Patent Publication Number: US-2022234544-A1

Title: Vehicle Camera And Sensor Washer Manifold Assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This U.S. patent application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/418,660, filed on May 21, 2019, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/675,156, filed on May 22, 2018. The disclosures of these prior applications are considered part of the disclosure of this application and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention is directed to a manifold assembly, and particularly to a manifold assembly of a system for washing the cameras and/or sensors of a motor vehicle, such as a vehicle having autonomous driving functionality. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As autonomous vehicle development continues to progress with various sensors and cameras around the exterior of the vehicle, a need has arisen for keeping the lenses of these sensors and cameras clean in order to function properly. Accordingly, there is an increased need for a washing system that effectively and robustly provides a desired amount of fluid to any of the sensors and cameras of the autonomous vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an example embodiment, there is disclosed a manifold assembly for a camera wash system of an autonomous vehicle. The manifold assembly includes a fluid inlet and a plurality of fluid injectors, each fluid injector configured to switch between an open state in which fluid passes through the fluid injector and a closed state in which fluid does not pass through the fluid injector. A block member is configured to hold the fluid injectors in a fixed position. A rail member includes a fluid passage in fluid communication between the fluid inletand each fluid injector for providing a cleaning fluid to each of the fluid injectors. 
     The block member includes a plurality of apertures, each aperture receiving a portion of a fluid injector therein. The manifold assembly further includes a plurality of fluid outlets, each fluid outlet extending from the block member and is in fluid communication with acorresponding aperture of the block member and fluid injector received therein. The fluid inlet,the rail member, the fluid injectors and the fluid outlets form a plurality of fluid paths through the manifold assembly. 
     The fluid outlets may be integrally formed as a unitary member with the block member. Alternatively, each fluid outlet is mechanically attached to and forms part of a corresponding fluid injector. In another alternative embodiment, each fluid outlet is attached toand extends from the block member. 
     The fluid inlet forms part of the rail member. The rail member further includes aplurality of cup members, each cup member receives therein a fluid inlet portion of a fluid injector. The fluid passage is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and each cup member. The manifold assembly further includes a fluid outlet, wherein the fluid inlet andthe fluid outlet are formed as part of the rail member. The fluid passage is in fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. 
     The manifold assembly further includes at least one fastener coupled to the rail member and the block member. The at least one fastener connects the rail member to the block member. The manifold assembly may further include at least one spacer disposed between the rail member and the block member and surrounding the at least one fastener. The rail member isattached to the block member at a predetermined distance therefrom. 
     The manifold assembly further includes at least one through-hole defined in theblock member. The at least one through-hole allows for attachment of the manifold assembly within a vehicle. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detaileddescription and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross sectional side view of a fluid injector for use in a vehicle camera/sensorwashing system; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a manifold assembly for a vehicle camera/sensor washingsystem using the fluid injector of  FIG. 1 , according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the manifold assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are elevational side views of the manifold assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the manifold assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a block member of the manifold assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective bottom view of the block member of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of a supply rail member of the manifold assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a manifold system according to an example embodiment; 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are top and side views, respectively, of a manifold assembly in  FIG. 10 ; and 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  are top and side views, respectively, of another manifold assembly depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the figures and throughout the detailed description, the same reference numbersare used to identify identical or similar elements. For the sake of clarity, the elements are not shown to scale unless otherwise specified. 
     In general terms, example embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to amanifold assembly of a wash systems for camera and sensors of autonomous vehicles. The manifold assembly is disposed within the vehicle, such as under the vehicle&#39;s hood, and in fluid communication between a source of washing fluid and exit ports of the wash system which discharge the washing fluid towards a plurality of the vehicle&#39;s cameras and sensors. The fluid may be a liquid, such as water or a water-based solution, or a gas, such as air. The wash system may also include a reservoir for holding water or other wash fluid; a pump which pumps fluid from the reservoir under pressure to the manifold assembly; an electronics control unit which controls the manifold assembly to selectively discharge the pressurized fluid from the manifold assembly to any one of a plurality of exit ports in fluid communication with the fluid outlets of the manifold assembly, each of the exit ports being disposed in proximity with a camera or sensor of the vehicle. In this way, the manifold assembly serves to selectively provide and distribute washing fluid to the externally-facing cameras and sensors of a motor vehicle. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-9 , there is shown a manifold assembly  60  according to an example embodiment. Manifold assembly  60  is configured to be part of the camera/sensor washsystem for a motor vehicle, between a source of washing fluid and the exit ports of the wash system, and particularly between a fluid pump on an upstream side and the exit ports on adownstream side of the wash system. 
     Manifold assembly  60  includes an inlet  62  disposed at one longitudinal end of theassembly and configured to receive, either directly or indirectly, fluid from a source of washing fluid to be used to wash exterior-facing cameras and sensors of a motor vehicle, such as the cameras and sensors which provide autonomous control functionality. Manifold assembly  60  further includes a plurality of outlets  63  which selectively provide washing fluid received at inlet  62 . 
     In an example embodiment, manifold assembly  60  includes a plurality of fluid injectors  10 . Fluid injectors  10 , seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , may each be any fluid injector, such as a fuel injector, a fluid injector for a reductant or diesel dosing unit, etc. In the example embodiments, each fluid injector  10  is a solenoid-activated injector in which the solenoid is controlled to open and close the injector valve of the fluid injector. In this way, manifold assembly  60 , by selectively opening and closing the valves of fluid injectors  10 , allow for autonomous vehicle was system to provide washing fluid to the lens or other assembly of a chosen camera or sensor in precisely controlled amounts. Fluid injectors  10  may be individuallycontrolled, i.e., opened and closed, by an electronics unit of the autonomous vehicle, or may be collectively controlled. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates fluid injector  10  according to an example embodiment. Fluid injector includes an actuator unit  20  including a coil  22 , stationary pole piece  26 , spring  27  and movable armature  24 . Passing an electric current through coil  22  creates an electromagnetic force which causes armature  24  to move towards pole piece  26 , against the bias force presented by spring  27 . Removal of the electric current causes armature  24  to move away from pole piece 26  due to the spring force from spring  27 . 
     Fluid injector further includes a valve assembly  30 . Armature  24  is connected toa valve needle  34  of the valve assembly having a closing element  36  disposed at an end portion of the needle. A valve seat  38  is disposed in fluid injector  10  at a downstream end portion thereof. Movement of armature  24  in a direction towards pole piece  26 , due to passing current through coil  22 , moves valve needle  34  so that closing element  36  becomes spaced apart from valve seat  38 , thereby opening the valve assembly  30  of fluid injector  10  and allowing fluid to pass from a fluid inlet  39  of fluid injector  10  to a fluid outlet  37  thereof. Movement of armature  24  in a direction away from pole piece  26 , due to the removal of current through coil  22  and responsive to the spring bias from spring  27 , causes valve needle  34  to move so that closing element  36  sealingly engages with valve seat  38 , thereby closing the valve assembly  30  and preventing fluid from flowing from fluid inlet  39  of fluid injector  10  to fluid outlet  37  thereof. With continued reference to  FIGS. 2-9 , manifold assembly  60  includes a block member  72  which supports each fluid injector  10  in a fixed position. Block member  72  may be constructed from plastic, such as molded plastic, metal, fiberglass or the like. Block member  72  includes a plurality of apertures  72 A defined therein. Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , each aperture  72 A is sized and shaped for receiving at least partly therein a fluid injector  10 . Each aperture  72 A receives a downstream portion of a fluid injector  10 , relative to a direction of fluid flow through the injector. In the illustrated example embodiment, block member  72  includes eight apertures  72 A for holding up to eight fluid injectors  10 , but it is understood that block member  72  may be configured to hold a different number of apertures  72 A. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-8 , block member  72  further includes a plurality of fluid outlets  63  which extend or protrude from block member  72 . Each fluid outlet  63  includes a through-hole for passing fluid discharged from a corresponding fluid injector  10 .  FIGS. 1-6  illustrate the positioning of fluid injectors  10  relative to a corresponding fluid outlet  63 . In one example embodiment, each fluid outlet  63  is formed from a metal and is welded or otherwise secured to the outlet port of a corresponding fluid injector  10 , as shown if  FIG. 1 . In another example embodiment, each fluid outlet  63  is integrally formed with block member  72  so as to form a unitary member therewith, such as by being formed with block member  72  as part of thesame plastic molding process. In another example embodiment, each fluid outlet is attached orsecured to block member  72 . 
     Further, block member  72  includes a plurality of through-holes  67 . In the illustrated example embodiment, a through-hole  67  is defined at and extends from the longitudinal end portions of block member  72 . Through-holes  67  are sized for receiving a bolt or other fastener therein (not shown), for securing manifold assembly  60  within a vehicle. 
     Block member  72  may also include apertures  72 B ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ) defined at leastpartly therein. Apertures  72 B are illustrated as being defined through block member  72 , but it isunderstood that apertures  72 B may be defined only partly through the block member. Apertures  72 B may be defined along the longitudinal length of block member  72  and spaced apart from each other. Apertures  72 A include a threaded inner surface for receiving a bolt or other fastener, as explained in greater detail below. 
     Manifold assembly  60  includes a rail member  64  which provides fluid communication between inlet  62  of the manifold assembly and the fluid inlet  39  of each fluid injector  10 . Rail member  64  is constructed from a rigid material, such as plastic, metal, fiberglass or the like. Inlet  62  of manifold assembly  60  extends from an end portion, such as a longitudinal end portion, of rail member  64 . A plurality of cup members  66  extend outwardly and are sized and shaped for receiving therein the inlet portion of a fluid injector  10 . Cup member  66  forms a sealed engagement with a corresponding fluid injector  10  when the inlet portthereof is inserted in cup member  66 . 
     In fluid communication between inlet  62  and cup members  66  of rail member  64  is a fluid passage  68 . Passage  68  may be formed from a plurality of interconnected passage segments  68 A- 68 D. In an example embodiment, a first passage segment  68 A extends from inlet  62  at a first longitudinal end of rail member  64  and a second longitudinal end thereof, and provides fluid communication to a first group of cup members  66  (four cup members  66 , as illustrated). A second passage segment  68 B extends from first passage segment  68 A in a lateral direction along rail member  64 . A third passage segment  68 C extends in parallel with first passage segment  68 A between longitudinal end portions of rail member  64 , and is in fluid communication with a second group of (four) cup members  66 . Second passage segment  68 B isdisposed between and is fluidly connected to first passage segment  68 A and third passage segment  68 C. As shown, second passage segment  68 B is disposed along a middle section of railmember  64 , resulting in fluid passage  68  forming an H-shape. It is understood, however, that fluid passage  68  may have other shapes. For example, second passage segment  64 B may extendin a lateral direction along a longitudinal end portion of rail member  64 , resulting in fluid passage  68  have a largely C-shape. 
     Rail member  64  may further include one or more through-bores  69 . Best seen in  FIG. 9 , through-bores  69  are spaced apart from each other and disposed substantially evenly along rail member  64  in a longitudinal direction. Through-bores  69  are sized for allowing a bolt  70  or other fastener to be inserted therein and to threadingly engage with an aperture  72 B so thatrail member  64  may be secured to block member and thereby hold fluid injectors  10  in a stable, fixed position within manifold assembly  60 . As shown, spacers  61  surround bolts  70  and are disposed between block member  72  and rail member  64  to provide a fixed spacing therebetween. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-section of manifold assembly  60  along one group of fluidinjectors  10 . Here, the fluid inlet of each fluid injector  10  is disposed within the inner cavity of acorresponding cup member  66  and forms a sealed connection therewith using an O-ring or the like. As shown, each cup member  66  includes an additional (fourth) passage segment  68 D that extends from first passage segment  68 A (or third passage segment  68 C) to the cup inner cavity so as to provide fluid communication in between. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an expanded manifold assembly or system  100  according to another example embodiment. In this embodiment, manifold system  100  is a modular assemblyin which a plurality of manifold assemblies  60  are in fluid communication with each other. Depicted in  FIGS. 7-12 , each manifold assembly  60  includes a rail member  64  having a fluid inlet  62 , as discussed above, and also includes a fluid outlet  65  which allows for manifold assemblies  60  to be in fluidly connected to each other in a cascaded arrangement. Tubing  118 , which in thiscase is flexible tubing of a rubber composition or the like, is connected between manifold assemblies  60 , with each tubing or tube member  118  being coupled between the fluid outlet  65  of one manifold assembly  60  and the fluid inlet  62  of the next manifold assembly  60  in the cascaded chain of manifold assemblies  60 . This manifold system  100  advantageously allows formanifold assemblies  60  to be spaced apart in the motor vehicle as needed in order to effectively provide wash fluid to cameras and/or sensors disposed around the vehicle. The one manifold assembly  60  appearing at the end of the cascaded chain of manifold assemblies  60  may include afluid outlet  65  having a plug sealingly engaged therewith or may optionally not include a fluid outlet  65 . 
     Expanded manifold system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 10  shows manifold assemblies  60  with different numbers of fluid injectors  10  associated therewith.  FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate top and side plan views, respectively, of the four-injector manifold assembly  60  appearing in  FIG. 10 .  FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate top and side plan views, respectively, of a two-injector manifoldassembly appearing in  FIG. 10 . 
     The example embodiments have been described herein in an illustrative manner,and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The description above is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations may be made thereto without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.