Cleaning system for lidar sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning system (10) for a lidar sensor (200), comprising: a cleaning arm (12), which is designed to clean a field of view (202) of the lidar sensor (200); the invention relates to a cleaning arm (12) for cleaning a field of view, comprising a drive system (14), the drive system (14) having at least a drive unit (16) and a transmission unit (18), the drive unit (16) being configured to drive the transmission unit (18), the transmission unit (18) being configured to displace the cleaning arm (12) over the field of view in order to clean the field of view, the drive system (14) having a compensation unit (20), the compensation unit being configured to compensate for the displacement of the cleaning arm (12) over the field of view. The force and / or torque transmitted to the drive unit (16) is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] There are currently a variety of different solutions for cleaning the surface of sensors in the vehicle area. Due to the increasing number of sensor surfaces and the increasing quality requirements in the vehicle area, the demand for innovative and robust cleaning methods continues to increase.

[0003] The continuous weight reduction in the vehicle area to reduce consumption and the cost pressure brought about by the increasingly fierce competition have significantly increased the demand for more advantageous and more efficient vehicle components. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The advantages of the cleaning system for a lidar sensor according to the present invention having the features of claim 1 over the known solutions are that the interference-free operation of the cleaning system can be improved by means of the compensation unit, and the load on the drive system, especially the drive unit, can also be reduced. Therefore, the overall service life of the cleaning system can be further increased. Another advantage is that for the case where the cleaning arm deflects due to environmental influences (especially in three dimensions), these forces and torques are not transferred to the drive unit. This would be particularly advantageous in the case where the drive unit moves the cleaning arm along the field of view and the cleaning arm deflects against the direction of movement, as this does not result in a break or the like in the transmission unit, because the forces and / or torques on the drive unit can be relieved by means of the compensation unit.

[0005] This is achieved according to the present invention in that the cleaning system for a lidar sensor has a cleaning arm which is configured to clean the field of view of the lidar sensor. In addition, the cleaning system has a drive system, wherein the drive system at least has a drive unit and a transmission unit, wherein the drive unit is configured to drive the transmission unit, wherein the transmission unit is configured to displace the cleaning arm over the field of view in order to clean the field of view, and wherein the drive system has a compensation unit which is configured to reduce the forces and / or torques transmitted to the drive unit.

[0006] In other words, the compensation unit can transfer the force and / or torque from the drive unit to the transfer unit so that the cleaning arm can move within the field of view of the lidar sensor, while reducing and / or suppressing the following forces and / or torques that are transferred from the cleaning arm and / or the transfer unit to the drive unit when, for example, environmental influences act on the cleaning arm. For example, the drive unit of the drive system can be an electric motor or the like. The transfer unit and the drive system can be a belt drive or the like, for example. Preferably, the compensation unit can be arranged between the drive unit and the transfer unit so that the compensation unit can not only transfer the torque from the drive unit to the transfer unit, but also protect the drive unit by means of the compensation unit, because the compensation unit does not transfer the forces and / or torques acting on the cleaning arm or the transfer unit, for example.

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

[0008] Preferably, the compensation unit is configured to receive the forces and / or torques acting on the cleaning arm and / or the transfer unit in such a way that the force and / or the torque only partially act on the drive unit.

[0009] The advantage of this embodiment is that the compensation unit can receive, for example, a torque increased for a short time or a high force for a short time by elastic deformation or the like, so that it is not transferred to the drive unit.

[0010] Furthermore, preferably, the compensation unit has a first jaw element and a second jaw element, wherein the first jaw element is connected to the drive unit and the second jaw element is arranged at the transfer unit, and wherein the first jaw element and the second jaw element at least temporarily form a form-fit and / or force-fit connection for transferring the driving torque.

[0011] The advantage of this embodiment is that the driving torque of the drive unit can be transferred to the cleaning arm by means of the first jaw element and / or the second jaw element, and it can also be ensured that environmental influences or the like do not act on the drive unit. Here, for example, the first jaw element can have a notch and the second jaw element can have a molding, and the notch and the molding can engage with each other to form a force-fit and / or form-fit connection. In addition, the first jaw element can be pressed against the second jaw element by means of a spring element or the like, for example.

[0012] Preferably, a guiding element is arranged between the first jaw element and the second jaw element, and the guiding element is configured to reduce the transferred force and / or the transferred torque by elastic deformation of the guiding element.

[0013] The advantage of this embodiment is that short-term peaks of force and / or torque can be compensated by means of elastic deformation, etc., without having to interrupt the driving of the cleaning arm. The guiding element is preferably made of plastic or the like in particular, so that elastic deformation can be provided.

[0014] Furthermore, the compensation unit is preferably designed to release the form-fitting connection in order to reduce the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque.

[0015] The advantage of this embodiment is that by means of releasing the form-fitting connection, such as slipping between the first jaw element and the second jaw element for example, the force and / or torque acting on the cleaning arm and / or the transmission unit are not completely transmitted to the drive unit.

[0016] Furthermore, the compensation unit preferably has a first clamping element, a second clamping element and a torsion element, wherein the first clamping element is arranged at the drive unit, wherein the second clamping element is arranged at the transmission unit, wherein the torsion element is arranged between the first clamping element and the second clamping element, and wherein the torsion element is designed to reduce the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque by elastic deformation of the torsion element.

[0017] The advantage of this embodiment is that the compensation unit can be easily assembled at the drive unit and the transmission unit by means of the clamping elements, so that the manufacturing costs of the cleaning system are further reduced. For example, the torsion element can be a helical spring or the like, so that when an increased torque acts on the second clamping element by means of the transmission unit and / or the cleaning arm, it is attenuated before it is transmitted to the drive unit.

[0018] The compensation unit preferably has a first fluid element and a second fluid element, wherein the first fluid element and the second fluid element define a fluid chamber which is filled with a fluid, wherein the fluid is designed to at least temporarily provide a force-locking connection between the first fluid element and the second fluid element, and wherein the fluid is designed to release the force-locking connection when the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque exceed a predetermined limit value.

[0019] The advantage of this embodiment is that the fluid coupling structure is particularly low-friction, so that the service life of the compensation unit is long and the operating duration of the cleaning system can be extended. For example, the fluid can be oil or the like. In the case of the force being guided from the cleaning arm or from the transmission unit to the drive unit, it can be set by the properties of the fluid, such as its viscosity, when the fluid releases the force-locking connection.

[0020] Preferably, the drive unit has a first disk, wherein the transmission unit has a second disk, and wherein the compensation unit has a force guiding element which is configured for a force-fitting and / or form-fitting connection to the first and the second disks, and wherein the force guiding element is designed to release the force-fitting and / or form-fitting connection when the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque exceeds a predetermined limit value.

[0021] The advantage of this embodiment is that by means of simple measures such as two disks and a force guiding element such as a belt drive, the drive unit can be protected against overload, since the force guiding element slips relative to the first disk and / or at the second disk, so that damage can be prevented. For example, the force guiding element can be a belt drive, and the first and the second disks can be of the type of gears, such that a force-fitting and / or form-fitting connection can be established between the first disk, the second disk and the force guiding element.

[0022] Furthermore, preferably the force guiding element is designed to transmit the driving torque of the drive unit to the transmission unit in order to displace the cleaning arm.

[0023] The advantage of this embodiment is that by means of functional integration, the number of required components can be further reduced, and nevertheless the drive unit can be protected against damage.

[0024] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle which has a cleaning system as described previously and hereinafter. Description of the Drawings

[0025] Next, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0026] Figures 1 to 7 A cleaning system according to one embodiment is shown,

[0027] Figure 8 A vehicle according to one embodiment is shown. Detailed Description

[0028] Preferably, all identical components, elements and / or units are provided with the same reference signs in all the figures.

[0029] Figure 1FIG. 0 shows a cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The cleaning system 10 has a cleaning arm 12 for a lidar sensor 200, which cleaning arm is configured to clean the field of view 202 of the lidar sensor 200. Furthermore, the cleaning system 10 has a drive system 14, wherein the drive system 14 has at least a drive unit 16 and a transmission unit 18, wherein the drive unit 16 is configured to drive the transmission unit 18, wherein the transmission unit 18 is configured to displace the cleaning arm 12 across the field of view in order to clean the field of view, wherein the drive system 14 has a compensation unit 20, which compensation unit is configured to reduce the force and / or torque that is transmitted to the drive unit 16.

[0030] Preferably, the compensation unit 20 is configured to receive the force and / or torque acting on the cleaning arm 12 and / or the transmission unit 18 in such a way that the force and / or the torque only partially acts on the drive unit 16.

[0031] Figure 2 FIG. 7 shows a cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. Here, the cleaning system 10 has a drive system 14 with a compensation unit 20. The compensation unit 20 preferably has a first jaw element 22 and a second jaw element 24. Furthermore, a guide element 26 is preferably arranged between the first jaw element 22 and the second jaw element 24, wherein the guide element 26 is configured to reduce the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque by means of an elastic deformation of the guide element 26.

[0032] Figure 3 FIG. 11 shows a cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. Here, the cleaning system 10 includes a drive system 14 having a drive unit 16 and a transmission unit 18. As Figure 3 shown, the second jaw element 24 is arranged at the drive unit 16. Preferably, the first jaw element 22 is arranged at the transmission unit 18. Furthermore, the guide element 26 is preferably arranged between the first jaw element 22 and the second jaw element 24. Thereby, torque can be transmitted from the drive unit 16 to the transmission unit 18 and the torque acting on the transmission unit 18 can also be reduced such that the torque is not transmitted to the drive unit 16.

[0033] Figure 4 FIG. 17 shows a cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The cleaning system 10 preferably has a drive system 14 with a compensation unit 20. Preferably, the compensation unit 20 has a first clamping element 28 and a second clamping element 30. Preferably, the first clamping element 28 can be arranged at the drive unit 16 and the second clamping element 30 can be arranged at the transmission unit 18. Preferably, a torsion element 32 is arranged between the first clamping element 28 and the second clamping element 30 such that the torsion element 32 can reduce the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque.

[0034] Figure 5 An embodiment of the cleaning system 10 is shown. Here, the cleaning system 10 has a drive unit 16 and a transmission unit 18, which can form a drive system 14. As Figure 5 shown, a first clamping element 28 is arranged at the drive unit 16 and a second clamping element 30 is arranged at the transmission unit 18. Preferably, a torsion element 32, such as a helical spring for example, is arranged between the first clamping element 28 and the second clamping element 30.

[0035] Figure 6a An embodiment of the cleaning system 10 is shown. The cleaning system 10 preferably has a drive system 14, which includes a drive unit 16 and / or a transmission unit 18. Preferably, the drive system 14 has a compensation unit 20, which, as Figure 6a shown, has a first fluid element 34 and a second fluid element 36. Here, the first fluid element 34 and the second fluid element 36 can define a fluid chamber 38, in which the fluid is arranged. Here, the fluid can be configured such that when the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque exceed a predetermined limit value, the force-locking connection between the first fluid element 34 and the second fluid element 36 is at least temporarily released.

[0036] Figure 6b An embodiment of the cleaning system 10 is shown. Here, the cleaning system 10 includes a drive system 14 with a compensation unit 20. Here, the compensation unit 20 can have a first fluid element 34 and a second fluid element 36, which are arranged in particular in a rotatable manner relative to each other. In addition, the first fluid element 34 and the second fluid element 36 can define a fluid chamber 38, in which the fluid is arranged or the fluid chamber 38 is filled with the fluid.

[0037] Figure 7 An embodiment of the cleaning system 10 is shown. As Figure 7 shown, the cleaning system 10 is preferably arranged at a lidar sensor 200, which has a field of view 202. The cleaning system 10 can preferably clean the field of view 202 by means of a cleaning arm 12. Here, the cleaning arm 12 can be displaced over the field of view 202 by means of the drive system 14. The drive system 14 preferably has a drive unit 16 with a first disk 38. Preferably, the transmission unit 18 has a second disk 40, wherein the compensation unit 20 has a force guiding element 42, which can be configured to form a force-locking and / or form-locking connection with the first disk 38 and the second disk 40. Preferably, the force guiding element 42 is configured to release the force-locking and / or form-locking connection when the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque exceed a predetermined limit value.

[0038] Figure 8Shows a vehicle 100 according to an embodiment. The vehicle 100 preferably has a cleaning system 10 as described previously and hereinafter. Additionally, the vehicle 100 preferably has a lidar sensor 200.

Claims

1. A cleaning system (10) for a laser radar sensor (200), the cleaning system comprising: - a cleaning arm (12) configured to clean the field of view (202) of the lidar sensor (200), and - a drive system (14), -in, The drive system (14) comprises at least a drive unit (16) and a transmission unit (18). - wherein the drive unit (16) is configured to drive the transmission unit (18), wherein the transfer unit (18) is configured to displace the cleaning arm (12) over the field of view (202) in order to clean the field of view, and - wherein the drive system (14) has a compensation unit (20) which is provided for reducing the forces and / or torques transmitted to the drive unit (16).

2. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The compensation unit (20) is designed to absorb forces and / or torques acting on the cleaning arm (12) and / or the transmission unit (18) in such a way that the forces and / or torques only partially act on the drive unit (16).

3. The cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The compensation unit (20) has a first clamping jaw element (22) and a second clamping jaw element (24), wherein the first clamping jaw element (22) is connected to the drive unit (16) and the second clamping jaw element (24) is arranged on the transmission unit (18), wherein the first clamping jaw element (22) and the second clamping jaw element (24) at least temporarily form a positive locking and / or force-locking connection for transmitting a drive torque.

4. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 3, wherein: A guide element (26) is arranged between the first clamping jaw element (22) and the second clamping jaw element (24), wherein the guide element (26) is provided to reduce a transmitted force and / or a transmitted torque by means of an elastic deformation of the guide element (26).

5. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The compensation unit (20) is provided to release the form-locking connection in order to reduce the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque.

6. Cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, -in, The compensation unit (20) comprises a first clamping element (28), a second clamping element (30) and a torsion element (32). - wherein the first crimping element (28) is arranged at the drive unit (16), - wherein the second crimping element (30) is arranged at the transfer unit (18), - wherein the torsion element (32) is arranged between the first clamping element (28) and the second clamping element (30), wherein the torsion element (32) is provided to reduce a transmitted force and / or a transmitted torque by elastic deformation of the torsion element (32).

7. Cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, -in, The compensating unit (20) has a first fluid element (34) and a second fluid element (36). - wherein the first fluid element (34) and the second fluid element (36) define a fluid chamber (38) which is filled with a fluid, wherein the fluid is designed to at least temporarily provide a frictionally locking connection between the first fluid element (34) and the second fluid element (36), wherein the fluid is provided to release the frictional connection when a transmitted force and / or a transmitted torque exceeds a predetermined limit value.

8. Cleaning system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, -in, The drive unit (16) has a first disk (38), - wherein the transfer unit (18) has a second disk (40), -Wherein, the compensation unit (20) has a force guiding element (42), which is configured to form a force-locking and / or form-locking connection with the first disk (38) and the second disk (40), wherein the force guiding element (42) is configured to release the force-locking and / or form-locking connection when the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque exceeds a predetermined limit value.

9. The cleaning system (10) according to claim 8, wherein the force guiding element (42) is provided for transmitting a driving torque of the drive unit (16) to the transmission unit (18) in order to displace the cleaning arm (22).

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

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