Method for keeping a sensor surface clean, sensor system, vehicle, computer program and computer-readable medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for keeping a sensor surface clean having the features of claim 1, to a sensor system having the features of claim 8, to a vehicle having the features of claim 9, to a computer program having the features of claim 10, and to a computer-readable medium having the features of claim 11.

Description

[0001] 202401181

[0002] 1

[0003] Description

[0004] Method for keeping a sensor surface clean, sensor system, vehicle, computer program and computer-readable medium

[0005] Technical field

[0006] The invention relates to a method for keeping a sensor surface clean, sensor system, vehicle, computer program and computer-readable medium.

[0007] State of the art

[0008] Publication EP 3763582 A1 shows a sensor cleaning device for a vehicle.

[0009] A particular disadvantage of the devices in the prior art is that actuating a liquid nozzle to clean a sensor surface can lead to unwanted contamination of a neighboring sensor surface.

[0010] Description of the invention, problem, solution, advantages

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative solution that overcomes, in particular, the aforementioned disadvantages, at least in part.

[0012] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the respective independent claims. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the description, the figure description, the dependent claims, and the figures. Embodiments and specifications disclosed for the inventive method are likewise transferable to the inventive sensor system, the inventive vehicle, the inventive computer program, and the inventive goods-readable medium, and vice versa. 202401181

[0013] 2

[0014] One aspect of the invention relates to a method having the features of claim 1.

[0015] One embodiment of the invention relates to a method for keeping a sensor surface clean, comprising:

[0016] - Actuating an air nozzle, in particular an air nozzle directed at a first sensor surface, depending on the actuation of a liquid nozzle directed at a second sensor surface.

[0017] This provides a method that at least partially or completely overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the activation of the air nozzle keeps the first sensor surface clean.

[0018] It is particularly advantageous if an additional liquid nozzle is provided, directed at the first sensor surface, especially for cleaning the first sensor surface. Preferably, the method is carried out when the additional liquid nozzle is not actuated. In other words, the method is performed when the first sensor surface is not being cleaned by means of the additional liquid nozzle.

[0019] Keeping clean preferably means protecting or preserving a sensor surface or the first sensor surface from contamination and / or impairment by means of cleaning fluid from the liquid nozzle, in particular by using compressed air from the air nozzle to protect the first sensor surface from the cleaning fluid, which is preferably intended for the second sensor surface.

[0020] Preferably, the liquid nozzle is designed to clean the second sensor surface and / or the further liquid nozzle is designed to clean the first sensor surface.

[0021] Preferably, the fact that the nozzles are directed towards the respective sensor surfaces means that a fluid flow exiting the respective nozzle, 202401181

[0022] 3. For example, cleaning fluid or compressed air, which strikes the corresponding sensor surface towards which the respective nozzle is directed. The nozzles are preferably directed or aligned in such a way as to protect or clean the corresponding sensor surface by means of the respective fluid.

[0023] The liquid nozzle can preferably be directed at the second sensor surface for cleaning. Due to environmental influences and / or the wind generated by the operation of a vehicle with which the method is carried out, cleaning fluid flowing from the liquid nozzle may unintentionally reach the adjacent first sensor surface, even though cleaning the first sensor surface is unintentional, unnecessary, and / or undesirable. Therefore, the first sensor surface can preferably be protected from contamination or impairment by the cleaning fluid from the liquid nozzle by the air nozzle and the compressed air flowing from it.

[0024] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the actuation of the air nozzle begins before the actuation of the liquid nozzle begins, and / or that the actuation of the air nozzle begins simultaneously with the actuation of the liquid nozzle, and / or that the actuation of the air nozzle begins after the actuation of the liquid nozzle begins.

[0025] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the actuation of the air nozzle is terminated before the actuation of the liquid nozzle is terminated and / or that the actuation of the air nozzle is terminated simultaneously with the actuation of the liquid nozzle and / or that the actuation of the air nozzle is terminated after the actuation of the liquid nozzle is terminated.

[0026] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the actuation of the air nozzle is continuous and / or that the actuation of the air nozzle results in a flow of compressed air over the first sensor surface 202401181

[0027] 4 comprises, preferably such that the first sensor surface is protected and / or kept clean by means of compressed air from a cleaning fluid exiting the liquid nozzle.

[0028] The compressed air is preferably a compressed air stream or a compressed air jet.

[0029] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that actuating the liquid nozzle includes a flow of cleaning fluid over the second sensor surface, preferably such that the cleaning fluid can flow towards the first sensor surface and / or reach the first sensor surface, particularly unintentionally and / or due to environmental influences. These environmental influences can be, in particular, air currents and / or wind, especially those caused by the operation or driving of a vehicle in which the method is used. The cleaning fluid is preferably a stream or jet of cleaning fluid.

[0030] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the second sensor surface is arranged adjacent to the first sensor surface, in particular such that the cleaning fluid can flow, especially unintentionally, towards the first sensor surface and / or reach the first sensor surface, especially if the first sensor surface is not protected from contamination by the compressed air from the air nozzle.

[0031] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the liquid nozzle is supplied with cleaning fluid by means of an electric liquid pump and / or that the air nozzle is supplied with compressed air by means of a compressed air source, in particular an electric compressor. 202401181

[0032] 5

[0033] The method preferably comprises a commencement step, for example, by starting the operation of the vehicle by means of which the method is carried out. Next, a first process step can be performed by detecting an intended actuation of the liquid nozzle, for example, due to a degree of contamination of the second sensor surface or due to an initialization signal characteristic of an impending actuation of the liquid nozzle. As a second step, the actuation of the air nozzle can preferably take place before the actuation of the liquid nozzle occurs. As a third process step, the actuation of the air nozzle can preferably be terminated after the actuation of the liquid nozzle has ceased.Actuating the air nozzle before, during, and after actuating the liquid nozzle prevents cleaning fluid from the liquid nozzle, intended for the second sensor surface, from coming into contact with and damaging the first sensor surface. The process can preferably be repeated as often as necessary before being terminated.

[0034] In principle, it is conceivable that the method according to the invention is a computer-implemented method. It is preferred if the method steps are initialized rather than actually executed. In this way, such a computer-implemented method could be carried out on a data processing device.

[0035] Another aspect of the invention relates to a sensor system according to claim 8. The sensor system comprises

[0036] - a first sensor which has a first sensor surface,

[0037] - a second sensor that has a second sensor surface,

[0038] - a liquid nozzle,

[0039] - an air nozzle, and

[0040] - Means adapted to perform the steps of the inventive method. Thus, the sensor system according to the invention has the same advantages as the inventive method. 202401181

[0041] 6

[0042] Another object of the invention is a vehicle according to claim 9. The vehicle according to the invention comprises the sensor system according to the invention and is characterized in particular in that the first sensor is a sensor that is necessary for autonomous operation of the vehicle. The vehicle according to the invention thus offers the same advantages as the sensor system and the method according to the invention. Furthermore, the operational reliability of the vehicle is increased. Irrespective of this, it is preferred if the sensor surfaces are arranged on the outside of the vehicle.

[0043] Another object of the invention is a computer program according to claim 10. The computer program according to the invention comprises commands that cause the vehicle or sensor system according to the invention to execute the process steps of the method according to the invention. Thus, the computer program according to the invention offers the same advantages as those already described for the previous objects of the invention.

[0044] Another object of the invention is a computer-readable medium according to claim 11. The computer program according to the invention is stored on the computer-readable medium according to the invention. Therefore, the computer-readable medium according to the invention offers the same advantages as those already described for the previous objects of the invention.

[0045] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims and in the following description of the figures.

[0046] Brief description of the drawings

[0047] The invention will now be explained in detail using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings. The drawings show:

[0048] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention, and 202401181

[0049] 7

[0050] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0051] Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0052] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a vehicle 1 according to the invention. The vehicle 1 is autonomously operable and comprises an electric traction motor. The vehicle 1 also comprises an embodiment of a sensor system 2 according to the invention. The sensor system 2 comprises a control unit 5 with an embodiment of a computer-readable medium 6 according to the invention, on which an embodiment of a computer program 7 according to the invention is stored. The control unit 5 is configured to operate the sensor system 2 such that it executes the method according to the invention. The sensor system 2 comprises a first sensor 3a with a first sensor surface 3b and a second sensor 4a with a second sensor surface 4b. Furthermore, the sensor system 2 comprises a compressed air source 8b that supplies an air nozzle 9a with compressed air 9b, and a liquid pump 8a that supplies a liquid nozzle 10a with cleaning fluid 10b.The compressed air source 8b can be an electric air compressor. The liquid nozzle 10a is directed at the second sensor surface 4b for cleaning. Due to environmental influences and / or the airflow generated by the operation of the vehicle 1, cleaning fluid flowing from the liquid nozzle 10a can unintentionally reach the adjacent first sensor surface 3b, even though cleaning the first sensor surface 3b is unintentional, unnecessary, and undesirable. Therefore, the first sensor surface 3b cannot be cleaned.

[0053] The sensor surface 3b is protected from contamination or impairment by the cleaning fluid 10b through the air nozzle 9a and the compressed air 9b flowing from it.

[0054] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 25 according to the invention. The method 25 is carried out by means of the 202401181

[0055] 8

[0056] The method 25 can be performed on a sensor system or the vehicle shown in Figure 1. The method 25 comprises a commencement 20, for example, by starting operation of the vehicle shown in Figure 1. Next, a first process step 21 is performed by detecting an intended actuation of the liquid nozzle. As a second step 22, the air nozzle is actuated before the liquid nozzle is actuated. As a third process step 23, the actuation of the air nozzle is stopped after the actuation of the liquid nozzle has ended. Actuating the air nozzle before, during, and after the actuation of the liquid nozzle prevents cleaning fluid from the liquid nozzle, which is intended for the second sensor surface, from coming into contact with and affecting the first sensor surface. The method 25 can be repeated as many times as necessary before a termination 24 of the method 25 occurs.

[0057] Method 25 can optionally also be implemented as a computer-implemented method, whereby as a computer-implemented method it merely initializes the process steps described above.

[0058] The embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 are not limiting in nature and serve only to illustrate the inventive concept.

[0059] 202401181

[0060] 9

[0061] Reference symbol list

[0062] 1 vehicle

[0063] 2 Sensor system

[0064] 3a first sensor

[0065] 3b first sensor surface

[0066] 4a second sensor

[0067] 4b second sensor surface

[0068] 5 Control unit

[0069] 6. Computer-readable medium

[0070] 7 Computer program

[0071] 8a Liquid pump

[0072] 8b Compressed air source

[0073] 9a Air nozzle

[0074] 9b Airflow

[0075] 10a Liquid nozzle

[0076] 10b Cleaning fluid

[0077] 20 Beginn

[0078] 21 First procedural step

[0079] 22 second procedural step

[0080] 23 third procedural step

[0081] 24 Finish

[0082] 25 procedures

Claims

202401181 10 Patent claims 1. Method (25) for keeping a sensor surface clean, comprising: - Actuation of an air nozzle (9a) directed towards a first sensor surface (3b), depending on the actuation of a liquid nozzle (10a) directed towards a second sensor surface (4b).

2. Method (25) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuation of the air nozzle (9a) begins before the actuation of the liquid nozzle (10a) begins and / or that the actuation of the air nozzle (9a) begins simultaneously with the actuation of the liquid nozzle (10a) begins and / or that the actuation of the air nozzle (9a) begins after the actuation of the liquid nozzle (10a) begins.

3. Method (25) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuation of the air nozzle (9a) is terminated before the actuation of the liquid nozzle (10a) is terminated and / or that the actuation of the air nozzle (9a) is terminated simultaneously with the actuation of the liquid nozzle (10a) and / or that the actuation of the air nozzle (9a) is terminated after the actuation of the liquid nozzle (10a) is terminated.

4. Method (25) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuation of the air nozzle (9a) is continuous and / or that the actuation of the air nozzle (9a) comprises a flow of compressed air (9b) over the first sensor surface (3b), preferably such that the first sensor surface (3b) is protected and / or kept clean by means of the compressed air (9b) from a cleaning fluid (10b) emerging from the liquid nozzle (10a). 202401181 11 5. Method (25) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuation of the liquid nozzle (10a) comprises a flow of cleaning fluid over the second sensor surface (4b), preferably such that the cleaning fluid (10b) may flow in the direction of the first sensor surface (3b), particularly unintentionally and / or due to environmental influences, and / or may reach the first sensor surface (3b).

6. Method (25) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second sensor surface (4b) is arranged adjacent to the first sensor surface (3b), in particular such that the cleaning fluid (10b) can flow, especially unintentionally, in the direction of the first sensor surface (3b) and / or can reach the first sensor surface (3b).

7. Method (25) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid nozzle (10a) is supplied with a cleaning fluid by means of an electric liquid pump (8a) and / or that the air nozzle (9a) is supplied with a compressed air source (8b), in particular an electric compressor.

8. Sensor system (2), comprising - a first sensor (3a) having a first sensor surface (3b), - a second sensor (4a) which has a second sensor surface (4b), - a liquid nozzle (10a), - an air nozzle (9a), and - Means adapted to perform the steps of the method (25) according to any of the preceding claims.

9. Vehicle (1) comprising the sensor system (2) according to claim 8, in particular characterized in that the first sensor (3a) is a 202401181 12 Sensor (3a) is necessary for autonomous operation of the vehicle (1).

10. Computer program (7) comprising instructions that cause the device (1 , 2) of claim 8 or 9 to perform the method steps according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

11. Computer-readable medium (6) on which the computer program (7) according to claim 10 is stored.

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