WO2018077756A1

WO2018077756A1 - Wiping device for a glass panel of a motor vehicle comprising a wiping blade, a signal transceiver and a piezoelectric element

Info

Publication number: WO2018077756A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/076899
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gérald CAILLOT; Vincent Izabel; Jean-Michel Jarasson
Original assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
Priority date: 2016-10-25
Filing date: 2017-10-20
Publication date: 2018-05-03
Also published as: FR3057833A1; FR3057833B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a wiping device (1) for a glass panel (30) of a motor vehicle comprising a wiping blade (10), a signal transceiver (7) and a piezoelectric element (2), the piezoelectric element (2) and the signal transceiver (7) being mounted on said wiping device (1), the piezoelectric element (2) being designed to supply the signal transceiver (7) with electric current. The invention further relates to a wear notification method for such a wiping device (1), an assembly comprising such a wiping device (1) and a de-icing method for such an assembly.

Description

AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE WINDOW TOWING DEVICE COMPRISING A WIPER BLADE, A SIGNAL TRANSCEIVER AND A PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a motor vehicle window wiper device comprising a windscreen 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 at a distance from the wiper blade. wiper blade. However, these wired connections are binding in particular because they increase the size of the wiper blades. Another disadvantage resulting from the 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 avoiding the wired connections so far used.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, the invention proposes a wiper device for a motor vehicle window comprising a wiper blade, a signal transceiver and a piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element and the transceiver. signal being mounted on said wiper device, the piezoelectric element being adapted to power the signal transceiver with electrical power. Thanks to the piezoelectric element, the transceiver has an autonomous power supply.

According to various aspects of the invention, which may 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 device wiper for setting the wiper blade in motion,

the piezoelectric element is designed to deform under the effect of a flow of air so as to produce an electric current,

the wiper 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 a flow of air,

the piezoelectric element is a piezoelectric film,

the wiper blade comprises a wiper blade adapted to be in contact with the window,

the wiper blade is adapted to conform to the shape of the window pane locally, the piezoelectric element is arranged to deform with the wiper blade and to produce electric current when the wiper blade is moved -glace on the glass,

the electric current created by the piezoelectric element is in particular a function of the curvature modification of the wiping blade when the windscreen wiper blade is moved on the pane,

the wiper 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 electrical power to the electrical energy storage device.

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

analyzing the electric current created by the piezoelectric element,

counting the number of rounds of the wiper blade,

creation of a warning signal, in particular sound and / or light, when the number of round trips reaches a threshold value.

The invention further relates to a motor vehicle assembly comprising a control device and a wiper device as described above wherein the signal transceiver is adapted to communicate with the control device. According to various aspects of the invention, which may 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 deicing process for such an assembly, the wiper device comprising a heating module mounted on the wiper blade and designed to be supplied with electric current by the piezoelectric element, the deicing process comprising the following steps, in particular successively and in this order:

measuring a temperature of the wiper blade,

transmitting the temperature of the wiper blade by the signal transceiver to the control device, controlling, by the control device, the heating module according to the temperature of the wiper blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent in the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention given to As a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the attached schematic drawings:

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

FIG. 1b is a diagrammatic view of a windshield of a motor vehicle comprising a wiper device according to the invention on which has been shown an example of variations of gal be of a window at the level of a portion traversed by two wiper blades of a wiper device according to another embodiment, according to the invention. Figure 1a is a front view of the rear part of a motor vehicle mu n and a wiper ispositif according to the invention.

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

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

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

Figure 3a is an exploded view, in perspective, of a portion 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 wipe in a downward direction.

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

FIG. 6 is a graph showing modes of operation of a counting module as a function of the number of wiping cycles performed by the wiper device.

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

As can be seen in FIGS. 1a and 1c, the invention relates to a wiper device 1 for a window 30 of a motor vehicle comprising a wiper blade 10, a transceiver 7 of signals, said transceiver on board, and a piezoelectric element 2.

WIPING DEVICE As illustrated in Figures la to the, the wiper 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 a front windshield, a rear window or a headlight glass of the motor vehicle. The window 30 is here a rear window 30 of the motor vehicle. In the following, we will also designate the rear window 30 by the expression "window wipe".

WIPER ARM

The wiper devices 1 illustrated in each of Figs. 1a to 4a comprise a wiper arm 20 and a motor 8. The motor 8, shown in Fig. 1c, is here adapted to drive the arm 20 into a angular movement back and forth. The arm 20 is designed to drive the broom wiper 10 in the back and forth motion. The wiper blade 10 is here mounted on the arm 20 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 its proximal end 21 to the motor 8 of the wiper 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 move here in a back-and-forth movement between a rest position PI and a stop position P2, from one to the other. As will be specified later, 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 outer surface of the window 30.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 2a, the wiper blade 10 comprises a wiper blade 11, a frame 13 and at least one vertebra 15. It is noted that the armature 13 may also be designated by the English term " holder "and vertebra 15 by the English term" spline ".

FRAME

The armature 13 comprises a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end and extends longitudinally along a principal direction of longitudinal extension from the first to the second longitudinal end. The armature 13 furthermore has a height, measured orthogonally to the principal direction of longitudinal extension of the armature 13.

As is particularly visible in FIG. 2, the armature 13 furthermore comprises a first longitudinal cavity 132, called an upper cavity, and a second longitudinal cavity 134, said 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 and lower cavities 132 132 are designed to serve as housing respectively to the vertebra 15 and a part of the wiper blade 11. Thus, the armature 13 acts as a support for the vertebra 15 as well as the wiper blade 11.

The vertebra 15 is here housed in the upper cavity 132 of the armature 13. The wiper blade 11 is, in turn, partly housed inside the lower cavity 134 of the armature 13.

The armature 13 is designed so that, once the wiper 1 mounted on the motor vehicle, the armature 13 extends in the direction of the height in a direction substantially orthogonal to the outer surface of the glass 30 .

WIPER BLADE

The wiper blade 11 is adapted to wipe a portion or area of the outer surface of the rear window 30 as the wiper blade 10 moves in a reciprocating motion.

The wiper blade 11 is essentially designed to discharge liquids to the outer surface of the pane 30 and / or to clean it. The reciprocating movement of the wiper blade 10 mentioned above makes it possible in particular to clear the outer surface of the window 30 of any dirt.

The wiper blade 11 is designed to be in direct contact with the outer surface of the window 30 of the motor vehicle. It is made of a flexible material such as natural or synthetic rubber. It is noted that the contact between the free edge of the wiper blade 11 and the outer surface of the pane 30 defines a zone of contact between the wiper blade 11 and the pane 30. The area of contact between the outer surface of the pane 30 and the wiper blade 11 is substantially longitudinal and / or linear. In addition, the contact zone here is devoid of discontinuity along the wiper blade 11 which allows a homogeneous wiping of the window 30.

The wiper blade 10 is designed so that the wiper blade 11 deforms elastically during the movement of the wiper blade 10 on the outer surface of the rear window 30 including the position PI at the position P2. This deformation allows the wiper blade 11 to conform locally to the curve or curve of the outer surface of the pane 30. This deformation of the wiper blade 11 makes it possible in particular to obtain that the contact zone between the blade of 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 wiper blade 11 extends longitudinally in a main direction of longitudinal extension between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the wiper blade 11, from one to the other. The wiper blade 11 here has a height, measured orthogonal 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 wiper blade 11.

The wiper blade 11 comprises an upper portion 113, also known as heel, attachment portion or mounting portion, and a lower portion 114, said wiping portion, which are integral with each other. It is 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 and lower portions 113 are connected to each other by an intermediate hinge zone 115 which extends longitudinally from the first longitudinal end to the second longitudinal end of the wiper blade 11. As illustrated in particular in Figures 4 and 5, the hinge zone 115 allows deformation and a change of orientation of the wiper blade 11 so that its part lower 114 can pivot relative to the upper portion 113 of the wiper blade 11 around the hinge zone 115 which constitutes the longitudinal axis of pivoting of the lower portion 114. This angular pivoting movement of the lower portion 114 relative to in the upper part 113 occurs especially during a change of direction in the movement of back and forth of the wiper blade 10 along the outer surface of the window 30 to be wiped.

The lower portion 114 of the wiper blade 11 is adapted to be in contact with the outer surface of the window 30 of the motor vehicle. In particular, the free edge 111 of the wiper blade 11 is designed to be in contact with the outer surface of the pane 30. The upper portion 113 of the wiper 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 Figures 2, 4 and 5, the lower portion 114 of the wiper blade 11 comprises a first side face 116 and a second side face 117. The first and second side faces 116, 117 extend each longitudinally along the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiper 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 wiper blade 11.

As illustrated in particular in Figure 2, the side 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 side faces 116, 117 are arranged on either side of the wiper blade 11. More particularly, the side faces 116, 117 are arranged on either side of the lower edge 111 of the blade. wiping 11 and along it. The first side face 116 of the wiper blade 11 is arranged on one side of the wiper blade 11 which is substantially oriented towards the position PI when the wiper device is mounted to the motor vehicle. The second side face 117 is, it, arranged on one side of the wiper blade 11 which is substantially oriented towards the position P2 when the wiper device is mounted to the motor vehicle.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the wiper blade 10 moves from the position P1 to the position P2, that is to say in a rising direction, the lower part 114 of the wiping blade 11 is inclined relative to the upper portion 113 of the wiper blade 11. In particular, the second side face 117 is then substantially vis-à-vis the window 30. In addition, when the windscreen wiper blade 10 moves from the position PI to the position P2, the second side face 117 of the wiper blade 11 is stretched substantially in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiper blade 11. The first face 116, it is compressed substantially in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiper blade 11. As illustrated in Figure 4, when the wiper blade 10 moves from the position P2 at the position PI, that is to say in a sense desce ndant, the lower portion 114 of the wiper blade 11 is inclined relative to the upper portion 113 of the wiper blade 11. In particular, the first side face 116 is then substantially vis-à-vis with the glass 30.

In addition, when the wiper blade 10 moves from the position P2 to the position P1, the first side face 116 of the wiper blade 11 is stretched substantially in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension. The second lateral face 117, it is compressed substantially in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiper blade 11. VERTEBRATE

The vertebra 15 of the wiper blade 10 makes it possible to give the wiper blade 11 sufficient rigidity to keep it pressed against the outer 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 outer surface of the window 30. The vertebra 15 thus allows at the contact area between the wiper blade 11 and the outer surface of the pane 30 to be and remain continuous during the movement of the wiper blade 10 along the outer surface of the window pane 30. This feature allows efficient wiping.

The vertebra 15 is here a strip of material. It comprises a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end and extends longitudinally along 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 windscreen wiper blade are assembled, the vertebra 15 is arranged in the armature 13 so that the direction of the thickness of the vertebra 15 is substantially orthogonal to the outer 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 extend here parallel to each other and delimit the thickness of the vertebra 15.

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

As can be seen in FIGS. 1a to 1e, the signal transceiver 7, called on-board transceiver 7, is for example designed to be mounted on the windscreen wiper blade. 10 or on the arm 20. The onboard transceiver 7 is designed to be integral with the wiper blade 10 and / or 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 on the window 30 of a liquid, especially a cleaning fluid, rinsing or defrosting. The distribution duct 18 extends for example longitudinally along 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 may be evenly spaced along the dispensing duct 18. The projection orifices are designed to allow the liquid to be projected from the inside of the dispensing duct 18 to the window 30.

In a variant not shown, the wiper blade comprises for example two distribution ducts. The distribution ducts can then be arranged substantially on either side of the wiper blade. PIEZOELECTRIC 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 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 may 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" especially comprises a thin strip of material comprising a material piezoelectric. The piezoelectric material is designed to create an electric current when subjected to a mechanical pressure field and / or when 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 larger than said thickness, especially at least 10 times larger, for example 100 times larger. The piezoelectric film 2 is easily deformable. It extends here longitudinally substantially 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 cavities 134 or greater 132 of the armature 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 underside 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 Figure 3a the piezoelectric film is arranged above a heating module 17 of the wiper blade.

DEFORMATION OF THE PIEZO-ELECTRIC FILM

As illustrated in FIG. 1a, the window 30 comprises in particular zones z1 and z2 located one behind the other along the path of the wiper blade 10 as it moves between the positions P1 and P2. Zones z1 and z2 here have different curves. In particular, the zone zl has a smaller curvature than 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 z1 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 a deformation. This deformation corresponds here 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 match the curvature of the pane 30. In other words, the deformation of the wiper blade 11 allows to marry the curve of the outer surface of the pane 30. The piezoelectric film 2 is designed and arranged to be deformed during the movement of the wiper blade 10 and by this one. 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 allows in particular the supply of electrical energy to the onboard transceiver 7.

It should be noted that the electric current created by the piezoelectric film 2 depends in particular on the position of the wiper blade 10 along the window 30 and therefore on the shape of the outer surface of the window 30 of the contact area between the window 30 and the wiper 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 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.

Alternatively or cumulatively, the deformation of the piezoelectric film 2 and the creation of an electric current are caused by vibrations and / or other shocks due in particular to the movement of the motor vehicle. Alternatively or cumulatively, a piezoelectric film 2 may be arranged on one of the first and second side faces 116, 117 of the wiping blade 11. In particular, the piezoelectric film 2 may for example be glued to the one of the first and second side faces 116, 117. The piezoelectric film 2, thus arranged, su bit then substantially the same deformations as the side face 116 or 117 on which it is arranged.

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

As mentioned above, the displacement of the wiper blade 11 on and along the window 30 causes deformation of the side faces 116, 117. Accordingly, the movement of the wiper blade 11 on and along the window 30 causes deformation 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 wiper blade 11 against the window 30 during the movement 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 side faces 116, 117 of the wiper blade 11 so as to increase the production of electric current during the movement of the wiper blade 10.

PIEZO-ELECTRIC BLOCK

In 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 automobile vehicle. ACCUMULATION DEVICE

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

Thus, the electrical energy storage device makes it possible not to have instantaneous use of the electrical energy created by the piezoelectric element 2 when this is not necessary and / or when this energy is not immediately available, for example when the vehicle and the equipment are at a standstill. The electrical energy storage device is for example a capacitor, a super-capacitor, a battery or a battery. The electrical energy storage device is for example arranged close to or even in close proximity to the piezoelectric element 2.

COUNTER MODULE AND WARNING METHOD

As illustrated, the wiper device 1 further comprises a counting module 9. The wiper device further comprises a buzzer and / or light not shown.

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

The counting module 9 and the emitter-receiver 7 are connected to each other. As mentioned above, they are both, for example, 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 broom. In particular, here, the counting module 9 is designed to increment by 1 a value n at each round of the wiper blade 10. The value n thus corresponds in real time to the number of wipers 10. return trips made by the wiper blade 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 may be configured to increment n each time the piezoelectric film 2 produces one or the other of the first current and the second electric current.

A predetermined threshold value m corresponding to a round-trip number of the windscreen wiper blade 10 from which it is judged necessary to change or maintain all or part of the wiper device 1 is defined here. As an indication, purely illustrative and according to the strength of various elements of the wiper device 1, choose m = 100 000, m = 250 000 or 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 buzzer and / or light, which activates the buzzer.

Activation of the buzzer and / or light then makes it possible to warn a user of the motor vehicle that it is necessary to check the state of the wiper device 1 or 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 wiper blade 11, it is possible to use the electric current produced by the piezoelectric film 2 to detect a change. windshield wipers 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 principal direction of longitudinal extension of the wiper blade 11, of the piezoelectric film 2 can detect that the wiper blade 10 has left the position PI and moves in an upward direction. Conversely, stretching, here substantially in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiper blade 11, the piezoelectric film 2 arranged on the first side face 116 can detect that the wiper blade Ice 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 principal direction of longitudinal extension of the wiper blade 11, of the piezoelectric film 2 can detect that the wiper blade 10 has left the position P2 and moves in a downward direction. Conversely, the stretching, here substantially in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension of the wiper 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 ascending direction.

WARNING METHOD

The invention also relates to a warning method for a wiper 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 wiper device 1. The warning method comprises for this purpose 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 rounds of the wiper blade 10 by the counting module 9, transmission by the counting module 9 of a signal to the onboard transceiver 7 when the number of round trips reaches the threshold value m, transmission by the onboard transceiver 7 of a signal to the buzzer and / or light,

activation of the buzzer and / or light.

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

The warning method thus simplifies the maintenance of the wiper device 1. In addition, this method allows accurate and real-time monitoring of the use of the wiper device 1.

HEATING MODULE

The wiper device 1 further 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 cavities 134 and higher. 132 of the frame 13 of the wiper blade 10. Here, the heating film 17 is arranged inside the upper cavity 132. In particular, the heating film 17 is here arranged on and in contact with the face upper 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 resistor for produce heat when the electric current produced by the piezoelectric film passes through it. In particular, the heating module 17 may be designed to heat the wiper blade 10. The heating of the wiper blade 10 by the heating module 17 allows for example to melt snow or snow. accumulated ice on and around the wiper blade 10 and preventing a movement of the wiper blade 10. In other words, in this way, the heating module 17 facilitates the movement of the wiper blade -glace 10.

It should be noted that the snow and / or the ice can sometimes obstruct the projection openings of the wiper blade 10. The heating module 17 may be designed to heat the wiper blade 10 so as to melting snow or ice present in said orifices. The heating module 17 thus allows the said projection orifices to be unclogged and the cleaning or de-icing liquid to be dispensed onto the window 30. In other words, the heating module 17 may be designed to allow the projection orifices to thaw.

TEMPERATURE SENSOR

As illustrated in Figure 1c, the wiper device 1 further 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 it 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.

Alternatively, the temperature sensor 6 can be mounted on the wiper arm 20. As can be seen in Figure 1c, the wiper device 1 further comprises a control module 5 and a control device. The control device is here arranged at a distance from the windscreen wiper blade 10. The control module 5 is arranged on the windscreen wiper blade 10. The temperature sensor 6 is here connected to the onboard 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 drive the heating module 17 of the wiper blade 10 as a function of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 6. The control of the heating module 17 by the control device takes place 7. In other words, the transceiver is adapted to receive from the control device instructions relating to the power supply of the heating module 17 and to transmit them to the control module 5 which controls then accordingly feeding the heating module 17 so as to adapt the heating of the wiper blade 10.

DEFROSTING PROCESS

The invention also relates to a de-icing process comprising the following successive steps: measuring 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 onboard transceiver 7 to the control device,

remote control, by the control device and thanks to the on-board transceiver 7, of the control module 5,

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

AIR FLOW

Alternatively or cumulatively, as illustrated in Figure 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 a flow of air and / or by a deformation created by an air flow.

The air flow is for example caused by a movement of the motor vehicle or by the presence of wind. In this case, the air flow corresponds to a flow of air around the motor vehicle. It is noted that during the displacement 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 referred to as the "spoiler". The aerodynamic deflector 19 extends for example longitudinally along the armature 13 of the windscreen wiper blade 10. The aerodynamic deflector 19 is designed to hold the windscreen wiper blade 10 against the window 30, particularly when moving at high speed of the 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 during the movement of the motor vehicle, the air flow generates a pressure field on the aerodynamic deflector 19 which plate it and the rest of the wiper blade 10 including the wiper blade 11 against the window 30.

The aerodynamic deflector 19 is here arranged at an upper portion 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. In particular, the aerodynamic deflector 19 covers an upper portion of the remainder 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 a portion of the upper end of the frame 13.

The aerodynamic deflector 19 has here an inner face and an outer face. The inner face of the aerodynamic deflector 19 is designed, once the aerodynamic deflector 19 assembled to the rest of the wiper blade 10, to face the armature 13. In other words, the inner face of the aerodynamic deflector 19 is oriented towards the rest of the windscreen wiper blade 10. The outer face of the aerodynamic deflector 19 is facing the outside of the windscreen wiper blade 10. The outer face of the aerodynamic deflector 19 is opposite to the inner 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 outer 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 deforming with the aerodynamic deflector 19.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 1b, the wiper device 1 comprises at least two wiper blades 10. One and / or the other of the wiper blades 10 are equipped with a wiper blade 10. piezoelectric element 2 and a signal transceiver 7.

Claims

Motor vehicle window wiping device (1) comprising a wiper blade (10), a signal transceiver (7) and a piezoelectric element (2), piezoelectric element (2) and the signal transceiver (7) being mounted on said wiper (1), the piezoelectric element (2) being adapted to supply the signal transceiver (7) electric current.

Wiper 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 wiper device for moving the wiper blade (10).

Wiper device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the piezoelectric element (2) is adapted to deform under the effect of a flow of air so as to produce an electric current.

Wiper 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 a flow of air.

Wiper device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the piezoelectric element (2) is a piezoelectric film (2).

Wiper device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the wiper blade (10) comprises a wiper blade adapted to be in contact with a window (30), in particular a guard -brise, and marry locally shape, the piezoelectric element (2) being arranged to deform with the wiper blade and produce electric current during a movement of the wiper blade ( 10) on the window (30).

7. Wiper device (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the electric current created by the piezoelectric element (2) is a function of the curvature modification of the wiper blade during the movement of the wiper blade. -glace (10) on the window (30).

8. A wiper (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 electrical power to the electrical energy storage device.

The wear warning method for a wiper device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising the steps of:

analyzing the electric current created by the piezoelectric element (2),

counting the number of rounds of the wiper blade (10),

10. A motor vehicle assembly comprising a control device and a wiper device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the signal transceiver (7) is adapted to communicate with the communication device. control.

11. Assembly according to the preceding claim wherein the control device is located at a distance from the wiper blade (10).

12. A motor vehicle assembly according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the control device and the signal transceiver communicate with each other wirelessly.

De-icing process for an assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 12, the wiper device (1) comprising a heating module (17) mounted on the wiper blade (10) and designed to being supplied with electric current by the piezoelectric element (2), the deicing method comprising the following steps:

measuring a temperature of the wiper blade (10), transmitting the temperature of the wiper blade (10) by the signal transceiver to the control device,

controlling, by the control device, the heating module (17) as a function of the temperature of the wiper blade (10).