Wiping unit for a lidar sensor unit

Abstract

Title: Wiping Unit for a Lidar Sensor Unit. Wiping unit (10) for a lidar sensor unit comprising: - a first hinge element (12), mounted on a drive in the lidar sensor unit (200), - a first spacer element (14), - a second hinge element (16) having a wiping lip (18). The first spacer element (14) is designed to separate and connect the first hinge element (12) and the second hinge element (16). The second hinge element (16) is fixed according to the predefined gap (20) between the first hinge element (12) and the second hinge element (16) by a material connection to the first spacer element (14). Figure 1a

Description

Title of the invention: Wiper unit for a lidar sensor unit FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiping unit for a lidar sensor unit as well as to a vehicle equipped with a lidar sensor unit with such a wiping unit. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Currently, many different solutions are known for cleaning lidar sensor surfaces in the automotive field. The growing number of lidar sensors and the quality or cleanliness requirements increase the need for innovative and robust means.

[0003] Furthermore, the reduction in weight in the automotive sector to reduce consumption as well as the growth in competition to reduce costs result in a greater demand for more advantageous and more efficient components.

[0004] DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention relates to a wiping unit for a lidar sensor unit comprising a first joint element, a first spacer element, a second joint element, the first joint element being connected to a drive in the lidar sensor unit, the second joint element having a wiping lip, the first spacer element being designed to move the first joint element and the second joint element apart and connect them, the second joint element being fixed according to the predefined distance between the first joint element and the second joint element by a material connection to the first spacer element.

[0006] By adapting the position of the second joint element, the wiping unit can be adapted to a large number of different lidar sensor units. The adaptation can be carried out by deflecting the first spacer element and also by the position of the second joint element on the first spacer element. The predetermined distance can be adapted depending on the respective lidar sensor unit which is to receive the wiping unit.

[0007] The first spacer element regulates the distance or gap between the first articulation element and the second articulation element, but also the forces exerted on the first articulation element to transmit them to the second articulation element. Thus, the first spacer element is, for example, produced by press work or by extrusion and cut to length according to the gap predefined. The material connection between the second articulation element and the first spacer element is thus achieved in particular by laser welding, gluing, ultrasonic welding or by similar techniques.

[0008] Preferably, the second articulation element comprises at least one material connection element, this element making it possible to achieve at least part of the material connection.

[0009] Advantageously, this embodiment adapts according to the assembly method to obtain a material bond of the material bonding element. For example, in the case of ultrasonic welding, the material bonding element is made to allow simple assembly.

[0010] According to another advantageous characteristic, the material connecting element has an essentially triangular section, which has the advantage of simplifying ultrasonic welding or assembly.

[0011] According to another characteristic, the first spacer element or the second spacer element are partially made of a transparent material so that the material connection can be made by ultrasonic welding with the material connection element.

[0012] This embodiment has the advantage that if part of the elements around the material connection is at least partially transparent, the connection will be significantly simpler to make than if a change of location is necessary during the manufacturing process.

[0013] According to another characteristic, the first spacer element has a first side and a second side, the second side being opposite the wiping lip, the second articulation element is on the second side,

[0014] * the first spacer element has two recesses,

[0015] * the second hinge element has two pins designed to penetrate into the two recesses and fix the second hinge element to the first spacer element.

[0016] According to another characteristic, the second articulation element is installed by simple engagement on the first spacer element with the pins and the recesses.

[0017] According to another feature, the two pins fix the wiping lip to the wiping unit.

[0018] This embodiment has the advantage of avoiding any further manufacturing step because the pins fix both the second hinge element to the first spacer element and also the wiping lip to the wiping unit.

[0019] Preferably, the first spacer element has a first side and a second side, the second side being opposite the wiping lip and the second hinge element is on the first side of the first spacer element.

[0020] This embodiment has the advantage that the first spacer element can be made of a large number of different materials such as, for example, plastic or sheet metal.

[0021] According to another characteristic, the first articulation element and the second spacer element are in a single piece, which has the advantage of further reducing the manufacturing cost and of better transmitting the forces from the first articulation element to the first spacer element.

[0022] Preferably, the first spacer element has, on a first side, a guide for the second articulation element, the latter being slidably installed in the guide to adjust the predefined gap.

[0023] This embodiment has the advantage of reducing manufacturing costs because the same first spacer is suitable for a large number of different lidar sensor units since the second articulation element can slide in the guide to the correct position before making the connection by the material.

[0024] For example, the first spacer element has a longitudinal extension direction along which the second articulation element is flexibly installed because it can be adjusted into different positions by the guide.

[0025] According to another development, the invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a wiping system as described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0026] The present invention will be described hereinafter in more detail with the aid of embodiments of lidar sensor wiping units shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0027] [Fig.1a] perspective view of a first embodiment of a wiping unit,

[0028] [Fig. 1b] Perspective view of a hinge element of the wiping unit of the [Fig. 1a],

[0029] [Fig.2a] another perspective diagram of another embodiment of the unit wiping according to the invention,

[0030] [Fig.2b] perspective view of the articulation element of the wiping unit according to the [Fig.2a],

[0031] [Fig.3a] Perspective view of another embodiment of the wiping unit in a first adjustment position,

[0032] [Fig.3b] Perspective view of the wiping unit of [Fig.3a] for another adjustment position,

[0033] [Fig.3c] perspective view of the wiping unit of [Fig.3a] for another adjustment position,

[0034] [Fig.4] diagram of a vehicle equipped with a lidar sensor unit with a wiping unit according to the invention.

[0035] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0036] In the following description, all identical elements or components in the figures bear the same references.

[0037] [Fig. 1a] shows a wiping unit 10 according to one embodiment. This wiping unit 10 is designed to equip a lidar sensor unit 100. The wiping unit 10 has a first hinge element 12, a first spacer segment 14 and a second hinge element 16. The first hinge element 12 is preferably connected to a drive of the lidar sensor unit 100. The second hinge element is designed to receive a wiping lip 18, i.e. to install the wiping lip 18 on the second hinge element 16. The second hinge element 16 receives the wiping lip 18; in other words, the wiping lip 18 is installed on the second hinge element 16. The first spacer element 14 connects the first hinge element 12 to the second hinge element 16 by keeping them apart.The second articulation element 16 is fixed according to the predefined distance 20 between the first articulation element 12 and the second articulation element 16 by a material connection to the first spacer element 14. Furthermore, the first spacer element 14 has at least two recesses 28. The two recesses 28 receive pins 30 for installing the second articulation element 16 on the first spacer element 14. In addition to the pins 30, the second articulation element 16 is fixed to the first spacer element 40 by a material connection, in particular, at a predefined distance (or gap) 20.

[0038] [Fig.lb] shows the embodiment of the wiping unit 10 for the second articulation element 16. The second articulation element 16 has in particular two pins 30 for engaging in the first spacer element 14. The pins 30 are designed to fix the lip 18 to the wiping unit 10. Preferably, the second articulation element 16 has several material connection elements 22 for providing at least part of the material connection between the second articulation element 16 and the first spacer element 14.

[0039] [Fig. 2a] shows the wiping unit 10 according to one embodiment. The wiping unit 10 comprises a first hinge element 12, a first spacer element 14 and a second hinge element 16. According to [Fig. 2a], the first hinge element 12 and the first spacer element 14 are in one piece. The spacer element 14 preferably has a first side 24 and a second side 26. The second articulation element 16 is installed on the first side 24 facing the wiping lip 18.

[0040] [Fig.2b] shows an embodiment of the wiping unit 10 preferably comprising the second articulation element 16. The second articulation element 16 has several material connection elements 22. Preferably, the second articulation element 16 has contact points 31 for installing the lip 18 there.

[0041] [Fig. 3a] shows a wiping unit 10 according to one embodiment. This wiping unit 10 has a first articulation element 12, a first spacer element 14 and a second articulation element 16. The first spacer element 14 has a first side 24 facing the wiping lip 18 and a second side 26 opposite the wiping lip 18. The second articulation element 16 is on the first side 24. The first spacer element 14 has a guide on the first side 24. The guide 32 receives the second articulation element 16 sliding along the sliding axis 34.

[0042] [Fig.3b] shows an embodiment of the wiping unit 10. This wiping unit 10 has a first articulation element 12, a first spacer element 14 and a second drive element 16. [Fig.3b] shows the second articulation element 16 for the maximum gap 36 in the guide 32.

[0043] [Fig.3c] shows an embodiment of the wiping unit 10 comprising a first articulation element 12, a first spacer element 14 and a second articulation element 46. The guide 32 of the first spacer element 14 receives the second articulation element 16. [Fig.3c] shows the second articulation element 16 for the minimum gap between the first articulation element 12 and the second articulation element 16.

[0044] [Fig. 4] shows a vehicle 300 with a wiping unit 10 as described above. The vehicle 300 is equipped with a lidar sensor unit 100. Preferably, the vehicle 100 has a wiping unit 10 as described above, serving to clean the lidar sensor unit 100.

[0045] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0046] 100 Lidar sensor unit

[0047] 300 Vehicle

[0048] 10 Wiping unit

[0049] 12 First articulation element

[0050] 14 First spacer element

[0051] 16 Second articulation element

[0052] 18 Wiper lip

[0053] 20 Gap between the first and second articulation element

[0054] 22 Material connecting element

[0055] 24 First side of the first spacer element

[0056] 26 Second side of the first spacer element

[0057] 28 Recess

[0058] 30 Pin

[0059] 32 Guide on the first side 24

[0060] 36 Maximum gap

[0061] 40 First spacer element

Claims

Claims

1. Wiper unit (10) for a lidar sensor unit (200) comprising: - a first joint element (12), - a first spacer element (14), - a second joint element (16), * the first joint element (12) being connected to a drive in the lidar sensor unit (200), * the second joint element (16) having a wiping lip (18), * the first spacer element (14) is designed to move the first joint element (12) and the second joint element (16) apart and connect them, * the second joint element (16) being fixed according to the predefined distance (20) between the first joint element (12) and the second joint element (16) by a material connection to the first spacer element (14).

2. A wiping unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the second hinge member (16) has at least one material bonding element (22), and this material bonding element (22) at least partly forms the material bonding.

3. A wiping unit (10) according to claim 2, wherein the material bonding element (22) has a substantially triangular section.

4. Wiping unit (10) according to one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the first spacer element (14) or the second housing element (16) are made at least partly of a laser-transparent material to achieve the material connection with the connecting element (22) by laser welding.

5. A wiping unit (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the first spacer member (14) has a first side (24) and a second side (26), the second side (24) being opposite the wiping lip (18), * the second hinge element (16) being on the second side (26), * the first spacer element (14) has two recesses (28), * the second hinge element (16) has two pins (30) for engaging in the two recesses (28) and securing the second hinge element (16) to the first spacer element (14).

6. A wiping unit (10) according to claim 5, wherein the two pins (30) secure the wiping lip (18) to the wiping unit (10).

7. A wiping unit (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first spacer element (14) has a first side (24) and a second side (26), * the second side (26) is opposite the wiping lip (18), * the second hinge element (16) is on the first side (24) of the first spacer element (14).

8. A wiping unit (10) according to claim 7, wherein the first hinge member (12) and the first spacer member (14) are in one piece.

9. Wiping unit (10) according to one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the first spacer element (14) provides on the first side (24) a guide (32) for the second articulation element (16), * the second articulation element (16) is slidably installed in the guide (32) to enable the predefined distance (20) to be adjusted.

10. Vehicle (300) equipped with a wiping unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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