Patent Publication Number: US-2021179029-A1

Title: Valve device and cleaning system for vehicles

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-123275, filed on Jun. 28, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a valve device and a vehicle cleaning system. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A recent vehicle may include multiple on-board sensors such as cameras. For each on-board sensor, a cleaning system may include a nozzle. Also, multiple nozzles may be arranged next to one another for a cover glass having a relatively large area. 
     A valve device may be used to sequentially feed a fluid to such multiple nozzles from a single fluid pump. A valve device may include a rotation switching member that rotates integrally with a worm wheel configured to rotate based on rotation of a rotation shaft of a motor. The valve device may switch outlets so that one of the outlets is in communication with an inlet in accordance with a rotation angle of the rotation switching member (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document
     Patent Document 1: International Patent Publication No. WO2017/085948.   

     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the valve device described above, since the worm wheel configured to rotate based on rotation of the rotational shaft of the motor rotates integrally with a rotary body, for example, advanced control needs to be executed on the motor in order to rotate the rotation switching member by a predetermined angle with high accuracy. Thus, easy and accurate switching of the outlets is difficult. 
     It is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a valve device and a vehicle cleaning system configured to readily switch outlets with high accuracy. 
     To achieve the above objective, a valve device includes a washing inlet, outlets, a switching inlet, a movable switching member, and a conversion engagement portion. The outlets are configured to be in communication with the washing inlet. The movable switching member is movable in a linear direction based on a pressure of a fluid that is fed to the switching inlet. The conversion engagement portion is configured to convert linear movement of the movable switching member into a rotation of a predetermined angle. The valve device is configured to switch which of the outlets is in communication with the washing inlet in accordance with a rotation angle of the movable switching member. 
     In this configuration, the movable switching member is linearly driven based on a pressure of the fluid fed to the switching inlet. The linear movement of the movable switching member is converted into a rotation of the predetermined angle by the conversion engagement portion. Thus, the movable switching member is readily rotated by the predetermined angle. As a result, the outlet that is in communication with the washing inlet is switched in accordance with the rotation angle of the movable switching member. Thus, the outlets are switched with high accuracy by the movable switching member configured to be rotated by the predetermined angle. 
     To achieve the above objective, a vehicle cleaning system includes the valve device described above, a fluid pump configured to be connected to the switching inlet; and nozzles ( 13  to  16 ,  53  to  56 ) configured to be respectively connected to the outlets. 
     With this configuration, the advantage described above is obtained in the vehicle cleaning system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above objectives and other objectives of the present disclosure and aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a vehicle on which a vehicle cleaning device is mounted in an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the vehicle cleaning system in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a valve device in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a case in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view showing the case in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a first case cover in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the first case cover in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a movable switching member in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of the movable switching member in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing an operation of the valve device in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing an operation of the valve device in the embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing an operation of the valve device in the embodiment; and 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle cleaning system in a further example. 
     
    
    
     MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of a cleaning system for a vehicle  1  will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle cleaning system is mounted on the vehicle  1  and includes a valve device  11 , a double-outlet pump  12  corresponding to a fluid pump, a tank  17  configured to store a washer liquid, and nozzles  13  to  16 . More specifically, the valve device  11 , the double-outlet pump  12 , and the tank  17  are mounted on a front part of the vehicle  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the double-outlet pump  12  is a washer pump that includes a motor  12   a  used as a drive source, a first discharge port  12   b , and a second discharge port  12   c  and is configured to rotate the motor  12   a  forwardly and reversely so that the washer liquid stored in the tank  17  is discharged selectively from the first discharge port  12   b  and the second discharge port  12   c . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the nozzles  13  to  16  are, for example, arranged adjacent to respective cleaning subjects such as onboard sensors and include nozzle ports that eject a washer liquid toward the cleaning subjects when the washer liquid is fed. In the present embodiment, the cleaning subjects are an onboard camera CA, a ranging sensor DR (e.g., light detection and ranging or laser imaging detection and ranging (LIDAR)), a front windshield FWS, and a rear windshield RWS. The cleaning subjects include, for example, headlights HL, taillights TL, and mirrors DM in addition to the onboard camera CA, the ranging sensor DR, the front windshield FWS, and the rear windshield RWS. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the valve device  11  includes a case  21 , a first case cover  22 , and a second case cover  20 . 
     The case  21  includes a tubular case body  21   a  substantially having a closed end, which defines a bottom  21   b , and a tubular cylinder portion  21   c  further extending from the bottom  21   b  of the case body  21   a . The cylinder portion  21   c  has a smaller outer diameter than the case body  21   a . The case body  21   a  and the cylinder portion  21   c  share the bottom  21   b.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 5 , a washing inlet  21   d  projects outside from a circumferential portion of the case body  21   a  at an axial center and allows communication between the inside and the outside of the case body  21   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the bottom  21   b  of the case body  21   a  includes a central hole  21   e  and four communication holes  21   f  arranged around the central hole  21   e  at equiangular (90°) intervals in the circumferential direction. Four outlets  23  to  26  are arranged on the bottom  21   b  of the case body  21   a . The outlets  23  to  26  are in communication with the inside of the case body  21   a  via the communication holes  21   f  and project from the inside of the cylinder portion  21   c  to the exterior. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , annular recesses  21   g  are respectively formed around the communication holes  21   f  in the bottom  21   b  of the case body  21   a  so as to extend around the communication holes  21   f . The annular recesses  21   g  retain annular rubber seals  27 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the tubular second case cover  20  substantially having a closed end is adhered to an open end (end located at a side opposite to the case body  21   a ) of the cylinder portion  21   c . More specifically, the open end of the cylinder portion  21   c  is welded to the second case cover  20 . A switching inlet  20   a  projects from the bottom of the second case cover  20  to the exterior and allows communication between the inside and the outside of the cylinder portion  21   c . In the present embodiment, the washing inlet  21   d  and the switching inlet  20   a  project radially outward from the case  21  in the same direction (in  FIG. 5 , lower direction). In the present embodiment, pairs of the four outlets  23  to  26  project parallel to each other and away from each other in a direction (sideward direction in  FIG. 5 ) orthogonal to the direction in which the washing inlet  21   d  and the switching inlet  20   a  project. 
     The first case cover  22  is fixed to an open end of the case body  21   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , an inner extension  22   a  axially extends from an end surface of the first case cover  22  opposed to the case body  21   a , and an annular groove  22   b  is formed in an outer circumference of the inner extension  22   a . As shown in  FIG. 3 , an annular rubber seal  28  is fitted to the annular groove  22   b  and is in tight contact with an inner circumferential surface of the case body  21   a  to hermetically seal the case body  21   a . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a recess  21   j  is formed in a circumferential portion of the open end of the case body  21   a . As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first case cover  22  includes a projection  22   c  fitted to the recess  21   j . The fitting of the projection  22   c  to the recess  21   j  circumferentially positions the first case cover  22  in relation to the case body  21   a  and stops circumferential movement of the first case cover  22 . In an example, the case body  21   a  and the first case cover  22  are fixed to each other by welding. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the valve device  11  includes a movable switching member  31  and a conversion engagement portion  32 . The movable switching member  31  is movable in a linear direction (in  FIG. 3 , vertical direction) based on a pressure of the washer liquid, which corresponds to a fluid that is fed to the switching inlet  20   a . The conversion engagement portion  32  converts linear movement of the movable switching member  31  into a rotation of a predetermined angle. The rotation refers to a rotation of the movable switching member  31  about an axis extending in the linear direction. 
     More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a piston member  33  is arranged in the cylinder portion  21   c  and is movable in the linear direction based on a pressure of the washer liquid, which corresponds to the fluid fed to the switching inlet  20   a . The piston member  33  includes a base member  34  and a rubber member  35 . The base member  34  includes a discoid base disc  34   a  and a tube  34   b  having a closed end and projecting from a center of the base disc  34   a . The rubber member  35  is fitted onto the tube  34   b  and configured to slide on an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder portion  21   c . Thus, the piston member  33  is movable in the linear direction based on a pressure of the washer liquid that is fed to the cylinder portion  21   c  through the switching inlet  20   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the movable switching member  31  includes a rod-shaped shaft  31   a , inner engaged portions  31   b  projecting radially outward from circumferential portions of the shaft  31   a , a discoid disc  31   c  connecting distal ends of the inner engaged portions  31   b  to each other, and outer engaged portions  31   d  projecting radially outward from circumferential portions of the disc  31   c . In the present embodiment, four inner engaged portions  31   b  and four outer engaged portions  31   d  are arranged at equiangular (90°) intervals in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, each of the inner engaged portions  31   b  and each of the outer engaged portions  31   d  are arranged in the same direction with the shaft  31   a  serving as an axis. In the present embodiment, the inner engaged portions  31   b  and the outer engaged portions  31   d  form engaged portions. In addition, a switching hole  31   e  axially extends through the disc  31   c  of the movable switching member  31  and partially extends in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the disc  31   c  of the movable switching member  31  has an inner edge from which a thin tube  31   f  extends in the axial direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the movable switching member  31  is arranged so that the disc  31   c  is movable in the case body  21   a  in the axial direction (linear direction). The shaft  31   a  includes a first portion located toward the first case cover  22  from a portion on which the inner engaged portions  31   b  are arranged and a second portion located toward the second case cover  20  from the portion on which the inner engaged portions  31   b  are arranged. The second portion of the shaft  31   a  is longer than the first portion of the shaft  31   a . The second portion of the shaft  31   a  extends through the central hole  21   e  and is located in the cylinder portion  21   c , so that the distal end of the second portion is in contact with the bottom of the tube  34   b  in the base member  34  of the piston member  33 . In the present embodiment, the distal end of the second portion of the shaft  31   a  is in contact with the bottom of the tube  34   b . However, there is no limitation to such a configuration. For example, the distal end of the second portion of the shaft  31   a  may be press-fitted to the tube  34   b.    
     The valve device  11  further includes a coil spring  36  corresponding to a biasing member arranged in a compressed state between the inner extension  22   a  of the first case cover  22  and the disc  31   c  of the movable switching member  31 . The coil spring  36  constantly biases the disc  31   c  of the movable switching member  31  toward the bottom  21   b  of the case body  21   a . In the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the coil spring  36  at one end (in  FIG. 3 , upper end) is set to be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the case body  21   a , and the inner diameter of the coil spring  36  at the other end (in  FIG. 3 , lower end) is set to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tube  31   f . The coil spring  36  is a conical coil spring, the diameter of which gradually decreases from one end to the other end. 
     When the disc  31   c  is in contact with the bottom  21   b  of the case body  21   a , the switching hole  31   e  is allowed to be in communication with one of the communication holes  21   f , and the outlet that is in communication with the washing inlet  21   d  is switched between the outlets  23  to  26  in accordance with a rotation angle of the movable switching member  31 . When the disc  31   c  is in contact with the bottom  21   b  of the case body  21   a , the rubber seals  27  are compressed and are in tight contact with the disc  31   c . This prevents leakage of the washer liquid, which corresponds to the fluid, to ones of the communication holes  21   f  that are not aligned with the switching hole  31   e  in the circumferential direction. 
     The conversion engagement portion  32  includes first inclined surfaces  32   a  that come into contact with the inner engaged portions  31   b  and guide the movable switching member  31  including the inner engaged portions  31   b  toward one side in the circumferential direction (in  FIG. 11 , counterclockwise about the shaft  31   a ) as the movable switching member  31  moves toward one side (in  FIG. 3 , upward) in the linear direction. The conversion engagement portion  32  also includes second inclined surfaces  32   b  that come into contact with the outer engaged portions  31   d  and guide the movable switching member  31  including the outer engaged portions  31   d  toward the one side in the circumferential direction as the movable switching member  31  moves toward the other side (in  FIG. 3 , downward) in the linear direction. 
     More specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , engagement pieces  22   d  are arranged on the inner extension  22   a  of the first case cover  22  at positions radially corresponding to the inner engaged portions  31   b  and extend further axially downward (toward the cylinder portion  21   c ). Four engagement pieces  22   d  are arranged at equiangular (90°) intervals in the circumferential direction. Each engagement piece  22   d  has a distal end including the first inclined surface  32   a  that is lowered toward one side in the circumferential direction. A gap between the engagement pieces  22   d  in the circumferential direction has the same width as the circumferential width of each inner engaged portion  31   b  and defines an inner retaining groove  22   e  allowing for the fitting of the inner engaged portion  31   b.    
     In addition, engagement protrusions  21   k  are arranged on the bottom  21   b  of the case body  21   a  at positions continuous with the inner circumferential surface of the case body  21   a  and radially corresponding to the outer engaged portions  31   d . The engagement protrusions  21   k  extend axially upward (toward the opening of the case body  21   a ). Four engagement protrusions  21   k  are arranged at equiangular (90°) intervals in the circumferential direction. Each engagement protrusion  21   k  has a distal end including the second inclined surface  32   b  that is lowered toward one side in the circumferential direction. A gap between the engagement protrusions  21   k  in the circumferential direction has the same width as the circumferential width of each outer engaged portion  31   d  and defines an outer retaining groove  21   m  allowing for the fitting of the outer engaged portion  31   d . When the outer engaged portions  31   d  are fitted to the outer retaining grooves  21   m , the circumferential position of the switching hole  31   e  in the movable switching member  31  conforms to the circumferential position of one of the communication holes  21   f , so that the washing inlet  21   d  is in communication with only one of the outlets  23  to  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first discharge port  12   b  of the double-outlet pump  12  is connected to the switching inlet  20   a  by a hose H 1 , and the second discharge port  12   c  is connected to the washing inlet  21   d  by a hose H 2 . The outlets  23  to  26  are respectively connected to the nozzles  13  to  16  by hoses H 3  to H 6 . 
     The operation of the vehicle cleaning system configured as described above will now be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , when the washer liquid is not fed to the switching inlet  20   a , the disc  31   c  of the movable switching member  31  is in contact with (more specifically, pushed and in contact with) the bottom  21   b  of the case body  21   a  by the biasing force of the coil spring  36 . In this state, the outer engaged portions  31   d  are fitted to the outer retaining grooves  21   m.    
     For example, when a cleaning switch, which is arranged at the driver seat and is not shown in the drawings, is operated, and the motor  12   a  of the double-outlet pump  12  is rotated forward, the washer liquid stored in the tank  17  is discharged from the first discharge port  12   b . As a result, the movable switching member  31  is driven together with the piston member  33  toward one side (in  FIG. 3 , upward) in the linear direction against the biasing force of the coil spring  36  based on the pressure of the washer liquid fed to the switching inlet  20   a . That is, the movable switching member  31  is linearly moved in accordance with linear movement of the piston member  33 . 
     At this time, as indicated by arrow A in  FIG. 11 , the inner engaged portions  31   b  come into contact with (slide on) the first inclined surfaces  32   a , and the movable switching member  31  including the inner engaged portions  31   b  is guided toward one side in the circumferential direction and rotated to a position where the inner engaged portions  31   b  are fitted to the inner retaining grooves  22   e . When the double-outlet pump  12  is stopped, the disc  31   c  of the movable switching member  31  is actuated by the biasing force of the coil spring  36  toward the other side (in  FIG. 3 , downward) in the linear direction. 
     At this time, as indicated by arrow B in  FIG. 12 , the outer engaged portions  31   d  come into contact with (slide on) the second inclined surfaces  32   b , and the movable switching member  31  including the outer engaged portions  31   d  is guided toward the one side in the circumferential direction and rotated to a position where the outer engaged portions  31   d  are fitted to the outer retaining grooves  21   m . As a result, the switching hole  31   e  is rotated together with the movable switching member  31  by 90°, that is, a predetermined angle, so that the outlet that is in communication with the washing inlet  21   d  is switched between the outlets  23  to  26 . 
     Then, when the motor  12   a  of the double-outlet pump  12  is rotated reversely, the washer liquid stored in the tank  17  is discharged from the second discharge port  12   c . As a result, the washer liquid fed from the washing inlet  21   d  to the case body  21   a  is discharged from the one of the outlets  23  to  26  in communication with the switching hole  31   e  and is ejected toward the cleaning subject from the one of the nozzles  13  to  16  connected by the one of the hoses H 3  to H 6  corresponding to the one of the outlets  23  to  26 . For example, when the switching hole  31   e  is in communication with the outlet  23 , the washer liquid supplied from the washing inlet  21   d  to the case body  21   a  is ejected toward the onboard camera CA from the nozzle  13  through the switching hole  31   e , the outlet  23 , and the hose H 3 . 
     As described above, the operation in which the motor  12   a  of the double-outlet pump  12  is rotated forward to switch which of the outlets  23  to  26  is in communication with the washing inlet  21   d  and the motor  12   a  of the double-outlet pump  12  is rotated reversely to eject the washer liquid from one of the nozzles  13  to  16  is repeated so that the washer liquid is ejected sequentially from the nozzles  13  to  16 . 
     An ECU  41  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) is connected to the motor  12   a  of the double-outlet pump  12  and stores the number of times the motor  12   a  is rotated forward (the number of instructions to rotate the motor  12   a  forward) so that the ECU  41  recognizes which one of the outlets  23  to  26  is in communication with the switching hole  31   e  and connects the switching hole  31   e  to the desired one of the outlets  23  to  26  in accordance with an instruction signal from the cleaning switch or a sensor. 
     The advantages of the embodiment will be described below. 
     (1) The movable switching member  31  is driven in the linear direction based on a pressure of the washer liquid, which corresponds to the fluid fed to the switching inlet  20   a . The linear movement of the movable switching member  31  is converted into a rotation of the predetermined angle by the conversion engagement portion  32  (the first inclined surfaces  32   a  and the second inclined surfaces  32   b ). Thus, the movable switching member  31  is readily rotated by the predetermined angle. The outlet that is in communication with the washing inlet  21   d  is switched between the outlets  23  to  26  in accordance with the rotation angle of the movable switching member  31 . Thus, the outlets  23  to  26  are switched with high accuracy using the movable switching member  31  configured to be rotated by the predetermined angle. 
     (2) The movable switching member  31  is actuated toward one side in the linear direction by the pressure of the washer liquid, which corresponds to the fluid fed to the switching inlet  20   a , and is actuated toward the other side in the linear direction by the biasing force of the coil spring  36 , which corresponds to the biasing member. In this configuration, the fluid pump connected to the switching inlet  20   a  may be configured to apply the pressure of the washer liquid in only one direction. For example, as in the present embodiment, a fluid pump configured to only apply pressure (in the present embodiment, the double-outlet pump  12 ) may be used. 
     (3) As the movable switching member  31  is moved toward one side in the linear direction, the inner engaged portions  31   b  of the movable switching member  31  come into contact with the first inclined surfaces  32   a , and the movable switching member  31  including the inner engaged portions  31   b  is guided toward one side in the circumferential direction. As the movable switching member  31  is moved toward the other side in the linear direction, the outer engaged portions  31   d  come into contact with the second inclined surface  32   b , and the movable switching member  31  including the outer engaged portions  31   d  is guided toward the one side in the circumferential direction. Thus, when the movable switching member  31  is driven forward and backward once in the linear direction, the movable switching member  31  is rotated by the predetermined angle (in the present embodiment, 90°) in the circumferential direction along the first inclined surfaces  32   a  and the second inclined surfaces  32   b.    
     (4) The first inclined surface  32   a  is arranged at an inner side of the inner circumferential surface of the case  21  (more specifically, the case body  21   a ) and spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the case  21 . This allows the first inclined surface  32   a  to have a steep slope while shorting the first inclined surface  32   a  in the linear direction. More specifically, when a first inclined surface is arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the case  21  (more specifically, the case body  21   a ) and is continuous with the inner circumferential surface of the case  21 , the first inclined surface is located at the radially outermost side of the case  21 . This increases the circumferential length for guiding in relation to the circumferential angle for guiding. To obtain a steep slope so that the engaged portion is smoothly guided, the length needs to be increased in the linear direction. In contrast, when a first inclined surface is arranged at an inner side of the inner circumferential surface of the case  21  and spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the case  21 , the circumferential length for guiding is decreased in relation to the circumferential angle for guiding. Thus, while the first inclined surface  32   a  has a steep slope allowing for the smooth guide of the engaged portion (i.e., the inner engaged portion  31   b ), the first inclined surface  32   a  may be shortened in the linear direction. Accordingly, the movable switching member  31  is appropriately guided in the circumferential direction in the valve device  11  that is shortened in the linear direction. 
     (5) The double-outlet pump  12  is configured to discharge the washer liquid selectively from the first discharge port  12   b  and the second discharge port  12   c  in accordance with forward and reverse rotations of the motor  12   a . The first discharge port  12   b  is connected to the switching inlet  20   a . The second discharge port  12   c  is connected to the washing inlet  21   d . The washer liquid is ejected sequentially from the nozzles  13  to  16  by operation of the single double-outlet pump  12 . 
     (6) The inner engaged portions  31   b  are configured to fit to the inner retaining grooves  22   e , so that the movable switching member  31  is rotated by the predetermined angle in the circumferential direction. Also, the outer engaged portions  31   d  are configured to fit to the outer retaining grooves  21   m , so that the movable switching member  31  is rotated by the predetermined angle in the circumferential direction. In addition, when an external force is applied, rotation of the movable switching member  31  in the circumferential direction is prevented. 
     The present embodiment may be modified as follows. The present embodiment and the following modified examples can be combined as long as the combined modified examples remain technically consistent with each other. 
     In the above embodiment, the valve device  11  is configured to change the passage of the washer liquid as the fluid. Instead, a valve device may change the passage of air as the fluid. 
     More specifically, for example, a valve device may be embodied in a vehicle cleaning system shown in  FIG. 13 . In this example, the vehicle cleaning system includes a valve device  51  having the same configuration as the valve device  11  of the embodiment and changing the passage of air, an air pump  52 , and air nozzles  53  to  56  ejecting air toward the cleaning subjects when the air is fed, in addition to the vehicle cleaning system including the washer liquid valve device  11  of the above embodiment. The air nozzles  53  and  54  are arranged adjacent to the washer liquid nozzles  13  and  14  of the above embodiment to eject air to the same cleaning subjects as the nozzles  13  and  14 . The air nozzles  55  and  56  eject air toward cleaning subjects (e.g., the mirrors DM or a ranging sensor located at a side surface of the vehicle  1 ) that differ from the cleaning subjects (the front windshield FWS and the rear windshield RWS) of the nozzles  15  and  16 . 
     The first discharge port  12   b  of the double-outlet pump  12  is connected by the hose H 1  to the switching inlet  20   a  of the air valve device  51  in addition to the switching inlet  20   a  of the washer liquid valve device  11  of the above embodiment. The air pump  52  is connected to the washing inlet  21   d  of the air valve device  51  by a hose H 7 . The outlets  23  to  26  of the air valve device  51  are respectively connected to the air nozzles  53  to  56  by hoses H 8  to H 11 . 
     In this configuration, besides the advantages of the above embodiment, the outlet that is in communication with the washing inlet  21   d  of the air valve device  51  is switched between the outlets  23  to  26  in synchronization with the washer liquid valve device  11 . Also, there is no need to add a separate drive source for switching the outlets  23  to  26  of the air valve device  51 . The washer liquid and the air may be simultaneously or sequentially ejected toward the cleaning subjects, so that the cleaning subjects are appropriately cleaned. 
     The fluid pump connected to the washer liquid valve device  11  and the switching inlet  20   a  of the air valve device  51  to feed the fluids may differ from the double-outlet pump  12 . For example, a single-outlet pump may be used to feed a fluid (liquid or air) to only the switching inlet  20   a.    
     In the above embodiment, the coil spring  36  is included as the biasing member. Instead, a fluid pump configured to depressurize (apply negative pressure to) the fluid fed to the switching inlet  20   a  may be used to move the movable switching member  31  toward the other side in the linear direction with the depressurization (negative pressure) without including a biasing member. 
     In the above embodiment, the first inclined surface  32   a  is arranged at an inner side of the inner circumferential surface of the case  21  (more specifically, the case body  21   a ) and spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the case  21 . Instead, a first inclined surface may be arranged continuously with the inner circumferential surface of the case body  21   a . Moreover, the second inclined surface  32   b  may be arranged at an inner side of the inner circumferential surface of the case body  21   a  and spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the case body  21   a . In the above embodiment, the engaged portions include the inner engaged portions  31   b  and the outer engaged portions  31   d . However, the engaged portions may include only one of the inner engaged portions  31   b  and the outer engaged portions  31   d , if appropriate. 
     The above embodiment includes four outlets  23  to  26 . However, the number of outlets may be changed and may be, for example, three or six. In this case, the number of communication holes  21   f  may be changed in correspondence with the number of outlets. Also, the angle by which the switching hole  31   e  is rotated when the movable switching member  31  is driven forward and backward once in the linear direction, may be changed in accordance with the number of communication holes  21   f.    
     In the above embodiment, the washing inlet  21   d  is constantly in communication with one of the outlets  23  to  26 . Instead, the washing inlet  21   d  may be in communication with two or more of the outlets  23  to  26 . 
     In the above embodiment, when the disc  31   c  is in contact with the bottom  21   b  of the case body  21   a , the switching hole  31   e  is in communication with one of the communication holes  21   f . However, there is no limitation to such a configuration. For example, the switching hole  31   e  may be configured not to be in communication with any of the communication holes  21   f  when the disc  31   c  is in contact with the bottom  21   b  of the case body  21   a.    
     The present disclosure is described in accordance with exemplified examples but is not limited to the exemplified examples and its structure. The present disclosure embraces various modified examples and variations within the scope of equivalents. In addition, various combinations and forms, and other combinations and forms including only one element or more or less than one element are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.