Vehicle camera and sensor washer manifold assembly

Abstract

A manifold assembly for a camera wash system of an autonomous vehicle is disclosed. The manifold assembly includes a fluid inlet; a plurality of fluid injectors, each fluid injector configured to switch between an open state in which fluid passes through the fluid injector and a closed state in which fluid does not pass through the fluid injector; a block member configured to hold the fluid injectors in a fixed position; and a rail member including a fluid passage in fluid communication between the fluid inlet and each fluid injector for providing a cleaning fluid to each of the fluid injectors.

1 . A manifold assembly for a camera wash system of an autonomous vehicle, comprising:
 a fluid inlet;   a plurality of fluid injectors, each fluid injector configured to switch between an open state in which fluid passes through the fluid injector and a closed state in which fluid does not pass through the fluid injector;   a block member configured to hold the fluid injectors in a fixed position; and   a rail member including a fluid passage in fluid communication between the fluid inlet and each fluid injector for providing a fluid to each of the fluid injectors.   
     
     
         2 . The manifold assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the block member includes a plurality of apertures, each aperture receiving a portion of a fluid injector therein. 
     
     
         3 . The manifold assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of fluid outlets, each fluid outlet extending from the block member and in fluid communication with a corresponding aperture of the block member and fluid injector received therein, the fluid inlet, the rail member, the fluid injectors and the fluid outlets forming a plurality of fluid paths through the manifold assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The manifold assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the fluid outlets are integrally formed as a unitary member with the block member. 
     
     
         5 . The manifold assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each fluid outlet is mechanically attached to and forms part of a corresponding fluid injector. 
     
     
         6 . The manifold assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each fluid outlet is attached to and extends from the block member. 
     
     
         7 . The manifold assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid inlet forms part of the rail member and the rail member further includes a plurality of cup members, each cup member receives therein a fluid inlet portion of a fluid injector. 
     
     
         8 . The manifold assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid passage is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and each cup member. 
     
     
         9 . The manifold assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a fluid outlet, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are formed as part of the rail member, and wherein the fluid passage is in fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The manifold assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastener coupled to the rail member and the block member, the at least one fastener connecting the rail member to the block member, and at least one spacer disposed between the rail member and the block member and surrounding the at least one fastener. 
     
     
         11 . The manifold assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rail member is attached to the block member at a predetermined distance therefrom. 
     
     
         12 . The manifold assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one through-hole defined in the block member, the at least one through-hole allowing for attachment of the manifold assembly within a vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . A manifold system for providing fluid to cameras and sensors in a vehicle for washing same, the manifold system comprising:
 at least one manifold assembly, the at least one manifold assembly comprising
 a fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet; 
 a plurality of fluid injectors, each fluid injector configured to switch between an open state in which fluid passes through the fluid injector and a closed state in which fluid does not pass through the fluid injector; 
 a block member configured to hold the fluid injectors in a fixed position; and 
 a rail member coupled between the fluid inlet and each fluid injector for providing a fluid received at the fluid inlet to each of the fluid injectors. 
   
     
     
         14 . The manifold system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one manifold assembly comprises a plurality of manifold assemblies, and the manifold system further comprises tubing coupled between the manifold assemblies, the tubing comprising a first tube member disposed between the first fluid outlet of a first manifold assembly of the plurality of manifold assemblies and the fluid inlet of a second manifold assembly of the plurality of manifold assemblies. 
     
     
         15 . The manifold system of  claim 13 , wherein the block member of each at least one manifold assembly comprises a plurality of apertures, each aperture receiving a portion of a fluid injector therein. 
     
     
         16 . The manifold system of  claim 13 , wherein each at least one manifold assembly further comprises a plurality of second fluid outlets, each second fluid outlet extending from the block member and is in fluid communication with a corresponding aperture of the block member and fluid injector received therein, the fluid inlet, the rail member, the fluid injectors and the second fluid outlets forming a plurality of fluid paths through the manifold assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The manifold system of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid inlet forms part of the rail member, the rail member further includes a plurality of cup members, each cup member receiving therein a fluid inlet portion of a fluid injector, and the rail member further includes a fluid passage from the fluid inlet to each cup member. 
     
     
         18 . The manifold system of  claim 13 , wherein each at least one manifold assembly further comprises at least one fastener coupled to the rail member and the block member, the at least one fastener connecting the rail member to the block member, and at least one spacer disposed between the rail member and the block member and surrounding the at least one fastener. 
     
     
         19 . A manifold assembly for a camera wash system of an autonomous vehicle, comprising:
 a fluid inlet;   a block member configured to hold a plurality of fluid injectors therein in a fixed position; and   a rail member coupled between the fluid inlet and each fluid injector for providing a fluid to each of the fluid injectors.   
     
     
         20 . The manifold assembly of  claim 19 , wherein
 the block member includes a plurality of apertures, each aperture sized for receiving a first portion of a fluid injector therein, and a plurality of fluid outlets, each fluid outlet extending from the block member and is in fluid communication with a corresponding aperture of the block member, the fluid inlet, the rail member, and the fluid outlets at least partly forming a plurality of fluid paths through the manifold assembly,   the fluid inlet forms part of the rail member and the rail member and further includes a plurality of cup members, each cup member sized and shaped for receiving therein a second portion of a fluid injector, and   the rail member further includes a fluid passage extending from the fluid inlet to each cup member.