optical surface cleaning device for an optical sensor, detection system and vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a device (10) for cleaning the optical surface of a vehicle optical sensor. The device comprises at least one segment (14) having: a cleaning fluid inlet (18); at least one cleaning fluid circulation channel, adapted to be supplied with cleaning fluid by the cleaning fluid inlet, the channel being delimited by a base and a cover; at least one nozzle (24) for diffusing the cleaning fluid onto the optical surface; and at least one tab (26) for attaching the device to the vehicle. The at least one tab (26) and at least one nozzle (24) are supported by the cover. The device allows for the correct positioning of the at least one nozzle relative to the optical surface. The invention also relates to a detection system and a vehicle. Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for cleaning an optical surface of an optical sensor, detection system and vehicle Field of the invention

[0001] 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. State of the art

[0002] Motor vehicles are increasingly equipped with optical elements, such as optical position sensors. The function of optical position sensors is to collect information about the vehicle's environment, in particular to provide the driver with assistance in driving and / or maneuvering the vehicle. For this purpose, an optical sensor is commonly installed on the vehicle so as to collect information about the vehicle's environment. 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.

[0003] It has been proposed to use devices for cleaning an optical surface of optical elements to rid them of this dirt. These cleaning devices project a jet of cleaning fluid onto the optical surface of the optical elements. However, the nozzles directing the jet are not always correctly positioned and the jet of cleaning fluid is not always correctly directed towards the optical surface. As a result, the optical surface is not correctly cleaned and the operation of the optical sensor is disrupted.

[0004] There is a need for a device for wiping an optical surface of a vehicle optical sensor that solves this problem. Statement of the invention

[0005] The aim of the invention is to propose a device for wiping an optical surface of a vehicle optical sensor making it possible to correctly position a nozzle relative to the optical surface to be cleaned.

[0006] For this purpose, the invention proposes a device for cleaning an optical surface of a vehicle optical sensor, the device comprising at least one segment 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 fluid diffusion nozzle cleaning towards the optical surface, at least one lug for fixing the device to the vehicle, the at least one fixing lug and the at least one nozzle are carried by the cover.

[0007] According to a variant, the at least one segment has the shape of an arc of a circle.

[0008] According to a variant, the device comprises a passage of a fixing member of the cleaning device to the vehicle, the passage being through the fixing lug.

[0009] According to one variant, the device comprises several segments configured to be fixed together by their at least one respective fixing lug.

[0010] According to one variant, the device comprises several segments configured to be fixed to the vehicle independently.

[0011] According to one variant, the segments form an annular structure, the structure having two, three or four segments.

[0012] According to a variant, the at least one nozzle comprises an outlet duct for the cleaning fluid and a deflector directing the jet of cleaning fluid, the outlet duct being in the cover and the deflector being at least partially in the cover.

[0013] The invention also relates to a detection system comprising an optical sensor of a vehicle and a cleaning device as described previously, the device being configured to clean the optical surface of the optical sensor.

[0014] According to one variant, the optical sensor comprises a cylindrical optical surface, the segments forming a structure on at least part of the circumference of the optical surface.

[0015] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising the system as described above, the segment(s) being fixed to a sensor support of the vehicle by the fixing lug(s).

[0016] All of the preferred embodiments as well as 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. Brief description of the figures

[0017] 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:

[0018] [Fig.l], [Fig.l] is a view of a cleaning device and system according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig.2], [Fig.2] is a detailed view of a segment of the cleaning device;

[0020] [Fig.3], [Fig.3] is a detailed view of another embodiment of a segment of the cleaning device.

[0021] The drawings of the figures are not to scale. Similar elements are generally denoted by similar references in the figures. Within the scope 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.

[0022] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0023] The invention proposes a device for cleaning an optical surface of an optical sensor of a vehicle. The device comprises at least one 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 fluid towards the optical surface and at least one lug for fixing the device to the vehicle. The at least one fixing lug and the at least one nozzle are carried by the cover. Thus, the same part, namely the cover of the segment, supports both the nozzle(s) and the lug(s) for fixing to the vehicle. This makes it possible to correctly position the at least one nozzle relative to the optical surface and to correctly direct the jet of cleaning fluid towards the optical surface.Thus the cleaning fluid jet is adjusted by positioning the cover carrying the nozzle(s) directly in relation to the vehicle. As a result, the optical surface is correctly cleaned and the operation of the optical sensor is improved.

[0024] [Fig. 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”.

[0025] 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 wavelengths. and reception of the sensor 12. Also, we can consider several sensors interacting with the environment through a single optical surface.

[0026] 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.l], the optical surface 13 has a cylindrical shape.

[0027] 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 [Fig.l], 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°).

[0028] [Fig.2] shows an example of segment 14. Segment 14 has an elongated shape between two ends. The segment 14 is configured to direct a jet 15 of cleaning fluid towards the optical surface 13. The segment is configured to follow the shape of the optical surface 13. The segment 14 may have the shape of an arc of a circle, as defined above. The arc of a circle formed by the segment 14 may extend in three dimensions, the segment 14 being able to have a slope between its ends. In top view, the segment 14 remains an arc of a circle. The shape of the segment may be other, rectilinear for example or with a rectilinear section and another in an arc of a circle or any shape, and depends on the environment of the optical surface 13. The segment 14 adapts to the size around the optical surface 13. The segments 14 may have a shape which differs from one segment to another. This makes it possible to adapt to the shape and the environment of the optical surface 13.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] The segment 14 comprises a base 20 and a cover 22 delimiting between them the channel 16 for circulation of cleaning fluid. The cover 22 can be fixed on the base 20 by welding, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, clipping, interlocking, gluing or screwing.

[0032] 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.

[0033] The segment 14 further comprises at least one lug 26 for fixing the device 10 to the vehicle. The lug 26 makes it possible to position the segment 14 in the vehicle, relative to a support. In particular, the lug 26 makes it possible to position the segment 14 relative to the optical surface 13. The lug 26 allows 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. In the event of a plurality of nozzles 24 on the segment 14, the lug 26 allows precise positioning of the segment 14 so that each nozzle 24 directs a jet 15 of cleaning fluid onto a respective part of the optical surface 13. The segment 14 may comprise two lugs 26 for fixing the device 10 to the vehicle. According to [Fig.2], a tab 26 is provided at each end of the elongated segment 14.This ensures the stability of segment 14 and the precise positioning of the . or the nozzles 24 relative to the optical surface 13. The shape of the fixing lug 26 depends on the positioning of the segment 14 in the vehicle; the figures show different shapes of the fixing lugs 26.

[0034] The at least one fixing lug 26 and the at least one nozzle 24 are carried by the cover 22. Thus, the same part of the device 10 - the cover 22 - supports the nozzle 24 and the lug 26. The relative position of the nozzle 24 and the lug 26 is determined from the design and manufacture of the cover 22 (for example by molding). The presence of the lug 26 on the cover 22 itself also supporting the nozzle 24 makes it possible to adjust the position of the nozzle relative to the optical surface 13 directly by adjusting the lug 26 relative to the vehicle - or to a support in the vehicle. There is no intermediate adjustment between the position of the lug 26 and the position of the nozzle 24, unlike a conventional segment configuration in which a fixing lug would be carried by a base and a nozzle by the cover.In this conventional segment configuration, the attachment of the cover and the relative adjustment of these two elements have a negative impact on the position of the nozzle relative to the optical surface 13. In the configuration of the segment 14 according to the invention, this makes it possible to reduce the chain of dimensions between the attachment of the segment 14 to the vehicle and the relative position of the nozzle(s) 24 relative to the optical surface 13. The precision of the position of the nozzle(s) 24 on the cover 22 obtained by manufacturing is maintained when the segment 14 is attached in place in the vehicle. In the case of a plurality of segments 14, the tab(s) 26 of each segment 14 carried by the same part as the nozzle(s) 24 allow precise positioning of the nozzles 24. According to [Fig.l], the tab 26 allows attachment to the vehicle via a support 28. This support 28 can also support the position sensor 12 - improving the precision of the position of the nozzles 24.

[0035] The cleaning device 10 may further comprise a passage for a member 30 for fixing the segment 14 to the vehicle. The passage is through the fixing lug 26. Such a passage allows the device 10 to be adjusted in position in the XY plane. The fixing member 30 is for example a screw, a quarter-turn screw or an elastic member of the clip type. According to [Fig. 1], the cleaning device 10 comprises a plurality of segments 14 each comprising a passage for a fixing member 30. The respective passages of two adjacent segments may be crossed by the same fixing member 30. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the fixing of the device 10 to the vehicle - while ensuring the precise positioning of each segment 14 relative to the optical surface 13.

[0036] The device 10 may comprise a plurality of segments 14. The device 10 may comprise two or more segments 14. The segments 14 may be configured to be attached to the vehicle independently. Each segment 14 is attached to the vehicle independently of another successive, adjacent segment. This allows for easy positional adjustment. Alternatively, the segments 14 may be configured to be fixed to each other by their at least one respective fixing lug 26 to the vehicle. Two successive, adjacent segments 14 may be fixed to each other by their at least one fixing lug 26. This allows delivery of the segments 14 in an assembled manner while allowing replacement of a defective segment 14. This further allows precise positioning of the nozzles 24 relative to the optical surface 13.

[0037] The at least one nozzle 24 of the segment 14 comprises a conduit 32 for the cleaning fluid to exit and a deflector 34 directing the jet of cleaning fluid towards the optical surface 13. The conduit 32 is in the cover or, in other words, through the cover 22. The conduit 32 allows the cleaning fluid to exit the channel 16 and to go towards the deflector 34. The deflector 34 is a wall directing the jet of fluid towards the optical surface 13. According to the embodiment of [Fig. 2], the deflector is completely outside the cover 22. [Fig. 3] shows another embodiment of the segment 14. The segment 14 of [Fig. 3] differs from the segment of [Fig. 2] only in that the deflector is at least partially in the cover. This makes it possible to protect the deflector by making it protrude less from the cover. Preferably even, according to [Fig.3], the deflector is completely in the cover. The deflector is embedded in the cover.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 against potential injury on a sharp edge of the at least one nozzle 24.

[0038] The invention also relates to the detection system 11 visible in [Fig.l], 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 optical surface 13 of the optical sensor 12 is cylindrical, the segments 14 forming a structure on at least part of the circumference of the optical surface. The described advantages of the device 10 apply to the system 11.

[0039] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising the detection system 11. The segment(s) 14 are fixed to the vehicle by the support 28 of the vehicle sensor by the fixing lug(s) 26. This allows precise positioning of the nozzles 24 and therefore effective cleaning of the optical surface 13 of the sensor 12. This improves the driving of the vehicle.

[0040] The present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, which are of purely illustrative value and should not be considered as limiting. Generally speaking, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art profession 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 a vehicle optical sensor, the device comprising at least one segment (14) having • a cleaning fluid inlet (18), • at least one cleaning fluid circulation channel (16), capable of being supplied with cleaning fluid by the cleaning fluid inlet, the channel being delimited by a base (20) and a cover (22), • at least one nozzle (24) for diffusing the cleaning fluid towards the optical surface, the at least one nozzle comprising a cleaning fluid outlet conduit (32) and a deflector (34) directing the jet of cleaning fluid, the outlet conduit (32) being in the cover and the deflector (34) being at least partially in the cover (22), • at least one lug (26) for fixing the device to the vehicle, the at least one fixing lug (26) and the at least one nozzle (24) are carried by the cover.

2. The cleaning device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one segment has the shape of an arc of a circle.

3. The device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a passage of a member (30) for fixing the cleaning device to the vehicle, the passage being through the fixing lug.

4. The cleaning device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising several segments (14) configured to be fixed to each other by their at least one respective fixing tab (26).

5. The cleaning device (10) of one of claims 1 to 3, comprising several segments configured to be fixed to the vehicle independently.

6. The device (10) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the segments form an annular structure, the structure having two, three or four segments.

7. A detection system (11) comprising an optical sensor (12) of a vehicle and a cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, the device being configured to clean the optical surface

8. (13) of the optical sensor. The system (11) according to the preceding claim, in which the optical sensor (12) comprises a cylindrical optical surface (13), the segments (14) forming a structure on at least part of the circumference of the optical surface.

9. A vehicle comprising the system (11) according to one of the two preceding claims, the segment(s) (14) being fixed to a sensor support (28) of the vehicle by the fixing lug(s) (26).

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