WO2023052558A1

WO2023052558A1 - System for cleaning at least one optical sensor of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2023052558A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/077209
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frederic Giraud; Vincent Gepel
Original assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
Priority date: 2021-09-29
Filing date: 2022-09-29
Publication date: 2023-04-06
Also published as: FR3127457A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for cleaning an optical sensor (20) of a vehicle (2), the system comprising: - an air blower (10); and - said optical sensor (20); characterized in that said cleaning system (1) further comprises: - a visual obstruction sensor (11) arranged beside said optical sensor (20); - an electronic control unit (12) configured to activate said air blower (10) when said visual obstruction sensor (11) detects visual obstructions (3) so as to generate the airflow (F1), and in that said air blower (10) is configured to generate said airflow (F1), which sweeps across said optical sensor (20) over its field of view (FoV) and across said visual obstacle sensor (11) over its detection area (z0) so as to remove said visual obstructions (3) from said field of view (FoV) and from said detection area (z0).

Description

System for cleaning at least one optical sensor for a vehicle

The present invention relates to a system for cleaning at least one optical sensor of a vehicle. It finds a particular but non-limiting application in autonomous vehicles.

In the field of autonomous vehicles, such as droids or drones, there are several optical sensors such as lidars, radars, or cameras. These optical sensors make it possible in particular to perform a function of detecting the environment of the vehicle. For the vehicle's range to be as efficient and reliable as possible, the information provided by the optical sensors must be of the highest possible quality. It is therefore essential that the fields of vision of these optical sensors be clear, namely that there be no visual obstacle in front of said fields of vision. To this end, there is a system for cleaning at least one optical sensor of a vehicle, known to those skilled in the art, which comprises:
- (a) said at least one optical sensor,
- (b) a camera configured to capture images of the environment outside the vehicle,
- (c) a rain sensor configured to detect the presence of rain,
- (d) an air blower configured to generate an airflow,
- (e) an electronic control unit configured for:
- compare the images captured by the camera,
- depending on the speed of the vehicle and the images captured, deducing whether there are raindrops on said at least one optical sensor,
- if it deduces therefrom that there are raindrops on said at least one optical sensor and following confirmation of the presence of rain by said rain sensor, activating the air blower so that the air flow evacuates the raindrops from the field of vision of said at least one optical sensor.

Thus, if the vehicle is moving (non-zero speed) and if on the images captured by the camera, there are objects which are not moving, the electronic control unit deduces that these objects are raindrops which affect the field of vision of said at least one optical sensor, and are not objects in the environment outside the vehicle. After confirmation by the rain sensor, the electronic control unit therefore activates the air blower; the latter will generate an air flow to chase away the raindrops which affect the field of vision of said at least one optical sensor.

A drawback of this state of the prior art is that this cleaning system is complex and expensive to implement.

In this context, the present invention aims to provide a system for cleaning at least one optical sensor of a vehicle which makes it possible to solve the drawbacks mentioned.

To this end, the invention proposes a system for cleaning at least one optical sensor of a vehicle, said cleaning system comprising:
- an air blower configured to generate an air flow,
- said at least one optical sensor having a field of vision,
characterized in that said cleaning system further comprises:
- a visual obstacle sensor configured to detect visual obstacles, having a detection zone and being arranged next to said at least optical sensor,
- an electronic control unit configured to activate said air blower when said visual obstacle sensor detects visual obstacles so as to generate said airflow, and in that said air blower is configured to generate said flow of air which sweeps said at least optical sensor at the level of its field of vision and said sensor of visual obstacles at the level of its detection zone so as to evacuate the said visual obstacles from the said field of vision and from the said detection zone.

Thus, as will be seen below, by allowing the air blower to clean the visual obstacles which affect both the field of vision of said at least one optical sensor and the detection zone of said visual obstacle sensor, the camera is eliminated and the number of operations carried out by the electronic control unit is reduced.

According to non-limiting embodiments, said cleaning system may also comprise one or more additional characteristics taken alone or according to all the technically possible combinations, among the following.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, said visual obstacle sensor is adjacent to said at least one optical sensor or is arranged in the immediate vicinity of said at least one optical sensor.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, said visual obstacle sensor is placed at a minimum distance of 0 cm and a maximum of 10 cm from said at least one optical sensor.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, said visual obstacles are rain, snow, sand, dust, or organic elements.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, said at least one optical sensor is a lidar, a camera or a radar.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, said cleaning system comprises a plurality of optical sensors.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, said air blower comprises an air duct with an air inlet and at least two air outlets through which two air sub-flows from said air flow can respectively exit to sweep each respectively said visual obstacle sensor and said at least one optical sensor.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, said two air sub-flows each comprise a different flow rate and/or pressure.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, the two air outlets are connected to two different circulation channels.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, said electronic control unit is further configured to deactivate said air blower when the latter does not detect any visual obstacles.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, said visual obstacle sensor is configured to be in contact with an exit glass arranged between said visual obstacle sensor and the exterior of said vehicle.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, said electronic control unit is independent of said at least one optical sensor and of said visual obstacle sensor.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, said electronic control unit is embedded in said at least one optical sensor or in said visual obstacle sensor.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, said cleaning system further comprises a housing configured to accommodate said air blower, said at least one optical sensor, said visual obstacle sensor and said electronic control unit.

There is also proposed a method for cleaning at least one optical sensor of a vehicle, said cleaning method comprising:
- the detection by a visual obstacle sensor of visual obstacles located in its detection zone, said visual obstacle sensor being arranged next to said at least one optical sensor,
- the activation by an electronic control unit of an air blower when said visual obstacle sensor detects said visual obstacles so as to generate an air flow,
- the generation of said air flow by said air blower, said air flow sweeping said at least one optical sensor at its field of vision and said visual obstacle sensor at its detection zone so clearing said visual obstacles from said field of view of said detection zone.

The invention and its various applications will be better understood on reading the following description and on examining the accompanying figures:

is an unfolded schematic figure of a system for cleaning at least one optical sensor of a vehicle according to the invention, said cleaning system comprising an air blower, at least one optical sensor, a visual obstacle sensor and an electronic control unit, said electronic control unit being independent of said at least one optical sensor according to a first non-limiting embodiment, and said at least one optical sensor being positioned according to a first non-limiting embodiment,

is an unfolded schematic figure of a system for cleaning at least one optical sensor of a vehicle according to the invention, said cleaning system comprising an air blower, at least one optical sensor, a visual obstacle sensor and an electronic control unit, said electronic control unit forming part of said at least one optical sensor according to a second non-limiting embodiment, and said at least one optical sensor being positioned according to a first non-limiting embodiment,

is an unfolded schematic figure of a system for cleaning at least one optical sensor of a vehicle according to the invention, said cleaning system comprising an air blower, at least one optical sensor, a visual obstacle sensor and an electronic control unit, said at least one optical sensor being positioned according to a second non-limiting embodiment,

is an unfolded schematic figure of the cleaning system of the , said cleaning system comprising a plurality of optical sensors according to a non-limiting embodiment,

is an unfolded schematic figure of the cleaning system of the , said air blower comprising at least two outputs according to a non-limiting embodiment,

illustrates a schematic top view of an outlet of an air duct of the air blower, of said at least one sensor and of said visual obstacle sensor of said cleaning system of the or the ,

illustrates a schematic top view of an outlet of an air duct of the air blower, of said at least one sensor and of said visual obstacle sensor of said cleaning system of the ,

illustrates a schematic side view of an outlet of an air duct of the air blower, of said at least one sensor and of said visual obstacle sensor of said cleaning system of the ,

is a flowchart of a cleaning method implemented by the cleaning system of any one of Figures 1 to 8, according to a non-limiting embodiment.

Identical elements, by structure or by function, appearing in different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references.

The cleaning system 1 of at least one optical sensor 20 of a vehicle 2 according to the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. In one non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle 2 is a semi-autonomous vehicle or autonomous. In a non-limiting embodiment variant, when the vehicle 2 is a semi-autonomous vehicle, it is a motor vehicle. In non-limiting variant embodiments, when the vehicle 2 is an autonomous vehicle, it is a motor vehicle, or a droid such as a robot taxi, or a drone. Motor vehicle means any type of motorized vehicle.

Depending on the level of autonomy of the vehicle, in non-limiting examples the functions for autonomous or semi-autonomous driving include:
- emergency braking assistance,
- automatic parking with steering management,
- adaptive cruise control without driver intervention,
- vehicle steering (longitudinal and transverse control of the trajectory, keeping the vehicle on its lane and adapting its speed),
- management of vehicle movements on motorways, on roads with visible markings, in the air,
- steering of the vehicle without the intervention of a driver.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the cleaning system 1 comprises:
- an air blower 10, and
- said at least one optical sensor 20, and
- a visual obstacle sensor 11, and
- an electronic control unit 12.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the cleaning system 1 further comprises a housing 13 configured to accommodate said air blower 10, said at least one optical sensor 20, said visual obstacle sensor 11 and said electronic control unit 12. This allows the assembly to be easily installed in vehicle 2.

The elements of the cleaning system 1 are described in detail below.

In the rest of the description, said at least one optical sensor 20 is also called optical sensor 20.

The air blower 10 is configured to generate an air flow F1 which sweeps said at least one optical sensor 20 at its FoV field of vision and said visual obstacle sensor 11 at its detection field z0. The air flow F1 thus makes it possible to clean both the optical sensor 20 and the visual obstacle sensor 11 at the same time.

More specifically, the air flow F1 will touch a surface 200 of the optical sensor 20, and a surface 110 of the visual obstacle sensor 11 or a surface 140 of the outlet glass 14 (described later) arranged in front of the sensor. visual obstacles 11, so as to clean said

surfaces

200, and 110 or 140 of said visual obstacles 3 and consequently to evacuate said visual obstacles 3 from said FoV field of vision of the optical sensor 20 and from said detection zone z0 of the sensor visual obstacles 11.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, in a non-limiting embodiment, the air blower 10 comprises:
- an electric motor 101 configured to rotate a wheel 102 housed in a volute 103,
- said wheel 102 configured to generate the air flow F1,
- an air duct 104 in which the air flow F1 circulates.

Electric motor 101 comprises a shaft (not shown) on which wheel 102 is mounted, said shaft defining an axis AA' of rotation of wheel 102.

Said impeller 102 is a centrifugal impeller configured to axially suck in an incoming air flow F0 into volute 103, put it into circulation in said volute 103 and generate air flow F1. This last spring from the volute 103 radially, namely orthogonal to the axis A-A'.

The air duct 104 comprises an inlet 104.1 connected to said volute 103, a circulation channel 104.2 and at least one outlet 104.3, otherwise called air outlet 104.3, through which the air flow F1 exits. Said at least one air outlet 104.3 is directed towards said at least one optical sensor 20 and the visual obstacle sensor 11. In a non-limiting embodiment, said at least one air outlet 104.3 is in the form of cone. This makes it possible to distribute the air flow F1 over the optical sensor 20 and visual obstacle sensor 11 assembly.

In a first non-limiting embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the air duct 104 comprises a single air outlet 104.3. Consequently, the air flow F1 generated will sweep the optical sensor 20 and the visual obstacle sensor 11 at the same time.

In a second non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the , the air duct 104 comprises two air outlets 104.3 through which two air sub-flows F1.1, F1.2 can exit respectively, the two air sub-flows F1.1 and F1.2 being from the air flow F1. Thus, a first air sub-flow F1.1 from the air flow F1 will sweep the optical sensor 20, while a second air sub-flow F1.2 from the air flow F1 will sweep the visual obstacle sensor 11. The two air outlets 104.3 are thus connected to two different circulation channels 104.2.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the two air sub-flows F1.1, F1.2 comprise an equal flow rate d and/or pressure p. In a non-limiting example, the flow rate is 8 m ³ per minute. In a non-limiting example, the pressure p is less than 1 bar. It will be noted that the pressure makes it possible to adapt to the length of the air duct 104. The longer the air duct 104, the greater the pressure will be.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the two air sub-flows F1.1, F1.2 each comprise a different flow rate d and/or pressure p. In a non-limiting example, a first flow rate is 8m ³ per minute and a second flow rate is 4m ³ per minute. This makes it possible to adapt to the surface 200 of the optical sensor 20 and to the surface 110 of the visual obstacle sensor 11 or the surface 140 of the outlet glass 14 from which the visual obstacles 3 must be removed. In a non-limiting example , a lidar has an area of 7cm ² while a rain sensor has an area of 2.5cm ² . In non-limiting embodiments, to obtain a different flow rate d and/or pressure p for the two air sub-flows F1.1, F1.2, one can have:
- the two circulation channels 104.2 of different lengths, and/or
- different surface conditions on the two circulation channels 104.2, and/or
- a different shape for the two circulation channels 104.2 (in a non-limiting example, circular and rectangular), and/or
- a different diameter for the two circulation channels 104.2.

The vehicle 2 comprises at least one optical sensor 20. In non-limiting embodiments, said at least one optical sensor 20 is a lidar, a camera or a radar. It should be noted that a radar works through the rain but does not work in the presence of dust, sand, snow, or organic elements. In the case of a lidar, the lidar is a sensor configured to emit an outgoing laser beam and receive return waves. In the case of a camera, the camera is configured to capture electromagnetic radiation (IR, visible, UV). In the case of radar, the radar is a sensor configured to emit radar waves and receive returning radar waves.

The optical sensor 20 has a FoV field of view illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8. The periphery of the FoV field of view is illustrated in dotted lines in these figures. Visual obstacles 3 may be in front of the FoV field of view, which prevents the optical sensor 20 from operating correctly. In non-limiting embodiments, the visual obstacles 3 are rain, snow, sand, dust, or organic elements, or even any possible combination of these visual obstacles 3.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, in a non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle 2 comprises a single optical sensor 20.

As shown on the , in another non-limiting embodiment, the vehicle 2 comprises a plurality of optical sensors 20. In the non-limiting example of , for reasons of readability of the figure, only two optical sensors 20 have been shown.

Said at least one optical sensor 20 is configured to provide information relating to the environment outside the vehicle 2, information which is used to perform functions for semi-autonomous or autonomous driving in particular. In non-limiting examples, this information is images of the external environment which indicate the presence of static objects (buildings, trees, markings on the ground, etc.) or dynamic objects (other vehicles such as, in non-limiting examples, a motor vehicle , a bicycle, pedestrians, another droid or drone etc.) in front of, behind or on the sides of the vehicle 2. The optical sensors 20 are therefore configured to perform a detection function, whether it is a detection of a static object or mobile.

Said at least one optical sensor 20 comprises a surface 200 which is the surface through which the optical sensor 20 performs its detection function. The surface 200 is thus the surface which is in the FoV field of view of the sensor 20. It thus covers said FoV field of view. For example, in the case of radar, this means that the surface 200 is traversed by the transmitted radar waves and the returning radar waves. For example, in the case of lidar, this means that the surface 200 is traversed by the laser beam and the return waves. For example, in the case of the camera, this means that the surface 200 is traversed by electromagnetic waves.

The visual obstacle sensor 11 is configured to detect visual obstacles 3. It has a detection zone z0 shown hatched in FIGS. 6 to 8. It comprises a surface 110 which is the surface through which the sensor visual obstacles 11 performs a visual obstacle detection function 3. The surface 110 is thus in the detection zone z0. It thus covers the detection zone z0.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the visual obstacle sensor 11 is a rain sensor. Thus, the latter will detect raindrops. In one non-limiting embodiment, the rain sensor includes a light emitting diode and light receivers. If the amount of light emitted by the diode and the amount of light that returns are different, this indicates the presence of raindrops. Such a rain sensor being known to those skilled in the art, it is not described in detail here.

The visual obstacle sensor 11 is arranged next to the optical sensor 20 so that the air flow F1 can also reach it. As it is next to the optical sensor 20, this amounts to detecting visual obstacles 3 in the field of vision of said optical sensor 20.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the visual obstacle sensor 11 is placed at a minimum distance d1 of 0 centimeters (cm) and a maximum of 10 centimeters from the optical sensor 20.

Thus, in a first non-limiting embodiment illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, the visual obstacle sensor 11 is arranged in the immediate vicinity of said at least one optical sensor 20.

Thus, in a second non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the , the visual obstacle sensor 11 is arranged adjacent to said at least one optical sensor 20.

These two non-limiting embodiments allow the visual obstacle sensor 11 to be scanned at its detection zone z0 by the air flow F1 generated by the air blower 10 and at the same time to the optical sensor 20 to be itself swept by the air flow F1 at the level of its FoV field of vision.

In a first non-limiting embodiment illustrated in Figures 1, 24 and 5, the visual obstacle sensor 11 and the optical sensor 20 are arranged substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis Ax of the duct 104 of the air blower 1. As shown in the figures and the , they are thus arranged side by side and facing said at least one air outlet 104.3 of the air duct 104 of the air blower 10.

In a second non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the , the visual obstacle sensor 11 and the optical sensor 20 are arranged substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis Ax of the duct 104 of the air blower 1. As illustrated in the and FIGS. 7 and 8, they are thus arranged one behind the other and opposite said at least one air outlet 104.3 of the air duct 104 of the air blower 10.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the visual obstacle sensor 11 is configured to be in contact with an exit glass 14 (illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4) arranged between said visual obstacle sensor 11 and the exterior of the vehicle 2. In a non-limiting variant embodiment, the visual obstacle sensor 11 is glued to said output glass 14. In non-limiting embodiments, the output glass 14 is made of glass or polycarbonate. As illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, the outlet lens 14 is arranged between the visual obstacle sensor 11 and said at least one air outlet 104.3 of the air duct 100 of the air blower 10.

The electronic control unit 12 cooperates with the air blower 10 and the visual obstacle sensor 11. Thus, when the visual obstacle sensor 11 detects visual obstacles 3, it is configured to send a detection message to said electronic control unit 12. The latter, following receipt of said detection message, is configured to activate the air blower 10 so as to generate said air flow F1 to evacuate visual obstacles 3.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the electronic control unit 12 is further configured to deactivate said air blower 10 when the visual obstacle sensor 11 does not detect visual obstacles 3.

In non-limiting embodiments, the electronic control unit 12 is embedded or not in said at least one optical sensor 20, or is the main electronic control unit of the vehicle 2, or is a secondary electronic control unit.

Thus, in a first non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, the electronic control unit 12 is independent of said at least optical sensor 20 and of said visual obstacle sensor 11. Thus, in a second non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the , the electronic control unit 12 is embedded in said at least optical sensor 20. In a third non-limiting embodiment (not shown), the electronic control unit 12 is embedded in said visual obstacle sensor 11.

Thus, the cleaning system 4 described above is configured to implement a cleaning method 4 of at least one optical sensor 20 for vehicle 2. Said cleaning method 4 and described with reference to the .

As shown on the , the cleaning method 4 comprises the following steps.

In a step E1 illustrated F1(11, 3, z0), the visual obstacle sensor 11 detects visual obstacles 3 located in its detection zone z0, said visual obstacle sensor 11 being placed next to said at least one optical sensor 20.

In a step E2 illustrated F2(12, 10, F1, ON), the electronic control unit 12 activates the air blower 10 when said visual obstacle sensor 11 detects said visual obstacles 3 so as to generate a flow of air F1.

In a step E3 illustrated F3(10, F1, FoV, z0), the air blower 10 generates said air flow F1, said air flow F1 sweeping said at least one optical sensor 20 at the level of its field of vision FoV and said sensor of visual obstacles 11 at the level of its detection zone z0 so as to evacuate said visual obstacles 3 from said field of vision FoV and from said detection zone z0. Thus, the airflow F1 will:
- remove the visual obstacles 3 from the FoV field of vision of the optical sensor 20. In practice, it removes the visual obstacles 3 from the surface 200 of the optical sensor 20, and
- remove the visual obstacles 3 from the detection zone z0 of the optical sensor 20. In practice, it removes the visual obstacles 3 from the surface 110 of the visual obstacle sensor 11 or from the surface 140 of the outlet window 14.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the cleaning method 4 further comprises a step E4 illustrated F4 (12, 10, OFF) in which the electronic control unit 12 deactivates the air blower 10 when said obstacle sensor 11 no longer detects said visual obstacles 3. Thus, when there are no more visual obstacles 3 which are in the field of vision FoV of the optical sensor 20 and in the detection zone z0 of the obstacle sensor visuals 11, the generation of air flow F1 is stopped.

Of course, the description of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and to the field described above. Thus, in the case where there is an exit glass 14, the latter can also be arranged opposite the optical sensor 20 between said optical sensor 20 and the air outlet 104.3 of the air duct 104 of the air blower 10 In this case, the air flow F1 removes the visual obstacles 3 from the surface 140 of the outlet glass 14 so as to evacuate them from the FoV field of vision of the optical sensor 20.

Thus, the invention described has in particular the following advantages:
- it makes it possible to remove the visual obstacles 3 from the FoV field of vision of said at least one optical sensor 20 and at the same time from the detection zone z0 of the visual obstacle sensor 11,
- by also removing the visual obstacles 3 in the detection zone z0 of the visual obstacle sensor 11, this allows said visual obstacle sensor 11 not to make a detection error when events such as bad weather at the origin of said visual obstacles 3 cease and thus to know that the event has ceased. Indeed, for example if it is no longer raining but raindrops 3 remain on the surface of the rain sensor 11 or on the outlet glass 14 located in front of the rain sensor 11, then the rain sensor 11 will always detect rain and thus mislead the electronic control unit 12 which will control the air blower to evacuate these raindrops from the optical sensor 20 despite the absence of rain and raindrops 3 in the field FoV vision of the optical sensor 20 which will have already been cleaned of raindrops 3; this thus prevents visual obstacles 3 from remaining in the detection zone z0 of the obstacle sensor 11 and degrading its detection function,
- it is an easy solution to implement.

Claims

System (1) for cleaning at least one optical sensor (20) of a vehicle (2), said cleaning system (1) comprising:
- an air blower (10) configured to generate an air flow (F1),
- said at least one optical sensor (20) having a field of view (FoV),
characterized in that said cleaning system (1) further comprises:
- a visual obstacle sensor (11) configured to detect visual obstacles (3), having a detection zone (z0) and being arranged next to said at least optical sensor (20),
- an electronic control unit (12) configured to activate said air blower (10) when said visual obstacle sensor (11) detects visual obstacles (3) so as to generate said airflow (F1), and in that said air blower (10) is configured to generate said flow of air (F1) which sweeps said at least optical sensor (20) at the level of its field of vision (FoV) and said obstacle sensor (11) at its detection zone (z0) so as to evacuate said visual obstacles (3) from said field of vision (FoV) and from said detection zone (z0).
A cleaning system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said visual obstacle sensor (11) is adjacent to said at least one optical sensor (20) or is disposed in close proximity to said at least one optical sensor (20).
Cleaning system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said visual obstacle sensor (11) is arranged at a minimum distance (d1) of 0 cm and a maximum of 10 cm from said at least one optical sensor (20).
A cleaning system (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said visual obstructions (3) are rain, snow, sand, dust, or organic matter.
A cleaning system (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one optical sensor (20) is a lidar, camera or radar.
A cleaning system (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said cleaning system (1) comprises a plurality of optical sensors (20).
Cleaning system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said air blower (10) comprises an air duct (104) with an inlet (104.1) and at least two air outlets (104.3) by which two air sub-flows (F1.1, F1.2) originating from said air flow (F1) can respectively exit in order each to scan said visual obstacle sensor (11) and said at least one optical sensor respectively (20).
Cleaning system (1) according to the preceding claim, according to which said two air sub-flows (F1.1, F1.2) each comprise a different flow rate and/or pressure.
Cleaning method (4) of at least one optical sensor (20) of a vehicle (2), said cleaning method (4) comprising:
- the detection by a visual obstacle sensor (11) of visual obstacles (3) located in its detection zone (z0), said visual obstacle sensor (11) being arranged next to said at least one optical sensor (20),
- the activation by an electronic control unit (12) of an air blower (10) when said visual obstacle sensor (11) detects said visual obstacles (3) so as to generate an air flow ( F1),
- the generation of said airflow (F1) by said air blower (10), said airflow (F1) sweeping said at least one optical sensor (20) at the level of its field of vision (FoV) and said visual obstacle sensor (11) at its detection zone (z0) so as to evacuate said visual obstacles (3) from said field of view (FoV) of said detection zone (z0).