Cleaning device for an environment detection device and environment detection device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device (10; 10a; 10b) for an environment recognition device (100; 100a) of a vehicle, wherein the cleaning device (10; 10a; 10b) is designed to clean the environment recognition device (100; 100a) in the region of a field of vision (105) of a viewing window (104), with a cleaning unit (26; 26a; 95) for treating the viewing window (104) by means of a cleaning liquid (RF) and / or a wiping element (96) and / or compressed air (DL), wherein the cleaning unit (26; 26a; 95) is coupled to a drive mechanism (14) which comprises a drive element (16) in the form of an endlessly circulating belt (20; 20a) which is connected to the cleaning unit (26; 26a; 95), wherein the belt (20; 20a) on at least one longitudinally extending portion of the belt (20;20a) extending edge region (42, 44), preferably at both opposite edge regions (42, 44), is surrounded by at least one protective element (50; 97, 98) to form a longitudinal channel (52, 54) on the top and / or bottom of the belt (20; 20a);

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning device for an environment detection device of a vehicle, which is characterized by a cleaning function in the region of a belt guide to enable particularly reliable operation of the cleaning device. Furthermore, the invention relates to an environment detection device for a vehicle with a cleaning device designed according to the invention. State of the art

[0002] In connection with semi-autonomous or autonomously driving vehicles, environment detection devices are known which serve to detect the surroundings of the vehicle in order to enable safe driving. Such an environment detection device is typically arranged in the roof area of ​​the vehicle and comprises at least one sensor, for example a camera or a lidar sensor, which is arranged behind a viewing window. The viewing window serves to protect the sensor while the vehicle is moving. Furthermore, due to its exposed position during driving, the viewing window is typically susceptible to soiling, for example from precipitation, insects, etc. In order to enable the operation of the vehicle or the detection of the surroundings by means of the sensor despite soiling of the viewing window, it is known to equip such an environment detection device with a cleaning device.The cleaning device can, for example, have a wiping element in the form of a wiper blade, similar to that used for cleaning vehicle windows. This wiper blade is moved back and forth along the viewing window to clean the viewing window or the field of vision. If necessary, the wiper blade can also be combined with a spray device to spray cleaning fluid onto the viewing window. The elements used to clean the viewing window are arranged on a cleaning unit which is attached to a continuously rotating belt. As the belt is not completely protected from the external environment, it can happen that the belt becomes dirty. In order to reduce the effect of this type of dirt, it is also known to provide the edge regions of the belt arranged laterally in the longitudinal direction with covering orProtective elements, for example in the form of labyrinth seals, in order to keep contamination as far away as possible from movement-relevant areas of the belt. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] The cleaning device according to the invention for an environment recognition device of a vehicle with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that it can remove any dirt or impurities that may occur in the area of ​​lateral enclosures of the belt and thus enables a consistently reliable operation of the cleaning device over the operating life of the environment recognition device.

[0004] The invention is based on the idea of ​​cleaning the laterally enclosed edge regions of the belt by means of a cleaning medium, in particular a cleaning liquid and / or compressed air, wherein the cleaning medium is specifically introduced into a longitudinal channel which laterally surrounds the corresponding edge region of the belt.

[0005] Against the background of the above explanations, a cleaning device for an environment detection device of a vehicle with the features of claim 1 is therefore designed such that it has a cleaning unit for treating a viewing window by means of a cleaning fluid and / or a wiping element and / or compressed air, wherein the cleaning unit is coupled to a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism has a drive element in the form of an endlessly circulating belt which is connected to the cleaning unit. Furthermore, the belt is surrounded by at least one protective element on at least one edge region running in the longitudinal direction of the belt, preferably on both opposite edge regions, forming a respective longitudinal channel on the top and / or underside of the belt.Finally, a device for supplying cleaning medium, in particular a cleaning fluid, into the at least one longitudinal channel is provided. It should also be mentioned that a protective element surrounding an edge region of the belt is either a protective element consisting of a single part or a protective element consisting of several parts that are, for example, connected to one another or adjoin one another.

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

[0007] In order to achieve the best possible protection of the edge areas of the belt against contamination, it is provided that at least one protective element surrounds the belt in a U-shape at the edge area.

[0008] Particularly when using a cleaning fluid as the cleaning medium, it is advisable or necessary to drain the cleaning medium from the area of ​​the longitudinal channel or the cleaning device (to the environment). To enable this, the cleaning device is provided with a collecting container arranged below the at least one protective element and designed to collect the cleaning medium and any contaminants escaping from the at least one protective element.

[0009] With regard to the supply of the cleaning medium into the longitudinal channel, two different variants are proposed according to the invention. In a first variant, the device for supplying the cleaning medium into the longitudinal channel comprises a pumping device for cleaning fluid, and the pumping device is connected to a supply line, in particular a hose, which opens directly into the longitudinal channel. The location of the supply or opening of the supply line into the longitudinal channel can be selected at different points or at several points simultaneously. The only essential requirement is that all relevant points of the longitudinal channel to be cleaned can be supplied with the cleaning fluid via the supply line.

[0010] In a preferred second variant, the cleaning unit is simultaneously designed as a device for supplying the cleaning medium in the longitudinal channel. Such a design enables a particularly compact design of the cleaning device with few (additional) components and avoids at least one separate supply line (or hose) for supplying the cleaning fluid into the longitudinal channel.

[0011] In a further development of the last proposal, it is provided that the cleaning unit has at least one spray nozzle for supplying cleaning liquid as a cleaning medium, wherein the at least one spray nozzle and the longitudinal channel can be supplied with the cleaning liquid via at least one liquid channel formed in the cleaning unit.

[0012] In particular, it can also be provided that a valve element for blocking or releasing the cleaning fluid in the direction of the longitudinal channel is arranged in a supply channel branching off from the fluid channel in the direction of the longitudinal channel. Such a valve element serves to specifically activate a cleaning mode for the longitudinal channel or to prevent cleaning fluid from entering the longitudinal channel during undesired cleaning.

[0013] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred if the valve element opens the supply channel in a parking position of the cleaning unit and closes the supply channel in a position outside the parking position for cleaning the viewing window. This is preferably achieved by a spring element in conjunction with a stationary stop, thus enabling a mechanically forced opening of the supply channel and, in a position outside the parking position for cleaning the viewing window, a mechanically forced closing of the supply channel. Thus, the cleaning mode is executed simply by activating the supply of the cleaning fluid (via a pump).

[0014] Regardless of the exact design of the device for feeding the cleaning medium into the longitudinal channel, it is advantageous if the cleaning unit is covered by a cover element in the parked position. The cover element is positioned a short distance from the top of the cleaning unit and, viewed in the direction of movement of the cleaning unit, to the side of the viewing window. This protects the elements used to deliver cleaning media (spray nozzle and compressed air nozzle) from contamination when the cleaning unit is not in operation.

[0015] Furthermore, the invention also comprises an environment detection device for a vehicle with a cleaning device designed according to the invention as described so far.

[0016] 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. Description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a cleaning device for an environment detection device of a vehicle in a front view, Fig. 2 a simplified sectional view through the cleaning device and the environment detection device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a sectional view according to the Fig. 2 with a modified supply of cleaning fluid to the cleaning device, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 in simplified sectional views a part of a according to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 trained cleaning equipment to explain a cleaning function and Fig. 6 a perspective view of an environment detection device with a cleaning device having a wiper blade. Embodiments of the invention

[0017] Identical elements or elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0018] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a highly simplified illustration of a cleaning device 10 for an environment detection device 100 of a vehicle (not shown). The environment detection device 100 serves to enable semi-autonomous or autonomous operation of the vehicle. For this purpose, the environment detection device 100, which is typically arranged in a roof area of ​​the vehicle, has a housing 101 for accommodating a sensor 102, shown only schematically, for example a lidar sensor 103. The housing 101 has a viewing window 104 with a field of view 105 for the sensor 102 in the direction of the detection range of the lidar sensor 103. The rectangular field of view 105 is transparent to the wavelength of the sensor 102 in order to enable the sensor 102 to detect the surroundings of the vehicle.

[0019] An environment detection device 100 configured in this way is known per se from the prior art. Furthermore, it is mentioned that the environment detection device 100 may, for example, additionally or alternatively comprise an image-capturing camera or another sensor element instead of the lidar sensor 103 to detect the environment.

[0020] Viewed in the direction of travel in front of the housing 101, the cleaning device 10 is arranged below a cover element 12 and at a small horizontal distance from the viewing window 104 or the viewing window 105.

[0021] The cleaning device 10 can, in particular, also be arranged within a housing (not shown). The cleaning device 10 has a drive mechanism 14. The drive mechanism 14 comprises a drive element 16 in the form of a belt 20 guided endlessly around two deflection pulleys 17, 18. One deflection pulley 17 is coupled to a reversible drive motor in the form of an electric motor 22 to drive the belt 20. Between the upper run 23 and the lower run 24 of the belt 20, in the area between the two deflection pulleys 17, 18, a cleaning unit 26 is arranged that can be moved back and forth in the direction of the double arrow 25. The belt 20 not only serves to drive or move the cleaning unit 26, but also protects the interior of the drive mechanism 14 against the ingress of dirt, leaves, etc., in order to ensure the mechanical function of the drive mechanism 14.The cleaning unit 26 is connected to the belt 20 on the underside of the upper run 23. The belt 20 has at least one recess 27 on the side facing the cleaning unit 26 in order to be able to deliver compressed air DL and cleaning fluid RF onto the viewing window 104.

[0022] Within the exemplary block-shaped cleaning unit 26, at least one compressed air nozzle 28 for applying the compressed air DL to the viewing window 104 at least in the area of ​​the field of view 105 and at least one spray nozzle 30 for spraying the cleaning fluid RF onto the viewing window 104 are arranged or formed. The compressed air nozzle 28 and / or the spray nozzle 30 can either be formed as separate components or preferably by bores in the cleaning unit 26, as will be explained in connection with the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The compressed air DL and the cleaning fluid RF are supplied by means of a (flexible) hose 32, 34, which connects the cleaning unit 26 to a compressed air source 36 or a pumping device 38, which in turn pumps the cleaning fluid RF under increased pressure from a storage container (not shown).

[0023] In the Fig. 1 shows a parked position of the cleaning unit 26, in which the cleaning unit 26 is arranged near the deflection wheel 17 and laterally next to the field of view 105 of the viewing window 104. In the parked position, the cleaning unit 26 is covered by the cover element 12, which extends a short distance above the cleaning unit 26. In particular, in the parked position, the outlet areas of the compressed air nozzle 28 and the spray nozzle 30, as well as the cleaning unit 26 as a whole, are also protected from contamination.

[0024] In the Fig. 2 shows the cleaning unit 26 during cleaning of the viewing field 105. During cleaning, the cleaning unit 26 is moved back and forth in the area of ​​the viewing field 105 of the viewing window 104 in order to be able to expose the viewing field 105 to the compressed air DL or the cleaning fluid RF. For this purpose, the cover element 12 has a slot-shaped recess 40 formed along the viewing field 105.

[0025] The rectangular recess 40 covers the upper side of the upper run 23 of the belt 20 at the two oppositely arranged edge regions 42, 44 running in the longitudinal direction of the belt 20. The underside of the two edge regions 42, 44 is covered by profile strips 46, 48. The profile strips 46, 48 are designed, for example, as extruded plastic components and have a three-quarter circular cross-section outside the edge regions 42, 44. The profile strips 46, 48 are connected, for example, glued, to the underside of the cover element 12. In the area of ​​the recess 40, the cover element 12 forms a common protective element 50 together with the profile strips 46, 48.

[0026] In addition, it is mentioned that the cover element 12 together with the profile strips 46, 48 can also be formed by a single, monolithic component.

[0027] From the cover element 12, together with the profile strips 46, 48 in the edge areas 42, 44, each perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, Fig. 2 longitudinal channels 52, 54 are formed, in which contaminants (or liquid) introduced via the edge regions 42, 44 from the top side of the upper run 23 can accumulate. Such contaminants can potentially negatively impact the safe operation of the cleaning device 10 or the drive mechanism 14.

[0028] In order to remove such contamination from the area of ​​the longitudinal channels 52, 54, two different solutions are described below, which are characterized in that the longitudinal channels 52, 54 can be cleaned by introducing a cleaning medium, in particular a cleaning liquid RF (alternatively or additionally compressed air DL).

[0029] In the Fig. 4 and Fig. In the embodiment of the cleaning device 10 shown in Figure 5, the cleaning unit 26 is simultaneously designed as a device 60 for supplying a cleaning medium, here using the example of the cleaning liquid RF, into the two longitudinal channels 52, 54. For this purpose, the cleaning unit 26 has, on the one hand, an air channel 62 for the compressed air DL and, on the other hand, a liquid channel 64 for the cleaning liquid RF. The outlet of the air channel 62 facing the viewing window 104 forms the compressed air nozzle 28, while an insert 66 for forming the spray nozzle 30 is inserted in the outlet of the liquid channel 64. At least one supply channel 68 branches off from the liquid channel 64 below the insert 66. The supply channel 68 is designed to supply the cleaning liquid RF into the region of the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 extending longitudinal channels 52, 54. For this purpose, the longitudinal channels 52, 53 have, for example, a feed nozzle 70 on the side facing the outlet of the feed channel 68, which in the parking position of the cleaning unit 26 ( Fig. 4) Connection with the feed channel 68.

[0030] In order to introduce the cleaning fluid RF, depending on the position of the cleaning unit 26, either into the longitudinal channels 52, 53 (parking position) or into the spray nozzle 30 for cleaning the field of view 105, a transverse bore 72 designed as a blind hole is provided in the cleaning unit 26, which traverses both the fluid channel 64 above the branch to the feed channel 68 and the feed channel 68. A valve element 74 is inserted into the transverse bore 72 and is acted upon by the force of a compression spring 76. In the parking position of the cleaning unit 26, a front side of the valve element 74 formed on the side facing away from the compression spring 76 interacts with a stationary stop 78 against the spring force of the compression spring 76, which stops the fluid channel 64 in the direction of the spray nozzle 30 and at the same time opens a passage for the cleaning fluid RF in the direction of the longitudinal channels 52, 54 ( Fig. 4).

[0031] In the Fig. Figure 5 shows the position of the cleaning unit 26 outside the parking position, in which the cleaning unit 26 serves to supply the compressed air DL or the cleaning fluid RF to the viewing field 105 of the viewing window 104. In this position, the compression spring 76 presses the valve element 74 into a position in which the supply channel 68 to the longitudinal channels 52, 54 is blocked, and the fluid channel 64 is open in the direction of the spray nozzle 30. The design of the cleaning unit 26 described so far, with the valve element 74 and the compression spring 76, thus effects a mechanical forced opening or forced closing of the supply channel 68 in the direction of the longitudinal channels 52, 54, depending on the position of the cleaning unit 26.

[0032] In the Fig. 3 is a comparison with the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and 4 and 5, a modified cleaning device 10a is shown with a merely symbolically represented cleaning unit 26a. The cleaning device 10a is characterized by a device 60a. The device 60a comprises at least one hose 80, which is connected to a pumping device 82, preferably separate from the pumping device 38, in order to convey the cleaning liquid RF directly into the region of the longitudinal channels 52, 54. In the embodiment according to Fig. 3, cleaning of the longitudinal channels 52, 54 can also be carried out during cleaning of the viewing window 104 or the field of view 105.

[0033] In order to ensure that the cleaning liquid RF and dirt or similar in the longitudinal channels 52, 54 are removed from the area of ​​the cleaning device 10, 10a, a Fig. 1, a tub-shaped collecting container 84 is provided below the protective element 50, which can discharge the cleaning liquid RF or contaminants to a defined location via an outlet 86.

[0034] The operation of the cleaning device 10, 10a is explained as follows: During the cleaning of the viewing window 104 or the field of view 105, the cleaning unit 26, 26a is moved back and forth in the area of ​​the recess 40 of the cover element 12 between two positions in which the field of view 105 of the viewing window 104 can be exposed to the cleaning fluid RF or the compressed air DL. Once the cleaning of the viewing window 104 or the field of view 105 is completed, the cleaning unit 26, 26a is moved as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 into its parking position. In this parking position, the longitudinal channels 52, 54 can be cleaned, if necessary. The cleaning medium conveyed under pressure into the area of ​​the longitudinal channels 52, 54, together with any contaminants or similar, then flows out of the area of ​​the cleaning device 10, 10a via the collecting container 84 and the outlet 86.

[0035] Most recently, in the Fig.6 shows an environment detection device 100a with a cleaning device 10b, in which an endlessly rotating belt 20a is guided around four deflection wheels 88 to 91. A cleaning unit 95 is attached to the belt 20a, which carries a wiper arm with a wiping element 96 on the side facing the field of vision 105. The belt 20a, arranged above the field of vision 105, is surrounded, as viewed in the direction of travel, at its opposite edge regions by two protective elements 97, 98 in the form of profile strips, each having a U-shaped cross-section. Here, too, the cleaning fluid RF can be supplied to the protective elements 97, 98 either via the cleaning unit 95 or via a separate supply directly into the area of ​​the protective elements 97, 98.

[0036] The cleaning device 10, 10a, 10b or the environment detection device 100, 100a described so far can be modified in many different ways without deviating from the inventive concept. Reference symbol 10, a, b cleaning device 12 Cover element 14 Drive mechanism 16 Drive element 17 Deflection wheel 18 Deflection wheel 20, a belt 22 electric motor 23 upper run 24 lower run 25 double arrow 26, a cleaning unit 27 recess 28 Compressed air nozzle 30 spray nozzle 32 hose 34 hose 36 Compressed air source 38 Pumping device 40 recess 42 Marginal area 44 Marginal area 46 profile strip 48 profile strip 50 protective element 52 Longitudinal channel 54 Longitudinal channel 60, a facility 62 air duct 64 Fluid channel 66 deployment 68 feed channel 70 feed nozzles 72 cross hole 74 Valve element 76 compression spring 78 stop 80 hose 82 Pumping device 84 collection containers 86 Process 88 Deflection wheel 89 Deflection wheel 90 deflection wheel 91 Deflection wheel 95 cleaning unit 96 Wiper element 97 protective element 98 protective element 100, a environment detection device 101 housings 102 Sensor 103 Lidar sensor 104 Viewing window 105 field of view DL compressed air RF cleaning fluid

Claims

[1] Cleaning device (10; 10a; 10b) for an environment recognition device (100; 100a) of a vehicle, wherein the cleaning device (10; 10a; 10b) is designed to clean the environment recognition device (100; 100a) in the region of a field of vision (105) of a viewing window (104), with a cleaning unit (26; 26a; 95) for treating the viewing window (104) by means of a cleaning liquid (RF) and / or a wiping element (96) and / or compressed air (DL), wherein the cleaning unit (26; 26a; 95) is coupled to a drive mechanism (14) which comprises a drive element (16) in the form of an endlessly circulating belt (20; 20a) which is connected to the cleaning unit (26; 26a; 95), wherein the belt (20; 20a) on at least one longitudinally extending portion of the belt (20;20a) extending edge region (42, 44), preferably at both opposite edge regions (42, 44), is surrounded by at least one protective element (50; 97, 98) to form a longitudinal channel (52, 54) on the top and / or bottom of the belt (20; 20a), and with a device (60; 60a) for supplying cleaning medium, in particular cleaning liquid (RF), into the at least one longitudinal channel (52, 54). [2] Cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one protective element (50; 97, 98) surrounds the belt (20; 20a) in a U-shape at the edge region (42, 44). [3] Cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the cleaning device (10; 10a; 10b) has a collecting container (84) which is arranged below the at least one protective element (50; 97, 98) and which is designed to collect cleaning medium and any dirt escaping from the at least one protective element (50; 97, 98). [4] Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the device (60a) for supplying the cleaning medium into the longitudinal channel (52, 54) comprises a pumping device (82) for cleaning liquid (RF) as the cleaning medium, and that the pumping device (82) is connected to a supply line, in particular a hose (80), which opens directly into the longitudinal channel (52, 54). [5] Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the cleaning unit (26) is simultaneously designed as a device (60) for supplying the cleaning medium into the longitudinal channel (52, 54). [6] Cleaning device according to claim 5, characterized by that the cleaning unit (26) has at least one spray nozzle (30) for supplying cleaning liquid (RF) as a cleaning medium, wherein the at least one spray nozzle (30) and the longitudinal channel (52, 54) can be supplied with the cleaning liquid (RF) via at least one liquid channel (64) formed in the cleaning unit (26). [7] Cleaning device according to claim 6, characterized by that a valve element (74) for blocking or releasing the cleaning liquid (RF) in the direction of the longitudinal channel (52, 54) is arranged in a feed channel (68) branching off from the liquid channel (64) in the direction of the longitudinal channel (52, 54). [8] Cleaning device according to claim 7, characterized bythat the valve element (74) releases the feed channel (68) in a parking position of the cleaning unit (26) and closes the feed channel (68) in a position outside the parking position for cleaning the viewing window (104). [9] Cleaning device according to claim 8, characterized by that the cleaning unit (26; 26a) is covered by a cover element (12) in the parking position, and that the cover element (12) is arranged at a short distance from the top side of the cleaning unit (26; 26a) and, viewed in a direction of movement of the cleaning unit (26; 26a), laterally next to the field of view (105) of the viewing window (104). [10] Environment detection device (100; 100a) for a vehicle, with a cleaning device (10; 10a; 10b) which is designed according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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