FR3113269A1 - Cleaning device for selectively cleaning automotive equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

Cleaning device for selectively cleaning automotive equipment The invention relates to a cleaning device (10) for cleaning equipment, in particular sensors, of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a solenoid valve (11), an inlet (12), a first hydraulic outlet (13A) and a second hydraulic outlet (13B), the cleaning device being configured so that:- when the first hydraulic outlet is closed, the second hydraulic outlet is open, and - when the first hydraulic output is open, the second hydraulic output is closed. Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Cleaning device for selectively cleaning automotive equipment

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning equipment of a motor vehicle, in particular sensors of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a cleaning system comprising such a cleaning device. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a cleaning device and/or such a cleaning system. The invention also relates to a method of operating such a cleaning system.

State of the prior art

Motor vehicles are increasingly incorporating driving assistance sensors. These sensors, sometimes referred to as ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) sensors, are capable of observing the environment of the vehicle. They make it possible to assist driving and give vehicles increasingly greater autonomy. These sensors can for example be cameras, laser or lidar sensors, radar sensors or even ultrasonic sensors. They can be located all around the vehicle, for example at the level of a bumper or at the level of a grille of the vehicle.

These sensors can become dirty, which degrades the quality of the perceived signal and therefore the driving assistance functions. There is therefore a need to clean these sensors. It is known to use cleaning systems for washing windows to clean these sensors. These systems comprise a pump associated with a projection nozzle and are configured to project a cleaning liquid onto a surface of said sensors. However, these systems must be duplicated for each sensor, which leads to an expensive and bulky design. One solution for reducing the cost and size of cleaning systems consists in using the same system to project a cleaning liquid onto several sensors at the same time, or both onto a window of the vehicle and onto a sensor. However, such a system leads to a high consumption of cleaning liquid and makes it necessary to use a more powerful pump to spray the cleaning liquid on all these pieces of equipment with sufficient pressure.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device remedying the above drawbacks and improving the cleaning devices known from the prior art.

More precisely, a first object of the invention is a space-saving and water-saving cleaning device.

A second object of the invention is a cleaning device which does not require the use of a more powerful pump.

A third object of the invention is a cleaning device which can be easily manufactured from existing cleaning devices.

The invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning equipment, in particular sensors, of a motor vehicle, the cleaning device comprising a solenoid valve, a hydraulic inlet, a first hydraulic outlet and a second hydraulic outlet, the device for cleaning being configured so that:
- when the first hydraulic output is closed, the second hydraulic output is open, and
- when the first hydraulic output is open, the second hydraulic output is closed.

The solenoid valve may comprise a single solenoid and a single plunger movable between a first position and a second position under the effect of an activation of the solenoid, the first hydraulic outlet being closed and the second hydraulic outlet being open when the plunger is in its first position, and the first hydraulic outlet being open and the second hydraulic outlet being closed when the plunger is in its second position.

The first hydraulic outlet and the second hydraulic outlet can be positioned substantially at two opposite ends of the plunger along an axis of movement of the plunger.

The cleaning device may include a third hydraulic outlet.

The third hydraulic outlet can be opened when the plunger is in its first position and when the plunger is in its second position.

One of the hydraulic outlets may comprise a valve able to open if a liquid pressure upstream of the valve exceeds a threshold value. The valve may comprise a deformable membrane.

The cleaning device may comprise a hydraulic separator, said first hydraulic outlet and said second hydraulic outlet coming from the hydraulic separator, said hydraulic inlet being connected to a first inlet of the hydraulic separator and to an inlet of the solenoid valve, the solenoid valve comprising a hydraulic outlet connected to a second inlet of the hydraulic separator, the hydraulic separator comprising hydraulic switching means configured such that:
- when the output of the solenoid valve is closed, said first hydraulic output is open and said second hydraulic output is closed, and
- when the output of the solenoid valve is open, said first hydraulic output is closed and said second hydraulic output is open.

The invention also relates to a cleaning system for cleaning equipment, in particular sensors, of a motor vehicle, the cleaning system comprising:
- a cleaning device as defined above,
- a reservoir capable of containing a cleaning liquid
- a pump able to put a cleaning liquid from the pressurized tank,
- a first spray nozzle and a second spray nozzle,
the pump being connected to the hydraulic inlet of the cleaning device, the first spray nozzle being connected to the first hydraulic outlet of the cleaning device, the second spray nozzle being connected to the second hydraulic outlet of the cleaning device.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a cleaning system as defined above, a first piece of equipment, in particular a first sensor, and a second piece of equipment distinct from the first piece of equipment, in particular a second sensor, the first nozzle being configured to project a cleaning liquid on the first equipment, the second nozzle being configured to project a cleaning liquid on the second equipment.

At least one of the first equipment or the second equipment can be an automobile driving assistance sensor.

The invention also relates to a method of operating a cleaning system as defined previously, the method of operating comprising:
- a step for detecting a need to clean equipment,
- a step for controlling the solenoid valve of the cleaning device to open the hydraulic outlet corresponding to the equipment to be cleaned,
- a step of activating the pump to selectively project a cleaning liquid onto the equipment to be cleaned.

Presentation of figures

These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be set out in detail in the following description of various particular embodiments given on a non-limiting basis in relation to the appended figures, among which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle equipped with a cleaning system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a cleaning device according to a first embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device being in a first configuration.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the cleaning device of Figure 2, the cleaning device being in a second configuration.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a cleaning system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of a cleaning system according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a cleaning device according to a second embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device being in a first configuration.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the cleaning device of Figure 6, the cleaning device being in a second configuration.

Figure 8 is a schematic view of a cleaning device according to a third embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device being in a first configuration.

Figure 9 is a sectional view of the cleaning device of Figure 8, the cleaning device being in a second configuration.

detailed description

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a motor vehicle 1 equipped with a cleaning system 2 according to one embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 1 can be of any kind. In particular, it may for example be a private vehicle, a utility vehicle, a truck or a bus. The vehicle 1 can be a vehicle of the semi-autonomous or autonomous type, that is to say the vehicle 1 can comprise a driving assistance system making it possible to assist a driver in controlling the vehicle, or even to substitute for the driver. To this end, the vehicle 1 comprises a set of sensors 3, called ADAS sensors, such as cameras, laser or lidar sensors, radar sensors or ultrasonic sensors. These sensors are items of equipment liable to become soiled during use of the vehicle. In particular, this equipment includes at least one wall facing the outside of the vehicle. This wall is liable to be soiled, for example, by splashes of water, gas, dust, or else by insects crushed during use of the vehicle. This wall requires a sufficient level of cleanliness for the correct operation of the sensor. Cleaning system 2 is an on-board system. It therefore differs from a stationary cleaning station used to clean a vehicle or one of its parts. The cleaning system 2 therefore makes it possible to clean vehicle equipment at any time, including when the vehicle is moving forward.

In Figure 1, there is shown two separate pieces of equipment 3A, 3B intended to be washed, that is to say cleaned, by the cleaning system 2. The invention can be declined for a vehicle comprising any number greater than or equal to two pieces of equipment to be washed, or even for a vehicle comprising a single piece of equipment provided with two areas to be cleaned separately. The invention can also be transposed for cleaning systems intended to wash equipment other than sensors, for example vehicle windows, headlight optics, or even bodywork parts.

The cleaning system 2 comprises a cleaning device 10, a reservoir 5, a pump 6, a first spray nozzle 7A and a second spray nozzle 7B. Reservoir 5 is capable of containing a cleaning liquid, for example water or a mixture of water and a cleaning product. The pump 6 is capable of putting the cleaning liquid from the reservoir 5 under pressure. The pump 6 can be an electric pump, supplied with energy by a battery of the vehicle. The projection nozzles 7A and 7B are outlets of the cleaning system through which the cleaning liquid is projected towards the equipment 3A and 3B. In Figure 1, there is shown by dotted lines a jet J of cleaning liquid from the first spray nozzle 7A to the first equipment 3A.

The various elements 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 10 of the cleaning system 2 can be connected together, or in other words connected, by hydraulic lines. In particular, tank 5 is connected to pump 6. Pump 6 is connected to cleaning device 10. Cleaning device 10 is connected to two spray nozzles 7A and 7B. The pipes connecting the various elements 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 10 are represented in FIG. 1 by arrows oriented in the direction of propagation of the cleaning fluid. It is considered that the cleaning fluid flows from upstream to downstream. A thick line is used to indicate that cleaning fluid is flowing through this line. A thinner line is used to indicate that no cleaning fluid is flowing through this line.

The cleaning device 10 comprises a solenoid valve 11, a hydraulic inlet 12, a first hydraulic outlet 13A and a second hydraulic outlet 13B. Pump 6 is connected to hydraulic inlet 12. First nozzle 7A is connected to first hydraulic outlet 13A. The second nozzle 7B is connected to the second hydraulic outlet 13B. The solenoid valve is 11 is a valve capable of controlling a flow of fluid by means of electric or electromagnetic means. The solenoid valve 12 can therefore comprise an electrical connector connected to an electronic control unit 8. The electronic control unit 8 is able to issue control commands aimed at actuating the solenoid valve 11. The electronic control unit 8 can be part of the cleaning system 2.

The cleaning device 10 is configured so that on the one hand when the first hydraulic outlet 13A is closed (that is to say not passing), the second hydraulic outlet 13B is open (that is to say passing ), and on the other hand when the first hydraulic outlet 13A is open, the second hydraulic outlet 13B is closed. In other words, only one of the two hydraulic outlets 13A, 13B can be opened at a time and one of the two hydraulic outlets is always open.

Figures 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of the cleaning device 10. The solenoid valve 11 comprises a single solenoid 14 and a single plunger 15. The solenoid 14 and the plunger 15 are held in a body 16 of the solenoid valve 11 The hydraulic inlet 12 and the two hydraulic outlets 13A, 13B are fixed to the body 16. The solenoid 14 can be a cylindrical coil made up of a metal wire wound in contiguous turns which, when it is traversed by an electric current, creates a magnetic field inside the coil. The plunger 15, which could also be called "armature" or "core" is an element of the solenoid valve 11 arranged inside the solenoid 14. The plunger is movable between a first position (illustrated in Figure 2) and a second position (illustrated in FIG. 3) under the effect of an activation of the solenoid 14, that is to say under the effect of a magnetic field generated by the passage of an electric current through solenoid 14.

The first position of the plunger 15 is a so-called "inactive" position. This is the position that the plunger takes in the absence of activation of the solenoid, that is to say in the absence of a control order at the input of the solenoid valve. The second position of the plunger 15 is a so-called "active" position. This is the position that the plunger takes in the presence of an activation of the solenoid, that is to say in the presence of an adequate control order at the input of the solenoid valve. Advantageously, the solenoid valve 11 comprises a return means 18, for example a spring, making it possible to maintain the plunger in the inactive position in the absence of activation of the solenoid.

Solenoid valve 11 includes a first outlet opening 17A and a second outlet opening 17B. These two outlet openings 17A, 17B are positioned at two opposite ends of the plunger 15 along its axis of movement. When the plunger is in the inactive position, it closes off the second outlet opening 17B while the first outlet opening 17A remains unobstructed, and therefore open. On the contrary, when the plunger is in the active position, he closes off the first outlet opening 17A while the second outlet opening 17B remains unobstructed, and therefore open.

The first hydraulic outlet 13A is positioned in the extension of the first outlet opening 17A. Similarly, the second hydraulic outlet 13B is positioned in the extension of the second outlet opening 17B. Thus, the first hydraulic outlet 17A and the second hydraulic outlet 17B are positioned substantially at two opposite ends of the plunger along the axis of movement of the plunger. The axis in which the hydraulic inlet 12 extends may be substantially perpendicular to the axis of movement of the plunger. The axis in which the hydraulic inlet 12 extends can be substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first hydraulic outlet 13A and of the second hydraulic outlet 13B.

Advantageously, the plunger 15 can comprise a generally cylindrical shape with a flattened surface over its entire height making it possible to provide a volume for the circulation of the washing fluid between the solenoid 14 and the outer surface of the plunger. Alternatively or additionally, the plunger could comprise a central opening through which the cleaning liquid could flow.

The cleaning system may include any number of cleaning devices as previously described. Referring to Figure 4, a cleaning system 2' comprising two cleaning devices 10, 10' is shown. The second cleaning device 10' can be identical or similar to the first cleaning device 10 previously described. The same references with the suffix 'are used to designate the elements of the second cleaning device 10'. The first hydraulic outlet 13A of the first cleaning device 10 is connected to the hydraulic inlet 12' of the second cleaning device 10'. The two hydraulic outlets 13A' and 13B' of the second cleaning device are connected to two nozzles 7A', 7B' configured to spray cleaning liquid onto two pieces of equipment 3A', 3B'. The cleaning system 2' therefore makes it possible to selectively clean one of the three items of equipment 3A', 3B' or 3B.

A cleaning device 10 may further comprise a third hydraulic outlet 13C. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, this third hydraulic outlet 13C can be oriented substantially in the extension of the hydraulic inlet 12. The third hydraulic outlet can be hermetically sealed by a plug 19 fixed to the body 16, or on the contrary be connected to other parts of the cleaning system via a line, for example to a second cleaning device or a third spray nozzle. The third hydraulic output 13C can always be open. In particular, the third hydraulic outlet can be opened when the plunger is in its first position and when the plunger is in its second position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cleaning system 2" according to a variant embodiment of the invention. According to this variant, the cleaning system 2" comprises two cleaning devices 10, 10". The second cleaning device 10" can be identical or similar to the first cleaning device 10 previously described. The same references with the suffix "are used to designate the elements of the second cleaning device 10". The third hydraulic outlet 13C of the first cleaning device 10 is connected to the hydraulic inlet 12" of the second cleaning device 10". The 10" cleaning system makes it possible to clean four items of equipment identified by 3A, 3B, 3A" and 3B". Depending on the activation of the solenoid valve 11 of the first cleaning device 10, the cleaning fluid can be projected selectively onto the equipment 3A or 3B. Similarly, depending on the activation of the solenoid valve 11" of the second cleaning device 10", the cleaning fluid can be projected selectively onto the equipment 3A" or 3B". Such cleaning system uses only two cleaning devices, and therefore only two solenoid valves to make it possible to clean four separate pieces of equipment. Two out of the four pieces of equipment are thus cleaned simultaneously. It is thus possible to simultaneously clean 3A and 3A and 3B", or equipment 3B and 3A" or finally equipment 3B and 3B".

The cleaning system architectures illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 can be freely combined together so as to obtain more complex cleaning systems, to clean a greater number of equipment. A cleaning system can therefore comprise any number of cleaning devices. Each of these cleaning devices can be designed according to any alternative embodiment of the invention. Cleaning devices according to the state of the art could be combined with cleaning devices according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a cleaning device 20 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Like the cleaning device 10 previously described, the cleaning device 20 comprises a solenoid valve 21, a hydraulic inlet 22, a first hydraulic outlet 23A and a second hydraulic outlet 23B. Pump 6 is connected to hydraulic inlet 22. First nozzle 7A is connected to first hydraulic outlet 23A. The second nozzle 7B is connected to the second hydraulic outlet 23B. Compared to the cleaning device 10, the cleaning device 20 does not include an output equivalent to the first kind 13A. On the contrary, the upper opening of the solenoid valve 21 is closed off by a screw 27. The screw 27 is screwed in a sealed manner into a body 26 of the cleaning device 20. The first hydraulic outlet 23A corresponds substantially to the third hydraulic outlet 13C presented above, on the other hand, the first hydraulic outlet 23A is not blocked by a plug.

The solenoid valve 21 also comprises a single solenoid 24 and a single plunger 25. The solenoid 24 and the plunger 25 are held in the body 26 of the solenoid valve 21. The hydraulic inlet 22 and the two hydraulic outlets 23A, 23B can be attached to body 26. Plunger 25 is movable between a first position (shown in Figure 6) and a second position (shown in Figure 7) upon actuation of the solenoid.

At the first outlet 23A, the cleaning device 20 comprises a valve 28 able to open if a cleaning liquid pressure upstream of the valve exceeds a threshold value. For example, the valve may comprise a deformable membrane, in particular a silicone membrane. When the pressure upstream of the membrane is high enough, it deforms so as to allow the cleaning fluid to pass. When the pressure upstream of the membrane is lower than the threshold value, the membrane deforms insufficiently and does not allow the cleaning fluid to pass. Alternatively, such a valve could be obtained by an assembly consisting of a seat and a ball cooperating with the seat, a return means forcing the ball against the seat.

When the pump 6 is activated and the plunger 25 is in its first position, the lower end of the plunger closes an outlet opening of the solenoid valve 21 communicating with the second outlet 23B. The outlet opening 23B is therefore closed. The cleaning liquid pressure upstream of the valve 28 is sufficient for it to open. The first hydraulic outlet 23A is therefore open. When the pump 6 is activated and the plunger 25 is in its second position, the lower end of the plunger is disengaged from the outlet opening of the solenoid valve 21 communicating with the second outlet 23B. The outlet opening 23B is therefore open. The cleaning liquid pressure upstream of the valve 28 is then insufficient for it to open. The first hydraulic outlet 23A is therefore closed. When the pump 6 is inactive, no cleaning fluid leaves the cleaning device through the first hydraulic outlet 23A or 23B.

Figures 8 and 9 schematically illustrate a cleaning device 30 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The cleaning device 30 includes a solenoid valve 31, a hydraulic separator 32, a hydraulic inlet 33, a first hydraulic outlet 34A, and a second hydraulic outlet 34B. The hydraulic inlet is extended downstream by a bypass 35 from which two branches 35A, 35B originate. Branch 35A is connected to the input of solenoid valve 31 and branch 35B is connected to a first input 36A of the hydraulic separator. The solenoid valve 31 comprises a single outlet 37 connected to a second inlet 36B of the hydraulic separator 32. The solenoid valve 31 can be on or off. The first hydraulic output 34A and the second hydraulic output 34B come from the hydraulic separator 32.

The hydraulic separator 32 comprises a switching means configured as follows: When the pump 6 is active and when the solenoid valve 31 is off (FIG. 8), the cleaning liquid cannot pass through the solenoid valve 31 and cannot not reach the inlet 36B of the hydraulic separator 32. The switching means is configured so that in the absence of pressure at the level of the inlet 36B, the first hydraulic outlet 34A is open and the second hydraulic outlet 34B is closed (by example thanks to a recall means). The cleaning liquid therefore emerges from the cleaning device via the first outlet 34A.

When the pump 6 is active and when the solenoid valve 31 is on (FIG. 9), the cleaning liquid is capable of passing through the solenoid valve and reaching the inlet 36B of the hydraulic separator 32. The cleaning liquid under pressure at the level of the inlet 36B of the hydraulic separator acts on the switching means so that the first hydraulic outlet 34A is closed and the second hydraulic outlet 34B is open. The cleaning liquid therefore emerges from the cleaning device via the second outlet 34B.

Whatever the embodiment of the cleaning device 10, 20, 30, the hydraulic inlet 12, 22, 33 and/or the first hydraulic outlet 13A, 23A, 34A and/or the second hydraulic outlet 13B, 23B, 34B may include a so-called rapid hydraulic connection means. This hydraulic connection means can for example be a bayonet hydraulic connection means. Such a connection means makes it possible to simply and reliably attach a hydraulic line to the cleaning device. The hydraulic inlet 12, 22, 33 and/or the first hydraulic outlet 13A, 23A, 34A and/or the second hydraulic outlet 13B, 23B, 34B can also comprise a ribbed outer contour intended to be fitted inside pipe to provide a tight and reliable connection.

Whatever the embodiment of the cleaning device 10, 20, 30, the cleaning system 2 can operate in the following way.

In a first step, a need for cleaning equipment such as a sensor is detected. This detection can be automatic for example if it is detected that the signal emitted by a sensor is degraded. It can also be based on the use of an optical sensor detecting dirt on the equipment. It can also be manual, i.e. it is the user himself who detects or suspects a need to clean the equipment.

In a second step, the solenoid valve 11, 21, 31 of the cleaning device is controlled to open the hydraulic outlet corresponding to the equipment to be cleaned. To this end, the electronic control unit 8 can issue a control order to the solenoid valve 11, 21 31. The solenoid valve 11, 21, 31 of the cleaning device can therefore be activated, or on the contrary be left deactivated so as to guide the cleaning fluid towards the spray nozzle 7A, 7B corresponding to the equipment to be cleaned.

In a third step, the pump 6 is activated to selectively project a cleaning liquid onto the equipment to be cleaned. The pump 6 pumps the cleaning liquid from the tank 5 to the cleaning device 10, 20, 30. The cleaning liquid leaves the cleaning device through the hydraulic outlet selected by the control of the solenoid valve. The cleaning fluid is then routed via a pipe to the corresponding spray nozzle. The cleaning liquid is then sprayed onto the equipment to be cleaned. In addition to the mechanical action of the jet of cleaning liquid on the equipment, a wiping mechanism could contribute to cleaning the equipment or to expel the cleaning liquid on the surface of the equipment.

Thanks to the invention, the spraying of cleaning liquid towards equipment which does not need to be cleaned is avoided. This saves cleaning fluid. Reservoir 5 may have a smaller volume and therefore be less bulky. The pump 6 can be dimensioned so as to be capable of projecting cleaning liquid onto a single piece of equipment at a time or onto a small number of pieces of equipment at a time. By virtue of the invention, it is possible to selectively clean two separate items of equipment of the vehicle by means of a cleaning device comprising a single solenoid valve. Even if it is not possible to clean certain pieces of equipment simultaneously, in practice this is not a problem because the pieces of equipment can be washed in turn without preventing the correct operation of the vehicle. When no equipment needs to be washed, it suffices to keep pump 6 inactive. The cleaning liquid will not be pumped from tank 5 and no cleaning liquid will flow from the blast nozzles.

Claims (10)

Cleaning device (10, 20, 30) for cleaning equipment (3, 3A, 3B), in particular sensors, of a motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a solenoid valve (11, 21, 31 ), a hydraulic inlet (12, 22, 33), a first hydraulic outlet (13A, 23A, 34A) and a second hydraulic outlet (13B, 23B, 34B), the cleaning device being configured so that:
- when the first hydraulic output is closed, the second hydraulic output is open, and
- when the first hydraulic output is open, the second hydraulic output is closed. Cleaning device (10, 20, 30) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the solenoid valve comprises a single solenoid (14, 24) and a single plunger (15, 25) movable between a first position and a second position under the effect of an activation of the solenoid, the first hydraulic output (13A, 23A) being closed and the second hydraulic output (13B, 23B, 34B) being open when the plunger (15, 25) is in its first position, and the first hydraulic outlet being open and the second hydraulic outlet being closed when the plunger is in its second position. Cleaning device (10, 20, 30) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first hydraulic outlet and the second hydraulic outlet are positioned substantially at two opposite ends of the plunger along an axis of movement of the plunger. Cleaning device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a third hydraulic outlet (13C). Cleaning device (10) according to Claim 3 and according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the third hydraulic outlet (13C) is open when the plunger (15) is in its first position and when the plunger is in its second position. Cleaning device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the hydraulic outlets (23A) comprises a valve (28) able to open if a liquid pressure upstream of the valve exceeds a value threshold, in particular the valve (28) comprising a deformable membrane. Cleaning device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a hydraulic separator (32), the said first hydraulic outlet (34A) and the said second hydraulic outlet (34B) coming from the hydraulic separator, the said hydraulic inlet (33) being connected to a first inlet (36A) of the hydraulic separator and to an inlet of the solenoid valve (31), the solenoid valve comprising a hydraulic outlet (37) connected to a second inlet (36B) of the hydraulic separator , the hydraulic separator comprising hydraulic switching means configured such that:
- when the output of the solenoid valve is closed, said first hydraulic output is open and said second hydraulic output is closed, and
- when the output of the solenoid valve is open, said first hydraulic output is closed and said second hydraulic output is open. Cleaning system (2) for cleaning equipment (3, 3A, 3B), in particular sensors, of a motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises:
- a cleaning device (10, 20, 30) according to one of the preceding claims,
- a reservoir (5) adapted to contain a cleaning liquid
- a pump (6) able to put a cleaning liquid from the tank under pressure,
- a first spray nozzle (7A) and a second spray nozzle (7B),
the pump being connected to the hydraulic inlet (12, 22, 33) of the cleaning device (10, 20, 30), the first spray nozzle being connected to the first hydraulic outlet (13A, 23A, 34A) of the cleaning, the second nozzle being connected to the second hydraulic outlet (13B, 23B, 34B) of the cleaning device. Automotive vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a cleaning system (2) according to the preceding claim, a first piece of equipment (3A), in particular a first sensor, and a second piece of equipment (3B) separate from the first piece of equipment, in particular a second sensor, the first nozzle (7A) being configured to project a cleaning liquid onto the first equipment, the second nozzle (7B) being configured to project a cleaning liquid onto the second equipment. Method of operating a cleaning system (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises:
- a step for detecting a need to clean equipment (3A, 3B),
- a step for controlling the solenoid valve (11, 21, 31) of the cleaning device to open the hydraulic outlet corresponding to the equipment to be cleaned,
- a pump activation step (6) to selectively project a cleaning liquid onto the equipment to be cleaned.