• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:

    公开号:SE535997C2
    申请号:SE1150369
    申请日:2011-04-28
    公开日:2013-03-19
    发明作者:Manabu Ono；Toshihiro Hattori
    申请人:Denso Corp；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [5] On this sweet, the snow and ice hanging down over the lens or lens of the lens is expediently removed by the liquid sprayed from the nozzle to remove snow / ice against the upper region of the lens or lens of the lens.
    [6] In addition to the protection of the optical sensor for vehicles, the liquid jet unit also has a cleaning nozzle for the optical sensor and the liquid sprayed from the cleaning nozzle on the optical sensor is directed towards the lens of the optical sensor or against the lens protection glass opposite the lens.
    [7] On this sweetness, the foreign material which is attached to the surface of the lens or to the surface of the lens cap is removed from the sprayed liquid from the cleaning nozzle of the optical sensor. As a result, the snow or ice is removed from the front of the lens / lens cap or the surface of the lens / lens cap, thereby preventing the optical sensor from being blocked due to fading material, such as snow and / or ice.
    [8] According to the protection of the optical sensor of the vehicle, the nozzle for removing snow / ice sprays the liquid against an area which is (a) in the upper region of the lens or lens protection lens and (b) outside an image angle of the optical sensor. 0053599 3 In this way, the snow or ice that hangs outside the viewing angle of the optical sensor to end up in the viewing angle can be safely removed to preserve the visibility of the optical sensor.
    [9] According to the protection of the vehicle optical sensor, the snow / ice removal nozzle sprays the liquid against an area located in (a) in the upper region of the lens or lens protection lens and (b) in an upper region of the sensor top protection. In this way, the snow or ice that hangs from above against the front of the lens or lens cover glass in the shape of a roof shade is removed and also the snow or ice that has accumulated on the sensor top protection is removed, if applicable.
    [10] According to the protection of the vehicle optical sensor, the liquid jet unit has a liquid passage which is used in common with the liquid sprayed from the optical sensor cleaning nozzle and the liquid sprayed from the snow / ice removal nozzle. On this sweet, the same liquid is used to remove the snow or ice on the lens / lens cover and to remove the snow or ice that hangs from the top of the lens / lens cover. But in other words, the design of the optical protection for vehicles is simplified. According to the protection of the vehicle optical sensor, the liquid jet unit comprises a jet pressure adjusting unit for adjusting a pressure of the liquid sprayed from the cleaning nozzle of the optical sensor and a pressure of the liquid sprayed from the snow / ice removal nozzle. In this way, the pressure of the liquid sprayed from the nozzle to effectively remove the snow or ice on the lens or lens cap is utilized. In addition, the snow or ice that hangs from above against the front of the lens or lens cover glass is expediently removed in the form of a eaves.
    [12] According to the protection of the optical sensor for vehicles, the liquid spray unit has a liquid passage for the liquid sprayed from the cleaning nozzle of the optical sensor and another liquid passage separately for the liquid sprayed from the nozzle for removing snow / ice. In this way different liquids are used for the removal of the snow or ice on the lens surface of the lens or glass surface of the lens protective glass and for the removal of the snow or ice on the hanging snow or ice. In other words, the liquid can be freely selected for snow or ice removal, depending on the environment or the simplicity of implementation. In addition, the liquid can be sprayed independently from the optical sensor cleaning nozzle and from the snow / ice removal nozzle.
    [13] According to the vehicle optical sensor cover, the device comprises the vehicle optical sensor cover according to claim 2 and a control unit for controlling: (a) an optical sensor cleaning operation for spraying the liquid from the optical sensor cleaning nozzle of the liquid jet unit against a lens surface; at the lens or a glass surface of the lens protective glass; and (b) a snow / ice removal operation for spraying the liquid from the snow / ice removal nozzle of the liquid jet unit against at least some of the upper region of the lens and the upper region of the lens protective glass.
    [15] According to the vehicle optical sensor device, the control unit controls the liquid jet unit to perform separately the cleaning operation of the optical sensor and the operation for removing snow / ice. In this way, the liquid is sprayed against the lens or lens protection glass on a bunch and sprayed against the upper area of the lens or lens protection glass with another time adjustment, which can be freely determined, depending for example on the environment.
    [18] According to the optical sensor sensor for vehicles, the device comprises at least one of: a final operation detection unit for detecting a final operation for terminating the operation of removing snow / ice by a user; a vehicle start completion detector for detecting the start of a vehicle start; a timer for detecting the lapse of a preset time from a start of the snow / ice removal operation and the control unit completes the removal of snow / ice by the liquid jet unit when at least some of the final operation for the snow / ice removal operation, completion of the vehicle start, the temperature of the ambient air or the optical sensor is higher than a preset value, the disappearance of the ice or snow once detected by the obstacle detection unit or the lapse of the preset time from a start of the snow / ice removal operation is detected.
    [19] At this sweet end, the spraying of the liquid from the snow / ice removal nozzle dies at least any of the above conditions (a) the user operation to complete the snow / ice removal operation, (b) the completion of the vehicle start, (c) the temperature equal to or above a threshold, (d) the disappearance of the optical sensor obstruction and the snow or ice or (e) the lapse of the preset time from a start of the snow / ice removal operation is detected.
    [20] According to the vehicle optical sensor device, the control unit starts the cleaning operation of the optical sensor after starting the operation for removing snow / ice. In this way, the water droplets on the lens or lens protection glass are expediently removed even when the operation to remove snow / ice causes the snow or ice to melt and causes water droplets from melting snow / ice to attach to the lens or lens protection glass.
    [21] In another aspect of the present invention, an optical sensor protection for a vehicle for use in a vehicle comprises a sensor housing formed by a body for enclosing an optical sensor with a lens and an upper portion covering an upper region of the vehicle. the optical sensor in an enclosed state; and a top heater to heat the upper part of the sensor housing. Since the upper heater for heating the upper part of the sensor housing with the optical sensor enclosed therein prevents heat from the upper heater from accumulating snow and ice on the upper part or heat melts the accumulated snow, thereby preventing the lens 00535597 or lens protection and lens protection. prevents blocking of the optical sensor's view when the optical sensor is used in a snowy country.
    [22] According to the protection of vehicle optical sensor, it further includes: a cleaning nozzle in the sensor housing for spraying a cleaning liquid supplied to seeds of a cleaning liquid tank and the cleaning liquid is sprayed against the lens of the optical sensor or against a lens cap against the lens as a lens cap. Since the cleaning nozzle in the sensor housing for spraying a cleaning liquid is arranged, the foreign material attached to the surface of the lens or to the surface of the lens cap is removed from the liquid sprayed from the cleaning nozzle.
    [23] According to the protection of the optical sensor for vehicles, the upper part of the sensor housing with an optical sensor enclosed therein and installed in a vehicle is of a shape having a sloping part or a curved part sloping from a level. In this way, it becomes either difficult for the snow on the upper part of the sensor housing to accumulate or remain on the upper part or it is easy to remove from the upper part when the snow melts.
    [24] According to the protection of the optical sensor for vehicles, the cleaning nozzle is arranged near the upper part of the sensor housing and the upper part heater heats both the upper part and the cleaning nozzle. In addition to preventing the accumulation of snow on the upper part or melting the accumulated snow on the upper part is removed in this way, by spraying heated liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid tank which is supplied to the cleaning nozzle against the lens or lens cap, which has snow or ice. attach to the lens or lens cap or prevent the lens / lens cap from obscuring.
    [25] According to the vehicle optical sensor device, the device comprises: the vehicle optical sensor cover according to claim 14; a control unit for controlling a cleaning operation by means of the cleaning nozzle according to claim 15 and a heating operation of the upper part heater according to claim 14; and a sensor lens of the optical sensor. In this way, the Vehicle Optical Sensor Device removes the foreign material on the lens or lens cap through the cleaning operation by means of the cleaning nozzle. In addition, even when the device is used in snowy countries, the heat emitted by the top heater prevents the accumulation of snow on the upper part or melts the accumulated snow on the upper part.
    [26] According to the vehicle optical sensor device, the device further comprises: a vehicle start detection unit for detecting a start of the vehicle and the control unit performs a heating operation of the upper heater when the start of the vehicle is detected by the vehicle start detection unit. When the user begins to use the vehicle by, for example, turning on an accessory switch or an ignition load of the vehicle, the accumulation of snow on the upper part is prevented in this way or the accumulated snow on the upper part is melted.
    [27] According to the vehicle optical sensor device, the device further comprises: a unit for detecting completion of vehicle start to detect completion of vehicle start and the control unit continues the heating operation by the upper heater after sensing the heating operation in response to detecting the start of the vehicle. vehicle start detection until the completion of the vehicle start is detected by the vehicle start completion detection unit. Until the user has to end the use of the vehicle by, for example, turning off the accessory switch or the vehicle's ignition load, this prevents the accumulation of snow on the upper part or melts the accumulated snow on the upper part. 00535997
    [28] According to the vehicle optical sensor device, the device comprises: a timer for detecting a movement of a preset time from a start of the heating operation of the upper heater and the control unit continues the heating operation by the upper heater after starting the heating operation in response to the start of the detection. the vehicle start detection unit until the preset time elapsed from the start of the heating operation is detected by the timer. Until the preset time has elapsed after the accessory switch or the ignition lock of the vehicle has been switched on by the user, the accumulation of the snow on the upper part or the melted snow on the upper part is melted in this way, for example.
    [29] According to the optical sensor device for vehicles, the device comprises: a temperature detecting unit for detecting the temperature of ambient air or the optical sensor and the control unit initiates the heating operation by means of the top heater when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit is lower than a preset value. If the detected temperature is lower than the preset value, this sweet accumulation of snow on the upper part is prevented or the accumulated snow on the upper part is melted.
    [30] According to the vehicle optical sensor device, the control unit continues the heating operation by the upper part heater after starting the heating operation in response to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit being lower than the preset value until the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit is equal to or higher than the . In this way, until the detected temperature is higher than the preset value, the accumulation of snow on the upper part is prevented or the accumulated snow on the upper part is melted. 00535997 10
    [31] According to the optical sensor device for vehicles, the device comprises: a timer for detecting the flow of a preset time from a start of the heating operation by the upper heater and the control unit continues the heating operation by the upper heater after starting the heating temperature response to the temperature of the heating operation. lower than the preset value until the preset time has elapsed from the beginning of the heating operation detected by the timer. The heating operation continues on this sweetly until the preset time has elapsed from the temperature falling below the preset value to prevent the accumulation of snow on the upper part or to melt the accumulated snow on the upper part.
    [32] According to the vehicle optical sensor device, the device comprises: an image analyzer for analyzing an image taken by the optical sensor: and an accumulation detecting unit for detecting an accumulation of snow or ice on the upper part of the sensor casing based on a result of the analysis. of the image by means of the image analyzer and the control unit, the heating operation begins by means of the upper part heater when the accumulation of snow or ice on the upper part of the sensor housing is detected by the accumulation detection unit. When the accumulation of snow is detected, the accumulated snow on the upper part is melted and the accumulation of the snow on the upper part is subsequently prevented.
    [33] According to the optical sensor device for vehicles, the control unit continues the heating operation by the upper heater after detecting the accumulation of snow or ice on the upper part of the sensor housing by means of the accumulation detection unit until the accumulation of snow and ice is not detected by the accumulation detection unit. When the accumulation of snow on the upper part is detected, the accumulated snow on the upper part is melted in this sweetness until the snow on the upper part is not detected and the accumulation of snow on the upper part is subsequently prevented. 00535997 11
    [34] According to the vehicle optical sensor device, the device comprises: a timer for detecting the flow of a preset time from a start of the heating operation by the upper heater and the control unit continues the heating operation by the upper heater after starting the heating operation in response to snow accumulation. the accumulation detection unit until the preset time elapsed from the start of the heating operation of the upper heater is detected by the timer. The accumulated snow on the upper part is melted on this sweet after the accumulation of the snow on the upper part is detected until the preset time has elapsed and the accumulation of the snow on the upper part is subsequently prevented.
    [35] According to the vehicle optical sensor device, the control unit starts the cleaning operation by means of the cleaning nozzle after starting the heating operation by means of the upper part heater. Even when the heating operation melts the snow or ice and water droplets from molten snow or molten ice attach to the lens or lens protection glass, these water droplets are removed from this lens or lens protection glass.
    [36] The objects, features and advantages of the present description will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. showing illustrations of (a) a front side and (b) a cross-section through a side surface of an optical sensor device in a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a camera guard and a camera; FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the optical sensor device in a state installed in a vehicle; FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of the optical sensor device; FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a process in the optical sensor device; FIG. 6 shows illustrations of (a) a front side and (b) a cross-section through a side surface of an optical sensor device in a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 shows a functional block diagram of the optical sensor device in the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 4; FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of a process in the optical sensor device in the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 5; FIG. 9 shows illustrations of (a) a front side and (b) a cross section through a side surface of an optical sensor device in a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a camera cover and a camera in the third embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 2; FIG. I I shows a functional block diagram of the optical sensor device in the third embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 4; FIG. 12 shows a flow chart of a process in the optical sensor device in the third embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 5; FIG. 13 shows illustrations of (a) a front side and (b) a cross-section through a side surface of an optical sensor device in a modification of the first to third embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 14 shows illustrations of yes) a front side and (b) a cross section through a side surface of an optical sensor device in a modification of the first to third embodiments of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. I3; FIG. I5 shows illustrations of (a) a front side and (b) a cross section through a side surface of an optical sensor device in a modification of the first to third embodiments of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. I3; FIG. 10 illustrates illustrations of (a) a front side and (b) a cross-section through a side surface of an optical sensor device in a modification of the first to third embodiments of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. I3; FIG. 17 shows illustrations of (a) a front side and (b) a cross-section through a side surface of an optical sensor device in a modification of the first to third embodiments of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. 13; FIG. I8 shows illustrations of (a) a front side and (b) a cross section through a side surface of an optical sensor device in a modification of the first to third embodiments of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. 13; (First embodiment)
    [37] The first embodiment of the present invention, in which a camera is used as an optical sensor, is explained with reference to FIG. I to 5. An optical sensor unit I (i.e., an optical sensor device for vehicles in the claims) includes, as shown in Fig. I, a camera guard 2 (i.e., an optical sensor sensor for vehicles in the claims) and a camera 3 (i.e. an optical sensor in the claims) releasably installed therein. A front of a cover 4 for the camera 3 has a lens 5 (ie FIG.
    [38] An inside of the lower part of a body 6 of the camera cover 2 is a camera housing 7 for accommodating the camera 3 (ie a sensor body protection in the claims) and a back side of the lower part of the body 6 has an opening 8.
    [39] An inside of the upper part of the body 6 of the camera cover 2 is a nozzle housing 10 for accommodating a nozzle 9 (i.e. a liquid jet unit in the claims). It wants to suck the nozzle 9 is arranged in an upper space of the camera 3. The nozzle 9 includes a passage i i to convey a cleaning liquid (ie a liquid in the claims) and the passage i i is branched in an upward direction and a downward direction at its end. A downhole ia of the passage ii which branches in the downward direction has an optical sensor cleaning mouth i2 arranged in an exposed hole from the body 6 and a breath in ib of the passage ii which is branched in an upward direction has an opening i3 for removing snow / ice arranged in an exposed lie from the body 6.
    [40] The aperture i2 for cleaning the optical sensor is arranged in an upper front space of the lens surface 5a of the lens 5 of the camera 3 and has a downward beam direction (i.e., a direction shown as an "A" arrow in FIG. 1 (b)). set against the lens surface 5a from the upper front space of the lens surface 5a to spray the cleaning liquid against the lens surface 5.a The opening i3 for removing snow / ice is arranged in an upper front area of the lens surface 5a of the lens 3 of the camera 3 and simultaneously in an upper space of the opening i2 for cleaning the optical sensor and has an upward beam direction (i.e., a direction shown as a "B" arrow in FIG. i (b)) set toward an area that includes an upper space of the lens surface 5a and at the same time an upper space of a upper surface 14 of the body 6 (i.e., an area "P" in FIG. i (8)) for spraying the cleaning liquid against an area including the upper space of the lens surface Sa and the upper space of the upper surface 14 of the body 6. In addition, the jet direction of the cleaning liquid is from the opening gene 13 for removing snow / ice outside an image angle of the camera 3 (ie an angle “D” in FlG. 1lb)). A base 11c of the passage 11 has a flexible tube 15 connected to a rear side of the body 6.
    [41] The optical sensor unit 1 formed on the sweetener described above is installed in an upper end of a rear window 203 of a vehicle body 201 by using a mounting metal 202, as shown in, for example, FIG. 3, which allows the camera 3 to have a downward direction of view relative to a horizontal direction to have a rear view of the vehicle body 201 with the upper surface 14 of the body 6 of the camera cover 2 sloping from its rear to its front. In other words, the camera 3 acts as a rear view camera to see the back of the vehicle die the vehicle reverses. In addition, the inclined position of the camera 3, with the upper surface 14 of the body 6 of the camera cover 2, makes it difficult for snow to accumulate on the upper surface 14 or makes it easy for snow to slide down and be removed from the upper surface 14 as snow accumulates on the door.
    [42] FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of an electrical design of the optical sensor unit 1 and its peripheral circuit. The optical sensor device for vehicles according to the present invention comprises the optical sensor unit 1 and a control unit 16 as indispensable parts. The control unit 16 (i.e., a control unit, a start operation detection unit, a vehicle start detection unit, a temperature detection unit, an obstacle detection unit, a final operation detection unit, a vehicle start completion detection unit and a timer in the claims ) is constituted as a microcomputer with other parts for controlling an imaging operation for the camera 3 and for controlling an operation for cleaning the optical sensor and an operation for removing snow / ice by spraying the cleaning liquid from the opening 12 for cleaning the optical sensor and from the snow / ice removal opening by driving a motor 18 in a cleaning liquid tank 17 based on the execution of a pre-stored control program. In this case, the cleaning liquid tank 17 is arranged in a well-known engine compartment in the vehicle body 201.
    [43] When the motor 18 is driven, the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank 17 is supplied to the nozzle 9 via the pipe 15 and the cleaning liquid supplied to the nozzle 9 is sprayed with high pressure from the opening 13 to remove snow / ice for an area including the upper space of the lens surface 5a and the upper space of the upper surface 14 of the body 6 at the same time as it is sprayed at high pressure against the lens surface 5a of the lens 5 of the camera 3 from the aperture 12 for cleaning the optical sensor by the water pressure. In this case, "spraying the liquid" means providing the cleaning liquid in a mist form which provides the cleaning liquid in a larger granular form compared to the mist form for a suitable amount or by providing the cleaning liquid in a jet manner in a lump of liquid for a solid amount to conceptually include all forms of spraying to achieve the intended effect of the present invention. The liquid can be sprayed on a linear sweet or on a spreading sweet at a wide angle.
    [44] A liquid crystal display device 19 is arranged in a vehicle compartment for displaying an image corresponding to an input video signal from the camera 3 after decoding the input video signal. The control unit 10 analyzes the image displayed on the liquid crystal display device 19 and determines whether snow or ice is included in the image and determines whether the view of the camera 3 is blocked by snow or ice.
    [45] A beam switch 20 is a switch which can be operated by a user and which outputs an operation detection signal to the control unit 16 after obtaining a user operation. After receiving an input of the operation detection signal from the beam switch 20, the control unit 10 drives the motor 18 by outputting a drive instruction signal to the motor 18. In this case, the beam switch 20 may be a mechanical switch or it may be a touch switch provided as a screen image on the liquid crystal display device 19.
    [46] A device thermometer 21 measures the temperature of the body ó (ie the temperature of the optical sensor unit 1) of the camera cover 2 and the measured temperature is output as a temperature signal to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 which has an input for the temperature signal from the device thermometer 21 then analyzes the temperature signal to detect the temperature of the body 6 of the camera cover 2. In addition, the control unit has a timer function for measuring time.
    [47] An in-vehicle LAN interface unit 22 having inputs for an ACC signal indicating ON / OFF of an accessory switch (ACC switch), an Ig signal indicating ON / OFF of an ignition switch (IG switch), a gear position signal indicating the position of a gear unit, a windshield wiper operation signal indicating an operating condition of a windshield wiper or the like from various sensors and ECUs installed in the vehicle through a vehicle LAN 23, outputs the input signals to the control unit 10. Since the control unit 10 has different signals from the vehicle LAN interface unit 22, the control unit 10 analyzes the signals to detect ON / OFF of the ACC switch, ON / OFF of the LG switch, the gear position, the operating state of the windshield wiper and the like.
    [48] The operation of the above configuration is explained with reference to FlG. 5.
    [49] The control unit 10 determines whether a start condition for the optical sensor cleaning operation and the snow / ice removal operation is completed (step Si] and determines a final condition for the optical sensor cleaning operation and the snow / ice removal operation is met when it is in a fed state (ie when the optical sensor unit 1 is operating) (step S2).
    [50] When the control unit 16 determines that the start condition of the optical sensor cleaning operation and the snow / ice removal operation is met, based on the fulfillment of at least one of several conditions of an input of the operation detection signal from the beam switch 20 in accordance with the user operation of this, the switching on of the ACC switch or the Ig switch according to an input signal from the vehicle LAN interface unit 22, that the temperature of the body 6 of the camera cover 2 is lower than a predetermined temperature according to the temperature signal from the device thermometer 21 or that the camera 3 is obstructed shown on the liquid crystal display device 19 (S1 YES), the control unit 16 outputs the drive instruction signal to the motor 18 to start the cleaning operation of the optical sensor and the operation for removing snow / ice (step S3).
    [51] In this case, the cleaning liquid stored in the high pressure cleaning liquid tank 17 from the opening 13 to remove snow / ice is sprayed against an area including the upper space of the lens surface 5a and the upper space of the upper surface 14 of the body 6 while being sprayed with high pressure against the lens surface 5a of the camera 3 lens 5 from the aperture 12 for cleaning the optical sensor. By spraying the cleaning liquid from the aperture 12 for cleaning the optical sensor, in this way foreign material attached to the lens surface 5a of the camera 3 lens 5 can be removed and by spraying the cleaning liquid from the aperture 13 to remove snow / ice, snow or ice protruding as protruding eaves into the front upper space of the lens surface 5a of the camera 3 lens 5 from the upper surface 14 of the body 6 of the camera cover 2.
    [52] Thereafter, when the controller 16 determines that the final condition of the optical sensor cleaning operation and the snow / ice removal operation is met, based on the fulfillment of at least one of several conditions of an input of the operation detection signal from the beam switch 20 according to the user operation thereof, switching off the ACC switch or the Ig switch according to an input signal from the vehicle LAN interface unit 22, that the temperature of the body 6 of the camera cover 2 is equal to or higher than a preset temperature according to the temperature signal from the device thermometer 21, that there is no blockage of the camera 3 view according to the image shown on the liquid crystal display device 19 or that a preset time has elapsed from a start of the sensor cleaning operation and the snow / ice removal operation, after starting the sensor cleaning operation and the snow / ice removal operation (S2, YES), the control unit stops exiting the drive instruction signal to the motor l8 to stop the motor l8 to terminate the optical sensor cleaning operation or the snow / ice removal operation (step S4).
    [53] In this case, the conditions can be combined arbitrarily to start and end the operation for cleaning the optical sensor and the operation for removing snow / ice. This means, for example, that the operation for cleaning the optical sensor and the operation for removing snow / ice can be started in response to hitting the ACC switch or the LG switch and the operation for cleaning the optical sensor and the operation for removing snow / ice can terminated in response to user operation of the beam switch 20.
    [54] In the first embodiment described above, due to the fact that the opening 12 for cleaning the optical sensor which sprays the cleaning liquid against the lens surface Sa of the lens 5 of the camera 3 and that the opening 13 for removing snow / ice which sprays the cleaning liquid towards an area which includes the upper space of the lens surface 50 are provided in the camera cover 2 having the camera 3 releasably installed therein, foreign material on the lens surface 5a of the camera 5 lens 5 is removed on an adequate sweetener by spraying the cleaning liquid from the aperture 12 for cleaning the optical sensor and removing snow. or ice protruding with a whisker shape into the front upper space of the lens surface 50 of the camera 3 lens 5 from it over the surface 14a of the body 6 of the camera cover 2 in an adequate manner by spraying the cleaning liquid from the opening 13 to remove snow / is.
    [55] In addition, since the cleaning liquid is designed to be sprayed against an area outside the image angle of the camera 3, snow or ice outside the image angle of the camera 3 is removed, thereby safely removing snow or ice hanging in the image angle from outside the image angle. In addition, since the cleaning liquid is to be sprayed against an area including the upper space of the upper surface 14 of the body 6, snow or ice protruding as a ridge into the front upper space is removed from the lens surface 5a of the camera 3 lens 5 as well as snow or ice accumulated on the upper surface 14 of the body of the camera cover 2 in an adequate manner.
    [56] In addition, the passage 11 for conveying the cleaning liquid sprayed against the lens surface 5a of the lens 5 of the camera 3 and the passage 11 for conveying the cleaning liquid sprayed to an area including the upper space of the lens surface 5 are arranged as a single passage, so that the same liquid can be used as the liquid for removing foreign material on the lens surface 5a and as the liquid for removing snow or ice if protruding as a ridge into the upper space of the lens surface 5a from the upper surface 14 of the body 6 for simplified design of the optical sensor unit l using a single type of liquid.
    [57] The second embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 6 to 8 below. The explanation focuses on the differences of the present embodiment compared to the first embodiment for a shorter explanation. In the present embodiment, some of the optical sensor cleaning operation and the snow / ice removal operation are performed alternately as compared with the simultaneous execution of two operations in the first embodiment. 0053599 21
    [58] This means, as shown in FIG. 6, that a nozzle 33 comprises a passage 34 for conveying the cleaning liquid and one of the branched ends in a downward direction has at its end 340 an opening 35 for cleaning the optical sensor exposed from the body 6 and the other branched end in an upward direction has at its end 34b is an opening 36 for removing snow / ice exposed from the body 6. In addition, an electromagnetic valve 37 (ie a jet pressure adjusting unit according to the claims) is arranged at a branch point. The solenoid valve 37 switches between two states: a spraying of the cleaning liquid only from the opening 35 for cleaning the optical sensor by stopping the flow of cleaning liquid to the opening 36 for removing snow / ice and a spraying of the cleaning liquid only from the opening 36 for removal of snow / ice by stopping the flow of the cleaning liquid to the opening 35 for cleaning the optical sensor.
    [59] An electromagnetic valve switch 38 is a switch that can be used by the user and that outputs an operation detection signal to the control unit 39 when it is operated by the user. When the control unit 39 has an input of the operation detection signal from the electromagnetic valve switch 38, it changes an excitation of a drive instruction signal to the electromagnetic valve 37. In addition, the electromagnetic valve switch may be a mechanical switch or it may be a touch switch formed on a display screen. of the liquid crystal display device 19.
    [60] The solenoid valve 37 controls the cleaning liquid which is sprayed only from the opening 35 for cleaning the optical sensor for a period of time, for example the drive instruction signal having a high level is fed from the control unit 39 or controls the cleaning liquid which is sprayed only from the opening 36 for removing snow / ice for a period of time the drive instruction signal with a low level dies is input from the control unit 39. 00535997 22
    [61] The control unit 39 determines whether an initial condition for the optical sensor cleaning operation or the snow / ice removal operation is met (step Si1) and determines an end condition for the optical sensor cleaning operation or the snow / ice removal operation. fulfilled, die it is in the supplied state (ie die the optical sensor unit 1 is in a working condition) (step S12) and determines that a switching condition of the solenoid valve 37 is satisfied (step S13).
    [62] The die control unit 39 determines that the start condition of the operation for cleaning the optical sensor or the operation for removing snow / ice is met, based on the fulfillment of at least one of several conditions of an input of the operation detection signal from the sprinkler switch 20 according to the user operation thereof. of the ACC switch or Ig switch according to an input signal from the vehicle / LAN interface unit 22, that the temperature of the body 6 of the camera cover 2 is lower than a preset temperature according to the temperature signal from the device thermometer 21 or that the view of the camera 3 is obstructed shown on the liquid crystal display device 19 (steps S11, YES), the control unit 39 outputs the drive instruction signal to the motor 18 to start the operation of cleaning the optical sensor and the operation of removing snow / ice (S14). In this case, the cleaning liquid stored in the high pressure tank 17 is sprayed against the lens surface 5a of the camera 3 lens 5 from the optical sensor cleaning opening 35 if the solenoid valve 37 is switched to direct the cleaning liquid only to the optical sensor cleaning opening 35 or the high pressure cleaning fluid is sprayed against an area including in the upper area of the lens surface 5a and the upper area of the upper surface 14 of the body 6 seeds the snow / ice removal opening 36 if the solenoid valve 37 is switched to conduct the cleaning fluid only. to the opening 36 for snow / ice removal. 00535997 23
    [63] When the control unit 39 subsequently determines that the final condition of the operation for cleaning the optical sensor or the operation for removing snow / ice is fulfilled based on the fulfillment of at least one of several conditions of the input of the operation detection signal from the beam switch 20 according to the user operation thereof, of the ACC switch or the Ig switch according to an input signal from the vehicle LAN interface unit 22, that the temperature of the body 6 of the camera cover 2 is equal to or higher than the preset temperature according to the temperature signal from the device thermometer 21, that there is no blocking of the camera 3 view according to the image shown on the liquid crystal display device 19 or that a preset time has elapsed from a start of the sensor cleaning operation or the snow / ice removal operation, after starting the sensor cleaning operation or the snow / ice removal operation (step S1, YES ) interrupts the control unit 39 output of the drive instruction signal to the motor 18 to stop the motor 18 to stop the optical sensor cleaning operation or the snow / ice removal operation (step S15).
    [64] In addition, when the control unit 39 determines that the switch condition of the solenoid valve 37 is met, based on the fulfillment of at least one of several conditions of an input of the operation detection signal from the solenoid valve switch 38 according to the user operation thereof or that a preset time has elapsed from starting the sensor cleaning operation or the snow / ice removal operation, after starting the sensor cleaning operation or the snow / ice removal operation (step S1, YES), it changes a level of the drive instruction signal to the solenoid valve to switch between the operation for cleaning the optical sensor and the operation for removing snow / ice (step S16).
    [65] In addition, in the above-mentioned design of switching between the operation for cleaning the optical sensor and the operation for removing and the operation for removing snow / ice, the operation for removing snow / ice can be started first and the operation for cleaning the optical sensor can be started after termination of the snow / ice removal operation. This means that when the control unit 39 determines that the view of the camera 3 is blocked based on an image shown on the liquid crystal display device 19, it can switch the electromagnetic valve 37 to direct the cleaning liquid only to the opening 36 for snow / ice removal to start the operation for snow / ice removal and when the control unit 39 determines that the view of the camera 3 is not blocked based on an image shown on the liquid crystal display device 19, it may terminate the snow / ice removal operation and may switch the solenoid valve 37 to conduct the cleaning liquid only. to the optical sensor cleaning opening 35 for starting the optical sensor cleaning operation.
    [66] Since in the above-described second embodiment, the operation of cleaning the optical sensor sprays the cleaning liquid against the lens surface 5a of the lens 5 of the camera 3, and the operation of removing snow / ice sprays the cleaning liquid against an area including the upper space of the lens surface 5a, performed alternately, reduction of the jet pressure of the cleaning liquid due to division of the cleaning liquid in two directions is prevented, thereby enabling adjustment of the jet pressure of the cleaning liquid from the opening 25 for cleaning the optical sensor and the opening 36 for removing snow / ice to the appropriate level. foreign matter from the lens surface 5a and to expediently remove snow or ice protruding as a ridge from the upper surface 14 of the body 6 toward the front upper region of the lens surface Sa.
    [67] The third embodiment of the present invention is explained in the following with reference to FIG. 9 to 12. The explanation is focused on differences between the present embodiment and the first embodiment for a shorter explanation. In the present embodiment, there are two passages separate for the liquid to be sprayed from the nozzle for cleaning the optical sensor and for the liquid to be sprayed from the opening from snow / ice removal, compared to only one liquid passage in the first embodiment.
    [68] As shown in FIG. 9, a camera cover 42 in an optical sensor unit 41 is formed to have, on an inside of the upper part of a body 43 of the camera cover 42, a nozzle housing 46 for accommodating a nozzle 44 for cleaning the optical sensor and a nozzle 45 for removing snow / ice. The nozzle 44 for cleaning the optical sensor and the nozzle 45 for removing snow / ice run in parallel. The optical sensor cleaning nozzle 44 includes an optical sensor cleaning fluid passage 47 for transmitting the cleaning fluid, and at one end 47a of the passage 47 branching in a downward direction is an optical sensor cleaning opening 48 exposed from the body 43. The opening 48 for optical sensor cleaning is arranged in an upper front space of the lens surface 5a of the lens 5 of the camera 3 in the same manner as the aperture 12 for cleaning optical sensor in the first embodiment and has a downward beam direction (i.e., a direction shown as a "C"). arrow in Fig. 9 (b)) directed towards the lens surface 5a from the upper front space of the lens surface 5a to spray the cleaning liquid against the lens surface 5a.
    [69] The snow / ice removal nozzle 45 includes a snow / ice removal passage 49 for conducting the cleaning liquid and, at one end 49 of the passage 49 branching in an upward direction, there is an opening 50 for removing the snow / ice. snow / ice exposed from the body 43. The opening 50 for removing snow / ice is arranged in the upper front space of the lens surface 5a of the lens 5 of the camera 3 and at the same time in the upper space of the opening 48 for cleaning the optical sensor, in the same manner as the snow / ice removal opening 13 in the first embodiment, and has an upward radiating direction (i.e., a direction shown as a "D" direction in FIG. 9 (b)) directed toward an area that includes the upper space; of the lens surface 5a and, at the same time, the upper space of an upper surface 51 of the body 43 (i.e., an area (Q) in FIG. 9 (b)) for spraying the cleaning liquid against an area including the upper space of the lens surface 5a and the upper region of the upper surface 14 of the body 6. Straw In addition, the direction of the cleaning liquid from the snow / ice removal opening 50 is outside an image angle of the camera 3. A base 47b of the passage 47 has a flexible tube 52 connected to a rear of the body 43 and a base 49b of the passage 49 has a flexible tube 53 connected to a rear of the body 43.
    [70] An optical sensor cleaning beam switch 54 is a switch that can be operated by a user and outputs an operation detection signal to the controller 56 after obtaining a user operation. After receiving an input of the operation detection signal from the switch 54, the control unit 56 drives a motor 57 in the cleaning liquid tank 17 by outputting a drive instruction signal to the motor 57. In operation, the motor 57 provides the cleaning liquid from the tank 17 to the nozzle 44 for cleaning the optical sensor via the tube 52 and to the aperture 48 for cleaning the optical sensor to be sprayed against the lens surface 5a of the camera 5 lens 5 at high pressure applied thereto.
    [71] A snow / ice removal jet 55 is a switch that can be operated by a user and output an operation detection signal to the controller 56 after obtaining a user operation. After receiving an input of the operation detection signal from the switch 55, the control unit 56 drives a motor 58 in the cleaning liquid tank 17 by outputting a drive instruction signal to the motor 58. During operation, the motor 58 provides the cleaning liquid from the tank 17 to the nozzle 45 for removing snow / ice via the pipe 53 and to the opening 50 for removing snow / ice to be sprayed against an area comprising the upper space of the lens surface 5a and the upper space of the upper surface 51 of the body 43 at high pressure applied thereto. Although in the above-described design, the cleaning fluid is provided from the tank 17 to both the optical sensor cleaning opening 48 and the snow / ice removal opening 50, there may be two cleaning liquid tanks and one of two tanks may provide a cleaning fluid for the opening 48. for cleaning the optical sensor and the second tank may provide another cleaning fluid for the opening 50 for snow / ice removal.
    [72] The control unit 56 determines whether a start condition for the optical sensor cleaning operation (step S1) and determines whether a start condition for the snow / ice removal operation has been met (step S22) and determines an end condition for the optical sensor cleaning operation (step S23) and determines whether a final condition for the snow / ice removal operation has been met (step S24) when it is in a fed state (i.e., when the optical sensor unit 41 is in a working condition).
    [73] When the control unit 56 determines that the start condition of the operation for cleaning the optical sensor is met (steps S21, YES) based on the fulfillment of, for example, an input of the operation detection signal from the cleaning beam switch 54 for the optical sensor according to the user operation thereof, the control unit 56 outputs the drive instruction signal to the motor 57 to drive the motor 57 and to start the operation of cleaning the optical sensor (step S25). In this case, the cleaning liquid stored in the tank 17 is sprayed from the opening 48 for cleaning the optical sensor against the lens surface 5a of the lens 5 of the camera 3.
    [74] The die control unit 56 determines that the start condition of the snow / ice removal operation is met, based on the fulfillment of at least one of several conditions of an input of the operation detection signal from the switch 55 in accordance with the user operation thereof, switching on the ACC switch or Ig the switch according to an input signal from the vehicle LAN interface unit 22, that the temperature of the body 43 of the camera cover 42 is lower than a preset temperature according to the temperature signal from the device or has blocking the view of the camera 3 according to the image shown on the liquid crystal display device 19 ( step S22, JA) further outputs the drive 56 to the motor 57 to start the snow / ice removal operation (step S26). In this case, the cleaning liquid stored in the tank 17 from the opening 50 for removing snow / ice is sprayed against an area which includes the upper space of the lens surface 5a and the upper space of the upper surface 51 of the body 43.
    [75] In addition, when the control unit 56 determines that the final condition of the optical sensor cleaning operation is satisfied (steps S23, YES), based on the fulfillment of, for example, an input of the operation detection signal from the optical sensor cleaning beam switch 54 according to the user operation thereof, it also terminates the control unit 56 to output the drive instruction signal to the motor 57 to stop the motor 57 and to terminate the operation of cleaning the optical sensor (step S27).
    [77] In this case, the conditions can be combined arbitrarily to start and end the snow / ice removal operation. This means that the control unit 56 can start the operation to remove snow / ice in response to the activation of the ACC switch or the IG switch and can end the operation for removing snow / ice in response to the user operation of the jet switch 55 for removing snow / ice.
    [78] In the above-described third embodiment with the passage 47 for cleaning the optical sensor to direct the cleaning liquid to be sprayed against the lens surface Sa of the camera 3 lens and the passage 49 for removing snow / ice to convey the cleaning liquid to be sprayed to an area including the upper space of the lens surface 5a are formed as two separate passages, a liquid for removing foreign material on the lens surface Sa and a liquid for removing snow or ice may protrude into the front upper space of the lens surface 5a from the upper surface of the body 43 in provided separately, ie. can be the same liquid or two different liquids, which is arbitrarily determined depending on the environment or implementation restrictions. Furthermore, the spraying of the liquid from the aperture 48 for cleaning the optical sensor and the spraying of the liquid from the aperture 50 for removing snow / ice can be performed independently of each other.
    [79] The present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned embodiments but can be modified or expanded in the following manner.
    [80] The optical sensor may be a device other than the camera 3 as long as it has a lens and may optically meet a physical quantity, such as laser sensors or the like.
    [81] The liquid may be a compressed air or the like and the compressed air may be sprayed from the opening 50 for snow / ice removal while the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the opening 48 for cleaning the optical sensor in the third embodiment. Further 0053599 For example, the cleaning liquid and / or the compressed air can be heated by a heater before spraying from the opening. In this way, the snow / ice on the lens surface Sa of the camera 3 lens 5 can be safely removed and the snow or ice protruding in front of the front upper space of the lens surface 5a of the camera 3 lens 5 from the upper surface 14 of the body 6 can be safely removed. .
    [82] As a starting condition for the operation of cleaning the optical sensor, the following conditions can be included. These are detection of a shift to a reverse position (reverse mode), detection of a windshield wiper operation, detection of a fixed object in an image can be used as starting conditions. Furthermore, these conditions can be used as a combination.
    [83] The camera cover 2 may have a weight sensor for detecting a weight on the upper surface 14 of the body 2 of the cover 2 and when the detected weight on the upper surface 14 exceeds a threshold, the operation for removing snow / ice may be initiated and after starting the operation for removing snow / ice by turning on a heater switch, the operation for removing snow / ice can stop upon detecting the weight of the upper surface 14 below the threshold.
    [84] A curved surface may be provided as the upper surface 14 of the body 6 of the camera cover 2 to make it difficult for snow to accumulate on the upper surface 14 of the body or to make it easy for snow on the upper surface to be removed.
    [85] By counting the number of times for the operation of cleaning the optical sensor and by determining that the foreign material has not been removed after a predetermined number of cleaning operations or after a predetermined duration of the cleaning operation, the successful cleaning operation can be notified to the user. . The message of a successful cleaning operation can be performed as a display of information screen on a display unit or a conductive sound can be output from a speaker (not illustrated) or can a vibration 31 / electrical stimulation is provided from a steering wheel or from a seat with a vibration / electrical stimulation generator. In addition, different types of message can be combined. This means that at least some of the visual experience, hearing experience or sensory experience can be used for communication.
    [86] After starting the operation for removing snow / ice, the operation for cleaning the optical sensor can be started automatically and such a design enables the removal of water droplets with the operation for cleaning the optical sensor even when water drops come from the droplet or melted snow / ice. as a result of the operation to remove snow / ice attached to the lens surface 50 of the lens 5 of the camera 3.
    [87] The lens surface 5a of the lens 5 of the camera 3 may have a treatment such as a water-repellent treatment, a hydrophilic treatment, a photocatalyst treatment or a dirt-repellent treatment to obtain a water-repellent coating, a hydrophilic coating, a photocatalyst coating or a dirt-repellent coating. In this way, the lens surface 5a can be prevented from having foreign material attached thereto and / or the lens surface 5a is expediently washed when foreign material is attached to the surface 5a.
    [88] The cleaning liquid can be sprayed downwards from the opening 13 for removal of snow / ice instead of upwards by having the opening 13 in a position above the upper surface 14 of the body 6 to remove the accumulated snow on the upper surface 14 of the body.
    [89] The direction of liquid spraying can be any direction other than the upward direction or the like to include the upper space of the upper surface 14 of the body 6 as long as the sprayed liquid effectively removes the snow or ice which obstructs the view of the optical sensor. This means, as shown in FIG. 13 to 15, that the spray direction may be flat or horizontal.
    [90] In FIG. 13, a nozzle 63 may be received in a body 64 of a camera cover 62 of an optical sensor unit 61 and at a downwardly directed branch end 65a of the passage 65 the opening 66 for cleaning the optical sensor may be arranged in an exposed manner from a body 64 and at a horizontal branch end 65b of the passage 65 an opening 67 for snow / ice removal may be provided on an exposed sweet seed body 64. In this way the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the opening 66 towards the lens surface 5a of the camera 3 lens 5 and at the same time the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the opening 67 in the horizontal direction. With this design of spraying the liquid in the horizontal direction, the sprayed liquid can not melt and remove the snow or ice in an upper space relative to a spraying direction E in FIG. 13 but the hanging snow or ice above the lens surface 5a of the lens 5, covering the surface 5a, is melted by the liquid from the aperture 67 due to the position of the aperture 67 over the lens surface 5a, thereby ensuring the view of the camera 3.
    [91] In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, the nozzle 63 may be received in the body 64 of a camera cover 62 of an optical sensor unit 71 and at the downwardly branched end 65a of the passage 65 the opening 66 for cleaning the optical sensor may be arranged in an exposed manner from the body 64 and at the horizontal branch end. 65b of the passage 65, the snow / ice removal opening 67 may be arranged in an exposed manner from the body 64, with an electromagnetic valve 73 at the branch point of the passage 65.
    [92] As shown in FIG. In addition, a camera guard 82 in an optical sensor unit may have the nozzle 44 for cleaning the optical sensor and the nozzle 83 for removing snow / ice. The nozzle 44 for cleaning the optical sensor and the nozzle 83 for removing snow / ice run parallel to a body 84.
    [93] When a transparent cover glass is arranged in front of the lens surface 5a of the lens 5 of the camera 3, the liquid can be sprayed against the glass surface of the cover glass, as shown in FIG. 16 to 18, instead of being sprayed against the lens surface 5a of the lens 5 of the camera 3.
    [94] In other words, a camera guard 95 of an optical sensor unit 91 may have a cover glass 93 made of a transparent element in front of the lens surface 5a of the lens 5 of the camera 3, as shown in FIG. 16, and the nozzle in the first embodiment may be arranged to spray the cleaning liquid against a glass surface 93a of the coverslip 93 from the aperture 12 for cleaning the optical sensor.
    [95] Furthermore, a camera guard 102 of an optical sensor unit 101 may have a cover glass 103 made of the transparent element in front of the lens surface 5a of the lens 5 of the camera 3, as shown in FIG. 17, and the nozzle 33 in the second embodiment may be arranged to spray the cleaning liquid against a glass surface 3a of the coverslip 103 from the opening 35 for cleaning the optical sensor.
    [96] Furthermore, a camera guard 1 12 of an optical sensor unit 11 11 may have a cover glass 13 made of the transparent element in front of the lens surface 5a of the lens 5 of the camera 3, as shown in FIG. 18 and the nozzle 44 for cleaning the optical sensor in the third embodiment and the nozzle 45 for removing snow / ice may be provided and the cleaning liquid may be sprayed against a glass surface 13a of the coverslip 13 of the aperture 48 for cleaning the optical sensor. 00535997 34
    [97] In an embodiment where the cover glass is directed towards the lens 5 of the camera 3, the liquid can be the compressed air instead of or in addition to the cleaning water. In addition, the heater which heats the cleaning liquid and / or the compressed air can be arranged and the cleaning liquid and / or the compressed air can be heated. In addition, the glass surface of the coverslip may be treated to have a water-repellent coating, a hydrophilic coating, a photocatalyst coating or a dirt-repellent coating. Furthermore, in the configuration where the coverslip is facing the lens 5 of the camera 3, the opening for removing snow / ice may be designed to spray the cleaning liquid in a horizontal direction, as shown in FIG. l3 to 15.
    [98] In the configuration where the coverslip is facing the lens 5 of the camera 3, a windshield wiper for drying the coverslip glass surface, a rotation mechanism for rotating the coverslip, a vibration mechanism for vibrating the coverslip, a use of a sound path or a low frequency path, an air spray mechanism to spray air against the glass surface of the coverslip or similar mechanism may be provided and after the operation for cleaning the optical sensor the glass surface of the coverslip may be dried or the coverslip may be rotated or the coverslip may be vibrated with sound / low frequency path In this way, do not leave the cleaning liquid attached to the glass surface of the coverslip.
    [99] The optical sensor unit 1 may be arranged, except at a position above the rear window 203 of the vehicle body 201, at a position below a rear-view mirror installed on one side of the vehicle to take pictures of a rear of the vehicle.
    [102] The optical sensor unit may be arranged on both sides of the vehicle, below the rear-view mirrors, instead of being arranged in position over the rear window of the vehicle body, in order to capture an image of the rear of the vehicle. This means that several cameras can be used as the optical sensor unit.
    [103] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the control unit and the optical sensor are included as indispensable elements of the optical sensor device for vehicles. However, the control unit can be designed as part of the camera cover.
    Such changes, modifications, and summarized methods are to be considered within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (12)
    [1]
    1.. Protection (2) for optical sensor for vehicles, comprising: a housing (6) with a sensor body protection (7) and a sensor upper protection (14), the sensor body protection (7) accommodating an optical sensor (3) having a lens (5) and the sensor top cover (14) covers an upper part of the optical sensor (3) housed in the sensor body cover (7); and a liquid jet unit (9) characterized in that the liquid jet unit (9) includes a passage (1 1) for conveying a cleaning liquid, the passage (1 1) being branched in an upward direction and a downward direction at its end where an end (1 1a) of the passage (1 1) which is branched in the downward direction has a cleaning nozzle (12) for optical sensor arranged in an exposed position from the body (6) and an end (1 1b) of the passage (1 1) which is branched in an upward direction has an opening (13 ) for removing snow / ice, the opening (13) for removing snow / ice spraying a liquid against an upper space (P) of the lens (5) of the optical sensor (3) or against an upper space (P) of a lens cover (93) if the lens (5) is covered.
    [2]
    A vehicle optical sensor cover (2) according to claim 1, wherein the liquid jet unit (9) has an opening (12) for cleaning the optical sensor and the liquid sprayed from the opening (12) for cleaning the optical sensor is directed against the lens (5) of the optical sensor (3) or against the lens protection lens (93) opposite the lens (5)
    [3]
    Vehicle optical sensor cover (2) according to claim 1, in which the snow / ice removal opening (13) sprays the liquid against an area which is (a) in the upper space (P) of the lens (5). ) or the lens protection lens (93) and (b) outside an image angle (6) of the optical sensor
    [4]
    A vehicle optical sensor cover (2) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the snow / ice removal opening (13) sprays the liquid against an area which is (a) in the upper space (P) of the lens (5) or the lens protection lens (93) and (b) in an upper region (P) of the sensor top protection (14).
    [5]
    Vehicle optical sensor cover (2) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the liquid jet unit (9) has a liquid passage used in common for the liquid sprayed from the opening (12) for cleaning the optical sensor and for the liquid sprayed from the opening (13) to remove snow / ice.
    [6]
    A vehicle optical sensor cover (2) according to claim 5, wherein the liquid jet unit (9) comprises a jet pressure adjusting unit for adjusting a pressure of the liquid sprayed from the aperture (12) for cleaning the optical sensor and the aperture (13). for snow / ice removal.
    [7]
    A vehicle optical sensor cover (2) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the liquid jet unit (9) has a liquid passage for the liquid sprayed from the opening (12) for cleaning the optical sensor and another passage separately for the liquid sprayed from the opening (13) to remove snow / ice.
    [8]
    An optical sensor device (1) for vehicles comprising: the protection (2) for optical sensor for vehicles according to any one of claims 1-7 and a control unit (16) for controlling: an operation for cleaning the optical sensor for spraying the liquid from the opening (12) of the liquid jet unit (9) for cleaning the optical sensor against a lens surface (5a) of the lens (5) or a glass surface (93a) of the lens protection glass (93) and an operation for removing snow / ice for spraying the liquid from the opening (13) of the liquid jet unit (9) for removing snow / ice towards at least some of the upper space (P) of the lens (5) and the upper space (P) of the lens protection glass (93).
    [9]
    The optical sensor device (1) for vehicles according to claim 8, wherein the control unit (16) controls the liquid jet unit (9) for separately performing the operation for cleaning the optical sensor and the operation for removing snow / ice.
    [10]
    The vehicle optical sensor device (1) according to claim 9, further comprising at least one of: a start operation detection unit (16) for detecting a start operation to start the snow / ice removal operation of a user, a detection unit (16) of vehicle start to detect a start of a vehicle, a temperature detection unit (16) to detect the temperature of ambient air or of the optical sensor (3) and an obstacle detection unit (16) to detect ice or snow on the sensor top cover (14) obstructing a view of the optical sensor (3) based on an analysis of an image taken by the optical sensor (3), the control unit (16) starting the operation for removing snow / ice from the liquid jet unit (9) when at least some of the start operation for the operation for removing snow / ice, starting the vehicle, that the temperature of the ambient air or of the optical sensor (3) is lower than a preset value, e The presence of ice or snow as an obstacle to the visibility of the optical sensor (3) is detected.
    [11]
    The vehicle optical sensor device (1) according to claim 10, further comprising at least any of: an end operation detection unit (16) for detecting an end operation to terminate the snow / ice removal operation by a user, a detector ( l 6) of completing a vehicle start to detect a completion of a start of the vehicle, a timer (l 6) for detecting a lapse of a preset time from a start of the snow / ice removal operation, the control unit (l 6) terminates the operation of removing snow / ice by means of the liquid jet unit (9) when at least some of the final operation of the operation of removing snow / ice, completing the start of the vehicle, that the temperature of the ambient air or of the optical sensor (3) is higher than a preset value, that the ice or snow as a gang detected by the obstacle detection device (16) has disappeared, or that the lapse of the preset time from the start of the opera the snow / ice removal is detected.
    [12]
    An optical sensor device (1) for vehicles according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the control unit (10) starts operation for cleaning the optical sensor after starting the operation for removing snow / ice.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
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    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
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