Patent Publication Number: US-2023132583-A1

Title: Nozzle, nozzle assembly, and cleaner device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a nozzle and a cleaner device equipped with the nozzle. The present invention also relates to a nozzle assembly and a cleaner device equipped with the nozzle assembly. 
     Description of Related Art 
     It is conventionally known that various cleaning devices, such as windshield washers for washing vehicle front windows and lamp cleaners for cleaning headlamps, are mounted on vehicles. Also, a user-friendly vehicle cleaner system has been proposed in which, in addition to such a cleaning device, a sensor cleaner for cleaning a vehicle-mounted sensor, such as a camera and LiDAR, is integrated (see Patent Literature 1, for example).
     Patent Literature 1: WO2018/230558   

     SUMMARY 
     The inventors of the present invention have studied the abovementioned vehicle cleaner system and recognized the following problems. Like the lens surface of a camera, for example, the object to be cleaned often has a convex surface, such as a spherical surface. If the nozzle is disposed in front of the object to be cleaned, a cleaning fluid will be certainly sprayed easily, but the nozzle may obstruct the view field of the object to be cleaned. To avoid this, the nozzle is sometimes disposed on a side of the object to be cleaned, for example, so that the cleaning fluid is sprayed sideways or obliquely from the nozzle toward the convex surface of the object to be cleaned. In this case, part of the cleaning fluid sprayed from the nozzle may miss the convex surface of the object to be cleaned and pass through near the object. The cleaning fluid that has missed and passed through the object to be cleaned does not contribute to the cleaning and is wasted. Since such cleaning fluid is merely sprayed to the surrounding area, there is also concern about scattering of the cleaning fluid therearound, especially when the cleaning fluid is liquid. A similar problem may occur not only in vehicle cleaner systems, but also in other general-purpose cleaner devices. 
     An embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an illustrative purpose thereof is to provide a nozzle with which more cleaning fluid can be sprayed onto the object to be cleaned and also provide a cleaner device equipped with the nozzle. 
     If an external force is applied to a nozzle of a cleaner device, such as when a worker&#39;s hand accidentally touches the nozzle during assembly work, the nozzle may be displaced from its correct position depending on how the nozzle is fixed. If such positional displacement of the nozzle changes the spraying direction of the cleaning fluid from the nozzle, the cleaning fluid may be less likely to hit the object to be cleaned, which may hence not be cleaned properly. 
     An embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an illustrative purpose thereof is to provide a nozzle assembly that has a structure for holding a spray orifice for a cleaning fluid at the correct position. 
     One aspect of the present invention relates to a nozzle of a cleaner device that cleans an object to be cleaned having a convex surface. The nozzle includes a spray orifice that is positioned outside the convex surface and from which a fan-shaped layer of a cleaning fluid is sprayed onto the convex surface. The spray orifice is shaped such that the sprayed fan-shaped layer of the cleaning fluid is convexly curved toward the same direction as the convex surface. 
     According to this aspect, the sprayed cleaning fluid layer of fan shape is conformed to the convex surface of the object to be cleaned, thereby spraying more cleaning fluid onto the object to be cleaned. Also, the amount of cleaning fluid scattering to the surrounding area without hitting the object to be cleaned can be reduced. 
     An upper edge and a lower edge of the spray orifice may be convexly curved toward a tip of the nozzle. This can make the sprayed cleaning fluid layer of fan shape to have a convexly curved shape easily. 
     The spray orifice may be positioned such that the fan-shaped layer of the cleaning fluid hits the convex surface at one side thereof with respect to a center of the convex surface and flows along the convex surface to pass over the center of the convex surface and reach the other side of the convex surface. In this case, the cleaning fluid can be made to flow over a relatively broad area of the convex surface, which leads to favorable cleaning of the object to be cleaned. 
     The spray orifice may be arranged such that circumferential ends of the sprayed fan-shaped layer of the cleaning fluid respectively travel toward points of a circumferential edges of the convex surface. In this case, the amount of cleaning fluid scattering to the outside of the circumferential edge of the convex surface can be reduced. 
     The nozzle may include a plurality of spray orifices, and each of the spray orifices may be positioned such that the fan-shaped layer of the cleaning fluid is sprayed therefrom onto a corresponding convex surface among a plurality of convex surfaces arranged around the nozzle. The spray orifices may be each shaped such that the sprayed fan-shaped layer of the cleaning fluid therefrom is convexly curved toward the same direction as the corresponding convex surface for that spray orifice. In this case, with the multiple spray orifices, multiple objects to be cleaned (or multiple regions in the same object to be cleaned) can be cleaned. For each spray orifice, the sprayed cleaning fluid layer of fan shape is conformed to the corresponding convex surface, thereby spraying more cleaning fluid onto the object to be cleaned. Also, the amount of cleaning fluid scattering to the surrounding area without hitting the object to be cleaned can be reduced. 
     Another aspect of the present invention relates to a cleaner device. The cleaner device may include the nozzle according to any one of the abovementioned aspects. The convex surface may be a surface of an optical element. 
     The cleaner device may be mounted on a vehicle. The optical element may constitute part of a vehicle-mounted device as the object to be cleaned. 
     A nozzle assembly of a cleaner device according to an aspect of the present invention is supported by a bracket to which an object to be cleaned is attached. The bracket includes either a first recess or a first projection. The nozzle assembly includes a fixing part fixed to the bracket at a region different from either the first recess or the first projection part of the bracket, and a second projection that is combined with the first recess of the bracket, or a second recess that is combined with the first projection of the bracket, to restrict a displacement of the nozzle assembly with respect to the object to be cleaned. 
     According to this aspect, the nozzle assembly is not only fixed to the bracket, to which the object to be cleaned is attached, but also combined with the recess (or the projection) of the bracket at the projection (or the recess) of the nozzle assembly, thereby minimizing the displacement of the nozzle assembly with respect to the object to be cleaned. Therefore, positional displacement of the nozzle caused by an accidental external force is prevented or adequately restrained, so that the nozzle can be held at the correct position. 
     The nozzle assembly may include a first nozzle provided as the fixing part and including a first spray orifice for a cleaning fluid, and a second nozzle connected to the first nozzle and including a second spray orifice for the cleaning fluid. Either the second projection or the second recess may be formed on the second nozzle. In this case, the first nozzle is fixed to the bracket, and the second nozzle is combined with the recess (or the projection) of the bracket at the projection (or the recess) of the second nozzle, so that both the first nozzle and the second nozzle can be held at the correct positions. 
     The nozzle assembly may include a nozzle including a first spray orifice and a second spray orifice from each of which a cleaning fluid is sprayed in a different direction, and a nozzle holder to which the nozzle is attached and that includes the fixing part. Either the second projection or the second recess is formed on the nozzle holder. In this case, the nozzle holder is fixed to the bracket and also combined with the recess (or the projection) of the bracket at the projection (or the recess) of the nozzle holder. Since the nozzle provided with the first spray orifice and the second spray orifice is attached to such a nozzle holder, each of the spray orifices can be retained at the correct position with respect to the corresponding object to be cleaned. 
     The second projection of the nozzle assembly and the first recess of the bracket may not be fixed to each other. Alternatively, the second recess of the nozzle assembly and the first projection of the bracket may not be fixed to each other. In this case, the projection part (or the recess part) and the recess part (or the projection part) have only to be combined without being fixed to each other, which facilitates the assembly work. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a cleaner device. The cleaner device may include the nozzle assembly according to any one of the abovementioned aspects. 
     The cleaner device may be mounted on a vehicle. The object to be cleaned may be a vehicle-mounted device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a front view that schematically illustrates a cleaner device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view that schematically illustrates the attachment state of a nozzle assembly of the cleaner device shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  are perspective views that each schematically illustrate a first spray orifice of the nozzle and a cleaning liquid layer of fan shape sprayed from the first spray orifice onto a first convex surface of a first camera; 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are perspective views that each schematically illustrate a second spray orifice of the nozzle and a cleaning liquid layer of fan shape sprayed from the second spray orifice onto a second convex surface of a second camera; 
         FIG.  5    is a front view that schematically illustrates a cleaner device according to another embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    is a diagram that schematically illustrates a cross section of a second nozzle unit shown in  FIG.  5    taken along line A-A; 
         FIG.  7    is a front view that schematically illustrates a cleaner device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  8 A  is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a state where the nozzle assembly of the cleaner device shown in  FIG.  7    is attached to a bracket, and  FIG.  8 B  is a partial sectional view in which the second nozzle unit of the nozzle assembly shown in  FIG.  8 A  is partially cut out; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view that schematically illustrates the bracket shown in  FIG.  8 A  to which the nozzle assembly is not attached; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view that schematically illustrates the back side of the nozzle assembly shown in  FIG.  8 A ; 
         FIG.  11 A  shows a cross section taken along line F-F shown in  FIG.  8 A , and  FIG.  11 B  shows a cross section taken along line G-G shown in  FIG.  11 A ; 
         FIG.  12    is a front view that schematically illustrates a cleaner device according to another embodiment; 
         FIG.  13 A  is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a state where the nozzle assembly of the cleaner device shown in  FIG.  12    is attached to a bracket, and  FIG.  13 B  is a partial sectional view in which the nozzle assembly shown in  FIG.  13 A  is partially cut out; 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view that illustrates the bracket shown in  FIG.  13 A  to which the nozzle assembly is not attached; 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view that schematically illustrates the back side of the nozzle assembly shown in  FIG.  13 A ; and 
         FIG.  16    shows a cross section taken along line A-A shown in  FIG.  13 A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention will now be described by reference to the preferred embodiments. This does not intend to limit the scope of the present invention, but to exemplify the invention. 
     In the following, the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and not to limit the invention, so that it should be understood that not all of the features or combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Like reference characters denote like or corresponding constituting elements, members, and processes in each drawing, and repetitive description will be omitted as appropriate. Also, the scale or shape of each component shown in each drawing is defined for the sake of convenience to facilitate the explanation and is not to be regarded as limitative unless otherwise specified. Also, the terms “first”, “second”, and the like used in the present specification or claims do not imply any order or degree of importance and are employed to distinguish one configuration from another. Further, in each drawing, part of a member less important in describing embodiments may be omitted. 
       FIG.  1    is a front view that schematically illustrates a cleaner device  10  according to an embodiment. In the present embodiment, the cleaner device  10  shown in  FIG.  1    is a vehicle cleaner device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. 
     The cleaner device  10  is configured to clean multiple objects to be cleaned, such as a first camera  11  and a second camera  12 . The first camera  11  and the second camera  12  may be arranged side-by-side and adjacent to each other, for example, as illustrated. The first camera  11  and the second camera  12  are installed in different orientations to capture images in different directions, such as in front of and behind the vehicle. As illustrated, in this example, the first camera  11  and the second camera  12  have different outer shapes, i.e., the first camera  11  has a circular shape and the second camera  12  has a square shape. 
     As the surfaces to be cleaned by the cleaner device  10 , the first camera  11  has a first convex surface  13 , and the second camera  12  has a second convex surface  14 . These convex surfaces are surfaces of externally exposed optical elements, which are constituting elements of the cameras. The optical elements may be, for example, lenses, translucent lens covers for protecting the lenses, or other optical elements. The first convex surface  13  and the second convex surface  14  may also have different shapes depending on the design and specification of each camera. 
     Each convex surface may be part of a spherical surface, for example. The convex surface may also be any other quadric surface, such as a paraboloid, or may be a curved surface of another shape convexly curved outward, such as an aspherical surface. The convex surface is not limited to a surface of which the entirety is curved. The convex surface may be shaped to appear convex as a whole toward the outside and may partially include a flat area. 
     The cleaner device  10  includes a nozzle  20 , in which multiple spray orifices, such as a first spray orifice  22  and a second spray orifice  24 , are provided from which a cleaning liquid is sprayed in directions different from each other. Each of the multiple spray orifices is provided such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom onto a corresponding convex surface among multiple convex surfaces arranged around the nozzle  20 . In specific, the first spray orifice  22  is provided such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom onto the first convex surface  13 , and the second spray orifice  24  is provided such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom onto the second convex surface  14 . 
     To prevent interference with the image capturing by the first camera  11  and the second camera  12  or to minimize the influence on the image capturing, the nozzle  20  is disposed outside the view fields of the cameras, such as on a side of the first camera  11  and the second camera  12 . The first spray orifice  22  is provided outside the first convex surface  13 , and the second spray orifice  24  is provided outside the second convex surface  14 . 
     In the present embodiment, the nozzle  20  is provided between the first camera  11  and the second camera  12 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , the first camera  11  is provided to the right of the nozzle  20 , and the second camera  12  is provided to the left of the nozzle  20 , when viewed from the front. The first convex surface  13  is positioned on one side with respect to the nozzle  20 , and the second convex surface  14  is positioned on the other side with respect to the nozzle  20 . Accordingly, the first spray orifice  22  and the second spray orifice  24  are provided on the nozzle  20  such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom in directions almost opposite to each other. The tip of the nozzle  20  has a conical shape, and the first spray orifice  22  and the second spray orifice  24  open on a side surface of the conical tip. The first spray orifice  22  and the second spray orifice  24  are provided respectively on one side and the other side with respect to the center of the nozzle  20 . 
     The first spray orifice  22  is configured such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom in a fan shape onto the first convex surface  13 , and the second spray orifice  24  is configured such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom in a fan shape onto the second convex surface  14 . To facilitate understanding,  FIG.  1    shows a cleaning liquid layer  26  of fan shape sprayed from the first spray orifice  22  onto the first convex surface  13  and also shows a cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape sprayed from the second spray orifice  24  onto the second convex surface  14 . 
     Also, as will be detailed later, the shape of one or both of the first spray orifice  22  and the second spray orifice  24  may be set such that the sprayed cleaning liquid layer of fan shape has a shape convexly curved toward the same direction as the corresponding convex surface. In the present embodiment, for example, the shape of the second spray orifice  24  is set such that the sprayed cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape has a shape convexly curved toward the same direction as the second convex surface  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the first camera  11 , the second camera  12 , and an area around the nozzle  20  are covered with a cover member  16 . Therefore, the components of the cleaner device  10  other than the nozzle  20  are covered with the cover member  16 . 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective view that schematically illustrates the attachment state of a nozzle assembly  30  of the cleaner device  10  shown in  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  2    illustrates a state where the cover member  16  shown in  FIG.  1    has been removed. Accordingly,  FIG.  2    shows the nozzle assembly  30  viewed from the second spray orifice  24  side of the nozzle  20 , along with part of a bracket  18  disposed behind the cover member  16 . 
     The nozzle assembly  30  includes the nozzle  20  and a nozzle holder  32 . The nozzle  20  is attached to the nozzle holder  32 . The nozzle  20  and the nozzle holder  32  are formed of an appropriate synthetic resin material, such as polyacetal resin, acrylic resin, and polycarbonate resin. 
     The nozzle holder  32  is fixed to the bracket  18  with a screw  34 , for example. The nozzle holder  32  may be fixed to the bracket  18  by other fixing means. As described previously, since the cleaner device  10  in the present embodiment is a vehicle cleaner device, the nozzle assembly  30  is supported by the vehicle body via the bracket  18 . Although not shown in the figure, to the bracket  18 , the first camera  11  and the second camera  12  may also be attached, besides the nozzle assembly  30 . 
     To the nozzle holder  32 , a connection hose  36  is connected. The connection hose  36  is connected to a flow path for the cleaning liquid within the nozzle holder  32 , which is further connected to the first spray orifice  22  and the second spray orifice  24  through an internal flow path of the nozzle  20 . The connection hose  36  is also connected to a cleaning liquid supply source, including a cleaning liquid tank and a pump for sending the cleaning liquid from the tank. 
     Accordingly, when the cleaner device  10  is in operation, the cleaning liquid is provided from the cleaning liquid supply source to the first spray orifice  22  and the second spray orifice  24  through the connection hose  36  and the internal flow paths of the nozzle holder  32  and the nozzle  20 , so as to be sprayed from the first spray orifice  22  and the second spray orifice  24 . Therefore, as shown in  FIG.  1   , the cleaning liquid layer  26  of fan shape is sprayed from the first spray orifice  22  onto the first convex surface  13 , and the cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape is sprayed from the second spray orifice  24  onto the second convex surface  14 . 
       FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  are perspective views that each schematically illustrate the first spray orifice  22  of the nozzle  20  and the cleaning liquid layer  26  of fan shape sprayed from the first spray orifice  22  onto the first convex surface  13  of the first camera  11 .  FIG.  3 A  shows a magnified view of the first spray orifice  22 , along with the first convex surface  13  and the cleaning liquid layer  26 , viewed from the direction in which the first convex surface  13  of the first camera  11  is positioned closer to the viewer than the first spray orifice  22  of the nozzle  20 .  FIG.  3 B  shows the shape of the cleaning liquid layer  26  when the nozzle  20  is viewed from the same direction but from a viewpoint more distant than that in  FIG.  3 A . In  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , a central axis  21  of the nozzle  20  is shown to indicate a vertical direction, for the sake of convenience. 
     The first camera  11  is installed at a slight tilt with respect to the central axis  21  of the nozzle  20 , and the first convex surface  13  is also slightly inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the central axis  21 . As illustrated, the first convex surface  13  is gently inclined toward the lower right. The first convex surface  13  includes a center  13   a  and a circumferential edge  13   b . Since the first convex surface  13  is convexly curved outward (upward in  FIG.  3 A ) as described above, the center  13   a  projects outward (upward) with respect to the circumferential edge  13   b . In this example, the center  13   a  corresponds to the apex of the first convex surface  13 , which projects most outward, and the circumferential edge  13   b  draws a circle around the center  13   a . The first convex surface  13  is a gently curved surface, and the height of the center  13   a  with respect to the circumferential edge  13   b  is smaller than the radius of the circumferential edge  13   b.    
     The first spray orifice  22  includes an upper edge  22   a , a lower edge  22   b , a left edge  22   c , and a right edge  22   d , which are linear in shape, and has a rectangular shape with rounded corners as a whole. The upper edge  22   a  and the lower edge  22   b  are connected to each other by the left edge  22   c  and the right edge  22   d . The upper edge  22   a  and the lower edge  22   b  are longer than the left edge  22   c  and the right edge  22   d , so that the first spray orifice  22  is laterally long. 
     In order to conform the cleaning liquid layer  26  of fan shape sprayed from the first spray orifice  22  to the first convex surface  13  disposed to be inclined as described above, the first spray orifice  22  has a similar inclined shape. Accordingly, as with the first convex surface  13 , the upper edge  22   a  and the lower edge  22   b  are gently inclined toward the lower right. Since the upper edge  22   a  and the lower edge  22   b  of the first spray orifice  22  extend almost parallel with each other, the cleaning liquid layer  26  of fan shape sprayed from the first spray orifice  22  forms a planar liquid layer as shown in  FIG.  3 B . 
     The first spray orifice  22  is provided on a side (the farther side from the viewer in  FIG.  3 A ) of the first convex surface  13  and positioned slightly higher than the first convex surface  13 . The upper edge  22   a  and the lower edge  22   b  of the first spray orifice  22  are positioned higher than the center  13   a  of the first convex surface  13 . Therefore, the cleaning liquid layer  26  is sprayed obliquely downward from the first spray orifice  22  toward the first convex surface  13 . 
     The first spray orifice  22  is also provided such that the cleaning liquid layer  26  of fan shape sprayed therefrom hits the first convex surface  13  at one side (the farther side from the viewer in  FIG.  3 A ) with respect to the center  13   a  of the first convex surface  13  and flows along the first convex surface  13  to pass over the center  13   a  of the first convex surface  13  and reach the other side (the closer side from the viewer in  FIG.  3 A ). In this way, the cleaning liquid can be made to flow over a relatively broad area of the first convex surface  13  (such as almost the entire area of the first convex surface  13 ), which leads to favorable cleaning of the first convex surface  13 . 
     Also, from the inner side toward the outer side of the first spray orifice  22  in the nozzle  20 , the interval between the left edge  22   c  and the right edge  22   d  of the first spray orifice  22  becomes gradually larger. With such lateral widening of the first spray orifice  22 , the cleaning liquid layer  26  sprayed from the first spray orifice  22  also laterally spreads to form a fan shape. 
     The first spray orifice  22  is configured such that both ends  26   b  of the sprayed cleaning liquid layer  26  of fan shape respectively travel toward points on the circumferential edge  13   b  of the first convex surface  13 . As shown in  FIG.  3 A , the both ends  26   b  of the cleaning liquid layer  26  of fan shape sprayed from the first spray orifice  22  pass over the circumferential edge  13   b  of the first convex surface  13  such as to respectively draw tangent lines, so to speak, from the left edge  22   c  and the right edge  22   d , so as to be sprayed onto the first convex surface  13 . Therefore, the amount of cleaning liquid scattering to the outside of the circumferential edge  13   b  of the first convex surface  13  can be reduced. 
       FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are perspective views that each schematically illustrate the second spray orifice  24  of the nozzle  20  and the cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape sprayed from the second spray orifice  24  onto the second convex surface  14  of the second camera  12 .  FIG.  4 A  shows a magnified view of the second spray orifice  24 , along with the second convex surface  14  and the cleaning liquid layer  28 , viewed from the direction in which the second convex surface  14  of the second camera  12  is positioned closer to the viewer than the second spray orifice  24  of the nozzle  20 .  FIG.  4 B  shows the shape of the cleaning liquid layer  28  when the nozzle  20  is viewed from the same direction but from a viewpoint more distant than that in  FIG.  4 A . In  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , the central axis  21  of the nozzle  20  is shown to indicate a vertical direction, for the sake of convenience. 
     The second camera  12  is installed along the central axis  21  of the nozzle  20 , and the second convex surface  14  is disposed along a plane perpendicular to the central axis  21 . The second convex surface  14  includes a center  14   a  and a circumferential edge  14   b . Since the second convex surface  14  is convexly curved outward (upward in  FIG.  4 A ) as described above, the center  14   a  projects outward (upward) with respect to the circumferential edge  14   b . In this example, the center  14   a  corresponds to the apex of the second convex surface  14 , which projects most outward, and the circumferential edge  14   b  draws a circle around the center  14   a . The second convex surface  14  is a gently curved surface, and the height of the center  14   a  with respect to the circumferential edge  14   b  is smaller than the radius of the circumferential edge  14   b.    
     The shape of the second spray orifice  24  is set such that the sprayed cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape has a shape convexly curved toward the same direction as the second convex surface  14 . Accordingly, an upper edge  24   a  and a lower edge  24   b  of the second spray orifice  24  are convexly curved toward the tip of the nozzle  20 . This can make the sprayed cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape to have a convexly curved shape easily, as shown in  FIG.  4 B . 
     The second spray orifice  24  also includes a left edge  24   c  and a right edge  24   d , which are linear in shape, and the upper edge  24   a  and the lower edge  24   b  are connected to each other by the left edge  24   c  and the right edge  24   d . The upper edge  24   a  and the lower edge  24   b  are longer than the left edge  24   c  and the right edge  24   d , so that the second spray orifice  24  is laterally long. 
     The second spray orifice  24  is provided on a side (the farther side from the viewer in  FIG.  4 A ) of the second convex surface  14  and positioned slightly higher than the second convex surface  14 . The upper edge  24   a  and the lower edge  24   b  of the second spray orifice  24  are positioned higher than the center  14   a  of the second convex surface  14 . Therefore, the cleaning liquid layer  28  is sprayed obliquely downward from the second spray orifice  24  toward the second convex surface  14 . 
     The second spray orifice  24  is also provided such that the cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape sprayed therefrom hits the second convex surface  14  at one side (the farther side from the viewer in  FIG.  4 A ) with respect to the center  14   a  of the second convex surface  14  and flows along the second convex surface  14  to pass over the center  14   a  of the second convex surface  14  and reach the other side (the closer side from the viewer in  FIG.  4 A ). In this way, the cleaning liquid can be made to flow over a relatively broad area of the second convex surface  14  (such as almost the entire area of the second convex surface  14 ), which leads to favorable cleaning of the second convex surface  14 . 
     Also, from inner side toward the outer side of the second spray orifice  24  in the nozzle  20 , the interval between the left edge  24   c  and the right edge  24   d  of the second spray orifice  24  becomes gradually larger. With such lateral widening of the second spray orifice  24 , the cleaning liquid layer  28  sprayed from the second spray orifice  24  also laterally spreads to form a fan shape. 
     The second spray orifice  24  is configured such that both ends  28   b  of the sprayed cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape respectively travel toward points on the circumferential edge  14   b  of the second convex surface  14 . As shown in  FIG.  4 A , the both ends  28   b  of the cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape sprayed from the second spray orifice  24  pass over the circumferential edge  14   b  of the second convex surface  14  such as to respectively draw tangent lines, so to speak, from the left edge  24   c  and the right edge  24   d , so as to be sprayed onto the second convex surface  14 . Therefore, the amount of cleaning liquid scattering to the outside of the circumferential edge  14   b  of the second convex surface  14  can be reduced. 
     As described above, the nozzle  20  of the cleaner device  10  according to the embodiment includes the second spray orifice  24  that is provided outside the second convex surface  14  and from which the cleaning liquid is sprayed in a fan shape onto the second convex surface  14 . The shape of the second spray orifice  24  is set such that the sprayed cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape has a shape convexly curved toward the same direction as the second convex surface  14 . Thus, the sprayed cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape is conformed to the second convex surface  14  of the second camera  12 , thereby spraying more cleaning liquid onto the second convex surface  14 . Also, although the cleaning liquid will locally hit a convex surface if the cleaning liquid is sprayed linearly from a spray orifice, by spraying the cleaning liquid in a fan shape, the cleaning liquid can be sprayed onto the entire convex surface easily. 
     Also, if the cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape is planar, only the center part of the liquid layer may directly hit near the center  14   a  of the second convex surface  14  and the ends of the liquid layer may pass above the circumferential edge  14   b  of the second convex surface  14  without hitting the second convex surface  14 , so that the liquid may be likely to scatter to the surrounding area. In the embodiment, however, since the cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape is actually convexly curved as with the second convex surface  14 , the entire cleaning liquid layer  28  can be made to directly hit the second convex surface  14 , so that such scattering of the cleaning liquid can be reduced. 
     The curved shapes of the upper edge  24   a  and the lower edge  24   b  of the second spray orifice  24  are not necessarily required to be visually checked directly. Depending on the design, such as the size and shapes of the nozzle  20 , the second spray orifice  24 , and the corresponding second convex surface  14 , the curved shapes of the upper edge  24   a  and the lower edge  24   b  of the second spray orifice  24  may be visually checked when viewed under magnification with a magnifying glass. 
       FIG.  5    is a front view that schematically illustrates the cleaner device  10  according to another embodiment. The cleaner device  10  shown in  FIG.  5    and the cleaner device  10  shown in  FIG.  1    are different with respect to the nozzle configuration but are the same in other respects. 
     The cleaner device  10  includes a nozzle assembly  40  in which a first nozzle unit or nozzle body  42  with the first spray orifice  22  and a second nozzle unit or nozzle body  44  with the second spray orifice  24  are provided. The first nozzle unit  42  is fixed to a support member, such as a bracket, with a screw  46 . The first nozzle unit  42  may be fixed to the support member by other fixing means. The second nozzle unit  44  is connected to the first nozzle unit  42 . The cleaning liquid is supplied from a supply source, such as a tank, to the first nozzle unit  42  and also to the second nozzle unit  44  via the first nozzle unit  42 . The cleaning liquid supplied to the first nozzle unit  42  is sprayed from the first spray orifice  22 , and the cleaning liquid supplied to the second nozzle unit  44  is sprayed from the second spray orifice  24 . 
     The first spray orifice  22  is provided such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom onto the first convex surface  13  of the first camera  11 , and the second spray orifice  24  is provided such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom onto the second convex surface  14  of the second camera  12 . The first nozzle unit  42  is disposed above the first camera  11 , and, from the first spray orifice  22 , the cleaning liquid is sprayed downward toward the first convex surface  13 . The second nozzle unit  44  is disposed between the first camera  11  and the second camera  12 , and, from the second spray orifice  24 , the cleaning liquid is sprayed obliquely downward toward the second convex surface  14 . 
     The first spray orifice  22  is configured such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom in a fan shape onto the first convex surface  13 , and the second spray orifice  24  is configured such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom in a fan shape onto the second convex surface  14 . To facilitate understanding,  FIG.  5    shows the cleaning liquid layer  26  of fan shape sprayed from the first spray orifice  22  onto the first convex surface  13  and also shows the cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape sprayed from the second spray orifice  24  onto the second convex surface  14 . 
     As is the case in the embodiment described with reference to  FIG.  1   , the shape of one or both of the first spray orifice  22  and the second spray orifice  24  may be set such that the sprayed cleaning liquid layer of fan shape has a shape convexly curved toward the same direction as the corresponding convex surface. In the present embodiment, for example, the shape of the second spray orifice  24  is set such that the sprayed cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape has a shape convexly curved toward the same direction as the second convex surface  14 . As an example, the shape of the second spray orifice  24  may be the same as described with reference to  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B . 
       FIG.  6    is a diagram that schematically illustrates a cross section of the second nozzle unit  44  shown in  FIG.  5    taken along line A-A. In the second nozzle unit  44 , an internal flow path  48  of which the diameter decreases toward the nozzle tip is formed. The second spray orifice  24  is provided such as to be bent at an almost right angle from a small-diameter portion of the internal flow path  48  on the tip side. However, as described with reference to  FIG.  4 A , since the second spray orifice  24  is provided slightly higher than the second convex surface  14 , the second spray orifice  24  is provided to extend obliquely downward slightly such as to direct the cleaning liquid toward the second convex surface  14 . 
     As described above, the second nozzle unit  44  of the cleaner device  10  according to the embodiment includes the second spray orifice  24  that is provided outside the second convex surface  14  and from which the cleaning liquid is sprayed in a fan shape onto the second convex surface  14 . The shape of the second spray orifice  24  is set such that the sprayed cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape has a shape convexly curved toward the same direction as the second convex surface  14 . Thus, the sprayed cleaning liquid layer  28  of fan shape is conformed to the second convex surface  14  of the second camera  12 , thereby spraying more cleaning liquid onto the second convex surface  14 . Also, the amount of cleaning liquid scattering to the surrounding area without hitting the second convex surface  14  can be reduced. 
       FIG.  7    is a front view that schematically illustrates a cleaner device  110  according to an embodiment. In the present embodiment, the cleaner device  110  shown in  FIG.  7    is a vehicle cleaner device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. 
     The cleaner device  110  is configured to clean multiple objects to be cleaned, such as a first camera  111  and a second camera  112 . The first camera  111  and the second camera  112  may be arranged side-by-side and adjacent to each other, for example, as illustrated. The first camera  111  and the second camera  112  are installed in different orientations to capture images in different directions, such as in front of and behind the vehicle. As illustrated, in this example, the first camera  111  and the second camera  112  have different outer shapes, i.e., the first camera  111  has a circular shape and the second camera  112  has a square shape. 
     As the surfaces to be cleaned by the cleaner device  110 , the first camera  111  has a first surface  113 , and the second camera  112  has a second surface  114 . These surfaces to be cleaned are surfaces of externally exposed optical elements, which are constituting elements of the cameras. The optical elements may be, for example, lenses, translucent lens covers for protecting the lenses, or other optical elements. Each of the first surface  113  and the second surface  114  may be a curved surface convexly curved outward, such as a spherical surface, or may be a surface of another shape, such as a plane. The first surface  113  and the second surface  114  may have the same shape but may generally have shapes different from each other depending on the design and specification of each camera. 
     The cleaner device  110  includes a nozzle assembly  120  in which a first nozzle unit or nozzle body  121  with a first spray orifice  122  and a second nozzle unit or nozzle body  123  with a second spray orifice  124  are provided. As an example, the nozzle assembly  120  may have a substantial L-shape in which the first nozzle unit  121 , which is horizontally long, and the second nozzle unit  123 , which is vertically long, are connected with each other, as illustrated in  FIG.  7   . The cleaning liquid is supplied from a supply source, such as a tank, to the first nozzle unit  121  and also to the second nozzle unit  123  via the first nozzle unit  121 . The cleaning liquid supplied to the first nozzle unit  121  is sprayed from the first spray orifice  122 , and the cleaning liquid supplied to the second nozzle unit  123  is sprayed from the second spray orifice  124 . The first spray orifice  122  is provided such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom onto the first surface  113 , and the second spray orifice  124  is provided such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom onto the second surface  114 . 
     The first spray orifice  122  is configured such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom in a fan shape onto the first surface  113 , and the second spray orifice  124  is configured such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom in a fan shape onto the second surface  114 . To facilitate understanding,  FIG.  7    shows a cleaning liquid layer  126  of fan shape sprayed from the first spray orifice  122  onto the first surface  113  and also shows a cleaning liquid layer  128  of fan shape sprayed from the second spray orifice  124  onto the second surface  114 . 
     Also, to prevent interference with the image capturing by the first camera  111  and the second camera  112  or to minimize the influence on the image capturing, the nozzle assembly  120  is disposed outside the view fields of the cameras. As an example, the first nozzle unit  121  is disposed above the first camera  111 , and, from the first spray orifice  122 , the cleaning liquid is sprayed downward toward the first surface  113 . The second nozzle unit  123  is disposed between the first camera  111  and the second camera  112 , and, from the second spray orifice  124 , the cleaning liquid is sprayed obliquely downward toward the second surface  114 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the first camera  111 , the second camera  112 , and an area around the nozzle assembly  120  are covered with a cover member  116 . Behind the cover member  116 , a support member for supporting the first camera  111 , the second camera  112 , and the nozzle assembly  120  is provided, such as a bracket  118  shown in  FIG.  8 A . To the bracket  118 , the first camera  111 , the second camera  112 , and the nozzle assembly  120  are attached. As described previously, since the cleaner device  110  in the present embodiment is a vehicle cleaner device, the first camera  111 , the second camera  112 , and the nozzle assembly  120  are supported by the vehicle body via the bracket  118 . 
     The first nozzle unit  121  not only has the role of spraying the cleaning liquid onto the first surface  113  of the first camera  111 , but also serves as a fixing part for fixing the nozzle assembly  120  to the bracket  118 . The first nozzle unit  121  is fixed to the bracket  118  with a screw  130  as a fixing member, for example. Alternatively, the first nozzle unit  121  may be fixed to the bracket  118  or any other support member by other fixing means. 
     Each component of the nozzle assembly  120  and the bracket  118  are formed of an appropriate synthetic resin material, such as polyacetal resin, acrylic resin, and polycarbonate resin. Each component of the nozzle assembly  120  and the bracket  118  are formed of the same material, for example, but may be formed of different materials. 
     As will be described later with reference to  FIGS.  8 A through  11 B , the nozzle assembly  120  is configured to be combined with the bracket  118  to restrict or minimize the displacement of the nozzle assembly  120  with respect to objects to be cleaned (i.e., the first camera  111  and the second camera  112 ). The first nozzle unit  121  is fixed to the bracket  118 , and the second nozzle unit  123  is connected to the first nozzle unit  121 , so that a displacement regulating structure of the nozzle assembly  120  is formed by the second nozzle unit  123  and the bracket  118 . Although the second nozzle unit  123  is not directly fixed to the bracket  118 , convex and concave shapes, which are combined with each other, are provided as the displacement regulating structure on the second nozzle unit  123  and the bracket  118  such as to restrain the movement of the nozzle assembly  120  with respect to the bracket  118 . 
       FIG.  8 A  is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a state where the nozzle assembly  120  of the cleaner device  110  shown in  FIG.  7    is attached to the bracket  118 , and  FIG.  8 B  is a partial sectional view in which the second nozzle unit  123  of the nozzle assembly  120  shown in  FIG.  8 A  is partially cut out.  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B  each show the nozzle assembly  120  along with part of the bracket  118  viewed from the second spray orifice  124  side of the second nozzle unit  123 , in a state where the cover member  116  shown in  FIG.  7    has been removed.  FIG.  8 B  also shows a vertical cross section of the second nozzle unit  123 . 
       FIG.  9    is a perspective view that illustrates the bracket  118  shown in  FIG.  8 A , to which the nozzle assembly  120  is not attached.  FIG.  10    is a perspective view that schematically illustrates the back side of the nozzle assembly  120  shown in  FIG.  8 A .  FIG.  11 A  shows a cross section taken along line F-F shown in  FIG.  8 A , and  FIG.  11 B  shows a cross section taken along line G-G shown in  FIG.  11 A . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG.  10   , the first nozzle unit  121  includes a base plate part  132 , which is laterally long, a spray part  134  formed on a center area of the front surface of the base plate part  132 , and an inlet part  136  formed on a center area of the back surface of the base plate part  132 . On the spray part  134 , the first spray orifice  122  shown in  FIG.  7    is provided. Also, the internal flow path for leading the cleaning liquid to the first spray orifice  122  and the second nozzle unit  123  is formed from the inlet part  136  to the spray part  134  through the base plate part  132 . 
     Also, on the base plate part  132  of the first nozzle unit  121 , a screw hole  138  is formed on one side with respect to the spray part  134 , and a positioning pin  140  is formed on the opposite side with respect to the spray part  134 . The screw hole  138  penetrates from the front surface to the back surface of the base plate part  132 . The positioning pin  140  is a rod-shaped projection protruding from the back surface of the base plate part  132 . 
     The second nozzle unit  123  includes a nozzle  142  provided with the second spray orifice  124 , and a nozzle holder  144  that is vertically long. The nozzle holder  144  includes a connection part  146  for connecting the second nozzle unit  123  to the first nozzle unit  121 , and a nozzle holding part  147  shown in  FIG.  11 B . The connection part  146  is formed on an upper part of a side surface of the nozzle holder  144  and press-fitted into the spray part  134  of the first nozzle unit  121 , for example, so that the second nozzle unit  123  is joined to the first nozzle unit  121 . The nozzle holding part  147  is formed on a center area of the front surface of the nozzle holder  144 , for example. The nozzle  142  is press-fitted into the nozzle holding part  147 , for example, and thereby attached to the nozzle holder  144 . In the nozzle holder  144 , an internal flow path for leading the cleaning liquid from the connection part  146  to the nozzle holding part  147  is formed. Therefore, the cleaning liquid can be made to flow from the spray part  134  of the first nozzle unit  121  to the second spray orifice  124  of the nozzle  142  through the internal flow path in the nozzle holder  144 . To prevent the cleaning liquid flowing through the internal flow path in the nozzle holder  144  from flowing out through an opening at the lower end of the nozzle holder  144 , a cap  148  is attached to the lower end of the nozzle holder  144  such as to plug the opening. 
     The nozzle holder  144  also includes a projection part  150  as the displacement regulating structure described previously, and the projection part  150  is formed on a center area of the back surface of the nozzle holder  144 , for example. As illustrated in  FIG.  10   , the projection part  150  in the present embodiment has an H-shape and includes two first vertical ribs  150   a  and a horizontal rib  150   b  that connects the first vertical ribs  150   a  at center areas thereof. 
     As shown in  FIG.  9   , the bracket  118  includes an attachment part  152  projecting frontward. The attachment part  152  includes an attachment surface  153  that comes into contact with the back surface of the base plate part  132  of the first nozzle unit  121  when the first nozzle unit  121  is attached. On a center area of the attachment surface  153 , a flow path  154  opens, and, with respect to the flow path  154 , a screw hole  156  is formed on one side, and a positioning hole  158  is formed on the opposite side with respect to the flow path  154 . The flow path  154  is connected to a cleaning liquid supply source (not illustrated) including a cleaning liquid tank and a pump for sending the cleaning liquid from the tank. 
     The bracket  118  also includes a second vertical rib  160  projecting frontward. The second vertical rib  160  is formed at a position corresponding to the back of the second nozzle unit  123  when the nozzle assembly  120  is attached to the bracket  118 . On the second vertical rib  160 , a recess part  162  is provided as the displacement regulating structure described previously. The recess part  162  is formed on a front end surface  160   a  of the second vertical rib  160  such as to be combined with the projection part  150  of the nozzle holder  144  to restrict the displacement of the second nozzle unit  123  in at least one direction. 
     By fixing the first nozzle unit  121  to the attachment part  152  of the bracket  118 , the nozzle assembly  120  is fixed to the bracket  118 . At the time, the positioning pin  140  of the first nozzle unit  121  is inserted into the positioning hole  158  of the bracket  118 , and the inlet part  136  of the first nozzle unit  121  is fitted into the flow path  154  of the bracket  118 . Thereafter, the screw  130  (see  FIG.  7   ) is screwed into the screw hole  138  of the first nozzle unit  121  and the screw hole  156  of the bracket  118 , so that the first nozzle unit  121  is fixed to the attachment part  152  of the bracket  118 . Thus, since the nozzle assembly  120  can be fixed to the bracket  118  with a single screw  130 , the assembly work is relatively easy. 
     When the nozzle assembly  120  is fixed to the bracket  118 , the projection part  150  of the second nozzle unit  123  is inserted into the recess part  162  of the bracket  118 , as shown in  FIGS.  8 B,  11 A, and  11 B . Thus, the projection part  150  and the recess part  162  are combined with each other. Since the recess part  162  is a cutout formed on the second vertical rib  160 , the projection part  150  is vertically sandwiched between portions of the second vertical rib  160  within the recess part  162 . At the time, there may be a small gap between the projection part  150  and the recess part  162 , or the projection part  150  and the recess part  162  may be in contact with each other at least partially on their surfaces. Accordingly, when an external force acts on the nozzle assembly  120  (the second nozzle unit  123 , for example) in a vertical direction, the projection part  150  of the second nozzle unit  123  comes into contact with the second vertical rib  160  within the recess part  162 , thereby regulating displacement or movement of the second nozzle unit  123  in the vertical directions with respect to the bracket  118 . 
     The projection part  150  of the nozzle assembly  120  and the recess part  162  of the bracket  118  are not fixed to each other. Accordingly, the projection part  150  and the recess part  162  have only to be combined without being fixed to each other, which facilitates the assembly work. 
     The front end surface  160   a  of the second vertical rib  160 , on which the recess part  162  is provided, faces the back surface of the second nozzle unit  123 , on an area below the recess part  162 . There may be a small gap between the front end surface  160   a  of the second vertical rib  160  and the back surface of the second nozzle unit  123 , or the front end surface  160   a  and the back surface of the second nozzle unit  123  may be in contact with each other. When the nozzle assembly  120  (the second nozzle unit  123 , for example) is pressed from the front toward the back side, the second nozzle unit  123  comes into contact with the front end surface  160   a  of the second vertical rib  160 , thereby regulating displacement or movement of the second nozzle unit  123  in the front and back directions with respect to the bracket  118 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  11 A , the two first vertical ribs  150   a  of the projection part  150  are arranged apart on both sides of the second vertical rib  160  of the bracket  118  respectively and are not in contact with the second vertical rib  160 . Therefore, displacement of the second nozzle unit  123  in the left and right directions with respect to the bracket  118  is allowed. Alternatively, however, displacement or movement of the second nozzle unit  123  in the left and right directions with respect to the bracket  118  may be restricted or minimized by bringing the projection part  150  and the recess part  162  into contact or sufficiently close together such that the two first vertical ribs  150   a  sandwich the second vertical rib  160 . 
     By fixing the nozzle assembly  120  to the bracket  118 , the flow path  154  of the bracket  118  is connected to the first spray orifice  122  through the internal flow path of the first nozzle unit  121 . In addition, the flow path  154  is also connected to the second spray orifice  124  through the internal flow paths of the first nozzle unit  121  and the second nozzle unit  123 . Accordingly, when the cleaner device  110  is in operation, the cleaning liquid is provided from the cleaning liquid supply source to the first spray orifice  122  and the second spray orifice  124  through the flow path  154 , the first nozzle unit  121 , and the second nozzle unit  123 , so as to be sprayed from the first spray orifice  122  and the second spray orifice  124  (in  FIG.  8 B , flows of cleaning liquid are schematically indicated by arrows). Therefore, the cleaning liquid layer  126  of fan shape is sprayed from the first spray orifice  122  onto the first surface  113  of the first camera  111 , and the cleaning liquid layer  128  of fan shape is sprayed from the second spray orifice  124  onto the second surface  114  of the second camera  112 . Thus, the cleaner device  110  as shown in  FIG.  7    can clean the first camera  111  and the second camera  112  with the cleaning liquid. 
     Meanwhile, an external force could be applied to the nozzle assembly  120  when, for example, a worker&#39;s hand accidentally touches the nozzle assembly  120  during the assembly work of the nozzle assembly  120  or a nearby device. If such an accidental external force is large, unintended movement or positional displacement of the nozzle assembly  120  may occur. Also, if a region of the nozzle assembly  120 , such as the second nozzle unit  123 , on which such an accidental external force acts is relatively distant from the fixing part of the nozzle assembly  120  fixed to the bracket  118 , i.e., the first nozzle unit  121 , the torque applied by the external force will be greater, which may cause unintended movement or positional displacement of the nozzle assembly  120 . In this way, the first spray orifice  122  or the second spray orifice  124  (especially the second spray orifice) may be displaced from the correct position. If such positional displacement of a spray orifice changes the spraying direction of the cleaning liquid from a nozzle, the cleaning fluid may be less likely to hit the first camera  111  or the second camera  112 , which may hence not be cleaned properly. 
     To address the issue, the nozzle assembly  120  of the cleaner device  110  according to the embodiment includes the fixing part, i.e., the first nozzle unit  121 , fixed to the bracket  118  at a region different from the recess part  162  of the bracket  118  and also includes the projection part  150  that is combined with the recess part  162  of the bracket  118  to restrict the displacement of the nozzle assembly  120  with respect to the first camera  111  and the second camera  112 . The projection part  150  is formed on the second nozzle unit  123 . 
     Thus, the nozzle assembly is not only fixed to the bracket  118 , to which the first camera  111  and the second camera  112  are attached, but also combined with the recess part  162  of the bracket  118  at the projection part  150 , thereby regulating displacement of the nozzle assembly  120  with respect to the first camera  111  and the second camera  112 . Therefore, positional displacement of the first spray orifice  122  and the second spray orifice  124  caused by an accidental external force is prevented or adequately restrained. With the simple structure of the combination of the projection part  150  and the recess part  162 , the first spray orifice  122  and the second spray orifice  124  can be held at the correct positions. 
     There will now be described a cleaner device  170  according to another embodiment with reference to  FIGS.  12 - 16   . The cleaner device  170  and the aforementioned cleaner device  110  shown in  FIG.  7    have a feature in common of being provided to clean the first camera  111  and the second camera  112  but are different with respect to the nozzle configuration and the displacement regulating structure. 
       FIG.  12    is a front view that schematically illustrates the cleaner device  170  according to another embodiment.  FIG.  13 A  is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a state where a nozzle assembly  171  of the cleaner device  170  shown in  FIG.  12    is attached to a bracket  175 , and  FIG.  13 B  is a partial sectional view in which the nozzle assembly  171  shown in  FIG.  13 A  is partially cut out.  FIGS.  13 A and  13 B  each show the nozzle assembly  171  along with part of the bracket  175  in a state where a cover member  174  shown in  FIG.  12    has been removed. 
     Also,  FIG.  14    is a perspective view that illustrates the bracket  175  shown in  FIG.  13 A , to which the nozzle assembly  171  is not attached.  FIG.  15    is a perspective view that schematically illustrates the back side of the nozzle assembly  171  shown in  FIG.  13 A .  FIG.  16    shows a cross section taken along line A-A shown in  FIG.  13 A . 
     The cleaner device  170  includes a nozzle  172 , in which multiple spray orifices, such as a first spray orifice  122  and a second spray orifice  124 , are provided from which a cleaning liquid is sprayed in directions different from each other. The first spray orifice  122  is provided such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom onto the first surface  113  of the first camera  111 , and the second spray orifice  124  is provided such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom onto the second surface  114  of the second camera  112 . 
     In the present embodiment, the nozzle  172  is provided between the first camera  111  and the second camera  112 . As shown in  FIG.  12   , the first camera  111  is provided to the right of the nozzle  172 , and the second camera  112  is provided to the left of the nozzle  172 , when viewed from the front. Accordingly, the first spray orifice  122  and the second spray orifice  124  are provided on the nozzle  172  such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom in directions almost opposite to each other. The tip of the nozzle  172  has a conical shape, and the first spray orifice  122  and the second spray orifice  124  open on a side surface of the conical tip. The first spray orifice  122  and the second spray orifice  124  are provided respectively on one side and the other side with respect to the center of the nozzle  172 . 
     The first spray orifice  122  is configured such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom in a fan shape onto the first surface  113 , and the second spray orifice  124  is configured such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom in a fan shape onto the second surface  114 . To facilitate understanding,  FIG.  12    shows a cleaning liquid layer  126  of fan shape sprayed from the first spray orifice  122  onto the first surface  113  and also shows a cleaning liquid layer  128  of fan shape sprayed from the second spray orifice  124  onto the second surface  114 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  12   , the first camera  111 , the second camera  112 , and an area around the nozzle  172  are covered with a cover member  174 . Behind the cover member  174 , a support member for supporting the first camera  111 , the second camera  112 , and the nozzle assembly  171  is provided, such as a bracket  175  shown in  FIG.  13 A . To the bracket  175 , the first camera  111 , the second camera  112 , and the nozzle assembly  171  are attached. As described above, since the cleaner device  170  in the present embodiment is a vehicle cleaner device, the first camera  111 , the second camera  112 , and the nozzle assembly  171  are supported by the vehicle body via the bracket  175 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  13 A and  13 B , the nozzle assembly  171  includes the nozzle  172  and a nozzle holder  173 . The nozzle  172  is attached to the front surface of the nozzle holder  173 . The nozzle  172  and the nozzle holder  173  are formed of an appropriate synthetic resin material, such as polyacetal resin, acrylic resin, and polycarbonate resin. Also, to a lower end of the nozzle holder  173 , a connection hose  176  is connected. The connection hose  176  is connected to a flow path for the cleaning liquid within the nozzle holder  173 , which is further connected to the first spray orifice  122  and the second spray orifice  124  through an internal flow path of the nozzle  172 . The connection hose  176  is also connected to a cleaning liquid supply source, including a cleaning liquid tank and a pump for sending the cleaning liquid from the tank. 
     Accordingly, when the cleaner device  170  is in operation, the cleaning liquid is provided from the cleaning liquid supply source to the first spray orifice  122  and the second spray orifice  124  through the connection hose  176  and the internal flow paths of the nozzle holder  173  and the nozzle  172 , so as to be sprayed from the first spray orifice  122  and the second spray orifice  124 . Therefore, as shown in  FIG.  12   , the cleaning liquid layer  126  of fan shape is sprayed from the first spray orifice  122  onto the first surface  113 , and the cleaning liquid layer  128  of fan shape is sprayed from the second spray orifice  124  onto the second surface  114 . Thus, the cleaner device  170  can clean the first camera  111  and the second camera  112  with the cleaning liquid. 
     Also, as shown in  FIG.  15   , for example, the nozzle holder  173  includes a fixing part  177 , and a recess part  178  as the displacement regulating structure. The fixing part  177  is formed at an upper end of the nozzle holder  173 , in which a screw hole  179  penetrates from the front surface to the back surface. The recess part  178  is formed on the back surface of the nozzle holder  173  on the opposite side from the nozzle  172 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  14   , the bracket  175  includes an attachment part  181  on which a screw hole  180  is formed, and a projection part  182  as the displacement regulating structure. The projection part  182  is provided such as to project frontward with respect to the attachment part  181 . The projection part  182  is configured such as to be combined with the recess part  178  of the nozzle holder  173  to restrict the displacement of the nozzle assembly  171  in at least one direction. Unlike the bracket  118  shown in  FIG.  9   , the bracket  175  is not provided with a flow path for the cleaning liquid. 
     A screw  183  as a fixing member, for example, is screwed into the screw hole  179  of the fixing part  177  and the screw hole  180  of the attachment part  181 , so that the fixing part  177  of the nozzle holder  173  is fixed to the attachment part  181  of the bracket  175 . At the time, the projection part  182  of the bracket  175  is inserted into the recess part  178  of the nozzle holder  173 , so that the projection part  182  and the recess part  178  are combined with each other. Thus, the nozzle assembly  171  is fixed to the bracket  175 . There may be a small gap between the projection part  182  and the recess part  178 , or the projection part  182  and the recess part  178  may be in contact with each other at least partially on their surfaces. When an external force acts on the nozzle assembly  171  in a vertical direction, the nozzle holder  173  comes into contact with the projection part  182  of the bracket  175  within the recess part  178 , thereby regulating displacement or movement of the nozzle assembly  171  in the vertical directions with respect to the bracket  175 . Similarly, displacement of the nozzle assembly  171  in the left and right directions and the front and back directions with respect to the bracket  175  is also restricted. 
     Also, when the projection part  182  is placed within the recess part  178 , the projection part  182  comes into contact with projections  184  formed within the recess part  178 , as shown in  FIG.  16   . With the projection part  182  in contact with the projections  184  within the recess part  178 , the nozzle assembly  171  can be positioned with respect to the bracket  175 , thereby accurately positioning the first spray orifice  122  and the second spray orifice  124  with respect to the first camera  111  and the second camera  112 , respectively. 
     As described above, the nozzle assembly  171  of the cleaner device  170  according to the embodiment includes the fixing part  177  fixed to the bracket  175  at a region different from the projection part  182  of the bracket  175  and also includes the recess part  178  that is combined with the projection part  182  of the bracket  175  to restrict the displacement of the nozzle assembly  171  with respect to the first camera  111  and the second camera  112 . The recess part  178  is formed on the nozzle holder  173 . 
     Thus, the nozzle assembly  171  is not only fixed to the bracket  175 , to which the first camera  111  and the second camera  112  are attached, but also combined with the projection part  182  of the bracket  175  at the recess part  178 , thereby regulating displacement of the nozzle assembly  171  with respect to the first camera  111  and the second camera  112 . Therefore, positional displacement of the first spray orifice  122  and the second spray orifice  124  caused by an accidental external force is prevented or adequately restrained. With the simple structure of the combination of the projection part  182  and the recess part  178 , the first spray orifice  122  and the second spray orifice  124  can be held at the correct positions. 
     The recess part  178  of the nozzle assembly  171  and the projection part  182  of the bracket  175  are not fixed to each other. Accordingly, the projection part  182  and the recess part  178  have only to be combined without being fixed to each other, which facilitates the assembly work. 
     The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and exemplary variations, and combinations of the embodiments and exemplary variations or additional modifications, such as design changes, may be made on the basis of knowledge of those skilled in the art. It should be understood that any embodiment and exemplary variation obtained by such combinations and additional modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention. Any new embodiment made by a combination among the above-mentioned embodiments and exemplary variations or a combination among the above-mentioned embodiments, exemplary variations, and the following modifications has the effect of each of the combined embodiments, exemplary variations, and modifications. 
     Although the upper edge  24   a  and the lower edge  24   b  of the second spray orifice  24  are convexly curved toward the same direction as the second convex surface  14  in the aforementioned embodiments, the configuration is not limited thereto. At least one of the upper edge  24   a  or the lower edge  24   b  of the second spray orifice  24 , such as at least the upper edge  24   a , may be convexly curved in line with the second convex surface  14 . 
     Also, in the aforementioned embodiments, one of the first spray orifice  22  and the second spray orifice  24 , specifically the second spray orifice  24 , is shaped to be convexly curved in line with the second convex surface  14 ; however, both the first spray orifice  22  and the second spray orifice  24  may be convexly curved. Accordingly, the nozzle includes multiple spray orifices, and each of the multiple spray orifices may be provided such that a cleaning fluid is sprayed therefrom in a fan shape onto a corresponding convex surface among multiple convex surfaces arranged around the nozzle. The shape of each spray orifice may be set such that a cleaning fluid layer of fan shape sprayed from the spray orifice has a shape convexly curved toward the same direction as the corresponding convex surface for the spray orifice. 
     In the aforementioned embodiments, the multiple spray orifices are each provided such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom onto a different object to be cleaned. However, instead thereof, the multiple spray orifices may be each provided such that the cleaning liquid is sprayed therefrom onto a different area of the same object to be cleaned, or onto the same area of the same object to be cleaned from a different direction. 
     The number of spray orifices is not particularly limited. Three or more spray orifices may be provided, or only a single spray orifice may be provided. 
     The arrangement and shapes of the projection part and the recess part as the displacement regulating structure are not limited to the aforementioned specific forms and may be set to various other forms. For example, in the embodiment described with reference to  FIGS.  7  through  11 B , the projection part  150  of H-letter shape including the two first vertical ribs  150   a  and one horizontal rib  150   b  is employed; however, the projection part  150  may only include the horizontal rib  150   b  without the first vertical ribs  150   a , for example. Also, although the projection part  150  is formed on the back surface of the nozzle holder  144 , the projection part may be formed on a side surface (the surface on the same side as the connection part  146  or the surface on the opposite side from the connection part  146 ) of the nozzle holder  144  instead, and the recess part to be combined with the projection part may be formed on the bracket  118 . 
     Also, in place of a projection part, a recess part may be provided. Conversely, in place of a recess part, a projection part may be provided. For example, in the cleaner device  110  according to the embodiment described with reference to  FIGS.  7  through  11 B , a recess part may be formed on the nozzle assembly  120 , and a projection part may be formed on the bracket  118 , so that the displacement regulating structure may be formed by the recess part and the projection part combined with each other. Also, in the cleaner device  170  according to the embodiment described with reference to  FIGS.  12  through  16   , a projection part may be formed on the nozzle assembly  171 , and a recess part may be formed on the bracket  175 , so that the displacement regulating structure may be formed by the projection part and the recess part combined with each other. 
     In the aforementioned embodiments, a nozzle provided with a spray orifice and a nozzle holder are prepared as separate components, and the nozzle is attached to the nozzle holder. However, instead thereof, a single nozzle component in which the nozzle and the nozzle holder are formed integrally may be used. 
     As is the case in the embodiment described with reference to  FIG.  1   , also in the embodiment described with reference to  FIGS.  7  through  16   , the shape of one or both of the first spray orifice  122  and the second spray orifice  124  may be set such that the sprayed cleaning liquid layer of fan shape has a shape convexly curved toward the same direction as the convex surface of the corresponding object to be cleaned. 
     In the above-mentioned embodiments, the case where the cleaning fluid is a cleaning liquid is described as an example. However, the cleaning fluid may also be a gas such as air. 
     Although each of the aforementioned embodiments describes a vehicle cleaner device for cleaning a vehicle-mounted camera as an example, the object to be cleaned by the cleaner device  10  or  110  may be a vehicle-mounted sensor other than a vehicle-mounted camera, including a range sensor such as LiDAR, or may be any other vehicle-mounted device. An optical element to be cleaned may constitute part of a vehicle-mounted device as an object to be cleaned. Also, the cleaner devices  10  and  110  are not limited to vehicle use. Each cleaner device according to the embodiments may, for example, be mounted on outdoor lighting devices such as street lights, sensor devices, or various other devices and may be used to clean various objects to be cleaned provided in such devices. 
     The present invention has been described using specific terms based on the embodiments. However, the embodiments only show one aspect of the principle and application of the present invention, and various modifications or changes in arrangement may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention defined in the claims.