NOZZLE WITH SEALING FUNCTION, FOR A VEHICLE CAMERA

Abstract

A nozzle (GC) equips a wall (PV) of a vehicle provided with a passage (PP) located near a camera, and comprises a hollow body (CC) in which a cleaning liquid circulates and provided with a part (P1) passing through this passage (PP) and comprising an end (EP) provided with a through hole adapted for spraying the cleaning liquid onto this camera. This part (P1) comprises, before the through hole, a sub-part (SP) housed in the passage (PP) and provided with two collars (C1-C2) separated by a space (EC) in which a seal (JE) is installed preventing the passage of liquid and dust via the passage (PP). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: NOZZLE WITH SEALING FUNCTION, FOR A VEHICLE CAMERA Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to vehicles comprising a wall provided with a passage located near a camera, and more precisely to the nozzles which pass through such a passage and are dedicated to spraying a cleaning liquid onto such a camera. State of the art

[0002] Certain vehicles, generally of the automobile type, comprise a wall forming, for example, part of a trunk flap (possibly rear) and provided with a passage which is located near a camera. In order to clean this camera, it has been proposed to secure to this wall a nozzle comprising a hollow body in which a cleaning liquid is capable of circulating and provided with a part which passes through this wall passage and which has an (external) end provided with a through hole adapted to spray the cleaning liquid onto the observation end of the camera.

[0003] In order not to be in the field of observation of the camera, the (external) end of the nozzle is positioned substantially parallel to the camera with its through hole oriented substantially perpendicular to the normal of the observation end of the camera to be cleaned.

[0004] The vehicle wall passage is an area located at the interface between an exterior area which is humid or wet when exposed to a liquid and an interior area which must remain dry and clean to avoid the generation of unpleasant odors and the acceleration of corrosion. Currently, to ensure sealing at the wall passage, a seal is placed on the sub-part of the nozzle which is housed in this passage. However, due to the shocks and vibrations experienced and / or dimensional variations during manufacturing, this seal may move slightly (or gradually) and / or not be sufficiently in contact with the internal face of the passage, and therefore liquid and / or dust from the exterior area may penetrate into the interior area.

[0005] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0006] It proposes in particular for this purpose a nozzle suitable for equipping a wall of a vehicle provided with a passage situated close to a camera, and comprising a hollow body in which a cleaning liquid is suitable for circulating and provided with a part suitable for passing through this passage and comprising an end provided with a through hole suitable for spraying the cleaning liquid onto the camera.

[0007] This nozzle is characterized by the fact that the part of its hollow body comprises, before the through hole, a sub-part intended to be housed in the passage of the wall and provided with two collars separated by a space in which a sealing joint is installed to prevent the passage of liquid and dust via this passage of the wall.

[0008] By maintaining the sealing gasket between the two collars, there is no longer any risk of it moving and / or not being in sufficient contact with the internal face of the passage, which allows it to ensure its sealing function at the passage in a permanent and lasting manner.

[0009] The nozzle according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0010] - in the presence of a wall passage having a first truncated cone shape, one at less of the collars may have a second truncated cone shape similar to this first truncated cone shape;

[0011] - in the presence of the first option, each of the collars can have the second truncated cone shape;

[0012] - a first collar, located closest to the through hole, can be arranged in so as to have a clearance with an internal face of the wall passage of between 0.05 mm and 0.09 mm;

[0013] - a second collar, located furthest from the through hole, can be arranged in so as to have a clearance with an internal face of the wall passage of between 0.15 mm and 0.3 mm;

[0014] - the seal may have a circular cross-section.

[0015] The invention also proposes a vehicle comprising, on the one hand, a wall provided with a passage located near a camera, and, on the other hand, a nozzle of the type presented above, coupled to this wall and passing through this passage.

[0016] For example, the wall may be part of a trunk flap, possibly installed in a rear part of the vehicle.

[0017] Also for example, this vehicle can be of the automobile type. Brief description of the figures

[0018] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings (obtained in CAD / CAM (“Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing”)), in which:

[0019] [Fig.l] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a perspective view from the rear side, a part of an example of a vehicle wall to which a camera and an example of an embodiment of a nozzle according to the invention are coupled,

[0020] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane at the level of the nozzle, the part of the wall of [Fig.l], and

[0021] [Fig.3] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane, the nozzle of figures 1 and 2, before it is coupled to the wall of the vehicle. Detailed description of the invention

[0022] The invention aims in particular to propose a GC nozzle intended to equip a PV wall of a vehicle provided with a PP passage located near a CA camera, and ensuring a sealing function at the level of this PP passage.

[0023] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the vehicle is of the automobile type. It is for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates in fact to any vehicle (land, sea (or river), or air) comprising at least one wall provided with a passage located near a camera having an observation end to be cleaned by a cleaning liquid sprayed by a nozzle passing through this passage.

[0024] Furthermore, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the PV wall is part of a trunk flap installed in a rear part of a vehicle. But the PV wall could be part of a trunk flap installed in a front part of a vehicle, or of another piece of equipment of a vehicle, different from a trunk flap.

[0025] In Figures 1 to 3, the X direction is intended to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is intended to be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal X and transverse Y directions.

[0026] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate, at least partially, a part of an example of a vehicle PV wall (here a rear trunk flap), to which a CA camera and an example of an embodiment of a GC nozzle according to the invention are coupled.

[0027] For example, the camera may be responsible (here) for observing at least part of the area located behind the vehicle, in order to acquire digital images useful for a driving assistance (or assistance) device. For example, the latter may be responsible for helping the driver of the vehicle to carry out parking and / or reversing maneuvers.

[0028] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 and 2, the PV wall is provided with a PP passage which is located near the CA camera. The PV wall therefore comprises an opening located a few centimeters from the PP passage and housing the end observation end of the camera CA to be cleaned by a jet JL of cleaning liquid sprayed by a nozzle GC according to the invention, coupled to the wall PV and passing through the passage PP. This observation end comprises for example a protective lens or filter (or glass).

[0029] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, a nozzle GC, according to the invention, comprises a hollow body CC in which the cleaning liquid (coming from a supply circuit to which it is connected) is suitable for circulating. This hollow body CC is provided with a part PI which is suitable for passing through the passage PP and which comprises an end EP provided with a through hole TT suitable for spraying the cleaning liquid onto the camera CA (in the form of a jet JL). It will be understood, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, that the end EP is located after the (or downstream of the) passage PP (relative to the direction of circulation of the cleaning liquid) in order to be able to spray the latter onto the observation end of the camera CA.

[0030] The part PI of the hollow body CC comprises, before the (or upstream of the) through hole TT, a sub-part SP which is intended to be housed in the passage PP and which is provided with two collars Cj (j = 1 or 2) separated by a space EC in which a sealing joint JE is installed. The latter (JE) is suitable for preventing the passage of liquid and dust (from the outside) via the passage PP.

[0031] This space EC extends over a distance along the longitudinal direction X which is substantially equal to the dimension of the seal JE along this longitudinal direction X, so that the position of the seal JE between the two collars Cj is substantially constant.

[0032] Since the sealing gasket JE is now retained between the two collars Cj, it no longer risks moving slightly (or gradually) and / or not being sufficiently in contact with the internal face FI of the passage PP, including in the presence of relatively significant shocks and / or vibrations. Consequently, this sealing gasket JE can ensure its sealing function at the PP passage in a permanent and lasting manner, which guarantees that no liquid from the external zone will penetrate into the internal zone via this PP passage.

[0033] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 2 and 3, the coupling of the hollow body CC to the wall PV can be done by means of at least one fixing element EF. For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 2 and 3, this fixing element EF can comprise at least one clipping tab intended to cooperate with another corresponding clipping element. By way of example, this other clipping element can be part of a support of the camera CA which is itself secured to the wall PV or (here) to the trunk flap, for example by screwing or clipping. But other types of fixing of the nozzle GC can be envisaged, and in particular screwing.

[0034] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], when the passage PP (and more precisely its internal face FI) has a first frustoconical shape, at least one of the collars Cj may have a second frustoconical shape which is similar to this first frustoconical shape. This advantageously makes it easier to guide the nozzle GC during its installation relative to the wall PV. In addition, this makes it possible to reduce the possibilities of interference with the sealing joint JE.

[0035] It will be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], that each of the collars Cj can have the second truncated cone shape. But this is not an obligation. When there is only one collar Cj having the second truncated cone shape, it is preferable that it is the first C1 (j = 1), located closest to the through hole TT, because it is the one that is introduced first into the passage PP during the installation of the nozzle GC relative to the wall PV.

[0036] Also for example, in order to have good operation of the seal JE, the first collar C1 can be arranged so as to have a first clearance with the internal face FI of the passage PP of between 0.05 mm and 0.09 mm. For example, this first clearance can be substantially equal to 0.07 mm. But other first clearance values can be used. This first clearance is intended to allow the guidance and mounting of the nozzle GC.

[0037] Also for example, in order to have good operation of the seal JE, the second collar C2 (j = 2), located furthest from the through hole TT (and therefore upstream of the first collar C1), can be arranged so as to have a second clearance with the internal face FI of the passage PP of between 0.15 mm and 0.3 mm. For example, this second clearance can be substantially equal to 0.2 mm. But other values of second clearance can be used. This second clearance is intended to guarantee the seal (by contact) between the seal JE and the wall PV or (here) the trunk flap.

[0038] It will be noted that the clearances between the wall PV and the first C1 and second C2 collars also allow for good operation of the sealing joint JE.

[0039] It will also be noted that the first clearance is preferably less than the second clearance due to the first and second frustoconical shapes.

[0040] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.2], the seal JE may have a circular cross-section. In this case, when the sub-part SP has a circular cross-section, as illustrated, the seal JE is an O-ring.

Claims

Claims

1. Nozzle (GC) suitable for equipping a wall (PV) of a vehicle provided with a passage (PP) located near a camera (CA), and comprising a hollow body (CC) in which a cleaning liquid is suitable for circulating and provided with a part (PI) suitable for passing through said passage (PP) and comprising an end (EP) provided with a through hole (TT) suitable for spraying said cleaning liquid onto said camera (CA), characterized in that said part (PI) comprises, before said through hole (TT), a sub-part (SP) intended to be housed in said passage (PP) and provided with two collars (Cj) separated by a space (EC) in which a seal (JE) is installed suitable for preventing the passage of liquid and dust via said passage (PP).

2. Nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that in the presence of a passage (PP) having a first truncated cone shape, at least one of said collars (Cj) has a second truncated cone shape similar to said first truncated cone shape.

3. Nozzle according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said collars (Cj) has said second truncated cone shape.

4. Nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a first collar (Cl), located closest to said through hole (TT), is arranged so as to have a clearance with an internal face (FI) of said passage (PP) of between 0.05 mm and 0.09 mm.

5. Nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a second collar (C2), located furthest from said through hole (TT), is arranged so as to have a clearance with an internal face (FI) of said passage (PP) of between 0.15 mm and 0.3 mm.

6. Nozzle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said sealing gasket (JE) has a circular transverse section.

7. Vehicle comprising a wall (PV) provided with a passage (PP) located near a camera (CA), characterized in that it comprises a nozzle (GC) according to one of claims 1 to 6, coupled to said wall (PV) and passing through said passage (PP).

8. Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that said wall (PV) is part of a trunk flap.

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that said trunk flap is installed in a rear part of said vehicle.

10. Vehicle according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it is automotive type.

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