System for spraying a liquid onto an optical surface

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for spraying a washing fluid onto an optical surface (19), the spraying system (1) comprising a cavity delimited by a base (12) and by a cover (11), a spraying device (14) designed to spray the washing fluid formed of a mixture of air and liquid onto the optical surface (19), an opening arranged at a low point in the cavity for discharging excess liquid in the cavity out of the cavity, in particular outside the phases of use of the spraying system (1), and a member for blocking the opening designed to (i) obstruct the opening when there is no liquid in the cavity, and (ii) allow the liquid to be discharged through the opening when there is liquid in the cavity.

Description

system for projecting a liquid onto an optical surface

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of cleaning optical surfaces, particularly of the type found opposite sensors on board a motor vehicle or associated with lighting and / or signaling devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for projecting a liquid onto an optical surface.

[0002] In the state of the art, numerous devices are known for removing dirt present on glass surfaces or on optical surfaces. Such dirt takes, for example, the form of dust, dried mud particles or greasy films. This dirt, when present on an optical surface, hinders the good vision of an observer looking at his environment through the optical surface or the proper functioning of a sensor configured to emit or receive radiation through the optical surface.

[0003] To clean dirt accumulated on a motor vehicle windshield, a washing liquid is sprayed onto the windshield, then said sprayed washing liquid is spread by a back-and-forth movement of one or more wiper blades applied to the windshield. The friction of the wiper blades on the windshield removes the dirt dispersed in the washing liquid from the optical surface.

[0004] In the field of cleaning assemblies applied to sensors on board a motor vehicle or to its lighting and / or signaling devices, the use of a system for spraying a fluid onto the optical surface is known. The spray system can spray washing liquid, air or simultaneously the washing liquid and air in order to form a pressurized blade which is projected onto the optical surface, thus contributing to better detachment of the dirt present on said optical surface.

[0005] In such known cleaning assemblies, it happens that liquid, which may be washing liquid if the spraying system comprises a liquid nozzle or rainwater, may enter the spraying system, or for example the air blowing nozzle. This unwanted introduction of water or washing liquid into the spraying system and in particular into the air blowing nozzle may lead to a malfunction of such known cleaning assemblies. Indeed, the presence of water or washing liquid in the air projection nozzle, or in an air circuit of such known cleaning assemblies, may lead to an increase in an air blowing flow rate – due to the presence of water or washing liquid in the circuit, then leading to excessive spraying on the glass surface.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to propose a new system for projecting a washing fluid in order to at least partially address the above problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0007] Another aim of the invention is to make the operation of such a projection system more reliable and robust.

[0008] Another aim of the invention is to provide better evacuation of unwanted liquid in such a projection system, without human intervention.

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

[0010] Another aim of the invention is to propose such a projection system at a lower cost.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a system for projecting a fluid onto an optical surface, the projection system comprising:

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

[0013] - a fluid inlet intended to put a supply conduit into fluid communication with the cavity;

[0014] – a spraying device configured to be able to project the fluid onto the optical surface;

[0015] – an orifice made at a low point in the cavity;

[0016] – an orifice obstruction member configured to (i) obstruct the orifice in the absence of liquid in the cavity, the obstruction member then being configured in a closed position and (ii) allow the evacuation of liquid through the orifice, in the presence of liquid in the cavity, the obstruction member then being configured in an open position.

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

[0018] According to one aspect, the projection system comprises an inlet for a second fluid intended to put a supply conduit into fluid communication with the cavity (120), the second fluid being different from the fluid, called the first fluid.

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

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the projection system is configured to be able to project the fluid onto the optical surface. The projection system comprises a spray system which can, for example, nebulize the washing fluid, or form a mist of the washing fluid, or accelerate and shape the liquid into a blade of cleaning fluid which can be applied to the optical surface. Generally, the projection system can mix the liquid and air to form the washing fluid which is then projected onto the optical surface.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, the cavity forms a concave surface allowing temporary retention of liquid. The cavity makes it possible in particular to more easily bring together the air and the liquid used to form the washing fluid. In the context of the invention, the base and the cover together delimit a hollow housing, a part of which said housing forms the cavity. The cavity is preferably associated with the base, that is to say formed on or by the base itself. The base comprises, for example, peripheral rims which extend projecting relative to a bottom surface, thus forming the cavity. Advantageously, the base and the cover are attached and fixed integrally to each other, for example by snap-fastening or by any fixing means.

[0022] In the context of the present invention, the air inlet forms an opening opening into the cavity and through which air can be introduced into said cavity. The air is preferably conveyed by an air supply duct coupled to the cavity – through the air inlet – by a coupling member. In the context of the present invention, the coupling member is configured to allow mechanical and fluidic coupling with the air supply duct. The air supply duct is intended to convey the air to the projection system according to the invention, via the coupling member. The coupling member comprises for example a male end piece configured to couple with a female end of the air supply duct, or the coupling member comprises a female end piece configured to couple with a male end of the air supply duct. The coupling member opens into the cavity.The coupling member is integral with the base or the cover of the projection system according to the invention. The coupling member is integral with the air inlet.

[0023] In the context of the present invention, the liquid inlet forms an opening opening into the cavity and through which a liquid can be introduced into said cavity. The liquid is preferably conveyed by a liquid supply conduit coupled to the cavity – through the liquid inlet – by a coupling element. In the context of the present invention, the coupling element is configured to allow mechanical and fluidic coupling with the liquid supply conduit. The liquid supply conduit is intended to convey said liquid to the projection system according to the invention, via the coupling element. The coupling element comprises for example a male end piece configured to couple with a female end of the liquid supply conduit, or the coupling element comprises a female end piece configured to couple with a male end of the liquid supply conduit.The coupling element opens into the cavity. The coupling element is integral with the base or the cover of the projection system according to the invention. The coupling element is integral with the liquid inlet.

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

[0025] In the context of the present invention, the orifice takes the form of a hole opening right through the cavity, i.e. the base and / or the cover. The orifice is preferably oriented in such a way that the liquid can flow through said orifice and to an outlet face located outside the cavity by simple gravity flow.

[0026] In the context of the present invention, the obstruction member allows, depending on its configuration, to close or release the orifice. The obstruction member thus allows to authorize or prohibit a flow of liquid through the orifice, depending on its configuration. In the context of the invention, the obstruction member switches from its closed position to its open position without human intervention and, preferably, without electronic control.

[0027] In the context of the present invention, the liquid is preferably water or comprises water. Generally, the liquid is of the type of washing liquid such as is commonly used in the automotive field for cleaning optical surfaces.

[0028] Thus, the projection system in accordance with the first aspect of the invention makes its operation more reliable and robust, by offering, at lower cost, better evacuation of the liquid temporarily stagnating in the cavity of such a projection system, without human intervention.

[0029] As a result, the projection system according to the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to reduce the risks of failure and the frequency of maintenance operations.

[0030] The projection system 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:

[0031] - the orifice obstruction member takes the form of a float plug configured to be able to float on the liquid in the event of the presence of liquid in the cavity. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to automatically free access to the orifice in order to allow the liquid present in the cavity to flow through the orifice and thus allow automatic and spontaneous evacuation of said liquid from the cavity.

[0032] - for this purpose, the obstruction member has a density lower than that of the liquid. In the case where the liquid is water, a density of the obstruction member is less than 1. By way of non-limiting example, the obstruction member is formed from one or more materials chosen from, in particular, plastics, polystyrenes, woods, so that a density of said obstruction member is lower than that of water;

[0033] - the orifice is delimited by a counterbore forming an inclined, or even conical, surface complementary to the shape of the obstruction member. In other words, a peripheral contour of the obstruction member is complementary or analogous or identical to a part of the counterbore, so as to allow a coupling of complementary shapes between said counterbore and said obstruction member;

[0034] - preferably, the obstruction member has a spherical or conical shape. At a minimum, one end of the obstruction member proximal to the orifice of the cavity located opposite has a spherical or conical shape in order to facilitate occlusion of said cavity when the obstruction member is configured in its closed position. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to allow a peripheral contour of the obstruction member to collaborate more easily and in a complementary manner with a similar shape of the orifice formed in the cavity, thus making it possible to effectively obstruct the cavity;

[0035] - the obstruction member comprises a retaining device configured to keep said obstruction member close to the orifice. By proximity, it is understood that the retaining device makes it possible to keep the obstruction member in the direct vicinity of the orifice, so that said obstruction member can collaborate again, easily and quickly, with the orifice in the event of the future appearance of fluid in the cavity;

[0036] - preferably, the retaining device is configured to keep the obstruction member coaxial with the orifice provided in the cavity. In other words, the retaining device is configured on the one hand to axially center the obstruction member with the orifice, and on the other hand to allow coaxial movement of the obstruction member with respect to the orifice to move from the closed position to the open position;

[0037] – the retaining device comprises an openwork cage housing the obstruction member, the openwork cage allowing movement of the obstruction member in said openwork cage and in line with the cavity. By openwork cage, it is understood that peripheral walls of the openwork cage are not solid. Conversely, the peripheral walls delimiting the openwork cage and inside which the obstruction member is held comprise at least one opening so as to allow circulation of the fluid through said at least one opening;

[0038] - advantageously, the openwork cage forming the retaining device extends between the base and the cover of the cavity;

[0039] - the orifice is located near the fluid inlet, for example the air inlet, and at a distance from the spraying device. In other words, the air inlet is located near the low point of the cavity, while the spraying device is located at a distance from the low point of said cavity. A distance between the fluid inlet and the low point is therefore less than a distance taken between the spraying device and said low point;

[0040] - the base comprises a groove formed between the spraying device and the liquid inlet, the groove being oriented towards the orifice. In other words, a direction and / or a slope of the groove is oriented towards the orifice and the low point of the cavity, so as to allow a gravitational flow of the liquid contained in the cavity towards said orifice. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to prevent the liquid present in the cavity from flowing through the liquid inlet and towards the coupling member of the air supply duct.

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

[0042] - a projection system according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements, the projection system being configured to be able to project a fluid onto the optical surface;

[0043] - an air supply duct coupled to the air inlet of the projection system via a coupling member.

[0044] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, in all their possible combinations, the various optional features set out herein.

[0045] 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:

[0046] illustrates the integration of an exemplary embodiment of a projection system in accordance with the first aspect of the invention with regard to an optical surface to be cleaned;

[0047] illustrates a detail view of a cover forming the projection system illustrated in the;

[0048] illustrates a first detailed and perspective view of the base of the projection system illustrated on the;

[0049] illustrates a second detailed and perspective view of the base of the projection system illustrated in the;

[0050] illustrates a schematic and sectional view of an obstruction member of the orifice present in the cavity of the projection system illustrated in the, when said orifice is closed by said obstruction member;

[0051] illustrates a schematic and sectional view of an obstruction member of the orifice present in the cavity of the projection system illustrated in the, when said orifice is opened by said obstruction member.

[0052] 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.

[0053] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described can be combined with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

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

[0055] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 6, the invention relates to a system 1 for projecting a washing fluid onto an optical surface 19, the projection system 1 comprising, in this exemplary embodiment:

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

[0057] - a coupling member 13 to an air supply duct 15, the coupling member 13 placing the air supply duct 15 in fluid communication with the cavity 120;

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

[0059] - a coupling element 20 to a liquid supply conduit 15, the coupling element 20 placing the liquid supply conduit 15 in fluid communication with the cavity 120;

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

[0061] - a spraying device 14 configured to be able to project onto the optical surface 19 the washing fluid formed by a mixture of air and liquid;

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

[0063] - an obstruction member 16 of the orifice 123 configured to (i) obstruct the orifice 123 in the absence of liquid in the cavity 120, the obstruction member 16 then being configured in a closed position and (ii) authorize the evacuation of the liquid 18 through the orifice 123, in the presence of liquid in the cavity 120, the obstruction member 16 then being configured in an open position.

[0064] The optical surface 19 may be flat or curved, oriented in any direction. The projection system 1 is placed in direct proximity to the optical surface 19 to be cleaned, facing it. Of course, in order not to be placed directly facing the optical surface 19 so as not to hinder the operation of any sensor or device placed behind the optical surface 19, the projection system 1 is preferably placed at a peripheral edge 122 of the optical surface 19, so that the projected washing fluid reaches the optical surface 19.

[0065] Thus, the projection system 1 makes it possible to efficiently project the washing fluid onto the optical surface 19. The projection system 1 is a spray system making it possible to nebulize the washing fluid, or to form a mist of the washing fluid, or to accelerate and shape the liquid in the form of a blade of cleaning fluid which can be applied to the optical surface 19. Generally speaking, the projection system 1 mixes a liquid with air to form the washing fluid, which is then projected onto the optical surface 19.

[0066] As visible in the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the projection system 1 is mainly formed of two main parts assembled together in order to form the cavity 120 used for mixing the liquid with the air to form the washing fluid:

[0067] – cover 11, visible on the, and

[0068] – base 12, visible in FIGURES 3 and 4.

[0069] The cover 11 takes the form of a closing part which makes it possible to completely cover the base 12. The cover 11 is thus placed in abutment against peripheral walls 171 of the base 12. In order to facilitate assembly and to allow a sealed assembly with regard to the operation of the projection system 1, the cover 11 comprises a peripheral sidewall 111 which extends all around said cover 11, and the base 12 comprises a peripheral groove 121 which extends along the peripheral walls 171. The dimensions, shapes and location of the sidewall 111 and the peripheral groove 121 make it possible, during assembly of the cover 11 on the base 12, to engage the sidewall 111 in the peripheral groove 121. This advantageous configuration allows centering of the cover 11 and the base 12, and also contributes to a complementarity of shape which leads to sealing.

[0070] Cleverly, an O-ring may be placed in the groove or at the rim 111 to optimize the tight connection between the cover 11 and the base 12. The cover 11 and the base 12 may be assembled to each other by a mounting method that achieves a seal between these two components, such as gluing or ultrasonic welding. It could also be envisaged that an O-ring and such a mounting method are used in combination.

[0071] Of course, the objective here is to allow operation of the projection system 1 without loss of washing fluid at the support surface between the cover 11 and the base 12.

[0072] The spraying device 14 takes the form of a longitudinal slot 141 formed on a protrusion 142 formed on the cover 11. The longitudinal slot 141 has a rectangular shape so that the fluid projected onto the optical surface 19 takes the form of a large comb. By large width, it is meant here that the width of said washing fluid comb is at least equal to one dimension of the optical surface 19 to be cleaned.

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

[0074] As mentioned above, the washing fluid is established from a liquid and a pressurized air flow conveyed into the cavity 120. Mixed with each other, they form the washing fluid which is projected out of the cavity 120 via the spraying device 14 and the associated slot 141. An internal geometry of the cavity 120, delimited by the peripheral walls 171 of the base 12, by a bottom wall 126 of the base 12 and by the cover 11, makes it possible to direct the air conveyed into the cavity 120 by the air supply duct 15 and by the liquid supply duct 15.

[0075] In order to allow the liquid and the air to be mixed in the cavity 120, each air supply duct 15 opens through an opening 125 into said cavity 120. The opening 125 thus forms the air inlet 1251. As a reminder, the liquid is conveyed into the cavity 120 via a liquid supply duct 15 opening through a port 124 into the cavity and forming the liquid inlet 1241.

[0076] A major technical problem solved by the invention lies in the evacuation of liquid, for example water 18 present in the cavity 120, from said cavity 120, via the orifice 123 provided on one of the walls delimiting the cavity 120. The orifice 123 forms a hole opening right through into the cavity 120. The orifice 123 is formed on and through the base 12 and / or on and through the cover 11. The orifice 123 is preferably oriented in such a way that the liquid 18 can flow through said orifice 123 and out of the cavity 120 by simple gravity flow.

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

[0078] The orifice 123 is located near the opening 125 associated with the coupling member 13 of the air supply duct 15 – forming the air inlet 1251 – and at a distance from a light 124 – forming the liquid inlet 1241 – putting the cavity 120 into communication with the liquid spraying device 14. In other words, the coupling member 13 of the air supply duct 15 is located near the low point of the cavity 120, while the light 124 associated with the liquid spraying device 14 is located at a distance from the low point of said cavity 120. In other words again, the air inlet 1251 is located near the low point of the cavity 120, while the liquid inlet 1241 is located at a distance from the low point of said cavity 120.

[0079] Generally speaking, the low point is the area of ​​the cavity 120 - of the base 12 or of the cover 11 - towards which the liquid 18 contained in any point of the cavity 120 flows. The low point is thus formed by the area of ​​the cavity 120 placed lowest relative to a vertical axis, in the given orientation of the projection system 1 when said projection system 1 is mounted on the motor vehicle that it is intended to equip, so that the liquid 18 can flow into the cavity 120, onto the base 12 and / or onto the cover 11 by simple gravity flow to said low point.

[0080] Optionally, as shown schematically in the, the wall delimiting the cavity 120 and on which the low point is located, that is to say on which the orifice 123 is arranged, comprises a groove 127 whose slope is oriented in the direction of the orifice 123 in order to drain towards the orifice 123 all the liquid 18 which would be contained in the cavity 120. In this case, in a particularly advantageous manner, the groove 127 extends peripherally to the opening in communication with the air supply duct 15, so as to prevent a flow of the liquid 18 in said supply duct 15. Thus, the groove 127 follows a rectilinear or curvilinear profile, comprising one or more segments located in the respective extension of a preceding segment, so as to form a flow channel for the liquid 18 towards the orifice 123.The groove 127 is provided on one or more of the walls delimiting the cavity 120, depending on the orientation of the projection system 1 and the location of the low points.

[0081] FIGURES 5 and 6 schematically illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the obstruction member 16 on board the projection system 1 according to the invention. For optimal operation, the obstruction member 16 makes it possible, depending on its configuration, to close or release the orifice 123 in order to respectively prohibit – as shown in the – or authorize – as shown in the – a flow of liquid 18 through the orifice 123, depending on its configuration. In the context of the invention, the obstruction member 16 switches from its closed position to its open position without human intervention and, preferably, without electronic control.

[0082] In particular, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6, the obstruction member 16 switches from its closed configuration –– to its open configuration –– by simple effect of gravity and Archimedes' thrust in the event of the presence of liquid 18 in the cavity 120, or at least in the vicinity of the orifice 123. In the example illustrated, the obstruction member 16 takes the form of a float plug configured to be able to float on the liquid 18 in the event of the presence of liquid 18 in the cavity 120. In other words, the obstruction member 16 has a density lower than that of the liquid, for example water 18, i.e. a density of the obstruction member 16 is less than 1.By way of non-limiting example, the obstruction member 16 is formed from one or more materials chosen from, in particular, plastics, polystyrenes, woods or a hollow and therefore buoyant body, so that a density of said obstruction member 16 is less than that of the liquid 18.

[0083] Thus, as shown in the, in the event of the absence of liquid 18 in the cavity 120 and in particular at its low point, then the float plug forming the obstruction member 16 rests on the corresponding wall of the cavity 120, opposite the orifice 123. A shape and a dimension of the float plug forming the obstruction member 16 are such that, in this closing configuration, said obstruction member 16 completely obstructs the orifice 123.

[0084] On the other hand, as shown in the, in the event of the presence of liquid 18 in the cavity 120 and in particular at its low point, then the float plug forming the obstruction member 16 is lifted by the effect of Archimedes' thrust out of the corresponding wall of the cavity 120, opposite the orifice 123, thus freeing access to said orifice 123 and allowing the liquid 18 to flow therein in order to empty the cavity 120 of the liquid 18. The flow of the liquid 18 out of the cavity 120, through the orifice 123, is shown in the by arrows.

[0085] This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to automatically release, without human intervention and without electronic control, in an absolutely passive manner, access to the orifice 123 in order to allow the liquid 18 present in the cavity 120 to flow through the orifice 123 and thus allow automatic and spontaneous evacuation of the liquid 18 from the cavity 120.

[0086] In order to maintain the obstruction member 16 – and the float plug – opposite the orifice 123 and in order to prevent it from moving away from it due to the flow of the liquid 18, the obstruction member 16 comprises a retaining device 17 configured to maintain said obstruction member 16 in proximity to the orifice 123. By proximity, it is understood that the retaining device 17 makes it possible to maintain the obstruction member 16 in the direct vicinity of the orifice 123, or even opposite said orifice 123, that is to say vertically, so that said obstruction member 16 can collaborate again, easily and quickly, with the orifice 123 in the event of the future appearance of the liquid 18 in the cavity 120. Preferably, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, the retaining device 17 is configured to maintain the obstruction member 16 coaxially with respect to the orifice 123 formed in the cavity 120.

[0087] The retaining device 17 comprises an openwork cage forming a housing 173 for the obstruction member 16, the openwork cage allowing movement of the obstruction member in said openwork cage and in line with the cavity 120. The openwork cage comprises peripheral walls 171 and an upper wall 172 which surround the obstruction member 16, preferably with clearance. In order to allow the liquid 18 to flow into the openwork cage, the peripheral walls 171 and / or the upper wall 172 are not solid. Conversely, the peripheral walls 171 and / or the upper wall 172 delimiting the openwork cage and inside which the obstruction member 16 is held comprise openings, not visible in FIGURES 5 and 6.

[0088] Alternatively, according to a non-illustrated embodiment, it is also possible to configure the projection system 1 so that the upper wall 172 is constituted, at least partially, by the underside of the cover 11.

[0089] In summary, the invention relates to a system 1 for projecting a washing fluid onto an optical surface 19, the projection system 1 comprising a cavity 120 delimited by a base 12 and by a cover 11, a spraying device 14 configured to be able to project onto the optical surface 19 the washing fluid formed by a mixture of air and liquid, an orifice 123 formed at a low point of the cavity 120 making it possible to evacuate from said cavity 120 an excess of liquid present in the cavity 120, in particular outside the phases of use of the projection system 1, and an obstruction member 16 of the orifice 123 configured to (i) obstruct the orifice 123 in the absence of liquid in the cavity 120, and (ii) allow the evacuation of the liquid 18 through the orifice 123, in the event of the presence of liquid 18 in the cavity 120.

[0090] 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

System (1) for projecting a fluid onto an optical surface (19), the projection system (1) comprising: - a cavity (120) delimited by a base (12) and by a cover (11); - a fluid inlet (1251) intended to put a supply conduit (15) into fluid communication with the cavity (120); - a spraying device (14) configured to be able to project the fluid onto the optical surface (19); - an orifice (123) formed at a low point of the cavity (120); - an obstruction member (16) of the orifice (123) configured to (i) obstruct the orifice (123) in the absence of liquid in the cavity (120), the obstruction member (16) then being configured in a closed position and (ii) allow the evacuation of the liquid (18) through the orifice (123), in the event of the presence of liquid in the cavity (120), the obstruction member (16) then being configured in an open position. Projection system (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the obstruction member (16) has a density lower than that of the liquid. Projection system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the orifice (123) is delimited by a counterbore forming a conical surface complementary to the shape of the obstruction member (16). Projection system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the obstruction member (16) comprises a retaining device (17) configured to maintain said obstruction member (16) in proximity to the orifice (123). Projection system (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the retaining device (17) is configured to keep the obstruction member (16) coaxial with respect to the orifice (123) formed in the cavity (120). Projection system (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the retaining device (17) comprises an openwork cage housing the obstruction member (16), the openwork cage allowing movement of the obstruction member (16) in said openwork cage and in line with the cavity (120). A spraying system (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the orifice (123) is located close to the fluid inlet (1251) and remote from the spraying device (14). Spraying system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the base (12) comprises a groove (127) formed between the fluid (18) spraying device (14) and the air inlet (1251), the groove (127) being oriented towards the orifice (123). Projection system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an inlet for a second fluid (1241) intended to put a supply conduit (15) into fluid communication with the cavity (120), the second fluid being different from the fluid, called the first fluid. An assembly for cleaning an optical surface (19) comprising:- a projection system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the projection system (1) being configured to be able to project a fluid onto the optical surface (19);- an air supply duct (15) coupled to the air inlet (1251) via a coupling element (20).

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