Cleaning system for lidar sensor unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning system for a lidar sensor unit, comprising a wiper arm, a drive unit, the drive unit being designed to displace the wiper arm over a field of view of the lidar sensor unit, the drive unit having a guide element, the guide element being designed to guide the wiper arm in the field of view of the lidar sensor unit. The wiper arm is spaced apart from a surface of the lidar sensor unit when the wiper arm is at an edge region of the field of view and / or outside the field of view.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Currently, there are a large number of different solutions for cleaning the surfaces of sensors in the vehicle field. Due to the increasing number of surfaces to be cleaned of sensors and the increasing quality requirements, the demand for innovative or robust methods for sensor cleaning 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 more strongly demanding low-cost and efficient components for vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The cleaning system according to the invention for a lidar sensor unit having the features of claim 1 has the advantage over known cleaning systems that the wiper arm, in particular the wiper lip, can be spaced apart from the surface by means of a guiding element, so that the durability of the wiper arm or the wiper lip can be further improved. Here, the wiper arm together with the wiper lip can in particular be spaced apart from the surface in the rest position, so that no force acts on the wiper lip. Here, on the one hand, the guiding element can provide the advantageous effect of less loading of the wiper lip, and by means of the ramp, it is also possible to ensure that the friction between the arm and the ramp can be significantly reduced.

[0005] This is achieved according to the invention in that the cleaning system for a lidar sensor unit has a wiper arm and a drive unit. The drive unit is configured to displace the wiper arm across the field of view of the lidar sensor unit, wherein the drive unit has a guiding element, and the guiding element is configured to space the wiper arm apart from the surface of the lidar sensor unit when the wiper arm is in the edge region of the field of view and / or outside the field of view.

[0006] In other words, the guiding element is configured such that when the wiper arm is not needed, the wiper arm is spaced apart from the field of view of the lidar sensor, particularly orthogonally to the surface of the lidar sensor, so that the wiper lip of the wiper arm no longer abuts against the field of view or the surface where the field of view is located. Here, the lidar sensor can, for example, have a surface at which the field of view or the field of vision of the lidar sensor is arranged. The edge region of the field of view can, for example, be drawn as a rectangle or a square on the field of view at a distance of approximately ten percent of the diagonal of the field of view. Further preferably, the field of view has an edge or the like, so that when the wiper arm extends beyond the edge or the like, the wiper arm is outside the field of view. In addition, the cleaning system has a drive unit which, by means of an actuator or an electric drive, is configured to move the wiper arm along the surface having the field of view. Here, the drive unit can move the wiper arm in particular such that the field of view or the surface of the lidar sensor is cleaned.

[0007] The dependent claims show preferred refinements of the invention.

[0008] Further preferably, the guiding element has a first ramp which spaces the wiper arm apart from the surface by means of a first predefined cross-section.

[0009] The advantage of this embodiment is that the friction between the wiper arm and the guiding element can be reduced, since the cross-section is adapted such that the transition is achieved as frictionless as possible. Here, the first predefined cross-section can in particular be designed such that the spacing between the wiper arm and the surface increases continuously until the spacing is sufficient to space the wiper lip apart from the surface or the field of view.

[0010] Further preferably, the guiding element has a second ramp which spaces the wiper arm apart from the surface by means of a second predefined cross-section.

[0011] The advantage of this embodiment is that the wiper arm is spaced apart from the surface or the field of view on both sides, so that the wiper lip of the wiper arm is not further loaded at each position, even in the case of a simple wiping. Preferably, the predefined second cross-section is selected such that it continuously increases the spacing between the wiper unit and the surface.

[0012] Further preferably, the first ramp is arranged on a first side of the surface and the second ramp is arranged on a second side of the surface, wherein the first side and the second side are arranged opposite one another.

[0013] The advantage of this embodiment is that the loading of the wiper lip and the wiper arm can be further reduced, since the transition at the edge of the field of view or the surface does not load the wiper lip.

[0014] Preferably, the first predetermined cross-section and / or the second predetermined cross-section have a first radius and a second radius, wherein the first radius and the second radius are configured to reduce the friction between the wiper arm and the guiding element.

[0015] The advantage of this embodiment is that the first radius and the second radius can be set in a targeted manner so that the transition when lifting the wiper unit from the surface can be designed as uniformly as possible.

[0016] Further preferably, the wiper arm has a wiper lip, wherein the second radius is configured to space the wiper lip from the surface.

[0017] The advantage of this embodiment is that the second radius is selected such that the wiper lip is arranged at a predetermined spacing relative to the surface, so that the wiper lip can be prevented from freezing to the surface.

[0018] Further preferably, the guiding element has a limiting element which is configured to inhibit the rotation of the wiper lip when the wiper arm is in the edge region of the field of view and / or outside the field of view.

[0019] The advantage of this embodiment is that when the wiper arm together with the wiper lip is in the rest position, the wiper lip is spaced from the surface, and when, for example, an air flow or the like acts on the wiper lip, it is simultaneously protected against rotation.

[0020] Further preferably, the cleaning system is configured to press the wiper arm against the surface with a predetermined force, wherein the cleaning system is configured to displace the wiper arm along a predetermined axis on the surface, and the guiding element is configured to space the wiper arm from the surface substantially orthogonally to the predetermined axis.

[0021] The advantage of this embodiment is that although the cleaning system applies a force to the wiper arm, the guiding element lifts the wiper arm from the surface so to speak, so that the wiper lip no longer abuts against the surface of the lidar sensor. Thus, the friction, especially at the wiper lip, can be reduced.

[0022] Further preferably, the wiper arm has at least one roller which is configured to at least support the displacement of the wiper arm along the predetermined axis, and the guiding element is configured to receive the roller so as to space the wiper arm from the surface.

[0023] The advantage of this embodiment is that the transition when lifting the wiper arm from the surface can be designed more uniformly and thus the jamming of the wiper unit can be further reduced.

[0024] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a lidar sensor unit for a vehicle, which has a cleaning system as described above and below and a lidar sensor with a field of view. Furthermore, the cleaning system is configured to clean the field of view of the lidar sensor, wherein the cleaning system is configured to space the wiper arm apart from the surface of the field of view when the wiper arm is in the edge region of the field of view and / or outside the field of view.

[0025] The advantage of this embodiment is that the load on the wiper lip and the wiper arm of the lidar sensor unit can be further reduced.

[0026] A further aspect relates to a vehicle which has a lidar sensor unit as described above and below and / or a cleaning system as described above and below. Description of the Drawings

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 Figs. 1 to 7 show a cleaning system according to an embodiment,

[0029] Figure 8 show a lidar sensor unit according to an embodiment,

[0030] Figure 9 show a vehicle according to an embodiment. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

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

[0032] Figure 1 Fig. 1 shows a cleaning system 10 for a lidar sensor unit 100 according to an embodiment. The cleaning system 10 preferably comprises a wiper arm 12 and a drive unit 14, wherein the drive unit 14 is configured to displace the wiper arm 12 over the field of view 102 of the lidar sensor unit 100, wherein the drive unit 14 has a guide element 16, wherein the guide element 16 is configured to space the wiper arm 12 apart from the surface 104 of the lidar sensor unit 100 when the wiper arm 12 is in the edge region 20 of the field of view 102 and / or outside the field of view 102. Further preferably, the wiper arm 12 can be displaced by the drive unit 14 along a predefined axis 40 over the field of view 102 or the surface 104 of the lidar sensor unit 100. Further preferably, the guide element 16 has a first ramp 22 and a second ramp 26. As Figure 1 shown in Fig. 1, the first ramp 22 is arranged at a first side portion 30 of the surface 104, and the second ramp 26 is arranged at a second side portion 32.

[0033] Figure 2 Shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment. The guiding element 16 is preferably designed in one piece, as shown in Figure 2 which shows this. Here, the guiding element 16 has a first ramp 22 with a first predetermined cross-section 26 and a second ramp 26 with a second predetermined cross-section 28. Preferably, the first ramp 22 is arranged at the first side 30 and the second ramp 26 is arranged at the second side 32. Further preferably, the guiding element 16 has a limiting element 39 which can be arranged especially at the first ramp 22. Here, the limiting element 39 can especially inhibit or prevent the rotation of the wiper lip 38.

[0034] Figure 3 Shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment. The cleaning system 10 preferably includes a wiper arm 12 and a guiding element 16. Preferably, a first ramp 22 with a first cross-section 24 is arranged at the guiding element 16. Furthermore, it is further preferred that a limiting element is arranged at the first ramp 22.

[0035] Figure 4 Shows an embodiment of the cleaning system 10. The cleaning system 10 preferably includes a wiper arm 12. Preferably, a wiper lip 38 is arranged at the wiper arm 12, which is provided for cleaning the field of view 102 or the surface 104 of the lidar sensor unit 100. Further preferably, a roller 42 is arranged at the wiper arm 12, which is provided for supporting the displacement of the wiper arm 12 along a predetermined axis 40. Preferably, the roller 42 is provided such that when the roller 42 touches the first ramp 22 or the second ramp 26, the wiper arm 12 is spaced apart from the surface 104.

[0036] Figure 5 Shows a schematic diagram of a first radius 34 and a second radius 36 according to one embodiment. Here, the first radius 34 and the second radius 36 can especially exist in the first predetermined cross-section 24 and / or the second predetermined cross-section 28. Further preferably, the first radius 34 and the second radius 36 intersect at an intersection point 37.

[0037] Figure 6a Shows an embodiment of the cleaning system 10. The cleaning system 10 preferably includes a guiding element 16 which has a first ramp 22. Preferably, the first ramp 22 includes a first predetermined cross-section 24 with a first radius 34 and a second radius 36.

[0038] Figure 6bAn embodiment of the cleaning system 10 is shown. The cleaning system 10 preferably includes a guiding element 16. A second ramp 26 having a second predetermined cross-section 28 is located at the guiding element 16. Further preferably, the predetermined cross-section 28 has a first radius 34 and a second radius 36.

[0039] Figures 7a to 7c An embodiment of the cleaning system 10 is shown. Here, the cleaning system 10 respectively has a wiper arm 12. Here, each wiper arm 12 has a different embodiment of a roller 42.

[0040] Figure 8 A lidar sensor unit 100 is shown, which lidar sensor unit includes a cleaning system 10 for the lidar sensor unit 100 as described above and below. Further preferably, the lidar sensor unit 100 has a lidar sensor 110.

[0041] Figure 9 A vehicle 200 according to an embodiment is shown. The vehicle 200 preferably has here a cleaning system 10 for the lidar sensor unit 100 as described above and below and / or the lidar sensor unit 100 as described above and below.

Claims

1. A cleaning system (10) for a laser radar sensor unit (100), the cleaning system comprising: - wiper arm (12), - a drive unit (14), in, The drive unit (14) is configured to displace the wiper arm (12) on the field of view (102) of the lidar sensor unit (100), wherein the drive unit (14) has a guide element (16), wherein the guide element (16) is configured to space the wiper arm (12) from a surface (104) of the lidar sensor unit (100) when the wiper arm (12) is in an edge region (20) of the field of view (102) and / or outside the field of view (102).

2. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The guide element (16) has a first slope (22) which spaces the wiper arm (12) apart from the surface (104) by means of a first predetermined cross section (24).

3. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 2, wherein: The guide element (16) has a second slope (24) which spaces the wiper arm (12) apart from the surface (104) by means of a second predetermined cross section (26).

4. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein: The first slope (22) is arranged on a first side (30) of the surface (104), and the second slope (26) is arranged on a second side (32) of the surface (104), wherein the first side (30) and the second side (32) are arranged opposite to each other.

5. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The first predetermined cross section (24) and / or the second predetermined cross section (28) has a first radius (34) and a second radius (36), wherein the first radius (34) and the second radius (36) are provided to reduce friction between the wiper arm (12) and the guide element (16).

6. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein: The wiper arm (12) has a wiper lip (38), wherein the second radius (36) is provided for spacing the wiper lip (38) apart from the surface (104).

7. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein: The guide element (16) has a limiting element (39) which is designed to suppress a rotation of the wiper lip (38) when the wiper arm (12) is in an edge region (20) of the field of view (102) and / or outside the field of view.

8. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The cleaning system (10) is configured to press the wiper arm (12) against the surface (104) with a predetermined force, wherein the cleaning system (10) is configured to displace the wiper arm (12) on the surface (104) along a predetermined axis (40), wherein the guide element (16) is configured to space the wiper arm (12) from the surface (104) substantially orthogonally to the predetermined axis (40).

9. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 8, wherein: The cleaning arm (12) has at least one roller (42) which is designed to support a displacement of the wiper arm (12) along the predetermined axis (40), wherein the guide element (16) is designed to receive the roller (42) in order to space the wiper arm (12) apart from the surface.

10. A laser radar sensor unit (100) for a vehicle, the laser radar sensor unit comprising: - A cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, - a lidar sensor (110) having a field of view (102), wherein The cleaning system (10) is configured to clean a field of view (102) of the lidar sensor (110), wherein the cleaning system is configured to space the wiper arm (12) from a surface (104) of the field of view when the wiper arm (12) is in an edge region (20) of the field of view (102) and / or outside the field of view (102).

11. A vehicle (200) having a lidar sensor unit (100) according to claim 9 and / or a cleaning system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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