Cleaning system for sensors

Abstract

This invention relates to a cleaning system for sensors, comprising a cleaning fluid storage container, a delivery unit, a first cleaning unit, a second cleaning unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to connect to the first and second cleaning units for signal exchange. The control unit cleans a first sensor using the first cleaning unit according to a first cleaning cycle of duration equal to the duration of a first cleaning cycle, and cleans a second sensor using the second cleaning unit according to a second cleaning cycle of duration equal to the duration of a second cleaning cycle. The control unit is configured to clean the first and second sensors independently of each other using the first and second cleaning units. The control unit receives and / or retrieves a cleaning signal and cleans the first and second sensors in the presence of the cleaning signal such that the overlap duration of the first and second cleaning cycles is less than the shortest of the durations of the first and second cleaning cycles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning system for cleaning sensors and a vehicle having such a cleaning system and sensors. Background Technology

[0002] In current vehicle development, drivers are increasingly delegating tasks to driver assistance systems. To accomplish these tasks, these systems must be able to detect their surroundings. This detection is achieved using sensors. The quality of the driver assistance system's operation is decisively influenced by the quality of the data detected by the sensors. The quality of the sensors hinges on their cleanliness. Potential contamination on the sensor surface can distort results and thus degrade the quality of operations performed by the driver assistance system.

[0003] Especially in safety-critical situations, ensuring sensor cleanliness is crucial. In autonomous driving, there are states where the vehicle must navigate into a fail-safe condition. This so-called fail-safe state requires a minimum number of available sensors to reliably identify its surroundings and bring the vehicle into the fail-safe state. In such a fail-safe state, cleaning multiple sensors is simultaneously activated. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The cleaning system according to the invention, having the features of claim 1, has the advantage over known cleaning systems in that it can clean multiple sensors in a shorter time, and the components of the cleaning system can be designed to be smaller than those required to supply cleaning fluid to all sensors simultaneously. This saves space and cost in the manufacturing of the cleaning system.

[0005] This is achieved according to the present invention by the following means: the cleaning system has a cleaning fluid storage container, a delivery unit, a first cleaning unit, a second cleaning unit, and a control unit.

[0006] A delivery unit is configured to load cleaning fluid into the cleaning system at a predetermined operating pressure. The delivery unit is, in particular, a pump and / or compressor. A first cleaning unit is configured to clean a first sensor. A second cleaning unit is configured to clean a second sensor. A control unit is connected to the first and second cleaning units for signal exchange. The control unit is configured to clean the first sensor by means of the first cleaning unit according to a first cleaning cycle of duration equal to the duration of a first cleaning cycle.

[0007] The control unit is configured to clean the second sensor by means of a second cleaning unit according to a second cleaning cycle of duration equal to the duration of the second cleaning cycle. The control unit is configured to clean the first sensor independently of the second sensor. The control unit is configured to receive and / or retrieve a cleaning signal. The control unit is configured to clean the first and second sensors in the presence of a cleaning signal such that the overlap duration of the first and second cleaning cycles is less than the shortest of the durations of the first and second cleaning cycles.

[0008] In other words, the cleaning of the first and second sensors is not performed simultaneously from beginning to end. Therefore, there is a certain discrepancy between the cleaning of the first and second sensors. This lower load on the cleaning system allows for the smaller design of individual components, such as the inlet piping supplying the cleaning fluid from the storage container to the delivery unit, and other units. Thus, for example, it is possible to design inlet piping with a smaller diameter. This results in material savings and a more compact construction of the cleaning system.

[0009] The dependent claims indicate preferred improvements of the invention.

[0010] Preferably, the control unit is configured to clean the first and second sensors in the presence of a cleaning signal such that the overlap duration between the first and second cleaning cycles is zero. An advantage of this implementation is that the components of the cleaning system only need to be designed for the supply of cleaning units to a single sensor within a given time period. This means that the components of the cleaning system can be designed to be particularly small. This reduces material consumption and allows for a more compact construction of the cleaning system.

[0011] Preferably, the first cleaning cycle includes a first cleaning step having a first cleaning step duration and a second cleaning step having a second cleaning step duration. The sum of the durations of the first and second cleaning steps is less than or equal to the duration of the first cleaning cycle. Preferably, the second cleaning cycle includes at least a fourth cleaning step having a fourth cleaning step duration. The control unit is configured to perform the fourth cleaning step between the first and second cleaning steps when a cleaning signal is present. An advantage of this implementation is that the first sensor is thus cleaned uniformly. Therefore, the first sensor, or, in the case of multiple sensors, can be used to detect the surrounding environment within a uniform time period. Thus, the driver assistance system can utilize a minimum number of sensors at any given time.

[0012] Preferably, the duration of the first cleaning process is comparable to the duration of the second cleaning process. An advantage of this implementation is that the first sensor is always unavailable to the driver assistance system during the same period.

[0013] Preferably, the control unit is configured to perform the first cleaning step prior to the second cleaning step in time. The duration of the first cleaning step is longer than the duration of the second cleaning step. Alternatively, the duration of the first cleaning step is shorter than the duration of the second cleaning step. The advantage of this implementation is that the surrounding environment can be re-observed by relevant sensors after a shorter period of time.

[0014] Preferably, the first cleaning cycle includes a third cleaning step with a duration equal to the duration of the third cleaning step. The sum of the durations of the first, second, and third cleaning steps is less than or equal to the duration of the first cleaning cycle. An advantage of this implementation is that a single cleaning step of the first sensor is divided into three cleaning steps. This shortens the corresponding time required for comprehensive environmental monitoring using the first sensor.

[0015] Preferably, the control unit is configured to perform the first cleaning step before the second cleaning step, and the second cleaning step before the third cleaning step. The durations of the first, second, and third cleaning steps are roughly equivalent. Alternatively, the duration of the first cleaning step is longer than the duration of the second cleaning step. The duration of the second cleaning step is longer than the duration of the third cleaning step. The duration of the third cleaning step is longer than the duration of the second cleaning step, and the duration of the second cleaning step is longer than the duration of the first cleaning step. Alternatively, the duration of the second cleaning step is longer than the duration of the first cleaning step, and the duration of the second cleaning step is longer than the duration of the third cleaning step. An advantage of this implementation is that the control unit can select the appropriate implementation preferred for the current surface cleaning.

[0016] Preferably, the control unit is configured to execute the second cleaning cycle as a fourth cleaning step with a fourth cleaning step duration and a fifth cleaning step duration, in the presence of a cleaning signal. The sum of the fourth and fifth cleaning step durations is less than or equal to the duration of the second cleaning cycle. An advantage of this implementation is that the second sensor is thus cleaned uniformly. Consequently, the first sensor, or, in the case of multiple sensors, can be used to detect the surrounding environment over a uniform time period. Therefore, the driver assistance system can utilize a minimum number of sensors at any given time.

[0017] Preferably, the control unit is configured to perform a second cleaning step immediately after the first cleaning step, a fourth cleaning step immediately after the second cleaning step, and a fifth cleaning step immediately after the fourth cleaning step. The advantage of this implementation is that the surrounding environment can be detected using either a first sensor or a second sensor. Therefore, uninterrupted detection of the surrounding environment can be ensured even during sensor cleaning.

[0018] Advantageously, the control unit is configured to perform the first, second, fourth, and fifth cleaning processes such that the overlap duration between the first and second cleaning processes, the overlap duration between the second and fourth cleaning processes, and the overlap duration between the fourth and fifth cleaning processes are all equal to zero. An advantage of this implementation is that the design of the cleaning system components only needs to be designed for the supply of cleaning units to a single sensor within a given time period. This means that the components of the cleaning system can be designed to be particularly small. This reduces material consumption and allows for a more compact construction of the cleaning system.

[0019] Preferably, the fourth and fifth cleaning durations are comparable to the duration of the first cleaning step. This implementation offers the advantage of particularly easy control over the cleaning process for the corresponding sensors.

[0020] Preferably, the cleaning system has a third cleaning unit. The third cleaning unit is configured to clean a third sensor, and the control unit is configured to clean the third sensor independently of both the first and second sensors. The control unit is configured to clean the third sensor in a third cleaning cycle with a duration equal to the duration of the third cleaning cycle, in the presence of a cleaning signal. The control unit is configured to perform the third cleaning cycle as a sixth cleaning step with a duration equal to the duration of a sixth cleaning step, and a seventh cleaning step with a duration equal to the duration of a seventh cleaning step. The sum of the durations of the sixth and seventh cleaning steps is equivalent to the duration of the third cleaning cycle. The duration of the sixth cleaning step is equivalent to the duration of the fourth cleaning step. The control unit is configured to start the fourth and sixth cleaning steps simultaneously. The advantage of this implementation is that it allows for faster cleaning of all sensors without unduly affecting the detection of the surrounding environment by the sensors.

[0021] Preferably, the cleaning system includes a distributor unit. The distributor unit has a first distributor valve and a second distributor valve. The first cleaning unit is fluidly connected to the first distributor valve. The second cleaning unit is fluidly connected to the second distributor valve. The first and second distributor valves are fluidly connected to cleaning fluid from a cleaning reservoir via a delivery unit.

[0022] The control unit is configured to open the first distributor valve to supply cleaning fluid to the first cleaning unit and to close it. The control unit is also configured to open the second distributor valve to supply cleaning fluid to the second cleaning unit and to close it. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to independently position the first and second distributor valves in closed and open states, respectively. An advantage of this implementation is that the sensors of the corresponding cleaning units can be controlled via a central distributor valve. This enables a particularly compact construction of the cleaning system.

[0023] Preferably, the control unit is configured to receive and / or retrieve vehicle speed and / or wind speed and / or centrifugal force acting on the corresponding cleaning unit and / or the degree of contamination and / or the type of contamination of the corresponding sensor. The control unit is configured to adapt the pressure of the cleaning fluid and the duration of the first and second cleaning cycles based on vehicle speed and / or wind speed and / or centrifugal force acting on the cleaning unit and / or the degree of contamination and / or the type of contamination of the sensor. An advantage of this implementation is that it enables particularly efficient cleaning of the corresponding sensors.

[0024] Furthermore, the present invention includes a vehicle having a first sensor, a second sensor, and a cleaning system according to any of the preceding embodiments. The first sensor is configured to detect the vehicle's surrounding environment. The second sensor is configured to detect the vehicle's surrounding environment. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle with a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a cleaning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a sensor cleaning process according to the prior art is shown. Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the cleaning process for a sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the cleaning process for a sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the cleaning process for a sensor according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 7A schematic diagram of the cleaning process for a sensor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the cleaning process for a sensor according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the cleaning process of a sensor according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the cleaning process of a sensor according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the cleaning process of a sensor according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention is shown, and Figure 12 A side-by-side comparative schematic diagram of the cleaning fluid used to clean the sensor is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Preferably, all elements, units, and / or structural components in all figures have the same reference numerals.

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle 150 is shown, the vehicle having a first sensor 10, a second sensor 20, a third sensor 30, and a fourth sensor 40. The vehicle 150 has a cleaning system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The first sensor 10, the second sensor 20, the third sensor 30, and the fourth sensor 40 are respectively configured to detect the surrounding environment 5 of the vehicle. The sensors are fluidly connected to the cleaning system 100.

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a cleaning system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0029] The cleaning system 100 includes a cleaning fluid reservoir 110, a delivery unit 120, a distributor unit 140, a first cleaning unit 11, a second cleaning unit 21, a third cleaning unit 31, and a fourth cleaning unit 41. The delivery unit 120 is configured to draw cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid reservoir 110 and guide the cleaning fluid to the distributor unit 140 at a predetermined operating pressure. The distributor unit 140 includes a first distributor valve, a second distributor valve, a third distributor valve, and a fourth distributor valve. The first cleaning unit 11 is fluidly connected to the first distributor valve, the second cleaning unit 21 is fluidly connected to the second distributor valve, the third cleaning unit 31 is fluidly connected to the third distributor valve, and the fourth cleaning unit 41 is fluidly connected to the fourth distributor valve. The first cleaning unit 11 is configured to clean a first sensor 10. The second cleaning unit 21 is configured to clean a second sensor 20. The third cleaning unit 31 is configured to clean a third sensor 30. The fourth cleaning unit 41 is configured to clean a fourth sensor 40. Control unit 130 is connected to the distributor valves and configured to independently place the first distributor valve, second distributor valve, third distributor valve, and fourth distributor valve into open and closed states, respectively. Control unit 130 is connected to the first cleaning unit 11, second cleaning unit 21, third cleaning unit 31, and fourth cleaning unit 41 for signal exchange. Control unit 130 is configured to clean the first sensor 10 by means of the first cleaning unit 11 for a first cleaning cycle duration 210. Control unit 130 is configured to clean the second sensor 20 by means of the second cleaning unit 21 for a second cleaning cycle duration 220. Control unit 130 is configured to clean the third sensor 30 by means of the third cleaning unit 31 for a third cleaning cycle duration 230. Control unit 130 is configured to clean the fourth sensor 40 by means of the fourth cleaning unit 41 for a fourth cleaning cycle duration 240. The control unit 130 is configured to clean the first sensor 10, the second sensor 20, the third sensor 30, and the fourth sensor 40 independently. The control unit 130 is configured to receive and / or retrieve a cleaning signal. The control unit is configured to clean the first sensor 10, the second sensor 20, the third sensor 30, and the fourth sensor 40 in the presence of a cleaning signal such that the overlap duration of the first cleaning cycle and the second cleaning cycle is less than the shortest of the first cleaning cycle duration 210 and the second cleaning cycle duration 220.

[0030] Figure 3A schematic diagram of the cleaning process for sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40 according to the prior art is shown. The X-axis 310 represents time. The Y-axis 320 represents the cleaning application for sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40. Each row represents one cleaning application. Thus, the first section 321 shows the time variation process of cleaning the first sensor 10, the second section 322 shows the time variation process of cleaning the second sensor 20 via the second cleaning unit 21, the third section 323 shows the time variation process of cleaning the third sensor 30 via the third cleaning unit 31, and the fourth section 324 shows the time variation process of cleaning the fourth sensor 40 via the fourth cleaning unit 41. Figure 3 As can be clearly understood, all four sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40 must be cleaned simultaneously and consistently. This requires the distributor valve, as well as the input piping between the delivery unit 120 and the distributor valve, to be designed accordingly so that the volumetric flow between the delivery unit 120 and the distributor valve corresponds to four times the volumetric flow rate between the distributor valve and the sensor cleaning unit.

[0031] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the cleaning process for sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The control unit 130 is configured to clean the first sensor 10 and the second sensor 20 in the presence of a cleaning signal such that the overlap duration between the first and second cleaning cycles is zero, the overlap duration between the second and third cleaning cycles is zero, and the overlap duration between the third and fourth cleaning cycles is zero. The durations of the first cleaning cycle 210, the second cleaning cycle 220, the third cleaning cycle 230, and the fourth cleaning cycle 240 are equivalent to each other.

[0032] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the cleaning process of sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The second embodiment of the present invention has features similar to those of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The first, second, third, and fourth cleaning cycles are divided into multiple cleaning processes with corresponding cleaning process durations of 211–245, which are performed repeatedly in the same order.

[0034] The first cleaning cycle includes, for example, a first cleaning step with a first cleaning step duration of 211 and a second cleaning step with a second cleaning step duration of 212. The second cleaning cycle includes, for example, a fourth cleaning step with a fourth cleaning step duration of 221 and a fifth cleaning step with a fifth cleaning step duration of 222. The third cleaning cycle includes, for example, a seventh cleaning step with a seventh cleaning step duration of 231 and an eighth cleaning step with an eighth cleaning step duration of 232. The fourth cleaning cycle includes, for example, a tenth cleaning step with a tenth cleaning step duration of 241 and an eleventh cleaning step with an eleventh cleaning step duration of 242.

[0035] The durations of the first cleaning process (211), the second cleaning process (212), the fourth cleaning process (221), the fifth cleaning process (222), the seventh cleaning process (231), the eighth cleaning process (232), the tenth cleaning process (241), and the eleventh cleaning process (242) are equivalent to each other.

[0036] Control unit 130 is configured to execute a fourth cleaning step between the first and second cleaning steps when a cleaning signal is present. A seventh cleaning step follows the fourth cleaning step, and then a tenth cleaning step. A fifth cleaning step follows the second cleaning step, followed by an eighth cleaning step, and then an eleventh cleaning step. Thus, sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40 are repeatedly and sequentially cleaned within a short time period. Therefore, each sensor 10, 20, 30, and 40 is reliably cleaned or kept in a refrigerated state, where only a single cleaning step is always active. The overlap duration between all cleaning steps is zero.

[0037] Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating the cleaning process of sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The third embodiment of the present invention has features similar to those of the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[0038] In this embodiment, two cleaning processes are always performed simultaneously. The first and seventh cleaning processes are performed simultaneously. The second and eighth cleaning processes are performed simultaneously. The fourth and tenth cleaning processes are performed simultaneously. The fifth and eleventh cleaning processes are performed simultaneously. The fourth cleaning process is performed between the first and second cleaning processes. The overlap duration between the first and fourth cleaning processes is zero. The overlap duration between the fourth and second cleaning processes is zero.

[0039] Figure 7A schematic diagram illustrating the cleaning process of sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fourth embodiment of the present invention has features similar to those of the first to third embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] The control unit 130 is configured to, in the presence of a cleaning signal, execute a first cleaning cycle as a first cleaning cycle having a first cleaning cycle duration 211, a second cleaning cycle duration 212, and a third cleaning cycle duration 213. The sum of the first cleaning cycle duration 211, the second cleaning cycle duration 212, and the third cleaning cycle duration 213 is equal to the first cleaning cycle duration 210. The control unit 130 is configured to, in the presence of a cleaning signal, execute a second cleaning cycle as a fourth cleaning cycle having a fourth cleaning cycle duration 221, a fifth cleaning cycle duration 222, and a sixth cleaning cycle duration 223. The sum of the fourth cleaning cycle duration 221, the fifth cleaning cycle duration 222, and the sixth cleaning cycle duration 223 is equal to the second cleaning cycle duration 220. The control unit 130 is configured to, in the presence of a cleaning signal, execute a third cleaning cycle as a seventh cleaning cycle having a seventh cleaning cycle duration 231, an eighth cleaning cycle duration 232, and a ninth cleaning cycle duration 233. The sum of the durations of the seventh cleaning step 231, the eighth cleaning step 232, and the ninth cleaning step 233 equals the duration of the third cleaning cycle 230. The control unit 130 is configured to execute the fourth cleaning cycle as a tenth cleaning step with a tenth cleaning step duration 241, an eleventh cleaning step with an eleventh cleaning step duration 242, and a twelfth cleaning step with a twelfth cleaning step duration 243, in the presence of a cleaning signal. The sum of the durations of the tenth cleaning step 241, the eleventh cleaning step duration 242, and the twelfth cleaning step duration 243 equals the duration of the fourth cleaning cycle 240.

[0041] The durations of the first cleaning process (211), the second cleaning process (222), and the third cleaning process (213) are equivalent. The durations of the fourth cleaning process (221), the fifth cleaning process (222), and the sixth cleaning process (223) are equivalent. The durations of the seventh cleaning process (231), the eighth cleaning process (232), and the ninth cleaning process (233) are equivalent. The durations of the tenth cleaning process (241), the eleventh cleaning process (242), and the twelfth cleaning process (243) are equivalent. The durations of the first cleaning process (211) and the seventh cleaning process (231) are equivalent. The duration of the first cleaning process (211) is shorter than the duration of the fourth cleaning process (221). The duration of the fourth cleaning process (221) is shorter than the duration of the tenth cleaning process (241). The first cleaning process is immediately followed by the fourth cleaning process. The first and fourth cleaning processes do not overlap in duration. The fourth cleaning process is immediately followed by the seventh cleaning process. The fourth and seventh cleaning processes do not overlap in duration. The seventh cleaning process is immediately followed by the tenth cleaning process. The seventh and tenth cleaning processes do not overlap in duration. The tenth cleaning process is immediately followed by the second cleaning process. The second and tenth cleaning processes do not overlap in duration.

[0042] The second cleaning step is immediately followed by the fifth cleaning step. The second and fifth cleaning steps do not overlap in duration. The fifth cleaning step is immediately followed by the eighth cleaning step. The fifth and eighth cleaning steps do not overlap in duration. The eighth cleaning step is immediately followed by the eleventh cleaning step. The eighth and eleventh cleaning steps do not overlap in duration. The eleventh cleaning step is immediately followed by the third cleaning step. The eleventh and third cleaning steps do not overlap in duration. The third cleaning step is immediately followed by the sixth cleaning step. The third and sixth cleaning steps do not overlap in duration. The sixth cleaning step is immediately followed by the ninth cleaning step. The sixth and ninth cleaning steps do not overlap in duration. The ninth cleaning step is immediately followed by the twelfth cleaning step. The ninth and twelfth cleaning steps do not overlap in duration.

[0043] Figure 8A schematic diagram of the cleaning process for sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fifth embodiment of the present invention has features similar to those of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention. The durations of the first cleaning process 211, the fourth cleaning process 221, the seventh cleaning process 231, and the tenth cleaning process 241 are equivalent to each other. The durations of the second cleaning process 212, the fifth cleaning process 222, the eighth cleaning process 232, and the eleventh cleaning process 242 are equivalent to each other. The durations of the third cleaning process 213, the sixth cleaning process 223, the ninth cleaning process 233, and the twelfth cleaning process 243 are equivalent to each other. The second cleaning process duration 212 is longer than the first cleaning process duration 211. The third cleaning process duration 213 is longer than the second cleaning process duration 212.

[0044] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the cleaning process for sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The sixth embodiment of the present invention has features similar to those of the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention. Unlike the fifth embodiment of the present invention, in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the duration 213 of the third cleaning step and the duration 2111 of the first cleaning step are equivalent to each other.

[0045] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the cleaning process for sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is shown. The seventh embodiment of the present invention has features similar to those of the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention. The difference between the seventh and sixth embodiments of the present invention lies in the arbitrary setting of the order of the cleaning steps for the different sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40. As an alternative to a fixed order of the cleaning steps for sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40, the control unit 130 is configured to adapt the order of the cleaning steps to which sensor 10, 20, 30, or 40 needs to have a certain priority at what time. The durations 211–245 for each cleaning step are all the same.

[0046] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the cleaning process for sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The eighth embodiment of the present invention has features similar to those of the first to third embodiments of the present invention. In the eighth embodiment, the control unit 130 performs the cleaning process at the first sensor 10 at twice the frequency at the second to fourth sensors 40.

[0047] Figure 12A schematic diagram of the cleaning process for sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40 according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention is shown. The ninth embodiment of the present invention has features similar to those of the first to eighth embodiments of the present invention. In the ninth embodiment, the cleaning process for the first sensor 10, the second sensor 20, the third sensor 30, and the fourth sensor 40 is performed according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, airflow is used to clean the sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40. The duration of airflow cleaning for the corresponding sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40 is longer than the duration of a single cleaning step 211, 212, 213, 221, 222, 223, 231, 232, 233, 241, 242, and 243 for the corresponding sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40, but not longer than the corresponding cleaning cycle durations 210, 220, 230, and 240 for the sensors 10, 20, 30, and 40.

Claims

1. A cleaning system (100) for sensors (10, 20, 30, 40), said cleaning system having: - Clean fluid storage container (110). - A delivery unit (120) configured to load cleaning fluid into the cleaning system (100) at a predetermined operating pressure, and - First cleaning unit (11), the first cleaning unit is configured to clean the first sensor (10). - Second cleaning unit (21), the second cleaning unit is configured to clean the second sensor (20), and - A control unit (130), which is connected to the first cleaning unit (11) and the second cleaning unit (21) for signal exchange. - in, The control unit (130) is configured to clean the first sensor (10) by means of the first cleaning unit (11) according to a first cleaning cycle of duration (210) of duration. - The control unit (130) is configured to clean the second sensor (20) by means of the second cleaning unit (21) according to a second cleaning cycle of duration (220) of duration of the second cleaning cycle. - The control unit (130) is configured to clean the first sensor (10) and the second sensor (20) independently of each other by means of the first cleaning unit (11) and the second cleaning unit (21). - Wherein, the control unit (130) is configured to receive and / or retrieve cleaning signals, and - Wherein, the control unit (130) is configured to clean the first sensor (10) and the second sensor (20) in the presence of a cleaning signal such that the overlap duration of the first cleaning cycle and the second cleaning cycle is less than the shortest of the duration of the first cleaning cycle (210) and the duration of the second cleaning cycle (220).

2. The cleaning system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit (130) is configured to clean the first sensor (10) and the second sensor (20) in the presence of a cleaning signal such that the overlap duration between the first cleaning cycle and the second cleaning cycle is zero.

3. The cleaning system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, - The first cleaning cycle includes at least: a first cleaning step having a first cleaning step duration (211) and a second cleaning step having a second cleaning step duration (212), wherein the sum of the first cleaning step duration (211) and the second cleaning step duration (212) is less than or equal to the first cleaning cycle duration (210). - The second cleaning cycle includes: a fourth cleaning step having a fourth cleaning step duration (221), the fourth cleaning step duration being equal to or less than the second cleaning cycle duration (220), and - The control unit (130) is configured to perform the fourth cleaning step between the first cleaning step and the second cleaning step when a cleaning signal is present.

4. The cleaning system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The duration of the first cleaning process (211) is equivalent to the duration of the second cleaning process (212).

5. The cleaning system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The control unit 130 is configured to perform the first cleaning process prior to the second cleaning process in time. - Wherein, the duration of the first cleaning process (211) is greater than the duration of the second cleaning process (212), or - Wherein, the duration of the first cleaning process (211) is less than the duration of the second cleaning process (212).

6. The cleaning system (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, - The first cleaning cycle includes: a third cleaning step having a third cleaning step duration (213), and - The sum of the duration of the first cleaning process (211), the duration of the second cleaning process (212), and the duration of the third cleaning process (213) is less than or equal to the duration of the first cleaning cycle (210).

7. The cleaning system (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that, - The control unit (130) is configured to perform the first cleaning process before the second cleaning process and to perform the second cleaning process before the third cleaning process. - Wherein, the duration of the first cleaning process (211), the duration of the second cleaning process (212), and the duration of the third cleaning process (213) are equivalent to each other, or - Wherein, the duration of the first cleaning process (211) is greater than the duration of the second cleaning process (212), and the duration of the second cleaning process (212) is greater than the duration of the third cleaning process (213), or - Wherein, the duration of the third cleaning process (213) is greater than the duration of the second cleaning process (212), and the duration of the second cleaning process (212) is greater than the duration of the first cleaning process (211), or - Wherein, the duration of the second cleaning process (212) is greater than the duration of the first cleaning process (211), and the duration of the second cleaning process (212) is greater than the duration of the third cleaning process (213).

8. The cleaning system (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, - The control unit (130) is configured to execute the second cleaning cycle as a fourth cleaning cycle having a fourth cleaning cycle duration (221) and a fifth cleaning cycle duration (222) in the presence of a cleaning signal. - Wherein, the sum of the duration of the fourth cleaning process (221) and the duration of the fifth cleaning process (222) is less than or equal to the duration of the second cleaning cycle (220). - Wherein, the control unit (130) is configured to perform the second cleaning process directly and continuously after the first cleaning process, and to perform the fourth cleaning process directly and continuously after the second cleaning process, and to perform the fifth cleaning process directly and continuously after the fourth cleaning process, and - Wherein, the control unit (130) is configured to perform the first cleaning process, the second cleaning process, the fourth cleaning process and the fifth cleaning process such that the overlap duration between the first cleaning process and the second cleaning process, the overlap duration between the second cleaning process and the fourth cleaning process and the overlap duration between the fourth cleaning process and the fifth cleaning process is equal to zero.

9. The cleaning system (100) according to claims 4 and 8, characterized in that, The duration of the fourth cleaning process (221) and the duration of the fifth cleaning process (242) are equivalent to the duration of the first cleaning process (211).

10. A cleaning system (100), characterized in that - A third cleaning unit (31) is configured to clean a third sensor (30). - The control unit (130) is configured to clean the third sensor (30) in a manner independent of the first sensor (10) and independent of the second sensor (20). - Wherein, the control unit (130) is configured to clean the third sensor (30) in the presence of a cleaning signal, for a third cleaning cycle of duration (230) equal to the duration of the third cleaning cycle. - Wherein, the control unit (130) is configured to perform cleaning as a sixth cleaning process with a duration of the sixth cleaning process duration (231) and a seventh cleaning process with a duration of the seventh cleaning process duration (232). - Wherein, the sum of the duration of the sixth cleaning process (231) and the duration of the seventh cleaning process (232) is equivalent to the duration of the third cleaning cycle (230). - Wherein, the duration of the sixth cleaning process (231) is equivalent to the duration of the fourth cleaning process (200), and - The control unit (130) is configured to simultaneously start the fourth cleaning process and the sixth cleaning process.

11. A cleaning system (100), characterized in that - Distributor unit (140), the distributor unit having a first distributor valve and a second distributor valve, - Wherein, the first cleaning unit (11) is fluidly connected to the first distributor valve, - Wherein, the second cleaning unit (21) is fluidly connected to the second distributor valve, - Wherein, the first distributor valve and the second distributor valve are fluidly connected to the cleaning fluid from the cleaning reservoir (110) by means of the delivery unit (120), and - Wherein, the control unit (130) is configured to place the first distributor valve in an open state to supply cleaning fluid to the first cleaning unit, and to place the first distributor valve in a closed state. - Wherein, the control unit (130) is configured to place the second distributor valve in an open state to supply cleaning fluid to the second cleaning unit, and to place the second distributor valve in a closed state, and - Wherein, the control unit (130) is configured to independently place the first distributor valve and the second distributor valve into a closed state and an open state, respectively.

12. A cleaning system (100), characterized in that, - The control unit (130) is configured to receive and / or retrieve vehicle speed and / or wind speed and / or centrifugal force acting on the corresponding cleaning units (11, 21, 31, 41) and / or the degree of contamination and / or the type of contamination of the corresponding sensors (10, 20, 30, 40). - The control unit (130) is configured to adapt the pressure of the cleaning fluid and the first cleaning cycle duration (210) and the second cleaning cycle duration (220) according to the vehicle speed and / or wind speed and / or the centrifugal force acting on the cleaning unit (11, 21, 31, 41) and / or the degree of contamination of the sensors (10, 20, 30, 40) and / or the type of contamination of the sensors (10, 20, 30, 40).

13. A vehicle (150) having: - First sensor (10), the first sensor is configured to detect the surrounding environment (5) of the vehicle. - A second sensor (20), configured to detect the surrounding environment (5) of the vehicle (150), and - A cleaning system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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