Wiper device for a detection system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wiper device (3) for a vehicle detection system (1), comprising a wiper blade (10), a wiper arm (9), a motor unit (5) and a drive unit (6), the drive unit (6) comprising a guide block (8) supporting the wiper arm (9) inserted into a guide frame (4), the drive unit (6) comprising a plurality of pulleys (61, 62), at least one drive pulley (61) being driven to rotate by the motor unit (5), characterized in that the drive unit (6) comprises a belt (7) driven by the pulleys (61, 62) and moving the guide block (8) according to linear motion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of windshield wipers for vehicles. More specifically, this invention relates to a windshield wiper for a vehicle detection system. Background Technology

[0002] Today, more and more vehicles are equipped with detection systems, such as parking assistance systems or lidar systems, which are present in many of the latest vehicles. This is why the question of how to clean these detection systems has quickly arisen.

[0003] Wiping devices equipped with wiper blades and wiper arms are known to be used. The wiper blade, carried by the wiper arm and driven by a motor, wipes the detection system, either as an optical surface or a window positioned in front of the detection system. Therefore, the wiping device allows for a clear view of the detection system in rainy weather or when cleaning is required.

[0004] The motor drives the wiper arms and wiper blades. This type of motor typically produces rotational motion, which the wiping unit must convert into linear motion. Therefore, the wiper blades move back and forth across the surface that needs cleaning. This motion conversion needs to be completed smoothly without any mechanical interference. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention allows for optimization of this motion conversion by providing a wiper device for a vehicle detection system, the wiper device including a wiper blade, a wiper arm, a motor unit, and a drive unit, the drive unit including a guide block that carries the wiper arm and is inserted into a guide frame, the drive unit including a plurality of pulleys, at least one of which is driven to rotate by the motor unit, characterized in that the drive unit includes a belt driven by the pulleys that moves the guide block in a linear motion.

[0006] The wiper arm and wiper blade are configured for linear motion. The wiper blade rests against the surface to be cleaned, and the linear motion allows the surface to be wiped by back-and-forth movement. The drive unit is an intermediate component between the motor unit and the wiper arm, and has the function of converting the rotational motion initiated by the motor unit into the linear motion of the wiper arm without mechanical interference.

[0007] The guide block sets the wiper arm and wiper blade to linear motion, and is therefore also set to linear motion. To keep the guide block within its linear trajectory, the guide frame functions to guide the guide block. The guide frame extends primarily in a direction parallel to the surface to be cleaned, and the guide block moves continuously along the guide frame.

[0008] The motor unit causes the drive pulley to rotate. This rotational motion is reversible, meaning the motor unit rotates between clockwise and counterclockwise movements and transmits this motion to the drive pulley. This reversible rotational motion can be an electrically reversible motion within a mechanically reversible motion. This reversible rotational motion results in a reversible linear motion of the guide block, which allows the wiper blade to move back and forth relative to the surface to be cleaned.

[0009] The belt is contained within a drive unit that includes pulleys and guide blocks. More specifically, the belt carries the guide blocks and is actuated at least by the drive pulleys. Due to the belt, the rotational motion of the drive pulleys is converted into the linear motion of the guide blocks. The belt is arranged within the drive unit to enable this conversion, which operates without any mechanical interference.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, the wiper device includes two driven pulleys arranged at each end of a guide frame. Unlike the drive pulleys, which are directly actuated by the motor unit, the driven pulleys are actuated by a belt. Each driven pulley has the same dimensions and is arranged at each end of the guide frame. In other words, a portion of the belt between each driven pulley extends in a straight direction, and a guide block is attached to this portion of the belt and moves from one driven pulley to the other. Therefore, the arrangement of the driven pulleys participates in the conversion of rotational motion to linear motion.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one driven pulley is supported by a pulley support arranged on a guide frame. For example, the pulley support may be molded in the guide frame. The pulley support may consist of two strips including holes, separated by a distance allowing a driven pulley to be established between the two strips of the pulley support. The driven pulley includes a drilled hole at its center, and a rod may be arranged to pass through each hole in the two strips and the drilled hole in the driven pulley. The rod is attached by, for example, adhesive. The driven pulley is able to rotate freely about the rod, and any other movement of the driven pulley is blocked by the pulley support.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the belt is a toothed belt, and the driving pulley and driven pulley are toothed pulleys that interact with the belt. The toothed belt and toothed pulleys prevent any parasitic slippage of the belt relative to any pulley. The teeth of the pulleys and the teeth of the belt interact through an interlocking connection.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the guide frame includes a guide groove into which a guide block is slidably inserted. The guide groove extends along the guide frame and is configured to receive the guide block. The guide groove frames the guide block. Therefore, the only movement the guide block can make is a linear movement with a set direction. Any other movement is blocked by the guide groove. To insert the guide block into the guide groove, the guide groove may include removable caps at its endpoints. The caps are removed to allow the guide block to be slidably inserted into the guide groove, and the groove is repositioned to close it.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the guide block includes a first attachment for the wiper arm and a second attachment for the belt. As described above, the guide block carries the wiper arm and is actuated by the belt. Thus, the guide block is simultaneously connected to both the wiper arm and the belt, and the guide block includes two attachments, each adapted to connect the wiper arm and the belt without mechanical interference.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, a first attachment of the guide block passes through an opening in the guide frame. The first attachment of the guide block allows a wiper arm to be attached to the guide block. Thus, the guiding device includes an opening that extends primarily in a direction parallel to the linear movement of the guide block. More specifically, the first attachment of the guide block partially protrudes from the opening, allowing the wiper arm to be attached. Therefore, even when the guide block is inserted into the guide groove, the opening allows the guide block to carry the wiper arm so that the surface is wiped clean by the wiper blade.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the second attachment includes a cavity into which the belt is inserted, and a retaining cap comprising a form complementary to that of the belt. The second attachment to the guide block allows the belt to be attached to the guide block. The cavity is molded onto the guide block and configured to receive the belt. The depth of the cavity corresponds to the thickness of the belt to restrict any movement of the belt within the cavity. When the belt is inserted into the cavity, the retaining cap closes the cavity to lock the belt in place within the guide block. The retaining cap can be attached to the guide block, for example, by a threaded connection or clamping. The retaining cap is in direct contact with the belt and comprises a complementary form on the surface facing the belt. The complementary form of the retaining cap interlocks with the teeth of the belt. Thus, when the belt is actuated, the guide block follows the movement of the belt due to the second attachment to the guide block.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the motor unit includes a motor and a gearbox. The motor includes a motor shaft that moves according to unidirectional rotational motion, and the gearbox is driven by the motor shaft and drives a drive pulley according to reversible rotational motion. When the motor is running, the shaft rotates clockwise or counterclockwise. The motor shaft may be a worm gear interlocked with the gearbox. The gearbox is driven by the motor shaft and converts the unidirectional rotational motion of the motor shaft into reversible rotational motion. This reversible rotational motion is transmitted to the drive pulley.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the motor rotation axis is perpendicular to the drive pulley rotation axis.

[0019] The present invention also includes a detection system for a vehicle, comprising a sensor and a wiper device according to the invention. The sensor may be, for example, a parking assistance device or a lidar (“light detection and ranging” or “laser detection and ranging”) device. For effective operation, such a sensor requires a clear field of view. The wiper device allows the sensor to maintain its efficiency.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the detection system includes a windshield configured to be positioned in front of a sensor of the detection system. In other words, the windshield is within the sensor's field of view. The windshield may have various functions, such as shock absorption, or, in this case, the windshield is cleaned by a wiper mechanism and allows the sensor a clear view.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, a windshield includes a cleaning area wiped by wiper blades, the length of which depends on the diameter and rotation angle of the drive pulley. The cleaning area may be a portion of or the entire windshield. The size of the cleaning area depends on the size of the wiper blades; more specifically, the length of the cleaning area depends on the range of linear motion of the wiper blades. The range of linear motion of the wiper blades, carried by guide blocks, depends on the rotation angle of the drive pulley. The diameter of the drive pulley also affects the length of the cleaning area. The larger the drive pulley, the longer the cleaning area. The length of the cleaning area can be calculated as follows:

[0022]

[0023] l is the length of the cleaning area, d is the diameter of the drive pulley, and ra is the rotation angle of the drive pulley. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Other features, details, and advantages of the invention can be inferred from the following description of the invention. Various embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 An overall view of the detection system according to the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 A view is shown of a motor unit capable of converting unidirectional rotary motion into reversible rotary motion.

[0027] Figure 3 A top view of the detection system is shown.

[0028] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the connection between the driven pulley and the pulley support.

[0029] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the connector between the guide block and the belt.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a side view of the guide frame of the wiping device according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The orthogonal system LVT represents the orientation of the wiper unit. The vertical axis V and the horizontal axis T correspond to the axes of the plane that defines the cleaning area of ​​the detection system, and the longitudinal axis L corresponds to the vertical axis V and the horizontal axis T.

[0032] Figure 1 An overview of the detection system 1 is shown. The detection system 1 includes a wiper unit 3, which functions to wipe the windshield 11 of the detection system 1, and more specifically, the cleaning area 12 of the windshield 11. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the cleaning area 12 may cover only a portion of the windshield 11, or it may cover the entire windshield 11. The windshield 11 is placed... Figure 1 The front of the sensor that is not visible in the image.

[0033] The wiper unit 3 includes a guide frame 4. The guide frame 4 defines an opening 41 that extends primarily according to a plane defined by a vertical axis V and a horizontal axis T, which is parallel to the cleaning area 12. A guide block 8 partially protrudes from the opening 41 and carries a wiper arm 9, which carries a wiper blade 10. The wiper arm 9 and the wiper blade 10 extend primarily according to the vertical axis V so that the wiper blade 10 contacts the cleaning area 12 of the windshield 11. The main dimensions of the wiper blade 10 are parallel to the vertical axis V and are equal to or greater than the vertical dimension according to the vertical axis V of the cleaning area 12, so as to clean the entire cleaning area 12 when the wiper unit 3 is in operation.

[0034] As described below, the guide block 8 is configured to move linearly from the vertical end of the opening 41 to the other end parallel to the horizontal axis T. The guide block 8 carries the wiper arm 9 and the wiper blade 10, which are also configured to move linearly. Thus, the wiper blade 10 moves back and forth relative to the cleaning area 12 to clean it. The opening 41 has a lateral dimension longer than the lateral dimension of the cleaning area 12 according to the horizontal axis T, so that when the wiping device 3 is in operation, the wiper blade 10 can cover the entire cleaning area 12.

[0035] The wiper unit 3 includes a motor unit 5, which, by means of a drive unit 6, causes the guide block 8 to move linearly along the opening 46. The drive unit 6 includes the guide block 8, a belt 7, a drive pulley 61, and at least one driven pulley 62. The drive unit 6 is located between the motor unit 5 and the wiper arm 9, and is capable of setting the wiper arm 9 and the wiper blade 10 from the rotational motion initiated by the motor unit 5 to linear motion.

[0036] Motor unit 5 includes a motor 51 that initiates rotational motion and transmits it to a gearbox contained within the internal volume of housing 56. Motor 51 includes a motor shaft, also contained within the internal volume of housing 56. The contents of the internal volume of housing 56 will be described in detail below. Gearbox shaft 54 ​​protrudes from housing 56 and extends to drive pulley 61. Gearbox shaft 54 ​​is initiated by the gearbox and causes drive pulley 61 to move. Motor unit 5 includes a mounting device 53 for securing motor unit 5 to any external component of wiper unit 3.

[0037] like Figure 1The wiper unit 3 shown includes two driven pulleys 62, which are disposed at each end of the guide frame 4 and attached to the pulley support 43. Details regarding the connection between the driven pulleys 62 and the pulley support 43 will be described below. The drive pulley 61 and the two driven pulleys 62 are arranged such that each center of each pulley forms an isosceles triangle. A belt 7 is arranged around each pulley. The pulleys are toothed pulleys, and the belt 7 is a toothed belt. The teeth of the pulleys and the teeth of the belt 7 are configured to interact with each other. Therefore, when the drive pulley 61 is actuated by the motor unit 5, the belt 7 and the driven pulleys 62 are also actuated.

[0038] Guide block 8 is arranged in guide groove 42, which locks guide block 8 so that guide block 8 can move only in a direction parallel to the horizontal axis T. Guide block 8 is attached to the straight portion of belt 7 and located between each driven pulley 62. Thus, when belt 7 is actuated by drive pulley 61, guide block 8 is set to linear motion by belt 7. Guide block 8 allows wiper arm 9 and wiper blade 10 to be set to linear motion through opening 41. This is how wiper blade 10 can wipe cleaning area 12 due to its reciprocating motion.

[0039] For example, the wiper unit 3 may also include a tool for dispensing cleaning fluid ( Figure 1 A device (not shown) is used to spray cleaning fluid onto the cleaning area 12 of the windshield 11 to improve cleaning performance. At least a portion of the device for spraying cleaning fluid may be mounted on or therein on the wiper arm 9.

[0040] Figure 2 The internal volumes of motor unit 5 and housing 56 are shown. Motor 51 extends into housing 56 via motor shaft 55. Motor shaft 55 extends primarily along a motor rotation axis 500 parallel to the transverse axis T. Motor shaft 55 may be a worm gear, which rotates unidirectionally along the motor rotation axis 500.

[0041] Gearbox 52 is schematically shown within housing 56 and is in contact with motor shaft 55. Gearbox 52 may include gears adapted to interlock with motor shaft 55. Movement from motor shaft 55 is transmitted along gearbox 52 to gearbox shaft 54. Gearbox shaft 54 ​​connects gearbox 52 to drive pulley 61. Gearbox shaft 54 ​​passes through the center of drive pulley 61 and rotates about drive pulley rotation axis 600 parallel to vertical axis V.

[0042] The gearbox 52 converts the unidirectional motion of the motor shaft 55 into reversible rotary motion. Therefore, the gearbox shaft 54 ​​is activated by the reversible rotary motion, causing the drive pulley 61 to move in the same direction. The drive pulley 61 rotates between clockwise and counterclockwise motions. The motor rotation axis 500 and the drive pulley rotation axis 600 are perpendicular to each other.

[0043] Figure 3 A top view of the detection system 1, viewed from a perspective parallel to the vertical axis, is shown. Figure 3 Sensor 2, located below the drive unit and behind the windshield, is visible. The wipers clean the area to ensure a clear view of sensor 2.

[0044] The cleaning area extends at least along a horizontal axis T, represented by a length of 100. The length 100 can also correspond to the extension of the linear motion of the wiper arm 9 and the wiper blade 10. This length 100 depends on the diameter 200 of the drive pulley 61 and the rotation angle 300 of the drive pulley. The rotation angle 300 corresponds to the angle of the arc formed by a point located on the circumference of the drive pulley 61 during a unidirectional sequence of reversible rotational motion of the drive pulley 61. Therefore, the length can be calculated as follows:

[0045]

[0046] Where l is the length of the cleaning area 100, d is the diameter of the drive pulley 61 200, and ra is the rotation angle of the drive pulley 61 300. Therefore, the wiping device can be adjusted according to the length of the cleaning area 100. The diameter 200 of the drive pulley 61 can be changed. The larger the diameter 200 of the drive pulley 61, the longer the length of the cleaning area 100. Similarly, the larger the rotation angle 300 of the drive pulley 61, the longer the length of the cleaning area 100. The rotation angle 300 can be changed by modifying the gearbox of the motor unit 5. Of course, if any of the above modifications have been made, other modifications can be included, such as readjusting the dimensions of the guide frame 4 and its openings.

[0047] Figure 4 This is an exploded view showing how the pulley support 43 and the driven pulley 62 are attached. The pulley support 43 includes two strips 431 that protrude from the guide frame 4 and extend primarily in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The strips 431 may, for example, be molded together with the entire guide frame 4. Each strip 431 includes a strip hole 433 intersecting the strip 431. The strip holes 433 of the strips 431 face each other. The two strips 431 are spaced apart by a distance that allows the driven pulley 62 to be implemented between the two strips 431. The driven pulley 62 includes a drilled hole 621 that passes completely through the driven pulley 62 and is formed around the driven pulley axis 620, which is the axis of rotation of the driven pulley 62. When the driven pulley 62 is implemented between the two strips 431, the drilled hole 621 faces each strip hole 433.

[0048] Driven pulley 62 is attached to pulley support 43 via rod 432 passing through drilled hole 621 and two strip holes 433. Rod 432 can then be glued to each strip hole 433. In this configuration, driven pulley 62 is able to rotate freely around rod 432, and any other movement is blocked by rod 432 and strip 431.

[0049] Figure 5 This is an exploded view showing the attachment of the band 7 and wiper arm 9 to the guide block 8. The guide block 8 includes a first attachment 81 for connecting the guide block 8 to the wiper arm 9, and a second attachment 82 for connecting the guide block 8 to the band 7. The first attachment 81 is part of the guide block 8 and protrudes from an opening in the guide frame to hold the wiper arm 9. The first attachment 81 can be connected to the wiper arm 9 by means of any mechanical attachment that does not interfere with the guide frame, such as by a threaded connection.

[0050] The second accessory 82 is opposite to the first accessory and includes a cavity 83 and a retaining cap 84. The cavity 83 is oriented opposite to the first accessory 81. The cavity 83 is sized to receive the belt 7. When the belt 7 is inserted into the cavity 83, the retaining cap 84 locks the belt 7 within the cavity 83 by contacting and closing the cavity 83. Thereafter, the retaining cap 84 can be attached, for example, by a threaded connection. The retaining cap 84 includes a complementary form 85 oriented on the surface of the retaining cap that contacts the belt 7. The complementary form 85 allows for interlocking between the retaining cap 84 and the belt 7. Therefore, when the belt 7 is actuated by the drive pulley, the guide block 8 follows the same movement as the belt 7 due to the interlocking between the second accessory 82 and the belt 7.

[0051] The guide block 8 includes a guide square piece 86 between the first attachment 81 and the second attachment 82, and will be described in detail below.

[0052] Figure 6 This is a side view of the guide block 8 inserted in the guide frame 4. The side view is parallel to the horizontal axis.

[0053] To maintain the linear movement of the guide block 8, the guide block 86 is inserted into the guide frame 4, and more specifically, into the guide groove 42. The guide groove 42 is partially open and molded within the guide frame 4, which surrounds the guide square 86 to maintain the linear movement of the guide block 8 when it is initiated by the belt 7. The guide groove 42 blocks any further movement of the guide block 8 that might occur, for example, after some shaking of the vehicle. The guide block 8 maintains its linear movement and carries the wiper arm 9 and wiper blade 10, which ensure their operation in wiping the cleaning area. To insert the guide block 8 into the guide groove 42, the guide groove 42 may include removable caps at its ends. The caps are removed to allow the guide block 8 to slide into the guide groove 42 and repositioned to close the guide groove 42. The guide groove 42 is partially open to ensure connection with the belt 7 due to the second attachment 82, but continues to hold the guide square 86. Due to this opening, the first attachment 81 of the guide block 8 can pass through the guide frame 4.

[0054] Regarding the wiper arm 9, it may include a spring 91, which is a second connecting element between the first attachment 81 of the guide block 8 and the wiper arm 9. The spring 91 has the function of properly pressing the wiper blade 10 against the cleaning area so as to wipe it properly.

[0055] As can be understood from the foregoing, the present invention provides a wiping device with a drive unit that allows the wiping blade to be set to move reversibly linearly against the cleaning area, the reversible linear motion originating from a unidirectional rotational motion initiated by a motor.

[0056] However, the invention is not limited to the devices and configurations described and shown herein, and it extends to any equivalent devices or configurations and any technically operable combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A wiper device (3) for a vehicle detection system (1), comprising a wiper blade (10), a wiper arm (9), a motor unit (5), and a drive unit (6), the drive unit (6) comprising a guide block (8) supporting the wiper arm (9), the guide block being inserted into a guide frame (4), the drive unit (6) comprising a plurality of pulleys (61, 62), at least one drive pulley (61) being driven to rotate by the motor unit (5), characterized in that, The drive unit (6) includes a belt (7) driven by pulleys (61, 62) and moves a guide block (8) in a linear motion. The guide block (8) includes a first attachment (81) for the wiper arm (9) and a second attachment (82) for the belt (7), and the first attachment (81) of the guide block (8) passes through an opening (41) in the guide frame (4).

2. The wiper device (3) according to claim 1 includes two driven pulleys (62) arranged at each end of the guide frame (4).

3. The wiper device (3) according to claim 2, wherein, At least one driven pulley (62) is supported by a pulley support (43) arranged on the guide frame (4).

4. The wiper device (3) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The belt (7) is a toothed belt, and the drive pulley (61) and driven pulley (62) are toothed pulleys that interact with the belt (7).

5. The wiper device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The guide frame (4) includes a guide groove (42), and the guide block (8) is slidably inserted into the guide groove.

6. The wiper device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The second accessory (82) includes a cavity (83) into which the band (7) is inserted, and a retaining cap (84) including a form (85) complementary to the band (7).

7. The wiper device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The motor unit (5) includes a motor (51) and a gearbox (52). The motor (51) includes a motor shaft (55) that moves according to unidirectional rotational motion. The gearbox (52) is driven by the motor shaft (55) and drives the drive pulley (61) according to reversible rotational motion.

8. The wiper device (3) according to claim 7, wherein, The motor's rotation axis (500) is perpendicular to the drive pulley's rotation axis (600).

9. A detection system (1) for a vehicle, comprising a sensor (2) and a wiper device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. The detection system (1) according to claim 9, comprising a windshield (11) configured to be placed in front of the sensor (2) of the detection system (1).

11. The detection system (1) according to claim 10, wherein, The windshield (11) includes a cleaning area (12) wiped by a wiper blade (10), the length (100) of which depends on the diameter (200) of the drive pulley (61) and the rotation angle (300) of the drive pulley (61).

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