Fluid distribution system for cleaning vehicle surfaces

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid distribution system (1) for cleaning a sensor surface of a vehicle, the distribution system comprising: - a main tank (2) defining a main volume and provided for storing a cleaning fluid; - at least one intermediate tank (3) having an intermediate volume smaller than the main volume; - main filling means adapted to allow filling of the at least one intermediate tank (3) with cleaning fluid from the main tank (2); - a pressurized air tank (10); - compression means adapted to raise the air pressure of the air in the pressurized air tank (10);- connecting means fluidically connecting the bottom of the pressurized air tank (10) to the at least one intermediate tank (3), advantageously the top of the at least one intermediate tank (3), so that, when the air pressure is high, the air flowing from the pressurized air tank (10) into the at least one intermediate tank (3), via said connecting means, pressurizes the cleaning fluid in the at least one intermediate tank (3). Figure for abstract: Figure 1;

Description

Title of the invention: Fluid distribution system for cleaning vehicle surfaces FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of fluid distribution systems, in particular for cleaning vehicle surface sensors.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a fluid delivery system for enabling the cleaning of vehicle surface sensors with pressurized air and a pressurized cleaning liquid, the pressurized air being substantially free of moisture.

[0003] DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0004] Motor vehicles are now equipped with numerous sensors or cameras (hereinafter "sensors") for driving assistance purposes. These sensors are located all around the perimeter of the vehicle, for example in the bumpers and / or side skirts, and thus provide the driver or the driving software with a complete view of the environment in which the vehicle is located.

[0005] However, these sensors, exposed to the environment, are likely to be covered with dirt or dust and, consequently, may see their performance degraded. Frequent cleaning of these sensors is therefore necessary to guarantee their performance.

[0006] In this regard, motor vehicles may be equipped with a cleaning system, in particular with pipes and nozzles for distributing cleaning fluids. The nozzles are located at the ends of the fluid distribution pipes and in the vicinity of the sensors. These cleaning systems may also include automatic valves allowing the selection of the sensor(s) to be cleaned and thus limiting the consumption of cleaning fluid.

[0007] In this sense, document [1] cited at the end of the description discloses a system designed to clean, in particular automatically, the sensor surfaces of an autonomous vehicle.

[0008] In particular, and as shown in [Fig. 2] of document [1], the system 200 is provided with two reservoirs. In particular, the system 200 comprises a main reservoir 202 and another reservoir 208.

[0009] The main tank 202 is designed to store a cleaning fluid at reduced pressure, such as atmospheric pressure, and is particularly implemented when cleaning surfaces that do not require high pressures to be considered. For example, the main tank 202 may be used to clean a windshield or a rear window of a motor vehicle.

[0010] The reservoir 208, for its part, is designed to store the cleaning fluid and to maintain it under pressure by means of a pressurized gas and is used in particular when the cleaning of surfaces requires pressures well above atmospheric pressure, for example greater than 4.8 bar. As an example, the reservoir 208 can be used to clean the sensor surfaces of the motor vehicle.

[0011] The system 200 also comprises a pressurized gas source 206 and a pressure transfer means 204. In particular, the pressurized gas source 206 and the pressure transfer means 204 are designed to allow the reservoir 208 to be filled with a cleaning fluid, from the main reservoir, and to pressurize said cleaning fluid by injecting pressurized gas.

[0012] However, such a system is not satisfactory.

[0013] Indeed, the system 200 disclosed in document [1] requires the implementation of a large capacity tank 208 in order to ensure sufficient autonomy for sensor cleaning. Similarly, maintaining a large volume of cleaning fluid under high pressure represents a danger for the vehicle receiving it.

[0014] Document [2] cited at the end of the description also discloses a system designed to clean sensor surfaces of a vehicle.

[0015] This system, in particular illustrated in [Fig.l] of [2], comprises a cleaning fluid reservoir 50A and a gas reservoir 50B. The reservoirs 50A and 50B are further fluidically connected so as to allow compression of the cleaning fluid in the reservoir 50B.

[0016] However, this system is not satisfactory either.

[0017] Indeed, the system described in document [2] requires the implementation of a large 50B gas tank which, like the system described in document [1], also represents a danger.

[0018] Furthermore, the system described in document [2] comprises a relatively large number of components / elements, which consequently makes it more complex to assemble and use.

[0019] The above-mentioned problems are solved by the fluid distribution system described in document [3] cited at the end of the description.

[0020] In particular, document [3] relates to a fluid delivery system for cleaning surfaces of a vehicle, the delivery system comprising:

[0021] - a main tank with a main volume and intended to store a fluid of cleaning at a pressure called main pressure;

[0022] - two secondary reservoirs, called, respectively, the first and the second reservoir, each having a volume, called secondary volume, smaller than the main volume;

[0023] - filling means designed to allow selective filling at a time from the first tank and the second tank with cleaning fluid from the main tank;

[0024] - compression means designed to inject air selectively into one and the other of the first tank and the second tank, and so as to exert a working pressure, higher than the main pressure, on the cleaning fluid likely to be present in the secondary tank in question;

[0025] - dispensing means designed to selectively dispense from one or the other of the first and second reservoirs a cleaning fluid and / or air for cleaning the surfaces.

[0026] However, there are situations where the dispensed air may be humid.

[0027] For this reason an object of the present invention is to provide a system of dis Fluid delivery system for cleaning vehicle sensors that dispenses both air and pressurized cleaning fluid, and in which the dispensed air is virtually dry. Summary of the invention

[0028] The present invention relates to a fluid distribution system for cleaning a sensor surface of a vehicle, the distribution system comprising:

[0029] - a main reservoir defining a main volume and intended to store a cleaning fluid;

[0030] - at least one intermediate reservoir having an intermediate volume smaller than the main volume;

[0031] - main filling means designed to allow the filling of the less an intermediate tank with cleaning fluid from the main tank;

[0032] - a pressurized air tank;

[0033] - compression means designed to raise the air pressure of the air in the pressurized air tank;

[0034] - connection means fluidly connecting the bottom of the air tank under pressure to the at least one intermediate tank, advantageously the top of the at least one intermediate tank, so that, when the air pressure is high, the air flowing from the pressurized air tank into the at least one intermediate tank, via said connecting means, pressurizes the cleaning fluid in the at least one intermediate tank.

[0035] According to one embodiment, said fluid distribution system further comprises:

[0036] - fluid dispensing means designed to dispense the cleaning fluid to from the bottom of at least one intermediate tank the cleaning fluid under pressure allowing the surfaces to be cleaned;

[0037] - air dispensing means adapted to dispense air from the reservoir pressurized air to clean surfaces.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the bottom of the pressurized air tank is above the top, along the vertical direction, of the at least one intermediate tank so that a fluid likely to be present in the pressurized air tank can flow, by gravity, through the connection means into the at least one intermediate tank.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the at least one intermediate reservoir comprises two reservoirs, respectively, said first reservoir and second reservoir.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the connecting means are designed so that air can flow, selectively, into one or the other of the first reservoir and the second reservoir.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the connection means comprise at least one valve, advantageously a multi-way valve.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the compression means comprise a high pressure pump or a compressor.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the air dispensing means comprise at least one conduit, said air conduit, and at least one nozzle, said air nozzle.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the air nozzle is equipped with a valve, said air valve.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the fluid dispensing means comprise at least at least one conduit, said fluid conduit, and at least one nozzle, said fluid nozzle.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the fluid nozzle is equipped with a valve, said fluid valve.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the connecting means comprise a non-return valve designed to prevent air from flowing from the at least one intermediate tank to the pressurized air tank.

[0048] The invention also relates to the use of the fluid distribution system according to the present invention for cleaning a sensor surface, the use comprising the following steps:

[0049] a) a step of raising the pressure of air included in the high-pressure tank;

[0050] b) a step of compressing cleaning fluid included in the at least one intermediate tank, said step being performed by the flow of compressed air from the pressurized air tank into the at least one intermediate tank;

[0051] c) a step of dispensing the cleaning fluid and / or compressed air for clean the sensor surface.

[0052] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with sensors and comprising a fluid distribution system according to the present invention for cleaning the surface of the sensors. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0053] Other characteristics and advantages will be better understood on reading the following description of the fluid distribution system according to the invention, provided by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0054] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of a distribution system fluidics according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates the fluid distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention and in which the reservoir is partially filled with the cleaning fluid, the fluid level being indicated with the arrow A;

[0056] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates the fluid distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention and in which the pressurized air tank is filled with air likely to contain moisture;

[0057] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates the fluid distribution system after execution of step a) of using said fluid distribution system;

[0058] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] illustrates the fluid distribution system after execution of step b) of using said fluid distribution system;

[0059] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic representation of a fluid distribution system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle equipped with sensors and comprising a fluid distribution system according to the present invention for cleaning the surface of the sensors. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be used, and that structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, features of the embodiments may be combined, interchanged, or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0062] As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration and does not limit the various variations and modifications which may be made to the illustrated embodiments and which remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0063] As used herein, the terms "top" and "bottom" are defined with respect to the vertical direction. It is therefore understood that the "top" and "bottom" of a component correspond to sections of said component in use and in the vertical direction.

[0064] The present invention relates to a fluid distribution system for cleaning the surface of sensors in a motor vehicle, and more particularly in an autonomous vehicle.

[0065] In this sense, the fluid distribution system according to the present invention is particularly suitable for removing dust and / or dirt which may be present on the surface of the sensor(s) of a vehicle.

[0066] These sensors may include, but are not limited to, a camera, a LIDAR, a RADAR, or any other type of sensor that may be implemented in a motor vehicle. In particular, the fluid distribution system according to the present invention may include nozzles configured to spray a cleaning fluid and / or pressurized air onto the surfaces of the sensors. In this sense, the nozzles are arranged in proximity to the surfaces and may be static or mobile.

[0067] Thus, the invention relates to a fluid distribution system intended for cleaning a sensor surface of a vehicle, the distribution system comprising:

[0068] - a main tank defining a main volume and intended to store a cleaning fluid;

[0069] - at least one intermediate reservoir having an intermediate volume smaller than the main volume;

[0070] - main filling means designed to allow the filling of the less an intermediate tank with cleaning fluid from the main tank;

[0071] - a pressurized air tank;

[0072] - compression means designed to raise the air pressure of the air in the pressurized air tank;

[0073] - connection means fluidly connecting the bottom of the air tank under pressure to the at least one intermediate tank such that, when the air pressure is high, air flowing from the pressurized air tank into the at least one intermediate tank, via said connecting means, pressurizes the cleaning fluid in the at least one intermediate tank;

[0074] - fluid dispensing means designed to dispense the cleaning fluid to from the bottom of at least one intermediate tank the cleaning fluid under pressure allowing the surfaces to be cleaned;

[0075] - air dispensing means adapted to dispense air from the reservoir pressurized air to dry surfaces.

[0076] [Fig.l] illustrates a fluid distribution system according to a first embodiment lization of the present invention.

[0077] In particular, the fluid distribution system 1 comprises a main reservoir 2 provided for storing a cleaning fluid, for example, at a pressure called main pressure. In particular, the main reservoir 2 has a volume, called main volume, of several liters, for example more than 3 liters, or even more than 4 liters. The main pressure may be less than 1.5 bar, and in particular equal to atmospheric pressure.

[0078] The fluid distribution system 1 also comprises at least one intermediate reservoir. In this first embodiment, the at least one intermediate reservoir comprises only a single reservoir 3. It is however understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole consideration of a single reservoir 3. In particular, the description of the first embodiment gives the general principles of the invention so that those skilled in the art will be able to adapt them for a plurality of intermediate reservoirs, in particular 2 intermediate reservoirs 3 and 3' as presented in a second embodiment.

[0079] The intermediate tank 3, in use, can be oriented relative to the vertical axis z. In particular, the intermediate tank 3 comprises, along the vertical axis z, a bottom section 3a (said "bottom") and a top section 3b (said "top"). In other words, the top 3b is directly above the bottom 3a.

[0080] The reservoir 3 delimits a volume which is smaller than the main volume, advantageously which is less than one third of the main volume, even more advantageously, less than one fifth of the main volume. For example, the volume of the reservoir 3 is less than 700 mL, advantageously less than 500 mL.

[0081] The fluid distribution system 1 according to the present invention also comprises main filling means designed to allow the filling of the reservoir 3 with a cleaning fluid coming from the main reservoir 2.

[0082] In particular, the main filling means may comprise conduits fluidly connecting the main reservoir 2 to the reservoir 3. Thus, the filling means may comprise a conduit 5 fluidly connecting the main reservoir 2 to the reservoir 3.

[0083] The main filling means may also comprise a pump, called a filling pump 7, interposed between the main reservoir 2 and the conduit 5. The filling pump 7 may in particular comprise a pump (a low pressure pump or a high pressure pump). For example, the filling pump 7 may be designed to take cleaning fluid from the main reservoir 2 and inject it into the conduit 5 at a pressure of less than 1.5 bar.

[0084] The main filling means may further comprise a main conduit 8 fluidly connecting an outlet, called main outlet Sp, of the main tank 2 to conduit 5. In this regard, the filling pump 7 can be connected (arranged) on the main conduit 8.

[0085] In particular, and as illustrated in [Fig.l], the main filling means may comprise a valve 9 arranged on the conduit 5.

[0086] The valve 9 may comprise a solenoid valve, and more particularly a solenoid valve provided with a non-return valve.

[0087] The fluid distribution system also comprises a pressurized air tank 10. Advantageously, the pressurized air tank 10 may be arranged above the tank 3 along the vertical direction z. The pressurized air tank 10 comprises a bottom section 10a (said "bottom") and a top section 10b (said "top"). In addition, the pressurized air tank 10 may be arranged so that the bottom 10a is above the top 3b. According to the present invention, another configuration may be envisaged. In particular, the general principle of the present invention does not impose a specific positioning of the pressurized air tank relative to the tank 3. In particular, by way of non-limiting example, the tank 3 and the pressurized air tank 10 may be positioned next to each other. In addition, the tank 3 and the pressurized air tank 10 can be integral with each other.In particular, the tank 3 and the pressurized air tank 10 may form a single part.

[0088] The fluid distribution means 1 further comprise compression means designed to raise the air pressure of the air in the pressurized air tank 10 in the pressure range of 4 bar to 10 bar and in particular around 8 bar. In this regard, the compression means may comprise a high pressure pump 11 (or a compressor).

[0089] The compression means may comprise a conduit 12 fluidly connecting the high pressure pump 11 to the pressurized air tank 10.

[0090] The fluid distribution system 1 also comprises connection means 20, typically a conduit, fluidly connecting the bottom 10a to the reservoir 3 so that, when the air pressure is high, the air flowing from the pressurized air reservoir 10 into the reservoir 3, via said connection means, pressurizes the cleaning fluid in said reservoir 3. The connection means may comprise a non-return valve 21 designed to prevent air from flowing from the at least one intermediate reservoir to the pressurized air reservoir. In a very advantageous embodiment, the connection means 20 may connect the bottom 10a to the top 3b of the reservoir 3.

[0091] The fluid distribution system 1 may further comprise fluid dispensing means designed to dispense (or spray) the cleaning fluid, from the bottom 3a of the reservoir 3, the cleaning fluid, in particular under pressure, to clean the sensor surfaces.

[0092] In this regard, the fluid dispensing means comprise at least one conduit, said fluid conduit 13, and at least one nozzle, said fluid nozzle 14A, 14B.

[0093] The fluid dispensing means may further comprise fluid valves 15A, 15B, each fluid valve 15A and 15B being dedicated to a specific fluid nozzle 14A and 14B. The fluid conduits 13 may further comprise a non-return valve 16 designed to prevent backflow of the cleaning fluid into the reservoir 3.

[0094] The fluid distribution system 1 may further comprise air dispensing means designed to dispense (or spray) air from the pressurized air tank to dry the surfaces of the sensors.

[0095] In this regard, the air dispensing means comprise at least one duct, said air duct 17, and at least one nozzle, said air nozzle 18A, 18B.

[0096] The air dispensing means may further comprise air valves 19A, 19B, each air valve 19A and 19B being dedicated to a specific air nozzle 18A and 18B. The air duct 17 may further comprise a non-return valve 24 designed to prevent backflow of air into the pressurized air tank 10.

[0097] The invention also relates to the use of the fluid distribution system according to the present invention.

[0098] In particular, the use of the fluid distribution system comprises the following steps:

[0099] a) a step of raising the pressure of air included in the high-pressure tank;

[0100] b) a step of compressing cleaning fluid included in the at least one intermediate tank, said step being performed by the flow of compressed air from the pressurized air tank into the at least one intermediate tank;

[0101] c) a step of dispensing the cleaning fluid and / or compressed air to clean the sensor surface.

[0102] [Fig.2] illustrates the fluid distribution system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and in which the reservoir 3 is partially filled with the cleaning fluid, the fluid level being indicated with the arrow A.

[0103] [Fig. 3] illustrates the fluid distribution system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and in which the pressurized air tank 10 is filled with air likely to contain moisture.

[0104] [Fig.4] illustrates the fluid distribution system 1 according to the first embodiment and in which the air filling the pressurized air tank 10 is pressurized by the compressor (step a)). The air pressure in the air tank under pressure may be in the pressure range of 4 bar to 10 bar so that the moisture contained in said air condenses (reference CW) and falls, by gravity, into the bottom section 10a. The condensed water then flows, substantially by overpressure, through the connecting means into the tank 3. In other words, the overpressure is the main driver for the transfer of the condensed water to the tank 3.

[0105] The pressurized air also flows from the pressurized air tank into the tank 3, via said connecting means, and pressurizes the cleaning fluid in said tank 3 (step b), [Fig.5]). The air flow stops when an air pressure equilibrium is reached in both the pressurized air tank and the tank 3. The pressurized air after performing step b) is practically dry.

[0106] After performing step b), the fluid distribution system is in conditions allowing either cleaning fluid to be sprayed with the fluid nozzles or pressurized dry air with the air nozzles.

[0107] [Fig.6] represents the fluid distribution system 1 according to a second embodiment. This second embodiment incorporates substantially all of the characteristics of the first embodiment.

[0108] In particular, this second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it comprises a second intermediate reservoir, said reservoir 3' (in addition to the reservoir 3). In particular, said reservoir 3' is fluidically connected, from its top 3b' to the bottom 10a of the pressurized air reservoir 10 via the connection means. The connection means may comprise a non-return valve 21' to prevent any backflow of air from the reservoir 3' to the pressurized air reservoir 10.

[0109] The fluid dispensing means may also be designed to dispense the cleaning fluid from the bottom 3a' of the reservoir 3', the cleaning fluid, in particular under pressure, making it possible to clean the surfaces of the sensors.

[0110] In this regard, the fluid dispensing means comprise at least one conduit, said fluid conduit 13' (in addition to conduit 13), connecting the bottom 3a' to the fluid nozzle 14A, 14B associated with the fluid valves 15A, 15B. A non-return valve 16' may also be arranged to prevent backflow of the cleaning fluid into the reservoir 3'.

[0111] Finally, the connection means comprise at least one valve 22, advantageously a multi-way valve 22. In particular, the at least one valve 22 is designed to fluidically connect selectively one and / or the other of the reservoir 3 and the reservoir 3' with the pressurized air reservoir 10. This arrangement thus makes it possible to selectively compress, with the pressurized air, the cleaning fluid contained in either tank 3 or tank 3'.

[0112] The main advantage of implementing the two reservoirs 3 and 3' is to make it possible to spray the cleaning fluid in a continuous manner as described in document [3].

[0113] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle 100 ([Fig.7]) equipped with sensors and comprising a fluid distribution system according to the present invention for cleaning the surface of the sensors.

[0114] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and alternative embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. REFERENCES

[0115] [1] US10723325B2;

[0116] [2] DE10 2019 125 970 Al;

[0117] [3] EP 4 194 283 AL

Claims

Claims

1. A fluid distribution system (1) for cleaning a sensor surface of a vehicle, the distribution system comprising: - a main reservoir (2) defining a main volume and provided for storing a cleaning fluid; - at least one intermediate reservoir (3, 3') having an intermediate volume smaller than the main volume; - main filling means adapted to allow filling of the at least one intermediate reservoir (3, 3') with cleaning fluid from the main reservoir (2); - a pressurized air reservoir (10); - compression means adapted to raise the air pressure of the air in the pressurized air reservoir (10);- connection means fluidically connecting the bottom of the pressurized air tank (10) to the at least one intermediate tank (3, 3'), advantageously the top of the at least one intermediate tank (3, 3'), so that, when the air pressure is high, the air flowing from the pressurized air tank (10) into the at least one intermediate tank (3, 3'), via said connection means, pressurizes the cleaning fluid in the at least one intermediate tank (3, 3').;

2. A fluid distribution system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said fluid distribution system (1) further comprises: - fluid dispensing means adapted to dispense the cleaning fluid from the bottom (3a, 3a') of the at least one intermediate reservoir (3, 3') the cleaning fluid under pressure for cleaning the surfaces; - air dispensing means adapted to dispense air from the pressurized air reservoir (10) for cleaning the surfaces.

3. A fluid distribution system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottom of the pressurized air tank (10) is above the top (3b, 3b'), along the vertical direction, of the at least one intermediate tank (3, 3') so that a fluid likely to be present in the pressurized air tank (10) can flow, by gravity, through the connecting means into the at least one intermediate tank (3, 3').

4. A fluid distribution system (1) according to any one of the claims- indications 1 to 3, wherein the at least one intermediate reservoir (3, 3') comprises two reservoirs, respectively, said first reservoir (3) and second reservoir (3').

5. A fluid distribution system (1) according to claim 4, wherein the connecting means are designed so that air can flow, selectively, into one and / or the other of the first reservoir (3) and the second reservoir (3').

6. Fluid distribution system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the connection means comprise at least one valve, advantageously a multi-way valve (22).

7. A fluid distribution system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the compression means comprises a high pressure pump (11) or a compressor.

8. A fluid distribution system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in combination with claim 2, wherein the air dispensing means comprise at least one conduit, said air conduit (17), and at least one nozzle, said air nozzle (18A, 18B).

9. A fluid distribution system (1) according to claim 8, wherein the air nozzle (18A, 18B) is equipped with a valve, said air valve (19A, 19B).

10. A fluid dispensing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in combination with claim 2, wherein the fluid dispensing means comprise at least one conduit, said fluid conduit (13), and at least one nozzle, said fluid nozzle (14A, 14B).

11. A fluid distribution system (1) according to claim 10, wherein the fluid nozzle is equipped with a valve, said fluid valve (15A, 15B).

12. A fluid distribution system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the connecting means comprises a non-return valve (21) adapted to prevent air from flowing from the at least one intermediate reservoir (3, 3') to the pressurized air reservoir (10).

13. Use of the fluid distribution system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for cleaning a sensor surface, the use comprising the following steps: a) a step of raising the pressure of air included in the high-pressure reservoir; b) a step of compressing cleaning fluid included in the at least one intermediate tank (3, 3'), said step being performed by the flow of compressed air from the pressurized air tank (10) into the at least one intermediate tank (3, 3'); c) a step of dispensing the cleaning fluid and / or compressed air to clean the sensor surface.

14. Motor vehicle equipped with sensors and comprising a fluid distribution system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for cleaning the surface of the sensors.

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