Autonomous Vehicle Cleaning Scheduling Based on Soiling Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicles lack a method for automatically cleaning themselves in a needs-based manner, particularly addressing visual and technical impairments caused by soiling, such as rust formation from road salt exposure.
Innovation Solution
A control device and method that utilizes a vehicle's control unit to detect cleaning requirements, autonomously select a cleaning facility, schedule an appointment, maneuver the vehicle for cleaning, and manage the cleaning process, considering factors like parking availability, costs, and user preferences, with optional external sensor input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning is performed frequently to maintain vehicle appearance and prevent rust, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but time consumption and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle autonomously monitors its own cleaning needs through sensors detecting soiling degree, selects appropriate cleaning facilities, books appointments, and navigates to the facility automatically. This self-service approach eliminates manual intervention while maintaining effective cleaning based on actual needs rather than fixed schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensor devices continuously monitor the vehicle's soiling level and provide feedback to the control unit. Based on this real-time feedback, the system dynamically determines when cleaning is necessary, adjusts cleaning frequency according to actual conditions, and optimizes the cleaning schedule to balance effectiveness with time efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If automated cleaning systems are implemented, then labor costs are reduced, but system complexity and initial costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit leverages existing autonomous driving components (sensors, processors, communication modules) for multiple purposes: navigation, environmental perception, and cleaning facility selection. This multi-functionality approach reduces the need for dedicated specialized hardware, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while maintaining high automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes existing infrastructure and communication networks as intermediaries to handle complex tasks such as facility booking, payment processing, and route planning. By delegating these functions to external services rather than implementing them directly in the vehicle, the system achieves high automation while minimizing onboard complexity.
3Reliability
If cleaning appointments are scheduled in advance, then cleaning quality is improved, but flexibility and responsiveness to changing needs decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning schedule is not fixed but dynamically adjusted based on real-time sensor feedback about soiling levels. The control unit continuously monitors vehicle conditions and can reschedule or cancel appointments as needed, allowing the system to maintain high cleaning quality while adapting flexibly to changing user needs and environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-selecting and pre-booking cleaning facilities based on predicted needs and user preferences. However, these preliminary arrangements remain tentative and can be easily modified based on actual conditions, thus preparing in advance while maintaining flexibility for changes.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for automatically cleaning a motor vehicle (1), comprising the following steps: identifying a need for cleaning by means of a control device (2) of the motor vehicle (1); selecting a cleaning device (6) and booking a cleaning time in the selected cleaning device (6) based on at least one criterion by means of the control device (2), after same has identified the need for cleaning; autonomously manoeuvring the motor vehicle (1) to the selected cleaning device (6) by means of the control device (2), such that the motor vehicle (1) reaches the cleaning device (6), where the motor vehicle is cleaned, at the booked cleaning time at the latest; autonomously manoeuvring the motor vehicle (1) to a predefined parking location (7) by means of the control device (2), after the cleaning of the motor vehicle (1) has ended; wherein a sensor device (3) of the motor vehicle (1) determines a degree of soiling of the motor vehicle (1) and the control device (2) identifies the need for cleaning on this basis, and/or a user specification of a person (4) relating to the need for cleaning is detected by the control device (2) and the control device (2) identifies the need for cleaning on this basis. The invention also relates to a control device (2) for a motor vehicle (1), and a motor vehicle (1) having a control device (2) of this type.