Lidar sensor unit

Abstract

Title: Lidar Sensor Unit. Lidar sensor unit (2) comprising a measuring surface (3) through which the emitted and received optical signals pass, a carriage (4) slid by a drive (5), a cleaning arm (6) attached to the carriage (4) and moved along the measuring surface (3) to clean this measuring surface (3). A cover frame (1) frames the measuring surface (3) and covers the carriage (4), with the cleaning arm (6) protruding from a portion of the cover frame (1). Figure 3

Description

Title of invention: Lidar sensor unit FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

[0002] Vehicles used in road traffic are developing more and more; this development is going in the direction of automated driving. However, for automated driving of a vehicle, reliable monitoring of the surrounding field is required, in particular with lidar sensor systems.

[0003] However, for lidar sensor systems to operate safely, they must be cleaned. This cleaning is done, for example, with compressed air or by spraying a cleaning liquid.

[0004] DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a lidar sensor unit having a measuring surface crossed by the emitted and received optical signals, a carriage slid by a drive, a cleaning arm fixed to the carriage and moved along the measuring surface to clean this measuring surface, and a cover frame framing the measuring surface and covering the carriage, the cleaning arm partially extending beyond the cover frame.

[0006] The lidar sensor unit comprises a carriage slidable by a drive means or more simply a drive. The drive moves the carriage along a rail. A cleaning arm of the lidar sensor unit attached to the carriage is moved along the measuring surface to clean it. For this purpose, the cleaning arm is applied in particular by means of a cleaning lip against the measuring surface. The carriage moves the cleaning arm along the measuring surface by its linear movement, and not like windshield wipers by a rotational or pivoting movement. The measuring surface can be curved so that the cleaning arm then moves along a curved path.

[0007] The lidar sensor unit has a cover frame for framing the measuring surface and covering the carriage. The cleaning arm protrudes from a part of the cover frame. Thus, the carriage is covered at least in part against external influences. Preferably, the carriage itself has a seal carried by the cover frame. In particular, the cleaning arm is raised from the cover frame, at least during the cleaning movement.

[0008] The cover frame has at least one nozzle for distributing cleaning liquid onto the measuring surface. This nozzle can be connected in particular to the cleaning liquid supply system of the vehicle equipped with the lidar sensor unit. The nozzle with the cleaning arm ensures the cleaning of the measuring surface. The integration of the nozzle into the cleaning frame is done with a nozzle that is simple and economical to manufacture.

[0009] The cover frame is advantageously attached to the body of the vehicle equipped with the lidar sensor unit. This corresponds to a solid attachment of the cover frame to the body minimizing relative movements between the cover frame and the body. The cover frame thus allows the integration of the lidar sensor unit into the body. The lidar sensor unit can be attached with other means to other components of the vehicle.

[0010] According to an advantageous development, the cover frame is a visible component. This means in particular that the cover frame is visible under the usual operating conditions of the lidar sensor unit. In particular, the cover frame is made of a high-quality optical material and / or is formed in an optical context. Furthermore, the shape of the cover frame is adapted to the body of the vehicle equipped with the lidar sensor unit.

[0011] Advantageously, the cover frame has a first branch area and a second branch area adjacent to the first branch area. The first branch area covers the carriage and extends along a first side of the measuring surface. The second branch area extends perpendicular to the first branch area or along a second side of the measuring surface. The second branch area covers the cleaning arm in the rest position beyond the measuring surface. Thus, the cleaning arm in the rest position is protected against external influences, which prevents or at least complicates vandalism of the cleaning arm. In addition, there is the aerodynamic advantage of a cleaning arm hidden behind the second branch area.

[0012] According to a development, alternatively, the cleaning frame has a first branch area and a second branch area adjacent to the first branch area. The first branch area preferably covers the carriage and extends along the first side of the measuring surface. The second branch area is perpendicular to the first branch area or extends along the second side of the measuring surface. The second branch area is preferably a stop for the cleaning arm in the rest position beyond the measuring surface. By applying the cleaning arm against the second branch, the arm is thus protected in the rest position, which increases stability, in particular, against external influences.

[0013] In a particularly advantageous manner, the second branch zone has a transition without gap or offset if the cleaning arm in the rest position is beyond the measuring surface. The cleaning arm thus appears not directly as an independent element, but as an optical part of the cover frame. This gives an excellent optical image and, in addition, improves the aerodynamic properties.

[0014] Preferably, the cover frame is a plastic part. The manufacture of the plastic cover frame is simple and economical. In addition, the frame is particularly light.

[0015] The invention also applies to a vehicle equipped with a lidar sensor unit described above with a cover frame fixed to the vehicle body. This ensures the holding of the cover frame and minimizes any movement between the cover frame and the body. Advantageously, other fixing means allow the actual fixing of the lidar sensor unit to components of the vehicle.

[0016] Advantageously, the cover frame and the bodywork join together without any gap or offset, which, on the one hand, gives an aerodynamic advantage to the vehicle and, on the other hand, ensures the aesthetic integration of the cover frame into the bodywork. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The present invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of an example of a lidar sensor unit shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] schematic view of a vehicle according to the invention,

[0019] [Fig.2] Schematic perspective view of the sensor unit,

[0020] [Fig.3] another schematic perspective view of the sensor unit,

[0021] [Fig.4a] diagram of the lidar sensor unit according to a first cleaning state of a variant,

[0022] [Fig.4b] Schematic of the lidar sensor unit in a second cleaning state,

[0023] [Fig.4c] Schematic of the lidar sensor unit in another cleaning state,

[0024] [Fig.4d] Schematic of the lidar sensor unit in another cleaning state,

[0025] [Fig.4e] diagram of a first variant of the lidar sensor unit,

[0026] [Fig.5a] perspective diagram of the lidar sensor unit according to a second variant for a first cleaning state,

[0027] [Fig.5b] Schematic perspective view of this lidar sensor unit for a second cleaning condition.

[0028] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0029] [Fig.l] schematically shows a vehicle 10 equipped with a lidar sensor unit 2 and in particular intended for automated driving with reliable monitoring of the surrounding field by the lidar sensor unit 2.

[0030] Figures 2 and 3 show an embodiment of the lidar sensor unit 2. This lidar sensor unit 2 has a measuring surface 3 through which the optical signals pass during transmission and reception. The surface 3 covers the lidar sensor in an optically transparent manner. In order for the lidar sensor unit 2 to function reliably, it must be cleaned with a cleaning arm 6 which cleans the measuring surface 3.

[0031] The cleaning arm 6 is attached to a carriage 4 which slides by a drive 6. The carriage 4 moves the cleaning arm 6 along the measuring surface 3 to clean it. For this purpose, the cleaning arm 6 is applied against the measuring surface 3 with a cleaning lip. The cleaning arm 6 is moved in a linear movement along the measuring surface 3 by the carriage 4. It does not perform any rotational or pivoting movement like conventional windshield wipers.

[0032] The lidar sensor unit 2 further has a cover frame 1. The cover frame 1 frames the measuring surface 3 and covers the carriage 4. For this purpose, the cover frame 1 has a first branch area 8 along the long side of the measuring surface 3. The first branch area 8 covers the carriage 4. Under the branch area 8, the cleaning arm 6 is raised relative to the cover frame 1 when the cleaning arm 6 is guided along the measuring surface 3.

[0033] To move the cleaning arm 6, the carriage 4 moves in a linear motion. The mobility requires a seal 12 that protects the drive 5 against external influences. The seal 12 must nevertheless allow the linear movement of the carriage 4, which corresponds to a conflict of objectives. The first branch zone 8 covers the seal 12 thus against some of the external influences; this improves the effectiveness of the seal 12.

[0034] The cover frame 1 has a second branch zone 9. This second branch zone 9 is adjacent to the first branch zone 8 and in particular it is practically perpendicular to the first branch zone 8. The second branch zone 9 can be produced according to different variants.

[0035] Figures 4a-4e show a lidar sensor unit 2 according to a first variant with the lidar sensor unit in different states. [Fig.4a] shows the ready-to-operate state in which the cleaning arm 6 is in the rest position beyond the measuring surface 3. Figures 4b-4e show different states during cleaning.

[0036] In the first variant of the lidar sensor unit 2, the second branch zone 9 covers the cleaning arm 6 when the latter is in the rest position, as shown in [Fig.4a]. The cleaning arm 6 is thus protected by the second branch zone 9. This protection serves, on the one hand, against influences of the environment and, on the other hand, against acts of vandalism. In addition, it improves the aerodynamic characteristics of the lidar 2 sensor unit.

[0037] The cleaning arm 6 moves along the measuring surface 3 to clean it. During the movement of the cleaning arm 6, the carriage 4 remains covered by the first branch area 8 and the cleaning arm 6 passes over a part of the covering frame 1, namely the first branch area 8. [Fig. 4b] shows the cleaning arm 6 stretching the area covered by the second branch area 9. [Fig. 4c] shows the cleaning arm 6 during the cleaning phase of the surface 3.

[0038] The cover frame further has at least one nozzle 7; Figures 3, 4, 5 show two nozzles 7. The nozzles 7 in this example distribute cleaning liquid onto the measuring surface 3. The integration of the nozzles 7 in the cover frame 1 makes it possible to use nozzles 7 that are simple and economical to manufacture and that can be optimally adjusted. [Fig. 4d] shows the lidar sensor unit 2 during the spraying of liquid by the nozzles 7. [Fig. 4e] shows the lidar sensor unit 2 while the cleaning arm 6 scrapes off the liquid that has been sprayed. The nozzles 7 thus improve the cleaning by the cleaning arm 6.

[0039] Figures 5a and 5b show a lidar sensor unit 2 according to a second variant. This second variant differs from the first variant in that the cleaning arm 6 is not covered by the second branch area 9 when the cleaning arm 6 is in the rest position. Moreover, the second branch area 9 constitutes a stop for the cleaning arm 6 when the latter is in the rest position. This state is shown in [Fig.5a]. [Fig.5b] shows the cleaning arm 6 during cleaning of the surface 3.

[0040] In particular, the second branch region 9 joins the cleaning arm 6 without a gap or without a transition offset when the cleaning arm 6 is in the rest position. This means in particular that the upper surface of the second branch region 9 is practically aligned with the upper surface of the cleaning arm 3. Furthermore, the cleaning arm 6 presses against the second branch region 9 without leaving a gap. The cleaning arm 6 is in particular supported by the second branch region 9 and thus stabilized in the rest position. Furthermore, the aerodynamic characteristics of the lidar sensor 2 are improved.

[0041] The cover frame 1 of all variants is a visible part or component, preferably made of plastic. This means that the cover frame 1 is visible from the outside of the vehicle 10. The cover frame has, in particular, an aesthetic shape. The cover frame 1 further serves to integrate the lidar sensor unit 2 into the overall image of the vehicle 10. In particular, the cover frame 1 is fixed to the body 11 of the vehicle 10 to avoid relative movements between the body 11 and the cover frame 1 or to minimize such movements. The frame cover 1 achieves a transition without interval or offset with the bodywork 11, which, on the one hand, guarantees a high-quality optical appearance and, on the other hand, optimizes the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle 10.

[0042] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0043] 1 Cover frame

[0044] 2 Lidar sensor unit

[0045] 3 Measuring surface

[0046] 4 Cart

[0047] 5 Training

[0048] 6 Cleaning arms

[0049] 7 Nozzle

[0050] 8 First branch zone

[0051] 9 Second branch zone

[0052] 10 Vehicle

[0053] 11 Bodywork

[0054] 12 Joint

Claims

Claims

1. Lidar sensor unit (2) comprising: - a measuring surface (3) traversed by transmitted and received optical signals, - a carriage (4) slid by a drive (5), - a cleaning arm (6) fixed to the carriage (4) and moved along the measuring surface (3) to clean it, - a cover frame (1) for framing the measuring surface (3) and covering the carriage (4), * the cleaning arm (6) protruding from a part of the cover frame (1).

2. Lidar sensor unit (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover frame (1) comprises at least one nozzle (7) for distributing a cleaning liquid onto the measuring surface (3).

3. Lidar sensor unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover frame (1) is fixed to the body (11) of the vehicle (10) equipped with the lidar sensor unit (2).

4. Lidar sensor unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover frame (1) is a vision component.

5. Lidar sensor unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover frame (1) comprises a first branch area (8) and a second branch area (9) adjacent to the first branch area (8), * the first branch area (8) covering the carriage (4), and * the second branch area (9) covering the cleaning arm (6) when it is in the rest position beyond the measuring surface (3).

6. Lidar sensor unit (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cover frame (1) has a first branch area (8) and a second branch area (9) adjacent to the first branch area (8), * the first branch area (8) covering the carriage (4), and * the second branch zone (9) serving as a stop for the cleaning arm (6) when the cleaning arm (6) is in the rest position beyond the measuring surface (3).

7. Lidar sensor unit (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the second branch zone (9) has a transition without gap or offset relative to the cleaning arm (6) when the cleaning arm (6) is in the rest position beyond the measuring surface (3).

8. Lidar sensor unit (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover frame (1) is a plastic component.

9. Vehicle (10) equipped with a lidar sensor unit (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cover frame (1) is fixed to the body (11) of the vehicle (10).

10. Vehicle (10) according to claim 9, the cover frame (1) and the body (11) join without gap or offset

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