Cleaning system for lidar sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning system (10) for a lidar sensor (200), comprising: a cleaning arm (12); a drive system (14) which displaces the cleaning arm (12) by means of the force-guiding element (16) in such a way that the field of view of the lidar sensor (200) is cleaned; a connecting element (18) which fastens the cleaning arm (12) to the force guide element (16), the connecting element (18) having a recess (20) and a web element (22), the web element (22) being designed to press the force guide element (16) into the recess (20) such that the force guide element (16) has a preload force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning system for a lidar sensor and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Currently, there are a large number of different solutions for cleaning lidar sensors in the vehicle field. Due to the increasing number of lidar sensors in the vehicle field and the increasing quality requirements, the demand for innovative and robust methods for cleaning lidar sensors continues to increase.

[0003] The continuous weight reduction for reducing consumption and the increasing competition in the vehicle field have led to cost pressure, thus increasing the demand for low-cost and efficient components for vehicles more strongly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The cleaning system according to the invention having the features of claim 1 for a lidar sensor has the advantage over known cleaning systems that the total number of components can be further reduced because the functional integration of different functions in the connecting element can significantly simplify the manufacturing cost. Further preferably, the assembly process of the cleaning arm at the cleaning system can be significantly simplified. In addition, since the force guiding element is constantly under a pre-tensioning force by means of the notch and the tab element, the efficiency of the cleaning system can be further improved.

[0005] This is achieved according to the invention in that the cleaning system for a lidar sensor has:

[0006] - a cleaning arm,

[0007] - a drive system which displaces the cleaning arm by means of a force guiding element in such a way that the field of view of the lidar sensor is cleaned,

[0008] - a connecting element which fastens the cleaning arm to the force guiding element, wherein the connecting element has a notch and a tab element, and wherein the tab element is provided for pressing the force guiding element into the notch so that the force guiding element has a pre-tensioning force.

[0009] In other words, a force guiding element, such as a belt drive or the like, can be laterally inserted into the connecting element, and the belt drive can be placed under a pre-tensioning force by means of the tab element and the notch. Further preferably, the connecting element can be formed by means of an injection molding process or the like, so that the connecting element can in principle be constructed in one piece. Further preferably, the drive system has a motor or the like which is provided for driving the force guiding element, such as a belt drive. Thus, the drive system can displace the cleaning arm over the field of view of the lidar sensor in order to clean the field of view accordingly.

[0010] The dependent claims show preferred improvements of the present invention.

[0011] Preferably, the recess at least partially has a circular contour, wherein the tab element has a cylindrical section, and the force guiding element is placed in the recess and on the cylindrical section.

[0012] The advantage of this embodiment is that by pressing the force guiding element into a substantially circular contour, slippage of the connecting element relative to the force guiding element can be further reduced. Particularly advantageously, the abutment surface between the force guiding element and the connecting element is increased by the circular contour, thereby also increasing the friction between these two components.

[0013] Further preferably, the force guiding element has at least one tongue (Feder), and the tongue is configured to be inserted into a groove of the connecting element.

[0014] The advantage of this embodiment is that a form-fitting connection can be constructed between the force guiding element and the connecting element, and the assembly process of the connecting element at the force guiding element can be achieved by simple plugging, thereby further reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0015] Further preferably, the force guiding element has a plurality of tongues, and the connecting element has a plurality of grooves, thereby creating an engagement portion between the force guiding element and the connecting element.

[0016] The advantage of this embodiment is that the connecting element is also arranged more fixedly at the force guiding element, so that the connecting element does not slip relative to the force guiding element during the entire life of the cleaning system.

[0017] Further preferably, the connecting element has a first sub-element and a second sub-element, and the first sub-element and the second sub-element can be connected to each other by a force-locking, form-fitting, and / or material-locking connection, so that the force guiding element can be clamped between the first sub-element and the second sub-element.

[0018] The advantage of this embodiment is that the cleaning arm can be released from the connecting element even in the case of adverse assembly conditions, such as when installing a lidar sensor in a vehicle, because the force-locking, form-fitting, and / or material-locking connection can provide an additional dimension in the assembly direction or disassembly direction.

[0019] Further preferably, the first sub-element can be arranged at the second sub-element by means of a threaded connection, and the threaded connection is configured to press the force guiding element into the recess.

[0020] The advantage of this embodiment is that the slippage between the connecting element and the force guiding element is further reduced, because the force guiding element can be pressed into the recess with increased force through the threaded connection.

[0021] Further preferably, the force guiding element has a hole through which the threaded part of the threaded connection is guided.

[0022] The advantage of this embodiment is that a non-slip connection can be constructed between the force guiding element and the connecting element through the threaded part and the hole, because the threaded part and the force guiding element form a form-fitting connection and at the same time press the force guiding element into the recess.

[0023] Further preferably, the first sub-element and the second sub-element can be connected to each other by means of a latching element, wherein the latching element is provided for forming a snap connection with the first sub-element and the second sub-element.

[0024] The advantage of this embodiment is that when the force guiding element is arranged at the connecting element, the latching element can be plugged onto the first sub-element and the second sub-element. Here, the latching element can especially be made of a metal plate or the like, so that a connection can be provided especially throughout the entire service life of the cleaning system.

[0025] Further preferably, the tab element has a first claw element and a second claw element, wherein a first part of the force guiding element is arranged between the connecting element and the first claw element in a first part of the recess, wherein a second part of the force guiding element is arranged between the connecting element and the second claw element in a second part of the recess, and wherein the threaded connection is provided for pressing the first claw element and the second claw element against the connecting element.

[0026] The advantage of this embodiment is that the bonding points of the force guiding element at the connecting element can be replaced independently of each other, so that when the force guiding element has to be replaced, the force guiding element can be connected to the first part at the connecting element, so that the force guiding element can then be guided by the drive system, and then the force guiding element can be connected to the second side. Thus, the assembly is particularly significantly simplified.

[0027] A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle having a cleaning system as described above and below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0029] Figures 1 to 12 A cleaning system according to an embodiment is shown,

[0030] Figure 13 A vehicle according to an embodiment is shown. Detailed implementation mode

[0031] Preferably, all identical components, elements and / or units are provided with the same reference numerals in all the drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 A cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment is shown. The cleaning system 10 for the lidar sensor 200 has a cleaning arm 12 and a drive system 14. The drive system 14 displaces the cleaning arm 12 by means of a force guiding element so as to clean the field of view of the lidar sensor 200. In addition, the cleaning system 10 has a connecting element 18 which fastens the cleaning arm 12 to the force guiding element 16. In addition, the connecting element 18 has a recess 20 and a tab element 22, wherein the tab element 22 is configured to press the force guiding element 16 into the recess 20 so that the force guiding element 16 has a pre-tensioning force.

[0033] Figure 2 A cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment is shown. The cleaning system 10 herein has a connecting element 18. The connecting element 18 herein has a recess 20 and a tab element 22. In addition, as Figure 2 shown, the force guiding element 16 is arranged at the connecting element 18.

[0034] Figure 3 A cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment is shown. The cleaning system 10 has a connecting element 18. The connecting element 18 is connected to the force guiding element 16 as Figure 3 shown. In addition, the connecting element 18 has a recess 20 and a tab element 22. The tab element 22 has a cylindrical section 24. As can be seen in Figure 3 it, the force guiding element 16 is pressed into the recess 20 by means of the tab element 22, in particular through the cylindrical section 24.

[0035] Figure 4 A cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment is shown. The cleaning system 10 herein includes a connecting element 18. The connecting element 18 is connected to the force guiding element 16. In addition, the connecting element 18 has a recess 20 into which the force guiding element 16 is pressed by means of a tab element 22. Further preferably, the force guiding element 16 has a tenon 26 and the connecting element 18 has a groove 28. Here, the tenon 26 can be inserted into the groove 28. Preferably, the force guiding element 16 has a plurality of tenons 26 and the connecting element 18 has a plurality of grooves 28, so that an engagement portion is generated between the force guiding element 16 and the connecting element 18, as shown in Figure 4 this.

[0036] Figure 5Shows a cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The cleaning system 10 here has a connecting element 18, which is connected to a force-guiding element 16. Further preferably, a tab element 22 and the force-guiding element 16 are arranged in a recess 20 of the connecting element. As can be seen in Figure 5 the connecting element 18 is integrally formed, in particular, for example, by injection molding or the like.

[0037] Figure 6 Shows a cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The cleaning system 10 includes a connecting element 18. The connecting element 18 is connected to the force-guiding element 16 by means of a tab element 22 and a recess 20. Further preferably, the connecting element 18 includes a first sub-element 30 and a second sub-element 32. The first sub-element 30 and the second sub-element 32 are preferably connected to each other, as shown in Figure 6 by means of a threaded connection 34.

[0038] Figure 7 Shows a cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The cleaning system 10 preferably has a configuration similar to that of the cleaning system 10 shown in Figure 6 As can be seen in Figure 7 the force-guiding element 16 has a hole 36. A threaded part 38 of the threaded connection 34 can be guided through the hole 36, so that a form-fitting connection can be produced between the force-guiding element 16 and the connecting element 18.

[0039] Figure 8 Shows an embodiment of a cleaning system 10. The cleaning system 10 preferably has a connecting element 18. The connecting element 18 is connected to the force-guiding element 16 by means of a tab element 22 and a recess 20, so that the force-guiding element 16 has a pre-tensioning force. Further preferably, the connecting element has a first sub-element 30 and a second sub-element 32. The first sub-element 30 and the second sub-element 32 are connected to each other by means of a latching element 48. Here, the latching element 48 forms a snap connection between the latching element 48 and the first sub-element 30 and the second sub-element 32.

[0040] Figure 9 Shows a cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The cleaning system 10 preferably has a connecting element 18. The connecting element 18 is connected to the force-guiding element 16, in particular, by means of a recess 20 and a tab element 22. As can be seen in Figure 9 the first sub-segment 30 has a plurality of grooves 28. The force-guiding element 16 here has a plurality of tenons 26. Here, the tenons 26 can be embedded, in particular, into the grooves 28 and thus reduce the slipping of the force-guiding element 16 relative to the connecting element 18. Further preferably, the first sub-element 30 and the second sub-element 32 are fastened by means of a latching element 48.

[0041] Figure 10 Shows a cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The cleaning system 10 here has a connecting element 18. The connecting element 18 preferably has a first sub-element 30 and a second sub-element 32. The first sub-element 30 and the second sub-element 32 are preferably connected by means of a snap-in element 48.

[0042] Figure 11 Shows a cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The cleaning system 10 preferably has a connecting element 18 which is fastened to the force-guiding element 16 by means of a tab element 22. As Figure 11 shown, preferably the snap-in element 48 substantially completely surrounds the connecting element 18.

[0043] Figure 12 Shows an embodiment of the cleaning system 10. The cleaning system 10 preferably has a connecting element 18 into which the force-guiding element 16 is fastened. Preferably, a first part 44 of the force-guiding element 16 is arranged between the first jaw element 40 and the connecting element 18, and a second part 46 of the force-guiding element 26 is preferably arranged between the second jaw element 42 and the connecting element 18. Further preferably, a threaded connection 34 is provided for pressing the first jaw element 40 and the second jaw element 42 against the connecting element 18, so that the force-guiding element 16 can be fixed at the connecting element 18.

[0044] Figure 13 Shows a vehicle 100 according to an embodiment. The vehicle 100 preferably has the cleaning system 10 as described above and below. Further preferably, the vehicle 100 has a lidar sensor 200. Here, the cleaning system 10 can clean the lidar sensor 200.

Claims

1. A cleaning system (10) for a laser radar sensor (200), the cleaning system comprising: - a cleaning arm (12), a drive system (14) which, by means of a force-guiding element (16), displaces the cleaning arm (12) in such a way that the field of view of the lidar sensor (200) is cleaned, a connecting element (18) which fastens the cleaning arm (12) to the force guiding element (16), wherein: The connecting element (18) has a recess (20) and a web element (22), wherein the web element (22) is designed to press the force guiding element (16) into the recess (20) so that the force guiding element (16) has a preload.

2. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The recess (20) has a circular contour at least in sections, the web element (22) has a cylindrical section (24), wherein the force guiding element (16) is placed in the recess (20) and on the cylindrical section (24).

3. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The force guiding element (16) has at least one tongue (26), wherein the tongue (26) is designed to engage in a groove (28) of the connecting element (18).

4. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 3, wherein: The force guiding element (16) has a plurality of tongues (26) and the connecting element (18) has a plurality of grooves (28), so that a toothing is produced between the force guiding element (16) and the connecting element (18).

5. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The connecting element (18) has a first sub-element (30) and a second sub-element (32), wherein the first sub-element (30) and the second sub-element (32) can be connected to each other by means of a force-locking, form-locking and / or material-locking connection, so that the force guiding element (16) can be clamped between the first sub-element (30) and the second sub-element (32).

6. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 5, wherein: The first sub-element (30) can be arranged on the second sub-element (32) by means of a screw connection (34), wherein the screw connection (34) is provided for pressing the force guiding element (16) into the recess (20).

7. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 6, wherein: The force guiding element (16) has a hole (36) through which a thread (38) of the threaded connection (34) is guided.

8. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein: The first sub-element (30) and the second sub-element (32) can be connected to one another by means of a latching element (48), wherein the latching element (48) is designed to form a snap connection with the first sub-element (30) and the second sub-element (32).

9. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The web element (22) has a first claw element (40) and a second claw element (42), wherein a first portion (44) of the force guiding element (16) is arranged in a first portion of the recess (20) between the connecting element (18) and the first claw element (40), wherein a second portion (46) of the force guiding element (16) is arranged in a second portion of the recess (20) between the connecting element (18) and the second claw element (42), wherein the threaded connection (34) is configured to press the first claw element (40) and the second claw element (42) against the connecting element (18).

10. A vehicle (100) having a cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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