Lidar sensor cleaning system

Abstract

Title: Lidar Sensor Cleaning System System for cleaning a lidar sensor with a field of view comprising: - a cleaning arm (12) for cleaning the field of view, - a drive system for moving the cleaning arm (12) and cleaning the field of view, * the drive system having a force transmission element (16), * the cleaning arm (12) being installed on the force transmission element (16), * the cleaning arm (12) has a recess (18), * the cleaning arm (12) has a spring unit (20), * the spring unit (20) is housed in the recess (18), * the spring unit (20) applies a preload to the force transmission element (16). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Lidar sensor cleaning system FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

[0002] A large number of different solutions are already known for cleaning sensor surfaces in the automotive sector. However, the increasing number of sensor surfaces and the increasingly stringent requirements regarding cleaning quality are resulting in a continuously growing demand for innovative and robust cleaning systems.

[0003] The continuous reduction of weight in the automotive field to reduce consumption as well as the development of competition result in pressure on costs so that the demand is for more advantageous and more efficient components for the automotive field.

[0004] DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of known solutions and to this end relates to a system for cleaning a lidar sensor with a field of vision comprising:

[0006] - a cleaning arm for cleaning the field of vision,

[0007] - a drive system for moving the cleaning arm and cleaning the field of vision,

[0008] * the drive system having a force transmission element,

[0009] * the cleaning arm being installed on the force transmission element,

[0010] * the cleaning arm has a recess,

[0011] * the cleaning arm has a spring unit,

[0012] * the spring unit is housed in the recess,

[0013] * the spring unit applies a preload to the force transmission element.

[0014] The cleaning system according to the invention of a lidar sensor presents with respect to the state of the art, the advantage of ensuring a higher preload on the force transmission element which is, for example, a belt transmission so as to avoid slippage between the drive and the drive belt. In particular, for the back and forth or forward and backward movement of the cleaning arm on the field of view of the lidar sensor, there will be a higher preload of the force transmission element which is adjusted with the spring unit.

[0015] Furthermore, the maintenance means are reduced to increase the preload of the force transmission element because the spring unit allows the pre-stressing of the force transmission element, continuously for prolonged operation of the cleaning system.

[0016] In other words, according to the invention, the lidar sensor cleaning system with a field of view comprises a cleaning arm for cleaning the field of view. The cleaning system has a drive system for moving the cleaning arm and cleaning the field of view; the drive system has a force transmission element and the cleaning arm can be installed on the force transmission element; the cleaning arm has a recess and a spring unit in the recess; the spring unit applies a preload to the force transmission element.

[0017] Thus, the spring unit makes it possible to provide a tensile or compressive connection which provides or increases the prestress of the force transmission element, for example, a belt drive. The outer surface or face of the lidar sensor comprises the cleaning system. The cleaning system has a drive, for example, an electric motor and preferably, the cleaning system has a first point and a second reversing point for guiding the force transmission element.

[0018] According to another advantageous feature, the electric drive is connected to a reversing point so as to move the cleaning arm across the field of view of the lidar sensor. It is important to have sufficient preload applied to the force transmission element both for the left-to-right movement and also the front-to-back movement. In particular, during the operating time of the cleaning system, the preload of the force transmission element decreases continuously. To overcome this disadvantage, a spring unit is provided, in particular, on the cleaning arm. For this purpose, the cleaning arm preferably has a recess to protect the spring unit against environmental influences.The spring unit enables a preload to be developed in the form of a tensile force and / or pressure acting on the transmission element, for example, a transmission belt to have the preload of the force transmission element of the drive system of the cleaning system.

[0019] The cleaning arm preferably has a sliding element slidably housed in the recess, the sliding element and a wall of the recess forming a frictional connection.

[0020] This connection has the advantage that the sliding element is guided in the recess, which prevents the sliding element from catching or tilting so that the spring effect of the spring unit is applied without difficulty between the sliding element and the recess.

[0021] According to another advantageous feature, the frictional connection creates a damping effect of the cleaning arm, which has the advantage that if environmental influences or the like act on the cleaning arm, these influences are not transmitted directly to the force transmission element because of the damping effect of the frictional connection and / or the spring unit, which protects the force transmission element and / or the drive of the force transmission element.

[0022] The force transmission element has a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the cleaning arm and the second end to the sliding element such that the spring unit develops a preload between the sliding element and the cleaning arm.

[0023] This solution has the advantage that the spring unit is supported by the sliding element and the cleaning arm, i.e. by their recesses, particularly against environmental influences, which guarantees a particularly long service life for the spring unit.

[0024] According to another advantageous characteristic, the force transmission element is an open transmission belt or a similar means. Thus, the belt drive has a first end and a second end, the first end being fixed to the cleaning arm and the second end to the sliding element.

[0025] The spring element advantageously has at least a first leaf spring disposed in the recess, the first leaf spring having a first contour designed to provide the preload to the force transmission element.

[0026] This embodiment has the advantage that by functional integration, the multiplicity of functions in a single component, in particular the first leaf spring, is further reduced, which reduces the manufacturing cost of the cleaning system accordingly. For this purpose, a leaf spring as well as friction sliding with the force transmission element and also with the prestressing of the force transmission element can be used.

[0027] According to another advantageous characteristic, the first leaf spring is in the longitudinal extension direction; the first contour forms in particular the outer contour and the leaf spring has a first extension geometry according to the longitudinal extension of the leaf spring.

[0028] According to another feature, the spring unit has a second leaf spring which has a second contour, the first contour and the second contour being substantially identical and the spring element at least partially bearing against the first contour and the second contour.

[0029] This embodiment has the advantage that the first contour and the second contour develop a guiding effect of the force transmission element, which simplifies, on the one hand, the assembly of the force transmission element to the first and second leaf spring. The expression "practically identical" means in the present context that the differences in shape are between 1% and 50%.

[0030] The force transmission element with the first leaf spring and the second leaf spring form a frictional connection to have a damping effect, which has the advantage of preventing environmental influences or similar influences from being applied directly to the cleaning arm and not directly to the drive system of the force transmission element and vice versa, which increases the service life of the cleaning system accordingly.

[0031] According to another advantageous characteristic, the first contour and the second contour have an S shape starting from a point of attachment of the first leaf spring and / or the second leaf spring to generate the prestressing of the force transmission element, which has the advantage of significantly reducing the space required for the spring unit because the S-shaped contour allows, with the first and the second leaf spring, to have a greater travel for a smaller space requirement and thus generate the prestressing of the force transmission element.

[0032] The recess has a first side and a second side, the first side being provided with a third leaf spring and the second side with a fourth leaf spring; the third leaf spring has a first rounding and the fourth leaf spring a second rounding; the first rounding and the second rounding deflect the force transmission element, at least in segments towards each other, to create the prestressing of the force transmission element.

[0033] This embodiment has the advantage that the opposite arrangement of the third and fourth leaf springs in the recess allows, in a targeted manner, the generation of a pre-tensioning force for the force transmission element.

[0034] According to another feature, the reliability of the cleaning system is increased because when the third leaf spring or the fourth leaf spring applies a reduced preload, this will be compensated by the other corresponding leaf spring. For example, the first rounding of the third leaf spring develops a first force direction and the second rounding of the fourth leaf spring develops a second force direction, the first force direction and the second force direction being opposite each other.

[0035] According to another feature, the first rounding and the second rounding create a frictional connection between the third leaf spring and / or the fourth leaf spring and the force transmission element to thereby develop a damping effect, which has the advantage that this damping effect develops pressure on the cleaning arm and / or the drive system which is not transmitted directly between both components because the damping by the third leaf spring and the fourth leaf spring does not promote direct transmission of force.

[0036] According to another development, the invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a cleaning system as described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0037] The present invention will be described hereinafter in more detail with the aid of embodiments of the cleaning system shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0038] [Fig-1] perspective view of a lidar sensor cleaning system,

[0039] [Fig.2] sectional view of an embodiment,

[0040] [Fig.3a] sectional view of a cleaning system according to the invention,

[0041] [Fig.3b] sectional view of a cleaning system according to the invention,

[0042] [Fig.3c] sectional view of a cleaning system according to the invention,

[0043] [Fig.4] sectional view of a cleaning system according to the invention,

[0044] [Fig.5a] sectional view of a cleaning system according to the invention,

[0045] [Fig.5b] sectional view of a cleaning system according to the invention,

[0046] [Fig.5c] sectional view of a cleaning system according to the invention,

[0047] [Fig.6] sectional view of a cleaning system according to the invention,

[0048] [Fig.7a] sectional view of a cleaning system according to the invention,

[0049] [Fig.7b] sectional view of a cleaning system according to the invention,

[0050] [Fig.7c] sectional view of a cleaning system according to the invention,

[0051] [Fig.8] very simplified diagram of a motor vehicle equipped with a device for cleaning according to the invention.

[0052] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0053] [Fig. 1] shows a cleaning system 10 of a lidar sensor 200 having a field of view 202. The cleaning system 10 has a cleaning arm 12 for cleaning the field of view 202. The cleaning system has a drive system 14 for moving the cleaning arm 12 and cleaning the field of view 202. The drive system 14 has a force transmission element 16 connected to the cleaning arm 12; the cleaning arm 12 has a recess 18 and a spring unit 20 housed in the recess 18.

[0054] The spring unit 20 creates the prestress of the force transmission element 16.

[0055] [Fig.2] shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The cleaning system 10 has a cleaning arm 12 with a recess 18. The recess 18 receives a sliding element 22, in particular, a sliding element. The sliding element 22 is provided with a force transmission element 16. In particular, the second end 28 is connected to the sliding element 22. The force transmission element 16 is connected to the cleaning arm 12. The first end 26 of the force transmission element 16 is on the cleaning arm 12. The cleaning system 10 has a spring unit 20. The spring unit 20 connects, as shown in [Fig. 2], the sliding element 22 to the cleaning arm 12. Thus, the spring unit 20 connects the sliding element 22 to the cleaning arm 12 to apply the preload to the force transmission element 16. The recess 18 has a wall 24. The sliding element 22 forms a frictional connection with the wall 24 of the recess 18. This frictional connection creates a damping effect for the cleaning arm 12.

[0056] [Fig. 3a] shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment. The cleaning system 10 has a cleaning arm 12 provided with a recess 18 receiving a sliding element 22 sliding relative to the recess 18. The sliding element 22 is connected to the second end 28 of the force transmission element 16. The force transmission element 16 is connected to the cleaning arm 12. The spring unit 20 connects the sliding element 22 to the cleaning arm 12 so as to apply the preload to the force transmission element 16. [Fig. 3a] shows the force transmission element 16 subjected to a relatively small preload so that the deflection between the sliding element 22 and the cleaning arm 12 is small.

[0057] [Fig. 3b] shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment. The cleaning system 10 of [Fig. 3b] has a configuration similar to that of the cleaning system 10 of [Fig. 3a]. The cleaning system 10 of [Fig. 3b] has a greater clearance against the sliding element 22 and the cleaning arm 12 so that the preload of the force transmission element 16 is increased.

[0058] [Fig. 3c] shows a cleaning system 10 corresponding to one embodiment. The cleaning system 10 has a configuration similar to that of the cleaning system 10 of FIGS. 3a and 3b. The cleaning system 10 of [Fig. 3c] is in a state with maximum travel between the sliding element 22 and the cleaning arm 12 so that the force transmission element 16 is at a higher prestress.

[0059] [Fig. 4] shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment. The cleaning system 10 has a cleaning arm 12 with a recess 18 receiving a force transmission element 16. The force transmission element 16 is connected to the cleaning arm 12. The force transmission element 16 is a looped belt drive. The spring unit 20 has a first leaf spring 30 in the recess 18 which has a first contour 32 for developing the preload of the force transmission element 16. The spring unit 20 has a second leaf spring 34 with a second contour 36. As shown in [Fig. 4], the first contour 32 and the second contour 36 are substantially identical. The force transmission element 16 is applied at least partly against the first contour 32 and / or the second contour 36. According to [Fig. 4], the first leaf spring 30 and the second leaf spring 34 are applied practically by a form connection to the force transmission element 16. The first contour 32 and the second contour 36 realize a kind of S for applying a preload to the force element 16. The S-shape of the first leaf spring 30 and that of the second leaf spring 34 are described as connected to a first attachment point 38 for the first leaf spring 30 or for the second leaf spring 34 as shown in [Fig. 4].

[0060] [Fig. 5a] shows an embodiment of a cleaning system 10 which has a cleaning arm 12 with a recess 18. The recess 18 receives the force transmission element 16. The recess 18 has a first leaf spring element 30 and a second leaf spring element 34. The first leaf spring element 30 has a first contour 32 and the second leaf spring element 34 has a second contour 36. The first contour 32 and the second contour 36 form a form-fitting connection with the force transmission element 16 to thereby apply a prestress to the force transmission element 16. According to [Fig. 5a], the first leaf spring 30 and the second leaf spring 34 are in their original, unexpanded position so that the force transmission element 16 receives a small prestressing.

[0061] [Fig.5b] shows an embodiment of the cleaning system 10 which has a configuration similar to that of the cleaning system 10 of [Fig.5a]. As shown in [Fig.5b], the first leaf spring 30 and the second leaf spring 34 are at least partially deflected so as to apply a greater preload to the force transmission element 16.

[0062] [Fig.5c] shows an embodiment of a cleaning system 10 which has a configuration similar to that of the cleaning system 10 shown in Figures 5a and 5b. The first leaf spring 30 and the second leaf spring 34 have a substantially maximum elongation or deflection so that a maximum preload will be applied to the force transmission element.

[0063] [Fig. 6] shows another embodiment of a cleaning system 10. The cleaning system 10 has a cleaning arm 12 with a recess 18 having a first side 40 and a second side 42. A third leaf spring 44 equips the first side 40 and a fourth leaf spring 46 equips the second side 42. The third leaf spring 44 has a first rounding 48 and the fourth leaf spring 46 has a second rounding 50. The first rounding 48 and the second rounding 50 deflect the force transmission element 16 at least in segments to apply the preload to the force transmission element 16. According to [Fig. 6], the third leaf spring 44 has a first deflection which is in particular opposite the deflection direction of the fourth leaf spring 46 and thus applies the preload to the force transmission element 16.

[0064] On the first side 40 of the recess 18 there is a fifth leaf spring 49 with a fifth rounding 51. The first rounding 48, the second rounding 50 and the third rounding 51 are designed to deflect the force transmission element 16 towards each other so as to apply a prestress to the force transmission element 16.

[0065] The first rounding 48 and the second rounding 50 develop a frictional connection between the third leaf spring 44 and the fourth leaf spring 46 and the force transmission element 16 creating a damping effect. According to [Fig.6], there is a connection essentially by the shape between the first rounding 48 and the second rounding 50 with the force transmission element 16 to develop in particular the frictional connection between these components and apply a damping effect.

[0066] [Fig.7a] shows an embodiment of a cleaning system 10 which has a cleaning arm 12 with a bore 18 having a first side 40 and a second side 42. A third leaf spring 44 is provided at the first side and a fourth leaf spring 46 at the second side 42. The third leaf spring 44 has a first rounding 48 and the fourth leaf spring 46 has a second rounding 50. The first rounding 48 and the second rounding 50 allow the force transmission element 16 to be deflected towards each other to thereby apply the preload to the force transmission element 16. According to [Fig.7a], the third leaf spring 44 and the fourth leaf spring 46 have substantially their original shape, which corresponds to a minimal deflection of the first rounding 48 and the second rounding 50 resulting in a preload weak applied to the force transmission element 12.

[0067] [Fig.7b] shows an embodiment of a cleaning system 10 which has a configuration similar to that of the cleaning system 10 of [Fig.7a]. According to [Fig.7b], the third leaf spring 44 and the fourth leaf spring 46 have a certain elongation which develops a higher prestress in the force transmission element 16.

[0068] [Fig.7c] shows an embodiment of a cleaning system 10 which has a configuration analogous to that of the cleaning system 10 of Figures 7a and 7b. According to [Fig.7c], the third leaf spring 44 and the fourth leaf spring 46 have a practically maximum deflection so that a maximum preload is applied to the force transmission element 16.

[0069] [Fig.8] is the very simplified diagram of a vehicle 100 according to an embodiment comprising a lidar sensor 200 with a cleaning system 10 like those described above.

[0070] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0071] 200 Lidar sensor

[0072] 202 Field of vision

[0073] 10 Cleaning system

[0074] 12 Cleaning arms

[0075] 14 Drive system

[0076] 16 Force transmission element

[0077] 18 Cavity

[0078] 20 Spring Unit

[0079] 22 Sliding / sliding element

[0080] 24 Wall

[0081] 26 First end

[0082] 28 Second end

[0083] 30 First leaf spring

[0084] 32 First outline

[0085] 34 Second leaf spring

[0086] 36 Second outline

[0087] 38 Fixing point

[0088] 40 First side

[0089] 42 Second side

[0090] 44 Third leaf spring

[0091] 46 Fourth leaf spring

[0092] 48 First rounding

[0093] 49 Fifth leaf spring

[0094] 50 Second rounding

[0095] 51 Third rounding

Claims

Claims

1. A cleaning system (10) for a lidar sensor (200) with a field of view (202) comprising: - a cleaning arm (12) for cleaning the field of view (202), - a drive system (14) for moving the cleaning arm (12) and cleaning the field of view (202), * the drive system (14) having a force transmission element (16), * the cleaning arm (12) being installed on the force transmission element (16), * the cleaning arm (12) has a recess (18), * the cleaning arm (12) has a spring unit (20), * the spring unit (20) is housed in the recess (18), * the spring unit (20) applies a preload to the force transmission element (16).

2. A cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein - the cleaning arm (12) has a sliding element (22) slidably housed in the recess (18), * the sliding element (22) and a wall (24) of the recess (12) form a frictional connection.

3. A cleaning system (10) according to claim 2, wherein the frictional connection provides a damping effect for the cleaning arm (12).

4. A cleaning system (10) according to one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the force transmission element (16) has a first end (26) and a second end (28), * the first end (26) is attached to the cleaning arm (12), * the second end (28) is attached to the sliding element (22) so that the spring unit (20) applies a preload between the sliding element (22) and the cleaning arm (12).

5. A cleaning system (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the spring unit (20) has at least one first leaf spring (30) in the recess (18), - the first leaf spring (30) has a first contour (32) for generating the preload of the force transmission element (16).

6. Cleaning system (10) according to claim 5, wherein the spring unit (20) has a second leaf spring (34), - the second leaf spring (34) has a second contour (36), - the first contour (32) and the second contour (36) are substantially the same, - the force transmission element (16) bears at least partially against the first contour (32) and the second contour (36).

7. The cleaning system (10) of claim 6, wherein the force transmission member (16) provides a frictional connection with the first spring member (30) and the second spring member (34) to apply a damping effect.

8. Cleaning system (10) according to one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the first contour (32) and the second contour (36) have an S-shape starting from a fixing point (38) of the first leaf spring (30) and / or the second leaf spring (34) to generate the prestress of the force transmission element (16).

9. Cleaning system (10) according to claim 5, wherein - the recess (18) has a first side (40) and a second side (42), - a third leaf spring (44) is provided on the first side (40) and a fourth leaf spring (46) is provided on the second side (42), - the third leaf spring (44) has a first rounding (48) and the fourth leaf spring (46) has a second rounding (50), - the first rounding (48) and the second rounding (50) deflect the force transmission element (16) at least in segments relative to each other to generate the prestress of the force transmission element (16).

10. A cleaning system (10) according to claim 9, wherein

11. the first rounding (48) and the second rounding (50) provide a frictional connection between the third leaf spring (44) and / or the fourth leaf spring (46) and the force transmission element (16) to generate the damping effect. Vehicle (100) comprising a cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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