阅读说明：本技术 用于从物体表面去除物料的方法和设备 (Method and apparatus for removing material from a surface of an object ) 是由 R·蒙拉德 于 2018-06-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及通过使机械清洁装置(310)在部分或整个物体表面(102)上运动来去除沉积在所述物体表面(102)上的物料的方法和设备,所述机械清洁装置用于物理地去除所述物体表面(102)上的物料,所述方法和设备包括,通过使所述清洁装置(310)的一个端部沿所述物体表面(102)的圆周方向运动来去除沉积在所述物体表面(102)上的物料,并且保持所述机械清洁装置(310)的另一个端部或者使所述机械清洁装置(310)的另一个端部沿所述物体表面(102)的圆周方向运动。(The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for removing material deposited on an object surface (102) by moving a mechanical cleaning device (310) over part or the entire object surface (102), the mechanical cleaning device being used for physically removing material on the object surface (102), the method and the apparatus comprising removing material deposited on the object surface (102) by moving one end of the cleaning device (310) in the circumferential direction of the object surface (102) and holding the other end of the mechanical cleaning device (310) or moving the other end of the mechanical cleaning device (310) in the circumferential direction of the object surface (102).)

1. A method of removing material deposited on an object surface (102) by moving a mechanical cleaning device (310) over part of or the entire object surface (102), the mechanical cleaning device being for physically removing material on the object surface (102), characterized in that,

removing the material deposited on the object surface (102) by moving one end of the cleaning device (310) in a circumferential direction of the object surface (102), and

holding the other end of the mechanical cleaning device (310) or moving the other end of the mechanical cleaning device (310) in a circumferential direction of the object surface (102).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that an elastic element is used as the mechanical cleaning device (310).

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the mechanical cleaning device (310) is moved by means of a drive unit (320).

4. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive unit (320) is moved in the circumferential direction of the object surface (102) by means of a cleaning fluid or mechanically or electrically.

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising supplying a cleaning fluid in contact with the object surface (102) and bringing the cleaning fluid into contact with the object surface (102) until the cleaning fluid is ejected away from the object surface (102).

6. A method according to claim 5, characterized by supplying cleaning fluid in a circumferential direction of the object surface (102) and providing a flow from the circumferential direction of the object surface (102) towards a center of the object surface (102) where the cleaning fluid is mainly ejected perpendicularly away from the object surface (102).

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical cleaning device (310) is held in place and brought into contact with the object surface (102) by means of a flexible member, flange or lip (13) which partly covers the object surface (102) in its circumferential direction and which engages with the object surface (102) with a pretension.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical cleaning device (310) is prevented from moving over the object surface (102) before the object surface (310) is wetted.

9. An apparatus (10) for removing material deposited on a surface (102) of an object, wherein the apparatus (10) for removing material is arrangeable to or contains an object (100), characterized in that the apparatus comprises a mechanical cleaning device (310) arranged at one end to the body (11) and at the other end to the drive unit (320), or at both ends to the drive unit (320), wherein the apparatus (10) is arranged for removing material deposited on the object surface (102) by moving one end of the mechanical cleaning device (310) in a circumferential direction of the object surface (102), and holding the other end of the mechanical cleaning device (310) or moving the other end of the mechanical cleaning device (310) in a circumferential direction of the object surface (102).

10. Apparatus (10) for removing material according to claim 9, characterized in that the mechanical cleaning device (310) is formed by an elastic element.

11. The apparatus (10) for removing material according to claim 9, characterized in that the mechanical cleaning assembly (300) is driven by a cleaning fluid or mechanically or electrically.

12. Apparatus (10) for removing material according to claim 9, characterized in that the drive unit (320) comprises at least one rotor (321) or chain (360), wire, belt or wire.

13. An apparatus (10) for removing material according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a locking mechanism (330) which prevents operation of the mechanical cleaning assembly (310).

14. Apparatus (10) for removing material according to claim 9, characterized in that the apparatus (10) comprises a body (11) provided with an opening (12) having a circumferentially extending flexible portion, flange or lip (13) which partly covers the object surface (102) in its circumferential direction and which engages with the object surface (102) with a pretension.

15. Apparatus (10) for removing material according to claim 14, characterized in that the apparatus (10) is arranged to supply cleaning fluid inside the body (11) and the flexible portion, flange or lip (13) is arranged to bend away from the object surface (102) when subjected to the cleaning fluid supplied inside the body (11).

16. An apparatus (10) for removing material according to claim 9, characterized in that the apparatus (10) is arranged to supply cleaning fluid in contact with the object surface (102) and to bring the cleaning fluid into contact with the object surface (102) until the cleaning fluid is ejected away from the object surface (102).

17. An apparatus (10) for removing material according to claim 9, characterized in that the apparatus (10) is arranged for supplying cleaning fluid in the circumferential direction of the object surface (102) and flowing from the circumferential direction of the object surface (102) towards the center of the object surface (102) where the cleaning fluid is mainly ejected perpendicularly away from the object surface (102).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for removing material from a surface of an object according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention relates to an apparatus for removing material from a surface of an object according to the preamble of claim 9.

Background

Recently, optical sensors have been increasingly used to assist drivers of motor vehicles through the arrangement of sensors (e.g., sensors for parking assistance, blind spot object detection, traffic lane departure, traffic signal recognition, rearview mirror replacement, etc.) and cameras (e.g., back-up cameras and the like).

Recently, there has also been an increasing interest in partially or fully autonomous vehicles, which are based in particular on the use of the above-mentioned sensors. In this case, it is extremely important that the sensors work as they expect.

The optical sensors are typically arranged to or on the outer surface of the vehicle such that they present an optical surface, e.g. a lens (lens) surface, or are provided with a cover window/glass in front of the lens surface, which will be exposed to foreign matter, e.g. insects, rain/rain drops, fog, mud or dust. Therefore, it is necessary to remove foreign substances attached to the surface of the in-vehicle camera or the sensor.

Disclosure of Invention

Purpose(s) to

The main object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for removing material deposited on the surface of an object, which partially or totally solve the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for removing material deposited on the surface of an object for improving its functionality or visibility.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for removing material deposited on the surface of an object using a mechanical cleaning device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for removing material deposited on a surface of an object by moving a mechanical cleaning device over the surface of the object in a more or less random or fixed pattern.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for removing material deposited on the surface of an object by physically cleaning the surface of the object and cleaning the fluid.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for removing material deposited on the surface of an object, which can be easily arranged to and detached from the object.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for removing material deposited on a surface of an object, which method and apparatus can be applied in a wide range of applications.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description, claims and drawings.

The invention

A method according to the invention for removing material deposited on a surface of an object is disclosed in claim 1. Preferred features of the method are disclosed in claims 2 to 8.

An apparatus for removing material deposited on the surface of an object according to the invention is disclosed in claim 9. Preferred features of the apparatus for removing material deposited on the surface of an object are disclosed in claims 10 to 17.

The invention relates to a method and a device for removing material deposited on the surface of an object, for improving the functionality or visibility thereof.

The object from whose surface the material is to be removed can according to the invention be any object from whose surface the material deposited is to be removed. The object may be, for example but not limited to, a sensor, a camera, a light, a window, a cover, a sign, a plate, a sign or the like.

The object may also be a solar cell for removing snow, ice, dust, dirt or sand thereon. The solar cells are typically arranged in an angled position relative to the sun, making the invention suitable for removing material such as snow or sand deposited thereon.

The term "sensor" includes any kind of sensor or camera that would be required to remove material on its surface.

The term "lamp" includes any kind of lamp that would be needed to remove material on its surface, such as, but not limited to, aircraft or vehicle lamps, e.g., headlights, brake lights, backup lights, other lights associated with an aircraft or vehicle.

The term "object surface" also includes the surface of a cover glass/window arranged facing the object or the surface of a housing arranged facing the object.

An apparatus for removing material on a surface of an object according to the present invention comprises a mechanical cleaning assembly comprising a mechanical cleaning device for physically removing material deposited on the surface of the object.

In one embodiment according to the invention, the elastic element, such as a wire, wiper, wire or chain, forms the mechanical cleaning means.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the mechanical cleaning device is provided with a brush.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the mechanical cleaning device is fixed at one end to the main body and at the other end to the drive unit.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the mechanical cleaning device is arranged at both ends to the drive unit.

According to the invention, the one or more drive units are driven by the cleaning fluid or mechanically or electrically.

In this way a mechanical cleaning device is achieved which will move over the object surface in a more or less random or fixed pattern and in contact with the object surface and which also ensures that part or all of the object surface is cleaned in only a few cycles.

The apparatus for removing material from a surface of an object according to the present invention comprises a body adapted to be arranged to or to receive a portion of the object. The body presents a shape and dimensions adapted to the relevant object on which the apparatus for removing material on the surface of the object is to be used. Typically, the body will be generally disc-shaped or cylindrical, but other shapes may also be present.

According to an embodiment of the apparatus for removing material from a surface of an object according to the invention, the body is adapted to be arranged to and to receive a portion of the object.

According to an alternative embodiment, the body is arranged to receive and enclose an object therein.

According to one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the body is provided with an opening having a circumferentially extending flexible portion, flange or lip which partly covers the object surface in its circumferential direction and engages with the object surface with a pretension. The opening in the body is adapted such that it does not restrict the field of view/function of the object.

According to another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device is further arranged to supply cleaning fluid to the interior of the main body.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is arranged to supply cleaning fluid in a circumferential direction of the object surface.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the cleaning fluid is supplied in contact with the object surface and remains in contact with the object surface until the cleaning fluid is ejected away from the object surface.

Furthermore, a flexible portion, flange or lip extending in the circumferential direction of the opening of the main body is arranged to bend away from the object surface when acted on by the cleaning fluid supplied inside the main body.

By means of the invention it is achieved that the cleaning fluid flows from the circumferential direction of the object surface towards the center of the object surface, where it is ejected mainly perpendicularly away from the object surface.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the supply of cleaning fluid in the circumferential direction is achieved by providing the main body with at least one through hole for supplying cleaning fluid in the circumferential direction of the object surface.

According to another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the object surface is provided with cleaning fluid from an external unit, such as a spray nozzle known per se, which sprays cleaning fluid onto the object surface from a distance.

According to the invention, the apparatus for removing material on the surface of an object may further comprise sealing means between the body and the object, which sealing means may, in addition to providing a sealing barrier for the cleaning fluid in the apparatus for cleaning the surface of an object, also serve as attachment means for attaching the body to the object.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the body of the apparatus for removing material on the surface of an object is provided with an internal or external channel for supplying cleaning fluid to at least one through hole in the body.

According to a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, in order to ensure that the surface of the object is wetted by the cleaning fluid when the mechanical cleaning device is used, the mechanical cleaning assembly further comprises a locking mechanism for the mechanical cleaning device. When not performing material removal, the locking mechanism will also ensure that the mechanical cleaning device is protected and that the mechanical cleaning device is positioned outside the field of view/functional area for the object.

The method for removing material deposited on the surface of an object according to the present invention comprises moving a mechanical cleaning device over part or the entire surface of the object for physically removing material on the surface of the object.

According to the present invention, the method includes removing the material deposited on the surface of the object by moving one end portion of the mechanical cleaning device in a circumferential direction of the surface of the object, and holding the other end portion of the mechanical cleaning device or moving the other end portion of the mechanical cleaning device in the circumferential direction of the surface of the object.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises using an elastic element as the mechanical cleaning means.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method comprises moving the end of the mechanical cleaning device by means of a drive unit.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method comprises moving the drive unit in the circumferential direction of the object surface by means of a cleaning fluid or mechanically or electrically.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises supplying a cleaning fluid in contact with the object surface and bringing the cleaning fluid into contact with the object surface until the cleaning fluid is ejected away from the object surface.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method comprises supplying cleaning fluid in a circumferential direction of the object surface and providing a flow from the circumferential direction of the object surface towards a center of the object surface where the cleaning fluid is ejected away from the object surface mainly perpendicularly.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method comprises driving the rotor fluidically or mechanically or electrically.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method comprises holding the mechanical cleaning device in position and in contact with the surface of the object by means of the flexible portion, flange or lip partly covering the surface of the object in its circumferential direction and engaging the flexible portion, flange or lip with a pretension against the surface of the object.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method comprises preventing the mechanical cleaning device from moving over the surface of the object before the surface of the object is wetted.

Thus, by means of the present invention, a device for removing material from the surface of an object, with or without cleaning with a cleaning fluid, by means of a mechanical cleaning assembly is provided, which will have considerable advantages over the solutions of the prior art.

The apparatus for removing material on the surface of an object according to the invention is compact and robust and does not contain movable external parts.

The method and apparatus for removing material on the surface of an object according to the invention provide a more efficient solution than prior art solutions, due to the use of mechanical cleaning means.

A more efficient solution is also provided than prior art solutions, since the cleaning fluid is supplied in contact with the object surface and remains in contact with the object surface until the cleaning fluid is ejected away from the object surface. This also contributes to the possibility of reducing the amount of cleaning fluid required.

Furthermore, the use of a flexible portion, flange or lip enclosing the object surface provides a solution that is always sealed when not in use.

By means of the invention, a device for removing material on the surface of an object is achieved, which can be arranged to and detached from the object in an easy manner.

By means of the invention, a device for removing material on the surface of an object is also achieved, which can be adapted to any kind of existing or new object. Thus, the principles described in the present disclosure may be applicable to objects having different shapes, such as, but not limited to, substantially cylindrical, substantially square, substantially rectangular, and to objects having different surface shapes, such as, but not limited to, convex, concave, or planar.

By means of the method and the apparatus according to the invention, a solution is also achieved which is also capable of removing any material deposited on the surface of the object, such as, for example, fluids, films, dust, sand, snow or the like, as well as water droplets.

The present invention thus provides a method and apparatus which can be used to remove material from the surface of any kind of object and to clean the surface.

The method and apparatus for removing material on the surface of an object according to the invention solves the problem of the cleaning fluid flowing down over the outer surface of the structure where the object is arranged by spraying the cleaning fluid away from the surface of the object.

The method and apparatus for removing material from the surface of an object according to the present invention is suitable for use with any fluid, such as, but not limited to, steam, water, windshield cleaning liquid and air or combinations thereof.

Further preferred features and advantageous details of the invention will be apparent from the following exemplary description, the claims and the drawings.

Drawings

The invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

figures 1a to 1c are schematic views of an embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning the surface of an object according to the invention provided with a mechanical cleaning assembly,

figures 2a to 2b are schematic views of an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning the surface of an object according to the invention provided with a mechanical cleaning assembly,

figures 3a to 3b are schematic views of yet another alternative embodiment of a device for cleaning the surface of an object according to the invention,

figures 4a to 4b are schematic views of yet another alternative embodiment of a device for cleaning the surface of an object according to the invention,

fig. 5a to 5c are schematic views of still another embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning a surface of an object according to the present invention provided with a mechanical cleaning assembly, an

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning a surface of an object according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

Referring now to fig. 1a to 1c, there is shown a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of an apparatus 10 for removing material on a surface 102 of an object in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus 10 for removing material on the surface 102 of an object according to the first embodiment includes a main body 11 and a mechanical cleaning assembly 300.

In the shown embodiment, the apparatus 10 for removing material on an object surface 102 according to the invention has a body 11, said body 11 being provided with an opening 12, said opening 12 having a circumferentially extending flexible portion, flange or lip 13, said flexible portion, flange or lip 13 partly covering the object surface 102 in its circumferential direction and engaging the object surface 102 with a pretension. In the following example description, the object 100 will comprise a body or housing 101, and wherein the object surface 102 will be a surface of the body or housing 101 or the object 100 itself.

According to a first exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 10 for cleaning a surface of an object is adapted to be arranged to and receive a portion of the object 100. In the example shown, the object 100 is a camera, for example, a vehicle-mounted camera. An object 100, such as a camera, is typically formed by a housing 101, said housing 101 being arranged for accommodating a camera having a lens 103, wherein the lens 103 is for example substantially circular as shown in the figure, and wherein a surface of the lens 103 forms an object surface 102, for example having a convex shape, as shown in the example. In connection with the example as an onboard camera, the camera will typically be arranged in connection with the exterior surface of the vehicle. Thus, the object surface 102 will be affected by foreign matter such as dust, rain, snow, fog, ice, mud, etc., thereby limiting the functionality or visibility of the object 100 (i.e., the camera).

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the device 10 for cleaning the surface of an object comprises a body 11, said body 11 being adapted to be arranged to and to accommodate a portion of the object 100, which in the example shown is the lens 103 of a camera. In the embodiment shown, the main body 11 is formed by a housing 20 and a substantially disc-shaped body 30, said substantially disc-shaped body 30 being provided with corresponding connection means in the form of threads 50 and 51, respectively, which are arranged at the inner circumference of the housing 20 and at the outer circumference of the substantially disc-shaped body 30. A sealing means 52, for example an O-ring, is further preferably arranged for providing a sealed barrier at the underside of the apparatus 10 for removing material on the surface of an object. In the shown example, the substantially disc-shaped body 30 is provided with an inner central through hole 31, said inner central through hole 31 being adapted to be arranged to and to accommodate a portion of the object 100, in the shown example a lens 103 of a camera, and wherein an inner wall 32 of the inner central through hole 31 is provided with sealing means 33, e.g. an O-ring, for providing a sealed barrier between the object 100 (i.e. the lens 103) and the substantially disc-shaped body 30 in a circumferential direction of the object 100 (i.e. the lens 103). The sealing means 33 will in this embodiment also serve as attachment means for attaching the substantially disc-shaped body 30 to the object 100, i.e. the camera.

The generally disc-shaped body 30 is also arranged for housing a mechanical cleaning assembly 300. In this embodiment, the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 is formed by a mechanical cleaning device 310 and a drive unit 320. The drive unit 320 is in this embodiment driven by a fluid, i.e. by a cleaning fluid.

In this embodiment, the drive unit 320 drives the mechanical cleaning device 310 using the cleaning fluid. The apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is further arranged for supplying cleaning fluid inside the main body 11. In the embodiment shown, this is achieved by providing the substantially disc-shaped body 30 with at least one through hole 34, which in the embodiment shown is at least two through holes 34 distributed in the circumferential direction thereof, for supplying cleaning fluid in the circumferential direction to the object surface 102, i.e. in this example the surface of the lens 103. In the shown embodiment, the housing 20 of the device 10 is further provided with a channel 21 extending in the circumferential direction of the housing 20, said channel 21 closing the at least one through hole 34 of the substantially disc-shaped body 30 and being in fluid communication with the at least one through hole 34 for supplying cleaning fluid to the at least one through hole 34 in the substantially disc-shaped body 30. The channel 21 and the at least one through hole 34 of the substantially disc-shaped body 30 are arranged close to the outer wall 22 of the housing 20.

In this embodiment, the opening 12 of the body 11 is arranged in the outer wall 22 of the housing 20, said opening 12 being arranged corresponding to the through hole 31, wherein the diameter of the opening 12 is smaller than the diameter of the inner through hole 31, wherein the diameter of the opening 12 is adapted to the field of view/functional area of the object 100, i.e. the field of view of the lens 103 in the shown example.

Therefore, when the apparatus 10 for removing the matter on the object surface is arranged to the object 100 (i.e., the camera in the illustrated embodiment), the apparatus 10 for removing the matter on the object surface encloses and accommodates a portion of the object 100 (i.e., the lens 103) such that the outer wall 22 is located on the object surface 102 in the circumferential direction thereof.

At least a portion of opening 12, flange or lip 13, i.e., outer wall 22 surrounding object surface 102, is formed of a flexible material or a material exhibiting flexible properties and is applied to object surface 102 with a pre-tension. By having the flexible portion, flange or lip 13 of the opening 12, i.e. the outer wall 22, formed of a flexible material or a material exhibiting flexible properties, said flexible portion, flange or lip 24 is adapted to be manipulated by the cleaning fluid pressure in the main body 11 of the device 10, such that said flexible portion, flange or lip 24 bends away from the object surface 102 with a free end when subjected to the cleaning fluid supplied inside the main body 11 via the at least one through hole 34 of the substantially disc-shaped body 30 in the shown embodiment.

The apparatus 10 for removing material on the surface of an object is also arranged to a supply of cleaning fluid, which according to the embodiment shown is realized by providing the housing 20 at one side with an extension 23, which extension 23 is used to connect the channel 21 to a supply channel 24 for cleaning fluid. For example, in the mentioned example of an on-board camera, the supply channel 24 may be arranged to a supply system for cleaning a windshield, a rear window or a vehicle lamp of the vehicle, so that when cleaning fluid is supplied to the windshield, the rear window or the vehicle lamp of the vehicle, cleaning fluid is also supplied to the device 10 or by a separate control. Alternatively, the apparatus 10 for cleaning the surface of an object is arranged to a separate supply for supplying a cleaning fluid.

The driving unit 320 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one rotor 321 to 322. In the embodiment shown, the drive unit 320 comprises an outer rotor 321 in the form of a substantially disc-shaped turbine wheel and an inner rotor 322 in the form of a substantially disc-shaped turbine wheel.

In this embodiment, the at least one through hole 34 in the generally disc-shaped body 30 is inclined, wherein a longitudinal central axis through the at least one inclined through hole 34 exhibits an angle deviating from the central axis through the generally disc-shaped body 30.

An outer rotor 321 is arranged to be received within the substantially disc-shaped body 30 and to rotate within the substantially disc-shaped body 30, said outer rotor 321 being provided with an inclined through hole 323 for providing cleaning fluid to the interior of the mechanical cleaning assembly 300, wherein a longitudinal central axis through the inclined through hole 323 exhibits an angle deviating from the central axis through the substantially disc-shaped body 30, wherein the inclined through hole 323 deviates in an opposite direction to the at least one inclined through hole 34 of the substantially disc-shaped body 30.

An inner rotor 322 is arranged to be received within the outer rotor 321 and to rotate within the outer rotor 321, said inner rotor 322 being provided with an inclined through hole 324 for providing cleaning fluid to the interior of the mechanical cleaning assembly 300, wherein a longitudinal central axis through the inclined through hole 324 exhibits an angle deviating from a central axis through the substantially disc-shaped body 30, wherein the inclined through hole 324 deviates in an opposite direction to the through hole 323 of the outer rotor 321.

Thus, due to the supply of cleaning fluid and the inclined holes 34, 323 and 324, the outer rotor 321 and the inner rotor 322 are arranged to rotate in the annular recess 35 in the substantially disc-shaped body 30.

The mechanical cleaning assembly 300 may also be provided with a locking mechanism. In the embodiment shown, this is achieved by providing inner rotor 322 with an elastic locking element 330, said elastic locking element 330 having an extension along a portion of the outer circumference of inner rotor 322. The resilient locking element 330 is fixed at one end to the inner rotor 322 and free at the other end, allowing it to be manipulated by the cleaning fluid pressure in the mechanical cleaning assembly 300. The resilient locking element 330 is provided at the free end with a protruding locking element 331 adapted to be received in a locking recess 332, said locking recess 332 being arranged in the inner circumference of the outer rotor 321. The locking recess 332 is preferably tapered from one end to ensure that the protruding element 331 securely engages with the locking recess 332. Thus, the elastic locking element 330 is designed such that it exhibits a pretension which firstly ensures that the protruding locking element 331 engages with the locking recess 332.

The mechanical cleaning means 310 is preferably in the form of an elastic element, e.g. a wire, a wiper, a chain or the like, arranged/fixed at one end to the outer rotor 321 and at the other end to the inner rotor 322. With the locking mechanism, it is ensured that the mechanical cleaning device 310 will not be motivated before cleaning fluid is present at the object surface 102, and further that the mechanical cleaning device 310 is positioned outside the field of view/functional area of the object surface 102 when cleaning is not being performed.

The apparatus 10 for removing material on a surface of an object with a mechanical cleaning assembly 300 works such that when cleaning fluid is supplied via the supply channel 21, the cleaning fluid will flow into the at least one inclined through hole 34 of the substantially disc-shaped body 30 and further into the inclined through holes 323 of the outer rotor 321 and into the through holes 324 of the inner rotor 322 and from the circumference of the object surface 102 towards the center of the object surface 102. When the pressure of the cleaning fluid in the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 has reached a certain pressure, the protruding locking elements 331 of the resilient locking elements 330 will be pressurized away from engagement with the locking recesses 332 of the outer rotor 321, causing the inner rotor 322 and the outer rotor 321 to start to rotate. The rotation of the outer rotor 321 and the inner rotor 322 will cause the mechanical cleaning assembly 310 to start moving in a more or less random or fixed pattern, since its ends rotate while the mechanical cleaning device 310 will be affected by the flow of cleaning fluid. The outer rotor 321 and the inner rotor 322 will rotate in opposite directions or in the same direction. When rotating in the same direction, it would be preferable for the outer rotor 321 and the inner rotor 322 to rotate at different rotational speeds. The rotational speed will depend on the size of the respective inclined through hole, and the number of inclined through holes in the respective rotor and the generally disc-shaped body 30. Thus, the locking mechanism of the mechanical cleaning device 310 will be the activated cleaning fluid, ensuring that the mechanical cleaning device 310 will not move relative to the object surface 102 before the object surface 102 is wetted, by requiring a certain pressure to allow the rotor 321 and 322 to rotate.

Referring to fig. 1c, it shows a schematic diagram of how the mechanical cleaning device 310 will exhibit a time sequence of different patterns depending on how the fixation points of the mechanical cleaning device 310 in the outer rotor 321 and the inner rotor 322 are positioned relative to each other. Thus, depending on the location of the mechanical cleaning device 310 fixation points in the inner rotor 321 and the outer rotor 322, the mechanical cleaning device 310 will be tensioned and relaxed in a random or fixed pattern, thereby ensuring that the object surface 102 will be cleaned of any film or material and water droplets deposited thereon.

Thus, the mechanical cleaning device 310 will have been dragged across the entire object surface 102 for only a few cycles.

When the cleaning fluid supply is switched off, the inner rotor 322 will stop rotating when the pressure of the cleaning fluid drops to a certain pressure, so the pre-tension in the elastic locking element 330 will cause the outer rotor 321 to stop rotating, since the locking element 331 is engaged with the locking recess 332 and at the same time the mechanical cleaning device 310 will be in a position outside the field of view/functional area of the object 100.

The apparatus 10 according to the illustrated embodiment also supplies cleaning fluid to the object surface 102. When cleaning fluid is supplied to the object surface 102 via the at least one through hole 34 in the substantially disc-shaped body 30 in the circumferential direction of the object surface 102, the flexible portion, flange or lip 13 of the opening 12/outer wall 22 will be lifted from the object surface 102 at its free end due to the pressure of the supplied cleaning fluid, causing the cleaning fluid to flow from the circumferential direction of the object surface 102 towards the center of the object surface 102, after which the cleaning fluid will be ejected away from the object surface 102 along the longitudinal axis of the object 100. It should also be mentioned that the opening 12/outer wall 22 will seal to the object surface 102 via the flexible portion, flange or lip 13 when no material removal is performed.

Thus, the flexible portion, flange or lip 13 will keep the mechanical cleaning device 310 protected when the mechanical cleaning device 310 is not in use, the flexible portion, flange or lip 13 keeps the mechanical cleaning device 310 in place in the body 11 and further ensures that the mechanical cleaning device 310 is tensioned over the object surface 102 when the mechanical cleaning device 310 is in use.

Reference is now made to fig. 2 a-2 b, which are schematic illustrations of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 10 for removing material on a surface of an object in fig. 1 a-1 c. The device 10 according to this embodiment comprises the same features as described for the embodiment in fig. 1a to 1c with respect to the housing 20 and the substantially disc-shaped body 30.

In this embodiment, the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 comprises a drive unit 320, said drive unit 320 comprising only one rotor 321. For the embodiment in fig. 1a to 1c, the substantially disc-shaped body 30 is provided with at least one inclined through hole 34, and the rotor 321 is arranged to be received within the substantially disc-shaped body 30 and to rotate within the substantially disc-shaped body 30, and wherein the at least one inclined through hole 323 of the rotor 321 is offset in an opposite direction to the at least one inclined through hole 34 of the substantially disc-shaped body 30.

The rotor 321 comprises a resilient locking element 330 as described above, said resilient locking element 330 having an extension along a part of the outer circumference of the rotor 321, but in this embodiment the locking recess 332 is arranged at the inner circumference of the substantially disc-shaped body 30. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mechanical cleaning device 310 is fixed at one side inside the housing 20 or to the body 30, i.e. unlike the embodiment in fig. 1a to 1c, and the mechanical cleaning device 310 will not rotate, but will always be fixed. As shown in fig. 1b, the other end arranged to the rotor 321 will move and provide a more or less random or fixed pattern for moving the mechanical cleaning device 310 over the object surface 102. The mechanical cleaning assembly 300 will work similarly to the embodiment described in fig. 1a to 1c, since the cleaning fluid will flow through the at least one inclined through hole 34 of the substantially disc-shaped body 30 and the inclined through hole 323 of the rotor 321, and when a certain cleaning fluid pressure is reached, the protruding element 331 of the resilient locking element 330 is released from engagement with the locking recess 332. As the rotor 321 rotates, this will cause one end of the mechanical cleaning device 310 to be provided with a circular motion, which will cause a more or less random or fixed pattern of the mechanical cleaning device 310 on the object surface 102.

Reference is now made to fig. 3 a-3 b, which are schematic illustrations of yet another embodiment of the device 10 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the main body 11 is formed by a generally disc-shaped housing 20 and a generally disc-shaped body 30, as described for the previous embodiments. In this embodiment, the flexible portion, flange or lip 13 is formed as a separate component, wherein the housing 20 is adapted at an upper portion to receive and accommodate the flexible portion, flange or lip 13 and is held in place by a fixing plate 29, said fixing plate 29 being detachably arranged to the housing 20 by means of corresponding threads.

The housing 20 is arranged as in the previous embodiments for receiving and housing the mechanical cleaning assembly 300. The mechanical cleaning assembly 300 may be formed as in any of the described embodiments. However, in the illustrated embodiment is an alternative embodiment of the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 to the embodiment shown in fig. 2 a-2 b. For the embodiment in fig. 2 a-2 b, the substantially disc-shaped body 30 is provided with at least one inclined through hole 34, and the rotor 321 is arranged to be received within the substantially disc-shaped body 30 and to rotate within the substantially disc-shaped body 30. This embodiment is based on the use of a rotor 321 provided with propeller blades 325 at its outer surface, said rotor 321 being offset at an angle in the opposite direction to the at least one inclined through hole 34 of the substantially disc-shaped body 30. The rotor 321 and the substantially disc-shaped body 30 are provided with internally corresponding locking means 330. By supplying cleaning fluid via the at least one through hole 34, this will cause the propeller blades 325 to rotate the rotor 321, as well as lift the rotor 321 upwards from the substantially disc-shaped body 30, which is limited by the flexible portion, flange or lip 13, so that the locking means 330 come out of engagement with each other and the rotor 321 is free to rotate, similar to the embodiment of fig. 2 a-2 b. When the cleaning process is over and the cleaning fluid pressure drops, the flexible portion, flange or lip 13 will push the rotor 321 towards the generally disc-shaped body 30 and the locking means 330 will re-engage and lock the two parts together. The mechanical cleaning device 310 will also be fixed to the body 30 or the housing 20 at one end and arranged to the rotor 321 at the other end in this embodiment, similar to the embodiment of fig. 2a to 2b, as described above. The function and operation of the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 is similar to that described in fig. 2 a-2 b.

Referring now to fig. 4 a-4 b, fig. 4 a-4 b are schematic diagrams of embodiments in which the mechanical cleaning device 300 is electrically driven. The drive unit 320 according to this embodiment is formed by a rotor 321 and a stator 340, wherein the stator 340 is arranged to be fixed in the annular recess 35 of the substantially disc-shaped body 30 and the rotor 321 is arranged to rotate within the stator 340. Alternatively, the stator 340 may be an integral part of the generally disc-shaped body 30 or housing 20. The stator 340 is connected to a power source 350 and the rotor 321 will be provided with permanent magnets or windings distributed along its circumference. By applying a current to the stator 340, this will induce a magnetic field in the rotor 321, causing the rotor 321 to rotate. The mechanical cleaning device 310 will be arranged/fixed at one end to the rotor 321, while the mechanical cleaning device 310 will be arranged/fixed at the other end to the substantially disc-shaped body 30 or the housing 20. This embodiment enables removal of material with and without cleaning fluid by the mechanical cleaning device 310. Thus, the mechanical cleaning device 310 may also be used as a wiper without cleaning fluid. By using an electrically driven solution, a delay may be used to ensure that the object surface is wetted before the mechanical cleaning device 310 is operated. Electrically driven solutions may also be used to ensure that the mechanical cleaning device 310 is positioned outside the field of view/functional area of the object 100 when no material removal is performed, due to the known position of the rotor 321 and thus the known fixation point of the mechanical cleaning device 310. Thus, by suitable control, the rotor 321 may be positioned in a position which ensures that the mechanical cleaning device 310 is positioned outside the field of view/functional area of the object 100, and thus that the fixation point of the mechanical cleaning device 310 thereon may be positioned in such a position.

Referring now to fig. 5 a-5 b, fig. 5 a-5 b are schematic diagrams of an alternative embodiment of a mechanical cleaning assembly 300 according to the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the object 100 is exemplified by a vehicle, a camera, or a solar cell lamp. In this embodiment, the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 is mechanically driven. In this embodiment, the drive unit 320 for the mechanical cleaning device 310 comprises a chain 360, a wire, a belt or a wire arranged for movement in a track 361 extending mainly along the circumference of the object surface 102, i.e. the chain 360 is arranged to rotate along the circumference of the object surface 102. The drive unit 320 further comprises a cogwheel 370 providing a movement of the chain 360, wire, belt or wire, wherein the rotational movement of the cogwheel 370 is provided by an electric motor (not shown). In this embodiment, the mechanical cleaning device 310 would be arranged/fixed at one end to a position on the chain 360, wire, belt or line and at the other end to the main body 11. In the example, the use of a beaded chain 360 is shown, which is arranged to move in a generally tubular track 361, wherein the tubular track 361 exhibits a slot (not shown) facing its inside through which the mechanical cleaning device 310 extends such that the mechanical cleaning device 310 is free to move over the object surface 102. The use of a beaded chain 360 moving in a tubular track 361 would provide a solution with lower friction. By moving the chain 360, wire, belt or wire via cogwheel 370, one end of the mechanical cleaning device 310 will move as described above and achieve a more or less random or fixed pattern in which the flexible portion, flange or lip 13 will keep the mechanical cleaning device 310 taut on the object surface 102.

Thus, this embodiment enables removal of material with and without cleaning fluid by the mechanical cleaning device 310. Thus, the mechanical cleaning device 310 may also be used as a wiper without cleaning fluid. It should also be mentioned that this embodiment provides a solution in which the chain 360, wire, belt or wire can be moved in both directions by the rotational direction of the cogwheel 370 and thereby also the mechanical cleaning device 310 in the opposite direction.

It should be noted that wheels, cogwheels or the like may be arranged in the corners of the circumference of the object surface 102 to facilitate movement of the chain 360, wire, belt or wire along its circumference.

Referring now to fig. 5c, fig. 5c is an alternative embodiment to the embodiment in fig. 5 a-5 b, wherein the two ends of the mechanical cleaning device 310 are arranged to separate the chain 360, wire, belt or thread or line, moving them in the same direction or in opposite directions. When moving in the same direction, it would be preferable for cogwheel 370 to operate at different rotational speeds. This embodiment will work similarly to the embodiment described in fig. 5a to 5 c. This embodiment will work similarly to the embodiment described in fig. 1a to 1 c.

Reference is now made to fig. 6, which is a schematic diagram of yet another embodiment of the apparatus 10 according to the present invention. Portions of the body 11 are omitted from the illustrated embodiment for the purpose of disclosing detail. In this embodiment, the drive unit 320 for the mechanical cleaning device 310 is mechanically driven. In this embodiment, the drive unit 320 comprises a pitch rack 380, said pitch rack 380 being arranged to be in rotational engagement with the rotor 321 by means of a transmission (not shown), such as one or more cogwheels, thereby converting longitudinal movement of the pitch rack 380 into rotational movement of the rotor 321.

In this embodiment, the drive unit 320 is arranged to the drive means 400 providing a longitudinal movement of the pitch rack 380.

In the embodiment shown, there is also an assembly 500 for supplying cleaning fluid to the apparatus shown, which assembly 500 may be operated simultaneously with the operation of the mechanical cleaning device 310.

The drive means 400 is formed by a shaft 401, which shaft 401 is driven by a drive source 402, such as an electric motor or a solenoid, for moving the shaft 401 in the longitudinal direction of the drive source 402. In this example, the use of a solenoid is shown, and wherein the shaft 401 extends through the solenoid 402, and wherein the shaft 401 is connected at one end 403 to the drive unit 320 of the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 and the assembly 500 for supplying cleaning fluid.

In the embodiment shown, the assembly 500 for supplying cleaning fluid comprises a piston assembly 510, said piston assembly 510 comprising a cylinder 511 in which a piston 512 operated by a piston rod 513 is arranged. The cylinder 511 is provided at one side of an upper portion thereof with a fluid inlet 520, and the fluid inlet 520 is connected to a fluid supply 530 via a check valve 521. The cylinder 511 is also provided at the opposite side at the upper portion thereof with a fluid outlet 540, and the fluid outlet 540 is connected to the fluid supply passage 26 of the housing 20 via a check valve 541.

In the embodiment shown, both the piston rod 513 of the piston assembly 500 and the pitch rack 380 are arranged to the end 403 of the shaft 402 for parallel longitudinal movement. Preferably, a spring 514 is also arranged on the piston rod 513 between the cylinder 511 and the end 403 of the shaft 402.

Thus, when the piston 512 is in the retracted position, the chamber of the cylinder 511 will be filled with cleaning fluid. When a cleaning process is initiated, while the pitch rack 380 is moving in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal movement of the shaft 402 will push cleaning fluid out of the fluid outlet 540 to supply cleaning fluid to the apparatus 10, causing the rotor 321 to rotate to drive the mechanical cleaning assembly 310 as described above. When the cleaning process is complete, the spring 514 will ensure that the piston 512 is retracted and that the shaft 402 is moving longitudinally in the opposite direction. This reverse movement of the shaft 402 causes the chamber of the cylinder 511 to be filled again with cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid supply 530 and causes the pitch rack 380 to move in the opposite direction, thereby causing the rotor 321 to rotate in the opposite direction, causing the mechanical cleaning device 310 to move in the opposite direction to wipe the object surface 102 like a wiper.

Thus, in this embodiment, the supply of cleaning fluid and the operation of the mechanical cleaning device 310 are achieved in a combined manner by the longitudinal movement of the shaft 402.

It should also be mentioned that the above-described solution can be used to drive only the assembly 500 for fluid supply or only the rotor 321.

The illustrated embodiment also gives an example of how the heating element 600 may be implemented in winter for heating the cleaning fluid. In the example shown, this is achieved by attaching the heating element 600 to the cylinder 511 for heating the cleaning fluid therein.

An obvious modification of the above described embodiment is that the mentioned at least one rotor 321 to 322 may be arranged to be rotated directly by an electric motor or via one or more transmissions.

It should also be mentioned that the mechanical cleaning device 310 may be rotatably arranged to the drive unit 320 or fixed to the drive unit.

All the above-described embodiments may be combined to form modified and new embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

Thus, by means of the device 10 for removing material on an object surface according to the present invention, a device 10 for removing material on an object surface by means of a mechanical cleaning assembly 300 is achieved, which mechanical cleaning assembly 300 can efficiently and quickly perform cleaning of the object surface 102 within a few seconds, as well as efficiently remove films, materials or water droplets on the object surface 102.

The apparatus 10 may be used with or without a cleaning fluid.

By ensuring that in some of the above embodiments the mechanical cleaning device 310 will always be in the cleaning fluid, and due to the fact that the apparatus 10 for removing material on a surface of an object according to the present invention is arranged to ensure that the cleaning fluid is present at the surface of the object 102, the present invention provides a lower friction and a longer operation time.

Furthermore, by means of the present invention a robust device 10 for removing material on the surface of an object is achieved, which device 10 will withstand the force of a high pressure washer due to the use of the flexible part, flange or lip 13, and the design of the mechanical cleaning assembly 300 ensures that the mechanical cleaning means 310 will be positioned behind the flexible part, flange or lip 13, thereby protecting it all the time when not in use.

The apparatus 10 for removing material from the surface of an object according to the invention also provides a compact and robust solution.

By means of the invention, there is also achieved an apparatus 10 for removing material on the surface of an object, said apparatus 10 being easy to arrange to or dismount from an associated object 100 to be used thereon.

The above principles can be used on any kind of object where material needs to be removed for improved functionality or visibility. Examples of objects 100 are typically vehicle-mounted sensors providing information about the surroundings, such as, but not limited to, proximity sensors, sensors for parking assistance, blind spot object detection, traffic lane departure, traffic signal recognition, rear view mirror replacement, etc., and lidar or other types of sensors requiring removal of any kind of dust, ice, snow, rain, or dirt from the object surface, which may reduce the operation of the sensors. The same applies to sensors on marine craft, aircraft, drones or the like.

Other kinds of objects to which the invention will be applicable are for example, but not limited to, cameras on board an aircraft, airplane, drone or the like, surveillance cameras in public areas, tunnels or the like.

The invention will also be applicable to the removal of material from any kind and shape of window, cover, sign, plate, sign or the like.

The invention will also be applicable to the removal of materials from solar cells with an efficiency that reduces snow, ice, sand, dust, dirt or the like on the surface thereof.

Furthermore, the principles of the present invention will be applicable to any kind of object surface, i.e. the object surface may be concave, convex or planar or any other shape. Furthermore, the principles of the present invention will be applicable to any kind of shape of an object, such as, but not limited to, generally rectangular, generally square, generally disc-shaped, generally cylindrical, or generally cylindrical.

Even though in some of the above described embodiments the apparatus 10 for removing material on a surface of an object is described as acting directly on the surface of the object, the apparatus 10 for removing material on a surface of an object according to the present invention may be used on a cover window/glass or housing arranged facing the object.

The apparatus 10 for removing material from the surface of an object according to the invention may also be arranged to use more than one cleaning fluid, whereby (compressed) air is also used.

The apparatus 10 for removing material on the surface of an object according to the invention can also be arranged to an automatic activation system which will initiate the removal procedure if the visibility of the object is reduced.

All the above-described embodiments may be combined to form modified and new embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.