Patent Application
20250018900
This application claims the benefit of and the priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0090434, filed on Jul. 12, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a sensor cleaning system which may clean a sensor disposed in a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a sensor cleaning system including an integrated cleaning module in which an air supply module is integrated with a washing liquid supply module.
A vehicle may be equipped with various types of sensors (a camera, a radar, a lidar, or the like) to increase safety and driving convenience for a driver. A vehicle sensor may not operate normally when foreign substances are present on the surface of the sensor.
Particularly, in recent years, research into and development of an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) and an autonomous vehicle have been actively conducted, and to implement this, a light detection and ranging sensor (LiDAR) may be mounted on a vehicle. However, in the case that the sensor becomes contaminated with foreign substances and fails to operate correctly, the safety of vehicle operations may be compromised. Accordingly, it may be necessary to clean the sensor.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
As a method of cleaning the sensor, a system for spraying high-pressure fluid (air and cleaning liquid) using a nozzle to clean the sensors mounted on the vehicle may be applied. Nonetheless, a system for spraying air and a system for spraying cleaning liquid may need to be separately configured. As a result, the system may have a great deal of components, increasing the complexity of assembly and A/S may not be easily performed.
An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide, by integrating a cleaning system for spraying air and a cleaning system for spraying cleaning liquid into a module, a vehicle sensor cleaning system in which an overall system may be simplified and packaged.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an integrated cleaning module of a vehicle sensor includes a washing liquid supply module configured to supply cleaning liquid, and an air supply module connected to the washing liquid supply module and configured to supply air. The air supply module includes a compressor configured to generate compressed air, and an air tank in which the compressed air generated by the compressor is stored. The air supply module also includes an integrated dispenser configured to be in fluid connection with the washing liquid supply module and the air tank. Additionally, the integrated dispenser is configured to distribute the cleaning liquid and the compressed air.
The washing liquid supply module may include a cleaning liquid tank configured to store the cleaning liquid and a pump configured to transfer the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank to the integrated dispenser. The integrated dispenser may be configured to be in fluid connection with the pump and a pipe.
The integrated dispenser may include an air flow path through which the compressed air supplied from the air tank moves and a cleaning liquid flow path through which the cleaning liquid supplied from the pump of the washing liquid supply module moves. The air flow path and the cleaning liquid flow path may be separated such that movement of the fluid is blocked.
The integrated dispenser may include an air inlet port and at least one air distribution port communicating with the air flow path. The air inlet port may be connected to the air tank through a pipe.
The integrated dispenser may include a cleaning liquid inlet port and at least one cleaning liquid distribution port communicating with the cleaning liquid flow path. The cleaning liquid inlet port may be connected to the pump through a pipe.
The integrated dispenser may include a body in which at least one solenoid valve is disposed and an upper cover coupled to an upper portion of the body. The air flow path, the air inlet port, and the at least one air distribution port may be formed on one side of the upper cover. The cleaning liquid flow path, the cleaning liquid inlet port, and the at least one cleaning liquid distribution port may be formed on another side of the upper cover.
The at least one air distribution port includes a plurality of air distribution ports and the at least one cleaning liquid distribution port includes a plurality of cleaning liquid distribution ports. The at least one solenoid valve includes a plurality of solenoid valves that may be provided to correspond to the number of the air distribution ports, the number of the cleaning liquid distribution ports, and positions of the air distribution ports and the cleaning liquid distribution ports.
The integrated cleaning module may further include a support plate on which the air supply module and the washing liquid supply module are mounted. The air supply module and the washing liquid supply module are integrally assembled to the support plate.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sensor cleaning system configured to clean a sensor of a vehicle includes an integrated cleaning module including a washing liquid supply module configured to supply cleaning liquid and a first air supply module connected to the washing liquid supply module and configured to supply air. The system also includes a second air supply module connected to the washing liquid supply module through a first pipe, and a third air supply module connected to the washing liquid supply module through a second pipe. The second air supply module and the third air supply module include the same components as those of the first air supply module.
The first air supply module may include a first compressor configured to generate compressed air, and a first air tank in which the compressed air generated by the compressor is stored. The first air supply module may further include a first integrated dispenser connected to the washing liquid supply module and the first air tank, and configured to distribute the cleaning liquid and the compressed air.
The second air supply module may include a second compressor, a second air tank, and a second integrated dispenser. The third air supply module may include a third compressor, a third air tank, and a third integrated dispenser. The first pipe may be connected to the second integrated dispenser, and the second pipe may be connected to the third integrated dispenser.
The second integrated dispenser may be configured to receive the cleaning liquid from the washing liquid supply module of the integrated cleaning module through the first pipe. The third integrated dispenser may be configured to receive the cleaning liquid from the washing liquid supply module of the integrated cleaning module through the second pipe.
The washing liquid supply module may include a cleaning liquid tank configured to store the cleaning liquid and a pump configured to move the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank. A first cleaning liquid discharge port and a second cleaning liquid discharge port through which the cleaning liquid is discharged may be formed in the pump. The first integrated dispenser may be connected to the first cleaning liquid discharge port through a pipe, and the first pipe and the second pipe may be connected to the second cleaning liquid discharge port.
Each of the first integrated dispenser, the second integrated dispenser, and the third integrated dispenser may include an air inlet port and a plurality of air distribution ports. The air inlet port may be connected to the air tank. Additionally, the plurality of air distribution ports may be connected to a plurality of air nozzles disposed on at least one sensor and configured to spray the compressed air.
Each of the first integrated dispenser, the second integrated dispenser, and the third integrated dispenser may include a cleaning liquid inlet port and a plurality of cleaning liquid distribution ports. The cleaning liquid inlet port may be connected to the washing liquid supply module. Additionally, the plurality of cleaning liquid distribution ports may be connected to a plurality of cleaning liquid nozzles disposed on the at least one sensor and configured to spray the cleaning liquid.
The first integrated dispenser, the second integrated dispenser, and the third integrated dispenser may further include a first dispenser control unit, a second dispenser control unit, and a third dispenser control unit, respectively. The first dispenser control unit, the second dispenser control unit, and the third dispenser control unit may be configured to control spraying of the compressed air and the cleaning liquid based on a control signal received from an integrated control unit of the vehicle.
The first integrated dispenser, the second integrated dispenser, and the third integrated dispenser may include the plurality of solenoid valves disposed therein. The first dispenser control unit, the second dispenser control unit, and the third dispenser control unit may be configured to control opening or closing of at least a portion of the plurality of solenoid valves based on the control signal.
The integrated cleaning module, the second air supply module, and the third air supply module may be spaced apart from each other in different positions in the vehicle.
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure should be more clearly understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the attached drawings.
Various embodiments are described with reference to accompanying drawings. However, this may not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments to a specific embodiment form. Instead, modifications, equivalents, and replacements included in the disclosed concept and technical scope of the description may be employed. Throughout the specification, similar reference numerals are used for similar elements.
In the embodiments, the terms “first,” “second,” and the like may be used to distinguish one element from the other, and may not limit a sequence and/or an importance, or others, in relation to the elements. In some cases, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
The embodiments may be implemented in various ways, and are not limited to the embodiments described herein. An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context. The terms, “include,” “comprise,” “is configured to,” or the like, of the description are used to indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof. These terms do not exclude the possibilities of combinations or the addition of one or more features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Such terms as those defined in a generally used dictionary are to be interpreted as having meanings equal to the contextual meanings in the relevant field of art, and are not to be interpreted as having ideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined as having such in the present application.
When a component, device, element, or the like of the present disclosure is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, or the like, the component, device, or element should be considered herein as being “configured to” meet that purpose or perform that operation or function.
In various embodiments, a vehicle may refer to a variety of vehicles for transporting people, animals, and objects, from a starting point to a destination. The vehicles are not limited to those driving on roads or tracks.
Referring to
The air supply module 200 may include a compressor (or air compressor) 211, an air tank 212, a bracket 213, and an integrated dispenser 220. The air supply module 200 of the integrated cleaning module 100 according to an embodiment may be provided in an integrated structure such that the compressed air supply unit 210 and the integrated dispenser 220 including the compressor 211 and the air tank 212 may be included in a module or an assembly. For example, a compressor 211, an air tank 212, and a bracket 213 may be included in a compressed air supply unit 210 for generating and storing compressed air and supplying the air to the integrated dispenser 220.
The compressor 211 may compress air and provide compressed air. In other words, the compressor 211 may generate compressed air and may supply the generated compressed air to the air tank 212. The compressor 211 may include one or more motors. In various embodiments, the compressor 211 may adjust the degree of compression of the compressed air stored in the air tank 212.
The air tank 212 may store the compressed air generated by the compressor 211 therein. The compressor 211 and the air tank 212 may be connected through an air pipe 214 to allow air to move. For example, the compressed air generated by the compressor 211 may move and may be filled into the air tank 212 through the air pipe 214. The air stored in the air tank 212 may be distributed through the integrated dispenser 220, may be sprayed toward various sensors included in the vehicle, and may be used for cleaning. The air tank 212 may include an air discharge port 215 connected to the integrated dispenser 220 (e.g., air inlet port 224) and a pipe (e.g., pipe P4 in
The bracket 213 may be configured to mount or fix the compressor 211 to the air tank 212. The bracket 213 may be coupled to the air tank 212 to cover at least a portion of an external side surface of the air tank 212. For example, the bracket 213 may be coupled to the air tank 212, and the compressor 211 may be coupled to an upper portion of the bracket 213. In various embodiments, the air supply module 200 may be provided in a structure in which the bracket 213 may not be provided and the compressor 211 and the air tank 212 may be directly coupled to each other.
The integrated dispenser 220 may distribute the compressed air supplied from the air tank 212 and the cleaning liquid supplied from the pump 320 to a plurality of nozzles (e.g., a plurality of nozzles N in
The integrated dispenser 220 may include a body 221, a lower cover 222, and an upper cover 223. The lower cover 222 may be coupled to a lower portion of the body 221, and the upper cover 223 may be coupled to an upper portion of the body 221. Although not illustrated, the integrated dispenser 220 according to an embodiment may include a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit substrate (PCB)) accommodated in the body 221, a plurality of solenoid valves (e.g., solenoid valve groups 229, 229a, and 229b illustrated in
In the upper cover 223, an air flow path A and a cleaning liquid flow path W may be separated from each other. For example, the air flow path A and the cleaning liquid flow path W may be separated or distinct, such that fluid movement therebetween may be closed.
An air inlet port 224 and a plurality of air distribution ports 225 connected to the air flow path A may be formed externally on the upper cover 223. The air flow path A, the air inlet port 224, and the plurality of air distribution ports 225 may form a path through which compressed air supplied from the air tank 212 flows (e.g., moves). For example, the air inlet port 224 may be connected to the air discharge port 215 of the air tank 212 through a pipe (e.g., pipe P4 in
The exterior of the upper cover 223 may include a cleaning liquid inlet port 226 and a plurality of cleaning liquid distribution ports 227 connected to the cleaning liquid flow path W. The cleaning liquid flow path W, the cleaning liquid inlet port 226, and the plurality of cleaning liquid distribution ports 227 may form a path along which the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 310 flows (e.g., moves). For example, the cleaning liquid inlet port 226 may be connected to the cleaning liquid discharge port 323 of the pump 320 through a pipe (e.g., a pipe P3 in
The washing liquid supply module 300 may include a cleaning liquid tank 310 and a pump 320 connected to the cleaning liquid tank 310. For example, the pump 320 may be coupled to an upper portion of the cleaning liquid tank 310 and at least a portion may be received in the cleaning liquid tank 310.
The cleaning liquid tank 310 may store cleaning liquid (or washer fluid) therein. The cleaning liquid may be formed using various types of liquids. The pump 320 may move the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank 310 to the integrated dispenser 220. The pump 320 may include a hose 321 extending into an inner space of the cleaning liquid tank 310 filled with cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank 310 may be supplied to the integrated dispenser 220 through the pump 320, may be distributed through the integrated dispenser 220, may be sprayed toward various sensors included in the vehicle, and may be used for cleaning.
The pump 320 and the integrated dispenser 220 may be connected through a pipe to enable movement of the cleaning liquid. The pump 320 may include a cleaning liquid discharge port 323 connected to an integrated dispenser 220 (e.g., cleaning liquid inlet port 226) through a pipe (e.g., pipe P3 in
The support plate 400 may support the air supply module 200 and the washing liquid supply module 300. For example, an air supply module 200 and a washing liquid supply module 300 may be mounted on an upper portion of the support plate 400. The air supply module 200 and the washing liquid supply module 300 may be mounted on the support plate 400, thereby being integrally assembled (or modularized). As illustrated, the integrated dispenser 220, the compressed air supply unit 210 (the compressor 211 and the air tank 212), and the washing liquid supply module 300 may be disposed in order on the seating surface of the support plate 400 in a length direction of the support plate 400. However, the example embodiment thereof is not limited thereto. For instance, each of the integrated dispenser 220, the air tank 212 (or bracket 213,) and the cleaning liquid tank 310 may be coupled to the support plate 400. Also, each of the bracket 213 and the cleaning liquid tank 310 may be coupled to the support plate 400, and the integrated dispenser 220 may be coupled to the bracket 213. In various embodiments, the support plate 400 may not be provided.
Referring to
The first air supply module 200 may include a first compressor 211, a first air tank 212, and a first integrated dispenser 220. The cleaning liquid inlet port 226 of the first integrated dispenser 220 may be connected to the washing liquid supply module 300 (e.g., the first cleaning liquid discharge port 324 of the pump 320) through the pipe P3. The air inlet port 224 of the first integrated dispenser 220 may be connected to the air discharge port 215 of the first air tank 212 through a pipe P4.
The first air supply module 200 of the integrated cleaning module 100, as illustrated in
The second air supply module 200a and the third air supply module 200b may be configured the same as the first air supply module 200. For example, the second air supply module 200a may include a second compressor 211a, a second air tank 212a, and a second integrated dispenser 220a. A third air supply module 200b may include a third compressor 211b, a third air tank 212b, and a third integrated dispenser 220b. Also, for example, the air inlet port 224 of the second integrated dispenser 220a may be connected to the air discharge port 215 of the second air tank 212a through pipe P5. The air inlet port 224 of the third integrated dispenser 220b may be connected to the air discharge port 215 of the third air tank 212b through pipe P6.
The second air supply module 200a and the third air supply module 200b may receive cleaning liquid from the washing liquid supply module 300 of the integrated cleaning module 100. The second integrated dispenser 220a of the second air supply module 200a and the third integrated dispenser 220b of the third air supply module 200b may be connected to the washing liquid supply module 300 through the cleaning liquid pipes P1 and P2, respectively. For example, the cleaning liquid inlet port 226a of the second integrated dispenser 220a and the second cleaning liquid discharge port 325 of the pump 320 may be connected to the first cleaning liquid pipe P1. The cleaning liquid inlet port 226b of the third integrated dispenser 220b and the second cleaning liquid discharge port 325 of the pump 320 may be connected to the second cleaning liquid pipe P2. The first cleaning liquid pipe P1 and the second cleaning liquid pipe P2 may be formed as separate pipes or may be branched from the same pipe.
As illustrated in
The sensor cleaning system 10 may be connected to the integrated control unit 500. The integrated control unit 500 may control the integrated cleaning module 100, the second air supply module 200a, and the third air supply module 200b. The integrated control unit 500 may be electrically connected to the first air supply module 200, the second air supply module 200a, and the third air supply module 200b. Additionally, the integrated control unit 500 may be electrically connected to the washing liquid supply module 300. The integrated control unit 500 may control the spraying of the air and cleaning liquid. The integrated control unit 500 may control the first integrated dispenser 220 of the first air supply module 200, the second integrated dispenser 220a of the second air supply module 200a, and the third integrated dispenser 220b of the third air supply module 200b, such that air and/or cleaning liquid may be sprayed to the plurality of sensor S simultaneously or sequentially, or air and/or cleaning liquid may be sprayed only to a specific sensor which needs to be cleaned. For example, the integrated control unit 500 may sense (or detect) a sensor S requiring cleaning among the plurality of sensor S. The integrated control unit 500 may then control the sensor cleaning system 10 to spray air and/or cleaning liquid to the sensor. For example, the integrated control unit 500 may be implemented as a vehicle control unit (VCU) for controlling the overall system of the vehicle. However, the embodiment thereof is not limited thereto, and the integrated control unit 500 may be configured as a component separate from the vehicle control unit.
By combining or individually applying two types of modules (e.g., air supply module 200 and washing liquid supply module 300), the sensor cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment may be implemented in a structure in which three modules, for example, the integrated cleaning module 100 (e.g., the first air supply module 200, the washing liquid supply module 300), the second air supply module 200a, and the third air supply module 200b are connected to each other by pipes. As a result, the overall system may be simplified and packaged. Accordingly, assembling and repairing may be easily performed, compatibility between different types of vehicles may be increased, and costs may be reduced.
In the sensor cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment, the integrated dispenser 220 may be included in the air supply module 200, and the air pipe 214 may be configured to be connected in the air supply module 200. As a result, only the cleaning liquid pipe connection may be necessary and the air pipe connection may not be necessary between the integrated cleaning module 100 and the second air supply module 200a and between the integrated cleaning module 100 and the third air supply module 200b. Also, the sensor cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment may include an integrated dispenser 220, such that the sensor cleaning system 10 may be implemented as a single washing liquid supply module 300.
Referring to
The integrated control unit 500 may apply a control signal to each of the first dispenser control unit 228, the second dispenser control unit 228a, and the third dispenser control unit 228b. Each of the first dispenser control unit 228, the second dispenser control unit 228a, and the third dispenser control unit 228b may control each of the solenoid valve groups 229, 229a, and 229b by turning the solenoid valve groups on and off based on a control signal received from the integrated control unit 500.
The integrated control unit 500 may apply a control signal for spraying air and/or cleaning liquid to at least one of the first dispenser control unit 228, the second dispenser control unit 228a, and the third dispenser control unit 228b.
When the integrated control unit 500 sends a control signal to the first dispenser control unit 228, the second dispenser control unit 228a, and the third dispenser control unit 228b, the integrated control unit 500 can activate (e.g., turn on and off) at least a portion of the plurality of solenoid valves included in the first solenoid valve group 229, the second solenoid valve group 229a, and the third solenoid valve group 229b, based on the control signal.
For example, assuming that the first integrated dispenser 220 is configured to spray air and cleaning liquid to the first sensor and the second sensor, when a control signal is applied from the integrated control unit 500 to spray air to the first sensor and to spray both air and cleaning liquid to the second sensor, the first dispenser control unit 228 may control the opening of the solenoid valve corresponding to the air spraying nozzle located at the first sensor closing of the solenoid valve corresponding to the cleaning liquid spraying nozzle located at the first sensor. Also, the first dispenser control unit 228 may control the opening of the solenoid valve corresponding to the air nozzle and cleaning liquid nozzle disposed in the second sensor.
The sensor cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment may include solenoid valve groups 229, 229a, and 229b included in the integrated dispensers 220, 220a, and 220b. The system 10 may also be configured to control the solenoid valve groups 229, 229a, and 229b included in the integrated dispensers 220, 220a, and 220b, respectively. As a result, an electrical signal connection between the integrated control unit 500 and the integrated dispensers 220, 220a, and 220b may be easily implemented.
According to the aforementioned embodiments, by integrating the air spraying system and the cleaning liquid spraying system into a module, the sensor cleaning system may be simplified and, accordingly, the system may be packaged.
Also, as the sensor cleaning system is simplified, assembling and repairing the system may be easily performed, and cost and weight may be reduced.
Also, as the sensor cleaning system is simplified, the wiring/pipe connections between modules may be reduced, thereby minimizing energy loss.
While the embodiments have been illustrated and described above, it should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that modifications and variations could be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0090434 | Jul 2023 | KR | national |
