A self-cleaning device for smart car cameras and lidar sensors
By designing a self-cleaning device for smart car cameras and lidar sensors, and using high-pressure gas and cleaning liquid for automatic cleaning and blow-drying, the problem of foreign matter on the surface of the sensor is solved, rapid cleaning and blow-drying is achieved, reducing maintenance costs and improving operating efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202420103561.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-16
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-01
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-01-16
AI Technical Summary
Camera and lidar sensors in smart cars are susceptible to environmental impacts, resulting in dust, rainwater or dirt attached to the surface, affecting the sensor output signal and vehicle operation efficiency. The prior art mainly relies on manual wiping, which takes a long time and cannot be carried out during the vehicle's driving process.
Design a self-cleaning device for smart car cameras and lidar sensors, including air compressors, air pipelines, cleaning liquid pipelines, controllers, lidar cleaning nozzles and camera cleaning nozzles. It uses high-pressure gases and cleaning liquid for automatic cleaning and blow-drying, and can work while the vehicle is stationary or driving.
It realizes rapid cleaning and blow-drying of the surface of the camera and lidar sensor, reduces manual maintenance costs, improves vehicle operation efficiency, and ensures the normal operation of the sensor.
Smart Images
Figure CN222698462U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of intelligent automobile on-board sensor cleaning, and specifically relates to a self-cleaning device for an intelligent automobile camera and a laser radar sensor. Background Art
[0002] Most current smart cars are equipped with various sensors, including multiple cameras and lidars installed on the car body. Due to the working characteristics of camera and lidar sensors, these two sensors are usually installed on the outside of the car body. Therefore, camera and lidar sensors are easily affected by the environment, and various dust, rain or dirt will adhere to and accumulate on the surface. These foreign objects attached to the surface will have different degrees of impact on the sensors. When the surface of sensors such as camera lenses and lidars is covered with dirt or rain, the output signal of the sensor will be affected and cannot feedback the actual road scene. In this case, a device is required to purge and clean the surface of the camera lens and lidar sensor. This ensures that the camera and lidar can work continuously and stably.
[0003] At present, when the surface of cameras and lidar is contaminated by foreign matter, they are usually wiped manually. The main problems of this method are:
[0004] 1. Manual wiping is time-consuming and inefficient.
[0005] 2. This cannot be done while the vehicle is driving, and the vehicle needs to stop and wipe off foreign matter on the surface of the camera and lidar sensor, which affects the vehicle's operating efficiency. Utility Model Content
[0006] The purpose of the utility model is to propose a self-cleaning device for intelligent automobile cameras and lidar sensors in response to the defects of the prior art, which can quickly clean and dry the camera lens surface and the radar surface, and can work when the vehicle is stationary or moving.
[0007] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides a self-cleaning device for intelligent automobile cameras and laser radar sensors, including an air compressor, an air pipeline, a cleaning liquid pipeline, a controller, a laser radar cleaning nozzle, a camera cleaning nozzle and a water pump. The air compressor is connected to the laser radar cleaning nozzle and the camera cleaning nozzle through the air pipeline. The air compressor is used to provide high-pressure gas to the air pipeline. Solenoid valves are respectively arranged between the air pipeline and the laser radar cleaning nozzle and the camera cleaning nozzle. The solenoid valves are used to open or close the delivery of high-pressure gas.
[0008] The water pump is connected to the laser radar cleaning nozzle and the camera cleaning nozzle through a cleaning liquid pipeline. The high-pressure micro water pump is used to provide a high-pressure water flow to the cleaning liquid pipeline. A solenoid valve is respectively provided between the cleaning liquid pipeline and the laser radar cleaning nozzle and the camera cleaning nozzle. The solenoid valve is used to open or close the delivery of the high-pressure water flow.
[0009] The controller is connected to the solenoid valve and is used for controlling the opening or closing of the solenoid valve.
[0010] The utility model can clean stains on the surface of the camera and the laser radar sensor in real time without stopping the vehicle. The device can also quickly dry rainwater on the camera lens and the laser radar surface, thereby reducing the labor maintenance cost and improving the operation efficiency.
[0011] The utility model further adopts the following technical solutions:
[0012] Preferably, the laser radar cleaning nozzle is distributed outside the laser radar sensor, and the camera cleaning nozzle is distributed outside the camera.
[0013] Preferably, the laser radar cleaning nozzle and the camera cleaning nozzle are installed on a nozzle bracket; the nozzle bracket is fixed to the outside of the camera or the laser radar sensor; there is a certain distance between the camera cleaning nozzle and the camera, and there is a certain distance between the laser radar cleaning nozzle and the laser radar sensor.
[0014] Preferably, the camera cleaning nozzle has a plurality of spray holes on its end face facing the camera, and the lidar cleaning nozzle has a plurality of spray holes on its end face facing the lidar sensor, and the spray holes are used to spray high-pressure gas or water onto the sensor surface.
[0015] Preferably, the laser radar cleaning nozzle is ring-shaped and distributed around the laser radar sensor. The spacing and height between the cleaning nozzles will not block the laser radar FOV (field of view). Two layers of spray holes are arranged on the laser radar cleaning nozzle.
[0016] Preferably, the laser radar cleaning nozzle includes a cleaning liquid nozzle and an air nozzle, the air nozzle is located outside the cleaning liquid nozzle, and the air nozzle and the cleaning liquid nozzle both include semicircular nozzles symmetrically arranged up and down, and three spray holes are arranged on the semicircular nozzle.
[0017] Preferably, the camera cleaning nozzle is arranged obliquely below the camera, and the camera cleaning nozzle includes a cleaning liquid nozzle and an air nozzle, which will not block the FOV (field of view) of the camera.
[0018] Preferably, an air storage tank is arranged between the air compressor and the solenoid valve, and the air storage tank is respectively connected to the solenoid valve and the air compressor through air pipelines, and the air storage tank is used to store the high-pressure gas delivered by the air compressor; the water pump is connected to the cleaning liquid pot through a cleaning liquid pipeline.
[0019] Preferably, an air pressure sensor is provided in the air tank, and the air pressure sensor is connected to the controller to detect whether the air pressure in the air tank reaches a preset pressure value, and when the preset pressure value is not reached or reached, the vehicle controller turns on or off the air compressor.
[0020] The controller includes a domain controller and a cleaning device controller, and the domain controller is connected to the cleaning device controller through an electrical signal. The controller is used to control the power on and / or power off of the solenoid valve when there is foreign matter on the sensor surface, so that the cleaning device sprays high-pressure gas and / or high-pressure cleaning liquid on the surface of the camera and / or lidar. The controller can periodically turn on and / or turn off the air compressor according to the set program to keep the air pressure in the air tank at a preset pressure value. The controller can automatically open and / or close the solenoid valve when it senses the presence of foreign matter on the sensor surface. The controller can choose to automatically or manually open and / or close the solenoid valve according to actual needs.
[0021] The advantage of the utility model is that it can not only enable the smart car to clean foreign objects on the surface of the camera and lidar sensor in real time without stopping, but also can quickly dry rainwater on the camera lens and the surface of the lidar, ensuring the normal operation of the camera and the lidar sensor, thereby achieving the purpose of reducing labor maintenance costs and improving operating efficiency.
[0022] The device of the utility model can spray high-pressure gas to the surface of the camera and the laser radar sensor, and the high-pressure gas can blow away the dust on the surface of the camera and the laser radar sensor. In addition, when there is a lot of dust in the external environment, the high-pressure gas can form an air wall to protect the surface of the camera and the laser radar sensor from being easily adsorbed by dust and other foreign objects.
[0023] The cleaning device of the utility model can spray cleaning liquid onto the surface of the camera and the laser radar sensor, and the high-pressure cleaning liquid can clean the dirt on the surface of the camera lens and the laser radar sensor.
[0024] The cleaning device of the utility model will not block the field of view of the camera and the laser radar sensor, and will not interfere with the normal operation of the camera and the laser radar sensor.
[0025] The gas pressure at the nozzle end of the cleaning device of the utility model can reach 6 bar, and the liquid pressure can reach 3-4 bar, and the cleaning effect is good.
[0026] The air compressor in the cleaning device of the utility model is shared with the air compressor of the whole vehicle braking system, and no additional air source is required. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The utility model is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0028] Figure 1 This is a principle block diagram of the utility model.
[0029] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the laser radar cleaning nozzle in the utility model.
[0030] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the camera cleaning nozzle in the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Example 1
[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, a self-cleaning device for intelligent automobile camera and laser radar sensor includes an air compressor, an air pipeline, a cleaning liquid pipeline, a solenoid valve 1, a solenoid valve 2, a controller, a laser radar cleaning nozzle, a camera cleaning nozzle, a nozzle bracket, an air tank, a three-way valve, and a high-pressure micro water pump. The air compressor is connected to the laser radar cleaning nozzle and the camera cleaning nozzle through the air pipeline respectively. The air compressor is used to provide high-pressure gas to the air pipeline. The air compressor is shared with the air compressor of the vehicle braking system, and no additional air source is required. The solenoid valve 1 is arranged between the air pipeline and the laser radar cleaning nozzle and between the air pipeline and the camera cleaning nozzle. The solenoid valve 1 is used to open or close the delivery of high-pressure gas. The air tank is arranged between the solenoid valve 1 and the air compressor through the air pipeline. The air tank is used to store the high-pressure gas delivered by the air compressor. When the cleaning device needs to spray high-pressure gas to the sensor, the air tank can immediately release a large amount of high-pressure gas. In addition, the air tank can also avoid frequent start and stop of the air compressor due to excessive use of high-pressure air, thereby extending the service life of the air compressor.
[0032] The inlet of the high-pressure micro water pump is connected to the cleaning liquid pot assembly through the cleaning liquid pipeline, and the outlet of the high-pressure micro water pump is connected to the laser radar cleaning nozzle and the camera cleaning nozzle through the cleaning liquid pipeline. The high-pressure micro water pump is used to provide high-pressure water flow to the cleaning liquid pipeline. The second solenoid valve is arranged between the cleaning liquid pipeline and the laser radar cleaning nozzle and between the cleaning liquid pipeline and the camera cleaning nozzle. The second solenoid valve is used to open or close the high-pressure water flow. The controller is connected to the first and second solenoid valves to control the opening or closing of the first and second solenoid valves.
[0033] The laser radar cleaning nozzles are distributed on the outside of the laser radar sensor, and the camera cleaning nozzles are distributed on the outside of the camera. The laser radar cleaning nozzle is provided with several spray holes on the end face facing the laser radar, and the camera cleaning nozzle is provided with several spray holes on the end face facing the camera. The spray holes are used to spray high-pressure gas or water onto the sensor surface.
[0034] The laser radar cleaning nozzle and the camera cleaning nozzle are respectively installed on a nozzle bracket, and the nozzle bracket is fixed on a radar bracket of a vehicle body camera or a laser radar sensor. In addition, there is a certain distance between the camera cleaning nozzle and the camera, and there is a certain distance between the laser radar cleaning nozzle and the laser radar sensor.
[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the laser radar cleaning nozzle is annular and distributed around the laser radar sensor, and there is a certain interval between the nozzles and between the nozzles and the laser radar, so that the interval and height between the cleaning nozzles will not block the laser radar FOV (field of view). The laser radar cleaning nozzle is provided with two layers of spray holes, the inner layer is a cleaning liquid nozzle, and the outer layer is an air nozzle, which can spray high-pressure gas and / or water onto the surface of the laser radar sensor. Both the air nozzle and the cleaning liquid nozzle include two groups of semicircular nozzles symmetrically arranged upper and lower, and each semicircular nozzle is provided with three spray holes. In this way, the upper and lower groups of nozzles have different spray angles, which can clean the working surface of the laser radar to the greatest extent.
[0036] The camera cleaning nozzle is set diagonally below the camera, which will not block the camera's FOV (field of view). The camera cleaning nozzle is divided into a cleaning liquid nozzle and an air nozzle (see Figure 3 ).
[0037] The gas pressure at the end of the cleaning nozzle can reach 6 bar, and the liquid pressure can reach 3-4 bar, which has a good cleaning effect on the surface of cameras and lidar sensors.
[0038] In addition, an air pressure sensor is provided in the air tank, and the air pressure sensor is connected to the controller to detect whether the air pressure in the air tank reaches the preset pressure value, and when the preset pressure value is not reached or reached, the vehicle controller turns on or off the air compressor. The controller includes a domain controller and a cleaning device controller, and the domain controller is connected to the cleaning device controller through an electrical signal. The controller is used to control the start and / or shutdown of the solenoid valve when there is foreign matter on the sensor surface, so that the cleaning device sprays high-pressure gas and / or high-pressure cleaning liquid on the surface of the camera and / or lidar. The controller can periodically turn on and / or off the air compressor according to the set program to keep the air pressure in the air tank at the preset pressure value. The controller can automatically open and / or close the solenoid valve when it senses the presence of foreign matter on the sensor surface. The controller can choose to automatically or manually open and / or close the solenoid valve according to actual needs.
[0039] The automatic cleaning device for cameras and lidar sensors can clean the surfaces of cameras and lidar sensors by high-pressure air and / or high-pressure water flow, and can perform water spraying and air jet operations separately or in combination according to the controller.
[0040] When high-pressure air is used for cleaning, solenoid valve 1 is arranged on the air pipeline to open or close the air pipeline for conveying high-pressure gas. The controller is connected to solenoid valve 1 to control the opening and / or closing of solenoid valve 1 when foreign matter is sensed on the sensor surface. The air compressor is connected to the cleaning nozzle through the air pipeline, and the air compressor is used to supply high-pressure gas to the air pipeline. The lidar cleaning nozzle surrounds the outside of the lidar sensor, and the camera cleaning nozzle is arranged diagonally below the camera. The working surface of the cleaning nozzle is provided with a spray hole, which can spray high-pressure gas to the lidar sensor or / and the camera surface to blow away the dust on the surface of the cleaning sensor. In addition, when the external environment is dusty, an air wall can be formed to protect the surface of the camera and lidar sensor from being easily attached to foreign matter such as dust.
[0041] When using high-pressure water flow for cleaning, solenoid valve 2 is set on the cleaning fluid pipeline to open or close the delivery of high-pressure water flow. The controller is connected to solenoid valve 2 and is used to control the opening and / or closing of solenoid valve 2 when sensing the presence of foreign matter on the sensor surface. The high-pressure micro water pump is connected to the cleaning nozzle through the cleaning fluid pipeline, and the high-pressure micro water pump is used to output high-pressure water flow. The laser radar cleaning fluid nozzle surrounds the outside of the laser radar sensor, and the camera cleaning nozzle is set at an angle below the camera. The working surface of the cleaning nozzle is provided with a spray hole, and the spray angle is different. The spray hole can spray high-pressure water flow to the laser radar sensor and / or the camera surface to clean the dust on the sensor surface.
[0042] In this embodiment, the function of the controller is to control solenoid valves 1 and 2 to realize the on and off of high-pressure gas and cleaning liquid. When the domain controller of the smart car recognizes that there are foreign objects on the surface of the camera and lidar sensor, the domain controller of the whole vehicle transmits the signal to the cleaning device controller. The cleaning device controller drives the solenoid valve 1 or the solenoid valve 2 to open through an electrical signal, so that the high-pressure air in the air tank is transported to the cleaning nozzle through the air pipeline or the high-pressure micro water pump transports the cleaning liquid to the cleaning nozzle through the cleaning liquid pipeline, and the high-pressure gas or high-pressure cleaning liquid is sprayed onto the surface of the camera and lidar sensor to blow away or clean the foreign objects, thereby achieving the purpose of cleaning.
[0043] In the utility model, the controller can periodically open and / or close the air compressor according to the set program to keep the air pressure in the air tank at a preset pressure value. The controller can automatically open and / or close the solenoid valve when it senses the presence of foreign matter on the sensor surface. The controller can choose to open and / or close the solenoid valve automatically or manually according to actual needs.
[0044] The utility model does not limit the solenoid valve model, and the general model can be directly purchased or other types of valves can be used.
[0045] In addition to the above embodiments, the present invention may also have other implementations. Any technical solution formed by equivalent replacement or equivalent transformation falls within the protection scope required by the present invention.
Claims
1. A self-cleaning device for smart car cameras and laser radar sensors, characterized in that: It includes an air compressor, an air pipeline, a cleaning liquid pipeline, a controller, a laser radar cleaning nozzle, a camera cleaning nozzle and a water pump. The air compressor is connected to the laser radar cleaning nozzle and the camera cleaning nozzle through the air pipeline. Solenoid valves are respectively arranged between the air pipeline and the laser radar cleaning nozzle and the camera cleaning nozzle. The water pump is connected to the laser radar cleaning nozzle and the camera cleaning nozzle through a cleaning liquid pipeline, and a solenoid valve is respectively provided between the cleaning liquid pipeline and the laser radar cleaning nozzle and the camera cleaning nozzle; The controller is connected to the solenoid valve.
2. According to claim 1, a self-cleaning device for smart car cameras and laser radar sensors, characterized in that: The laser radar cleaning nozzle is distributed on the outside of the laser radar sensor, and the camera cleaning nozzle is distributed on the outside of the camera.
3. According to claim 2, a self-cleaning device for smart car cameras and laser radar sensors, characterized in that: The laser radar cleaning nozzle and the camera cleaning nozzle are installed on a nozzle bracket; the nozzle bracket is fixed to the outside of the camera or the laser radar sensor; there is a certain distance between the camera cleaning nozzle and the camera, and there is a certain distance between the laser radar cleaning nozzle and the laser radar sensor.
4. The self-cleaning device for smart car camera and laser radar sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The end surface of the camera cleaning nozzle facing the camera is provided with a plurality of spray holes, and the end surface of the laser radar cleaning nozzle facing the laser radar sensor is provided with a plurality of spray holes.
5. The self-cleaning device for smart car camera and laser radar sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The laser radar cleaning nozzle is ring-shaped and distributed around the laser radar sensor. Two layers of spray holes are arranged on the laser radar cleaning nozzle.
6. The self-cleaning device for smart car camera and laser radar sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The laser radar cleaning nozzle includes a cleaning liquid nozzle and an air nozzle, the air nozzle is located outside the cleaning liquid nozzle, and the air nozzle and the cleaning liquid nozzle both include semicircular nozzles symmetrically arranged up and down, and three spray holes are arranged on the semicircular nozzle.
7. The self-cleaning device for smart car camera and laser radar sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The camera cleaning nozzle is arranged obliquely below the camera, and the camera cleaning nozzle comprises a cleaning liquid nozzle and an air nozzle.
8. The self-cleaning device for smart car camera and laser radar sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: An air storage tank is arranged between the air compressor and the electromagnetic valve, and the air storage tank is respectively connected to the electromagnetic valve and the air compressor through an air pipeline; the water pump is connected to the cleaning liquid pot through a cleaning liquid pipeline.
9. The self-cleaning device for smart car camera and laser radar sensor according to claim 8, characterized in that: An air pressure sensor is arranged in the air storage tank, and the air pressure sensor is connected to the controller.