Lens Cleaner With Bending Actuator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016368462-A1
Application number	US-201615189353-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 22, 2016
Priority date	Jun 22, 2015
Publication date	Dec 22, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning an optical device of a motor vehicle, wherein the cleaning device features at least two cleaning units and at least one holder upon which the cleaning units are arranged. Each cleaning unit has a drive part and a cleaning part, wherein the drive part features an electroactive polymer and can at least partly move the cleaning part. The holder on which the cleaning units are arranged can move between a working position, in which the cleaning units are positioned relative to the optical device in such a manner that the drive part can move the cleaning parts across a surface of the optical device that is to be cleaned, and a rest position, in which the cleaning units are positioned away from the optical device. The cleaning device is embodied in such a manner that each cleaning part of the cleaning units is moved over a subarea assigned to it of the surface to be cleaned, wherein the subareas can at least partly overlap.

First claim

1 - 9 . (canceled)

10 . A cleaning device for cleaning an optical device of a motor vehicle, wherein the cleaning device features:
at least two cleaning units, wherein each cleaning unit has a drive part and a cleaning part, wherein the drive part features an electroactive polymer and can at least partly move the cleaning part; at least one holder on which the cleaning units are arranged, wherein the holder can move between a working position, in which the cleaning units are positioned relative to the optical device in such a manner that the drive part can move the cleaning parts across a surface of the optical device that is to be cleaned, and a rest position, in which the cleaning units are positioned away from the optical device, wherein the cleaning device is embodied in such a manner that each cleaning part of the cleaning units is moved over a subarea assigned to it of the surface to be cleaned, wherein the subareas can at least partly overlap.

11 . The cleaning device according to claim 10 , wherein the drive part moves the cleaning part along and/or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning unit.

12 . The cleaning device according to claim 10 , wherein the cleaning part features cleaning bristles.

13 . The cleaning device according to claim 10 , wherein the cleaning part is arranged at least on one end of a cleaning unit, wherein the end on which it is arranged is spatially separated from the holder.

14 . The cleaning device according to claim 10 , wherein the optical device to be cleaned features a curved surface and, when in the cleaning position, the cleaning units are positioned and can move in such a manner that the surface can also be cleaned in curved areas.

15 . A driver assistance system having an optical device and a cleaning device according to claim 10 .

16 . The driver assistance system according to claim 15 , further comprising a controller to activate the cleaning process on the basis of manual release or on the basis of a threshold being exceeded or not met.

17 . The driver assistance system according to claim 16 , wherein the threshold is adjusted so that a cleaning action is triggered upon reaching a certain degree of soiling of the optical system beyond which the driver assistance system can no longer operate without problem.

18 . A motor vehicle rearview minor having an optical system and a cleaning device according to claim 10 .

Assignees

• Smr Patents Sarl
• Smr Patents Sarl

Inventors

• Herrmann Andreas

Classifications

• B60R1/0602

  comprising means for cleaning or deicing · CPC title

• B60S1/56

  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

• B60S1/566

  including wiping devices (B60S1/563, B60S1/583 take precedence) · CPC title

• B60S1/66 Primary

  for cleaning vehicle exterior · CPC title

• B08B1/002

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic