# US 2019/0315316 A1 · Device for cleaning the optical surface of an optical sensor for a motor vehicle and associated method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0315316 A1 - Document ID: US20190315316A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/471,908 - Filed: 2017-11-29 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-21 - Assignees: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage - Applicants: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage - Inventors: Frédéric Bretagnol; Giuseppe Grasso; Marcel Trebouet - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190315316A1 ## CPC - B60S 1/56: specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens {(rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602)} - B08B 7/0042: {by laser} - G02B 27/0006: {with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation (G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B)} - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract The invention concerns a device (100) for cleaning the optical surface (162) of at least one optical sensor (160) for a motor vehicle. The cleaning device (100) includes a source (110) for emitting a laser beam and means for guiding the laser beam onto at least a part of the optical surface (162) of an optical sensor (160) so as to clean it. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for cleaning the optical surface of at least one optical sensor for a motor vehicle, further comprising: a source for emitting a laser beam; and means for guiding said laser beam onto at least a part of the optical surface so as to clean the optical surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for guiding include a device for shaping the laser beam emitted by the emission source for projection thereof onto at least a part of the optical surface of the at least one optical sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an end piece for emitting the laser beam and first means for moving the relative position of the emission end piece with respect to the optical surface of the at least one optical sensor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The cleaning device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first movement means are configured to move the end piece and/or the optical surface reversibly between a passive position in which the end piece is not facing the optical surface and an active position in which the end piece faces the optical surface to be cleaned. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The cleaning device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising means for confining the laser beam disposed between the end piece and the optical surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one optical sensor includes at least one detection cell adapted to detect electromagnetic radiation passing through the optical surface and means for preserving the sensitivity of at least one detection cell vis à vis the laser beam emitted by the emission source. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The cleaning device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a control module connected to the at least one source for emitting a laser beam and to the first means for moving the relative position of the end piece. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The cleaning device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control module is configured to control both a source for emitting a laser beam and the relative movement of the end piece with respect to the optical surface of the at least one optical sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the source for emitting the laser beam is configured for emit laser beams with different wavelengths. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of laser beam emission sources the wavelengths of which are different, each emission source including means for guiding its laser beam onto at least a part of the optical surface of the at least one optical sensor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The cleaning device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the source for emitting the laser beam and the guide means are configured to illuminate the optical surface with a laser beam the fluence of which is equal to or less than a threshold value. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3) A method of cleaning the optical surface of an optical sensor of electromagnetic radiation using a cleaning device as claimed in claim 3, the method comprising: at least one step of activating the source, for emitting a laser beam and the first means for moving the relative position of the end piece so as to illuminate the optical surface with a laser beam. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The cleaning method as claimed in claim 12, wherein during the activation step the first movement means are controlled so as to move the laser beam over the optical surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The cleaning method as claimed in claim 12, wherein prior to the activation step at least one optical sensor acquires a first reference image followed by the acquisition by said at least one optical sensor of a second reference image and the contrast difference between the first and second reference images is calculated, the activation step being triggered if said difference exceeds a predetermined threshold value. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The cleaning method as claimed in claim 14, wherein during the activation step the laser beam is moved only over the zone or zones of the optical surface corresponding to a calculated contrast difference between the first image and the second image that exceeds a predetermined threshold value.