US 12,420,745 B2
Multi-channel cleaning apparatus, multi-channel sensor-cleaning module, and vehicle
Janik Ricke, Uetze (DE)
Assigned to ZF CV Systems Global GmbH, Bern (CH)
Filed by ZF CV Systems Global GmbH, Bern (CH)
Filed on Jan. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/150,641.
Application 18/150,641 is a continuation of application No. PCT/EP2021/068927, filed on Jul. 8, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 119 476.5 (DE), filed on Jul. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0150455 A1, May 18, 2023
Int. Cl. B60S 1/52 (2006.01); B60S 1/48 (2006.01); B60S 1/54 (2006.01)
CPC B60S 1/52 (2013.01) [B60S 1/481 (2013.01); B60S 1/54 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multi-channel cleaning apparatus for a vehicle for providing at least one of the following:
i) a liquid cleaning pulse; and,
ii) a compressed-air cleaning pulse;
for at least first and second cleaning nozzles, the multi-channel cleaning apparatus comprising:
said first and second cleaning nozzles;
a module compressed-air port for admitting compressed air;
a module liquid port for admitting cleaning liquid;
at least first and second nozzle branches;
said first nozzle branch being configured to provide a supply to at least one of said first and second cleaning nozzles independently of said second nozzle branch;
each of said first and second nozzle branches including:
a pressure cylinder defining a cylinder volume;
a movable restoring-forced biased separator partitioning said cylinder volume fluid-tightly into an air chamber for accommodating said compressed air and a liquid chamber for accommodating said cleaning liquid;
said air chamber having an air chamber port to which said compressed air can be applied to fill said air chamber;
said movable restoring-forced biased separator being configured to move counter to a restoring force in response to a filling of said air chamber causing an enlargement of said air chamber resulting in a reduction in size of said liquid chamber whereby said cleaning liquid is provided in the form of the liquid cleaning pulse at a liquid nozzle line via a liquid chamber port of said liquid chamber;
a switching valve defining an air admission position and being configured to provide a pneumatic connection between said module compressed-air port and said air chamber port when in said air admission position; and,
a bypass valve configured to provide a pneumatic connection between said module compressed-air port and a compressed-air nozzle line bypassing said switching valve, in an open position of said bypass valve, to provide a bypass compressed-air flow.