Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
  • B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
  • B60S1/56—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
  • B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
  • B60S1/04—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers
  • B60S1/06—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive
  • B60S1/08—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven
  • B60S1/0818—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like
  • B60S1/0822—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
  • B60S1/0833—Optical rain sensor
  • B60S1/0844—Optical rain sensor including a camera
  • B60S1/0848—Cleaning devices for cameras on vehicle

Definitions

• Detection device comprising means for cleaning a transparent window.
• the invention provides a detection device, which comprises a camera with a longitudinal main axis, which is generally oriented towards the rear and which is arranged inside a hermetically closed casing, the casing comprising a rear transverse vertical wall. which carries a transparent window, arranged in at least part of the field of the camera, the detection device comprising means for cleaning the window which in particular comprise means for projecting a fluid under pressure onto the external face of the window .
• the driving assistance devices and in particular of assistance for parking or parking maneuvers mainly consist of two parts, namely an obstacle detection device, and a device for indicating to the user of the proximity. obstacles.
• the detection device makes it possible to detect obstacles that the driver cannot see, in particular because these obstacles are relatively low and that they extend, in general, at the same height as the bumper of the vehicle.
• the detection device in a module which is generally integrated into the bumper or the lighting device of the number plate.
• the detection device generally comprises a camera or an equivalent device.
• This electronic device being particularly sensitive, it is necessary to protect it from external aggressions and various pollutants which can damage it such as for example water splashes or various sludges.
• the camera is arranged inside a hermetically closed housing, which has a transparent window, arranged in the field of the camera.
• the housing, and in particular the window is exposed to the various pollutants which are deposited on the external faces of the latter, forming a pollution film which becomes more and more cloudy when the vehicle is used.
• This pollution film which forms on the external face of the window reduces the efficiency of the camera.
• the housing inside which the camera is arranged is hermetically closed, particles, which are already present in the housing, or else which are gradually formed, are deposited on the internal face of the window.
• document DE-A1 -100.12.004 describes a detection device comprising means for cleaning optical elements in motor vehicles, particularly covers, of a camera. These cleaning means comprise means for diffusing a gas directed towards the cover so as to prevent any surrounding air from reaching the transparent face of the cover during the movement of the vehicle. Diffusion of gas is only effective when the vehicle is in motion. Consequently, it does not allow the removal of all the pollutants on the internal and / or external faces of the window and in particular when the vehicle is stationary.
• the object of the invention is to propose a detection device which allows the removal of all the pollutants which may be deposited on the internal and / or external faces of the window, whether the vehicle is at stopped or moving.
• the invention provides a detection device, of the type described above, characterized in that the window cleaning means also comprise a photocatalytic coating on the external face of the window.
• the detection device in which the window comprises at least one plate, comprises cleaning means comprising an internal coating applied to an internal face of a plate;
• the detection device comprises a window which comprises two transparent parallel transverse plates which are joined by their vertical transverse faces opposite, and in that the heating element is interposed between the two plates;
• the detection device has an inner coating which is a heating element
• the detection device comprises means for cleaning the window which comprise a coating of the photocatalytic type on an internal face of a plate;
• the detection device comprises a light source which is capable of generating a light flux making it possible to activate the photocatalytic coating; the detection device comprises an electronic element which is capable of automatically activating the light source and / or the means for projecting the fluid under pressure; - at least a second coating is applied to the internal face and / or the external face of the window;
• the second coating is a hydrophilic type coating;
• the second coating is a coating of the hydrophobic type;
• the heating element consists of a transparent film
• the heating element consists of a resistive element, in particular a resistive wire which is arranged near the peripheral edge of the window;
• the housing comprises an aerodynamic element which at least partially deflects the air currents directed towards the window, and which is arranged along at least one edge of the rear wall;
• the detection device constitutes an element of an equipment module of a motor vehicle, and it comprises fixing means and means of connection to the equipment module.
• the heating element comprises electrical connection means, a seal being overmolded on the peripheral edge of the window, around the electrical connection means.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective representation of a motor vehicle whose tailgate is equipped with a detection device according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section along the optical axis of the camera of the detection device shown in Figure 1;
• - Figure 3 illustrates a detail of the upper part of the window shown in Figure 2, showing an alternative embodiment of the invention
• - Figure 4 is a schematic perspective representation of a second embodiment of the detection device in which the light has the shape of a ring coaxial with the camera.
• the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations will be adopted, without limitation, according to the reference V, L, T indicated in the figures.
• FIG. 1 shows the detection device 10, which is part of an equipment module of a motor vehicle
• the detection module 10 which is here arranged on the tailgate 16 of the motor vehicle 12, comprises a camera 18 whose axis A of the field of vision 19 is oriented generally horizontally towards the rear, and a lighting light 20 which makes it possible to illuminate the various obstacles which can enter the field of the camera when the natural light is insufficient.
• the camera 18 and the fire 20 are arranged inside a housing 22 which is hermetically closed.
• the housing 22 includes a rear transverse vertical wall 24 situated opposite the optics 21 of the camera 18 which carries two windows 26, arranged respectively in the field of the camera 18 and in the field of fire 20.
• the windows 26 are made of a transparent material, for example mineral or organic glass, and are here circular in shape. However, it will be understood that the windows 26 can be of any other shape, without departing from the scope of the invention.
• the housing 22 is sealed at the window 26 by means of a seal 32 which covers the entire peripheral edge of the window 26, and according to one embodiment, this seal d the seal 32 is molded onto the edge of the window 26.
• a coating 30 is applied to the outer face 26e, this coating 30 comprising a photocatalytic treatment, which makes it possible to clean the window 26 using ambient light.
• the exterior lighting may not be sufficient to activate the photocatalysis.
• a light source 20 is arranged in the housing, so generating a luminous flux in the direction of the window 26, when the exterior lighting is insufficient.
• the light source 20 is the lighting light 20, and it is arranged by forming a crown surrounding the optics 21 of the camera 18.
• This embodiment makes it possible to design a detection device 10 of reduced dimensions, and which has only one window 26, which greatly reduces the surface to be cleaned.
• the luminous flux making it possible to activate the photocatalysis can also be generated by an element separate from the lighting lamp 20.
• the wavelength of the light flux generated is that making it possible to activate the photocatalysis, which makes it possible, according to the wavelength, to generate a light flux which would not risk obstruct or dazzle a motorist behind the vehicle 12.
• the light source 20 can be activated by various means, for example when the driver engages the vehicle in reverse 12.
• the detection module 10 includes an electronic element (not shown) which includes a light sensor, which automatically activates the light source 20.
• photocatalysis can be activated automatically depending on the pollution level of the window 26, or depending on the ambient light.
• the electronic element which makes it possible to activate the light source 20 also makes it possible to activate the means 28 for projecting the fluid under pressure, simultaneously with the light source 20, or alternatively, according to another variant, the the electronic element makes it possible to selectively activate the projection means or the light source 20.
• the coating 30 comprises a second treatment additional to the photocatalytic treatment, which is a hydrophilic treatment, or a hydrophobic treatment, making it possible to suppress water splashes or else to prevent the formation of fogging on the internal or external faces 26e, 26i, of the window 26.
• the coating 30 comprises on the internal face 26i of the window 26 only a treatment which is a hydrophilic treatment making it possible to prevent the formation of fogging on the internal face
• an interior coating is also applied to the internal face 26i of the window 26.
• each window 26 comprises means for heating the window 26 to a temperature allowing the melting, or even the evaporation, of these pollutants.
• the window 26 consists of two parallel transverse transparent plates 34a, 34b which are joined by their transverse faces opposite, in the manner of double glazing , and a heating element 36 is interposed between the two plates 34a, 34b.
• the window 26 consists of a single transverse transparent plate, on the internal face 26i of which the heating element 36 is arranged.
• the heating element 36 consists of a heating film which is itself also transparent.
• the heating film 36 covers the entire surface of the window 26 in order to obtain a uniform distribution of the heating of the window 26.
• the heating element 36 is a resistive wire which extends near the peripheral edge of the window 26, generally forming a closed loop.
• connection means may include electrical wires and / or connectors for connecting the heating element 36 to the electrical system of a motor vehicle.
• the housing 22 includes an aerodynamic deflector 38 which is arranged along the lower edge 40 of the housing 22, and whose shape is designed so that it deflects at least in part the turbulence to direct them behind the vehicle 12, as shown by the arrow F.
• a detection device 10 has been described for which the internal 26i and external 26e faces of the window 26 are covered by the same coating. However, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to this embodiment, and that each face of the window can be covered with a coating having adequate cleaning properties, without departing from the scope of the invention.
• a detection device according to the invention comprises several means for cleaning the windows which make it possible to keep them free from any polluting element which could harm the effectiveness of the detection means.

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=32088348

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (5)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2002
  • 2002-10-28 FR FR0213484A patent/FR2846289B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2003
  • 2003-10-28 AU AU2003276194A patent/AU2003276194A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-10-28 EP EP03809335A patent/EP1585658A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2003-10-28 WO PCT/EP2003/011956 patent/WO2004037622A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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