Wiping mop with a cleaning fluid spray element

Abstract

Wiping mop with cleaning fluid projection element. The present invention relates to a wiping mop (2) for a glass surface (3), comprising a structural element (4), a wiping blade, and at least one nozzle (5). The wiping mop (2) comprises a conduit (15) formed at least partially within the structural element (4) and extending along a principal elongation direction of the wiping mop (2). The wiping mop (2) comprises a projection element (14) fluidly connected to the conduit (15) and formed on the structural element (4). The projection element (14) comprises a projection channel (16) extending along a projection direction of a cleaning fluid jet, the projection direction being oriented at an opening angle of between 3° and 30° relative to the principal elongation direction of the mop. wiping (2). (figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Wiper blade with cleaning fluid projection element

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of optical systems for vehicles, and more particularly relates to a cleaning device for such optical systems.

[0002] Within an increasingly innovative automotive industry, optical systems such as radars, reversing cameras or more recently LIDAR systems, particularly for autonomous vehicles, are in full development. The question of cleaning such optical systems quickly arose, given that the latter must constantly present a clear field of vision to optimally perform their functions.

[0003] Some of these optical systems may be arranged so as to be integrated within a glazed surface of a vehicle or even close to this same glazed surface. The vehicle further comprises a wiping system comprising a wiper blade having in particular the function of wiping the aforementioned glazed surface.

[0004] Automobile manufacturers are in a spirit of continuous improvement of their vehicles. These improvements involve in particular the installation of a cleaning device for an optical system placed at or near a glazed surface swept by a wiping system. Such a cleaning device must preferably be arranged so as to limit as much as possible the additions due to the installation of this cleaning device.

[0005] The present invention provides a solution to this possible improvement by proposing a wiper blade for a glazed surface of a vehicle, comprising at least one structural element, a wiper blade carried by the structural element and at least one end piece arranged at a longitudinal end of the structural element, the wiper blade being configured to bear against the glazed surface, the wiper blade comprising at least one duct formed at least partly in the structural element, and which extends along a main elongation direction of the wiper blade, the wiper blade comprising at least one projection element fluidically connected to the duct and formed on the structural element, the projection element comprising at least one projection channel which extends along a projection direction of a jet of cleaning fluid,the projection direction being oriented at an opening angle of between 3° and 30° relative to the main elongation direction of the wiper blade.

[0006] Thanks to this wiper blade, it is thus possible to carry out a projection of fluid of cleaning against an optical system arranged near the glass surface or within it, said optical system not being arranged on a path of the wiper blade. In addition, integrating the conduit and the projection element at the wiper blade level makes it possible to avoid installing an independent cleaning device which could generate mechanical clutter.

[0007] The structural element of the wiper blade constitutes the body thereof, and in particular makes it possible to mechanically hold the wiper blade despite the mechanical constraints with the glass surface when the wiper blade is in movement for the purpose of wiping the glass surface. The end piece, for its part, participates in holding the components of the structural element together by closing the longitudinal end of the wiper blade.

[0008] The conduit provides a fluid connection between the projection element and a cleaning fluid reservoir. In order to limit the mechanical bulk, the conduit is formed in the structural element so as not to hinder the wiping of the glass surface or harm the aerodynamics of the wiper blade. The projection element, more particularly the projection channel, is arranged at the end of this conduit, outside the structural element. The projection channel makes it possible to direct the projection of the cleaning fluid so that the latter is projected to the optical system that it is desired to clean, and this from the wiper blade.

[0009] The opening angle of between 3° and 30° defines a conical section centered around the main elongation direction of the wiper blade. The projection direction is such that it passes through this conical section formed by the opening angle. The opening angle thus helps to define a projection direction of the jet of cleaning fluid such that the latter can reach and clean an optical surface of the optical system, or a portion of the glazed surface wiped by the wiper blade, the optical system being positioned at the level of said portion.

[0010] According to a characteristic of the invention, the projection direction is oriented according to a trim angle of between -5° and 20° relative to a plane passing through the main elongation direction of the wiper blade and parallel to a plane passing through at least one vertebra constituting the structural element of the wiper blade. The trim angle makes it possible to define a portion of the conical section defined by the opening angle in order to specify the projection direction of the jet of cleaning fluid projected via the projection element. The plane serving as a basis for the trim angle is parallel or substantially parallel to the glazed surface wiped by the wiper blade and passes through an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction having served as a basis for establishing the opening angle.

[0011] The combination of the opening angle and the trim angle makes it possible to establish a specific range of orientation ensuring an optimal projection direction of the optical system that you want to clean.

[0012] According to a characteristic of the invention, the projection channel is produced through a wall delimiting the conduit. In other words, the projection channel corresponds to an opening formed through the material of the structural element of the wiper blade.

[0013] According to another characteristic of the invention, the projection element is attached to the duct. The projection element can be connected to the duct and thus project from the wiper blade in the form of a part independent of the structural element.

[0014] According to a characteristic of the invention, the duct corresponds to a first duct, the wiper blade comprising at least one projection device provided with a second duct and a plurality of projection orifices fluidically connected to the second duct, said projection orifices being distributed along the main elongation direction of the wiper blade. Such a configuration allows the wiper blade to ensure two different projections of fluid, namely a first projection of fluid towards the optical system via the projection element as described previously, and a second projection of fluid via the plurality of projection orifices in order to clean the glass surface wiped by the wiper blade. The cleaning fluid projected by the projection orifices is thus projected against the glass surface and the moving wiper blade subsequently wipes the glass surface.Each conduit can be connected to the same cleaning fluid tank or can be connected to its own cleaning fluid tank.

[0015] According to a characteristic of the invention, the wiper blade comprises a median plane perpendicular to the plane passing through at least the vertebra constituting the structural element of the wiper blade, the projection element being oriented towards a first side of the median plane and the projection orifices being oriented towards a second side of the median plane, the second side being opposite the first side with respect to the median plane. In other words, the median plane is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a plane of elongation of the glazed surface wiped by the wiper blade. The fluid projection jets are thus oriented so as not to interfere with each other.

[0016] According to a characteristic of the invention, the projection orifices are configured to project cleaning fluid onto a wiping zone traversed by the wiper blade, while the projection element is configured to project cleaning fluid onto an additional zone distinct from the wiping zone. As described previously, the additional zone may correspond either to an optical surface of an optical system, said optical surface being independent of the glazed surface, or to a portion of the glazed surface not wiped by the wiper blade, i.e. outside the wiping zone.

[0017] The invention also covers a vehicle wiping system, comprising a wiper blade as described above, an arm ensuring movement of the wiper blade and a cleaning device fluidly connected to the conduit and configured to control the circulation of the cleaning fluid. The arm can for example be set in motion when the glass surface and / or the optical surface of the optical system must be cleaned. The arm then in turn drives the wiper blade in a back and forth movement, the wiper blade being in direct contact with the glass surface and wiping the latter.

[0018] The cleaning device comprises at least the conduit and the projection element described above, as well as the cleaning fluid reservoir also mentioned above. Such a cleaning device is put into operation when a need arises to project the cleaning fluid onto the additional area, i.e. the area where the optical surface of the optical system is arranged, is to be cleaned.

[0019] According to a characteristic of the invention, the cleaning device comprises at least one solenoid valve configured to allow the circulation of the cleaning fluid to the projection element and a control module for said solenoid valve. The control module makes it possible to electronically control the solenoid valve so that it opens or closes. The control of the solenoid valve can be carried out, for example, following a manual command actuated by a user of the vehicle, or automatically, for example at regular time intervals or if dirt is detected in the additional zone.

[0020] When the solenoid valve is open, the cleaning fluid can then circulate within the conduit until it is projected by the projection element. Conversely, if the solenoid valve is closed, the cleaning fluid does not circulate and is therefore not projected.

[0021] According to a characteristic of the invention, the control module is able to open or close the solenoid valve according to a determined angular position of the wiper blade during its movement. In other words, the circulation and projection of the cleaning fluid are only authorized if the projected jet has a projection direction making it possible to reach the additional zone in order to clean the optical system. It is therefore the angular position of the moving wiper blade which determines the moment when the projection element is oriented opposite the additional zone and that it is therefore time to implement a projection of cleaning fluid. The control module therefore receives signals making it possible to define the angular position of the wiper blade and controls the solenoid valve accordingly to said received signals.

[0022] According to a characteristic of the invention, the wiping system comprises an electronically controlled electric motor capable of setting in motion the arm at the end of which the wiping blade is arranged, the angular position of the wiping blade being terminated by the electronically controlled electric motor. The electronically controlled electric motor can be activated when the additional zone and / or the wiping zone need to be cleaned. The arm and by extension the wiper blade are therefore set in motion by the electronically controlled electric motor which, in parallel with the setting in motion, is able to determine the angular position of the wiper blade, and to transmit this angular position to the control module so that the latter can control the solenoid valve to project the cleaning fluid so that it reaches the additional zone.

[0023] According to a characteristic of the invention, the control module is configured to open or close the solenoid valve during an upward phase of the movement of the wiper blade. The projection of the cleaning fluid in the upward phase of the wiper blade is advantageous in the sense that the upward phase movement makes it possible to limit the flow of the cleaning fluid along the glass surface after projection thereof compared to a projection of cleaning fluid carried out in the downward phase of the wiper blade.

[0024] According to a characteristic of the invention, the wiping system comprises a cleaning fluid circuit provided with a cleaning fluid reservoir, a pump configured to circulate the cleaning fluid and a distribution member configured to distribute the fluid to the first conduit and / or to the second conduit, the distribution member comprising a solenoid valve configured to allow the circulation of the cleaning fluid to the projection orifices. Such a configuration is used when the wiper blade according to the invention also has the plurality of projection orifices, and it is therefore necessary to form a separation of the circulation of the cleaning fluid in order to be able to project the cleaning fluid via the projection element or via the projection orifices.

[0025] The cleaning fluid reservoir is as described above and allows the cleaning fluid to be stored. Such a reservoir can, for example, be manually filled by the user of the vehicle. The pump ensures that the cleaning fluid is circulated to the distribution member. The latter allows the cleaning fluid circuit to be divided so that the cleaning fluid can reach the first conduit or the second conduit.

[0026] The solenoid valve may have the same characteristics and functions as the solenoid valve described above, that is to say that it is capable of authorizing or prohibiting circulation towards the second conduit, and therefore towards the projection orifices. When the pump is running and the solenoid valve is closed, the cleaning fluid can then circulate to the first conduit and to the projection element. The cleaning fluid circuit is then arranged according to a first embodiment.

[0027] According to a characteristic of the invention, the solenoid valve is arranged at the level of the distribution member. This is a second embodiment of the cleaning fluid circuit, with the solenoid valve and the solenoid valve which respectively control access to the first conduit and the second conduit.

[0028] According to a characteristic of the invention, the control module is configured to control the pump, the solenoid valve and the solenoid valve according to a determined angular position of the wiper blade during its movement and according to a cleaning need of the wiping zone traveled by the wiper blade and / or the additional zone. The presence of the solenoid valve and the solenoid valve makes it possible to control the projection of cleaning fluid in a coordinated manner with the position of the wiper blade, and to authorize the projection only if cleaning proves necessary. This guarantees saving the cleaning fluid by avoiding projecting the latter unnecessarily, or wasting it by projecting it outside the wiping zone and the additional zone.

[0029] As described above, the control module is able to activate or deactivate the pump, and to open or close the solenoid valve and the solenoid valve relative to the angular position of the wiper blade, which can for example be determined by the previously mentioned electronically controlled electric motor.

[0030] According to a characteristic of the invention, the cleaning device comprises a cleaning fluid reservoir, a first pump and a second pump configured to suck the cleaning fluid stored in the cleaning fluid reservoir, as well as a first pipe fluidly connecting the first pump to the first conduit and a second pipe fluidly connecting the second pump to the second conduit. This is a third embodiment of the cleaning fluid circuit. This third embodiment does not include a distribution member or a solenoid valve and solenoid valve, since each conduit receives cleaning fluid via a source independent of one another. This embodiment thus requires two pumps ensuring the cleaning fluid circuit to the projection element or to the projection orifices.

[0031] According to a characteristic of the invention, the wiping system comprises a control module capable of activating or deactivating the first pump and / or the second pump according to a determined angular position of the wiper blade during its movement and according to a cleaning need of the wiping zone traveled by the wiper blade and / or the additional zone. The operation of the control module is similar to what has been described previously, except that the control module here only controls the operation of the first pump and the second pump according to what must be cleaned and the angular position of the wiper blade.

[0032] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows on the one hand, and from several exemplary embodiments given as indicative and not limiting with reference to the schematic drawings annexed on the other hand, on which:

[0033] [Fig.l] is a general view of a wiping system comprising a wiping blade according to the invention,

[0034] [Fig.2] represents the wiper blade and illustrates a determination of an angle opening a direction of projection of a cleaning fluid via a projection element of the wiper blade,

[0035] [Fig.3] represents the wiper blade and illustrates a conical sector resulting from the determination of the opening angle of the direction of projection of the cleaning fluid,

[0036] [Fig.4] represents the wiper blade and illustrates a determination of an angle of the direction of projection of the cleaning fluid,

[0037] [Fig.5] represents the wiper blade and illustrates a final portion of the conical sector resulting from the determination of a combination of the opening angle and the trim angle,

[0038] [Fig.6] represents a first embodiment of a cleaning device supplying the wiper blade with cleaning fluid,

[0039] [Fig.7] represents a second embodiment of the cleaning device supplying the wiper blade with cleaning fluid,

[0040] [Fig.8] represents a third embodiment of the cleaning device supplying the wiper blade with cleaning fluid,

[0041] [Fig.9] is a diagram showing a plurality of angular positions of the brush wiping.

[0042] In order to describe in detail the characteristics of the wiper blade according to the invention, the trihedron LVT will represent the orientation of the different elements of the detailed description. The longitudinal directions L and transverse directions T correspond to two axes defining a plane parallel to a wiping surface wiped by the wiper blade, while the vertical direction V corresponds to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal directions L and transverse directions T.

[0043] [Fig. 1] represents a wiper blade 2 according to the invention. The wiper blade 2 is in particular configured to wipe a glazed surface 3, for example a windshield of a vehicle, said windshield extending in a longitudinal direction L and in a transverse direction T. The wiper blade 2 comprises a wiping blade, not visible in [Fig. 1], and the function of which is to wipe the glazed surface 3 by being pressed against it. The wiper blade 2 also comprises a structural element 4 which is in particular capable of carrying the wiping blade. The structural element 4 is held by two end pieces 5 arranged at each end of the wiper blade 2.

[0044] The wiper blade 2 is part of a wiping system 1 also comprising an electronically controlled electric motor 6, a shaft 7 and an arm 8. The motor electronically controlled electric motor 6 is capable of driving the shaft 7 in rotation, for example following a manual action by a user of the vehicle, or even in an automated manner, for example following detection of raindrops having deposited on the glazed surface 3. The shaft 7 is thus driven in rotation around an axis parallel to a vertical direction V.

[0045] The arm 8 is fixed to the shaft 7 and is therefore driven by the latter in a back-and-forth movement. The wiper blade 2 being fixed to the arm 8, for example via a connector 9 ensuring the connection between the arm 8 and the structural element 4, the wiper blade 2 is then also driven in a back-and-forth movement and thus wipes the glazed surface 3 thanks to the wiper blade pressed against the glazed surface 3. A wiping zone 10 is shown in [Fig.l] and delimits a part of the glazed surface 3 which is wiped by the wiper blade 2. In order for all or almost all of the glazed surface 3 to be wiped, it is possible to set up another wiping system 1 with a wiper blade 2 responsible for wiping a part of the glazed surface 3 other than the wiping zone 10.

[0046] The vehicle further comprises an optical system 12, which in [Fig.l] overhangs the glazed surface 3. The optical system 12 may be of various types, for example a radar, a reversing camera or a LIDAR system. The optical system 12 comprises in particular an optical surface 13 which must be constantly clean so that the optical system 12 can function correctly.

[0047] The wiper blade 2 according to the invention makes it possible to meet this need for cleaning the optical system 12 by comprising a projection element 14 capable of projecting a cleaning fluid, as well as a conduit 15 formed within the structural element 4 and ensuring the circulation of said cleaning fluid to the projection element 14. In [Fig.l], the projection element 14 comprises a projection channel 16 directly produced through a wall delimiting the conduit 15, but it is possible for the projection element 14 to be attached to the conduit 15. The projection channel 16 guarantees the projection of a jet of cleaning fluid in a projection direction making it possible to reach the optical surface 13 of the optical system 12, which here corresponds to an additional zone 11, distinct from the wiping zone 10 mentioned previously. The determination of an orientation of the projection direction is detailed later.The conditions and means for activating and deactivating the projection of cleaning fluid via the projection element 14 depend in particular on an angular position of the wiper blade 2 and will also be described in detail below.

[0048] [Fig. 2] partially represents the wiper blade 2, and makes it possible to illustrate an opening angle 17 defining at least partially the orientation of the projection direction of the jet of cleaning fluid projected by the projection element 14. The angle opening 17 is between a first angle 18 and a second angle 19, as shown in [Fig. 2]. The first angle 18 and the second angle 19 are established with respect to a main elongation direction 23 of the wiper blade 2, said main elongation direction 23 of the wiper blade 2 being able to be parallel to the longitudinal direction depending on the angular position of the wiper blade 2. The main elongation direction 23 is shown in [Fig. 2] by an axis passing through the projection element 14 of the wiper blade 2.

[0049] The first angle 18 has a value of 3° relative to the main elongation direction 23 of the wiper blade 2 while the second angle 19 has a value of 30° relative to the main elongation direction 23 of the wiper blade 2. The opening angle 17 is thus defined by the difference between the second angle 19 and the first angle 18, or more generally by the difference between the largest angle and the smallest angle. The direction of projection of the jet of cleaning fluid is thus partially defined by the opening angle 17.

[0050] Once the opening angle 17 is established, this defines a conical section 25 as shown in [Fig. 3]. For reasons of simplicity, the conical section 25 is in the form of a circular section defined by dotted lines, but it is indeed a conical section 25 whose dimension varies according to a distance from the projection element 14 and according to the value of the opening angle 17. Note that it is possible in [Fig. 3] to observe the wiping blade 24 of the wiper blade 2 mentioned above and making it possible to wipe the glass surface.

[0051] In order to refine the orientation window of the projection element 14 of the wiper blade 2 according to the invention, it is also possible to determine a trim angle 22, from a third angle 20 and a fourth angle 21, as shown in [Fig. 4]. The third angle 20 and the fourth angle 21, unlike the first angle and the second angle, are determined from a plane 26 passing through the main elongation direction of the wiper blade from which the opening angle is determined. Such a plane 26 is also parallel to a plane passing through at least one vertebra constituting the structural element 4 of the wiper blade 2.

[0052] The third angle 20 has a value of -5°, while the fourth angle 21 has a value of 20°. The attitude angle 22 corresponds to the sum of the absolute values ​​of the third angle 20 and the fourth angle 21.

[0053] The angle of attitude 22 thus makes it possible to delimit a portion of the conical section 25 defined by the opening angle. An example of a delimitation of the window of the direction of projection of the jet of cleaning fluid according to a combination of the opening angle and the angle of attitude 22 is thus illustrated in [Fig. 5], which is represented by a hatched portion.

[0054] Once the orientation of the projection direction has been determined, the projection element is then as defined according to the invention. [Fig. 6] illustrates in detail a first embodiment of the wiping system 1 according to the invention. It is thus possible to observe the wiper blade 2 driven by the arm 8, itself driven by the electronically controlled electric motor 6.

[0055] In [Fig. 6], several new features or alternative features to what is shown in [Fig. 1] are illustrated. Thus, the optical system 12 can for example be at least partially integrated into the glazed surface 3. The additional zone 11 defined previously is then at least partially merged with the glazed surface 3 but is nevertheless still distinct from the wiping zone 10.

[0056] The conduit shown in [Fig. 1] corresponds to a first conduit 27, the wiping system 1 comprising a projection device 29 provided with a second conduit 28 and a plurality of projection orifices 30. The projection device 29 guarantees a projection of cleaning fluid against the glazed surface 3 via the projection orifices 30, more precisely against the wiping zone 10 of the glazed surface 3. The wiper blade 2 as shown in [Fig. 6] is thus structured so as to be able to participate in the projection of cleaning fluid against the wiping zone 10 and against the additional zone 11. The second conduit 28 allows the circulation of the cleaning fluid to each of the projection orifices 30. Just like the first conduit 27, the second conduit 28 is formed within the structural element 4 of the wiper blade wiping 2.

[0057] Once the cleaning fluid has been projected against the wiping zone 10, the wiper blade 2, via the wiper blade, sweeps the cleaning fluid against the wiping zone 10 in order to clean the latter.

[0058] The projection element 14 comprising the projection channel is attached to the first conduit 27, unlike what has been described previously where the projection channel is produced through the wall delimiting the conduit.

[0059] The projection element 14 and the projection orifices 30 are arranged so as to be separated by a median plane 31 of the wiper blade 2, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the glazed surface 3. Thus, the projection element 14 is oriented towards a first side of this median plane 31 while the projection orifices 30 are arranged towards a second side, opposite the first side of this median plane 31.

[0060] The wiping system 1 also comprises a cleaning device 32 whose function is to manage the circulation of the cleaning fluid to each of the conduits 27, 28. The cleaning device 32 comprises the cleaning fluid reservoir 33 mentioned above, as well as a cleaning fluid circuit 34 which ensures the fluid connection between the cleaning fluid reservoir 33 and the two conduits 27, 28 arranged in the structural element 4 of the wiper blade 2.

[0061] The cleaning device 32 comprises a pump 35 arranged within the cleaning fluid reservoir 33. When it is necessary to carry out a projection, whether to clean the wiping zone 10 or the additional zone 11, the pump 35 is started in order to pump the cleaning fluid and circulate it within the cleaning fluid circuit 34. The latter comprises a distribution member 36 which ensures the division of the cleaning fluid circuit 34 into two branches, each of the branches being able to conduct the cleaning fluid to one of the conduits 27, 28 of the wiper blade 2. The cleaning fluid circuit 34 thus comprises a first branch 37 able to circulate the cleaning fluid to the first conduit 27, and a second branch 38 able to circulate the cleaning fluid to the second conduit 28.The first branch 37 and the second branch 38 extend between the distribution member 36 and their respective conduit 27, 28 to which the branches 37, 38 are fluidically connected.

[0062] The distribution member 36 further comprises a solenoid valve 39 whose function is to control the access of the cleaning fluid to the second branch 38. The solenoid valve 39 is thus able to authorize or prohibit access to the second branch 38, and therefore to the second conduit 28 and to the projection orifices 30. The solenoid valve 39 is useful in the sense that it can switch to the open position or to the closed position depending on the need to project cleaning fluid onto the wiping zone 10 to clean the latter. Thus, when it is necessary to project cleaning fluid only onto the additional zone 11, the solenoid valve 39 is closed, while when it is necessary to project cleaning fluid onto the wiping zone 10, the solenoid valve 39 is open.

[0063] The solenoid valve 39 can switch to the open or closed position in order to cause or not the projection of cleaning fluid via the projection orifices 30. In order not to waste cleaning fluid, the projection of the latter depends on the angular position of the wiper blade 2. The cleaning device 32 thus comprises a control module 40 which manages the operation of the pump 35 and the solenoid valve 39 and activates or deactivates them according to the need. For example, the projection of cleaning fluid via the projection element 14 is only done when the latter is opposite the additional zone 11 in order to only project the cleaning fluid against the optical surface 13 of the optical system 12.

[0064] It is understood from the above that the projection of cleaning fluid is dependent on the angular position of the wiper blade 2. Such an angular position is followed by the electronically controlled electric motor 6 responsible for setting the wiper blade 2 in motion. Thus the control module 40 receives signals from the electronically controlled electric motor 6, said signals being relative to the angular position of the wiper blade 2. Depending on the angular position and the need for cleaning of the wiping zone 10 and / or the additional zone 11, the control module 40 controls the pump 35 and the solenoid valve 39 accordingly.

[0065] [Fig. 7] represents a second embodiment of the wiping system 1. This second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except that in addition to comprising the solenoid valve 39, the wiping system also comprises a solenoid valve 41 arranged on the distribution member 36, and which controls the circulation of the cleaning fluid towards the first conduit 27, and therefore towards the projection element 14. The control module 40 is therefore able to also control the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 41, in addition to controlling the solenoid valve 39 and the pump 35. Just as for the first embodiment, the projection or not of cleaning fluid depends on the need to clean the wiping zone 10 and / or the additional zone 11, as well as the angular position of the wiper blade 2 which is transmitted to the control module 40 by the electronically controlled electronic motor 6.

[0066] [Fig. 8] represents a third embodiment of the wiping system 1. Unlike the first two embodiments previously described, the third embodiment does not include a distribution member. Indeed, each branch 37, 38 of the cleaning fluid circuit 34 is completely independent of one another. The cleaning fluid circuit 34 thus comprises a first pump 42 ensuring the circulation of the cleaning fluid in a first pipe 47 to the first conduit 27 and to the projection element 14, and a second pump 43 ensuring the circulation of the cleaning fluid in a second pipe 48 to the second conduit 28 and to the projection orifices 30. The cleaning fluid circuit 34 therefore does not include a solenoid valve or a solenoid valve, the control of the pumps 42, 43 by the control module 40 being sufficient to manage the various possible projections of cleaning fluid.As with the previous embodiments, the control module 40 implements the cleaning fluid projection(s) in particular as a function of the angular position of the wiper blade 2, said angular position being transmitted to the control module 40 via the electronically controlled electronic motor 6.

[0067] [Fig. 9] is a diagram showing a plurality of angular positions of the wiper blade and makes it possible to describe the operation of the control of the projection of fluid onto the additional zone 11 over time when the wiper blade is in motion. The following description is valid for any embodiment described previously.

[0068] According to the example illustrated in [Fig.9], the wiper blade is set in motion in a direction of movement 44. In other words, the movement of the wiper blade is in the upward phase. The upward phase is a preferential phase for the projection of cleaning fluid, because it limits the fallout of cleaning fluid on the glass surface 3.

[0069] In [Fig. 9], a first angular position 45 and a second angular position 46 are shown. The first angular position 45 and the second angular position 46 correspond respectively to the angular position where a projection of cleaning fluid is initiated and to the angular position where the projection of fluid is stopped. These angular positions 45, 46 thus make it possible to precisely project cleaning fluid onto the additional zone 11, via the projection element described previously. Such angular positions 45, 46 are determined as a function of the orientation of the projection direction of the jet of cleaning fluid, which has been described in FIGS. 2 to 5, but also of the dimensions of the additional zone 11 which must be taken into account so that the cleaning fluid reaches the entire additional zone 11.

[0070] It can be seen in [Fig.9] that the first angular position 45 and the second angular position 46 are offset relative to the boundaries of the additional zone 11. Such an offset is due to taking into account the latency between the start-up of the pump and / or the opening of the solenoid valve and the projection of the jet of cleaning fluid. Thus, the first angular position 45 is established so as to anticipate the movement of the wiper blade and thus to project the cleaning fluid so that it reaches the additional zone 11 at the moment when the angular position of the wiper blade is opposite said additional zone 11. The principle is the same for the second angular position 46, which takes into account the latency of stopping the projection of cleaning fluid.

[0071] 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.

[0072] The invention, as just described, achieves the aim it set itself, and makes it possible to propose a wiper blade allowing cleaning fluid to be projected onto an optical system during its movement. Variants not described here could be implemented without departing from the context of the invention, provided that, in accordance with the invention, they comprise a wiper blade in accordance with the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Wiper blade (2) for a glazed surface (3) of a vehicle, comprising at least one structural element (4), a wiper blade (24) carried by the structural element (4) and at least one end piece (5) arranged at a longitudinal end of the structural element (4), the wiper blade (24) being configured to bear against the glazed surface (3), the wiper blade (2) comprising at least one duct (15) formed at least partly in the structural element (4), and which extends along a main elongation direction (23) of the wiper blade (2), the wiper blade (2) comprising at least one projection element (14) fluidically connected to the duct (15) and formed on the structural element (4), the projection element (14) comprising at least one projection channel (16) which extends along a direction of projection of a jet of cleaning fluid,the projection direction being oriented according to an opening angle (17) of between 3° and 30° relative to the main elongation direction (23) of the wiper blade (2). the duct (15) corresponding to a first duct (27), the wiper blade (2) comprising at least one projection device (29) provided with a second duct (28) and a plurality of projection orifices (30) fluidically connected to the second duct (28), said projection orifices (30) being distributed along the main elongation direction (23) of the wiper blade (2), the projection orifices (30) being configured to project cleaning fluid onto a wiping zone (10) traversed by the wiper blade (2), while the projection element (14) is configured to project cleaning fluid onto an additional zone (11) distinct from the wiping zone (10).,

2. Wiper blade (2) according to claim 1, in which the projection direction is oriented according to a trim angle (22) of between -5° and 20° relative to a plane (26) passing through the main elongation direction (23) of the wiper blade (2) and parallel to a plane passing through at least one vertebra constituting the structural element (4) of the wiper blade (2).

3. Wiper blade (2) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the projection channel (16) is produced through a wall delimiting the conduit (15).

4. Wiper blade (2) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the projection element (14) is attached to the conduit (15).

5. Wiper blade (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a median plane (31) perpendicular to the plane passing through at least the vertebra constituting the structural element (4) of the wiper blade (2), the projection element (14) being oriented towards a first side of the median plane (31) and the projection orifices (30) being oriented towards a second side of the median plane (31), the second side being opposite the first side with respect to the median plane (31).

6. Wiping system (1) for a vehicle, comprising a wiper blade (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, an arm (8) ensuring movement of the wiper blade (2) and a cleaning device (32) fluidically connected to the conduit (15) and configured to control the circulation of the cleaning fluid and in which the cleaning device (32) comprises at least one solenoid valve (41) configured to authorize the circulation of the cleaning fluid to the projection element (14) and a control module (40) of said solenoid valve (41).

7. Wiping system (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the control module (40) is capable of opening or closing the solenoid valve (41) according to a determined angular position (45, 46) of the wiper blade (2) during its movement.

8. Wiping system (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising an electronically controlled electric motor (6) capable of setting in motion the arm (8) at the end of which the wiper blade (2) is arranged, the angular position (45, 46) of the wiper blade (2) being determined by the electronically controlled electric motor (6).

Images