Lidar system for vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to a laser radar system used for a vehicle, comprising a housing provided with an opening; a lidar configured to slide in a front-back direction within the housing and selectively deploy to the outside through the opening; a guide bracket disposed on the first side surface and the second side surface of the lidar and configured to guide a sliding movement of the lidar; a locking unit configured to lock the lidar such that the deployed lidar is prevented from being pushed into the housing by an external force in a locked state; and an unlocking unit configured to switch the locking unit from the locked state to the unlocked state. The lidar system for the vehicle can prevent the lidar from being contaminated by deploying the lidar outside the vehicle only when operation of the lidar is required.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the development of vehicle technologies, the demand for functions such as automatic parking and autonomous driving is increasing day by day. To implement these functions, the demand for lidar (LiDAR) is also increasing. Generally, a lidar is mounted on a structure such as a bumper or a grille of a vehicle and detects an object or a structure by sensing the front and rear of the vehicle. However, since the lidar is mounted in a state of being exposed to the outside of the vehicle, when the vehicle moves, foreign substances such as dust may adhere to the surface. As a result, problems such as a decrease in the measurement accuracy of the sensor and the non-recognition of the surrounding environment itself occur. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] The present utility model aims to provide a lidar system for a vehicle, which can prevent the lidar from being contaminated by deploying the lidar outside the vehicle only when the lidar needs to operate (such as in an autonomous driving mode).

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

[0005] According to an aspect of the present utility model, there is provided a lidar system for a vehicle, including: a housing having an opening; a lidar configured to slide in the housing in a first direction and selectively deployed to the outside through the opening; a guiding bracket provided on a first side surface and a second side surface of the lidar and configured to guide the sliding movement of the lidar; a locking unit configured to lock the lidar so as to prevent the deployed lidar from being pushed into the housing by an external force in a locked state; and an unlocking unit for switching the locking unit from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0006] Each of the guiding brackets may include a track extending toward the opening in the first direction, and a locking groove for locking the locking unit is formed on a surface of the track facing the lidar.

[0007] The locking unit may include: a fixed frame fixed to the rear surface of the lidar and including a first receiving groove opened toward the track; a stopper configured to move in the first receiving groove in a second direction; and a first spring configured to apply an elastic force to the stopper in the first receiving groove so that the stopper maintains a state of protruding from the first receiving groove toward the track.

[0008] In a state where the front end portion of the stopper is pushed into the first receiving groove by contacting the surface of the track, the locking unit remains in an unlocked state, and wherein the locking unit can be configured to: when the front end portion of the stopper is inserted into the locking groove, the stopper protrudes from the first receiving groove by the elasticity of the compressed first spring and is locked in the locking groove, and the locking unit switches from the unlocked state to the locked state.

[0009] The stopper includes a first body and a second body. The first body includes an inclined surface that is inclined toward the track. The second body extends horizontally from the first body, and the first spring is disposed around the second body.

[0010] The second body is configured to extend through the bottom of the fixed frame within the first receiving groove, and an elastically deformable locking structure is formed at the end portion of the second body.

[0011] The unlocking unit may include: a stopper guide, configured to be movable in the locking groove in a first direction; a fixed cover having a second receiving groove for receiving the stopper guide, and the fixed cover is fixed to an inner space of one of the guide brackets that is connected to the locking groove; and a second spring, configured to apply an elastic force to the stopper guide within the second receiving groove such that the stopper guide remains in a state of moving forward toward the opening within the locking groove.

[0012] The stopper guide may include a third body and a fourth body. The third body is divided into a front end portion and a rear end portion. The front end portion of the third body includes an inclined surface that is inclined from the locking groove toward the lidar. The rear end portion of the third body is received in the second receiving groove of the fixed cover within the inner space, and the fourth body extends vertically from the rear end portion of the third body, and the second spring may be disposed around the fourth body.

[0013] The fixed cover may include a locking protrusion for preventing the stopper guide received within the second receiving groove from separating.

[0014] The lidar may include track holes that are coupled to the track and are located on a first side surface and a second side surface.

[0015] The lidar system for a vehicle provided by the present utility model can prevent the lidar from being contaminated by deploying the lidar outside the vehicle only when the lidar needs to operate (such as in an autonomous driving mode). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a view schematically showing a lidar system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0017] Figure 2is a view schematically showing components of a lidar system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 is a view schematically showing a first link unit and a gear unit connected to a door;

[0019] Figure 4 is a view schematically showing a lower cover of a housing including a guide groove and a sliding groove;

[0020] Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a view schematically showing states in which a door closes an opening and opens the opening respectively by operation of a first link unit;

[0021] Figure 7 is a view schematically showing a lidar, a guide bracket, a locking unit, and an unlocking unit;

[0022] Figure 8 is a view exemplarily showing a locking unit attached to a lidar;

[0023] Figure 9 is a view schematically showing a locking unit and an unlocking unit in an unlocked state;

[0024] Figure 10 is a view exemplarily showing a locking unit and an unlocking unit in a locked state;

[0025] Figure 11 is a view showing an operation in which a locking unit is switched to an unlocked state;

[0026] Figure 12 is a view showing an operation of a second lower gear in an operation section and an idle section of a first lower gear;

[0027] Figure 13 is a view showing an operation of a second lower gear and a second upper gear according to rotations of a first lower gear and a first upper gear;

[0028] Figure 14 is a view showing an operation state in which a door opens an opening; and

[0029] Figure 15 is a view showing an operation state in which a lidar is deployed to the outside through an opening.

[0030] Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described or provided, the same or similar reference numerals can be understood to refer to the same or similar elements, features, and structures. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative dimensions, proportions, and descriptions of elements in the drawings may be enlarged for clarity, illustration, and convenience. Detailed Description

[0031] The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and / or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and / or systems described herein will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of this application. For example, the sequences of operations described herein are merely examples, and except for operations that must occur in a specific order, the sequences of operations described are not limited to those set forth herein but may be changed, as will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of this application.

[0032] The features described herein may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples described herein. Instead, the examples described herein are provided only to illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing the methods, apparatuses, and / or systems described herein that will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of this application.

[0033] Referring to the embodiments described in detail below and the drawings, the advantages and features of the present disclosure and the methods of achieving the advantages and features will become apparent. 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 be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. At the same time, the terms used in this specification are used to explain the embodiments and not to limit the present disclosure.

[0034] 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 essence, order, or sequence of the corresponding component but is merely used to distinguish the corresponding component from other components. For example, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component.

[0035] Throughout the specification, when a component is described as "connected to" or "coupled to" another component, it may be directly "connected to" or "coupled to" the other component, or there may be one or more other components intervening therebetween. In contrast, when an element is described as "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element, there are no other elements therebetween.

[0036] In the description of the embodiments, when any one element is described as being formed on or under another element, such description includes cases where the two elements are formed in direct contact with each other and cases where the two elements are in indirect contact with each other via one or more other elements interposed between the two elements. In addition, when one element is described as being formed on or under another element, such description may include cases where one element is formed on the upper side or the lower side with respect to the other element.

[0037] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms. It should also be understood that when used herein, the terms "comprises / comprising" and / or "includes / including" refer to the presence of the stated features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present utility model will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in all the drawings, the same or corresponding components will be denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0039] Figures 1 to 13 Schematically shown is a lidar system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present utility model and components constituting the lidar system for a vehicle.

[0040] The lidar system 1 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present utility model can be mounted on a structure of a vehicle (not shown). For example, the lidar system 1 can be mounted on the back of a grille, a bumper cover, etc. of the vehicle.

[0041] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the lidar system 1 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present utility model may include a housing 100, a door 200, a lidar 300, a first link unit 400, a second link unit 500, and a gear unit 600.

[0042] 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 this internal space.

[0043] An opening 111 may be formed in a front cover 110 which is the front part of the housing 100, and first guide grooves 121 and 131 may be respectively formed in an upper cover 120 and a lower cover 130. In addition, a second guide groove 132 may be formed in the lower cover 130.

[0044] The housing 100 can be arranged such that in a state where it is mounted on a grille or a bumper cover, the opening 111 is exposed through the grille or the bumper cover.

[0045] The door 200 and the lidar 300 can be arranged inside the housing 100 and configured to move in combination with each other to be alternately arranged at the opening 111.

[0046] That is, when the vehicle is not in the autonomous driving mode, the lidar 300 is stored inside the housing 100, and the opening 111 is closed by arranging the door 200 at the opening 111, and thus the lidar 300 is prevented from being contaminated or damaged by external foreign objects. Then, when the vehicle switches to the autonomous driving mode, the door 200 opens the opening 111, and the lidar 300 stored inside the housing 100 is arranged at the opening 111 to be deployed to the outside through the opening 111.

[0047] The door 200 is arranged in the housing 100 and configured to slide along the first guide grooves 121 and 131 to selectively open or close the opening 111.

[0048] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the door 200 can have guide pins 210 respectively connected to the first guide grooves 121 and 131 located on the upper surface and the lower surface.

[0049] The guide pins 210 can be arranged in a structure protruding respectively from the upper surface and the lower surface of the door 200, and the door 200 can slide along the trajectories provided by the first guide grooves 121 and 131 through the guide pins 210.

[0050] The first guide grooves 121 and 131 can include: a first moving section L1 linearly arranged in the left - right direction behind the opening 111; and a second moving section L2 extending curvedly from the first moving section L1 toward the opening 111 in the front - back direction.

[0051] Therefore, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, in a state where the door 200 is arranged at the opening 111 to close the opening 111, the door 200 can open the opening 111 by moving backward along the second moving section L2 toward the inside of the housing 100 and then moving right (or left) along the first moving section L1, and the door 200 can be hidden on the back of the front cover 110. In addition, the door 200 can close the opening 111 by moving left (or right) along the first moving section L1 and then moving forward along the second moving section L2 toward the outside of the housing 100.

[0052] The door 200 can have a stop protrusion 220 on each of the two side surfaces.

[0053] The stopper projection 220 can be used to prevent the door 200 from moving further forward by being set to contact the back of the front cover 110 when the door 200 is disposed at the opening 111 to close the opening 111.

[0054] The lidar 300 is configured to slide in the front - rear direction within the housing 100 and be selectively deployed to the outside through the opening 111.

[0055] As Figures 7 to 11 shown, the guide brackets 140 can be disposed within the housing 100 such that the lidar 300 can slide back and forth. A pair of guide brackets 140 can be provided, which are disposed on the left and right surfaces of the lidar 300 and are configured to guide the sliding movement of the lidar 300.

[0056] The locking unit 800 can be attached to the lidar 300, and the locking unit 800 can be configured to lock the sliding movement of the lidar 300 together with the guide brackets 140.

[0057] In addition, the unlocking unit 900 can be attached to the guide brackets 140, and the unlocking unit 900 can be configured to switch the locking unit 800 from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0058] First, each guide bracket 140 can have a track 141 extending in the front - rear direction toward the opening 111. In addition, the lidar 300 can have track holes 310 coupled to the track 141 on two side surfaces.

[0059] The track holes 310 each have a structure that is open in the front - rear direction, such that the lidar 300 can reciprocate in the front - rear direction along the trajectory provided by the track 141 in a state where the track 141 is coupled to the track holes 310.

[0060] The locking groove 142 in which the locking unit 800 is locked can be formed on the surface of the track 141 facing the lidar 300. The locking groove 142 can be positioned at the front of the track 141 adjacent to the opening 111 and can be formed to penetrate the track 141 to connect to the internal space 143 of the guide bracket 140.

[0061] The locking unit 800 is attached to the rear surface of the lidar 300 and locks the lidar 300 in the deployed state of the lidar 300, thereby preventing the lidar 300 from being pushed into the housing 100 by an external force.

[0062] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the locking unit 800 can include a fixed frame 810, a stopper 820, and a first spring 830.

[0063] The fixing frame 810 can be fixed to the rear surface of the lidar 300 and can have a first receiving groove 811 that opens toward the rail 141.

[0064] The stopper 820 can be arranged to move in the left - right direction within the first receiving groove 811. That is, the stopper 820 can move forward or backward within the first receiving groove 811 toward the rail 141.

[0065] In an example, the stopper 820 can include a first body 821 and a second body 822 extending from the first body 821.

[0066] The first body 821 can have an inclined surface S1 that is inclined toward the rail 141. In addition, the first body 821 can be arranged in the first receiving groove 811 in such a structure that the inclined surface S1 faces the opening 111 in front of the rail 141.

[0067] The second body 822 can have a rod - like structure that extends longitudinally along the first receiving groove 811 and protrudes horizontally from the first body 821.

[0068] The second body 822 can be arranged to extend through the bottom of the fixing frame 810 within the first receiving groove 811. In addition, a locking structure 822a that can elastically deform is formed at the end of the second body 822 that passes through the fixing frame 810.

[0069] The locking structure 822a, which is arranged to be separated by partially cutting the end of the second body 822, can prevent the stopper 820 from separating from the first receiving groove 811.

[0070] The first spring 830 can apply an elastic force to the stopper 820 within the first receiving groove 811 so that the stopper 820 remains in a state of protruding from the first receiving groove 811 toward the rail 141.

[0071] The first spring 830 can be a helical spring and can be arranged around the second body 822 within the first receiving groove 811. In addition, when the stopper 820 moves, the first spring 830 can be compressed between the first body 821 and the bottom of the fixing frame 810.

[0072] As Figure 9 shown, in a state where the front end of the stopper 820 is pushed into the first receiving groove 811 by contacting the surface of the rail 141, the locking unit 800 remains in an unlocked state. Therefore, in the unlocked state, the lidar 300 can slide in the front - rear direction along the rail 141.

[0073] In addition, as Figure 10As shown, when the lidar 300 moves and the front end of the stopper 820 is inserted into the locking groove 142, the stopper 820 protrudes from the first receiving groove 811 due to the elasticity of the compressed first spring 830 and is locked in the locking groove 142, and the locking unit 800 switches to the locked state. Therefore, in the locked state, the lidar 300 does not move backward along the track 141.

[0074] The unlocking unit 900 may include a stopper guide 910, a fixed cover 920, and a second spring 930, and the unlocking unit may switch the locking unit 800 from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0075] The stopper guide 910 may be arranged to move in the front-rear direction within the locking groove 142. The fixed cover 920 may have a second receiving groove 921 for receiving the stopper guide 910, and the fixed cover may be fixed to the inner space 143 of the guide bracket 140 connected to the locking groove 142. In addition, the second spring 930 may apply an elastic force to the stopper guide 910 within the second receiving groove 921 to keep the stopper guide 910 in a state of moving forward toward the opening 111 in the locking groove 142.

[0076] Specifically, the stopper guide 910 may include a third body 911 and a fourth body 912. The third body is divided into a front end 911a and a rear end 911b. The front end has an inclined surface S2 inclined from the locking groove 142 toward the lidar 300. The rear end is received in the second receiving groove 921 of the fixed cover 920 located in the inner space 143. The fourth body extends vertically from the rear end 911b of the third body 911.

[0077] That is to say, the third body 911 may be arranged in a structure extending through the locking groove 142 and the inner space 143 toward the lidar 300, and the fourth body 912 may be arranged in a structure extending from the third body 911 parallel to the side surface of the lidar 300. In this case, the third body 911 may be arranged in the second receiving groove 921 in such a structure that the inclined surface S2 faces the opening 111 in front of the track 141, and the fourth body 912 may be arranged in a structure extending through the fixed cover 920 within the second receiving groove 921.

[0078] The second spring 930 may be a helical spring and may be arranged around the fourth body 912 within the second receiving groove 921. In addition, when the stopper guide 910 moves, the second spring 930 may be compressed between the third body 911 and the fixed cover 920.

[0079] The fixed cover 920 may have a locking protrusion 922 for preventing the separation of the stopper guide 910 accommodated in the second accommodation groove 921. Thus, in a state where the stopper guide 910 is prevented from separating to the outside by being accommodated in the second accommodation groove 921 of the fixed cover 920, the stopper guide 910 may move in the front-rear direction within the locking groove 142 by the second spring 930.

[0080] Reference Figure 9 , the stopper guide 910 may be set based on a state of moving forward within the locking groove 142 by the second spring 930 as a basis. In addition, when an external force is applied by the stopper 820 of the locking unit 800, the stopper guide 910 may move backward within the locking groove 142 and then return to its initial state by the elasticity of the second spring 930.

[0081] Will refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 Describe the operation of the unlocking unit 900 in combination with the locking unit 800.

[0082] As Figure 10 shown, when the locking unit 800 moves to the front of the rail 141 together with the lidar 300 and the stopper 820 of the locking unit 800 is inserted into the locking groove 142, the stopper 820 moves to the left by the elasticity of the first spring 830, protrudes from the first accommodation groove 811, and is locked in the locking groove 142. In the locked state of the locking unit 800, the stopper 820 is arranged in the locking groove 142 in such a structure that the inclined surface S1 contacts the front end portion of the stopper guide 910 at the rear portion of the stopper guide 910. In addition, when the first body 821 of the stopper 820 is locked in the locking groove 142, the backward movement of the lidar 300 is restricted.

[0083] In order to move the lidar 300 backward and store the lidar 300 in the housing 100, a process of additionally moving the lidar 300 forward a predetermined distance and switching the locking unit 800 to the unlocked state through the unlocking unit 900 is required.

[0084] As Figure 11 shown, when the lidar 300 is additionally moved forward by about 10 mm, the stopper 820 contacting the front end portion of the stopper guide 910 gradually moves to the right by being pushed by the stopper guide 910 along the inclined surface S1, and the stopper is stored in the first accommodation groove 811, and after the stopper 820 passes the stopper guide 910, the stopper 820 protrudes from the first accommodation groove 811 such that the front end portion of the stopper 820 is arranged to contact the inclined surface S2 of the stopper guide 910.

[0085] Next, when the lidar 300 moves backward toward the interior of the housing 100, the stopper 820 moves backward while pushing the inclined surface S2 of the stopper guide 910, and thus, the stopper guide 910 moves backward in the locking groove 142.

[0086] After the stopper guide 910 finishes moving to the rear of the locking groove 142, the stopper 820 in contact with the inclined surface S2 of the stopper guide 910 is pushed by the stopper guide 910 along the inclined surface S2, gradually moves to the right, and is stored in the first receiving groove 811. After the stopper 820 passes the stopper guide 910, the front end portion of the stopper 820 emerging from the locking groove 142 is set to a structure in contact with the surface of the track 141, and the locking unit 800 is switched to the unlocked state. Then, when the stopper guide 910 disengages from contact with the stopper 820, the stopper guide 910 returns to the front of the locking groove 142 again by the elasticity of the second spring 930.

[0087] In this way, the stopper 820 of the locking unit 800 can be inserted into the locking groove 142 and locked in the state where the lidar 300 is deployed forward, and thus, the lidar 300 can be prevented from being pushed backward by an external force in the locked state of the locking unit 800. Then, by allowing the stopper 820 to cooperate with the stopper guide 910 of the unlocking unit 900 to come out of the locking groove 142, the locking unit 800 can be switched to the unlocked state.

[0088] The sliding movement of the door 200 and the lidar 300 can be achieved by the first link unit 400, the second link unit 500, and the gear unit 600.

[0089] The first link unit 400 can be connected to the door 200 and configured to slide the door 200.

[0090] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the first link unit 400 can include a guide link 410, a connecting link 420, a first door driving link 430, and a second door driving link 440.

[0091] A pair of guide links 410 can be provided, and one end of the pair of guide links can be rotatably connected to one side and the other side of the bottom surface of the door 200 relative to the guide pins 210, respectively, and the other end of the pair of guide links can be provided with sliding pins 411 and connected to the second guide groove 132 provided in the lower cover 130 of the housing 100. Each sliding pin 411 can be set to a structure protruding downward from the lower surface of the guide link at the other end of the guide link 410.

[0092] One end and the other end of the connecting link 420 can be rotatably connected to the other ends of a pair of guide links 410 respectively. In this case, the connecting link 420 can be connected to the other surface of the guide link 410 opposite to the surface where the sliding pin 411 is disposed at the other end of the guide link 410. That is, the connecting link 420 can be connected to the upper surface of the guide link at the other end of the guide link 410.

[0093] The first door drive link 430 can be connected to the gear unit 600 and rotated by the power of the actuator 700 transmitted via the gear unit 600. In an example, one end of the first door drive link 430 can be 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 the rotation axis.

[0094] One end of the second door drive link 440 is rotatably connected to the other end of the first door drive link 430, and the other end of the second door drive link 440 is rotatably connected to the connecting link 420.

[0095] The second door drive link 440 converts the rotational movement of the first door drive link 430 into a linear movement in the left - right direction relative to the opening 111 by cooperating with the connecting link 420, and causes the guide link 410 to linearly reciprocate along the second guide groove 132 together with the connecting link 420, thereby realizing the sliding movement of the door 200 in the left - right direction. In this case, the door 200 slides while keeping its front surface facing forward.

[0096] The second link unit 500 can be connected to the lidar 300 and configured to slide the lidar 300.

[0097] As Figure 3 shown, the second link unit 500 can include a first lidar drive link 510 and a second lidar drive link 520.

[0098] The first lidar drive link 510 can be connected to the gear unit 600 and rotated by the power of the actuator 700 transmitted via the gear unit 600. In an example, one end of the first lidar drive link 510 can be 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 the rotation axis.

[0099] One end of the second lidar drive link 520 is rotatably connected to the other end of the first lidar drive link 510, and the other end of the second lidar drive link 520 is rotatably connected to the lidar 300.

[0100] The second lidar drive link 520 enables the sliding movement of the lidar 300 in the front - rear direction by converting the rotational movement of the first lidar drive link 510 into a linear movement in the front - rear direction with respect to the opening 111.

[0101] The gear unit 600 can be configured to transmit the power of the actuator 700 to the first link unit 400 and the second link unit 500.

[0102] The gear unit 600 can include a first gear unit 601 and a second gear unit 602.

[0103] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the first gear unit 601 can rotate by being connected to the actuator 700, and the second gear unit 602 can 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.

[0104] The first gear unit 601 can include a first shaft 610 connected to the actuator 700, a first lower gear 620A provided at the lower portion of the first shaft 610, and a first upper gear 620B provided at the 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.

[0105] The second gear unit 602 can include a second shaft 630 provided in parallel with the first shaft 610, a second lower gear 640A provided at the lower portion of the second shaft 630, and a second upper gear 640B provided at the upper portion of the second shaft 630. The second lower gear 640A and the second upper gear 640B are each rotatably connected to the second shaft 630 and are configured to rotate independently.

[0106] The first lower gear 620A and the second lower gear 640A can be engaged with each other, and the first upper gear 620B and the second upper gear 640B can be engaged with each other.

[0107] The second lower gear 640A can be connected to the first link unit 400, and the second upper gear 640B can be connected to the second link unit 500. Specifically, the second lower gear 640A can be connected to the first door drive link 430 of the first link unit 400, and the second upper gear 640B can be connected to the first lidar drive link 510 of the second link unit 500. In this case, the first door drive link 430 can be assembled into the second lower gear 640A to form a binding, and the first lidar drive link 510 can be assembled into the second upper gear 640B to form a binding.

[0108] The first shaft 610 rotates with one of its ends 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 engages with the first lower gear 620A and rotates about the second shaft 630, and the second upper gear 640B engages with the first upper gear 620B and rotates about the second shaft 630.

[0109] Reference Figure 12 , the outer peripheral surfaces of the first lower gear 620A and the first upper gear 620B may be respectively divided into an operating section R1 in which the first teeth 621 are formed and an idle section R2 in which the rims 622 are formed. Specifically, the first teeth 621 may be formed in a section of a part of the outer peripheral surface of each of the first lower gear 620A and the first upper gear 620B, and the rims 622 may be formed in the remaining part. In addition, a part of the section in which the first teeth 621 are formed may correspond to the operating section R1, and the remaining section in which the rims 622 are formed may correspond to the idle section R2.

[0110] The rim 622 may be formed in a structure that radially protrudes from the upper part of the first tooth 621. That is, the rim 622 may be positioned at a higher level than the first tooth 621. In addition, the rim 622 may have an outer surface that protrudes and is curved in an arc shape.

[0111] Each of the second lower gear 640A and the second upper gear 640B may include second teeth 641 formed on its outer peripheral surface and engaging with the first teeth 621, and may include a contact member 642 that contacts the rim 622. Specifically, the second teeth 641 may be formed along the outer peripheral surface of each of the second lower gear 640A and the second upper gear 640B, and the contact member 642 may be formed in a structure that radially protrudes from the upper part of the second teeth 641.

[0112] In an example, at least one contact member 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 two contact members 642 provided at a predetermined interval, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the contact member 642 may have an outer surface that is recessed and curved in an arc shape corresponding to the shape of the outer surface of the rim 622.

[0113] As 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, causing the second lower gear 640A and the second upper gear 640B to 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.

[0114] In addition, the rim 622 of each of the first lower gear 620A and the first upper gear 620B contacts the contact member 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, when the second tooth 641 does not engage with the first tooth 621, and the contact member 642 and the rim 622 slide against each other in a state of being in 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 idle.

[0115] Meanwhile, the operation sections R1 in the first lower gear 620A and the first upper gear 620B can be arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction. Specifically, when viewed approximately from above the first shaft 610, the operation section R1 provided with the first tooth 621 of the first lower gear 620A and the operation section R1 provided with the first tooth 621 of the first upper gear 620B can be arranged not to overlap each other but to be offset. For example, the operation sections can be arranged such that based on the clockwise direction, the operation section R1 of the first upper gear 620B starts after the operation section R1 of the first lower gear 620A ends.

[0116] Therefore, as Figure 13 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 operation section R1 of the first lower gear 620A and the operation section R1 of the first upper gear 620B.

[0117] That is, the second lower gear 640A that meets the operation section R1 of the first lower gear 620A rotates together with the first lower gear 620A, and the second upper gear 640B that meets the idling section R2 of the first upper gear 620B stops in a non-rotating state, and only the first upper gear 620B idles.

[0118] In addition, the second lower gear 640A that meets the idling section R2 of the first lower gear 620A is stopped in a non-rotating state, only the first lower gear 620A idles, and the second upper gear 640B that meets the operating section R1 of the first upper gear 620B rotates together with the first upper gear 620B.

[0119] Conversely, 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.

[0120] Reference will be made to Figure 14 and Figure 15 describe the operation of a lidar system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] Figure 14 is an operation view showing the state of the door opening, and Figure 15 is an operation view showing the state of the lidar deployed to the outside through the opening.

[0122] As Figure 14 shown, when the actuator 700 operates and the first gear unit 601 rotates, the second lower gear 640A engaged with the operating section R1 of the first lower gear 620A rotates and moves the first link unit 400, so that the door 200 connected to the first link unit 400 slides, thereby opening the opening 111.

[0123] When the first upper gear 620B idles, the second upper gear 640B engaged with the idling section R2 of the first upper gear 620B stops without rotating, and the lidar 300 connected to the second link unit 500 maintains the state stored in the housing 100.

[0124] As Figure 15 shown, in the state where the door 200 opens the opening 111, when the first lower gear 620A idles, the second lower gear 640A engaged with the idling section R2 of the first lower gear 620A stops without rotating, and when the second upper gear 640B engaged with the first upper gear 620B in the operating section R1 rotates and moves the second link unit 500, the lidar 300 connected to the second link unit 500 slides and is deployed to the outside through the opening 111. Then, when the autonomous driving mode ends, the actuator 700 operates, and when the first gear unit 601 rotates in the opposite direction, the second upper gear 640B rotates first and stores the lidar 300 inside the housing 100 in combination with the second link unit 500, and the second lower gear 640A rotates in combination with the first link unit 400 and slides the door 200, thereby closing the opening 111.

[0125] As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, by configuring the lidar 300 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 300 can be prevented from deteriorating due to contamination by external foreign substances.

[0126] In addition, in a state where the lidar 300 is stored, by using the door 200 to block the opening 111 through which the lidar 300 is deployed to the outside, the lidar 300 can be protected from the external environment, and design differences on the outside of the vehicle due to the opening 111 being opened can be prevented. In addition, the locking unit 800 can be switched from the locked state to the unlocked state by the unlocking unit 900.

[0127] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a lidar system for a vehicle can be provided, which can prevent the lidar from being contaminated by deploying the lidar outside the vehicle only when lidar operation is required (such as in the autonomous driving mode).

[0128] This application claims the priority and benefits of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0110608, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on August 23, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0129] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

Claims

1. A laser radar system for a vehicle, characterized in that: The laser radar system comprises: a housing having an opening; a laser radar configured to slide in a first direction within the housing and to be selectively deployed to the outside of the housing through the opening; A guide bracket, disposed on a first side surface and a second side surface of the laser radar and configured to guide the sliding movement of the laser radar; a locking unit configured to lock the laser radar so that the deployed laser radar is prevented from being pushed into the housing by an external force in a locked state; and The unlocking unit is configured to switch the locking unit from the locked state to the unlocked state.

2. The laser radar system for a vehicle according to claim 1, It is characterized in that Each of the guide brackets includes a track extending in a first direction toward the opening, and A locking groove is formed on a surface of the rail facing the laser radar, and the locking unit is locked to the locking groove.

3. The laser radar system for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking unit comprises: a fixed frame fixed to the rear surface of the laser radar and comprising a first receiving groove open toward the track; a stopper, configured to be movable in the first receiving groove along a second direction; and The first spring is configured to apply elastic force to the stopper in the first receiving groove so that the stopper maintains a state of protruding from the first receiving groove toward the rail.

4. The laser radar system for a vehicle according to claim 3, It is characterized in that In a state where the front end portion of the stopper is pushed into the first receiving groove by contacting the surface of the rail, the locking unit maintains the unlocked state, and Wherein, the locking unit is configured as follows: when the front end portion of the stopper is inserted into the locking groove, the elasticity of the compressed first spring causes the stopper to protrude from the first accommodating groove and be locked in the locking groove, and the locking unit switches from the unlocked state to the locked state.

5. The laser radar system for a vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The stopper includes a first body and a second body, the first body including an inclined surface inclined toward the rail, the second body horizontally extending from the first body, and the first spring is disposed around the second body.

6. The laser radar system for a vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second body is configured as a structure extending through the bottom of the fixing frame in the first receiving groove, and an elastically deformable locking structure is formed at a terminal end of the second body.

7. The laser radar system for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The unlocking unit comprises: a stopper guide configured to be movable in the locking groove along a first direction; a fixed cover including a second receiving groove for receiving the stopper guide, and the fixed cover is fixed to an inner space of one of the guide brackets connected to the locking groove; and The second spring is configured to apply elastic force to the stopper guide located in the second receiving groove so that the stopper guide is maintained in a state of moving forward toward the opening in the locking groove.

8. The laser radar system for a vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that: The stopper guide includes a third body and a fourth body, the third body is divided into a front end and a rear end, the front end of the third body includes an inclined surface inclined from the locking groove toward the laser radar, the rear end of the third body is accommodated in the second accommodating groove of the fixing cover located in the internal space, and the fourth body extends vertically from the rear end of the third body, and the second spring is arranged around the fourth body.

9. The laser radar system for a vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that: The fixing cover includes a locking protrusion for preventing the stopper guide accommodated in the second accommodation groove from being separated.

10. The laser radar system for a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The laser radar includes track holes coupled to the track on the first side surface and the second side surface.

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