WO2022084290A1

WO2022084290A1 - Wiper blade for an adaptive wiping system

Info

Publication number: WO2022084290A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/078904
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerald Caillot; Vincent Izabel
Original assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
Priority date: 2020-10-22
Filing date: 2021-10-19
Publication date: 2022-04-28
Also published as: FR3115511B1; FR3115511A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a wiper blade (101, 201) for a wiping system (5) for at least one glazed surface (1), the wiper blade (101, 201) being configured to be movable along the glazed surface (1) between at least two end positions and to be placed in at least one rest position (A1, A2) on the glazed surface (1) when the wiping system (5) is not used for wiping the glazed surface (1), the wiper blade (101, 201) comprising at least one indicator element (111) for at least one constituent element (103, 105) of the wiper blade (101, 201), said indicator element (111) being configured to allow an electronic management system (15) of the wiping system (5) to calculate the rest position (A1, A2), which is different from the end positions, of the wiper blade on the basis of the identified constituent element (103, 105).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title of the invention: Wiper blade for adaptive wiping system

The present invention relates to the field of vehicle wiper systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a wiper system configured to optimize the position of a wiper blade on a glazed surface of a vehicle.

Visibility through the glazed surfaces of a vehicle is an essential element for a user to be able to drive the vehicle in complete safety and/or for a driver assistance module of the vehicle to be able to operate in a safe and secure manner . The glazed surfaces are, for example, exterior surfaces of sensors for the driving assistance module, a front windshield or a rear window of a vehicle, in particular an automobile.

Depending on the environmental conditions, these glazed surfaces get dirty more or less quickly, resulting in a deterioration of visibility through these glazed surfaces. It is therefore important to be able to clean them even when the vehicle is in use. To this end, vehicles have cleaning systems comprising one or more wiper blades in contact with the glass surfaces. Each wiper blade includes a wiper blade which is usually made of synthetic or natural rubber. The wiper blade is movable between two end positions in order to clean the glass surface.

The wiper blade is placed in a rest position when the wiper system is not in use. This rest position is conventionally located on a lower portion of the glazed surface and in the vicinity of a bodywork element of the vehicle, for example a front bonnet or a window pillar of the glazed surface. In this rest position, the wiper blade is outside the driver's field of vision and is partly protected from environmental conditions. However, this does not prevent the wiper blades from undergoing wear over time, in particular due to the pressing of the wiper blade against the glazed surface during its movement. It is therefore appropriate after a certain time to change the worn wiper blade with a new wiper blade. When replacing a used wiper blade, the user may wish to change the range of wiper blades fitted to the wiper system, and for example wish to equip his vehicle with a connected wiper blade on which electronic means are embedded. By way of example, these electronic means can serve as transmit/receive relays to participate in the creation of a communication network with other vehicles.

However, in a standard rest position of the wiper blade as mentioned above, the electronic means can be prevented from emitting and/or receiving an electromagnetic wave due to their proximity to a bodywork element of the vehicle. . In addition, the electronic means may find themselves close to disturbing electromagnetic fields generated by electronic components of the vehicle. However, motorists should be satisfied with the efficiency of their connected wiper blades, which represent an additional cost compared to standard blades.

The object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks and also to lead to other advantages by proposing a new type of wiper system for a vehicle.

The present invention thus proposes a wiper blade for a system for wiping at least one glazed surface of a vehicle. The wiper blade is configured to be movable along the glazed surface between at least two end positions and to be placed in at least one rest position on the glazed surface when the wiper system is not in use for the wiping the glass surface. The wiper blade comprises at least one indicator element of at least one constituent element of the wiper blade configured to allow an electronic management system of the wiper system to calculate the rest position, different from the end positions , of the wiper blade depending on the constituent element detected.

When the wiper system is used to clean the glass surface, the wiper blade is then moved back and forth between two end positions. Thus the wiper blade goes from a first position end to a second end position by moving along the glazed surface and vice versa. When the use of the wiping system is no longer required, the wiping blade is placed in a rest position so as not to obstruct the vision of the user. Since wiper blades may have different designs from one brand to another, an indicator element on the wiper blade which allows an electronic management system of the wiper system to detect the presence of at least one constituent element of the wiper blade gives rise to the adaptation of the rest position to a particular model of wiper blade. According to the invention, the rest position is different from the two end positions. And it is calculated so that the wiper blade is not covered by vehicle bodywork elements and that the constituent elements that make it up can have optimized functionality.

According to one embodiment, the wiper blade comprises a transceiver configured to mesh with a communication network, the constituent element associated with the indicator element comprising said transceiver. In this way, the rest position is calculated according to the presence of a transmitter-receiver on the wiper blade, and therefore on the interest in certain cases of having a wiper blade which can transmit and receive communication data in a reliable way and which can thus participate in the development of the widest possible communication network.

According to one embodiment, the wiper blade comprises at least one electric power supply device intended to supply the transceiver and/or the indicator element, the constituent element associated with the indicator element comprising the said power supply device. power supply. In this way, the rest position is calculated according to the presence of an electrical power supply device on the wiper blade, and therefore on the advantage in certain cases of having a blade which can be exposed to a surrounding light such as that of the sun for example.

According to one embodiment, the power supply device can for example comprise a battery, at least one photovoltaic cell and/or at least one piezoelectric element. It is understood on reading the foregoing that the calculation of a particular rest position, in which the wiper blade is not covered by a bodywork element of the vehicle, takes on particular interest in the case of an element indicator giving as information to the electronic management system the presence of a photovoltaic cell.

According to one embodiment, the indicator element is configured to allow the vehicle management system to know at least one physical characteristic of the constituent element of the wiper blade. By way of non-limiting example, the indication of a physical characteristic may consist of an indication of the presence of the constituent element, an indication of the weight of the wiper blade, or an indication of the position of the constituent element on the blade, for example with respect to a central position of the wiper blade.

According to one embodiment, the wiper blade comprises a wiper blade intended to be applied against the glazed surface and a support structure retaining the wiper blade, the constituent element and/or the indicator element being arranged on the supporting structure. Thus the transceiver and/or the indicator element can be arranged on the support structure. It is possible for the power supply device to be arranged on the support structure.

According to one embodiment, the support structure is provided with a connection device intended to connect the wiper blade to an arm of the wiper system, the constituent element and/or the indicator element being arranged on the device connection. Thus the transceiver and/or the indicator element can be arranged on the connection device. It is possible that the power supply device is arranged on the connection device.

According to one embodiment, the indicator element is chosen from among a radio tag, an image code system, a barcode, and a serial number.

According to one embodiment, the indicator element comprises an active member configured to communicate with an acquisition device of the electronic management. Thus the electronic management system can detect the presence of the constituent element. The active member can communicate directly with the acquisition device of the electronic management system. The active component can communicate indirectly with the acquisition device of the electronic management system, that is to say via a connected object, such as for example a multifunction mobile also called a "smartphone", which is configured to communicate with the acquisition device of the electronic management system.

According to one embodiment, the active member comprises a communication member, for example an antenna, so as to communicate with the electronic management system of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment, the active member comprises a memory for storing the physical characteristic of the wiper blade.

According to one embodiment, the acquisition device of the electronic management system is a communication module configured to communicate with an active component of the indicator element.

According to one embodiment, the active member is a radio tag.

According to one embodiment, the indicator element comprises at least one passive member capable of being read by an acquisition device of the electronic management system and/or by a connected object, such as for example a multifunction mobile also called a "smartphone". , which is configured to communicate with the acquisition device of the electronic management system. Thus the passive member can make it possible to detect the presence of the constituent element and/or to recover the characteristic of the constituent element.

According to one embodiment, the passive member is chosen from the group comprising an image code system, a barcode and a serial number.

According to one embodiment, the acquisition device is an optical reader, for example a camera, configured to read the passive component of the indicator element. Thus the electronic management system can detect the presence of the constituent element of the wiper blade.

According to one embodiment, the indicator element comprises at least one active member and at least one passive member.

According to one embodiment, the physical characteristic is the position and/or the arrangement of the constituent element with respect to other constituent elements of the wiper blade.

According to one embodiment, the other constituent elements of the wiper blade are a wiper blade, a support structure, a deflector and/or an assembly end piece.

According to one embodiment, the communication network is a wifi network, a 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G, Bluetooth cellular network, a satellite link, a Zigbee network or to a wiper blade transceiver connected from a neighboring vehicle.

The invention further provides a system for wiping at least one vehicle glazed surface comprising at least one arm, at least one wiper blade according to the invention, the wiper blade being fixed to the arm so that the wiping blade rubs against the glazed surface during its movement between at least two end positions and is placed in at least one rest position on the glazed surface when the wiping system is not used for wiping the glazed surface, at least one drive device configured to set the wiper blade in motion via the arm. The wiper system further comprises an electronic management system configured to detect the presence of the constituent element via the indicator element and to calculate the rest position of the wiper blade according to the presence of the constituent element detected.

According to one embodiment, the drive device is configured to at least partially transform an electrical pulse into a linear movement and/or angular movement. According to one embodiment, the drive device comprises an electronic motor. The electronic motor can be a brushless motor, a single-phase reversible motor, or even a direct-drive motor.

According to one embodiment, the electronic management system comprises a device for acquiring at least one datum from the indicator element.

According to one embodiment, the acquisition device is configured to read the indicator element. The indicator element may comprise at least one passive member chosen from the group comprising an image code system, a barcode and a serial number.

According to one embodiment, the acquisition device is configured to communicate with the indicator element. The indicator element can comprise at least one active member, such as for example a radio tag.

According to one embodiment, a multifunction mobile, also called a "smartphone", of a user is configured to make it possible to detect the presence of the constituent element and/or to retrieve the physical characteristic of the constituent element of the wiping from the indicator element.

According to one embodiment, the multifunction mobile is configured to communicate the presence of the constituent element of the constituent element to the acquisition device of the electronic management system.

According to one embodiment, the multifunction mobile is configured to communicate the physical characteristic of the constituent element to the acquisition device of the electronic management system.

According to one embodiment, the electronic management system comprises a module for calculating a rest position of the wiper blade from the presence of the constituent element detected by the acquisition device and/or from the physical characteristic communicated to the acquisition device. According to one embodiment, the calculation module is configured to extrapolate a rest position from rest position values recorded in a database stored in a memory of the calculation module and/or to extrapolate by comparison with a position corresponding to another wiper blade used previously.

According to one embodiment, the electronic management system is configured to calculate a plurality of rest positions, the selected rest position being that which has the best signal-to-noise ratio for the operation of the transceiver.

According to one embodiment, the wiper blade comprises an electric power supply device intended to supply the transceiver and/or the indicator element, the electric power supply device comprising a photovoltaic cell, and in which the system electronic management is configured to calculate the rest position so that the photovoltaic cell is illuminated directly by surrounding light. Thus the surrounding light can be sunlight having passed through clouds or not, for example.

Alternatively to what has just been mentioned, a wiper blade according to the invention may comprise both a transceiver and a photovoltaic cell, and the electronic management system is configured so as to be able to determine a position optimal rest both for the correct transmission or reception of signals and for the correct exposure to surrounding light, such as sunlight.

According to one embodiment, the electronic management system is configured to take into account at least one regulatory constraint and/or the presence of at least one sensor and/or an operating state of the vehicle to calculate the rest position of the wiper wiping on the glass surface. In this context, it is understood that, to calculate the position of rest, the electronic management system can use a regulatory constraint and/or the presence of at least a sensor and/or an operating state of the vehicle in addition to the detection of the constituent element of wiper blade and/or in addition to a physical characteristic of said constituent element.

It should be understood here, as well as in all that follows, by "operating state of the vehicle", that the vehicle can be for example stationary at a traffic light or at a stop sign, parked with the engine on or no, when driving in town or on a highway. It is therefore understandable that there are a multitude of operating states which cannot all be mentioned in the previous list.

According to one embodiment, the electronic management system is configured to calculate a first rest position when the vehicle is parked and to calculate a second rest position when the vehicle is moving. It should be understood here, as well as in all that follows, by "parking", that the vehicle is stationary on the side of the road, broken down on the road and/or in a parking space, the engine being lit or not. It should be understood here, as well as in all that follows, by "driving", that the vehicle is traveling on the road, or that it is temporarily stationary, for example because of a traffic jam, a traffic light , a stop sign and/or a give way sign.

In one embodiment, the sensor can be protected by the glazed surface, that is to say placed on the side of the face opposite to the face on which the wiper blade rests. Alternatively, the sensor can be incorporated at least partly in a thickness of the glazed surface of the vehicle.

The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising at least one glazed surface and a wiper system according to the invention, the wiper system being configured to clean the glazed surface.

According to one embodiment, the glazed surface is at least part of an outer surface of a sensor, of a windshield and/or of a rear window.

According to one embodiment, the glazed surface is configured to protect a sensor, in particular from a vehicle driving assistance module, such as for example a LIDAR and/or a camera. The invention also relates to a method for determining a rest position of a wiper blade of a wiping system according to the invention, said determination method comprising a step of acquiring at least data from the indicator element of the wiper blade by the electronic management system, a step of calculation, by the electronic management system, of the rest position according to the data obtained from the indicator element, a step of modifying the drive device so that the wiping blade adopts the calculated rest position when the wiping system is not used for cleaning the glass surface.

According to one embodiment, the electronic management system calculates the rest position by taking into account at least one regulatory constraint and/or the presence of at least one sensor, in particular of a vehicle driving assistance module , and/or an operating state of the vehicle. In this context, it is understood that, to calculate the position of rest, the electronic management system uses, in its calculation, a regulatory constraint and/or the presence of at least one sensor in addition to the detection of the constituent element of the wiper blade and/or in addition to a physical characteristic of said constituent element, and/or the operating condition of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment, the acquisition step is a reading of the indicator element by the acquisition device, the indicator element comprising in particular a passive member such as a serial number, a barcode, a image code system.

According to one embodiment, the acquisition step is an exchange of at least one datum between the electronic management system and the indicator element.

According to one embodiment, the exchange of the at least one datum takes place between the communication module of the acquisition device and the active component of the indicator element which notably comprises a memory and a communication component.

According to one embodiment, the acquisition step comprises a first sub-step of sending a request during which the electronic management of the wiper system sends a radio request to interrogate the wiper blade indicator element. The transmission of the radio request can be made by the communication module of the acquisition device of the electronic management system.

According to one embodiment, the acquisition step comprises a second sub-step of response to the request during which the indicator element sends at least one datum concerning the presence and/or the physical characteristic, in particular stored in the memory of the indicator element of the electronic management system, of the constituent element of the wiper blade.

According to one embodiment, the acquisition of the data concerning the presence and/or the physical characteristic of the constituent element of the wiper blade is done directly between the indicating element and the electronic management system.

According to one embodiment, the acquisition of the data concerning the presence and/or the physical characteristic of the constituent element of the wiper blade is done via an application installed on a multifunction mobile.

According to one embodiment, the calculation module extrapolates a rest position from rest positions recorded in a database stored in a memory of the calculation module and/or extrapolates by comparison with a rest position corresponding to another wiper blade used previously.

According to one embodiment, the electronic management system calculates a plurality of rest positions and the calculated rest position chosen is the one which has the best signal-to-noise ratio for the operation of the transceiver during the step Calculation.

According to one embodiment, the electronic management system calculates a rest position so that the photovoltaic cell is directly illuminated by surrounding light during the calculation step.

According to one embodiment, the electronic management system takes into account at least one regulatory constraint and/or the presence of at at least one sensor and/or an operating state of the vehicle in the calculation of the rest position of the wiper blade on the glazed surface.

According to one embodiment, the electronic management system is configured to calculate a first rest position when the vehicle is parked and to calculate a second rest position when the vehicle is in use.

According to one embodiment, the determination method comprises a step of replacing the wiper blade before the acquisition step.

According to one embodiment, the wiper blade replacement step automatically triggers the acquisition step with a request from the electronic management system.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent through the description which follows on the one hand, and several embodiments given by way of indication and not limiting with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings on the other hand, on which :

[fig i] is a schematic view of a cleaning system according to the invention mounted on a vehicle and equipped with a known wiper blade or a connected wiper blade according to the invention;

[Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of the wiper blade known from Figure i;

[Fig.3] is a side view of a connected wiper blade of Figure 1 according to a first embodiment and intended to replace the wiper blade of Figure 2 in the cleaning system of Figure 1 ;

[Fig.4] is a side view of the connected wiper blade of Figure 1 according to a second embodiment and intended to replace the wiper blade of Figure 2 in the cleaning system of Figure 1;

[Fig.5] is a schematic representation of the method for determining a rest position of the wiper blade connected according to the invention on a glazed surface. It should be noted first of all that if the figures expose the invention in detail for its implementation, they can of course be used to better define the invention if necessary. It should also be noted that, in all of the figures, similar elements and/or fulfilling the same function are indicated by the same numbering.

FIG. i schematically illustrates a glazed surface i of a vehicle such as for example a windshield, on which is arranged a system 5 for wiping the glazed surface 1. The glazed surface 1 can protect a sensor 3, in particular from a module vehicle driving assistance. The sensor 3 is for example a vision system such as a LIDAR and/or a camera. In an embodiment not shown, the glazed surface 1 is an outer surface of the sensor 3.

The wiper system 5 comprises a wiper device comprising at least one arm 7 and a wiper blade 9, 101, 201 attached to the arm 7. The wiper blade 9, 101, 201 is in contact with the surface glazed 1. The arm 7 is intended to perform a back and forth movement which can be a linear and/or angular movement. When the wiper system 5 is not in operation, the wiper blade 9, 101, 201 is placed in a rest position Ao, Al, A2.

The wiping system 5 further comprises a projection device 11 arranged on a lower part of the glazed surface 1. The projection device 11 makes it possible to project a liquid 8 onto the glazed surface 1. The projection of liquid 8 makes it possible to facilitate the cleaning of the glazed surface 1 by the wiper blade 9, 101, 201. Without departing from the context of the invention, the liquid 8 could be projected by other nozzles arranged at other places. The nozzles could for example be arranged directly on the wiper blade 9, 101, 201.

The wiper system 5 further comprises a drive device 13 configured to set the wiper blade 9, 101, 201 in motion via the arm 7 according to a command from an electronic management system 15 of the system. wiper 5. The drive device 13 is configured to transforming at least in part an electrical impulse into a linear movement and/or an angular movement.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure i, the drive device 13 is an electronic motor of the brushless motor type which is capable of converting an electric pulse into an angular movement. The brushless motor includes a rotor and a stator. The full rotation of the rotor is divided into a number of equal steps. The position of the rotor can then be commanded to move and hold at one of these pitches without any position sensors. The drive device 13 can also be an electronic motor such as a single-phase reversible motor or even a direct drive motor.

The electronic management system 15 is configured to, according to the parameters delivered by sensors of the training device 13 and/or of an intelligent service box of the vehicle (not represented) and/or according to an action of a user of the vehicle, controlling actuators of the drive device 13 for suitable operation of the drive device 13. In one embodiment not shown, the electronic management system 15 is part of the vehicle's intelligent service unit.

The sensors (not shown) of the drive device 13 make it possible to collect, for example, the mass of the load to be driven corresponding to the arm 7 coupled to the wiper blade 9, 101, 201, the type of mechanical drive (screw, belt toothed, rack, etc.), the type of guidance in order to estimate the friction (dry and viscous), the working forces of the drive device 13 and/or the inertia of the drive device 13.

With reference to FIG. 2, a description will now be given of a known wiper blade 9 which can be used in the wiper system 5 shown in FIG. 1. The known wiper blade 9 comprises in particular a wiper blade 17 made of elastic material intended to be applied against the glazed surface 1, a support structure 19 retaining the wiper blade 17 and a deflector 21. The deflector 21 overcomes the support structure 19 over its entire length. At each end of the wiper blade 9 is located an assembly end piece 23 intended to hold together the wiper blade 17, the support structure 19 and the deflector 21. The known wiper blade 9 also comprises a connection device 25 intended to connect the known wiper blade 9 to the arm 7 via a yoke 27 arranged at a free end of the arm 7.

The connection device 25 can for example comprise a connector 29 and an adapter 31. The connector 29 is secured to the wiper blade 9, for example by crimping, whereas the adapter 31 is an intermediate piece ensuring compatibility between a specific form of yoke 27 and a specific form of wiper blade 9. The adapter 31 and the connector 29 are hinged relative to each other, so as to ensure flexibility of the blade so that it can be pressed against the glazed surface 1 to be cleaned throughout the movement of the arm 7.

In order not to disturb the user of the vehicle, the known wiper blade 9 is placed in a standard rest position Ao as shown in FIG. 1. The standard rest position Ao is located in a lower part of the glazed surface 1 and in the vicinity of the cover 30. A portion of the known wiper blade 9 is thus located under the cover 30 and is thus protected.

However, this does not prevent long exposure to the sun, bad weather, pollution, sudden changes in temperature and more simply the time of use and friction against the glass surface 1 from altering the wiping blade 17 and thus reduce wiping performance. It may then prove necessary to replace the known wiper blade 9. The adapter 31 and the connector 29 are thus detachable to allow the known wiper blade 9 to be changed. The known wiper blade 9 can for example be replaced by the connected wiper blades 101, 201, illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 which will now be described.

Referring to Figure 3, the connected wiper blade 101 has elements identical to the known wiper blade 9 of Figure 2, the identical elements being designated by the same reference numerals.

The connected wiper blade 101 comprises at least one signal transmitter-receiver 103 supplied with electric current by a power supply device electrical 105. The transceiver 103 is configured to communicate with the electronic management system 15 of the wiper system 5 and/or with the vehicle's intelligent service box.

The transceiver 103 allows the vehicle to connect to a communication network such as for example a wifi network, a 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G, Bluetooth cellular network, a satellite link, a Zigbee network or to a transmitter -receiver of a wiper blade connected to a neighboring vehicle. The integration of a transceiver in a vehicle wiper blade makes it possible to extend communication networks to isolated areas where there are few or no relay antennas. The movement of vehicles and their interconnection via the connected wiper blade transceiver makes it possible to extend a communication network as soon as only one of the vehicles in a mesh network picks up the radio signal from a relay antenna.

The transceiver 103 comprises at least one receiving element 107, such as an antenna, intended to receive an electromagnetic signal, for example a radio signal. The transceiver 103 comprises at least one transmission element 109 intended to transmit an electromagnetic signal, for example a radio signal. In the case where the transceiver 103 is a radio signal relay, the radio signal received by the reception element 107 may be the same as the radio signal transmitted by the transmission element 109.

In an embodiment not shown, the signal transceiver 103 can be integrated into several distinct elements of the same wiper system 5. For example, the reception element 107 of the transceiver 103 can be mounted on a first wiper blade of the wiper system 5 and the transmitting element 109 of the transceiver 103 can be mounted on a second wiper blade of the wiper system 5. The element reception 107 and the transmission element 109 are configured to communicate with each other, for example by Bluetooth. The receiving element 107, the transmitting element 109 and the electronic management system 15 are configured to communicate with each other, for example by Bluetooth.

As shown in Figure 3, the power supply device 105 can be embedded on the connected wiper blade 101. The device power supply 105 can for example comprise a battery, photovoltaic cells and/or piezoelectric elements. Alternatively, the power supply of the transceiver 103 can be supplied by the vehicle's on-board network.

The connected wiper blade 101 comprises at least one indicator element 111 which allows the electronic management system 15 to retrieve information relating to the presence of at least one constituent element 103, 105 of the wiper blade, the constituent element implying the need for a modification of the rest position of the brush so that the operation of this constituent element is optimized. The at least one constituent element 103, 105 of the connected wiper blade 101 may in particular comprise the transceiver 103 or the power supply device 105.

In the example illustrated, the indicator element 111 comprises an active member, such as for example a radio tag, also called an RFID chip, configured to transmit data without contact and thus allow the presence of the constituent element 103 to be detected. , 105. The indicator element 111 comprises a communication device (not shown), for example an antenna, for directly transmitting a presence signal to the electronic management system 15, for example at the request of the electronic management system ei5 of the vehicle.

The indicator element 111 can be additionally configured to allow the transmission of a physical characteristic of the constituent element 103, 105 to the electronic management system 15. The physical characteristic is the position and/or the arrangement of the element constituent 103, 105 with respect to other constituent elements of the connected wiper blade 101. These other constituent elements are, for example, the wiper blade 17, the support structure 19, the deflector 21 and/or the tip of the assembly 23

Thus the indicator element 111 may include a memory (not shown) intended to store the physical characteristic of the constituent element 103, 105 of the connected wiper blade 101. The communication member (not shown) of the indicator element 111 can be used to transmit the physical characteristic directly to the electronic management system 15, for example following a request from the electronic management system 15.

Alternatively, the memory of the indicator element 111 stores an Internet link allowing the electronic management system to retrieve the physical characteristic on the connected wiper blade 101 on a dematerialized network, for example the Internet network.

In this context, the electronic management system 15 comprises an acquisition device 14 which comprises a communication module configured to communicate with the indicator element 111. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication module of the device acquisition unit 14 is configured to communicate with the communication unit of the indicator element 111. In other words, the communication module is configured to send a radio request in order to communicate with the communication unit of the indicator element 111 In response to a radio request, the indicator element 111 is able to emit a radio signal thanks to the communication device to send at least part of the information stored in its memory, for example a physical characteristic of the wiper blade connected 101, to the communication module.

In an embodiment not shown, the indicator element 111 comprises a passive member, such as for example an image code, a bar code or a serial number. The acquisition device 14 then comprises an optical reader, for example a camera, to read the passive organ.

In an embodiment not shown, the indicator element 111 can be configured to cooperate with a multifunction mobile which, in turn, is configured to communicate to the electronic management system 15 and/or to the intelligent service box of the vehicle the presence and/or a physical characteristic of the constituent element 103, 105 of the connected wiper blade 101 retrieved from the indicator element 111.

In an embodiment not shown, the indicator element 111 comprises at least one active member and at least one passive member. So if the active organ no longer functions, the passive organ can be used. Also, if the passive member becomes unreadable, the active member can be used.

The indicator element ni, the transceiver 103 and the power supply device 105 are integrated at the level of the connection device 25 via a box 33.

In Figure 4, a second embodiment of the connected wiper blade 201 is illustrated. It is identical to the first embodiment. It differs in that the power supply device 105 is located at the level of the support structure 19. This makes it possible to reduce the size at the level of the connection device 25.

Alternatively, the indicator element 111, the transceiver 103 and/or the power supply device 105 can be integrated into other components of the connected wiper blade 101, including the wiper blade 17, the structure support 19, deflector 21 and/or assembly end piece 23.

Referring to Figure 1, the electronic management system 15 further comprises a calculation module 16 which calculates at least one new rest position Ai, A2 of the wiper blade 101, 201 from at least one data provided by the indicator element 111 of the connected broom 101, 201.

The new rest position Ai, A2 is notably different from the end positions between which the brush is likely to move to sweep the glazed surface 1 during a cleaning operation. And this new rest position Ai, A2 is advantageously different from the standard position, since the data provided by the indicator element 111 implies the presence of a constituent element which requires the implementation of a free rest position. , that is to say a rest position in which the blade and the constituent element considered are not covered by a bodywork element of the vehicle. The calculation module 16 is configured to then transmit the new rest position Ai, A2 to the drive device 15.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 4, various components and equipment are integrated into the known wiper blade 9 as for example an electric circuit, a transceiver, an accelerometer and/or an electric battery to make it a connected wiper blade 101, 201. Among these constituent elements of the connected wiper blade law, 201, some cannot function adequately only if they are in a suitable position on the glazed surface 1. Thus, if the connected wiper blade 101, 201 assumes the standard rest position Ao adapted to the known wiper blade 9, then the transmitter -receiver 103 will not be able to function correctly due for example to the presence of the bonnet 30 of the car which covers it at least partially. It is the same for the power supply device 103. In order to ensure their correct operation, it is therefore necessary to calculate a new rest position Ai, A2 adapted to the connected wiper blade 101, 201.

A method for determining a rest position of a connected wiper blade 101, 201 of a wiper system 5 which will be described makes it possible to remedy at least one of the consequences described above. To facilitate understanding of the description below, the "wiper blade used previously" refers to the known wiper blade 9. Thus, in the remainder of the description, the numeral reference 9 designates the wiper blade previously used and the known wiper blade. However, this in no way limits the scope of the invention to other types of wiper blades.

The method 1000 for determining a rest position Ai, A2 of a wiper blade 101, 201 of a wiping system 5 according to the invention comprises a step 1100 of acquiring at least one datum to from the indicator element 111 of the wiper blade 101, 201 by the electronic management system 15, a calculation step 1200, by the electronic management system 15, of the rest position Ai, A2 according to the datum obtained from the indicator element 111, a step 1300 of modifying the drive device 13 so that the wiper blade adopts the calculated rest position when the wiping system is not in use.

The acquisition step 1100 is an exchange of at least one datum between the electronic management system 15 and the indicator element 111. The exchange of the at least one datum is effected between the communication module of the acquisition device 14 and the active component of the indicator element 111 which comprises a memory and a communication component.

The data(s) exchanged may relate to the presence of a constituent element 103, 105 of the wiper blade, that is to say the transceiver 103 and/or the power supply device 105. In the mode of illustrated embodiment, the data indicates the presence of the transceiver 103 and the presence of the power supply device 105. In an embodiment not shown, the data exchanged also provides information on the layout of the transceiver 103 and of the power supply device 105 with respect to other constituent elements of the wiper blade 101, 201 which are the wiper blade 17, the support structure 19, the deflector 21 and the assembly end piece 23.

The acquisition step 1100 comprises a first sub-step of sending a request 1125 during which the electronic management system 15 of the wiper system 5 sends a radio request to interrogate the indicator element 111 of the blade wipers 101, 201. The transmission of the request is carried out by the communication module of the acquisition device 14 of the electronic management system 15.

The acquisition step 1100 comprises a second sub-step 1150 of response to the request during which the indicator element 111 directly sends data indicating the presence of the constituent elements 103, 105 of the wiper blade 101, 201 to the electronic management system 15.

In an embodiment not shown, the indicator element 111 sends, directly or indirectly, data on the arrangement of the constituent elements 103, 105 with respect to other constituent elements 17, 19, 21, 23 of the brush. wiping 101, 201, said data being stored in the memory of the indicator element 111, to the electronic management system 15.

In an embodiment not shown, the acquisition of data on the presence of the constituent elements 103, 105 of the wiper blade 101, 201 is carried out via an application installed on a multifunction mobile. In this case, the multifunction mobile is capable of interrogating the indicator element 111. In an embodiment not shown, the acquisition step noo is a reading of the indicator element ni by the electronic management system 15. More specifically, the acquisition device 14 of the electronic management system 15 is a camera configured to read the passive member of the indicator element 111.

In another embodiment not shown, a multifunction mobile is configured to read the indicator element 111 in order to recover the data concerning the presence of the constituent elements 103, 105 of the wiper blade 101, 201 and to communicate to the management system electronic 15 said data.

In another embodiment not shown, a user is able to enter the indicator element 111 in particular when the indicator element 111 is a serial number in an application of a multifunction mobile to retrieve the data concerning the presence of the constituent elements 103, 105 and communicate it to the electronic management system 15.

After the acquisition step 1100, the electronic management system 15 has in memory the data concerning the presence of the constituent elements 103, 105 of the wiper blade 101, 201. The calculation module 16 of the electronic management system 15 can then proceed to calculate a new rest position Ai, A2 of the wiper blade 101, 201 adapted to the presence of the constituent elements 103, 105.

The calculation module 16 calculates, during the calculation step, a plurality of rest positions and the chosen calculated rest position Ai, A2 is the one which has the best signal-to-noise ratio for the operation of the transmitter- receiver 103.

Alternatively or additionally, the calculation module 16 of the electronic management system 15 calculates a new rest position Ai, A2 so that the photovoltaic cell is directly illuminated by surrounding light without being masked by a body upright of the vehicle and in particular the hood 30 or a support post of the windshield. When, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, two constituent elements 103, 105 which are the transceiver 103 and the device power supply 105 are on board the blade, the calculation module 16 uses the two calculation modes previously described to determine the new rest position Ai, A2 for the wiper blade 101, 201, namely a rest position which allows on the one hand an emission and an optimal reception of signals and on the other hand a solar power supply of the photovoltaic cells.

In an embodiment not shown, the calculation module 16 extrapolates a new rest position Ai, A2 from rest positions recorded in a database stored in a memory of the calculation module, by comparing on the one hand the recorded rest position and the arrangement of the constituent elements of the wiper associated with this recorded rest position, for example for another wiper blade used previously, and on the other hand the arrangement of the constituent elements of the wiper which have just been be detected and communicated to the calculation module.

The calculation module 16 of the electronic management system 15 can take into account at least one regulatory constraint and/or the presence of the sensor 3 and/or the operating state of the vehicle in the calculation of the rest position Ai, A2 of the wiper blade 101, 201 on the glazed surface 1. Indeed, it may be advantageous to have a rest position adapted to the operating condition of the vehicle while considering the regulatory constraints and the sensor 3.

For example, when the vehicle is parked on the side of a road for parking, the calculation module 16 can determine a first new rest position Ai of the wiper blades which makes it possible to ensure transmission-reception of optimal signals for the transceiver 103 and/or which makes it possible to guarantee that the power supply device 105 will be directly illuminated by an ambient light, without it being necessary to take into account a regulatory constraint of positioning of this new rest position, since the vehicle is not being driven.

In another example, when the vehicle is traveling on a road, the calculation module 16 must take into account, in its calculation of a second new rest position A2, the regulatory constraint according to which the the driver's visibility in an area of the windscreen directly opposite the driving position cannot be impeded. The calculation module 16 must also ensure in this driving situation that in its new rest position, the blade is not across the detection field of the sensor 3.

The determination method 1000 can also include a step 1050 of replacing the wiper blade before the acquisition step 1100. For example, the user changes the known wiper blade 9 for a connected wiper blade 101, 201. The replacement step 1050 can then automatically trigger the acquisition step on request from the electronic management system 15.

The determination method 1000 uses a default rest position for at least one operating parameter if the acquisition step 1100 cannot be operated. The default home position can be either a standard home position Ao or home position calculated for a previously used wiper blade. Thus, if the indicator element 111 is defective or if the wiper blade does not have an indicator element, the wiper system 5 can still operate. This can occur if the user replaces a connected wiper blade 101, 201 with a known wiper blade 9, the wiper system then automatically reparameterizing itself for conventional operation.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the invention has been described in the context of a glazed surface of a vehicle, in particular an automobile, nevertheless the invention can be applied to any type of glazed surface, mobile or not, which requires cleaning. Furthermore, and still by way of non-exhaustive example, the invention can be applied to any type of wiper system and not just a wiper as described driven in rotation at the end of a wiper arm, therefore that a rest position distinct from the two end positions of a to-and-fro movement of the brush can be calculated.

Claims

25

1- wiper blade (law, 201) for a wiping system (5) of at least one glazed surface (1) of the vehicle, the wiper blade (101, 201) is configured to be movable along of the glazed surface (1) between at least two end positions and to be placed in at least one rest position (Ai, A2) on the glazed surface (1) when the wiping system (5) is not used for wiping the glazed surface (1), the wiper blade (101, 201) comprising at least one indicator element (111) of at least one constituent element (103, 105) of the wiper blade (101, 201) configured to allow an electronic management system (15) of the wiper system (5) to calculate the rest position (Ai, A2), different from the end positions, of the wiper blade as a function of the constituent element (103, 105) identified.

2- wiper blade (101, 201) according to the preceding claim, wherein the wiper blade (101, 201) comprises a transceiver (103) configured to mesh with a communication network, the constituent element ( 103, 105) associated with the indicator element (111) comprising said transceiver (103).

3- wiper blade (101, 201) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wiper blade (101, 201) comprises at least one power supply device (105) intended to supply the transceiver (103) and/or the indicator element (111), the constituent element (103, 105) associated with the indicator element (111) comprising the said power supply device (105).

4- wiper blade (101, 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a wiper blade (17) intended to be applied against the glazed surface (1) and a support structure (19) retaining the blade wiper (17), the constituent element (103, 105) and/or the indicator element (111) being arranged on the support structure (19).

5- wiper blade (101, 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator element (111) is selected from a radio tag, an image code system, a barcode, and a serial number. 6- wiping system (5) of at least one glazed surface (1) of the vehicle comprising at least one arm (7), at least one wiper blade (101, 201) according to any one of the preceding claims , the wiper blade (101, 201) being fixed to the arm so that the wiper blade (ioi, 201) rubs against the glazed surface (1) during its displacement between at least two end positions and is placed in at least one rest position (Ai, A2) on the glazed surface (1) when the wiping system (5) is not used for cleaning the glazed surface (1), at least one drive device ( 13) configured to set the wiper blade (101, 201) in motion via the arm (7), and further comprising an electronic management system (15) configured to detect the presence of the constituent element (103, 105 ) via the indicator element (111) and to calculate the rest position (Ai, A2) of the wiper blade (101, 201) according to the presence of the element constituent (103, 105) detected.

7- wiper system (5) according to the preceding claim, wherein the electronic management system (15) is configured to take into account at least one regulatory constraint and / or the presence of at least one sensor (3) and / or an operating state of the vehicle to calculate the position of rest (Ai, A2) of the wiper blade (101, 201) on the glazed surface (1).

8- Wiping system (5) according to any one of claims 6 to

7, in combination with claim 2, in which the electronic management system (15) is configured to calculate a plurality of resting positions and that the selected resting position (Ai, A2) is that which has the best signal to noise for the operation of the transceiver (103).

9- Wiping system (5) according to any one of claims 6 to

8, in combination with claim 3, the power supply device (105) comprising a photovoltaic cell, and in which the electronic management system (15) is configured to calculate the rest position (Ai, A2) so that the photovoltaic cell is illuminated by surrounding light. 10- wiper system (5) according to the preceding claim, wherein the electronic management system (15) is configured to calculate a first rest position (Ai) when the vehicle is parked and to calculate a second rest position (A2) when the vehicle is in use.

11- Method for determining (1000) a rest position (Ai, A2) of a wiper blade (101, 201) of a wiping system (5) according to the invention, said method for determining (1000) comprising a step of acquisition (1100) of at least one datum from the indicator element (111) of the wiper blade (101, 201) by the electronic management system (15), a step calculation (1200), by the electronic management system (15), of the rest position (Ai, A2) as a function of the data obtained from the indicator element (111), a step of modifying (1300) the device drive (13) so that the wiper blade (101, 201) adopts the calculated rest position (Ai, A2) when the wiper system (5) is not used for cleaning the glazed surface (1) .

12- Determination method (1000) according to the preceding claim, during which the electronic management system (15) calculates the position of rest (Ai, A2) by taking into account at least one regulatory constraint and/or the presence of at least one sensor (3) of the vehicle and/or an operating state of the vehicle.

13- Determination method (1000) according to any one of claims 11 to 12, comprising a step of replacing (1050) the wiper blade (101, 201) before the acquisition step (1100).