Electric heater for heating laser radar optical window

Abstract

The utility model relates to an electric heater for heating a laser radar optical window. The heating air channel is located on the inner wall of a laser radar shell; the electric heater is used for heating air in the heating air duct; the heated air is blown out to the radar optical window, and defrosting and demisting are conducted on the radar optical window; the electric heater comprises a heating wire, a fixed column and a support plate; the number of the heating wires is the same as that of the fixing columns, and the heating wires and the fixing columns are in one-to-one correspondence; the number of the supporting plates is two, and each supporting plate is provided with an assembling hole used for installing the fixing column and the heating wire. The heating wire is a spring-shaped coil, and the coil is heated after being powered up; each fixing column is arranged in the middle of the corresponding coil; the two ends of the fixing column are fixedly installed in the fixing column assembling holes of the two supporting plates respectively. Fixing rings are arranged at the two ends of the heating wire and installed on the heating wire assembling holes of the two supporting plates respectively. According to the utility model, accidental damage is prevented, the service life of the electric heater is prolonged, and the cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electric heating, in particular to an electric heater used for heating an optical window of a laser radar. Background Art

[0002] During the use of LiDAR, when the carrier switches to different temperature environments, due to the rapid change of ambient temperature, water mist or cold frost will condense on the inner or outer wall of the LiDAR optical window. Water mist or cold frost will reduce the light transmission characteristics of the optical window, thereby affecting the realization of the LiDAR optical indicators.

[0003] Blowing hot air to the optical window of the laser radar can effectively remove water mist and cold frost. There is currently a laser radar heating device. The fan blows air through the air duct, and then heats it through a heating channel covered with heating wires. Finally, hot air is blown out to defog and defrost the optical window of the laser radar. In order to heat the air more efficiently while ensuring a reasonable cost, this type of heating wire generally adopts a spring-like structure made of metal. The metal spring-like heating wire will deform or even displace under vibration. The temperature of the heating wire can reach hundreds of degrees Celsius. When it comes into contact with the plastic duct wall, it will melt and be damaged, reducing the service life of the heating device. If it comes into contact with the duct wall for a long time, it may even catch fire, posing certain safety hazards. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above analysis, the utility model aims to provide an electric heater for heating the optical window of a laser radar to solve the above heating problem.

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is mainly achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] The utility model discloses an electric heater for heating a laser radar optical window; the electric heater is installed in a heating air duct located on the inner wall of a laser radar housing; the electric heater heats the air in the heating air duct; the heated air is blown out to the radar optical window to defrost and defog the radar optical window;

[0007] The electric heater comprises a heating wire, a fixing column and a support plate; the number of the heating wires is the same as the number of the fixing columns and corresponds to each other; there are two support plates, each of which is provided with an assembly hole for installing the fixing column and the heating wire;

[0008] The heating wire is a spring-shaped coil that generates heat after being powered on; each fixing column is placed in the middle of the corresponding coil; the two ends of the fixing column are respectively fixedly mounted on the fixing column assembly holes of the two support plates; fixing rings are provided at both ends of the heating wire, and the fixing rings at both ends of the heating wire are respectively mounted on the heating wire assembly holes of the two support plates.

[0009] Furthermore, the heating wires are arranged horizontally in the air supply direction of the heating air duct to sequentially heat the air blown in along a direction perpendicular to the heating wires.

[0010] Furthermore, the cross-section of the heating air duct in the air supply direction is rectangular; the long side of the rectangle is slightly larger than the length between the two support plates of the electric heater, leaving a margin for installation; and corresponding rows of fixing columns and assembly holes for the heating wires are arranged on the support plates according to the width of the short side of the rectangle.

[0011] Furthermore, the heating wires are connected in parallel when powered.

[0012] Furthermore, the fixing rings at both ends of the heating wire are connected to the corresponding heating wire assembly holes on the support plate by means of bolts.

[0013] Furthermore, the two ends of the fixing column are fixed to the corresponding fixing column assembly holes on the support plate by gluing.

[0014] Furthermore, the fixing column is made of ceramic.

[0015] Furthermore, the fixing column is made of glass fiber.

[0016] Furthermore, a fan is fixedly installed at the inlet end of the heating air duct in the laser radar housing to supply air to the heating air duct; the outlet end of the heating air duct is connected to the inlet end of the air guide duct; the outlet end of the air guide duct is connected to the air outlet duct; the air outlet duct is provided with multiple air outlets located around the radar optical window and facing the radar optical window.

[0017] Furthermore, the fan, heating air duct, air guide duct, air outlet duct and housing are all made of heat-insulating plastic material.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the utility model are as follows:

[0019] In the electric heater for heating the laser radar optical window of the utility model, the heating wire will not be significantly displaced under the vibration of the whole device caused by external factors, so it will not contact other parts in the heating state, thus preventing accidental damage to the device and extending the life of the heating device. The heating air duct can be made of plastic material, reducing the material cost of the entire heating device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings are only used for the purpose of illustrating specific embodiments and are not to be considered as limiting the present invention. In the entire drawings, the same reference symbols represent the same components.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connection of the electric heater in the embodiment of the utility model;

[0022] Figure 2It is a schematic diagram of an electric heater installed in a heating air duct in an embodiment of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the laser radar heating component in an embodiment of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the laser radar housing in an embodiment of the utility model.

[0025] Figure markings: 1-heating wire; 2-fixing column; 3-support plate; 4-fixing screw; 5-nut; 6-assembly hole; 7-fan installation position, 8-air guide duct, 9-air outlet duct, 10-air outlet, 11-inner hollow plate, 12-radar heating component housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the accompanying drawings constitute a part of the present application and are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to illustrate the principles of the present invention.

[0027] In order to make the technical problems solved by the present invention, the technical solutions adopted and the technical effects achieved more clearly, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention,

[0028] All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0030] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0031] A specific embodiment of the utility model discloses an electric heater for heating an optical window of a laser radar; the electric heater is installed in a heating air duct located on the inner wall of a laser radar housing;

[0032] More specifically, a heating component for heating the laser radar optical window is arranged around the laser radar body, and a heating air duct is located on the inner wall of the shell of the heating component; so as to achieve the purpose of heating the laser radar without affecting the normal operation of the laser radar;

[0033] The electric heater heats the air in the heating air duct; the heated air is blown out to the radar optical window to defrost and defog the radar optical window;

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the electric heater includes a heating wire, a fixing column and a support plate;

[0035] The number of the heating wires is the same as the number of the fixing columns, and they correspond one to one; there are two support plates, and each support plate is provided with an assembly hole for installing the fixing column and the heating wire;

[0036] The heating wire is a spring-shaped coil, which generates heat after being powered on;

[0037] Each fixing column is placed in the middle of the corresponding coil; both ends of the fixing column are fixedly mounted on the fixing column assembly holes of the two support plates; fixing rings are provided at both ends of the heating wire, and the fixing rings at both ends of the heating wire are respectively mounted on the heating wire assembly holes of the two support plates.

[0038] Specifically, the number of heating wires in the electric heater is determined according to the thermal power required to be provided by the electric heater; the heating wires are arranged horizontally in the air supply direction of the heating air duct, and the air blown in along the direction perpendicular to the heating wires is gradually heated to improve the heating effect;

[0039] Preferably, the cross-section of the heating air duct in the air supply direction is rectangular; the long side of the rectangle is slightly larger than the length between the two support plates of the electric heater, leaving a margin for installation; according to the width of the short side of the rectangle, corresponding rows of fixing columns and assembly holes for the heating wires are set on the support plates, so that the heating wires are arranged according to the set number of rows to evenly heat the air passing through the air supply cross-section.

[0040] like Figure 1 The arrangement method provided is of two rows of heating wires, each row including two heating wires; the air in the air supply cross section is evenly heated by arranging the two rows in the cross-sectional direction; and the four heating wires heat the supplied air successively by arranging them in sequence in the air supply direction, thereby improving the air heating effect.

[0041] Preferably, the heating wire is made of metal resistance wire and is connected in parallel when powered.

[0042] The parallel connection mode can avoid affecting the normal operation of other heating wires when a certain heating wire fails, thereby improving the reliability of the electric heater.

[0043] Preferably, the fixing rings at both ends of the heating wire are connected to the corresponding heating wire assembly holes on the support plate by means of bolts.

[0044] Preferably, the two ends of the fixing column are fixed to the corresponding fixing column assembly holes on the support plate by gluing.

[0045] Preferably, the fixing column is made of ceramic or glass fiber.

[0046] like Figure 2 The figure shows an electric heater installed in a heating air duct.

[0047] like Figure 3 As shown, a fan is fixedly installed at the fan installation position at the inlet end of the heating air duct in the housing of the laser radar heating assembly to supply air to the heating air duct; the outlet end of the heating air duct is connected to the inlet end of the air guide duct; the outlet end of the air guide duct is connected to the air outlet duct; the air outlet duct is provided with a plurality of air outlets located around the radar optical window and facing the radar optical window.

[0048] Preferably, a fan, a heating air duct, an electric heater and an air guide duct are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of a laser radar housing; and the outlet ends of the air guide ducts on the left and right sides are respectively connected to the air outlet ducts, so as to increase the heating speed and reliability.

[0049] like Figure 4 As shown, a hollow plate buckle is installed on the outer side of the fan on the outer shell, and an air inlet is opened. An inner hollow plate is installed between the fan and the hollow buckle plate. A dustproof sponge is fixedly installed between the inner hollow plate and the hollow plate buckle to filter dust in the air and increase the life of the device.

[0050] Preferably, the fan, heating air duct, air guide duct, air outlet duct and housing are all made of heat-insulating plastic material, and PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) plastic is selected.

[0051] The above description is only a preferred specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by any technician familiar with the technical field within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric heater for heating a laser radar optical window, characterized in that: The electric heater is installed in a heating air duct located on the inner wall of the laser radar housing; the electric heater heats the air in the heating air duct; the heated air is blown out to the radar optical window to defrost and defog the radar optical window; The electric heater comprises a heating wire, a fixing column and a support plate; the number of the heating wires is the same as the number of the fixing columns and corresponds to each other; there are two support plates, each of which is provided with an assembly hole for installing the fixing column and the heating wire; The heating wire is a spring-shaped coil that generates heat after being powered on; each fixing column is placed in the middle of the corresponding coil; the two ends of the fixing column are respectively fixedly mounted on the fixing column assembly holes of the two support plates; fixing rings are provided at both ends of the heating wire, and the fixing rings at both ends of the heating wire are respectively mounted on the heating wire assembly holes of the two support plates.

2. The electric heater for heating the laser radar optical window according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating wires are arranged horizontally in the air supply direction of the heating air duct to sequentially heat the air blown in along a direction perpendicular to the heating wires.

3. The electric heater for heating the laser radar optical window according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cross section of the heating air duct in the air supply direction is rectangular; the long side of the rectangle is slightly larger than the length between the two support plates of the electric heater, leaving a margin for installation; corresponding rows of fixing columns and assembly holes for the heating wire are set on the support plate according to the width of the short side of the rectangle.

4. The electric heater for heating the laser radar optical window according to claim 3, characterized in that: The heating wires are connected in parallel when powered.

5. The electric heater for heating the laser radar optical window according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fixing rings at both ends of the heating wire are connected to the corresponding heating wire assembly holes on the support plate by bolts.

6. The electric heater for heating the laser radar optical window according to claim 4, characterized in that: The two ends of the fixing column are fixed to the corresponding fixing column assembly holes on the support plate by gluing.

7. The electric heater for heating the laser radar optical window according to claim 6, characterized in that: The fixing column is made of ceramic.

8. The electric heater for heating the laser radar optical window according to claim 6, characterized in that: The fixing column is made of fiberglass.

9. The electric heater for heating the laser radar optical window according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: A fan is fixedly installed at the inlet end of the heating air duct in the laser radar housing to supply air to the heating air duct; the outlet end of the heating air duct is connected to the inlet end of the air guide duct; the outlet end of the air guide duct is connected to the air outlet duct; the air outlet duct is provided with multiple air outlets located around the radar optical window and facing the radar optical window.

10. The electric heater for heating the laser radar optical window according to claim 9, characterized in that: The fan, heating air duct, air guide duct, air outlet duct and shell are all made of heat-insulating plastic material.

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