Vehicle Sensor Cleaning Control for Condition-Based Resource Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of sensors in modern vehicles for driver assistance systems necessitates a resource-efficient cleaning process to maintain functionality without frequent resource replenishment, while avoiding redundant data acquisition and sensor failures.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning method utilizing an electronic control unit that controls the cleaning process based on a dependency table with data sets correlating environmental and vehicle conditions to optimize resource use, determine cleaning strategies, and ensure sensor availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of sensors is increased to improve driver assistance system functionality, then the reliability and safety functions are improved, but the resource consumption for cleaning and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs cleaning actions selectively based on actual contamination levels rather than cleaning all sensors continuously. The electronic control unit monitors sensor availability and only initiates cleaning when thresholds are exceeded, avoiding unnecessary resource consumption while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of cleaning frequency and intensity based on environmental conditions and sensor contamination levels. By adapting cleaning parameters to actual needs rather than using fixed schedules, the system maintains sensor functionality while reducing overall resource consumption.
2Reliability
If cleaning is performed frequently to maintain sensor availability, then the reliability is improved, but the resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit continuously monitors sensor availability and environmental conditions, using this feedback to determine when cleaning is actually needed. This closed-loop control ensures cleaning is performed only when necessary to maintain reliability, avoiding wasteful resource consumption from unnecessary cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system transitions from static, predetermined cleaning schedules to dynamic, condition-based cleaning decisions. The system adapts cleaning frequency and intensity based on real-time sensor availability data and environmental conditions, optimizing the balance between reliability and resource consumption.
3Reliability
If all sensors are cleaned to ensure system functionality, then the reliability is improved, but the time and resource efficiency deteriorate due to redundant cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the cleaning task by individual sensor evaluation rather than treating all sensors as a single group. The electronic control unit assesses each sensor's contamination level and availability independently, enabling selective cleaning of only those sensors that require it, thus improving overall cleaning efficiency while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and identifies only the specific sensors that require cleaning based on their individual contamination levels and importance to system functionality. By separating the cleaning decision for each sensor rather than applying uniform cleaning to all, the system eliminates redundant cleaning operations and improves productivity.
4Reliability
If cleaning resources are increased to maintain sensor availability over long distances, then the reliability is improved, but the vehicle weight and resource storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of sensor contamination levels and environmental conditions before initiating cleaning. By evaluating actual needs in advance rather than carrying excessive cleaning resources for all possible scenarios, the system maintains reliability over long distances without requiring disproportionate resource storage capacity and vehicle weight.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for indirectly deriving a systematic dependence for a system behavior of a soiling process of a surface of a motor vehicle. A soiling condition of the surface is evaluated via an availability of the sensor. Moreover, the method relates to a method of use of the systematic dependence, a cleaning system, and a motor vehicle.