Patent Description:
In recent years, cameras have been mounted on vehicles. A camera outputs acquired information to a vehicle ECU or the like that controls a host vehicle. A vehicle cleaner that can clean such a camera with cleaning liquid is known in Patent Literature <NUM> and the like.

A plurality of cameras and sensors are mounted on a vehicle. It is conceivable to clean the plurality of cameras and sensors with the above-described vehicle cleaner. In this case, a vehicle cleaner system including a plurality of vehicle cleaners is conceivable to be integrally mounted on the vehicle.

The present invention provides a vehicle cleaner system capable of recognizing a failed cleaner.

The present invention is defined by the appended independent claim. The dependent claims are directed to optional features and preferred embodiments.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle cleaner system according to the independent claim.

Preferred embodiments are set out in the dependent claims and in the remaining part of the description.

The vehicle cleaner system includes: a plurality of cleaner units that discharge cleaning liquid toward objects to be cleaned mounted on a vehicle capable of traveling in an automatic driving mode;.

The control module outputs information on an unavailable electromagnetic valve to a vehicle control unit that controls the vehicle based on a signal indicating the short circuit and the open circuit of the electromagnetic valves acquired from the protection diagnosis units.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle cleaner system.

The vehicle cleaner system includes: a plurality of cleaner units that discharge cleaning liquid toward objects to be cleaned mounted on a vehicle;.

The control module stops the motor pump when a signal indicating the short circuit and the open circuit of the electromagnetic valves is acquired from the protection diagnosis units.

The cleaner control unit performs PWM control after the normally closed electromagnetic valves are opened.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle cleaner system capable of recognizing a failed cleaner.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle cleaner system including an electromagnetic valve having good responsiveness.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Descriptions of members having the same reference numerals as those having been described in the description of the present embodiment will be omitted for convenience of description. Further, dimensions of members shown in the drawings may be different from actual dimensions thereof for convenience of description.

In the description of the present embodiment, a "left-right direction", a "front-back direction", and an "up-down direction" are appropriately referred to for convenience of description. These directions are relative directions set for a vehicle <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Here, the "up-down direction" includes an "upward direction" and a "downward direction". The "front-back direction" includes a "frontward direction" and a "backward direction". The "left-right direction" includes a "leftward direction" and a "rightward direction".

<FIG> is a top view of the vehicle <NUM> equipped with a vehicle cleaner system <NUM> (hereinafter, referred to as the cleaner system <NUM>) according to the present embodiment. The vehicle <NUM> includes the cleaner system <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the vehicle <NUM> is an automobile that can travel in an automatic driving mode.

First, a vehicle system <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> is a block diagram of the vehicle system <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the vehicle system <NUM> includes a vehicle control unit <NUM>, an internal sensor <NUM>, an external sensor <NUM>, a lamp <NUM>, a human-machine interface (HMI) <NUM>, a global positioning system (GPS) <NUM>, a wireless communication unit <NUM>, and a map information storage unit <NUM>. The vehicle system <NUM> further includes a steering actuator <NUM>, a steering device <NUM>, a brake actuator <NUM>, a brake device <NUM>, an accelerator actuator <NUM>, and an accelerator device <NUM>.

The vehicle control unit <NUM> includes an electronic control unit (ECU). The vehicle control unit <NUM> includes a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) that stores various vehicle control programs, and a random access memory (RAM) that temporarily stores vehicle control data. The processor loads a program designated from the various vehicle control programs stored in the ROM onto the RAM and executes processing in cooperation with the RAM. The vehicle control unit <NUM> controls traveling of the vehicle <NUM>.

The internal sensor <NUM> is a sensor that can acquire information on a host vehicle. The internal sensor <NUM> is, for example, at least one of an acceleration sensor, a speed sensor, a wheel speed sensor, and a gyro sensor. The internal sensor <NUM> acquires information on the host vehicle, including a traveling state of the vehicle <NUM>, and outputs the information to the vehicle control unit <NUM>.

The internal sensor <NUM> may include a seating sensor that detects whether a driver is seated in a driver seat, a face direction sensor that detects a direction of the face of the driver, a human sensor that detects a person in the vehicle, and the like.

The external sensor <NUM> is a sensor that can acquire information on the outside of the host vehicle. The external sensor is, for example, at least one of a camera, a radar, and a LiDAR. The external sensor <NUM> acquires information on the outside of the host vehicle, including a surrounding environment of the vehicle <NUM> (another vehicle, a pedestrian, a road shape, a traffic sign, an obstacle, and the like), and outputs the information to the vehicle control unit <NUM>. Alternatively, the external sensor <NUM> may include a weather sensor that detects a weather condition, a luminance sensor that detects luminance of the surrounding environment of the vehicle <NUM>, and the like.

The camera is, for example, a camera including an imaging element such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary MOS (CMOS). The camera is a camera that detects visible light or an infrared camera that detects infrared rays.

The radar is a millimeter-wave radar, a microwave radar, a laser radar, and the like.

The LiDAR is an abbreviation for light detection and ranging or laser imaging detection and ranging. The LiDAR is a sensor that generally emits non-visible light frontward and acquires information such as a distance to an object, a shape of the object, a material of the object, and a color of the object based on the emitted light and returning light.

The lamp <NUM> is at least one of a headlamp or a position lamp provided at a front portion of the vehicle <NUM>, a back combination lamp provided at a back portion of the vehicle <NUM>, a turn signal lamp provided at the front portion or a side portion of the vehicle, and various lamps for notifying a pedestrian and a driver of another vehicle of a status of the host vehicle.

The HMI <NUM> includes an input unit that receives an input operation from the driver and an output unit that outputs traveling information and the like to the driver. The input unit includes a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, a driving mode changeover switch for switching a driving mode of the vehicle <NUM>, and the like. The output unit is a display that displays traveling information.

The GPS <NUM> acquires current position information on the vehicle <NUM> and outputs the acquired current position information to the vehicle control unit <NUM>. The wireless communication unit <NUM> receives traveling information of another vehicle around the vehicle <NUM> from the other vehicle and transmits traveling information on the vehicle <NUM> to the other vehicle (vehicle-to-vehicle communication). The wireless communication unit <NUM> further receives infrastructure information from infrastructure equipment such as a traffic light or a sign lamp and transmits the traveling information on the vehicle <NUM> to the infrastructure equipment (road-to-vehicle communication). The map information storage unit <NUM> is an external storage device such as a hard disk drive that stores map information, and outputs the map information to the vehicle control unit <NUM>.

When the vehicle <NUM> travels in the automatic driving mode, the vehicle control unit <NUM> automatically generates at least one of a steering control signal, an accelerator control signal, and a brake control signal based on the traveling state information, the surrounding environment information, the current position information, the map information, and the like. The steering actuator <NUM> receives the steering control signal from the vehicle control unit <NUM> and controls the steering device <NUM> based on the received steering control signal. The brake actuator <NUM> receives the brake control signal from the vehicle control unit <NUM> and controls the brake device <NUM> based on the received brake control signal. The accelerator actuator <NUM> receives the accelerator control signal from the vehicle control unit <NUM> and controls the accelerator device <NUM> based on the received accelerator control signal. In this way, in the automatic driving mode, the traveling of the vehicle <NUM> is automatically controlled by the vehicle system <NUM>.

On the other hand, when the vehicle <NUM> travels in a manual driving mode, the vehicle control unit <NUM> generates the steering control signal, the accelerator control signal, and the brake control signal in accordance with a manual operation of the driver on the accelerator pedal, the brake pedal, and the steering wheel. In this way, in the manual driving mode, since the steering control signal, the accelerator control signal, and the brake control signal are generated by the manual operation of the driver, the traveling of the vehicle <NUM> is controlled by the driver.

Next, the driving mode of the vehicle <NUM> will be described. The driving mode includes the automatic driving mode and the manual driving mode. The automatic driving mode includes a fully automatic driving mode, an advanced driving support mode, and a driving support mode. In the fully automatic driving mode, the vehicle system <NUM> automatically executes all of the traveling control including steering control, brake control, and accelerator control, and the driver cannot drive the vehicle <NUM>. In the advanced driving support mode, the vehicle system <NUM> automatically executes all of the traveling control including the steering control, the brake control, and the accelerator control, and the driver can drive the vehicle <NUM> but does not drive the vehicle <NUM>. In the driving support mode, the vehicle system <NUM> automatically executes a part of the traveling control including the steering control, the brake control, and the accelerator control, and the driver drives the vehicle <NUM> under driving support of the vehicle system <NUM>. On the other hand, in the manual driving mode, the vehicle system <NUM> does not automatically perform the traveling control, and the driver drives the vehicle <NUM> without the driving support of the vehicle system <NUM>.

The driving mode of the vehicle <NUM> may be switched by operating the driving mode changeover switch. In this case, the vehicle control unit <NUM> switches the driving mode of the vehicle <NUM> among four driving modes (the fully automatic driving mode, the advanced driving support mode, the driving support mode, and the manual driving mode) according to an operation of the driver on the driving mode changeover switch. The driving mode of the vehicle <NUM> may be automatically switched based on information about a traveling permitted section where an automatic driven vehicle can travel or about a traveling prohibited section where traveling of the automatic driven vehicle is prohibited, or information about an external weather condition. In this case, the vehicle control unit <NUM> switches the driving mode of the vehicle <NUM> based on the information described above. Further, the driving mode of the vehicle <NUM> may be automatically switched using the seating sensor, the face direction sensor, and the like. In this case, the vehicle control unit <NUM> switches the driving mode of the vehicle <NUM> based on output signals from the seating sensor and the face direction sensor.

Referring back to <FIG>, the vehicle <NUM> includes, as the external sensor <NUM>, a front LiDAR 6f, a back LiDAR 6b, a right LiDAR 6r, a left LiDAR <NUM>, a front camera 6c, and a back camera 6d. The front LiDAR 6f acquires information on a front side of the vehicle <NUM>. The back LiDAR 6b acquires information on a back side of the vehicle <NUM>. The right LiDAR 6r acquires information on a right side of the vehicle <NUM>. The left LiDAR <NUM> acquires information on a left side of the vehicle <NUM>. The front camera 6c acquires information on the front side of the vehicle <NUM>. The back camera <NUM> d acquires information on the back side of the vehicle <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the front LiDAR 6f is provided at the front portion of the vehicle <NUM>, the back LiDAR 6b is provided at the back portion of the vehicle <NUM>, the right LiDAR 6r is provided at a right portion of the vehicle <NUM>, and the left LiDAR <NUM> is provided at a left portion of the vehicle <NUM>. Alternatively, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the front LiDAR, the back LiDAR, the right LiDAR, and the left LiDAR may be collectively arranged on a ceiling of the vehicle <NUM>.

The vehicle <NUM> includes, as the lamp <NUM>, a right headlamp 7r and a left headlamp <NUM>. The right headlamp 7r is provided at a right portion of the front portion of the vehicle <NUM>, and the left headlamp <NUM> is provided at a left portion of the front portion of the vehicle <NUM>. The right headlamp 7r is provided on a right side relative to the left headlamp <NUM>.

The vehicle <NUM> includes a front window 1f and a back window 1b.

The vehicle <NUM> includes the cleaner system <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention. The cleaner system <NUM> is a system that removes foreign matters such as water droplets, mud, and dust adhering to an object to be cleaned using a cleaning medium. In the present embodiment, the cleaner system <NUM> includes a front window washer (hereinafter, referred to as the front WW) <NUM>, a back window washer (hereinafter, referred to as the back WW) <NUM>, a front LiDAR cleaner (hereinafter referred to as the front LC) <NUM>, a back LiDAR cleaner (hereinafter, referred to as the back LC) <NUM>, a right LiDAR cleaner (hereinafter referred to as the right LC) <NUM>, a left LiDAR cleaner (hereinafter, referred to as the left LC) <NUM>, a right headlamp cleaner (hereinafter referred to as the right HC) <NUM>, a left headlamp cleaner (hereinafter referred to as the left HC) <NUM>, a front camera cleaner 109a, and a back camera cleaner 109b. Each of the cleaners <NUM> to 109b includes one or more nozzles, and discharges the cleaning medium such as cleaning liquid or air from the nozzles toward an object to be cleaned.

The front WW <NUM> can clean the front window 1f. The back WW <NUM> can clean the back window 1b. The front LC <NUM> can clean the front LiDAR 6f. The back LC <NUM> can clean the back LiDAR 6b. The right LC <NUM> can clean the right LiDAR 6r. The left LC <NUM> can clean the left LiDAR <NUM>. The right HC <NUM> can clean the right headlamp 7r. The left HC <NUM> can clean the left headlamp <NUM>. The front camera cleaner 109a can clean the front camera 6c. The back camera cleaner 109b can clean the back camera 6d. In the following description, the front camera cleaner 109a and the back camera cleaner 109b may be collectively referred to as camera cleaners <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram of the cleaner system <NUM>. The cleaner system <NUM> includes a front tank <NUM>, a front pump <NUM>, a back tank <NUM>, a back pump <NUM>, and a cleaner control unit <NUM>, in addition to the cleaners <NUM> to 109b.

The front WW <NUM>, the front LC <NUM>, the right LC <NUM>, the left LC <NUM>, the right HC <NUM>, the left HC <NUM>, and the front camera cleaner 109a are connected to the front tank <NUM> via the front pump <NUM>. The front pump <NUM> sends the cleaning liquid stored in the front tank <NUM> to the front WW <NUM>, the front LC <NUM>, the right LC <NUM>, the left LC <NUM>, the right HC <NUM>, the left HC <NUM>, and the front camera cleaner 109a.

The back WW <NUM>, the back LC <NUM>, and the back camera cleaner 109b are connected to the back tank <NUM> via the back pump <NUM>. The back pump <NUM> sends the cleaning liquid stored in the back tank <NUM> to the back WW <NUM>, the back LC <NUM>, and the back camera cleaner 109b.

Each of the cleaners <NUM> to 109b is provided with an actuator that opens the nozzles to discharge the cleaning liquid to the object to be cleaned. The actuator provided in each of the cleaners <NUM> to 109b is electrically connected to the cleaner control unit <NUM>. The cleaner control unit <NUM> is also electrically connected to the front pump <NUM>, the back pump <NUM>, and the vehicle control unit <NUM>.

In the cleaner system <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the cleaner control unit <NUM> outputs signals for operating the sensor cleaners <NUM> to <NUM> and <NUM> to the sensor cleaners <NUM> to <NUM> and <NUM> based on signals output from the vehicle control unit.

As shown in <FIG>, the cleaner system <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a first electromagnetic valve <NUM> provided in a pipe connecting the front pump <NUM> and the front WW <NUM>, a second electromagnetic valve <NUM> provided in a pipe connecting the first electromagnetic valve <NUM> and the front LC <NUM>, a third electromagnetic valve <NUM> provided in a pipe connecting the second electromagnetic valve <NUM> and the right LC <NUM>, a fourth electromagnetic valve <NUM> provided in a pipe connecting the third electromagnetic valve <NUM> and the left LC <NUM>, a fifth electromagnetic valve <NUM> provided in a pipe connecting the fourth electromagnetic valve <NUM> and the right HC <NUM>, a sixth electromagnetic valve <NUM> provided in a pipe connecting the fifth electromagnetic valve <NUM> and the left HC <NUM>, and a seventh electromagnetic valve <NUM> provided in a pipe connecting the sixth electromagnetic valve <NUM> and the front camera cleaner 109a.

The cleaner system <NUM> further includes an eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM> provided in a pipe connecting the back pump <NUM> and the back camera cleaner 109b, a ninth electromagnetic valve <NUM> provided in a pipe connecting the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM> and the back LC <NUM>, and a tenth electromagnetic valve <NUM> provided in a pipe connecting the ninth electromagnetic valve <NUM> and the back WW <NUM>.

The first electromagnetic valve <NUM> to the tenth electromagnetic valve <NUM> have the same configuration. The first electromagnetic valve <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a front view of the first electromagnetic valve <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first electromagnetic valve <NUM> includes a first pipe <NUM> and a second pipe <NUM>. The first electromagnetic valve <NUM> is switchable between a first state in which the cleaning liquid discharged from the front pump <NUM> and flowing into the first electromagnetic valve <NUM> is allowed to be sent to the front WW <NUM> and a second state in which the cleaning liquid discharged from the front pump <NUM> and flowing into the first electromagnetic valve <NUM> is not sent to the front WW <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional view in the first state taken along a line V-V of <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along a line VI-VI of <FIG>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first pipe <NUM> extends along a first axis A. The cleaning liquid basically flows in the first pipe <NUM> from up to down in <FIG>. The first pipe <NUM> includes three portions having different inner diameters. The three portions are referred to as a housing portion <NUM>, an upstream portion <NUM>, and a downstream portion <NUM> from an upstream side toward a downstream side. The inner diameter of the housing portion <NUM> is larger than the inner diameter of the upstream portion <NUM> and the inner diameter of the downstream portion <NUM>. The inner diameter of the upstream portion <NUM> is smaller than the inner diameter of the housing portion <NUM> and larger than the inner diameter of the downstream portion <NUM>. The inner diameter of the downstream portion <NUM> is smaller than the inner diameter of the housing portion <NUM> and the inner diameter of the upstream portion <NUM>.

The housing portion <NUM> houses a solenoid <NUM>. The solenoid <NUM> includes a coil <NUM> (stator), a movable element <NUM>, a yoke <NUM>, and a spring <NUM>. The spring <NUM> is provided between the yoke <NUM> and the movable element <NUM> in a non-compressed state. The movable element <NUM> is linearly displaceable along the first axis A. The movable element <NUM> is provided with a sealing portion <NUM> at a top end thereof in the moving direction (top end opposite to the spring <NUM>). The sealing portion <NUM> is formed of an elastically deformable material such as rubber.

The movable element <NUM> crosses the housing portion <NUM> and the upstream portion <NUM>. A seal member <NUM> is provided in the vicinity of a boundary between the housing portion <NUM> and the upstream portion <NUM>. The seal member <NUM> is in sliding contact with an outer peripheral surface of the movable element <NUM>. The seal member <NUM> allows the movable element <NUM> to move along the moving direction while preventing the cleaning liquid from entering the housing portion <NUM> from the upstream portion <NUM>. That is, the cleaning liquid does not enter the housing portion <NUM>.

The first pipe <NUM> and the second pipe <NUM> merge in the upstream portion <NUM> (merging portion). The cleaning liquid flown through the second pipe <NUM> enters the first pipe <NUM> in the upstream portion <NUM>. At a boundary between the upstream portion <NUM> and the downstream portion <NUM>, a reception pedestal <NUM> is provided downstream of the merging portion. The reception pedestal <NUM> has an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the sealing portion <NUM>.

The downstream portion <NUM> is connected to the front WW <NUM> via a piping. The downstream portion <NUM> is provided with a first outlet-side end portion <NUM> at a downstream end portion.

The second pipe <NUM> extends along a second axis B intersecting the first axis A. In the shown example, the second pipe <NUM> extends in a direction orthogonal to the first pipe <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, the cleaning liquid flows through the second pipe <NUM> from left to right. The second pipe <NUM> is provided with an inlet-side end portion <NUM> on an upstream side (left side). The inlet-side end portion <NUM> is connected to the front pump <NUM> via a piping. The second pipe <NUM> is provided with a second outlet-side end portion <NUM> on a downstream side (right side). The second outlet-side end portion <NUM> is connected to the second electromagnetic valve <NUM> via a piping. The second pipe <NUM> merges with the first pipe <NUM> between the inlet-side end portion <NUM> and the second outlet-side end portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional view in the second state taken along the line V-V of <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along a line VIII-VIII of <FIG>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the sealing portion <NUM> is linearly movable along the first axis A of the first pipe <NUM>. The sealing portion <NUM> is movable between a position where the sealing portion <NUM> is in close contact with the reception pedestal <NUM> and a position where the sealing portion <NUM> is separated from the reception pedestal <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the sealing portion <NUM> comes into close contact with the reception pedestal <NUM>, the cleaning liquid is prevented from flowing from the upstream portion <NUM> to the downstream portion <NUM>.

In a normal state in which the coil <NUM> is not energized, the first electromagnetic valve <NUM> is in a closed state shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In the closed state, a pressing force of the spring <NUM> via the sealing portion <NUM> and the hydrostatic pressure of the cleaning liquid stored in the upstream portion <NUM> act to press the sealing portion <NUM> against the reception pedestal <NUM>. When the movement of the cleaning liquid is blocked at the second outlet-side end portion <NUM> of the second pipe <NUM>, for example, when the second electromagnetic valve <NUM> is in a closed state, the sealing portion <NUM> is pressed against the reception pedestal <NUM> by the hydrostatic pressure of the cleaning liquid accumulated in the upstream portion <NUM>. Even when the second electromagnetic valve <NUM> is in an open state, the hydrostatic pressure of the total pressure of the cleaning liquid flowing through the second pipe <NUM> acts to press the sealing portion <NUM> against the reception pedestal <NUM>.

When the coil <NUM> is energized, a force (upward force in <FIG>) to approach the coil <NUM> is generated in the movable element <NUM>. The movable element <NUM> moves upward in <FIG> while compressing the spring <NUM> against an elastic force of the spring <NUM>. At this time, the sealing portion <NUM> is separated from the reception pedestal <NUM>, and the cleaning liquid flows from the second pipe <NUM> to a first outlet-side of the first pipe <NUM>.

In this way, according to the electromagnetic valve of the present embodiment, in the normal state in which the coil <NUM> is not energized, the pressing force of the spring <NUM> by the sealing portion <NUM> and the hydrostatic pressure of the cleaning liquid stored in the upstream portion <NUM> act to press the sealing portion <NUM> against the reception pedestal <NUM>, and the closed state is maintained. That is, since the hydrostatic pressure acts on the sealing portion <NUM>, the pressing force of the spring <NUM> that presses the sealing portion <NUM> against the reception pedestal <NUM> to maintain the closed state may be not large. Accordingly, it is not necessary to set a large force to attract the movable element <NUM> to the coil <NUM> for bringing the first electromagnetic valve <NUM> into an open state. For this reason, it is not necessary to set a large quantity of current to the coil <NUM>. The size of a power source unit that energizes the coil <NUM> can be reduced, it is not necessary to provide a radiator for promoting heat radiation of the coil <NUM>, and the cleaner system <NUM> can be configured in a compact manner.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM> to the tenth electromagnetic valve <NUM> are connected to the back pump <NUM>, the back camera cleaner 109b, the back LC <NUM>, and the back WW <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the cleaner system <NUM> includes.

In the shown cleaner system <NUM>, the connection portion <NUM> constitutes an intermediate branch portion including the ninth electromagnetic valve <NUM>. The connection portion <NUM> may include a plurality of electromagnetic valves.

The second outlet-side end portion <NUM> of the tenth electromagnetic valve <NUM> is blocked by the closing portion <NUM>. Therefore, in the tenth electromagnetic valve <NUM>, the cleaning liquid does not flow out from the second outlet-side end portion <NUM> in either the open state or the closed state. That is, by switching between the open state and the closed state of the tenth electromagnetic valve <NUM>, it is possible to switch between permission and non-permission of the discharge of the cleaning liquid to the back WW <NUM>. Since the second outlet-side end portion <NUM> is normally blocked by the closing portion <NUM>, when the tenth electromagnetic valve <NUM> is in the closed state, the total pressure (hydrostatic pressure) of the cleaning liquid accumulated in the merging portion acts on the sealing portion <NUM>.

Since the cleaner system <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of electromagnetic valves with low power consumption, power to be consumed is low.

In this way, the plurality of electromagnetic valves may be connected to each other in such a manner that the first outlet-side end portion <NUM> of an upstream electromagnetic valve is connected to the inlet-side end portion <NUM> of a downstream electromagnetic valve. With such a configuration, the vehicle cleaner system <NUM> switchable between individual permission and non-permission of the supply of the cleaning liquid to the plurality of cleaners is provided.

<FIG> shows a control circuit <NUM> that drives the back pump <NUM> and the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM> to the tenth electromagnetic valve <NUM>. The control circuit <NUM> is a part of the cleaner control unit <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the control circuit <NUM> includes a control module <NUM>, a plurality of intelligent power devices (IPDs), a plurality of reverse connection protection circuits <NUM>, <NUM>, and a plurality of switches <NUM> to <NUM>.

The back pump <NUM> is connected to a power source IG and the control module <NUM> via the plurality of switches <NUM> to <NUM>. When the control module <NUM> appropriately switches among the switches <NUM> to <NUM>, the back motor pump <NUM> can rotate between forward rotation and reverse rotation.

Coils <NUM> of the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM> to the tenth electromagnetic valve <NUM> are connected to the power source IG via the IPDs <NUM> to <NUM> and the reverse connection protection circuits <NUM>, <NUM>. The reverse connection protection circuits <NUM>, <NUM> are provided between the power source IG and the eighth IPD <NUM>. The eighth IPD <NUM> is provided between the reverse connection protection circuits <NUM>, <NUM> and the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM>.

Each of the IPDs <NUM> to <NUM> is connected to the power source IG, a respective one of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM>, and the control module <NUM>. The IPDs <NUM> to <NUM> protect the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> connected to respective output sides of the IPDs <NUM> to <NUM> when an overvoltage and an overcurrent are input from the power source IG. When a short circuit and an open circuit occur in the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM>, the IPDs <NUM> to <NUM> output a signal indicating the short circuit and the open circuit of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> to the control module <NUM>. For example, when an overcurrent is input from the power source IG, the eighth IPD <NUM> prevents the overcurrent from flowing through the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM> and protects the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM>. Further, when the ninth electromagnetic valve <NUM> is open-circuited, the ninth IPD <NUM> outputs a signal indicating the open circuit of the ninth IPD <NUM> to the control module <NUM>.

The control module <NUM> is connected to the vehicle control unit <NUM> via a communication line. The control module <NUM> outputs the short circuit and the open circuit of electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> to the vehicle control unit <NUM> based on signals indicating the short circuit and the open circuit of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> acquired from the IPDs <NUM> to <NUM>. For example, when a signal indicating that the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM> is short-circuited is output from the eighth IPD <NUM>, the control module <NUM> outputs to the vehicle control unit <NUM> a signal indicating that the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM> is short-circuited.

In this way, according to the vehicle cleaner system <NUM> of the present embodiment, states of the electromagnetic valves can be recognized by the IPDs <NUM> to <NUM> (protection diagnosis units). That is, it is possible to always recognize an available cleaner. For this reason, the vehicle control unit <NUM> can perform control suitable for the status of the cleaner. For example, the vehicle control unit <NUM> may not execute the automatic driving mode when the front camera cleaner 109a that washes the front camera 6c fails, and may execute the automatic driving mode when the back camera cleaner 109b that washes the back camera 6d fails. In this way, the control module <NUM> recognizes a failed cleaner and transmits information on the failed cleaner to the vehicle control unit <NUM>, so that the vehicle control unit <NUM> can perform control suitable for the status of the cleaner.

As shown in <FIG>, the vehicle cleaner system <NUM> may further include a residual amount meter <NUM> that notices that a residual amount of the cleaning liquid stored in the back tank <NUM> is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The control module <NUM> may output the notice from the residual amount meter <NUM> to the vehicle control unit <NUM> when the residual amount of the cleaning liquid is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

When the control module <NUM> transmits the shortage of the residual amount in the tank to the vehicle control unit <NUM> together with the failure of a cleaner, the vehicle control unit <NUM> can perform control so that the automatic driving mode is not executed when the residual amount in the tank is insufficient.

In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle cleaner system <NUM> including the back pump <NUM> and the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM> to the tenth electromagnetic valve <NUM> are described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Alternatively, the vehicle cleaner system <NUM> including the front pump <NUM> and the first electromagnetic valve to the seventh electromagnetic valve may also include the control circuit <NUM> using the IPDs.

In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle cleaner system <NUM> including the first electromagnetic valve <NUM> to the seventh electromagnetic valve <NUM> that switch the discharge of the cleaning medium supplied from the front pump <NUM> and the vehicle cleaner system <NUM> including the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM> to the tenth electromagnetic valve <NUM> that switch the discharge of the cleaning medium supplied from the back pump <NUM> are configured as vehicle cleaner systems <NUM> independent of each other. Alternatively, the present invention is not limited thereto. The vehicle cleaner system <NUM> may be configured such that the single cleaner control unit <NUM> controls the first electromagnetic valve <NUM> to the seventh electromagnetic valve <NUM> that switch the discharge of the cleaning medium supplied from the front pump <NUM> and the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM> to the tenth electromagnetic valve <NUM> that switch the discharge of the cleaning medium supplied from the back pump <NUM>.

In the vehicle cleaner system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the influence of failure of an electromagnetic valve is less likely to spread at the time of failure. In the present embodiment, the control module <NUM> stops the back pump <NUM> (motor pump) when a signal indicating a short circuit or an open circuit of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> is acquired from the IPDs <NUM> to <NUM>. For example, when the control module <NUM> acquires from the eighth IPD <NUM> a signal indicating that the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM> is short-circuited or open-circuited, the control module <NUM> turns off the switches <NUM> to <NUM> to stop the operation of the back pump <NUM>.

According to such a configuration, even when one of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> is short-circuited and does not operate, it is possible to reduce an adverse effect on other components. For example, it is assumed that the ninth electromagnetic valve <NUM> is short-circuited and is not opened in a closed state. As shown in <FIG>, the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM> is connected to the pipe between the back pump <NUM> and the ninth electromagnetic valve <NUM>.

At this time, when the back pump <NUM> continues operating even though the ninth electromagnetic valve <NUM> is not opened, the liquid pressure of the cleaning liquid in the pipe between the back pump <NUM> and the ninth electromagnetic valve <NUM> is excessively high, and the high pressure acts on the back pump <NUM> and the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM>. For this reason, in addition to the ninth electromagnetic valve <NUM>, the back pump <NUM> and the eighth electromagnetic valve <NUM> may also fail.

According to the vehicle cleaner system <NUM> of the present invention, since the back pump <NUM> is stopped operating when the short circuit or the open circuit of one of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> is detected, the adverse effect is less likely to spread to the back pump <NUM> and the other electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM>.

The control module <NUM> may perform failure diagnosis by energizing an electromagnetic valve indicating a short circuit or an open circuit while stopping the back pump <NUM>. When the back pump <NUM> is stopped, the liquid pressure of the cleaning medium does not increase, and the adverse effect is less likely to spread to the other components.

When a cleaner system as disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> is mounted on a vehicle, the cleaner system is required to include a small electromagnetic valve. The electromagnetic valve is opened and closed by an electromagnetic force generated by a coil. When the size of the electromagnetic valve is reduced, the heat generated in the coil when the electromagnetic force is generated is less likely to dissipate, leading to deteriorated responsiveness. Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle cleaner system including an electromagnetic valve having good responsiveness.

In the vehicle cleaner system <NUM> configured as described above, the cleaner control unit <NUM> controls energization of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> to open the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM>. <FIG> are timing charts when the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> according to a comparative example are opened. <FIG> shows a signal for operating a cleaner acquired by the cleaner control unit <NUM> from the vehicle control unit <NUM>. <FIG> shows that the cleaner control unit <NUM> acquires an ON signal for operating a cleaner after acquiring an OFF signal for not operating a cleaner. In <FIG> shows a change in a voltage applied to the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM>. <FIG> shows a temperature change of the coils <NUM> of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when electric power is continuously supplied to the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> to open the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM>, heat is generated in the coils <NUM> of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> and the temperature of the coils <NUM> rises. Even when the high-temperature coils <NUM> are energized, a predetermined electromagnetic force is hardly generated, and the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> may not be opened. In this case, since the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> would not operate again unless a predetermined cooling period elapses, the responsiveness of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> may deteriorate.

Therefore, in the vehicle cleaner system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the cleaner control unit <NUM> performs pulse width modulation (PWM) control after the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> (normally closed electromagnetic valves) are opened. <FIG> are timing charts when the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> according to the present embodiment are opened. <FIG> shows a cleaner operation signal acquired by the cleaner control unit <NUM> from the vehicle control unit <NUM>. <FIG> shows that the cleaner control unit <NUM> acquires an ON signal for operating a cleaner after acquiring an OFF signal for not operating a cleaner. <FIG> shows a change in a voltage applied to the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM>. <FIG> shows a temperature change of the coils of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM>.

To open the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM>, each of the coils <NUM> is energized to move the sealing portion <NUM> to a position completely separated from the reception pedestal <NUM>. When the coil <NUM> is energized, the movable element <NUM> is moved to a limit position where the movable element <NUM> cannot be moved further in a direction opposite to the reception pedestal <NUM>. A state in which the movable element <NUM> is moved to the limit position is the open state. A state in which the sealing portion <NUM> is in close contact with the reception pedestal <NUM> is the closed state. A state from the closed state to the open state is referred to as a transition state.

For example, each of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> is provided with a stopper <NUM> that restricts the movement of the movable element <NUM> to a side opposite to the reception pedestal <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). The position where a back end of the movable element <NUM> abuts against the stopper <NUM> is the limit position. Depending on structures of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM>, the limit position of the movable element <NUM> may also be determined not by the stopper <NUM> but by a protruding portion provided inside the housing portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, it is assumed that the cleaner control unit <NUM> acquires a signal for operating a cleaner in one second from the vehicle control unit <NUM>. First, the cleaner control unit <NUM> continuously supplies a large current to the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> for predetermined time to change a state from the closed state to the open state. This is to quickly bring the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> into the open state by continuously supplying as large electric power as possible to the coils <NUM>. In general, the cleaner control unit <NUM> continuously applies a maximum voltage that may be supplied by the cleaner control unit <NUM> to the coils <NUM>.

When the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> are opened, the cleaner control unit <NUM> performs the PWM control as shown in <FIG>. A force required to maintain the movable element <NUM> in the limit position of the open state is smaller than a force required to move the movable element <NUM> from the position in close contact with the reception pedestal <NUM> to the limit position. That is, when the movable element <NUM> is moved to the limit position, an energization amount to the coils <NUM> may be reduced. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cleaner control unit <NUM> performs the PWM control after the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> are opened. In other words, when the signal for operating a cleaner is acquired, the cleaner control unit <NUM> first continuously energizes the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> into the open state, and performs the PWM control after a predetermined period T since the signal for operating a cleaner is acquired. For this reason, the energization amount supplied to the coils <NUM> while the open state is maintained is small, and the coils <NUM> are less likely to generate heat. Therefore, the responsiveness of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> is less likely to deteriorate. The PWD control is performed after the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> are opened, and is not performed until the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> are opened from the closed state. Therefore, the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> can be quickly brought into the open state, and the responsiveness when the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> are brought into the open state from the closed state is not impaired.

In <FIG>, in a period in which the cleaner operation signal is received, the cleaner control unit <NUM> performs the continuous energization for the predetermined period T immediately after the cleaner operation signal is acquired, and performs the PWM control after the predetermined period T. However, time required for the vehicle control unit <NUM> to request the cleaner control unit <NUM> to continue operating the cleaner is longer than the predetermined period T.

Each of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> may be provided with a sensor capable of detecting whether the movable element <NUM> of each of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> reaches the limit position, and the PWM control may be performed from the continuous energization when acquiring an output of the sensor. However, it is preferable that no such sensor is mounted, that the continuous energization is first performed for the predetermined period T after the cleaner operation signal is acquired, and that the PWM control is performed after the predetermined period T.

The predetermined period T for continuous energization (period from the acquisition of the cleaner operation signal to the start of the PWM control) can be determined according to time for moving the movable element <NUM> from the position in close contact with the reception pedestal <NUM> in the closed state to the limit position in the open state and time until the electromagnetic force of the coils <NUM> decreases according to the temperature rise. The predetermined period T during the continuous energization varies depending on characteristics of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM>, attachment states of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> to the vehicle, and the like, and is preferably about <NUM> seconds or less.

As shown in <FIG>, according to the vehicle cleaner system <NUM> of the present embodiment, the PWM control is performed after the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> are brought into the open state. Accordingly, the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> can be maintained in the open state while maintaining a low energization amount supplied to the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM>. For this reason, the temperature of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> is less likely to become high, and the responsiveness of the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> is less likely to decrease.

A duty ratio of the PWM control is preferably <NUM>% or more. When the duty ratio is less than <NUM>%, it may be difficult to continuously maintain the electromagnetic valves <NUM> to <NUM> in the open state.

The duty ratio of the PWM control is preferably <NUM>% or less. When the duty ratio is more than <NUM>%, an amount of heat generated by energization becomes excessively larger than an amount of heat radiated from the coils <NUM>, and the temperature of the coils <NUM> may become excessively high.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it is needless to say that the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the description of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the driving mode of the vehicle includes the fully automatic driving mode, the advanced driving support mode, the driving support mode, and the manual driving mode. Alternatively, the driving mode of the vehicle should not be limited to these four modes. The driving mode of the vehicle may include at least one of these four modes. For example, only one driving mode of the vehicle may be executed.

Further, a classification and a display form of the driving mode of the vehicle may be appropriately changed according to laws or regulations related to automatic driving in different countries. Similarly, definitions of the "fully automatic driving mode ", the "advanced driving support mode", and the "driving support mode" described in the description of the present embodiment are merely examples and may be appropriately changed according to laws or rules related to automatic driving in different countries.

The above-described embodiment described an example in which the cleaner system <NUM> is mounted on a vehicle capable of automatic driving. Alternatively, the cleaner system <NUM> may be mounted on a vehicle incapable of automatic driving.

The above-described embodiment described an example in which the cleaners <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to 109a are connected to the front tank <NUM> and the cleaners <NUM>, <NUM>, and 109b are connected to the back tank <NUM>. Alternatively, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The cleaners <NUM> to 109b may be connected to a single tank. The cleaners <NUM> to 109b may be connected to different tanks.

Alternatively, the cleaners <NUM> to 109b may be connected to a common tank for each type of objects to be cleaned. For example, the cleaners <NUM> to <NUM> for cleaning the LiDARs may be connected to a first common tank, and the cleaners <NUM> and <NUM> for cleaning the headlamps may be connected to a second tank different from the first tank.

Alternatively, the cleaners <NUM> to 109b may be connected to a common tank for each arrangement position of objects to be cleaned. For example, the front WW <NUM>, the front LC <NUM>, and the front camera cleaner 109a may be connected to a front common tank, the right LC <NUM> and the right HC <NUM> may be connected to a right common tank, the back WW <NUM>, the back WW104, the back camera cleaner 109b may be connected to a back common tank, and the left LC <NUM> and the left HC <NUM> may be connected to a left common tank.

The above-described embodiment described, as shown in <FIG>, an example in which the front pump, the front WW, the front LC, the right LC, the left LC, the right HC, the left HC, and the cleaner for cleaning the front camera cleaner constitute one unit, and the back pump, the back camera cleaner, the back LC, and the back WW constitute another unit. The present invention is not limited thereto. An order in which objects to be cleaned are connected to the front pump or the back pump is not limited to this example. The above-described embodiment described, as shown in <FIG>, an example in which one cleaner is connected downstream of one electromagnetic valve. The present invention is not limited thereto. A plurality of cleaners may be connected downstream of one electromagnetic valve. A plurality of cleaners for cleaning objects to be cleaned that are often cleaned at the same time may be connected downstream of one electromagnetic valve.

The present application is based on a <CIT>, a <CIT>, and a <CIT>.

Claim 1:
A vehicle cleaner system comprising:
a plurality of cleaner units (<NUM>-109b) that discharge cleaning liquid toward objects to be cleaned mounted on a vehicle (<NUM>);
a motor pump (<NUM>, <NUM>) that supplies the cleaning liquid to the cleaner units (<NUM>-109b);
normally closed electromagnetic valves (<NUM>-<NUM>) that are each provided between a respective one of the cleaner units (<NUM>-109b) and the motor pump (<NUM>, <NUM>), the electromagnetic valves (<NUM>-<NUM>) being configured to switch between permission and non-permission of movement of the cleaning liquid from the motor pump (<NUM>, <NUM>) to the cleaner units (<NUM>-109b); and
a control module (<NUM>) that controls energization from a power source to the normally closed electromagnetic valves (<NUM>-<NUM>) and the motor pump (<NUM>, <NUM>) to control the normally closed electromagnetic valves (<NUM>-<NUM>) and the motor pump (<NUM>, <NUM>);
characterized by
a plurality of protection diagnosis units (<NUM>-<NUM>) that are each provided in an electrical connection of a respective one of the electromagnetic valves (<NUM>-<NUM>) and the control module (<NUM>), the plurality of protection diagnosis (<NUM>-<NUM>) units being configured to protect an overcurrent from flowing through the electromagnetic valves (<NUM>-<NUM>) when the electromagnetic valves (<NUM>-<NUM>) are short-circuited and open-circuited and transmit the short circuit and the open circuit of the electromagnetic valves (<NUM>-<NUM>) to the control module (<NUM>),
wherein the control module (<NUM>) stops the motor pump (<NUM>, <NUM>) when a signal indicating the short circuit and the open circuit of the electromagnetic valves (<NUM>-<NUM>) is acquired from the protection diagnosis units (<NUM>-<NUM>).