SENSOR PROTECTION DEVICE

Abstract

A sensor protection device prevents foreign particles from adhering directly to a sensor surface, maintains the cleanliness of the sensor surface, and allows the sensor to measure accurately without interference, even when washed. The sensor protection device comprises a housing in which a sensor is enclosed such that one sensor area of ​​the sensor is exposed, a shield module installed within the housing with a movable shield positioned to correspond to the sensor area of ​​the sensor, and a wiper blade fixed to the housing that comes into contact with the shield and wipes the shield when the shield moves.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sensor protection device that is able to prevent foreign bodies from adhering directly to a sensor surface, to maintain the cleanliness of the sensor surface and to enable the sensor to measure accurately without interference, even when it is washed. BACKGROUND

[0002] For example, numerous sensors such as lidar, radar, and cameras are used in autonomous vehicles to enable safe autonomous driving. However, if the sensors are contaminated with foreign objects, the measurement can become inaccurate.

[0003] To solve the contamination problem, a technology has been proposed in which a pump and wiper are installed around the sensor of a vehicle and spray air or water to wipe away foreign matter, or in which a protective cover of the sensor is rotated at high speed to shake off foreign matter.

[0004] However, with a sensor that is round or at least has a curved surface, it can be difficult to clean the sensor thoroughly with air or water. Furthermore, the high-speed rotating technology used for the protective casing can make it difficult to completely remove highly viscous foreign matter from the casing. OVERVIEW

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a sensor protection device that is able to prevent foreign matter from adhering directly to a sensor surface, maintain the cleanliness of the sensor surface, and enable the sensor to measure accurately without interference, even when it is washed.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a sensor protection device capable of preventing secondary contamination of an installation target, e.g., a vehicle, by a cleaning fluid used for washing.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a sensor protection device comprises: a housing that accommodates a sensor in such a way that a sensor surface of the sensor is exposed; a screen module installed in the housing with a movable screen arranged to correspond to the sensor surface of the sensor; and a wiper blade fixed to the housing that comes into contact with the screen and wipes the screen when the screen moves.

[0008] The screen module can include a screen made of a transparent material, a frame to support the screen, an arm with one end to which the frame is attached, a rotatable shaft connected to the other end of the arm and rotatable, and a drive unit connected to the rotatable shaft to rotate the rotatable shaft.

[0009] The frame may include a window connected to the screen and standing upright or vertically, a top plate located at an upper end of the window, and a bottom plate located at a lower end of the window, the top plate being able to be connected to an end of the arm.

[0010] The rotating shaft can be installed upright or vertically in the housing, one upper end of the rotating shaft can be rigidly connected to the other end of the arm, and the screen can move along an arc-shaped trajectory according to the rotation of the rotating shaft.

[0011] The housing may have an opening formed in a side wall, and the screen may have an exposed surface that extends to the outside of the housing by an amount equal to the size of the opening, and the exposed surface may be located between the sensor surface of the sensor and the opening.

[0012] The sensor protection device may also include a controller that is electrically connected to the drive unit in order to control the drive unit.

[0013] The control unit can be electrically connected to the sensor and control the operation of the drive unit according to the result of the sensor's detection of the screen's transparency.

[0014] The wiper blade can be installed in such a way that it can be inserted into and replaced by a mounting groove formed in an inner surface of a side wall of the housing.

[0015] The sensor protection device may further include a nozzle section formed in the housing above it, which sprays a cleaning fluid onto a surface of the screen.

[0016] The nozzle section can be formed integrally with a side wall of the housing, can have the shape of a groove with an open top and a closed bottom, and can extend vertically in the side wall.

[0017] The nozzle section can contain a plurality of spray holes designed to penetrate the nozzle section laterally, and the plurality of spray holes can be aligned in the vertical direction of the nozzle section and arranged to be spaced apart from one another.

[0018] The sensor protection device can also include a first dam and a second dam, which are arranged between the housing and the shielding module.

[0019] The first dam can comprise a first watertight groove extending downwards from a lower surface of the cover forming the housing and extending in the form of a pair of rails, and a first watertight wall extending upwards from a top surface of the frame forming the screen module and extending in a direction corresponding to a path of movement of the screen, wherein the first watertight wall can be inserted at least partially into the first watertight groove and moves within the first watertight groove.

[0020] The second dam can comprise a second watertight groove extending upwards from an upper surface of the base forming the housing and extending in the form of a pair of rails, and a second watertight wall extending downwards from a lower surface of the frame forming the screen module and extending in a direction corresponding to a path of movement of the screen, wherein the second watertight wall can be at least partially inserted into the second watertight groove and can move within the second watertight groove.

[0021] The sensor protection device may also have a drain opening in the housing to drain away the cleaning fluid that remains in the housing after spraying it onto the surface of the screen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0022] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the interior of a housing of a sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a side view of Fig. 2; Fig. Figure 4 is a partially enlarged view showing a wiper blade and a nozzle section of a sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 5 is a partially enlarged view showing a dam and a drain opening of a sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. Figure 6 is a view showing the operation of a shield module of a sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to drawing figures. When adding reference numerals to components in each drawing figure, it should be noted that identical components should receive the same reference numerals as far as possible, even if they are shown in different drawing figures.

[0024] Furthermore, terms such as "first", "second" and "third" can be used to describe different components, but these components are not restricted in their order, size, location or importance by terms such as "first", "second" and "third" and are only mentioned for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0025] For the sake of simplicity, this description mainly describes a sensor protection device of the present disclosure by way of an example in which the sensor protection device is installed in a vehicle, but the application examples are not limited to this.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “left and right”, etc. are defined in relation to direction based on a vehicle body, i.e., an installation target.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the interior of a housing of a sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 3 is a side view of Fig. 2.

[0028] The sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can comprise a housing 10, a disc module 30 and a wiper blade 50.

[0029] The housing 10 is a substantially cylindrical element with an interior space, wherein, for example, at least one side of a lateral surface may be designed as a curved surface and an opening 14 may be provided on the curved surface. In the drawing figures, for example in the top view, the housing has a cross-section with a substantially trapezoidal shape with a curved bottom curve; however, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the housing may, for example, have a cross-sectional shape such as a circle or an oval.

[0030] Such a housing can be permanently installed at an installation destination (not shown). In this case, the installation destination could be, for example, a vehicle body.

[0031] The housing 10 can optionally include a base 11 and a cover 12. The base and the cover can be vertically separated from each other and connected by screws, but without being limited to this, the base and the cover can also be connected, for example, by gluing or melting.

[0032] The base 11 can, for example, be designed as a plate with a specific shape. The base 11 can have a through-hole 13 through which the sensor 1 (see Fig. 4 to 6) and the components of the protective device described below can be supplied with power, signals or cleaning fluid.

[0033] The cover 12 can comprise a side wall and a top. One side of the side wall can be formed as a curved surface, and the aforementioned opening 14 can be provided in the curved surface. Furthermore, an open section 15 for maintenance can be formed in the top. In this case, the cover can also have a cap 16 for closing the open section. The cover and the cap can be, but are not limited to, connected to each other by screws.

[0034] The housing 10, thus configured, can accommodate not only the sensor 1 but also the components of the sensor protection device described below. The sensor can include, but is not limited to, a lidar, a radar, a camera, etc.

[0035] The sensor 1 can be connected via a cable (not shown) to a power source outside the housing 10 or to a battery inside the housing to obtain power. If the sensor 1 is connected via a cable, the cable can electrically connect the sensor to the power source through the through-hole 13 of the housing.

[0036] The screen module 30 can comprise a screen 31 made of a transparent material, a frame 32 that holds and supports the screen, an arm 33 with one end to which the frame is attached, a rotating shaft 34 connected to the other end of the arm, and a drive unit 35 set up to rotate the rotating shaft.

[0037] The screen 31 can be made of a transparent material that allows the sensor to be scanned while covering the scanning area 2 of the sensor 1, and can have a curved shape to form a curved surface parallel to the curved surface of the housing 10. The screen can be made of, for example, transparent glass or transparent resin.

[0038] In this case, the transparency of screen 31 means that not only light, such as visible light, infrared rays, lasers, etc., is transmitted, but also electromagnetic waves required for detection can be transmitted without reflection or scattering.

[0039] The screen 31 can have a length (i.e., the length of an arc of the curved surface) and a height (i.e., a length in the vertical direction of the housing in the drawing figures) sufficient to cover the sensor area 2 of the sensor 1. For example, the length of the screen can be twice as long as or greater than the corresponding length of the aperture 14, and the height of the screen can be equal to or slightly greater than the height of the aperture.

[0040] The frame 32 is an element for directly holding and supporting the screen 31 and can have an approximately U-shaped cross-section. In particular, the frame can form an upright or vertical window 36, an upper plate 37 at the top of the window, and a lower plate 38 (see Fig. 5) encompass the lower end of the window. The window, the upper plate, and the lower plate may be formed as a single piece.

[0041] The window 36 can form an open area of ​​the frame 32 and be connected to the screen, surrounding the edge of the screen 31. For this purpose, the window can have a curved shape. The window and the screen can be joined, for example, by an adhesive.

[0042] One side of the upper plate 37 can be connected to the upper end of the window 36, and the other side of the upper plate can be connected to one end of the arm 33 such that the frame 32 can be attached to one end of the arm. One side of the lower plate 38 can be connected to the lower end of the window.

[0043] The arm 33 can, for example, be designed as a roughly fan-shaped plate, but is not limited to this. One end of the arm can be rigidly connected to the upper plate 37 of the frame 32, and the other end of the arm can be rigidly connected to an end section of the rotating shaft 34.

[0044] The rotary shaft 34 can be installed upright / vertically on the base 11 of the housing 10, and the other end of the arm 33 can be rigidly connected to an upper end section of the rotary shaft, and a drive unit 35 can be connected to a middle or lower section of the rotary shaft 34.

[0045] The rotating shaft 34 can be rotated by the driving force transmitted by the drive unit 35. Accordingly, the arm 33, which is rigidly coupled to the rotating shaft, the frame 32 connected to the arm, and the canopy 31 supported by the frame can be rotated together in a horizontal direction. This rotation allows the canopy to be moved horizontally, i.e., left and right, along an arc-shaped path by a predetermined angular displacement relative to the housing 10.

[0046] The drive unit 35 can comprise a motor 39 or a motor and a gearbox (not shown), and a motor shaft or a gearbox shaft can serve as an output shaft for transmitting the drive force. The motor can be, for example, a servo motor or a stepper motor capable of forward and reverse rotation.

[0047] If the drive unit 35 has a gearbox, the gearbox can transmit the driving force of the motor 39 to the rotating shaft 34. For this purpose, the gearbox can, for example, include a worm mounted on the motor shaft of the motor and a worm wheel mounted on the rotating shaft that meshes with the worm; however, the configuration of the gearbox is not limited to this.

[0048] Any other power transmission mechanism, including a belt or chain, can be inserted between the motor shaft of motor 39 and the rotating shaft instead of the gearbox. Alternatively, the motor can also be directly connected to the rotating shaft.

[0049] For example, a motor, such as a stepper motor, can be used that is capable of rotating the arm 33, the frame 32, and the screen 31 together with the rotating shaft 34 forwards and backwards at a predetermined angle and speed. The angle of rotation and the speed can be adjusted variably.

[0050] The motor 39 of the drive unit 35 can be connected via a cable (not shown) to a power source outside the housing 10 or to a battery inside the housing to obtain power. If the motor is connected via a cable, the cable can electrically connect the motor and the power source through the through-hole 13 of the housing.

[0051] In the sensor protection device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the screen 31 can be exposed to the outside of the housing by the size of the opening 14 formed in the housing 10. In other words, an exposed surface of the screen can be located between the sensor surface 2 of the sensor 1 and the opening of the housing.

[0052] If the exposed surface of the screen 31 is contaminated by foreign matter, the screen can be moved by rotating the rotating shaft 34 by the drive unit 35 in such a way that a clean part of the screen can be arranged so that it corresponds to the sensor surface 2 of the sensor 1, and at the same time the contaminated part of the screen can be washed by the wiper blade 50.

[0053] The sensor protection device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can further comprise a controller 40 that controls the drive unit 35. The controller can be electrically connected to the drive unit via wired, wireless, or wired / wireless communication. For example, the controller can transmit a control signal to the drive unit via a Controller Area Network (CAN) or a Local Interconnect Network (LIN), or receive a signal from the drive unit.

[0054] The controller 40 can include a microprocessor and memory, etc. The memory can store data for an algorithm to control the operation of the drive unit 35, in particular the motor 39, or a program that executes the algorithm. The microprocessor can perform scheduled control of the drive unit using the data stored in the memory.

[0055] The control unit 40 can control the drive unit 35 so that the screen 31 is moved to the left or right when a certain condition is met (when the transparency of the screen deteriorates or when it rains or snows), so that a clean part of the screen is positioned to correspond to the detection area 2 of the sensor 1, and at the same time a dirty part of the screen is washed by the wiper blade 50.

[0056] For example, the controller 40 can be electrically connected to the sensor 1. Accordingly, if foreign objects are present on the screen 31, the controller can detect a sensor detection abnormality, or, if the sensor is a camera, the controller can analyze an image to determine the screen's transparency and simultaneously measure the degree of contamination. The controller can then regulate the operation of the drive unit 35 based on the result.

[0057] Alternatively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensor protection device can comprise a transparency detection sensor (not shown) arranged inside the housing 10 which detects the transparency of the screen 31, and the control unit 40 can be electrically connected to the transparency detection sensor.

[0058] For example, a light sensor, such as an infrared sensor, or a rain sensor can be used as a transparency detection sensor. The transparency detection sensor essentially detects the transparency of the screen 31, and if a detection signal from the transparency detection sensor indicates that the transparency of the screen has deteriorated beyond a reference value, the controller 40 can control the operation (actuation) of the drive unit 35.

[0059] Accordingly, the clean part of the screen 31 can be automatically positioned to match the sensor surface 2 of the sensor 1, and at the same time the dirty part of the screen can be washed by the wiper blade 50.

[0060] This control unit 40 can, for example, be installed in or used in conjunction with an electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle when the sensor protection device of the present disclosure is used in the vehicle.

[0061] Fig. Figure 4 is a partially enlarged view showing a wiper blade and a nozzle section of the sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the wiper blade 50 can be fixed to the housing 10 in order to be in contact with the screen 31 and thus wipe and wash the screen when the screen is moved.

[0063] In particular, the wiper blade 50 can be inserted into and secured in a mounting groove 17 formed on an inner surface of a side wall of the cover 12 in the housing 10. The mounting groove can be formed on both sides of the opening 14 of the housing, adjacent to the opening, and extend vertically along the housing. This allows the wiper blades to be provided as a pair.

[0064] The wiper blades 50 can come into contact with the screen 31 and slide relative to the screen as the screen moves. In particular, a rubber element 51 forming the wiper blade can slide relatively while in close contact with a surface of the screen opposite the sensor in order to wipe foreign matter from the surface of the screen.

[0065] The sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is arranged so that the wiper blade 50 does not rotate and the screen 31 does not move, and thus the wiper blade does not structurally cover the sensor area 2 of the sensor 1, thereby achieving the effect that the scanning of the sensor is not disturbed, compared to a case in which the wiper blade is arranged to move.

[0066] Furthermore, in the sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the wiper blade 50 is installed inside the cover 12 of the housing 10, there is no structure of components, such as the wiper blade, that protrude to the outside of the housing, and accordingly the wiper blade cannot be damaged by external influences during an assembly process or an operating process, thereby improving the durability of the device.

[0067] Furthermore, in the sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the wiper blade 50 does not protrude beyond the outside of the housing 10, the volume of the device can be arranged to be small, thereby achieving a side effect of improving assembly efficiency.

[0068] The wiper blade 50 can be replaced by being attached to the mounting groove 17 of the housing 10. In particular, if the cover 12 has a cap 16, a user can remove the cap from the cover, grasp the wiper blade protruding from the open part 15 of the cover and the mounting groove, and pull it out of the mounting groove to replace the worn wiper blade.

[0069] The user can then insert a new wiper blade 50 into the mounting groove 17 and connect the cap 16 to the cover 12, thus completing the replacement of the wiper blade.

[0070] Since the worn wiper blade 50 can be separated from the housing 10 and removed at a suitable time and replaced by a new wiper blade, the advantage arises that accurate scanning of the sensor is ensured by maintaining a clean screen and a clean scanning surface without reducing the degree of cleaning of the screen 31 by the wiper blade.

[0071] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensor protection device can include a nozzle section 60 provided in the housing 10 to spray a cleaning fluid 3 onto the surface of the screen 31.

[0072] In particular, the nozzle section 60 can be configured in a generally thin and elongated cylindrical shape, with one side open and the other side closed. The nozzle section can be arranged such that it adjoins the opening 14 of the housing 10 and extends vertically from both sides of the opening. Therefore, the nozzle sections can be provided as a pair.

[0073] Optionally, the nozzle section 60 can be formed integrally with the side wall of the cover 12 in which the opening 14 is located. In this case, the nozzle section can be formed in the form of a groove with an open top and a closed bottom and extend vertically along the side wall.

[0074] The nozzle section 60 can contain a plurality of spray holes 61. The majority of the spray holes can be aligned in the vertical direction of the nozzle section and arranged so that they are spaced at regular intervals from one another. Each spray hole can be designed to penetrate the nozzle section laterally, thereby allowing the inner and outer sides of the nozzle section to communicate with each other.

[0075] One end of a supply line 62 can be connected to the open side of the nozzle section 60, and the supply line can supply the cleaning fluid 3 to the nozzle section. The other end of the supply line can be connected to a tank 63 through the through-hole 13 of the housing 10. If, for example, the installation target is a vehicle body, the nozzle section can be connected to a washer fluid tank of the vehicle via the supply line, and in this case, the nozzle section can be supplied with the vehicle's washer fluid as the cleaning fluid.

[0076] If necessary, a pump 64 and / or a valve can be installed in the supply line 62. This allows the pump to pump the cleaning fluid 3 from the tank 63 to the nozzle section 60, and the valve can control or regulate the supply of the cleaning fluid. The pump and / or the valve can be electrically connected to the control unit 40 in such a way that the supply of the cleaning fluid can be controlled by the control unit together with the drive of the drive unit 35.

[0077] The cleaning fluid 3, which emerges from the multitude of spray holes 61 aligned vertically in the nozzle section 60, can be sprayed in a line perpendicular to the surface of the screen 31 opposite the sensor. Since the cleaning fluid is sprayed onto the surface of the screen in this way, traces remaining on the contaminated part of the screen, or foreign particles with high viscosity that are relatively small or thin, can be washed away by the cleaning fluid and wiped off the wiper blade.

[0078] Fig. Figure 5 is a partially enlarged view showing a dam and a drain opening of the sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0079] Since, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensor protection device sprays the cleaning fluid 3 through the spray holes 61 of the nozzle part 60 onto the screen 31, a unit is required to protect the interior of the housing 10, in which the sensor 1 and the drive unit 35 are housed, from the ingress of the cleaning fluid or foreign bodies.

[0080] For this purpose, the sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can comprise a first dam 21 and a second dam 22 arranged between the housing 10 and the shielding module 30.

[0081] The first dam 21 can include a first watertight groove 23 in the housing 10 and a first watertight wall 43 in the screen module 30. The second dam 22 can have a second watertight groove 24 in the housing and a second watertight wall 44 in the screen module.

[0082] In particular, the first watertight groove 23 can be designed as a structure projecting downwards from a bottom surface of a ceiling of the cover 12 forming the housing 10 and extending along the curved surface of the side wall in the form of a pair of rails. If, for example, the housing has a cross-sectional shape such as a circle or an oval, the first watertight groove can extend along one side of the curved surface at an angle of at least 90 degrees.

[0083] The first waterproof wall 43 can be designed as a barrier structure projecting upwards from an upper surface of the upper plate 37 of the frame 32 forming the screen module 30, and extending in a direction corresponding to the path of movement of the screen 31. The first waterproof wall can be at least partially inserted into the first waterproof groove 23 and can be moved within the first waterproof groove.

[0084] In this way, the first dam 21, formed by the combination of the first waterproof wall 43 and the first waterproof groove 23, can have the effect of blocking the introduction of the cleaning fluid 3 or foreign bodies in the direction of the sensor 1 or the drive unit 35 inside the housing through a gap between the housing and the screen module 30 at least from the circumference of the opening 14 of the housing 10.

[0085] Since the first waterproof wall 43 can be moved along the first waterproof groove 23, the first dam 21 can also serve as a guide so that the screen 31 of the screen module 30 can be moved stably along an intended path.

[0086] Furthermore, the second watertight groove 24 can be designed as a structure projecting upwards from the upper surface of the base 11, which forms the housing 10, and extending along the curved surface of the side wall in the form of a pair of rails. If, for example, the housing has a cross-sectional shape such as a circle or an oval, the second watertight groove can extend along one side of the curved surface in an area of ​​at least 90 degrees.

[0087] The second waterproof wall 44 can be designed as a barrier structure projecting downwards from a base surface of the lower plate 38 of the frame 32 forming the screen module 30, and extending in a direction corresponding to the path of movement of the screen 31. The second waterproof wall can be at least partially inserted into the second waterproof groove 24 and move within the second waterproof groove.

[0088] Accordingly, the second dam 22, formed by the combination of the second waterproof wall 44 and the second waterproof groove 24, can have the effect of blocking the introduction of the cleaning fluid 3 or foreign bodies towards the sensor 1 or the drive unit 35 inside the housing through the gap between the housing and the screen module 30 at least from the circumference of the opening 14 of the housing 10.

[0089] Since the second waterproof wall 44 can be moved along the second waterproof groove 24, the second dam 22 can also serve as a guide so that the screen 31 of the screen module 30 can be moved stably along an intended path.

[0090] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensor protection device may have a drain opening 18 provided in the housing 10 in order to drain away contaminated cleaning fluid 3 that remains in the housing after being sprayed onto the surface of the screen 31.

[0091] The drain opening 18 can be designed to penetrate the base 11, which forms the housing 10. The drain opening can be located between the rim on the outer circumference of the base and the second watertight groove 24. A hose 19 can be connected to the drain opening to collect the contaminated cleaning fluid in a storage container or to discharge it to the outside. This has the advantage of preventing secondary contamination of the installation object, e.g., a vehicle.

[0092] Fig.Figure 6 is a view showing the operation of a shield module of the sensor protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] If, as described above, foreign bodies adhere to the exposed surface of the screen, the controller 40 can detect a detection abnormality of sensor 1, or, if the sensor is a camera, the controller 40 can analyze an image to determine the transparency of the screen 31 and simultaneously measure the degree of contamination. The controller can then control the operation of the drive unit 35.

[0094] Alternatively, the controller 40 can control the operation of the drive unit 35 when the transparency detection sensor detects the transparency of the screen 31 and determines, based on a signal from the transparency detection sensor, that the transparency of the screen has decreased beyond the reference value.

[0095] The rotating shaft 34 can rotate due to the driving force of the drive unit 35, and accordingly, the arm 33, which is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, the frame 32 connected to the arm, and the screen 31 supported by the frame can rotate together in a horizontal direction. This rotation allows the screen to be moved horizontally, i.e., left and right, by a predetermined angular displacement relative to the housing 10.

[0096] When the screen 31 moves, the foreign objects also move, and the foreign objects gradually approach the wiper blade 50, which is located next to the opening 14 of the housing 10. Since the rubber element 51, of which the wiper blade is made, is in close contact with the surface of the screen, the foreign objects on the screen can be removed from the surface of the screen when the stationary wiper blade moves relative to the screen.

[0097] In this process, as the screen 31 moves, the originally exposed surface of the screen is separated from the opening 14 of the housing 10, while the clean part of the screen that was away from the opening can move towards the opening of the housing to position itself so that it corresponds to the sensor surface 2 of the sensor 1 and forms an exposed surface.

[0098] Accordingly, the sensor 1 can measure continuously and accurately through the screen 31 without interruption or suspension, even during washing.

[0099] Even if the foreign particles have been removed from the screen 31, traces may remain, or foreign particles with high viscosity that are relatively small or thin may remain, so that a contaminated part may still be on the screen.

[0100] Under the control of the controller 40, the pump 64 can operate to spray the cleaning fluid 3 from the nozzle part 60 of the housing 10 onto the surface of the screen 31, and at the same time the drive unit 35 can operate in reverse to a previous operation, so that the rotating shaft 34 can rotate in the reverse direction and move the screen to the original position.

[0101] In this way, the remaining foreign matter or traces can be washed away by the cleaning fluid 3 and scraped off by the rubber element 51 of the wire blade 50. The washed and cleaned surface of the screen 31 can move towards the opening 14 of the housing 10 and is positioned so that it corresponds to the sensor surface 2 of the sensor 1 and again forms an exposed surface.

[0102] This process can be performed at least once. For example, the washing process of umbrella 31 can be carried out continuously in rain or snow. Even if the aforementioned process is repeated several times, the sensor 1 can continuously perform accurate measurements through the clean umbrella 31.

[0103] Alternatively, in a case where the surface of the disc 31 is so heavily soiled that it is difficult to overcome during operation of the vehicle, which is an installation target, e.g., in the case of excessive dust or mud, or if an insect collides with the disc, the disc module 30 can be controlled to move only halfway instead of back and forth, thereby exposing the uncontaminated, clean part of the disc through the opening 14 of the housing 10. Meanwhile, the user can replace the worn wiper blade 50 with a new one at a suitable time.

[0104] As described above, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, since the screen is arranged to surround the sensor surface and is movable, it can prevent the sensor from becoming contaminated, and even if the screen is contaminated by foreign matter, the screen can be easily and cleanly washed, and the measurement can be carried out continuously without interruption or suspension.

[0105] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a two-stage system can be used in which large foreign bodies are removed by the wiper blade and small foreign bodies, which have a high viscosity and are relatively small, can be washed off with a cleaning fluid, so that the effect of removing foreign bodies from the screen can be reliably achieved within a very short time.

[0106] Since the cleaning fluid can be drained through the drain opening of the housing after washing the screen, secondary contamination of an installation object, e.g. a vehicle, is also prevented according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0107] The description serves only to illustrate the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure, and various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art without deviating from the essential features of the present disclosure.

[0108] Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure, but rather to describe the present disclosure, and the scope of protection of the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The scope of protection of the present disclosure shall be interpreted by means of the subsequent claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope of protection shall be interpreted in such a way as to be included within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

[1] Sensor protection device comprising: a housing that accommodates a sensor in such a way that a sensor surface of the sensor is exposed; a screen module arranged in the housing with a movable screen, positioned next to the sensor surface of the sensor; and a wiper blade which is fixed to the housing, wherein the wiper blade is configured to touch the movable screen and is configured to wipe the movable screen when the movable screen moves. [2] Sensor protection device according to claim 1, wherein the shielding module comprises: the movable screen made of a transparent material; a frame that supports the umbrella; an arm with a first end to which the frame is attached; a rotatable shaft connected to a second end of the arm and rotatable; and a drive unit that is connected to the rotating shaft and configured to rotate the rotating shaft. [3] Sensor protection device according to claim 2, wherein the frame comprises: a window that is connected to the screen and arranged vertically; an upper panel located at the top of the window; and a lower plate located at the bottom of the window; the upper plate is connected to the first end of the arm. [4] Sensor protection device according to claim 2, wherein the rotating shaft is arranged vertically in the housing, one upper end of the rotating shaft is firmly connected to the second end of the arm, and The screen is designed to move along an arc-shaped trajectory in accordance with the rotation of the rotating shaft. [5] Sensor protection device according to claim 2, wherein the housing has an opening formed in a side wall, and the screen has an exposed area towards the outside of the housing, which is as large as the opening, and the exposed area is located between the sensor surface and the opening. [6] Sensor protection device according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit which is electrically connected to the drive unit and is configured to control the drive unit. [7] Sensor protection device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is electrically connected to the sensor and configured to control the operation of the drive unit according to a result of the sensor detecting the transparency of the screen. [8] Sensor protection device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper blade is fixed in a mounting groove formed in an inner surface of a side wall of the housing. [9] Sensor protection device according to claim 1, further comprising a nozzle section formed in the housing which is configured to spray a cleaning fluid onto a surface of the movable screen. [10] Sensor protection device according to claim 9, wherein the nozzle section is formed integrally with a side wall of the housing, the nozzle section has the shape of a groove with an open upper surface and a closed lower surface and the nozzle section extends in a vertical direction in the side wall. [11] Sensor protection device according to claim 10, wherein the nozzle section has a multitude of spray holes arranged to penetrate the nozzle section laterally; and The majority of the spray holes are aligned in one vertical direction of the nozzle section and spaced apart from each other. [12] Sensor protection device according to claim 9, further comprising a first dam and a second dam arranged between the housing and the shielding module. [13] Sensor protection device according to claim 12, wherein the first dam comprises: a first waterproof groove projecting downwards from a base surface of the cover forming the housing and extending in the form of a pair of rails; and a first waterproof wall projecting upwards from an upper surface of a frame supporting the movable screen forming the screen module, and extending in a direction that corresponds to a path of movement of the movable screen; wherein the first waterproof wall is at least partially inserted into the first waterproof groove and is designed to move within the first waterproof groove. [14] Sensor protection device according to claim 12, wherein the second dam comprises: a second waterproof groove projecting upwards from an upper surface of a base forming the housing and extending in the form of a pair of rails; and a second waterproof wall projecting downwards from a base surface of a frame supporting the movable screen forming the screen module, and extending in a direction that corresponds to a path of movement of the movable screen; wherein the second waterproof wall is at least partially inserted into the second waterproof groove and moves within the second waterproof groove. [15] Sensor protection device according to claim 9, further comprising a drain opening formed in the housing which is configured to drain the cleaning fluid remaining in the housing after it has been sprayed onto a surface of the movable screen.

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