System for spraying liquid onto optical surface

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for spraying a washing fluid onto an optical surface (19), the spraying system (1) comprising: a cavity delimited by a base (12) and a cover (11); spraying means (14) designed to spray a washing fluid formed from a mixture of air and a liquid onto the optical surface (19); an opening arranged at a low point in the cavity for discharging excess liquid in the cavity out of the cavity, in particular outside a phase of use of the injection system (1); and means for blocking the opening, the means being designed to (i) block the opening when there is no liquid in the cavity, and (ii) allow liquid to exit through the opening when liquid is present in the cavity.

Description

[0001] The technical background of the invention is that of cleaning optical surfaces, in particular of the type facing sensors embedded in motor vehicles or associated with lighting and / or signaling devices. More specifically, the invention relates to a system for spraying a liquid onto an optical surface.

[0002] Numerous devices are known in the prior art for removing dirt present on glass or optical surfaces. This dirt can take the form of, for example, dust, dried mud particles, or grease films. The presence of dirt on an optical surface can prevent an observer from viewing the surroundings satisfactorily through the optical surface or prevent the proper operation of sensors configured to transmit or receive radiation through the optical surface.

[0003] In order to clean dirt accumulated on the windshield of a motor vehicle, it is known to spray a cleaning liquid onto the windshield and then spread the sprayed cleaning liquid via the reciprocating motion of one or more windshield wipers applied to the windshield. The friction of the wipers on the windshield allows the dirt dispersed in the cleaning liquid to be removed from the optical surface.

[0004] In the field of cleaning components for sensors embedded in motor vehicles or for their lighting and / or signaling devices, it is known to use systems for spraying fluids onto optical surfaces. The spraying systems can spray a cleaning liquid, air, or indeed both simultaneously, so as to form a pressurized film that is sprayed onto the optical surface, thereby contributing to a better removal of dirt present on the optical surface.

[0005] In such known cleaning assemblies, liquid (cleaning liquid if the spray system includes liquid nozzles, or indeed rainwater) can penetrate into the spray system or, for example, into the compressed air nozzles. This undesired introduction of water or cleaning liquid into the spray system, in particular into the compressed air nozzles, can lead to malfunctions of such known cleaning assemblies. This is because the presence of water or cleaning liquid in the compressed air nozzles or in the air circuit of such known cleaning assemblies can lead to an increase in the compressed air flow rate (due to the presence of water or cleaning liquid in the circuit), which can then lead to overspray onto the glass surface.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a new system for spraying a cleaning fluid in order to at least partially solve the above-mentioned problems and, in addition, to achieve other advantages.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to make the operation of such an injection system more reliable and robust.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to achieve better removal of unwanted liquid from such a spraying system without human intervention.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to reduce the risk of failure and the frequency of maintenance operations.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the cost of such an injection system.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, at least one of the above objects is achieved by means of a system for ejecting a fluid onto an optical surface, the ejection system comprising:

[0012] - a cavity delimited by the base and the cover;

[0013] - a fluid inlet intended to place a supply line in fluid communication with the cavity;

[0014] A spray device configured to spray a fluid onto the optical surface;

[0015] - an orifice formed at a low point of the cavity;

[0016] - a member for blocking the orifice, the member being configured to: (i) block the orifice if no liquid is present in the cavity, the blocking member being configured to be in a closed position; and (ii) allow removal of the liquid through the orifice if liquid is present in the cavity, the blocking member being configured to be in an open position.

[0017] For example, the fluid is air. For example, the spraying device is an air nozzle.

[0018] According to one aspect, the injection system comprises an inlet for a second fluid, different from the fluid referred to as the first fluid, intended to place a supply line in fluid communication with the cavity (120).

[0019] For example, the second fluid is a cleaning liquid.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, a spray system is configured to spray a fluid onto an optical surface. The spray system includes a spray system that, for example, allows for atomization of a cleaning fluid, formation of a mist of cleaning fluid, or acceleration and shaping of a liquid into a film of cleaning fluid that can be applied to an optical surface. Typically, the spray system can mix a liquid and air to form a cleaning fluid, which is then sprayed onto the optical surface.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, the cavity forms a concave surface that allows the temporary retention of liquid. The cavity makes it easier in particular to bring together the air and liquid used to form the cleaning fluid. In the context of the present invention, the base and the cover together define a hollow chamber, a portion of which forms the cavity. The cavity is preferably associated with the base, i.e., formed in the base or formed by the base itself. The base, for example, includes a peripheral edge that protrudes relative to the bottom surface, thereby forming the cavity. Advantageously, the base and the cover are attached to each other and securely fastened, for example, by snap fastening or by any other fastening means.

[0022] In the context of the present invention, the air inlet forms an orifice leading to the cavity, and air can be introduced into the cavity through this orifice. The air is preferably delivered via an air supply line, which is connected to the cavity via a coupling member through the air inlet. In the context of the present invention, the coupling member is configured to allow mechanical and fluid coupling to the air supply line. The air supply line is intended to deliver air to the injection system according to the present invention via the coupling member. For example, the coupling member includes a male end fitting configured to cooperate with a female end fitting of the air supply line, or the coupling member includes a female end fitting configured to cooperate with a male end fitting of the air supply line. The coupling member leads to the cavity. The coupling member is integral with the base or cover of the injection system according to the present invention. The coupling member is integral with the air inlet.

[0023] In the context of the present invention, the liquid inlet forms an orifice leading to the cavity, and liquid can be introduced into the cavity through this orifice. The liquid is preferably delivered via a liquid supply line, which is connected to the cavity via a coupling element via the liquid inlet. In the context of the present invention, the coupling element is configured to allow mechanical and fluidic coupling to the liquid supply line. The liquid supply line is intended to deliver the liquid to the injection system according to the present invention via the coupling element. For example, the coupling element includes a male end fitting configured to cooperate with a female end fitting of the liquid supply line, or the coupling element includes a female end fitting configured to cooperate with a male end fitting of the liquid supply line. The coupling element leads to the cavity. The coupling element is integral with the base or cover of the injection system according to the present invention. The coupling element is integral with the liquid inlet.

[0024] In the context of the present invention, a low point is an area of ​​the cavity, more specifically an area of ​​the base, for example, towards which a liquid placed at any point in the cavity flows. Thus, when the injection system is mounted on the motor vehicle it is intended to equip, the low point is formed by the area of ​​the cavity that is positioned lowest relative to the vertical axis in a given orientation of the injection system. The low point will of course depend on the orientation of the injection system according to the invention on the motor vehicle it is intended to equip. By way of non-limiting example, the low point may be located near or even against the peripheral edge of the base or cover, or in a corner of the base or cover.

[0025] In the context of the present invention, the orifice takes the form of a hole that opens to either side of the cavity (ie the base and / or the lid).The orifice is preferably oriented so that liquid can flow through it via simple gravity flow and to an outlet face located outside the cavity.

[0026] In the context of the present invention, the blocking member allows the orifice to be blocked or unblocked, depending on its configuration. Thus, the blocking member makes it possible to allow or prevent the flow of liquid through the orifice, depending on its configuration. In the context of the present invention, the blocking member switches from its closed position to its open position without human intervention, preferably without electronic control.

[0027] In the context of the present invention, the liquid is preferably water or contains water.Typically, the liquid is of the type of cleaning liquids commonly used in the automotive sector for cleaning optical surfaces.

[0028] Thus, the reliability and robustness of the operation of the injection system according to the first aspect of the invention is improved, since better removal of temporarily stagnant liquid from the cavity of such an injection system is provided at lower cost and without the need for human intervention.

[0029] The injection system according to the first aspect of the invention therefore allows reducing the risk of malfunctions and the frequency of maintenance operations.

[0030] The injection system according to the first aspect of the present invention advantageously comprises at least one of the following improvements, the technical features forming these improvements being able to be implemented individually or in combination:

[0031] The means for blocking the orifice is in the form of a float configured to float on the liquid present in the cavity. This advantageous configuration allows the passage to the orifice to be automatically unblocked, allowing the liquid present in the cavity to flow through the orifice and thus allowing said liquid to be automatically and spontaneously removed from the cavity.

[0032] For this purpose, the mass per unit volume of the blocking member is less than the mass per unit volume of the liquid. In the case where the liquid is water, the density of the blocking member is less than 1. As a non-limiting example, the blocking member is formed from one or more materials (the one or more materials being in particular chosen from plastics, polystyrene and different types of wood) such that the mass per unit volume of the blocking member is less than the mass per unit volume of water;

[0033] the orifice is delimited by a countersink forming an inclined or even conical surface complementary to the shape of the blocking member. In other words, the peripheral contour of the blocking member is complementary or similar or identical to a portion of the countersink, so as to allow the complementary shapes of said countersink and said blocking member to cooperate;

[0034] Preferably, the blocking member has a spherical or conical shape. At least the end of the blocking member located opposite the cavity orifice has a spherical or conical shape so as to facilitate blocking the cavity when the blocking member is configured in its closed position. This advantageous configuration allows the peripheral contour of the blocking member to cooperate more easily and in a complementary manner with a similar shape of the orifice formed in the cavity, thereby allowing effective blocking of the cavity;

[0035] the obstruction member comprises retaining means configured to retain said obstruction member in the vicinity of the orifice. By vicinity is meant that the retaining means allow the obstruction member to be retained in the immediate vicinity of the orifice so that said obstruction member can easily and quickly cooperate with the orifice again in the event of a future fluid presence in the cavity;

[0036] - preferably, the retaining means are configured to retain the blocking member coaxially relative to the orifice formed in the cavity. In other words, the retaining means are configured to, on the one hand, axially center the blocking member on the orifice and, on the other hand, allow the blocking member to be moved coaxially relative to the orifice from a closed position to an open position;

[0037] The retaining device comprises a perforated cage that houses the blocking member and allows the blocking member to move within the cage and perpendicular to the cavity. A perforated cage is defined as a cage whose peripheral wall is not solid. Instead, the peripheral wall that delimits the cage and retains the blocking member therein comprises at least one orifice to allow fluid to flow through the at least one orifice.

[0038] - Advantageously, the perforated cage forming the retaining means extends between the base and the cover of the cavity;

[0039] The orifice is located near a fluid inlet (e.g., an air inlet) and away from the injection device. In other words, the air inlet is located near a low point of the cavity, while the injection device is located away from the low point of the cavity. Therefore, the distance between the fluid inlet and the low point is smaller than the distance measured between the injection device and the low point.

[0040] The base includes a groove formed between the injection device and the liquid inlet, the groove being oriented toward the orifice. In other words, the direction and / or slope of the groove is oriented toward the orifice and the low point of the cavity, so as to allow the liquid contained in the cavity to flow by gravity toward the orifice. This advantageous configuration prevents the liquid present in the cavity from flowing through the liquid inlet and toward the coupling member of the air supply line.

[0041] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembly for cleaning an optical surface, the assembly comprising:

[0042] - a spray system according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any development thereof, the spray system being configured to be able to spray a fluid onto an optical surface;

[0043] An air supply line, which is connected to the air inlet of the injection system via a coupling element.

[0044] Various embodiments of the invention are provided which incorporate the various optional features described herein in all possible combinations thereof.

[0045] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description on the one hand and from a number of non-limiting examples of embodiments given by way of indication with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0046] [ Figure 1 ] shows the integration of an example of an embodiment of a spray system according to the first aspect of the invention, the spray system being directed towards an optical surface to be cleaned;

[0047] [ Figure 2 ] shows the formation of [ Figure 1 ]Detailed view of the cover of the injection system shown;

[0048] [ Figure 3 ] shows[ Figure 1 ] A first detailed perspective view of the base of the illustrated injection system;

[0049] [ Figure 4 ] shows[ Figure 1 ] A second detailed perspective view of the base of the illustrated injection system;

[0050] [ Figure 5 ] shows when [ Figure 1 ] A schematic cross-sectional view of an orifice present in a cavity of the illustrated injection system, with the blocking member being closed by a member for blocking the orifice;

[0051] [ Figure 6 ] shows when [ Figure 1] A schematic cross-sectional view of a blocking member when an orifice present in a cavity of the illustrated injection system is held open by a member for blocking the orifice.

[0052] Of course, the features, variants and various embodiments of the present invention can be associated with each other in various combinations, as long as they are compatible or not mutually exclusive. In particular, it is conceivable that the variants of the present invention only include a selection of the features described below independently of the other features described, provided that this selection of features is sufficient to bring technical advantages or distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

[0053] In particular, all variants and all embodiments described can be combined with one another if nothing prevents this from a technical point of view.

[0054] In the drawings, elements common to several figures retain the same reference numerals.

[0055] refer to Figures 1 to 6 The present invention relates to a system 1 for spraying a cleaning fluid onto an optical surface 19. In this embodiment example, the spraying system 1 comprises:

[0056] - a cavity 120 delimited by the base 12 and the cover 11 ;

[0057] a member 13 for coupling to the air supply line 15 , which coupling member 13 places the air supply line 15 in fluid communication with the cavity 120 ;

[0058] - an air inlet 1251 into which the coupling member 13 of the air supply line 15 opens;

[0059] an element 20 for coupling to the liquid supply line 15 , the coupling element 20 placing the liquid supply line 15 in fluid communication with the cavity 120 ;

[0060] - a liquid inlet 1241 into which the coupling element 20 of the liquid supply line 15 opens;

[0061] a spraying device 14 configured to spray a cleaning fluid formed by a mixture of air and liquid onto the optical surface 19;

[0062] - an orifice 123 formed at a low point of the cavity 120;

[0063] - a member 16 for blocking the orifice 123, which is configured to (i) block the orifice 123 if no liquid is present in the cavity 120, with the blocking member 16 being configured to be in a closed position, and (ii) allow the removal of liquid 18 through the orifice 123 if liquid is present in the cavity 120, with the blocking member 16 being configured to be in an open position.

[0064] The optical surface 19 can be flat or curved and oriented in any direction. The spray system 1 is placed directly adjacent to the optical surface 19 to be cleaned, facing the optical surface. Of course, in order not to be placed directly facing the optical surface 19 so as not to interfere with the operation of any sensors or devices placed behind the optical surface 19, the spray system 1 is preferably placed on the peripheral edge 122 of the optical surface 19 so that the sprayed cleaning fluid reaches the optical surface 19.

[0065] Thus, the spray system 1 allows the cleaning fluid to be efficiently sprayed onto the optical surface 19. The spray system 1 is a spray system that allows the cleaning fluid to be atomized, or allows a mist of the cleaning fluid to be formed, or allows the liquid to be accelerated and formed into a sheet of cleaning fluid that can be applied to the optical surface 19. Typically, the spray system 1 mixes a liquid and air to form the cleaning fluid, and then sprays the cleaning fluid onto the optical surface 19.

[0066] As in Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen in the example of embodiment shown, the spraying system 1 is essentially formed of two main parts that are joined together to form a chamber 120 for mixing liquid and air to form a cleaning fluid:

[0067] - Cover 11, such as [ Figure 2 ], and

[0068] – Base 12, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown.

[0069] The cover 11 is in the form of a closure element that allows the base 12 to be completely covered. Thus, the cover 11 is placed against the peripheral wall 171 of the base 12. To facilitate assembly and ensure a sealed connection for operation of the injection system 1, the cover 11 includes a peripheral flange 111 extending all the way around the cover 11, and the base 12 includes a peripheral groove 121 extending the length of the peripheral wall 171. The size, shape, and position of the flange 111 and the peripheral groove 121 allow the flange 111 to engage in the peripheral groove 121 when the cover 11 is assembled on the base 12. This advantageous configuration allows the cover 11 and the base 12 to be centered and also promotes complementarity of shape, thereby creating a tight seal.

[0070] Optionally, an O-ring can be placed in the groove or on the flange 111 to optimize the sealing connection between the cover 11 and the base 12. The cover 11 and the base 12 can be joined to each other using a mounting process that ensures a seal between the two components, such as adhesive bonding or ultrasonic welding. It is also conceivable to use an O-ring in combination with such a mounting process.

[0071] Of course, the aim here is to allow the spraying system 1 to operate in the abutment area between the cover 11 and the base 12 without loss of cleaning fluid.

[0072] The spraying means 14 is in the form of a longitudinal slot 141 formed in a protrusion 142 formed in the cover 11. The longitudinal slot 141 has a rectangular shape, and the fluid sprayed onto the optical surface 19 is thus in the form of a wide comb. In this context, "wide comb" means that the width of the cleaning fluid comb is at least equal to one dimension of the optical surface 19 to be cleaned.

[0073] A slot 141 forming the spray device 14 extends through the cover 11. The slot 141 is formed in the protrusion 142 so that in the spray system 1, the cleaning fluid can be delivered to the spray device 14 and sprayed with sufficient pressure onto the optical surface 19 to be cleaned. In other words, the spray device 14 forms a cleaning nozzle.

[0074] As described above, the cleaning fluid is formed by the liquid and the compressed air flow delivered to the cavity 120. They mix with each other to form the cleaning fluid, which is ejected out of the cavity 120 via the ejection device 14 and the associated slot 141. The internal geometry of the cavity 120 is defined by the peripheral wall 171 of the base 12, the bottom wall 126 of the base 12 and the cover 11, so that the air delivered to the cavity 120 via the air supply line 15 and the liquid supply line 15 can be directed.

[0075] To allow the liquid and air to mix in the cavity 120, each air supply line 15 opens into said cavity 120 through an orifice 125. The orifice 125 thus forms an air inlet 1251. It will be recalled that the liquid is delivered to the cavity 120 by a liquid supply line 15 which opens into the cavity through a window 124 and forms a liquid inlet 1241.

[0076] The main technical problem solved by the present invention is to remove the liquid (e.g., water 18) present in the cavity 120 from the cavity 120 via an orifice 123 formed on one of the walls defining the cavity 120. The orifice 123 forms a hole that opens to either side of the cavity 120. The orifice 123 is formed in and through the base 12 and / or in and through the cover 11. The orifice 123 is preferably oriented so that the liquid 18 can flow through the orifice 123 and out of the cavity 120 via simple gravity flow.

[0077] For this purpose, the orifice 123 is advantageously formed at the low point of the cavity 120. Of course, depending on the orientation of the spraying system 1 according to the invention when deployed in front of the optical surface 19 to be cleaned, the low point can be located anywhere in said spraying system 1 and in the corresponding cavity 120. In the example of embodiment illustrated in the figures, the low point can be located, for example, near the lower right edge of the base 12 for a spraying system 1 oriented towards the top of the figures.

[0078] The orifice 123 is located near the orifice 125 associated with the coupling member 13 of the air supply line 15 (forming the air inlet 1251) and away from the window 124 (forming the liquid inlet 1241), thereby placing the cavity 120 in communication with the device 14 for spraying liquid. In other words, the coupling member 13 of the air supply line 15 is located near the low point of the cavity 120, while the window 124 associated with the device 14 for spraying liquid is located away from the low point of the cavity 120. In other words, the air inlet 1251 is located near the low point of the cavity 120, while the liquid inlet 1241 is located away from the low point of the cavity 120.

[0079] In general, a low point is the area of ​​the cavity 120 (base 12 or cover 11) towards which the liquid 18 contained at any point in the cavity 120 flows. Thus, when the injection system 1 is mounted on the motor vehicle with which it is intended to equip, in a given orientation of the injection system 1, the low point is formed by the area of ​​the cavity 120 that is situated lowest with respect to the vertical axis, and the liquid 18 can therefore flow through the cavity 120, through the base 12 and / or the cover 11 to reach said low point via simple gravity flow.

[0080] Alternatively, as [ Figure 4 ] As shown schematically, the wall delimiting the cavity 120 and on which the low point is located (i.e., in which the orifice 123 is formed) comprises a groove 127, the slope of which is oriented towards the orifice 123, so as to drain any liquid 18 originally contained in the cavity 120 towards the orifice 123. In this case, it is particularly advantageous that the groove 127 extends peripherally to the orifice communicating with the air supply line 15, so as to prevent the liquid 18 from flowing into said supply line 15. Thus, the groove 127 follows a rectilinear or curvilinear profile comprising one or more sections situated in corresponding extension of the previous section, so as to form a channel for the liquid 18 to flow to the orifice 123. The groove 127 is formed in one or more of the walls delimiting the cavity 120, depending on the orientation of the injection system 1 and the location of the low point.

[0081] Figure 5 and Figure 6An example of an embodiment of a blocking member 16 embedded in the injection system 1 according to the invention is schematically illustrated. For optimal operation, the blocking member 16 allows the orifice 123 to be blocked or unblocked depending on its configuration, so as to prevent (e.g. [ Figure 5 ]) or allow (as shown in [ Figure 6 ] shown) the liquid 18 flows through the orifice 123. In the context of the present invention, the blocking member 16 is switched from its closed position to its open position without human intervention and preferably without electronic control.

[0082] In particular, Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the example of the embodiment shown, if there is liquid 18 in the cavity 120 or at least in the vicinity of the orifice 123, the blocking member 16 is simply moved from its closed configuration ([ Figure 5 ]) to its open configuration ([ Figure 6 ]). In the example shown, the blocking member 16 is in the form of a floating plug configured to float on the liquid 18 if the liquid 18 is present in the cavity 120. In other words, the mass per unit volume of the blocking member 16 is less than the mass per unit volume of the liquid (e.g., water 18), i.e., the density of the blocking member 16 is less than 1. As a non-limiting example, the blocking member 16 is formed of one or more materials (the one or more materials being particularly selected from plastic, polystyrene, and different types of wood), or is actually hollow and therefore buoyant, such that the mass per unit volume of the blocking member 16 is less than the mass per unit volume of the liquid 18.

[0083] Therefore, if [ Figure 5 ], if there is no liquid 18 in the cavity 120 and in particular in its low point, the floating plug forming the blocking member 16 rests on the corresponding wall of the cavity 120 facing the orifice 123. The shape and size of the floating plug forming the blocking member 16 are such that in this closed configuration, said blocking member 16 completely blocks the orifice 123.

[0084] In contrast, Figure 6 ], if liquid 18 is present in the cavity 120, particularly at its low point, the float forming the blocking member 16 is lifted out of the corresponding wall of the cavity 120 facing the orifice 123 by the action of the Archimedes principle, thereby unblocking the passage to the orifice 123 and allowing the liquid 18 to flow therethrough so as to empty the cavity 120 of the liquid 18. The liquid 18 flows out of the cavity 120 through the orifice 123 at [ Figure 6 ] is indicated by an arrow.

[0085] This advantageous configuration therefore allows the passage to the orifice 123 to be automatically unblocked without human intervention and without electronic control (i.e., absolutely passively) so as to allow the liquid 18 present in the cavity 120 to flow through the orifice 123 and thus allow the liquid 18 to be automatically and spontaneously removed from the cavity 120.

[0086] In order to keep the blocking member 16 and the float facing the orifice 123 and prevent them from moving away from the orifice due to the flow of liquid 18, the blocking member 16 includes a retaining device 17, which is configured to retain the blocking member 16 near the orifice 123. Nearby means that the retaining device 17 allows the blocking member 16 to be retained in the vicinity of the orifice 123, or even facing the orifice 123, i.e. perpendicular to the orifice, so that the blocking member 16 can easily and quickly cooperate with the orifice 123 again in the event that liquid 18 is present in the cavity 120 in the future. Preferably, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the retaining device 17 is configured to retain the blocking member 16 coaxially relative to the orifice 123 formed in the cavity 120 .

[0087] The retaining device 17 comprises a perforated cage forming a housing 173 for the blocking member 16, which allows the blocking member to move in said perforated cage and perpendicular to the cavity 120. The perforated cage comprises a peripheral wall 171 and an upper wall 172, which surround the blocking member 16, preferably leaving a gap. In order to allow the liquid 18 to flow into the perforated cage, the peripheral wall 171 and / or the upper wall 172 are not solid. Instead, the peripheral wall 171 and / or the upper wall 172 that define the perforated cage and retain the blocking member 16 inside contain orifices ( Figure 5 and Figure 6 not shown).

[0088] Alternatively, according to one embodiment (not shown), the injection system 1 can also be configured such that the upper wall 172 is formed at least partially by the underside of the cover 11 .

[0089] In summary, the present invention relates to a system 1 for spraying a cleaning fluid onto an optical surface 19, the spraying system 1 comprising: a cavity 120 delimited by a base 12 and a cover 11; a spraying device 14 configured to be able to spray a cleaning fluid formed by a mixture of air and liquid onto the optical surface 19; an orifice 123 formed at a low point of the cavity 120, allowing excess liquid present in the cavity 120 to be removed from the cavity 120, in particular outside the use phase of the spraying system 1; and a member 16 for blocking the orifice 123, which is configured to (i) block the orifice 123 if no liquid is present in the cavity 120, and (ii) allow the liquid 18 to be removed through the orifice 123 if liquid 18 is present in the cavity 120.

[0090] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described, and many modifications may be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variations, and embodiments of the present invention may be associated with one another in various combinations, as long as they are compatible or not mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variations and embodiments described above may be combined with one another.

Claims

1. A system (1) for ejecting a fluid onto an optical surface (19), the ejection system (1) comprising: - a cavity (120) delimited by the base (12) and the cover (11); - a fluid inlet (1251) intended to place a supply line (15) in fluid communication with said cavity (120); - a spraying device (14) configured to spray the fluid onto the optical surface (19); - an orifice (123) formed at a low point of the cavity (120); - a member (16) for blocking the orifice (123), the member being configured to (i) block the orifice (123) if no liquid is present in the cavity (120), the blocking member (16) being configured to be in a closed position, and (ii) allow removal of the liquid (18) through the orifice (123) if liquid is present in the cavity (120), the blocking member (16) being configured to be in an open position.

2. Injection system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The mass per unit volume of the blocking member (16) is smaller than the mass per unit volume of the liquid.

3. The injection system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The orifice (123) is defined by a countersink forming a conical surface complementary to the shape of the blocking member (16).

4. The injection system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein The blocking member (16) comprises retaining means (17) configured to retain the blocking member (16) adjacent the orifice (123).

5. Injection system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The retaining means (17) is configured to retain the blocking member (16) coaxially relative to an orifice (123) formed in the cavity (120).

6. Injection system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The retaining device (17) comprises a perforated cage that houses the blocking member (16), the perforated cage allowing the blocking member (16) to move within the perforated cage and perpendicularly to the cavity (120).

7. The injection system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein The orifice (123) is located near the inlet (1251) of the fluid and away from the injection device (14).

8. The injection system (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein The base (12) comprises a groove (127) formed between the means (14) for ejecting fluid (18) and the air inlet (1251), the groove (127) being oriented towards the orifice (123).

9. The injection system according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an inlet (1241) for a second fluid, different from the fluid referred to as the first fluid, intended to place a supply line (15) in fluid communication with the cavity (120).

10. An assembly for cleaning an optical surface (19), the assembly comprising: - the spraying system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, being configured to be able to spray a fluid onto the optical surface (19); - an air supply line (15) coupled to the air inlet (1251) via a coupling element (20).

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