Protection unit and detection assembly for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a protection unit (1) for protecting an optical surface (10) and to a detection assembly (2) combining an apparatus (21) emitting or capturing radiation through an optical region of interest (12) of the optical surface (10). The protection unit (1) further comprises at least one wave transducer (13) configured to generate an acoustic wave on or in the optical surface (10) in order to clean the optical region of interest (12). According to the invention, the optical surface (10) has at least one through-hole (15) through which electrical wires (14) for supplying power to the wave (W) transducer (13) extend.

Description

protection unit and detection assembly for motor vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of sensors and in particular devices for cleaning an optical surface through which said sensors carry out their measurements. More particularly, the invention relates to a protection unit allowing such cleaning to be carried out, to a detection assembly comprising such a protection unit and to a motor vehicle.

[0002] In general, the present invention relates to a protection unit implementing a transducer for cleaning bodies in contact with the optical surface, by means of ultrasonic waves. By "cleaning", it is understood here that the transducer is configured to remove the bodies which were present in contact with the optical surface so that, following the cleaning operation, the optical surface is free of said bodies.

[0003] The present invention finds applications in many fields. By way of non-limiting example, one objective sought by the present invention is to overcome the effects linked to the accumulation of bodies on an optical surface, such as in particular drops of rain, frost or snow.

[0004] In order to rid a surface of these bodies, when they are in the liquid state and present in the form of drops on the optical surface, it is known to rotate said drops in order to be able to evacuate them from the surface. A known disadvantage of this technique lies in the fact that it is not suitable for surfaces whose area is greater than a few square centimeters.

[0005] We also know the implementation of an electric field to control the hydrophobicity of a surface, as described for example in KR 2018 0086173 A1. This technique, known by the acronym EWOD meaning "Electro Wetting On Devices" in English and translatable as "Electrowetting device on dielectric", consists of applying a potential difference between two electrodes, so as to electrically polarize the surface from which we wish to make the liquid drops disappear and with the aim of modifying its wetting properties. By controlling the location of the polarization, the drop can then be moved.A known disadvantage of this technique is that it can only be implemented with specific materials and requires particularly precise positioning of the electrodes over the entire surface where we want to control the wetting properties, making its industrialization, mass production and integration into products intended for the automotive industry, for example, complex and even expensive.

[0006] Furthermore, we are also familiar with the use of a windshield wiper on a motor vehicle windshield. This proven technique, however, has the disadvantage of disrupting the driver's field of vision. In addition, successive wiper strokes spread the greasy particles deposited on the surface of the windshield. In addition, it is necessary to regularly renew the wiper pads, which wear out during use. Finally, this technique is not, or is difficult to use, for cleaning sensors used on motor vehicles, such as lidars, proximity sensors, or cameras.

[0007] For cleaning windshields or sensors used on motor vehicles, such as, for example, lidars, proximity sensors or cameras, cleaning methods are finally known for removing liquid accumulating on an optical surface of the sensor via generation and propagation of ultrasonic waves in or on the optical surface. In particular, document WO 2012 / 095643 A1 is known, which describes a method for removing raindrops by ultrasonic vaporization. The amplitude and frequency of vibration are chosen so that the raindrops falling on the windshield are vaporized as soon as they enter a vibratory zone of the windshield surface.However, in order to obtain vaporization of a drop of liquid, a puddle or a film, the powers required to set the vibrating zone into vibration are high, which limits their practical implementation, particularly for the development of autonomous devices. It is also well known that vaporization requires energies greater than those required to move drops on a support.

[0008] The techniques presented above all have drawbacks related to their integration on more compact surfaces.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel protection unit in order to address at least largely the above problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to prevent electrical wires connected to a wave transducer used to clean a region of optical interest of the optical surface from extending across the region of optical interest.

[0011] Another aim of the invention is to optimize the installation of a transducer on an optical surface.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a unit for protecting an optical surface intended to be associated with an apparatus configured to capture and / or emit radiation through a region of optical interest of the optical surface, the protection unit comprising:

[0013] - the optical surface comprising at least one through hole provided in the optical surface;

[0014] - at least one wave transducer mechanically coupled to the optical surface and configured to generate a wave propagating through the optical surface, the at least one wave transducer being intended to be electrically connected to an electrical device via at least one electrical wire connected to the at least one transducer.

[0015] Advantageously, in the protection unit according to the invention, the at least one electrical wire extends through the at least one through-hole of the optical surface.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the protection unit makes it possible to protect a device intended to be located behind the optical surface in order to prevent dust, raindrops or any particle from reaching the device and hindering its proper functioning. In the context of the invention, the protection unit can be implemented with any device of a motor vehicle, and take any form.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, the at least one wave transducer is of the type of an electronic chip configured to be able to generate the waves in question. By way of non-limiting example, the at least one wave transducer is of the type of an electromechanical comb whose electrical polarization makes it possible to generate the waves, so that they propagate in or on the optical surface, in the direction of and / or in the region of optical interest.

[0018] The waves generated by the at least one wave transducer advantageously have a fundamental frequency of between 0.1 MHz and 1000 MHz, preferably between 15 MHz and 30 MHz, for example equal to 20 MHz. Additionally or alternatively, the waves generated by the at least one wave transducer advantageously have an amplitude of between 1 nanometer and 500 nanometers.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the waves generated by the at least one wave transducer are of the ultrasonic wave type. More particularly, the waves thus generated are of the type:

[0020] – an ultrasonic surface wave, i.e. of the Rayleigh wave type, when the optical surface has a thickness greater than the wavelength of the ultrasonic surface wave. Such a surface wave propagates on the surface of the optical surface. A Rayleigh wave is preferred because a maximum proportion of the wave energy is concentrated on the face of the optical surface on which it propagates, and can be transmitted to a body, for example a raindrop, resting on the optical surface. In this case, the surface wave propagates on the optical surface with which the at least one transducer is acoustically coupled, or even preferentially on which it is fixed;

[0021] – of an ultrasonic core wave – or Lamb wave, when the optical surface has a thickness less than the wavelength of the ultrasonic core wave. Such a core wave propagates through the optical surface and makes it possible to “vibrate” the entire optical surface thus crossed by the core wave, that is to say the two optical faces located opposite each other and forming the optical surface.

[0022] Thus, the protection unit according to the invention makes it possible to effectively clean the optical surface by means of wave propagation in said optical surface, such that a body, such as for example a raindrop, in contact with the optical surface, is set in motion by the wave generated by each at least one wave transducer.

[0023] In the context of the present invention, the optical surface may be of any type and fulfill any function with respect to one or more devices intended to emit or capture radiation passing through said optical surface and placed opposite said optical surface. By way of non-limiting example, the optical surface may be an optical lens making up the device(s) through which the radiation passes or a protective surface positioned opposite the optical lens(es) of the device(s). Generally speaking, the optical surface is formed of a material which allows the propagation of ultrasonic waves emitted by the wave transducer, whether they are surface or core waves. By way of non-limiting example, and according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the optical surface is formed of glass in order to promote the propagation of such waves.Additionally, the optical surface, or at least the region of optical interest, is formed from a material transparent to the radiation emitted or captured by the device intended to be associated with the protection unit according to the first aspect of the invention. In particular, the radiation emitted or captured by the device propagates in the optical surface, or at least in its region of optical interest, by transmission and / or refraction and / or diffusion, so that a majority of the radiation arriving from a first side of the optical surface – or at least its region of optical interest – emerges from the other side of the optical surface, at a second side of the optical surface – or at least its region of optical interest.

[0024] In the context of the present invention, the region of optical interest corresponds to a part of the optical surface located opposite the apparatus intended to be associated with the protection unit and said optical surface. The region of optical interest corresponds to the part of the optical surface at which the radiation emitted or captured by the apparatus passes through the optical surface.

[0025] In the context of the present invention, the through-hole passes through the optical surface from one side to the other, in a direction taken in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to a thickness of the optical surface. The through-hole can take any shape. Preferably, the through-hole is circular. A dimension of the through-hole, taken in the plane of the optical surface, is preferably much smaller than dimensions of the optical surface. By way of non-limiting example, the through-hole preferably has a diameter of less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm. A shape and / or a dimension of the through-hole is preferably constant between a first face and a second face of the optical surface at which faces the through-hole opens.

[0026] In the context of the present invention, the apparatus intended to be associated with the optical surface of the protection unit is configured to capture and / or emit radiation. For this purpose, it comprises a sensor and / or an emitter of the radiation. The radiation is for example of the type of electromagnetic radiation, a spectrum of which has wavelengths which may be located in the visible and / or invisible spectrum. By way of non-limiting example, the apparatus is preferably chosen from an optical remote sensing apparatus, such as for example a lidar, a photographic apparatus, a camera, a radar, an infrared sensor and an ultrasonic rangefinder.

[0027] Thus, the protection unit in accordance with the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to facilitate the proper functioning of the apparatus with which it is intended to be associated, since the region of optical interest of the optical surface through which the radiation captured or emitted by said apparatus is cleaned by the wave transducer. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to reduce interference between bodies which would have been present on the optical surface, at the level of the optical regions of interest, and the radiation passing through said optical regions of interest.

[0028] The protection unit in accordance with the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0029] – the at least one through-hole is located at a distance less than or equal to 100 mm from a connection face of the at least one transducer located opposite said at least one through-hole. Preferably, this distance is less than or equal to 50 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 15 mm. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to limit a length along which the at least one electrical wire is secured to the optical surface and thus to limit any unwanted interference;

[0030] - the electrical device to which the at least one wave transducer is intended to be electrically connected is for example of the type of an electrical energy source or of a control unit of the at least one transducer. Thus, in the context of the present invention, the at least one electrical wire connecting the at least one wave transducer to the electrical device is of the type of an electrical power supply wire used to polarize the at least one wave transducer and / or an electrical control wire transmitting an electrical signal used to control an operation of the at least one wave transducer. In the context of the invention, the at least one electrical wire may be of the type of an electrical cable comprising one or more electrical wires braided together and / or arranged inside an insulating sheath. Alternatively, each at least one electrical wire may comprise a conductive element housed in an insulating sheath;

[0031] - the optical surface is transparent with respect to the radiation emitted and / or captured by the device intended to collaborate with the protection unit. This advantageous configuration allows the radiation emitted or captured by the device intended to collaborate with the protection unit to pass through the optical surface without being absorbed or reflected, or in a minority manner compared to the transmission of said radiation through the optical surface. In other words, the radiation emitted or captured by the device propagates in the optical surface by transmission and / or refraction and / or diffusion, so that a majority part of the radiation arriving on a first side of the optical surface emerges on the other side of the optical surface, at a second side of the optical surface;

[0032] - the at least one electrical wire is securely attached to the optical surface. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to prevent the at least one electrical wire from moving during use of the protection unit according to the first aspect of the invention, or even from breaking or being damaged during this use. In the context of the present invention, the at least one electrical wire may be securely attached to the optical surface by any means;

[0033] – preferably, the at least one electrical wire is bonded to the optical surface. In the context of the invention, the at least one electrical wire may be bonded to the optical surface along the entire length of said at least one electrical wire. Alternatively, the at least one electrical wire may be bonded to the optical surface in a non-continuous manner, or even only at its terminations;

[0034] - at one end of the distal through-hole of the at least one transducer, the at least one electrical wire projects relative to the optical surface. In other words, a portion of the at least one electrical wire that extends beyond the through-hole, relative to the at least one wave transducer to which said at least one electrical wire is connected, extends in a direction that is not coplanar with said optical surface taken in the vicinity of the through-hole. In other words, the at least one electrical wire extends, beyond the at least one through-hole formed in the optical surface, at a non-zero angle relative to the optical surface taken at the end of the distal through-hole of the at least one transducer;

[0035] - the at least one electrical wire is held engaged in the at least one through-hole by a means for connecting said at least one electrical wire to said at least one through-hole. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to prevent the at least one electrical wire from moving in the through-hole through which it extends, in order not to introduce vibrations into the protection unit according to the first aspect of the invention and to reduce friction between the at least one electrical wire and the through-hole;

[0036] - the connecting means used to connect the at least one electrical wire to the at least one through-hole is transparent or translucent with respect to the radiation emitted by the device with which the protection unit is intended to collaborate. This advantageous configuration makes it possible not to negatively interfere with the operation of the device with which the protection unit according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to collaborate. By way of non-limiting example, the connecting means comprises an adhesive. The adhesive is introduced into the through-hole in order to connect the at least one electrical wire to said through-hole;

[0037] - the connecting means hermetically seals the at least one through-hole. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to prevent bodies or water or any particle from entering the through-hole. In a particularly advantageous manner, the through-hole, once crossed by the at least one electrical wire, is filled with glue in order to completely and hermetically seal – against air and water and at atmospheric pressure – the through-hole.

[0038] According to a second aspect of the invention, a detection assembly is proposed comprising:

[0039] - a protection unit in accordance with the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements;

[0040] - at least one device configured to capture and / or emit radiation through the region of optical interest of the optical surface.

[0041] In the context of the present invention, the at least one device is located opposite the optical surface, at a distance or against the optical surface, so that the radiation emitted or captured by said at least one device passes through the optical region of interest of the optical surface. Thus, the optical surface of the protection unit forms a protection surface for the at least one device.

[0042] The detection assembly in accordance with the second aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0043] - the at least one device is integral with the optical surface. In this embodiment variant, the at least one device and the optical surface are made immobile relative to each other. According to a first embodiment variant, the at least one device is fixed integrally and directly to the optical surface, the at least one device comprising a fixing member collaborating with the optical surface. By way of non-limiting example, the optical surface can be glued to a front part of the at least one device, or the at least one device can be screwed or snapped onto the optical surface. According to a second embodiment variant, the at least one device is fixed integrally to a support to which the optical surface is also fixed integrally. In this second embodiment variant, the optical surface and the at least one device comprise fixing members collaborating with the support, such as for example fixing screws or fixing clips;

[0044] - according to a first embodiment, the at least one wave transducer is located on a first side of the optical surface opposite a second side at which the at least one device is located. In other words, the at least one device and the at least one wave transducers are located on either side of the optical surface, relative to a direction of propagation of the radiation emitted by the at least one device. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to place the at least one transducer on the side of the optical surface subjected to the projection of raindrops and / or particles and which therefore needs to be cleaned. Thus, in this first configuration, the at least one wave transducer is advantageously configured to generate surface waves in the direction of the optical region of interest;

[0045] - according to a second embodiment, the at least one transducer and the at least one device are located on the same side of the optical surface. In other words, the at least one device and the at least one wave transducers are located on the same side of the optical surface, relative to a direction of propagation of the radiation emitted by the at least one device. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to place the at least one transducer on the side of the at least one device, depending on the available space. Also, in this second configuration, the at least one wave transducer is advantageously configured to generate core waves – or Lamb – in the direction of the optical region of interest and through the optical surface, in order to reach the face of the optical surface which is subjected to the projection of raindrops and / or particles and which therefore needs to be cleaned;

[0046] - according to a first alternative, the at least one through hole is located in an intermediate position between the at least one transducer and the region of optical interest through which the at least one device emits and / or captures the radiation. In other words, relative to a plane formed by the optical surface, the at least one through hole is located between the at least one transducer and the through hole through which the at least one electrical wire extends. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to prevent the at least one electrical wire from passing through the region of optical interest;

[0047] - according to a second alternative, the at least one transducer is located in an intermediate position between the at least one through-hole and the region of optical interest through which the at least one device emits and / or captures the radiation. In this second alternative, the at least one electrical wire connecting the at least one wave transducer to the electrical device extends, from the at least one wave transducer, in a direction opposite to the region of optical interest, so as to prevent the at least one electrical wire from passing through the region of optical interest. As a result, the at least one electrical wire passes through the at least one through-hole in order to place the electrical wire close to the device, and at a so-called inner side, of the protection unit according to the first aspect of the invention, not subject to external projections.

[0048] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a motor vehicle comprising a detection assembly in accordance with the second aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.

[0049] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, in all their possible combinations, the various optional features set out herein.

[0050] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0051] illustrates a schematic electrical profile view of a first exemplary embodiment of a detection assembly according to the second aspect of the invention and comprising a protection unit according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0052] illustrates a schematic electrical profile view of a second exemplary embodiment of a detection assembly according to the second aspect of the invention and comprising a protection unit according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0053] illustrates a schematic front view of a third exemplary embodiment of a detection assembly according to the second aspect of the invention and comprising a protection unit according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0054] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0055] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described can be combined with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

[0056] In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0057] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 3, there is illustrated a protection of an optical surface 10 intended to be associated with at least one device 21 configured to capture and / or emit radiation 23 through a region of optical interest 12 of the optical surface 10, the protection unit 1 comprising:

[0058] - the optical surface 10 comprising at least one through hole 15 formed in the optical surface 10;

[0059] - at least one W wave transducer 13 mechanically coupled to the optical surface 10 and configured to generate a W wave propagating through the optical surface 10, the at least one W wave transducer 13 being intended to be electrically connected to an electrical device via at least one electrical wire 14 connected to the at least one transducer 13.

[0060] FIGURES 1 to 3 also describe a detection assembly 2 comprising:

[0061] - a protection unit 1 as described previously;

[0062] - at least one device 21 configured to capture and / or emit radiation 23 through the optical region of interest 12 of the optical surface 10.

[0063] Each device 21 is located opposite the optical surface 10, at a distance or against the optical surface 10, so that the radiation 23 emitted or captured by the at least one device 21 passes through the optical region of interest 12 of the optical surface 10.

[0064] The region of optical interest 12 corresponds to a part of the optical surface 10 located opposite the device 21 intended to be associated with the protection unit 1 and with said optical surface 10. The region of optical interest 12 corresponds to the part of the optical surface 10 at the level of which the radiation 23 emitted or captured by the device 21 passes through the optical surface 10, as visible on the.

[0065] In the context of the invention, the protection unit 1 comprises one or more W wave transducers 13, each W wave transducer 13 being electrically connected to the electrical device via one or more electrical wires 14. In all cases, each electrical wire 14 passes through the optical surface 10 via one or more through holes 15 provided on the optical surface 10 according to its thickness.

[0066] In the context of the invention, each W wave transducer 13 can be associated with the optical surface 10 in any combination. In particular, as visible in the, the W wave transducer 13 can be located, relative to a mean direction of propagation of a signal 22 emitted or picked up by the apparatus 21 and forming its radiation 23, opposite the apparatus 21 with respect to the optical surface 10, that is to say on a second face 11B of the optical surface 10. Alternatively, as visible in the, the W wave transducer 13 and the apparatus 21 can be located, relative to a mean direction of propagation of the signal 22 emitted or picked up by the apparatus 21 and forming its radiation 23, on the same side with respect to the optical surface 10, that is to say on a first face 11A of the optical surface 10.

[0067] As seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, and in any of the configurations discussed above, the at least one electrical wire 14 extends through the at least one through-hole 15 of the optical surface 10:

[0068] – in the example illustrated on the, the electrical wire(s) 14 associated with the transducer 13 located on the side of the second face 11B of the optical surface 10 first extend against and on said second face 11B, then extend through the through hole 15. At the level of the first face 11A of the optical surface 10, the electrical wire(s) 14 extend projecting from the through hole 15, in the direction of the device 21 associated with the protection unit 1;

[0069] – in the example illustrated on the, the electrical wire(s) 14 associated with the transducer 13 located on the side of the first face 11A of the optical surface 10 first extend against and on said first face 11A, then extend through the through hole 15. At the level of the second face 11B of the optical surface 10, the electrical wire(s) 14 emerge from the through hole 15 and extend on and against the second face 11B, in a direction opposite the optical region of interest 12 of the apparatus 21 associated with the protection unit 1.

[0070] The electrical wire(s) 14 of a W wave transducer 13 pass through the optical surface 10 via a single through-hole 15 or via several through-holes 15, depending on the geometric and space constraints.

[0071] Advantageously, as seen in FIGURES 1 to 3, the through hole(s) 15 are located beyond the transducer 13 with which the electrical wires 14 are associated, relative to a region of optical interest 12 of the optical surface 10.

[0072] Each through hole 15 is located at a distance less than or equal to 100 mm from a connection face 131 of the W wave transducer 13 with which it is associated. The connection face 131 of the W wave transducer 13 is that located opposite the corresponding through hole 15. Preferably, this distance is less than or equal to 50 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 15 mm in order to limit a length along which the at least one electrical wire 14 is secured to the optical surface 10 and thus to limit any unwanted interference.

[0073] Each electrical wire 14 is preferably fixed securely to the optical surface 10 in order to prevent it from moving or breaking during use of the protection unit 1. The electrical wires 14 can be fixed securely to the optical surface 10 by any means, and in particular by gluing.

[0074] The through hole 15 passes through the optical surface 10 from one side to the other, in a direction taken in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to a thickness of the optical surface 10, as visible in FIGURES 1 and 2, that is to say taken between a first face 11A and a second face 11B of the optical surface 10 at the level of which faces 11A, 11B the through hole 15 opens. The through hole 15 can take any shape, and in particular circular as visible in the. A dimension of the through hole 15, taken in the plane of the optical surface 10, is preferably much smaller than dimensions of the optical surface 10. Furthermore, a diameter of the through hole 15 is greater than the diameter of the electrical wires 14 connecting the device 21 collaborating with the optical surface 10.

[0075] In order to prevent the electrical wire(s) 14 from moving in the through hole 15 through which it extends and / or in order to reduce friction between the electrical wires 14 and the through hole 15, the electrical wire(s) 14 are held engaged in the corresponding through hole 15, by any connecting means.

[0076] The connecting means is advantageously transparent or translucent with respect to the radiation 23 emitted by the apparatus 21 associated with the protection unit 1, in a manner analogous or even similar to the optical surface 10. By way of example, the connecting means is an adhesive, hermetically filling each through hole 15 in which the electrical wire(s) 14 extend.

[0077] In the detection assembly 2 according to the invention, the device(s) 21 are associated with the protection unit 1 – and more, particularly with the optical surface 10 – by any means. In particular, the device 21 can be fixed integrally and directly to the optical surface 10, by means of fixing lugs or by direct support. Alternatively, the device 21 and the optical surface 10 can be made integral with each other by means of a common support to which they are each fixed integrally.

[0078] As visible on the, the detection assembly 2 comprises a first device 21 and a second device 21, placed behind the optical surface 10. Each device 21 emits or captures radiation 23 which defines, on the optical surface 10, a region of optical interest 12. For each of the regions of optical interest 12, a W wave transducer 13 is associated with the optical surface 10 in order to generate an acoustic W wave extending in the direction of the region of optical interest 12 and which will allow it to be cleaned.

[0079] For the transducer 13 associated with the left apparatus 21 on the, each electrical wire 14 for driving the W-wave transducer 13 extends opposite the corresponding optical region of interest 12. Furthermore, each electrical wire 14 passes through a through-hole 15 of the optical surface 10 in order to escape towards a lateral edge of the optical surface 10.

[0080] For the transducer 13 associated with the apparatus 21 on the right, each electrical wire 14 for driving the W wave transducer 13 extends opposite the corresponding optical region of interest 12. Furthermore, all the electrical wires 14 pass through a same through hole 15 in the optical surface 10 in order to escape towards a lateral edge of the optical surface 10.

[0081] In summary, the invention relates to a protection unit 1 for an optical surface 10 and a detection assembly 2 associating an apparatus 21 emitting or capturing radiation 23 through a region of optical interest 12 of the optical surface 10. The protection unit 1 further comprises at least one W wave transducer 13 configured to generate an acoustic W wave on or in the optical surface 10 in order to clean the region of optical interest 12. According to the invention, the optical surface 10 comprises at least one through-hole 15 through which electrical wires 14 serving to electrically supply the W wave transducer 13 extend.

[0082] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

A protection unit (1) for an optical surface (10) intended to be associated with an apparatus (21) configured to capture and / or emit radiation (23) through a region of optical interest (12) of the optical surface (10), the protection unit (1) comprising: - the optical surface (10) comprising at least one through-hole (15) provided in the optical surface (10); - at least one wave transducer (13) mechanically coupled to the optical surface (10) and configured to generate a wave (W) propagating through the optical surface (10), the at least one wave transducer (13) (W) being intended to be electrically connected to an electrical device via at least one electrical wire (14) connected to the at least one transducer (13); wherein the at least one electrical wire (14) extends through the at least one through-hole (15) of the optical surface (10). Protection unit (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the at least one electrical wire (14) is fixed integrally to the optical surface (10). Protection unit (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the at least one electric wire (14) is glued to the optical surface (10). A protection unit (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein at one end of the through-hole (15) distal to the at least one transducer (13), the at least one electrical wire (14) projects beyond the optical surface (10). A protection unit (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one electrical wire (14) is held engaged in the at least one through hole (15) by means for connecting said at least one electrical wire (14) to said at least one through hole (15). Protection unit (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the connecting means used to connect the at least one electrical wire (14) to the at least one through hole (15) is transparent or translucent with respect to the radiation (23) emitted by the apparatus (21) with which the protection unit (1) is intended to collaborate. Detection assembly (2) comprising:- a protection unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims;- at least one apparatus (21) configured to capture and / or emit radiation (23) through the optical region of interest (12) of the optical surface (10). Detection assembly (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one transducer (13) is located on a first side of the optical surface (10) opposite a second side at which the at least one device (21) is located. Detection assembly (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one through hole (15) is located in an intermediate position between the at least one transducer (13) and the region of optical interest (12) through which the at least one device (21) emits and / or captures the radiation (23). Motor vehicle comprising a detection assembly (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

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