Lidar cleaning system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lidar cleaning system comprising: a cleaning arm, a drive unit, wherein the cleaning arm is configured to clean the sensor surface of a lidar sensor by displacing a wiper element, wherein the drive unit is configured to provide the displacement by moving the cleaning arm, wherein the drive unit is connected to the cleaning arm by means of a connecting element, wherein the cleaning arm has a recess in which the connecting element is at least partially arranged, wherein a fixing element is arranged in the recess and which forms a force-fit and / or form-fit connection with the connecting element, wherein the force-fit and / or form-fit connection is configured to suppress and / or prevent movement between the connecting element and the cleaning arm.

Description

Prior ArtThe present invention relates to a lidar cleaning system and a vehicle.At present, there are a large number of different solutions for cleaning lidar sensors in the vehicle sector. As lidar sensors become more numerous and as quality and reliability requirements for cleaning lidar sensors become more stringent, the need for innovative and robust systems continues to increase.The steady weight reduction in the vehicle sector for reducing consumption and the increasing competition provides cost pressure, so that favorable and more efficient components for vehicles are more demanded.Disclosure of the InventionThe lidar cleaning system according to the invention having the features of claim 1 has the advantage over the known art that less installation space is required and the functionality of various components can be increased, in order to thus be able to increase the packing density. Thus, in particular, the overall dimension of a lidar cleaning system may be reduced.This is achieved according to the invention in that the lidar cleaning system has a cleaning arm and a drive unit, wherein the cleaning arm is configured to clean the sensor surface of a lidar sensor by a displacement of a wiper element, wherein the drive unit is configured to provide the displacement by a displacement of the cleaning arm, wherein the drive unit is connected to the cleaning arm by means of a connecting element, wherein the cleaning arm has a recess in which the connecting element is at least partially arranged, wherein a fixing element is arranged in the recess and which forms a force-fit and / or form-fit connection with the connecting element, wherein the force-fit and / or form-fit connection is configured to suppress and / or prevent a movement between the connecting element and the cleaning arm.In other words, the drive unit can be configured to move a belt drive or the like, in order thus to move the cleaning arm along the sensor surface. In such a case, the connecting element would be a belt drive. The belt drive can preferably be arranged in a recess of the cleaning arm and can be squeezed in there by means of the fixing element. Thus, the movements between the connecting element and the cleaning arm are prevented or suppressed, so that they do not take place. In this case, these movements can take place or be suppressed, in particular along each axis of the room. Further preferably, the connecting element can be in particular an endless belt or a closed belt. In the case of an endless belt, the connecting element can in particular stabilize itself, so that the connecting element can execute both a compression movement and a tension movement.The dependent claims show preferred developments of the invention.The recess preferably has a wedge-shaped cross-sectional area, wherein the fixing element is configured to bear on the wedge-shaped cross-sectional area in order to form the positive and / or non-positive connection.An advantage of this embodiment is that the compressibility of the connecting element can be utilized in order to be able to form the force-fit and / or form-fit connection. Due to the compressibility of the connecting elements, the fixing element can be inserted into the recess by means of the wedge-shaped surface and the pressure on the connecting element can be continuously increased in the process. Thus, in particular, the form-fit and / or force-fit connection can be formed.The fixing element preferably has a plurality of stamped formations which are configured to engage in a plurality of recesses of the connecting element in order to form at least a part of the form-fit and / or force-fit connection.An advantage of this embodiment is that the force transmission between the fixing element and the connecting element can be improved, in order to thus be able to further reduce the freedom of movement of the connecting element to the cleaning arm.Further preferably, the fixing element has at least one snap hook, which can be connected to the cleaning arm in order to form the force-fit and / or form-fit connection.An advantage of this embodiment is that the fixing element can be secured in the recess by means of the snap hook and the assembly by means of the snap hook is also significantly simplified.Further preferably, the fixing element has at least one web, wherein the web is configured in such a way as to form a cohesive connection with the cleaning arm.An advantage of this embodiment is that the fixing element can be installed with the cleaning arm under tension, since an element which presses the fixing element into the recess can hold its position until the webs are fused to the cleaning arm. For example, the material-bonded connection between the web and the cleaning arm can be a plastic web or the like, which is melted in a prestressed position, in order to thus be able to form a material-bonded connection.Further preferably, the fixing element has at least one ear, wherein the fixing element is fixed to the cleaning arm by means of a connecting plate.An advantage of this embodiment is that the ear of the fixation element can be pressed into the recess with the aid of the connecting plate in order to thus be able to form the force-fit and / or form-fit connection.Further preferably, the ear is configured to engage a hole of the connecting plate.An advantage of this embodiment is that slipping between the connecting element and the connecting plate can be further reduced.The cleaning arm preferably has at least one section on which the connecting element is supported, wherein the fixing element is configured to press the connecting element against the section by means of a fastening element.An advantage of this embodiment is that a force can be adjusted with the aid of the fastening element in the event that the lidar cleaning system reduces over the operating duration of the lidar cleaning system. The fastening element can preferably be a screw element or the like, with the aid of which the frictional and / or positive connection can be formed between the fixing element and the cleaning arm.Further preferably, the connecting element is a closed belt and / or an endless belt.An advantage of this embodiment is that the connecting element can be adapted accordingly depending on the respective deployment scenario.A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle which has a lidar cleaning system as described above and below.Brief Description of the DrawingsHereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing, the following is: FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 to 9 show a lidar cleaning system according to one embodiment; and FIG. 10 illustrates a vehicle according to an embodiment.Embodiments of the InventionAll the same elements, units and / or steps in all the figures are preferably provided with the same reference numerals.FIG. 1 illustrates a lidar cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The lidar cleaning system 10 has a cleaning arm 12 and a drive unit 14, wherein the cleaning arm 12 is configured to clean the sensor surface 102 of a lidar sensor 100 by a displacement of a wiper element 16, wherein the drive unit 14 is configured to provide the displacement by a displacement of the cleaning arm 12, wherein the drive unit 14 is connected to the cleaning arm 12 by means of a connecting element 18, wherein the cleaning arm 12 has a recess 20, in which the connecting element 18 is at least partially arranged, wherein a fixing element 22 is arranged in the recess 20 and which forms a force-fit and / or form-fit connection with the connecting element 18, wherein the force-fit and / or form-fit connection is configured to suppress and / or prevent a movement between the connecting element 18 and the cleaning arm 12. Further preferably, the force-fit and / or form-fit connection can be designed in such a way that the movement suppresses or prevents in particular in all three spatial axes 104.FIG. 2 shows a lidar cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The lidar cleaning system 10 has a cleaning arm 12 with a recess 20, the recess 20 preferably has a wedge-shaped cross-sectional surface 24, in which the fixing element 22 fixes the connecting element 18 in that the fixing element 22 presses or supports itself from the wedge-shaped cross-sectional surface 24.FIG. 3 illustrates a lidar cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The fixing element 22 preferably has a plurality of depressions 26, which are configured to engage in a plurality of recesses 28 of the connecting element 18 in order to form at least part of the form-fit and / or force-fit connection. As is illustrated in FIG. 3, the cleaning arm 12 has two bores 31 in which the snap hooks 30 of the fixing element 22 can engage.FIG. 10 illustrates a lidar cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The lidar cleaning system 10 preferably has a fixing element 22 with at least one snap hook 30. As is illustrated in FIG. 4, the fixing element 22 has two snap hooks 30. The fixing element 22 also has a plurality of stamped formations 26 which can engage in a plurality of recesses 28 of the connecting element 18. FIG. 5 illustrates a lidar cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The cleaning arm 12 preferably has two bores 31 at which a web 32 has been fused in order to form a cohesive connection between the fixing element 22 and the cleaning arm 12.FIG. 6 illustrates a lidar cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The lidar cleaning system 10 comprises a fixing element with at least one web 32, wherein the web 32 is configured to preferably form a cohesive connection with the cleaning arm 12.FIG. 7 shows a lidar cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The lidar cleaning system 10 preferably has a cleaning arm 12. Preferably, a connecting plate 26 can fix the fixing element 22 to the cleaning arm 12.FIG. 8 illustrates a lidar cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The lidar cleaning system 10 comprises a fixing element 22, which has at least one ear 34. Preferably, the ear 34 can engage in a hole 38 of the connecting plate 36. Further preferably, the connecting plate 26 can fix the fixing element 22 to the cleaning arm 12.FIG. 9 illustrates a lidar cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment. The cleaning arm 12 preferably has a section 40 on which the connecting element 18 is supported, in particular when the fixing element 22 is pressed thereon by means of a fastening element 42. For example, the fastening element 42 can be a screw in which the fixing element 22 presses the connecting element 18 against the section 40.FIG. 10 shows a vehicle 200 according to an embodiment. The vehicle 200 includes a lidar cleaning system 10 as described above and below.

Claims

Lidar cleaning system (10) comprising: - a cleaning arm (12), - a drive unit (14), wherein the cleaning arm (12) is configured to clean the sensor surface (102) of a lidar sensor (100) by a displacement of a wiper element (16), wherein the drive unit (14) is configured to provide the displacement by a displacement of the cleaning arm (12), wherein the drive unit (14) is connected to the cleaning arm (12) by means of a connecting element (18), wherein the cleaning arm (12) comprises a recess (20) in which the connecting element (18) is at least partially arranged, wherein a fixing element (22) is arranged in the recess (20) and which forms a force-fit and / or form-fit connection with the connecting element (18), wherein the force-fit and / or form-fit connection is configured to, To suppress and / or prevent a movement between the connecting element (18) and the cleaning arm (12).Lidar cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the recess (20) has a wedge-shaped cross-sectional surface (24), wherein the fixing element (22) is configured to bear on the wedge-shaped cross-sectional surface (24) in order to form the frictional and / or positive connection.Lidar cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing element (22) has a plurality of depressions (26) which are configured to engage in a plurality of recesses (28) of the connecting element (18) in order to form at least a part of the positive and / or non-positive connections.Lidar cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing element (22) has at least one snap hook (30), which can be connected to the cleaning arm (12) in order to form the force-fit and / or form-fit connection.Lidar cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing element (22) has at least one web (32), wherein the web (32) is configured to form a cohesive connection with the cleaning arm (12).Lidar cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing element (22) has an ear (34), wherein the fixing element (22) is fixed to the cleaning arm (12) by means of a connecting plate (36).The lidar cleaning system (10) of claim 6, wherein the ear (34) is configured to engage a hole (38) of the connection panel (36).Lidar cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning arm (12) has at least one section (40), on which the connecting element (18) is supported, wherein the fixing element (22) is configured to press the connecting element (18) against the section (40) by means of a fastening element (42).Lidar cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element (18) is a closed belt and / or an endless belt.A vehicle (200) comprising a lidar cleaning system (10) according to any preceding claim.

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