Vehicle camera washing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted washing device (2) comprising a ring (21) configured to be arranged around a camera lens (30) (3) and comprising alternating slots (210) and grooves (211). The washing device also includes an array of nozzles (22) arranged on slots of the ring and configured to generate jets of washing fluid towards the lens, and a supply nozzle (23) configured to connect the nozzles to a washing fluid supply circuit. (See Figure 2 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Washing device for a camera mounted in a vehicle. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to camera washing devices and systems installed in a vehicle, particularly but not exclusively in a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a vision system comprising at least one camera associated with a washing device. Technological background

[0002] Contemporary vehicles are increasingly equipped with driver assistance systems, known as ADAS (from the English "Advanced Driver-Assistance System" or in French "Système d'aide à la conduite avancé"), which include sensors and in particular cameras allowing them to obtain data representative of the environment in which the vehicle carrying them is operating.

[0003] An ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) can, for example, help a driver park their vehicle by providing images of the vehicle's immediate surroundings. These images are obtained, for instance, from cameras located at the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle, thus offering a 360° (three hundred and sixty-degree) view of the vehicle's environment. In another example, an ADAS includes a vision system that identifies objects in the vehicle's environment and determines the distances between these objects and the vehicle in order to alert the driver to their presence or even brake the vehicle if they are too close. Such a vision system is used, for example, to control an adaptive cruise control system. In yet another example, data from cameras (often in conjunction with other data from, for example, a LiDAR® or ultrasonic sensors) can be used to guide an autonomous vehicle.

[0004] Thus, AD AS using data from on-board cameras requires that this data be of excellent quality, that is to say that images acquired by cameras must not be polluted by the presence of dirt on a camera lens in order to be usable.

[0005] Camera washing devices exist and often include a nozzle configured to spray cleaning fluid, commonly called windshield washer fluid, onto the camera lens. Because this nozzle is unique, the washing quality is poor due to uneven distribution of the fluid on the lens and the nozzle's poor positioning relative to the lens. The nozzle is often positioned based on the available space around the lens or on aesthetics. Aesthetically pleasing without being functionally optimized, this results in a need for a large volume of washing liquid to achieve satisfactory cleaning quality, which is not guaranteed. Summary of the present invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a device for washing a camera lens mounted in a vehicle, the performance of which is increased and which allows for uniform cleaning of this lens.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to minimize the amount of cleaning fluid required to clean the lens of a camera mounted in a vehicle.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a washing device installed in a vehicle, the washing device comprising: - a crown configured to be arranged around a camera lens and comprising an alternation of crenellations and grooves, - a set of nozzles, each nozzle in the set of nozzles being arranged in a slot in the crown and configured to generate a jet of washing fluid towards the camera lens, and - a supply nozzle configured to connect nozzles from the nozzle assembly to a wash fluid supply circuit.

[0010] Such an arrangement of the nozzles around the camera lens allows the sprayed washing fluid to be distributed evenly over the lens, thus ensuring its thorough cleaning. The grooves between the notches facilitate the drainage of the washing fluid laden with dirt removed from the camera lens surface. Furthermore, the nozzles are positioned outside the camera's field of vision, allowing a driver assistance system to utilize the entire field of view of the camera associated with the washing device.

[0011] According to a variant of the washing device, the crown has a hollow cylindrical shape extending along an axis of revolution, the washing device being positioned relative to the camera so as to make the axis of revolution coincide with an optical axis of the camera lens.

[0012] According to yet another variant of the washing device, the slots are distributed uniformly around the axis of revolution on an upper surface of the ring normal to the axis of revolution.

[0013] According to another variant of the washing device, the set of nozzles comprises at least three nozzles.

[0014] According to one variant, the washing device comprises two sets of independent nozzles and two supply nozzles, each supply nozzle being associated with one of the two sets of nozzles.

[0015] According to an additional variant of the washing device, nozzles of a first set of nozzles among the two sets of nozzles have a first flow rate and / or a first pressure different from a second flow rate and / or a second pressure presented by nozzles of a second set of nozzles among the two sets of nozzles.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a washing system comprising a washing device according to the first aspect of the present invention and a washing liquid reservoir connected to a supply nozzle of the washing device via a hydraulic circuit.

[0017] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a washing system according to the second aspect of the present invention. Brief description of the figures

[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 5, in which:

[0019] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a vehicle seen from above and incorporating a system washing, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a washing device on board the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a first particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the washing device of the [Fig.2] in operation, according to the first particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a washing device mounted in the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a second particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention; and

[0023] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the washing device of the [Fig.4] in operation, according to the second particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

[0024] A washing system and a washing device for this washing system will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 5. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description that follows.

[0025] The terms "first," "second" (or "firsts," "seconds"), etc., are used in this document by arbitrary convention to allow for the identification and distinction of different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0026] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle-mounted washing device comprises a ring configured to be arranged around a camera lens, this ring comprising alternating slots and grooves. The washing device also comprises an array of nozzles arranged on the slots of the ring and configured to generate jets of washing fluid towards the camera lens, and a supply nozzle configured to connect these nozzles to a washing fluid supply circuit.

[0027] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle seen from above and incorporating a washing system, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, with electric motor(s), or even a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. Vehicle 10 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle, for example a car, a truck, a bus.

[0029] According to this particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 advantageously incorporates a washing system comprising: • the first washing devices 11 associated with cameras positioned in the rearview mirrors and rear bumper of the vehicle 10, these cameras acquiring images representing the environment near the vehicle 10, which are used as input data for an AD AS allowing, for example, to facilitate the parking of the vehicle 10, • second washing devices 12 associated with cameras positioned at the top of the front windshield and at the top of the rear windshield of the vehicle 10, these cameras acquiring images representing an environment distant from the vehicle 10, which are used as input data for an AD AS allowing, for example, the detection of objects present in the environment of the vehicle 10 and the determination of a distance separating them from the vehicle 10, • third washing devices 13 associated with cameras positioned in the front bumper of the vehicle 10, these cameras acquiring images representing an environment in front of the vehicle 10, which are, for example, thermal or infrared cameras used to display an image on a screen in the vehicle's interior 10 so that the driver benefits from night vision, • a washer fluid reservoir 100, also called a windshield washer fluid reservoir, containing for example water or a detergent liquid, commonly found in vehicles to clean their windshields, note that some vehicles have several washer fluid reservoirs, • a hydraulic circuit comprising a first channel c1 connecting the jar 100 to the first washing devices 11, a second channel c2 connecting the jar 100 to the second washing devices 12 and a third channel c3 connecting the jar 100 to the third washing devices 13, the third channel c3 being doubled and comprising a first sub-channel c3i and a second sub-channel c32 in order to supply various parts of the third washing devices, • one or more pumps or devices for pressurizing the washing fluid in one or more parts of the hydraulic circuit, and • valves, for example solenoid valves where appropriate to independently control parts of the hydraulic circuit and therefore of the washing devices.

[0030] The invention is not limited, however, to this particular embodiment but extends to a washing system comprising at a minimum a washing device connected to a washing liquid reservoir 100 via a hydraulic circuit.

[0031] Thus, the washing system on board the vehicle 10 is configured to wash or clean one or more lenses of cameras on board the vehicle 10. Indeed, since these cameras have the function of acquiring images representative of the external environment of the vehicle 10, they are subject to dirt coming from the environment outside the vehicle 10. Thus, mud or various projections can accumulate in front of the lens of a camera and disrupt it, which then acquires poor quality images because they are polluted by the presence of dirt in front of the camera lens during acquisition.

[0032] According to a particular embodiment, the washing system includes a controller (for example a computer) controlling one or more washing devices, for example by controlling the activation of a pump and / or the opening of a solenoid valve so as to send pressurized washing liquid towards the washing device thus controlled.

[0033] Such a washing system is, for example, controlled by the driver of the vehicle 10 via a control device such as a stalk or via a central console with a set of physical buttons, configured to control various functions and / or different systems of the vehicle 10, one or more of these physical buttons being, for example, provided to control / trigger the cleaning of one or more camera lenses via the washing system by activating the washing device(s).

[0034] According to another specific embodiment, the washing system's computer receives an image acquired by an on-board camera, which is associated with a washing device. The computer then implements a neural network capable of determining the level of soiling on the camera lens that acquired the image and commands the cleaning of the camera lens if it is dirty by activating the cleaning device associated with the camera. The user then does not need to take any action, and the ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) using images acquired by this camera then function optimally.

[0035] Figures 2 and 3 schematically illustrate a washing device mounted in the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a first particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Such a washing device 2 is configured to be associated with a camera 3 corresponding, for example, to one of the cameras mounted in the vehicle 10 of [Fig. 1]. More particularly, the washing device 2 is configured to be arranged on or near this camera 3 so as to clean its lens 30. According to this particular embodiment, the washing device 2 comprises a ring 21 configured to be arranged around the lens 30 of the camera 3, and this ring 21 comprises alternating slots 210 and grooves 211.

[0037] According to this particular embodiment, the ring 21 has a hollow cylindrical shape extending along an axis of revolution A, the slots 210 being uniformly distributed around the axis of revolution A on the upper surface of the ring 21 perpendicular to the axis of revolution A. Each slot 210 then comprises a nozzle 22, preferably positioned at the center of a lateral face of the slot 210 oriented towards the center of the ring 21, or on a face adjacent to the upper surface of the ring 21 oriented towards the center of the ring 21, in the case where the slots 210 do not have a rectangular cross-section. According to this example, the washing device 2 comprises eight nozzles 22, the invention, however, not being limited to this number of nozzles but extending to a washing device comprising at least three nozzles.

[0038] In order to optimally arrange the nozzles 22 around the lens 30, the washing device 2 is positioned relative to the camera 3 so as to coincide the axis of revolution A with an optical axis of the lens 30. In this way, the nozzles 22 are distributed uniformly around the lens 30. The nozzles 22 then form a set of nozzles, each nozzle being configured to generate a jet 220 of washing liquid towards the lens 30, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0039] The washing liquid thus sprayed onto the surface of the lens 30 captures the dirt present on that same surface and is then evacuated through the grooves 211 arranged between each slot 210. The width of these grooves 211 is specifically defined according to the flow rate of the washing fluid projected by the nozzle assembly, and the grooves 211 are, for example, inclined outwards from the ring 21 so as not to create a basin on the surface of the lens 30. This slope facilitates the drainage of the soiled washing fluid. Thus, the grooves 211 ensure efficient drainage of the soiled washing fluid and optimize the flow of washing fluid, which is projected clean onto a surface where there is a very small amount of soiled fluid. The amount of washing fluid required to clean the surface of the lens 30 is therefore reduced, making it possible to decrease the volume of the reservoir 100 or to supply more washing devices with the same quantity of washing fluid contained in the reservoir 100.Furthermore, the amount of energy required to power the pump is also reduced.

[0040] The washing device 2 is, for example, arranged on the camera body 31, which is, for example, sealed so that washing fluid, dust, or rain cannot penetrate it and includes a receiving area configured to conform to the shape of the washing device 2 and allow it to be attached. The ring 21 is, for example, press-fitted onto a portion of the lens having a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the ring 21. Other means of attachment are, however, conceivable, such as screws passing through the ring 21 and screwed into a shaft arranged in the body 31, or clips arranged on the ring 21 configured to cooperate with the body 31, or on the body 31 configured to cooperate with the ring 21.

[0041] The washing device 2 is thus designed as a module that can be assembled on the lens 30; only the lens 30 requires a standardized reception area, the module being independent of the camera 3.

[0042] The height of the crown 21 is in particular reduced, so as to take the slots 210 and the nozzles 22 out of the field of vision of the camera 3 in order to maintain the widest possible field of vision.

[0043] Finally, the washing device 2 includes a supply nozzle 23 configured to connect the nozzles 22 of the nozzle assembly to a washing fluid supply circuit corresponding to the hydraulic circuit of [Fig. 1]. Thus, the washing fluid reservoir 100 is connected to the supply nozzle 23 of the washing device 2 via the previously defined hydraulic circuit. The ring 21 includes, for example, internal channels (not shown) connecting each nozzle 22 to the supply nozzle 23.

[0044] Figures 4 and 5 schematically illustrate a washing device mounted in the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a second particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] The orientation of the nozzles 22 is more parallel to the axis of revolution, thus allowing the jet 220 produced by each nozzle 22 to be directed more precisely towards the lens 30. However, this configuration requires a taller ring 21. It is therefore suitable for a camera 3 with a narrower field of view than that used in the example illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

[0046] Its number of nozzles 22 is increased to twelve. This solution is therefore more suitable for a camera 3 requiring more efficient cleaning, i.e. the washing device 2 makes it possible to generate more powerful jets 220 and / or to increase the total flow rate of liquid sent by the set of nozzles.

[0047] According to another particular embodiment, the examples illustrated in [Fig.2] and 3 and in Figures 4 and 5 are combined, the ring then having different slots and nozzles, for example alternating slots and nozzles of a first type similar to that shown with regard to Figures 2 and 3 and slots and nozzles of a second type similar to that shown with regard to Figures 4 and 5. The washing device then comprises two sets of nozzles, the nozzles of the first type then forming a first set of nozzles and the nozzles of the second type then forming a second set of nozzles.

[0048] Each set of nozzles is then made independent, each being supplied by a separate supply nozzle associated with one of the two sets of nozzles, a first nozzle being for example connected to a first sub-channel such as the first sub-channel c3i and a second nozzle being for example connected to a second sub-channel such as the second sub-channel c32 illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0049] According to a particular embodiment, the nozzles of the first set of nozzles have a first flow rate and / or a first pressure different from a second flow rate and / or a second pressure presented by the nozzles of the second set of nozzles.

[0050] Such washing system and washing device designs make it possible to obtain a particularly efficient washing system. Each washing device is thus optimally positioned on the camera lens, close enough to it without being in the camera's field of view. Its proximity and the homogeneous distribution of the nozzles allow for efficient spraying of the camera lens surface, thereby saving washing fluid. Furthermore, dirt is quickly and efficiently removed, as the grooves are also evenly distributed around the lens, allowing for efficient drainage of the dirty washing fluid regardless of the washing device's orientation. Such a washing device therefore guarantees maximum cleanliness of the lens surface and thus optimal image quality acquired by the camera connected to the washing device.

[0051] The modular design of the washing device also allows it to be easily integrated onto new cameras, facilitating the installation of new cameras and the development and / or improvement of driver assistance systems.

[0052] The present invention also relates to a vision system comprising at least one camera associated with a washing device as described above.

[0053] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle or more generally a land motor vehicle, comprising a washing device of figures 2 to 5 or a washing system of the [Fig.1].

Claims

Demands

1. Washing device (2) mounted in a vehicle (10), said washing device (2) being characterized in that it comprises: - a ring (21) configured to be arranged around a lens (30) of a camera (3) and comprising an alternation of slots (210) and grooves (211), - an assembly of nozzles, each nozzle (22) of said assembly of nozzles being arranged on a slot (210) of said ring (21) and configured to generate a jet (220) of washing fluid towards said lens (30), and - a supply nozzle (23) configured to connect nozzles (22) of said assembly of nozzles to a washing fluid supply circuit.

2. Washing device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the crown (21) has a hollow cylindrical shape extending along an axis of revolution (A), said washing device (2) being positioned relative to the camera (3) so as to make said axis of revolution (A) coincide with an optical axis of the lens (30) of said camera.

3. Washing device (2) according to claim 2, wherein the slots (210) are distributed uniformly around said axis of revolution (A) on an upper surface of the ring (21) normal to said axis of revolution (A).

4. Washing device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the nozzle assembly comprises at least three nozzles (22).

5. Washing device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which comprises two sets of independent nozzles and two supply nozzles (23), each supply nozzle (23) being associated with one of the two sets of nozzles.

6. Washing device (2) according to claim 5, wherein nozzles of a first set of nozzles among the two sets of nozzles have a first flow rate and / or a first pressure different from a second flow rate and / or a second pressure presented by nozzles of a second set of nozzles among the two sets of nozzles.

7. Washing system comprising a washing device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a washing fluid reservoir (100)

8. connected to a feed nozzle (23) of said washing device (2) via a hydraulic circuit (cl, c2, c3). Vehicle (10) comprising a washing system according to claim 7.