Device for wiping an optical surface of at least one optical element of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for wiping an optical surface of at least one optical element of a vehicle, which device comprises a wiping unit (14) having a portion (16) for wiping the optical surface and a member (18) for supporting the wiping portion, the wiping portion being designed to wipe the optical surface by making contact with the optical surface, a member (15) for driving the wiping unit (14), the wiping unit (14) being formed of one single piece. The device of the invention has a simple design.

Description

[0001] Device for wiping an optical surface of at least one vehicle optical element

[0002] Field of invention

[0003] The invention relates to a device for wiping an optical surface of at least one optical element of a vehicle.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Motor vehicles are increasingly equipped with optical elements, such as optical position sensors. The function of optical position sensors is to collect information about the vehicle's environment, in particular to provide the driver with assistance in driving and / or maneuvering the vehicle. For this purpose, an optical sensor is commonly installed on the vehicle so as to collect information about the vehicle's environment, such as the frontal and / or rear environment of the vehicle. The detection system is therefore, for example, installed on the front and / or rear.

[0006] However, such locations are particularly exposed to contamination such as dirty water, dust or other types of projections. Such contamination forms an obstacle to the transmission and reception of information and can disrupt the operation of the optical sensor, or even make its operation impossible.

[0007] It has been proposed to use devices for wiping an optical surface of optical elements to rid them of this dirt, but the structure of these devices is complex.

[0008] There is a need for a device for wiping an optical surface of a vehicle optical element which is simple in construction and compact.

[0009] Statement of the invention

[0010] The aim of the invention is to provide a device for wiping an optical surface of a vehicle optical element which is of simple construction. The aim of the invention is also to provide a compact and space-saving wiping device.

[0011] For this purpose, the invention proposes a device for wiping an optical surface of at least one optical element of a vehicle, comprising a wiping unit comprising a part for wiping the optical surface and a support element for the wiping part, driving the wiping part in a movement for wiping the optical surface by contact with the optical surface, the device further comprising a drive member for the wiping unit, the wiping unit being a single piece.

[0012] According to one embodiment, a material forming the wiping portion is different from a material forming the support member.

[0013] According to one variant, the support element comprises at least one portion more rigid than at least one portion of the wiping part.

[0014] According to one variant, the wiping unit extends in a longitudinal direction and is capable of exerting constant pressure on the optical surface in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] According to a variant, the wiping portion and / or the support element comprise / includes at least one first portion more rigid than at least one second portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] According to one variant, the wiping portion and / or the support element comprise / comprises at least in part a lattice structure.

[0017] For example, the support member comprises at least the portion formed by a first lattice structure configuration and / or by a first material configured to provide the portion with a first rigidity.

[0018] For example, the wiping portion includes at least the portion formed by a second lattice structure configuration and / or a second material configured to provide the portion with a second rigidity.

[0019] According to a variant, the first rigidity is greater than the second rigidity.

[0020] According to a variant, the wiping part and / or the support element comprise / comprises different materials defined according to the rigidity to be given to the portions.

[0021] According to a variant, the wiping part and / or the support element have / has a profile transverse to their length whose shape is variable according to the length and which is defined as a function of the pressure of the wiping part on the optical surface.

[0022] According to a variant, the wiping unit has a back and forth wiping movement between end positions when wiping the optical surface, the dimension of the wiping unit in a direction orthogonal to the optical surface being different between the end positions compared to the dimension at the end positions, the wiping portion and / or the support element being able to absorb the variation in dimension.

[0023] According to a variant, the wiping portion and / or the support element are / is at least partly made of lattice, the lattice having a structure absorbing the variation in dimension.

[0024] According to a variant, the wiping portion and / or the support element have / has a profile transverse to their length absorbing the variation in dimension.

[0025] According to one variant, the device comprises a cleaning liquid line in the wiping unit.

[0026] According to one variant, the cleaning liquid line is a liquid channel added or arranged in the mesh wiping part.

[0027] According to one variant, the wiping portion comprises a portion of softer material for wiping the optical surface.

[0028] According to one variant, the material of the softer portion is silicone or thermoplastic polyurethane. According to one variant, the device further comprises resistive heating tracks in the wiping portion.

[0029] According to one variant, the wiping unit is obtained in one piece by a manufacturing process.

[0030] According to a variant, in which the wiping unit is obtained by an additive manufacturing process.

[0031] The different embodiments can be taken in combination or considered in isolation.

[0032] Brief description of the figures

[0033] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended figures which show:

[0034] Figure 1 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a wiping device;

[0035] Figure 2 is a view of another exemplary embodiment of a wiping device;

[0036] Figure 3 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to Figures 1 or 2;

[0037] Figure 4 is a sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of the device according to Figures 1 or 2;

[0038] Figure 5 is a sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of the device according to Figures 1 or 2;

[0039] Figure 6 is an exemplary embodiment of a lattice structure; Figure 7 is another exemplary embodiment of a lattice structure;

[0040] Figure 8 is another exemplary embodiment of a lattice structure;

[0041] Figure 9 is another example of an embodiment of a lattice structure.

[0042] The drawings of the figures are not to scale. Like elements are generally denoted by like references in the figures. For the purposes of this document, identical or similar elements may bear the same references. Furthermore, the presence of reference numbers or letters in the drawings cannot be considered as limiting, including when these numbers or letters are indicated in the claims.

[0043] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0044] The invention proposes a device for wiping an optical surface of at least one optical element of a vehicle. The device comprises a wiping unit comprising a portion for wiping the optical surface and a support element for the wiping portion. The support element drives the wiping portion in a movement for wiping the optical surface by contact with the optical surface. The device further comprises a drive member for the wiping unit. In this device, the wiping unit is a single piece. This makes the device simple to construct. Indeed, the single piece nature of the wiping unit comprising the wiping portion and the support element avoids the multiplication of individual parts to be assembled.

[0045] Figure 1 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the wiping device 10. The device 10 allows the wiping of an optical surface 12 of at least one optical element of the vehicle, the latter not being shown. The optical element may be a means of driving assistance. The optical element makes it possible to collect information on the position and the environment of the motor vehicle, in particular in order to provide the driver with assistance in driving and / or maneuvering this vehicle. It may be a means of taking pictures to assist the driver in particular in his parking and / or reversing maneuvers (a camera for example); it may also be a means of transmitting and / or receiving signals, also to assist the driver in his maneuvers but also in his driving (such as a sensor, an optical sensor, for example a LIDAR, acronym for “light detection and ranging” or “laser imaging, detection, and ranging”).The optical element can also be a headlight - rear or front.

[0046] The optical element interacts with the environment through the optical surface 12. This may be a protective surface between the optical element and the environment. For example, this may be the surface of a window fitted between the optical element and the environment, or a surface of a housing enclosing a sensor (such as a face of a LIDAR housing). This may be a constituent of the optical element, such as the surface of a focusing lens of a camera. This may be the surface of the protective window of a headlight. The surface may be opaque (in the visible wavelengths). The surface may be transparent to the emission and reception wavelengths of the optical element. Also, several optical elements may be considered interacting with the environment through a single optical surface 12.

[0047] The device 10 comprises a wiping unit 14 ensuring the wiping of the optical surface 12. More specifically, the unit 14 ensures the wiping of the optical surface 12 by contact with the surface. This allows effective cleaning of the optical surface 12, both of dust and of solid or liquid projections. Thus, the operation of the optical element is improved.

[0048] The wiping unit 14 comprises a wiping portion 16. Within the wiping unit 14, the wiping portion 16 performs the function of wiping the optical surface 12. In particular, the wiping portion is in contact with the optical surface 12. The wiping unit 14 further comprises a support element 18 for the wiping portion 16. The support element 18 holds the wiping portion 16 in contact with the optical surface 12. The support element 18 also drives the wiping portion 16 in a wiping movement of the optical surface by contact with the optical surface. In other words, the support element 18 transmits the movement of a drive member 15 to the wiping part 16. Furthermore, the wiping unit can extend in a longitudinal direction. The wiping unit 14 can have an elongated shape. The wiping unit can have a longitudinal shape. The same applies to the wiping part 16 and the support element 18.

[0049] The wiping unit 14 is monobloc in the sense that it is a single piece. The wiping portion 16 and the support element 18 of the wiping unit 14 are monobloc. They are one and the same piece. In other words, the wiping portion 16 and the support element 18 of the wiping unit 14 are two merged pieces. The wiping unit 14 does not have (or is devoid of) any added means for assembling the wiping portion 16 and the support element 18 together. The wiping portion 16 and the support element 18 cannot be disassembled from each other - unless their physical integrity is destroyed. The advantage of having a single-piece assembly is that the manufacture of the wiping unit 14 is simple. The fact of eliminating the need for additional assembly means for joining the parts together makes manufacturing less expensive. In addition, the wiping unit 14 is compact and has a reduced footprint.The wiping unit 14 is less bulky, in a direction orthogonal to the optical surface 12. Thus, the wiping unit 14 may be 10 mm or less, in a direction orthogonal to the optical surface 12. A reduced bulk of the wiping unit 14 is advantageous, since it allows it to be more easily mounted in vehicle environments where available space is limited. The same applies to the device 10.

[0050] The wiping unit 14 may be obtained by a method of adhering the wiping portion 16 and the support element 18 in order to form a single-piece assembly - that is to say forming a single piece, which cannot be disassembled from each other without destroying their physical integrity. It may be a method of bonding the wiping portion 16 and the support element 18, a method of welding the wiping portion 16 and the support element 18, for example by ultrasound, or a method of melting the material of the contacting surfaces of the wiping portion 16 and the support element 18.

[0051] The wiping unit 14 can be obtained in one piece. The wiping part 16 and the support element 18 are manufactured simultaneously. There is no need to manufacture and assemble different parts or to use means for fixing the components together. The manufacture of the wiping unit 14 is therefore faster and less expensive. Furthermore, visually, there is no boundary between the wiping part 16 and the one-piece support element 18.

[0052] For example, the wiping unit 14 may be obtained, for example, by an additive manufacturing (or three-dimensional (3D) printing) process. The wiping unit 14 is produced by a succession of layers of material deposited by a wire, or thermally fused by one or more lasers, or chemically fused with a binder. On a part resulting from additive manufacturing, the surface condition is defined by post-treatment (mechanical polishing, chemical polishing, etc.). In addition, additive manufacturing makes it possible to obtain complex parts (such as hollow parts, internal channels, certain complex undercuts, etc.). As another example, the wiping unit 14 may be obtained by an injection molding or co-injection molding process. For a part resulting from molding, the surface condition is defined by the surface condition of the mold.Thus, the surface condition can be directly clean and smooth in certain desired areas (such as visible appearance surfaces, functional surfaces for assembly with other parts, etc.) and rougher elsewhere (such as non-visible areas, or without interfaces).

[0053] The device 10 further comprises the drive member 15 of the wiping unit 14. The drive member 15 makes it possible to drive the wiping unit 14 in the wiping movement and in particular to travel across the optical surface to ensure wiping, here by contact. The wiping by the wiping unit 14 is carried out on at least a portion of the optical surface 12 through which the optical element is in interaction with the environment - preferably, the entire optical surface 12. The drive member can drive the wiping unit 14 by a back-and-forth wiping movement, back and forth. The drive member can drive the wiping unit between a first extreme position and a second extreme position, the wiping of the optical surface 12 taking place between these two positions. In particular, the drive member 15 is configured to directly drive the wiping unit 14.In other words, the drive member 15 is connected directly to the wiping unit 14. The drive member 15 may comprise a motor 17, preferably an electric motor.

[0054] The wiping unit 14 constitutes a single-piece assembly with a section forming an arm and a section forming a wiper, the wiper comprising a section forming a blade in contact with the optical surface to be cleaned and at least one section forming a vertebra supporting the blade (this eliminates the need for any connector or articulation between these parts); the drive member 15 drives this assembly directly.

[0055] According to Figure 1, the drive member 15 drives the wiping unit 14 in a circular (or rotational) motion. The support element 18 then drives the wiping part 16 in a circular wiping motion. The advantage is that the device, comprising the drive member and the wiping unit, is compact and space-saving. The drive member 15 may comprise an element for transmitting the wiping motion to the wiping unit 14. For example, the drive member 15 comprises a drive shaft 20 to which the wiping unit 14 is connected. The shaft 20 is driven by the motor 17 in rotation, to give the circular motion to the wiping unit. An interface 22 of the wiping unit 14 allows the wiping unit 14 to be fixed to the axis 20. The support element 18 thus connects the wiping part 16 to the axis 20. It is also possible to envisage the axis 20 being a single piece with the wiping unit 14.Regardless of the configuration of the drive member 15, the drive member 15 directly drives the wiping unit 14.

[0056] Figure 2 is a view of another embodiment of the wiping device 10. Figure 2 differs from Figure 1 in that the drive member 15 drives the wiping unit 14 in a linear (or translational) movement. The support element 18 then drives the wiping part 16 in a linear wiping movement. The advantage is that the wiping unit 14 can wipe the entire optical surface. The drive member 15 comprises an element for transmitting the wiping movement to the wiping unit. For example, the drive member 15 comprises the drive shaft 20 to which the wiping unit 14 is connected. The shaft 20 in FIG. 2 is driven by the motor 17, in translation on a rail 23, through a slot 25, to give the linear movement to the wiping unit. The interface 22 of the wiping unit 14 allows the wiping unit 14 to be fixed to the shaft 20. The support element 18 thus connects the wiping part 16 to the shaft 20.It is also possible to envisage that the axis 20 is in one piece with the wiping unit 14. Whatever the configuration of the drive member 15, the drive member 15 directly drives the wiping unit 14.

[0057] The materials of the wiping portion 16 and the support member 18 may be the same - which simplifies the manufacture of the wiping unit 14. Preferably, a material forming the wiping portion 16 is different from a material forming the support member 18. The wiping unit 14 may be a multi-material part. An advantage is that different functions may be provided within the single-piece wiping unit 14. For example, the support member 18 may include at least one portion that is more rigid than at least a portion of the wiping portion 16. This allows for a portion of the wiping unit 14 to be rigid for transmitting movement to the wiping unit 14 and a portion of the wiping unit 14 to be flexible for wiping the optical surface 12.

[0058] The wiping unit 14 may comprise one or more materials that are resistant to bending, resistant to fatigue and / or resistant to heat. The support elements 18 may comprise materials having one or more of these properties. For example, the wiping unit 14 may comprise PAU (or polyamide 11, thermoplastic polymer) or PA 12 (or nylon 12, nylon polymer) to form the support element 18. The wiping unit 14 (in particular the support element 18) may be filled with reinforcing fibers. The reinforcing fibers make it possible to increase the rigidity of a part while limiting the mass (such as for example carbon or glass). The wiping unit 14 may also comprise one or more elastically deformable materials while being resistant to fatigue and / or resistant to heat. The wiping portion 16 may comprise materials having one or more of these properties.This may be, for example, natural or synthetic rubber to form all or part of the wiping portion 16. The wiping unit 14 may also comprise one or more elastic, deformable and / or flexible materials to form the wiping portion 16 in contact with the optical surface 12, to improve wiping (extension 24 in FIGS. 3 to 5). This may be, for example, silicone or thermoplastic polyurethane (or TPU) to form all or part of the wiping portion 16.

[0059] The wiping unit 14 may be structurally in the form of a lattice, i.e. an architecture composed of one or more materials and empty areas. The more or less low density of the empty areas gives a more or less significant rigidity to the wiping part 16 and / or the support element 18. This type of structure is in particular obtained by the additive manufacturing process. Figures 6 to 9 show examples of lattice production. The lattice is a polyhedral mesh structure, with polyhedra connected to each other by some of their faces and / or edges. The lattice structure is elastically deformable. The lattice structure can deform by deformation of the polyhedra. The lattice structure is a network of meshes making it possible to change shape during operation of the device 10, and to regain its shape.

[0060] The wiping unit 14 can extend in a longitudinal direction and is capable of exerting a constant pressure on the optical surface 12 in the longitudinal direction. The pressure on the surface 12 is constant, along the longitudinal shape of the wiping unit 14. The pressure on the surface 12 is constant, along the longitudinal shape of the wiping unit 14 held in cantilever. The pressure on the surface 12 is constant between the proximal end (close to the axis 20) and the distal end of the wiping unit 14. The advantage is to ensure wiping of the same quality on the optical surface 12.

[0061] The constant pressure on the optical surface 12 may be exerted by portions that are more rigid than others within the wiping unit 14. More specifically, the wiping portion 16 and / or the support element 18 comprises / comprise at least a first portion that is more rigid than at least a second portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0062] For example, it is possible to exert a constant pressure on the optical surface - and thus possibly by modulating the rigidity within the wiping unit 14 - with the wiping portion 16 and / or the support element 18 comprising at least in part a lattice structure. The lattice then has a structure defined as a function of the rigidity to be imparted to the more or less rigid portions. For this purpose, the density of the lattice in empty areas is modulated. The advantage is that such a modulation of rigidity is achieved in a simple manner. Alternatively or in combination, the wiping portion 16 and / or the support element 18 comprise / comprise different materials. The materials are defined as a function of the rigidity to be imparted to the more or less rigid portions. For example, the support element 18 comprises at least the portion formed by a first lattice structure configuration and / or by a first material configured to impart a first rigidity to the portion.For example, the wiping portion 16 comprises at least the portion formed by a second lattice structure configuration and / or by a second material configured to give the portion a second rigidity. The first rigidity may be greater than the second rigidity - so that the support element 18 can further support and drive the wiping portion 16. Alternatively or in further combination, the wiping portion 16 and / or the support element 18 have / has a profile transverse to their longitudinal direction whose shape is variable according to the longitudinal direction. The profile(s) are defined as a function of the pressure of the wiping portion on the optical surface 12.

[0063] We therefore obtain, thanks to this fine parameterization of its shape (globally, i.e. extending over the entire single-piece brush, as well as locally, i.e. specific to the specific parts and / or regions of said brush) and the selection of the materials and methods of its manufacture, a single-piece brush whose shape and operation are finely adaptable to any specific application.

[0064] The use of manufacturing techniques as described in the present application also allows customization of the shape of the wiper (in particular its scraper) to better adapt to a glass surface, the wiping of which it is intended, and this in particular in the case of particularly curved or otherwise irregular surfaces whose wiping would be difficult and / or incomplete with wipers known in the state of the art.

[0065] In this respect, Figures 3 to 5 are sectional views of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to Figures 1 or 2. More specifically, Figures 3 to 5 show different examples of profiles of the wiping portion 16 and of the support element 18. The support element 18 supports the wiping portion 16 in contact with the optical surface 12. The support element 18 supports the wiping portion 16 opposite the optical surface 12.

[0066] According to Figure 3, the profile of the support element 18 supports the wiping portion 16 opposite the optical surface 12. The advantage is that the manufacture of such a configuration is simple. Transversely to the longitudinal direction of the wiping unit 14, the profile of the wiping portion 16 has an oval shape. The major axis of the oval shape may be tangential to the direction of the wiping movement (or even parallel in the case of a linear movement). The wiping portion 16 may comprise an extension 24 in the direction in contact with the optical surface 12 to be wiped. The extension 24 is substantially in the center of the oval shape. The extension 24 is at the right angle of the support element 18. The oval shape makes it possible to create pressure of the extension 24 against the optical surface 12. The extension 24 is capable of penetrating into the oval shape by deformation of the oval shape.The profile of the wiping part 16 thus makes it possible to fulfill a spring function urging the wiping unit 14 against the optical surface and ensuring quality wiping. In Figure 3, the wiping part 16 may be lattice-shaped, with such a structure in the center of the oval shape as well - the same applies to the support element 18.

[0067] According to Figure 4, the profile of the support element 18 laterally supports the wiping portion 16, in a direction orthogonal to the optical surface 12. The advantage is that the space requirement is further reduced. The profile and structure of the wiping portion 14 is the same as that of Figure 3, with the same effects and advantages.

[0068] According to Figure 5, the profile of the support element 18 also supports the wiping portion 16 opposite the optical surface 12. The advantage is that the manufacture of such a configuration is simple. The profile of the wiping portion 16 comprises a succession of curvatures. In other words, the profile of the wiping portion 16 has an S shape. The profile of the wiping portion 16 ends with the extension 24 in the direction and in contact with the optical surface 12 to be wiped. The extension 24 is substantially in line with the support element 18. The shape of the curvatures makes it possible to create the pressure of the extension 24 against the optical surface 12. The curvatures act as hinges. The profile of the wiping part 16 thus makes it possible to fulfill a spring function urging the wiping unit 14 against the optical surface 12 and ensuring quality wiping. In Figure 5, the wiping part 16 may be lattice-shaped - the same applies to the support element 18.

[0069] In these figures 3 to 5, the shape of the profile of the wiping unit 14 can vary, be evolving, in the longitudinal direction of the wiping unit 14. This makes it possible to have a constant pressure of the wiping part 16 on the optical surface 12, taking into account the deformation of the wiping unit 14. The evolving profile also makes it possible to take into account the tangential speed of the wiping unit 14 (in particular of the wiping part 16) which is different between the distal and proximal ends of the wiping unit 14 - in particular in the case of the circular movement of figure 1A as an example, the profile of the support element 18 of figures 3 and 5 can be more or less thick, to vary the rigidity and the spring effect against the optical surface 12; that of figure 4 can be more or less important, for the same effects.The profile of the wiping portion 16 of Figures 3 and 4 may include a more or less dense lattice portion to vary the spring effect against the optical surface 12; that of Figure 5 may be more or less thick for the same effects.

[0070] As previously indicated, the wiping unit 14 has a back and forth wiping movement - linear and / or circular. The wiping unit 14 has a movement between the first extreme position and the second extreme position. The dimension of the wiping unit 14 in a direction orthogonal to the optical surface 12 is different between the extreme positions compared to the dimension at the extreme positions. The wiping portion 16 and / or the support element 18 is / are able to absorb the variation in dimension. In other words, the height gain (or bulk) in a direction orthogonal to the optical surface 12 of the wiping unit 14 at changes of direction is compensated by the wiping part 16 and / or the support element 18. The wiping unit 14 operates in a direction orthogonal to the optical surface (or transversely to the optical surface 12) like a spring. This makes it possible to avoid height gain at the extreme positions.This makes it possible to avoid movements in a direction orthogonal (or transverse) to the optical surface 12 and in particular jumps in a direction orthogonal (or transverse) to the optical surface 12, which would impair the quality of the wiping. This also avoids noise. This also makes it possible to avoid a pivot connection between the wiping unit 14 and the drive shaft 20. Thus, the number of parts is reduced, as is the manufacturing cost. Also, the compactness of the device is improved.

[0071] More specifically, between the two extreme positions, the drive of the wiping portion 16 is such that the wiping portion 16 in contact with the optical surface 12 is inclined. In Figures 3 to 5 for example, the extension 24 is inclined during wiping. When changing direction at the extreme positions, the inclination of the wiping portion 16 changes direction. The extension 24 then passes through the configuration shown in Figures 3 to 5. Thus, the wiping portion 16 (and therefore the wiping unit 14) has a dimension (or bulk), in a direction orthogonal to the optical surface 12, which is reduced during the stroke of the wiping unit between the extreme positions due to the inclination. At the extreme positions, the wiping portion (and therefore the wiping unit 14) has a dimension (or bulk), in a direction orthogonal to the optical surface 12, which is larger due to the reversal of the extension 24 (or change of direction).

[0072] To compensate for (or absorb) the variation in dimension (or bulk), the wiping unit 14 - and more precisely, the wiping portion 16 and / or the support element 18 - acts as a spring. For this, for example, the wiping portion 16 and / or the support element 18 may be at least partly lattice-like, the lattice absorbing the variation in dimension. Alternatively or in combination, the profile of the wiping portion 16 and / or the support element 18, in a direction orthogonal to the optical surface 12, absorb(s) the variation in dimension. In Figures 3 and 4, the extension 24 is able to penetrate into the oval shape by deformation of the oval shape, upon turning over. In Figure 5, the extension 24 causes the compression of the curvatures upon turning over. The greater rigidity of the support element 18 makes it possible to maintain the wiping unit 14 in contact with the optical surface 12.Thus, the profile of the wiping portion 16 and / or the support element 18 can be sized to turn over in a “conventional” manner.

[0073] The device 10 may further comprise a cleaning liquid conduit in the wiping unit 14. This also makes it possible to spray the liquid as close as possible to the contact between the wiping unit 14 and the optical surface 12. This makes it possible to improve the wiping of the optical surface 12. For example, the cleaning liquid conduit is a liquid channel (not visible in the figures) added or arranged in the wiping unit 14 in a lattice - or in a channel-shaped area of ​​the lattice. Orifices for spraying the liquid are also integrated directly in the wiping unit 14. This makes it possible to take advantage of the architecture of the wiping unit 14 to enable the fluid conduit.

[0074] According to Figure 2, the device 10 comprises a conduit 30 connected to the wiping unit 14. The conduit 30 allows the cleaning liquid to be conveyed to the wiping unit 14. This also applies to Figure 1. The device 10 may also comprise resistive heating tracks in the wiping part. This makes it possible to heat the wiping part 16 in order to maintain good flexibility when cold, or to melt ice or snow which would block its proper operation. For this purpose, a conductive material is inserted into the wiping unit 4. This is done during the manufacturing step of the wiping unit 14, for example by additive manufacturing of such a material in the wiping unit 14.

[0075] The manufacturing processes mentioned above make it possible to obtain configurations such as those given as examples in these figures.

[0076] The present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, which are of purely illustrative value and should not be considered as limiting. In general, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and / or described above.

Claims

Demands 1. Device (10) for wiping an optical surface of at least one optical element of a vehicle, comprising: - a wiping unit (14) comprising a wiping portion (16) of the optical surface and a support element (18) for the wiping portion, driving the wiping portion in a wiping motion of the optical surface by contact with the optical surface, - a drive element (15) of the wiping unit (14), the wiping unit (14) being a single unit.

2. The device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein a material forming the wiping part (16) is different from a material forming the support element (18).

3. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (18) comprises at least one portion that is more rigid than at least one portion of the wiping part (16).

4. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wiping unit (14) extends along a longitudinal direction and is capable of exerting constant pressure on the optical surface along the longitudinal direction.

5. The device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the wiping portion (16) and / or the support element (18) comprise at least a first portion which is more rigid than at least a second portion in the longitudinal direction.

6. The device (10) according to either of the two preceding claims, wherein the wiping part (16) and / or the support element (18) comprise at least in part a lattice structure.

7. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wiping unit (14) has a back-and-forth wiping movement between extreme positions when wiping the optical surface, the dimension of the wiping unit (14) along a direction orthogonal to the optical surface being different between the extreme positions compared to the dimension at the extreme positions, the wiping part (16) and / or the support element (18) being able to absorb the variation in dimension.

8. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a cleaning fluid conduit in the wiping unit (14).

9. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wiping unit (14) is obtained in one piece by a manufacturing process.

10. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wiping unit (14) is obtained by an additive manufacturing process.

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