Debris manager for vehicle sensor
By designing a debris management system for vehicle sensors, the problem of sensor field of view is solved by debris contaminated by debris, and efficient cleaning of the sensor field of view is achieved, suitable for various driving environments.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411550796.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-11-03
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-01
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-06
AI Technical Summary
Sensors on modern vehicles are easily contaminated by debris, resulting in the field of view being blocked, affecting the accuracy and stability of the sensors.
A debris management system is designed, including a sensor and a solvent nozzle arranged on one side of the transparent cover. The solvent nozzle is located on the other side of the transparent cover, spraying solvent into the field of view, and equipped with a wiper to clean the debris on the transparent cover. The system can be run in index mode or continuous mode to adapt to pollution in different environments.
Effectively remove debris from the sensor's field of view to ensure the normal operation of the sensor, and is suitable for a variety of driving environments, including those with continuous pollution.
Smart Images
Figure CN119928776A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a debris management system for clearing debris that obstructs the field of view of an onboard sensor, and more particularly, but not limited to, to such a debris management system that can operate in either an indexed mode or a continuous mode. Technical Background
[0002] An increasing number of sensors are placed on the surfaces of modern vehicles. These sensors are distributed around the vehicle and are used to collect data in all directions around the vehicle for use in critical tasks including, for example, autonomous driving modes. It is critical that these sensors are able to operate accurately without being contaminated by debris covering the sensors and interfering with optimal sensing. Therefore, there is a need for a rugged and reliable cleaning system that can clean onboard sensors in any driving environment. It would be useful if such a cleaning system could operate as needed to clean individual sensors, while also being able to continuously clean one or more sensors when the vehicle is subjected to a continuously contaminated environment. Summary of the invention
[0003] In one aspect of the invention, a debris management system for a vehicle sensor includes a sensor disposed on a first side of a transparent cover, the sensor having a field of view through the transparent cover, wherein the transparent cover is configured to move across the field of view of the sensor. A solvent nozzle is disposed on a second side of the transparent cover, wherein the solvent nozzle is configured to spray solvent on a surface of the second side and into the field of view. A wiper is disposed in contact with the surface of the second side.
[0004] In another aspect of the invention, a debris management system for a vehicle sensor includes a sensor disposed on a first side of a transparent cover, the sensor having a field of view through the transparent cover, wherein the transparent cover is configured to move through the field of view of the sensor by rotating about an axis outside the field of view. A solvent nozzle is disposed on a second side of the transparent cover, wherein the solvent nozzle is configured to spray solvent on a surface of the second side and into the field of view. A wiper is disposed in contact with the surface of the second side.
[0005] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a debris management system for a vehicle sensor includes a sensor disposed on a first side of a transparent cover, the sensor having a field of view through the transparent cover, wherein the transparent cover is configured to move linearly across the field of view of the sensor. A solvent nozzle is disposed on a second side of the transparent cover, wherein the solvent nozzle is configured to spray solvent on a surface of the second side and into the field of view. A wiper is disposed in contact with the surface of the second side. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. These drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure and therefore should not be considered limiting of its scope. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary debris management system according to an embodiment;
[0007] Figure 2 The overall upper edge Figure 1 The cross section 2-2 in Figure 1 A schematic side view of a debris management system;
[0008] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary debris management system according to another embodiment;
[0009] Figure 4 The overall upper edge Figure 3 The cross section 4-4 in Figure 3 A schematic side view of a debris management system;
[0010] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary debris management system according to another embodiment;
[0011] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary debris management system according to another embodiment;
[0012] In the following detailed description, various embodiments are described with reference to the attached drawings. The skilled person will appreciate that the drawings are schematic and simplified for clarity. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements or components throughout. Therefore, the same elements or components will not necessarily be described in detail in each drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Reference Figure 1-4 , exemplary embodiments of debris management systems 10, 20 are shown. In these embodiments, the debris management system (DMS) 10, 20 includes a sensor 30 disposed on a first side 40 of a transparent cover 50. In one embodiment, the sensor 30 has a sensing field or field of view 60 that passes through the transparent cover 50, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4 5. In one embodiment, the transparent cover 50 is configured to move across the field of view 60 of the sensor 30. In one embodiment, the sensor 30 is selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, a light direction and ranging (LIDAR) sensor, a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor, an infrared sensor, and an acoustic wave sensor.
[0014] In one embodiment, the solvent nozzle 70 is disposed on the second side 80 of the transparent cover 50. In one embodiment, the solvent nozzle 70 is configured to spray the solvent on the surface 90 of the second side 80 and into the field of view 60, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 The fan-shaped pattern is shown by the dashed arrow 75. In one embodiment, the wiper 95 is arranged to contact the surface 90 of the second side 80.
[0015] Reference Figure 1 In one embodiment, the transparent cover 50 is configured to rotate about an axis 100 outside the field of view 60. In one embodiment, the transparent cover 50 is configured to rotate clockwise 110 (as indicated by arrow 110) when viewed from the second side 80. In one embodiment, the transparent cover 50 is configured to rotate counterclockwise 105 (as indicated by arrow 105) when viewed from the second side 80. In one embodiment, the transparent cover 50 is configured to rotate in both clockwise 110 and counterclockwise 105 directions when viewed from the second side 80. In one embodiment, the wiper 95 includes a linear fixed wiper 95 that is disposed near an edge of the field of view 60 and is aligned perpendicular to the clockwise 110 or counterclockwise 105 direction of movement of the transparent cover 50.
[0016] Reference Figure 3 In one embodiment, the transparent cover 50 is configured to move linearly. In one embodiment, the transparent cover 50 is configured to move linearly in a first direction 115, such as moving to the left 115 when viewed from the second side 80 (as shown by arrow 115). In one embodiment, the transparent cover 50 is configured to move linearly in a second direction 120 opposite to the first direction 115, such as moving to the right 120 when viewed from the second side 80 (as shown by arrow 120). In one embodiment, the transparent cover 50 is configured to move linearly in the first direction 115 and the second direction 120 opposite to the first direction 115 when viewed from the second side 80. In one embodiment, the wiper 95 includes a linear fixed wiper 95, which is disposed near an edge of the field of view 60 and is aligned perpendicular to the direction of movement of the transparent cover 50, which can be linearly aligned along the first direction 115 or linearly aligned along the second direction 120.
[0017] refer to Figure 5 In one embodiment, the debris management system 200 includes all of the components described above for the debris management system 10, but also includes one or more component groups 125, such as Figure 5As shown, the component set 125 includes the sensor 30, the solvent nozzle 70, and at least one wiper 95 disposed relative to the transparent cover 50 as described above. In one embodiment, one or more sets of component sets 125 are disposed circumferentially around the periphery of the transparent cover 50. In one embodiment, two sets of components 125 are adjacent to each other, for example, as shown in position A and position B. In another embodiment, two sets of component sets 125 are disposed across each other's rotational axis 100, for example, as shown in position A and position C. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 5 As shown in , the arc occupied by each set of component assemblies 125 spans about 90 degrees or one-quarter of the circumference of the transparent cover 50. In other embodiments, the DMS 200 includes one or more sets of component assemblies 125, wherein each set of component assemblies 125 occupies an arc spanning less than 90 degrees, such as, but not limited to, an arc spanning about 60 degrees, an arc spanning about 45 degrees, or an arc spanning about 30 degrees.
[0018] Reference Figure 6 In one embodiment, the debris management system 300 includes all of the components described above for the debris management system 20, but also includes one or more component groups 135, such as Figure 6 As shown, the component group 135 includes the sensor 30, the solvent nozzle 70, and at least one wiper 95 disposed relative to the transparent cover 50 as described above. In one embodiment, one or more groups of component groups 135 are disposed adjacent to each other, such as shown in position A and position B. In another embodiment, two of the component groups 135 are disposed with a space or gap approximately the size of the component group 135, such as shown in position A and position C where the component group 135 is present or absent at position B.
[0019] Exemplary embodiments of DMS 10 and 200 are respectively as follows Figure 1 and Figure 5 , is configured to operate in a variety of operating modes. For example, in a first operating mode, the transparent cover 50 is rotated about the rotation axis 100, wherein the rotation is indexed to each of the component groups 125. In this operating mode, the solvent nozzle 70 is configured to spray solvent when the transparent cover 50 performs an indexed rotation clockwise 110 or counterclockwise 105, which is sufficient to move an area of the transparent cover 50 that was initially within the field of view 60 of a particular sensor 30 to outside the field of view 60 of the sensor 30. This indexing movement of the transparent cover 50 causes the area to be sprayed and wiped by the wiper 95, and another portion of the transparent cover 50 eventually enters the field of view of the sensor 30. The indexing movement can be repeated again or multiple times in the same rotational direction, and can also be reversed and performed in the opposite rotational direction.
[0020] Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the first operating mode includes rotating the transparent cover 50 while spraying solvent on and wiping the surface of the transparent cover 50, which is useful for localized or intermittent removal of debris collected in the transparent cover 50 within the line of sight 60 of the sensor 30. In the second operating mode of the DMS 10, 200, the transparent cover 50 is configured to rotate continuously without operating the solvent nozzle 70. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the second operating mode includes wiping the surface of the transparent cover 50 without spraying solvent, which is useful in environments where the transparent cover 50 is continuously contaminated with debris, such as muddy or slushy environments.
[0021] Exemplary embodiments of DMS 20 and 300 are respectively as follows Figure 3 and Figure 6 , is also configured to operate in a variety of operating modes. For example, in a first operating mode, the transparent cover 50 is linearly moved in the first direction 115 or the second direction 120, wherein the linear motion is indexed to each of the component groups 135. In this operating mode, the solvent nozzle 70 is configured to spray solvent when the transparent cover 50 performs an indexed linear motion sufficient to move an area of the transparent cover 50 that was initially within the field of view 60 of a particular sensor 30 to outside the field of view 60 of the sensor 30. This indexed motion of the transparent cover 50 causes the area to be sprayed and wiped by the wiper 95, and another portion of the transparent cover 50 eventually enters the field of view of the sensor 30. The indexed motion may be repeated again or multiple times in the same linear direction, or may be reversed and performed in the opposite linear direction.
[0022] Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the first operating mode includes linearly translating the transparent cover 50 while spraying solvent on the transparent cover 50 and wiping its surface, which is useful for localized or intermittent removal of debris collected in the transparent cover 50 within the line of sight 60 of the sensor 30. In the second operating mode of the DMS 20, 300, the transparent cover 50 is configured to move continuously without operating the solvent nozzle 70. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the second operating mode includes wiping the surface of the transparent cover 50 without spraying solvent, which is useful for environments where the transparent cover 50 is continuously contaminated with debris (e.g., muddy or slushy environments). In other embodiments, the solvent nozzle 70 described as part of any of the DMSs 10, 20, 200, 300 operates to spray solvent independently of whether the transparent cover 50 is moved.
[0023] With respect to the use of plural and / or singular terms herein, those skilled in the art may translate from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular to the plural, depending on the context and / or application. For clarity, various singular / plural permutations may be explicitly listed herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the use of the words "approximately," "about," "roughly," "substantially," etc., means plus or minus 10%.
[0024] Industrial Applicability
[0025] A debris management system for a vehicle sensor operates to move a transparent cover wiped by a fixed wiper across the field of view of one or more vehicle sensors to clean the transparent cover on which debris has collected. The system operates in an indexing mode, including spraying a solvent onto the transparent cover, and in a continuous mode without solvent. The system can be manufactured in the industry for use in vehicles purchased by consumers.
[0026] In view of the previous description, many modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is not desirable to limit the present invention to the exact structure and operation shown and described, and therefore, all appropriate modifications and equivalents falling within the scope of the present invention may be adopted. Therefore, this specification is understood to illustrate only the principles of the present invention, and the purpose of the present invention is to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and to teach the best mode of implementing the present invention. The exclusive right to all modifications that will fall within the scope of the appended claims is reserved. All patents, patent publications and patent applications described herein, and other references are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Claims
1. A debris management system for a vehicle sensor, the system comprising: a sensor disposed on a first side of a transparent cover, the sensor having a field of view through the transparent cover, wherein the transparent cover is configured to move across the field of view of the sensor; a solvent nozzle disposed on a second side of the transparent cover, wherein the solvent nozzle is configured to spray a solvent on a surface of the second side and into the field of view; and A wiper is disposed in contact with the surface of the second side.
2. The debris management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wiper includes a linear fixed wiper disposed near an edge of the field of view and aligned perpendicular to a direction of movement of the transparent cover.
3. The debris management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transparent cover is configured to rotate about an axis outside the field of view.
4. The debris management system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The solvent nozzle is configured to eject solvent while the transparent cover performs an indexed rotation sufficient to move a region of the transparent cover initially within the field of view out of the field of view.
5. The debris management system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The transparent cover is configured to rotate in clockwise and counterclockwise directions when viewed from the second side.
6. The debris management system of claim 3, wherein: The transparent cover is configured to move continuously.
7. The debris management system of claim 1, wherein: The transparent cover is configured to move continuously.
8. The debris management system of claim 7, wherein: The solvent nozzle is configured to eject solvent while the transparent cover performs an indexed linear motion sufficient to move a region of the transparent cover initially within the field of view out of the field of view.
9. The debris management system of claim 7, wherein: The transparent cover is configured to move linearly in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction when viewed from the second side.
10. The debris management system of claim 7, wherein: The transparent cover is configured to move continuously.
11. A debris management system for a vehicle sensor, the system comprising: a sensor disposed on a first side of the transparent cover, the sensor having a field of view through the transparent cover, wherein the transparent cover is configured to move across the field of view of the sensor by rotating about an axis outside the field of view; a solvent nozzle disposed on a second side of the transparent cover, wherein the solvent nozzle is configured to spray a solvent on a surface of the second side and into the field of view; and A wiper is disposed in contact with the surface of the second side.
12. The debris management system of claim 11, wherein: The wiper includes a linear fixed wiper disposed near an edge of the field of view and aligned perpendicular to a direction of movement of the transparent cover.
13. The debris management system of claim 11, wherein: The solvent nozzle is configured to eject solvent while the transparent cover performs an indexed rotation sufficient to move a region of the transparent cover initially within the field of view out of the field of view.
14. The debris management system of claim 11, wherein: The transparent cover is configured to rotate in clockwise and counterclockwise directions when viewed from the second side.
15. The debris management system of claim 11, wherein: The transparent cover is configured to move continuously.
16. A debris management system for a vehicle sensor, the system comprising: a sensor disposed on a first side of a transparent cover, the sensor having a field of view through the transparent cover, wherein the transparent cover is configured to move linearly across the field of view of the sensor; a solvent nozzle disposed on a second side of the transparent cover, wherein the solvent nozzle is configured to spray a solvent on a surface of the second side and into the field of view; and A wiper is disposed in contact with the surface of the second side.
17. The debris management system of claim 16, wherein: The wiper includes a linear fixed wiper disposed near an edge of the field of view and aligned perpendicular to a direction of movement of the transparent cover.
18. The debris management system of claim 16, wherein: The solvent nozzle is configured to eject solvent while the transparent cover performs an indexed linear motion sufficient to move a region of the transparent cover initially within the field of view out of the field of view.
19. The debris management system of claim 16, wherein: The transparent cover is configured to move linearly in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction when viewed from the second side.
20. The debris management system of claim 16, wherein: The transparent cover is configured to move continuously.