U.S. patent application number 16/807432 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-25 for foreign matter removal device and vehicle provided with same.
This patent application is currently assigned to KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Junji BABA, Yasuhiro ICHIKAWA, Hiroaki KIMURA, Akinobu KUBOTA.
Application Number | 20200198591 16/807432 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57608351 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-25 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200198591 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KUBOTA; Akinobu ; et
al. |
June 25, 2020 |
FOREIGN MATTER REMOVAL DEVICE AND VEHICLE PROVIDED WITH SAME
Abstract
A foreign matter removal device is configured to remove foreign
matters on a lens (101) of an in-vehicle camera (100) attached to a
vehicle so that the lens (101) of the in-vehicle camera (100) is
exposed toward an outside of a body panel of a vehicle. The foreign
matter removal device includes a generation unit configured to
generate high-pressure air and a nozzle unit (2) having a nozzle
(22) configured to inject the high-pressure air toward the lens
(101) and an attachment part (21) formed integrally with the nozzle
(22) and attachable to a housing (102) of the in-vehicle camera
(100). A tip end of the nozzle (22) is positioned with respect to
the lens (101) in a state where the attachment part (21) is
attached to the housing (102).
Inventors: |
KUBOTA; Akinobu;
(Shizuoka-shi, JP) ; ICHIKAWA; Yasuhiro;
(Shizuoka-shi, JP) ; KIMURA; Hiroaki;
(Shizuoka-shi, JP) ; BABA; Junji; (Shizuoka-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
KOITO MANUFACTURING CO.,
LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
57608351 |
Appl. No.: |
16/807432 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15740871 |
Dec 29, 2017 |
10604122 |
|
|
PCT/JP2016/069335 |
Jun 29, 2016 |
|
|
|
16807432 |
|
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/225 20130101;
H04N 7/18 20130101; B60S 1/56 20130101; B60S 1/54 20130101; B08B
5/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60S 1/56 20060101
B60S001/56; B08B 5/02 20060101 B08B005/02; B60S 1/54 20060101
B60S001/54; H04N 7/18 20060101 H04N007/18; H04N 5/225 20060101
H04N005/225 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2015 |
JP |
2015-131785 |
Jun 30, 2015 |
JP |
2015-131786 |
Jun 30, 2015 |
JP |
2015-131788 |
Claims
1. A foreign matter removal device configured to be removably
attached to a housing of an in-vehicle sensor and configured to
remove foreign matters adhering to a partition wall interposed
between the in-vehicle sensor and a measuring target of the
in-vehicle sensor by high-pressure air, the device comprising: a
high-pressure air generation unit configured to generate the
high-pressure air; a nozzle configured to inject the high-pressure
air toward the partition wall; and a pair of second convex portions
or a pair of second concave portions configured to be engageable
with a pair of first concave portions or a pair of convex portions
which are provided on the housing, the pair of second convex
portions or the pair of second concave portions being provided at
positions sandwiching the nozzle, the pair of second convex
portions or the second concave portions being formed integrally
with the nozzle, wherein as the pair of second convex portions or
the pair of second concave portions are attached to the pair of
first concave portions or the pair of first convex portions, a tip
end of the nozzle is positioned with respect to the partition wall
in a state where the high-pressure air injected from the nozzle can
be blown toward the partition wall.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE PARAGRAPH
[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/740,871 filed Dec. 29, 2017, which is a National Stage of
International Application No. PCT/JP2016/069335, filed Jun. 29,
2016, claiming priority based on Japanese Patent Application No.
2015-131788 filed Jun. 30, 2015, Japanese Patent Application No.
2015-131786 filed Jun. 30, 2015 and Japanese Patent Application No.
2015-131785 filed Jun. 30, 2015, the contents of all of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a foreign matter removal
device for removing foreign matters by injecting high-pressure air,
and a vehicle including the foreign matter removal device.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Recently, the number of vehicles equipped with in-vehicle
cameras for photographing the situations around the vehicle is
increasing. In the in-vehicle cameras, there is a case that a lens
as an imaging surface becomes dirty due to rain, mud or the like.
Therefore, conventionally, a foreign matter removal device for
removing foreign matters by blowing cleaning liquid or
high-pressure air or the like to the lens of the in-vehicle camera
in order to remove foreign matters such as water droplets adhering
on the lens has been known (see Patent Document 1).
[0004] In such a foreign matter removal device, the performance of
removing foreign matters may be deteriorated when the positioning
accuracy of the tip end of the nozzle with respect to the lens of
the camera is low. Therefore, for example, a structure has been
proposed in which a dedicated bracket is provided on a body panel
of a vehicle, and a nozzle is positioned with respect to a lens
(specifically, an upper surface of a housing of a camera) via the
dedicated bracket (see Patent Document 2).
CITATION LIST
Patent Document
[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
2001-171491
[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
2014-69586
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by Invention
[0007] However, the shape of the vehicle body varies depending on
the type of the vehicle, and the shape of the body panel is
different for each vehicle. Therefore, in the method using a
dedicated bracket as in Patent Document 1, a dedicated bracket
should be prepared for each type of vehicle, and thus, the
versatility of the foreign matter removal device at the time of
being attached to the vehicle is deteriorated.
[0008] Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an injection
device that injects high-pressure air requires a device for
generating high-pressure air. Normally, such an injection device
has a configuration in which outside air is sucked from a tip end
of a nozzle and the sucked air is compressed inside the device.
However, the tip end of the nozzle is clogged with mud, dust or the
like, which may make it difficult to generate high-pressure air. In
this case, since the performance of removing foreign matters is
deteriorated, a measure against the clogging of the tip end of the
nozzle is required.
[0009] Further, in the case of blowing high-pressure air onto a
lens of a camera, it is difficult to effectively blowing
high-pressure air toward the lens when a blow-off port of a nozzle
is disposed at a position facing an upper surface of a housing of
the camera as in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1.
Further, when the tip end of the nozzle is formed by a wall portion
covering the entire circumferential surface of the blow-off port,
it is necessary to make a space for attaching a foreign matter
removal device to a vehicle relatively large.
[0010] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a foreign
matter removal device in which the versatility at the time of being
attached is enhanced while maintaining the performance of removing
foreign matters, high-pressure air can be generated even when the
tip end of the nozzle is clogged, and space saving at the time of
being attached can be achieved, and a vehicle provided with the
foreign matter removal device.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the foreign matter
removal device of the present invention removes foreign matters on
a lens of an in-vehicle camera attached to a vehicle so that the
lens of the in-vehicle camera is exposed toward the outside of a
body panel of a vehicle, the foreign matter removal device
including:
[0012] a generation unit for generating high-pressure air; and
[0013] a nozzle unit including a nozzle for injecting the
high-pressure air toward the lens and an attachment part formed
integrally with the nozzle and attachable to a housing of the
in-vehicle camera,
[0014] in which a tip end of the nozzle is positioned with respect
to the lens in a state where the attachment part is attached to the
housing.
[0015] According to this configuration, the nozzle is attached to
the housing of the in-vehicle camera by the attachment part formed
integrally with the nozzle. Therefore, the tip end of the nozzle
can be accurately positioned with respect to the lens of the
in-vehicle camera without using a dedicated bracket for attaching
to a body panel of a vehicle, thereby maintaining the performance
of removing foreign matters. Further, since the attachment part is
attached to the housing of the in-vehicle camera which is small in
shape change between products, compared to a body panel of a
vehicle, the versatility of the foreign matter removal device at
the time of being attached to a vehicle can be enhanced.
[0016] Further, in the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention,
[0017] the housing may have a first surface, a second surface
continuous with one end of the first surface, and a third surface
located on the side opposite to the second surface and continuous
with the other end of the first surface, and
[0018] in a state of being attached to the housing, the attachment
part may have an opposing surface facing the first surface, a first
contact portion elastically deformable in a direction away from the
second surface and in contact with the second surface, and a second
contact portion elastically deformable in a direction away from the
third surface and in contact with the third surface.
[0019] According to this configuration, the attachment part of the
nozzle unit is fixed to the housing in a state of being deformed
along an outer shape of the housing of the in-vehicle camera.
Therefore, the tip end of the nozzle can be more accurately
positioned with respect to the lens of the in-vehicle camera.
[0020] Further, in the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention,
[0021] the first surface of the housing and the opposing surface of
the attachment part may be adhered to each other in a planar manner
via an adhesive member.
[0022] According to this configuration, the attachment part of the
nozzle unit is firmly fixed to the housing of the in-vehicle camera
via the adhesive member. Therefore, the tip end of the nozzle can
be more accurately positioned with respect to the lens of the
in-vehicle camera.
[0023] Further, in the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention,
[0024] the housing and the attachment part may be engageable with
each other.
[0025] According to this configuration, the attachment part of the
nozzle unit is fixed in a state of being engaged with the housing
of the in-vehicle camera. Therefore, the tip end of the nozzle can
be more accurately positioned with respect to the lens of the
in-vehicle camera.
[0026] Further, in the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention,
[0027] the housing may have a camera front surface on which a lens
hole for exposing the lens is formed, and
[0028] the nozzle may have a positioning portion which is in
contact with the camera front surface and positioned with respect
to the camera front surface in a state in which the attachment part
is attached to the housing.
[0029] According to this configuration, the tip end of the nozzle
can be accurately positioned with respect to the lens of the
in-vehicle camera in a front and rear direction of the camera.
[0030] Further, in the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention,
[0031] the generation unit may have a discharge port for
discharging the high-pressure air, and
[0032] the nozzle may have an inlet port through which the
high-pressure air is introduced.
[0033] The foreign matter removal device may further include
[0034] a hose connecting the discharge port and the inlet port,
and
[0035] a joint member which connects the hose and the nozzle and
can change its posture with respect to the nozzle.
[0036] According to this configuration, the orientation of the hose
can be changed by changing the posture of the joint member that is
a part separate from the nozzle, so that the versatility of the
foreign matter removal device at the time of being attached to a
vehicle can be enhanced.
[0037] Further, in the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention,
[0038] the tip end of the nozzle may be positioned so as to face
the center of the lens.
[0039] According to this configuration, the performance of removing
foreign matters on the lens by high-pressure air is enhanced.
[0040] Further, the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention removes foreign matters on a lens of a camera attached so
that the lens of the camera is exposed toward the outside of a
panel member, the foreign matter removal device including:
[0041] a generation unit for generating high-pressure air; and
[0042] a nozzle unit including a nozzle for injecting the
high-pressure air toward the lens and an attachment part formed
integrally with the nozzle and attachable to a housing of the
camera,
[0043] in which a tip end of the nozzle is positioned with respect
to the lens in a state where the attachment part is attached to the
housing.
[0044] According to this configuration, the nozzle is attached to
the housing of the camera by the attachment part formed integrally
with the nozzle. Therefore, the tip end of the nozzle can be
accurately positioned with respect to the lens of the camera
without using a dedicated bracket for attaching to the panel
member, thereby maintaining the performance of removing foreign
matters. Further, since the attachment part is attached to the
housing of the camera which is small in shape change between
products, compared to the panel member, the versatility can be
enhanced.
[0045] Further, the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention removes foreign matters adhering to a partition wall
interposed between an in-vehicle sensor and a measuring target of
the in-vehicle sensor, the foreign matter removal device
including
[0046] a generation unit for generating high-pressure air; and
[0047] a nozzle unit including a nozzle for injecting the
high-pressure air toward the partition wall and an attachment part
formed integrally with the nozzle and attachable to a housing of
the in-vehicle sensor,
[0048] in which a tip end of the nozzle is positioned with respect
to the partition wall in a state where the attachment part is
attached to the housing.
[0049] Further, in order to achieve the above object, the foreign
matter removal device of the present invention removes foreign
matters on a lens of an in-vehicle camera attached to a vehicle so
that the lens of the in-vehicle camera is exposed toward the
outside of a body panel of a vehicle, the foreign matter removal
device including:
[0050] a generation unit for generating high-pressure air; and
[0051] a nozzle for injecting the high-pressure air toward the
lens,
[0052] in which the nozzle has an inlet port through which the
high-pressure air is introduced, an ejecting port from which the
high-pressure air is ejected, and a communication passage which
communicates the inlet port and the ejecting port with each other,
and
[0053] in which the communication passage communicates with a
bypass passage via an opening smaller than the ejecting port.
[0054] According to this configuration, even when the clogging of
the ejecting port of the nozzle temporarily occurs, the air intake
for generating high-pressure air can be performed using the bypass
passage. Further, since the opening of the bypass passage is formed
smaller than the ejecting port of the nozzle, the high-pressure air
flowing toward the ejecting port during ejecting is hardly ejected
from the opening. Therefore, the performance of removing foreign
matters is maintained.
[0055] Further, in the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention,
[0056] the bypass passage may be formed so as to merge in an acute
angle direction from the rear side with respect to the direction in
which the high-pressure air flows in the communication passage.
[0057] According to this configuration, the bypass passage is
formed in an acute angle with respect to the direction in which the
high-pressure air flows in the communication passage. Therefore,
the high-pressure air flowing toward the ejecting port during
ejecting is hardly ejected from the opening, so that the
performance of removing foreign matters is maintained.
[0058] Further, in the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention,
[0059] the generation unit may have a discharge port for
discharging the high-pressure air.
[0060] The foreign matter removal device may further include
[0061] a hose connecting the discharge port and the inlet port of
the nozzle, and
[0062] a connecting portion connecting the hose and the nozzle,
[0063] in which a groove may be provided on an outer peripheral
surface of the connecting portion, and the groove may constitute
the bypass passage in a state in which the connecting portion is
fitted into the inlet port of the nozzle.
[0064] According to this configuration, the connecting portion
connecting the hose and the nozzle can be used to simply constitute
the bypass passage.
[0065] Further, in the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention,
[0066] the generation unit may have a discharge port for
discharging the high-pressure air.
[0067] The foreign matter removal device may further include
[0068] a hose connecting the discharge port and the inlet port of
the nozzle, and
[0069] a connecting portion connecting the hose and the nozzle,
[0070] in which an opening of the connecting portion may be smaller
than the inlet port of the nozzle, and
[0071] in which a gap may be formed between an outer peripheral
surface of the connecting portion and an inner peripheral surface
of the inlet port in a state where a portion of the connecting
portion is inserted into the inlet port, and the gap may constitute
the bypass passage.
[0072] According to this configuration, the connecting portion
connecting the hose and the nozzle can be used to simply constitute
the bypass passage.
[0073] Further, the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention removes foreign matters on a lens, the foreign matter
removal device including:
[0074] a generation unit for generating high-pressure air; and
[0075] a nozzle for injecting the high-pressure air toward the
lens,
[0076] in which the nozzle has an inlet port through which the
high-pressure air is introduced, an ejecting port from which the
high-pressure air is ejected, and a communication passage which
communicates the inlet port and the ejecting port with each other,
and
[0077] in which the communication passage communicates with a
bypass passage via an opening smaller than the ejecting port.
[0078] According to this configuration, even when the clogging of
the ejecting port of the nozzle temporarily occurs, the air intake
for generating high-pressure air can be performed using the bypass
passage. Further, since the opening of the bypass passage is formed
smaller than the ejecting port of the nozzle, the high-pressure air
flowing toward the ejecting port during ejecting is hardly ejected
from the opening. Therefore, the performance of removing foreign
matters is maintained.
[0079] Further, the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention removes foreign matters adhering to a partition wall
interposed between an in-vehicle sensor and a measuring target of
the in-vehicle sensor, the foreign matter removal device
including
[0080] a generation unit for generating high-pressure air; and
[0081] a nozzle for injecting the high-pressure air toward the
partition wall,
[0082] in which the nozzle has an inlet port through which the
high-pressure air is introduced, an ejecting port from which the
high-pressure air is ejected, and a communication passage which
communicates the inlet port and the ejecting port with each other,
and
[0083] in which the communication passage communicates with a
bypass passage via an opening smaller than the ejecting port.
[0084] Further, in the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention,
[0085] the generation unit may include a piston,
[0086] in which the time during which the piston in the generation
unit moves from the top dead center to the bottom dead center may
be ten times or more the time during which the piston moves from
the bottom dead center to the top dead center.
[0087] According to this configuration, the speed of the piston in
the generation unit is considerably faster in a feeding direction
which is a moving direction when air is fed out is considerably
than the speed in a force accumulation direction which is opposite
to the feeding direction and is a moving direction when air is
sucked. Therefore, the moving speed of air in the communication
passage is also faster at the time of exhaust than at the time of
intake. With this configuration, the outflow of the high-pressure
air from the bypass passage during exhaust (injection) can be
suppressed to a small amount while securing the bypass function of
the bypass passage, thereby maintaining the foreign matter removal
performance during injection.
[0088] Further, in order to achieve the above object, the foreign
matter removal device according to the present invention removes
foreign matters on a lens of an in-vehicle camera attached to a
vehicle so that the lens of the in-vehicle camera is exposed toward
the outside of a body panel of a vehicle, the foreign matter
removal device including:
[0089] a generation unit for generating high-pressure air; and
[0090] a nozzle for injecting the high-pressure air toward the
lens,
[0091] in which a tip end of the nozzle has a first wall portion
facing a front surface of the in-vehicle camera.
[0092] According to the above configuration, the tip end of the
nozzle has the first wall portion facing the front surface of the
in-vehicle camera. In this way, the high-pressure air sent from the
generation unit flows along the first wall portion and is
effectively blown on the lens of the camera, so that it is possible
to maintain the performance of removing foreign matters. Further,
unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to form the tip end of
the nozzle with the wall portion covering the entire
circumferential surface of the blow-off port of high-pressure air.
Therefore, the shape of the tip end of the nozzle can be configured
to achieve space saving, and mountability to the vehicle is
extremely excellent.
[0093] The shape of the nozzle may be configured such that the
high-pressure air flowing into the nozzle from the generation unit
is injected toward the lens while hitting against the first wall
portion.
[0094] According to the above configuration, by causing the
high-pressure air to be fed out while hitting against the first
wall portion, the high-pressure air can be rectified, so that the
high-pressure air of an appropriate air volume can be sent to an
appropriation location on the surface of the lens.
[0095] The tip end of the nozzle may have a pair of second wall
portions extending from both side surfaces of the first wall
portion toward the lens.
[0096] According to the above configuration, the air spayed from
the nozzle can be more effectively directed to the lens.
[0097] The pair of second wall portions may have a shape
corresponding to the shape of the front surface of the in-vehicle
camera, and
[0098] the nozzle may be attached to the in-vehicle camera such
that the pair of second wall portions are in contact with the front
surface.
[0099] According to the above configuration, a pipeline covering
the entire circumferential surface of a blow-off port of the
high-pressure air can be formed by the first wall portion, the
second wall portions, and the front surface of the camera.
Therefore, the air blown out from the nozzle can be more
effectively directed to the lens, and the nozzle can be accurately
positioned with the respect to the lens of the camera.
[0100] The first wall portion may have a fan-like shape enlarged
toward the lens.
[0101] According to the above configuration, the high-pressure air
can be substantially uniformly blown toward the entire outer
surface of the lens.
[0102] At least one protrusion for rectifying the high-pressure air
and blowing it to the lens may be provided on the surface of the
first wall portion facing the front surface of the in-vehicle
camera.
[0103] According to the above configuration, the injection
direction, amount, pressure, etc. of the high-pressure air at the
tip end of the nozzle are controlled by the protrusion, so that the
high-pressure air can be more efficiently blown onto the lens.
[0104] The foreign matter removal device according to another
example of the present invention removes foreign matters on a lens
of an in-vehicle camera attached to a vehicle so that the lens of
the in-vehicle camera is exposed toward the outside of a body panel
of a vehicle, the foreign matter removal device including:
[0105] a reservoir for storing cleaning liquid, and
[0106] a nozzle having a tip end disposed on a front surface of the
lens,
[0107] in which the tip end of the nozzle has a first wall portion
directly facing the front surface of the in-vehicle camera, a pair
of second wall portions extending from both side surfaces of the
first wall portion toward the front surface,
[0108] the nozzle is attached to the in-vehicle camera so that the
pair of second wall portions are in contact with the front surface,
and
[0109] at least one protrusion for rectifying the cleaning liquid
and discharging it toward the lens is provided on the surface of
the first wall portion facing the front surface.
[0110] According to the above configuration, the discharging
direction, flow rate, pressure, etc. of the cleaning liquid at the
tip end of the nozzle are controlled by the protrusion, so that the
cleaning liquid can be more efficiently blown onto the lens.
[0111] Further, the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention removes foreign matters on a lens of a camera, the
foreign matter removal device including
[0112] a generation unit for generating high-pressure air; and
[0113] a nozzle for injecting the high-pressure air toward the
lens,
[0114] in which a tip end of the nozzle has a first wall portion
facing the lens.
[0115] According to this configuration, the tip end of the nozzle
has the first wall portion facing the lens. In this way, the
high-pressure air sent from the generation unit flows along the
first wall portion and is effectively blown on the lens, so that it
is possible to maintain the performance of removing foreign
matters. Further, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to form
the tip end of the nozzle with the wall portion covering the entire
circumferential surface of the blow-off port of high-pressure air.
Therefore, the shape of the tip end of the nozzle can be configured
to achieve space saving.
[0116] Further, the foreign matter removal device of the present
invention removes foreign matters adhering to a partition wall
interposed between an in-vehicle sensor and a measuring target of
the in-vehicle sensor, the foreign matter removal device
including
[0117] a generation unit for generating high-pressure air; and
[0118] a nozzle for injecting the high-pressure air toward the
partition wall,
[0119] in which a tip end of the nozzle has a first wall portion
facing the partition wall.
[0120] Further, the vehicle of the present invention includes the
foreign matter removal device described above.
[0121] According to this configuration, for example, even when an
in-vehicle camera or a lens of a sensor becomes dirty due to rain,
mud or the like, foreign matters on the lens can be removed by
blowing high-pressure air thereto, thereby enhancing the accuracy
of information obtained from the in-vehicle camera.
Effects of Invention
[0122] According to the foreign matter removal device of the
present invention and the vehicle provided with the foreign matter
removal device, it is possible to enhance the versatility of the
foreign matter removal device at the time of being attached to the
vehicle while maintaining the performance of removing foreign
matters. Further, it is possible to generate high-pressure air even
when the tip end of the nozzle is clogged, and to achieve space
saving when attached to the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0123] FIG. 1A is a rear view (a foreign matter removal device is
shown in a perspective view) of a vehicle, FIG. 1B is a side view
(the foreign matter removal device is shown in a perspective view)
of a rear part of the vehicle, and FIG. 1C is a partial enlarged
view of the rear part of the vehicle.
[0124] FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing another example of a
position where the foreign matter removal device is attached.
[0125] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a foreign matter removal
device according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0126] FIG. 4 is a configuration view of a high-pressure air
generation unit included in the foreign matter removal device shown
in FIG. 3.
[0127] FIGS. 5A and 5B are a perspective view showing a nozzle unit
and a joint member. FIG. 5A shows a separated state, and FIG. 5B
shows a combined state.
[0128] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the nozzle unit
attached to an in-vehicle camera.
[0129] FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of attaching the nozzle
unit to the in-vehicle camera.
[0130] FIGS. 8A and 8B are a view for explaining a modified example
of an attachment part included in the nozzle unit.
[0131] FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a modified example (first
modified example) of a nozzle included in the nozzle unit.
[0132] FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line
A-A in FIG. 9.
[0133] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the
line B-B in FIG. 9.
[0134] FIGS. 12A and 12B are sectional views for explaining a
bypass passage formed in a nozzle according to a second
embodiment.
[0135] FIG. 13 is a perspective view for explaining a modified
example (second modified example) of the bypass passage.
[0136] FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG.
13.
[0137] FIG. 15A is a sectional view taken along the line D-D in
FIG. 14, and FIG. 15B is a perspective view of a joint member as
seen from the lower surface side.
[0138] FIGS. 16A and 16B are perspective views for explaining
another modified example (third modified example) of the bypass
passage.
[0139] FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the
line E-E in FIG. 16.
[0140] FIG. 18 is a graph showing a temporal change in the flow
rate of high-pressure air injected from the nozzle.
[0141] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a foreign matter removal
device according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0142] FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view showing a nozzle
unit and joint member according to the third embodiment.
[0143] FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the nozzle unit
attached to an in-vehicle camera in FIG. 19.
[0144] FIG. 22 is a side view showing a mounting state of the
nozzle unit to the in-vehicle camera.
[0145] FIG. 23A is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the
line F-F in FIG. 21, and FIG. 23B is a transverse sectional view
taken along the line G-G in FIG. 22.
[0146] FIG. 24 is a perspective view for explaining a modified
example (fourth modified example) of the nozzle included in the
nozzle unit.
[0147] FIG. 25A is a side view showing a state in which the nozzle
unit shown in FIG. 24 is attached to the in-vehicle camera, FIG.
25B is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the arrow H-H in
FIG. 24, and FIG. 25C is a transverse sectional view taken along
the arrow I-I in FIG. 25C.
[0148] FIG. 26 is a transverse sectional view showing another
example of the nozzle included in the nozzle unit according to the
fourth modified example.
[0149] FIG. 27 is a perspective view for explaining another
modified example (fifth modified example) of the nozzle included in
the nozzle unit.
[0150] FIG. 28A is a perspective view for explaining yet another
modified example (sixth modified example) of the nozzle included in
the nozzle unit, and FIG. 28B is a rear perspective view of the
nozzle unit in FIG. 28A.
EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION
[0151] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment according to the
present invention will be described in detail with reference to the
drawings.
[0152] A foreign matter removal device of the present invention is
applied as a device for removing foreign matters such as water
droplets, mud and dust adhering to a lens of an in-vehicle
camera.
[0153] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a foreign matter removal device
1 is attached to a back door 200A of a vehicle V, for example. The
foreign matter removal device 1 is provided with a motor 55, and a
power supply terminal of the motor 55 is connected to a power
supply line of a vehicle. For example, with the triggering that a
gear of the vehicle V enters a reverse mode, a vehicle control unit
(ECU; not shown) causes an in-vehicle camera 100 (to be described
later) to start photographing, and the foreign matter removal
device 1 is controlled to operate by the vehicle control unit (ECU)
within several seconds at the start of photographing, for
example.
[0154] The in-vehicle camera 100 is a camera for confirming, for
example, the rear side of the vehicle V and, as shown in FIG. 1C, a
lens 101 of the in-vehicle camera 100 is attached to the back door
200A so that it is exposed toward the outside of the back door 200A
of the vehicle V. The in-vehicle camera 100 is provided with an
imaging unit (not shown), and the lens 101 covers the imaging unit.
As the lens 101, a simple translucent cover that does not converge
or diffuse light is also included in the lens of this example.
[0155] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the foreign matter
removal device 1 may be attached to a rear bumper 200B of the
vehicle V, for example. Meanwhile, the position at which the
in-vehicle camera 100 is attached is not limited to the rear end
side of the vehicle but may be a body panel such as the front side
or lateral side of the vehicle. Further, in this example, the
meaning of the phrase, "to be attached to the body panel,"
includes, for example, a case where the in-vehicle camera is
attached via a vehicle mounted component such as a lamp, a door
knob, a mirror, a bumper attached to the body panel and a case
where the in-vehicle camera is mounted as a part (as an integral
body) of these components.
First Embodiment
[0156] As shown in FIG. 3, the foreign matter removal device 1
includes a nozzle unit 2, a joint member 3, a hose 4, and a
high-pressure air generation unit (an example of the generation
unit) 5.
[0157] The nozzle unit 2 is configured to be removably attached to
the in-vehicle camera 100. The nozzle unit 2 includes an attachment
part 21 and a nozzle 22. The nozzle unit 2 is formed of resin
material, for example.
[0158] The attachment part 21 is attached to a housing 102 of the
in-vehicle camera 100 so as to cover a top surface of the
in-vehicle camera 100. The nozzle 22 injects high-pressure air
toward a lens 101 of the in-vehicle camera 100. The nozzle 22 is
formed integrally with the attachment part 21. The nozzle 22 is
provided in such a way that a tip end (ejection port) of the nozzle
22 faces the lens 101 when the attachment part 21 is attached to
the housing 102. Here, the phrase, "formed integrally with," means
that an operator can handle the nozzle 22 and the attachment part
21 as an integral part during assembly work. Specifically, for
example, the nozzle 22 and the attachment part 21 may be molded of
the same material and in the same mold. Alternatively, the nozzle
22 and the attachment part 21 may be respectively molded of
separate materials, and then, fitted together and formed
integrally, thereby constituting the nozzle unit 2.
[0159] The joint member 3 is a member for joining the nozzle 22 of
the nozzle unit 2 and the hose 4. One end portion of the joint
member 3 is connected to the nozzle 22 and the opposite end portion
thereof is connected to the hose 4. The joint member 3 is formed of
resin material, for example.
[0160] The hose 4 is a piping member that connects, together with
the joint member 3, the nozzle 22 and a high-pressure air
generation unit 5. One end portion of the hose 4 is connected to
the joint member 3 and the opposite end portion thereof is
connected to a discharge port 50 of the high-pressure air
generation unit 5. The hose 4 is formed of, for example, a material
such as resin or rubber.
[0161] The high-pressure air generation unit 5 is a unit for
generating high-pressure air to be fed to the nozzle 22. The
high-pressure air generation unit 5 is attached to a part of a
vehicle body at the inside of a vehicle.
[0162] As shown in FIG. 4, the high-pressure air generation unit 5
includes a case main body 51 and a moving mechanism disposed inside
the case main body 51. Of a moving direction of a piston 52 in the
high-pressure air generation unit 5, a rearward direction that is a
direction of feeding out air refers to a feeding direction, and a
forward direction that is opposite to the feeding direction refers
to a force accumulation direction.
[0163] In an initial state before high-pressure air is fed out, the
piston 52 is positioned on the feeding direction side, and a rack
53 is positioned in a state where a rack portion 53a is engageable
with a gear portion 54a of a pinion 54.
[0164] When the driving of the motor (driving source) 55 is started
and a driving force of the motor 55 is transmitted to a worm wheel
57 via a worm 56, the gear portion 54a of the pinion 54 is meshed
with the rack portion 53a of the rack 53. Therefore, the rack 53
moves in the force accumulation direction against an urging force
of an urging spring 58 in accordance with the rotation of the
pinion 54. As the rack 53 moves in the force accumulation
direction, the meshing between the gear portion 54a and the rack
portion 53a is released at a predetermined position. The position
(position shown in FIG. 4) where the meshing between the gear
portion 54a and the rack portion 53a is released is set as the
bottom dead center of the piston 52. In a state in which the piston
52 is positioned at the bottom dead center, the air (outside air)
flowing into a substantially front half portion (second space) 60b
of an internal space 60 of a piston support portion 59 passes
through a gap 61b along a step 61a and flows toward a substantially
rear half portion (first space) 60a of the internal space 60.
[0165] When the piston 52 is moved to the bottom dead center, the
meshing between the gear portion 54a and the rack portion 53a is
released, and the piston 52 is moved in the feeding direction at a
speed higher than the moving speed in the force accumulation
direction by an urging force of the urging spring 58. In this way,
the air flowing from the second space 60b to the first space 60a
passes through the discharge port 50 of a connection protrusion 62
from the first space 60a and is fed toward the nozzle 22 of the
nozzle unit 2 via the hose 4. At this time, since the diameter of
the discharge port 50 is smaller than that of the piston support
portion 59, the air discharged from the first space 60a through the
discharge port 50 is compressed into high-pressure air and is fed
out.
[0166] As shown in FIG. 5A, the attachment part 21 of the nozzle
unit 2 has a substantially rectangular top plate 21A and two side
plates 21B, 21C. The side plate 21B is continuous to one end
portion of the top plate 21A and is provided so as to protrude on
the lower surface side of the top plate 21A. The side plate 21C is
positioned on the side opposite to the side plate 21B. The side
plate 21C is continuous to the other end portion of the top plate
21A and is provided so as to protrude on the lower surface side of
the top plate 21A. Further, a contact portion 21D of the side plate
21B and a contact portion 21E of the side plate 21C are curved so
as to slightly protrude inward, and a lower end portion 21F of the
side plate 21B and a lower end portion 21G of the side plate 21C
are inclined so as to slightly spread outward. As the resin
constituting the attachment part 21, a material excellent in
elasticity is used.
[0167] The nozzle 22 of the nozzle unit 2 has a connecting portion
22A, an extending portion 22B, and an ejecting portion 22C. The
connecting portion 22A is a portion to which the joint member 3 is
connected. The connecting portion 22A is provided with an inlet
port 23 into which high-pressure air flows. The extending portion
22B is a portion that communicates the connecting portion 22A and
the ejecting portion 22C with each other. The ejecting portion 22C
is a portion from which high-pressure air is ejected. The ejecting
portion 22C is provided with an ejecting port 24 which opens
horizontally (e.g., in a rectangular shape or in an elliptical
shape, etc.). The high-pressure air flowing into the inlet port 23
of the connecting portion 22A passes through a communication
passage formed in the connecting portion 22A, the extending portion
22B, and the ejecting portion 22C and is ejected from the ejecting
port 24 of the ejecting portion 22C. The nozzle 22 is disposed at
the center on the top plate 21A of the attachment part 21.
[0168] The joint member 3 is formed of a cylindrical member having
an L shape. The joint member 3 has a connecting portion 31
connected to the nozzle 22 and a connecting portion 32 connected to
the hose 4. The connecting portion 32 is provided with an inlet
port 33 into which high-pressure air flows. The connecting portion
31 is provided with an outlet port 34 from which high-pressure air
flows. A connecting passage connecting the inlet port 33 and the
outlet port 34 is formed in the joint member 3.
[0169] As shown in FIG. 5B, the joint member 3 is connected to the
nozzle 22 by fitting the connecting portion 31 into the inlet port
23 of the nozzle 22. In a state of being connected to the nozzle
22, the joint member 3 is rotatable about the connecting portion 31
as an axis so that its posture with respect to the nozzle 22 can be
changed.
[0170] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the housing 102 of the in-vehicle
camera 100 is formed in a cube shape, for example. The housing 102
has an upper surface (an example of the first surface) 102A, a
right surface (an example of the second surface) 102B continuous
with one end of the upper surface 102A, and a left surface (an
example of the third surface) 102C positioned on the side opposite
to the right surface 102B and continuous with the other end of the
upper surface 102A.
[0171] The nozzle unit 2 is attached to the in-vehicle camera 100
in such a manner that the attachment part 21 is fitted to the
housing 102 from above. In a state of being attached to the housing
102, an inner surface (an example of the opposing surface) of the
top plate 21A of the attachment part 21 faces the upper surface
102A of the housing 102. The top plate 21A is adhered to the upper
surface 102A of the housing 102 via an adhesive member 25 such as
an adhesive agent or a double-sided tape. The side plate 21B is
elastically deformable in a direction away from the right surface
102B of the housing 102. The contact portion (an example of the
first contact portion) 21D of the side plate 21B comes into contact
with the right surface 102B to press the right surface 102B.
Similarly, the contact portion (an example of the second contact
portion) 21E of the side plate 21C comes into contact with the left
surface 102C to press the left surface 102C. In this way, the side
plate 21B and the side plate 21C of the attachment part 21 sandwich
the housing 102 from both the left and right sides.
[0172] The nozzle 22 is positioned so that the extending portion
22B is disposed toward the lens 101 so as to extend along a
shoulder portion of the front surface of the housing 102, and the
ejecting port 24 of the ejecting portion 22C faces a center 101A of
the lens 101. Further, in the joint member 3, the connecting
portion 32 is connected to the hose 4.
[0173] Next, an operation of the foreign matter removal device 1
will be described.
[0174] When the driving of the motor 55 in the high-pressure air
generation unit 5 is started, first, air (outside air) for
generating high-pressure air is sucked. The air is sucked into the
high-pressure air generation unit 5 from the ejecting port 24 of
the nozzle 22. The sucked air is fed out, as high-pressure air,
from the discharge port 50 of the high-pressure air generation unit
5 to the hose 4 by piston motion due to an urging force of the
urging spring 58. The high-pressure air is fed from the hose 4 to
the nozzle 22 of the nozzle unit 2 through the joint member 3.
[0175] The high-pressure air flows into the inlet port 23 (see FIG.
5) of the nozzle 22 and is ejected from the ejecting port 24
through the communication passage. The high-pressure air ejected
from the ejecting port 24 is blown toward the lens 101 of the
in-vehicle camera 100. In this way, foreign matters adhering to the
lens 101 are blown away, so that the dirt of the lens 101 is
eliminated.
[0176] By the way, in the configuration in which a foreign matter
removal device is attached to a panel of a vehicle via a dedicated
bracket as in the conventional foreign matter removal device and a
nozzle is positioned with respect to a lens of a camera, it is
necessary to position the camera and the nozzle while respectively
attaching them to a body panel of a vehicle. In this case, a
mounting error respectively occurs in both the camera and the
nozzle, and the sum of both errors is generated as a positional
deviation of the nozzle with respect to the lens of the camera.
Further, since the shape of a body panel (appearance) of a vehicle
is different, it is necessary to prepare a dedicated bracket
according to the manufacturer and the type of the vehicle.
Therefore, the versatility of a foreign matter removal device at
the time of being attached to a vehicle is low.
[0177] On the contrary, according to the foreign matter removal
device 1 of the present embodiment, the nozzle 22 is formed
integrally with the attachment part 21, and the attachment part 21
is attached to the housing 102 of the in-vehicle camera 100. Since
it is unnecessary to attach and position the nozzle 22 with respect
to a body panel of a vehicle, the tip end of the nozzle 22 can be
accurately positioned with respect to the lens 101 of the
in-vehicle camera 100, and thus, it is possible to enhance the
performance of removing foreign matters adhering to the lens
101.
[0178] Further, the nozzle unit 2 is configured such that the
ejecting port 24 of the nozzle 22 faces the center of the lens 101
when the attachment part 21 is attached to the housing 102 of the
in-vehicle camera 100. Therefore, the positioning accuracy of the
nozzle 22 with respect to the lens 101 of the in-vehicle camera 100
can be further enhanced, so that the performance of removing
foreign matters can be enhanced.
[0179] Further, in the attachment part 21 of the nozzle unit 2, the
top plate 21A is adhered to the housing 102 by the adhesive member
25, and the side plates 21B, 21C are elastically deformed to be
brought into contact with the housing 102. Therefore, the
attachment part 21 is firmly fixed to the housing 102 by the
adhesive member 25 and is fixed to the housing 102 of the
in-vehicle camera 100 in a state of being deformed along the shape
of the housing 102. Thus, the ejecting port 24 of the nozzle 22 can
be more accurately positioned with respect to the lens 101 of the
in-vehicle camera 100, so that the performance of removing foreign
matters can be enhanced.
[0180] Further, the shape of the housing 102 of the in-vehicle
camera 100 to which the attachment part 21 is attached is small in
size difference between products, compared to the shape of a body
panel of a vehicle. Since the side plates 21B, 21C can be
elastically deformed and attached also to cameras having slightly
different lateral widths of the housing 102, it is unnecessary to
prepare a dedicated bracket or the like, and thus, the versatility
of the foreign matter removal device 1 at the time of being
attached to a vehicle can be enhanced.
[0181] Further, the joint member 3 connected to the nozzle 22 is
configured so that its posture with respect to the nozzle 22 can be
changed. Therefore, even when the arrangement place of the
high-pressure air generation unit 5 in a vehicle differs depending
on the type of the vehicle, the joint member 3 can be connected to
the hose 4 by changing the posture of the joint member 3. Thus, the
nozzle unit 2 and the high-pressure air generation unit 5 can be
easily connected to each other via the joint member 3, so that the
versatility of the foreign matter removal device 1 at the time of
being attached to a vehicle can be further enhanced.
[0182] Further, since the nozzle 22 can be attached to the
in-vehicle camera 100 via the nozzle unit 2 without using a
dedicated bracket, an increase in product cost can be
suppressed.
[0183] Next, a modified example of the attachment part 21 in the
above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
8.
[0184] As shown in FIG. 8A, an attachment part 71 of the modified
example is different from the attachment part 21 (see FIG. 7) in a
structure of a side plate 71B and a side plate 71C. Meanwhile,
since the parts denoted by the same reference numerals as those in
the above-described embodiment have the same functions and
operations, a duplicated description thereof will be omitted.
[0185] The side plate 71B is continuous to one end portion of the
top plate 21A and is provided so as to protrude in a direction
perpendicular to the top plate 21A on the lower surface side of the
top plate 21A. The side plate 71C is positioned on the side
opposite to the side plate 71B. The side plate 71C is continuous to
the other end portion of the top plate 21A and is provided so as to
protrude in the direction perpendicular to the top plate 21A on the
lower surface side of the top plate 21A. The side plate 71B and the
side plate 71C are elastically deformable in directions away from a
right surface 102B and a left surface 102C of the housing 102,
respectively.
[0186] A convex portion 71F and a convex portion 71G are provided
on a lower end portion 71D of the side plate 71B and a lower end
portion 71E of the side plate 71C, respectively. The convex portion
71F and the convex portion 71G are provided so as to face each
other on the inside of the side plate 71B and the side plate 71C.
Further, the convex portion 71F and the convex portion 71G are
provided so as to extend in a single line in the width direction of
the side plate 71B and the side plate 71C, for example.
[0187] As shown in FIG. 8B, the left surface 102C and the right
surface 102B of the housing 102 are provided with a concave portion
102G and a concave portion 102F. A distance h from the upper
surface 102A to the concave portion 102G and the concave portion
102F of the housing 102 is equal to a distance H from the lower
surface of the top plate 21A to the convex portion 71F and the
convex portion 71G of the attachment part 71.
[0188] According to this configuration, the attachment part 71 of
the nozzle unit 2 is fixed to the housing 102 of the in-vehicle
camera 100 in a state in which the convex portion 71F and the
convex portion 71G of the attachment part 71 are respectively
engaged with the concave portion 102G and the concave portion 102F
of the housing 102, and the side plate 71B and the side plate 71C
are in surface contact with the housing 102. Therefore, the tip end
of the nozzle 22 can be more accurately positioned with respect to
the lens 101 of the in-vehicle camera 100 in the front, rear, left
and right directions of the camera. Meanwhile, as a modified
example, it is also possible to adopt an engagement structure in
which the convex portions are provided in the housing 102 and the
concave portions are provided in the side plates. Further, as shown
in FIG. 9, according to the configuration in which the nozzle unit
is attached by engagement, it is also possible not to use the
adhesive member.
First Modified Example
[0189] Next, a modified example (first modified example) of the
nozzle 22 in the above-described embodiment will be described with
reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.
[0190] FIG. 9 shows a nozzle unit 2A attached to the in-vehicle
camera 100. FIG. 10 shows a transverse sectional view taken along
the arrow A-A in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 shows a longitudinal sectional
view taken along the arrow B-B in FIG. 9. A nozzle 82 of the
modified example is different from the nozzle 22 (see FIG. 6) in a
structure of an ejecting portion 82C. Meanwhile, since the parts
denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the
above-described embodiment have the same functions and operations,
a duplicated description thereof will be omitted.
[0191] The nozzle unit 2A includes the attachment part 21 and the
nozzle 82.
[0192] The nozzle 82 has the connecting portion 22A, the extending
portion 22B, and the ejecting portion 82C. The ejecting portion 82C
is a portion from which high-pressure air is ejected, and is
provided with the ejecting port 24. The high-pressure air flowing
into the inlet port 23 passes through a communication passage
formed by the connecting portion 22A, the extending portion 22B and
the ejecting portion 82C and is ejected from the ejecting port
24.
[0193] The housing 102 of the in-vehicle camera 100 has a front
surface (an example of the camera front surface) 102H continuous
with one end of each of the upper surface 102A, the right surface
102B and the left surface 102C. The front surface 102H is a plan
view area when viewing the housing 102 as a single body from the
front. The front surface 102H is provided with a lens hole 102K at
which the lens 101 is exposed.
[0194] The ejecting portion 82C has a top wall 91 facing the front
surface 102H of the housing 102, and two side walls 92, 93. The
side wall 92 is continuous to one end portion of the top wall 91
and is provided so as to protrude in a direction away from the top
wall 91. The side wall 93 is positioned on the side opposite to the
side wall 92. The side wall 93 is continuous to the other end
portion of the top wall 91 and is provided so as to protrude in a
direction away from the top wall 91. In this way, the ejecting
portion 82C of the nozzle 82 is constituted by the top wall 91 and
the side walls 92, 93, and a wall (bottom wall) facing the top wall
91 is not formed.
[0195] In a state in which the attachment part 21 is attached to
the housing 102 of the in-vehicle camera 100, the nozzle 82 is
configured such that the side walls 92, 93 (an example of the
positioning portion) of the ejecting portion 82C come into contact
with the front surface 102H of the housing 102 (see FIG. 10). As
the side walls 92, 93 come into contact with the front surface
102H, the nozzle 82 is positioned with respect to the front surface
102H of the housing 102. Further, in the state in which the
attachment part 21 is attached to the housing 102, a communication
passage 94 surrounded by the top wall 91, the side walls 92, 93 and
the front surface 102H of the housing 102 is formed in the ejecting
portion 82C (see FIG. 11). The high-pressure air is ejected from
the ejecting port 24 through the communication passage 94.
[0196] According to this configuration, the nozzle unit 2A is fixed
to the housing 102 of the in-vehicle camera 100 by the attachment
part 21, and is also fixed by the side walls 92, 93 of the nozzle
82. Specifically, the tip end of the nozzle 82 can be accurately
positioned with respect to the lens 101 of the in-vehicle camera
100 not only in the left and right direction but also in the front
and rear direction of the camera. Further, since the ejecting
portion 82C is not provided with a bottom wall, the thickness of
the nozzle 82 can be reduced, and it is possible to suppress an
increase in the size of the nozzle unit 2A.
Second Embodiment
[0197] FIGS. 12A and 12B are sectional views for explaining a
bypass passage formed in a nozzle included in a foreign matter
removal device according to a second embodiment.
[0198] As shown in FIG. 12A, a communication passage 71 for
communicating the inlet port 23 and the ejecting port 24 with each
other, and a bypass passage 73 penetrating a lower wall 72 of the
extending portion 22B are formed in a nozzle 122 included in the
foreign matter removal device according to the second
embodiment.
[0199] The communication passage 71 is composed of a pipeline 71a
of the connecting portion 22A, pipelines 71b, 71c of the extending
portion 22B, and a pipeline 71d of the ejecting portion 22C. The
pipeline 71b means a pipeline from an end of the pipeline 71a to a
place where the bypass passage 73 is formed. The pipeline 71c means
a pipeline from the place where the bypass passage 73 is formed to
the beginning of the pipeline 71d.
[0200] A sectional area (sectional area of the section orthogonal
to flow: an example of the size of the pipeline) of the pipeline
71c is slightly larger than that of the pipeline 71b. A sectional
area of the pipeline 71d (ejecting port 24) is equal to that of the
pipeline 71c. A sectional area of the pipeline 71a is larger than
that of the pipeline 71d. Meanwhile, an inner diameter of the
pipeline 71a is equal to an outer diameter of the connecting
portion 31 of the joint member 3 to be fitted into the inlet port
23. Meanwhile, the size relationship of the pipelines and the
openings may be defined by comparison of the maximum outer
diameters or may be defined by comparison of other indexes.
[0201] The bypass passage 73 communicates with the communication
passage 71 via an opening 74 formed in the lower wall 72. In the
present example, a sectional area of the bypass passage 73 is equal
to that of the opening 74. The sectional area of the opening 74 is
smaller than that of the pipeline 71d (ejecting port 24) and that
of the pipeline 71b. The bypass passage 73 is formed to have an
acute angle .theta. with respect to the lower wall 72. An arrow X
in FIG. 12A represents a direction in which the high-pressure air
flows in the communication passage 71. In other words, the bypass
passage 73 is formed so as to merge in an acute angle direction
from the rear side with respect to the direction of the arrow
X.
[0202] Next, an operation of the foreign matter removal device
according to the second embodiment will be described.
[0203] When the driving of the motor 55 in the high-pressure air
generation unit 5 is started, air (outside air) for generating
high-pressure air is sucked in accordance with the movement of the
rack 53 in the force accumulation direction (see FIG. 4). The air
is introduced from the ejecting port 24 of the nozzle 122 via the
communication passage 71 and is introduced from a bypass port 75
via the bypass passage 73. The introduced air is sucked into the
high-pressure air generation unit 5 from the joint member 3 through
the hose 4. The sucked air is fed out, as high-pressure air, from
the discharge port 50 of the high-pressure air generation unit 5 to
the hose 4 by piston motion due to an urging force of an urging
spring. The high-pressure air is fed from the hose 4 to the nozzle
122 through the joint member 3.
[0204] As shown in FIG. 12A, the high-pressure air flows into the
inlet port 23 of the nozzle 122 and is ejected from the ejecting
port 24 through the communication passage 71 as indicated by the
arrow X. In the present example, the ejecting port 24 is formed to
be larger than the opening 74 and the bypass passage 73 is formed
in the acute angle (.theta.) direction with respect to the flowing
direction of the high-pressure air, so that the high-pressure air
is fed through the communication passage 71 as indicated by the
arrow X.
[0205] The high-pressure air ejected from the ejecting port 24 is
blown toward the lens 101 of the in-vehicle camera 100. In this
way, foreign matters adhering to the lens 101 are blown away, so
that the dirt or the like of the lens 101 is eliminated.
[0206] By the way, when the temporary clogging of the ejecting port
24 occurs due to dust and dirt or the like adhering to the ejecting
port 24, the air to be sucked into the high-pressure air generation
unit 5 is introduced from the bypass port 75 and is sucked into the
high-pressure air generation unit 5 through the bypass passage 73
and the communication passage 71, as indicated by an arrow Y in
FIG. 12B.
[0207] According to this configuration, the nozzle 122 is provided
with the ejecting port 24 and the bypass passage 73 communicating
with the communication passage 71 via the opening 74. Therefore,
even when the clogging of the ejecting port 24 of the nozzle 122
temporarily occurs, outside air (air) for generating high-pressure
air can be sucked via the bypass passage 73. In this way, it is
possible to generate high-pressure air even when the clogging of
the ejecting port 24 occurs. Further, the clogging of the ejecting
port 24 can be solved by the generated high-pressure air, so that a
favorable ejecting state of the high-pressure air can be secured.
Further, since the opening 74 of the bypass passage 73 is formed
smaller than the ejecting port 24 of the nozzle 122, the
high-pressure air flowing toward the ejecting port 24 during
ejecting is hardly ejected from the opening 74. Therefore, the
performance of removing foreign matters by the nozzle 122 is
maintained even when the nozzle 122 is provided with the bypass
passage 73 in addition to the ejecting port 24.
[0208] Further, the bypass passage 73 is formed in the acute angle
(.theta.) with respect to the flowing direction (direction of the
arrow X shown in FIG. 12A) of the high-pressure air in the
communication passage 71. Therefore, the high-pressure air flowing
toward the ejecting port 24 during ejecting hardly flows to the
direction of the bypass passage 73, and thus, the high-pressure air
hardly flows out from the opening. As a result, the performance of
removing foreign matters by the nozzle 122 is maintained even when
the nozzle 122 is provided with the bypass passage 73 in addition
to the ejecting port 24.
Second Modified Example
[0209] Next, a modified example (second modified example) of the
bypass passage 73 in the above-described embodiment will be
described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15.
[0210] FIG. 13 shows the nozzle unit 2 attached to the in-vehicle
camera 100 and a joint member (an example of the connecting
portion) 3A connected to the nozzle 22 of the nozzle unit 2. FIG.
14 shows a longitudinal sectional view taken along the arrow C-C in
FIG. 13. FIG. 15A is a sectional view taken along the arrow D-D in
FIG. 14, and FIG. 15B shows a perspective view of a nozzle-side
connecting portion 31A (referred to as a "nozzle connecting
portion" in this example) of the joint member 3A as seen from the
lower surface side.
[0211] A bypass passage 73A of the second modified example is
different from the bypass passage 73 (see FIG. 12) formed to
penetrate the lower wall 72 of the nozzle 122 in that the bypass
passage 73A is formed in the nozzle connecting portion 31A of the
joint member 3A. Meanwhile, since the parts denoted by the same
reference numerals as those in the above-described embodiment have
the same functions and operations, a duplicated description thereof
will be omitted.
[0212] The nozzle connecting portion 31A of the joint member 3A of
the present example has a rectangular cross-section, as shown in
FIG. 15A. Further, a connecting passage 81 (passage connecting the
inlet port 33 and the outlet port 34) having a rectangular shape is
formed in the nozzle connecting portion 31A. A groove 83 forming a
part of the bypass passage 73A is provided on an outer peripheral
surface of a lower wall 82 constituting the nozzle connecting
portion 31A. The groove 83 has a semicircular cross-section, for
example. The groove 83 is provided so as to extend in a single line
in a length direction of the nozzle connecting portion 31A.
[0213] As the nozzle connecting portion 31A of the joint member 3A
having such a configuration is fitted into the inlet port 23 of the
nozzle 22, the bypass passage 73A is formed by the groove 83 of the
nozzle connecting portion 31A and an inner peripheral surface of
the connecting portion 22A of the nozzle 22, as shown in FIG. 14.
The bypass passage 73A is connected to the communication passage 71
in the nozzle 22. A sectional area of the bypass passage 73A is
smaller than that of the ejecting port 24 of the nozzle 22.
Meanwhile, the function and operation of the bypass passage 73A are
similar to those of the bypass passage 73 (see FIG. 12) described
in the above embodiment.
[0214] According to this configuration, it is possible to simply
configure the bypass passage 73A by connecting the nozzle 22 and
the hose 4 and using the joint member 3A detachably provided.
Further, since the bypass passage 73A is smaller than the ejecting
port 24, the performance of removing foreign matters by the nozzle
22 is maintained even when the nozzle 22 is provided with the
bypass passage 73A in addition to the ejecting port 24. Further,
even when the clogging of the ejecting port 24 of the nozzle 22
occurs, outside air (air) can be sucked through the bypass passage
73A, and high-pressure air can be generated.
Third Modified Example
[0215] Next, another modified example (third modified example) of
the bypass passage 73 in the above-described embodiment will be
described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.
[0216] FIG. 16A shows a state in which the respective members are
not assembled, and FIG. 16B shows a state in which the respective
members are assembled. FIG. 17 shows a sectional view taken along
the arrow E-E in FIG. 16B.
[0217] A bypass passage 73B of the third modified example is
different from the bypass passage 73 (see FIG. 12) formed to
penetrate the lower wall 72 of the nozzle 122 in that the bypass
passage 73B is formed by assembling the in-vehicle camera 100 to
which the nozzle unit 2 is attached to a camera bracket 91.
Meanwhile, since the parts denoted by the same reference numerals
as those in the above-described embodiment have the same functions
and operations, a duplicated description thereof will be
omitted.
[0218] As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the camera bracket 91 is
provided with a pipe line (an example of the connecting portion) 92
and an opening portion 93. The pipeline 92 is a pipe that
communicates the nozzle 22 and the joint member 3 with each other.
The pipeline 92 has a nozzle-side connecting portion 92A at an end
portion on the side to which the nozzle 22 is connected and has a
joint-side connecting portion 92B at an end portion on the side to
which the joint member 3 is connected. A connecting passage is
formed in the pipeline 92. The nozzle-side connecting portion 92A
is provided with a nozzle connection port 94, and the joint-side
connecting portion 92B is provided with a joint connection port
95.
[0219] The opening portion 93 is a portion in which the in-vehicle
camera 100 is housed. The in-vehicle camera 100 has a connector
portion 103 provided with a power supply terminal, a signal
terminal and the like.
[0220] Each component having such a configuration is assembled in
the following procedure. First, the nozzle 22 is adhered to an
upper surface 10A of the in-vehicle camera 100 by the adhesive
member (e.g., double-sided tape) 25. In this case, the ejecting
port 24 of the nozzle 22 is adjusted and adhered so as to face, for
example, the center point of the lens 101 of the in-vehicle camera
100. Subsequently, the connector portion 103 of the in-vehicle
camera 100 is inserted into the opening portion 93 of the camera
bracket 91. In the inserted in-vehicle camera 100, the portion on
the side of the lens 101 is rotated in a direction of the upper
surface 100A of the in-vehicle camera 100 about the end portion on
the side of the connector portion 103, and the nozzle 22 adhered to
the upper surface 100A is brought close to the pipeline 92 of the
camera bracket 91. As the in-vehicle camera 100 is further rotated,
a part of the nozzle-side connecting portion 92A of the pipeline 92
is inserted into the inlet port 23 of the nozzle 22. In this state,
for example, an engaging portion of the camera bracket 91 is
engaged with an engaging portion of the in-vehicle camera 100, so
that the assembly is completed.
[0221] As shown in FIG. 17, a sectional area of the nozzle
connection port 94 of the nozzle-side connecting portion 92A is
smaller than that of the inlet port 23 of the connecting portion
22A of the nozzle 22. Therefore, gaps 96A, 96B are formed between
an outer peripheral surface of the nozzle-side connecting portion
92A and an inner peripheral surface of the connecting portion 22A.
These gaps serve as the bypass passage 73B. The bypass passage 73B
communicates with the communication passage 71 in the nozzle 22
through an opening 97 or an opening 98. A sectional area of the
opening 97 and a sectional area of the opening 98 are smaller than
that of the ejecting port 24 of the nozzle 22, respectively. A
distance d1 of the opening 97 and a distance d2 of the opening 98
are smaller than a distance d3 of the ejecting port 24 of the
nozzle 22, respectively. Meanwhile, the function and operation of
the bypass passage 73B are similar to those of the bypass passage
73 (see FIG. 12) described in the second embodiment.
[0222] According to this configuration, it is possible to simply
configure the bypass passage 73B by using the pipeline 92 provided
in the camera bracket 91. Further, when assembling the camera
bracket 91 to the in-vehicle camera 100 to which the nozzle 22 is
adhered, the nozzle-side connecting portion 92A of the pipeline 92
and the nozzle connection port 94 of the nozzle 22, which differ
from each other in the maximum outer diameter and the sectional
area, are inserted and assembled together. Therefore, when
assembling the in-vehicle camera 100 to the camera bracket 91, the
nozzle-side connecting portion 92A and the nozzle connection port
94 can be assembled without bringing them into contact with each
other. Thus, the nozzle 22 does not obstruct the assembly, and the
position of the nozzle 22 to the lens 101 can be appropriately set.
In addition, the same effects as the second modified example can be
obtained.
[0223] Further, the high-pressure air generation unit 5 described
with reference to FIG. 4 may be operated as follows. Specifically,
in FIG. 18, the time during which the piston 52 in the
high-pressure air generation unit 5 moves from the top dead center
(a state in which an end portion 52A is located at an imaginary
line L of the first space 60a) to the bottom dead center (a state
shown in FIG. 4) is defined as a force accumulation time t2(s), and
the time during which the piston 52 moves from the bottom dead
center to the top dead center is defined as an exhaust time
(feeding time) t1. At this time, as shown in FIG. 18, it is
preferable that the force accumulation time t2 is ten times or more
the feeding time t1. In this way, by slowly moving the piston 52
from the top dead center to the bottom dead center while
instantaneously moving the piston 52 from the bottom dead center to
the top dead center, that is, by instantaneously exhausting the air
within the feeding time t1 while securing the force accumulation
time t2 which is sufficiently longer than the feeding time t1, it
is possible to reliably move water droplets adhering to the lens
101 even in the high-pressure air generation unit 5 where an urging
force of the urging spring 58 is small.
[0224] Further, in the above configuration, the speed of the piston
52 in the feeding direction which is a moving direction for feeding
out air is set to be considerably faster than the speed thereof in
the force accumulation direction which is opposite to the feeding
direction and is a moving direction when air is sucked. In this
way, the moving speed of air in the communication passage 71 is
also faster at the time of exhaust than at the time of intake. With
this configuration, the bypass passage 73 can sufficiently exert
its function as a bypass even when a sectional area of the opening
74 of the bypass passage 73 is smaller than that of the pipeline
71d (ejecting port 24). That is, even when the ejecting port 24 is
clogged with the dust or the like, the air intake can be performed
via the bypass passage 73 for a relatively long force accumulation
time. Further, at the time of injection, the high-pressure air can
be injected from the ejecting port 24 while suppressing the outflow
of the high-pressure air from the bypass passage 73 to a small
extent, thereby securing the foreign matter removal
performance.
Third Embodiment
[0225] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a foreign matter removal
device according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0226] As shown in FIG. 19, a foreign matter removal device 1000
includes a nozzle unit 1002, the joint member 3, the hose 4, and
the high-pressure air generation unit (an example of the generation
unit) 5. Meanwhile, since a basic configuration of the nozzle unit
1002 is similar to that of the nozzle unit 2 of the first
embodiment, a duplicated description thereof will be omitted. In
addition, since the parts denoted by the same reference numerals as
those in the above-described embodiment have the same functions and
operations, a duplicated description thereof will be omitted.
[0227] As shown in FIG. 20, an attachment part 1021 of the nozzle
unit 1002 has a substantially rectangular top plate 1021A and two
side plates 1021B, 1021C. The side plate 1021B is continuous to one
end portion of the top plate 1021A and is provided so as to
protrude on the lower surface side of the top plate 1021A. The side
plate 1021C is positioned on the side opposite to the side plate
1021B. The side plate 1021C is continuous to the other end portion
of the top plate 1021A and is provided so as to protrude on the
lower surface side of the top plate 1021A. As the resin
constituting the attachment part 1021, a material excellent in
elasticity is used.
[0228] A nozzle 1022 of the nozzle unit 1002 is disposed at the
center on the top plate 1021A of the attachment part 1021. The
nozzle 1022 has a connecting portion 1022A and a top wall 1022B (an
example of the first wall portion). The connecting portion 1022A is
a portion to which the joint member 3 is connected. The connecting
portion 1022A is provided with an inlet port 1023 into which
high-pressure air flows. The top wall 1022B is a portion from which
high-pressure air is ejected. The top wall 1022B protrudes
obliquely downward from the upper portion of the connecting portion
1022A. The high-pressure air flowing into the inlet port 1023
passes through the connecting portion 1022A and is ejected toward
the lens 101 along the top wall 1022B.
[0229] As shown in FIG. 21, the housing 102 of the in-vehicle
camera 100 is formed in a cube shape, for example. The housing 102
is provided with the upper surface (an example of the first
surface) 102A, the side surfaces 102B, 102C continuous with both
end portions of the upper surface 102A, and the front surface (an
example of the camera front surface) 102H continuous with one end
of each of the upper surface 102A, the right surface 102B and the
left surface 102C. The front surface 102H is a plan view area when
viewing the housing 102 as a single body from the front.
[0230] In a state in which the attachment part 1021 of the nozzle
unit 1002 is attached to the housing 102 of the in-vehicle camera
100, the top wall 1022B of the nozzle 1022 is disposed at a
position facing the front surface 102H of the housing 102. In the
present embodiment, an ejecting port of the nozzle 1022 is formed
only by the top wall 1022B, and a wall (bottom wall) facing the top
wall 1022B and side walls extending from both ends of the top wall
1022B are not formed.
[0231] As shown in FIG. 22, the nozzle 1022 is positioned so that
the top wall 1022B is disposed toward the lens 10 so as to extend
along a shoulder portion between the upper surface 102A and the
front surface 102H from the upper surface 102A of the housing 102,
and a tip end of the top wall 1022B faces the lens 101.
[0232] As shown in FIG. 23A, the high-pressure air flowing into the
inlet port 33 of the joint member 3 via the hose 4 flows into the
inlet port 1023 of the connecting portion 1022A of the nozzle 1022.
The high-pressure air flowing into the inlet port 1023 of the
connecting portion 1022A passes between the top wall 1022B and the
upper surface 102A of the housing 102 and is ejected from between
the top wall 1022B and the front surface 102H of the housing 102.
In this way, a blow-off port of high-pressure air is formed between
the top wall 1022B and the housing 102. At this time, preferably,
the shape of the nozzle 1022 is configured such that the
high-pressure air flowing into the nozzle 1022 from the
high-pressure air generation unit 5 is injected toward the lens 101
while hitting against the top wall 1022B. Specifically, the nozzle
1022 is formed so that an angle .theta. formed between the
connecting portion 1022A and the top wall 1022B becomes an obtuse
angle, preferably 110.degree. or more but 160.degree. or less.
[0233] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 23B, in a top view in a state
where the nozzle unit 1002 is attached to the in-vehicle camera
100, the top wall 1022B has a shape extending substantially in
parallel with the front surface 102H of the housing 102 of the
in-vehicle camera 100, and a side wall or the like extending from
the top wall 1022B toward the front surface 102H of the housing 102
is not provided.
[0234] Next, an operation of the foreign matter removal device 1000
according to the present embodiment will be described with
reference to FIG. 19 or the like again.
[0235] When the driving of the motor 55 in the high-pressure air
generation unit 5 is started, first, air (outside air) for
generating high-pressure air is sucked. The air is sucked into the
high-pressure air generation unit 5 from the ejecting port 1024 of
the nozzle 1022. The sucked air is fed out, as high-pressure air,
from the discharge port 50 of the high-pressure air generation unit
5 to the hose 4 by piston motion due to an urging force of the
urging spring 58. The high-pressure air is fed from the hose 4 to
the nozzle 1022 of the nozzle unit 1002 through the joint member
3.
[0236] The high-pressure air is introduced into the inlet port 1023
(see FIG. 23A) of the nozzle 1022 and is introduced between the top
wall 1022B and the front surface 102H of the housing 102. The
high-pressure air introduced between the top wall 1022B and the
front surface 102H of the housing 102 flows along a shoulder
portion of the front surface 102H of the housing 102 and is blown
toward the lens 101 of the in-vehicle camera 100. In this way,
foreign matters adhering to the lens 101 are blown away, so that
the dirt of the lens 101 is eliminated.
[0237] By the way, when a blow-off port of a nozzle is arranged at
a position facing an upper surface of a housing of a camera as in
the conventional foreign matter removal device, it is difficult to
effectively blow high-pressure air on a lens. Further, when it is
attempted to form a tip end of a nozzle with a wall portion
covering the entire circumferential surface of an ejecting port of
high-pressure air, it is necessary to make a space for attaching
the foreign matter removal device to a vehicle relatively
large.
[0238] On the contrary, according to the foreign matter removal
device 1000 of the present embodiment, the tip end of the nozzle
1022 is formed by the top wall 1022B facing the front surface 102H
of the in-vehicle camera 100. Therefore, the high-pressure air sent
from the high-pressure air generation unit 5 flows between the top
wall 1022B and the front surface 102H of the camera housing 102 and
is effectively blown on the lens 101, so that the performance of
removing foreign matters can be maintained. Further, the tip end of
the nozzle 1022 is formed only by the top wall 1022B, and the
ejecting portion of the nozzle is not formed by the wall portion
covering the entire circumferential surface of the ejecting port of
high-pressure air unlike the prior art. Therefore, the
configuration is simple, the thickness of the ejecting port of the
nozzle 1022 can be reduced to achieve space saving, and
mountability to the vehicle is extremely excellent.
[0239] Further, according to the foreign matter removal device
1000, the shape of the nozzle 1022 is configured such that the
high-pressure air flowing into the nozzle 1022 from the
high-pressure air generation unit 5 is injected toward the lens 101
while hitting against the top wall 1022B. In this way, by causing
the high-pressure air to be fed out while hitting against the top
wall 1022B, the high-pressure air can be rectified, so that the
high-pressure air of an appropriate air volume can be sent to an
appropriation location on the surface of the lens 101.
Fourth Modified Example
[0240] Next, a modified example (fourth modified example) of the
nozzle unit 1002 in the third embodiment described above will be
described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 26.
[0241] FIG. 24 shows the nozzle unit 1002A attached to the
in-vehicle camera 100. FIG. 25A is a side view of a state in which
the nozzle unit 1002A is attached to the in-vehicle camera 100,
FIG. 25B is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the arrow H-H
in FIG. 24, and FIG. 25C is a transverse sectional view taken along
the arrow I-I in FIG. 25A. A nozzle 1072 of the fourth modified
example is different from the nozzle 1022 (see FIGS. 21, 22, etc.)
in a structure of an ejecting portion 1073. Meanwhile, since the
parts denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the
above-described embodiment have the same functions and operations,
a duplicated description thereof will be omitted.
[0242] The nozzle unit 1002A includes the attachment part 1021 and
the nozzle 1072. The nozzle 1072 is provided with the connecting
portion 1022A and the ejecting portion 1073. The ejecting portion
1073 is a portion from which high-pressure air is ejected. The
high-pressure air flowing into the inlet port 1023 via the joint
member 3 passes through the connecting portion 1022A and is ejected
from the ejecting portion 1073.
[0243] As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the ejecting portion 1073 has a
top wall 1072B facing the front surface 102H of the housing 102,
and two side walls 1072C, 1072D (an example of the second wall
portion). The side wall 1072C is continuous to one end portion of
the top wall 1072B and is provided so as to protrude in a direction
away from the top wall 1072B. The side wall 1072D is positioned on
the side opposite to the side wall 1072C. The side wall 1072D is
continuous to the other end portion of the top wall 1072B and is
provided so as to protrude in a direction away from the top wall
1072B. In this way, the ejecting portion 1073 of the nozzle 1072 is
constituted by the top wall 1072B and the side walls 1072C, 1072D,
and a wall (bottom wall) facing the top wall 1072B is not
formed.
[0244] In a state in which the attachment part 1021 is attached to
the housing 102 of the in-vehicle camera 100, the nozzle 1072 is
configured such that the side walls 1072C, 1072D of the ejecting
portion 1073 come into contact with the front surface 102H of the
housing 102 (see FIG. 25C). As the side walls 1072C, 1072D come
into contact with the front surface 102H, the nozzle 1072 is
positioned with respect to the front surface 102H of the housing
102. Further, in the state in which the attachment part 1021 is
attached to the housing 102, a communication passage 1074
surrounded by the top wall 1072B, the side walls 1072C, 1072D and
the front surface 102H of the housing 102 is formed in the ejecting
portion 1073 (see FIGS. 25B and 25C). The high-pressure air is
ejected from an ejecting port 1075 through the communication
passage 1074.
[0245] According to this configuration, the communication passage
1074 covering the entire circumferential surface of the blow-off
port of the high-pressure air is formed by the top wall 1072B, the
side walls 1072C, 1072D and the front surface 102H of the camera
housing 102. In this way, the high-pressure air injected from the
nozzle 1072 can be more effectively directed to the lens 101.
Further, the attachment part 1021 is fixed to the housing 102 of
the in-vehicle camera 100, and the side walls 1072C, 1072D of the
nozzle 1072 are positioned by being brought into contact with the
front surface 102H of the housing 102. That is, the tip end of the
nozzle 1072 can be accurately positioned with respect to the lens
101 of the in-vehicle camera 100 not only in the left and right
direction but also in the front and rear direction of the
in-vehicle camera 100. Further, since the ejecting portion 1073 is
configured by the top wall 1072B and the side walls 1072C, 1072D,
and a bottom wall facing the top wall 1072B is not provided, the
thickness of the nozzle 1072 can be reduced to achieve space
saving.
[0246] Meanwhile, in the fourth modified example, the side walls
1072C, 1072D are in contact with the front surface 102H of the
housing 102. However, the side walls 1072C, 1072D may not be in
contact with the front surface 102H. Also in this case, the
high-pressure air can be effectively directed to the lens 101 by
the top wall and the side walls. Further, as shown in FIG. 26, a
top wall 1074B may be formed to have an arcuate cross-section
matching the arcuate shape of the lens 101. In this way, the
high-pressure air can be uniformly directed to the entire surface
of the lens 101.
Fifth Modified Example
[0247] Next, another modified example (fifth modified example) of
the nozzle unit in the third embodiment will be described with
reference to FIG. 27.
[0248] As shown in FIG. 27, a nozzle unit 1002B has the attachment
part 1021 and a nozzle 1082. The nozzle 1082 is provided with the
connecting portion 1022A and an ejecting portion 1083. The ejecting
portion 1083 has a top wall 1082B facing the front surface 102H of
the housing 102, and side walls 1082C, 1082D extending toward the
lens 101 from both ends of the top wall 1082B. The top wall 1082B
is formed in a fan-like shape enlarged from the connecting portion
1022A toward the front surface of the lens 101 located on the lower
side. The high-pressure air flowing into the inlet port 1023 via
the joint member 3 passes through the connecting portion 1022A and
is ejected from the ejecting portion 1083. According to the fifth
modified example, since the top wall 1082B is formed in a fan-like
shape, the high-pressure air can be substantially uniformly blown
toward the entire outer surface of the lens 101.
Sixth Modified Example
[0249] Next, yet another modified example (sixth modified example)
of the nozzle unit in the third embodiment will be described with
reference to FIGS. 28A and 28B.
[0250] As shown in FIGS. 28A and 28B, a nozzle unit 1002C has the
attachment part 1021 and a nozzle 1092. The nozzle 1092 is provided
with an opening portion 1092A and an ejecting portion 1093. The
opening portion 1092A is an opening into which a hose or a joint
member (not shown) is inserted and through which high-pressure air
flows. Here, the hose or the joint member is connected to the
high-pressure air generation unit 5 and feeds out high-pressure
air. The ejecting portion 1093 is a portion from which
high-pressure air is ejected. The high-pressure air introduced
through the opening portion 1092A is ejected from an ejecting port
1094 of the ejecting portion 1093.
[0251] The ejecting portion 1093 has a top wall 1092B facing the
front surface 102H of the housing 102, and two side walls 1092C,
1092D. A surface 1092B1 (see FIG. 28B) of the top wall 1092B facing
the front surface 102H of the housing 102 is provided with a
plurality of elongated projections 1095. The projections 1095 are
members for rectifying the high-pressure air and injecting it to
the lens 101. As shown in FIG. 28B, the plurality of projections
1095 are arranged such that an arrangement pitch between the
projections 1095A at the center portion is slightly narrower than
an arrangement pitch between the projections 1095B on both sides
and the projections 1095A on the inside thereof. In this way, the
flow velocity of the high-pressure air flowing between the
projections 1095A at the center portion is higher than the flow
velocity of the high-pressure air flowing between the projections
1095B at the center portion and the projections 1095B on both
sides. Therefore, the high-pressure air can be injected so that
foreign matters such as water droplets can flow from the center to
the outside of the lens 101.
[0252] In a state in which the attachment part 1021 is attached to
the housing 102 of the in-vehicle camera 100, the nozzle 1092 is
disposed such that the side walls 1092C, 1092D of the ejecting
portion 1093 are in contact with the front surface 102H of the
housing 102. In this way, the communication passage surrounded by
the top wall 1092B, the side walls 1092C, 1092D and the front
surface 102H of the housing 102 is formed. The high-pressure air
introduced through the opening portion 1092A is ejected from the
ejecting port 1094 toward the lens 101 while being rectified by the
projections 1095 formed in the communication passage. In this way,
according to the configuration of the sixth modified example, the
injection direction, amount, pressure, etc. of the high-pressure
air in the ejecting portion 1093 are controlled by the projections
1095, so that the high-pressure air can be more efficiently blown
onto the lens 101.
[0253] In each of the above embodiments, an example of the foreign
matter removal devices 1, 1000 in which the high-pressure air is
generated by the high-pressure air generation unit 5 and foreign
matters on the lens are removed by injecting the high-pressure air
from the nozzle 22 has been described. However, the nozzle units
according to the above embodiments and the modified examples
thereof may be applied as a foreign matter removal device including
a reservoir for storing cleaning liquid and a nozzle for injecting
the cleaning liquid toward the lens of the camera.
[0254] Further, in the above embodiments, the joint member 3 is
provided as a member for joining the nozzle 22 of the nozzle unit 2
and the hose 4. However, in the case where there is no need to
change the posture of the hose 4 with respect to the nozzle 22, the
hose 4 may be directly attached to the nozzle 22 without providing
the joint member 3.
[0255] Meanwhile, the present invention is not limited to the
above-described embodiments, but can be appropriately deformed or
improved. In addition, the materials, shapes, dimensions, numerical
values, modes, quantities, and locations and the like of the
respective components in the above-described embodiments are
arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present
invention.
[0256] For example, in the above examples, the application to the
in-vehicle camera has been described. However, the object to which
the present invention is applied is not limited as long as it is a
camera used outdoors. For example, a camera mounted so as to be
exposed to the outside of an airplane, a railroad, a ship, a robot,
an outdoor installation object, a building and the like may be
included.
[0257] Further, in the above-described examples, the application to
the camera (not limited to visible light) has been described.
However, the sensor to which the present invention is applied is
not limited to this. The present invention may be applied to
sensors attachable to vehicles, such as LIDAE (laser radar),
millimeter wave radars, and ultrasonic sensors.
[0258] Further, the target portion from which the foreign matter
removal device removes foreign matters is not limited to the lens
of the camera. For example, the present invention can be applied to
a foreign matter removal device for removing foreign matters
adhering on "partition wall" which is defined as a concept
including an optical lens of a sensor element, a cover for covering
a front surface of an optical lens, a cover for covering a vehicle
mounted component such as a lamp having a part serving as a
communication window of a sensor, a mirror, a bumper, a grill and a
door knob, and a vehicle window when a sensor is mounted in a
vehicle compartment. Meanwhile, this partition wall is not limited
to a transparent member (translucency), but may not be transparent
in an ultrasonic sensor, a millimeter wave radar or the like.
* * * * *