Device for cleaning a detection surface of a detection device
The cleaning device addresses the challenges of high costs, energy consumption, and limited miniaturization by using a fan-generated air flow, enabling continuous and efficient cleaning of detection surfaces with reduced energy use and improved integration.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023003840
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-04-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-20
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-04-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing cleaning devices for detection surfaces of motor vehicle detection devices face challenges such as high manufacturing costs due to rigid design requirements, significant energy consumption, limited miniaturization potential, and inefficient operation due to compressor limitations.
A cleaning device with a base and separate fluid conduits for a cleaning liquid and an air flow, where the air flow is generated by a fan rather than a compressor, allowing for continuous operation, reduced energy consumption, and easier integration with detection devices.
The solution enables continuous cleaning of detection surfaces, reduces energy consumption, facilitates easier integration with detection devices, and allows for a centralized and remote architecture for air flow production, while also lowering manufacturing costs.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Device for cleaning a detection surface of a detection device
[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of systems for cleaning detection devices of a motor vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a cleaning device projecting both a cleaning liquid and an air flow onto a detection surface of a detection device.
[0002] In the state of the art, the use of numerous detection devices deployed on motor vehicles is known and making it possible to detect a near or distant environment around the motor vehicle. Such detection devices are used for example to help or assist the driver during maneuvers, for example to park his motor vehicle, or to detect the presence of another vehicle located in a blind spot when overtaking, to detect a crossing of lines on the road or to detect motor vehicles or pedestrians located near the motor vehicle. By way of non-limiting examples, such detection devices include for example cameras, radars, LIDARs (acronym for "light detection and ranging" meaning laser remote sensing) or ultrasonic sensors or infrared wave sensors.Such detection devices generally comprise a detection surface through which waves emitted by the detection device are emitted towards the external environment of the motor vehicle on which these detection devices are installed.
[0003] In order not to disturb the waves emitted by these detection devices and to guarantee optimal operation, it is sought to keep their detection surface clean. To this end, it is known to associate with these detection devices, devices for cleaning the detection surface of said detection devices.
[0004] Cleaning devices are known which allow a cleaning liquid to be projected against the detection surface. For greater efficiency, cleaning devices are also known which allow a flow of air to be blown simultaneously or alternately onto the detection surface. Such known cleaning devices thus allow either the detection surface to be cleaned, when the cleaning liquid is projected onto the detection surface, or air to be blown onto the detection surface in order to remove any water drops present there. In order to guarantee optimal blowing of the air onto the detection surface, the known cleaning devices project a flow of compressed air at pressures generally between 2 bars and 10 bars. Thus, such cleaning devices offer lower air flows, combined with high pressures.
[0005] A first drawback of these known cleaning devices lies in the fact that the high pressures of the air which propagates inside the fluid conduits of said cleaning devices lead to a dimensioning adapted to the high pressures, involving high design and manufacturing costs in order to offer the rigidity and robustness expected for their uses. In particular, such known cleaning devices generally have fluid conduits of small dimensions in order to generate high pressures. Typically a diameter of these fluid conduits is less than 4 mm.
[0006] A second known drawback lies in the fact that such cleaning devices consume significant amounts of electrical energy to operate. Also, in order to limit energy consumption when they are installed on a motor vehicle, it is known to operate them only intermittently. This mode of operation is not optimal because it does not guarantee a constantly clean detection surface and optimal operation of the associated detection device.
[0007] A third known drawback lies in a design constraint of known cleaning devices, since in order to guarantee a high pressure of the air flow in the cleaning device, it is necessary that a compressor used to produce such a pressurized air flow be located close to the cleaning device. Consequently, known cleaning devices do not allow for optimal miniaturization. Furthermore, the integration of a compressor close to the detection device associated with the cleaning device is not always easy or even possible.
[0008] Finally, in known cleaning devices using compressors to generate the air flow, such compressors can only operate for 25% of a usage cycle. In practice, such compressors can only operate for 15 minutes during a one-hour cycle, the remaining 45 minutes being unusable due to cooling of said compressor. Indeed, such compressors heat up very quickly and therefore cannot operate continuously, as mentioned above. Also, it is understood that the use of such compressors for cleaning devices is not suitable for long periods of use, as encountered during a journey in rainy weather. The operation of compressors over longer cycle times remains a complex and expensive possibility due to the difficulty in cooling such compressors.
[0009] The object of the present invention is to propose a new cleaning device in order to respond at least to a large extent to the preceding problems and to further lead to other advantages.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to make possible continuous cleaning of the detection surface associated with such a cleaning device.
[0011] Another aim of the invention is to facilitate the association of such a cleaning device with a detection device, as well as its integration into a motor vehicle.
[0012] Another aim of the invention is to be able to propose a centralized and remote architecture for the production of an air flow used by such a cleaning device.
[0013] Another aim of the invention is to propose such a cleaning device which is simpler to manufacture and at lower cost.
[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a device for cleaning a detection surface of a detection device for a motor vehicle, the cleaning device comprising:
[0015] - a base;
[0016] - a first fluid conduit extending into the base, the first fluid conduit being configured to allow a flow of a cleaning liquid towards a first outlet nozzle for projecting the cleaning liquid onto the detection surface of the detection device;
[0017] - a second fluid conduit extending into the base, the second conduit fluidic being configured to allow a flow of an air flow towards a second outlet nozzle making it possible to direct the air flow towards the detection surface of the detection device.
[0018] In the cleaning device according to the invention, the second fluid conduit is configured to allow the flow of an air flow blown by a fan.
[0019] In the context of the present invention, the base forms a support for the cleaning device according to the invention. The base is composed of at least two parts mounted on top of each other and fixed together. The two parts may be of the same composition, i.e. of the same material such as a synthetic material such as, to give several non-limiting examples, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), POM (polyoxymethylene), polycarbonate, or alternatively of heterogeneous composition. The two parts are made integral with each other, for example by ultrasonic welding.
[0020] In the context of the present invention, the first fluid conduit extends inside the base, so as to convey the cleaning liquid to the first outlet nozzle. The first fluid conduit is distinct from the second fluid conduit. In the context of the present invention, "distinct" means that the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit do not communicate with each other, at least at the base, the cleaning liquid flowing in the first fluid conduit thus not being in contact with the air flow circulating through the second fluid conduit.
[0021] In the context of the present invention, the first outlet nozzle forms an outlet orifice of the first fluid conduit in the base, so as to allow a projection of the cleaning liquid flowing in said first fluid conduit towards and onto the detection surface intended to be located opposite the cleaning device. The first outlet nozzle is fluidically coupled to the first fluid conduit.
[0022] In the context of the present invention, the second fluid conduit extends inside the base, so as to convey the air flow to the second outlet nozzle. In the context of the present invention, the second fluid conduit differs from the fluid conduits of known cleaning devices in that it allows the flow of an air flow that would be produced by a fan, i.e. an air flow having a higher flow rate than those generated by a compressor and / or a pressure lower than that produced by a compressor. Generally speaking, the dimensions and / or shapes of the second fluid conduit are provided to allow such a flow of the air flow in the second fluid conduit. Certain technical characteristics illustrating the functionality of the second fluid conduit will be specified in the following paragraphs.
[0023] In the context of the present invention, the second outlet nozzle forms an outlet orifice of the second fluid conduit in the base, so as to allow projection of the air flow flowing in said second fluid conduit towards and onto the detection surface intended to be located opposite the cleaning device. The second outlet nozzle is fluidically coupled to the second fluid conduit.
[0024] In the context of the present invention, the air flow flows in the second conduit at a flow rate and / or pressure lower than those observed in known cleaning devices.
[0025] Thus, the possibility of injecting a flow of air produced not by a compressor but by a blowing member such as for example a fan now makes it possible to use the cleaning device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention continuously, so as to allow permanent blowing on the detection surface intended to be associated with said cleaning device, and thus making it possible to guarantee optimal cleaning and a detection surface that is always clean.
[0026] Additionally, it is now possible to more easily integrate the cleaning device according to the first aspect of the invention into a detection device, since the blowing of air into the second fluid conduit by a fan is simplified and can be carried out remotely, the air flow then being conveyed through a fluid conduit to the cleaning device without risk of insufficient flow and / or pressure to allow - ultimately - projection onto the detection surface.
[0027] The cleaning device according to 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:
[0028] - the second fluid conduit is configured to allow the flow of an air flow having a pressure less than 1 bar. Additionally or alternatively, the second fluid conduit is configured to allow the flow of an air flow having a flow rate greater than or equal to 10 L / min. The air flow is preferably generated by blowing using a fan or, more generally, by a blowing device;
[0029] - advantageously, such flow is permitted with a second conduit fluidic with an internal diameter between 4 mm and 10 mm. It should be remembered that the fluidic conduits of known cleaning devices in which the air flow is produced by a compressor have a diameter generally less than 4 mm in order to guarantee high pressure of the air flow - generally greater than 2 bars;
[0030] - according to a first embodiment, a surface of a passage section of the second fluid conduit is constant between an end of the second fluid conduit distal to the second outlet nozzle and a termination of said second fluid conduit proximal to the second outlet nozzle. The end forms an inlet opening for the second fluid conduit. The eastern end of the second fluid conduit is intended to be coupled to a coupling member for injecting the air flow into the second fluid conduit. The termination of the second fluid conduit corresponds to an end portion of the second fluid conduit, located on the side of the second outlet nozzle. The termination of the second fluid conduit allows fluid communication between said second fluid conduit and the second outlet nozzle. In the context of the present invention, the passage section is taken perpendicular to a proper elongation axis of the second fluid conduit.Thus, in this first embodiment, the area of the passage section remains invariant between the end and the termination of the second fluid conduit. This advantageous characteristic makes it possible to guarantee an optimal flow of the air flow in the second fluid conduit, and in particular for low pressures and / or high flow rates. Conversely, in the fluid conduits of known cleaning devices, the high pressure of the air flow circulating in said fluid conduits is sufficient to allow a less controlled geometry of said fluid conduits and of the surface of their passage section;
[0031] - preferably, in this first embodiment, the surface of the section of passage of the second fluid conduit is constant between the end of the second fluid conduit distal to the second outlet nozzle and the second outlet nozzle. In other words, the second outlet nozzle is here included in the surface condition of the passage section;
[0032] - according to a second embodiment, a surface of a passage section of the second fluid conduit is decreasing between an end of the second fluid conduit distal to the second outlet nozzle and an end of said second fluid conduit proximal to the second outlet nozzle. The end forms an inlet opening for the second fluid conduit. The eastern end of the second fluid conduit is intended to be coupled to a coupling member for injecting the air flow into the second fluid conduit. The end of the second fluid conduit corresponds to an end portion of the second fluid conduit, located on the side of the second outlet nozzle. The end of the second fluid conduit allows fluid communication between said second fluid conduit and the second outlet nozzle. In the context of the present invention, the passage section is taken perpendicular to a proper elongation axis of the second fluid conduit.Thus, in this second embodiment, the area of the passage section remains varying in a decreasing manner between the end and the termination of the second fluid conduit. The decrease is here considered according to the direction of flow of the air flow in the second fluid conduit. This advantageous characteristic makes it possible to guarantee an optimal flow of the air flow in the second fluid conduit, and in particular for low pressures and / or high flow rates. Conversely, in the fluid conduits of known cleaning devices, the high pressure of the air flow circulating in said fluid conduits is sufficient to allow a less controlled geometry of said fluid conduits and of the surface of their passage section; .
[0033] - preferably, in this second embodiment, the surface of the section passage of the second fluid conduit is decreasing between the end of the second fluid conduit distal to the second outlet nozzle and the second outlet nozzle. In other words, the second outlet nozzle is here included in the surface condition of the passage section;
[0034] - advantageously, the surface area of the passage section of the second conduit fluidic decreases monotonically between the end of the second fluidic conduit distal to the second outlet nozzle and the second outlet nozzle. By monotonic decrease, it is understood that, in the direction of flow of the air flow in the second fluidic conduit, the surface of the passage section of any proximal part of the end of said second fluidic conduit is always greater than or equal to the area of the passage section of any proximal part of the termination of said second fluid conduit. This advantageous characteristic makes it possible to guarantee optimal flow of the air flow in the second fluid conduit, and in particular for low pressures and / or high flow rates;
[0035] - between the end and the termination of the second fluid conduit, the section passage is invariant or varies continuously. In other words, between the end and the termination of the second fluid conduit, a shape of the passage section is invariant or varies continuously. By continuous variation, it is understood that if the passage section of the second fluid conduit varies between the end and the termination, then the variation in shape and / or dimensions of the passage section is done in a regular and gentle manner, progressively, without discontinuities. In other words, a wall delimiting the second fluid conduit extends continuously between the end and the termination of the second fluid conduit, so that said wall does not have any discontinuity in shape and / or dimension between said end and said termination. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to avoid a loss of pressure of the air flow between the end and the termination of the second fluid conduit.This feature is particularly important in the case of an air flow flowing into the second fluid conduit with reduced pressure; .
[0036] - as non-limiting examples, the passage section of the second conduit fluidic has a circular or elliptical shape;
[0037] - the second fluid conduit comprises (i) a first rectilinear section which extends from the end of the second fluid conduit, (ii) a second rectilinear section which opens onto the second outlet nozzle, at the level of the termination of the second fluid conduit, (iii) at least one bent portion located between the first section and the second section;
[0038] - each bent portion has a median radius of curvature - taken relatively to a specific elongation axis of the second fluid conduit - greater than 1.5 mm and preferably greater than 3.5 mm. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to avoid a loss of pressure of the air flow in the bent portion;
[0039] - the second rectilinear section has a length greater than or equal to 2 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 5 mm. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to define a direction of propulsion of the air flow once it has exited through the second outlet nozzle. Indeed, in the case of an air flow flowing in the second fluid conduit with reduced pressure and / or a high flow rate, it is appropriate to provide a second rectilinear section opening onto the second outlet nozzle, longer than those which exist for fluid conduits adapted to high pressures;
[0040] - a shape of the passage section of the second outlet nozzle is different from the shape of the passage section of the second fluid conduit taken at its termination. The second outlet nozzle has a width of between 3 mm and 30 mm and / or a height of between 1 mm and 5 mm. The second outlet nozzle has a rectangular passage section;
[0041] According to a second aspect of the invention, a cleaning system is proposed comprising:
[0042] - at least one cleaning device according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements;
[0043] - a fan configured to generate an air flow;
[0044] - a coupling member configured to inject the air flow generated by the fan in the second fluid conduit of each at least one cleaning device, at its end.
[0045] In the context of the present invention, it is now possible to couple a single fan to several cleaning devices as described above. This configuration is particularly interesting because it allows a centralized and remote architecture for the production of an air flow used by several cleaning devices.
[0046] The second fluid conduit of each cleaning device is coupled to the central fan via a coupling member configured to provide fluid coupling with the end of each second fluid conduit.
[0047] The cleaning system according to the second aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:
[0048] - the fan is of the centrifugal fan type. In the context of the present invention, the centrifugal fan is configured to draw air axially and to discharge it radially. Such a centrifugal fan comprises, for example, an impeller rotating about a central axis, the impeller comprising blades which extend radially relative to the central axis;
[0049] - the air flow generated by the fan has a pressure lower than 1 bar and a flow rate greater than 10 L / min;
[0050] - the flow rate of the air flow generated by the fan is between 20 L / min and 60 L / min, preferably between 25 L / min and 50 L / min;
[0051] - the pressure of the air flow generated by the fan, measured in the second fluid conduit of the cleaning device, is less than 0.5 bar, preferably less than 200 mbar, preferably between 20 mbar and 100 mbar.
[0052] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a detection assembly comprising at least one detection device comprising a detection surface and a system for cleaning the detection surface in accordance with the second aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.
[0053] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics set out here.
[0054] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several exemplary embodiments given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:
[0055] [Fig-1] illustrates a three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of the device of cleaning in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;
[0056] [Fig.2] illustrates a sectional view of the cleaning device illustrated in [Fig.l];
[0057] [Fig.3] illustrates a schematic view of a cleaning system in accordance with second aspect of the invention.
[0058] 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.
[0059] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.
[0060] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.
[0061] With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the invention relates to a cleaning device 1 for a detection surface 31 of a detection device 3 for a motor vehicle, the cleaning device 1 comprising:
[0062] - a base 11;
[0063] - a first fluid conduit extending into the base 11, the first conduit fluidic being configured to allow a flow of a cleaning liquid 10B towards a first outlet nozzle 13 making it possible to project the cleaning liquid 10B onto the detection surface 31 of the detection device 3;
[0064] - a second fluid conduit 18 extending into the base 11, the second conduit fluidic 18 being configured to allow a flow of an air flow 10A towards a second outlet nozzle 12 for directing the air flow 10A towards the detection surface 31 of the detection device 3.
[0065] The first fluid conduit extends inside a first supply arm 15 which projects from the base 11. At a free end, the first supply arm 15 comprises a first connector 17 configured to allow the fluid coupling of the first supply arm 15 - and the associated first fluid conduit - to a liquid conductor 61 of a cleaning system 2.
[0066] The second fluid conduit 18 extends inside a second supply arm 14 which projects from the base IL. At a free end, the second supply arm 14 comprises a second connector 16 configured to allow the fluid coupling of the second supply arm 14 - and the associated second fluid conduit 18 - to an air conductor 51 of the cleaning system 2.
[0067] In the cleaning device 1, the first supply arm 15 - and the associated first fluid conduit - is distinct from the second supply arm 14 - and respectively from the associated second fluid conduit 18. Thus, the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit 18 do not communicate with each other, and the cleaning liquid 10B flowing in the first fluid conduit is therefore never in contact with the air flow 10A circulating through the second fluid conduit 18.
[0068] The first fluid conduit extends inside the base 11, so as to convey the cleaning liquid 10B to the first outlet nozzle 13. The first outlet nozzle 13 forms an outlet orifice of the first fluid conduit in the base 11, so as to allow a projection of the cleaning liquid 10B flowing in the first fluid conduit towards and onto the detection surface 31 intended to be located opposite the cleaning device 1 - as visible in [Fig. 3]. The first outlet nozzle 13 is fluidically coupled to the first fluid conduit.
[0069] The second fluid conduit 18 extends inside the base 11, so as to convey the air flow 10A to the second outlet nozzle 12. The second outlet nozzle 12 forms an outlet orifice of the second fluid conduit 18 in the base 11, so as to allow projection of the air flow 10A flowing in the second fluid conduit 18 towards and onto the detection surface 31 intended to be located opposite the cleaning device 1 - as visible in [Fig. 3]. The second outlet nozzle 12 is fluidically coupled to the second fluid conduit 18.
[0070] With reference to [Fig. 2], the second fluid conduit 18 of the cleaning device 1 according to the invention is distinguished from the fluid conduits of known cleaning devices 1 in that it allows the flow of an air flow 10A produced by a fan. 5. Such an air flow 10A is generated by blowing using the fan 5. Such an air flow 10A produced by a fan 5 is distinguished from that produced by a compressor - as in known cleaning devices 1 - in that it has a higher flow rate and / or a lower pressure in the second fluid conduit 18.
[0071] In particular, the air flow 10A generated by a fan 5 of a cleaning system 2 comprising such a cleaning device 1 has a pressure of less than 1 bar. The pressure of the air flow 10A is measured inside the second fluid conduit 18 of the cleaning device 1. Additionally or alternatively, the air flow 10A generated by the fan 5 of the cleaning system 2 incorporating such a cleaning device 1 has a flow rate greater than or equal to 10 L / min. The flow rate of the air flow 10A is measured inside the second fluid conduit 18 of the cleaning device 1.
[0072] According to the invention, the second fluid conduit 18 is configured to allow the flow of an air flow 10A blown by a fan 5. Also, in order to allow such a flow of this type of air flow 10A, the second fluid conduit 18 has particular dimensional characteristics, and in particular specific dimensions and / or shapes.
[0073] In particular, an internal diameter of the second fluid conduit 18 is greater than 4 mm inside the base 11 of the cleaning device 1, and preferably between 4 mm and 10 mm inside the base 11 of said cleaning device 1.
[0074] Furthermore, a variation in shape and / or dimensions and / or surface area of a passage section of the second fluidic conduit 18 is further constrained to allow such a flow of the air flow 10A in said second fluidic conduit 18. In the context of the present invention, the passage section of the second fluidic conduit 18 corresponds to the shape of a transverse section taken perpendicular to a proper elongation axis 180 of the second fluidic conduit 18. The passage section is defined on any part of the second fluidic conduit 18 located between:
[0075] - one end of the second fluid conduit 18 forming an inlet opening for the second fluid conduit 18. The eastern end of the second fluid conduit 18 is located at the level of the second connector 16 allowing the air flow 10A to be injected into the second fluid conduit 18; and
[0076] - an end of the second fluid conduit 18 forming an end portion of the second fluid conduit 18, located on the side of the second outlet nozzle 12. The termination of the second fluid conduit 18 allows fluid communication between said second fluid conduit 18 and the second outlet nozzle 12.
[0077] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.2], the surface area of the passage section of the second fluid conduit 18 is:
[0078] - constant between the end of the second fluid conduit 18 and the termination of said second fluid conduit 18, or even between the end of the second fluid conduit 18 and the second outlet nozzle 12 included; or
[0079] - decreasing between the end of the second fluid conduit 18 and the termination of said second fluid conduit 18, or even between the end of the second fluid conduit 18 and the second outlet nozzle 12 included. In this case, the decrease in the surface area of the passage section of the second fluid conduit 18 is evaluated according to the direction of flow of the air flow 10A in the second fluid conduit 18, from the end towards the termination of the second fluid conduit 18.
[0080] In the case of a decrease in the passage section of the second fluid conduit 18 between its end and its termination, the decrease is preferably monotonous, that is to say that for each part of the second fluid conduit 18 located on the side of its end, any part of said second fluid conduit 18 located on the side of its termination will have a surface area of its passage section less than that of the part located on the side of the end, this characteristic makes it possible to guarantee an optimal flow of the air flow 10A in the second fluid conduit 18, for pressure and / or flow rate conditions as defined previously.
[0081] This first condition only relates to the surface area of the passage section of the second fluid conduit 18, a shape of the passage section of the second fluid conduit 18 being able to vary between the end and the termination of said second fluid conduit 18.
[0082] Advantageously, it is interesting that the shape of the passage section of the second fluid conduit 18 remains invariant between the end and the termination of the second fluid conduit 18. By invariant, it is understood that the overall geometry of the passage section remains identical between the end and the termination of the second fluid conduit 18. In the case where the surface of the passage section is invariant between the end and the termination, then the passage section varies according to a homothetic contraction between the end and the termination of the second fluid conduit 18.
[0083] The passage section of the second fluid conduit 18 preferably has a circular or elliptical shape.
[0084] As visible in [Fig.2], the second fluid conduit 18 comprises:
[0085] - a first rectilinear section 181 which extends from the end of the second fluid conduit 18,
[0086] - a second rectilinear section 182 which opens onto the second outlet nozzle 12, at the termination of the second fluid conduit 18,
[0087] - at least one bent portion 183 located between the first section 181 and the second section 182, the bent portion 183 fluidly connecting the first straight section 181 to the second straight section 182.
[0088] In order to avoid a loss of load of the air flow 10A flowing in the second fluid conduit 18 at its bent portion 183, each bent portion 183 has a median radius of curvature - taken relative to a specific elongation axis 180 of the second fluid conduit 18 - greater than 1.5 mm and preferably greater than 3.5 mm.
[0089] Furthermore, in order to define a direction of propulsion of the air flow 10A once exited by the second outlet nozzle 12, the second rectilinear section 182 has a length greater than or equal to 2 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 5 mm. In other words, the second fluid conduit 18 ends with the second section 182 which extends linearly over a distance at least equal to 5 mm before opening out at the second outlet nozzle 12.
[0090] With reference to [Fig.3], the invention also relates to a cleaning system 2 comprising:
[0091] - one or more cleaning devices 1 as described previously;
[0092] - a fan 5 configured to generate an air flow 10A;
[0093] - a coupling member configured to inject the air flow 10A generated by the fan 5 in the second fluid conduit 18 of each at least one cleaning device 1, at its end.
[0094] This configuration thus makes it possible to project an air flow 10A generated by blowing using a fan 5. The fan 5 is preferably of the centrifugal fan 5 type. In a manner particular to the field of the invention, the fan 5 is configured to generate an air flow 10A which has the following characteristics:
[0095] - the air flow 10A generated by the fan 5 has a pressure lower than 1 bar and a flow rate greater than 10 L / min. Preferably, the flow rate of the air flow 10A generated by the fan 5 is between 20 L / min and 60 L / min, preferably between 25 L / min and 50 L / min; and / or
[0096] - the pressure of the air flow 10A generated by the fan 5, measured in the second fluid conduit 18 of the cleaning device 1, is less than 0.5 bar, preferably less than 200 mbar, preferably between 20 mbar and 100 mbar.
[0097] In a particularly advantageous manner, it is now possible to couple a single fan 5 to several cleaning devices 1. The fan 5 is fluidically coupled to each cleaning device 1 - and more particularly to their second fluid conduit 18 - by means of coupled air conductors 51 at the level of the second connector 16 of each cleaning device 1. The cleaning system 2 according to the invention thus makes it possible to move the fan 5 further away from the cleaning devices 1, since the flow characteristics of the air flow 10A generated by the fan 5 are more favorable to such a move away.
[0098] In order to be able to spray cleaning liquid 10B onto the detection surface 31 of the detection devices associated with the cleaning devices 1, the cleaning system 2 also comprises a reservoir 6 of cleaning liquid 10B fluidically coupled to each cleaning device 1 - and more particularly to their first fluid conduit - by means of cleaning liquid conductors 61 10B coupled at the first connector 17 of each cleaning device 1. The cleaning liquid 10B is then conveyed using a pump 4.
[0099] In summary, the invention relates to a cleaning device 1 for a detection surface 31 of a detection device 3 for a motor vehicle, the cleaning device 1 comprising a base 11, a second fluid conduit 18 extending in the base 11, the second fluid conduit 18 being configured to allow a flow of an air flow 10A towards a second outlet nozzle 12 making it possible to direct the air flow 10A towards the detection surface 31 of the detection device 3, the second fluid conduit 18 being configured to allow the flow of an air flow 10A blown by a fan 5 while having dimensions and a geometry compatible with the flow of an air flow 10A at low pressure, i.e. less than 1 bar.
[0100] 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
Claims
1. Cleaning device (1) for a detection surface (31) of a detection device (3) for a motor vehicle, the cleaning device (1) comprising: - a base (11); - a first fluid conduit extending in the base (11), the first fluid conduit being configured to allow a flow of a cleaning liquid (10B) towards a first outlet nozzle (13) making it possible to spray the cleaning liquid (10B) onto the detection surface (31) of the detection device (3); - a second fluid conduit (18) extending in the base (11), the second fluid conduit (18) being configured to allow a flow of an air flow (10A) towards a second outlet nozzle (12) making it possible to direct the air flow (10A) towards the detection surface (31) of the detection device (3);the second fluid conduit (18) being configured to allow the flow of an air flow (10A) blown by a fan (5), characterized in that a surface area of a passage section of the second fluid conduit (18) decreases monotonically between an end of the second fluid conduit (18) distal to the second outlet nozzle (12) and an end of said second fluid conduit (18) proximal to the second outlet nozzle (12).;
2. Cleaning device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the second fluid conduit (18) is configured to allow the flow of a blown air flow (10A) having a pressure of less than 1 bar.
3. A cleaning device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein an inner diameter of the second fluid conduit (18) is between 4 mm and 10 mm.
4. A cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a surface area of a passage section of the second fluid conduit (18) is constant between an end of the second fluid conduit (18) distal to the second outlet nozzle (12) and an end of said second fluid conduit (18) proximal to the second outlet nozzle (12).
5. Cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second fluid conduit (18) comprises: - a first rectilinear section (181) which extends from the end of the second fluid conduit (18); - a second rectilinear section (182) which opens onto the second outlet nozzle (12), at the end of the second fluid conduit (18); - at least one bent portion (183) located between the first section (181) and the second section (182).
6. Cleaning device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which each bent portion (183) has a median radius of curvature - taken relative to a specific elongation axis (180) of the second fluid conduit (18) - greater than 1.5 mm, preferably greater than 3.5 mm.
7. Cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, in which the second rectilinear section (182) has a length greater than or equal to 2 mm, preferably greater than 5 mm.
8. Cleaning system (2) comprising: - at least one cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; - a fan (5) configured to generate an air flow (10A); - a coupling member configured to inject the air flow (10A) generated by the fan (5) into the second fluid conduit (18) of each at least one cleaning device (1), at its end.
9. Cleaning system (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the fan (5) is of the type of a centrifugal fan (5).
10. Detection assembly comprising at least one detection device (3) comprising a detection surface (31) and a cleaning system (2) of the detection surface (31) according to any one of claims 8 or 9.