Snow plow blade multi-sensor wear monitoring device
By designing a cleaning cover and air blowing unit on the snowplow blade, the problem of visual sensors being affected by snow and impurities was solved, enabling effective cleaning of the optical dome and high-precision wear monitoring.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511615867.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2045-11-06
AI Technical Summary
In existing snowplow blade wear monitoring equipment, the visual sensor is easily affected by snow accumulation and impurities, leading to image acquisition failure. Furthermore, existing cleaning methods may damage the optical dome, affecting monitoring accuracy.
Design a multi-sensor wear monitoring device for snowplow blades. It adopts a combination of a cleaning hood and an air blowing unit. The cleaning hood is closed to wrap around the optical spherical cover by a drive unit. The air blowing unit is used to remove snow and impurities. The baffle blocks the airflow convection to ensure the surface of the optical spherical cover is clean.
It effectively removes snow and impurities from the surface of the optical dome, ensuring clear image acquisition by the vision sensor, improving the accuracy of wear monitoring, and protecting the optical dome from damage.
Smart Images
Figure CN121067722B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of snowplow wear monitoring technology, specifically a multi-sensor wear monitoring device for snowplow blades. Background Technology
[0002] In winter snow removal operations, the wear condition of snowplow blades directly affects snow removal efficiency, operational safety, and equipment maintenance costs. Excessive wear on the blades can lead to thicker residual snow on the road surface and may also cause equipment damage, making real-time and accurate monitoring crucial. Current mainstream solutions employ a combination of laser rangefinders and vision sensors: laser rangefinders determine wear by measuring distance differences; as the snowplow wears down, the effective snow removal height of the blade decreases, the thickness of the residual snow layer increases, and the distance between the sensor and the snow layer decreases. However, this sensor is a point measurement device and cannot reflect the overall wear of the blade. Vision sensors, on the other hand, can achieve comprehensive monitoring of wear parameters, thus compensating for the shortcomings of laser rangefinders.
[0003] However, visual sensors are greatly affected by the operating environment. During snow removal, splashed snow may adhere to the surface of the optical dome. If not cleaned in time, the snow will obstruct the lens's field of view, causing image acquisition failure. To avoid snow freezing and causing damage to the optical dome or long-term obstruction, existing visual sensors are usually equipped with heating systems. However, to protect the precision components inside the sensor (such as the image sensor and lens module), the temperature of the heating system must be strictly controlled between 0-5℃. This can only melt the attached snow into liquid water, but cannot directly remove it. This liquid water will also form a water film on the surface of the optical dome, causing the acquired image to become blurry and distorted, affecting the accuracy of wear recognition algorithms. At the same time, snow often contains hard particles such as gravel, pebbles, and road impurities. These particles will adhere to the surface of the optical dome along with the liquid water, forming a composite contamination layer of "water film + particles".
[0004] To address the issue of water film obstruction, existing technologies often employ mechanical cleaning components such as scrapers to wipe the surface of the optical dome. However, this method has significant drawbacks: during the scraping process, the scraper pushes the attached hard particles against the surface of the optical dome, causing severe friction, resulting in scratches and wear on the dome surface, exacerbating the blurring of image acquisition, and affecting the monitoring results of the scraper blade. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-sensor wear monitoring device for snowplow blades to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a multi-sensor wear monitoring device for snowplow blades, comprising a snowplow, a laser rangefinder, and a vision sensor; the vision sensor is installed directly above the working surface of the snowplow, and the laser rangefinder is installed on the back side of the working surface of the snowplow; the vision sensor is fixed to a support plate, and the support plate is equipped with two cleaning covers symmetrically arranged about the vision sensor; a drive unit is provided on the support plate, and the drive unit is configured to close the two cleaning covers to form a cleaning cavity that encloses the bottom optical spherical cover of the vision sensor; a baffle is installed inside the cleaning cover, and when the two cleaning covers are closed, the baffle can completely fit with the bottom optical spherical cover of the vision sensor; an air outlet is provided on the cleaning cover; an air blowing unit is installed on the support plate, and the air blowing unit is configured to blow air into the cleaning cavity and discharge the gas along the baffle from the air outlet.
[0007] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the air blowing unit includes an air pipe and an air pump; both the air pipe and the air pump are mounted on the top of the support plate, and the air pipe is used to connect the air pump to two cleaning hoods.
[0008] As a further aspect of the present invention, a guide mechanism is provided between the baffle and the cleaning cover to guide the baffle to move in the vertical direction.
[0009] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the guiding mechanism includes a slider and a groove that slides with the slider; the slider is fixed to the baffle, and the groove is disposed on the cleaning cover; the guiding mechanism also includes a driving part for driving the slider to reciprocate within the groove.
[0010] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the driving unit includes a traction rope, a push rod, and a fixing block; the fixing block is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the cleaning cover; the push rod is slidably engaged with the fixing block; the sliding direction of the push rod is parallel to the sliding direction of the slider; and the two ends of the traction rope are respectively fixed to the push rod and the slider.
[0011] As a further aspect of the present invention, a spring is provided between the push rod and the fixed block, and the spring is used for the sliding reset of the push rod.
[0012] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning cover and the support plate are hinged together by a rotating shaft; the drive unit includes two sprockets, a chain and two gears; one of the sprockets and one of the gears are respectively fixed to the rotating shaft; the other sprocket and the other gear are coaxially arranged and fixedly connected; the two gears mesh; the two sprockets are connected by chain drive.
[0013] As a further embodiment of the present invention, a protective cover is fixedly installed on the cleaning cover, and the driving unit is installed inside the protective cover.
[0014] As a further aspect of the present invention, the baffle is made of a soft material.
[0015] As a further aspect of the present invention, the volume of the cleaning chamber gradually decreases from one end of the trachea to the end of the air outlet.
[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:
[0017] This invention utilizes a cleaning hood, a baffle, a drive unit, and an air blowing unit. The drive unit closes the two cleaning hoods, enclosing the optical dome within the cleaning chamber. The baffle creates a physical barrier between the two hoods. When the air blowing unit operates, it blows air into the cleaning chamber from the top of the cleaning hood. The force applied by the air drives water droplets, sand, and other impurities on the surface of the optical dome downwards. Upon contact with the baffle, these impurities move towards the air outlet and are then discharged with the air, ensuring the surface of the optical dome remains clean. This allows the vision sensor to effectively capture images of the blade. The baffle prevents convection between the air blown into the two cleaning hoods at the bottom of the optical dome, avoiding airflow collisions and cancellations that could cause water droplets, sand, and other impurities on the surface to move erratically, preventing them from forming a stable direction of movement or even lingering and spinning on the surface. By blocking convection, the baffle ensures that the unidirectional airflow continuously applies a stable thrust to the impurities, ensuring efficient movement along the airflow direction and eventual discharge from the cleaning chamber with the airflow. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the laser rangefinder sensor and snowplow structure of the present invention;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the vision sensor and snowplow structure of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the visual sensor and cleaning cover structure of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of a portion of point A in the middle;
[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning cover and baffle structure of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of a section at point B in the middle;
[0024] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the drive unit structure of the present invention;
[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning cover in operation according to the present invention;
[0026] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view (front view) of the cleaning cover of the present invention in operation.
[0027] Figure 10 for Figure 9 Enlarged view of a section at point C;
[0028] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view (side view) of the cleaning cover in operation of the present invention.
[0029] The attached figures are labeled as follows:
[0030] 1-Snowplow, 2-Laser rangefinder sensor, 3-Vision sensor, 4-Cleanup cover, 5-Air hose, 6-Air pump, 7-Support plate, 8-Air outlet, 9-Baffle, 10-Slider, 11-Traction rope, 12-Push rod, 13-Spring, 14-Shaft, 15-Sprocket, 16-Chain, 17-Slide groove, 18-Fixing block, 19-Gear, 20-Protective cover. Detailed Implementation
[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0032] Please see Figures 1-11 This invention provides a technical solution: a multi-sensor wear monitoring device for snowplow blades, comprising a snowplow 1, a laser rangefinder 2, and a vision sensor 3; the vision sensor 3 is installed directly above the working surface of the snowplow 1, and the laser rangefinder 2 is installed on the back side of the working surface of the snowplow 1; the vision sensor 3 is fixed to a support plate 7, and the support plate 7 is equipped with two cleaning covers 4 symmetrically arranged about the vision sensor 3; a drive unit is provided on the support plate 7, configured to close the two cleaning covers 4 to form a cleaning cavity enclosing the bottom optical spherical cover of the vision sensor 3; a baffle 9 is installed inside the cleaning cover 4, and when the two cleaning covers 4 are closed, the baffle 9 can completely fit with the bottom optical spherical cover of the vision sensor 3; an air outlet 8 is provided on the cleaning cover 4; an air blowing unit is installed on the support plate 7, configured to blow air into the cleaning cavity and discharge the gas along the baffle 9 from the air outlet 8.
[0033] The snowplow 1 is attached to the snowplow and works with it. The laser rangefinder 2 is installed on the back of the working surface of the snowplow 1. This position reduces snow splashing and its point measurement mode is less affected by snow accumulation. However, the vision sensor 3 needs to be installed directly above the working surface of the snowplow 1 to achieve full-area monitoring, which significantly increases the probability of snow splashing onto the optical dome. The drive unit periodically drives the two cleaning covers 4 to move closer to the optical dome, causing the two cleaning covers 4 to close. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The state shown; after the cleaning cover 4 is closed, the inner wall of the baffle 9 moves to a state where the optical dome is in contact, as shown. Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, by setting the inner wall of the baffle 9 to the same arc shape as the optical dome, the contact between the baffle 9 and the optical dome during the movement and contact process can be greatly reduced, thus preventing the baffle 9 from scratching the surface of the optical dome; then the air blowing unit starts to work, blowing air from the top of the cleaning cover 4 into the cleaning chamber; as Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, Figure 10 The dashed line indicates the direction of airflow. Air moves along the surface of the optical dome towards the outlet 8 and then exits from the outlet 8. The force applied by the air drives water droplets, sand, and other impurities on the surface of the optical dome to move downwards along the dome. When they reach the baffle 9, they move along the baffle 9 towards the outlet 8 and then exit with the air. The baffle 9 creates a physical barrier between the two cleaning covers 4, preventing the air blown into the two cleaning covers 4 from creating convection at the bottom of the optical dome. This prevents the airflow from impacting and canceling each other out, which would cause the water droplets, sand, and other impurities on the surface of the optical dome to be subjected to chaotic forces, unable to form a stable direction of movement, or even lingering and spinning on the surface of the optical dome, making it difficult to exit. After the convection is blocked, the unidirectional airflow can continuously apply a stable thrust to the impurities, ensuring that the impurities move efficiently along the airflow direction and are eventually discharged from the cleaning chamber with the airflow, ensuring that the surface of the optical dome is clean and that the vision sensor 3 can effectively collect images of the blade; the blowing unit can stop working in 10s-20s, and then the drive unit drives the cleaning cover 4 and the baffle 9 to move outward and open. After the cleaning cover 4 is opened, it is located outside the optical dome, which can prevent the cleaning cover 4 from affecting the images collected by the vision camera.
[0034] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, the air blowing unit includes an air pipe 5 and an air pump 6; both the air pipe 5 and the air pump 6 are installed on the top of the support plate 7. The air pipe 5 is used to connect the air pump 6 with the two cleaning hoods 4. When the air pump 6 is working, it blows air into the two cleaning hoods 4 through the air pipe 5.
[0035] Specifically, such as Figure 3 drink Figure 5As shown, a guide mechanism is provided between the baffle 9 and the cleaning cover 4 to guide the baffle 9 to move vertically. When the cleaning cover 4 is open, the baffle 9 is on the side closer to the air outlet 8. When closed, the baffle 9 is not in contact with the optical dome. After the drive unit drives the two cleaning covers 4 to close, the guide mechanism drives the baffle 9 to move vertically away from the air outlet 8 until it is in contact with the optical dome. At this time, the state of the baffle 9 is as follows: Figure 11 As shown, this design can prevent the baffle 9 from scratching the optical dome when it is in contact with the optical dome, thus better protecting the optical dome.
[0036] Specifically, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the guiding mechanism includes a slider 10 and a slide groove 17 that slides with the slider 10; the slider 10 is fixed to the baffle 9, and the slide groove 17 is disposed in the cleaning cover 4; the guiding mechanism also includes a driving part for driving the slider 10 to reciprocate within the slide groove 17; when the cleaning cover 4 is closed, the driving part drives the slider 10 and the baffle 9 to move away from the air outlet 8 (i.e., closer to the optical dome); when the cleaning cover 4 is open, the driving part drives the slider 10 and the baffle 9 to move closer to the air outlet 8.
[0037] Specifically, such as Figures 3-6 , Figure 8 as well as Figure 11 As shown, the drive unit includes a traction rope 11, a push rod 12, and a fixing block 18; the fixing block 18 is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the cleaning cover 4; the push rod 12 is slidably engaged with the fixing block 18; the sliding direction of the push rod 12 is parallel to the sliding direction of the slider 10; both ends of the traction rope 11 are fixed to the push rod 12 and the slider 10, respectively; (Reference) Figure 6 When the cleaning cover 4 is open, one end of the push rod 12 is located on the outside of the cleaning cover 4; during the process of the cleaning cover 4 moving to the closed state, after the push rod 12 contacts the bottom sidewall of the support plate 7, the support plate 7 limits the push rod 12, and the push rod 12 moves closer to the cleaning cover 4; when the cleaning cover 4 is closed, the end of the push rod 12 is flush with the top surface of the cleaning cover 4; Figure 11 In this state, the push rod 12 moves downwards, and the push rod 12 drives the baffle 9 to move upwards to fit with the optical dome through the reversing action of the traction rope 11. The drive unit of this embodiment has a simple structure and does not require electrical components to drive it, and can drive the baffle 9 to move stably to fit with the optical dome.
[0038] Specifically, a spring 13 is provided between the push rod 12 and the fixed block 18, and the spring 13 is used for the sliding reset of the push rod 12.
[0039] Specifically, such as Figure 3 and Figure 7As shown, the cleaning cover 4 and the support plate 7 are hinged together by a rotating shaft 14; the drive unit includes two sprockets 15, a chain 16, and two gears 19; one sprocket 15 and one gear 19 are fixed to the rotating shaft 14 respectively; the other sprocket 15 and the other gear 19 are coaxially arranged and fixedly connected; the two gears 19 mesh; the two sprockets 15 are connected by a chain 16; a motor (not shown in the figure) can drive one of the sprockets 15 to rotate, thereby enabling the two cleaning covers 4 to rotate at the same speed but in opposite directions through the cooperation of the sprockets 15, the chain 16, and the gears 19, thus achieving the closing or opening of the cleaning cover 4; Reference Figure 3 The cleaning cover 4 is hinged to the support plate 7. When the cleaning cover 4 is opened, it is located above the optical dome, which can better ensure that it does not affect the image acquisition of the optical dome.
[0040] Specifically, such as Figure 7 As shown, a protective cover 20 is fixedly installed on the cleaning cover 4, and the drive unit is installed inside the protective cover 20; the protective cover 20 is used to protect the drive unit.
[0041] Specifically, baffle 9 is made of soft material; the soft material properties and fitting design of baffle 9 block convection while avoiding hard friction with the optical dome, thus preventing scratches on the dome surface.
[0042] Specifically, such as Figure 9 As shown, the volume of the cleaning chamber gradually decreases from one end of the air pipe 5 to the other end of the air outlet 8. According to the principle of fluid mechanics, the airflow will accelerate due to the contraction of space during the flow process. When the airflow flows towards the side closer to the air outlet 8, the flow velocity gradually increases. Combined with the convection blocking effect of the baffle 9, impurities can be better removed, further improving the impurity discharge efficiency.
[0043] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0044] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A multi-sensor wear monitoring device for snowplow blades, comprising a snowplow (1), a laser rangefinder (2), and a vision sensor (3); characterized in that: The vision sensor (3) is installed directly above the working surface of the snowplow (1), and the laser rangefinder (2) is installed on the back side of the working surface of the snowplow (1). The vision sensor (3) is fixed with a support plate (7), and the support plate (7) is equipped with two cleaning covers (4) arranged symmetrically about the vision sensor (3). The support plate (7) is provided with a drive unit, which is configured to close the two cleaning covers (4) to form a cleaning cavity that encloses the bottom optical spherical cover of the vision sensor (3). A baffle (9) is installed inside the cleaning cover (4), and when the two cleaning covers (4) are closed, the baffle (9) can completely fit with the bottom optical spherical cover of the vision sensor (3). An air outlet (8) is provided on the cleaning cover (4). An air blowing unit is installed on the support plate (7), the air blowing unit is configured to blow air into the cleaning chamber and discharge the gas from the air outlet (8) along the baffle (9); The air blowing unit includes an air pipe (5) and an air pump (6); the air pipe (5) and the air pump (6) are both installed on the top of the support plate (7), and the air pipe (5) is used to connect the air pump (6) and two cleaning covers (4); The volume of the cleaning chamber gradually decreases from one end of the trachea (5) to the other end of the air outlet (8).
2. The multi-sensor wear monitoring device for snowplow blades according to claim 1, characterized in that: A guide mechanism is provided between the baffle (9) and the cleaning cover (4) to guide the baffle (9) to move in the vertical direction.
3. The multi-sensor wear monitoring device for snowplow blades according to claim 2, characterized in that: The guiding mechanism includes a slider (10) and a groove (17) that slides with the slider (10); the slider (10) is fixed to the baffle (9), and the groove (17) is disposed on the cleaning cover (4); the guiding mechanism also includes a driving part for driving the slider (10) to reciprocate within the groove (17).
4. The multi-sensor wear monitoring device for snowplow blades according to claim 3, characterized in that: The drive unit includes a traction rope (11), a push rod (12), and a fixing block (18); the fixing block (18) is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the cleaning cover (4); the push rod (12) is slidably engaged with the fixing block (18); the sliding direction of the push rod (12) is parallel to the sliding direction of the slider (10); the two ends of the traction rope (11) are fixed to the push rod (12) and the slider (10) respectively.
5. The multi-sensor wear monitoring device for snowplow blades according to claim 4, characterized in that: A spring (13) is disposed between the push rod (12) and the fixed block (18), and the spring (13) is used for the sliding reset of the push rod (12).
6. The multi-sensor wear monitoring device for snowplow blades according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cleaning cover (4) and the support plate (7) are hinged together by a rotating shaft (14); the drive unit includes two sprockets (15), a chain (16) and two gears (19); one of the sprockets (15) and one of the gears (19) are fixed to the rotating shaft (14); the other sprocket (15) and the other gear (19) are coaxially arranged and fixedly connected; the two gears (19) mesh; the two sprockets (15) are connected by a chain (16).
7. The multi-sensor wear monitoring device for snowplow blades according to claim 6, characterized in that: A protective cover (20) is fixedly installed on the cleaning cover (4), and the drive unit is installed inside the protective cover (20).
8. The multi-sensor wear monitoring device for snowplow blades according to claim 1, characterized in that: The baffle (9) is made of soft material.
Citation Information
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