Cleaning device for automotive sensors

Abstract

To provide a washing device for an on-vehicle sensor, improved in such a way that a user can wash the on-vehicle sensor by using the washing device, in a degree of contamination that the user desires the washing.SOLUTION: A washing device for an on-vehicle sensor 100 includes: a spraying device 20 that sprays washing fluid to a front area in a detection direction, of an on-vehicle sensor (a vehicle exterior photographing camera sensor 12); a contamination degree detection device that detects a contamination degree of the front area; a manual washing switch 24 operated by an occupant of the vehicle; and a control device 10 that controls the spraying device, the control device is configured to operate the spraying device when the contamination degree detected by the contamination degree detection device is equal to or more than a contamination threshold value and when the switch is operated, wherein the control device 10 is configured to calculate and update the contamination threshold value, based on the contamination degree detected by the contamination degree detection device when the switch 24 is operated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device for in-vehicle sensors used in vehicles such as automobiles.

Background Art

[0002] The in-vehicle sensor cleaning device includes an injection device that injects cleaning liquid into the front area in the detection direction of the in-vehicle sensor, and a control device that controls the injection device. When the control device determines that there is a cleaning requirement for the in-vehicle sensor, for example, when it determines that the degree of dirt in the front area is equal to or greater than a dirt threshold value, it operates the injection device. This type of cleaning device is described in, for example, Patent Document 1 below.

[0003] According to this type of cleaning device, when the degree of dirt in the front area becomes equal to or greater than the dirt threshold value, the injection device is operated and the cleaning liquid is injected into the front area in the detection direction of the in-vehicle sensor, so it is possible to reduce the risk that the detection of the in-vehicle sensor will not be properly performed due to dirt.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] 〔Problems to be Solved by the Invention〕 The degree of dirt that makes it feel necessary to perform cleaning by spraying the cleaning liquid varies depending on the person. Therefore, in a conventional cleaning device such as the cleaning device described in Patent Document 1 above, it is not always possible to perform cleaning in a dirt situation where the user desires cleaning.

[0006] The present invention provides an in-vehicle sensor cleaning device improved so that cleaning can be performed in a dirt situation where the user desires cleaning.

[0007] 〔Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention〕 According to the present invention, the invention includes a spraying device (20) that sprays cleaning fluid into the forward area in the detection direction of an onboard sensor (external camera sensor 12), a degree of contamination detection device (external camera sensor 12) that detects the degree of contamination in the forward area, a switch operated by the vehicle occupant (manual cleaning switch 24), and a control device (driving support ECU 10) that controls the spraying device, wherein the control device activates when the degree of contamination detected by the degree of contamination detection device is equal to or greater than the contamination threshold. or A vehicle sensor cleaning device (100) is provided, configured to activate a spray device when a switch is operated.

[0008] The control device (driving support ECU 10) is configured to calculate and update the dirt threshold (S140~S160) based on the degree of dirt detected by the dirt degree detection device when the switch (manual cleaning switch 24) is operated (S130).

[0009] The user operates the switch when they feel that the area in front of the in-vehicle sensor's detection direction is dirty and needs cleaning. Therefore, the degree of dirt detected when the user operates the switch is the degree of dirt the user desires to be cleaned.

[0010] According to the above configuration, The spray device is activated when the degree of contamination detected by the contamination detection device exceeds the contamination threshold, or when the switch is operated. When the switch is operated to initiate cleaning, the dirt threshold is calculated and updated based on the level of dirt detected by the dirt level detection device at that time. Therefore, the dirt threshold can be set to the level of dirt desired by the user. Furthermore, if the level of dirt detected by the dirt level detection device is equal to or greater than the dirt threshold, the spray device is activated and cleaning is performed. Thus, cleaning can be performed automatically at the level of dirt desired by the user.

[0011] Furthermore, if the onboard sensor is installed inside the vehicle and detection is performed through the window glass, the forward detection area of ​​the onboard sensor may be the outer surface of the window glass. Also, if the detection end of the onboard sensor is installed outside the vehicle, the forward detection area of ​​the onboard sensor may be the area of ​​the detection end.

[0012] In the above description, to aid in understanding the present invention, the names and / or reference numerals used in the embodiments of the invention corresponding to those embodiments described later are indicated in parentheses. However, the components of the present invention are not limited to the components of the embodiments corresponding to the names and / or reference numerals indicated in parentheses. Other objects, other features and incidental advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description of embodiments of the present invention, which will be described with reference to the following drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This figure shows a cleaning device for in-vehicle sensors according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing the cleaning control routine in the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the dirt threshold control routine in the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] A cleaning device for in-vehicle sensors according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached figures.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle sensor cleaning device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a vehicle 102 which may be an autonomous vehicle, and includes a driver assistance ECU 10 and a multimedia ECU 30. The vehicle 102 is equipped with a drive ECU 40, a braking ECU 50, and an electric power steering ECU 60. ECU means an electronic control unit which mainly consists of a microcomputer. In the following description, the electric power steering ECU will be referred to as EPS-ECU.

[0016] Each ECU's microcomputer includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, read / write non-volatile memory (N / M), and an interface (I / F). The CPU implements various functions by executing instructions (programs, routines) stored in ROM. Furthermore, these ECUs are interconnected via CAN (Controller Area Network) 104, enabling data exchange (communication). Therefore, detection values ​​from sensors (including switches) connected to a specific ECU are transmitted to other ECUs.

[0017] The driver assistance ECU 10 is a central control unit that performs driver assistance controls such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping control. The driver assistance ECU 10 is connected to an external camera sensor 12, a radar sensor 14, and a driver camera sensor 16. The camera sensor 14 and the radar sensor 16 each include multiple camera devices and multiple radar devices, respectively. The camera sensor 14 and the radar sensor 16 function as an ambient information detection device 18 that detects information such as targets around the vehicle 102. Note that LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) may be used instead of the radar sensor 14.

[0018] Each camera in the external camera sensor 12 recognizes road markings, other vehicles, and other landmarks, and supplies information about the recognized landmarks to the driver assistance ECU 10 at predetermined intervals. In this embodiment, the external camera sensor 12 includes a rear camera that captures the area behind the vehicle 102 through the rear window, which is not shown in the figure.

[0019] Each radar device of the radar sensor 16 is equipped with a radar transmitting / receiving unit and a signal processing unit (not shown). As is well known, the radar sensor 16 acquires information representing the distance between the vehicle and the object, the relative speed between the vehicle and the object, and the relative position (direction) of the object with respect to the vehicle at predetermined intervals and supplies it to the driver assistance ECU 10.

[0020] The driver imaging camera sensor 18 supplies information on image data of the upper body of the driver obtained by imaging to the driving support ECU 10 at predetermined time intervals. Therefore, the driver imaging camera sensor 18 functions as a driver monitoring camera. The CPU of the driving support ECU 10 identifies the driver (user) based on the information on the image data of the upper body of the driver.

[0021] Furthermore, an injection device 20, a mode setting switch (SW) 22, a manual cleaning switch (SW) 24, and a customization switch (SW) 26 are connected to the driving support ECU 10. The injection device 20 is configured to inject cleaning liquid into a front region in the detection direction of the rear camera, that is, a region behind the rear camera on the outer surface of the rear window. The mode setting switch 22 is provided at a position operable by the driver, and switches and sets the operation mode of the injection device 20 between an automatic mode in which the injection device 20 is automatically operated as described later and a manual mode in which the injection device 20 is manually operated.

[0022] The manual cleaning switch 24 and the customization switch 26 are also provided at positions operable by the driver. When the manual cleaning switch 24 is turned on, the injection device 20 is operated regardless of whether the operation mode of the injection device 20 is the manual mode. When the customization switch 26 is on, the driving support ECU 10 calculates and updates a dirt threshold value for each user when a preset condition is satisfied as described later. Furthermore, in a situation where the operation mode of the injection device 20 is the automatic mode, when the driving support ECU 10 determines that the degree of dirt in the front region in the detection direction of the rear camera is equal to or greater than the dirt threshold value, the injection device 20 is operated.

[0023] The multimedia ECU 30 is connected to a display 32 for displaying the status of control by the driving assistance ECU 10 and the like, a speaker 34, and a microphone 36. The display 32 may be, for example, a head-up display or a multi-information display on which meters and various types of information are displayed, or may be a display of a navigation device. In the embodiment, a soft switch 32A that achieves the same functions as the soft switch for switching and setting the operation mode of the injection device 20, the manual cleaning switch 22, and the customization switch 24 is displayed on the display 32.

[0024] The speaker 34 emits auditory information to be transmitted to the user. The microphone 36 converts a voice command into an electrical signal in place of the operation of a switch such as the manual cleaning switch 22, and the electrical signal indicating the voice command is supplied to the driving assistance ECU 10 via the multimedia ECU 30.

[0025] The drive ECU 40 is connected to a drive device 42 that accelerates the vehicle 102 by applying a driving force to a drive wheel not shown in FIG. 1. Normally, the drive ECU 40 controls the drive device so that the driving force generated by the drive device 42 changes according to the driving operation by the driver, and when receiving a command signal from the driving assistance ECU 10, controls the drive device 42 based on the command signal. Note that the drive device 42 may be any known drive device in the art.

[0026] The brake ECU 50 is connected to a brake device 52 that decelerates the vehicle 102 by applying a braking force to a wheel not shown in FIG. 1. Normally, the brake ECU 50 controls the brake device so that the braking force generated by the brake device 52 changes according to the braking operation by the driver, and when receiving a command signal from the driving assistance ECU 10, performs automatic braking by controlling the brake device 52 based on the command signal.

[0027] The EPS / ECU 60 is connected to the EPS device 62. Based on the steering torque and vehicle speed detected by the steering operation sensor and vehicle condition sensor (not shown), the EPS / ECU 60 controls the steering assist torque in a manner known in the art, thereby reducing the driver's steering burden. Furthermore, by controlling the EPS device 62, the EPS / ECU 60 can steer the steering wheels as needed. Therefore, the EPS / ECU 60 and the EPS device 62 function as a steering device that automatically steers the steering wheels as needed.

[0028] The CPU of the driver assistance ECU 10 executes cleaning control corresponding to the flowchart shown in Figure 2 and dirt threshold control corresponding to the flowchart shown in Figure 3. The programs for these controls are stored in the ROM of the driver assistance ECU 10.

[0029] <Washing control routine> The cleaning control shown in the flowchart in Figure 2 is performed when the ignition switch, which is not shown in Figure 1, is turned on.

[0030] First, in step S10, the CPU determines whether the manual cleaning switch 22 is ON or OFF, that is, whether there is a user request for cleaning. If the CPU determines that it is ON, it proceeds to step S80 of the cleaning control; if it determines that it is OFF, it proceeds to step S20 of the cleaning control.

[0031] In step S20, the CPU determines whether the mode setting switch 22 is set to automatic mode. If the CPU determines it is not set, it terminates the cleaning control; if it determines it is set, it proceeds to step S30.

[0032] In step S30, the CPU identifies the user (driver) in a manner known in the art, based on image data of the driver's upper body from the driver camera sensor 18.

[0033] In step S40, the CPU determines whether the customization switch 26 is on or off. If the CPU determines it is on, in step S50, it reads the contamination threshold stored in non-volatile memory for the identified user. If the CPU determines it is off, in step S60, it sets the contamination threshold to a preset standard value.

[0034] In step S70, the CPU calculates the degree of dirtiness on the outer surface of the rear window behind the vehicle, in the forward area in the direction detected by the rear camera, based on the information from the image captured by the rear camera, in a manner known in the art.

[0035] In step S80, the CPU determines whether or not cleaning of the front area of ​​the rear camera is necessary by determining whether or not the degree of contamination is above the contamination threshold. If the CPU makes a negative determination, it terminates the cleaning control. If it makes a positive determination, in step S90, it activates the spraying device 20 and sprays cleaning fluid into the front area of ​​the rear camera to clean the front area.

[0036] <Dirt threshold control routine> The dirt threshold control using the flowchart shown in Figure 3 is also executed when the ignition switch, which is not shown in Figure 1, is turned on.

[0037] First, in step S110, the CPU identifies the driver (user) based on image data of the driver's upper body supplied from the driver camera sensor 18. The user may be identified in any manner known in the art.

[0038] In step S120, the CPU determines whether the mode setting switch 22 is set to manual mode. If the CPU determines it is negative, it terminates the dirt threshold control; if it determines it is positive, it proceeds to step S130.

[0039] In step S130, the CPU determines whether the manual cleaning switch 24 is ON or OFF. If the CPU determines it is OFF, it terminates the dirt threshold control; if it determines it is OFF, it proceeds to step S140.

[0040] In step S140, the CPU, similar to step S70, calculates the degree of dirtiness in the area in front of the rear camera's detection direction based on the image information captured by the rear camera, and stores this degree of dirtiness in RAM as the dirtiness of the identified user. In this embodiment, the rear camera and the driver assistance ECU 10 function as dirtiness detection devices, but the degree of dirtiness may also be detected by sensors other than the rear camera.

[0041] In step S150, the CPU determines whether the number of manual cleanings performed by the identified user (the number of times the manual cleaning switch 24 was turned from off to on) is equal to or greater than a certain positive integer. If the CPU determines it is negative, it terminates the dirt threshold control; if it determines it is positive, it proceeds to step S160.

[0042] In step S160, the CPU calculates a dirt threshold based on the dirtiness levels of the identified users stored in RAM, for example, as an average value of those levels, and updates the dirt threshold of the identified users with that dirt threshold.

[0043] In step S170, the CPU determines whether the custom switch 26 is ON or OFF, similar to step S40. If the CPU determines it is OFF, it terminates the dirt threshold control; if it determines it is OFF, it proceeds to step S180.

[0044] In step S180, the CPU outputs a command signal to the multimedia ECU 30, thereby displaying on the display unit 32 a message recommending that the customization switch 26 be turned on. In this case, an audio message to the same effect may be output from the speaker 34.

[0045] As can be seen from the above explanation, according to the embodiment, When the degree of soiling detected by the external camera sensor 12, which acts as a soiling level detection device, exceeds the soiling threshold, or when manual cleaning is performed. switch The injection device is activated when 24 is operated. In order to perform cleaning Manual cleaning switch 24 When the device is operated (S130), the dirt threshold is calculated and updated based on the degree of dirt detected at that time (S140~S160). Therefore, the dirt threshold can be set to the degree of dirt the user desires to be cleaned. Furthermore, when the detected degree of dirt is equal to or greater than the dirt threshold (S80), the spray device 20 is activated and cleaning is performed (S90). Therefore, cleaning can be performed automatically when the user desires to clean the dirt.

[0046] In particular, according to this embodiment, a user is identified (S110), and the soiling threshold is calculated and updated for each user (S140-S160). Therefore, a soiling threshold suitable for each user can be set, thereby enabling automatic cleaning according to the degree of soiling that suits each user's preference.

[0047] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when it is determined in step S120 that the mode setting switch 22 is set to manual mode, steps S130 and later are executed. Therefore, the user can also turn on the manual cleaning switch 24 when the degree of soiling exceeds the soiling threshold of automatic mode, so that the user can set a soiling threshold higher than the soiling threshold of automatic mode. Note that step 120 may be omitted.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with respect to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0049] For example, in the above embodiment, the in-vehicle sensor is the rear camera of the external camera sensor 12, but it may be another camera such as a front camera, or a sensor other than a camera such as LiDAR.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the cleaning fluid is a cleaning liquid, but it may also be a cleaning gas such as compressed air. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 10…Driving assistance ECU, 12…External camera sensor, 14…Radar sensor, 16…Driver camera sensor, 20…Injection device, 22…Manual cleaning switch, 30…Multimedia ECU, 40…Drive ECU, 50…Brake ECU, 60…EPS ECU, 100…Cleaning device for on-board sensors, 102…Vehicle

Claims

[Claim 1] A cleaning device for an on-board sensor, comprising: an injection device that sprays cleaning fluid into a forward area in the detection direction of an on-board sensor; a dirt level detection device that detects the degree of dirt in the forward area; a switch operated by a vehicle occupant; and a control device that controls the injection device, wherein the control device is configured to activate the injection device when the degree of dirt detected by the dirt level detection device is equal to or greater than a dirt threshold or when the switch is operated, A cleaning device for an in-vehicle sensor, wherein the control device is configured to calculate and update the dirt threshold based on the degree of dirt detected by the dirt degree detection device when the switch is operated.

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