FR3074755A1 - METHOD FOR CONTROLLING PROJECTION OF A DETERMINED QUANTITY OF LIQUID ON A VEHICLE GLASS, AND A LIQUID PROJECTION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention proposes a system for projecting a liquid onto an outer surface (1) of a window (2) comprising a manual liquid spray actuating member (30) which, via a housing (16) for controlling the liquid projection system, can trigger a liquid spray cycle, in which the manual actuating member (30) emits a control signal which is analyzed by the control casing (16) which is configured to selectively trigger a given liquid projection first cycle (LP1), and a second liquid projection specific cycle (LP2) different from the first cycle (LP1). This system allows the implementation of a liquid projection control method by which the first cycle (LP1) is to project a first quantity (Q1) determined liquid, and the second cycle (LP2) is to project a second quantity (Q2) of liquid which is different from the first quantity (Q1).

Description

Method for controlling the spraying of a determined quantity of liquid onto a vehicle window, and liquid spraying system

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for controlling the projection of a liquid onto an exterior surface of a window of a motor vehicle, such as for example a windshield, a rear window, a window for a light or a headlight or even an optical system. of a camera.

The invention also relates to a system for controlling the projection of a liquid implementing the principles of this process.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates, for example, to a method of spraying a windshield washer fluid or washing liquid onto the exterior surface of a window.

Known wiping and washing systems, such as the windshield, consume a large amount of windshield washer fluid.

This requires storing in a tank on board the vehicle a large amount of liquid windshield washer fluid.

This storage on board represents a significant weight which it is desirable to be able to reduce.

For this purpose, it is desirable to be able to reduce the amount of washing liquid used during each washing.

According to the state of the art, whatever the level of soiling of the windshield, the washing system makes it possible to clean and / or wash it with the same amount of liquid.

This "nominal" quantity, or volume, corresponds to the washing of a large quantity of soiling according to current standards which are used for vehicle certification.

But in daily use, such a nominal quantity "is not necessary to obtain a good quality of washing.

The invention aims to propose a solution to this problem.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method for controlling the spraying of a liquid onto an exterior surface of a window of a motor vehicle, consisting in actuating a manual actuation member for spraying liquid for, via at least one housing. control, trigger a liquid spraying cycle, characterized in that the manual actuation member emits a control signal which is analyzed by the control unit which is configured to selectively trigger:

- a first determined liquid spraying cycle; and

- a second determined liquid spraying cycle, different from the first cycle.

According to other characteristics of the process:

- the first cycle consists in spraying a first determined quantity of liquid; and the second cycle consists in spraying a second determined quantity of liquid which is different from the first quantity;

- the first cycle consists in spraying liquid for a first determined duration; and the second cycle consists in spraying liquid for a second determined duration which is different from the first determined duration;

- the manual actuator can be operated:

- According to a first actuation mode which consists in acting on the manual actuation member for a first determined period, to trigger a first liquid spraying cycle; and

- according to a second actuation mode which consists in acting on the manual actuation member for a second determined period, which is different from the first period, to trigger a second cycle;

- the first period is less than or equal to a threshold value for the actuation period of the manual actuation member; and the second period is greater than the actuation period threshold value of the manual actuation member;

- the first actuation mode to trigger a first cycle consists in moving the manual actuation member in a first determined direction; and the second actuation mode for triggering a second cycle consists in moving the manual actuation member in a second determined direction which is different from the first direction;

- The method consists, selectively, of triggering a first determined liquid spraying cycle only after actuation of the manual actuation member according to the first actuation mode; or to trigger a second determined liquid spraying cycle only after actuation of the manual actuation member according to the second actuation mode.

The invention also provides a system for spraying a liquid onto an exterior surface of a window of a motor vehicle comprising a manual actuation member for spraying liquid which, by means of a control box of the liquid spraying, can trigger a liquid spraying cycle, characterized in that the manual actuation unit emits a control signal which is analyzed by the control unit which is configured to selectively trigger:

- a first determined liquid spraying cycle; and

- a second determined liquid spraying cycle, different from the first cycle.

According to other characteristics of the system:

- the first cycle consists in spraying a first determined quantity of liquid; and the second cycle consists in spraying a second determined quantity of liquid which is different from the first quantity;

- the first cycle consists in spraying liquid for a first determined duration; and the second cycle consists in spraying liquid for a second determined duration which is different from the first determined duration;

- the manual actuator can be operated:

- According to a first actuation mode which consists in acting on the manual actuation member for a first determined period, to trigger a first liquid spraying cycle; and

- according to a second actuation mode which consists in acting on the manual actuation member for a second determined period, which is different from the first period, to trigger a second cycle;

- the first period is less than or equal to a threshold value for the actuation period of the manual actuation member; and the second period is greater than the actuation period threshold value of the manual actuation member;

- the first actuation mode to trigger a first cycle consists in moving the manual actuation member in a first determined direction; and the second actuation mode for triggering a second cycle consists in moving the manual actuation member in a second determined direction which is different from the first direction;

- The system allows, selectively, to trigger a first determined liquid spraying cycle only after an actuation of the manual actuator according to the first actuation mode; or to trigger a second determined liquid spraying cycle only after actuation of the manual actuation member according to the second actuation mode;

- The manual actuator is an electrical switch at least two different positions and / or whose manual actuator can be manipulated in at least two different directions.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which will follow for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawing, the single figure of which is a schematic view of a wiping system and washing a window, here a motor vehicle windshield allowing in particular the implementation of a method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, elements and components having an identical structure or analogous functions will be designated by the same references.

By way of nonlimiting example, the invention relates to the implementation of a method for controlling the spraying of a liquid, in particular a windshield washer liquid, by means of a wiping system 100 and washing and / or cleaning the external surface 1 of a window of a motor vehicle, which is here a windshield 2, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The system 100 which here comprises two wiper blades, or wiper blades, 3 each of which is mounted on a drive arm, or associated wiper arm 4.

Each wiper blade 3 is able to move angularly along the outer surface 1 of the windshield 2 between an extreme low wiping position PB and an extreme high wiping position PH, and vice versa.

The system 100 also includes at least one electric drive motor 5 which is intended to drive the drive arms 4, and therefore the wiper blades 3 in alternating angular sweep.

The system 100 also includes a set of means for projecting liquid onto the exterior surface of the windshield, forming a projection system.

These means here include a system 6 of pipe (s) which is connected to nozzles (or nozzles) 7 intended for ejecting and projecting a liquid onto at least part of the external surface 1 of the windshield 2.

The nozzles 7 are here located carried by the wiper blades 3 and are distributed all along the wiper blades 3, and they are arranged so as to project liquid upwards from the wiper blades 3, c i.e. towards the top of the windshield 2.

The system can also be implemented with nozzles situated on both sides of the wiper blades, the projection of liquid then taking place either only in the direction of the rise from the low position PB towards the high position PH, or only on the advancement side of the broom.

It is also possible that nozzles 7 arranged on both sides of the wiping brushes 3 simultaneously project the liquid.

The system can also be implemented with nozzles carried by the vehicle and arranged to spray liquid towards the glass surface to be washed and wiped.

The pipe system (s) 6 is supplied with liquid to be projected by an upstream circuit which is here associated with a specific function of washing the external surface 1 of the windshield 2.

It is also possible that the pipe system (s) 6 is supplied with liquid to be projected by two separate upstream circuits, each of which is associated with a specific function requested from the system, such as for example a first washing function and a second cleaning and / or defrosting.

For a normal or conventional washing function aimed at eliminating water present on the external surface of the windshield, a circuit 8 comprises a reservoir 9 - containing a washing liquid or windshield washer liquid - and a pump 10 intended to circulate the washing liquid in the pipe system (s) 6.

The system 100 includes an electronic unit 14 capable of controlling the electric motor 5 for driving the wiper blades 3 and the activation of the pump 21 of the circuit 8 for supplying washing liquid to cause the system to perform different operating cycles, including cycles adapted to the normal washing function, with the washing liquid present in the reservoir 11.

The electronic control unit 14 can be more or less simple, depending on the complexity of the operations planned to execute the different cycles and fulfill different functions.

In addition, the vehicle can be equipped with a sensor 15 for measuring one or more external parameters such as for example the presence of rain, the outside temperature, etc.

In this case, the electronic control unit 14 can be connected to the sensor 15 for measuring the outside temperature and use the data supplied by this sensor to adapt the parameters of the different cycles and fulfill the different functions executed by the system.

The vehicle also comprises, in known manner, on-board manual control means which allow a driver to transmit orders to the control unit 14 in order to execute different cycles, in particular washing cycles and in particular washing cycles which differ in terms of the quantity of liquid washing projected onto the exterior surface 1 of the windshield 1.

These on-board means are for example constituted by a manual actuation member on which the driver can act directly, such as a comodo or a switch.

Such a manual actuation member is, for example, a control "comodo" 30 or a control switch which can be integrated into a control satellite or a modular switch arranged in the passenger compartment within reach of the driver.

The actuator 30 is connected to a part 16 of the control unit which performs the function of a control unit for controlling the spraying of liquid within the meaning of the invention.

The control box 16 thus constitutes a Human Machine Interface (HMI) which is interposed between the manual actuation member 30 and the liquid spraying circuit.

The control unit 16 is here configured to control the pump 10.

It is also possible to provide a command for the pump and / or one or more solenoid valves, etc.

It is of course possible to design ΓΙΗΜ 16 in any other form, such as in particular an independent embodiment of the electronic control unit for the operation of the drive motor 5.

The HMI is for example carried out by software implementation in the form of adapted control programs.

Thus, each actuation of the member 30 by the driver, whatever its duration, its strength, its frequency, etc.

is in the form of electrical signals which are transmitted to ΓΙΗΜ 16 to be analyzed there with a view to formation and remission by ΙΊΗΜ 16 of control commands here intended for pump 10.

These control orders have the role of being able to trigger a first determined cycle LP1 of liquid spraying, and a second determined cycle LP2 of liquid spraying, different from the first cycle LP1.

Thus, the invention proposes to use an HMI allowing two levels of activation of the washing liquid projection function, a first level consuming a reduced amount of washing liquid, and a second level consuming a "nominal" quantity Q0 of washing liquid used for vehicle certification, or more.

The HMI 16 makes it possible to analyze different actuation modes of the manual actuation member, and in particular a first actuation mode AM1 and a second actuation mode AM2, distinct from the first actuation mode AM1.

For example, after analysis by ΙΊΗΜ 16, a simple press during a first period P1 on a comodo - constituting a first mode of actuation AM1 - will cause the triggering of a first cycle LP1 of projection and washing using a first quantity Q1 washing liquid less than the nominal quantity Q0.

A prolonged press according to a second period P2 on the comodo - constituting a second mode of actuation AM2 will cause the triggering of a second cycle LP2 of projection and washing using a second quantity Q2 of liquid equal to or greater than the nominal quantity Q0.

According to another example, pressing in a first direction on a two-position rocker switch - constituting a first actuation mode AM1 - will cause the triggering of a first LP1 spraying and washing cycle using a first quantity Q1 of liquid washing less than the nominal quantity Q0.

Pressing in the opposite direction on this two-position rocker switch - constituting a second mode of actuation AM2 - will trigger a second LP2 spraying and washing cycle using a second quantity Q2 of liquid equal to or greater than the nominal quantity QO.

The different positions can correspond to an actuation in the same direction or in different directions, for example opposite.

Claims (15)

1. Method for controlling the spraying of a liquid onto an external surface (1) of a window (2) of a motor vehicle, consisting in actuating a manual member (30) for actuating the spraying of liquid for, via at least one control unit (16) (HMI), triggering a liquid spraying cycle, characterized in that the manual actuating member (30) emits a control signal which is analyzed by the box (16 ) control which is configured to selectively trigger: - a first determined cycle (LP1) of spraying liquid; and - a second determined cycle (LP2) of liquid spraying, different from the first cycle (LP1). 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the first cycle (LP1) consists in spraying a first quantity (Q1) determined of liquid; and - the second cycle (LP2) consists in projecting a second quantity (Q2) determined of liquid which is different from the first quantity (Q1). 3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the first cycle (LP1) consists in spraying liquid for a first determined duration (D1); and - The second cycle (LP2) consists in projecting liquid during a second determined duration (D2) which is different from the first determined duration (D1). 4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manual actuating member (30) can be actuated: - According to a first actuation mode (AM1) which consists in acting on the manual actuator (30) for actuation during a first determined period (P1), to trigger a first liquid spraying cycle (LP1); and - According to a second actuation mode (AM2) which consists in acting on the manual actuator (30) for a second determined period (P2), which is different from the first period (P1), to trigger a second cycle (LP2). 5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that: - The first period (P1) is less than or equal to a threshold value (P) of the actuation period of the manual actuator (30); and - The second period (P2) is greater than the threshold value (P) of the actuation period of the manual actuator (30). 6. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that: - The first actuation mode (AM1) to trigger a first cycle (LP1) consists in moving the manual actuator (30) in a first determined direction (D1); and - the second actuation mode (AM2) to trigger a second cycle (LP2) consists in moving the manual actuator (30) in a second determined direction (D2) which is different from the first direction (D1). 7. Method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that it consists, selectively: - not to trigger a first determined cycle (LP1) of liquid spraying only after actuation of the manual member (30) of actuation according to the first actuation mode (AM1); or - to trigger a second determined cycle (LP2) of liquid spraying only after actuation of the manual actuator (30) according to the second actuation mode (AM1). 8. System for spraying a liquid onto an external surface (1) of a window (2) of a motor vehicle comprising a manual member (30) for actuating spraying of liquid which, by means of a housing (16) for controlling the liquid projection system, can trigger a liquid projection cycle, characterized in that the manual actuating member (30) emits a control signal which is analyzed by the housing (16) of control (HMI) which is configured to trigger selectively: - a first determined cycle (LP1) of spraying liquid; and - a second determined cycle (LP2) of liquid spraying, different from the first cycle (LP1). 9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that: - the first cycle (LP1) consists in spraying a first quantity (Q1) determined of liquid; and - the second cycle (LP2) consists in projecting a second quantity (Q2) determined of liquid which is different from the first quantity (Q1). 10. System according to claim 8, characterized in that: - the first cycle (LP1) consists in spraying liquid for a first determined duration (D1); and - The second cycle (LP2) consists in projecting liquid during a second determined duration (D2) which is different from the first determined duration (D1). 11. System according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the manual actuating member (30) can be actuated: - according to a first actuation mode (AM1) which consists of acting on the manual organ (actuation 30d for a first determined period (P1), to trigger a first liquid spraying cycle (LP1); and - According to a second actuation mode (AM2) which consists in acting on the manual actuator (30) for a second determined period (P2), which is different from the first period (P1), to trigger a second cycle (LP2). 12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that: - The first period (P1) is less than or equal to a threshold value (P) of the actuation period of the manual actuator (30); and - The second period (P2) is greater than the threshold value (P) of the actuation period of the manual actuator (30). 13. according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that: - The first actuation mode (AM1) to trigger a first cycle consists in moving the manual actuator (30) in a first determined direction (D1); and - the second actuation mode (AM2) to trigger a second cycle consists in moving the manual actuator (30) in a second determined direction (D2) which is different from the first direction (D1). 14. System according to claim 11, characterized in that it selectively consists: - not to trigger a first determined cycle (LP1) of liquid spraying only after actuation of the manual member (30) of actuation according to the first actuation mode (AM1); or - to trigger a second determined cycle (LP2) of liquid spraying only after actuation of the manual actuator (30) according to the second actuation mode (AM1). 15. The system as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the manual actuating member (30) is an electrical switch at at least two different positions and / or the manual actuating member (30) of which can be manipulated in at least two different directions.