Environmental sensor unit for mounting on a motor vehicle

Abstract

An environmental sensor unit (3, 4) is provided for mounting on a motor vehicle (1). The environmental sensor unit (3, 4) comprises a housing (31, 41) with a transparent disc (32, 42), a camera (33, 43) arranged and configured to look through a first area (34, 44) of the transparent disc (32, 42), a further unit (35, 45) arranged and configured to interact with a second area (36, 46) of the transparent disc (32, 42), a cleaning device (5) at least for the first area (34, 44) of the transparent disc (32, 42), and a control device (6) for the cleaning device (5), which is configured to determine an operating state of the camera (33, 43) based on information output by the camera (33, 43) and to control the cleaning device (5) depending on the determined operating state of the camera (33, 43).

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an environmental sensor unit for mounting on a motor vehicle, an environmental sensor system comprising the environmental sensor unit, and a motor vehicle comprising the environmental sensor unit and / or the environmental sensor system. The present disclosure relates to a control method for a cleaning device of the environmental sensor unit.

[0002] CN 108 204 568 A relates to a vehicle light with a lamp unit and a dimming mechanism arranged in a light housing.

[0003] DE 10 2019 131 294 B3 relates to a motor vehicle headlight comprising a light module, an image capture unit, a shutter device structurally separate from the image capture unit, a housing, and a translucent cover plate. The housing has an opening, the opening being covered by the translucent cover plate, thereby forming a chamber. The light module, the image capture unit, and the shutter device are arranged in the chamber. The shutter device is designed to block light emitted by the light module and backscattered by the translucent cover plate towards the image capture unit. The shutter device is attached to the translucent cover plate and is spaced apart from both the image capture unit and the light module.

[0004] DE 10 2012 221 074 A1 relates to a vehicle light, wherein the vehicle light has a camera, and wherein a beam path of the camera is guided through at least a section of a headlight lens of the vehicle light. The vehicle light has a cleaning device.

[0005] Against the background of this prior art, the purpose of the present disclosure is to specify a device and / or a method, each of which is suitable to enrich the prior art.

[0006] One possible concrete task could be to provide an environment sensor unit for a motor vehicle that reliably delivers images for a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle with the largest possible field of view (FoV).

[0007] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent and subordinate claims each contain optional further developments of the disclosure.

[0008] The task is then solved by an environmental sensor unit for mounting on a motor vehicle. The environmental sensor unit comprises a housing with a transparent lens. The environmental sensor unit includes a camera arranged and configured to look through a first area of ​​the transparent lens. The environmental sensor unit includes a further unit arranged and configured to interact with a second area of ​​the transparent lens. The environmental sensor unit includes a cleaning device for at least the first area of ​​the transparent lens. The environmental sensor unit includes a control device for the cleaning device, configured to determine an operating state of the camera based on information output by the camera and to control the cleaning device depending on the determined operating state of the camera.

[0009] An environmental sensor unit can be understood as a sensor unit which, when installed on a motor vehicle, provides sensor data, in this case at least images or image data captured by means of the camera.

[0010] The area surrounding the vehicle can be understood as a predetermined size located at a predetermined distance from the vehicle. This area can be of a constant or changing size. The distance to the vehicle can also be constant or change. In this case, the area can be defined or fixed by the camera's field of view.

[0011] In this context, a transparent disc can be understood as a disc that allows the camera to look through it at the surroundings of the motor vehicle or to take pictures of the surroundings of the motor vehicle.

[0012] As described above, the environmental sensor unit has a housing. A housing can be understood as a component that encloses a cavity in which the camera and the other unit are at least partially located. One side surface, in this case the side surface of the housing, which, when mounted on the vehicle, faces the vehicle's surroundings, is at least partially formed by the transparent lens. Other units or components, or all of them, may be at least partially located within the chamber.

[0013] As described above, the additional unit interacts with a second area of ​​the transparent disc. This can be understood to mean that the additional unit emits and / or receives light and / or other signals, e.g., ultrasound and / or radar waves, through the second area of ​​the transparent disc towards the vehicle's surroundings.

[0014] The first area can be understood as a portion of the transparent disc within which the camera's field of view is located. The first area can be positioned at a distance from the second area. It is also conceivable that the first and second areas overlap, at least partially.

[0015] A cleaning device can be understood as a device designed to remove contamination located on or near a transparent disc. This contamination can consist of either fluids or solids.

[0016] The cleaning device can be installed in and / or on the housing and / or away from the housing in and / or on the motor vehicle.

[0017] The control device or control unit can be part of a driver assistance system or constitute the system itself. Driver assistance systems (DAS; Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) are electronic, particularly mechatronic, devices in motor vehicles designed to support the driver in specific driving situations. Safety aspects, as well as increased driving comfort, are often paramount.

[0018] The control device can be installed in and / or on the housing and / or remotely from the housing in and / or on the motor vehicle.

[0019] The control device can, for example, be an electronic control unit (ECU). The electronic control unit can be an intelligent, processor-controlled unit that can communicate with other modules via a central gateway (CGW) and may form the vehicle's electrical system via fieldbuses such as CAN bus, LIN bus, MOST bus, FlexRay, and / or Automotive Ethernet, for example, together with telematics control units and / or environmental sensors.

[0020] It is conceivable that the control unit could manage vehicle-related functions such as steering, engine control, power transmission, and / or the braking system, optionally based on images captured by the camera. Additionally, or alternatively, driver assistance systems such as a parking assistant, adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane keeping assist, lane change assist, traffic sign recognition, light signal recognition, hill start assist, night vision assist, and / or intersection assist could also be controlled by the unit, optionally based on images captured by the camera.

[0021] Insofar as the term "control" is used here, it can refer to control without a feedback variable, but also to control with a feedback variable, i.e., rules.

[0022] The activation of the cleaning device by the control device can be understood as the control device sending a control signal to the cleaning device, which instructs the cleaning device to clean the transparent disc.

[0023] An operating state of the camera can be understood as its ability to capture images of the vehicle's surroundings. This ability to capture images can be qualitatively impaired by the surroundings themselves, for example, due to dirt on the transparent lens, or optionally, on the first section thereof. As described above, the control device is designed to determine an operating state of the camera. This can therefore be understood to mean that the control device is designed to determine the camera's ability to capture images based on predetermined (objective) criteria. This can be achieved, for example, with a dedicated function, which may be implemented in software and / or hardware.

[0024] One advantage of the environmental sensor unit described above is that the operating status of the camera, and therefore the operating status of the environmental sensor unit, is determined by information output from the camera. The environmental sensor unit can thus be cleaned as needed and is reliably available to a driver assistance system that processes the sensor data supplied by the environmental sensor system.

[0025] The following describes optional advanced training courses for the environmental sensor system.

[0026] The environmental sensor unit can be designed as a headlight, optionally as a front and / or rear headlight. The additional unit can be positioned and designed to emit light through the second area of ​​the transparent lens.

[0027] Headlights can be part of a vehicle's lighting system. Headlights have a light source (referred to above as the "other unit") that emits light into the surroundings of the vehicle. The light source can emit white and / or yellow light. Xenon headlights, commonly used in automobiles, can emit white light with a slight bluish tint.

[0028] A front headlight can be understood as a headlight that can be attached to the front of a motor vehicle.

[0029] A rear light can be understood as a light that can be attached to the rear of a motor vehicle.

[0030] Designing the environmental sensor system as a headlight offers the advantage of achieving a favorable field of view for the camera. However, headlights, especially front headlights, are exposed to dirt and grime while the vehicle is in motion, making the cleaning device described above, in conjunction with its control system, particularly advantageous in this context.

[0031] The environmental sensor unit can include a mechanism for headlight range control built into the housing, which is arranged and designed in such a way that both the headlight range of the other unit and the orientation of the camera can be adjusted by means of this mechanism.

[0032] Headlight range control allows the adjustment of a vehicle's headlight beam to the pitch angle, i.e., the longitudinal tilt of the vehicle. This ensures optimal illumination of the road without dazzling oncoming or preceding traffic. Camera alignment can be understood as changing the camera's field of view by altering its orientation.

[0033] One advantage of using a common mechanism, i.e., a mechatronic assembly, for both the headlight range control and the camera alignment is that components and therefore the required installation space can be reduced compared to two separate mechanisms.

[0034] The cleaning device can be designed for both the first and second areas of the transparent disc.

[0035] In other words, the cleaning device can clean the first area and the second area. It is conceivable that the areas can be cleaned simultaneously or independently of each other.

[0036] The cleaning device can be arranged and designed to spray at least one cleaning fluid onto the transparent disc for cleaning the first, and optionally the second, area.

[0037] This means the cleaning device can spray a liquid and / or gas onto the transparent pane, or in the case of a liquid, squirt it, thus removing dirt from the pane. One or more nozzles may be provided for this purpose. It is conceivable that a separate nozzle is provided for each area. Alternatively, one nozzle may be provided for both areas. It is also conceivable that the direction of the nozzle(s) is adjustable.

[0038] The cleaning device can be arranged and designed to spray at least one cleaning fluid onto the transparent disc by means of a jet primarily directed towards the first area.

[0039] Primarily, this can be understood as meaning that the center of the beam lies in the first area. This offers the advantage that contaminants in the first area relevant to the camera can be reliably removed.

[0040] The cleaning device can be arranged and configured to spray at least one first and one second cleaning fluid for cleaning the first, and optionally the second, area of ​​the lens. The control device can be configured to control the cleaning device so that, depending on the camera's operating state, it sprays only the first, or both the first and second cleaning fluids, onto the first, and optionally the second, area of ​​the lens.

[0041] One or more nozzles may be provided for this purpose. It is conceivable that a separate nozzle is provided for each cleaning fluid. Alternatively, one nozzle may be provided for both cleaning fluids.

[0042] The camera can be configured to output images captured by the camera to the control device. The control device can include an image processing unit configured to determine the operating status of the camera based on the images captured by the camera.

[0043] In other words, the control device can be designed to determine the quality of the images captured by the camera (based on predetermined criteria and / or using artificial intelligence). If the quality does not meet the desired standard, cleaning of at least the first section of the lens can be triggered. This offers the advantage that cleaning can be controlled according to need.

[0044] The camera can be configured to output a sensor blockage signal to the control device. The control device can be configured to determine the camera's operating state based on this sensor blockage signal.

[0045] This means that a function already integrated into the camera can be used to control the cleaning device. Furthermore, using the sensor blocking signal also offers the advantage that cleaning can be controlled as needed.

[0046] The environmental sensor unit may include a heating device for heating the first and / or second area of ​​the transparent disc.

[0047] It is conceivable that the heating device, like the cleaning device, is controlled by the control device. Everything described herein with regard to the cleaning device also applies analogously to the heating device. The right to file a divisional application relating to the heating device is reserved.

[0048] Providing a heating device offers the advantage of preventing the transparent pane from fogging up and / or icing over.

[0049] Furthermore, the disclosure relates to an environmental sensor system for mounting on a motor vehicle. The environmental sensor system comprises a first environmental sensor unit for mounting on the motor vehicle. The first environmental sensor unit comprises a first housing with a first transparent pane, a first camera arranged and configured to look through a first area of ​​the first transparent pane, and a first further unit arranged and configured to interact with a second area of ​​the first transparent pane. The environmental sensor system comprises a second environmental sensor unit for mounting on the motor vehicle.The second environmental sensor unit comprises a second housing with a second transparent pane, a second camera positioned and configured to view through a first area of ​​the second transparent pane, and a second unit positioned and configured to interact with a second area of ​​the second transparent pane. The environmental sensor system includes a cleaning device positioned and configured to clean the first and second transparent panes independently. The environmental sensor system also includes a control device configured to determine the respective operating states of the first and second cameras based on information output by each camera.The control device is designed to control the cleaning device depending on the respective operating state of the first and second cameras, so that only the first or the first and second transparent disc is / are cleaned by the cleaning device.

[0050] In other words, the environmental sensor system can include two of the environmental sensor units described above, which share a control device and a cleaning device.

[0051] The cleaning device can comprise a first and a second cleaning device, wherein the first cleaning device is intended for the first environmental sensor unit and the second cleaning device is intended for the second environmental sensor unit.

[0052] The cameras of the two environmental sensor units can be connected to a control device. This control device can comprise a first and a second control unit, each assigned to its respective environmental sensor unit, which can communicate with each other, for example, via the vehicle's electrical system. It is also conceivable that only a single control device is used.

[0053] In any case, the cleaning device is controlled by the control unit in such a way that cleaning of the first environmental sensor unit can also be triggered by the operating state of the second environmental sensor unit. This means that even if an operating state of the first environmental sensor unit does not (yet) indicate cleaning on its own, the first environmental sensor unit can still be cleaned if the second environmental sensor unit requires cleaning. This offers the advantage of reducing the overall cleaning time.

[0054] Specifically, if the transparent lens of one of the two surround-view sensor units is being cleaned, this can prevent the images captured by the camera of that unit from being processed by the driver assistance system during the cleaning process. If the driver assistance system requires images from both cameras, it will be unavailable whenever one of the sensor units is being cleaned. In this case, cleaning both sensor units simultaneously can reduce the driver assistance system's downtime.

[0055] The environmental sensor system described above also offers the option of cleaning only one of the two sensor units. This can be particularly advantageous if a driver assistance system can also operate using camera images. Cleaning only one sensor at a time can reduce or minimize downtime for the driver assistance system.

[0056] The number of environmental sensor units is not limited to two and was only mentioned here for illustrative purposes.

[0057] The above description with reference to the environmental sensor unit also applies analogously to the environmental sensor system and vice versa.

[0058] Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle comprises an environmental sensor system and / or an environmental sensor unit as described above, attached to it.

[0059] The motor vehicle may be a passenger car, in particular an automobile, or a commercial vehicle, such as a bus or a truck.

[0060] The motor vehicle may be automated. The motor vehicle may be designed to take over longitudinal and / or lateral control, at least partially and / or at least temporarily, by means of the control device during automated driving.

[0061] Automated driving can be implemented in such a way that the movement of the motor vehicle is (largely) autonomous.

[0062] Automated driving can be controlled, at least partially and / or temporarily, by the control device based on the images captured by the camera.

[0063] What has been described above with reference to the environmental sensor unit and the environmental sensor system also applies analogously to the motor vehicle and vice versa.

[0064] Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a control method for a cleaning system of an environmental sensor unit for mounting on a motor vehicle. The environmental sensor unit comprises a housing with a transparent disc, a camera arranged and configured to look through a first area of ​​the transparent disc, another unit arranged and configured to interact with a second area of ​​the transparent disc, the cleaning device being provided at least for the first area of ​​the transparent disc, and a control device. The method comprises determining an operating state of the camera by means of the control device based on information output by the camera to the control device, and controlling the cleaning device by means of the control device depending on the determined operating state of the camera.

[0065] In other words, a method for operating an environmental sensor unit described above, which may be part of an environmental sensor system described above, is provided. That is, the control method can also be described as a method for controlling the operation of the environmental sensor unit described above, or optionally, the environmental sensor system described above.

[0066] The control procedure can be a computer-implemented procedure, i.e., one, several or all steps of the procedure can be performed at least partially by a computer or a data processing device, optionally the control device.

[0067] The above description relating to the environmental sensor unit, the environmental sensor system and the motor vehicle also applies analogously to the control procedure and vice versa.

[0068] A computer program comprising commands that, when executed by a computer, cause it to at least partially execute the control procedure described above can be provided.

[0069] The program code of a computer program can be in any type of code, especially code suitable for controlling motor vehicles.

[0070] Furthermore, a computer-readable medium, in particular a computer-readable storage medium, can be provided. The computer-readable medium comprises instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause it to at least partially execute the control procedure described above.

[0071] This means that a computer-readable medium can be provided that includes a computer program as defined above.

[0072] The computer-readable medium can be any digital data storage device, such as a USB stick, a hard drive, a CD-ROM, an SD card or an SSD card (or SSD drive / SSD hard drive).

[0073] The computer program does not necessarily have to be stored on such a computer-readable storage medium in order to be made available to the motor vehicle, but can also be obtained via the Internet or other external sources.

[0074] This means that a data signal can be provided. The data signal comprises commands which, when executed by a computer, cause it to at least partially execute the control procedure described above.

[0075] The above description relating to the control procedure, the environmental sensor unit, the environmental sensor system and the motor vehicle also applies analogously to the computer program and the computer-readable medium and vice versa.

[0076] The above can be summarized in other words and with reference to a more concrete design as described below, whereby the following description is to be understood as purely optional and not restrictive for the disclosure.

[0077] It is possible to integrate a camera, optionally a front camera, into a housing with a transparent screen.

[0078] The housing can be located outside the driver's cabin and, in addition to its "housing function" for the camera, can also perform another task in the vehicle and / or form the housing for another vehicle function.

[0079] The housing can be a headlight, optionally a front headlight.

[0080] It is conceivable that a single cleaning device could be used for both cleaning the lens area of ​​the headlight (also referred to as the second area) and cleaning the camera area (also referred to as the first area). Cleaning could be carried out using at least one cleaning fluid sprayed onto the headlight lens from the outside. This cleaning fluid could include, for example, windshield washer fluid and / or compressed air.

[0081] The cleaning device's jet can be primarily directed towards the camera's field of view.

[0082] It is conceivable that cleaning of the headlight lens in question is controlled or requested by image processing electronics, e.g. due to detected contamination or a general sensor blockage signal.

[0083] Depending on the specific camera information, only one of the available cleaning media can be used for cleaning. For example, cleaning in the case of raindrops can be done exclusively with compressed air.

[0084] If this system is installed multiple times in the vehicle (e.g., on the right and left sides), cleaning can be performed selectively on the dirty sensor headlight module or on all sensor headlight modules simultaneously.

[0085] A shared heating device can be used to heat the headlight lens, thus preventing fogging or icing. At least one section of the lens can be heated, which is used by both the camera and the headlight.

[0086] The camera device can be integrated into the headlight in such a way that a mechanism for headlight range adjustment is also used to adjust the camera alignment. The camera alignment could, for example, be achieved with a servo motor, either individually and / or in conjunction with the headlight alignment.

[0087] The following is an optional embodiment with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle with an environment sensor system as disclosed, and Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a flowchart of a control procedure according to the disclosure for a cleaning system of an environmental sensor unit of the in Fig. 1 depicted environmental sensor system.

[0088] The in Fig. Figure 1, a motor vehicle shown only schematically, has an attached environmental sensor system 2. The environmental sensor system 2 has two headlights 3, 4, each of which is designed as an environmental sensor unit.

[0089] Each of the headlights 3, 4 includes a housing 31, 41 with a transparent disc 32, 42.

[0090] Each of the headlights 3, 4 includes a camera 33, 43, which is arranged and designed so that it looks through a first area 34, 44 of the respective transparent disc 32, 42.

[0091] Each of the headlights 3, 4 includes as a further unit a light source 35, 45, which is arranged and designed such that it interacts with a second area 36, ​​46 of the respective transparent disc 32, 42. More precisely, the light source 35, 45 emits light through the second area 36, ​​46 of the transparent disc 32, 42.

[0092] Furthermore, the environmental sensor system 2 includes a cleaning device 5, which is arranged and designed to clean the two transparent discs 32, 42 independently of each other.

[0093] The cleaning device 5 is provided for both the first area 34, 44 and the second area 36, ​​46 of the respective transparent disc 32, 42.

[0094] To clean the respective transparent disc 32, 42, in particular the first and second areas 34, 44, 36, 46 thereof, the cleaning device 5 sprays or dispenses cleaning fluid onto the transparent disc 32, 42.

[0095] The cleaning device 5 is arranged and designed such that it sprays the cleaning fluid in a jet directed primarily towards the first area 34, 44 of the respective transparent disc 32, 42 onto the respective transparent disc 32, 42.

[0096] The cleaning device 5 can spray two different cleaning fluids, in this case wiping water and air, onto the transparent disc to clean the first and second areas.

[0097] Furthermore, the environmental sensor system 2 includes a control device 6. Both cameras 33, 43 are configured to output images captured by the respective camera 33, 43 to the control device 6. Both cameras 33, 43 are also configured to output a sensor blocking signal to the control device 6 in the event that the respective camera 33, 43 is blocked.

[0098] The control device 6 is designed to determine the respective operating state of the cameras 33, 43 based on information output by the respective camera 33, 43, i.e. the images and / or the sensor blocking signal.

[0099] For this purpose, the control device 6 has an image processing unit 61 that determines the operating status of the respective camera 33, 43 based on the images captured by the respective camera 33, 43. That is, the image processing unit 61 evaluates the images from the two cameras 33, 43 and thus determines whether the respective disc 32, 42, in particular its respective first area 33, 43, is dirty.

[0100] The control device 6 is designed to control the cleaning device 5 depending on the respective operating state of the respective camera 33, 43.

[0101] In other words, by outputting a control signal from the control device 6 to the cleaning device 5, the latter is activated so that it cleans either one or both of the transparent discs 32, 42 in the manner described above.

[0102] It is conceivable that, depending on the operating state of the respective camera 33, 43, only one or both of the transparent discs 32, 42 are cleaned by the cleaning device 5. That is, if, for example, it is determined that both discs 32, 42 are dirty, then both discs 32, 42 are cleaned simultaneously. If, for example, it is determined that only one of the two discs 32, 42 is dirty, then only that one disc 32, 42 is cleaned.

[0103] Furthermore, it is conceivable that, depending on the operating state of the respective camera 33, 43, the cleaning device 5 sprays only the first cleaning fluid or the first and second cleaning fluid onto the first and second areas 34, 44, 36, 46 of the respective disc 32, 42. If, for example, the image processing device 61 detects that a predetermined type of contamination is present on the respective disc 32, 42, such as rainwater, then the respective disc 32, 42 can be cleaned with compressed air. If, on the other hand, another predetermined type of contamination is detected, such as mud, then the respective disc 32, 42 can be cleaned with cleaning water.

[0104] Furthermore, each of the headlights 3, 4 includes a heating device 7 for heating the first and / or second area 34, 36, 44, 46 of the respective transparent lens 32, 42, which is arranged within the respective housing 31, 41. The heating device 7, like the cleaning device 5, can be controlled by the control device 6 depending on the operating state of the respective camera 33, 43. It is also conceivable that the heating device 7 could be controlled depending on the outside temperature of the vehicle 1.

[0105] Furthermore, each of the headlights 3, 4 includes a mechanism 8 for headlight range adjustment, installed in the respective housing 31, 41. This mechanism is arranged and designed such that both the range of the respective light source 35, 45 and the alignment of the respective camera 33, 43 can be adjusted by means of this mechanism. The control of the respective mechanism 8 is also effected by means of the control device 6, which for this purpose includes a light control 62.

[0106] In Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a flowchart of a control procedure 100 for the cleaning system 5 described above.

[0107] In a first step 101 of the control procedure 100, the control device 6 determines the operating state of the respective camera 33, 43 in the manner described above, based on information output by the respective camera 33, 43 to the control device 6.

[0108] In a second step 102 of the control procedure 100, the control device 6 controls the cleaning device 5 in the manner described above, depending on the specific operating state of the respective camera 33, 43. Reference sign 1 motor vehicle 2 Environmental sensor system 3, 4 headlights 31, 41 Housing 32, 42 transparent disc 33, 43 Camera 34, 44 first area of ​​the transparent disc 35, 45 Light source 36, 46 second area of ​​the transparent disc 5 Cleaning device 6 Control device 61 Image processing device 62 Light control 7 Heating system 8. Headlight range adjustment mechanism 100 control methods for cleaning equipment 101 Determine the camera's operating status 102 Control cleaning device based on operating status QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 108 204 568 A

[0002] DE 10 2019 131 294 B3

[0003] DE 10 2012 221 074 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Environment sensor unit (3, 4) for mounting on a motor vehicle (1), wherein the environment sensor unit (3, 4) comprises: - a housing (31, 41) with a transparent disc (32, 42), - a camera (33, 43) arranged and designed in such a way that it looks through a first area (34, 44) of the transparent disc (32, 42), - another unit (35, 45) which is arranged and designed in such a way that it interacts with a second area (36, 46) of the transparent disc (32, 42), and - a cleaning device (5) at least for the first area (34, 44) of the transparent disc (32, 42), characterized by , that the environmental sensor unit (3, 4) includes: - a control device (6) for the cleaning device (5) which is designed to determine an operating state of the camera (33, 43) based on information output by the camera (33, 43) and to control the cleaning device (5) depending on the determined operating state of the camera (33, 43). [2] Environmental sensor unit (3, 4) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the environment sensor unit (3, 4) is designed as a headlight and the further unit (35, 45) is arranged and designed to emit light through the second area (36, 46) of the transparent disc (32, 42). [3] Environmental sensor unit (3, 4) according to claim 2, characterized by, that the environment sensor unit (3, 4) includes a mechanism (8) for headlight range control installed in the housing (31, 41), which is arranged and designed in such a way that both the headlight range of the further unit (35, 45) and the orientation of the camera (33, 43) can be adjusted by means of this. [4] Environmental sensor unit (3, 4) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the cleaning device (5) is provided for both the first and the second area (36, 36) of the transparent disc (32, 42). [5] Environmental sensor unit (3, 4) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the cleaning device (5) is arranged and designed to spray at least one cleaning fluid onto the transparent disc (32, 42) for the purpose of cleaning the first, and, as far as reference is made to claim 4, the second, area (34, 36, 44, 46) of the transparent disc (32, 42). [6] Environmental sensor unit (3, 4) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the cleaning device (5) is arranged and designed to spray the at least one cleaning fluid in a jet directed primarily towards the first area (34, 44) onto the transparent disc (32, 42). [7] Environmental sensor unit (3, 4) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by , that: - the cleaning device (5) is arranged and configured to spray at least a first and a second cleaning fluid onto the transparent disc (32, 42) for cleaning the first and, as far as referenced to claim 4, the second area (34, 36, 44, 46), and - the control device (6) is designed to control the cleaning device (5) in such a way that, depending on the operating state of the camera (33, 43), it sprays only the first or the first and the second cleaning fluid onto the first, and, as far as related to claim 4, the second, area (34, 36, 44, 46) of the transparent disc (32, 42). [8] Environmental sensor unit (3, 4) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that: - the camera (33, 43) is designed to output images captured by the camera (33, 43) to the control device (6), and - the control device (6) has an image processing unit (61) which is designed to determine the operating state of the camera (33, 43) based on the images taken by the camera (33, 43). [9] Environmental sensor unit (3, 4) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that: - the camera (33, 439) is designed to output a sensor blocking signal to the control device (6), and - the control device (6) is designed to determine the operating state of the camera (33, 43) based on the sensor blocking signal. [10] Environmental sensor unit (3, 4) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by, that the environmental sensor unit (3, 4) includes a heating device (7) for heating the first and / or second area (34, 36, 44, 46) of the transparent disc (32, 42). [11] Environmental sensor system (2) for mounting on a motor vehicle (1), characterized by , that the environmental sensor system (2) includes: - a first environmental sensor unit (3) for mounting on the motor vehicle (1), the first environmental sensor unit (3) comprising: - a first housing (31) with a first transparent disc (32), - a first camera (33) arranged and designed so that it looks through a first area (34) of the first transparent disc (32), and - a first further unit (35) which is arranged and designed in such a way that it interacts with a second area (36) of the first transparent disc (32), - a second environmental sensor unit (4) for mounting on the motor vehicle, (1) wherein the second environmental sensor unit (4) comprises: - a second housing (41) with a second transparent disc (42), - a second camera (43) arranged and designed to look through a first area (44) of the second transparent disc (42), and - a second further unit (45) which is arranged and designed in such a way that it interacts with a second area (46) of the second transparent disc (42), - a cleaning device (59) which is arranged and designed to clean the first and the second transparent disc (32, 42) independently of each other, and - a control device (6) configured to determine the respective operating state of the first and second cameras (33, 43) based on information output by the first and second cameras (33, 43) and to control the cleaning device (5) depending on the respective determined operating state of the first and second cameras (33, 43) such that only the first or the first and second transparent discs (32, 42) are cleaned by the cleaning device (5). [12] Motor vehicle (1), characterized by , that the motor vehicle (1) comprises an environmental sensor system (2) attached thereto according to claim 11 and / or an environmental sensor unit (3, 4) attached thereto according to one of claims 1 to 10. [13] Control method (100) for a cleaning system (5) of an environmental sensor unit (3, 4) for attachment to a motor vehicle (1), wherein the environmental sensor unit (3, 4) comprises: - a housing (31, 41) with a transparent disc (32, 42), - a camera (33, 43) which is arranged and designed in such a way that it looks through a first area (34, 44) of the transparent disc (32, 42), - another unit (35, 45) which is arranged and designed in such a way that it interacts with a second area (36, 46) of the transparent disc (32, 42), and - a cleaning device (5) at least for the first area (34, 44) of the transparent disc (32, 42), and - a control device (6), characterized by , that the tax procedure (100) includes: - Determining (101) an operating state of the camera (33, 43) by means of the control device (6) based on information output by the camera (33, 43) to the control device (6), and - Controlling (102) the cleaning device (5) by means of the control device (6) depending on the specific operating state of the camera (33, 43).

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