to the non-washing position by the urging force of the compression coil spring 166 (see fig. 30 a), and therefore the nozzle opening 165a (the tip end portion of the movable nozzle 165) is disposed outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 101. Therefore, when the image is taken without cleaning, the nozzle opening 165a (the tip end portion of the movable nozzle 165) does not interfere with the image taking.

As shown in fig. 29, for example, at a time T11 before the washer pump 109 is driven, when a washer switch of the driver's seat is operated or dirt is detected by a sensor, the control device 123 drive-controls the stepping motor 115 so that the position of the communication hole 110a is at a prescribed position.

Specifically, as shown in (a) of fig. 19, the control device 123 drive-controls the stepping motor 115 and drives the communication valve 110 to rotate so that the position of the communication hole 110a reaches a position near the first outlet member 117 corresponding to the nozzle opening 165a of the movable nozzle 165 of the cleaning unit 151 to be ejected next and is a position between the first outlet member 117 and the fourth outlet member 120. The stepping motor 115 according to the present embodiment is configured to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions, and for example, when the current position (angle) is directed to the target position, the communication valve 110 is driven to rotate in a direction in which the amount of rotation is small.

Next, for example, at time T12, the control device 123 drives the washer pump 109 for a predetermined time T in a state where the flow path (pressure accumulating portion 111) on the washer pump 109 side and the nozzle openings 165a of the respective washer units 151 to 154 are not communicated by the flow path switching device 113 (communication valve 110). Then, immediately after the washer pump 109 is driven, the pressure at the outlet of the washer pump 109 rises and becomes a substantially constant high pressure. At this time, the pressure in the pressure accumulating portion 111 also becomes the same high pressure.

Next, at, for example, time T13, the control device 123 drives the stepping motor 115 and causes the flow path (pressure accumulating portion 111) on the washer pump 109 side and the nozzle opening 165a of the movable nozzle 165 of the washer unit 151 to be ejected to communicate with each other by the flow path switching device 113 (communication valve 110).

Specifically, as shown in (b) of fig. 19, the control device 123 drive-controls the stepping motor 115 and drives the communication valve 110 to rotate so that the position of the communication hole 110a coincides with and communicates with the first outlet member 117. Then, a high-pressure cleaning liquid is ejected from the nozzle opening 165a of the movable nozzle 165 of the cleaning unit 151, and the lens 101a of the onboard camera 101 is cleaned. In addition, when the cleaning liquid is ejected, the pressure Pb in the pressure accumulating portion 111 decreases.

Next, at time T14, the control device 123 stops the washer pump 109.

After that, the control device 123 drive-controls the stepping motor 115 at a timing T15, driving the communication valve 110 to rotate so as to be located at a position between the first outlet member 117 and the second outlet member 118. Thereby, the flow path on the washer pump 109 side and the nozzle opening 165a of the movable nozzle 165 of the washer unit 151 are not communicated, and the ejection of the washer fluid from the movable nozzle 165 (nozzle opening 105a) is stopped.

The above-described in-vehicle sensor washing device has the following advantageous effects in addition to the effects of (14), (16), and (17) of the third embodiment.

(18) Since the movable nozzle 165 having the nozzle opening 165a is provided so that the nozzle opening 165a can move to the cleaning position close to the center of the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 101 and the non-cleaning position away from the center of the imaging range from the cleaning position, the lenses 101a to 104a can be cleaned satisfactorily without interfering with imaging by moving to the cleaning position only during cleaning.

(19) Since the movable nozzle 165 having the nozzle opening 165a is provided so as to be movable forward and backward to the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position, the area required for the movement can be reduced as compared with a case where, for example, the external imaging surfaces (the lenses 101a to 104a) and the nozzle opening 165a are relatively rotated.

(20) Since the onboard cameras 101 to 104 having the lenses 101a to 104a are fixed to the vehicle, for example, a stable captured image can be obtained. Further, since the nozzle opening 165a is provided in the movable nozzle 165 supported so as to be movable forward and backward with respect to the vehicle, the forward and backward movement can be facilitated as compared with a case where the nozzle opening 165a is fixed and the in-vehicle cameras 101 to 104 are moved forward and backward. That is, for example, when the external imaging surfaces (the lenses 101a to 104a) are movable forward and backward, a large-sized mechanism including the in-vehicle cameras 101 to 104 is provided. When the external imaging surface is directly or indirectly (the in-vehicle cameras 101 to 104) provided on the vehicle, the movable nozzle 165 can be made smaller and lighter than the above-described mechanism. Therefore, switching of the forward and backward movement of the movable nozzle 165 is facilitated.

(21) Since the movable nozzle 165 is advanced so that the nozzle opening 165a can be brought close to the lenses 101a to 104a of the onboard cameras 101 to 104, it is easy to spray the cleaning liquid from, for example, a front position close to the imaging axis (the central axis of the lenses 101a to 104a) to a central position of the lenses 101a to 104 a. Therefore, the lenses 101a to 104a can be cleaned more favorably.

(22) Since the movable nozzle 165 is pushed forward toward the cleaning position by the feeding pressure of the cleaning liquid (fluid), an electric driving device or the like for advancing the movable nozzle 165 is not necessary, and the structure can be simplified.

(23) Since the movable nozzle 165 is retracted to the non-cleaning position by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 166 (biasing member), an electric driving device or the like for retracting the movable nozzle 165 is not required, and the structure can be simplified.

(24) Since the nozzle unit 162 having the movable nozzle 165 provided to be movable forward and backward is detachably attached to the vehicle, for example, when the movement of the movable nozzle 165 moving forward and backward is deteriorated, the nozzle unit 162 is easily detached and replaced with a new one.

(25) Since the nozzle opening 165a is formed in a rectangular shape as viewed from the opening direction, the cleaning liquid can be ejected over a wide area while maintaining a high ejection pressure, and the lenses 101a to 104a can be cleaned more favorably.

(26) Since the fluid is a mixture of the cleaning liquid (liquid) and air, the ejection pressure can be increased (the flow rate can be increased) and the lenses 101a to 104a can be cleaned more favorably than the case where the fluid is a simple cleaning liquid (liquid), for example. Further, the consumption amount of the cleaning liquid can be reduced.

(27) Since the nozzle openings 165a are disposed only on the horizontal sides of the lenses 101a to 104a at the non-cleaning position, even if, for example, liquid drips downward from the nozzle openings 165a moved to the non-cleaning position after cleaning, the dripped liquid can be prevented from adhering to the lenses 101a to 104 a.

(28) The non-cleaning position is a position where the nozzle opening 165a is located outside the imaging range of the onboard cameras 101 to 104, and the cleaning position is a position where the nozzle opening 165a is located within the imaging range of the onboard cameras 101 to 104. Therefore, by moving the nozzle opening 165a to the cleaning position only during cleaning, the lenses 101a to 104a can be cleaned satisfactorily without disturbing the image pickup.

The above embodiments may be modified as follows.

In the above embodiments, the sealing structure in which the sealing rubber 122 is accommodated and held in the accommodation groove 114c of the housing 114 is exemplified, but any other sealing structure may be used as long as it can prevent the first to fourth outlet members 117 to 120 and the interior of the housing 114 (that is, the pressure accumulating portion 111) from communicating through a path other than the communication hole 110a, that is, from leaking the cleaning liquid unexpectedly.

For example, the configuration may be changed to that shown in fig. 22 and 23. In this example, a lower surface accommodating groove 110c is formed around the communication hole 110a on the lower surface of the communication valve 110, and the annular seal rubber 131 is accommodated and held in the lower surface accommodating groove 110 c. An outer circumferential housing groove 110d is formed over the entire outer circumferential surface of the communication valve 110, and an annular sealing rubber 132 is housed and held in the outer circumferential housing groove 110 d. Further, a part of each of the sealing rubbers 131 and 132 protruding from the lower surface housing groove 110c and the outer circumference housing groove 110d is configured to be in press contact with the opposing surface of the housing 114. This also prevents accidental leakage of the cleaning liquid.

For example, the configuration may be changed to that shown in fig. 24 and 25. In this example, a recess 114d (see fig. 25) having the same diameter as the bottom through hole 114b is formed between the bottom through holes 114b in the bottom of the housing 114 in the circumferential direction. Eight spherical convex portions 110e having a spherical shape are formed at an equal angle (45 °) on the lower surface of the communication valve 110, and the communication hole 110a is formed so as to penetrate one of the spherical convex portions 110 e. Thus, by bringing (the spherical surface of) the spherical convex portion 110e into close contact with the openings of the bottom through hole 114b and the concave portion 114d, it is possible to prevent unintended leakage of the cleaning liquid at the above-mentioned portions. In addition, this can reduce the number of parts of the sealing rubber.

Further, the storage tank 114c and the sealing rubber 122 according to the above embodiment may not be provided, but may be pressed against each other with the opposing surfaces thereof having a high flatness, thereby preventing the unintended leakage of the cleaning liquid. In the configuration without using the sealing rubber (the configuration with a high flatness, the configurations of fig. 24 and 25), for example, at least one of the communication valve 110 and the housing 114 may be formed as a two-color molded article (a portion pressed and contacted by a soft resin is formed), which includes a soft resin, to prevent the unintended leakage of the cleaning liquid.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the case 114 constitutes the pressure accumulating portion 111, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and other configurations may be adopted.

For example, the configuration may be changed to that shown in fig. 26 and 27. In this example, the axial length (i.e., volume) of the housing 114 is smaller than in the above-described embodiment. Further, a pressure accumulation chamber fixing hole 114e is formed in the peripheral wall of the housing 114 on the side opposite to the peripheral wall through hole 114a by 180 °, and the pressure accumulation chamber member 141 is fixed to the pressure accumulation chamber fixing hole 114e so as to protrude outward. The pressure accumulation chamber member 141 has a housing 142, a cover 143, a movable member 144, and a coil spring 145. The housing 142 includes a cylindrical tube portion 142a, a reduced diameter portion 142b, and a small diameter portion 142c, the diameter of the reduced diameter portion 142b decreases from the lower end of the tube portion 142a toward the lower end side, the small diameter portion 142c extends cylindrically from the lower end of the reduced diameter portion 142b, and the tip end of the small diameter portion 142c is fixed to the pressure storage chamber fixing hole 114 e. The cover 143 is formed in a disk shape and closes the upper end of the cylindrical portion 142 a. The movable member 144 is formed in a disk shape, and is slidable on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 142a and movable in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 142 a. Further, a seal rubber or the like, not shown, is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the movable member 144, for example, to define a space on the housing 114 side in a liquid-tight manner. Further, a coil spring 145 is located between the cover 143 and the movable member 144. In this example, the housing 114 and the pressure accumulation chamber member 141 constitute the pressure accumulation portion 146. The flow path switching device 113 configured as described above is fixed to the vehicle such that the pressure accumulation chamber member 141 is oriented upward (antigravity direction).

In this way, when the washer pump 109 is driven while the flow path (the pressure accumulating portion 146) on the washer pump 109 side and the nozzle ports 105a to 108a are not communicated with each other, the movable member 144 is pushed up against the urging force of the coil spring 145 while the cleaning liquid is accumulated in the casing 114 and the air in the pressure accumulating portion 146 is compressed, and the pressure in the pressure accumulating portion 146 becomes high. Further, for example, when the pressure accumulating portion 146 and the nozzle opening 105a of the first nozzle 105 to be ejected are made to communicate by the communication valve 110, the movable member 144 is moved downward by the urging force of the coil spring 145, and the high-pressure cleaning liquid is ejected from the nozzle opening 105a, cleaning the lens 101a of the in-vehicle camera 101.

The flow path switching device 113 is configured by integrally providing the pressure accumulating portion 111 and the communication valve 110, but is not limited thereto.

As shown in fig. 33 and 34, the pressure accumulating portion 111 and the communication valve 110 may be separate bodies. In the configuration shown in fig. 33 and 34, the pressure accumulating portion 111 is connected to a T-joint TJ via a hose H, and the T-joint TJ is connected to the communication valve 110 and the washer pump 109 via a hose H1 and a hose H2. Although fig. 33 shows a structure in which the check valve 112 is omitted, the check valve 112 may be provided between the T-joint TJ and the washer pump 109.

In the above embodiments, the in-vehicle sensor cleaning device that sprays the cleaning liquid is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an in-vehicle sensor cleaning device that sprays air may be used.

For example, the washer pump 109 may be changed to an air pump capable of sending out air.

In the third embodiment, the hose H, H1 used from the check valve 112 to the nozzle ports 105a to 108a is set to have a hardness higher than that of the hose H2 used from the check valve 112 to the washer pump 109.

In the third embodiment, the control device 123 continues the process (without interruption) until the cleaning liquid is ejected based on the cleaning control signal, but the process is not limited to this, and the process may be interrupted.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the communication valve 110 is a rotary plate that has the communication hole 110a provided in a part of the circumferential direction and is driven to rotate by the stepping motor 115, but the pressure accumulating portion 111 may be configured to communicate with any of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a and 165a or not communicate with any of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a and 165a, and may have another configuration.

The number of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a, 165a and the corresponding number of the first to fourth outlet members 117 to 120, etc. in the third and fourth embodiments may be changed to other numbers as long as they are plural.

Although not described in the third and fourth embodiments, when it is not necessary to inject a high-pressure fluid for cleaning a certain cleaning target, the washer pump 109 may be driven to send the cleaning liquid to the certain nozzle openings 105a to 108a and 165a without making the flow path non-communicated by the communication valve 110. That is, the flow path switching device 113 may be used simply as a switching device for switching the flow path.

In the third embodiment, the control device 123 drives the washer pump 109 for the preset time T (see fig. 20), but the present invention is not limited to this, and the washer pump 109 may be stopped based on the pressure in the pressure accumulating portion 111 after the washer pump 109 is driven, for example. It is to be noted that the time T at which the control device 123 drives the communication valve 110 to rotate may be determined based on time and pressure.

In the third embodiment, the pressure Pb in the accumulator 111 is reduced to almost zero after the cleaning liquid is ejected once (the cleaning liquid cannot be ejected twice without driving the washer pump 109 again), but the third embodiment is not limited to this, and may be configured and controlled so that the cleaning liquid can be ejected a plurality of times when the cleaning liquid in the accumulator 111 is set to a high pressure once.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the lenses 101a to 104a of the onboard cameras 101 to 104 are washed by spraying the cleaning liquid, but the washing may be carried out by spraying the liquid onto the sensing surfaces (lenses, cover glasses, etc.) of other onboard sensors than the onboard cameras 101 to 104. For example, as the in-vehicle sensor, an optical sensor (so-called laser radar) that emits an infrared laser beam (light emission) and receives scattered light reflected from an object to measure a distance to the object may be used. Further, a radar using a radio wave (for example, a millimeter wave radar) or an ultrasonic sensor used as an angle sensor may be used. For example, when the cleaning target is a cover glass having a large area of the sensing surface, the cleaning liquid may be ejected from the plurality of nozzle openings to one sensing surface in sequence.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the communication valve 110 allows the pressure accumulating portion 111 to communicate with any one of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a, 165a, but the pressure accumulating portion 111 may communicate with a plurality of the nozzle openings 105a to 108a, 165a at the same time.

The first to fourth embodiments and the modifications described above may be combined as appropriate.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and configurations described above. The present invention also includes various modifications and modifications within an equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and modes, and other combinations and modes including only one element, one or more elements, and one or less elements also belong to the scope and the idea of the present invention.