Device for cleaning a surface of an optical element, detection system and vehicle

Abstract

The invention proposes a device (10) for cleaning a surface (12) of an optical element (14) of a vehicle, the device comprising an air nozzle (16) having an outlet oriented towards the surface of the optical element and a cleaning liquid injection nozzle (18) comprising an outlet port oriented towards the surface of the optical element, the cleaning liquid ejection nozzle (18) and the air nozzle (16) are configured to eject cleaning liquid and air onto the surface (12) of the optical element from the same side of the surface of the optical element. The invention also relates to a detection system for a vehicle comprising such a device, and to a vehicle comprising such a system. The invention makes it possible to make the cleaning device smaller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for cleaning the surface of an optical element, a detection system including the cleaning device, and a vehicle including the detection system. Background Art

[0002] Optical sensors, especially position sensors currently installed in many motor vehicles, have the function of collecting information about the area around the vehicle, especially for assisting the driver in driving and / or maneuvering the vehicle. For this purpose, optical sensors are usually installed on the vehicle to collect information about the area around the vehicle, such as information about the area in front of and / or behind the vehicle: thus, the detection system is installed, for example, in the front face and / or the rear face.

[0003] However, this position is particularly exposed to dirt, such as dirty water, dust or other types of thrown debris. This dirt hinders the transmission and reception of information and may interfere with the operation of the optical element or even stop the operation of the optical element.

[0004] EP 3988837 proposes a vehicle cleaning system for cleaning the front LIDAR of a vehicle. The cleaning system includes a liquid nozzle and a fan. The liquid nozzle is configured to spray a cleaning liquid towards the LIDAR through a spray port, and the fan is configured to spray air towards the LIDAR through an air nozzle. Among them, the directions of the spray port of the liquid nozzle and the air nozzle are perpendicular to each other. The disadvantage of this device is that it is large.

[0005] There is a need for a smaller device for cleaning the surface of an optical element. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a smaller device for cleaning the surface of an optical element.

[0007] To this end, the present invention proposes a device for cleaning the surface of an optical element of a vehicle. The device includes an air nozzle and a cleaning liquid spray nozzle. The air nozzle has an outlet directed towards the surface of the optical element. The cleaning liquid spray nozzle includes an outlet port directed towards the surface of the optical element. The cleaning liquid spray nozzle and the air nozzle are configured to spray the cleaning liquid and air onto the surface of the optical element from the same side of the surface of the optical element.

[0008] According to a variant, the cleaning liquid spray nozzle is arranged closer to the surface of the optical element than the air nozzle.

[0009] According to a variant, the air nozzle is arranged closer to the surface of the optical element than the cleaning liquid spray nozzle.

[0010] According to one variant, the cleaning liquid injection nozzle is fastened to the air nozzle such that the cleaning liquid is injected into the air nozzle.

[0011] According to one variant, the cleaning liquid injection nozzle and the air nozzle are capable of separately injecting the liquid and the air onto the surface of the optical element.

[0012] According to one variant, the cleaning liquid injection nozzle and the air nozzle are capable of jointly injecting the liquid and the air onto the surface of the optical element.

[0013] According to one variant, the cleaning liquid injection nozzle and the air nozzle are stacked.

[0014] According to one variant, the air nozzle and the cleaning liquid injection nozzle are capable of injecting the air and the liquid in a direction of propagation where the air and the liquid are parallel on the surface of the optical element.

[0015] According to one variant, the air nozzle and the cleaning liquid injection nozzle are capable of injecting the air and the liquid in a direction of propagation where the air and the liquid intersect each other until the air and the liquid reach the surface of the optical element. Once the air and the liquid come into contact with the surface of the optical element, the air and the liquid propagate in a common parallel direction on the surface of the optical element.

[0016] According to one variant, the air nozzle and the cleaning liquid injection nozzle are offset from each other along one side edge of the surface of the optical element.

[0017] According to one variant, the device further includes a member for blowing air through the air nozzle, and the blowing member is a fan or a compressor.

[0018] The present invention also relates to a detection system for a vehicle, the detection system including: an optical element for detecting a surrounding area, the optical element including a surface; and a cleaning device as described above, the cleaning device being configured to clean the surface of the optical element.

[0019] According to one variant, the air nozzle and the cleaning liquid injection nozzle are located on the same side edge of the detection surface, and the same side edge is selected from an upper side edge, a lower side edge, and a lateral side edge.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a vehicle including the system as described above.

[0021] All the preferred embodiments and all the advantages of the cleaning device according to the present invention can be transferred to the present cleaning system and the vehicle with necessary modifications, and vice versa. Different embodiments can be used in combination or considered separately. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] By reading the following detailed description, further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear, and these detailed descriptions will be more clearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 , Figure 1 is a view of an example of a cleaning device;

[0024] Figure 2 , Figure 2 is Figure 1 a side view of the device in

[0025] Figure 3 , Figure 3 is a view of another example of a cleaning device;

[0026] Figure 4 , Figure 4 is a view of another example of a cleaning device;

[0027] Figure 5 , Figure 5 is a view of another example of a cleaning device;

[0028] Figure 6 , Figure 6 is Figure 5 a side view of the device in

[0029] The figures in the drawings are not drawn to scale. In the drawings, like elements are generally denoted by like reference numerals. In the context of this document, identical or similar elements may have the same reference numerals. Additionally, the presence of reference numerals or letters in the drawings should not be considered restrictive, including when such numbers or letters are indicated in the claims. Detailed Description

[0030] The present invention provides a device for cleaning the surface of an optical element of a vehicle. The cleaning device includes an air nozzle and a cleaning liquid injection nozzle. The air nozzle has an outlet oriented towards the surface of the optical element, and the cleaning liquid injection nozzle includes an outlet port oriented towards the surface of the optical element. The cleaning liquid injection nozzle and the air nozzle are configured to inject the cleaning liquid and air onto the surface of the optical element from the same side of the surface of the optical element. This makes it possible to make the cleaning device smaller.

[0031] Figure 1 ​​​​​​​shows an example of a cleaning device 10 according to the present invention. The device 10 enables the cleaning of the surface 12 of at least one optical element 14 of a vehicle. The optical element 14 can be a driving assistance device. The optical element 14 enables the collection of information regarding the position of the motor vehicle and the area surrounding the motor vehicle, in particular for assisting the driver in driving and / or maneuvering this vehicle. The optical element can be an image capture device (e.g., a camera) for particularly assisting the driver in performing parking and / or reversing maneuvers; the optical element can also be a signal transmission and / or reception device, also for assisting the driver in performing maneuvers, but can also be used for assisting the driver in driving (such as a sensor, e.g., an optical sensor of LIDAR, which stands for "light detection and ranging" or "laser imaging, detection and ranging").

[0032] The optical element 14 interacts with the surrounding area through the surface 12, particularly the optical surface 12. Generally, the surface 12 is flat or non-flat (such as curved or even cylindrical) expansion. The surface is bounded by side edges 121, 122, etc. The side edges of the surface are boundaries in different directions in space, i.e., the ends of the surface. These can also be the side edges, boundaries of the physical surface area of the optical element, and the area can be classified as the area of concern through which the optical element interacts with the surrounding area; thus, the area of concern can be equal to or smaller than the physical surface of the optical element. Depending on the shape of the surface 12, the side edges can be straight, curved, or otherwise. For example, the surface 12 in the figures is flat and includes four side edges 121, 122, 123, 124. In the case of a cylindrical surface, the side edges are the boundaries between the lateral envelope of the cylinder and the disks on both sides of the lateral envelope.

[0033] The surface 12 can be a protective surface between the optical element and the surrounding area. For example, the surface can be the surface of a glass plate assembled between the optical element and the surrounding area, or the surface of a housing surrounding the sensor (such as the face of a LIDAR housing). The surface can be a component of the optical element, such as the surface of the focusing lens of a camera. The surface can be opaque (for visible wavelengths). The surface can be transparent to the transmission wavelength and the reception wavelength of the optical element. It is also conceivable that multiple optical elements interact with the surrounding area through a single surface 12.

[0034] The device 10 performs the cleaning of the surface 12. More specifically, the device 10 performs the cleaning of the optical surface 12 without contacting the surface or the moving cleaning member. This enables the cleaning of both dust and thrown solid debris or liquid splashes from the optical surface 12 in a robust and effective manner over time. Thus, the operation of the optical element 14 is improved.

[0035] The device 10 includes an air nozzle 16 having an outlet directed towards the surface 12 of the optical element 14. The nozzle 16 is capable of jetting air onto the surface 12 in order to remove liquid droplets, such as raindrops or cleaning liquid droplets. The nozzle 16 generally makes it possible to prevent stagnant droplets on the surface 12 that would be harmful to the satisfactory operation of the optical element 14. The device 10 also includes a liquid jet nozzle 18 that includes an outlet port directed towards the surface 12 of the optical element 14. The jet nozzle 18 is capable of jetting pressurized cleaning liquid onto the surface 12 in order to clean any dust, dirt or insects from the surface 12. The jet nozzle 18 generally makes it possible to prevent any stagnant solid debris on the surface 12 that would be harmful to the satisfactory operation of the optical element 14.

[0036] The jet nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 are configured to jet the cleaning liquid and air, respectively, onto the surface 12 of the optical element 14 from the same side of the surface of the optical element 14. In other words, the jet nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 are in the same orientation relative to the surface. This makes it possible to better integrate the jet nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 into the area surrounding the surface 12, so that the cleaning device is smaller. In addition, the surface can be cleaned by enabling the washing function (with cleaning liquid through the jet nozzle) and the blowing function (with air through the nozzle) sequentially, simultaneously or independently of each other. The jet nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 are capable of jetting the liquid and air separately onto the surface of the optical element. Therefore, these functions can be enabled separately one after another (regardless of the order of these functions), sequentially or independently of each other. The jet nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 are also capable of jetting the liquid and air onto the surface of the optical element together. Therefore, these functions can be enabled simultaneously. Regardless of the operation, the cleaning is improved. In addition, when these two functions are enabled simultaneously, this ensures improved stability of the liquid flow on the surface 12 and thus ensures improved cleaning of the surface.

[0037] In the drawings, the jet nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 are on the side 121. However, the jet nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 can be positioned on any side of the surface 12. Implementing on the side 121 (corresponding to the upper side of the surface when the optical element 14 is in place in a vehicle) is advantageous for low-speed vehicles because the air flow of the vehicle does not interfere with the propagation of air and liquid on the surface. Implementing on the side 123 opposite the side 121 (corresponding to the lower side of the surface when the optical element 14 is in place in a vehicle) is advantageous for high-speed vehicles or on the roof of a vehicle because the air flow of the vehicle promotes the propagation of air and liquid on the surface. Implementing on the side 122 or the side 124 (corresponding to the lateral sides of the surface when the optical element 14 is in place in a vehicle) is advantageous for the position of the optical element 14 on the wing of a vehicle.

[0038] It should be noted that the injection nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 can be located on the same side of the surface 12, which can be the physical boundary of the surface as described above. However, the injection nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 can be on the same side of the region of interest of the surface 12. The same considerations described apply to the region of interest of the surface 12.

[0039] The air nozzle 16 and the cleaning liquid injection nozzle 18 are capable of injecting air and liquid in a propagation direction in which the air and the liquid are parallel on the surface of the optical element. In other words, once the air and the liquid have been injected onto the surface 12, the air and the liquid propagate on the surface in a common parallel direction.

[0040] According to a variant, the air nozzle 16 and the cleaning liquid injection nozzle 18 are capable of injecting air and liquid in a propagation direction in which the air and the liquid intersect each other until the air and the liquid reach the surface 12 of the optical element. Once the air and the liquid come into contact with the surface 12 of the optical element, the air and the liquid propagate on the surface 12 of the optical element in a common parallel direction.

[0041] Since the air and the liquid are injected from the same side of the surface, they propagate in the same direction on the surface 12. The directions in which the air and the liquid flush the surface coincide. This is especially the case when the vehicle stops or moves at a low speed or decelerates. According to the drawing, in the case where the injection nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 are on the upper edge 121, the air and the liquid propagate from top to bottom on the surface 12. From the lower side edge 123, the air and the liquid propagate from bottom to top on the surface 12. From one of the lateral side edges 122 or 124, the air and the liquid propagate from left to right or from right to left on the surface 12. The advantage of propagating in the same direction is that the flow on the surface 12 can be better managed and thus the surface 12 can be better cleaned.

[0042] The cleaning device 10 may include a member 20 for blowing air through an air nozzle 16. The blowing member 20 supplies air to the nozzle 16. An air line 22 conveys air from the blowing member 20 to the nozzle 16. The positioning of the blowing member 20 near the optical element 14 depends on the available space around the optical element 14. Preferably, the blowing member 20 is positioned behind the optical element 14, or in other words, on the opposite side of the surface 12. This allows the shaping of the air flow to start before it reaches the nozzle 16 and places the blowing member in a position that does not interfere with the detection of the surrounding area by the optical element 14. The blowing member 20 can be a fan or a compressor. A fan allows for continuous blowing towards the nozzle 16 at a high air flow rate and a lower pressure. A compressor is an actuator that allows for compressing air, which can be distributed through a discharge device such as a solenoid valve. A compressor allows for intermittent and high-frequency blowing towards the nozzle 16, where the air flow rate is lower than that generated by the fan and the pressure is higher than that generated by the fan. The implementation of a fan or a compressor depends on the available space around the optical element 14 and the type of the optical element 14.

[0043] The ejection nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 can be implemented in several ways.

[0044] In Figure 1 and Figure 2 the air nozzle 16 is arranged closer to the surface of the optical element 14 than the cleaning liquid ejection nozzle 18. Figure 2 shows a side view of the device 10 in Figure 1 . The nozzle 16 is supplied with air through a line 22 (which is in turn connected to the blowing member 20). The line 22 allows the initial shaping of the air flow 17 before it reaches the nozzle 16. The nozzle 16 allows for the shaping suitable for the satisfactory propagation of the air on the surface 12. The nozzle 16 can be shaped for a specific shaping of the air flow. The air 17 is ejected as close as possible to the surface 12 at the outlet 24 of the nozzle 16. The ejection is tangential to the surface 12. It is advantageous to eject the air tangentially (or at an angle less than 10°) on the surface 12 in order to limit the turbulence caused by the air. Thus, the air flow is more uniform along the surface 12. The liquid 19 is ejected onto the surface 12 from the outlet port 26 of the ejection nozzle 18. The liquid ejection is further from the surface than the air ejection. The incident angle between 10° and 40°, preferably 15° for the liquid ejection, contributes to the satisfactory propagation of the liquid on the surface 12. According to Figure 1 and Figure 2 the washing function and the blowing function are superimposed; the ejection nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 are superposed. The ejection nozzle 18 is on the nozzle 16. The ejection nozzle can be supported by the nozzle 16. The ejection nozzle 18 ejects the liquid into the air flow on the surface. Once reaching the surface 12, the liquid 19 and the air 17 propagate on the surface in a common parallel direction.

[0045] In Figure 3 , the cleaning liquid injection nozzle 18 is arranged closer to the surface of the optical element 14 than the air nozzle 16. Figure 3 is a side view of the device 10. The liquid 19 is injected from the outlet port 26 of the injection nozzle 18 as close as possible to the surface 12. The liquid injection 19 can be tangential to the surface or at an angle less than 10°. The air injection 17 is farther from the surface than the liquid injection 19. The nozzle 16 is supplied with air in the same manner as above through the pipeline 22 (which is then connected to the blowing member 20). The pipeline 22 is positioned above the injection nozzle 18. The pipeline 22 allows the air flow 17 to be initially shaped before reaching the nozzle 16. The nozzle 16 allows shaping suitable for the satisfactory propagation of the air on the surface 12. The nozzle 16 can be shaped for a specific shaping of the air flow. According to Figure 3 , the washing function and the blowing function are superimposed; the injection nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 are superimposed. The nozzle 16 can be on the injection nozzle 18. The nozzle 16 can be supported by the injection nozzle 18. The nozzle 16 is superimposed on the injection nozzle 18. Where applicable, the nozzle 16 injects air into the liquid flow on the surface. Once reaching the surface 12, the liquid 19 and the air 17 propagate on the surface in a common parallel direction.

[0046] According to Figure 4 , the injection nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 are on the same side edge 121, but are offset from each other along the side edge 121 of the surface 12 of the optical element 14. The injection nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 are side by side. This allows both the nozzle 16 and the injection nozzle 18 to be as close as possible to the surface 12 of the optical element 14. This enables an air flow and a liquid flow tangential to the surface 12. It is also conceivable to provide additional injection nozzles 18. One injection nozzle 18 can be provided on each side of the nozzle 16. The nozzle 16 is between the injection nozzles 18. The injection nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 can inject the liquid and the air separately onto the surface of the optical element. Therefore, these functions can be enabled separately one by one (regardless of the order of these functions), sequentially, or independently of each other. The injection nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 can also inject the liquid and the air jointly onto the surface of the optical element. Therefore, these functions can be enabled simultaneously. The same advantages as above are provided here.

[0047] Figure 5 shows another example of the cleaning device 10. Figure 6 shows Figure 5 ​Side view of the device 10 in []. The nozzle 16 is arranged closer to the surface 12 of the optical element than the injection nozzle 18. The cleaning liquid injection nozzle 18 is fastened to the air nozzle 16 such that the cleaning liquid is injected into the air nozzle. This thus enables the two flows at the outlet of the nozzle 16 to be directed tangentially to the surface 12, regardless of whether the washing or blowing function is enabled sequentially, simultaneously or independently of each other. Thus, air and liquid are injected onto the surface 12 in a direction of propagation parallel to each other on the surface of the optical element. In the case where the washing function and the blowing function are enabled simultaneously, the liquid stream 19 is directly injected into the air stream. This enables the flows to carry each other, which improves the cleaning of the surface 12. In Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the embodiment of, the washing and blowing functions are superimposed; the injection nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 are superimposed. The injection nozzle 18 can be supported by the nozzle 16. The injection nozzle 18 can be superimposed on the nozzle 16.

[0048] The cleaning device 10 can include a pump (not shown in the figure) for supplying cleaning liquid to the injection nozzle 18. The pump can be connected to the liquid inlet 23 of the injection nozzle 18 by a hose (not shown). According to Figure 1 , the inlet 23 is located at one end of the injection nozzle 18. According to Figure 5 , the inlet 23 is between the ends of the injection nozzle 18. Other positions of the inlet 23 relative to the injection nozzle 18 can be envisaged.

[0049] The invention also relates to a detection system 30 for a vehicle, the detection system comprising: an optical element 14 for detecting the surrounding area, the optical element having a surface 12; and a cleaning device 10 configured to clean the surface 12 of the optical element 14. Since the nozzle 16 and the injection nozzle 18 are located on the same side of the surface 12, the size of the device 10 is reduced. Furthermore, since the air flow and the liquid flow come from the same side or are parallel on the surface 12, this enables the washing function and the blowing function to be enabled sequentially, simultaneously or independently of each other. This provides more options for cleaning the surface and thus enables high-quality cleaning of the optical element over time. The injection nozzle 18 and the nozzle 16 can be positioned on the upper side 121, the lower side 123 or the lateral sides 122, 124, which provides different possible configurations for cleaning the surface depending on the vehicle and the positioning of the optical element 14 in the vehicle. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising the described system. This improves the driving of the vehicle and driver assistance.

[0050] The present invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, which are of illustrative value only and should not be considered restrictive. In general, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the examples shown and / or described above.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for cleaning a surface (12) of an optical element (14) of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: · An air nozzle (16) having an outlet directed towards the surface of the optical element, and · A cleaning liquid injection nozzle (18) comprising an outlet port directed towards the surface of the optical element, The cleaning liquid injection nozzle (18) and the air nozzle (16) are configured to inject the cleaning liquid and the air onto the surface (12) of the optical element from the same side of the surface of the optical element.

2. The device (10) for cleaning the surface (12) of an optical element of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The cleaning liquid injection nozzle (18) is arranged closer to the surface (12) of the optical element than the air nozzle (16).

3. The device (10) for cleaning the surface (12) of an optical element of a vehicle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The air nozzle (16) is arranged closer to the surface (12) of the optical element than the cleaning liquid injection nozzle (18).

4. A device (10) for cleaning a surface (12) of an optical element of a vehicle, as claimed in the previous claim, wherein, The cleaning liquid injection nozzle (18) is fastened to the air nozzle (16) such that the cleaning liquid is injected into the air nozzle (16).

5. The device (10) for cleaning the surface (12) of an optical element of a vehicle, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The cleaning liquid injection nozzle (18) and the air nozzle (16) are capable of separately injecting the liquid and the air onto the surface (12) of the optical element.

6. The device (10) for cleaning the surface (12) of an optical element of a vehicle, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The cleaning liquid injection nozzle (18) and the air nozzle (16) are capable of jointly injecting the liquid and the air onto the surface (12) of the optical element.

7. The device (10) for cleaning the surface (12) of an optical element of a vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The cleaning liquid injection nozzle (18) and the air nozzle (16) are superimposed.

8. The device (10) for cleaning the surface (12) of an optical element of a vehicle as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein, The air nozzle (16) and the cleaning liquid injection nozzle (18) are capable of injecting the air and the liquid in a propagation direction parallel to each other on the surface (12) of the optical element.

9. The device (10) for cleaning the surface (12) of an optical element of a vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The air nozzle (16) and the cleaning liquid injection nozzle (18) are capable of injecting the air and the liquid in a propagation direction in which the air and the liquid intersect each other until the air and the liquid reach the surface (12) of the optical element.

10. The device (10) for cleaning the surface (12) of an optical element of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The air nozzle (16) and the cleaning liquid injection nozzle (18) are offset from each other along one side of the surface (12) of the optical element.

11. The apparatus (10) for cleaning a surface (12) of an optical element of a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a member (20) for blowing air through the air nozzle (16), the blowing member being a fan or a compressor.

12. A detection system (30) for a vehicle, the detection system comprising: An optical element (14) for detecting a surrounding area, the optical element comprising a surface (12); And a cleaning device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, the cleaning device being configured to clean the surface (12) of the optical element (14).

13. The system (30) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The air nozzle (16) and the cleaning liquid injection nozzle (18) are located on the same side of the detection surface (12), the same side being selected from an upper side, a lower side, and a lateral side.

14. A vehicle comprising a system (30) according to one of the preceding two claims.

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