SEALABLE SPRAY FUNCTION FOR A VEHICLE CAMERA

Abstract

A nozzle (GC) is fitted to a wall (PV) of a vehicle equipped with a passage (PP) located near a camera. It comprises a hollow body (CC) through which a cleaning fluid circulates and a portion (P1) that passes through this passage (PP) and has an end (EP) with a through hole adapted for spraying the cleaning fluid onto the camera. This portion (P1) includes, upstream of the through hole, a sub-part (SP) housed within the passage (PP) and equipped with two flanges (C1-C2) separated by a space (EC) in which a sealing gasket (JE) is installed, preventing the passage of fluid and dust through the passage (PP). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: SEAL-PROOF SPRAY FOR A VEHICLE CAMERA Technical field of the invention

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

[0002] Some vehicles, generally automobiles, include a panel, for example, part of a trunk lid (possibly rear), with a passage located near a camera. To clean this camera, it has been proposed to attach to this panel a nozzle comprising a hollow body through which a cleaning fluid circulates, and having a portion that passes through this panel passage and an (external) end with a through hole adapted for spraying the cleaning fluid onto the camera's viewing end.

[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 penetration is an area located at the interface between an exterior area, which is damp or wet when exposed to a liquid, and an interior area, which must remain dry and clean to prevent the generation of unpleasant odors and accelerated corrosion. Currently, to ensure a seal at the wall penetration, a sealing gasket is placed on the sub-portion of the nozzle housed within this penetration. However, due to shocks and vibrations and / or dimensional variations during manufacturing, this sealing gasket may shift slightly (or gradually) and / or not be in sufficient contact with the inner face of the penetration, and therefore liquid and / or dust from the exterior area may penetrate the interior area.

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

[0006] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a nozzle suitable for equipping a wall of a vehicle equipped with a passage located near a camera, and comprising a hollow body in which a cleaning liquid is suitable for circulating and equipped with a part suitable for passing through this passage and having an end equipped with a through hole adapted for spraying the cleaning liquid onto the camera.

[0007] This nozzle is characterized by the fact that the part of its hollow body includes, 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 is installed a sealing gasket suitable for preventing the passage of liquid and dust through this passage of the wall.

[0008] Thanks to the retention of the sealing gasket between the two collars, there is no longer any risk of it moving and / or not being sufficiently in contact with the inner face of the passage, which allows it to ensure its sealing function at the level of the passage in a permanent and lasting way.

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

[0010] - in the presence of a wall penetration having a first frustoconical shape, one at least the collars can have a second truncated conical shape similar to this first truncated conical 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 to in order to have a clearance with an internal face of the wall passage between 0.05 mm and 0.09 mm;

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

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

[0015] The invention also proposes a vehicle comprising, on the one hand, a wall 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 lid, possibly installed in a rear part of the vehicle.

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

[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”)), in which:

[0019] [Fig. 1] schematically and functionally illustrates, in a rear perspective view, a portion of an example of a vehicle wall to which a camera and an example embodiment of a sprinkler according to the invention are coupled,

[0020] [Fig.2] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a cross-sectional view in a longitudinal and vertical plane at the level of the nozzle, the part of the wall of the [Fig. 1], and

[0021] [Fig.3] illustrates schematically and functionally, in a cross-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 provide a GC nozzle intended to equip a PV wall of a vehicle equipped with a PP passage located near a CA camera, and ensuring a sealing function at the level of this PP passage.

[0023] In what follows, the vehicle is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. For example, a car. However, 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 equipped 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, in the following, by way of non-limiting example, the PV panel is considered to be part of a trunk lid installed in the rear of a vehicle. However, the PV panel could also be part of a trunk lid installed in the front of a vehicle, or of other vehicle equipment other than a trunk lid.

[0025] In figures 1 to 3 the direction X 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 direction Y is intended to be parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the direction Z is intended to be parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0026] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate, at least partially, 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 used (here) to observe at least part of the area behind the vehicle in order to acquire digital images useful for a driver assistance device. For example, this device may be used to assist the vehicle's driver in performing 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 located near the CA camera. The PV wall therefore includes an opening situated a few centimeters from the PP passage and housing the observation end of the CA camera, which is to be cleaned by a JL jet of cleaning fluid sprayed by a GC nozzle according to the invention, coupled to the PV wall and passing through the PP passage. This observation end includes, 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 through which the cleaning fluid (from a supply circuit to which it is connected) circulates. This hollow body CC is provided with a portion PI adapted to pass through the passage PP and which has an end EP with a through hole TT adapted for spraying the cleaning fluid 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 (or downstream of) the passage PP (relative to the direction of flow of the cleaning fluid) in order to spray the latter onto the observation end of the camera CA.

[0030] The PI portion of the hollow body CC comprises, before (or upstream of) the through hole TT, a sub-portion SP which is intended to be housed in the passage PP and which is provided with two flanges Cj (j = 1 or 2) separated by a space EC in which a sealing gasket JE is installed. This latter (JE) is designed to prevent 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 sealing gasket JE along this longitudinal direction X, so that the position of the sealing gasket JE between the two collars Cj is substantially constant.

[0032] Since the JE seal is now held between the two flanges Cj, it is no longer at risk of shifting slightly (or gradually) and / or failing to maintain sufficient contact with the inner face FI of the PP passage, even in the presence of relatively significant shocks and / or vibrations. Consequently, this JE seal can permanently and reliably perform its sealing function at the PP passage, thus ensuring that no liquid from the outer zone will penetrate the inner 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 achieved by means of at least one fastening element EF. For example, and as illustrated without limitation in Figures 2 and 3, this fastening element EF may include at least one clipping tab intended to cooperate with another corresponding clipping element. By way of example, this other clipping element may be part of a camera support CA which is itself fixed to the PV wall or (here) to the trunk lid, for example by screwing or clipping. But other types of fixing for the GC nozzle can be considered, including screwing.

[0034] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 2], when the PP passage (and more precisely its inner face FI) has a first frustoconical shape, at least one of the flanges Cj may have a second frustoconical shape similar to this first frustoconical shape. This advantageously facilitates the guidance of the nozzle GC during its installation relative to the PV wall. Furthermore, it reduces the possibility of interference with the sealing gasket JE.

[0035] It should be noted, as illustrated (non-exhaustively) in [Fig. 2], that each of the collars Cj may have the second frustoconical shape. However, this is not mandatory. When only one collar Cj has the second frustoconical shape, it is preferable that it be the first C1 (j = 1), located closest to the through hole TT, because it is the one that is introduced first into the PP passage during the installation of the nozzle GC relative to the PV wall.

[0036] Also, for example, in order to ensure proper operation of the JE seal, the first flange Cl can be arranged to have an initial clearance with the inner face FI of the PP passage of between 0.05 mm and 0.09 mm. For example, this initial clearance can be approximately 0.07 mm. However, other initial clearance values ​​can be used. This initial clearance is intended to allow for the guidance and mounting of the GC nozzle.

[0037] Also, for example, in order to ensure proper operation of the JE seal, the second flange C2 (j = 2), located furthest from the through hole TT (and therefore upstream of the first flange Cl), can be arranged to provide a second clearance with the inner face FI of the PP opening of between 0.15 mm and 0.3 mm. For example, this second clearance can be approximately 0.2 mm. However, other values ​​for this second clearance can be used. This second clearance is intended to guarantee a seal (by contact) between the JE seal and the PV wall or (here) the shutter box.

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

[0039] It will also be noted that the first set is preferably inferior to the second set because of the first and second truncated conical shapes.

[0040] Also, for example, and as illustrated but not limited to [Fig. 2], the sealing gasket JE may have a circular cross-section. In this case, when the sub-part SP has a circular cross-section, as illustrated, the sealing gasket JE is an O-ring.

Claims

Demands

1. A nozzle (GC) suitable for fitting a wall (PV) of a vehicle having a passage (PP) located near a camera (CA), and comprising a hollow body (CC) in which a cleaning liquid is suitable for circulating and having a part (PI) suitable for passing through said passage (PP) and having an end (EP) having a through hole (TT) adapted 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 having two collars (Cj) separated by a space (EC) in which is installed a sealing gasket (JE) suitable for preventing the passage of liquid and dust via said passage (PP), characterized in that in the presence of a passage (PP) having a first frustoconical shape, each of said two collars (Cj) has a second frustoconical shape similar to said first frustoconical shape.

2. Nozzle according to claim 1, 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.

3. Nozzle according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a second collar (C2), located furthest from said through hole (TT), is arranged so as to have a clearance with an inner face (FI) of said passage (PP) of between 0.15 mm and 0.3 mm.

4. Nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said sealing joint (JE) has a circular cross-section.

5. Vehicle comprising a wall (PV) equipped with a passage (PP) located near a camera (CA), characterized in that it comprises a nozzle (GC) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, coupled to said wall (PV) and passing through said passage (PP).

6. Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that said wall (PV) is part of a trunk lid.

7. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that said trunk lid is installed in a rear part of said vehicle.

8. Vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.

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