Protection system, driver assistance system and vehicle component

Abstract

The present invention discloses a protection system for an optical sensor, which is in a motor vehicle and is used to detect the surrounding environment of the motor vehicle. The protection system includes at least one covering element for the optical sensor, and the covering element can be brought to a covering position, in which the at least one covering element protects the optical sensor from the surrounding environment. The protection system includes a storage device for a plurality of covering elements, and at least one covering element can move from the storage device to the covering position. The present invention also discloses a driver assistance system and a vehicle component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protection system for an optical sensor, which is installed in a motor vehicle, in particular in a passenger motor vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle. The optical sensor is adapted to generate ambient data about the surroundings of the motor vehicle, such as distance data, image data, object data, and to provide this ambient data to a driver assistance system according to the present invention. The present invention particularly relates to a protection system for a camera sensor or a lidar sensor. The present invention also relates to a driver assistance system, in particular a driver assistance system that processes camera data and / or lidar data, for a motor vehicle having a protection system for sensors that generate camera data and / or lidar data. Finally, the present invention also relates to a vehicle component for being assembled in an external area of a vehicle, such as a bumper, a rear cover, a radiator grille, an exterior mirror or other parts of the outer shell of a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Various driver assistance systems or autonomous driving systems are premised on their function of generating ambient data (such as image data or distance data) by means of optical sensors, and these ambient data describe the surroundings of a vehicle equipped with a driver assistance system. With the increasing degree of automation of vehicle operation, there must be ambient data of increasingly high quality and these ambient data must be available at any time point and without interruption as much as possible. In the case where a driver assistance system largely depends on ambient data or image data, the temporary unavailability of image data (caused by environmental influences, such as the soiling or icing of an image sensor) or the temporary or gradual reduction of the quality of image data over a long period of time may lead to a reduction in the efficiency of the driver assistance system and pose a danger to vehicle occupants.

[0003] In addition, the quality of the ambient data depends on the optical penetration quality of the outermost, vehicle surroundings side, optically penetrable member in the light flow from the vehicle surroundings to the optical sensor. This is affected by environmental influences throughout the entire life cycle of the vehicle, thereby possibly affecting the optical penetration quality of the outermost, vehicle surroundings side member in the optical path.

[0004] In order to achieve a high detection accuracy, optically expensive components (such as lenses) compared to the total price of the optical sensor usually form the output end and / or the input end of the optical sensor. In order to achieve small manufacturing tolerances, these optical components are in any case an irreplaceable part of the sensor.

[0005] A protection system for an optical sensor is known from US 2016 / 0264064 A1, in which the optical sensor is protected from environmental influences by a covering that performs optical steering. The covering is assembled in a replaceable manner. The protection system includes a cleaning nozzle through which a cleaning fluid can be sprayed onto the covering.

[0006] EP 3 230 128 B1 shows a camera assembly that is held on a carrier together with a cleaning unit, and the carrier can be moved from a rest position (where the camera is protected from environmental influences) to a shooting position (where the camera unit is used functionally). The camera assembly also includes a cleaning unit through which a cleaning fluid can be applied to the lens of the camera unit. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a protection system, a driver assistance system, and a vehicle component that correspondingly improve the availability and quality of ambient data of an optical sensor during the entire life cycle of a vehicle.

[0008] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Accordingly, a protection system for an optical sensor is proposed, in which the sensor can be assembled or is assembled in a motor vehicle and is adapted to detect the surroundings of the motor vehicle, and the protection system includes a covering for the optical sensor, which covering is in particular at least semi-transparent, preferably transparent, in a wavelength range critical for the sensor. The covering can be brought to a covering position, in which position the covering protects the optical sensor from environmental influences. According to the invention, the protection system includes a storage device for a plurality of coverings, which coverings are at least semi-transparent, preferably transparent, in a wavelength range critical for the sensor, and at least one covering can be moved from the storage device to the covering position. In the covering position, the covering is the outermost component on the ambient side with respect to the optical path from the surroundings of the motor vehicle to the optical sensor. The covering is in particular independent of components (such as lenses) that are structurally assigned to the optical sensor and form the sensor input and / or sensor output. The covering is in any case light-transmissive for the light components that are received and / or emitted by the optical sensor. The storage device contains in particular a plurality of coverings of equal size, preferably of the same type and / or technically identical, and at least one corresponding covering among these coverings is arranged to be movable from the storage device to the covering position. By providing a plurality of coverings, when a covering becomes dirty or optically affected during the life cycle, a non-dirty or non-affected covering can be brought from the storage device to the covering position in order to again produce the initial imaging quality of the optical sensor.

[0009] In particular, a camera sensor (such as a camera equipped with a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor or a PMD camera) or a lidar sensor is provided as an optical sensor for providing ambient environment data.

[0010] In a particular embodiment, the cover can be moved back into the storage device. By this measure, a recycling system enabling the cover to be reused is constituted.

[0011] In a particular embodiment, the protection system includes a cleaning device that provides a cleaning position for at least one cover. In particular, the protection system is equipped with a transport device (such as a rotary mechanism or a guide rail system) by means of which the cover can be moved from the covering position to the cleaning position. The transport device can be driven by electric power, spring force, gravity or by fluid flow.

[0012] Preferably, the cleaning device is dimensioned and adapted such that a plurality of covers can be cleaned simultaneously. By means of a cleaning table, the light-transmitting quality of at least one soiled cover and thus the image data quality can be repeatedly reproduced over a long period of time. By providing a cleaning position and a plurality of covers, it is possible to operate the optical sensor and clean the covers simultaneously. By synchronously cleaning a plurality of covers, a long and thorough cleaning process can be achieved without preventing the cleaning device from accommodating other soiled covers.

[0013] In particular, the cleaning device operates according to the first-in, first-out principle. This ensures a high availability of the covers and at the same time ensures cleaning for as long as possible.

[0014] In a particular embodiment, the protection system comprises a cleaning device having a wet cleaning table. In particular, the wet cleaning device is adapted to thoroughly wet the cover with a cleaning fluid at a cleaning position. The wet cleaning table particularly comprises a flexible, fluid-storing carrier (such as a sponge) which is arranged to be movable by the cover. Alternatively or additionally, the wet cleaning table comprises a dipping bath. In particular, the dipping bath is heatable. The wet cleaning device preferably comprises an ultrasonic cleaning facility. Alternatively or additionally, the wet cleaning device comprises at least one nozzle through which a cleaning liquid can be sprayed (preferably under high pressure) onto at least one, in particular a plurality of, covers located at the cleaning position. In particular, the wet cleaning device is connected to a storage tank for the cleaning fluid. Preferably, the wet cleaning facility is connected to the storage tank of the windshield cleaning facility of a motor vehicle. Thorough cleaning is achieved by means of the wet cleaning table. By completely wetting the cover, it is ensured that the light-transmitting properties of the cover vary uniformly during the life cycle by the cleaning process. By using a dipping bath, it is possible to allow the cleaning solution to act on the cover for a longer time and thus achieve a gentler and more thorough cleaning. By heating the cleaning liquid and / or the dipping bath, the cleaning time is shortened at the same cleaning efficiency. In particular, heating can be selectively started in cases where the availability requirements are temporarily high or where soiling occurs quickly. One or more of the above measures enable the protection system to operate energy-efficiently.

[0015] In a particular embodiment, the covers are each arranged in the storage device to be movable from storage device B to the covering position A and / or from the storage position B to the cleaning position C. The protection system particularly comprises a transport device (such as a rail system or a guiding device) which enables the movement of the covers from the respective storage positions to the covering position and to the cleaning position. By this measure, the circulation and reusability of the covers are achieved, with the storage position increasing the availability and cleaning efficiency.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, the storage device is implemented as a rotary storage bin. In particular, the rotary storage bin is rotatably mounted about a rotational axis which is preferably oriented parallel to the optical path of the optical sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the storage device may include a stacked storage bin. Preferably, the storage device is implemented as a rotary storage bin having a plurality of storage chambers, wherein the respective storage chambers are implemented as stacked storage bins. That is, a plurality of covers are arranged as a stack in respective rotational positions of the rotatably mounted carrier in which the covers can be separated. The rotary storage bin can enable the covers to be particularly easily provided from the storage position to the covering position. In particular, the transport device is designed such that the covers can be moved from the storage position of the rotary storage bin and / or the stacked storage bin to the cleaning position and / or the covering position. For this purpose, the storage device can be moved to an output section leading to the cleaning position and / or the covering position, at which one or more of these covers are separated and can be moved by the transport device to the cleaning position and / or the covering position.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, the protection system includes a throwing device which is adapted to move the at least one cover out of the covering position and away from the protection system. The throwing device can also be designed such that one or more covers can be moved out of the storage device and away from the protection system. Thereby, the covers whose optical transparency is permanently affected are removed from the cycle and do not occupy any space capacity or cleaning capacity. In this design, the covers can be made of biodegradable material. The throwing device can be driven by electric power, spring force, gravity or by an air flow.

[0018] In a particular embodiment, the protection system has a heater for heating at least one of the covers in the storage position, the covering position and / or the cleaning position. The heater is in particular adapted to heat each cover. The heating is in particular adapted to heat the storage position, the covering position, and the cleaning position. The heater in particular includes a sub-heating system for heating the cleaning liquid and / or the immersion bath of the cleaning device. The heater is preferably designed as a heating wire. Alternatively or additionally, the heater includes an infrared heating element. Alternatively or additionally, the heater can be connected to the heating system of a motor vehicle. By means of the heater, a higher optical transparency quality is ensured under winter weather conditions.

[0019] In a particular embodiment, the covers are arranged to be movable from the storage position to the covering position or from the covering position to the storage position transversely (preferably perpendicularly) to the optical path of the optical sensor. By the movement direction being transverse or perpendicular to the optical path, the covers can be replaced without possibly having to interrupt the function of the optical sensor for a long time.

[0020] In a particular embodiment, the storage device has a service opening through which a plurality of covers can be replaced. In particular, the covers can be replaced individually. Preferably, the storage device includes a carrier or magazine for the plurality of covers, which carrier or magazine can be removed and inserted via the service opening as a replacement module. Preferably, the service opening can be closed by means of a service flap. The easy replaceability of the plurality of covers improves the serviceability of the protection system and of the motor vehicle equipped with the protection system.

[0021] The invention also relates to a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle, the driver assistance system comprising: an optical sensor for providing data on the surroundings of the motor vehicle; and a protection system, in particular designed according to the invention, having a plurality of covers, at least one of the plurality of covers being able to be brought into a covering position to protect the optical sensor from the environment; and a control unit, which is designed and adapted to identify soiling of the cover in the covering position by means of a change in the data provided by the optical sensor, to bring the cover from the covering position to a storage position, and to bring another of the plurality of covers into the covering position.

[0022] In particular, the driver assistance system includes a controller which is adapted and designed to evaluate changes in the surroundings data for a constant section of the surroundings. From changes in the surroundings which are expected to be constant, it is possible to infer, for example, a change in the optical path or an influence on the optical path due to soiling of a cover which is temporarily in the covering position. Preferably, the controller is adapted and designed to bring a cover from the storage position to the covering position and to bring a cover in the covering position from the covering position to the storage position and / or a cleaning position.

[0023] Finally, the invention also relates to a vehicle component for fitting in an external area of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle component has an optical sensor and a protection system, in particular designed according to the invention, the optical system having a cover for protecting the optical sensor from the surroundings. In particular, the vehicle component is, for example, a front apron or a radiator grille having an integrated camera sensor. Description of the Drawings

[0024] Further features, advantages and characteristics of the invention are set forth by reference to the description of preferred embodiments of the invention in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 : shows an embodiment of a vehicle component of the invention having the protection system of the invention. Detailed Description

[0026] Figure 1 An example of a protection system 10 is shown, which is integrated into a vehicle component 80, for example, into a front bumper. The protection system 10 protects an optical sensor (i.e., Figure 1 The camera sensor 82 is protected from environmental influences acting from the outside on the optical input of the camera sensor 82. The camera sensor 82 is connected to a controller 84. The controller 84, the camera sensor 82 and the protection system 10 are part of a driver assistance system that is not shown in detail, such as a lane change assistant based on camera images.

[0027] The protection system 10 comprises a storage device 20, which is shown here by way of example and only schematically as a stacking bin. In the storage device 20, a plurality of covers 30, 31 are stored, which can be moved from a storage position B to a covering position A by means of a transport device (such as a slide rail) not shown in detail. In the covering position, the illustrated cover 33 is arranged such that the optical input or optical output of the optical sensor (here the optical input of the camera sensor 82) is protected from environmental influences acting from the outside relative to the optical path.

[0028] The protection system 10 also has a parking position cover 38 which blocks the light path and protects the optical sensor (in the Figure 1 The parking position cover 38 is thus protected from environmental influences, i.e. the camera sensor 82, and the transport device (not shown in detail) as well as the cover 33 in the cover position A. Furthermore, when the motor vehicle in which the protection system 10 is installed is brought to a rest state (e.g. switched off), the parking position cover 38 is brought in front of the cover position A. In this rest state, generally no function of the optical sensor is required, so that the additional protection provided by the parking position cover 38 prolongs the service life of the protection system 10 and the optical sensor.

[0029] The protective system 10 further comprises a cleaning device 40 which is designed as a dipping bath 42. Via an inlet opening and an outlet opening (not shown in detail) and by means of a transport device (not shown in detail), at least one of the plurality of covers of the storage device 20 is passed into the dipping bath 42 of the cleaning device 40 to be cleaned of dirt. The cleaning device 40 is dimensioned such that a plurality of covers can be cleaned simultaneously.

[0030] The protection system 10 further comprises a heater, which comprises a plurality of heating zones 74, 72, 76. A first heating zone 72 is arranged in the storage device 20 and is designed to heat at least one of the plurality of coverings in the storage position B. In particular, the heating zone 72 is designed so that at least the next covering 31 brought from the storage position B to the covering position A is heated. In another embodiment, which is not shown, the heating zone 72 is designed so that all coverings held in the storage device are heated.

[0031] Another heating zone 76 is provided for heating the immersion bath 42. A third heating zone 74 is provided in the camera sensor 82 and ensures that winter weather conditions have no function-related effect on the cover 31 in the covering position A or the parking position cover 38. The heater 74 is embodied as a heating wire or heating mesh that is permeable to the sensor. In an alternative or additional (not shown in detail) embodiment, the heater 70 (in particular one or more of the heating zones 72, 74, 76) can be connected to the heating system of the motor vehicle equipped with the protection system 10.

[0032] The controller 34 of the driver assistance system monitors the image data stream of the camera sensor 82 for changes in the optical path. For this purpose, constant image regions can be identified by means of image processing algorithms and detail changes that can be traced back to changes in the optical path can be identified on the constant image regions. If the controller 84 identifies such a change, the controller 84 outputs at least one signal that causes the cover in the covering position A to be replaced by the cover in the storage position B. Subsequently, the controller 84 generates a signal that causes the cover A remote from the covering position to move to the cleaning position C in the cleaning device 40. The cleaning process in the cleaning device 40 is controlled and monitored by the controller 84. Subsequently, after the cover has been cleaned, the cover is transported from the cleaning position C back into the storage device.

[0033] Thereby, generally a plurality of cleaned covers are stored in the storage device 20, such that a soiled cover can be replaced at any time, without substantially affecting the functional operation of the optical sensor.

[0034] List of reference signs

[0035] 10 Protection system

[0036] 20 Storage device

[0037] 30, 31, 32, 33 Covers

[0038] 38 Parking position cover

[0039] 40 Cleaning device

[0040] 42 Immersion bath

[0041] 70 Heater

[0042] 72, 74, 76 Heating zones

[0043] 80 Vehicle component

[0044] 82 Optical sensor

[0045] 84 Controller

[0046] A Covering Position

[0047] B Storage Position

[0048] C Cleaning Position

Claims

1. A protection system (10) for an optical sensor, the optical sensor being in a motor vehicle and being adapted to detect the surroundings of the motor vehicle, wherein the protection system (10) comprises a plurality of covers (30, 31, 32) for the optical sensor, the covers being movable to a covering position (A), in which one of the plurality of covers protects the optical sensor from the surroundings, characterized in that a storage device (20) for the plurality of covers (30, 31, 32), the covers (30, 31, 32) being movable from the storage device to the covering position (A).

2. The protection system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the covers (30, 31, 32) are movable back from the covering position (A) into the storage device (20).

3. The protection system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protection system (10) comprises a cleaning device (40), the cleaning device providing a cleaning position (C) for at least one of the plurality of covers (30, 31, 32).

4. The protection system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the protection system comprises a cleaning device (40) having a wet cleaning table.

5. The protection system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the covers (30, 31, 32) are each arranged in the storage device (20) so as to be movable from a storage position (B) to the covering position (A) and / or from the storage position (B) to the cleaning position (C).

6. The protection system (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the storage device is embodied as a rotary magazine and / or a stacking magazine.

7. The protection system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the protection system comprises a throwing device adapted to move the covers (30, 31, 32) out of the covering position (A) away from the protection system.

8. The protection system (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the protection system (10) has a heater (70) for heating at least one of the covers at the storage position (B), the covering position (A) and / or the cleaning position (C).

9. The protection system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the covers are movable transversely to the optical path of the optical sensor from the storage device (20) to the covering position (A).

10. The protection system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage device (20) has a service opening through which the plurality of covers (30, 31, 32) can be replaced.

11. A driver assistance system for a motor vehicle, the driver assistance system comprising: an optical sensor (82) for providing data on the surroundings of the motor vehicle; A protection system (10) designed according to one of claims 1 to 8, having a plurality of covers (30, 31, 32), at least one of the plurality of covers being movable to a covering position (A) to protect the optical sensor from environmental influences; and a control unit (84), which is designed and adapted to recognize soiling of the cover (30, 31, 32) in the covering position by means of a change in the data provided by the optical sensor, move the cover (30, 31, 32) from the covering position (A) to a storage position (B), and move another one of the plurality of covers (30, 31, 32) to the covering position (A).

12. A vehicle component (80) for fitting in an external area of a motor vehicle, characterized in that the vehicle component has an optical sensor and a protection system (10) designed according to one of claims 1 to 8, the protection system having covers (30, 31, 32) for protecting the optical sensor from the surroundings.

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