Wiper unit for a lidar sensor unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wiper unit (10) for a lidar sensor unit (200), comprising: a first joint element (12), a first web element (14), a second joint element (16), wherein the first joint element (12) can be arranged on a drive in the lidar sensor unit (200), wherein a wiper lip (18) can be arranged on the second joint element (16), wherein the first web element (14) is configured to space apart and connect the first joint element (12) and the second joint element (16), wherein the second joint element (16) is attached to the first web element (14) by means of a material-bonded connection depending on a predetermined distance (20) between the first joint element (12) and the second joint element (16).

Description

State of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper unit for a lidar sensor unit and a vehicle.

[0002] There are currently a variety of different solutions for cleaning the surfaces of lidar sensors in the automotive sector. Due to the increasing number of lidar sensors and the increased quality and cleanliness requirements, the need for innovative and robust methods is continuously growing.

[0003] The constant weight reduction in the vehicle sector to reduce fuel consumption as well as increasing competition are creating cost pressure, so that cheaper and more efficient components for vehicles are in greater demand. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] The wiper unit according to the invention for a lidar sensor unit with the features of claim 1 has the advantage over known units that, due to its design, the wiper unit can be adapted much more easily to different lidar sensor units. This allows for a significant reduction in manufacturing costs. Furthermore, a multitude of different angles can be mapped using the wiper unit.

[0005] This is achieved according to the invention in that the wiper unit for a lidar sensor unit has a first joint element, a first web element, and a second joint element. The first joint element can be arranged on a drive of the lidar sensor unit, and a wiper lip can be arranged on the second joint element. The first web element is configured to space and connect the first joint element and the second joint element from one another. The second joint element is fastened to the first web element by means of a material connection depending on a predetermined distance between the first joint element and the second joint element.

[0006] In other words, by adjusting the position of the second joint element, the wiper unit can be adapted to a variety of different lidar sensor units. The adaptation can be achieved by deflecting the first web element as well as by the position of the second joint element on the first web element. The predetermined distance can be formed as a function of the respective lidar sensor unit to which the wiper unit can be mounted. Further preferably, the first web element is designed to adjust the distance between the first joint element and the second joint element and to transmit forces acting on the first joint element to the second joint element. The first web element can, for example, be extruded and cut to a corresponding part of the predetermined distance.The material connection can be provided between the second joint element and the first web element in particular by means of laser welding, gluing or ultrasonic welding or the like.

[0007] The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

[0008] Preferably, the second joint element has at least one material connection element, wherein the material connection element is designed to at least partially form the material connection.

[0009] An advantage of this embodiment is that, depending on the joining method used to create the material-to-material connection, the material-to-material connection element can be adapted accordingly. For example, in the case of ultrasonic welding, the material-to-material connection element can be designed in such a way that simple joining is possible.

[0010] Further preferably, the material connection element has a substantially triangular cross-section.

[0011] An advantage of this design is that ultrasonic welding or joining is simplified by the triangular cross-section.

[0012] Further preferably, the first web element and / or the second housing element are at least partially formed from a transparent material, so that the material-locking connection with the material-locking element can be formed by laser beam welding.

[0013] An advantage of this embodiment is that if some of the elements around the material connection are at least partially transparent, the connection can be designed much more simply and no repositioning or the like has to take place during the manufacturing process.

[0014] Further preferably, the first web element has a first side and a second side, wherein the second side faces away from the wiper lip, wherein the second joint element is arranged on the second side, wherein the first web element has two recesses, wherein the second joint element has two pins which are designed to engage in the two recesses in order to fix the second joint element to the first web element.

[0015] An advantage of this embodiment is that the second joint element can be mounted on the first web element through the pins and recesses by means of a simple plug-on or similar means.

[0016] Further preferably, the two pins are configured to fix the wiper lip to the wiper unit.

[0017] An advantage of this embodiment is that a further manufacturing step or the like can be saved, since the pins fix both the second joint element to the first web element and the wiper lip to the wiper unit.

[0018] Preferably, the first web element has a first side and a second side, wherein the second side faces away from the wiper lip, wherein the second joint element is arranged on a first side of the first web element.

[0019] An advantage of this embodiment is that the first web element can be made of a variety of different materials such as plastic and / or sheet metal.

[0020] Further preferably, the first joint element and the first web element are formed in one piece.

[0021] An advantage of this embodiment is that the manufacturing costs can be further reduced and forces can be better transferred from the first joint element to the first web element.

[0022] Preferably, the first web element forms a guide for the second joint element on the first side, wherein the second joint element is arranged displaceably in the guide such that the predetermined distance is adjustable.

[0023] An advantage of this embodiment is that the manufacturing costs can be further reduced since the first web element can be used for a variety of different lidar sensor units, since the second joint element can be pushed into the correct position in the guide before the material-to-material connection is formed.

[0024] For example, the first web element has a longitudinal extension direction along which the second joint element can be flexibly mounted, since it can be adjusted to different positions by the guide.

[0025] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle having a wiper system as described above and below. Short description of the drawings

[0026] Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing: Fig. 1 a to 3c a wiper unit according to an embodiment, Fig. 4 a vehicle according to an embodiment. Embodiments of the invention

[0027] Preferably, in all figures, all identical components, elements and / or units are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0028] Fig. 1a shows a wiper unit 10 according to one embodiment. The wiper unit 10 is configured to be arranged on a lidar sensor unit 100. The wiper unit 10 preferably has a first joint element 12, a first web element 14, and a second joint element 16. The first joint element 12 can preferably be arranged in particular on a drive of the lidar sensor unit 100. Further preferably, the second joint element is configured to receive a wiper lip 18 or to arrange a wiper lip 18 on the second joint element 16. Furthermore, the first web element 14 is preferably configured to space the first joint element 12 and the second joint element 16 apart from one another and to connect them. Further preferably, the second joint element 16 is fastened to the first web element 14 by means of a materially bonded connection depending on a predetermined distance 20 between the first joint element 12 and the second joint element 16.Further preferably, the first web element 14 has at least two recesses 28. Pins 30, in particular, can engage into the recesses 28 in order to arrange the second joint element 16 on the first web element 14. Further preferably, in addition to the pins 30, the second joint element 16 can be fastened to the first web element 40 by means of the material connection, in particular at a predetermined distance 20.

[0029] Fig. 1b shows the wiper unit 10 in the Fig. 1 according to one embodiment. In the Fig. 1b shows the second joint element 16. Preferably, the second joint element 16 has, in particular, two pins 30, which are configured to arrange the second joint element 16 on the first web element 14. Further preferably, the pins 30 are also configured to receive the wiper lip 18 or to fasten it to the wiper unit 10. Further preferably, the second joint element 16 has a plurality of material connection elements 22, which are configured to form at least part of the material connection between the second joint element 16 and the first web element 14.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2a shows the wiper unit 10 according to one embodiment. The wiper unit 10 comprises a first joint element 12, a first web element 14 and a second joint element 16. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2a, the first joint element 12 and the first web element 14 are formed as a single piece. The web element 14 preferably has a first side 24 and a second side 26. The second joint element 16 is arranged on the first side 24, which faces the wiper lip 18.

[0031] Fig. Figure 2b shows an embodiment of the wiper unit 10. The wiper unit 10 preferably comprises the second joint element 16. The second joint element 16 preferably has a plurality of material connection elements 22. The second joint element 16 preferably comprises contact points 31 for arranging them in the wiper lip 18.

[0032] Fig. 3a shows a wiper unit 10 according to one embodiment. The wiper unit 10 preferably comprises a first joint element 12, a first web element 14, and a second joint element 16. The first web element 14 preferably has a first side 24 facing the wiper lip 18, and a second side 26 facing away from the wiper lip 18. The second joint element 16 is preferably arranged on the first side 24. The first web element 14 preferably has a guide 32 on the first side 24. The second joint element 16 is preferably arranged displaceably along the displacement axis 34 in the guide 32.

[0033] Fig. 3b shows an embodiment of the wiper unit 10. The wiper unit 10 preferably comprises a first joint element 12, a first web element 14 and a second joint element 16. In the Fig. 3b, the second joint element 16 is shown at a maximum deflection 36 in the guide 32.

[0034] Fig. 3c shows an embodiment of the wiper unit 10. The wiper unit 10 preferably comprises a first joint element 12, a first web element 14 and a second joint element 16. The second joint element 16 is arranged in the guide 32 of the first web element 14. Fig. 3c shows the second joint element 16 at a minimum distance 38 between the first joint element 12 and the second joint element 16.

[0035] Fig. 4 shows a vehicle 300 according to one embodiment. The vehicle 300 preferably includes a wiper unit 10 as described above and below. More preferably, the vehicle 300 has a lidar sensor unit 100. The wiper unit 10 can preferably be used to clean the lidar sensor unit 100.

Claims

[1] Wiper unit (10) for a lidar sensor unit (200), comprising: - a first joint element (12), - a first web element (14), - a second joint element (16), wherein the first joint element (12) can be arranged on a drive in the lidar sensor unit (200), wherein a wiper lip (18) can be arranged on the second joint element (16), wherein the first web element (14) is designed to space the first joint element (12) and the second joint element (16) apart from one another and to connect them, wherein the second joint element (16) is fastened to the first web element (14) by means of a material-to-material connection as a function of a predetermined distance (20) between the first joint element (12) and the second joint element (16). [2] Wiper unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the second joint element (16) has at least one material connection element (22), wherein the material connection element (22) is designed to at least partially form the material connection. [3] Wiper unit (10) according to claim 2, wherein the material connection element (22) has a substantially triangular cross-section. [4] Wiper unit (10) according to one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the first web element (14) and / or the second housing element (16) are formed at least partially from a laser-transparent material, so that the material-locking connection with the material-locking element (22) can be formed by laser beam welding. [5] Wiper unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first web element (14) has a first side (24) and a second side (26), wherein the second side (24) faces away from the wiper lip (18), wherein the second joint element (16) is arranged on the second side (26), wherein the first web element (14) has two recesses (28), wherein the second joint element (16) has two pins (30) which are designed to engage in the two recesses (28) in order to fix the second joint element (16) to the first web element (14). [6] Wiper unit (10) according to claim 5, wherein the two pins (30) are adapted to fix the wiper lip (18) to the wiper unit (10). [7] Wiper unit (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first web element (14) has a first side (24) and a second side (26), wherein the second side (26) faces away from the wiper lip (18), wherein the second joint element (16) is arranged on the first side (24) of the first web element (14). [8] Wiper unit (10) according to claim 7, wherein the first joint element (12) and the first web element (14) are formed in one piece [9] Wiper unit (10) according to one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the first web element (14) forms a guide (32) for the second joint element (16) on the first side (24), wherein the second joint element (16) is arranged displaceably in the guide (32) such that the predetermined distance (20) is adjustable. [10] Vehicle (300) comprising a wiper unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images