阅读说明：本技术 车辆用清洁系统及具有车辆用清洁系统的车辆 (Cleaning system for vehicle and vehicle with cleaning system for vehicle ) 是由 久保田晃宜 近藤雅之 河村和贵 阪井健 于 2018-06-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：车辆用清洁系统(100)具有：对车辆(1)的前车窗(1f)进行清洗的WW(101、102)、对前大灯(7r、7l)进行清洗的HC(107、108)、对外部传感器(6)进行清洗的传感器清洁器(103～106、109)和与清洁器工作信号的输入相应地使(101～109)的至少1个工作的清洁器控制部(116)。清洁器控制部(116)以与规定次数的清洁器工作信号相应地WW(101、102)的工作次数、HC(107、108)的工作次数和传感器清洁器(103～106、109)的工作次数的至少2个以上不同的方式工作。(A vehicle cleaning system (100) is provided with: WWs (101, 102) for cleaning a front window (1f) of a vehicle (1), HCs (107, 108) for cleaning headlights (7r, 7l), sensor cleaners (103-106, 109) for cleaning an external sensor (6), and a cleaner control unit (116) for operating at least 1 of the sensors (101-109) in response to an input of a cleaner operation signal. The cleaner control unit (116) operates so that at least 2 or more of the number of operations of the WW (101, 102), the number of operations of the HC (107, 108), and the number of operations of the sensor cleaner (103 to 106, 109) are different in accordance with the cleaner operation signal of a predetermined number of times.)

1. A cleaning system for a vehicle, having:

a window washer that washes a front window of a vehicle;

a lamp cleaner that cleans a headlamp;

a sensor cleaner that cleans a sensor that detects information outside the vehicle; and

a cleaner control part which enables at least 1 of the car window washer, the lamp cleaner and the sensor cleaner to work according to the input of signals,

the cleaner control unit operates the window washer, the lamp cleaner, and the sensor cleaner so that at least 2 or more of the number of operations of the window washer, the number of operations of the lamp cleaner, and the number of operations of the sensor cleaner are different according to the signal of the predetermined number of times.

2. A cleaning system for a vehicle, having:

a sensor cleaner that cleans a sensor that can acquire information on the periphery of the vehicle;

an operation unit operable by a user and outputting a signal in accordance with the user operation; and

a control unit configured to be capable of executing an automatic washing mode in which the sensor cleaner is operated regardless of a signal output from the operation unit,

the control part operates the sensor cleaner when a signal from the operation part is input during the execution of the automatic washing mode.

3. A cleaning system for a vehicle, having:

a sensor cleaner that cleans LiDAR mounted on a vehicle;

a window washer that washes a window of a vehicle; and

and a control unit that operates the sensor cleaner in accordance with an operation of the window washer.

4. A cleaning system for a vehicle for cleaning an object to be cleaned,

the vehicle cleaning system includes:

a single pump;

a pump control unit that controls the single pump;

a cleaner having a plurality of nozzles, each of which is connected to the single pump, for cleaning a plurality of objects to be cleaned with a cleaning medium;

a conduit connecting the single pump and each of the plurality of nozzles; and

an ejection operation unit that controls ejection of the cleaning medium from each nozzle toward the cleaning object,

the pump control portion always pressurizes the cleaning medium in the pipe line by the single pump,

the vehicle cleaning system further includes an ejection operating unit control unit that operates the ejection operating unit to eject the cleaning medium from the nozzles.

5. The cleaning system for vehicle of claim 4, wherein,

the injection operation unit control unit includes: an independent control mode capable of independently controlling the ejection of the cleaning medium from each nozzle, a partial linkage mode capable of controlling the ejection of the cleaning medium from a specific two or more nozzles in linkage, and an overall linkage mode capable of controlling the ejection of the cleaning medium from all the nozzles in linkage.

6. The cleaning system for vehicle according to claim 4 or 5,

a check valve is further provided at a branching portion for branching the pipeline toward the nozzles,

the injection operation unit is disposed between each of the nozzles and the check valve.

7. The cleaning system for vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 6,

at least one of the plurality of nozzles has an opening portion with a shape, an ejection amount of the cleaning medium, an ejection pressure, an ejection time, an ejection frequency, an ejection shape, and an ejection area different from at least one of the other nozzles.

8. The cleaning system for vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 7,

the cleaning object is at least one of a windshield of a vehicle, a vehicle lamp, and a sensor for detecting information outside the vehicle.

9. A vehicle having the cleaning system for a vehicle recited in any one of claims 4 to 8.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cleaning system for a vehicle.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle cleaning system for cleaning a cleaning object and a vehicle having the vehicle cleaning system.

Background

A vehicle headlamp cleaner is known from patent document 1 and the like.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-187990

Disclosure of Invention

In addition, in recent years, development of a vehicle capable of autonomous driving is being attempted. For achieving automatic driving, it is required to maintain the sensitivity of LiDAR, cameras, and the like well. Therefore, a sensor cleaner for cleaning these sensors is required.

The invention aims to provide a vehicle cleaning system which is provided with a window washer, a headlamp cleaner and a sensor cleaner and is convenient to use.

In addition to washing headlights, a cleaner for washing sensors such as LiDAR and cameras is also required.

The invention aims to provide a cleaning system with a sensor cleaner for a vehicle, which is convenient to use.

In addition, in order to realize autonomous driving, it is required to maintain the sensitivity of an onboard sensor such as a LiDAR or a camera well. Therefore, a sensor cleaner for cleaning these in-vehicle sensors is required. Although the window washer and the sensor cleaner which are suitable for cleaning the window are different in cleaning method, if the pump is independently provided for each of the plurality of objects to be cleaned, the system becomes complicated and the cost increases.

The invention aims to provide a vehicle cleaning system which is low in cost and convenient to use, and a vehicle with the vehicle cleaning system.

A vehicle cleaning system according to an aspect of the present invention includes:

a window washer that washes a front window of a vehicle;

a lamp cleaner that cleans a headlamp;

a sensor cleaner that cleans a sensor that detects information outside the vehicle; and

a cleaner control part which enables at least 1 of the car window washer, the lamp cleaner and the sensor cleaner to work according to the input of signals,

the cleaner control unit operates the window washer, the lamp cleaner, and the sensor cleaner so that at least 2 or more of the number of operations of the window washer, the number of operations of the lamp cleaner, and the number of operations of the sensor cleaner are different according to the signal of the predetermined number of times.

In addition, a vehicle cleaning system according to an aspect of the present invention includes:

a sensor cleaner that cleans a sensor that can acquire information on the periphery of the vehicle;

an operation unit operable by a user and outputting a signal in accordance with the user operation; and

a control unit configured to be capable of executing an automatic washing mode in which the sensor cleaner is operated regardless of a signal output from the operation unit,

the control part operates the sensor cleaner when a signal from the operation part is input during the execution of the automatic washing mode.

In addition, a vehicle cleaning system according to an aspect of the present invention includes:

a sensor cleaner that cleans LiDAR mounted on a vehicle;

a window washer that washes a window of a vehicle; and

and a control unit that operates the sensor cleaner in accordance with an operation of the window washer.

In addition, a vehicle cleaning system according to an aspect of the present invention is a vehicle cleaning system for cleaning an object to be cleaned,

the vehicle cleaning system includes:

a single pump;

a pump control unit that controls the single pump;

a cleaner having a plurality of nozzles, each of which is connected to the single pump, for cleaning a plurality of objects to be cleaned with a cleaning medium;

a conduit connecting the single pump and each of the plurality of nozzles; and

an ejection operation unit that controls ejection of the cleaning medium from each nozzle toward the cleaning object,

the pump control portion always pressurizes the cleaning medium in the pipe line by the single pump,

the vehicle cleaning system further includes an ejection operating unit control unit that operates the ejection operating unit to eject the cleaning medium from the nozzles.

According to the cleaning system for a vehicle of the present disclosure, it is possible to spray the cleaning medium from only necessary nozzles among the plurality of nozzles, and therefore, it is easy to keep necessary parts clean in accordance with a scene while saving the cleaning medium. Therefore, the vehicle cleaning system which is cost-effective and easy to use can be provided.

In addition, in the cleaning system for a vehicle of the present invention,

the ejection operating portion control unit may include: an independent control mode capable of independently controlling the ejection of the cleaning medium from each nozzle, a partial linkage mode capable of controlling the ejection of the cleaning medium from a specific two or more nozzles in linkage, and an overall linkage mode capable of controlling the ejection of the cleaning medium from all the nozzles in linkage.

Having different washing modes according to a scene in which the cleaner is used can further improve washing efficiency.

In addition, in the cleaning system for a vehicle of the present invention,

a check valve may be further provided at a branching portion for branching the piping toward the nozzles,

the injection operation unit is disposed between each of the nozzles and the check valve.

By providing the check valve, the cleaning medium can be easily pressurized between the spray work portion and the check valve.

In addition, in the cleaning system for a vehicle of the present invention,

at least one of the plurality of nozzles may have at least one of a shape of an opening portion, an ejection amount of the cleaning medium, an ejection pressure, an ejection time, an ejection frequency, an ejection shape, and an ejection area different from at least one of the other nozzles.

For example, as described above, by making the ejection modes of the cleaning medium different among the plurality of nozzles, it is possible to perform cleaning in an appropriate cleaning mode for each object to be cleaned at low cost.

In addition, in the cleaning system for a vehicle of the present invention,

the object to be cleaned may be at least one of a windshield of a vehicle, a vehicle lamp, and a sensor for detecting information outside the vehicle.

The cleaning system for a vehicle is particularly preferably applied to these washing objects.

The vehicle having the vehicle cleaning system according to the present invention includes the vehicle cleaning system having any of the above configurations.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a vehicle with a vehicle cleaning system that is cost-effective and easy to use.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle cleaning system is provided that is convenient to use and includes a window washer, a headlamp cleaner, and a sensor cleaner.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a cleaning system for a vehicle with a sensor cleaner that is convenient to use is provided.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle cleaning system that is cost-effective and easy to use, and a vehicle having the vehicle cleaning system can be provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle mounted with a vehicle cleaning system according to a first to third embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a vehicle system.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a cleaning system.

Fig. 4 is a table showing modes a to I according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a timing diagram of mode a.

Fig. 6 is a timing diagram of mode B.

Fig. 7 is a timing diagram of mode C.

Fig. 8 is a timing diagram of mode D.

Fig. 9 is a timing diagram of mode E.

Fig. 10 is a timing chart of mode F.

Fig. 11 is a timing chart of the pattern G.

Fig. 12 is a timing chart of pattern H.

Fig. 13 is a timing chart of mode I.

FIG. 14 is a table showing modes 1 to 11.

Fig. 15 is a table showing the mode I5.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart of processing executed by the vehicle cleaning system according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a timing chart of mode 1 according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a timing chart of mode 2.

Fig. 19 is a timing chart of mode 3.

Fig. 20 is a timing chart of a modification of mode 1.

Fig. 21 is a timing chart of a modification of mode 1.

Fig. 22 is a timing chart of a cleaning system according to a modification of the present invention.

Fig. 23 is a plan view of a vehicle mounted with the vehicle cleaning system according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a vehicle system.

Fig. 25 is a block diagram of a cleaning system for a vehicle.

Fig. 26 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the vehicle cleaning system.

Fig. 27 is a schematic diagram showing a specific configuration of an ejector included in the vehicle cleaning system.

Fig. 28 is a block diagram according to a modification of the vehicle cleaning system.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present embodiment, the components having the same reference numerals as those already described are omitted for convenience of description. The dimensions of the members shown in the drawings may be different from the actual dimensions of the members for convenience of description.

In the description of the present embodiment, for convenience of description, the terms "left-right direction", "front-back direction", and "up-down direction" are appropriately used. These directions are relative directions set with respect to the vehicle 1 shown in fig. 1. Here, the "up-down direction" is a direction including the "up direction" and the "down direction". The "front-rear direction" is a direction including the "front direction" and the "rear direction". The "left-right direction" is a direction including the "left direction" and the "right direction".

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle 1 on which a vehicle cleaning system 100 (hereinafter, referred to as a cleaning system 100) according to first to third embodiments is mounted. The vehicle 1 has a cleaning system 100. In the present embodiment, the vehicle 1 is an automobile capable of traveling in an automatic driving mode.

First, the vehicle system 2 of the vehicle 1 will be described with reference to fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the vehicle system 2. As shown in fig. 2, the vehicle system 2 includes: the vehicle control unit 3, the internal sensor 5, the external sensor 6, the lamp 7 (an example of a vehicle lamp), the HMI 8(Human Machine Interface), the GPS 9(Global Positioning System), the wireless communication unit 10, and the map information storage unit 11. The vehicle system 2 further includes: a steering actuator 12, a steering device 13, a brake actuator 14, a brake device 15, an acceleration actuator 16, and an acceleration device 17.

The vehicle control unit 3 is constituted by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The vehicle control unit 3 includes a processor such as a cpu (central processing unit), a rom (read Only memory) in which various vehicle control programs are stored, and a ram (random Access memory) in which various vehicle control data are temporarily stored. The processor is configured to develop programs specified from various vehicle control programs stored in the ROM on the RAM, and execute various processes in cooperation with the RAM. The vehicle control unit 3 is configured to control the traveling of the vehicle 1.

The interior sensor 5 is a sensor capable of acquiring information of the vehicle. The internal sensor 5 is at least one of an acceleration sensor, a speed sensor, a wheel speed sensor, a gyro sensor, and the like. The internal sensor 5 is configured to acquire information of the vehicle including the traveling state of the vehicle 1 and output the information to the vehicle control unit 3.

The internal sensor 5 may further have: a seating sensor that detects whether a driver is seated in a driver seat, a face orientation sensor that detects the direction of the face of the driver, an external weather sensor that detects an external weather state, a human body sensor that detects whether a person is present in the vehicle, and the like. The interior sensor 5 may further include an illuminance sensor that detects illuminance of the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1.

The external sensor 6 is a sensor capable of acquiring information outside the vehicle. The external sensor is, for example, at least one of a camera, radar, LiDAR, etc. The external sensor 6 is configured to acquire information of the outside of the host vehicle including the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1 (other vehicles, pedestrians, road shapes, traffic signs, obstacles, and the like), and output the information to the vehicle control unit 3.

The camera includes an imaging Device such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (complementary MOS). The camera is a camera for detecting visible light or an infrared camera for detecting infrared light.

The radar is millimeter wave radar, microwave radar or laser radar.

LiDAR refers to the abbreviation of Light Detection and Ranging or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging. LiDAR is a sensor that emits invisible light to the front, and acquires information such as the distance to an object, the shape of the object, the material of the object, and the color of the object based on the emitted light and the returned light.

Alternatively, the external sensor 6 may include a weather sensor for detecting a weather state, an illuminance sensor for detecting illuminance in the surrounding environment of the vehicle 1, or the like.

The lamp 7 is at least one of a headlight provided at the front of the vehicle 1, a position lamp, a rear combination lamp provided at the rear of the vehicle 1, a turn signal lamp provided at the front or side of the vehicle, various lamps for making a pedestrian or the driver of another vehicle aware of the situation of the vehicle, and the like.

The HMI 8 is constituted by an input unit that receives an input operation from the driver and an output unit that outputs traveling information and the like to the driver. The input unit includes: a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, a driving mode changeover switch that switches the driving mode of the vehicle 1, and the like. The output unit is a display for displaying various kinds of travel information.

The GPS 9 is configured to acquire current position information of the vehicle 1 and output the acquired current position information to the vehicle control unit 3. The wireless communication unit 10 is configured to receive travel information of another vehicle in the periphery of the vehicle 1 from the other vehicle and transmit the travel information of the vehicle 1 to the other vehicle (inter-vehicle communication). The wireless communication unit 10 is configured to receive infrastructure information from infrastructure equipment such as a traffic signal and a marker light and transmit travel information of the vehicle 1 to the infrastructure equipment (road-to-vehicle communication). The map information storage unit 11 is an external storage device such as a hard disk drive that stores map information, and is configured to output the map information to the vehicle control unit 3.

When the vehicle 1 travels in the automatic driving mode, the vehicle control unit 3 automatically generates at least one of a steering control signal, an acceleration control signal, and a braking control signal based on the travel state information, the surrounding environment information, the current position information, the map information, and the like. The steering actuator 12 is configured to receive a steering control signal from the vehicle control unit 3 and control the steering device 13 based on the received steering control signal. The brake actuator 14 is configured to receive a brake control signal from the vehicle control unit 3 and control the brake device 15 based on the received brake control signal. The acceleration actuator 16 is configured to receive an acceleration control signal from the vehicle control unit 3 and control the acceleration device 17 based on the received acceleration control signal. As described above, in the automatic driving mode, the travel of the vehicle 1 is automatically controlled by the vehicle system 2.

On the other hand, when the vehicle 1 travels in the manual driving mode, the vehicle control unit 3 generates a steering control signal, an acceleration control signal, and a braking control signal in accordance with manual operations of an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and a steering wheel by the driver. As described above, in the manual driving mode, the steering control signal, the acceleration control signal, and the brake control signal are generated in accordance with the manual operation by the driver, and thus the travel of the vehicle 1 is controlled by the driver.

Next, the driving mode of the vehicle 1 will be explained. The driving mode is composed of an automatic driving mode and a manual driving mode. The automatic driving mode is constituted by a full automatic driving mode, an advanced driving assistance mode, and a driving assistance mode. In the full-automatic driving mode, the vehicle system 2 automatically performs all the travel controls of the steering control, the braking control, and the acceleration control, and the driver is not in a state in which the vehicle 1 can be driven. In the advanced driving assistance mode, the vehicle system 2 automatically performs all the travel control of the steering control, the braking control, and the acceleration control, and does not drive the vehicle 1 although the driver is in a state in which the vehicle 1 can be driven. In the driving assistance mode, the vehicle system 2 automatically performs travel control of a part of steering control, braking control, and acceleration control, and the driver drives the vehicle 1 with driving assistance of the vehicle system 2. On the other hand, in the manual driving mode, the vehicle system 2 does not automatically perform the travel control, and the vehicle 1 is driven by the driver without the driving assistance of the vehicle system 2.

In addition, the driving mode of the vehicle 1 may be switched by operating a driving mode switching switch. In this case, the vehicle control unit 3 switches the driving mode of the vehicle 1 among 4 driving modes (the full-automatic driving mode, the advanced driving assistance mode, the driving assistance mode, and the manual driving mode) in accordance with the operation of the driving mode switching switch by the driver. The driving mode of the vehicle 1 may be automatically switched based on information on a travelable section in which the autonomous vehicle can travel, a travel prohibited section in which travel of the autonomous vehicle is prohibited, or information on an external weather state. In this case, the vehicle control unit 3 switches the driving mode of the vehicle 1 based on these pieces of information. Also, the driving mode of the vehicle 1 may be automatically switched by using a seating sensor, a face orientation sensor, or the like. In this case, the vehicle control unit 3 switches the driving mode of the vehicle 1 based on the output signals from the seating sensor and the face direction sensor.

Returning to fig. 1, the vehicle 1 has front LiDAR6f, rear LiDAR 6b, right LiDAR6r, left LiDAR6l, and a camera 6c as the external sensors 6. The front LiDAR6f is configured to acquire information in front of the vehicle 1. The rear LiDAR 6b is configured to acquire information behind the vehicle 1. The right LiDAR6r is configured to acquire information on the right side of the vehicle 1. The left LiDAR6l is configured to acquire information on the left side of the vehicle 1. The camera 6c is configured to acquire information in front of the vehicle 1.

In the example shown in fig. 1, the front LiDAR6f is provided at the front of the vehicle 1, the rear LiDAR 6b is provided at the rear of the vehicle 1, the right LiDAR6r is provided at the right of the vehicle 1, and the left LiDAR6l is provided at the left of the vehicle 1. For example, front LiDAR, rear LiDAR, right LiDAR, and left LiDAR may be collectively disposed on the roof portion of the vehicle 1.

The vehicle 1 includes a right headlamp 7r and a left headlamp 7l as the lamp 7. The right headlamp 7r is provided at a right portion in the front portion of the vehicle 1, and the left headlamp 7l is provided at a left portion in the front portion of the vehicle 1. The right headlamp 7r is provided on the right side of the left headlamp 7 l.

The vehicle 1 has a front window 1f and a rear window 1 b.

The vehicle 1 has a cleaning system 100. The cleaning system 100 is a system for cleaning an object to be cleaned provided outside a vehicle compartment, that is, for removing foreign substances such as water droplets, dirt, and dust adhering to the object to be cleaned by using a cleaning medium. In the present embodiment, the cleaning system 100 includes: a front window washer (hereinafter, referred to as front WW)101, a rear window washer (hereinafter, referred to as rear WW)102, a front LiDAR cleaner (hereinafter, referred to as front LC)103, a rear LiDAR cleaner (hereinafter, referred to as rear LC)104, a right LiDAR cleaner (hereinafter, referred to as right LC)105, a left LiDAR cleaner (hereinafter, referred to as left LC)106, a right headlamp cleaner (hereinafter, referred to as right HC)107, a left headlamp cleaner (hereinafter, referred to as left HC)108, and a camera cleaner 109. Each of the cleaners 101 to 109 has one or more nozzles, and ejects a cleaning medium such as a cleaning liquid or air from the nozzles toward an object to be cleaned.

The front WW101 can be used for washing the front window 1 f. The rear WW 102 can be used for washing the rear window 1 b. The front LC103 is capable of cleaning the front LiDAR6 f. The rear LC104 is able to clean the rear LiDAR6 b. The right LC 105 can clean the right LiDAR6 r. The left LC 106 is able to wash the left LiDAR6 l. The right HC107 can clean the right headlamp 7 r. Left HC 108 can wash left headlamp 7 l. The camera cleaner 109 can clean the camera 6 c.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a cleaning system. The cleaning system comprises the following cleaners 101-109: a front tank 111, a front pump 112, a rear tank 113, a rear pump 114, a cleaner switch 115, a cleaner control portion 116 (control portion), and a mode changeover switch 117.

The front WW101, front LC103, right LC 105, left LC 106, right HC107, left HC 108, camera cleaner 109 are connected to a front storage tank 111 via a front pump 112. The front pump 112 delivers the cleaning liquid stored in the front storage tank 111 to the front WW101, the front LC103, the right LC 105, the left LC 106, the right HC107, the left HC 108, the camera cleaner 109.

The rear WW 102 and the rear LC104 are connected to a rear storage tank 113 via a rear pump 114. The rear pump 114 delivers the cleaning liquid stored in the rear storage tank 113 to the rear WW 102 and the rear LC 104.

The cleaner switch 115 (an example of an operation unit) is a device that is provided inside the vehicle compartment of the vehicle 1 and can be operated by a user. The cleaner switch 115 outputs a cleaner operation signal in accordance with an operation of the user, and the cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control section 116.

Each of the cleaners 101 to 109 is provided with an actuator for opening the nozzle and ejecting the cleaning liquid to the cleaning object. The actuators provided in the cleaners 101 to 109 are electrically connected to a cleaner control unit 116. The cleaner control unit 116 is also electrically connected to the front pump 112, the rear pump 114, the cleaner switch 115, and the vehicle control unit 3.

When a signal for operating the cleaning system 100 is input, the cleaner control unit 116 operates the front pump 112 to feed the cleaning liquid from the front storage tank 111 to the front WW101, and operates the actuator of the front WW101 to eject the cleaning liquid from the front WW101, for example.

The cleaner control unit 116 sends an electric signal to the front pump 112 to operate the front pump 112, for example, to feed the cleaning liquid from the front storage tank 111 to the front WW101, and sends an electric signal to the actuator of the front WW101 to eject the cleaning liquid from the front WW 101.

In the present embodiment, the vehicle control unit 3 may transmit a cleaner operation signal for operating the cleaning system 100. The cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control portion 116. If a cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control portion 116, for example, sends a window washer operation signal (hereinafter referred to as a WW signal) to an actuator of the forward WW101 to eject a washing liquid from the forward WW 101. Further, the cleaner control portion 116 sends an electric signal to the actuator of the front LC103, for example, to eject the cleaning liquid from the front LC 103. At this time, if necessary, an electric signal is sent to the front pump 112 to operate the front pump 112, and the cleaning liquid is sent from the front storage tank 111 to the front WW101 and the front LC 103.

Further, the cleaner operation signal may be transmitted from the vehicle control unit 3 as described above, or the cleaner switch 115 that can be operated by the user may transmit the cleaner operation signal.

Further, there are cases where it is not desirable for the user to carelessly operate the sensor cleaners 103 to 106, 109. For example, the cleaning system 100 may save the cleaning liquid and perform cleaning in the automatic cleaning mode when the remaining amount of the front tank 111 and the rear tank 113 is small.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cleaning system 100 can be set to the interrupt prohibition mode at an arbitrary timing. For example, a button operated by the user or the vehicle control unit 3 may be configured to be able to transmit an electric signal to set the interrupt prohibition mode to the cleaner control unit 116. Alternatively, the cleaner control unit 116 may set the interrupt prohibition mode itself based on a determination of some condition. While the interrupt prohibition mode is set, the cleaner control section 116 does not operate the various cleaners 101 to 109 even if the user operates the cleaner switch 115. As described above, the cleaning system 100 according to the present embodiment can set a mode in which the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 do not operate even if the user operates the cleaner switch 115, and can flexibly cope with various situations.

< action of the cleaning System in the first embodiment >

Next, the operation of the cleaning system 100 in the first embodiment will be described.

The cleaner control unit 116 is configured to operate at least 1 of the WWs 101 to 102, the HCs 107 and 108, and the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109, if a cleaner operation signal for operating the cleaning system 100 is input. For example, if the occupant operates a cleaner switch 115 provided inside the vehicle compartment, a cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control portion 116. Alternatively, the vehicle control portion 3 appropriately transmits a cleaner operation signal to the cleaner control portion 116. For example, when the vehicle control unit 3 determines that the camera 6c is soiled, the vehicle control unit 3 transmits a cleaner operation signal to the cleaner control unit 116. Alternatively, the vehicle control unit 3 transmits a cleaner operation signal to the cleaner control unit 116 at predetermined intervals.

Fig. 4 shows modes a to I that can be employed by the cleaning system 100 of the present embodiment. The cleaner control unit 116 is configured to be capable of switching the modes a to I shown in fig. 4. The mode is defined such that the cleaner control section 116 operates each of the components 101 to 109 several times when a cleaner operation signal is inputted to the cleaner control section 116a predetermined number of times.

The patterns a to I define the operation times of WWs 101, 102, LC103 to 106 and camera cleaners 109, HC107, 108 for cleaning respective objects corresponding to the number of times of inputting cleaner operation signals when the cleaning objects are grouped into the front and rear windows 1f, 1b, the exterior sensor 6, and the lamp 7.

In the present embodiment, the mode in which the front WW101 for washing the front window 1f and the rear WW 102 for washing the rear window 1b are simultaneously operated has been described, but the cleaner control unit 116 may be configured to be capable of selecting a mode in which the timings of operating the front WW101 and the rear WW 102 are different.

(mode A)

The mode a is a mode in which the front and rear windows 1f and 1b, the exterior sensor 6, and the lamp 7 are washed in this order. Fig. 5 shows a timing chart in the case where the cleaner control portion 116 executes the mode a.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, WWs 101 and 102 for cleaning front and rear windows 1f and 1b are operated 4 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. WWs 101, 102 operate every time a cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control section 116.

The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 for cleaning the external sensor 6 operate 2 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 do not operate even if the cleaner operation signals of the 1 st and 3 rd times are input, and operate if the cleaner operation signals of the 2 nd and 4 th times are input.

The HCs 107 and 108 for cleaning the lamp 7 are operated 1 time if the cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The HCs 107, 108 are not operated even if the cleaner operation signals of 1 st to 3 rd times are inputted, and are operated if the cleaner operation signal of 4 th time is inputted.

According to the mode a, the front window 1f is preferentially washed, and the field of vision of the occupant can be easily kept good all the time. Mode a is therefore appropriate when the occupant is driving the vehicle 1.

According to mode a, the exterior sensor 6 is washed with a lower priority than the front window 1f but with a higher priority than the lamp 7. Mode a is therefore suitable when the vehicle control portion 3 is executing a driving mode using the external sensor 6.

According to mode a, the priority of cleaning of the light fixture 7 is lowest. Mode a is therefore suitable for daytime use where the light fixture 7 is not actively used.

According to the above, the mode a is suitable when the vehicle 1 is running in the daytime and the vehicle control portion 3 is executing the driving assistance mode.

(mode B)

The mode B is a mode in which the front and rear windows 1f and 1B, the lamp 7, and the exterior sensor 6 are cleaned preferentially in this order. Fig. 6 shows a timing chart in the case where the cleaner control portion 116 executes the mode B.

As shown in fig. 4 and 6, WWs 101 and 102 for cleaning front and rear windows 1f and 1b are operated 4 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. WWs 101, 102 operate every time a cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control section 116.

The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 for cleaning the external sensor 6 are operated 1 time if a cleaner operation signal is inputted 4 times. The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 do not operate even if the cleaner operation signals of 1 st to 3 rd times are inputted, and operate if the cleaner operation signal of 4 th time is inputted.

The HCs 107 and 108 for cleaning the lamp 7 are operated 2 times if the cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The HCs 107 and 108 are not operated even if the cleaner operation signals of 1 st and 3 rd times are inputted, and are operated if the cleaner operation signals of 2 nd and 4 th times are inputted.

According to the mode B, the front window 1f is preferentially washed, and the field of vision of the occupant can be easily kept good all the time. Mode B is therefore appropriate when the occupant is driving the vehicle 1.

According to mode B, the washing of the light fixture 7 is prioritized below the front window 1f and above the exterior sensor 6. Mode B is therefore suitable for daytime use where the light fixture 7 is not actively used.

According to mode B, the priority of cleaning of the external sensor 6 is lowest. Mode B is therefore suitable when the vehicle control portion 3 is executing a driving mode that does not actively use the external sensor 6.

According to the above, the mode B is suitable when the vehicle 1 is running in the daytime and the vehicle control portion 3 is executing the manual driving mode.

(mode C)

The mode C is a mode in which the exterior sensor 6, the front and rear windows 1f, 1b, and the lamp 7 are washed in order of priority. Fig. 7 shows a timing chart in the case where the cleaner control portion 116 executes the mode C.

As shown in fig. 4 and 7, WWs 101 and 102 for cleaning front and rear windows 1f and 1b are operated 2 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. WWs 101 and 102 do not operate even if the cleaner operation signal of the 1 st and 3 rd times is inputted, and operate if the cleaner operation signal of the 2 nd and 4 th times is inputted.

The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 for cleaning the external sensor 6 operate 4 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 operate each time a cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control unit 116.

The HCs 107 and 108 for cleaning the lamp 7 are operated 1 time if the cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The HCs 107, 108 are not operated even if the cleaner operation signals of 1 st to 3 rd times are inputted, and are operated if the cleaner operation signal of 4 th time is inputted.

According to the mode C, the external sensor 6 is preferentially cleaned, and the sensitivity of the external sensor 6 can be easily kept good at all times. Mode C is therefore suitable when the vehicle control portion 3 is executing a driving mode using the external sensor 6.

According to the mode C, the front window 1f is washed with a lower priority than the exterior sensor 6 but with a higher priority than the lamp 7. Therefore, the mode C easily keeps the view of the occupant good.

According to mode C, the priority of the cleaning of the light fixture 7 is lowest. Mode C is therefore suitable for daytime use where the light fixture 7 is not actively used.

According to the above, the mode C is suitable when the vehicle 1 is running in the daytime and the vehicle control portion 3 is executing the full-automatic driving mode, the advanced driving assistance mode, or the driving assistance mode.

(mode D)

The mode D is a mode in which the lamp 7, the front and rear windows 1f, 1b, and the exterior sensor 6 are washed in this order. Fig. 8 shows a timing chart in the case where the cleaner control portion 116 executes the mode D.

As shown in fig. 4 and 8, WWs 101 and 102 for cleaning front and rear windows 1f and 1b are operated 2 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. WWs 101 and 102 do not operate even if the cleaner operation signal of the 1 st and 3 rd times is inputted, and operate if the cleaner operation signal of the 2 nd and 4 th times is inputted.

The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 for cleaning the external sensor 6 are operated 1 time if a cleaner operation signal is inputted 4 times. The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 do not operate even if the cleaner operation signals of 1 st to 3 rd times are inputted, and operate if the cleaner operation signal of 4 th time is inputted.

The HCs 107 and 108 for cleaning the lamp 7 are operated 4 times if the cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The HCs 107, 108 operate each time a cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control section 116.

According to the mode D, the lamp 7 is preferentially cleaned, so that the user can easily keep a good view at night, and another person can easily recognize the vehicle at night. Mode D is therefore suitable for night use.

According to the mode D, the front window 1f is washed with a lower priority than the lamp 7 but with a higher priority than the exterior sensor 6. The mode D is suitable for the night and the vehicle control section 3 is executing the manual driving mode.

According to the mode D, the priority of the cleaning of the external sensor 6 is the lowest. Mode D is therefore suitable for manual driving without actively using the external sensor 6.

From the above, the mode D is suitable when the vehicle 1 is traveling at night and the vehicle control portion 3 is executing the manual driving mode.

(mode E)

The mode E is a mode in which the exterior sensor 6, the lamp 7, and the front and rear windows 1f, 1b are washed in this order. Fig. 9 shows a timing chart in the case where the cleaner control portion 116 executes the mode E.

As shown in fig. 4 and 9, WWs 101 and 102 for cleaning front and rear windows 1f and 1b are operated 1 time if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. WWs 101 and 102 do not operate even if the cleaner operation signal of 1 st to 3 rd times is input, and operate if the cleaner operation signal of 4 th time is input.

The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 for cleaning the external sensor 6 operate 4 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 operate each time a cleaner operation signal is inputted to the cleaner control section 116.

The HCs 107 and 108 for cleaning the lamp 7 are operated 2 times if the cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The HCs 107 and 108 are not operated even if the cleaner operation signals of 1 st and 3 rd times are inputted, and are operated if the cleaner operation signals of 2 nd and 4 th times are inputted.

According to the mode E, the external sensor 6 is preferentially cleaned, and the sensitivity of the external sensor 6 can be easily kept good at all times. The mode E is suitable when the vehicle control portion 3 is executing a driving mode using the output of the external sensor 6.

According to mode E, the lamp 7 is washed with a lower priority than the exterior sensor 6 but with a higher priority than the front window 1 f. Mode E is therefore suitable for night use.

According to the pattern E, the priority of the washing of the front window 1f is the lowest. Therefore, the mode E is suitable when the user does not actively look at the front window 1f and the vehicle control unit 3 does not execute the manual driving mode.

From the above, the mode E is suitable when the vehicle 1 is running at night and the vehicle control portion 3 is executing the full-automatic driving mode or the advanced-automatic driving mode.

(mode F)

The mode F is a mode in which the lamp 7, the exterior sensor 6, and the front and rear windows 1F, 1b are washed in this order. Fig. 10 shows a timing chart in the case where the cleaner control portion 116 executes the mode F.

As shown in fig. 4 and 10, WWs 101 and 102 for cleaning the front and rear windows 1f and 1b are operated 1 time if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. WWs 101 and 102 do not operate even if the cleaner operation signal of 1 st to 3 rd times is input, and operate if the cleaner operation signal of 4 th time is input.

The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 for cleaning the external sensor 6 operate 2 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 do not operate even if the cleaner operation signals of the 1 st and 3 rd times are input, and operate if the cleaner operation signals of the 2 nd and 4 th times are input.

The HCs 107 and 108 for cleaning the lamp 7 are operated 4 times if the cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The HCs 107, 108 operate each time a cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control section 116.

In the mode F, the lamp 7 is preferably washed, so that the sensitivity of the camera 6c of the external sensor 6 can be maintained at a good level at night, and other people can easily recognize the vehicle at night. Mode F is therefore particularly suitable for night use using the camera 6 c.

According to mode F, the exterior sensor 6 is washed with a lower priority than the lamp 7 but with a higher priority than the front window 1F. The mode F is suitable when the vehicle control section 3 is performing other than the manual driving mode at night. Further, the present invention is suitable for traveling in an area where the external sensor 6 is less likely to cause dirt (e.g., a city street instead of a wilderness).

According to the pattern F, the priority of the washing of the front window 1F is the lowest. The pattern F is suitable when the user does not actively look at the front window 1F.

From the above, the mode F is suitable when the vehicle control portion 3 is executing the full-automatic driving mode, the advanced driving assistance mode, and the like at night of the vehicle 1.

The mode F has a higher priority for cleaning the lamp 7 than the mode E, and the priority for cleaning the external sensor 6 is lower. Therefore, the mode F is suitable for the case where the vehicle control unit 3 is executing the full-automatic driving mode or the advanced driving assistance mode based on the information output from the camera 6c, as compared with the mode E.

(mode G)

The pattern G is a pattern in which the front and rear windows 1f and 1b, the exterior sensor 6, and the lamp 7 are washed in this order. The front and rear windows 1f, 1b and the exterior sensor 6 have the same priority level. Fig. 11 shows a timing chart in the case where the cleaner control portion 116 executes the pattern G.

As shown in fig. 4 and 11, WWs 101 and 102 for cleaning front and rear windows 1f and 1b are operated 4 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. WWs 101, 102 operate every time a cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control section 116.

The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 for cleaning the external sensor 6 operate 4 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 operate each time a cleaner operation signal is inputted to the cleaner control section 116.

The HCs 107 and 108 for cleaning the lamp 7 are operated 2 times if the cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The HCs 107 and 108 are not operated even if the cleaner operation signals of 1 st and 3 rd times are inputted, and are operated if the cleaner operation signals of 2 nd and 4 th times are inputted.

According to the mode G, the front window 1f and the external sensor 6 are washed with priority, and the field of vision of the occupant and the sensitivity of the external sensor 6 can be kept good at all times.

According to mode G, the priority of the cleaning of the luminaire 7 is lowest. Mode G is therefore suitable for daytime use where the light fixture 7 is not actively used.

According to the above, the mode G is suitable when the vehicle 1 is running in the daytime and the vehicle control portion 3 is executing the full-automatic driving mode, the advanced driving assistance mode, the driving assistance mode, or the manual driving mode.

In the mode G, the front window 1f is kept clean as compared with the mode C, and the field of vision of the occupant is easily secured, so that the mode G is more suitable for the driving assistance mode and the case where the occupant views the view outside the vehicle. However, the pattern G consumes a larger amount of the cleaning medium than the pattern C.

(mode H)

The pattern H is a pattern in which the front and rear windows 1f and 1b, the lamp 7, and the exterior sensor 6 are washed in this order. The front and rear windows 1f, 1b and the lamps 7 have the same priority. Fig. 12 shows a timing chart in the case where the cleaner control portion 116 executes the pattern H.

As shown in fig. 4 and 12, WWs 101 and 102 for cleaning the front and rear windows 1f and 1b are operated 4 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. WWs 101, 102 operate every time a cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control section 116.

The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 for cleaning the external sensor 6 operate 2 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 do not operate even if the cleaner operation signals of the 1 st and 3 rd times are input, and operate if the cleaner operation signals of the 2 nd and 4 th times are input.

The HCs 107 and 108 for cleaning the lamp 7 are operated 4 times if the cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The HCs 107, 108 operate each time a cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control section 116.

According to the pattern H, the front window 1f and the lamp 7 are preferably washed, so that the user's field of vision at night can be easily maintained good, and other people can easily recognize the own vehicle at night. Mode H is therefore suitable for night use.

According to pattern H, the priority of cleaning of the external sensor 6 is lowest. The pattern H is suitable when the vehicle control portion 3 is executing a pattern that does not actively use the external sensor 6.

From the above, the pattern H is suitable when the vehicle 1 is traveling at night and the vehicle control portion 3 is executing the manual driving pattern.

The pattern H is more suitable when the vehicle 1 is traveling at night and the vehicle control unit 3 is executing the manual driving mode because it is easier to keep the front window 1f clean. However, pattern H consumes a larger amount of the cleaning medium than pattern D.

(mode I)

The mode I is a mode in which the exterior sensor 6, the lamp 7, and the front and rear windows 1f and 1b are washed in this order. The external sensor 6 and the light fixture 7 are of the same priority. Fig. 13 shows a timing chart in the case where the cleaner control portion 116 executes the mode I.

As shown in fig. 4 and 13, WWs 101 and 102 for cleaning front and rear windows 1f and 1b are operated 2 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. WWs 101 and 102 do not operate even if the cleaner operation signal of the 1 st and 3 rd times is inputted, and operate if the cleaner operation signal of the 2 nd and 4 th times is inputted.

The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 for cleaning the external sensor 6 operate 4 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The LCs 103-106 and the camera cleaner 109 operate each time a cleaner operation signal is inputted to the cleaner control section 116.

The HCs 107 and 108 for cleaning the lamp 7 are operated 4 times if the cleaner operation signal is input 4 times. The HCs 107, 108 operate each time a cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control section 116.

According to the mode I, the external sensor 6 and the lamp 7 are preferably cleaned, and the sensitivity of the external sensor 6, particularly the camera 6c, can be easily kept good at night. Mode I is therefore suitable when the vehicle control portion 3 is executing a driving mode that actively uses the external sensor 6 at night.

According to the mode I, the priority of the washing of the front window 1f is the lowest. Mode I is therefore suitable when the user is not actively driving the vehicle 1.

From the above, the mode I is suitable when the vehicle 1 is running at night and the vehicle control portion 3 is executing the full-automatic driving mode, the advanced driving assistance mode.

Mode I makes it easier to keep both the external sensor 6 and the light fixture 7 clean compared to mode E, F. Therefore, the mode I is suitable for the case where the vehicle 1 is running at night as compared with the mode E, F, and the vehicle control unit 3 is executing the full-automatic driving mode and the advanced driving assistance mode. However, the mode I consumes a larger amount of the cleaning medium than the mode E, F.

(modes 1 to 11)

The cleaning system 100 is configured to be able to combine the modes a to I shown in fig. 4 and the modes 1 to 11 shown in fig. 14.

Modes 1 to 11 define the number of operations of the LC103 to 106 and the camera cleaner 109 corresponding to the number of inputs of the cleaner operation signal in the case where the cleaning target is limited to the external sensor 6. For example, a mode I5 such as mode I and mode 5 may be set in the cleaner control unit 116. The mode I5 becomes the mode shown in fig. 15.

If the cleaner control section 116 executes the mode I5, the cleaning system 100 operates as shown in fig. 15 in the following manner.

WWs 101 and 102 for cleaning the front and rear windows 1f and 1b are operated 4 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 8 times. WW101, 102 does not operate even if the cleaner operation signal of 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th is inputted, and operates if the cleaner operation signal of 2 nd, 4 th, 6 th, 8 th is inputted.

The front LC103 and the camera cleaner 109, which clean the front LiDAR6f and the camera 6c, operate 8 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 8 times. The front LC103 and the camera cleaner 109 operate each time a cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control section 116.

The rear LC104, which cleans the rear LiDAR 6b, operates 2 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 8 times. The rear LC104 does not operate even if the cleaner operation signals of 1 st to 3 th and 5 th to 7 th times are inputted, and operates if the cleaner operation signals of 4 th and 8 th times are inputted.

The left and right LCs 105, 106 that wash the left and right LiDAR6r, 6l, operate 4 times if a cleaner operation signal is input 8 times. The left and right LCs 105, 106 do not operate even if the cleaner operation signal of 1 st, 3 rd, 5 th, 7 th is inputted, and operate if the cleaner operation signal of 2 nd, 4 th, 6 th, 8 th is inputted.

The HCs 107 and 108 for cleaning the lamp 7 are operated 8 times if the cleaner operation signal is input 8 times. The HCs 107, 108 operate each time a cleaner operation signal is input to the cleaner control section 116.

The mode I5 is suitable when the vehicle 1 is traveling at night and the vehicle control portion 3 is executing the full-automatic driving mode and the advanced driving assistance mode. In the mode I5, the front LiDAR6f and the camera 6c that acquire information in front of the vehicle 1 have a higher priority for cleaning. In contrast, the priority of cleaning of the rear LiDAR 6b, left and right LiDAR6r, 6l is low. Therefore, the vehicle 1 makes a right-left turn and a backward turn less frequently, and is suitable for traveling on an expressway, for example. In addition, since the frequency of cleaning of the rear LiDAR 6b, the left and right LiDAR6r, 6l is reduced, the cleaning medium can be saved. From the above, the mode I5 is suitable when the vehicle 1 is traveling on an expressway at night and the vehicle control portion 3 is executing the full-automatic driving mode and the advanced driving assistance mode.

As described above, the cleaning system 100 is configured to be able to select which sensor is to be preferentially washed with respect to the external sensor 6. Thereby, it is possible to save the washing medium and obtain a more appropriate washing state under the condition where the vehicle 1 is located.

As described above, in the modes a to F, the cleaner control unit 116 operates the window washer, the lamp cleaner, and the sensor cleaner so that at least 2 or more of the number of operations of the WWs 101 and 102, the number of operations of the HCs 107 and 108, and the number of operations of the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 are different according to the cleaner operation signal of the predetermined number of times. In addition, in the modes G to I, if the combination with the modes 2 to 11, the cleaners 101 to 109 are also operated in a manner that at least 2 of the various cleaners 101 to 109 are different.

According to the cleaning system 100 of the present embodiment, at least 2 or more of the number of operations of the WWs 101, 102, the number of operations of the HCs 107, 108, and the number of operations of the sensor cleaners 103 to 106, 109, which are operated in accordance with the number of cleaner operation signals, are different. Therefore, the necessary cleaning object can be easily kept clean according to the scene while saving the cleaning medium.

For example, when the vehicle control unit 3 is executing the automatic driving mode, the modes C, E to G, I in which the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 are operated more frequently than the WWs 101 and 102 are selected. This makes it possible to save the cleaning medium and maintain the sensitivity of the external sensor 6, as compared with the case where the WWs 101, 102, the HCs 107, 108, and the sensor cleaners 103 to 106, 109 are operated at the same operation frequency.

Alternatively, when the surroundings of the vehicle are bright, the number of operations of the WWs 101 and 102 and the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 is made larger than the number of operations of the HCs 107 and 108. Thus, compared to the case where WWs 101, 102, HCs 107, 108, and sensor cleaners 103 to 106, 109 are operated at the same operation frequency, the front window 1f can be kept clean while saving the cleaning medium, and the sensitivity of the external sensor 6 can be maintained while securing the field of view of the user.

As described above, it is possible to operate various cleaners in a manner suitable for a scene while saving a cleaning medium, and thus the degree of convenience of use of the cleaning system 100 is improved.

In the above-described cleaning system 100, the cleaner control unit is configured to be capable of changing the magnitude relationship between the number of operations of the WWs 101 and 102, the number of operations of the HCs 107 and 108, and the number of operations of the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109, which correspond to the predetermined number of inputs of the cleaner operation signal.

Thus, the optimum modes A to I, 1 to 11 can be selected according to various scenes.

In the above-described cleaning system 100, the magnitude relationship between the number of operations of the WWs 101 and 102, the number of operations of the HCs 107 and 108, and the number of operations of the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 corresponding to the predetermined number of times of input of the cleaner operation signal can be changed in accordance with the input of the user.

Thus, the modes a to I, 1 to 11 can be changed based on the intention of the user, and therefore, the cleaning system 100 can be operated in a mode suitable for the scene intended by the user.

In the above-described cleaning system 100, the magnitude relationship between the number of operations of the WWs 101 and 102, the number of operations of the HCs 107 and 108, and the number of operations of the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109, which correspond to the predetermined number of times of input of the cleaner operation signal, can be changed in accordance with the automatic driving state and the manual driving state of the vehicle 1.

Thus, since the modes a to I, 1 to 11 of the cleaning system 100 are changed depending on whether the vehicle is driven automatically or manually, it is possible to select a mode in which the cleanliness of the external sensor 6 is easily maintained, which is required for automatic driving, or a mode in which the cleanliness of the front window 1f and the lamp 7 is easily maintained, which is required for manual driving.

In the above-described cleaning system 100, the magnitude relationship between the number of operations of the WWs 101 and 102, the number of operations of the HCs 107 and 108, and the number of operations of the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 corresponding to the predetermined number of times of cleaner operation signal input can be changed in accordance with the signals indicating the automatic driving state and the manual driving state of the vehicle 1 output from the vehicle control unit 3 that automatically drives the vehicle 1.

The vehicle control unit 3 inputs the state of automatic driving/manual driving to the cleaning system 100, and the user does not need to operate the cleaning system 100, so that the burden on the user is reduced.

The cleaning system 100 is configured such that a user can change various modes by operating a mode switch 117 (see fig. 3) provided in the vehicle interior. The vehicle control unit 3 is configured to output a mode switching signal in accordance with the output of the internal sensor 5, the output of the external sensor 6, and the driving mode being executed. For example, the vehicle control unit 3 outputs a mode switching signal according to at least one of the time, the ambient brightness, the vehicle speed, the acceleration, and the navigation information. The cleaning system 100 is configured to be capable of changing various modes a to I, 1 to 11 in accordance with a mode switching signal output from the vehicle control unit 3.

As described above, in the above-described cleaning system 100, the magnitude relationship between the number of operations of the WWs 101 and 102, the number of operations of the HCs 107 and 108, and the number of operations of the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109, which correspond to the predetermined number of times of input of the cleaner operation signal, can be changed in accordance with at least one of the time, the ambient brightness, the vehicle speed, the acceleration, and the navigation information.

Thus, even if the user does not select the mode, the user can select the optimal mode corresponding to the specific scene, and the burden on the user is reduced. The navigation information is information for moving the vehicle to a destination, including map information, travel route information, right and left curve information, travel lane information, and the like.

The cleaning system 100 includes a plurality of sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 for cleaning a plurality of external sensors having different detection methods. The cleaner control unit operates the sensor cleaners 103-106, 109 so that at least 2 or more of the plurality of operation times are different from each other according to the predetermined number of signals.

The external sensors 6, such as the LiDAR6f, 6r, 6b, and 6l and the camera 6c, which have different detection methods, are often required to have different scenes. For example, information output from the front LiDAR6f becomes important in dense fog compared to the camera 6 c. Therefore, the modes 1 to 11 are selected for each sensor type so that the number of operations of the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 is different according to the predetermined number of cleaner operation signals, and the cleanliness of the specific external sensor 6 corresponding to the specific scene is easily maintained.

The cleaning system 100 includes a plurality of sensor cleaners 103 to 106 for cleaning the plurality of external sensors 6f, 6b, 6r, and 6l installed at different positions.

The cleaner control unit 116 operates the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 so that at least 2 or more of the operation times of the plurality of sensor cleaners 103 to 106 are different from each other according to the cleaner operation signal of the predetermined number of times.

The plurality of external sensors 6 installed at different locations are often required to have different scenes. For example, information output from the front LiDAR6f becomes important when the vehicle 1 is moving forward, information output from the rear LiDAR 6b becomes important when the vehicle 1 is moving backward, information output from the right LiDAR6r becomes important when the vehicle 1 is turning right, and information output from the left LiDAR6l becomes important when the vehicle 1 is turning left. Therefore, modes 1 to 11 are selected so that the number of operations of the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 corresponding to the signals of the predetermined number of times is different for each place where the external sensor 6 is disposed, thereby making it easy to maintain the necessary cleanliness of the external sensor 6 in a specific scene.

Action of cleaning System in second embodiment

Next, the operation of the cleaning system 100 in the second embodiment will be described.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart of the processing executed by the cleaning system 100 according to the present embodiment. The process shown in fig. 16 is executed by the cleaner control section 116 of the cleaning system 100. As shown in fig. 16, the cleaner control portion 116 executes the automatic washing mode (step S01). The automatic washing mode is a mode in which the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 are operated regardless of a signal output from the cleaner switch 115 (an example of an operation unit) that outputs a signal in response to an operation by a user.

As shown in fig. 16, the cleaner control unit 116 executes a process of determining whether or not the interrupt prohibition mode is set (step S05). If the mode is the interrupt prohibition mode (step S05: Yes), the cleaner control unit 116 does not execute step S02 but continues the automatic cleaning mode and determines whether or not there is a dirt signal (step S03).

Next, if the interrupt prohibition mode is not set (No in step S05), the cleaner control unit 116 checks at predetermined intervals whether or not the signal output from the cleaner switch 115 is input (step S02). When the signal output from the cleaner switch 115 is not input to the cleaner control unit 116 (No in step S02), the cleaner control unit 116 determines whether or not the dirt signal is input (step S03).

In the present embodiment, it is configured to be able to recognize a decrease in the sensitivity of the LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, 6l and the camera 6 c. The LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, 6l and the camera 6c check the sensitivity thereof at predetermined intervals. The LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, and 6l and the camera 6c determine that they have dirt when their sensitivity is lower than a predetermined threshold value, and transmit a dirt signal to the cleaner control unit 116.

Upon receiving the dirt signal (step S03: Yes), the cleaner control unit 116 operates the sensor cleaners 103 to 106, 109 corresponding to the LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, 6l or the camera 6c that sent the dirt signal (step S04). Note that the external sensors 6f, 6b, 6r, 6l, and 6c themselves do not have a function of determining the presence of dirt, and a dirt detection unit that determines the presence of dirt in the external sensors 6f, 6b, 6r, 6l, and 6c may be provided separately from the external sensors 6f, 6b, 6r, 6l, and 6 c.

If the dirt signal is not input (No in step S03), the cleaner control unit 116 returns to the step of determining whether the interruption prohibition mode is set or not without operating the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 (step S05).

When the cleaner control unit 116 determines that the signal output from the cleaner switch 115 is input when determining whether the signal output from the cleaner switch 115 is input at predetermined intervals (step S02: Yes), the cleaner control unit 116 activates at least one of the sensor cleaners 103 to 106, 109 (step S04). After the cleaner control unit 116 operates at least one of the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109, the process returns to step S05.

In the vehicle 1 that travels in the automatic driving mode, since it is required to maintain the sensitivity of the external sensor 6 well, the sensor cleaners 103 to 106, 109 are operated more frequently than the window washers 101, 102, etc. Therefore, the user operates the sensor cleaners 101 and 109 every time the external sensor 6 is soiled, which increases the burden on the user. However, according to the cleaning system 100 of the present embodiment, the burden on the user is reduced by the automatic washing mode. In addition, depending on the type of the external sensor 6, the user is less likely to perceive the dirt of the external sensor 6. According to the cleaning system 100 of the present embodiment, the user does not need to pay attention to whether the external sensor 6 is soiled or not in the automatic cleaning mode, and the burden on the user is reduced.

On the other hand, even if the external sensor 6 is kept clean in the automatic washing mode, the user may wish to wash the external sensor 6 at a preferred timing. Therefore, according to the cleaning system 100 of the present embodiment, in the case where it is not the interrupt prohibition mode (step S05: No), the user can wash the external sensor 6 at a favorable timing (step S02: Yes). As described above, the cleaning system 100 according to the present embodiment can achieve both the reduction of the burden on the user and the cleaning at a preferable timing, and thus the usability is improved.

In the present embodiment, the cleaner control unit 116 is configured to continue the automatic cleaning mode even after the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 are operated by receiving a signal from the cleaner switch 115.

According to the present embodiment, since the automatic washing mode is maintained even after the user operates the cleaner switch 115, the operation burden on the user is reduced.

Further, the automatic cleaning mode may be terminated after the user operates the cleaner switch 115, and the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 may be operated each time the user operates the cleaner switch 115. In the automatic washing mode execution, it is not easy for the user to grasp the consumption amount of the washing liquid. Therefore, when the remaining amount of the front storage tank 111 and the rear storage tank 113 is small, it is preferable to terminate the automatic washing mode after operating the cleaner switch 115 so that the user himself/herself can easily grasp the consumption amount of the washing liquid.

Further, there are cases where it is not desirable for the user to carelessly operate the sensor cleaners 103 to 106, 109. For example, the cleaning system 100 may save the cleaning liquid and perform cleaning in the automatic cleaning mode when the remaining amount of the front tank 111 and the rear tank 113 is small.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cleaner control unit 116 can set the interrupt prohibition mode at an arbitrary timing. For example, a button operated by the user or the vehicle control unit 3 may be configured to be able to transmit an electric signal to the cleaner control unit 116 to set the interrupt prohibition mode. Alternatively, the cleaner control unit 116 may set the interrupt prohibition mode itself based on a determination of some condition.

As described above, when the cleaner control unit 116 is configured to be able to execute the interrupt prohibition mode, as shown in fig. 16, the step of determining whether or not the cleaner control unit is in the interrupt prohibition mode is executed before the step of determining whether or not the cleaner switch 115 is input by the user (step S05). If the interrupt prohibition mode is being executed, the cleaner control unit 116 continues the automatic cleaning mode without executing step S02, and determines whether or not there is a dirt signal (step S03).

As described above, the cleaning system 100 according to the present embodiment can set a mode in which the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 do not operate even if the user operates the cleaner switch 115, and can flexibly cope with various situations.

Further, the cleaning system 100 has been described as operating the sensor cleaners 103 to 106, 109 in accordance with the output of the cleaner switch 115, but the cleaning system 100 may be configured to operate the sensor cleaners 103 to 106, 109 and the window washers 101, 102 in accordance with the output of the cleaner switch 115. The front window 1f and the exterior sensor 6 are soiled to the same extent with the passage of time. Therefore, when the user tries to clean the front window 1f where dirt is easily found, it is reasonable to clean the external sensor 6 together. The cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 and the window washers 101 and 102 may be operated simultaneously or with a time difference therebetween.

In the above-described embodiment, the flow including the step of determining whether or not the mode is the interrupt prohibition mode is described, but the step of determining whether or not the mode is the interrupt prohibition mode may be omitted, and the cleaner control unit 116 may be configured to operate the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 as needed when the signal output from the cleaner switch 115 is input.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 are operated in response to the input of the dirt signal while the automatic cleaning mode is being executed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. During execution of the automatic washing mode, the sensor cleaners 103 to 106, 109 may be operated at predetermined time intervals regardless of the presence or absence of dirt, the sensor cleaners 103 to 106, 109 may be operated at intervals of a predetermined travel distance regardless of the presence or absence of dirt, the sensor cleaners 103 to 106, 109 may be operated at each engine start regardless of the presence or absence of dirt, and the like. As described above, the cleaner control unit 116 may be configured to be capable of switching between various modes of how the automatic cleaning mode is executed. For example, the mode switching device may be configured to be capable of switching the various modes as described above when receiving a signal output from a mode switching switch 117 (see fig. 3) provided in the vehicle interior and operable by the user.

Action of cleaning System in third embodiment

Next, the operation of the cleaning system 100 in the third embodiment will be described.

Fig. 17 shows a timing diagram of the cleaning system 100. Fig. 17 shows the cleaner operation signal, the WW operation signal, and the LC operation signal from above toward below. The LC operation signal is an electric signal transmitted to the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 that desire to operate when the cleaner control unit 116 operates at least one of the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 that clean the LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, and 6 l.

As shown in fig. 17, the cleaner control unit 116 is configured to output a WW operation signal to the front WW101 once and an LC operation signal once to the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 that desire to operate, every time a cleaner operation signal is input once. The WW operation signal and the LC operation signal are output simultaneously. In the following description, a mode in which the timing chart shown in fig. 17 is executed will be referred to as mode 1.

As described above, the cleaning system 100 of the present embodiment includes the cleaner control unit 116 that operates the LCs 103 to 106 in accordance with the operation of the front WW 101.

Further, the LC operation signal may be transmitted to all the LCs 103 to 106 to operate all the LCs 103 to 106, or may be transmitted only to the front LC103 to operate only the front LC 103.

Moreover, dirt on the LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, and 6l cannot be visually recognized directly from the user in the vehicle cabin, and it is difficult for the user to directly recognize the decrease in sensitivity due to dirt on the LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, and 6 l. In addition, if switches for driving only the sensor cleaners 103 to 106, 109 for cleaning the LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, 6l are provided in the vehicle interior, the burden of the operation of the user is increased.

Therefore, the present inventors have noticed that the possibility of fouling of the LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, 6l is high when the front window 1f is fouled. For example, when dust is attached to the front window 1f, there is a high possibility that dust is also attached to the front LiDAR6f, the rear LiDAR 6b, the right LiDAR6r, and the left LiDAR6 l. Therefore, if the user operates the LCs 103 to 106 even when operating the front WW101, the LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, and 6l can be easily kept in a clean state without increasing the burden on the user. Therefore, the cleaning system 100 of the present embodiment operates the LCs 103 to 106 in accordance with the operation of the front WW101, and thus has a good degree of usability.

Further, similarly to the front window 1f, the user can easily notice the dirt on the rear window 1 r. Therefore, the LCs 103 to 106 can be configured to operate in accordance with the operation of the rear WW 102. Alternatively, the LCs 103 to 106 may be configured to operate in accordance with the operation of at least one of the front WW101 and the rear WW 102.

Further, while the timing chart shown in fig. 17 shows the mode 1 in which at least one of the LCs 103 to 106 is operated once at the same time as the front WW101 every time the front WW101 is operated once, the cleaning system according to the present embodiment can execute a mode other than the mode 1. Fig. 18 shows a timing chart of mode 2 executed by the cleaning system 100 of the present embodiment. Fig. 19 shows a timing chart of mode 3 executed by the cleaning system 100 of the present embodiment.

As shown in fig. 18, the LC operation signal may be output 2 times every 1 time the WW operation signal is output. In the case where the vehicle 1 is traveling in the full-automatic driving mode, the priority of keeping the LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, 6l clean is higher than that of keeping the front window 1f clean. Therefore, the mode 2 is a mode in which the number of outputs of the LC operation signal is set to be larger than the number of outputs of the WW operation signal, and is suitable for a case where the vehicle 1 is running in the full-automatic driving mode. In mode 2, the LC operation signal may be configured to be output 3 times or more per 1-time WW operation signal output.

As shown in fig. 19, the LC operation signal may be output 1 time every 2 times the WW operation signal is output. When the vehicle 1 is traveling in the manual driving mode or the driving assistance mode, the priority of keeping the front window 1f clean is higher than that of keeping the LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, 6l clean. Therefore, the mode 3 is a mode in which the number of outputs of the WW operation signal is set much larger than the number of outputs of the LC operation signal, and is suitable for a case where the vehicle 1 is running in the manual driving mode or the driving assistance mode. In mode 3, the LC operation signal may be output 1 time every time the WW operation signal is output 3 times or more.

The cleaning system 100 of the present embodiment is configured to be switchable between the modes 1 to 3 described above in accordance with an output of a mode switching switch 117 (see fig. 3) provided in the vehicle interior. Alternatively, the vehicle control unit 3 may determine the driving mode and may transmit a mode switching signal for switching the modes 1 to 3 to the cleaner control unit 116 according to the determination result. This makes it possible to execute a wash mode suitable for the situation such as the drive mode, and to easily maintain a clean state when the front window 1f, the rear window 1r, and the LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, and 6l are required to be used.

In addition, the above-described examples in which the rising signal of the WW operation signal and the rising signal of the LC operation signal in the modes 1 to 3 are simultaneous have been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Fig. 20 and 21 show timing charts of modifications of mode 1.

As shown in fig. 20, the rising signal of the LC operation signal may be output later than the rising signal of the WW operation signal. Further, the rising signal of the LC operation signal may be output at the same time as or later than the falling signal of the WW operation signal.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 21, the rising signal of the WW operation signal may be output later than the rising signal of the LC operation signal. Further, the rising signal of the WW operation signal may be output at the same time as or later than the falling signal of the LC operation signal.

In particular, when the front WW101 and the LCs 103 to 106 are connected to the common front reservoir tank 111 and the front pump 112 as shown in fig. 3, if the front WW101 is operated, the pressure of the cleaning liquid in the pipe between the front pump 112 and the LCs 103 to 106 decreases. Therefore, if the front WW101 is operating and the LCs 103 to 106 are operating, the ejection pressure of the cleaning liquid ejected from the front WW101 and the LCs 103 to 106 may decrease. Therefore, as shown in fig. 20 and 21, if the operation timing of the front WW101 and the operation timings of the LCs 103 to 106 are made different, the cleaning liquid is easily ejected from the front WW101 and the LCs 103 to 106 at a high ejection pressure.

The cleaner control unit 116 may be configured to be able to perform a combination of an interlock mode in which the WW operation signal and the LC operation signal are output in association with each other and an independent mode in which the WW operation signal and the LC operation signal are not output in association with each other. Fig. 22 shows a timing chart of the cleaning system 100 according to the modification of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 22, in the present modification, the cleaner control unit 116 outputs the cleaner operation signal so that the LC operation signal is output at predetermined intervals. At this time, the LC operation signal output at every predetermined time does not interlock with the WW operation signal (independent mode), and the WW operation signal is not output. However, when a cleaner operation signal output from a cleaner switch 115 (see fig. 3) operated by a user is input to the cleaner control unit 116, the cleaner control unit 116 causes the WW operation signal and the LC operation signal to be linked and outputs the WW operation signal and the LC operation signal simultaneously (linked mode).

According to the above-described configuration, since the LCs 103 to 106 operate at predetermined intervals and when the user operates the cleaner switch 115, it is easy to keep the LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, and 6l in a clean state. On the other hand, the front WW101 operates only when the user operates the cleaner switch 115, and therefore does not cause a sense of discomfort to the user. As described above, the cleaner control portion 116 may be configured in such a manner that the use of the linked mode and the independent mode is distinguished according to where the cleaner operation signal input to the cleaner control portion 116 is issued.

In addition, the independent mode may be configured to output a signal for operating the cleaner every predetermined time, and to output a signal for operating the cleaner every time the vehicle travels a predetermined distance.

Next, a vehicle cleaning system according to a fourth embodiment will be described.

Reference numerals of elements of the vehicle cleaning system 1100 according to the fourth embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the cleaning system 1100) are given by adding 1000 to the reference numerals attached to the elements of the cleaning system 100 according to the first embodiment. The elements of the fourth embodiment that are common to the first embodiment will not be described.

Fig. 23 is a plan view of vehicle 1001 mounted with cleaning system 1100 according to the present embodiment. Vehicle 1001 of the present embodiment does not include camera 6c in vehicle 1 (see fig. 1) described in the first embodiment.

As shown in fig. 23, a vehicle 1001 includes a front window 1001f and a rear window 1001b as windows.

In addition, the vehicle 1001 has a cleaning system 1100. The cleaning system 1100 is a system for cleaning an object to be cleaned provided outside a vehicle compartment, that is, for removing foreign substances such as water droplets, dirt, and dust adhering to the object to be cleaned by using a cleaning medium. In the present embodiment, the cleaning system 1100 includes: a front window washer nozzle (hereinafter, referred to as a front WW nozzle) 1101, a rear window washer nozzle (hereinafter, referred to as a rear WW nozzle) 1102, a front LiDAR cleaner nozzle (hereinafter, referred to as a front LC nozzle) 1103, a rear LiDAR cleaner nozzle (hereinafter, referred to as a rear LC nozzle) 1104, a right LiDAR cleaner nozzle (hereinafter, referred to as a right LC nozzle) 1105, a left LiDAR cleaner nozzle (hereinafter, referred to as a left LC nozzle) 1106, a right headlamp cleaner nozzle (hereinafter, referred to as a right HC nozzle) 1107, and a left headlamp cleaner nozzle (hereinafter, referred to as a left HC nozzle) 1108.

The front WW nozzle 1101 can be used for washing the front window 1001 f. The rear WW nozzle 1102 can be used for washing the rear window 1001 b. Front LC nozzle 1103 is capable of cleaning front LiDAR1006 f. The rear LC nozzle 1104 is capable of cleaning the rear LiDAR1006 b. The right LC nozzle 1105 can clean the right LiDAR1006 r. The left LC nozzle 1106 can clean the left LiDAR1006 l. The right HC nozzle 1107 can clean the right headlamp 1007 r. Left HC nozzle 1108 can wash left headlamp 1007 l.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a cleaning system. The cleaning system comprises the following nozzles 1101-1108: a storage tank 1111, a pump 1112 (an example of a single pump), an operation unit 1115, and a control unit 1116 (an example of a cleaner control unit). In the present embodiment, each of the nozzles 1101 to 1108 is configured to be able to discharge the cleaning liquid toward the cleaning target.

The nozzles 1101 to 1108 are connected to a storage tank 1111 via a pump 1112. The pump 1112 feeds the cleaning liquid stored in the storage tank 1111 to the nozzles 1101 to 1108, respectively.

Operation unit 1115 is a device that can be operated by the user of vehicle 1001. The operation section 1115 outputs a signal in accordance with an operation by the user, and the signal is input to the control section 1116. For example, the operation unit 1115 may be constituted by a switch or the like provided inside the vehicle compartment.

Each of the nozzles 1101 to 1108 is provided with an actuator for opening the nozzle and discharging the cleaning liquid to the cleaning object. The actuators provided in the nozzles 1101 to 1108 are electrically connected to the controller 1116. The control unit 1116 is also electrically connected to the pump 1112, the operation unit 1115, and the vehicle control unit 1003.

For example, when a signal for cleaning the front window 1001f is input to the control unit 1116, the control unit 1116 operates the pump 1112 to feed the cleaning liquid from the reservoir tank 1111 to the front WW nozzle 1101, and operates the actuator of the front WW nozzle 1101 to eject the cleaning liquid from the front WW nozzle 1101.

Fig. 26 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the cleaning system 1100.

As shown in fig. 26, a pump 1112 is attached to the storage tank 1111. The pump 1112 is, for example, a motor-driven telecentric pump and is electrically connected to the control unit 1116 (an example of a pump control unit). The control unit 1116 rotates the pump 1112 at a constant rotational speed, thereby constantly pressurizing the cleaning liquid in the pipe 1120 between the pump 1112 and each of the injectors 1130 described later. The pump 1112 and the respective nozzles on the vehicle front side (i.e., the front WW nozzle 1101, the front LC nozzle 1103, the right LC nozzle 1105, the left LC nozzle 1106, the right HC nozzle 1107, and the left HC nozzle 1108) are connected to each other via a pipe 1120. Further, the pump 1112 and each nozzle on the vehicle rear side (i.e., the rear WW nozzle 1102 and the rear LC nozzle 1104) are connected to each other via a pipe 1125. Specifically, the pipe 1120 has a branch portion 1121, and the pipe 1120 is configured to branch from the branch portion 1121 toward the front WW nozzle 1101, the plurality of LC nozzles 1103, 1105, 1106, and the plurality of HC nozzles 1107, 1108. The branch portion 1121 is provided with a check valve 1122 for preventing a reverse flow of the cleaning liquid. A branching portion 1123 for branching the pipeline 1120 to each LC nozzle 1103, 1105, 1106 is provided between the branching portion 1121 and the plurality of LC nozzles 1103, 1105, 1106. Similarly, a branching portion 1124 for branching the pipe 1120 to each of the HC nozzles 1107, 1108 is provided between the branching portion 1121 and the plurality of HC nozzles 1107, 1108. The pipe 1125 has a branching portion 1126, and the pipe 1125 is configured to branch from the branching portion 1126 toward the rear WW nozzle 1102 and the rear LC nozzle 1104. A check valve 1127 is provided in the branch portion 1126.

Injectors 1130 (an example of an injection operation unit) are provided between the branching portion 1121 (the check valve 1122) and the front nozzles 1101, 1103, 1105 to 1108, respectively. Specifically, each injector 1130 is disposed in the vicinity of each nozzle 1101, 1103, 1105 to 1108, that is, in the vicinity of the end of the pipe 1120 opposite to the end on the pump 1112 side. Further, an injector 1130 is provided between the branching portion 1126 (check valve 1127) and each of the rear nozzles 1102 and 1104. The sprayer 1130 controls the spraying of the cleaning liquid from each of the nozzles 1101 to 1108 toward each of the objects to be cleaned. The sprayer 1130 is electrically connected to the control unit 1116, and receives a signal from the control unit 1116 to perform an opening/closing operation of a flow path of the cleaning liquid in the sprayer 1130.

Fig. 27 is a schematic diagram showing a specific structure of the injector 1130. Here, the injector 1130 provided corresponding to the front WW nozzle 1101 of the plurality of injectors 1130 is exemplified and described.

The injector 1130 has: a cylinder 1201, a valve body 1203 made of a magnet sliding in the cylinder 1201, and a solenoid 1205 disposed outside the cylinder 1201. The solenoid 1205 is electrically connected to the controller 1116 (an example of an ejection operating unit controller), and controls energization and non-energization by signal input from the controller 1116. A suction port 1207 for sucking the cleaning liquid from the pipe 1120 and a discharge port 1209 for discharging the cleaning liquid toward the front WW nozzle 1101 are formed in the cylinder 1201. Further, a spring 1211 for constantly biasing the valve body 1203 toward the discharge port 1209 is disposed inside the cylinder 1201.

A suction port 1207 of the cylinder 1201 is connected to a pipe 1120 connected to the pump 1112, and the cleaning liquid pressurized at all times is supplied into the cylinder 1201 while the pump 1112 is operating. Further, the ejection port 1209 of the cylinder 1201 and the front WW nozzle 1101 are connected via a pipe 1128. Further, the ejection port 1209 may be directly connected to the front WW nozzle 1101.

As shown in fig. 27, when the solenoid 1205 is energized by the control of the control unit 1116, the valve element 1203 is attracted by the solenoid electromagnetic force and moves downward in fig. 27 against the urging force of the spring 1211. Thereby, the discharge port 1209 is opened, and the cleaning liquid supplied from the pump 1112 into the cylinder 1201 through the suction port 1207 flows through the opening portion 1213 formed in the valve body 1203, and is supplied from the discharge port 1209 to the front WW nozzle 1101 through the pipe 1128.

On the other hand, when the solenoid 1205 is not energized by the control of the control unit 1116, the valve body 1203 moves upward in fig. 27 by the biasing force of the spring 1211, and closes the discharge port 1209 of the cylinder 1201. Therefore, the injection of the cleaning liquid to the forward WW nozzle 1101 is stopped. In the above-described manner, the control unit 1116 can control the start and stop of the supply of the cleaning liquid to the nozzles 1101 to 1108 by operating the sprayer 1130 based on a signal output from the operation unit 1115 such as a switch operated by a user.

As described above, in the cleaning system 1100 according to the present embodiment, the ejector 1130 that controls the ejection of the cleaning liquid from each of the nozzles 1101 to 1108 toward each of the objects to be cleaned is provided between the single pump 1112 and each of the nozzles 1101 to 1108. The controller 1116 constantly pressurizes the cleaning liquid in the pipes 1120 and 1125 by the pump 1112, and operates the ejector 1130 independently to eject the cleaning liquid from the nozzles 1101 to 1108. Thus, the control unit 1116 can spray the cleaning liquid from only the necessary nozzles among the plurality of nozzles 1101 to 1108, and thus the cleaning liquid can be saved and the necessary cleaning object can be easily kept clean according to the scene.

The controller 1116 can control the operation of each injector 1130 in a plurality of purge modes (independent control mode, partial linkage mode, and entire linkage mode). The independent control mode is a mode capable of independently controlling the ejection of the cleaning liquid from each of the nozzles 1101 to 1108. In the independent control mode, the control unit 1116 independently operates each injector 1130 based on a signal output from the operation unit 1115. The partial interlocking mode is a mode capable of controlling the ejection of the cleaning liquid from two or more nozzles out of the nozzles 1101 to 1108. In the partial interlocking mode, the control unit 1116 operates each injector so that, for example, the injector 1130 of the front WW nozzle 1101 and the injector 1130 of the front LC nozzle 1103 are interlocked, the injector 1130 of the rear WW nozzle 1102 and the injector 1130 of the rear LC nozzle 1104 are interlocked, the injector 1130 of the right LC nozzle 1105 and the injector 1130 of the right HC nozzle 1107 are interlocked, and the injector 1130 of the left LC nozzle 1106 and the injector 1130 of the left HC nozzle 1108 are interlocked. The entire interlock mode is a mode capable of controlling the ejection of the cleaning liquid from all the nozzles 1101 to 1108 in an interlocking manner. When it is determined that the cleaning liquid should be injected to all the cleaning objects, the control unit 1116 selects the entire interlock mode and operates the injectors 1130 of all the nozzles 1101 to 1108. As described above, the control unit 1116 has a plurality of cleaning modes, and thus can select the mode appropriately according to the scene in which the cleaners (the nozzles 1101 to 1108) are used, and can efficiently clean the cleaning target.

The control unit 1116 may control each of the sprayers 1130 so that at least one of the nozzles 1101-1108 has a different ejection amount, ejection pressure, ejection time, and ejection frequency of the cleaning liquid from at least one of the other nozzles. Alternatively, the nozzles 1101 to 1108 may be formed such that at least one of the nozzles 1101 to 1108 has a different shape of an opening portion of the nozzle, a different spray shape of the cleaning liquid, and a different spray area from at least one of the other nozzles. For example, a dirt sensor for detecting dirt on each cleaning target (front window 1001f, rear window 1001b, front LiDAR1006f, rear LiDAR1006b, right LiDAR1006 r, left LiDAR1006l, right headlamp 1007r, and left headlamp 1007l) may be provided. For example, when it is determined that the degree of fouling of the front LiDAR1006f is higher than the degrees of fouling of the right and left LiDAR1006 r and 1006l by detection performed by the fouling sensor, the control unit 1116 may increase the injection pressure of the cleaning liquid from the front LC nozzle 1103 for the front LiDAR1006f to be higher than the injection pressure of the cleaning liquid from the right and left LC nozzles 1105 and 1106 for the right and left LiDAR1106r and 1006l, increase the injection time of the cleaning liquid, or increase the number of times the cleaning liquid is injected. As described above, by making the ejection modes of the cleaning liquid different among the plurality of nozzles, it is possible to perform cleaning in an appropriate cleaning mode for each object to be cleaned at low cost.

< various modifications >

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is needless to say that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited by the description of the embodiments. This embodiment is merely an example, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications of the embodiment can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

In the present embodiment, the description has been given of the driving mode of the vehicle including the fully automatic driving mode, the advanced driving assistance mode, the driving assistance mode, and the manual driving mode, but the driving mode of the vehicle should not be limited to these 4 modes. The driving pattern of the vehicle may comprise at least 1 of these 4 patterns. For example, it may be that the driving mode of the vehicle can be performed only in either one. For example, the driving mode of the vehicle may include only a fully automatic driving mode.

The manner of distinguishing and displaying the driving modes of the vehicle may be changed as appropriate according to the laws and regulations relating to the automated driving in each country. Similarly, the definitions of the "full automatic driving mode", the "advanced driving assistance mode", and the "driving assistance mode" described in the description of the present embodiment are merely examples, and the definitions thereof may be appropriately changed according to the laws and regulations relating to automatic driving in various countries.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the cleaning systems 100 and 1100 are mounted on the vehicle capable of automatic driving has been described, but the cleaning systems 100 and 1100 may be mounted on a vehicle incapable of automatic driving.

The timing chart in the first embodiment is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. In the above-described timing chart, an example of the number of times of operation of each cleaner for every 4 times or 8 times of the signal is specified is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the above-described timing chart, an example in which each cleaner is operated simultaneously with the input of the signal has been described, but each cleaner may be operated with a delay from the input of the cleaner operation signal.

In the first embodiment described above, an example is described in which the cleaning system 100 is configured to clean one or more of various cleaning objects if the cleaner switch 115 is operated. That is, the user does not determine the washing object, and the cleaning system 100 determines the washing object. However, the cleaning system 100 may be configured such that a camera washing button that is operated when the user desires to wash the camera 6c is provided separately from the cleaner switch 115, and the camera cleaner 109 is operated when the camera washing button is operated. According to the above-described configuration, when the user specifies a cleaning target desired to be cleaned, the cleaning of the specified cleaning target is allowed, and the cleaning system 100 can reduce the burden on the user by cleaning the cleaning targets having high priorities in turn without the user having to take special consideration as in the above-described embodiment.

In the first embodiment described above, the cleaning system 100 configured to be capable of selecting a plurality of modes has been described, but only a single mode may be recorded on the recording medium, and the cleaner control unit 116 may be configured to execute only a specific mode. However, the cleaning system 100 is preferably configured to be able to execute at least two or more of the above-described modes a to I, 1 to 11 so that the modes can be selected in accordance with an optimal scene.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the cleaning system 100 has been described as including the external sensor 6, but the cleaning system 100 may be configured without including the external sensor 6. However, if the cleaning system 100 is configured as a component body including the external sensor 6, it is preferable because the positioning accuracy of the cleaners 103 to 106 and 109 with respect to the external sensor 6 can be easily improved. In addition, when the cleaning system 100 is mounted on the vehicle 1, the external sensor 6 can be incorporated in a lump, and therefore, the ease of assembly into the vehicle 1 is also improved.

In the first to third embodiments described above, 103 to 106 for cleaning the LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, and 6l and 109 for cleaning the camera 6c have been described as examples of cleaning the external sensor 6, but the present invention is not limited to this. The cleaning system 100 may include a cleaner for cleaning radar instead of the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109, or may include the sensor cleaners 103 to 106 and 109.

The external sensor 6 such as LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r, and 6l may have a detection surface and a cover covering the detection surface. The cleaner that cleans the external sensor 6 may be configured to clean the detection surface, or may be configured to clean a cover that covers the sensor.

The cleaning medium sprayed by the cleaning system 100 includes air, water, or a cleaning solution containing a detergent. The cleaning media ejected to the front and rear windows 1f and 1b, the headlights 7r and 7l, the LiDAR6f, 6b, 6r and 6l, and the camera 6c may be different from each other, or may be the same.

In the first to third embodiments, the above-described examples in which the cleaners 101, 103, 105 to 109 are connected to the front storage box 111 and the cleaners 102, 104 are connected to the rear storage box 113 have been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The cleaners 101 to 109 may be connected to a single storage tank. The cleaners 101 to 109 may be connected to storage tanks different from each other.

Alternatively, the cleaners 101 to 109 may be connected to a common storage tank for each type of cleaning object. For example, the LC103 to 106 may be connected to a common first storage tank, and the HC107 and 108 may be connected to a second storage tank different from the first storage tank.

Alternatively, the cleaners 101 to 109 may be connected to a common storage tank for each arrangement position of the cleaning object. For example, the front WW101, the front LC103, and the camera cleaner 109 may be connected to a common front storage box, the right LC 105 and the right HC107 may be connected to a common right storage box, the rear WW 102 and the rear LC104 may be connected to a common rear storage box, and the left LC 106 and the left HC 108 may be connected to a common left storage box.

In the first to third embodiments, the examples in which the actuators provided in the cleaners 101 to 109 are operated to discharge the cleaning medium from the cleaners 101 to 109 have been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

The cleaners 101 to 109 may be provided with normally closed valves, the pump may be operated so that a high pressure is always generated between the storage tank and the cleaners 101 to 109, and the cleaner control unit 116 may open the valves provided in the cleaners 101 to 109 to eject the cleaning medium from the cleaners 101 to 109.

Alternatively, the cleaners 101 to 109 may be connected to separate pumps, respectively, and the cleaner control unit 116 may control the ejection of the cleaning medium from the cleaners 101 to 109 by controlling the pumps independently. In this case, the cleaners 101 to 109 may be connected to different storage tanks, or may be connected to a common storage tank.

The cleaners 101 to 109 are provided with 1 or more ejection holes for ejecting the cleaning medium. The cleaners 101 to 109 may be provided with 1 or more ejection holes for ejecting the cleaning liquid and 1 or more ejection holes for ejecting air.

Each of the cleaners 101 to 109 may be provided independently, or a plurality of the cleaners may be unitized. For example, the right LC 105 and the right HC107 may be configured as a single unit. The right LC 105 and the right HC107 may be configured as a single unit in a manner such that the right headlamp 7r and the right LiDAR6r are integrated.

In the fourth embodiment, the pump 1112 and the injectors 1130 of the nozzles 1101 to 1108 are controlled by the controller 1116, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a pump control unit that controls the pump 1112 and an injector control unit (injection operation unit control unit) that controls each injector 1130 may be provided separately. In the fourth embodiment, the injectors 1130 are provided independently for the respective nozzles 1101 to 1108, but for example, 1 injector 1130 may be provided for the plurality of LC nozzles 1103, 1105, 1106, or 1 injector 1130 may be provided for the plurality of HC nozzles 1107, 1108. In this case, for example, it is preferable to provide an injector 1130 corresponding to the plurality of LC nozzles 1103, 1105, 1106 between the branch portion 1121 and the branch portion 1123 in the pipe 1120. In addition, for example, it is preferable to provide an injector 1130 corresponding to the plurality of HC nozzles 1107, 1108 between the branch portion 1121 and the branch portion 1124 in the pipe 1120.

In the fourth embodiment, the nozzles 1101 to 1108 are connected to the storage bin 1111, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

Fig. 28 is a block diagram of cleaning systems 1100A and 1100B according to the modified examples.

As shown in fig. 28, the cleaning system 1100A has: a front WW nozzle 1101, a front LC nozzle 1103, a right LC nozzle 1105, a left LC nozzle 1106, a right HC nozzle 1107, a left HC nozzle 1108, a front tank 1111A, a front pump 1112A (an example of a single pump), and a control unit 1116A (an example of a cleaner control unit). The front WW nozzle 1101, the front LC nozzle 1103, the right LC nozzle 1105, the left LC nozzle 1106, the right HC nozzle 1107, and the left HC nozzle 1108 are connected to the front tank 1111A via the front pump 1112A. The front pump 1112A feeds the cleaning liquid stored in the front storage tank 1111A to the nozzles 1101, 1103, 1105 to 1108, respectively.

In addition, the cleaning system 1100B has: a rear WW nozzle 1102, a rear LC nozzle 1104, a rear reservoir 1113, a rear pump 1114 (an example of a single pump), and a control unit 1116B (an example of a cleaner control unit). The rear WW nozzle 1102 and the rear LC nozzle 1104 are connected to a rear reservoir 1113 via a rear pump 1114. The rear pump 1114 feeds the cleaning liquid stored in the rear storage tank 1113 to the rear WW nozzle 1102 and the rear LC nozzle 1104, respectively.

As shown in fig. 28, the cleaning system may be configured to be separated at the front and rear of the vehicle 1001. In this case, a single front pump 1112A and the front nozzles 1101, 1103, 1105 to 1108 are connected by a pipeline, and injectors 1130 for controlling the injection of the cleaning liquid from the nozzles 1101, 1103, 1105 to 1108 to the respective cleaning objects are provided corresponding to the respective nozzles 1101, 1103, 1105 to 1108. The control unit 1116A constantly pressurizes the cleaning liquid in the pipe line by the front pump 1112A, and operates the ejector 1130 independently to eject the cleaning liquid from the nozzles 1101, 1103, 1105 to 1108. Similarly, a single rear pump 1114 and each of the rear nozzles 1102 and 1104 are connected by a pipe, and an ejector 1130 that controls the ejection of the cleaning liquid from each of the nozzles 1102 and 1104 to each of the cleaning objects is provided corresponding to each of the nozzles 1102 and 1104. The control unit 1116B constantly pressurizes the cleaning liquid in the line by the rear pump 1114, and operates the ejector 1130 independently to eject the cleaning liquid from the nozzles 1102 and 1104. Thus, in each of the cleaning systems 1100A and 1100B having the single pumps 1112A and 1114, the control units 1116A and 1116B can spray the cleaning liquid from only the necessary nozzles among the plurality of nozzles 1101 to 1108, and thus the cleaning liquid is saved and the necessary cleaning object can be easily kept clean according to the scene.

The nozzles 1101 to 1108 may be connected to storage tanks different from each other. Alternatively, the nozzles 1101 to 1108 may be connected to a common storage tank for each type of cleaning target. For example, the nozzles 1105 to 1108 for LiDAR may be connected to a common first storage tank, and the nozzles 1107 and 1108 for the lamp may be connected to a second storage tank different from the first storage tank.

Alternatively, the nozzles 1101 to 1108 may be connected to a common storage tank for each arrangement position of the cleaning target. For example, the front WW nozzle 1101 and the front LC nozzle 1103 may be connected to a common front tank, the right LC nozzle 1105 and the right HC nozzle 1107 may be connected to a common right tank, the rear WW nozzle 1102 and the rear LC nozzle 1104 may be connected to a common rear tank, and the left LC nozzle 1106 and the left HC nozzle 1108 may be connected to a common left tank.

In these cases, the cleaning liquid in the pipe is constantly pressurized by a single pump, and the cleaning liquid is ejected from the nozzles 1101 to 1108 by independently operating the ejectors 1130, whereby the cleaning liquid can be saved and the necessary cleanliness of the object to be cleaned can be maintained according to the scene.

In the fourth embodiment described above, the nozzles 1103 to 1106 that clean LiDAR have been described as nozzles that clean external sensors, but the present invention is not limited to this. The cleaning system 1100 may include nozzles for cleaning the camera, nozzles for cleaning the radar, and the like instead of the nozzles 1103 to 1106, or may further include the nozzles 1103 to 1106. In addition, when a plurality of sensor cleaners (sensor cleaner nozzles) corresponding to a plurality of external sensors (for example, LiDAR and a camera) having different detection methods and a plurality of external sensors (for example, front LiDAR and rear LiDAR) having different mounting positions on the vehicle 1001 are included, the control unit 1116 may operate the plurality of sensor cleaners in such a manner that the cleaning methods of the sensor cleaners are different from each other. External sensors such as LiDAR and cameras that have different detection methods are often required to have different scenes. Therefore, by making the cleaning method different for each kind of external sensor, it is easy to maintain the cleanliness for each sensor corresponding to a specific scene.

In addition, an external sensor such as LiDAR may have a detection surface and a cover covering the detection surface. The nozzle for cleaning the external sensor may be configured to clean the detection surface, or may be configured to clean a cover covering the sensor.

The cleaning medium sprayed out by the cleaning system includes air, water, or a cleaning liquid containing a detergent, and the like. The cleaning media ejected to the front and rear windows, the headlight, and the LiDAR may be different from each other, or may be the same.

The nozzles 1101 to 1108 are provided with 1 or more discharge holes for discharging the cleaning medium. The nozzles 1101 to 1108 may be provided with 1 or more ejection holes for ejecting the cleaning liquid and 1 or more ejection holes for ejecting air.

The nozzles 1101 to 1108 may be provided independently, or a plurality of nozzles may be unitized. For example, the right LC nozzle 1105 and the right HC nozzle 1107 may be configured as a single unit. The right LC nozzle 1105 and the right HC nozzle 1107 may be configured as a single unit, in contrast to the manner in which the right headlamp 1007r and the right LiDAR1006 r are integrated.

In the fourth embodiment, the input of the operation signal to the control unit 1116 is based on a signal output from an operation unit 1115 such as a switch operated by a user, but a signal output when a dirt sensor mounted in each part of the vehicle detects dirt may be input to the control unit 1116, for example.

Alternatively, a signal output when the dirt sensor detects dirt may be input to the vehicle control unit 1003(ECU or autopilot control unit), and a signal for operating at least one of the various cleaner nozzles may be input from the vehicle control unit 1003 to the control unit 1116.

A signal output when the sensor detects dirt may be input to the vehicle control unit 1003, and a signal for operating at least one of the various cleaners may be input from the vehicle control unit 1003 to the various cleaners. In this case, the control unit 1116 is installed as a part of the vehicle control unit 1003.

The present application is based on japanese patent application No. 2017-115871, 2017-115874, 2017-13, 2017-115876 and 2017-115878, which are applied on 2017-13, and 2017-115878, which are incorporated herein by reference.