Cleaning device for spraying fluid onto a surface to be cleaned facing a vehicle detection system

Abstract

A detection system (1) for a motor vehicle comprises at least one optical sensor (2) delimited by at least one curved optical surface (20). It further comprises at least one cleaning device (3) for cleaning the optical surface (20), which cleaning device (3) comprises a delivery ramp (4) for delivering at least one cleaning and / or drying fluid. According to the invention, the delivery ramp (4) has a curved shape, the curvature (C') of which is substantially equal to the curvature (C) of at least a part (201, 202) of the optical surface (20).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application with the application number 201780067379.X and the title "Cleaning device for spraying at least one fluid onto a surface to be cleaned of a detection system for a motor vehicle", and the application date is July 28, 2017. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of detection systems for motor vehicles. More specifically, it relates to a cleaning device for such a detection system. Background Art

[0003] The function of such a detection system is to collect information about the environment of the motor vehicle in order to assist the driver in driving and / or maneuvering the vehicle. To this end, the detection system is usually installed on the vehicle in order to collect information about the front environment, rear environment or side environment of the vehicle: thus the detection system is usually installed in front of and / or behind the vehicle and / or on the rear-view mirror.

[0004] However, these positions are particularly exposed to dirt, such as dirty water, dust or other types of spraying. Now, such dirt forms an obstacle to information transmission and reception, and may disrupt the operation of the detection system, or even make such operation impossible. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to propose a detection system for a motor vehicle which is capable of collecting information about the environment of the vehicle in all cases, including when the detection system is subjected to dirt spraying.

[0006] Such a detection system for a motor vehicle is increasingly triggered by signal sensors, whether the signal is optical, electrical or any other type.

[0007] In the context of the present invention, the outer surface of the sensor is understood to be the sensor surface that is subjected to dirt originating from the environment, particularly in the case of detecting the distance to a vehicle or object in the vicinity of a vehicle equipped with a cleaning device according to the present invention.

[0008] To this end, the subject of the present invention is a detection system for a motor vehicle, said detection system comprising at least one sensor delimited by at least one curved outer surface and at least one cleaning device for an optical surface, wherein the cleaning device comprises a delivery manifold for at least one cleaning and / or drying fluid, characterized in that the delivery manifold has a curved form, the curvature of which is substantially equal to the curvature of at least a part of the outer surface.

[0009] In the following, the description will more specifically and in a non-limiting manner address an optical sensor, wherein the outer surface to be cleaned is an optical surface.

[0010] An optical sensor is a term given to any sensor (such as a camera, a laser sensor, etc.) based on the emission and / or detection of electromagnetic radiation, particularly in the visible spectrum or in a spectrum invisible to the human eye (particularly infrared). An optical surface denotes a surface that is at least partially transparent to such radiation.

[0011] Advantageously, the curvature axis of the delivery manifold is substantially parallel to the curvature axis of at least a portion of the optical surface.

[0012] Advantageously, the delivery manifold has a plurality of distribution holes configured to allow one or more cleaning and / or drying fluids to be projected onto the optical surface of the optical sensor. According to the invention, these distribution holes are organized along a curve, the curvature of which is substantially equal to the curvature of the optical surface or at least a portion thereof. More specifically, the curvature axis of this curve is substantially parallel to the curvature axis of the optical surface or parallel to at least a portion of its curvature axis.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the distribution holes are arranged in a distribution channel configured in the delivery manifold, and the curvature of this distribution channel is substantially equal to the curvature of the optical surface, or more generally, its curvature is substantially similar to the curvature of the optical surface or at least a portion thereof. More specifically, the curvature axis of this distribution channel is advantageously substantially parallel to the curvature axis of at least a portion of the optical surface.

[0014] As a result of the curvature of the optical surface, the projection in a plane substantially perpendicular to the detection area of the optical sensor forms a first angular sector bounded by the edges of the optical surface in a direction parallel to the generatrices of its curved form. In other words, the detection area of the optical sensor defines a first angular sector of an angle on a determined plane, which is substantially equal to a second angular sector of an angle defined by the end of the delivery manifold around the curvature axis of the delivery manifold on a plane parallel to the determined plane.

[0015] According to a feature of the invention, this first angular sector is substantially equal to a second angular sector defined by the end of the delivery manifold around the curvature axis of the delivery manifold and defined in the same plane substantially perpendicular to the optical surface.

[0016] Advantageously, the delivery manifold extends at the downstream end of the delivery body of the extending axis, in particular extending substantially symmetrically on either side of said extending axis. The delivery body for one or more cleaning and / or drying fluids of the cleaning device for the detection system advantageously has an elongated form along the longitudinal extending axis. Thus, the delivery manifold includes a first end to which it is attached to the delivery body and a second end in which the distribution holes are particularly arranged. Advantageously, the first end has an elongated form substantially coaxial with the delivery body to which it is attached, and the second part of the delivery manifold has the aforementioned curved form. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second part of the delivery manifold and thus the distribution holes arranged therein extend in a bending direction in a direction transverse to the extending axis on either side of the extending axis of the delivery body.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the curved part of the delivery manifold extends substantially symmetrically on either side of the extending axis of the delivery body in the aforementioned substantially transverse direction. More specifically, according to this preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly formed by the delivery manifold and the delivery body has an axially symmetric plane which contains the extending axis common to the delivery body and the first part (referred to as the end part) of the delivery manifold. The axially symmetric plane intersects the aforementioned transverse bending direction at a right angle in particular. Thus, the previously defined angular section extends substantially symmetrically with respect to this axially symmetric plane in this case.

[0018] The optical surface can at least partially form a generally cylindrical or conical form or a complex form; as a result, the curve along which the delivery manifold, in particular the distribution holes arranged therein, is arranged also has an envelope surface which is at least partially cylindrical, conical or of a complex shape. The curvature of the curve along which the distribution holes are organized is substantially equal to the curvature of the optical surface or at least a part thereof.

[0019] According to a feature of the invention, the optical surface of the sensor includes at least one first emission part through which an output optical signal is emitted and / or at least one second reception part through which an input optical signal is received. For example, the input optical signal is formed by the output optical signal returned by the vehicle environment: this is particularly the case when the sensor implemented in the detection system is a laser sensor such as a lidar laser, etc.

[0020] Thus, the invention also relates to a cleaning sensor which only includes one emission part and only includes one reception part. The optical detection system includes, for example, two types of sensors which respectively perform the emission and reception functions, or includes at least one sensor which has both of these emission and reception parts.

[0021] In the case of a sensor including at least one emission part and at least one reception part, the latter can thus form the same continuous optical surface, or they can form different and simultaneous regions, so that the included optical surface includes, for example, a first band and a second band with different inclinations, sharing a common edge therebetween.

[0022] When the emission part and the reception part form the same continuous optical surface, the present invention provides the bending forms described above (the bending form of the delivery manifold, the bending form of the distribution channel, the bending form of the line along which the distribution holes are organized) so that the curvature is equal to the curvature of the continuous optical surface. When the optical surface is presented as an emission part and a reception part forming different and simultaneous regions, according to different variant embodiments, the present invention can provide that the curvature of the bending forms described above is equal to or substantially equal to the curvature of the emission part or the curvature of the reception part, or even the average curvature defined by the bending forms of the emission part and the reception part respectively. It should be noted that in this case, the cleanliness of the emission part is a key aspect of the effectiveness of the detection system, and it would be advantageous for the curvature of these bending forms to be substantially equal to the curvature of the said emission part.

[0023] Advantageously, the present invention provides that the delivery manifold is placed on one side of the optical surface with respect to the optical surface and the detection area of the sensor, and it is arranged in a plane parallel to the plane tangent to the curvature of the delivery manifold.

[0024] Advantageously, the delivery body is arranged on the receiving housing for the optical sensor. Thus, the delivery manifold is advantageously connected to the housing through the delivery body to which it is attached. Therefore, the above results are that the delivery body and the delivery manifold are advantageously arranged according to a predetermined orientation facing the optical surface to be cleaned. More specifically, the delivery body can be accommodated on the face of the receiving housing for the optical sensor and is particularly positioned substantially at right angles to at least a part of the said optical surface.

[0025] According to the present invention, the delivery manifold is configured to be movable between a first position or a stationary position and a set of working positions, and in the working positions, the delivery manifold is separated from the optical surface in a direction substantially at right angles to the optical surface, particularly a second position or a cleaning position.

[0026] According to the present invention, the delivery manifold is configured to form a surface substantially continuous with at least a part of the surface to be cleaned at least in its bent part in the first position. More specifically, according to a specific embodiment of the present invention, in which the optical surface includes a first emission part and a second reception part, the present invention provides in its stationary position that the surface formed by the delivery manifold in its bent part is substantially continuous with the surface of the first emission part of the optical surface.

[0027] According to another of its features, between its first and second positions, the present invention displaces the delivery manifold in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical surface by moving away from the optical surface.

[0028] According to a feature of the present invention, the conveyor body includes a telescopic portion, and a delivery manifold is mounted at the free end of the telescopic portion.

[0029] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the receiving housing for the optical sensor has an axially symmetric plane, particularly including the optical axis of the optical sensor and the axis of curvature of the optical surface, or, according to a variant embodiment under consideration, at least one of the axes of curvature of the emitting or receiving portion of the optical surface. In this case, the present invention provides that the extension axis of the conveyor body is also included in this axially symmetric plane. In this case, at the first position of the delivery manifold, at least one of the optical surface or its constituent emitting or receiving portions, and / or the delivery manifold, the distribution channels, and the respective axes of curvature of the curves along which the distribution holes are organized substantially coincide. According to the same variant embodiment, when the delivery manifold is in the previously defined operating position, i.e., during the displacement of the delivery manifold between the first and second positions, these different axes of curvature are substantially aligned on the previously mentioned extension axis.

[0030] According to a feature of the present invention, at the second position, the delivery manifold is separated from the optical surface in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis defined by the optical surface. In other words, in the axially symmetric plane of the optical surface, the delivery manifold is separated from the optical surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical surface.

[0031] The present invention also extends to a method for cleaning and / or drying the optical surface of the optical sensor of the detection system as described above, wherein the respective regions of the optical surface are successively reached by the delivery manifold during the displacement between its first and second positions. Description of the Drawings

[0032] Other features, details, and advantages of the present invention and its operation will become more clearly apparent by reading the following description given with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0033] - Figures 1a to 1c is a general schematic diagram respectively showing the operating principle of a detection system of a more specific target type of the present invention, such a system being used for different purposes of detecting people, objects, or third-party vehicles on a road scene, and an example of the positioning of such a system in a motor vehicle,

[0034] - Figure 2 is a perspective schematic diagram of a cleaning device equipped with a delivery manifold,

[0035] - Figure 3It is a perspective schematic view of the detection system according to the present invention, showing the configuration of the device for cleaning the housing of the optical sensor when the conveying manifold is in its rest position.

[0036] - Figure 4 It is a plan schematic view of the detection system according to the present invention, showing the configuration when the conveying manifold of the cleaning device is in its rest position, and

[0037] - Figure 5 It is a plan schematic view of the detection system according to the present invention, showing the configuration when the conveying manifold of the cleaning device is in the working position separated from the optical surface. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0038] It should first be noted that although the drawings explain in detail the embodiments of the present invention, they can of course be used to better define the present invention where applicable. It should also be remembered that for all the drawings, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0039] It should also be remembered that in the following description, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" relate to the flow direction of the cleaning and drying fluids in the cleaning device of the detection system according to the present invention. Thus, the term "upstream" refers to the side through which the cleaning and drying fluids of the cleaning device are allowed to enter, and the term "downstream" refers to the side through which the cleaning and drying fluids of the cleaning device are distributed to leave the cleaning device towards the optical surface of the detection system of the motor vehicle.

[0040] In summary, the drawings show a particularly advantageous embodiment of the detection system 1 according to the present invention. According to this embodiment, the detection system 1 particularly includes an optical sensor, the optical surface 20 of which is to be cleaned. In the example shown, the optical surface 20 has two different parts, namely the transmitting first part 201 and the receiving second part 202. The transmitting part 201 and the receiving part 202 of the optical surface 20 are curved here and each has a substantially cylindrical envelope surface. The transmitting part 201 and the receiving part 202 are different and simultaneous here, such that the optical surface 20 is formed by a first band corresponding to the transmitting part 201 and a second band corresponding to the receiving part 202. These two bands share a common edge 203.

[0041] According to this embodiment of the present invention, the detection system 1 has an axially symmetric plane P1 that passes through the curvature axes of the emission part 201 and the reception part 202, respectively. The common edge 203 between the emission part 201 and the reception part 202 is substantially at a right angle to the axially symmetric plane P1. The shapes and dimensions of the emission part 201 and the reception part 202, or more generally the shape and dimensions of the optical surface 20, define the detection area 21 of the optical sensor. The detection area 21 is defined as a solid angle within which an object A will be able to be reached by the output signal 7 emitted by the emission part 201 such that the input signal 8 returned by the object A will be received by the reception part 202 of the optical surface 20.

[0042] Figures 1a to 1c The operation of such a detection system 1 is shown, and the related Figure 1a shows its various usage possibilities. The output optical signal 7 shown in the form of solid concentric lines in Figure 1a is emitted by the emission part 201 in the general direction indicated by the arrow F1. When this signal encounters an object A placed in its path, it returns as an input optical signal 8 by the object A, as shown in Figure 1a in the form of dashed concentric lines. This input optical signal 8 returns towards the reception part 202 of the detection system 1 in the general direction indicated by the arrow F2. Then, the output signal 7 and the input signal 8 are compared by an analysis device configured in the detection system 1, thereby inferring information about the shape and position of the object A.

[0043] Therefore, as shown in Figure 1a such a detection system 1 placed, for example, in front of a vehicle B will be able to provide the driver of the vehicle B with information related to, for example, the distance separating the vehicle B from different types of objects located within the detection area 21 of the optical sensor: a pedestrian A1 located at a distance D1 from the vehicle B, a road signal element A2 located at a distance D2, other vehicles A3 located at a distance D3, etc.

[0044] It is readily understood that the quality of the output signal 7 and the input signal 8 is crucial for the correct and reliable operation of the detection system 1. The cleanliness of the emission part 201 and the reception part 202, in particular, is a key factor in the quality of the signals emitted and / or received by the optical surface 20. Therefore, it is crucial to have a device 3 that can keep the emission part 201 and the reception part 202 of the optical surface 20, or more generally the optical surface 20, clean over all the detection areas 21 of the optical sensor.

[0045] Figure 2 A part of such a cleaning device 3 is shown, Figures 3 to 5 showing the relative arrangement of such a cleaning device 3 and such a detection system.

[0046] Referring to these different figures, the cleaning device 3 particularly includes a delivery manifold 4 configured to allow one or more cleaning and / or drying fluids to be sprayed onto the optical surface 20 to be cleaned. To this end, and as Figure 2 more specifically shown, the delivery manifold 4 particularly includes a distribution channel 40 in which a plurality of distribution holes 41 are arranged, and the cleaning and / or drying fluids are sprayed onto the optical surface 20 through the distribution holes 41.

[0047] In the detection system 1 according to the present invention, the delivery manifold 4 of the cleaning device can be moved between a first position or a rest position (more specifically shown by Figure 3 and 4 shown) and a second position (more specifically shown by Figure 5 shown).

[0048] According to the present invention, the optical surface 20 has a curved form, and the delivery manifold 4 has an equivalent curved form. More specifically, according to the present invention, the curvature C' of the delivery manifold 4 is substantially equal to the curvature C of the optical surface 20, as is particularly visible in Figure 5 . The curvature of the delivery manifold and the curvature of the optical surface are defined in a plane parallel to the main emission direction of the input and output optical signals of the detection signal. More specifically, in the detection system 1 according to the present invention, the delivery manifold 4 is arranged relative to the optical surface 20 such that its curvature axis 400 (i.e., the axis around which the curved portion of the delivery manifold is wound) is substantially parallel to the curvature axis of the optical surface 20, or according to the embodiment more specifically shown by the figure, parallel to at least one of the curvature axes (Z1, Z2 respectively) of the emission portion 201 or the reception portion 202 of the optical surface 20.

[0049] Advantageously, the distribution channel 40 is curved, and the distribution holes 41 arranged therein are organized along a curve 44. In this context, it can be stipulated that the curvature of the distribution channel 40 is equal to the curvature of the optical surface 20, and / or the curvature of the curve 44 along which the distribution holes 41 are organized is equal to the curvature of the optical surface 20. As mentioned above, the curvature axis 401 of the distribution channel 40 is substantially parallel to the curvature axis of the optical surface 20, or according to the embodiment more specifically shown by the figure, parallel to at least one of the curvature axes (Z1, Z2 respectively) of the emission portion 201 or the reception portion 202 of the optical surface 20, and the same applies to the curvature axis 440 of the curve 44 along which the distribution holes 41 are organized.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention more specifically shown by the figure, in which the optical surface 20 has an emission portion 201 and a reception portion 202 with different curvatures, the curvature of the delivery manifold 4 is substantially equal to the curvature of the emission portion 201. In fact, in as Figure 1aIn the detection system shown, the cleanliness of the emission part 201 is crucial for the reproducible emission of the detection signal: Therefore, it is important that this part of the optical surface 20 is as clean as possible. To this end, for the cleaning and / or drying fluid injected onto the optical surface 20, and in particular its emission surface 201, it is important that all of this surface is reached to ensure optimal cleaning efficiency. This can be achieved in particular by the specific form of the delivery manifold 4 and its spatial configuration relative to the optical surface 20, which will be described in detail below.

[0051] The cleaning device 3 also includes a delivery body 5 for one or more cleaning and / or drying fluids. The delivery body 5 has an elongated shape along the extension axis X. According to an embodiment of the invention more specifically shown in the figures, the delivery body 5 has an axis X in the form of a substantially cylindrical envelope. At its upstream end, the delivery body 5 is connected to a cleaning and / or drying fluid supply assembly, not shown in the figures. The supply assembly includes, for example, a fluid storage tank and one or more pipes connecting the tank to the delivery body 5. At its downstream end, the delivery body 5 is attached to the delivery manifold 4. More specifically, according to an embodiment of the invention more specifically shown in the figures, the delivery body 5 is attached at its downstream end to the end 42 of the delivery manifold 4 having an elongated form with an extension axis X. In other words, the delivery manifold 4 is attached here to the delivery body 5 by the end 42, which extends coaxially with the delivery body 5. Thus, at its upstream end, the delivery manifold 4 is attached to the delivery body 5 by its end 42, and at its downstream end, it has a curved second part 43, the curvature of which is similar to the curvature of the emission part 201 of the optical surface 20, and the distribution holes 41 are arranged in the curved part 43. According to the invention, the displacement of the delivery manifold 4 between its first rest position and its second position occurs in a direction parallel to the extension axis X.

[0052] Advantageously, the delivery manifold 4 is attached to the delivery body 5 in such a way that its curved part 43 extends in a direction transverse to its extension axis X on either side of the downstream end of the delivery body 5. More specifically, according to an embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the curved part 43 extends substantially symmetrically in a transverse direction Y that is substantially at right angles to the extension axis X on either side of the downstream end of the delivery body 5.

[0053] Advantageously, and as Figures 3 to 5 shown, the delivery body 5 is attached to a receiving housing 6, in particular an optical sensor for the detection system 1. More specifically, according to an embodiment more specifically shown in the figures, the delivery body 5 is fixed to the receiving surface 60 of the receiving housing 6 by suitable fixing means 9. It should be noted that according to different embodiments, the receiving housing 6 can be the receiving housing for all detection systems 1 or just the receiving housing for the optical sensor.

[0054] According to the present invention, the receiving surface 60 is substantially at a right angle to the optical surface 20 and extends therefrom. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the receiving surface 60 is also substantially at a right angle to the previously defined axially symmetric plane P1. More specifically, according to this particular embodiment, the intersection edge of the receiving surface 60 with the optical surface 20 is the edge of the emission portion 201. According to this embodiment of the present invention, the conveyor 5 is arranged on the receiving surface 60 such that its extension axis X is positioned substantially parallel to the receiving surface 60 and is included in the previously defined axially symmetric plane P1.

[0055] It follows therefrom that, since the displacement of the delivery manifold 4 between its first rest position and its second position takes place in a direction substantially parallel to the extension axis X, this displacement is carried out by moving the delivery manifold 4 away from the optical surface 20 in a direction substantially at right angles thereto. Another consequence of the above is that, regardless of the position of the delivery manifold 4 between its rest position and its second position, the delivery manifold 4 is located on the side of the housing 6 of the receiving surface 60 opposite the optical surface 20.

[0056] According to the present invention, the form and dimensions of the delivery manifold 4, in particular the shape and dimensions of its curved portion 43, are defined such that in the rest position of the delivery manifold 4, more specifically by Figure 2 and 5 shown, the latter forms a substantially continuous surface with the optical surface 20. According to the embodiment more specifically shown in the figures, the shape and dimensions of the delivery manifold 4 are defined such that in the rest position of the delivery manifold 4, the latter forms a substantially continuous surface with the emission portion 201 of the optical surface 20.

[0057] The delivery manifold 4 is arranged relative to the optical surface 20 such that the cleaning and / or drying fluid ejected from the distribution holes 41 can reach all of the said optical surfaces 20, in particular their edges (20a and 20b respectively), in the transverse direction Y of the system (which is the main extension direction of the delivery manifold), and regardless of whether the optical surface 20 takes the form of one or more emission / reception portions. This is more specifically shown by Figure 4 and 5 shown, Figure 4 and 5 which show a plan view of the detection system 1 according to the present invention, in the rest position and its working position of the delivery manifold 4 respectively.

[0058] Referring to these figures, the detection area 21 of the optical sensor (see Figure 4 ) forms a solid angle, a part of which forms a first angular sector of an angle α1 defined by the edges (20a and 20b respectively) of the optical surface 20 substantially at right angles to the plane P2 in a plane P2 substantially at right angles to the previously defined axially symmetric plane P1 and substantially parallel to the extension axis X of the conveyor 5.

[0059] On the same plane P2, a second angular sector of an angle α2 can be defined in the plane P2, delimited by the ends (4a and 4b respectively) of the delivery manifold 4, particularly in its curved portion 43, on either side of the line of the extension axis X and of the previously defined axially symmetric plane P1, around the curvature axis 400 of the delivery manifold 4.

[0060] The first angular sector of the previously defined angle α1 is advantageously substantially equal to the second angular sector of the angle α2, which allows the fluid ejected by the delivery manifold to reach all the optical surfaces, particularly their edges, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the previously defined plane P2.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the invention shown more particularly by the figures, and as Figure 4 and 5 shown more particularly, the cleaning device 3 is arranged in the detection system 1 such that when the delivery manifold 4 is in its rest position, the curvature axis of the optical surface 20 substantially coincides with the curvature axis 400 of the delivery manifold 4 and possibly with the curvature axis 440 of the curve 44 along which the dispensing orifice 41 is organized and with the curvature axis 401 of the dispensing channel 40. Furthermore, according to the same embodiment, and as Figure 5 shown more particularly, when the delivery manifold 4 is in one of its working positions, at least one of the curvature axes (Z1, Z2 respectively) of the emitting portion 201 and the receiving portion 202 of the optical surface 20, the curvature axis 400 of the delivery manifold 4, the curvature axis 401 of the dispensing channel 40 and the curvature axis 440 of the curve 44 along which the dispensing orifice 41 is organized are substantially aligned on the extension axis X.

[0062] This particular form of the delivery manifold 4 and this particular arrangement relative to the optical surface 20 allow the fluid ejected by the dispensing orifice 41 to reach all of this optical surface, regardless of the position of the delivery manifold 4 relative to the optical surface 20. Thus, the invention makes it possible to effectively clean the optical surface 20 of the optical sensor over all the detection zones 21 of this optical sensor. On the one hand, this can be achieved by the form of the delivery manifold and, on the other hand, by its particular arrangement on one side of the receiving face 60 of the receiving housing 6, by means of which arrangement the displacement of the delivery manifold 4 between its first position and its working position takes place in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the optical surface 20.

[0063] Furthermore, it is advantageous for the dispensing orifices to be oriented such that the cleaning and / or drying fluid leaving these orifices reaches the optical surface at a defined angle of incidence and which is at least equal to a threshold of 20°. It should be understood that this value is given as an indicative example and that it is important for the orifices to be arranged such that the direction of the ejected fluid is not tangential to the optical surface to be cleaned.

[0064] The fluid injection assembly of the cleaning device 3 is configured such that when the delivery manifold 4 moves away from its first or rest position, it substantially allows fluid to be injected into the delivery manifold 4 and thus ejected onto the optical surface 20.

[0065] In a variant, when the delivery manifold is displaced from the first position, it must reach a predetermined intermediate position in order to eject fluid onto the surface to be cleaned for the operation to be possible.

[0066] In the example shown, in a first case of displacement of the delivery manifold 4, the relative position of the delivery manifold 4 with respect to the optical surface 20 causes one or more cleaning and / or drying fluids to be first ejected onto the emitting portion 201 of the optical surface 20, then as the delivery manifold 4 moves away from the optical surface 20 and then towards the receiving portion 202 of the optical surface, more specifically towards regions of the receiving portion that are increasingly distant from the emitting portion 201. Since the emitting portion 201 is substantially reached at all positions of the delivery manifold 4, its cleaning will be enhanced. Thus, the present invention makes it possible to optimally clean all optical surfaces 20 and to enhance the cleaning of the emitting portion 201 of the optical surface 20.

[0067] In the example shown, the configuration of the delivery manifold 4 with respect to the optical surface 20 allows the fluid dispensed by the delivery manifold 4 to flow over all the surfaces to be cleaned. Thus, this gravity flow can participate in the cleaning of the surfaces, in particular alternately or in addition to the cleaning fluid ejection pressure.

[0068] However, the present invention is not limited to the devices and configurations described and shown, and it equally applies to all equivalent devices or configurations and any combination of these devices. In particular, although the present invention has been described here in an embodiment where the general geometry of the delivery body 5 is a cylindrical geometry, it goes without saying that the present invention applies to any type of geometry and form, provided that there are elements that produce the different functions described here. Similarly, although the present invention has been described here in an embodiment where the delivery body 5 is fixed to the receiving surface 60 of the receiving housing 6 and is directly attached to the delivery manifold 4, it more generally applies to cases where the delivery body 5 is in a stable relative position with respect to the optical surface 2 and is connected in a suitable manner to a delivery manifold 4 configured as described in this document.

Claims

1. A detection system (1) for a motor vehicle, said detection system (1) comprising at least one sensor (2) defined by at least one curved outer surface (20) and at least one cleaning device (3) for said outer surface (20), wherein, The outer surface is an optical surface, wherein the cleaning device (3) includes a delivery manifold (4) for at least one cleaning and / or drying fluid, characterized in that the delivery manifold (4) has a curved form, the curvature (C') of which is substantially equal to the curvature (C) of at least a part (201, 202) of the outer surface (20). Wherein, a plurality of fluid distribution holes (41) are arranged in the delivery manifold (4), and these fluid distribution holes (41) are organized along a curve (44), the curvature of which is substantially equal to the curvature of at least a part (201, 202) of the outer surface (20). Wherein, the delivery manifold (4) is movable between a first position and a second position. And wherein, in the first stationary position of the delivery manifold, the respective curvature axes (Z1, Z2, 400, 401, 440) of at least a part (201, 202) of the outer surface (20), the delivery manifold (4), the distribution channels (40) of the delivery manifold (4), and the curve (44) along which the fluid distribution holes (41) are organized substantially coincide.

2. The detection system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection area (21) of the sensor (2) defines a first angular section of an angle (α1) on a determined plane (P2), and the first angular section is substantially equal to a second angular section of an angle (α2) defined on a plane parallel to the determined plane (P2) by the ends (4a, 4b) of the delivery manifold (4) around the curvature axis (400) of the delivery manifold (4).

3. The detection system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The delivery manifold (4) extends at the downstream end of a delivery body (5) having an extension axis (X), and extends substantially symmetrically on either side of the extension axis (X).

4. The detection system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The detection area (21) of the sensor (2) defines a first angular section of an angle (α1) on a determined plane (P2), and the first angular section is substantially equal to a second angular section of an angle (α2) defined on a plane parallel to the determined plane (P2) by the ends (4a, 4b) of the delivery manifold (4) around the curvature axis (400) of the delivery manifold (4), and the extension axis (X) is substantially parallel to the plane (P2).

5. The detection system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The delivery manifold (4) is configured such that, in the first position, the surface formed by the delivery manifold (4) is substantially continuous with at least a part (201, 202) of the outer surface (20).

6. The detection system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The delivery body (5) includes a telescopic part, and the free end of the telescopic part is mounted with the delivery manifold (4).

7. The detection system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the second position, the delivery manifold (4) is separated from the outer surface (20) in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis defined by the outer surface.

8. The detection system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, During the displacement of the delivery manifold between the first and second positions, the respective curvature axes (Z1, Z2, 400, 401, 440) of at least a part (201, 202) of the outer surface (20) and the curve (44) along which the fluid distribution holes (41) are organized are substantially aligned along the extension axis (X).

9. The detection system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The delivery body (5) is received on a face (60) of a receiving housing (6) of the sensor (2).

10. The detection system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The outer surface (20) includes a first emitting portion (201) and / or a second receiving portion (202).

11. The detection system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of fluid distribution holes (41) are arranged in fluid distribution channels (40) pierced in the delivery manifold (4).

12. The detection system (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The fluid distribution holes are organized along the distribution channels (40).

13. The detection system (1) according to claim 9, wherein The delivery body (5) is positioned substantially at a right angle to at least a portion (201, 202) of the outer surface (20).

14. A detection system (1) for a motor vehicle, said detection system (1) comprising at least one sensor (2) defined by at least one curved outer surface (20) and at least one cleaning device (3) for said outer surface (20), wherein, The outer surface is an optical surface, and the cleaning device (3) includes a delivery body (5) for a fluid and having an extending axis (X), wherein the cleaning device (3) includes a delivery manifold (4) for at least one cleaning and / or drying fluid, characterized in that the delivery manifold (4) has a curved form, the curvature (C') of which is substantially equal to the curvature (C) of at least a portion (201, 202) of the outer surface (20). Wherein, a plurality of fluid distribution holes (41) are arranged in the delivery manifold (4), and these fluid distribution holes (41) are organized along a curve (44), the curvature of which is substantially equal to the curvature of at least a portion (201, 202) of the outer surface (20). Wherein, the delivery manifold (4) is movable between a first position and a second position. And wherein, during the displacement of the delivery manifold between the first and second positions, the respective curvature axes (Z1, Z2, 400, 401, 440) of at least a portion (201, 202) of the outer surface (20) and the curve (44) along which the fluid distribution holes (41) are organized are substantially aligned along the extending axis (X) of the delivery body (5).

15. The detection system (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The detection area (21) of the sensor (2) defines a first angular section of an angle (α1) on a determined plane (P2), the first angular section being substantially equal to a second angular section of an angle (α2) defined on a plane parallel to the determined plane (P2) by the ends (4a, 4b) of the delivery manifold (4) around the curvature axis (400) of the delivery manifold (4).

16. The detection system (1) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The delivery manifold (4) extends at the downstream end of a delivery body (5) having an extending axis (X).

17. The detection system (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that, The detection area (21) of the sensor (2) defines a first angular section of an angle (α1) on a determined plane (P2), the first angular section being substantially equal to a second angular section of an angle (α2) defined on a plane parallel to the determined plane (P2) by the ends (4a, 4b) of the delivery manifold (4) around the curvature axis (400) of the delivery manifold (4), and the extending axis (X) is substantially parallel to the plane (P2).

18. The detection system (1) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The delivery manifold (4) is configured such that, in the first position, the surface formed by the delivery manifold (4) is substantially continuous with at least a portion (201, 202) of the outer surface (20).

19. The detection system (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that, The delivery body (5) includes a telescopic portion, and the free end of the telescopic portion is mounted with the delivery manifold (4).

20. The detection system (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that, In a first rest position of the delivery manifold, the respective curvature axes (Z1, Z2, 400, 401, 440) of at least a portion (201, 202) of the outer surface (20), the delivery manifold (4), the distribution channels (40) of the delivery manifold (4), and the curve (44) along which the fluid distribution holes (41) are organized substantially coincide.

21. The detection system (1) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, In the second position, the delivery manifold (4) is separated from the outer surface (20) in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis defined by the outer surface.

22. The detection system (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that, The delivery body (5) is received on a face (60) of the receiving housing (6) of the sensor (2).

23. The detection system (1) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The outer surface (20) includes a first transmitting portion (201) and / or a second receiving portion (202).

24. The detection system (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The plurality of fluid distribution holes (41) are arranged in fluid distribution channels (40) pierced in the delivery manifold (4).

25. The detection system (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The fluid distribution holes are organized along the distribution channels (40).

26. The detection system (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that, The delivery body (5) is positioned substantially at right angles to at least a portion (201, 202) of the outer surface (20).

27. A motor vehicle equipped with a detection system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

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