Method for cleaning insect strike from glass surface of vehicle

Abstract

To provide a method for cleaning a glass surface of a vehicle that is automatically and autonomously executed and does not require a human intervention.SOLUTION: There is provided a cleaning method for cleaning a glass surface 20 of a vehicle, said vehicle comprising a cleaning device 21 comprising a wiping system 210 with at least one spray device for spraying a liquid Lq, characterized in that said cleaning method involves the steps of: verifying E1 a first condition C1 that the current season sc is spring or summer; verifying E2 a second condition C2 which is the probability pb of there being insect strike is on said glass surface; verifying E3 a third condition C3 that said vehicle is stopped; if all of the conditions C are satisfied, then activating E4 the cleaning device to begin a cleaning cycle Cy; and executing E5 the cleaning cycle using said cleaning device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for cleaning the glass surfaces of a vehicle, and in particular, but not exclusively, to an automotive vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A method for cleaning the glass surfaces of a vehicle, said vehicle being equipped with a cleaning device, comprising a wiper system with at least one device for spraying a liquid, is known to the person skilled in the art, in order to clean and remove insect bites from the glass surface of the vehicle's windshield.

[0003] One drawback of the current prior art is that the cleaning method involves human intervention, as it is the user who manually (remotely or otherwise) initiates the cleaning method when required.

[0004] The present invention seeks to provide a method for cleaning vehicle glass surfaces that is performed automatically and autonomously and no longer requires human intervention. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To this end, the present invention provides A cleaning method for cleaning a glass surface of a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a cleaning device including a wiper system having at least one spray device for spraying a liquid, The cleaning method comprises: - verifying a first condition that the current season is spring or summer; - verifying a second condition, which is the possibility of the presence of insect bites on the glass surface; - verifying a third condition that the vehicle is stationary; - if all said conditions are met, turning on said cleaning device to start a cleaning cycle; - performing the cleaning cycle using the cleaning device; The present invention proposes a cleaning method characterized by comprising:

[0006] By testing various conditions that can detect the presence of insect strikes on the glass surface, the method for cleaning the glass surface of a vehicle according to the present invention allows cleaning of the glass surface of a vehicle to be automatically initiated when necessary, i.e., when insect strikes are present on the glass surface and when the glass surface is dirty. Furthermore, because the cleaning is automatic, the glass surface can be cleaned at a sufficiently early stage before the insect strikes impair the driver's visibility. This allows optimal use of cleaning fluid without consuming more than necessary.

[0007] According to non-limiting embodiments, the method for cleaning the glass surfaces of a vehicle may also comprise one or more additional characteristics, adopted alone or in all technically possible combinations, of the following:

[0008] In one non-limiting embodiment, the step of verifying the current season is performed using the current date and the hemisphere in which the vehicle is located.

[0009] In one non-limiting embodiment, the step of verifying the possible presence of insect strikes on the glass surface is based on the speed of the vehicle exceeding a primary threshold.

[0010] In one non-limiting embodiment, the primary threshold is equal to 70 km / h.

[0011] In one non-limiting embodiment, the step of verifying the possible presence of insect strikes on the glass surface is based on geolocation information that the vehicle is outside of an urban area.

[0012] In one non-limiting embodiment, the cleaning method further comprises the additional step of verifying a fourth condition: that the glass surface is sufficiently soiled by insect bites to impair the visibility of the driver of the vehicle.

[0013] In one non-limiting embodiment, the step of verifying that the glass surface is soiled by insect bites comprises: - the vehicle's travel time exceeds a secondary threshold; or - the number of insect bites exceeds the tertiary threshold; Based on.

[0014] In one non-limiting embodiment, the secondary threshold is equal to 3 hours.

[0015] In one non-limiting embodiment, the cleaning method further comprises the additional step of verifying a fifth condition: that the vehicle is outdoors.

[0016] In one non-limiting embodiment, the tertiary threshold is equal to 15.

[0017] In one non-limiting embodiment, the liquid is an insect repellent liquid.

[0018] In one non-limiting embodiment, the liquid is a glass cleaning fluid or water.

[0019] In one non-limiting embodiment, the liquid is a heated glass cleaning fluid or heated water.

[0020] In one non-limiting embodiment, verifying that the vehicle is outdoors includes: -Information about the fuel filler flap being open; -Information about no one in the driver's seat and Based on.

[0021] In one non-limiting embodiment, the step of verifying that the vehicle is outdoors is performed using a rain and brightness sensor.

[0022] In one non-limiting embodiment, the step of verifying that the vehicle is outdoors is performed using a geolocation device.

[0023] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic control unit comprises: - cooperates with an internal clock to receive information about the current date, and interacting with a geolocation device to receive information regarding the hemisphere in which the vehicle is located; It is configured as follows.

[0024] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic control unit comprises: - interacting with a speedometer to receive information about the speed of the vehicle, or - interacting with a dent measurement device to receive information about the number of insect dents on the glass surface, or - interacting with a geolocation device to receive information indicating whether the vehicle is outside of a city area; It is configured as follows.

[0025] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic control unit comprises: - cooperate with a travel time meter to receive information about the travel time of said vehicle, or - cooperate with a dent measurement device to receive information about the number of insect dents on the glass surface; It is configured as follows.

[0026] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic control unit comprises: - cooperate with a fuel filler flap sensor to receive information indicating that the fuel filler flap is open; and - cooperates with the presence sensor to receive information about the absence of anyone in the driver's seat; It is configured as follows.

[0027] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic control unit comprises: - cooperate with the rain and brightness sensor to receive information about the brightness outside the vehicle; and - interacting with a geolocation device to receive information indicating whether geolocation is functioning; It is configured as follows.

[0028] Also proposed is a washing system for washing a glass surface of a vehicle, the washing system comprising a washing device with a wiper system having at least one spray device for spraying a liquid onto the glass surface of the vehicle, the washing device being configured to perform a washing cycle comprising spraying the liquid onto the glass surface using at least one spray device, The cleaning system further comprises an electronic control unit; The electronic control unit -Verify the first condition that the current season is spring or summer; - verifying a second condition, which is the possibility of the presence of insect marks on the glass surface; - verifying a third condition that the vehicle is stationary; a washing system configured to turn on said washing device to initiate a washing cycle if all said conditions are met.

[0029] The invention and its various applications will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method for cleaning a vehicle glass surface according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the cleaning method of FIG. 1 according to a non-limiting embodiment, the cleaning method including additional steps. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cleaning system configured to implement the cleaning method of FIGS. 1 and 2, according to a non-limiting embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cleaning device of the cleaning system of FIG. 3, according to a non-limiting embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Elements that are identical in structure or function and that appear in multiple figures will be given the same reference numerals unless otherwise specified.

[0032] A cleaning method 1 for cleaning a glass surface 20 of a vehicle 2 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 according to a non-limiting embodiment. In one non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle 2 is an automobile. By automobile is meant any type of electric vehicle. This embodiment will be regarded as a non-limiting example in the following description. Therefore, in the following description, the vehicle 2 will also be referred to as automobile 2. In one non-limiting embodiment, the glass surface 20 is the glass surface of the windshield of the vehicle 2.

[0033] Vehicle 2 is shown in FIG.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the automobile 2 is provided with a washing device 21 configured to wash a glass surface 20 of the automobile 2 .

[0035] In a non-limiting embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the automobile 2 further comprises one or more of the following elements: - Internal clock 22. -Geolocation device 23. -Insect impact measurement device 24. -25 running hours meter -Accelerometer 26. - at least one presence sensor 27 arranged in the driver's seat 29 of the motor vehicle 2; Rain and brightness sensor 28. This sensor may be split into two sensors, one for rain and one for brightness. -Speedometer 30. -Fuel filler flap sensor 31. -Stop sensor 32.

[0036] For ease of viewing, elements 22, 23, 25, 30 and 32 have been combined together in FIG. 3, and elements 24, 26 and 28 have been combined together in FIG.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning device 21 includes: a wiper system 210; a drive motor 212; -Duct system 213 and a tank 214 for storing the cleaning liquid Lq; at least one pump 215; It is equipped with:

[0038] The cleaning liquid Lq is separately referred to as liquid Lq.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the wiper system 210 includes: at least one spray device 2100 having at least one orifice 2100a through which a liquid Lq can be sprayed onto the glass surface 20; - at least one wiper blade 2101 (also called wiper); - at least one drive arm 2102 (also called arm) connected to at least one said wiper blade 2101 via a connecting device (not shown); It is equipped with:

[0040] In one non-limiting embodiment shown, the wiper system 210 comprises a drive arm 2102 connected to at least one wiper blade 2101. The drive arm 2102 moves angularly back and forth across the windshield 20 between a low position PB and a high position PH. The drive arm 2102 is configured in particular as a rod extending along a longitudinal axis, one end of which is connected to the wiper blade 2101 by a connecting device (not shown) and the other end of which is connected to a means for driving the wiper blade 2101, for example a drive motor 212.

[0041] In a non-limiting embodiment, the at least one spray device 2100 is arranged on the wiper blade 2101, on the drive arm 2102, on the arm / blade connection device, or on the hood of the automobile 2. These various embodiments can also be combined. In one non-limiting embodiment, the spray device 2100 comprises a plurality of orifices 2100a. Thus, in a non-limiting embodiment, the orifices 2100a are located on the wiper blade 2101, on the drive arm 2102, on the arm / blade connection device, or on the hood of the automobile 2. The orifices 2100a can be positioned to spray the liquid Lq towards the top of the wiper blade 2101, i.e., towards the top of the windshield 20, or can be positioned to spray the liquid Lq towards the bottom of the wiper blade 2101, i.e., towards the bottom of the windshield 20.

[0042] In a non-limiting embodiment, each wiper blade 2101 has at least one hydraulic line set (also referred to as a line set) having an orifice 2100a. Through the orifice 2100a, the liquid Lq can be sprayed / distributed onto the glass surface 20. Thus, the hydraulic line set forms a spraying device 2100. In a variation of the non-limiting embodiment, each wiper blade 2101 has two line sets. One line set has an orifice 2100a configured to spray the liquid Lq toward the top of the glass surface 20, and the other line set has an orifice 2100a configured to spray the liquid Lq toward the bottom of the glass surface 20. These line sets can spray the liquid Lq simultaneously or alternately depending on the direction of travel of the wiper blade 2101. The liquid Lq is supplied to each line set of the wiper blade 2101 by a duct system 213.

[0043] The drive motor 212 is configured to drive one or more wiper blades 2101 via a drive arm 2102 between their respective low and high positions PB and PH.

[0044] A duct system 213 connects a storage tank 214 to the orifice 2100 a of at least one of said spray devices 2100 .

[0045] In a first non-limiting embodiment, the tank 214 is a glass cleaning fluid tank. In a second non-limiting embodiment, the tank 214 is a tank separate from the glass cleaning fluid tank, with each tank associated with a different pump. In a third non-limiting embodiment, the tank 214 can be partitioned and include two storage compartments, one for liquid Lq and the other for glass cleaning fluid. Each compartment is associated with a different pump.

[0046] At least one of the pumps 215 is associated with a tank 214 containing the liquid Lq and is configured to flow the liquid Lq through the duct system 213 until the liquid Lq is discharged onto the glass surface 20 by the orifice 2100a of the at least one of the spray devices 2100, i.e., in a non-limiting example considered, onto the glass surface 20 of the windshield.

[0047] 1 and 2 according to a non-limiting embodiment, a cleaning method 1 for applying a liquid Lq to a glass surface 20 of a vehicle 2 will be described below. The cleaning method 1 is performed by a cleaning system Sys including the above-described cleaning device 21 and an electronic control unit ECU.

[0048] The electronic control unit ECU is configured to verify the following condition C: -The current season is spring or summer. - Possible presence of insect bite marks on the glass surface 20 pb. - Whether the vehicle 2 is stopped.

[0049] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic control unit ECU is further configured to verify the following additional condition C: - Whether the glass surface 20 is soiled by insect bites.

[0050] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic control unit ECU is further configured to verify the following additional condition C: - Whether car 2 is outdoors and not in an underground parking lot or garage.

[0051] Thus, in step E1 shown in F1(ECU, C1(sc)) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the electronic control unit ECU verifies the primary condition that the current season sc is spring or summer.

[0052] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic control unit ECU verifies the current season by the current date dt and the hemisphere hs in which the vehicle 2 is located. In one non-limiting embodiment, the current date information is provided to the electronic control unit ECU by the internal clock 22 of the vehicle 2. In one non-limiting embodiment, the hemisphere (north or south) information is provided to the electronic control unit ECU by the geolocation device 23. Using these two pieces of information, it is possible to identify whether the current season is spring or summer. In these two seasons, there are a large number of insects, and there is a high possibility that there will be insect bites on the windshield surface 20 and that the surface will be dirty, which may impair the driver's visibility.

[0053] In step E2, shown as F2(ECU, C2(pb, is)) in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the electronic control unit ECU verifies a secondary condition, which is the possibility pb of the presence of an insect bite is on the glass surface 20.

[0054] In a first non-limiting embodiment, the verification of the possibility pb is based on the speed vt of the vehicle 2 exceeding a primary threshold. In one non-limiting embodiment, the primary threshold is equal to 70 km / h (kilometers per hour). If the vehicle 2 is traveling at a speed higher than 70 km / h, this means that the vehicle 2 is on a relatively high-speed route. Above this speed vt, insects are likely to hit the windshield and be crushed. Speed ​​information is provided to the electronic control unit ECU by the speedometer 30 of the vehicle 2. At high speeds, there is a high probability that insects will hit the glass surface 20 and be crushed, which may result in insect marks is staining said surface and impairing the driver's visibility.

[0055] In a second non-limiting embodiment, the verification of the possibility pb is based on the geolocation information gl of the vehicle being outside an urban area. The geolocation information gl is provided to the electronic control unit ECU by a geolocation device 23. Outside urban areas, for example in rural areas, there are more insects than in urban areas, so there is a higher probability that insect strikes is will be present on the windshield 20, which may soil the surface and impair the driver's visibility.

[0056] In step E3, shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 at F3(ECU, C3(2)), the electronic control unit ECU verifies a third condition C3 that the vehicle 2 is stationary.

[0057] Therefore, in order to start the washing cycle Cy, the car 2 must be stationary, because if this were not the case and the cycle were to be started while the car 2 was moving, it would be a surprise and disadvantageous for the driver of said car 2, and could pose a risk to the safety of all occupants of the car 2.

[0058] It should be noted that steps E1 to E3 may be performed simultaneously, sequentially in any order, or some may be performed simultaneously and others may be performed sequentially in any order.

[0059] In one non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 2, cleaning method 1 further comprises an additional step E3′, shown as F3′(ECU, C4(is, 20)), in which the electronic control unit ECU verifies a fourth condition C4 that the glass surface 20 is so dirty that the insect bites is cause difficulty in the driver's visibility.

[0060] In a first non-limiting embodiment, verification of soiling of the windshield 20 by insect bites is based on the travel time tr of the vehicle 2 exceeding a secondary threshold. In one non-limiting embodiment, the secondary threshold is substantially equal to three hours. This time period is estimated to represent the total time it takes for the windshield 20 to become soiled and cause visual difficulties for the driver. The travel time information tr is provided to the electronic control unit ECU by a travel time meter 25.

[0061] Thus, for example, if the vehicle has been traveling at a speed greater than 70 km / h for more than three hours, the insect bites (is) may cause difficulty in visibility. When this first embodiment is combined with the non-limiting first embodiment in step E2 (speed vt greater than 70 km / h) in one non-limiting embodiment, the three-hour traveling time tr may be a continuous or discontinuous journey. Thus, if the traveling time tr is a discontinuous journey, the traveling time counter 25 is configured to activate when the speed vt of the vehicle 2 first exceeds 70 km / h and not reset when the speed drops below this level. The traveling time counter 25 continues incrementing when the speed vt returns to being greater than 70 km / h.

[0062] In a second non-limiting embodiment, verification of the contamination of the glass surface 20 by insect hits is based on the number of insect hits is on the glass surface 20 exceeding a tertiary threshold. In a first non-limiting embodiment, the tertiary threshold is equal to 15, so that when there are more than 15 insect hits, the contamination on the glass surface begins to cause difficulties for the driver's visibility. Information about the number nb of insect hits is provided to the electronic control unit ECU by the insect hit measurement device 24. In one non-limiting embodiment, the insect hit measurement device 24 is an accelerometer bonded to the glass surface 20, or to the wiper blade 2101 or the drive arm 2102.

[0063] In one non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning method 1 further comprises an additional step E3″ in which the electronic control unit ECU, shown as F3″(ECU, C5(2)), verifies a fifth condition C5 that the vehicle 2 is outdoors.

[0064] This fifth condition C5 prevents the start of the wash cycle Cy when the car 2 is in a garage or underground parking lot, thereby preventing the liquid Lq from spreading and soiling the floor of the garage or underground parking lot.

[0065] In a first non-limiting embodiment, the information about the car 2 being outdoors is -Information about the fuel filler flap being open; -Information about no one in the driver's seat 29, Based on. If these two conditions are met, it means that car 2 is stopped and outside, because someone is in the process of refueling said car 2.

[0066] Information tp about the fuel filler flap being open is provided to the electronic control unit ECU by a fuel filler flap sensor 31. Information about the absence of anybody o in the driver's seat 29 is provided to the electronic control unit ECU by a presence sensor 27. The latter sensor makes it possible to detect whether anybody o is seated in the driver's seat 29 and therefore whether the driver's seat 29 is occupied.

[0067] In a second non-limiting embodiment, information regarding the vehicle 2 being outdoors is provided to the electronic control unit ECU from the rain and brightness sensor 28 in the form of brightness information lx, combined with information for determining whether the geolocation information gl of the vehicle 2 is functional. Brightness lx is also known as illuminance or brightness.

[0068] It should be noted that this rain and brightness sensor 28 is typically present in the vehicle 2. In a non-limiting example, the rain and brightness sensor 28 may be used to perform functions such as automatically activating the lights when it gets dark or when the vehicle 2 enters a tunnel, and automatically activating the windshield wipers when it rains.

[0069] If the luminance lx is equal to or greater than the luminance threshold, this means that the car 2 is outdoors and it is not nighttime, or it is in a lit underground parking lot or a lit garage. If the luminance lx is less than the luminance threshold, this means that the car 2 is outdoors and it is nighttime, or it is in an unlit underground parking lot or an unlit garage. In a non-limiting example, the luminance threshold is in the range of 5 lux to 120,000 lux. In a non-limiting example, the illumination of a parking lot is in the range of 5 lux to 20 lux. In a non-limiting example, the illumination of cloudy or stormy weather to completely cloudy weather is in the range of 5 lux to 40 lux. In a non-limiting example, the illumination of cloudy weather is in the range of 200 lux to 20,000 lux. In one non-limiting example, the brightness at sunset or sunrise is substantially equal to 400 lux. In one non-limiting example, the brightness on a clear day is in the range of 10,000 to 25,000 lux. In one non-limiting example, the brightness of direct sunlight when the sun is at its zenith is substantially equal to 120,000 lux.

[0070] Therefore, in a non-limiting variant of the first embodiment, to reliably verify that the car 2 is in a garage or underground car park, the rain and brightness sensor 28 is used in combination with a geolocation device 23 that provides geolocation information for the car 2.

[0071] If the luminance lx is greater than or equal to the luminance threshold and the geolocation information gl of the car 2 from the geolocation device 23 is functional, this means that the car 2 is outdoors, that the car 2 is not in a lighted underground car park or garage, and therefore the wash cycle Cy can be started.

[0072] If the luminance lx is equal to or greater than the luminance threshold and the geolocation information gl of the car 2 from the geolocation device 23 is not working, this means that the car 2 is not outdoors but in a lit underground car park or garage, and therefore the wash cycle Cy is not started.

[0073] If the luminance lx is below the luminance threshold and the geolocation information gl of the car 2 from the geolocation device 23 is functional, this means that the car 2 is outdoors and it is nighttime. The car 2 is not in a lighted underground car park or garage. Therefore, a wash cycle Cy can be started.

[0074] If the luminance lx is below the luminance threshold and the geolocation information gl of the car 2 from the geolocation device 23 is not working, this means that the car 2 is not outdoors but in a lit underground car park or garage, and therefore the wash cycle Cy is not started.

[0075] In step E4 shown in F4 (ECU, 21, C, Cy) in Figure 1 or 2, if all conditions C are met, the electronic control unit ECU turns on the washing device 21 to start a washing cycle Cy. Turning on means that the electronic control unit ECU sends a command to the washing device 21 to operate the pump 215 and the drive motor 212.

[0076] Therefore, in order to start the wash cycle Cy, the following is required: -The current season is spring or summer, and -The possible presence of insect bite marks on the glass surface, and -Car 2 is parked.

[0077] Similarly, in an example where the fourth condition C4 is also satisfied, the following is required: - The glass surface 20 is so dirty that the driver's visibility is impaired due to insect bites,

[0078] Similarly, in an example where the fifth condition C5 is also satisfied, the following is required: -The current season is spring or summer, and -The possible presence of insect bite marks on the glass surface, and - The glass surface 20 is so dirty that the driver's visibility is impaired by insect bites, and - Car 2 is parked, and - Car 2 is outdoors.

[0079] Turning on the cleaning device 21 involves the following. - switching on the drive motor 212, which drives the wiper arm 2101 and one of the wiper systems 210; - turning on the pump 215. This pump 215 causes the liquid Lq to flow through the duct system 213 until it is discharged onto the glass surface 20 through the orifice(s) 2100a of the spray device(s) 2100;

[0080] Therefore, in step E5 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 as F5 (21 (210), Cy, Lq, 20), a cleaning cycle Cy is performed. The cleaning cycle Cy is performed by the cleaning device 21. The cleaning cycle Cy includes a step of spraying the liquid Lq onto the glass surface 20 using at least one of the spray devices 2100.

[0081] In one non-limiting embodiment, the liquid Lq is an insect repellent liquid.

[0082] In some non-limiting embodiments, the liquid Lq is glass cleaning fluid or water.

[0083] In some non-limiting embodiments, the liquid Lq is heated glass cleaning fluid or added water.

[0084] In this way, tests based on conditions C1 to C3 and possibly conditions C4 and / or C5 may initiate, i.e., carry out, cleaning of the glass surface 20 of the motor vehicle 2. This is carried out automatically and autonomously, without the need for personal intervention.

[0085] The cleaning method 1 is therefore implemented by a cleaning system Sys for cleaning a glass surface 20 of a vehicle 2. The cleaning system Sys is shown in FIG.

[0086] The cleaning system Sys said cleaning device 21 comprising a wiper system 210 with at least one spray device 2100; said electronic control unit ECU; Equipped with The cleaning device 21 is configured to perform a cleaning cycle Cy, The cleaning cycle Cy comprises a step of spraying the liquid Lq onto the glass surface 20 using at least one spray device 2100 (this function is illustrated as f5(21(210), Cy, Lq, 20)).

[0087] The functions of the electronic control unit ECU are shown in Fig. 3.

[0088] The electronic control unit ECU is - verify that the current season sc is spring or summer (this function is illustrated as f1(ECU, C1(sc))), - verifying a second condition C2, which is the probability pb of the presence of an insect mark is on the glass surface (this function is illustrated as f2(ECU, C2(pb, is)), - verifying a third condition C3 that the vehicle 2 is stationary (this function is illustrated as f3 (ECU, C3(2))), It is structured as follows.

[0089] For this purpose, in order to implement the function f1, the electronic control unit ECU: - cooperates with the internal clock 22 to receive information il about the current date dt (this function is illustrated as f10(ECU, 22, i1)); and - cooperate with a geolocation device 23 to receive information i2 about the hemisphere hs in which the vehicle is located (this function is illustrated as fl1(ECU, 23, i2)); It is structured as follows.

[0090] For this purpose, in order to implement the function f2, the electronic control unit ECU: - cooperates with the speedometer 30 to receive information i3 relating to the speed vt of the vehicle 2 (this function is illustrated as f12(ECU, 30, i3)), or - cooperate with the geolocation device 23 to receive information i4 indicating whether the vehicle 2 is outside a built-up area (this function is illustrated as f14(ECU, 23, i4)); It is structured as follows.

[0091] For this purpose, in order to implement the function f3, the electronic control unit ECU: - cooperate with at least one stop sensor 32 and receive information i5 relating to the stop of said vehicle 2 (this function is illustrated as f15(ECU, 32, i5)); It is structured as follows.

[0092] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic control unit ECU is further configured to verify a fourth condition C4 that the glass surface 20 is soiled by a collision dent is (this function is illustrated as f3′(ECU, C4(is, 20))). This function is optional and is therefore illustrated by a dotted line in FIG. 3.

[0093] For this purpose, in order to implement the function f3', the electronic control unit ECU: - cooperates with a travel time counter 25 to receive information i6 relating to the travel time tr of said vehicle 2 (this function is illustrated as fl6(ECU, 25, i6)), or - cooperates with the dent measurement device 21 to receive information i7 about the number nb of insect dents is on the glass surface 20 (this function is shown as f17(ECU, 21, i7)), It is structured as follows.

[0094] In one non-limiting embodiment, the electronic control unit ECU is further configured to verify a fifth condition C5 that the vehicle 2 is outdoors (this function is illustrated as f3″ECU, C5(2)). This function is optional and is therefore illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 3.

[0095] For this purpose, in order to implement the function f3″, the electronic control unit ECU: - cooperates with the fuel filler flap sensor 31 of the vehicle 2 to receive information i8 indicating that said fuel filler flap tp is open (this function is illustrated as f18(ECU, 31, i8)); and - cooperates with the presence sensor 27 to receive information i9 about the absence of anyone in the driver's seat 29 (this function is illustrated as f19(ECU, 27, i9)); It is structured as follows.

[0096] For this purpose, in order to implement the function f3″, in a non-limiting variant of the second embodiment, the electronic control unit ECU - cooperates with the rain and brightness sensor 28 to receive information i10 about the brightness lx outside the vehicle 2 (this function is illustrated as f20(ECU, 28, i10)); and - cooperate with the geolocation device 23 to receive information i11 indicating whether the geolocation gl is functioning (this function is illustrated as f21(ECU, 23, i11)); It is structured as follows.

[0097] Finally, if all conditions C1 to C3, and possibly C4 and / or C5, are fulfilled, the electronic control unit ECU is configured to switch on said washing device 21 and start a washing cycle Cy (this function is illustrated as f4(ECU, 21, C, Cy)).

[0098] When thus turned on, the cleaning device 21 executes the cleaning cycle Cy (function f5 described above).

[0099] It should be noted that the information i1 to i11 is transmitted via a vehicle network, which in a non-limiting example is a CAN or LIN network.

[0100] It should be noted that the cleaning system Sys may comprise one or more computer program products Pg comprising one or more instruction sequences executable by said electronic control unit ECU, the execution of which may result in the implementation of steps E1, E2, E3 and E4, and possibly E3' and E3" of the above cleaning method 1.

[0101] Such a computer program Pg may be written in a ROM-type writable nonvolatile memory, or in an EEPROM or flash-type rewritable nonvolatile memory. The computer program Pg may be written or loaded into memory at the factory, or may be downloaded to memory remotely. The instruction sequences may be sequences of machine code or sequences of a control language that are interpreted by the electronic control unit at execution time. In the non-limiting example of Figure 3, the computer program Pg is written in the memory 34 of the cleaning system Sys.

[0102] The washing system Sys therefore comprises at least one memory 34 coupled to said electronic control unit ECU. The memory 34 is a computer-readable permanent storage medium containing instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out steps E1, E2, E3 and E4, and possibly E3′ and E3″, of said washing method 1.

[0103] Of course, the description of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the above-described field. Therefore, in another non-limiting embodiment, the cleaning method 1 may also be applied to the side glass surface 20 of a side window of the vehicle 2. Therefore, in another non-limiting embodiment, the cleaning method 1 may also be applied to the glass surface 20 of a rear window of the vehicle 2. Therefore, when verifying the fifth condition C5, in a variation of the non-limiting third embodiment, the detection of the luminance lx may be combined with the determination of two time periods, day and night (depending on the season). If the luminance lx is less than the luminance threshold and the current time is within the daytime time period, this means that although it is daytime, the vehicle 2 may be in an unlit underground parking lot or an unlit garage. Therefore, the cleaning cycle Cy is not started. If the luminance lx is less than the luminance threshold and the current time is within the nighttime time period, this means that although it is nighttime, the vehicle 2 may be in an unlit underground parking lot or an unlit garage. Therefore, the cleaning cycle Cy is not started. To determine the start of the wash cycle Cy, a variation of this non-limiting third embodiment can utilize a test relating to the functioning of the geolocation information gl in combination.

[0104] Therefore, the above-described invention has the following advantages in particular: The invention makes it possible to verify the conditions for automatically turning on the cleaning device 21 without manual intervention by an individual. By starting the automatic cleaning of the glass surface 20, the consumption of the liquid Lq used for cleaning is optimized. In particular, the cleaning is carried out at the right time, without waiting several days before cleaning the insect marks is. If the cleaning is delayed for too long, the consumption of the liquid Lq would be too high and a large storage tank 214 would have to be assumed. Therefore, the automation of the cleaning reduces the size and weight of the storage tank 214 in the vehicle 2. The invention is simple to implement.

Claims

1. A cleaning method (1) for cleaning a glass surface (20) of a vehicle (2), the vehicle (2) comprising a cleaning device (21) equipped with a wiper system (210) having at least one spray device (2100) for spraying a liquid (Lq), The cleaning method (1) comprises: a step (E1) of verifying a first condition (C1) that the current season (sc) is spring or summer; - a step (E2) of verifying a second condition (C2), which is the possibility (pb) of the presence of an insect bite (is) on said glass surface (20); - a step (E3) of verifying a third condition (C3) that said vehicle (2) is stationary; - if all said conditions (C) are fulfilled, a step (E4) of switching on said cleaning device (21) so as to start a cleaning cycle (Cy); - a step (E5) of carrying out said cleaning cycle (Cy) using said cleaning device (21); A cleaning method (1) comprising:

2. said step of verifying the current season (sc) is carried out using the current date (dt) and the hemisphere (hs) in which the vehicle (2) is located; 2. The cleaning method (1) according to claim 1.

3. the step of verifying the possibility (pb) of the presence of an insect bite (is) on the glass surface (20) is based on the speed (vt) of the vehicle (2) exceeding a primary threshold value; 3. A cleaning method (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The primary threshold is equal to 70 km / h.

4. The cleaning method (1) according to claim 3.

5. said step (E2) of verifying the possibility (pb) of the presence of an insect bite (is) on said glass surface (20) is based on geolocation information (gl) that said vehicle (2) is outside a city area; 3. A cleaning method (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The cleaning method (1) further comprises an additional step (E3') of verifying a fourth condition (C4) that the glass surface (20) is so soiled with insect bites (is) that the driver's visibility of the vehicle (2) is impaired, 3. A cleaning method (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The step (E3') of verifying that the glass surface (20) is soiled by insect bites (is) comprises: - the travel time (tr) of the vehicle (2) exceeds a secondary threshold, or - the number of insect bites (is) exceeds the tertiary threshold; Based on 7. The cleaning method (1) according to claim 6.

8. The secondary threshold is equal to 3 hours.

8. The cleaning method (1) according to claim 7.

9. The cleaning method (1) further comprises an additional step (E3″) of verifying a fifth condition (C5) that the vehicle (2) is outdoors, 3. A cleaning method (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

10. A cleaning system (Sys) for cleaning a glass surface (20) of a vehicle (2), comprising a cleaning device (21) equipped with a wiper system (210) having at least one spray device (2100) for spraying a liquid (Lq) onto the glass surface (20) of the vehicle (2), the cleaning device (21) being configured to perform a cleaning cycle (Cy) comprising a step of spraying the liquid (Lq) onto the glass surface (20) using the at least one spray device (2100), The cleaning system (Sys) further comprises an electronic control unit (ECU), The electronic control unit (ECU) - verifying a first condition (C1) that the current season (sc) is spring or summer, - verifying a second condition (C2), which is the possibility (pb) of the presence of an insect bite (is) on said glass surface (20); - verifying a third condition (C3) that said vehicle (2) is stationary, - if all said conditions (C) are fulfilled, switching on said cleaning device (21) to start a cleaning cycle (Cy), A cleaning system (Sys) configured as follows.

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