Assembly for sensor cleaning with solenoid

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11745703-B2
Application number	US-202117209456-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 23, 2021
Priority date	Mar 23, 2021
Publication date	Sep 5, 2023
Grant date	Sep 5, 2023

Abstract

An assembly includes an inlet tube and an outlet tube. The assembly includes a solenoid assembly having a plunger movable between an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet tube to the outlet tube and a closed position in which fluid is inhibited from flowing from the inlet tube to the outlet tube. The solenoid assembly has a spring urging the plunger to the closed position. The assembly includes a first pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the open position. Pressure detected by the first pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the open position. The assembly includes a second pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the closed position. Pressure detected by the second pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the closed position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly, comprising:
an inlet tube;
an outlet tube; and
a solenoid assembly having a plunger movable between an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet tube to the outlet tube and a closed position in which fluid is inhibited from flowing from the inlet tube to the outlet tube;
the solenoid assembly having a spring urging the plunger to the closed position;
a first pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the open position, pressure detected by the first pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the open position; and
a second pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the closed position, pressure detected by the second pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the closed position.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a computer in communication with the second pressure sensor, the computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine whether the plunger is at the closed position based on data received from the second pressure sensor.

3. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the instructions include instructions to store a diagnostic code in memory in response to determining that the plunger is not at the closed position.

4. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a valve seat between the plunger and the outlet tube.

5. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the plunger in the closed position abuts the valve seat.

6. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the second pressure sensor is at the valve seat.

7. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a fluid reservoir fluidly connected with the inlet tube.

8. The assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a nozzle fluidly connected with the outlet tube.

9. The assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a camera, the nozzle facing the camera.

10. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second pressure sensor includes a fiber optic wire and defines a cavity.

11. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second pressure sensor includes a membrane covering the cavity.

12. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second pressure sensor includes a piezo resistive pressure wire.

13. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the solenoid assembly includes an induction coil surrounding the plunger, the induction coil actuatable to move the plunger to the open position.

14. A solenoid assembly, comprising:
a plunger movable between a first position and a second position;
a spring urging the plunger to the second position;
a first pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the first position; and
a second pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the second position; and
wherein pressure detected by the first pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the first position and pressure detected by the second pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the second position.

15. The solenoid assembly of claim 14 , wherein the second pressure sensor includes a fiber optic wire and defines a cavity.

16. The solenoid assembly of claim 15 , where in the fiber optic wire is less than 0.025 inches in width.

17. The solenoid assembly of claim 15 , wherein the second pressure sensor includes a membrane covering the cavity.

18. The solenoid assembly of claim 17 , wherein the second pressure sensor at the cavity is less than 0.036 inches in width.

19. The solenoid assembly of claim 14 , wherein the second pressure sensor includes a piezo resistive pressure wire.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc
• Valeo North America Inc

Inventors

• Krishnan Venkatesh
• Baldovino Segundo
• Arunmozhi Ashwin
• Prain Charles
• Whitney Michael
• Smith William S
• Jullien Theophile
• Thebault Denis
• Lahilaire Jean Baptiste

Classifications

• B60S1/56 Primary

  specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens {(rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602)} · CPC title

• B60S1/481

  the operation of at least part of the liquid supply being controlled by electric means (electrical washing liquid warming-up means B60S1/488) · CPC title

• B60S1/50

  Arrangement of reservoir · CPC title

• B60S1/52

  Arrangement of nozzles; {Liquid spreading means}(nozzles per se B05B) · CPC title

• F16K31/0655

  Lift valves · CPC title