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

Abstract

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

Description

[0001] Device for cleaning an optical surface of an optical sensor, detection system and vehicle

[0002] Field of invention

[0003] The invention relates to a device for cleaning an optical surface of an optical sensor of a vehicle, a detection system comprising such a cleaning device and a vehicle comprising such a detection system.

[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 to collect information about the vehicle's environment. However, these optical sensors are particularly exposed to dirt such as dirty water, dust or other types of projections. However, such dirt 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.

[0006] It has been proposed to use devices for cleaning an optical surface of optical elements to remove these contaminants. These cleaning devices project a jet of cleaning fluid onto the optical surface of the optical elements. The jet is directed towards the optical surface by nozzles of the cleaning devices.

[0007] The disadvantage of these devices is that the nozzles are subject to degradation during the manufacturing and assembly process of the devices.

[0008] There is therefore a need for a more robust device for cleaning an optical surface of an optical sensor.

[0009] Statement of the invention

[0010] The aim of the invention is to propose a device for cleaning an optical surface of an optical sensor which is more robust.

[0011] For this purpose, the invention proposes a device for cleaning an optical surface of an optical sensor of a vehicle, the device comprising at least one segment in the shape of an arc of a circle having a cleaning fluid inlet, at least one cleaning fluid circulation channel, capable of being supplied with cleaning fluid by the cleaning fluid inlet, the channel being delimited by a base and a cover, at least one nozzle for diffusing cleaning liquid towards the optical surface from the fluid circulation channel, the at least one nozzle comprising an outlet conduit for the cleaning fluid through the cover and a deflector capable of deflecting the jet of cleaning fluid at a certain angle towards the optical surface, the deflector being at least partially in the cover. More specifically, the cover has a thickness and the deflector is at least partially in the thickness of the cover.

[0012] According to one variant, the deflector is embedded in the cover. More specifically, the deflector is embedded in the thickness of the cover.

[0013] According to a variant, the cover comprises a cavity open towards an upper face of the cover, the conduit opening into the cavity and the deflector being a wall of the cavity.

[0014] According to a variant, the wall of the cavity forming the deflector is inclined relative to the normal to the cover at an angle of deflection of the jet of cleaning fluid towards the optical surface.

[0015] According to a variant, the cavity comprises another wall opposite the wall forming the deflector, said other wall being inclined relative to the normal to the cover at an angle greater than the angle of inclination of the wall forming the deflector.

[0016] According to a variant, the at least one segment comprises a plurality of nozzles with a deflector, the deflectors being able to deflect the jet of cleaning fluid at a first angle or another angle different from the first angle towards the optical surface or are able to deflect the jet of cleaning fluid at the same angle towards the optical surface.

[0017] Alternatively, the nozzle duct is normal to the cover or is inclined relative to the normal to the cover.

[0018] According to a variant, the fluid outlet conduit opens into the circulation channel through a nipple on the cover.

[0019] According to a variant, the at least one segment further comprises at least one lug for fixing the device to the vehicle, the fixing lug(s) being carried by the cover.

[0020] The invention also relates to a detection system comprising an optical sensor of a vehicle and the cleaning device as described previously, the device being configured to clean the optical surface of the sensor.

[0021] According to one variant, the sensor comprises a cylindrical optical surface, the nozzles of the device being adapted to direct the jet of cleaning fluid at different angles onto the optical surface.

[0022] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising the system as described above.

[0023] All of the preferred embodiments and all of the advantages of the cleaning device according to the invention are transposed mutatis mutandis to the present detection system and vehicle, and vice versa. The different embodiments can be taken in combination or considered in isolation.

[0024] Brief description of the figures

[0025] 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: figure 1 is a view of a device and a cleaning system according to the invention; figure 2 is a detailed view of a segment of the cleaning device; figure 3 shows a perspective of a detail of the device of figure 1; figure 4 shows the segment of the device of figure 1 in section.

[0026] 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.

[0027] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0028] The invention provides a device for cleaning an optical surface of an optical sensor of a vehicle. The device comprises at least one circular arc segment having a cleaning fluid inlet and at least one cleaning fluid circulation channel, capable of being supplied with cleaning fluid by the cleaning fluid inlet, the channel being delimited by a base and a cover. The segment also has at least one nozzle for diffusing cleaning liquid towards the optical surface from the fluid circulation channel, F at least one nozzle comprising an outlet conduit for the cleaning fluid through the cover and a deflector capable of deflecting the jet of cleaning fluid at a certain angle towards the optical surface. The deflector is at least partially in the cover. More specifically, the cover has a thickness and the deflector is at least partially in the thickness of the cover.This makes the deflector less protruding outside the cover. The nozzle carrying the deflector is less prone to damage, making the cleaning device more robust.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a cleaning device 10. The cleaning device 10 can in particular be used in a system 11 for detecting a vehicle comprising an optical sensor 12. The optical sensor 12 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. The optical sensor 12 is installed on the vehicle so as to collect information on the frontal, rear and / or lateral environment of the vehicle: the optical sensor 12 is for example installed on the front face and / or on the rear face. The optical sensor 12 is for example a LIDAR, acronym for “light detection and ranging” or “laser imaging, detection, and ranging”.

[0030] The sensor 12 interacts with the environment through an optical surface 13. This may be a protective surface between the optical element and the environment. For example, it may be the surface of a window provided between the sensor and the environment, or a surface of a housing enclosing a sensor (such as a face of a LIDAR housing). The surface may be opaque (in the visible wavelengths). The surface may be transparent to the emission and reception wavelengths of the sensor 12. Also, it is possible to envisage several sensors interacting with the environment through a single optical surface.

[0031] The shape of the optical surface 13 may vary depending on the location and utility of the sensor 12 in the vehicle and depending on the space around the sensor. The optical surface 13 may have rounded portions and other rectilinear portions. According to FIG. 1, the optical surface 13 has a cylindrical shape.

[0032] The device 10 comprises at least one segment 14. The device may comprise a plurality of segments 14, namely two or more segments. According to Figure 1, two segments are shown as an example. For example, the segments 14 may be configured to form an arc of a circle. An arc of a circle is a portion of a curve delimited by two points of this curve; an arc of a circle is a portion of the circumference of a circle with a center and a radius. The arc of a circle defines an axial direction Z which passes through the center of the arc of a circle, a radial direction Y which is along a radius of the arc of a circle and a tangential direction X which is tangential to the portion of the circle of the arc of a circle. The arc of a circle may extend in a plane, a two-dimensional space, but may also have a conformation such that the arc of a circle is partially in a plane and extends in three dimensions.Possibly, at least some of the segments are arcuate, such as the segments of Figures 1 and 2. The optical surface 13 is at least partially surrounded by the device 10 (at least in the portions through which the sensor(s) 12 interact with the environment). The device 10 may have a closed or open shape. The device 10 may have a generally circular shape with the directions X, Y, Z defined above. It is possible to envisage that the segments 14 form an annular structure. The annular structure (of 360°) may have two segments (each segment representing 180°), or three segments (each segment representing 120°), or four segments (each segment representing 90°).

[0033] Figure 2 shows an example of segment 14. Segment 14 has an elongated shape between two ends. Segment 14 is configured to direct a jet 15 of cleaning fluid toward optical surface 13. The segment is configured to follow the shape of optical surface 13. Segment 14 may have a circular arc shape, as defined above. The circular arc formed by segment 14 may extend in three dimensions, segment 14 may have a slope between its ends. In top view, segment 14 remains a circular arc. The shape of the segment may further have sections with other shapes, such as rectilinear or any other shapes, depending on the environment of optical surface 13. Segment 14 adapts to the space around optical surface 13. Segments 14 may have a shape that differs from one segment to another. This makes it possible to adapt to the shape and environment of the optical surface 13.

[0034] The segment 14 comprises a channel 16 for circulating cleaning fluid. The channel 16 of the segment 14 is a hollow and elongated flow conduit, allowing the passage of the fluid for cleaning the optical surface 13. The channel 16 follows the shape of the segment 14. The channel 16 extends over at least part of the length of the segment 14. A channel 16 defines a flow conduit specific to each segment 14. If the device 10 is provided with several segments, the respective channels 16 are independent of each other. This facilitates maintenance of the device 10.

[0035] The segment 14 comprises a cleaning fluid inlet 18. The inlet 18 is connected to a cleaning fluid distribution network and allows the channel 16 to be supplied with cleaning fluid. Each segment 14 of the device 10 comprises its own fluid inlet 18; the segments 14 are then each supplied independently with fluid. The inlet 18 may extend along the Z axis, but another orientation, such as bent, may be envisaged to adapt to the environment of the sensor. The segment 14 comprises a base 20 and a cover 22 delimiting between them the cleaning fluid circulation channel 16.

[0036] The segment 14 further comprises at least one nozzle 24 for diffusing cleaning fluid towards the optical surface. The channel 16 of each segment 14 thus allows the distribution of cleaning fluid towards the nozzle(s) 24 for diffusing the fluid. Four nozzles 20 are shown as an example on the segment 14 of FIG. 2. The segments comprise their own number of nozzles 24, depending on the location of the segments 14 relative to the optical surface 13 and relative to the portion of optical surface 13 to be cleaned. Similarly, the nozzles 24 are distributed on each segment 14 depending on the portion of optical surface 13 to be cleaned.

[0037] Figure 3 shows a perspective of a detail of the device 10. The segment 14 is shown in perspective and in section. The at least one nozzle 24 of the segment 14 comprises a conduit 32 for the cleaning fluid outlet and a deflector 34 capable of deflecting the jet of cleaning fluid at a certain angle towards the optical surface. The conduit 32 allows the cleaning fluid to exit the channel 16 through the cover and to go towards the deflector 34. The deflector 34 is a wall, a surface, making it possible to direct a jet of fluid. The deflector 34 is at least partially in the cover. The deflector 34 is not only integrated into the cover, but in addition, is at least partially in the cover. The cover has a thickness and the deflector 34 is at least partially within the thickness of the cover 22. The deflector extends at least partially inside the cover 22. The deflector 34 extends at least partially (or partly) within the thickness of the cover.The deflector 34 extends at least partly into the thickness of the cover 22 and possibly partly outside the cover 22. The deflector 34 extends at least partly inside the cover 22 and possibly partly outside the cover 22. This makes it possible to protect the deflector 34 by making it less protruding from the cover 22. This makes it possible to protect the at least one nozzle 24 during transport of the segment 14 until its mounting on a vehicle. This also makes it possible to protect any operator handling the segment 14 by reducing the size of the nozzle and therefore the size of any sharp edge of the at least one nozzle 24. Preferably, the deflector 34 is embedded in the cover 22. The deflector 34 is completely in the cover 22. The deflector 34 is embedded in the thickness of the cover 22. The deflector 34 is entirely embedded in the thickness of the cover 22. The deflector extends only (entirely) inside the cover 22.The deflector 34 extends only (entirely) within the thickness of the cover. The cover 22 is flat at the level of the deflector 22. The deflector does not protrude from the upper face of the cover 22. By being absent from the upper face of the cover 22, the deflector 34 is therefore more protected. This makes it possible to protect at least one nozzle 24 during transport of the segment 14 until it is mounted on a vehicle. This also makes it possible to protect any operator handling the segment 14 against potential injury on a sharp edge of at least one nozzle 24. The definition of the packaging for transporting the segment 14 is also facilitated. In addition, this makes it possible to dispense with any protection on the device 10 intended to protect the integrity of the nozzles 24.

[0038] According to Figure 3, the channel 16 is delimited by the cover 22 fixed to the base 20. The channel 16 is supplied with cleaning liquid from the inlet 18. The cleaning liquid is intended to circulate in the channel 16 and to exit the channel via the conduit 32 through the cover 22. The liquid is projected in the form of a jet 15 towards the optical surface 13. The cleaning liquid is projected by the deflector 34 of the nozzle 24, shown as embedded in the cover 22 by way of example - the deflector 34 may be partly projecting from the cover 22. The deflector 34 is a wall defining the angle of deflection of the jet 15 towards the optical surface 13. The angle of inclination of the wall can be determined according to the portion of the optical surface 13 to be cleaned.

[0039] Figure 4 shows segment 14 of device 10 in section. The cover 22 may comprise a cavity 36 open towards the upper face 38 of the cover 22. The conduit 32 opens into the cavity 36. The cavity 16 is a hollow portion of the upper face 38 of the cover 22. The conduit 32 allows the cleaning liquid to be conveyed from the channel 16 inside the segment 14 into the cavity 36 towards the outside of the segment 14. The deflector 34 is a wall of the cavity 36. The angle of inclination of the wall - preferably flat - allows the jet 15 to be directed. The deflector 34 is at least partially in the cover 22 in the sense that the wall defining the deflector 34 extends partly in the thickness of the cover 22, along the hollow portion defining the cavity 36, and partly outside the cover 22, projecting from the upper face 38 of the cover 22.The projecting portion of the deflector 34 is less in the sense that a portion of the deflector 34 is in the cover 22 and allows the jet 15 to be directed at a certain angle from the inside (the thickness) of the cover 22. This allows the deflector 34 - and therefore the nozzle 24 - to be protected during transport and assembly of the cover.

[0040] Preferably, and according to Figure 4, the deflector 34 is embedded in the cover 22 in the sense that the wall defining the deflector 34 extends into the thickness of the cover 22, along the hollow portion defining the cavity 36, without projecting outside the cover 22. The entire wall of the deflector 34 is in the cover 22 and makes it possible to direct the jet 15 at a certain angle from only the inside (the thickness) of the cover 22. This makes it possible to further protect the deflector 34 - and therefore the nozzle 24 - during transport and assembly of the cover. This prevents an operator from any injury because there is no sharp edge projecting from the cover 22.

[0041] The wall of the cavity 36 forming the deflector 34 is inclined relative to the normal to the cover 22 at an angle of deflection of the jet of cleaning fluid towards the optical surface. The normal to the cover 22 may be along the Z axis. The wall is inclined at an angle in the trigonometric direction in Figure 4. The wall of the cavity 36 defining the deflector 34 faces the optical surface 13. The greater the angle of inclination, the more the jet of cleaning liquid is oriented towards the bottom of the optical surface 13 - and vice versa. In the event that the segment 14 comprises a plurality of nozzles 24, the respective deflectors 34 are capable of deflecting the jet of cleaning fluid at a first angle or another angle different from the first angle towards the optical surface. The angle of inclination of each deflector 34 may be different from the others.It is possible to envisage that a portion of the deflectors deflect the jet at a first angle and the other portion of the deflectors deflect the jet at a second angle different from the first. For example, in FIG. 2, two of the four deflectors deflect the jet at a first angle and the other two deflectors deflect the jet at a second angle different from the first angle. It is thus possible to have a portion of the nozzles 24 directing the jet towards the top of the optical surface and another portion of the nozzles 24 directing the jet towards the bottom of the optical surface. Alternatively, all the deflectors of a segment are capable of deflecting the jet of cleaning fluid at the same angle towards the optical surface. Within the device 10, a plurality of segments direct the jet(s) at angles specific to each nozzle 24.

[0042] The cavity 36 may comprise another wall 40 opposite the wall forming the deflector 34. The wall 40 is inclined relative to the normal to the cover 22 at an angle greater than the angle of inclination of the wall forming the deflector 34. This allows the jet of cleaning fluid not to be hindered in the projection towards the optical surface 13.

[0043] The cleaning fluid outlet conduit 32 is positioned in the cover 22 (or in other words in the thickness of the cover) so as to cause the fluid to exit into the cavity 36 in order to direct it towards the deflector 34. The conduit may be along a normal. The conduit 32 is then along the Z axis. This facilitates the manufacture of the cover 22, for example obtained by molding. Alternatively, the conduit 32 may be inclined relative to the normal to the cover, according to FIG. 4. The conduit 32 is then inclined relative to the Z axis. This makes it possible to lengthen the conduit 32 and to reinforce the cover 22.

[0044] The fluid outlet conduit 32 can open into the channel 16 through a nipple 42 of the cover. The nipple 42 is an excess thickness of the internal face of the cover 22, facing towards the inside of the channel 16. This makes it possible to extend the length of the conduit 32. This makes it possible to better guide the fluid jet leaving the channel 16. Thus, the fluid jet is better formed at the outlet of the cover 22. This makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the cover 22 without harming the quality of the jet formed by the nozzle 24.

[0045] The cover 22 may be fixed to the base 20 by welding, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, interlocking, clipping, gluing or screwing. The cover 22 may include ribs 44 urging the base 20 of the channel 16. This makes it possible to reinforce the sealing of the segments 14, and therefore to avoid losses of cleaning fluid. More specifically, the channel 16 is between two ribs 44; the ribs 44 and the channel 16 of the segment 14 may be concentric in an arc of a circle. The base 20 may also include ribs 46 urging the cover 22 to reinforce the sealing. The periphery of the inner and outer cover 22 may further rest on the periphery of the base 20 so as to further increase the sealing of the segments.

[0046] The segment 14 further comprises at least one lug 26 for fixing the device 10 to the vehicle, visible in Figures 1 and 2. The lug(s) 26 make it possible to position the segment 14 in the vehicle, relative to a support. The lug(s) 26 allow precise positioning of the segment 14 relative to the optical surface 13 so that the at least one nozzle 24 of the segment directs the jet 15 of cleaning fluid onto the part of the optical surface 13 dedicated to it. The segment 14 may comprise two lugs 26 for fixing the device 10 to the vehicle. According to Figure 2, a lug 26 is provided at each end of the elongated segment 14. This ensures the stability of the segment 14 and the precise positioning of the nozzle(s) 24 relative to the optical surface 13.

[0047] The at least one fixing lug 26 and the at least one nozzle 24 may be carried by the cover 22. Thus, the same part of the device 10 - the cover 22 - supports the nozzle(s) 24 and the lug(s) 26. The relative position of the nozzle(s) 24 and the lug(s) 26 is determined from the design and manufacture of the cover 22 (for example by molding). There is no intermediate adjustment between the position of the lugs 26 and the position of the nozzles 24. This makes it possible to reduce the chain of dimensions between the fixing of the segment 14 to the vehicle and the relative position of the nozzle(s) 24 with respect to the optical surface 13. The lug(s) 26 allow fixing to the vehicle via a support. This support may also support the position sensor 12 - improving the accuracy of the position of the nozzles 24.

[0048] The invention also relates to the detection system 11 visible in FIG. 1, comprising the optical sensor 12 of a vehicle and the cleaning device 10. The device 10 is configured to clean the optical surface 13 of the optical sensor. According to one embodiment, the sensor may comprise a cylindrical optical surface 13, the nozzles 24 of the device 10 being adapted to direct the jet of cleaning fluid at different angles onto the optical surface.

[0049] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising the detection system 11. The deflector 34 of the at least one nozzle 24 being at least partially in the cover 22, the deflector is better protected against damage, which ensures effective cleaning of the optical surface 13 of the sensor 12. This improves the driving of the vehicle.

[0050] 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

Claims 1. A device (10) for cleaning an optical surface of an optical sensor of a vehicle, the device comprising at least one segment (14) in an arc of a circle having • an inlet (18) for cleaning fluid, • at least one channel (16) for circulating cleaning fluid, capable of being supplied with cleaning fluid by the cleaning fluid inlet, the channel (16) being delimited by a base (20) and a cover (22), • at least one nozzle (24) for diffusing cleaning liquid towards the optical surface (13) from the fluid circulation channel, F at least one nozzle (24) comprising a conduit (32) for the cleaning fluid to exit through the cover and a deflector (34) capable of deflecting the jet of cleaning fluid at a certain angle towards the optical surface (13), the cover (22) having a thickness and the deflector (34) being at least partially in the thickness of the cover.

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

3. The device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (22) comprises a cavity (36) open towards an upper face (38) of the cover (22), the conduit (32) opening into the cavity and the deflector being a wall of the cavity.

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

5. The device according to one of the two preceding claims, in which the cavity (36) comprises another wall (40) opposite the wall forming the deflector (34), said other wall being inclined relative to the normal to the cover at an angle greater than the angle of inclination of the wall forming the deflector.

6. The device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, the at least one segment (14) comprises a plurality of nozzles (24) with a deflector (34), the deflectors being capable of deflecting the jet of cleaning fluid at a first angle or another angle different from the first angle towards the surface optical or are capable of deflecting the jet of cleaning fluid at the same angle towards the optical surface. The device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle duct (32) is along a normal to the cover or is inclined relative to the normal to the cover. The device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid outlet duct (32) opens into the circulation channel through a nipple (42) of the cover. The device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one segment further comprises at least one lug for fixing the device to the vehicle, the fixing lug(s) are carried by the cover. A detection system (11) comprising an optical sensor (12) of a vehicle and the cleaning device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, the device being configured to clean the optical surface of the sensor.The system (11) according to the preceding claim, wherein the sensor (12) comprises a cylindrical optical surface (13), the nozzles (24) of the device being adapted to direct the jet of cleaning fluid at different angles onto the optical surface. A vehicle comprising the system (11) according to one of the two preceding claims.

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