Cleaning device for a vehicle's environmental detection system

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device (10; 10a) for an environment detection device (100) of a vehicle, comprising a housing (12) which forms a viewing area (16) for a sensor (102) in the area of ​​a viewing window (14), with a wiper blade (22) movable along the viewing window (14) for cleaning the viewing area (16), wherein the wiper blade (22) is coupled to a drive mechanism (30; 30a) which can be driven by an electric motor (66), wherein the drive mechanism (30; 30a) is configured to move the wiper blade (22) back and forth between two reversal positions (18, 20).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning device for an environment detection device of a vehicle, which is characterized by a particularly robust and low-maintenance design. State of the art

[0002] From DE 10 2020 122 332 A1, a cleaning device for an environment detection device of a vehicle with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known. The known cleaning device is characterized by a wiper blade that can be moved along a field of vision of a viewing window, wherein the wiper blade is coupled to a drive mechanism that moves the wiper blade back and forth between two reversing positions. Furthermore, the drive mechanism has a support element for the wiper blade in a region close to the wiper blade, wherein the support element is arranged such that it can be moved along a guide in order to achieve a linear movement of the wiper blade between the two reversing positions with constant contact pressure against the viewing window. Such guides and support elements arranged close to the field of vision or the viewing window can become dirty or dirty relatively easily.Collect foreign particles, which can be detrimental to the function of the guide of the carrier element and thus also of the cleaning device, particularly over the operating life of the vehicle. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] The cleaning device according to the invention for an environment detection device of a vehicle with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that it operates in a particularly reliable and low-maintenance manner by dispensing with a carrier element for the wiper blade arranged in guides or similar elements that are prone to soiling.

[0004] The invention is based on the idea of ​​arranging the support element connected to the wiper blade in a freely suspended manner by means of two coupling gears connected to the support element, i.e., without direct contact with other, dirt-sensitive components. The linear movement path is enabled solely through the structural arrangement and design of the two coupling gears. This makes it possible to dispense with the guides known from the prior art for the support element holding the wiper blade in the area of ​​the viewing window.

[0005] Against the background of the above explanations, it is therefore provided in a cleaning device according to the invention for an environment detection device of a vehicle with the features of claim 1 that the drive mechanism, which serves to move the wiper blade between the two reversing positions, has a carrier element connected to the wiper blade. The carrier element has two axes for connection to two coupling gears, the coupling member of which facing away from the carrier element is each fastened to a fixedly arranged fastening point forming a further axis. Finally, the two coupling gears are designed to generate a rectilinear movement path of the carrier element running parallel to the viewing window.

[0006] Advantageous further developments of the cleaning device according to the invention for an environment recognition device of a vehicle are listed in the subclaims.

[0007] Preferably, the two coupling mechanisms are each designed as three-link or four-link coupling mechanisms. Such coupling mechanisms enable the desired movement of the wiper blade with constant contact pressure on the window in a relatively simple manner.

[0008] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred if the two coupling gears are designed identically. This creates the desired linear movement of the wiper blade or the carrier element when the two coupling gears are positioned offset from one another along a wiper blade's longitudinal axis.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of such identical coupling mechanisms, the two axes and the two further axes of the coupling mechanisms are equally spaced from each other in a direction perpendicular and parallel to the movement path of the carrier element. This enables the carrier element to execute the desired rectilinear movement path without tilting.

[0010] To drive the carrier element or the two coupling gears, the electric motor is connected to a coupling element of one of the two coupling gears. This reduces the structural complexity of coupling the drive to the coupling gears.

[0011] The electric motor for driving the drive mechanism is preferably designed as a linear motor. Alternatively, the electric motor can also be provided with an output shaft whose rotary motion is converted into a linear motion via an intermediate gear. The linear motion of the electric motor or linear motor is required to move the drive mechanism or the coupling element of one of the two coupling gears back and forth.

[0012] It is further preferred if the environment detection device is designed in the form of a lidar device.

[0013] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the drawings. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show, in schematic representations, differently designed cleaning devices as part of an environment detection device of a vehicle. Embodiments of the invention

[0014] Identical elements or elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0015] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows a highly simplified representation of an environment detection device 100 of a vehicle. The environment detection device 100 is used to detect the surroundings of a vehicle, particularly in connection with autonomous or semi-autonomous driving of the vehicle.

[0016] The environment detection device 100 is designed in particular in the form of a lidar device and for this purpose has a lidar sensor 102, the signals of which are fed to a control device (not shown) as an input variable.

[0017] The one in the Fig. The lidar sensor 102, shown only in a simplified or symbolic manner in Figure 1, is arranged in the region of a cleaning device 10, preferably within a housing 12 of the cleaning device 10, shown in detail. The housing 12 has a viewing window 14 with a field of view 16 that is transparent to the lidar sensor 102 in order to detect the surroundings of the vehicle.

[0018] In order to ensure the function of the environment detection device 100 or the lidar sensor 102, in particular when dirt occurs or when it rains or rains, the cleaning device 10 has, in a manner known per se, a Fig. 1 drawn straight lines marked reversing positions 18, 20 back and forth movable wiper blade 22 with a perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of the Fig. 1 running wiper blade longitudinal axis 24.

[0019] In addition, it is mentioned that the cleaning device 10 further comprises at least one cleaning nozzle or similar device which is designed to spray a cleaning liquid in the area of ​​at least the field of view 16 of the viewing window 14 in order to remove or loosen, in particular, even stubborn or strongly adhering dirt.

[0020] A drive mechanism 30 is used to move the wiper blade 22 between the two reversing positions 18 and 20 along a movement path 26 running parallel to the plane of the viewing window 14. The drive mechanism 30 comprises a connecting element 32 which is connected to the wiper blade 22 via a connecting element 32 which, in the exemplary embodiment, is approximately U- or V-shaped in cross section and which is connected to a block-shaped support element 34. The support element 34 is arranged on the side of the viewing window 14 facing away from the wiper blade 22. In order to connect the wiper blade 22 to the support element 34 via the connecting element 32, the connecting element 32 is connected to the support element 34 via a connecting element 32 which is parallel to the plane of the drawing. Fig. 1, is connected to the support element 34. This creates a connection between the interior of the housing 12 and the external environment, through which dirt particles or the like can enter the housing 12.

[0021] In order to generate the desired linear movement path 26, i.e., parallel to the plane of the viewing window 14, it is necessary that the support element 34 and the connecting element 32 are also moved in the direction of the double arrow 36 at a constant distance or along a linear movement path. For this purpose, the support element 34 is connected to two identically designed coupling gears 40, 42. The two coupling gears 40, 42 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Fig. 1 direction are arranged offset from each other, and in the Fig. In the embodiment of the cleaning device 10 shown in Figure 1, each of the two coupling gears 40, 42 is designed as a four-link coupling mechanism 40, 42. The arrangement of the two coupling gears 40, 42 and the drive mechanism 30 is furthermore such that their components do not influence the detection of the vehicle's surroundings by the lidar sensor 102.

[0022] Each of the two coupling gears 40, 42 has a first fixed attachment point 44, 46 which is pivotable about an angle perpendicular to the plane of the Fig. 1 extending axis 47, which is connected on the side facing away from the first attachment point 44, 46 via a joint 49 on opposite sides to a second coupling member 50 and a third coupling member 51. The two third coupling members 51 are articulated to the support element 34 on the side facing away from the joint 49 in an axis 53, 54. The two axes 53, 54 on the support element 34, about which the third coupling members 51 can be pivoted, are at a first distance a from one another in a direction running in the direction of the movement path 26 and a second distance b from one another in a direction running perpendicular to the movement path 26. These two distances a and b are also identical between the two axes 47 at the first attachment points 44, 46.

[0023] The two second coupling links 50 are each connected to a fourth coupling link 58 on the side facing away from the joint 49 via a further joint 56. The fourth coupling links 58 are each pivotably mounted on a second fastening point 60, 62 on the side facing away from the joint 56.

[0024] One of the two coupling gears 40, 42, in the exemplary embodiment the coupling gear 40, is coupled to a drive rod 64 via a joint 63 at its second coupling member 50 in a central region relative to its length in the longitudinal direction. The drive rod 64 is connected to a drive motor 66 on the side facing away from the joint 63. The drive motor 66 is Fig. 1, the actuator is designed in the form of an electric motor, in particular a linear motor 68. The linear motor 68 generates a linear movement in the direction of the double arrow 69 and parallel to the movement path 26, which acts via the drive rod 64 on the second coupling member 50 of the coupling gear 40 and generates the reciprocating movement of the carrier element 34 in the desired manner.

[0025] In the Fig.The cleaning device 10a shown in Figure 2 also has identically designed coupling gears 40a, 42a on its drive mechanism 30a. However, unlike the coupling gears 40, 42, these are designed as three-link coupling gears 40a, 42a. The first coupling links 48a, which are articulated at a first end to the first, stationary attachment point 44a, 46a, are articulated at their opposite end via the joint 49 to the second coupling link 50a. The second coupling link 50a is designed in the form of a triangular plate 55. The plate 55 is articulated to the support element 34 at one corner along the axis 53a, 54a. The remaining corner of the plate 55 is connected to the third coupling link 51a via the joint 56. The third coupling link 51a has the same length as the first coupling link 48a.Furthermore, the third coupling link 51a is connected in an articulated manner to the second, likewise stationary, attachment point 60a, 62a on the side facing away from the joint 56. The third coupling link 51a of the coupling mechanism 40a is connected approximately centrally in its longitudinal direction to the drive motor 66 via the drive rod 64.

[0026] Between the axes 47a of the first two coupling links 48a, the same horizontal and vertical distances a and b are formed as on the two axes 53a, 54a. This enables the parallel movement of the wiper blade 22 in the direction of the double arrow 36 with constant contact pressure on the viewing window 14.

[0027] It is additionally mentioned that instead of a linear motor 68, the drive motor 66 can also be designed in the form of a conventional electric motor with an output shaft, the rotary movement of which can be converted via an intermediate gear into a linear movement for moving the coupling gear 40, 40a or 42, 42a.

[0028] The cleaning device 10, 10a described so far can be modified or altered in a variety of ways without deviating from the inventive concept. In particular, other types or forms of coupling gears 40, 42 or 40a, 42a are also conceivable. It is only essential that the coupling gears 40, 40a, 42, 42a are designed and arranged in such a way that they enable a linear movement or a movement path of the carrier element 34 that runs parallel to the plane of the viewing window 14 and, in particular, does not result in tilting of the carrier element 34 and enables a constant contact pressure of the wiper blade 22 against the viewing window 14. Reference symbol 10 / 10a Cleaning device 12 housings 14 Viewing window 16 field of view 18 Reverse position 20 Reverse position 22 Wiper blade 24 Wiper blade longitudinal axis 26 Movement path 30 / 30a drive mechanism 32 connecting element 34 support element 36 Double arrow 40 / 40a coupling gear 42 / 42a coupling gear 44 / 44a first attachment point 46 / 46a first attachment point 47 / 47a axle 48 / 48a first coupling link 49 joint 50 / 50a second coupling link 51 / 51a third coupling link 52 joint 53 / 53a axle 54 / 54a axle 55 plate 56 joint 58 fourth coupling link 60 / 60a second attachment point 62 / 62a second attachment point 63 joint 64 Drive rod 66 drive motor 68 linear motor 69 Double arrow 100 environment detection device 102 Lidar sensor a distance b distance QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2020 122 332 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Cleaning device (10; 10a) for an environment detection device (100) of a vehicle, with a housing (12) which forms a field of view (16) for a sensor (102) in the region of a viewing window (14), with a wiper blade (22) which is movable along the viewing window (14) for cleaning the field of view (16), wherein the wiper blade (22) is coupled to a drive mechanism (30; 30a) which is drivable by an electric motor (66), wherein the drive mechanism (30; 30a) is designed to move the wiper blade (22) back and forth between two reversing positions (18, 20), characterized byin that the drive mechanism (30; 30a) has a carrier element (34) connected to the wiper blade (22), in that the carrier element (34) has two axes (53; 53a, 54; 54a) for connection to two coupling gears (40; 40a, 42; 42a), the coupling member (48; 48a) of which facing away from the carrier element (34) is each fastened to a stationary fastening point (44; 44a, 46; 46a) forming a further axis (47; 47a), and in that the two coupling gears (40; 40a, 42; 42a) are designed to generate a rectilinear movement path (26) of the carrier element (34) running parallel to the viewing window (14). [2] Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized by that the two coupling gears (40a, 42a) are designed as 3-link coupling gears (40a, 42a). [3] Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized by that the two coupling gears (40, 42) are each designed as 4-link coupling gears (40, 42). [4] Cleaning device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the two coupling gears (40; 40a, 42; 42a) are identically designed. [5] Cleaning device according to claim 4, characterized by that the two axes (53; 53a, 54; 54a) and the two further axes (47; 47a) are each at equal distances (a, b) from one another in a direction running perpendicular and parallel to the movement path (26). [6] Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the electric motor (66) is connected to a coupling member (50; 51a) of one of the two coupling gears (40; 40a, 42; 42a). [7] Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the electric motor (66) is designed as a linear motor (68). [8] Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized bythat the electric motor (66) has an output shaft whose rotary movement is converted into a linear movement via an intermediate gear. [9] Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the two coupling gears (40; 40a, 42; 42a) are arranged offset from one another in a direction running in the direction of a wiper blade longitudinal axis (24). [10] Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the environment detection device (100) is designed as a lidar device.

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