FR3057833A1 - AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE WINDOW TOWING DEVICE COMPRISING A WIPER BLADE, A SIGNAL TRANSCEIVER AND A PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a wiper device 1 for a window 30 of a motor vehicle comprising a wiper blade 10, a signal transceiver 7 and a piezoelectric element 2, the piezoelectric element 2 and the transmitter signal receiver 7 being mounted on said wiper device 1, the piezoelectric element 2 being designed to supply the signal transceiver 7 with electrical power. The invention also relates to a wear warning method for such a wiper device 1, an assembly comprising such a wiper device 1 and deicing process for such an assembly.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a wiper device for a motor vehicle window comprising a wiper blade, a signal transceiver and a piezoelectric element.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to use wired connections arranged on wiper blades and which are designed to allow an exchange of information and / or instructions between the wiper blade and a control module disposed remotely from the wiper blade. However, these wired connections are restrictive in particular because they increase the size of the wiper blades. Another disadvantage resulting from wired connections is that they must be strong enough to withstand the bends and twists resulting from the cyclic movements of the wiper blade and the arm.

There is therefore a need to allow an exchange of data and / or instructions between the wiper blades and other parts of the motor vehicle while dispensing with the wired connections hitherto used.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the invention provides a wiper device for a motor vehicle window comprising a wiper blade, a signal transceiver and an electric piezo element, the piezo element and the transmitter signal receiver being mounted on said wiping device, the piezoelectric element being designed to supply the signal transceiver with electric current.

Thanks to the piezoelectric element, the transceiver has an autonomous power supply.

According to different aspects of the invention, which can be taken together or separately:

the piezoelectric element and / or the signal transceiver are mounted on the wiper blade and / or on an arm of the wiper device for setting in motion the wiper blade, the piezoelectric element is designed to deform under the effect of an air flow so as to produce an electric current, the wiping device comprises an aerodynamic deflector, the aerodynamic deflector is designed to deform, directly or indirectly, the piezoelectric element when the aerodynamic deflector is subjected to an air flow, the piezoelectric element is a piezoelectric film, the wiper blade comprises a wiper blade designed to be in contact with the glass, the wiping blade is designed to locally match the shape of the glass, the piezoelectric element is arranged so as to deform with the wiping blade and produce electric current during a displacement of the wiper blade on the window, the electric current created by the piezoelectric element is in particular a function of the modification of the curvature of the wiping blade when the wiper blade is moved on the window, the wiping device further comprises an electrical energy storage device , in particular a capacitor, a super-capacitor or a battery, the piezoelectric element is designed to supply electric current to the device for accumulating electric energy.

The invention also relates to a wear warning method for such a wiping device comprising the following steps, for example successively and in this order:

analysis of the electric current created by the piezoelectric element, counting of the number of round trips of the wiper blade, creation of a warning signal, in particular sound and / or light, when the number of round trip reaches a threshold value.

The invention also relates to an assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a control device and a wiping device as described above in which the signal transceiver is designed to communicate with the control device. According to different aspects of the invention, which can be taken together or separately:

the control device is located at a distance from the wiper blade,

- the control device and the signal transceiver communicate with each other wirelessly.

The invention also relates to a defrosting method for such an assembly, the wiping device comprising a heating module mounted on the wiper blade and designed to be supplied with electric current by the piezoelectric element, the defrosting process comprising the following stages, in particular successively and in this order:

measurement of a temperature of the wiper blade, transmission of the temperature of the wiper blade by the signal transceiver to the control device, control, by the control device, of the heating module depending on the temperature of the wiper blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the detailed explanatory description which will follow, of at least one embodiment of the invention given in title of example purely illustrative and not limiting, with reference to the attached schematic drawings:

Figure la is a schematic view of a windshield of a motor vehicle on which has been shown an example of variations in the curve of a window at a part traversed by a wiper blade a wiping device according to the invention.

FIG. 1b is a schematic view of a windshield of a motor vehicle comprising a wiping device according to the invention on which has been shown an example of variations in the curve of a window pane at part traversed by two wiper blades of a wiping device according to another embodiment, according to the invention.

- Figure le is a front view of the rear part of a motor vehicle provided with a wiping device according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a wiper blade according to the invention.

FIG. 2a is an exploded perspective view of part of the wiper blade illustrated in FIG. 2.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a wiper blade according to the invention, in a different embodiment.

Figure 3a is an exploded perspective view of part of a wiper blade according to the invention, in another embodiment.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a wiper blade according to the invention according to yet another embodiment, moving against a window to be wiped in a descending direction.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade illustrated in Figure 4 moving in an upward direction.

FIG. 6 is a graph representing operating modes of a counting module as a function of the number of wiping cycles carried out by the wiping device.

In the following, the description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, is organized into different parts starting with a title. Each of these parts describes a possible aspect and / or embodiment of the invention.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1a and 1c, the invention relates to a wiping device 1 for window 30 of a motor vehicle comprising a wiper blade 10, a signal transceiver, said on-board transceiver, and a piezoelectric element 2.

WIPING DEVICE

As illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 1c, the wiping device 1 is a device designed to improve the visibility of a driver through the window 30 of the motor vehicle. The window 30 of the motor vehicle is a glazed surface such as for example a front windshield, a rear window or even a headlight window of the motor vehicle. The window 30 is here a rear window 30 of the motor vehicle. In the following, the rear window 30 will also be designated by the expression “wiping window”.

WIPER ARM

The wiping devices 1 illustrated in each of FIGS. 1a to 1c comprise an arm 20 of a wiper blade and a motor 8. The motor 8, illustrated in FIG. Le, is here designed to drive the arm 20 in a back and forth angular movement. The arm 20 is designed to drive the wiper blade 10 in the reciprocating movement. The wiper blade 10 is here mounted on the arm in an extension of the arm 20.

The arm 20 comprises a proximal end 21 and a distal end 22. It extends longitudinally from one of the ends 21, 22 to the other 21, 22. In particular, the arm 20 is designed to be assembled at the level of its proximal end 21 to the motor 8 of the wiping device 1.

The arm 20 is, moreover, designed to be assembled at its distal end 22 to the wiper blade 10 so as to set it in motion.

WIPER BLADE

The wiper blade 10 is designed to evolve here according to a back-and-forth movement between a rest position P1 and an abutment position P2, from one to the other. As will be specified below, the wiper blade 10 is designed to be in contact with the window 30 of the motor vehicle. In particular, the wiper blade 10 is designed to be in contact with an exterior surface of the window 30.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2a, the wiper blade 10 comprises a wiping blade

11, a frame 13 and at least one vertebra 15. It is noted that the frame 13 can also be designated by the English term "holder" and the vertebra 15 by the English term "spline".

FRAME

The frame 13 comprises a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end and extends longitudinally in a main direction of longitudinal extension from the first to the second longitudinal end. The frame 13 also has a height, measured orthogonally to the main direction of longitudinal extension of the frame 13.

As is particularly visible in Figure 2, the frame 13 further comprises a first longitudinal cavity 132, called the upper cavity, and a second longitudinal cavity 134, called the lower cavity. The two cavities 132, 134 here extend longitudinally from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end of the frame 13. The upper 132 and lower 134 cavities are designed to serve as accommodation for the vertebra and part of the wiping blade 11. Thus, the frame 13 acts as a support for the vertebra 15 as well as for the wiping blade 11.

The vertebra 15 is here housed in the upper cavity 132 of the frame 13. The wiping blade 11 is, in part, housed inside the lower cavity 134 of the frame 13.

The frame 13 is designed so that, once the wiping device 1 mounted on the motor vehicle, the frame 13 extends in the height direction in a direction substantially orthogonal to the outer surface of the window 30 .

WIPER BLADE

The wiping blade 11 is designed to wipe a part or area of the outer surface of the rear window 30 when the wiper blade 10 moves back and forth.

The wiping blade 11 is essentially designed to evacuate liquids on the exterior surface of the window 30 and / or to clean it. The back-and-forth movement of the wiper blade 10 mentioned above makes it possible in particular to rid the external surface of the window 30 of any dirt.

The wiper blade 11 is designed to be in direct contact with the exterior surface of the window 30 of the motor vehicle. It is made of a flexible material such as natural or synthetic rubber. It will be noted that the contact between the free edge of the wiping blade and the external surface of the glass 30 defines a contact zone between the wiping blade 11 and the glass 30.

The contact area between the outer surface of the window 30 and the wiping blade 11 is substantially longitudinal and / or linear. In addition, the contact zone is here devoid of discontinuity along the wiping blade 11 which allows homogeneous wiping of the window 30.

The wiper blade 10 is designed so that the wiper blade 11 deforms elastically when the wiper blade 10 moves on the outer surface of the rear window 30, in particular from position Pl to position P2. This deformation allows the wiping blade 11 to conform locally to the curve or curve of the exterior surface of the window 30. This deformation of the wiping blade 11 makes it possible in particular to obtain that the contact zone between the blade d wiping 11 and the window 30 is continuous as mentioned above.

The wiper blade 11 here comprises a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. The wiping blade 11 extends longitudinally in a main direction of longitudinal extension between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the wiping blade 11, from one to the other. The wiper blade 11 has here a height, measured orthogonally to the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiper blade 11. The wiper blade 11 extends in the direction of the height between a lower end 111, also called free edge, and an upper end 112 of the wiping blade 11.

The wiping blade 11 comprises an upper part 113, also called heel, fixing part or also mounting part, and a lower part 114, said wiping part, which are integral with one another. It will be noted that the free edge 111 is part of the lower part 114 and that the upper end 112 is part of the upper part 113.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, the upper 113 and lower parts are connected to each other by an intermediate zone forming a hinge 115 which extends longitudinally from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end of the wiping blade 11. As illustrated in particular in FIGS. 4 and 5, the hinge zone 115 allows a deformation and a change of orientation of the wiping blade 11 so that its lower part 114 can pivot relative to the part upper 113 of the wiping blade 11 around the hinge zone 115 which constitutes the longitudinal pivot axis of the lower part 114. This angular pivoting movement of the lower part 114 relative to the upper part

113 occurs in particular during a change of direction in the back-and-forth movement of the wiper blade 10 along the outer surface of the window 30 to be wiped.

The lower part 114 of the wiping blade 11 is designed to be in contact with the exterior surface of the window 30 of the motor vehicle. In particular, the free edge 111 of the wiping blade 11 is designed to be in contact with the outer surface of the window 30. The upper part 113 of the wiping blade 11 is designed to be mounted and housed , at least partially and as mentioned above, inside the lower cavity 134 of the frame 13.

In particular here, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the lower part 114 of the wiping blade 11 comprises a first lateral face 116 and a second lateral face 117. The first and second lateral faces 116, 117 extend each longitudinally in the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiping blade 11. It is noted that the first and second lateral faces 116, 117 extend longitudinally from the first to the second longitudinal end of the wiping blade 11.

As illustrated in particular in FIG. 2, the lateral faces 116, 117 each extend substantially from the free edge 111 to the hinge zone 115.

The first and second side faces 116, 117 are substantially opposite to each other. In other words, the lateral faces 116, 117 are arranged on either side of the wiping blade 11. More particularly, the lateral faces 116, 117 are arranged on either side of the lower edge 111 of the blade d wiping 11 and along it.

The first lateral face 116 of the wiping blade 11 is arranged on one side of the wiping blade 11 which is substantially oriented towards the position P1 when the wiping device is mounted on the motor vehicle. The second lateral face 117 is, for its part, arranged on one side of the wiping blade 11 which is substantially oriented towards the position P2 when the wiping device is mounted on the motor vehicle.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the wiper blade 10 moves from position Pl to position P2, that is to say in an upward direction, the lower part 114 of the wiper blade 11 is inclined relative to the upper part 113 of the wiping blade 11. In particular, the second lateral face 117 is then substantially opposite with the window 30.

In addition, when the wiper blade 10 moves from position Pl to position P2, the second lateral face 117 of the wiper blade 11 is stretched substantially in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension. of the wiping blade 11. The first lateral face 116 is compressed substantially in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiping blade 11.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, when the wiper blade 10 moves from position P2 to position Pl, that is to say in a descending direction, the lower part 114 of the wiper blade 11 is inclined relative to the upper part 113 of the wiping blade 11. In particular, the first lateral face 116 is then substantially opposite with the window 30.

In addition, when the wiper blade 10 moves from position P2 to position Pl, the first lateral face 116 of the wiper blade 11 is stretched substantially in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension. of the wiping blade 11. The second lateral face 117 is compressed substantially in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiping blade 11.

VERTEBRATE

The vertebra 15 of the wiper blade 10 makes it possible to give the wiping blade 11 sufficient rigidity to keep it pressed against the external surface of the window 30.

The vertebra 15 of the wiper blade 10 is designed to maintain a necessary and / or sufficient contact pressure between the free edge 111 of the wiper blade 11 and the external surface of the window 30. The vertebra 15 thus allows the contact zone between the wiping blade 11 and the outer surface of the window 30 to be and remain continuous when the wiper blade 10 moves along the outer surface of the window 30. This characteristic allows effective wiping.

The vertebra 15 here is a strip of material. It comprises a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end and extends longitudinally in a main direction of longitudinal extension between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end. The vertebra 15 has a height, also called thickness, measured perpendicular to its main direction of longitudinal extension. Once the various components of the wiper blade have been assembled, the vertebra 15 is arranged in the frame so that the thickness direction of the vertebra 15 is substantially orthogonal to the external surface of the window 30.

The vertebra 15 comprises an upper planar face 152 and a lower planar face 151. The lower planar face 151 and the upper planar face 152 here extend parallel to each other and delimit the thickness of the vertebra 15.

The frame 13, the vertebra 15 and the wiping blade 11 extend in their main direction of respective longitudinal extension substantially parallel to each other.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1a to 1c, the signal transceiver 7, called the on-board transceiver 7, is for example designed to be mounted on the wiper blade or on the arm 20. The on-board transceiver 7 is designed to be integral with the wiper blade 10 and / or with the arm 20 of the wiper blade. The transceiver 7 is further designed to be supplied with electrical energy by the piezoelectric element 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the wiper blade 10 may further comprise a distribution duct 18 designed to allow the projection onto the window 30 of a liquid, in particular a cleaning liquid, rinse or defrost. The distribution duct 18 extends for example longitudinally in the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiper blade 10. The distribution duct 18 is for example provided with projection orifices, not shown in the figures. The projection orifices can be regularly spaced along the distribution conduit 18. The projection orifices are designed to allow the projection of the liquid from the interior of the distribution conduit 18 towards the window 30.

In a variant not illustrated, the wiper blade comprises for example two distribution ducts. The distribution conduits can then be arranged substantially on either side of the wiping blade.

PIEZO-ELECTRIC ELEMENT

The piezoelectric element 2 is mounted on the wiper blade 10 and / or on the arm 20 of the wiper blade.

The piezoelectric element 2 is an element comprising at least one piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric element 2 is designed so as to produce an electric current when it is subjected to a mechanical pressure field and / or when it is deformed.

PIEZO-ELECTRIC FILM

The piezoelectric element 2 can be designed in the form of a piezoelectric film or in the form of a piezoelectric block.

Here, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 2a, 3 and 3a the piezoelectric element 2 comprises for example at least one piezoelectric film 2. The term “piezoelectric film” in particular means a thin strip of material comprising a material piezoelectric. The piezoelectric material is designed to create an electric current when it is subjected to a mechanical pressure field and / or when it is deformed.

In other words, the piezoelectric film 2 has a small thickness. In other words, the piezoelectric film 2 has a width and a length, measured orthogonally to the thickness. Said width and said length are very much greater than said thickness, in particular at least 10 times greater, for example 100 times greater. The electric piezoelectric film 2 is thus easily deformable. Here it extends substantially longitudinally from one longitudinal end to the other of the wiper blade 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the piezoelectric film 2 is for example arranged in one of the lower 134 or upper 132 cavities of the frame 13. In particular here, the piezoelectric film 2 is arranged in the upper cavity 132 of the frame 13 under the vertebra 15.

The piezoelectric film 2 is arranged here against the vertebra 15 of the wiper blade 10, more precisely in contact with the lower face 151 of the vertebra 15.

The invention is not limited to such an arrangement. The piezoelectric film can be arranged above the vertebra 15, in particular in contact with the upper face of the vertebra. In another variant illustrated in FIG. 3a, the piezoelectric film is arranged above a heating module 17 of the wiper blade.

DEFORMATION OF THE PIEZOELECTRIC FILM

As illustrated in FIG. 1a, the window 30 comprises in particular zones zl and z2 situated one behind the other along the path of the wiper blade 10 when the latter moves between the positions PI and P2. The zones zl and z2 here have different curves. In particular, the zone zl has a less significant curve than the zone z2. When the wiper blade 10 moves from the position PI to the position P2, the wiper blade 10 successively follows the curve of the zone zl then the curve of the zone z2, which causes a deformation of the broom 10.

Thus, during its movement along the window 30 between the rest position PI and the stop position P2, the wiper blade 10 and in particular the wiper blade 11 undergo deformation. This deformation here corresponds in particular to a deformation of the longitudinal direction of the wiping blade 11. This deformation allows the wiper blade 10, as already mentioned, to follow the curvature of the window 30. In other words, the deformation of the wiping blade 11 allows it to conform to the curve of the exterior surface of the window 30.

The piezoelectric film 2 is designed and arranged so as to be deformed during movement of the wiper blade 10 and by it. In particular, the piezoelectric film 2 is designed to be deformed by the wiper blade 11 and / or by the vertebra 15 of the wiper blade 10. This deformation of the piezoelectric film 2 then generates electricity. The electric current created by the piezoelectric film 2 makes it possible in particular to supply electrical energy to the on-board transceiver 7.

It is noted that the electric current created by the piezoelectric film 2 is here a function in particular of the position of the wiper blade 10 along the window 30 and therefore of the shape of the external surface of the window 30 at the level of the contact zone between the window 30 and the wiping blade 11. The electric current created is also a function of the direction of movement of the wiper blade 10. In other words, depending on whether the wiper blade 10 moves from the rest position PI to the stop position P2 or vice versa from the stop position P2 to the rest position

PI, the electric current created may not be the same.

As a variant or cumulatively, the deformation of the piezoelectric film 2 and the creation of an electric current are caused by vibrations and / or by other shocks due in particular to the movement of the motor vehicle.

As a variant or cumulatively, a piezoelectric film 2 can be arranged on one of the first and second lateral faces 116, 117 of the wiping blade 11. In particular, the piezoelectric film 2 can for example be bonded to the one of the first and second lateral faces 116, 117.

The piezoelectric film 2, thus arranged, then undergoes substantially the same deformations as the lateral face 116 or 117 on which it is arranged.

In particular, the piezoelectric film 2 here extends longitudinally along the side face 116 or 117. The piezoelectric film 2 is for example arranged so as to cover all or part of the side face 116, 117 on which it is arranged.

As mentioned above, the displacement of the wiping blade 11 on and along the window

30 causes deformations of the lateral faces 116, 117. Consequently, the displacement of the wiper blade 11 on and along the window 30 causes deformations of the piezoelectric film

2. The deformations of the piezoelectric film 2 then allow the production of an electric current.

It is noted that the friction of the wiping blade 11 against the window 30 during the displacement of the wiper blade 10 allows the production of an electric current by the piezoelectric film 2.

It is possible to arrange a piezoelectric film 2 on each of the lateral faces 116, 117 of the wiping blade 11 so as to increase the production of electric current during the displacement of the wiper blade 10.

PIEZO-ELECTRIC BLOCK

As a variant, the piezoelectric element 2 is not a film but a piezoelectric block.

As will be described later, the piezoelectric block 2 is for example designed to be deformed by an aerodynamic deflector 19 of the motor vehicle.

ACCUMULATION DEVICE

Here, the wiping device 1 further comprises an accumulation device. The storage device is designed to be supplied with electrical energy by the piezoelectric film 2. The storage device for electrical energy is designed to allow storage of the energy produced by the piezoelectric element 2.

Thus, the electrical energy storage device eliminates the need to instantly use the electrical energy created by the piezoelectric element 2 when it is not necessary and / or when this energy is not immediately available, for example when the vehicle and equipment are stationary. The electrical energy storage device is for example a capacitor, a super-capacitor, a cell or a battery. The electrical energy storage device is for example arranged in the vicinity, or even in the immediate vicinity of the piezoelectric element 2.

COUNTING MODULE AND WARNING METHOD

As illustrated, the wiping device 1 further comprises a counting module 9. The wiping device further comprises an audible and / or light warning not shown.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1a to 1c, the counting module 9 is here mounted directly on the wiper blade 10. The light and / or sound warning device is mounted in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

The counting module 9 and the on-board transceiver 7 are connected to each other.

As mentioned above, they are for example both supplied with electrical energy by the piezoelectric element 2.

The counting module 9 is designed to analyze and / or measure the electric current created by the piezoelectric film 2 so as to count the number of round trips made by the wiper blade 10. In particular, here , the counting module 9 is designed to increment by 1 a value n at each round trip of the wiper blade 10. The value n thus corresponds in real time to the number of round trips made by the wiper blade. wiper 10.

The piezoelectric element 2 produces for example a first electric current when the wiper blade 10 reaches the rest position P1 and a second electric current when the wiper blade 10 reaches the stop position P2. Thus, the counting module 9 can be configured so as to increment n each time the piezoelectric film 2 produces one or the other from the first current and the second electric current.

Here we define a predetermined threshold value m corresponding to a number of round trips of the wiper blade 10 from which it is considered necessary to change or maintain all or part of the wiping device 1 It is possible, for information only, purely for illustration and depending on the resistance of various elements of the wiping device 1, choose m = 100,000, m = 250,000 or even m = 500,000.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the counting module 9 is designed so that when n = m then the counting module 9 activates the on-board transceiver 7. The on-board transceiver 7 is then configured to transmit a signal to the audible and / or luminous horn, which activates the horn.

The activation of the audible and / or luminous horn then makes it possible to warn a user of the motor vehicle that it is necessary to control the state of the wiping device 1 or even to replace all or part of it.

Alternatively, when a piezoelectric film 2 is arranged on one of the side faces 116, 117 of the wiping blade 11, it is possible to use the electric current produced by the piezoelectric film 2 to detect a change direction of the wiper blade 10.

For example, if the piezoelectric film 2 is arranged on the first lateral face 116, then the compression, here substantially in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiping blade 11, of the piezoelectric film 2 makes it possible to detect that the wiper blade 10 has left the position PI and is moving in an upward direction. Conversely, the stretching, here substantially in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiping blade 11, of the piezoelectric film 2 arranged on the first lateral face 116 makes it possible to detect that the wiper blade window 10 has left position P2 and is moving in a downward direction.

As a variant illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the piezoelectric film 2 is arranged on the second lateral face 117. Here, the compression, substantially in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiping blade 11, of the piezoelectric film 2 makes it possible to detect that the wiper blade 10 has left the position P2 and is moving in a descending direction.

Conversely, the stretching, here substantially in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiping blade 11, of the piezoelectric film 2 makes it possible to detect that the wiper blade 10 has left the position PI and moves in an upward direction.

WARNING PROCEDURE

The invention also relates to a warning method for a wiping device 1 as described above. The warning method is designed to alert a user of the motor vehicle of the possible wear of one or more elements of the wiping device 1. The warning method for this purpose comprises the following steps, for example in this order :

analysis of the electric current produced by the piezoelectric film 2 by the counting module 9, counting the number of round trips of the wiper blade 10 by the counting module 9, transmission by the counting module 9 d '' a signal to the on-board transceiver 7 when the number of round trips reaches the threshold value m, transmission by the on-board transceiver 7 of a signal to the audible and / or light alarm, activation of the horn and / or light.

The warning process thus makes it possible to alert the user of the vehicle that it is necessary to replace all or part of the wiping device 1.

The warning process thus simplifies the maintenance of the wiping device 1. In addition, this process allows precise and real-time monitoring of the use of the wiping device 1.

HEATING MODULE

The wiping device 1 also comprises a heating module 17. The heating module 17 is designed to be supplied with electrical energy by the piezoelectric element 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the heating module 17 is for example a heating film or a resistive heating wire, here a heating film 17.

The heating film 17 is designed to be mounted on or inside the wiper blade 10.

In particular, the heating film 17 is for example arranged inside one of the two lower 134 and upper 132 cavities of the frame 13 of the wiper blade 10. Here, the heating film 17 is arranged at inside the upper cavity 132. In particular, the heating film 17 is here arranged on and in contact with the upper face 152 of the vertebra 15.

The heating film 17 is for example a thin strip of material which extends longitudinally in a longitudinal direction of extension of the first end of the wiper blade 10. The heating film 17 behaves like an electrical heating resistance for generate heat when the electric current produced by the piezoelectric film passes through it.

In particular, the heating module 17 can be designed to heat the wiper blade 10. Heating the wiper blade 10 by the heating module 17 allows for example to melt snow or accumulated ice on and around the wiper blade 10 and preventing the wiper blade 10 from moving. In other words, in this way, the heating module 17 facilitates the movement of the wiper blade 10.

It should be noted that snow and / or ice can sometimes obstruct the projection orifices of the wiper blade 10. The heating module 17 can be designed to heat the wiper blade 10 so as to melt the snow or ice present in said orifices. The heating module 17 thus allows a clearing of said projection orifices and the distribution of the cleaning or defrosting liquid on the window 30. In other words, the heating module 17 can be designed to allow thawing of the projection orifices.

TEMPERATURE SENSOR

As illustrated in FIG. 1 a, the wiping device 1 also comprises a temperature sensor or thermometer 6. The temperature sensor 6 is here located directly on the wiper blade 10. This arrangement of the temperature sensor 6 allows the latter to accurately measure the temperature of the wiper blade 10. Here, the temperature sensor 6 is supplied with energy by the electric current created by the piezoelectric element 2.

As a variant, the temperature sensor 6 can be mounted on the wiping arm 20.

As can be seen in FIG. 1 a, the wiping device 1 also comprises a control module 5 and a control device. The control device is here arranged at a distance from the wiper blade 10. The control module 5 is itself arranged on the wiper blade 10.

The temperature sensor 6 is here connected to the on-board transceiver 7, which is configured to transmit the value of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor to the control device.

The control device is designed so as to control the heating module 17 of the wiper blade 10 as a function of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 6. The heating module 17 is controlled by the control device via the on-board transceiver 7. In other words, the transceiver is designed to receive from the control device instructions concerning the supply of the heating module 17 and transmit them to the control module 5 which controls then consequently the power supply to the heating module 17 so as to adapt the heating of the wiper blade 10.

DEFROST PROCESS

The invention also relates to a defrosting process comprising the following successive steps:

measurement of the temperature of the wiper blade 10 by the sensor of the wiper blade

10, transmission of the temperature of the wiper blade 10 by the on-board transceiver 7 to the control device, remote control, by the control device and by means of the on-board transceiver 7, of the module command 5,

- control of the heating module 17 by the control module 5 as a function of the temperature of the wiper blade 10.

AIR FLOW

As a variant or cumulatively, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the piezoelectric element 2 is designed to be subjected to the action of an air flow. In other words, the piezoelectric element 2 is designed to be deformed directly or indirectly by a mechanical pressure field created by an air flow and / or by a deformation created by an air flow.

The air flow is for example caused by a displacement of the motor vehicle or by the presence of wind. In this case, the air flow corresponds to an air flow around the motor vehicle. It is noted that during the movement of the vehicle in a direction of movement, a general direction of flow of the air flow is substantially coincident with the direction of movement of the motor vehicle.

AERODYNAMIC DEFLECTOR

The wiper blade 10 further comprises an aerodynamic deflector 19. The aerodynamic deflector 19 is also designated by the English term "spoiler". The aerodynamic deflector 19 extends for example longitudinally along the frame 13 of the wiper blade 10. The aerodynamic deflector 19 is designed to hold the wiper blade 10 against the window 30 in particular during movement high speed motor vehicle. In particular, the aerodynamic deflector 19 is designed to keep the wiper blade 10 pressed against the window 30 under the effect of the air flow created by the movement of the motor vehicle.

In other words, the aerodynamic deflector 19 is designed so that when the motor vehicle is moving, the air flow generates a pressure field on the aerodynamic deflector which plates the latter and the rest of the wiper blade 10, the wiper blade 11 against the glass

30.

The aerodynamic deflector 19 is here arranged at an upper part of the wiper blade 10. The aerodynamic deflector 19 extends substantially from one end to the other of the frame 13 of the wiper blade. window 10. In particular, the aerodynamic deflector 19 covers an upper part of the rest of the wiper blade 10. In other words, the aerodynamic deflector 19 is designed to be assembled to the frame 13 of the wiper blade 10 so as to cover at least part of the upper end of the frame 13.

The aerodynamic deflector 19 here has an internal face and an external face. The internal face of the aerodynamic deflector 19 is designed, once the aerodynamic deflector 19 assembled with the rest of the wiper blade 10, to face the frame 13. In other words, the internal face of the aerodynamic deflector 19 is oriented towards the rest of the wiper blade 10. The external face of the aerodynamic deflector 19 is, it is oriented towards the outside of the wiper blade 10.

The external face of the aerodynamic deflector 19 is opposite to the internal surface. It is intended to be in contact with the air flow created by the movement of the motor vehicle.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the piezoelectric element is a piezoelectric film 2 arranged on the aerodynamic deflector 19 of the wiper blade 10. In particular, the piezoelectric film 2 is arranged on the external face of the aerodynamic deflector 19 of the wiper blade 10 so as to create an electric current by undergoing a mechanical pressure field and / or by deforming with the aerodynamic deflector 19.

As a variant, as illustrated in FIG. 1b, the wiping device 1 comprises at least two wiper blades 10. One and / or the other of the wiper blades 10 are fitted with a piezoelectric element 2 and a signal transmitter and receiver 7.

Claims (13)

1. Wiping device (1) for window (30) of a motor vehicle comprising a wiper blade (10), a signal transceiver (7) and a piezoelectric element (2), the piezoelectric element (2) and the signal transceiver (7) being mounted on said 5 wiping device (1), the piezoelectric element (2) being designed to supply the signal transceiver (7) with electric current. 2. A wiping device (1) according to claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric element (2) and / or the signal transceiver (7) are mounted on the wiper blade (10) and / or on an arm (20) of the wiping device for setting in motion the wiper blade 10 (10). 3. A wiping device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the piezoelectric element (2) is designed to deform under the effect of an air flow so as to produce an electric current. 4. Wiping device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising An aerodynamic deflector (19) designed to deform the piezoelectric element (2) when the aerodynamic deflector (19) is subjected to an air flow. 5. Wiping device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the piezoelectric element (2) is a piezoelectric film (2). 6. Wiping device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which 20 the wiper blade (10) comprises a wiper blade designed to be in contact with a window pane (30), in particular a windshield, and to locally match its shape, the piezoelectric element (2 ) being arranged so as to deform with the wiping blade and produce electric current during movement of the wiper blade (10) on the window (30). 7. Wiping device (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the electric current created by the piezoelectric element (2) is a function of the change in curvature of the wiping blade during the movement of the wiper blade -window (10) on the window (30). 8. A wiping device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising an electrical energy storage device, in particular a capacitor, a super-capacitor or a battery, the piezoelectric element (2 ) being designed to supply electric current to the electrical energy storage device. 9. A wear warning method for a wiping device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising the following steps: analysis of the electric current created by the piezoelectric element (2), counting of the number of round trips of the wiper blade (10), creation of a warning signal, in particular sound and / or light , when the number of round trips reaches a threshold value. 10. An assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a control device and a wiping device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in which the signal transceiver (7) is designed to communicate with the control device. 11. Assembly according to the preceding claim, in which the control device is located at a distance from the wiper blade (10). 12. Motor vehicle assembly according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the control device and the signal transceiver communicate with each other wirelessly. 13. Defrosting method for an assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 12, the wiping device (1) comprising a heating module (17) mounted on the wiper blade (10) and designed for be supplied with electric current by the piezoelectric element (2), the defrosting process comprising the following steps: measurement of a temperature of the wiper blade (10), transmission of the temperature of the wiper blade (10) by the signal transceiver to the control device, control, by the control device , the heating module (17) as a function of the temperature of the wiper blade (10). 4/4 Function of the module AT Alarm activation Cycle counting (vs piezo film pulses) (vs piezo film pulses) -:> Wiping cycles Trigger threshold n = m