Device for simulating artificial rain on the windshield of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for simulating artificial rain on the windshield of a motor vehicle. The simulation device (2) comprises a means for discharging a liquid in the form of droplets and a frame (4) supporting said discharge means. The simulation device (2) includes reversible means (14, 22, 28) for attaching the frame (4) to a motor vehicle (1), such that at least one discharge means can spray the windshield (19) of the motor vehicle (1) with a liquid in the form of droplets. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for simulating artificial rain on the windshield of a motor vehicle. Technical field to which the invention relates

[0001] The present invention relates to the automotive sector and more specifically, a device for simulating artificial rain on the windshield of a motor vehicle. Technological background

[0002] In the automotive field, rain sensors are used to detect the presence and intensity of rain on the windshield of a motor vehicle. Thanks to these rain sensors, the windshield wipers can be activated and their wiping speed adjusted automatically according to the intensity of the rain.

[0003] To ensure their proper functioning and accuracy in detecting rain, it is necessary to perform calibration tests on the sensors under real-world conditions to validate their performance. These tests guarantee that the sensors are calibrated precisely and reliably, thus contributing to optimal visibility and safe driving in wet weather.

[0004] In order for these tests to be carried out under real-world conditions, it is necessary to wait for rainy weather. This waiting period results in a significant loss of time, as it can be difficult to plan and coordinate the tests according to the weather conditions. Furthermore, these prolonged waiting periods can potentially delay the development of the motor vehicle, which may impact the progress of the design and validation work on said vehicle.

[0005] To avoid these detrimental delays, one solution is to move the vehicle to a region where rain is currently occurring or forecast. However, these trips have a significant environmental impact, particularly in terms of CO2 emissions, due to the kilometers traveled to reach a more suitable region for conducting these tests. These trips also incur substantial costs, as they require the support of the staff involved in carrying out these tests.

[0006] The invention aims to solve these problems by proposing a device for simulating artificial rain or downpour on the windshield of a motor vehicle, for carrying out calibration tests of rain sensors in real conditions, in a faster and more economical way. Object of the invention

[0007] For this purpose, the invention proposes a device for simulating artificial rain or downpour on the windshield of a motor vehicle, comprising a means for flowing a liquid in the form of droplets and a chassis supporting said means of flow.

[0008] The invention is remarkable in that the simulation device includes reversible means for retaining the chassis to a motor vehicle, so that at least one flow means can spray the windshield of the motor vehicle with a liquid in the form of droplets and / or drops of different sizes.

[0009] Thus, advantageously, the invention provides a device for simulating rain or a downpour at will, suitable for mounting on a motor vehicle, so as to easily and quickly perform calibration tests on rain sensors located on the windshield of the motor vehicle. The artificial rain simulation device according to the invention thus overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the invention, the reversible retaining means comprise at least one first element for retaining the chassis to the roof of the motor vehicle. The first element(s) of the reversible retaining means are intended to allow positioning and retention of the chassis above the windshield of a motor vehicle.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention, the reversible retaining means comprise at least one second element for retaining the chassis to a body panel of the motor vehicle located in front of the windshield of the motor vehicle. The term "in front" refers to an element located between the front grille and the windshield of said vehicle. The second element(s) of the reversible retaining means are intended to allow precise positioning of the flow means(s) opposite the windshield of a motor vehicle. These second elements also provide greater stability of the chassis at the level of the windshield of said vehicle.

[0012] Preferably, the second elements are suitable for maintaining the chassis to the front hood of the motor vehicle and / or to a front wing of the motor vehicle.

[0013] By way of non-limiting examples, the first elements and / or the second elements may be suction attachment devices such as suction cups, clamping devices such as fixing clips, hooks or any other similar means.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the flow means comprises at least one nozzle capable of projecting a liquid in the form of fine droplets. Preferably, the fine droplets have a diameter of between 0.5 millimeters and 2 millimeters, so as to simulate rain composed of very fine droplets and / or fine droplets and / or drops.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, the flow means comprises at least one perforated conduit allowing the flow of a liquid in the form of droplets. Preferably, the droplets have a diameter of between 2 millimeters and 6 millimeters, so as to simulate a downpour composed of drops and / or large drops and / or very large drops.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one nozzle is arranged along a first axis, and at least one perforated conduit is arranged along a second distinct axis parallel or substantially parallel to the first axis.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the invention, the artificial rain simulation device includes a supply device capable of supplying at least one projection nozzle and / or at least one perforated conduit with a liquid.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the feeding device is capable of alternately supplying at least one projection nozzle and at least one perforated conduit with a liquid.

[0019] Of course, the different characteristics, variants and embodiments mentioned above can be combined with each other in various ways, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0020] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a device for simulating artificial rain as described above, the chassis of the simulation device is held, by means of at least a first element and / or at least a second element, so that a flow means can spray the windshield of the motor vehicle with a liquid in the form of droplets. Description of the figures

[0021] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] illustrates a perspective view of a motor vehicle equipped with a device simulation of artificial rain according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] illustrates one face of the simulation device, shown in [Fig.1], intended to be facing the motor vehicle. Detailed description of the invention

[0024] As a reminder, the invention proposes a device for simulating artificial rain or downpour on the windshield of a motor vehicle, for carrying out calibration tests of rain sensors in real conditions, in a faster and more economical way.

[0025] Fig. 1 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 equipped with a simulation device according to the invention, of artificial rain or downpour on the windshield of the motor vehicle.

[0026] The simulation device 2 consists of a rectangular or substantially rectangular chassis 4. The chassis comprises two longitudinal members forming the longer sides of the chassis. The longitudinal members 6 are connected by a first cross member 8A and a second cross member 8B, positioned at the ends of the longitudinal members 6 and perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal members.

[0027] The chassis comprises a first part 10, including the first cross member 8A, and extending at least partially above the roof 12 of the motor vehicle. This first part 10 of the chassis is reversibly held to the roof of the motor vehicle by means of first elements. In the present example, the first elements are fastening clips 14, which hold the chassis to the roof pillars 16.

[0028] Preferably, the fixing clips 14 hold the first part 10 of the chassis in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the roof, so that the side rails 6 are parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle 1. The fixing clips 14 hold the chassis 4 at a distance of between 5 cm and 50 cm from the roof 12.

[0029] The first part 10 of the chassis is also reversibly held to the front hood 20 and the front wings 30 of the motor vehicle, by means of second elements.

[0030] More specifically, the first part 10 of the chassis is held to the front hood 20 by means of arms 22, extending perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the chassis longitudinal members 6. Each arm 22 has a proximal end 24, reversibly connected to a longitudinal member 6, and a distal end 26, terminating in a suction cup 28. The distal end 26 of each arm is thus reversibly held to the front hood 20.

[0031] Preferably, the length of each arm 22 can be modified, so as to be able to adapt the distance between the first part 10 of the chassis and the front hood 20, in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the longitudinal members 6.

[0032] It should be noted that the arms 22 have, on their facing sides, notches 23 allowing secondary cross members 25A and 25B to be held between said arms in a reversible manner. The secondary cross members 25A and 25B are held between the arms 22 such that the extension direction of each secondary cross member is perpendicular to the extension direction of said arms 22.

[0033] Advantageously, the presence of several notches 23 along each arm 22 allows the distance of each secondary cross member relative to the longitudinal members 6 to be adapted at will.

[0034] The first part 10 of the chassis is also secured to the motor vehicle 1 by means of straps 32, extending from the chassis side members 6 to the front fenders 30 of the motor vehicle. The straps 32 have, at their free end, an angled hook 34 configured to grip the wheel arch of the front fender of said vehicle.

[0035] Preferably, the length of each strap 32 can be adjusted by known means, such as a tensioner, in order to exert sufficient tension on the straps so as to prevent lateral movement of the chassis 4 relative to the windscreen 19 and to ensure proper pressing of the suction cups 28 against the front hood 20.

[0036] The first and second elements described above allow adequate stability of the chassis with respect to the motor vehicle, in order to carry out a simulation of artificial rain or downpour on the windshield 19.

[0037] The chassis 4 includes a second part 18, comprising the first cross member 8A, extending opposite or substantially opposite the hood 20 of the motor vehicle. This second part 18 is capable of sliding within the first part 10, so as to allow the distance between the cross members 8A and 8B to be modified at will. The chassis longitudinal members 6 include reversible locking means, configured to maintain a desired distance between the cross members 8A and 8B. In other words, the second part 18 of the chassis can be extended from or inserted into the first part 10 of the chassis.

[0038] Advantageously, this allows the cross member 8A to be moved closer or further away at will, from the windscreen 19, in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the longitudinal members 6.

[0039] As illustrated by [Fig. 2], the chassis 4 carries several means for discharging a liquid. A first type of discharge means consists of nozzles 36. The nozzles 36 are arranged along the second cross member 8B. The nozzles are oriented so as to be able to project a liquid onto the windshield of the motor vehicle when it is stationary or moving at low speed.

[0040] According to the present example, the liquid projected by the nozzles 36 forms fine droplets with a diameter between 0.5 millimeters and 2 millimeters, so as to simulate a rain composed of very fine droplets and / or fine droplets and / or drops.

[0041] A second type of flow means consists of a perforated conduit 42 linked to the secondary cross members 25A and 25B, extending between the arms 22. The perforations of the conduit have a diameter between 0.25 mm and 0.5 mm.

[0042] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the first type of flow can be reversed with the second type of flow means.

[0043] The flow means described above are supplied with liquid by a supply device consisting of pipes 48 held along the stringers 6. More specifically, the nozzles 36 are supplied by a pipe 48A connected to a pumping device not shown in the figures, and the perforated conduit 42 is supplied by another pipe 48B connected to the same pumping device.

[0044] The pumping device comprises a water reservoir and a motorized pump configured to inject the water contained in said reservoir into said pipes 48, so as to be able to supply the nozzles 36 and the perforated conduit 42, simultaneously or alternately. Preferably, the motorized pump is capable of injecting water at different pressures into the pipes 48, so as to vary in a controlled manner the size of the droplets or flakes projected by the simulation device 2 onto the windshield.

[0045] Optionally, the pumping device can be placed in the motor vehicle.

[0046] This solution offers greater flexibility in positioning the flow means described above, in relation to the windshield and according to the speed of movement of the motor vehicle, in order to ensure adequate watering of the windshield by the simulation device, when the vehicle has to move at different speeds during the calibration tests of rain sensors present at the level of the windshield.

[0047] For example, the distance between the flow means and the windshield can be chosen so as to be proportional or substantially proportional to the speed at which the motor vehicle will have to move during the calibration tests of the rain sensors.

[0048] Thus, the simulation device described above makes it possible to perform calibration tests under real-world conditions on rain sensors located on the windshield of a motor vehicle, at different speeds and independently of weather conditions. The simulation device therefore allows these tests to be carried out in a controlled manner and at will.

Claims

Demands

1. Simulation device (2) of artificial rain or shower on the windshield (19) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising a means for flowing (36, 42) a liquid in the form of droplets and a chassis (4) supporting said flow means, characterized in that the simulation device (2) includes reversible means for retaining (14, 22, 28) the chassis (4) to a motor vehicle (1), so that at least one flow means (36, 42) can spray the windshield (19) of the motor vehicle (1) with a liquid in the form of droplets, characterized in that the reversible retaining means include at least a first element (14) for retaining the chassis (4) to the roof of the motor vehicle (1).

2. Simulation device (2) of artificial rain or downpour according to claim 1, characterized in that the reversible retaining means comprise at least a second element (22, 28, 32, 34) enabling the chassis (4) to be retained to a bodywork element of the motor vehicle (1), located in front of the windscreen (19) of the motor vehicle (1).

3. Simulation device (2) of artificial rain or downpour according to claim 2, characterized in that at least a second element (22, 28) is capable of holding the chassis (4) to the front hood of the motor vehicle (1).

4. Simulation device (2) for artificial rain or downpour according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that at least a second element (32, 34) is capable of holding the chassis (4) to a front wing (30) of the motor vehicle (1).

5. Simulation device (2) for artificial rain or downpour according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the flow means comprises at least one nozzle (36) capable of projecting a liquid in the form of fine droplets.

6. Simulation device (2) for artificial rain or downpour according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flow means comprises at least one perforated conduit (42) allowing the flow of a liquid in the form of droplets.

7. A simulation device (2) for artificial rain or downpour according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one nozzle (36) is arranged along a first axis, and in that at least one perforated conduit (42) is arranged along a second distinct axis parallel or substantially parallel to the first axis (40).

8. Simulation device (2) of an artificial rain or downpour according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises a feeding device, capable of supplying at least one nozzle (36) and / or at least one perforated conduit (42) with a liquid.

9. Motor vehicle (1) characterized in that it comprises a device for simulating artificial rain or downpour according to any one of claims 2 to 8, the chassis (4) of the simulation device (2) is held, by means of at least a first element and / or at least a second element, so that a flow means can spray the windshield of the motor vehicle (1) with a liquid in the form of droplets.

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