SYSTEM INCLUDING A COMPACT CLEANING DEVICE.

Abstract

A system comprising: - a support (1), - a device (2) attached to the support (1) by a connecting means (3) configured to allow a degree of freedom of movement of the device (2) relative to the support (1), - a cleaning means (4) for the device (2), integral with the support (1), this cleaning means (4) comprising: - a brush (5) comprising fibers (6) whose free ends are in contact with the device (2), and in contact by friction if this device (2) is moving along the degree of freedom, - a source of sterilizing light radiation emitted against the device (2), characterized in that one of the fibers (6) is an optical fiber guiding this light radiation escaping from the free end of this fiber. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: SYSTEM COMPRISING A COMPACT CLEANING MEANS.

[0001] The invention relates to a system comprising a part and a compact cleaning means for this part, this part being able to move relative to this cleaning means.

[0002] In this field, patent document FR3069176_A3 discloses a device for cleaning a vehicle wheel, comprising a brush in contact with the wheel, and a means for emitting ultraviolet radiation remote and separate from the brush.

[0003] Unfortunately, this cleaning device is particularly bulky, which is very problematic in the field of motor vehicles, for example.

[0004] The aim of the invention is to remedy this shortcoming by proposing a compact cleaning means.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a system comprising: - a support, - a device connected to the support by a connecting means configured to allow a degree of freedom of movement of the device relative to the support, - a means of cleaning the device, integral with the support, this cleaning means comprising: - a brush comprising fibers whose free ends are in contact with the device, and in contact by friction if this device is in motion, - a source of sterilizing light radiation emitted against the device, one of the fibers being an optical fiber guiding this light radiation escaping through the free end of this fiber.

[0006] The degrees of freedom have here, throughout this text, the meaning known to those skilled in the art, namely that a connection or connecting means can block up to six degrees of freedom: three rotations along three different axes, and one translation along each of these three axes. Thus the connecting means according to the invention leaves free at least one rotation or one translation of the device relative to the support.

[0007] Of course, each fiber may be an optical fiber. These optical fibers are known to those skilled in the art, however and according to the invention, they may be mechanically reinforced by being covered on their external surface by a sheath, for example made of plastic, so as to increase their resistance to abrasion. This sheath may, for example, protrude from the free end of the optical fiber, for example by 1 to 5 mm, or be flush with this free end.

[0008] The fibers are advantageously grouped against only a part of the device, so that during the movement of the device these fibers sweep the device. This device has for example a first stowed position, and a second deployed position, and between these two positions the fibers sweep the device by friction.

[0009] Thus this invention allows a dual function for the optical fiber: mechanical cleaning by rubbing, and in addition sterilization by the emission of sterilizing light radiation. It is no longer necessary to have a space dedicated to the fibers, and a second space dedicated to the source of light radiation. The space saving is considerable and such a system becomes easily adaptable to the field of motor vehicles.

[0010] It will be noted, for a well-known example, that the sterilizing light radiation is in the ultraviolet frequency range. For example, the ultraviolet light source has a wavelength in the range 280 nm - 400 nm, in particular in the range 320 - 380 nm.

[0011] In the automotive field, the device is, for example, a wheel of a motor vehicle, a seat belt with belt reel, a charging cable, a tow truck winch cable or an aid to crossing off-road vehicles.

[0012] But the invention applies to other fields, for example to the domestic field for electrical extension cords on reels, or watering hoses on reels. The medical field could also be considered, for any instrument requiring the unwinding of a cable or hose type device, for example the compressed air hoses of dentists' instruments.

[0013] For the example of the vehicle wheel, which is the application of the patent document cited in the prior art, the connecting means is the axis of rotation of the wheel, but this connecting means is to be taken in the broad sense as described below. For example, this connecting means will be the axis of the belt winder, the axis of the winch or of a winding drum of the device, or even a simple guide of the cable or pipes.

[0014] And therefore, according to one embodiment of the invention, the device is a cable, and the system is a storer of this cable, the support forming a housing for the cable if it is stored, this housing comprising an entry and exit passage for the cable.

[0015] Throughout the text of this document, the term "cable" will be understood to mean any means of conducting electricity, gas, water, or fluids in general, which can be rolled up, coiled, or folded, so that it can be housed in the housing in the stowed position and deployed outside of this housing.

[0016] This cable generally rests on the ground when it is deployed and relaxed, and can become dirty. The invention allows automatic cleaning of the cable with each movement of the latter.

[0017] This cable is for example wound up in its stored position, and unwound or partially unwound in its deployed position. But this is not obligatory, in the stored or stowed position, this cable can be coiled, or loose, or stored by successive overlaps on itself for example in an “accordion”.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the brush is positioned in the housing, for example close to the cable entry and exit passage. The housing makes it possible to protect the brush, or the brush and the cleaning means, from external aggressions. Its positioning close to the passage allows it to clean as much of the cable surface as possible. But in a non-preferred variant, the cleaning means and / or the brush comprises for example its own casing and can then be secured to the support outside the housing, also close to the passage, so that this cleaning means can clean the entire surface of the cable.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the brush has an annular shape and surrounds the circumference of the cable. Thus the free ends of the fibers sweep the entire circumference of the cable.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cable comprises an electrically conductive core.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, this system comprises a container suitable for collecting by gravity impurities removed from the cable by the cleaning means. This container is for example formed by the support and is close to the brush so that, if the system is in its position of use, the Earth's gravity tends to cause these impurities to fall from the fibers towards the container.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, this tank comprises a hole for discharging impurities.

[0023] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising the system described above and a body housing the system.

[0024] In particular, this bodywork comprises, for example, a bumper, this system being housed in this bumper and / or the bumper forms the support directly.

[0025] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an energy storage battery, a prime mover powered by the battery, a deployable battery charging cable capable of connecting to a terrestrial electrical network if it is deployed, the system described above, and a body housing the system, the cable being the deployable battery charging cable.

[0026] The invention also relates to a charging terminal for recharging a battery of a motor vehicle, this terminal being suitable for being connected to the terrestrial electrical network, and comprising: - a deployable battery charging cable suitable for connecting to the battery if deployed, and - the system previously described, the cable being the deployable battery charging cable.

[0027] Other features and advantages will appear on reading the following description of a particular, non-limiting embodiment of the invention, given with reference to the single figure in which:

[0028] [Fig-1]: represents a schematic sectional view of a system according to the invention.

[0029] [Fig. 1] illustrates a particular example, but the scope of this invention is more larger than this single illustration. Reference may be made to other examples or variants of previously introduced designs.

[0030] [Fig.l] discloses a system comprising: - a support 1, - a device 2 linked to the support 1 by a connecting means 3 configured to allow a degree of freedom of movement of the device 2 relative to the support 1, - a cleaning means 4 of the device 2, secured to the support 1, this cleaning means 4 comprising: - a brush 5 comprising fibers 6 whose free ends are in contact against the device 2, and in contact by friction if this device 2 is in movement according to the degrees of freedom, - a source of sterilizing light radiation (not shown) emitted against the device 2.

[0031] According to the invention, one of the fibers 6 is an optical fiber guiding this light radiation escaping through the free end of this fiber.

[0032] This system comprises, for example, a cell or battery to power the source of light radiation, or alternatively, this light source is powered by an electrical supply external to the system, in particular a motor vehicle battery. Several light sources can be considered, but preferably a single source for reasons of simplification.

[0033] The system comprises, for example, a black box, known to those skilled in the art, containing the radiation source. Each optical fiber comprises an end opposite the free end, this opposite end opening into the black box and collecting the light.

[0034] The device 2 is in this example a cable, but other examples have previously been cited.

[0035] The system illustrated is a storer for this cable, the support 1 forming a housing 7 for the cable 2 if it is stored, this housing 7 comprising an entry and exit passage 8 for the cable 2.

[0036] The connecting means 3 is here a drum (not shown) comprising a pivot joint represented by its rotation axis lines, the cable 2 winding in spiral around this pivot axis. But this connecting means 3 is to be taken in the broad sense, since it leaves at least one degree of freedom to the device or cable 2 and can take other forms than a winding drum. As an example cited previously, the possibility of simply coiling or folding the cable 2 in the housing 7 means that the connecting means 3 can simply be a means of guiding the cable or device 2 for its storage in the housing 7. These guiding means 3 are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0037] The light source and the black box are, for example, offset relative to the housing, outside the housing.

[0038] The brush 5 is here positioned in the housing 7. The light source and the black box are positioned in the housing 7 or offset outside the housing 7. Thus the cleaning means 4 can have the brush 5 and the fibers 6 in the housing 7, and the light source outside the housing 7, the cleaning means 4 then comprising a light guide or a reflective surface suitable for bringing the light to the optical fibers 6, but this is known to those skilled in the art and does not pose any particular technical problem.

[0039] This brush 5 has an annular shape and surrounds the circumference of the cable 2. This brush can of course take any other shape adapted to the section of the cable.

[0040] This cable 2 comprises an electrically conductive core, in particular made of single-strand or multi-strand copper, coated with an electrically insulating sheath.

[0041] This System comprises a tank 9 suitable for collecting by gravity impurities removed from the cable 2 by the cleaning means 4.

[0042] This tray 9 includes a hole for removing impurities, not shown.

[0043] This invention advantageously applies to a motor vehicle comprising this system and a body housing the system.

[0044] This motor vehicle comprises for example an electrical energy storage battery, an electric motor powered by the battery via an inverter, a deployable battery charging cable 2 capable of connecting to a terrestrial electrical network if it is deployed, the system, and a body housing the system, the cable 2 being the deployable battery charging cable. This vehicle comprises for example an on-board charger coupled to the battery, this cable being coupled to the on-board charger, but here too this is only one example among others of electrically powered vehicle configurations well known to those skilled in the art.

[0045] This invention also applies to a charging terminal for recharging a battery of a motor vehicle, this terminal being suitable for being connected to the terrestrial electrical network, and comprising: - a deployable battery charging cable 2 suitable for connecting to the battery if deployed, and - the system previously described, cable 2 being the deployable battery charging cable.

Claims

Claims

1. System comprising: - a support (1), - a device (2) connected to the support (1) by a connecting means (3) configured to allow a degree of freedom of movement of the device (2) relative to the support (1), - a cleaning means (4) of the device (2), integral with the support (1), this cleaning means (4) comprising: - a brush (5) comprising fibers (6) whose free ends are in contact against the device (2), and in contact by friction if this device (2) is in movement according to the degree of freedom, - a source of sterilizing light radiation emitted against the device (2), characterized in that one of the fibers (6) is an optical fiber guiding this light radiation escaping through the free end of this fiber.

2. System according to claim 1, the device (2) being a cable, and the system being a storer of this cable, the support (1) forming a housing (7) of the cable (2) if it is stored, this housing (7) comprising an entry and exit passage (8) of the cable (2).

3. System according to claim 2, the brush (5) being positioned in the housing (7).

4. System according to one of claims 2 to 3, the brush (5) having an annular shape and surrounding the circumference of the cable (2).

5. System according to one of claims 2 to 4, the cable (2) comprising an electrically conductive core.

6. System according to one of claims 2 to 5, comprising a container (9) suitable for collecting by gravity impurities removed from the cable (2) by the brush (5).

7. System according to claim 6, this tank (9) comprising a hole for evacuating impurities.

8. Motor vehicle comprising a system and a body housing the system, this system being in accordance with one of the preceding claims.

9. Motor vehicle comprising an energy storage battery, a prime mover powered by the battery, a deployable battery charging cable (2) suitable for connecting to a land-based electrical network if deployed, a system and a body housing the system, this system being in accordance with one of claims 2 to 7, the cable (2) being the deployable battery charging cable.

10. Charging terminal for recharging a battery of a motor vehicle, this terminal being suitable for being connected to the terrestrial electrical network, and comprising: - a deployable battery charging cable (2) suitable for connecting to the battery if it is deployed, and - a system, this system being in accordance with one of claims 2 to 7, the cable (2) being the deployable battery charging cable.

Images