Device for cleaning optical surface of optical sensor, detection system and vehicle

Abstract

The invention proposes a device (10) for cleaning an optical surface of an optical sensor of a vehicle, comprising at least one section (14) in the form of a circular arc, the at least one section having: a cleaning fluid inlet; at least one cleaning fluid circulation channel that can be supplied with cleaning fluid via the cleaning fluid inlet, the channel being defined by the base and the cover; at least one nozzle (24) for diffusing the cleaning liquid from the fluid circulation channel towards the optical surface (13), the at least one nozzle (24) comprising a deflector capable of deflecting the cleaning fluid jet at an angle towards the optical surface (13), the cover (22) having a thickness, and the deflector being at least partially within the thickness of the cover. And the deflector is better protected. The invention also relates to a detection system and a vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for cleaning an optical surface of an optical sensor of a vehicle, a detection system comprising such a cleaning device, and a vehicle comprising such a detection system. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles are increasingly equipped with optical components, such as optical position sensors. The function of optical position sensors is to collect information about the area surrounding the vehicle, particularly to assist the driver in driving and / or maneuvering the vehicle. To this end, optical sensors are often installed on vehicles to collect information about the area surrounding the vehicle. However, such optical sensors are particularly susceptible to exposure to contaminants, such as dirty water, dust, and other types of splashes. This contaminant impedes the transmission and reception of information and can interfere with or even stop the operation of the optical sensor.

[0003] Devices for cleaning the optical surfaces of optical elements have been proposed to remove such contaminants from the optical elements. These cleaning devices spray a jet of cleaning fluid onto the optical surface of the optical element. The jet is directed toward the optical surface through a nozzle of the cleaning device.

[0004] A disadvantage of these devices is that the nozzles are subject to degradation during the process of manufacturing and assembling the device.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a more robust apparatus for cleaning optical surfaces of optical sensors. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to propose a more robust device for cleaning optical surfaces of optical sensors.

[0007] To this end, the present invention provides a device for cleaning an optical surface of a vehicle optical sensor. The device includes at least one segment in the form of a circular arc, the at least one segment having: a cleaning fluid inlet; at least one cleaning fluid circulation channel, which can be supplied with cleaning fluid through the cleaning fluid inlet, the channel being defined by a base and a cover; and at least one nozzle for spraying cleaning liquid from the fluid circulation channel toward the optical surface. The at least one nozzle has a conduit for allowing the cleaning fluid to flow out through the cover and a deflector capable of deflecting the cleaning fluid jet toward the optical surface at a certain angle, the deflector being at least partially within the cover. More specifically, the cover has a thickness, and the deflector is at least partially within the thickness of the cover.

[0008] According to a variant, the deflector is embedded in the cover. More specifically, the deflector is embedded in the thickness of the cover.

[0009] According to a variant, the cover has a cavity open towards the upper face of the cover, the duct opens into the cavity, and the deflector is a wall of the cavity.

[0010] According to a variant, the wall of the cavity forming the deflector is inclined relative to the normal to the cover at an angle at which the jet of cleaning fluid is deflected towards the optical surface.

[0011] According to a variant, the cavity has a further wall facing the wall forming the deflector, said further wall being inclined relative to the normal to the cover at an angle greater than the angle of inclination of the wall forming the deflector.

[0012] According to a variant, at least one section comprises a plurality of nozzles with deflectors capable of deflecting the cleaning fluid jet towards the optical surface at a first angle or another angle different from the first angle or at a given angle.

[0013] According to a variant, the nozzle duct is along the normal to the cover or inclined relative to the normal to the cover.

[0014] According to a variant, the fluid outlet duct opens into the circulation channel via a stud on the cover.

[0015] According to a variant, at least one of the sections further comprises at least one lug for fastening the device to the vehicle, the one or more fastening lugs being supported by the cover.

[0016] The invention also relates to a detection system comprising an optical sensor of a vehicle and a cleaning device as described above, which is configured to clean an optical surface of the sensor.

[0017] According to a variant, the sensor has a cylindrical optical surface and the nozzle of the device is designed to direct the cleaning fluid jets onto the optical surface at different angles.

[0018] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a system as described above.

[0019] All preferred embodiments and all advantages of the cleaning device according to the invention can be transferred mutatis mutandis to the detection system and the vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa. The different embodiments can be combined or considered individually. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from reading the following detailed description, for which reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] - Figure 1 A view showing a cleaning system and apparatus according to the present invention;

[0022] - Figure 2A detailed view of a section of the cleaning device is shown;

[0023] - Figure 3 Shown Figure 1 A perspective view of a detail of the device;

[0024] - Figure 4 Shown in cross section Figure 1 Section of the device in.

[0025] The figures in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings, similar elements are generally indicated by similar reference numerals. In the context of this document, identical or similar elements may have the same reference numerals. In addition, the presence of reference numerals or letters in the accompanying drawings is not to be construed as limiting, including when such numerals or letters are indicated in the claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention provides a device for cleaning optical surfaces of vehicle optical sensors. The device includes at least one segment in the form of a circular arc, the segment having a cleaning fluid inlet and at least one cleaning fluid circulation channel, which can be supplied with cleaning fluid through the cleaning fluid inlet. The channel is bounded by a base and a cover. The segment also has at least one nozzle for spraying cleaning liquid from the fluid circulation channel toward the optical surface. The at least one nozzle has a conduit for discharging the cleaning fluid through the cover and a deflector for deflecting the cleaning fluid jet toward the optical surface at a predetermined angle. The deflector is at least partially within the cover. More specifically, the cover has a thickness, and the deflector is at least partially within the thickness of the cover. This allows the deflector to protrude less from the cover. The nozzle supporting the deflector is less susceptible to degradation, thereby making the cleaning device more robust.

[0027] Figure 1 A cleaning device 10 is shown. The cleaning device 10 can be used, in particular, in a detection system 11 of a vehicle, which includes an optical sensor 12. The optical sensor 12 enables information to be collected about the position of the motor vehicle and the area surrounding the motor vehicle, in particular to assist the driver in driving and / or maneuvering the vehicle. The optical sensor 12 is mounted on the vehicle in order to collect information about the area in front of, behind, and / or to the sides of the vehicle: for example, the optical sensor 12 is mounted at the front and / or rear end. The optical sensor 12 is, for example, a lidar, which stands for "light detection and ranging" or "laser imaging, detection, and ranging."

[0028] Sensor 12 interacts with the surrounding area via optical surface 13. The optical surface can be a protective surface between the optical element and the surrounding area. For example, the optical surface can be the surface of a window pane mounted between the sensor and the surrounding area, or it can be the surface of a housing surrounding the sensor (such as the surface of a lidar housing). The surface can be opaque (to visible wavelengths). The surface can also be transparent to the emission and reception wavelengths of sensor 12. It is also conceivable that multiple sensors interact with the surrounding area via a single optical surface.

[0029] The shape of the optical surface 13 may vary depending on the location and purpose of the sensor 12 in the vehicle and depending on the space available around the sensor. The optical surface 13 may have some circular portions and other rectilinear portions. Figure 1 , the optical surface 13 has a cylindrical shape.

[0030] The device 10 comprises at least one section 14. The device may comprise a plurality of sections 14, in particular two or more sections. Figure 1 , two segments are shown by way of example. For example, the segments 14 can be configured to form arcs. An arc is a portion of a curve bounded by two points of the curve; an arc is a portion of the circumference of a circle having a center and a radius. The arc defines an axial direction Z passing through the center of the arc, a radial direction Y along the radius of the arc, and a tangential direction X tangent to the circular portion of the arc. The arc can extend in a plane (i.e. in two dimensions), but can also be shaped so that the arc is partially in a plane and extends in three dimensions. Possibly, at least some of the segments are in the form of arcs, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 14 . The optical surface 13 is at least partially surrounded by the device 10 (at least in the portion through which the one or more sensors 12 interact with the surrounding area). The device 10 can have a closed shape or an open shape. The device 10 can have a circular overall shape with the directions X, Y, and Z as defined above. It is conceivable that the segments 14 form an annular structure. The annular structure (360°) can have two segments (each segment represents 180°), three segments (each segment represents 120°), or four segments (each segment represents 90°).

[0031] Figure 2An example of a segment 14 is shown. The segment 14 has a shape that is elongated between its two ends. The segment 14 is configured to direct the jet of cleaning fluid 15 toward the optical surface 13. The segment is configured to follow the shape of the optical surface 13. The segment 14 can have an arc shape as defined above. The arc formed by the segment 14 can extend three-dimensionally, and the segment 14 can have a bevel between its ends. In a top view, the segment 14 is still an arc. Depending on the area around the optical surface 13, the shape of the segment can also have parts with other shapes, such as a straight line or any shape. The segment 14 adapts to the available space around the optical surface 13. The shape of the segment 14 can vary from segment to segment. This makes it possible to adapt the segment to the shape of the optical surface 13 and the surrounding area.

[0032] Segment 14 has a cleaning fluid circulation channel 16. Channel 16 in segment 14 is a hollow, elongated flow conduit that allows fluid to pass through to clean optical surface 13. Channel 16 follows the shape of segment 14. Channel 16 extends over at least a portion of the length of segment 14. Channel 16 defines a flow conduit specific to each segment 14. If device 10 is provided with multiple segments, the corresponding channels 16 are independent of each other. This makes device 10 easier to maintain.

[0033] Segment 14 includes a cleaning fluid inlet 18. Inlet 18 is connected to the cleaning fluid distribution network and enables the supply of cleaning fluid to channel 16. Each segment 14 of device 10 includes its own fluid inlet 18; thus, fluid is supplied to each segment 14 independently. Inlet 18 can extend along axis Z, but other orientations are contemplated, such as at an angle, to accommodate the area surrounding the sensor. Segment 14 includes a base 20 and a cover 22, defining a cleaning fluid circulation channel 16 between the base and the cover.

[0034] The segments 14 further comprise at least one nozzle 24 for ejecting a cleaning fluid towards the optical surface. Thus, the channels 16 in each segment 14 enable distribution of the cleaning fluid to the one or more fluid ejection nozzles 24. Figure 2 , four nozzles 20 are shown by way of example on a segment 14. Depending on the position of the segment 14 relative to the optical surface 13 and the position relative to the portion to be cleaned of the optical surface 13, these segments have a plurality of segment-specific nozzles 24. Similarly, the nozzles 24 are distributed on each segment 14 according to the portion to be cleaned of the optical surface 13.

[0035] Figure 3A perspective view shows a detail of the device 10. Section 14 is shown in perspective and in cross-section. At least one nozzle 24 of section 14 has a conduit 32 for discharging a cleaning fluid and a deflector 34 that can deflect the cleaning fluid jet at a certain angle toward the optical surface. Conduit 32 allows the cleaning fluid to exit channel 16 through the cover and be directed toward deflector 34. Deflector 34 is a wall, or surface, that enables the fluid jet to be directed. Deflector 34 is at least partially within the cover. Deflector 34 is not only integrated into the cover, but also at least partially within the cover. The cover has a thickness, and deflector 34 is at least partially within the thickness of the cover 22. The deflector extends at least partially within the cover 22. Deflector 34 extends at least partially (or partially) within the thickness of the cover. Deflector 34 extends at least partially within the thickness of the cover 22 and may extend partially outside the cover 22. The deflector 34 extends at least partially inside the cover 22 and may extend partially outside the cover 22. This protects the deflector 34 by allowing it to protrude less from the cover 22. This protects the at least one nozzle 24 while the segment 14 is being transported until it is installed on a vehicle. It also protects any operator handling the segment 14 by reducing the size of the nozzle and, therefore, any sharp edges of the at least one nozzle 24. Preferably, the deflector 34 is embedded within the cover 22. The deflector 34 is completely within the cover 22. The deflector 34 is embedded within the thickness of the cover 22. The deflector 34 is completely embedded within the thickness of the cover 22. The deflector extends only (entirely) inside the cover 22. The deflector 34 extends only (entirely) within the thickness of the cover. The cover 22 is planar at the deflector 22. The deflector does not protrude from the upper surface of the cover 22. The deflector 34 is further protected by its absence from the upper face of the cover 22. This allows the at least one nozzle 24 to be protected while the segment 14 is being transported, until the segment is mounted on a vehicle. This also allows any operator manipulating the segment 14 to be protected from potential injury from the sharp edges of the at least one nozzle 24. This also makes it easier to define the packaging for transporting the segment 14. Furthermore, this allows any protection of the device 10 intended to protect the integrity of the nozzle 24 to be omitted.

[0036] according to Figure 3 , channel 16 is defined by a cover 22 secured to base 20. Channel 16 is supplied with cleaning liquid from inlet 18. The cleaning liquid is intended to circulate in channel 16 and exit the channel through cover 22 via conduit 32. The liquid is ejected in the form of a jet 15 toward optical surface 13. The cleaning liquid is ejected through a deflector 34 of nozzle 24, which is shown, by way of example, embedded within cover 22, such that deflector 34 may partially protrude from cover 22. Deflector 34 is a wall that defines the angle at which jet 15 is deflected toward optical surface 13. The inclination angle of the wall can be determined depending on the portion of optical surface 13 to be cleaned.

[0037] Figure 4 Section 14 of device 10 is shown in cross section. Cover 22 may have a cavity 36 that opens toward an upper face 38 of cover 22. A conduit 32 opens into cavity 36. Cavity 16 is a hollow portion of upper face 38 of cover 22. Conduit 32 allows cleaning liquid to be transported from channel 16 inside section 14 toward the exterior of section 14, to cavity 36. Deflector 34 is a wall of cavity 36. The angle of inclination of the wall (preferably a plane) allows the jet 15 to be directed. Deflector 34 is at least partially within cover 22, in the sense that the wall defining deflector 34 extends partially within the thickness of cover 22, along the hollow portion defining cavity 36, and partially outside of cover 22 by protruding from upper face 38 of cover 22. The protrusion of the deflector 34 is small, in a sense such that a portion of the deflector 34 is inside the cover 22 and enables the jet 15 to be directed at an angle to the interior (thickness) of the cover 22. This makes it possible to protect the deflector 34, and therefore the nozzle 24, during transport and installation of the cover.

[0038] Preferably, according to Figure 4 The deflector 34 is embedded in the cover 22 in a manner such that the wall defining the deflector 34 extends within the thickness of the cover 22, along the hollow portion defining the cavity 36, without protruding outside the cover 22. The entire wall of the deflector 34 is within the cover 22, and the jet 15 can be directed only at an angle to the interior (thickness) of the cover 22. This further protects the deflector 34, and therefore the nozzle 24, during transportation and installation of the cover. This avoids any injuries to the operator, as no sharp edges protrude from the cover 22.

[0039] The walls of the cavity 36 forming the deflector 34 are inclined at an angle relative to the normal to the cover 22 at which the cleaning fluid jet is deflected towards the optical surface. The normal to the cover 22 may be along the axis Z. Figure 4 , the wall is inclined at a certain angle in the counterclockwise direction. The wall of the cavity 36 defining the deflector 34 faces the optical surface 13. The greater the inclination angle, the more the jet of cleaning liquid is directed towards the bottom of the optical surface 13, and vice versa. In the case where the section 14 has a plurality of nozzles 24, the corresponding deflector 34 can deflect the flow of cleaning fluid towards the optical surface by a first angle or another angle different from the first angle. The inclination angle of each deflector 34 can be different from that of the other deflectors. It is conceivable that some of the deflectors deflect the jet by a first angle and the remaining deflectors deflect the jet by a second angle different from the first angle. For example, in Figure 2In the embodiment of the present invention, two of the four deflectors deflect the jet at a first angle, and the other two deflectors deflect the jet at a second angle different from the first angle. Thus, some of the nozzles 24 can be directed toward the top of the optical surface, while other of the nozzles 24 can be directed toward the bottom of the optical surface. Alternatively, all of the deflectors in a section can deflect the cleaning fluid jet toward the optical surface at a given angle. Within the device 10, multiple sections direct one or more jets at angles specific to each nozzle 24.

[0040] The cavity 36 may have another wall 40 facing the wall forming the deflector 34. The wall 40 is inclined at a greater angle relative to the normal to the cover 22 than the wall forming the deflector 34. This allows the cleaning fluid jet to be directed towards the optical surface 13 without being obstructed.

[0041] The cleaning fluid outlet conduit 32 is positioned within the cover 22 (or in other words, within the thickness of the cover) to allow the fluid to flow out into the cavity 36 so as to direct the fluid towards the deflector 34. The conduit can be along the normal. Thus, the conduit 32 is along the axis Z. This makes the cover 22 easier to manufacture, for example by molding. Alternatively, according to Figure 4 , the duct 32 can be inclined relative to the normal of the cover. The duct 32 is thus inclined relative to the axis Z. This makes it possible to lengthen the duct 32 and strengthen the cover 22.

[0042] The fluid outlet duct 32 can be opened into the channel 16 via a post 42 on the cover. The post 42 is an over-thick portion of the inner surface of the cover 22 and is oriented toward the interior of the channel 16. This allows the length of the duct 32 to be extended. This allows for better guidance of the fluid jet at the outlet of the channel 16. As a result, the fluid jet is better formed at the outlet of the cover 22. This allows the thickness of the cover 22 to be reduced without adversely affecting the quality of the jet formed by the nozzle 24.

[0043] The cover 22 can be fastened to the base 20 by welding, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, press-fitting, clamping, adhesive bonding, or threaded fastening. The cover 22 can include ribs 44 that apply stress to the base 20 of the channel 16. This makes it possible to improve the fluid tightness of the segment 14, thereby preventing the loss of cleaning fluid. More specifically, the channel 16 is located between two ribs 44; the ribs 44 and the channel 16 of the segment 14 can be concentric in the form of a circular arc. The base 20 can also have ribs 46 that apply stress to the cover 22 to enhance the fluid tightness. The inner and outer peripheries of the cover 22 can also rest on the periphery of the base 20 to further enhance the fluid tightness of the segment.

[0044] The section 14 also has at least one lug 26 for fastening the device 10 to the vehicle. Figure 1and Figure 2 . One or more lugs 26 enable the segment 14 to be positioned relative to the support in the vehicle. One or more lugs 26 enable the segment 14 to be positioned precisely relative to the optical surface 13 so that at least one nozzle 24 of the segment directs the cleaning fluid jet 15 onto the portion of the optical surface 13 dedicated to that jet. The segment 14 may have two lugs 26 for fastening the device 10 to the vehicle. Figure 2 A lug 26 is provided at each end of the elongated section 14 . This ensures stability of the section 14 and precise positioning of the nozzle or nozzles 24 relative to the optical surface 13 .

[0045] At least one fastening lug 26 and at least one nozzle 24 can be supported by the cover 22. Thus, the nozzle(s) 24 and the lug(s) 26 are supported by the same component of the device 10 (the cover 22). The relative positions of the nozzle(s) 24 and the lug(s) 26 are determined by the design and manufacture of the cover 22 (e.g., by molding). There is no intermediate adjustment between the position of the lug 26 and the position of the nozzle 24. This makes it possible to reduce the dimensional chain between the fastening of the segment 14 to the vehicle and the relative position of the nozzle(s) 24 relative to the optical surface 13. The lug(s) 26 enable fastening to the vehicle via a support. This support can also support the position sensor 12, thereby improving the position accuracy of the nozzle 24.

[0046] The present invention also relates to Figure 1 A detection system 11 is shown, which includes an optical sensor 12 of a vehicle and a cleaning device 10. The device 10 is configured to clean an optical surface 13 of the optical sensor. According to one embodiment, the sensor may have a cylindrical optical surface 13, and the nozzle 24 of the device 10 is designed to direct the cleaning fluid jet onto the optical surface at different angles.

[0047] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a detection system 11. Since the deflector 34 of at least one nozzle 24 is at least partially inside the cover 22, it is better protected from degradation, thereby ensuring effective cleaning of the optical surface 13 of the sensor 12. This improves the driving of the vehicle.

[0048] The present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, which are of illustrative value only and should not be considered as limiting. 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. A device (10) for cleaning an optical surface of an optical sensor of a vehicle, said device comprising at least one segment (14) in the form of a circular arc, said at least one segment having ● Cleaning fluid inlet (18), at least one cleaning fluid circulation channel (16) capable of being supplied with cleaning fluid via the cleaning fluid inlet, the channel (16) being delimited by a base (20) and a cover (22), at least one nozzle (24) for spraying a cleaning liquid from the fluid circulation channel toward the optical surface (13), the at least one nozzle (24) having a conduit (32) for allowing the cleaning fluid to flow out through the cover and a deflector (34) capable of deflecting the cleaning fluid jet toward the optical surface (13) at a certain angle, The cover (22) has a thickness, and the deflector (34) is at least partially within the thickness of the cover.

2. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein The deflector (34) is embedded in the thickness of the cover.

3. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein The cover (22) has a cavity (36) open towards an upper face (38) of the cover (22), the duct (32) opens into the cavity, and the deflector is a wall of the cavity.

4. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein The walls of the cavity (36) forming the deflector are inclined at an angle relative to the normal to the cover, at which angle the cleaning fluid jet is deflected towards the optical surface.

5. The device according to any one of the two preceding claims, wherein: The cavity (36) has a further wall (40) facing the wall forming the deflector (34), the further wall being inclined relative to the normal of the cover at a greater angle than the inclination of the wall forming the deflector.

6. The device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one section (14) comprises a plurality of nozzles (24) having a deflector (34) capable of deflecting the cleaning fluid jet towards the optical surface at a first angle or another angle different from the first angle, or capable of deflecting the cleaning fluid jet towards the optical surface at a given angle.

7. The device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein The nozzle conduit (32) is along the normal of the cover or inclined relative to the normal of the cover.

8. The device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein The fluid outlet pipe (32) leads to the circulation channel through the column (42) on the cover.

9. The device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one section further comprises at least one lug for fastening the device to the vehicle, the one or more fastening lugs being supported by the cover.

10. A detection system (11) comprising an optical sensor (12) of a vehicle and a cleaning device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, the device being configured to clean an optical surface of the sensor.

11. System (11) according to the preceding claim, wherein The sensor (12) has a cylindrical optical surface (13), and the nozzle (24) of the device is designed to direct jets of cleaning fluid onto the optical surface at different angles.

12. A vehicle comprising a system (11) as claimed in any one of the two preceding claims.

Images