阅读说明：本技术 清洗装置以及具备清洗装置的摄像单元 (cleaning device and imaging unit provided with same ) 是由 仓谷康浩 藤本克己 西山健次 堀口睦弘 市口真一郎 于 2018-02-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种清洗装置以及具备清洗装置的摄像单元,能够根据透光体的附着物的程度来控制清洗的程度。本发明的清洗装置构成为具备对摄像部(5)进行保持的壳体(1)、配置于摄像部(5)的视场的保护罩(2)、使保护罩(2)振动的振动部(12)、对振动部(12)进行控制的控制部(20)、对与振动部(12)的振动有关的电特性值进行检测的监视部(30)以及存储在控制部(20)中对由监视部(30)检测出的电特性值进行判断时的判断基准的存储部(40)。而且,控制部(20)基于存储部(40)中所存储的多个判断基准对电特性值进行判断,根据该判断对振动部(12)进行控制来对所述透光体的表面进行清洗。(The invention provides a cleaning device and an image pickup unit with the same, which can control the cleaning degree according to the degree of attachments of a light-transmitting body. The cleaning device is configured to include a housing (1) for holding an imaging unit (5), a protective cover (2) disposed in the field of view of the imaging unit (5), a vibration unit (12) for vibrating the protective cover (2), a control unit (20) for controlling the vibration unit (12), a monitoring unit (30) for detecting an electrical characteristic value related to the vibration of the vibration unit (12), and a storage unit (40) for storing a criterion for determining the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit (30) in the control unit (20). The control unit (20) determines the electrical characteristic value based on a plurality of determination criteria stored in the storage unit (40), and controls the vibration unit (12) according to the determination to clean the surface of the light-transmitting body.)

1. A cleaning device is provided with:

A holding unit that holds the image pickup element;

a light-transmitting body disposed in a field of view of the imaging element;

A vibrating element that vibrates the light-transmitting body;

A control unit that controls the vibration element;

a monitoring unit that detects an electrical characteristic value related to vibration of the vibration element; and

A storage unit that stores a determination criterion for determining the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit in the control unit,

Wherein the control unit determines the electrical characteristic value based on the plurality of determination criteria stored in the storage unit, and controls the vibration element to clean the surface of the light-transmitting body based on the determination.

2. The cleaning device of claim 1,

The plurality of judgment references include a first threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit and a second threshold value different from the first threshold value,

the control unit controls the vibrating element so that the translucent body vibrates at a first intensity when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit is greater than the first threshold value,

the control unit controls the vibrating element so that the light-transmitting body vibrates at a second intensity different from the first intensity when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit is greater than the second threshold value.

3. The cleaning device of claim 1,

The plurality of criteria include a threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit and a duration of control,

The control unit controls the vibrating element so that the translucent body vibrates at a first intensity when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit is greater than the threshold value,

when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit still exceeds the threshold value after the duration of the vibration at the first intensity has elapsed, the control unit controls the vibration element so that the light-transmitting body vibrates at a second intensity different from the first intensity.

4. The cleaning device of claim 2,

Further comprises a discharge section for discharging the cleaning body to the surface of the light-transmitting body,

The control unit may cause the cleaning body to be ejected from the ejection unit when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit is greater than the second threshold value.

5. the cleaning device of claim 2,

Further comprises a discharge section for discharging the cleaning body to the surface of the light-transmitting body,

When the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit is greater than the second threshold value, the control unit ejects the cleaning body from the ejection unit instead of controlling the light-transmitting body to vibrate at the second intensity.

6. The cleaning device of claim 3,

Further comprises a discharge section for discharging the cleaning body to the surface of the light-transmitting body,

The control unit may cause the cleaning body to be ejected from the ejection unit when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit exceeds the threshold value even after the vibration at the first intensity has elapsed the duration.

7. The cleaning device of claim 3,

Further comprises a discharge section for discharging the cleaning body to the surface of the light-transmitting body,

When the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit exceeds the threshold value even after the duration of the vibration at the first intensity has elapsed, the control unit causes the ejection unit to eject the cleaning object instead of controlling the light-transmitting body to vibrate at the second intensity.

8. the cleaning device of claim 1,

the plurality of criteria include a threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit and a duration of control,

Further comprises a discharge section for discharging the cleaning body to the surface of the light-transmitting body,

The control unit controls the vibrating element so that the light-transmitting body vibrates at a first intensity by ejecting the cleaning body from the ejection unit when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit is greater than the threshold value,

When the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit exceeds the threshold value even after the duration of the vibration at the first intensity has elapsed, the control unit stops the ejection of the cleaning body from the ejection unit and controls the vibrating element so that the light-transmitting body vibrates at a second intensity different from the first intensity.

9. the cleaning device of claim 1,

The plurality of criteria include a threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit and a duration of control,

Further comprises a discharge section for discharging the cleaning body to the surface of the light-transmitting body,

The control unit causes the cleaning body to be ejected from the ejection unit when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit is greater than the threshold value,

when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit exceeds the threshold value even after the discharge of the cleaning body from the discharge unit has elapsed, the control unit stops the discharge of the cleaning body from the discharge unit and controls the vibrating element so that the light-transmitting body vibrates.

10. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 4 to 9,

The blowout part can spout and be used for wasing the first cleaning body and the second cleaning body on the surface of the printing opacity body, the second cleaning body compare in first cleaning body has powerful cleaning power.

11. The cleaning device of claim 1,

Further comprising a discharge section for discharging a first cleaning body and a second cleaning body having a stronger cleaning force than the first cleaning body to the surface of the light-transmitting body,

The plurality of judgment references include a first threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit and a second threshold value different from the first threshold value,

The control unit causes the first cleaning body to be ejected from the ejection unit when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit is greater than the first threshold value,

The control unit causes the second cleaning body to be ejected from the ejection unit when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit is greater than the second threshold value.

12. The cleaning device of claim 1,

Further comprising a discharge section for discharging a first cleaning body and a second cleaning body having a stronger cleaning force than the first cleaning body to the surface of the light-transmitting body,

the plurality of criteria include a threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit and a duration of control,

The control unit causes the first cleaning body to be ejected from the ejection unit when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit is greater than the threshold value,

the control unit may cause the second cleaning body to be ejected from the ejection unit when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit exceeds the threshold value even after the first cleaning body is ejected for the duration.

13. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,

The monitoring unit detects, as the electrical characteristic value, at least one value of a resonance frequency, an anti-resonance frequency, a resonance bandwidth, a resonance impedance, an anti-resonance impedance, an impedance ratio of resonance, and a current value of a drive circuit, or a calculation value obtained by combining these values.

14. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 2, 4, 5 and 11,

The control unit compares the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit with the first threshold value, and when the electrical characteristic value is greater than the first threshold value, compares the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit with the second threshold value.

15. An imaging unit is provided with:

An image pickup element; and

the cleaning device of any one of claims 1 to 14.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cleaning device and an imaging unit provided with the cleaning device.

Background

A technique has been widely used in which image pickup means are provided at the front and rear of a vehicle, and an image picked up by the image pickup means is used for an image for navigation or the like. Since such an imaging unit is installed outside the vehicle, foreign matter such as raindrops, mud, and dust may adhere to a light-transmitting body (lens and protective glass) covering the outside of the imaging unit. When foreign matter adheres to the front surface of the imaging unit, the adhered foreign matter is reflected on an image captured by the imaging unit, and a clear image cannot be obtained. Therefore, an imaging unit provided with a cleaning device that ejects a cleaning liquid onto the surface of a light-transmitting body has been developed. Specifically, patent document 1 describes an imaging unit provided with a cleaning device.

disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

however, the cleaning device described in patent document 1 has only a function of cleaning the light-transmitting body by discharging the cleaning liquid from the opening of the nozzle toward the surface of the light-transmitting body, and performs the same cleaning process regardless of the degree of the deposit (degree of contamination) of the light-transmitting body. Therefore, the cleaning device described in patent document 1 has the following problems: when the cleaning process is set in accordance with the state of the light-transmitting body in which the degree of the deposit is severe, the cleaning process is excessively performed even in the state of the light-transmitting body in which the degree of the deposit is light, and unnecessary discharge of the cleaning liquid and unnecessary power consumption are performed. In addition, the cleaning device described in patent document 1 has the following problems: when the cleaning process is set in accordance with the state where the degree of the adhering substance of the light-transmitting body is light, the light-transmitting body cannot be sufficiently cleaned in the state where the degree of the adhering substance of the light-transmitting body is severe.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device capable of controlling the degree of cleaning according to the degree of adhering matter of a light-transmitting body, and an imaging unit including the cleaning device.

Means for solving the problems

A cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a holding unit that holds the image pickup element; a light-transmitting body disposed in a field of view of the image pickup element; a vibrating element that vibrates the light-transmitting body; a control unit that controls the vibration element; a monitoring unit that detects an electrical characteristic value related to vibration of the vibration element; and a storage unit that stores a determination criterion for determining the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit in the control unit, wherein the control unit determines the electrical characteristic value based on a plurality of determination criteria stored in the storage unit, and controls the vibrating element based on the determination to clean the surface of the light-transmitting body.

an imaging unit according to an aspect of the present invention includes the above-described cleaning device.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, the control unit determines the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit based on a plurality of determination criteria, and changes the degree of cleaning based on the determination, thereby reducing excessive cleaning and insufficient cleaning.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of an imaging unit according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view for explaining the configuration of the imaging unit according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram for explaining control of the cleaning device for an imaging unit according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a timing chart for explaining control of the cleaning device of the imaging unit according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining control of the cleaning device for an imaging unit according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

fig. 6 is a timing chart for explaining control of the cleaning device of the imaging unit according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining control of the cleaning device for an imaging unit according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart for explaining control of the cleaning device for an imaging unit according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart for explaining control of the cleaning device for an imaging unit according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Detailed Description

the imaging unit according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or equivalent parts.

(embodiment mode 1)

Next, an imaging unit according to embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of an imaging unit 100 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view for explaining the configuration of the imaging unit 100 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. The imaging unit 100 includes a housing 1, a transparent protective cover 2 provided on one surface of the housing 1, a cleaning nozzle 3 having an opening 31 for discharging a cleaning liquid to the protective cover 2, a vibrating portion 12 for vibrating the protective cover 2, and an imaging portion 5 provided inside the protective cover 2. Further, the configuration of the housing 1, the protective cover 2, the cleaning nozzle 3, and the vibrating portion 12 in the imaging unit 100 other than the imaging portion 5 constitutes a cleaning device for cleaning foreign matter (attached matter) attached to the imaging range of the imaging portion 5.

The imaging unit 5 is supported by the cylindrical main body member 4 as shown in fig. 2, and is fixed to the bottom plate 4 a. The bottom plate 4a is fixed to a part of the housing 1. Therefore, the housing 1 functions as a holding portion for holding the imaging unit 5 via the main body member 4 and the bottom plate 4 a. The holding unit is not limited to the configuration shown in fig. 2 as long as it can hold the imaging unit 5.

The imaging unit 5 incorporates a circuit 6 including an imaging element. A lens module 7 is fixed in the imaging direction of the imaging unit 5. The lens module 7 is formed of a cylindrical body, and a plurality of lenses 9 are provided therein. The configuration of the imaging unit 5 is not particularly limited as long as it can image an object to be imaged positioned in front of the lens 9.

the housing 1 is formed in a square tubular shape, for example, from metal or synthetic resin. The housing 1 may have other shapes such as a cylindrical shape. A bottom plate 4a is fixed to one end side of the housing 1, and a shield 2 and a vibrating portion 12 are provided on the other end side of the housing 1.

The vibrating portion 12 has a cylindrical shape. The vibrating section 12 includes a cylindrical first tubular member 13, a cylindrical second tubular member 14, and a cylindrical piezoelectric vibrator 15. The cylindrical piezoelectric vibrator 15 includes two cylindrical piezoelectric sheets 16 and 17. With respect to the two piezoelectric sheets 16, 17, in the thickness direction thereof, the polarization direction of one of the piezoelectric sheets is opposite to the polarization direction of the other piezoelectric sheet.

In the present invention, the vibrating portion and the piezoelectric vibrator may be in a square tube shape in addition to a cylindrical shape. A cylindrical shape, that is, a ring shape is preferably used.

The piezoelectric sheets 16 and 17 are made of lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric ceramics. However, (K, Na) NbO may also be used₃And the like. Furthermore, LiTaO may also be used₃The piezoelectric single crystal is pressed.

electrodes, not shown, are formed on both surfaces of the piezoelectric sheets 16 and 17. The electrode has, for example, a laminated structure of Ag/NiCu/NiCr.

A cylindrical first tubular member 13 is fixed to the lower surface of the piezoelectric vibrator 15. The first barrel member 13 is formed of metal. As the metal, duralumin, stainless steel, Kovar (Kovar) alloy, or the like can be used. However, the first tubular member 13 may be formed of a semiconductor such as Si having conductivity.

The piezoelectric vibrator 15 is sandwiched between a part of the first cylindrical member 13 and a part of the second cylindrical member 14. The first tubular member 13 and the second tubular member 14 are each formed of metal and have conductivity. By applying an alternating electric field to the electrodes of the piezoelectric sheets 16 and 17, the piezoelectric vibrator 15 can be vibrated in the longitudinal direction or in the lateral direction. A female screw portion is formed on an inner peripheral surface of a part of the second cylindrical member 14. Thereby, the first tube member 13 is screwed into the second tube member 14, and the first tube member 13 is fixed to the second tube member 14. By this screwing, a part of the first barrel member 13 and a part of the second barrel member 14 are pressure-contacted to the upper surface and the lower surface of the piezoelectric vibrator 15.

Therefore, the vibration generated by the piezoelectric vibrator 15 efficiently vibrates the entire vibrating portion 12. In the present embodiment, the vibrating portion 12 is efficiently excited based on the longitudinal effect or the lateral effect.

On the other hand, the second cylindrical member 14 is provided with a flange portion 14b protruding to the outside. The flange portion 14b is placed and fixed in the recess of the housing 1.

A flange portion 14c protruding outward is provided at an end portion of the second cylindrical member 14. The portion connected between the flange portions 14b and 14c is a thin portion 14 a. The thin portion 14a is thinner than the first cylindrical member 13. Therefore, the cylindrical thin portion 14a is greatly displaced by the vibration of the vibrating portion 12. Due to the thin portion 14a, vibration, particularly amplitude, can be amplified.

the boot 2 is fixed to the flange portion 14 c. The protective cover 2 functions as a light transmitting body that transmits light from an object to be imaged. The protective cover 2 has an opening opened in one direction. The end of the opening is engaged with the flange portion 14 c. The joining is performed using, for example, an adhesive or a brazing material. Further, thermocompression bonding, anodic bonding, or the like may also be used.

the boot 2 has a dome shape extending from an end portion joined to the flange portion 14 c. In the present embodiment, the dome-like shape is a hemispherical shape. The imaging unit 5 has a field angle of 170 °, for example. However, the dome shape is not limited to a hemispherical shape. The shape may be a shape in which a hemisphere is continuous with a cylinder, a curved surface shape smaller than the hemisphere, or the like. The entire protective cover 2 has light transmittance. In the present embodiment, the protective cover 2 is formed of glass. However, the glass is not limited to glass, and may be formed of transparent plastic or the like. Alternatively, the light-transmitting ceramic may be used. However, depending on the application, it is preferable to use a tempered glass. This can improve the strength. In the case of glass, a coating layer made of DLC (Diamond-like Carbon) or the like may be formed on the surface to improve strength.

The lens module 7 and the image pickup unit 5 are disposed in the protective cover 2. An external object to be imaged is imaged through the protective cover 2.

the casing 1 is provided with a cleaning nozzle 3, and the cleaning nozzle 3 has an opening 31 for discharging a cleaning liquid to the protective cover 2. The cleaning nozzle 3 is cylindrical, and supplies a cleaning liquid from an end portion opposite to the side where the opening 31 is provided, and discharges the cleaning liquid from the opening 31 toward an end portion of the protective cover 2. The tip of the cleaning nozzle 3 is located outside the imaging range (field of view) of the imaging unit 5, and the opening 31 is not located at a position where it is captured in the captured image of the imaging unit 5. In fig. 2, the flow of the cleaning liquid is indicated by arrows. The cleaning nozzle 3 functions as a discharge portion that discharges a cleaning liquid. In the present embodiment, the configuration in which one cleaning nozzle 3 is provided in the casing 1 is shown, but a configuration in which a plurality of cleaning nozzles 3 are provided in the casing 1 may be adopted.

In the present embodiment, the description is given of a configuration in which a cleaning device (hereinafter, simply referred to as a cleaning device) provided in the imaging unit 100 includes the cleaning nozzle 3 and can perform cleaning by discharging a cleaning liquid to the protective cover 2, but the cleaning device may be configured not to include the cleaning nozzle 3 and to perform cleaning only by vibrating the protective cover 2. Of course, the cleaning apparatus may have another structure (for example, a blower) in addition to the cleaning nozzle 3, or may have another structure (for example, a blower) instead of the cleaning nozzle 3.

Next, the control of the cleaning apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 3 is a block diagram for explaining control of the cleaning device of the imaging unit 100 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

The cleaning device is provided with: a control unit 20 for controlling the vibration unit 12 and the ejection unit 50; a monitoring unit 30 that detects an electrical characteristic value (resonance frequency fr) of the vibrating unit 12; and a storage unit 40 connected to the control unit 20. The discharge portion 50 is illustrated as a block in which the cleaning liquid is discharged from the opening 31 of the cleaning nozzle 3.

In an initial state where no foreign matter adheres to the protection cover 2, the vibration unit 12 receives a rectangular wave signal having an amplitude setting value V0 (for example, 3V) and a frequency f0 from the control unit 20, and resonates and vibrates the protection cover 2. The vibration unit 12 is provided with a self-oscillation circuit for controlling vibration, and can cause the shield 2 to resonate at a resonance frequency fr of a frequency f 0. The resonance frequency fr changes depending on the state of the protective cover 2, the ambient temperature, and the like.

the monitoring unit 30 detects an electrical characteristic value (resonance frequency fr) at a fixed cycle for the vibrating unit 12 that is performing resonance vibration. The value of the monitored resonance frequency fr varies depending on the degree of attachment of the protective cover 2. Generally, when a foreign substance adheres to the protective cover 2, the monitored resonance frequency fr becomes small. In particular, the larger the amount of foreign matter adhering to the protective cover 2, the smaller the resonance frequency fr monitored. Even if the same amount of foreign matter adheres to the protective cover 2, the resonance frequency fr monitored decreases as the mass of the foreign matter itself increases.

The control Unit 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which programs for operating the CPU, control data, and the like are stored, a RAM (Random Access Memory) functioning as a work area of the CPU, an input/output interface for maintaining consistency with signals of peripheral devices, and the like. The control unit 20 determines the resonance frequency fr being monitored by the monitoring unit 30 based on a plurality of determination criteria stored in the storage unit 40, and thereby grasps the degree of adhesion of the protective cover 2 (the state of the protective cover 2). Then, the control unit 20 instructs the vibration unit 12 to control the intensity of the cleaning mode based on the determined degree of the deposit on the protective cover 2, and performs cleaning of the protective cover 2. The control unit 20 controls the Opening (ON)/closing (OFF) of the discharge unit 50 for discharging the cleaning liquid or controls an instruction ON the amount of the cleaning liquid to clean the protective cover 2, based ON the determined degree of the deposit ON the protective cover 2.

The storage unit 40 is a nonvolatile memory (for example, a flash memory or the like) connected to the control unit 20, and stores a determination criterion used by the control unit 20. The storage unit 40 may store a state value such as the degree of adhesion of the protective cover 2 determined by the control unit 20. The storage unit 40 does not need to be physically separated from the control unit 20, and may be integrated into a single chip with the CPU constituting the control unit 20.

The storage unit 40 stores a plurality of determination criteria. The stored plurality of criteria may be the same type of criteria or different types of criteria. Specifically, the same type of determination criterion includes, for example, a first threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 and a second threshold value different from the first threshold value. The different types of determination criteria include, for example, a threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 and a duration of control. The number of judgment criteria is not limited to two as described above, and may be three or more. By setting three or more determination criteria and determining the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 for each determination criterion, the degree of adhesion of the protective cover 2 can be grasped more precisely. The cleaning device can control the intensity of the vibration generated by the vibration unit in multiple stages according to the determination, thereby more efficiently cleaning the protective cover 2.

Next, control of the cleaning apparatus in the case where the determination criterion is the same type of determination criterion, i.e., a first threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 and a second threshold value different from the first threshold value, will be described. Fig. 4 is a timing chart for explaining control of the cleaning device of the imaging unit according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the timing chart shown in fig. 4, the upper stage shows a waveform of a difference Δ fr obtained by subtracting the frequency f0 as an initial value from the resonance frequency fr read from the monitoring unit 30, and the lower stage shows a waveform indicating the intensity of the cleaning mode for the vibration unit 12.

first, in the initial state (time 0), the controller 20 controls the monitored resonance frequency fr to be the frequency f0, the set value (amplitude) of the control signal to be V0 (for example, 3V), and the operation of the ejection unit 50 to be the monitoring operation mode of closing.

The control unit 20 may compare the value of the resonance frequency fr read from the monitoring unit 30 with the determination reference read from the storage unit 40 as it is, but in the present embodiment, the difference Δ fr obtained by subtracting the frequency f0 as the initial value from the read resonance frequency fr is compared with the determination reference as the electrical characteristic value. The control unit 20 determines the difference Δ fr based on the determination criterion to grasp the degree of the deposit on the protective cover 2.

in the state (a) in which foreign matter (e.g., water) adheres to the protective cover 2, the control unit 20 recognizes that relatively little foreign matter adheres to the protective cover 2 because the difference Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value of the determination criterion and is equal to or less than the second threshold value. Then, in order to remove the attached foreign matter, the control unit 20 sets an amplitude setting value V1 (for example, 10V) for weakening the vibration to the vibration unit 12, and causes the vibration unit 12 to operate in the weak cleaning mode. The vibration unit 12 removes foreign matter adhering to the protective cover 2 by vibrating the protective cover 2 in the weak cleaning mode.

The control unit 20 reduces foreign matter adhering to the protective cover 2 by the operation of the vibrating unit 12, and accordingly, the value of the difference Δ fr is also reduced. In the state (B) where the amount of the adhered foreign matter is reduced, the control unit 20 determines that the adhered foreign matter has been removed because the difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the first threshold value of the determination criterion. Then, to return to the monitoring operation mode, the control unit 20 sets the amplitude set value V0 for the vibration unit 12 and operates the vibration unit 12. The vibration unit 12 vibrates the protective cover 2 in the monitoring operation mode.

Next, in the state (C) where foreign matter (for example, water) adheres to the protective cover 2, the control unit 20 recognizes that a relatively large amount of foreign matter adheres to the protective cover 2 because the difference Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value and greater than the second threshold value as the determination criterion. Then, in order to remove the attached foreign matter, the control unit 20 sets an amplitude setting value V2 (for example, 15V) for making the vibration strong to the vibration unit 12, and causes the vibration unit 12 to operate in the strong cleaning mode. The vibration unit 12 strongly vibrates the protective cover 2 in the strong cleaning mode, thereby strongly removing foreign substances attached to the protective cover 2.

The control unit 20 reduces foreign matter adhering to the protective cover 2 by the operation of the vibrating unit 12, and accordingly, the value of the difference Δ fr is also reduced. In the state (D) where the amount of adhered foreign matter is reduced, the control unit 20 recognizes that the amount of adhered foreign matter is relatively small because the difference Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value of the determination criterion and is equal to or less than the second threshold value. Then, the control unit 20 operates the vibration unit 12 in the weak cleaning mode in order to remove relatively few foreign substances.

The control unit 20 further reduces the foreign matter adhering to the protective cover 2 by the operation of the vibrating unit 12, and accordingly, the value of the difference Δ fr is further reduced. In the state (E) where the amount of adhered foreign matter is further reduced, the control unit 20 determines that the adhered foreign matter has been removed because the difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the first threshold value as the determination criterion. Then, to return to the monitoring operation mode, the control unit 20 sets the amplitude set value V0 for the vibration unit 12 and operates the vibration unit 12. The vibration unit 12 vibrates the protective cover 2 in the monitoring operation mode.

The control of the cleaning apparatus shown in fig. 4 will be described with reference to a flowchart. Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining control of the cleaning device for an imaging unit according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. First, the control unit 20 operates the vibration unit 12 in the monitoring operation mode (step S51). The control unit 20 determines whether or not the difference Δ fr between the monitored electrical characteristic values is equal to or less than a first threshold value serving as a determination reference (step S52). If the difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the first threshold value (step S52: "yes"), control unit 20 returns the process to step S51 to continue the operation of vibration unit 12 in the monitoring operation mode.

When the difference value Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value (step S52: no), the control unit 20 determines whether the difference value Δ fr of the monitored electrical characteristic values is greater than the second threshold value of the determination reference (step S53). If difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the second threshold value (no in step S53), control unit 20 causes vibration unit 12 to operate in the weak washing mode (step S54). While the vibration unit 12 is being operated in the weak cleaning mode, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the difference Δ fr in the monitored electrical characteristic values is equal to or less than the first threshold value (step S55). If difference Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value (no in step S55), control unit 20 returns the process to step S54 to continue the operation of vibration unit 12 in the weak washing mode.

Returning to step S53, if difference Δ fr is greater than the second threshold value (step S53: yes), controller 20 causes vibration unit 12 to operate in the strong washing mode (step S56). While the vibration unit 12 is being operated in the strong washing mode, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the difference Δ fr in the monitored electrical characteristic values is equal to or less than the first threshold value (step S57). When the difference value Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value (step S57: no), the control section 20 determines whether the difference value Δ fr of the monitored electrical characteristic values is greater than the second threshold value (step S58).

If difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the second threshold value (no in step S58), control unit 20 returns the process to step S54 to operate vibration unit 12 in the weak washing mode setting. If difference Δ fr is greater than the second threshold value (step S58: "yes"), control unit 20 returns the process to step S56 to continue the operation of vibration unit 12 in the setting of the strong washing mode.

If the difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the first threshold value in step S55 and step S57 (yes), the control unit 20 determines whether or not an operation to end the operation has been received (step S59). Specifically, an operation of turning OFF (OFF) the power of the imaging unit is an operation of ending the operation. When receiving an operation to end the operation (yes in step S59), the control unit 20 ends the processing. If the operation to end the operation has not been received (no in step S59), control unit 20 returns the process to step S51 to continue the operation of vibration unit 12 in the monitoring operation mode.

As described above, the imaging unit 100 according to embodiment 1 includes the cleaning device. The cleaning device is configured to include: a housing 1 that holds an imaging unit 5; a protective cover 2 disposed in the field of view of the imaging unit 5; a vibration unit 12 that vibrates the protective cover 2; a control unit 20 for controlling the vibration unit 12; a monitoring unit 30 that detects an electrical characteristic value related to the vibration of the vibration unit 12; and a storage unit 40 that stores a determination criterion for determining the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 in the control unit 20. The control unit 20 determines the electrical characteristic value based on a plurality of determination criteria stored in the storage unit 40, and controls the vibration unit 12 based on the determination to clean the surface of the light-transmitting body.

Therefore, the cleaning device according to embodiment 1 determines the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 based on a plurality of determination criteria, thereby grasping the degree of adhesion of the protective cover 2 (the state of the protective cover 2). The cleaning device can control the degree of cleaning based on the determination, and thus excessive cleaning and insufficient cleaning can be reduced.

The cleaning device according to embodiment 1 includes a first threshold value and a second threshold value different from the first threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30, in the plurality of determination criteria. The control unit 20 controls the vibration unit 12 so that the shield case 2 vibrates weakly (with a first intensity) when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 is greater than a first threshold value, and controls the vibration unit 12 so that the shield case 2 vibrates strongly (with a second intensity) different from the weakly (with the first intensity) when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 is greater than a second threshold value. Although the first threshold value is set to a value smaller than the second threshold value, the first threshold value may be set to a value larger than the second threshold value.

Therefore, the cleaning apparatus according to embodiment 1 can grasp the degree of the deposit on the protective cover 2 by determining the electrical characteristic value based on the first threshold value and the second threshold value, and control the degree of cleaning based on the determination.

In the cleaning device according to embodiment 1, the monitoring unit 30 detects the electrical characteristic value at regular intervals, and therefore, the vibration of the vibration unit 12 can be monitored, and the cleaning of the protective cover 2 can be started by quickly detecting the adhesion of foreign matter to the protective cover 2. In addition, since the cleaning device according to embodiment 1 can know the degree of the adhering substance on the protective cover 2 by comparing the plurality of determination criteria (for example, the first threshold value and the second threshold value) with the electrical characteristic value, the intensity of the vibration of the protective cover 2 can be efficiently set according to the degree of the adhering substance.

In addition, in the cleaning device according to embodiment 1, since the degree of the deposit on the protective cover 2 is grasped, unnecessary power consumption due to vibration of the protective cover 2 with unnecessary intensity is not consumed. Further, in the cleaning device according to embodiment 1, since the degree of the adhering matter of the protective cover 2 is grasped, it is not necessary to perform control for gradually increasing the intensity of the vibration to remove the adhering foreign matter, and therefore the cleaning time can be shortened.

The difference Δ fr can be calculated by the control unit 20 by subtracting the frequency f0 from the read resonance frequency fr. Here, the frequency f0 is set to a value in an initial state where no foreign matter adheres to the protection cover 2, but may be a value acquired every time at a timing such as when the power is turned on, or may be a fixed value stored in advance. Further, by acquiring the frequency f0 each time, there are advantages as follows: even when the characteristics of the piezoelectric vibrator change with the passage of time, the state in which no foreign matter is attached at the present time can be redefined as the initial value. On the other hand, setting the frequency f0 to a fixed value has the following advantages: the risk of setting the initial value without noticing the foreign matter adhering to the initial state can be avoided.

The resonance frequency fr of the self-oscillation circuit is used as the electrical characteristic value. Specifically, the method of reading the resonance frequency fr includes the following methods: a frequency-voltage conversion circuit is embedded into the self-oscillation circuit, thereby reading out the resonance frequency fr as a voltage value. The electrical characteristic value is not limited to the resonance frequency fr, and may be, for example, a resonance impedance ratio, a consumption current value of the drive circuit, or the like.

(embodiment mode 2)

In the cleaning device according to embodiment 1, the control unit 20 controls the intensity of the vibration unit 12 only in accordance with the degree of the deposit on the protective cover 2. The following description will be made of a cleaning device according to the present embodiment: depending on the degree of the deposit on the protective cover 2, the vibration of the vibration part 12 is controlled, and the cleaning is also controlled by the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning nozzle.

fig. 6 is a timing chart for explaining control of the cleaning device of the imaging unit according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the timing chart shown in fig. 6, the upper stage shows a waveform of a difference Δ fr obtained by subtracting the frequency f0 as an initial value from the resonance frequency fr read by the monitoring unit 30, the middle stage shows a waveform indicating an operation in the cleaning mode to the vibration unit 12, and the lower stage shows a waveform indicating an operation to discharge the cleaning liquid to the discharge unit 50.

first, in the initial state (time 0), the controller 20 controls the monitored resonance frequency fr to be the frequency f0, the set value (amplitude) of the control signal to be V0 (for example, 3V), and the operation of the ejection unit 50 to be the monitoring operation mode of closing.

The control unit 20 determines the difference Δ fr, which is obtained by subtracting the frequency f0, which is an initial value, from the read resonance frequency fr, as an electrical characteristic value based on a determination criterion, and thereby grasps the degree of the adhering matter of the protective cover 2.

In the state (a) where foreign matter (e.g., water) adheres to the protective cover 2, the difference Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value of the determination criterion and is equal to or less than the second threshold value, and therefore the control unit 20 recognizes that relatively few foreign matter adheres thereto. Then, in order to remove the attached foreign matter, the control unit 20 sets a vibration amplitude setting value V3 (for example, 10V) for the vibration unit 12, and causes the vibration unit 12 to operate in the cleaning mode. The vibration unit 12 removes foreign matter adhering to the protective cover 2 by vibrating the protective cover 2 in the cleaning mode.

The control unit 20 reduces foreign matter adhering to the protective cover 2 by the operation of the vibrating unit 12, and accordingly, the value of the difference Δ fr is also reduced. In the state (b) where the amount of the adhered foreign matter is reduced, the control unit 20 determines that the adhered foreign matter has been removed because the difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the first threshold value of the determination criterion. Then, to return to the monitoring operation mode, the control unit 20 sets the amplitude set value V0 for the vibration unit 12 and operates the vibration unit 12. The vibration unit 12 vibrates the protective cover 2 in the monitoring operation mode.

Next, in the state (c) where foreign matter (for example, water) adheres to the protective cover 2, the control unit 20 recognizes that a relatively large amount of foreign matter adheres thereto because the difference Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value and greater than the second threshold value as the determination criterion. Then, in order to remove the attached foreign matter, the control unit 20 operates the vibration unit 12 in the cleaning mode, and outputs a signal of ON (ON) for ejecting the cleaning liquid to the ejection unit 50 to operate the ejection unit 50. The discharge portion 50 strongly removes foreign matter adhering to the protective cover 2 by discharging the cleaning liquid to the protective cover 2.

The control unit 20 reduces foreign matter adhering to the protective cover 2 by the operation of the vibrating unit 12, and accordingly, the value of the difference Δ fr is also reduced. In the state (d) where the amount of adhered foreign matter is reduced, the control unit 20 determines that the amount of adhered foreign matter is relatively small because the difference Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value of the determination criterion and is equal to or less than the second threshold value. Then, in order to remove relatively few foreign matters, the control unit 20 outputs an OFF signal for not discharging the cleaning liquid to the discharging unit 50, stops the discharging unit 50, and operates only the vibrating unit 12.

As is also apparent from fig. 6, the cleaning apparatus strongly cleans the protective cover 2 during the period from the state (c) to the state (d), and thus the cleaning is performed by vibrating the protective cover 2 by the vibrating portion 12 and discharging the cleaning liquid to the protective cover 2. However, the cleaning device is not limited to this, and the cleaning device may stop the cleaning operation by vibrating the protective cover 2 by the vibrating portion 12 and operate in the monitoring operation mode while the cleaning liquid is being discharged. In addition, the cleaning apparatus may perform cleaning in three stages as follows, with three determination criteria: cleaning is performed by vibrating the protective cover 2 only by the vibrating portion 12; cleaning is performed by ejecting only a cleaning liquid to the protective cover 2; and cleaning is performed by vibrating the protective cover 2 by the vibrating portion 12 and discharging the cleaning liquid to the protective cover 2.

The control unit 20 further reduces the foreign matter adhering to the protective cover 2 by the operation of the vibrating unit 12, and accordingly, the value of the difference Δ fr is further reduced. In the state (e) where the amount of the adhered foreign matter is further reduced, the control unit 20 determines that the adhered foreign matter has been removed because the difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the first threshold value as the determination criterion. Then, to return to the monitoring operation mode, the control unit 20 sets the amplitude set value V0 for the vibration unit 12 and operates the vibration unit 12. The vibration unit 12 vibrates the protective cover 2 in the monitoring operation mode.

The control of the cleaning apparatus shown in fig. 6 will be described with reference to a flowchart. Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining control of the cleaning device for an imaging unit according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. First, the control unit 20 operates the vibration unit 12 in the monitoring operation mode (step S71). The control unit 20 determines whether or not the difference Δ fr between the monitored electrical characteristic values is equal to or less than a first threshold value serving as a determination reference (step S72). If the difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the first threshold value (step S72: "yes"), control unit 20 returns the process to step S71 to continue the operation of vibration unit 12 in the monitoring operation mode.

When the difference value Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value (step S72: no), the control unit 20 determines whether the difference value Δ fr of the monitored electrical characteristic values is greater than the second threshold value of the determination reference (step S73). If difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the second threshold value (no in step S73), controller 20 causes oscillating unit 12 to operate in the set cleaning mode (step S74). While the vibration unit 12 is being operated in the cleaning mode, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the difference Δ fr between the monitored electrical characteristic values is equal to or less than the first threshold value (step S75). If difference Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value (no in step S75), control unit 20 returns the process to step S74 to continue operating vibration unit 12 in the cleaning mode.

Returning to step S73, if the difference Δ fr is greater than the second threshold value (step S73: yes), the control unit 20 operates the discharge unit 50 under the setting of discharging the cleaning liquid (step S76). Further, the control unit 20 performs control to operate the vibration unit 12 in the cleaning mode while the discharge unit 50 performs the operation to discharge the cleaning liquid, but may perform control not to operate the vibration unit 12 in the cleaning mode. The control unit 20 determines whether or not the difference Δ fr in the monitored electrical characteristic values is equal to or less than the first threshold value even while the discharge unit 50 is caused to perform the operation of discharging the cleaning liquid (step S77). When the difference value Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value (step S77: no), the control section 20 determines whether the difference value Δ fr of the monitored electrical characteristic values is greater than the second threshold value (step S78).

when the difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the second threshold value (no in step S78), the control unit 20 returns the process to step S74, and causes the vibration unit 12 to operate in the cleaning mode without causing the discharge unit 50 to discharge the cleaning liquid. If the difference Δ fr is greater than the second threshold value (yes in step S78), the control unit 20 returns the process to step S76 to cause the discharge unit 50 to continue operating under the setting of discharging the cleaning liquid.

If the difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the first threshold value in step S75 and step S77 (yes), the control unit 20 determines whether or not an operation to end the operation has been received (step S59). When receiving an operation to end the operation (yes in step S79), the control unit 20 ends the processing. If the operation to end the operation has not been received (no in step S79), control unit 20 returns the process to step S71 to continue the operation of vibration unit 12 in the monitoring operation mode.

As described above, the cleaning device according to embodiment 2 further includes the ejection unit 50, and the ejection unit 50 ejects the cleaning object onto the surface of the protective cover 2. Then, when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 is greater than the second threshold value, the control unit 20 causes the cleaning body to be ejected from the ejection unit 50.

In the case of cleaning by merely vibrating the protective cover 2, water, a small amount of snow, and the like can be removed, but it may be difficult to sufficiently remove mud, oil, and the like having strong adhesion. Therefore, in the cleaning device according to embodiment 2, cleaning by the ejection portion 50 is used, which has a stronger force (cleaning force) for removing the adhering substances than cleaning by vibrating the protective cover 2. However, since the cleaning by the ejection portion 50 uses the cleaning liquid, if the cleaning liquid is used regardless of the degree of the deposit, it is necessary to hold a large amount of the cleaning liquid in the tank in advance, which may cause the vehicle to be heavy and deteriorate the fuel consumption rate.

Therefore, in the cleaning device according to embodiment 2, cleaning of the protective cover 2 is performed by combining cleaning by vibrating the protective cover 2 and cleaning by the ejection portion 50 depending on the degree of the attached matter. Specifically, in the cleaning device, the cleaning by vibrating the protective cover 2 is performed in a state where the degree of the attached matter is light, and the cleaning by the ejection portion 50 is performed in a state where the degree of the attached matter is severe, thereby reducing the amount of the cleaning liquid used. In the cleaning apparatus, in the case where the degree of the deposit is severe, the cleaning by the ejection portion 50 and the vibration of the protective cover 2 are coordinated with each other, whereby the deposit can be removed more efficiently than in the case where the cleaning by the ejection portion 50 is performed alone.

of course, the control unit 20 may perform only the cleaning of discharging the cleaning object from the discharge unit 50 instead of the control of vibrating the protective cover 2 when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 is larger than the second threshold value. The cleaning body from the ejection portion 50 may be air instead of the cleaning liquid, and the control portion 20 may eject air from the ejection portion 50 to clean the protective cover 2 when the difference Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value of the determination criterion and is equal to or less than the second threshold value, and operate the vibration portion 12 in the cleaning mode to clean the protective cover 2 when the difference Δ fr is greater than the second threshold value.

(embodiment mode 3)

In the cleaning device according to embodiment 1, the description has been given of a case where the determination criterion is the same type of determination criterion, i.e., a first threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 and a second threshold value different from the first threshold value. In the cleaning device according to the present embodiment, a case where the determination criterion is different will be described.

The determination criterion according to the present embodiment is a different type of determination criterion, such as a threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 and a control duration. Fig. 8 is a flowchart for explaining control of the cleaning device for an imaging unit according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. First, the control unit 20 operates the vibration unit 12 in the monitoring operation mode (step S81). The control unit 20 determines whether or not the difference Δ fr between the monitored electrical characteristic values is equal to or less than a first threshold value serving as a determination reference (step S82). If the difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the first threshold value (step S82: "yes"), control unit 20 returns the process to step S81 to continue the operation of vibration unit 12 in the monitoring operation mode.

If difference Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value (no in step S82), control unit 20 causes vibration unit 12 to operate in the weak washing mode (step S83). While the vibration unit 12 is being operated in the weak cleaning mode, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the difference Δ fr in the monitored electrical characteristic values is equal to or less than the first threshold value (step S84). If the difference value Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value (no in step S84), the control unit 20 determines whether or not the duration of the operation in the weak washing mode is shorter than the time T2 as a determination criterion (step S85). If the duration is shorter than T2 (yes at step S85), control unit 20 returns the process to step S83 to continue the operation of vibration unit 12 in the weak washing mode.

If the duration is not less than T2 time (no in step S85), controller 20 causes vibration unit 12 to operate in the strong washing mode (step S86). That is, since the state of the attached matter is not changed even when the cleaning by vibrating the protective cover 2 is performed for the time T2, the control unit 20 operates the vibrating unit 12 in the strong cleaning mode in which the cleaning force is stronger. While the vibration unit 12 is being operated in the strong washing mode, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the difference Δ fr in the monitored electrical characteristic values is equal to or less than the first threshold value (step S87). If the difference value Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value (no in step S87), the control unit 20 determines whether or not the duration of the operation in the strong washing mode is longer than the time T3 which is the criterion (step S88).

If the duration is equal to or shorter than time T3 (no in step S88), controller 20 returns the process to step S86 and continues the operation of vibration unit 12 in the setting of the strong washing mode. If the duration is longer than T3 (yes at step S88), control unit 20 returns the process to step S83 and causes vibration unit 12 to operate in the weak washing mode setting.

If the difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the first threshold value in step S84 and step S87 (yes), the control unit 20 determines whether or not an operation to end the operation has been received (step S89). Specifically, an operation of turning OFF (OFF) the power of the imaging unit is an operation of ending the operation. When receiving an operation to end the operation (yes in step S89), the control unit 20 ends the processing. If the operation to end the operation has not been received (no in step S89), control unit 20 returns the process to step S81 to continue the operation of vibration unit 12 in the monitoring operation mode.

As described above, in the cleaning device according to embodiment 3, the threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 and the control duration are included in the plurality of determination criteria. Then, the control unit 20 causes the protective cover 2 to vibrate weakly (at a first intensity) when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 exceeds a threshold value, and controls the vibration unit 12 to vibrate strongly (at a second intensity) different from the weak (at the first intensity) when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 still exceeds the threshold value after the duration of the weak (at the first intensity) vibration has elapsed.

Therefore, the cleaning device according to embodiment 3 can grasp the degree of the adhesion of the protective cover 2 (the state of the protective cover 2) by determining the vibration of the vibrating portion 12 detected by the monitoring portion 30 based on a plurality of types of determination criteria. Furthermore, the cleaning device according to embodiment 3 can control the degree of cleaning in accordance with the degree of the deposit on the protective cover 2, and can reduce excessive cleaning and insufficient cleaning.

in addition, the cleaning apparatus may cause the ejection unit 50 to eject the cleaning object when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 exceeds the threshold value even after the weak (first intensity) vibration has elapsed. In addition, the cleaning apparatus may be configured to cause the ejection unit 50 to eject the cleaning object instead of causing the protective cover 2 to perform the control of strong (second intensity) vibration, when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 exceeds the threshold value even after the weak (first intensity) vibration has elapsed. By limiting the duration of the cleaning by the ejection portion 50 (for example, not more than T3 time), the deposits can be more efficiently removed, and the problem that the cleaning liquid continues to be ejected even though the deposits have been removed by ejecting the cleaning liquid to the protective cover 2 can be avoided. The cleaning body from the ejection portion 50 may be air, instead of the cleaning liquid, and the control portion 20 may eject air from the ejection portion 50 to clean the protective cover 2 when the difference Δ fr exceeds the threshold value of the determination criterion, and operate the vibration portion 12 in the cleaning mode to clean the protective cover 2 when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring portion 30 still exceeds the threshold value after the duration of the ejection of air has elapsed. The control unit 20 may vibrate the protective cover 2 by the vibration unit 12 while the ejection unit 50 ejects air to clean the protective cover 2.

(embodiment mode 4)

In the cleaning device according to embodiment 1, the control unit 20 controls the intensity of the vibration unit 12 only in accordance with the degree of the deposit on the protective cover 2. In the cleaning device according to the present embodiment, a control for ejecting the cleaning bodies having different cleaning forces according to the degree of the deposits on the protective cover 2 to clean the protective cover 2 will be described.

In the cleaning device according to the present embodiment, an air blowing nozzle (not shown) for blowing air is provided in the casing 1 in addition to the cleaning nozzle 3 shown in fig. 1. The ejection of air from the air blowing nozzle is performed by the control unit 20 instructing the ejection unit 50 to turn on the ejection air and turn off the ejection air.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart for explaining control of the cleaning device for an imaging unit according to embodiment 4 of the present invention. First, the control unit 20 operates the vibration unit 12 in the monitoring operation mode (step S91). The control unit 20 determines whether or not the difference Δ fr between the monitored electrical characteristic values is equal to or less than a first threshold value serving as a determination reference (step S92). If the difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the first threshold value (step S92: "yes"), control unit 20 returns the process to step S91 to continue the operation of vibration unit 12 in the monitoring operation mode.

if the difference Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value (no in step S92), the control unit 20 operates the ejection unit 50 under the setting of ejecting air (first cleaning body) from the air blowing nozzle (step S93). The control unit 20 determines whether or not the difference Δ fr in the monitored electrical characteristic values is equal to or less than the first threshold value even while the ejection unit 50 is caused to perform the operation of ejecting air (first cleaning body) (step S94). When the difference Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value (no in step S94), the control unit 20 determines whether or not the duration of the operation of causing the ejection unit 50 to eject the air (the first cleaning object) is shorter than the time T2 which is the criterion (step S95). If the duration is shorter than the time T2 (yes in step S95), the control unit 20 returns the process to step S93 to cause the ejection unit 50 to continue the operation of ejecting air (first cleaning object).

When the duration is not less than T2 (no in step S95), the control unit 20 operates the ejection unit 50 under the setting of ejecting the cleaning liquid (second cleaning liquid) (step S96). That is, since the state of the deposits is not changed even when the discharged air (first cleaning object) is cleaned for the time T2, the control unit 20 cleans the cleaning liquid (second cleaning object) having a stronger discharge cleaning force. Further, the control unit 20 controls so that the operation of ejecting the air (first cleaning body) is not performed while the operation of ejecting the cleaning liquid is performed by the ejection unit 50, but may control so that the operation of ejecting the air (first cleaning body) is performed while the operation of ejecting the cleaning liquid is performed by the ejection unit 50. The control unit 20 determines whether or not the difference Δ fr in the monitored electrical characteristic values is equal to or less than the first threshold value even while the discharge unit 50 is caused to perform the operation of discharging the cleaning liquid (step S97). When the difference value Δ fr is greater than the first threshold value (no in step S97), the control unit 20 determines whether or not the duration of the operation in the cleaning mode is longer than the time T3 which is the criterion (step S98).

If the duration is not longer than T3 (no in step S98), the control unit 20 returns the process to step S96 to cause the discharge unit 50 to continue operating under the setting of discharging the cleaning liquid. If the duration is longer than T3 (yes in step S98), the control unit 20 returns the process to step S93 to cause the ejection unit 50 to perform an operation of ejecting air without ejecting the cleaning liquid. That is, the control unit 20 controls to avoid the cleaning liquid from being captured into the imaging range for a longer time than T3, in order to avoid the cleaning liquid from being captured into the imaging range for a longer time.

if the difference Δ fr is equal to or less than the first threshold value in step S94 (yes), the control unit 20 determines whether or not an operation to end the operation has been received (step S99). Specifically, an operation of turning OFF (OFF) the power of the imaging unit is an operation of ending the operation. When receiving an operation to end the operation (yes in step S99), the control unit 20 ends the processing. If the operation to end the operation has not been received (no in step S99), control unit 20 returns the process to step S91 to continue the operation of vibration unit 12 in the monitoring operation mode.

As described above, in the cleaning device according to embodiment 4, the threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 and the control duration are included in the plurality of determination criteria. The cleaning apparatus further includes a discharge unit 50, and the discharge unit 50 discharges air (first cleaning object) and a cleaning liquid (second cleaning object) having a cleaning force stronger than that of the air (first cleaning object) to the surface of the protective cover 2. Then, the control unit 20 ejects air (first cleaning object) from the ejection unit 50 when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 exceeds the threshold value, and ejects cleaning liquid (second cleaning object) from the ejection unit 50 when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 still exceeds the threshold value after the air (first cleaning object) is ejected for a duration (T2 time).

therefore, the cleaning device according to embodiment 4 can grasp the degree of the adhesion of the protective cover 2 (the state of the protective cover 2) by determining the vibration of the vibrating portion 12 detected by the monitoring portion 30 based on a plurality of types of determination criteria. Furthermore, the cleaning device according to embodiment 4 can control the degree of cleaning in accordance with the degree of the deposit on the protective cover 2, and can reduce excessive cleaning and insufficient cleaning. In addition, although the first cleaning body is air and the second cleaning body is a cleaning liquid, this is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

in addition, the cleaning apparatus may be configured to eject air (first cleaning material) from the ejection unit 50 when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 exceeds a first threshold value, and eject cleaning material (second cleaning material) from the ejection unit 50 when the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 exceeds a second threshold value.

(other modification examples)

In the cleaning device for an imaging unit according to the above-described embodiment, the resonance frequency fr is used as the electrical characteristic value, but the electrical characteristic value may be at least one of the resonance frequency fr, the anti-resonance frequency fa, the resonance bandwidth (fa-fr), the resonance impedance Zr, the anti-resonance impedance Za, the resonance impedance ratio (| Za/Zr |), the current value I of the drive circuit, or a calculated value obtained by combining these values.

In general, the values of the resonance frequency fr and the antiresonance frequency fa tend to be smaller as foreign matter adheres to the protective cover 2, and the larger the mass of the adhering matter is, the larger the amount of change is, and the larger the amount of the foreign matter adheres to the protective cover 2 is. In addition, when mud or the like adheres to the protective cover 2, the degree of the adhering matter varies depending on not only the size of the mass and the volume but also the viscosity and the dryness, and a difference occurs in the effect of suppressing vibration. Therefore, the following control can be performed: as the electrical characteristic value, the degree of change in the impedance ratio (| Za/Zr |) of resonance is detected, and the surface of the protective cover 2 is cleaned in a cleaning mode in which the capability of removing the adhering matter is higher as the decrease amount is larger. When the impedance ratio of resonance is decreased, the possibility that the capability of removing the attached matter by vibration is decreased is high, and it can be estimated that the effect of using another cleaning (cleaning with a cleaning liquid or the like) is good.

Similarly, when a solid, which is ice, is attached to the surface of the protective cover 2, the vibration of resonance is suppressed to a greater extent and the impedance ratio of resonance (| Za/Zr |) is also lower than when a liquid, which is a water droplet, is attached to the surface of the protective cover 2. On the other hand, in a low-temperature environment in which water droplets are frozen and adhere to the surface of the protective cover 2, the values of the resonance frequency fr and the antiresonance frequency fa tend to increase. It is also conceivable that a decrease in the resonance frequency fr due to the adhesion of water droplets to the surface of the protective cover 2 and an increase in the resonance frequency fr in a low-temperature environment cancel each other out and a change in the resonance frequency fr and the anti-resonance frequency fa cannot be detected, but in this case, the impedance ratio of resonance (| Za/Zr |) decreases.

According to this case, not only a case where the degree of adhesion of the protective cover 2 (the state of the protective cover 2) can be grasped by detecting the impedance ratio (| Za/Zr |) of resonance when the degree of adhesion of the protective cover 2 (the state of the protective cover 2) cannot be grasped by the values of the resonance frequency fr and the anti-resonance frequency fa is shown, but also the adhesion of ice on the surface of the protective cover 2 can be estimated by, for example, a large decrease in the impedance ratio (| Za/Zr |) of resonance although the change in the resonance frequency fr is small. That is, the monitoring unit 30 can estimate the type of the adhering substance and the state of the adhering substance in more detail in accordance with the characteristics such as the detection value of each adhering substance and the change in the value thereof by using the calculated value obtained by combining the plurality of detection values.

As described above, the value detected by the monitoring unit 30 may be not only the electrical characteristic value of the self-oscillation circuit, but also various values such as the environmental temperature of the imaging unit, the temperature of the vibration unit 12, physical quantities such as the displacement amount of the protective cover 2 and the displacement amount of the vibration unit 12, and temporal changes in these values. For example, when the change rate of the detection value of the monitoring unit 30 that is monitoring the deposit is small despite the removal operation, the control unit 20 determines that the deposit adhering to the protective cover 2 has strong adhesion.

The monitoring unit 30 detects the electrical characteristic value of the self-oscillation circuit in order to detect a detection value necessary for grasping the degree of the attached matter, and may additionally include a sensor or the like or utilize a function provided in the integrated circuit constituting the control unit 20.

In the cleaning device for an imaging unit according to the above-described embodiment, the control unit 20 compares the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 with the first threshold value (for example, step S52), and when the electrical characteristic value is larger than the first threshold value (for example, step S52: "no"), compares the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 with the second threshold value (for example, step S53). Therefore, when the electrical characteristic value is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the control unit 20 does not need to unnecessarily compare the electrical characteristic value with the second threshold value, and the processing can be reduced. Of course, the control unit 20 may compare the electrical characteristic value with the first threshold value and the second threshold value in the same process.

In the cleaning device of the imaging unit according to the above-described embodiment, the case where the value of the threshold value as the criterion is stored in advance in the storage unit 40 has been described, but the value of the threshold value may be obtained by calculation or may be selected from a table or the like. For example, the control unit 20 detects the electrical characteristic value of the vibration unit 12 at this time by initially operating the vibration unit 12, and stores the detected value as a reference value in the storage unit 40. The reference value is set as a first threshold value as a value when there is no adhering substance on the protective cover 2. The control unit 20 may calculate a change amount of the detected value obtained by vibrating the protective cover 2 with respect to the reference value, and compare the change amount with a second threshold value stored in advance. Here, although the "reference value" indicates that there is no adhering substance on the protective cover 2, "the measurement error of the monitoring unit 30 is present, and therefore, the following range can be set: even if there is an attachment, if there is a small amount of rain, the field of view of the imaging unit 5 is not affected, and it is determined that there is no attachment on the protective cover 2 and the function of the imaging unit 5 is exhibited. Therefore, the reference value ± α may be set as the first threshold value.

In the imaging unit according to the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the imaging unit 5 is not described in particular detail, but the imaging unit 5 may include a camera, a LiDAR (laser radar), a radar (radar), and the like.

in the cleaning device for an imaging unit according to the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the detected electrical characteristic value is large, in fig. 5 and the like, the state where the degree of the adhesion of the protective cover 2 is severe, but it is also conceivable that the case where the detected electrical characteristic value is small, the state where the degree of the adhesion of the protective cover 2 is severe. The relationship between the detected electrical characteristic value and the degree of adhesion of the protective cover 2 is not limited to a direct proportional relationship, and may be an inverse proportional relationship. Therefore, the definition of the first threshold value means the degree of adhesion of the protective cover 2, and does not limit the magnitude of the detected electrical characteristic value.

In the cleaning device for an imaging unit according to the above-described embodiment, the control unit 20 vibrates the vibration unit 12 in order to grasp the degree of the deposit on the protective cover 2, but the vibration unit need not always vibrate, and may vibrate intermittently at a predetermined cycle. Further, the control unit 20 may vibrate the vibration unit 12 to grasp the degree of the adhesion of the protective cover 2 when the adhesion of the protective cover 2 is detected by another sensor.

in the cleaning device of the imaging unit according to the above-described embodiment, the threshold value for comparison with the electrical characteristic value detected by the monitoring unit 30 and the duration of the control are exemplified as the determination criteria, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In the cleaning device for the imaging unit according to the above-described embodiment, the cleaning by vibrating the protective cover 2, the cleaning by discharging the cleaning liquid through the discharge portion 50, and the cleaning by discharging the air through the discharge portion 50 are exemplified, but the cleaning device is not limited thereto. The cleaning device may vibrate the vibration portion 12 only to find the degree of the deposit on the protective cover 2, and remove the deposit on the protective cover 2 by a method other than cleaning in which the protective cover 2 is vibrated. The cleaning device may select various options having different cleaning forces according to the degree of the deposit on the protective cover 2, and may remove the deposit on the protective cover 2 by adjusting the amount of air supplied by both the first cleaning body and the second cleaning body.

In the imaging unit according to the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which one cleaning nozzle 3 is provided in the housing 1 as shown in fig. 1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of cleaning nozzles 3 may be provided in the housing 1.

The imaging unit according to the above-described embodiment is not limited to the imaging unit provided in the vehicle, and can be similarly applied to an imaging unit for an application requiring cleaning of a light-transmitting body arranged in the field of view of the imaging element.

The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a housing; 2: a protective cover; 3: cleaning the nozzle; 4: a body member; 4 a: a base plate; 5: an image pickup unit; 7: a lens module; 9: a lens; 31: an opening part; 12: a vibrating section; 15: a piezoelectric vibrator; 100: an image pickup unit.