Device for cleaning optical elements of a motor vehicle, optical elements and corresponding cleaning method

Abstract

A cleaning device (1) for an optical element (100) designed in particular to be fitted in a motor vehicle, the cleaning device (1) comprises a base (3) adapted to be placed on at least one of the sides of the lens (110) of the optical element (100), the base (3) comprising an air duct (50) in which a jet of air is intended to circulate between an air inlet (51) arranged inside the base (3) and an air outlet (52), the air outlet (52) protruding from the base (3) and arranged around the lens (110) of the optical element (100) and intended to circulate the air jet between the air inlet (51) arranged inside the base (3) and an air outlet (52) The cleaning device (1) further comprises a liquid pipe (60) coupled to the base (3) and through which the cleaning liquid is intended to circulate between a liquid inlet (61) and a liquid outlet (62), the liquid outlet (62) protruding from the base (3) and forming a second liquid outlet nozzle (6) arranged around the lens (110) of the optical element (100) and configured to spray a jet of cleaning liquid onto the surface of the lens (110).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cleaning devices in the automotive sector, more particularly to a cleaning device for optical elements intended to be mounted in a motor vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] With the development of driving or parking assistance systems, automobiles are increasingly being fitted with optical elements such as cameras. However, these optical elements, or at least the surfaces of their lenses, are mounted on the outside of the vehicle and are exposed to bad weather and dirt that can reduce visibility. A known solution is to place a cleaning liquid sprayer close to the lens surface of the optical element, capable of spraying this surface to remove dirt and dust. However, depending on the position of the optical element on the vehicle, droplets of cleaning liquid and dirt can remain on the surface of the lens.

[0003] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore one object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and to propose an improved optical element cleaning device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention therefore relates to a cleaning device for optical elements, in particular intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle, said cleaning device comprising a base configured to be placed on at least one of the sides of the lens of an optical element, said base comprising an air line through which a jet of air is intended to circulate between an air inlet and an outlet provided in said base, the outlet protruding from the base and positioned around the lens of the optical element and forming a first air ejection nozzle configured to eject a jet of air onto the surface of the lens, and said cleaning device further comprising a liquid line coupled to the base and through which a cleaning liquid is intended to circulate between a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, the liquid outlet protruding from the base and positioned around the lens of the optical element and forming a second liquid ejection nozzle configured to eject a jet of cleaning liquid onto the surface of the lens.

[0005] In certain embodiments, the base comprises at least one curved portion configured to surround at least a portion of the lens.

[0006] It will be appreciated that the base and lens are concentric.

[0007] For example, the base is configured to surround the entire lens.

[0008] For example, the base has a cylindrical shape.

[0009] For example, the lens is disposed at least partially inside the base. For example, the optical element is disposed at least partially inside the base.

[0010] Thus, the base can also act as a protective housing for the optical elements and / or lenses.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the exhaust outlet of the first nozzle and the liquid outlet of the second nozzle are arranged relative to each other such that the relative ejection direction of the liquid forms an angle of 70° to 110° with the relative ejection direction of the jet of air.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the exhaust outlet is configured such that the jet of air is an air knife, the exhaust outlet having a slot shape.

[0013] For example, the air ejection nozzles are disposed in series with at least a portion of the base.

[0014] For example, air jet nozzles are positioned around a portion of the circumference of the lens.

[0015] For example, the exhaust nozzle has a concave shape.

[0016] For example, the exhaust nozzle extends over a curved section having the center of the lens as its center of curvature.

[0017] For example, the exhaust nozzle may have the shape of an arc having a center, for example, coincident with the center of the lens, the arc being bounded by the ends of the nozzle in the circumferential direction.

[0018] For example, the angle at the center of the arc is between 10° and 110°.

[0019] For example, the angle at the center of the arc is between 45° and 100°.

[0020] For example, the angle at the center of the arc is between 60° and 90°.

[0021] For example, the angle at the center of the arc is between 75° and 100°.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, the cleaning device is configured to fit around a circular lens, and the base is curved and has an axis of curvature configured to be concentric with the axis of rotation of the lens of the optical element.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, both the relative ejection direction of the liquid and the relative ejection direction of the jet of air pass through the axis of curvature of the base.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, the base has the shape of an arc configured to partially surround a lens of the optical element.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, the base has a circular shape configured to completely surround the lens of the optical element.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, the base is configured such that only the exhaust port and the liquid outlet port protrude beyond the plane formed by the surfaces of the lenses of the optical element.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, the cleaning device includes a supply tube connected at one end to an air inlet in the base and at another end to a blower.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, the liquid inlet of the base is provided with a means for connection to a circuit for circulating cleaning fluid in the vehicle.

[0029] The invention also relates to an optical element comprising a cleaning device as described above.

[0030] The present invention also provides a method for cleaning an optical element, said cleaning method comprising the steps of: a first step of continuously injecting a jet of air onto a surface of the lens through an exhaust port; a second step of spraying a jet of cleaning liquid onto the surface of the lens via the liquid outlet, during which the intensity of the jet of air is reduced; a third step in which the jet of liquid is interrupted and the jet of air is increased in intensity, said jet of air being maintained until a new second step of ejecting cleaning liquid; The present invention relates to a method comprising:

[0031] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the cleaning device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a cross section of the cleaning device of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a cross section of the cleaning device of FIG. 1 from a different angle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a surface of a body element on which an optical element and a cleaning device are mounted. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of method steps for cleaning optical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] In these figures, identical elements have the same reference numbers.

[0034] The following embodiments are by way of example. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment or that a feature applies only to one embodiment. Individual features of different embodiments may also be combined and / or substituted to provide other embodiments.

[0035] In this specification, a particular element or parameter may be indexed, for example, a first element or a second element, and a first parameter and a second parameter or a first criterion and a second criterion, etc. In this case, this is a simple indexing to distinguish and designate similar but not identical elements or parameters or criteria. This indexing does not imply a preference for one element, parameter, or criterion over another, and such designations can be easily substituted without departing from the scope of this specification. This indexing does not imply any chronological order in evaluating any given criterion, for example.

[0036] 1 shows a cleaning device 1 for an optical element 100, which may be, for example, a driving or parking assistance camera, intended to be mounted in a motor vehicle. The cleaning device 1 comprises a base 3 adapted to be placed on at least one of the sides of a lens 110 of the optical element 100.

[0037] The base 3 comprises an air line 50 (visible in FIG. 2) through which a jet of air is intended to circulate between an inlet 51 and an outlet 52 provided in said base 3. The outlet 52 protrudes from the base 3 and thus forms a first ejection nozzle 5 arranged around the lens 110 of the optical element 100. The outlet 52 is in particular configured to eject a jet of air onto the surface of the lens 110.

[0038] The exhaust outlet 52 may in particular be configured such that the jet of air is an air knife. For this purpose, the exhaust outlet 52 has the shape of a slot. This slot may more particularly be parallel to the surface of the lens 110 of the optical element 100 such that the air knife generated more or less grazes the surface of the lens 110.

[0039] 1, the cleaning device 1 may in particular comprise a supply pipe 53 which is connected on one side to the air inlet 51 and on the other side to a blower 54. This blower 54 may for example be a dedicated blower for generating an air flow for the cleaning device or devices 1. This blower 54 may also be a blower of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system of a motor vehicle.

[0040] Fig. 2 shows in more detail the optical element 100 with the cleaning device 1. More specifically, in Fig. 2 the optical element 100 and the cleaning device 1 are illustrated in a cross section through an air line 50. As illustrated by Fig. 2, the air line 50 may be recessed in the base 3. The air inlet 51 and the air outlet 52 are then integrally formed with the base 3.

[0041] Returning to Figure 1, the cleaning device 1 further comprises a liquid line 60 coupled to the base 3 and through which a cleaning liquid is intended to circulate between a liquid inlet 61 and a liquid outlet 62. The liquid outlet 62 protrudes from the base 3 and forms a second liquid ejection nozzle 6 arranged around the lens 110 and configured to eject a jet of cleaning liquid onto the surface of the lens 110.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows in more detail the optical element 100 with the cleaning device 1. More specifically, in Fig. 3 the optical element 100 and the cleaning device 1 are illustrated in a cross section through a liquid line 60. As illustrated by Fig. 3, the liquid line 60 may be an add-on part attached to the base 3.

[0043] The liquid inlet 61 may in particular comprise a device for connection to a circuit for circulating a cleaning fluid in a motor vehicle. This connection device may in particular be a fastening end piece of a cleaning fluid pipe allowing connection to a circuit for circulating a cleaning fluid in a motor vehicle. This circulation circuit may be a dedicated circuit or may be an already existing cleaning fluid circuit in a motor vehicle, such as a cleaning fluid circuit for the windscreen, traffic lights or other elements of the motor vehicle. This circulation circuit may in particular comprise a cleaning fluid tank, a pump for actuating the cleaning fluid and one or more solenoid valves for managing the circulation of the cleaning fluid.

[0044] The fact that the cleaning device 1 comprises both a first air-jet nozzle 5 and a second liquid-jet nozzle 6 makes it possible to clean the lens 110 of the optical element 100 by means of a cleaning liquid and also to expel dirt and droplets of cleaning liquid by means of a jet of air. The effectiveness of cleaning is therefore improved. In addition, the fact that these two nozzles 5 and 6 are grouped together in the base 3 of the same cleaning device 1 makes it easy to mount the cleaning device 1 on the optical element 100.

[0045] Thus, the optical element 100 together with its cleaning device 1 can be more easily installed together in the vehicle during the same mounting step.

[0046] 3, the base 3 is preferably configured such that only the exhaust opening 52 and the liquid outlet 62 protrude beyond the plane formed by the surface of the lens 110 of the optical element 100. Thus, an orifice complementary to the shape of the lens 110 of the optical element 100 with the cleaning device 1 can be provided in, for example, a body element 200 of an automobile. The surface of the lens 110 may thus be at the same level as the surface of the body element 200, with only the exhaust opening 52 and the liquid outlet 62 protruding beyond the surface of the body element 200.

[0047] Preferably, the protruding height of the exhaust port 52 and the liquid outlet 62 is calculated so that they do not enter the field of view of the optical element 100 .

[0048] The exhaust outlet 52 of the first nozzle 5 and the liquid outlet 62 of the second nozzle 6 may more particularly be arranged with respect to each other such that the relative jetting direction of the liquid forms an angle α of 70° to 110° with the relative jetting direction of the air jet. Preferably, the relative jetting direction of the liquid and the relative jetting direction of the air jet are perpendicular to each other. Such an angle between these two directions ensures that the two jets only slightly interfere with each other and thus that the jet of air and the jet of liquid remain as effective as possible.

[0049] 1 to 4, the lens 110 may be circular. The cleaning device 1 is then configured to fit around this circular lens 110. For this purpose, the base 3 may in particular be curved and have an axis of curvature concentric with the axis of rotation A of the lens 110.

[0050] Preferably, both the relative ejection direction of the liquid and the relative ejection direction of the air jet pass through the axis of curvature of the base 3. Thus, the air jet and the liquid jet pass through the center of the surface of the lens 110 and can effectively clean the entire surface along the field of view of the optical element 100.

[0051] According to a first embodiment, not shown, the base 3 may have the shape of a circular arc arranged to partially surround the lens 110 of the optical element 100 .

[0052] According to the second embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the base 3 can have a circular shape configured to completely surround the lens 110 of the optical element 100. At this time, the base 3 of the cleaning device 1 has an annular shape that can surround the lens 110. The lens 110 of the optical element 100 is then attached to the annular portion formed by the base 3, thus facilitating mounting.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of the different steps of a method for cleaning an optical element 100 with a cleaning device 1 as described above.

[0054] According to a first step 301, a jet of air is injected continuously onto the surface of the lens 110 through the exhaust port 52. The fact that this jet of air is continuous, in particular in the form of an air knife, makes it possible to protect the surface of the lens 110 and to limit the accumulation of dust and dirt.

[0055] During a second step 302, a jet of cleaning liquid is sprayed onto the surface of the lens 110 through the liquid outlet 62. During this second step 302, the intensity of the air jet is reduced to allow the jet of cleaning liquid to reach and spread over the surface of the lens 110. This jet of liquid makes it possible to clean the surface of the lens in order to remove any dust or dirt.

[0056] This second step 302 may be triggered, for example, by a user noticing that the image returned by the optical element 100 shows dirt. This second step 302 may also be triggered automatically by a management device of the vehicle based on an analysis of the image, or periodically.

[0057] During the third step 303, the jet of liquid is interrupted and the jet of air increases in intensity to expel any cleaning liquid that may still be present on the surface of the lens 110 at the end of the second step 102. The jet of air is then maintained until a new second step 102 which ejects the cleaning liquid.

[0058] It is therefore clear that the cleaning device 1 makes it possible to effectively clean the surface of the lens 110 of the optical element 100, thanks to the presence of the exhaust opening 52 and the liquid outlet 62. In addition, the fact that these two outlets 52 and 62 are combined in a common base 3 makes it easier to mount the cleaning device 1 on the optical element 100, and also the optical element 100 itself in a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A cleaning device (1) for an optical element (100), in particular intended to be mounted on a motor vehicle, said cleaning device (1) comprising a base (3) adapted to be placed on at least one side of a lens (110) of said optical element (100), said base (3) comprising an air line (50) in which a jet of air is intended to circulate between an air inlet (51) provided in said base (3) and an air outlet (52), said air outlet (52) protruding from said base (3) and forming a first air outlet nozzle (5) arranged around the lens (110) of said optical element (100) and adapted to inject a jet of air onto the surface of said lens (110), The cleaning device (1) further comprises a liquid line (60) coupled to the base (3) and intended for a cleaning liquid to circulate between a liquid inlet (61) and a liquid outlet (62), the liquid outlet (62) protruding from the base (3) and forming a second liquid ejection nozzle (6) arranged around the lens (110) of the optical element (100) and configured to eject a jet of cleaning liquid onto the surface of the lens (110). Cleaning device (1).

2. 2. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the exhaust outlet (52) of the first nozzle (5) and the liquid outlet (62) of the second nozzle (6) are arranged relative to each other such that the relative ejection direction of the liquid forms an angle (α) of 70° to 110° with the relative ejection direction of the jet of air.

3. The cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the base (3) comprises at least one curved portion adapted to surround at least a part of the lens (110).

4. 4. The cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the exhaust (52) is configured such that the jet of air is an air knife, the exhaust (52) having the shape of a slot.

5. A cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is configured to fit around a circular lens (110), the base (3) being curved and having an axis of curvature configured to be concentric with the axis of rotation of the lens (110) of the optical element (100).

6. A method for manufacturing a lens of an optical element according to claim 1, comprising: forming a first lens having a first diameter such that the first diameter of the first lens is substantially the same as the first diameter of the first lens; The exhaust outlet (52) is configured such that the jet of air is an air knife, the exhaust outlet (52) having a slot shape; 3. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that both the relative ejection direction of the liquid and the relative ejection direction of the air jet pass through the axis of curvature of the base (3).

7. The cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the base (3) is configured such that only the exhaust port (52) and the liquid outlet (62) protrude beyond the plane formed by the surface of the lens (110) of the optical element (100).

8. The cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a supply pipe (53) connected at one part to the air inlet (51) of the base (3) and at the other part to a blower (54).

9. 9. A cleaning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid inlet (61) of the base (3) is provided with a means for connection to a circuit for circulating cleaning liquid in the vehicle.

10. An optical element (100) intended to be mounted in a motor vehicle, comprising a cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. 11. A method for cleaning an optical element (100) according to claim 10, said cleaning method comprising the steps of: a first step (301) of continuously injecting a jet of air onto the surface of the lens (110) through the exhaust port (52); a second step (302) of injecting a jet of cleaning liquid through the liquid outlet (62) onto the surface of the lens (110), during which the intensity of the jet of air is reduced; a third step (303) in which the jet of liquid is interrupted and the jet of air is increased in intensity, the jet of air being maintained until a new second step (302) of ejecting cleaning liquid; A method comprising:

Images