Sensor cleaning device, sensor system and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor cleaning device with the features of claim 1, a sensor system with the features of claim 11 and a vehicle with the features of claim 12.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a sensor cleaning device, a sensor system and a vehicle. State of the art

[0002] Publication EP 3763582 A1 shows a sensor cleaning device for a vehicle.

[0003] In general, the disadvantages of devices in the prior art are their expandable cleaning effect and their complex design. Description of the invention, problem, solution, advantages

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative solution which, in particular, overcomes at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0005] The problem is solved by a sensor cleaning device, a sensor system, and a vehicle, respectively, with the features of the corresponding independent claims. Details disclosed for the sensor cleaning device are equally applicable and transferable to the sensor system or the vehicle, and vice versa. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims and in the following description of the figures.

[0006] The problem is solved by a sensor cleaning device having the features of claim 1.

[0007] One embodiment of the invention relates to a sensor cleaning device comprising - a liquid nozzle for cleaning a sensor surface with a cleaning fluid, and - a sensor wiper for drying the sensor surface.

[0008] The sensor wiper can be moved from a first position to a second position using the cleaning fluid.

[0009] This will at least partially or completely overcome the disadvantages mentioned at the beginning of this text, which stem from the state of the art.

[0010] The cleaning fluid used to move the sensor wiper from the first position to the second position is preferably the sensor fluid that can emerge from the fluid nozzle. In particular, the fluid nozzle, or a fluid jet that can emerge from the fluid nozzle, is directed towards the sensor surface and / or the sensor wiper.

[0011] It is particularly advantageous if the sensor cleaning device or the liquid nozzle includes a heating element to prevent the cleaning fluid from freezing or to melt frozen cleaning fluid. This contributes to the operational reliability of the sensor cleaning device.

[0012] It is also advantageous if the sensor wiper is a wiper arm.

[0013] The sensor wiper is preferably made of plastic. It is advantageous if the sensor wiper is manufactured by injection molding. Preferably, the sensor wiper has at least one rubber lip for drying the sensor surface. This rubber lip can be produced during the injection molding process if a two-component injection molding process is used. The two-component injection molding process allows for the simple production of the sensor wiper and thus the sensor cleaning device, while the rubber lip improves the drying of the sensor surface.

[0014] The cleaning fluid is preferably a cleaning solution. However, it can also be just water. This is particularly useful if no other cleaning fluid is currently available.

[0015] Preferably, the sensor cleaning device is operated solely by means of a cleaning fluid stream. In other words, no further energy input is necessary in such a case, since the cleaning fluid stream passes through the fluid nozzle onto the sensor surface to clean it, moving the sensor wiper from the first position to the second position. When the cleaning fluid stream is interrupted or decreases, the sensor wiper moves back from the second position to the first position, wiping the sensor surface during this movement, particularly with its rubber lip, thereby drying the sensor surface or removing moisture from it. The sensor surface may, in particular, be wet or at least damp beforehand from the cleaning fluid.

[0016] A previous or preferred embodiment is characterized in that the sensor wiper can be moved from the second position to the first position by means of a return element, and that the return element is preferably designed as a spring element. The spring element is preferably designed as a helical spring. Alternatively, the sensor wiper itself can also be designed as a spring element, thereby eliminating the need for a separate return element.

[0017] One of the preceding embodiments or a further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the sensor wiper can be moved from the first position to the second position by means of a cleaning fluid emerging from the fluid nozzle and directed onto the sensor surface. For this purpose, the fluid nozzle is preferably directed onto the sensor surface and / or the sensor wiper.

[0018] The term "cleaning fluid" or "cleaning fluid that emerges" preferably refers to a cleaning fluid jet or a cleaning fluid stream, or vice versa.

[0019] It is also preferable if the sensor cleaning device is designed such that the sensor wiper is initially movable from the first position to the second position due to the cleaning fluid exiting the fluid nozzle, before the sensor wiper is moved back from the second position to the first position due to the restoring element, in particular a restoring force of the restoring element, preferably when the restoring force exceeds a force caused by the cleaning fluid exiting the fluid nozzle and striking the sensor wiper. The restoring force exceeds this force, in particular when the flow of cleaning fluid from the fluid nozzle decreases or is interrupted.

[0020] One of the preceding embodiments or a further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the sensor wiper can be moved from the first position to the second position by means of a hydraulic cylinder, that the sensor wiper is preferably drive-coupled to the hydraulic cylinder, and that, in particular, the hydraulic cylinder can be driven by means of the cleaning fluid. Preferably, the return element is integrated into the hydraulic cylinder.

[0021] One of the previous embodiments or a further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the sensor cleaning device comprises a hydraulic connection which is fluidically connected to the liquid nozzle or to the liquid nozzle and the hydraulic cylinder in order to supply a cleaning fluid supplied via the hydraulic connection to the liquid nozzle or to the liquid nozzle and the hydraulic cylinder.

[0022] One of the preceding embodiments or a further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the sensor wiper is mounted such that, when moving between the first and second positions, it performs a rotary movement and / or a pivoting movement and / or a linear movement. The movement can also be an arc-shaped movement.

[0023] One of the previous embodiments or a further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the sensor wiper is mounted in such a way that it is in physical contact with the sensor surface when moving between the first and the second position.

[0024] It is also preferable if the sensor wiper is mounted in such a way that it is in physical contact with the sensor surface when moving from the first to the second position.

[0025] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the sensor wiper is mounted in such a way that it is in physical contact with the sensor surface when moving from the second position to the first position.

[0026] One of the previous embodiments or a further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the sensor wiper has brush elements or a sealing lip or a rubber lip on a section that is in physical contact with the sensor surface, in particular to wipe away a liquid on the sensor surface during a movement between the first and second position.

[0027] One of the preceding embodiments or a further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the first position is located on a first side of the sensor surface and the second position is located on a second side of the sensor surface, in particular such that when the sensor wiper moves from the first position to the second position, at least 80%, 90%, 98% or 100% of the sensor surface is temporarily in physical contact with the sensor wiper.

[0028] One of the previous embodiments or a further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the sensor cleaning device comprises several liquid nozzles for large-area cleaning of the sensor surface.

[0029] Another solution to the problem relates to a sensor system comprising a sensor having a sensor surface and a sensor cleaning device according to the invention for cleaning the sensor surface. Thus, the sensor system according to the invention offers the same advantages as the sensor cleaning device according to the invention. In other words, a sensor system is created whose sensor surface can be reliably cleaned using the sensor cleaning device according to the invention. Preferably, the sensor is an optical sensor, a radar sensor, or a lidar sensor.

[0030] Another solution to the problem relates to a vehicle, particularly one capable of autonomous operation, comprising at least one sensor system according to the invention, wherein the sensor is preferably a sensor necessary for the autonomous operation of the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle particularly comprises an electrically driven cleaning fluid pump which is fluidically connected to the sensor cleaning device via the hydraulic connection in order to operate the sensor cleaning device. Thus, the vehicle according to the invention offers the same advantages as the sensor cleaning device and the sensor cleaning system according to the invention. Since the sensor cleaning device according to the invention can reliably clean the sensor surface of a sensor necessary for the autonomous operation of the vehicle, an autonomously operable vehicle with a particularly high level of functional reliability is provided. Brief description of the drawings

[0031] The invention will now be explained in detail using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention, Fig. 2 an embodiment of a sensor cleaning device according to the invention, Fig. 3 a further embodiment of a sensor cleaning device according to the invention, and Fig. 4 another embodiment of a sensor cleaning device according to the invention. Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0032] The Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a vehicle 1 according to the invention with an electric traction drive. It is an autonomously operable vehicle 1 comprising an embodiment of a sensor system 2 according to the invention, which includes a sensor 4, wherein the sensor is preferably a sensor 4 necessary for the autonomous operation of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 includes an electrically driven cleaning fluid pump 6, which is fluidically connected via a hydraulic connection to an embodiment of a sensor cleaning device 3 according to the invention in order to operate the sensor cleaning device 3 and thus clean a sensor surface 4a of the sensor 4. The sensor system further includes a control unit 5, which is configured to initiate cleaning of the sensor surface 4a when a cleaning requirement of the sensor surface 4a is detected.A cleaning requirement for the sensor surface 4a may occur at regular intervals or may depend on the signal quality of the sensor 4.

[0033] The Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a sensor cleaning device 3 according to the invention. This is the sensor cleaning device 3 made of Fig. 1. Cleaning fluid, indicated by dashed arrows, is applied over a large area to the sensor surface 4a from a fluid nozzle 8 to remove contaminants. The pressure of the cleaning fluid moves a sensor wiper 7, in the form of a wiper arm, from a first position to a second position. Only the first position is shown. A return element 9, in the form of a helical spring, allows the sensor wiper 7 to be moved back to the first position when the pressure of the cleaning fluid exiting the fluid nozzle 8 decreases. Thus, the sensor cleaning device 3 can be operated using the cleaning fluid and dried using the sensor wiper 7.

[0034] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of a sensor cleaning device 3 according to the invention, which differs from the embodiment shown above. Fig. 2 differs in that the sensor wiper is coupled to a hydraulic cylinder 10 for drive purposes. The hydraulic cylinder 10 is operated by the cleaning fluid. The sensor wiper can be moved by means of the hydraulic cylinder 10. A return element 9 is integrated into the hydraulic cylinder to move the sensor wiper back into its original position.

[0035] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of a sensor cleaning device 3 according to the invention, which differs from the embodiment shown above. Fig. 2 differs in that several liquid nozzles are provided for cleaning the sensor surface 4a over a large area. Here too, a hydraulic cylinder 10 with an integrated return element 9 is provided to move the sensor wiper back and forth between the two positions during cleaning of the sensor surface 4a.

[0036] The different features of the individual embodiments can also be combined with each other.

[0037] In all embodiments, the sensor wiper can have a sealing lip designed to wipe a liquid, in particular the cleaning fluid, from the sensor surface when the sensor wiper is moved back and forth between the two positions. The two positions between which the sensor wiper can be moved back and forth are located on two distant edge regions of the sensor surface that border the sensor surface.

[0038] The examples of implementation of Fig. Paragraphs 1 to 4 are not restrictive in nature and serve only to clarify the inventive concept. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle 2 Sensor system 3 Sensor cleaning device 4 Sensor 4a Sensor surface 5 Control unit 6 Cleaning fluid pump 7 sensor wipers 8 Liquid nozzle 9 Return element 10 hydraulic cylinders QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] EP 3763582 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Sensor cleaning device (3) comprising - a liquid nozzle (8) for cleaning a sensor surface (4a) with a cleaning fluid, and - a sensor wiper (7) for drying the sensor surface (4a), characterized by , that the sensor wiper (7) can be moved from a first position to a second position by means of the cleaning fluid. [2] Sensor cleaning device (3) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the sensor wiper can be moved from the second position to the first position by means of a return element (9), that the return element (9) is preferably designed as a spring element. [3] Sensor cleaning device (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the sensor wiper (7) can be moved from the first position to the second position by means of a cleaning fluid emerging from the liquid nozzle (8) and directed towards the sensor surface (4a). [4] Sensor cleaning device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sensor wiper (7) can be moved from the first position to the second position by means of a hydraulic cylinder (10), that the sensor wiper (7) is preferably coupled to the hydraulic cylinder (10) for drive, and that in particular the hydraulic cylinder (10) can be driven by means of the cleaning fluid. [5] Sensor cleaning device (3) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the sensor cleaning device (3) includes a hydraulic connection which is fluidically connected to the liquid nozzle (8) or to the liquid nozzle (8) and the hydraulic cylinder (10) in order to supply a cleaning fluid supplied via the hydraulic connection to the liquid nozzle (8) or the liquid nozzle (9) and the hydraulic cylinder (10). [6] Sensor cleaning device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the sensor wiper (7) is mounted in such a way that when moving between the first and second positions it performs a rotary movement and / or a pivoting movement and / or a linear movement. [7] Sensor cleaning device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sensor wiper (7) is mounted in such a way that it is in physical contact with the sensor surface when moving between the first and second positions. [8] Sensor cleaning device (3) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the sensor wiper (7) has brush elements or a sealing lip or a rubber lip on a section that is in physical contact with the sensor surface to wipe away any liquid on the sensor surface (4a) during a movement between the first and second positions. [9] Sensor cleaning device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the first position is located on a first side of the sensor surface (4a) and the second position is located on a second side of the sensor surface (4a), in particular such that when the sensor wiper (7) moves from the first position to the second position, at least 80%, 90%, 98% or 100% of the sensor surface (4a) is temporarily in physical contact with the sensor wiper (7). [10] Sensor cleaning device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sensor cleaning device (3) comprises several liquid nozzles (8) for large-area cleaning of the sensor surface (4a). [11] Sensor system (2) comprising a sensor (4) having a sensor surface (4a) and a sensor cleaning device (3) for cleaning the sensor surface (4a) according to any one of claims 1 to 10. [12] Vehicle (1), in particular autonomously operable vehicle (1), comprising at least one sensor system (2) according to claim 11, wherein the sensor (4) is preferably a sensor (4) necessary for the autonomous operation of the vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle (1) in particular comprises an electrically driven cleaning fluid pump (6) which is fluidically connected to the sensor cleaning device (3) via the hydraulic connection in order to operate the sensor cleaning device (3).

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