LiDAR system for vehicle

Abstract

A LiDAR system for a vehicle is provided. The LiDAR system includes: a housing having an opening formed in a front portion and a guide groove formed in each of an upper portion and a lower portion; a door for sliding along the guide groove and opening and closing the opening; a LiDAR unit for sliding forward and backward within the housing to be selectively exposed to the outside through the opening; a first link unit for sliding the door; a second link unit for sliding the LiDAR unit; and a gear unit for transmitting power of the actuator to the first link unit and the second link unit. The door and the LiDAR unit move in cooperation with each other to be alternately disposed at the opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a LiDAR system for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a LiDAR system for a vehicle mounted on a structure of the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] As vehicle technology develops, functions such as autonomous parking and autonomous driving are required. In order to perform the functions, the demand for LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is increasing. Generally, LiDAR is installed on a structure such as a bumper or grille of a vehicle, and detects an object or structure by sensing the front and back of the vehicle. However, since LiDAR is installed in a state exposed to the outside of the vehicle, foreign matter such as dust may be attached to the surface when the vehicle moves. Therefore, problems such as the accuracy of the measurement value of the sensor is reduced and the surrounding environment itself is not recognized occur. Therefore, there is a need to solve these problems. Utility Model Content

[0003] The present disclosure aims to provide a LiDAR system for a vehicle, which is capable of preventing the LiDAR from being contaminated by deploying the LiDAR outside the vehicle only when the operation of the LiDAR is required, such as in an autonomous driving mode.

[0004] Problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0005] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] In a general aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a LiDAR system for a vehicle, which is a light detection and ranging system, comprising: a housing having an opening formed in a front portion and a guide groove formed in each of an upper portion and a lower portion; a door configured to slide along the guide groove and to open and close the opening; a LiDAR unit configured to slide forward and backward within the housing to be selectively exposed to the outside through the opening; a first link unit configured to slide the door; a second link unit configured to slide the LiDAR unit; and a gear unit configured to transmit power of an actuator to the first link unit and the second link unit, wherein the door and the LiDAR unit are configured to move in cooperation with each other to be alternately disposed at the opening.

[0007] The gear unit may include: a first gear unit, the first gear unit including a first shaft connected to the actuator, a first lower gear arranged at a lower portion of the first shaft, and a first upper gear arranged at an upper portion of the first shaft; and a second gear unit, the second gear unit including a second shaft arranged parallel to the first shaft, a second lower gear arranged at a lower portion of the second shaft and engaged with the first lower gear, and a second upper gear arranged at an upper portion of the second shaft and engaged with the first upper gear, and wherein the second lower gear may be connected to the first connecting rod unit, and the second upper gear connected to the second connecting rod unit.

[0008] The outer peripheral surfaces of the first lower gear and the first upper gear can be divided into an operating section formed with a first tooth and an idle section formed with an edge, wherein each of the second lower gear and the second upper gear may include a second tooth formed on the outer peripheral surface and engaged with the first tooth, and a contactor contacting the edge, wherein the edge and the contactor may be arranged as structures protruding radially from the upper portions of the first tooth and the second tooth, respectively.

[0009] When the first lower gear and the first upper gear rotate, the first tooth can engage with the second tooth in the operating section so that the second lower gear and the second upper gear rotate, and the edge can be configured to contact the contactor and slide in the idle section so that the second lower gear and the second upper gear do not rotate.

[0010] The operating section in the first lower gear and the operating section in the first upper gear may be disposed at different positions in the circumferential direction.

[0011] The rim may have an outer surface that is protruded and curved in an arc shape, and the contactor may have an outer surface that is recessed and curved in an arc shape.

[0012] The first link unit may include: a pair of guide links, one ends of the pair of guide links being rotatably connected to one side and the other side of the bottom surface of the door, and the other ends of the pair of guide links are provided with a sliding pin and connected to a sliding groove provided in the lower part of the shell; a connecting link, one end of the connecting link being rotatably connected to the other end of one of the pair of guide links, and the other end of the connecting link being rotatably connected to the other end of the other guide link of the pair of guide links; a first door driving link, the first door driving link having one end connected to the second lower gear and rotating together with the second lower gear; and a second door driving link having one end rotatably connected to the other end of the first door driving link and the other end rotatably connected to the connecting link.

[0013] The second link unit may include: a first LiDAR driving link having one end connected to the second upper gear and rotating together with the second upper gear; and a second LiDAR driving link having one end rotatably connected to the other end of the first LiDAR driving link and the other end rotatably connected to the LiDAR unit.

[0014] The guide groove may include a first moving section linearly arranged behind the opening in the left-right direction and a second moving section curvedly extending from the first moving section toward the opening in the front-back direction, and the door may include guide pins connected to the guide groove on the upper and lower surfaces.

[0015] The LiDAR system may further include a guide bracket connected to a protruding guide provided on each of two side surfaces of the LiDAR unit, wherein the guide bracket may be configured to guide forward and backward sliding motion of the LiDAR unit.

[0016] In another general aspect of the present disclosure, a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system for a vehicle includes: a housing having an opening formed in a front portion and a guide groove formed in each of an upper portion and a lower portion; a door located at the opening; a LiDAR unit retractably accommodated in the housing; a first link unit configured to slide the door; a second link unit configured to slide the LiDAR unit; a gear unit for transmitting power; and a processor configured to: control the door to slide along the guide groove and open and close the opening; control the LiDAR unit to slide forward and backward within the housing to be selectively exposed to the outside through the opening; control the gear unit to transmit power of an actuator to the first link unit and the second link unit; and control movement of the door and the LiDAR unit to move in cooperation with each other to be alternately disposed at the opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a diagram schematically showing a LiDAR system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 is a diagram schematically showing components of a LiDAR system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 3 It is schematically shown Figure 2 Figure of the shell in ;

[0020] Figure 4 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a door is disposed in an opening of a housing;

[0021] Figure 5 is a diagram schematically showing a first link unit and a gear unit connected to a door;

[0022] Figure 6 is a diagram schematically showing a lower cover of a housing including a guide groove and a slide groove;

[0023] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B 10 is a diagram schematically showing a state where the door closes the opening and a state where the door opens the opening, respectively, by operation of the first link unit;

[0024] Figure 8 is a diagram schematically showing a connection structure between a LiDAR and a guide bracket;

[0025] Fig.9A and Fig. 9Bis a diagram schematically showing a first lower gear (first upper gear);

[0026] Fig. 9C and Fig.9D is a diagram schematically showing a second lower gear (second upper gear);

[0027] Fig.10 is a diagram showing the operation of the second lower gear in the operating section and the idling section of the first lower gear;

[0028] Fig.11 is a diagram showing the operation of the second lower gear and the second upper gear according to the rotation of the first lower gear and the first upper gear;

[0029] Fig.12 is an operation diagram showing a state where the door is opened; and

[0030] Fig.13 is an operation diagram showing a state in which the LiDAR is deployed to the outside by passing through an opening.

[0031] Throughout the drawings and detailed description, unless otherwise described or provided, the same or similar reference numerals may be understood to refer to the same or similar elements, features, and structures. The drawings may not be drawn to scale, and the relative sizes, proportions, and depictions of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following detailed description is provided to help the reader obtain a comprehensive understanding of the methods, devices and / or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications and equivalents of the methods, devices and / or systems described herein will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application. For example, the order of operations described herein is merely an example and is not limited to those set forth herein, but may be changed as will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application, except for operations that must occur in a specific order.

[0033] The features described herein may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided merely to illustrate some of the many possible ways to implement the methods, devices, and / or systems described herein that will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application.

[0034] The advantages and features of the present disclosure and the methods for achieving the advantages and features will be clear with reference to the embodiments described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but will be implemented in various forms. The embodiments of the present disclosure are provided so that the present disclosure is fully disclosed, and those of ordinary skill in the art can fully understand the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure will only be limited by the scope of the attached claims. At the same time, the terms used in this specification are used to explain the embodiments, rather than to limit the present disclosure.

[0035] Terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used herein to describe components. Each of these terms is not used to define the nature, order, or sequence of the corresponding components, but is only used to distinguish the corresponding components from other components. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component.

[0036] Throughout the specification, when a component is described as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another component, it may be directly “connected to” or “coupled to” another component, or one or more other components may be present between them. Conversely, when an element is described as being “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element, other elements may not be present between them.

[0037] In the description of the embodiments, when any one element is described as being formed on or below another element, such description includes a case where the two elements are formed in direct contact with each other and a case where the two elements are in indirect contact with each other with one or more other elements interposed between the two elements. In addition, when one element is described as being formed on or below another element, such description may include a case where one element is formed on the upper side or the lower side relative to the other element.

[0038] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well. It will be further understood that the terms "include" and / or "comprise" when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in all the drawings, components that are the same or correspond to each other will be denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0040] Figures 1 to 11 A LiDAR system for a vehicle and components constituting the LiDAR system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are schematically illustrated.

[0041] The LiDAR system 1 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be installed on a structure of a vehicle not shown. For example, the LiDAR system 1 may be installed on the back of a grille, a bumper cover, etc. of a vehicle.

[0042] 1 , a LiDAR system 1 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing 100 , a door 200 , a LiDAR 300 , first and second link units 400 and 500 , and a gear unit 600 .

[0043] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the housing 100 may have a generally box-shaped structure with an internal space. The door 200, the LiDAR 300, the first link unit 400, the second link unit 500, and the gear unit 600 may be accommodated in the internal space.

[0044] An opening 111 may be formed in a front cover 110 as a front portion of the housing 100, and guide grooves 121 and 131 may be formed in the upper cover 120 and the lower cover 130. In addition, a slide groove 132 may be formed in the lower cover 130.

[0045] The housing 100 may be provided such that the opening 111 is exposed through the grille or the bumper cover in a state of being mounted on the grille or the bumper cover.

[0046] The door 200 and the LiDAR 300 may be disposed inside the housing 100 , and configured to move in cooperation with each other to be alternately disposed at the opening 111 .

[0047] That is, when the vehicle is not in the autonomous driving mode, the LiDAR 300 is accommodated inside the housing 100, and the opening 111 is closed by arranging the door 200 at the opening 111, thereby preventing the LiDAR 300 from being contaminated or damaged by external foreign matter. Then, when the vehicle is switched to the autonomous driving mode, the door 200 opens the opening 111, and the LiDAR 300 accommodated inside the housing 100 is arranged at the opening 111 to be deployed to the outside through the opening 111.

[0048] The door 200 is disposed in the housing 100 and is configured to slide along the guide grooves 121 and 131 to selectively open or close the opening 111 .

[0049] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the door 200 may have guide pins 210 connected to the guide grooves 121 and 131 on the upper and lower surfaces.

[0050] The guide pins 210 may be provided in structures protruding from the upper and lower surfaces of the door 200 , respectively, and the door 200 may slide along a track provided by the guide grooves 121 and 131 by the guide pins 210 .

[0051] The guide grooves 121 and 131 may include a first moving section L1 linearly disposed behind the opening 111 in the left-right direction and a second moving section L2 curvedly extending from the first moving section L1 toward the opening 111 in the front-rear direction.

[0052] Therefore, if Fig. 7A and Figure 7B As shown, in a state where the door 200 is disposed at the opening 111 to close the opening 111, the door 200 can open the opening 111 by moving backward toward the inside of the housing 100 along the second moving section L2 and moving rightward (or leftward) along the first moving section L1, and can be hidden on the rear surface of the front cover 110. In addition, the door 200 can close the opening 111 by moving leftward (or rightward) along the first moving section L1 and moving forward toward the outside of the housing 100 along the second moving section L2.

[0053] The door 200 may have a stopper 220 on each of both side surfaces.

[0054] The stopper 220 may serve to prevent the door 200 from further moving forward by being disposed to contact the rear surface of the front cover 110 in a state where the door 200 is disposed at the opening 111 to close the opening 111 .

[0055] The LiDAR 300 is configured to slide forward and backward within the housing 100 to be selectively exposed to the outside through the opening 111 .

[0056] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 8 , guide brackets 140 and 150 may be disposed in the housing 100 to allow the LiDAR 300 to slide forward and backward. A pair of guide brackets 140 and 150 may be disposed on the left and right sides of the LiDAR 300, respectively, and are configured to guide the forward and backward sliding motion of the LiDAR 300.

[0057] The guide brackets 140 and 150 may include bracket grooves 141 and 151 connected to the LiDAR 300. The bracket grooves 141 and 151 may be formed to extend toward the opening 111 in the front-rear direction.

[0058] In addition, the LiDAR 300 may be provided with protruding guides 310 on both side surfaces and connected to the bracket grooves 141 and 151 of the guide brackets 140 and 150 .

[0059] The protruding guide 310 is provided in an approximately square structure corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the bracket grooves 141 and 151, and is configured to have a protruding structure 311 formed on a surface facing the inner surface of the bracket grooves 141 and 151 to make point contact with the inner surface of the bracket grooves 141 and 151. In this way, when the LiDAR 300 slides along the bracket grooves 141 and 151 by the protruding guide 310, the generation of friction can be minimized.

[0060] The LiDAR 300 may be provided with a stopper 220 protruding along a periphery thereof.

[0061] The stopper 220 may serve to prevent the LiDAR 300 from further moving forward by being disposed to contact the rear surface of the front cover 110 in a state where the LiDAR 300 is disposed at the opening 111 by moving forward.

[0062] The sliding motion of the door 200 and the LiDAR 300 may be achieved by the first link unit 400 , the second link unit 500 , and the gear unit 600 .

[0063] The first link unit 400 may be connected to the door 200 and configured to slide the door 200 .

[0064] Reference Figure 5 , Fig. 7A and Figure 7B , the first link unit 400 may include a guide link 410 , a connecting link 420 , a first door driving link 430 , and a second door driving link 440 .

[0065] A pair of guide links 410 may be provided, one end of which may be rotatably connected to one side and the other side of the bottom surface of the door 200 respectively with respect to the guide pin 210, and the other end may be provided with a sliding pin 411 and connected to a sliding groove 132 provided in the lower cover 130 of the housing 100. Each of the sliding pins 411 may be provided in a structure protruding downward from the lower surface of the guide link 410 at the other end of the guide link 410.

[0066] One end of the connecting link 420 may be rotatably connected to the other end of one of the pair of guide links 410, and the other end of the connecting link 420 may be rotatably connected to the other end of the other of the pair of guide links 410. In this case, the connecting link 420 may be connected to the other surface of the guide link 410 opposite to the surface where the sliding pin 411 is provided at the other end of the guide link 410. That is, the connecting link 420 may be connected to the upper surface of the guide link 410 at the other end thereof.

[0067] The first door driving link 430 may be connected to the gear unit 600 and rotated by the power of the actuator 700 transmitted through the gear unit 600. In one example, the first door driving link 430 may have one end connected to the second lower gear 640A of the gear unit 600, and rotate together with the second lower gear 640A using the second lower gear 640A as a rotation axis.

[0068] The second door driving link 440 may have one end rotatably connected to the other end of the first door driving link 430 , and the other end rotatably connected to the connecting link 420 .

[0069] The second door driving link 440 realizes the sliding movement of the door 200 in the left-right direction by converting the rotational movement of the first door driving link 430 into a linear movement in the left-right direction in cooperation with the connecting link 420 based on the opening 111 and making the guide link 410 linearly reciprocate along the sliding groove 132 together with the connecting link 420. In this case, the door 200 slides while maintaining a state in which its front surface faces forward.

[0070] The second link unit 500 may be connected to the LiDAR 300 and configured to slide the LiDAR 300 .

[0071] refer to Figure 4 , the second link unit 500 may include a first LiDAR driving link 510 and a second LiDAR driving link 520 .

[0072] The first LiDAR driving link 510 may be connected to the gear unit 600 and rotated by the power of the actuator 700 transmitted through the gear unit 600. In one example, the first LiDAR driving link 510 may have one end connected to the second upper gear 640B of the gear unit 600 and rotate together with the second upper gear 640B using the second upper gear 640B as a rotation axis.

[0073] The second LiDAR driving link 520 may have one end rotatably connected to the other end of the first LiDAR driving link 510 , and the other end rotatably connected to the LiDAR 300 .

[0074] The second LiDAR driving link 520 enables the sliding movement of the LiDAR 300 in the front-rear direction by converting the rotational movement of the first LiDAR driving link 510 into a linear movement in the front-rear direction based on the opening 111 .

[0075] The gear unit 600 may be configured to transmit the power of the actuator 700 to the first link unit 400 and the second link unit 500 .

[0076] The gear unit 600 may include a first gear unit 601 and a second gear unit 602 .

[0077] refer to FIG. 9A to FIG. 11 as well as Figure 5 , the first gear unit 601 may rotate by being connected to the actuator 700 , and the second gear unit 602 may transmit the power of the actuator 700 to the first link unit 400 and the second link unit 500 by being connected to the first gear unit 601 .

[0078] The first gear unit 601 may include a first shaft 610 connected to the actuator 700, a first lower gear 620A provided at a lower portion of the first shaft 610, and a first upper gear 620B provided at an upper portion of the first shaft 610. The first lower gear 620A and the first upper gear 620B are assembled and fixed to the first shaft 610, and are configured to rotate integrally with the first shaft 610.

[0079] The second gear unit 602 may include a second shaft 630 disposed in parallel with the first shaft 610, a second lower gear 640A disposed at a lower portion of the second shaft 630, and a second upper gear 640B disposed at an upper portion of the second shaft 630. The second lower gear 640A and the second upper gear 640B are both rotatably connected to the second shaft 630 and are configured to rotate independently.

[0080] The first lower gear 620A and the second lower gear 640A may be engaged with each other, and the first upper gear 620B and the second upper gear 640B may be engaged with each other.

[0081] The second lower gear 640A may be connected to the first link unit 400, and the second upper gear 640B may be connected to the second link unit 500. Specifically, the second lower gear 640A may be connected to the first door driving link 430 of the first link unit 400, and the second upper gear 640B may be connected to the first LiDAR driving link 510 of the second link unit 500. In this case, the first door driving link 430 may be assembled into the second lower gear 640A to form a binding, and the first LiDAR driving link 510 may be assembled into the second upper gear 640B to form a binding.

[0082] The first shaft 610 rotates when one end thereof is connected to the actuator 700, and the first lower gear 620A and the first upper gear 620B rotate integrally with the first shaft 610. In addition, the second lower gear 640A is engaged with the first lower gear 620A and rotates around the second shaft 630, and the second upper gear 640B is engaged with the first upper gear 620B and rotates around the second shaft 630.

[0083] The outer peripheral surfaces of the first lower gear 620A and the first upper gear 620B may each be divided into an operating section R1 formed with the first teeth 621 and an idling section R2 formed with the edge 622. Specifically, the first teeth 621 may be formed in a section that is a portion of the outer peripheral surface of each of the first lower gear 620A and the first upper gear 620B, and the edge 622 may be formed in the remaining portion. In addition, a portion of the section where the first teeth 621 are formed may correspond to the operating section R1, and the remaining section where the edge 622 is formed may correspond to the idling section R2.

[0084] The edge 622 may be formed in a structure radially protruding from an upper portion of the first tooth 621. That is, the edge 622 may be positioned at a higher height than the first tooth 621. In addition, the edge 622 may have an outer surface protruding in an arc shape and curved.

[0085] Each of the second lower gear 640A and the second upper gear 640B may include a second tooth 641 formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof and engaged with the first tooth 621, and a contactor 642 contacting the edge 622. Specifically, the second tooth 641 may be formed along the outer circumferential surface of each of the second lower gear 640A and the second upper gear 640B, and the contactor 642 may be formed as a structure radially protruding from an upper portion of the second tooth 641.

[0086] In the example, at least one contactor 642 may be provided in a section that is a part of the outer peripheral surface of each of the second lower gear 640A and the second upper gear 640B. This example shows that two contactors 642 are provided at a predetermined interval, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the contactor 642 may have an outer surface that is concave and curved in an arc shape corresponding to the shape of the outer surface of the edge 622.

[0087] When the first lower gear 620A and the first upper gear 620B rotate, in the operation section R1, the first tooth 621 engages with the second tooth 641 of the second lower gear 640A and the second upper gear 640B, so that the second lower gear 640A and the second upper gear 640B rotate. That is, when the first tooth 621 engages with the second tooth 641 in the operation section R1, the second lower gear 640A and the second upper gear 640B rotate together with the first lower gear 620A and the first upper gear 620B.

[0088] In addition, the edge 622 of each of the first lower gear 620A and the first upper gear 620B contacts the contactor 642 and slides in the idling section R2, so that the second lower gear 640A and the second upper gear 640B do not rotate. That is, in the idling section R2, since the second teeth 641 are not engaged with the first teeth 621, and the contactor 642 and the edge 622 slide against each other in a state of contact with each other, the second lower gear 640A and the second upper gear 640B do not rotate, and the first lower gear 620A and the first upper gear 620B idling.

[0089] Meanwhile, the operation section R1 in the first lower gear 620A and the operation section R1 in the first upper gear 620B may be set at different positions in the circumferential direction. Specifically, when viewed from above around the first shaft 610, the operation section R1 provided with the first teeth 621 of the first lower gear 620A and the operation section R1 provided with the first teeth 621 of the first upper gear 620B may be set so as not to overlap each other but to be offset. For example, the operation section may be set so that the operation section R1 of the first upper gear 620B based on the clockwise direction starts after the operation section R1 of the first lower gear 620A ends.

[0090] Therefore, if Fig.11 As shown, when the first lower gear 620A and the first upper gear 620B rotate counterclockwise around the first shaft 610, the second lower gear 640A and the second upper gear 640B rotate sequentially through the operating section R1 of the first lower gear 620A and the operating section R2 of the first upper gear 620B.

[0091] That is, the second lower gear 640A intersecting the operating section R1 of the first lower gear 620A rotates together with the first lower gear 620A, and the second upper gear 640B intersecting the idling section R2 of the first upper gear 620B stops in a non-rotating state, and only the first upper gear 620B idles.

[0092] Furthermore, the second lower gear 640A intersecting the idling section R2 of the first lower gear 620A stops in a non-rotating state, only the first lower gear 620A idles, and the second upper gear 640B intersecting the operating section R1 of the first upper gear 620B rotates together with the first upper gear 620B.

[0093] Reference Fig.12 and Fig.13 The operation of a LiDAR system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0094] On the contrary, when the first lower gear 620A and the first upper gear 620B rotate clockwise, the second upper gear 640B rotates first, and when the second upper gear 640B stops rotating, the second lower gear 640A rotates.

[0095] Fig.12 is an operation diagram showing a state where the door is opened, and Fig.13 is an operation diagram showing a state in which the LiDAR is deployed to the outside by passing through an opening.

[0096] like Fig.12 As shown, when the actuator operates and the first gear unit rotates, the second lower gear engaged with the first lower gear in the operating section rotates and moves the first link unit, and the door 200 connected to the first link unit slides, thereby opening the opening.

[0097] The second upper gear engaged with the first upper gear in the idling section stops without rotating as the first upper gear idles, and the LiDAR connected to the second link unit maintains a state of being stored in the housing.

[0098] like Fig.13 As shown, in the state where the door is opened, the second lower gear engaged with the first lower gear in the idling section stops and does not rotate as the first lower gear idles, and when the second upper gear engaged with the first upper gear in the operating section rotates and moves the second link unit, the LiDAR connected to the second link unit slides and is deployed to the outside through the opening.

[0099] Then, when the autonomous driving mode ends, the actuator operates, and when the first gear unit rotates in the opposite direction, the second upper gear rotates first and cooperates with the second link unit to store the LiDAR inside the housing, and the second lower gear cooperates with the first link unit to rotate and slide the door so that the opening is closed.

[0100] As described above, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, by configuring the LiDAR to be selectively deployed outside the vehicle or stored inside the vehicle according to the driving mode of the vehicle, the performance of the LiDAR can be prevented from being deteriorated due to contamination by external foreign matter.

[0101] Furthermore, by blocking the opening through which the LiDAR is deployed to the outside with the door in a state where the LiDAR is stored, the LiDAR can be protected from the external environment and a design difference can be prevented from occurring on the exterior of the vehicle due to the opening being opened.

[0102] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a LiDAR system for a vehicle may be provided, which is capable of preventing the LiDAR from being contaminated by deploying the LiDAR outside the vehicle only when the operation of the LiDAR is required, such as in an autonomous driving mode.

[0103] The LiDAR system may include one or more processors (e.g., included in the LiDAR unit or the vehicle) that control various components thereof. For example, the processor (not shown) may control the door to slide along the guide groove and open and close the opening, control the LiDAR unit to slide forward and backward within the housing to be selectively exposed to the outside through the opening, control the gear unit to transmit the power of the actuator to the first link unit and the second link unit, and control the movement of the door and the LiDAR unit to move in cooperation with each other to be alternately set at the opening.

[0104] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the present disclosure.

[0105] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0106] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0093714 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on July 19, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Claims

1. A LiDAR system for a vehicle, the LiDAR system being a light detection and ranging system, characterized in that: The LiDAR system for a vehicle comprises: a housing having an opening formed in the front portion and a guide groove formed in each of the upper portion and the lower portion; a door configured to slide along the guide groove and open and close the opening; a LiDAR unit configured to slide forward and backward within the housing to be selectively exposed to the outside through the opening; a first link unit configured to slide the door; a second link unit configured to slide the LiDAR unit; and a gear unit configured to transmit power of an actuator to the first link unit and the second link unit, Wherein, the door and the LiDAR unit are configured to move in cooperation with each other to be alternately disposed at the opening.

2. The LiDAR system for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gear unit comprises: a first gear unit including a first shaft connected to the actuator, a first lower gear provided at a lower portion of the first shaft, and a first upper gear provided at an upper portion of the first shaft; and a second gear unit including a second shaft disposed in parallel with the first shaft, a second lower gear disposed at a lower portion of the second shaft and engaged with the first lower gear, and a second upper gear disposed at an upper portion of the second shaft and engaged with the first upper gear, and Wherein, the second lower gear is connected to the first connecting rod unit, and the second upper gear is connected to the second connecting rod unit.

3. The LiDAR system for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer peripheral surface of the first lower gear and the outer peripheral surface of the first upper gear are each divided into an operating section formed with first teeth and an idle section formed with edges, wherein each of the second lower gear and the second upper gear includes a second tooth formed on an outer peripheral surface and engaged with the first tooth, and a contactor contacting the edge, and The edge and the contactor are configured to be structures radially protruding from an upper portion of the first tooth and an upper portion of the second tooth, respectively.

4. The LiDAR system for a vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that: When the first lower gear and the first upper gear rotate, the first teeth engage with the second teeth in the operating section, so that the second lower gear and the second upper gear rotate, and Wherein, the edge is configured to contact the contactor and slide in the idle section so that the second lower gear and the second upper gear do not rotate.

5. The LiDAR system for a vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The operating section in the first lower gear and the operating section in the first upper gear are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction.

6. The LiDAR system for a vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The edge has an outer surface that is protruded and curved in an arc shape, and the contactor has an outer surface that is recessed and curved in an arc shape.

7. The LiDAR system for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first connecting rod unit comprises: a pair of guide links, one ends of which are rotatably connected to one side and the other side of the bottom surface of the door, and the other ends of which are provided with sliding pins and connected to sliding grooves provided in the lower portion of the housing; a connecting link, one end of which is rotatably connected to the other end of one of the pair of guide links, and the other end of which is rotatably connected to the other end of the other of the pair of guide links; a first door driving link having one end connected to the second lower gear and rotating together with the second lower gear; and A second door driving link having one end rotatably connected to the other end of the first door driving link and the other end rotatably connected to the connecting link.

8. The LiDAR system for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second connecting rod unit comprises: a first LiDAR drive link having one end connected to the second upper gear and rotating together with the second upper gear; and A second LiDAR drive link having one end rotatably connected to the other end of the first LiDAR drive link and another end rotatably connected to the LiDAR unit.

9. The LiDAR system for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide groove includes a first moving section provided linearly behind the opening in the left-right direction and a second moving section extending curvedly from the first moving section toward the opening in the front-rear direction, and Wherein, the door includes guide pins connected to the guide grooves on the upper surface and the lower surface.

10. The LiDAR system for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The LiDAR system for a vehicle further includes: a guide bracket connected to a protruding guide provided on each of two side surfaces of the LiDAR unit, Wherein, the guide bracket is configured to guide the forward and backward sliding movement of the LiDAR unit.

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