Cleaning system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning system (10) for cleaning a sensor device (110) for a motor vehicle (100), said cleaning system (10) comprising a storage device (20) for storing a cleaning fluid, a cleaning nozzle (30) for cleaning the sensor device (110) using the cleaning fluid, a conveying device (40) for conveying the cleaning fluid from the storage device (20) to the cleaning nozzle (30), and a suction device (50) for generating a suction flow on the sensor device (110) in order to suction the cleaning fluid and / or dirt from the sensor device (110). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (100) having a sensor device (110) and a cleaning system (10).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Cleaning system and motor vehicle

[0003] The present invention relates to a cleaning system for cleaning a sensor device for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a sensor device and a cleaning system.

[0004] Currently publicly available state-of-the-art motor vehicles feature a multitude of different sensor devices and options for cleaning the sensor devices. The development of increasingly autonomous vehicles is increasing the number of sensor devices and the importance of the functional reliability of the sensor devices.

[0005] To ensure the functionality of the sensor device for autonomous driving, for example, various sensor devices such as radar, lidar, and camera systems are installed in the vehicle. The sensor devices can be located at a variety of positions on and / or inside the vehicle. The sensor devices on the exterior of the vehicle usually become heavily soiled during driving. Contamination of sensor surfaces, for example, impairs object detection and can cause failure or limitation of the motor vehicle system, especially for autonomous driving.

[0006] To ensure high sensor availability, sensor devices are usually actively cleaned while driving. Common concepts for cleaning sensor devices usually involve spraying the sensor device with a cleaning fluid.

[0007] For example, a water cleaning system can remove dirt particles such as dirty water, moisture, raindrops, dried road salt, mud, slush, dust, spray, ice, washing film, washing fluid, oils, insects, proteins, and other particles from sensor surfaces. However, after cleaning, water droplets and / or other cleaning fluids may remain on the sensor surface and impair sensor availability. For this reason, in more advanced cleaning concepts, residual cleaning fluid and / or dirt are removed using compressed air. The disadvantage of conventional compressed air systems is that the compressed air is either stored in a compressed air tank or the compressed air is initially generated and then released after a time delay. In a cleaning system using compressed air, the pressure is usually generated by a compressor.Compressed air systems usually require additional components such as compressed air reservoirs, pressure lines, and / or valves, thus requiring additional installation space. A compressed air system is also very complex and increases the likelihood of failure and / or leaks. Furthermore, compressed air is a very expensive form of energy because the high compression requires a lot of energy and also generates a lot of heat. This high energy consumption is particularly critical for electric vehicles, as it directly impacts their range. Current compressors are also generally loud and impair the user experience of the vehicle.

[0008] The documents DE 102019 135407 A1 and DE 10 2018 004 036 A1 describe devices for transporting water with reference to a sensor device.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to eliminate, or at least partially eliminate, the above-described disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a cleaning system that enables particularly simple cleaning of at least one sensor device for a motor vehicle. In particular, it is also an object of the invention to provide a motor vehicle with at least one sensor device and at least one cleaning system.

[0010] The above object is achieved by the patent claims. In particular, the object is achieved by a cleaning system having the features of independent claim 1. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a motor vehicle having the features of independent claim 10. Further advantages and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features described in connection with the cleaning system according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the motor vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a cleaning system for cleaning a sensor device for a motor vehicle. The cleaning system comprises a storage device for storing a cleaning fluid, a cleaning nozzle for cleaning the sensor device with the cleaning fluid, a conveying device for conveying the cleaning fluid from the storage device to the cleaning nozzle, and a suction device for generating a suction flow at the sensor device to suction the cleaning fluid and / or contaminants from the sensor device.

[0012] The cleaning system is preferably designed to clean at least one sensor device or a plurality of sensor devices. The cleaning system is preferably designed to be modular, at least in sections, so that the cleaning of additional sensor devices can be retrofitted. The sensor device is to be understood, for example, as a radar, lidar and / or camera system. The cleaning system according to the invention enables the storage of at least one cleaning fluid and / or a cleaning fluid mixture via the storage device. The conveying device in combination with the cleaning nozzle enables the cleaning of the at least one sensor device with the cleaning fluid. The cleaning nozzle, the conveying device and the storage device are preferably connected for the cleaning function by means of hoses, lines and / or other fluid-communicating means.The cleaning nozzle preferably sprays the cleaning fluid onto, at, and / or toward the at least one sensor device. The conveying device preferably enables a pressure buildup for conveying the cleaning fluid and for spraying the at least one sensor device with the cleaning fluid through the cleaning nozzle. The conveying device is preferably designed as a pump device.

[0013] The cleaning system according to the invention is particularly advantageous because the suction device is designed to generate a suction flow at the sensor device for sucking the cleaning fluid and / or contaminants away from the sensor device. The suction flow is preferably a flow at, around, and / or in the region of the sensor device for sucking the cleaning fluid and / or contaminants away from the sensor device. The suction flow can preferably be generated by the suction device over the entire surface or substantially the entire surface of the sensor device.

[0014] The wording “X or essentially X” should be understood within the scope of the invention as a possible, minor deviation, for example due to manufacturing tolerances, material and / or process properties, without changing the underlying, intended function of the feature.

[0015] The suction device and the conveying device are preferably designed separately. The suction device is preferably designed as a vacuum device for suctioning away water and / or contaminants. The suction flow can be generated based on various principles, as described in detail below. The suction flow is preferably generated at a distance from the sensor device, and the suction flow is guided from the sensor device to the suction device, for example, via lines and / or channels.

[0016] A cleaning system designed in this way is particularly advantageous since cleaning of at least one sensor device for a motor vehicle is made particularly easy by generating a suction flow at the sensor device.

[0017] According to a preferred further development of the invention, a cleaning system can be provided with the suction device configured as an actively driven suction device and / or as a passively driven suction device. The actively driven suction device is configured, for example, as a turbine for generating a suction flow. The actively driven suction device preferably requires the use of electrical energy, but is therefore quickly and ready for use at any time. The passively driven suction device is preferably configured as a Venturi pump, particularly in the underbody area of ​​the motor vehicle. The passively driven suction device preferably requires an existing air flow for generating the suction flow at the sensor device for operation.The air flow occurs, for example, through another operating component of the motor vehicle and / or through a wind, particularly in the underbody area of ​​the motor vehicle, while the motor vehicle is moving. A cleaning system designed in this way is particularly advantageous because cleaning at least one sensor device for a motor vehicle is made particularly easy by generating a suction flow at the sensor device through the actively and / or passively driven suction device.

[0018] According to a preferred further development of the invention, a cleaning system can be provided with a logic device designed to control and / or regulate the cleaning of the sensor device. The logic device is preferably defined as a component of the cleaning system and / or the motor vehicle. The logic device is preferably designed to control and / or regulate the conveying device and / or the suction device. The logic device is preferably designed to control and / or regulate the cleaning on the basis of time-based, event-triggered, regular, condition-dependent and / or manual control and / or regulation. The logic device enables the most efficient, energy-saving, cleaning-fluid-saving and / or time-advantageous cleaning of the at least one sensor device by controlling and / or regulating the cleaning.The logic device is preferably configured as a computer unit and / or a control unit. The logic device preferably comprises a data interface for establishing a data-communicating connection with the motor vehicle. A cleaning system configured in this way is particularly advantageous because cleaning at least one sensor device for a motor vehicle is made particularly efficient and easy by generating a suction flow at the sensor device through the logic device.

[0019] According to a preferred further development of the invention, a cleaning system can be provided with a cleaning nozzle that is movable, controllable, and / or regulatable, in particular by the logic device. Cleaning of the at least one sensor device is particularly advantageously enabled if the cleaning nozzle is movable, controllable, and / or regulatable, in particular by the logic device. The mobility, controllability, and / or regulatability preferably comprises a change in the cross-section, diameter, and / or focus of the cleaning nozzle and / or the cleaning. The mobility, controllability, and / or regulatability is preferably motorized and / or manual, at least in sections.A cleaning system designed in this way is particularly advantageous since cleaning of at least one sensor device for a motor vehicle by generating a suction flow at the sensor device is made possible in a particularly advantageous and simple manner by the design of the cleaning nozzle.

[0020] According to a preferred further development of the invention, it can be provided in a cleaning system that the cleaning system comprises a detection device, wherein the detection device is designed to detect contamination and / or cleaning fluid on the sensor device, in particular wherein cleaning of the sensor device and / or suction of the cleaning fluid from the sensor device can be carried out depending on the detected contamination and / or the detected cleaning fluid, in particular by the logic device.

[0021] The detection device according to the invention particularly advantageously enables the above-described condition-dependent cleaning of the at least one sensor device. Cleaning is preferably carried out depending on a detected condition of the at least one sensor device and thus advantageously saves cleaning fluid and / or energy. Thus, the service life of the cleaning system is increased, the consumption of the cleaning system is reduced, and the availability of the at least one sensor device is always guaranteed through reliable and condition-dependent cleaning. The logic unit, the detection device, the conveying device, and / or the suction device are preferably interconnected via data communication and / or signal communication, thus advantageously enabling condition-dependent cleaning.The detection device is preferably designed for the external and / or optical detection of contamination and / or cleaning fluid at the sensor device. Alternatively or additionally, the detection device is designed for the functional detection of contamination and / or cleaning fluid at the sensor device by detecting and / or receiving limited sensor availability. A cleaning system configured in this way is particularly advantageous because cleaning of at least one sensor device for a motor vehicle is made particularly advantageous and easy by generating a suction flow at the sensor device through the detection device.

[0022] According to a preferred further development of the invention, a cleaning system can be provided with the suction device comprising a suction opening for sucking the cleaning fluid away from the sensor device, in particular wherein the cleaning nozzle is designed jointly with the suction opening. The suction device therefore preferably comprises a previously described flow device for generating a suction flow and a suction opening for directing the suction flow to the at least one sensor device. The flow device and the suction opening can be designed jointly or at a distance from one another. The suction opening is preferably arranged below the at least one sensor device in order to enable suction of the cleaning fluid and / or contaminants from the sensor device, advantageously assisted by gravity. The suction opening is designed at least in sections jointly or separately from the cleaning nozzle.Preferably, the suction opening is designed to be movable, adjustable, and / or controllable at least in sections, in order to enable advantageous suction of the cleaning fluid and / or contaminants from the sensor device, for example, at different driving speeds of the motor vehicle. A cleaning system designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the design of the suction opening enables particularly advantageous and simple cleaning of at least one sensor device for a motor vehicle by generating a suction flow at the sensor device.

[0023] According to a preferred further development of the invention, a cleaning system can be provided that the cleaning system comprises a suction storage device, wherein the suction storage device is designed to store suctioned-off dirt and / or suctioned-off cleaning fluid. The suction storage device is preferably to be understood as a dirty water tank. The suction storage device is preferably arranged in fluid communication between the above-described suction opening and the flow device for generating a suction flow. The suction storage device enables defined storage of suctioned-off dirt and / or suctioned-off cleaning fluid. The suction storage device is preferably designed to be removable in order to enable advantageous emptying of the suction storage device.A cleaning system designed in this way is particularly advantageous since cleaning of at least one sensor device for a motor vehicle is made possible in a particularly advantageous and simple manner by generating a suction flow at the sensor device through the suction storage device.

[0024] According to a preferred further development of the invention, a cleaning system can be provided in which the cleaning system, in particular the suction storage device, comprises a phase separator for separating phases of the extracted cleaning fluid and / or contaminants and / or a drain interface to the drain of the cleaning system, in particular the suction storage device. The cleaning system, in particular the suction storage device, is advantageously supplemented by the phase separator for separating phases of the extracted cleaning fluid and / or contaminants and / or a drain interface to the drain of the cleaning system. The phase separator advantageously enables a separation of phases and thus a more efficient storage and / or removal of the extracted cleaning fluid and / or contaminants. The phase separator is preferably designed as a gravity and / or cyclone separator.The drain interface is preferably configured as a valve of the cleaning system, in particular of the suction storage device. The drain interface is preferably controllable, in particular opening and closing, based on time, condition, or manually. The drain interface is preferably controllable depending on the fill level of the suction storage device. A cleaning system configured in this way is particularly advantageous because cleaning of at least one sensor device for a motor vehicle is made possible in a particularly advantageous and simple manner by generating a suction flow at the sensor device through the phase separator and / or the drain interface.

[0025] According to a preferred further development of the invention, a cleaning system can be provided with a data interface for a data-communicating connection to the motor vehicle. A data interface is preferably designed to receive and / or transmit data. For example, the data interface enables data communication between the cleaning system and at least one sensor device and / or a control unit of the motor vehicle. For example, the data interface enables data communication between the cleaning system and a rain sensor of the motor vehicle, thus enabling weather-dependent cleaning of the at least one sensor device by the cleaning system.A cleaning system designed in this way is particularly advantageous since cleaning of at least one sensor device for a motor vehicle is made possible in a particularly advantageous and simple manner by generating a suction flow at the sensor device through the data interface.

[0026] According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a motor vehicle having at least one sensor device and a cleaning system according to the first aspect. The described motor vehicle offers all the advantages already described for the cleaning system according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0027] A cleaning system according to the invention and a motor vehicle are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show schematically:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a side sectional view of a cleaning system for cleaning a sensor device,

[0029] Figure 2 shows a side sectional view of a suction device of a cleaning system for cleaning a sensor device, and

[0030] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicle with a sensor device and a cleaning system.

[0031] Elements with the same function and mode of operation are provided with the same reference numerals in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a schematic side sectional view of a cleaning system 10 for cleaning a sensor device 110. The cleaning system 10 comprises a storage device 20 for storing a cleaning fluid, a cleaning nozzle 30 for cleaning the sensor device 110 with the cleaning fluid, a conveying device 40 for conveying the cleaning fluid from the storage device 20 to the cleaning nozzle 30, and a suction device 50 for generating a suction flow at the sensor device 110 to suction the cleaning fluid and / or contaminants from the sensor device 110. The suction device 50 is designed as an actively driven suction device 50. The cleaning system 10 comprises a logic device 60, wherein the logic device 60 is designed to control the cleaning of the sensor device 110. The cleaning nozzle 30 is designed to be movable and controllable.The cleaning system 10 comprises a detection device 70, wherein the detection device 70 is configured to detect contamination and cleaning fluid at the sensor device 110. The cleaning of the sensor device 110 and the suction of the cleaning fluid from the sensor device 110 can be carried out by the logic device 60 depending on the detected contamination and the detected cleaning fluid. The suction device 50 comprises a suction opening 52 for suctioning the cleaning fluid from the sensor device 110. The cleaning system 10 comprises a suction storage device 54, wherein the suction storage device 54 is configured to store suctioned-off contamination and / or suctioned-off cleaning fluid. The cleaning system 10 comprises a data interface 80 for a data-communicating connection to the motor vehicle 100.

[0033] Fig. 2 schematically shows a side sectional view of a suction device 50 of a cleaning system 10 for cleaning a sensor device 110. The cleaning system 10 comprises a suction device 50 for generating a suction flow at the sensor device 110 for sucking the cleaning fluid and / or contaminants from the sensor device 110. The suction device 50 comprises a suction opening 52 for sucking the cleaning fluid from the sensor device 110. The cleaning system 10 comprises a suction storage device 54, wherein the suction storage device 54 is designed to store sucked-off contaminants and / or sucked-off cleaning fluid. The cleaning system 10, here the suction storage device 54, comprises a phase separator 56 for separating phases of the sucked-off cleaning fluid and contaminants.The suction storage device 54 further comprises a drain interface 58 to the drain of the cleaning system 10, here the suction storage device 54.

[0034] Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle 100 with a sensor device 110 and a cleaning system 10. List of reference symbols

[0035] cleaning system

[0036] storage device

[0037] Cleaning nozzle

[0038] Conveyor device

[0039] Suction device

[0040] Suction opening

[0041] Suction storage device

[0042] Phase separator

[0043] Process interface

[0044] Logic device

[0045] Detection device

[0046] Data interface

[0047] Motor vehicle

[0048] Sensor device

Claims

Patent claims 1. Cleaning system (10) for cleaning a sensor device (110) for a motor vehicle (100), the cleaning system (10) comprising a storage device (20) for storing a cleaning fluid, a cleaning nozzle (30) for cleaning the sensor device (110) with the cleaning fluid, a conveying device (40) for conveying the cleaning fluid from the storage device (20) to the cleaning nozzle (30) and a suction device (50) for generating a suction flow at the sensor device (110) for sucking the cleaning fluid and / or contaminants from the sensor device (110).

2. Cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the suction device (50) is designed as an actively driven suction device (50) and / or as a passively driven suction device (50).

3. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning system (10) comprises a logic device (60), wherein the logic device (60) is designed to control and / or regulate the cleaning of the sensor device (110).

4. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning nozzle (30) is designed to be movable, controllable and / or regulatable, in particular by the logic device (60).

5. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning system (10) comprises a detection device (70), wherein the detection device (70) is designed to detect contamination and / or cleaning fluid on the sensor device (110), in particular wherein a cleaning of the sensor device (110) and / or a suction of the cleaning fluid from the sensor device (110) is carried out depending on the detected Contamination and / or the detected cleaning fluid, in particular by the logic device (60).

6. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction device (50) comprises a suction opening (52) for sucking the cleaning fluid from the sensor device (110), in particular wherein the cleaning nozzle (30) is designed jointly with the suction opening (52).

7. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning system (10) comprises a suction storage device (54), wherein the suction storage device (54) is designed to store suctioned-off dirt and / or suctioned-off cleaning fluid.

8. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning system (10), in particular the suction storage device (54), comprises a phase separator (56) for separating phases of the suctioned cleaning fluid and / or contaminants and / or a drain interface (58) for draining the cleaning system (10), in particular the suction storage device (54).

9. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning system (10) comprises a data interface (80) for data communication with the motor vehicle (100).

10. Motor vehicle (100), comprising a sensor device (110) and a Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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