Driving Assistance Sensor Cleaning Using Environmental Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning driving assistance sensors in autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles are inefficient and require multiple environmental sensor units, leading to high assembly complexity and unnecessary water consumption, while not optimizing cleaning based on real-time sensor data.
Innovation Solution
A method that selects and sets a cleaning program for driving assistance sensors based on measured parameters from a single environmental sensor unit, such as degree of wetting, light intensity, and climate parameters, to optimize cleaning efficiency and reduce water consumption by only cleaning when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple environmental sensor units are used to monitor different driving assistance sensors, then cleaning coverage is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single environmental sensor unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects environmental conditions (rain, light, climate) and uses this information to control cleaning programs for multiple different driving assistance sensors. This multi-functional approach achieves comprehensive cleaning coverage without requiring separate sensor units for each sensor, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If continuous cleaning is performed to ensure sensor cleanliness, then sensor performance is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors environmental conditions through the environmental sensor unit and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust cleaning operations. Cleaning programs are activated or modified based on real-time detection of rain, light intensity, and climate parameters, ensuring sensors are cleaned only when environmental conditions warrant it, thus maintaining sensor performance while minimizing water consumption
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous cleaning, the system implements periodic cleaning actions triggered by environmental conditions. The cleaning operation occurs at specific intervals or when threshold conditions are met (such as detected rain or contamination levels), rather than running continuously, thereby reducing water consumption while still ensuring sensors remain functional
3Productivity
If cleaning programs are optimized for each sensor individually, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single control unit processes environmental sensor data and generates appropriate cleaning programs for multiple different types of driving assistance sensors (optical sensors, radar, LiDAR). This universal control approach allows each sensor to receive customized cleaning treatment based on its specific requirements while using one integrated control system, thereby maintaining high cleaning efficiency without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different cleaning parameters and programs tailored to each specific sensor type and its local requirements. Optical sensors may receive different treatment compared to radar or LiDAR sensors, with cleaning intensity, duration, and method adjusted according to each sensor's specific needs, position, and vulnerability to environmental conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The invention proceeds from a method for cleaning at least one driving assistance sensor (12), in particular a LiDAR sensor, a camera sensor, a radar sensor, or the like, in an autonomously or semi-autonomously operated vehicle (10) having at least one environmental sensor unit (14), in particular spaced apart from the driving assistance sensor (12).It is proposed that in at least one method step (32), a cleaning program is selected and/or set from a plurality of, in particular predefined, cleaning programs for cleaning the driving assistance sensor (12), in particular at least one sensor field surface (16) of the driving assistance sensor (12), at least as a function of at least one measured parameter of the environmental sensor unit (14).