Lidar sensor cleaning system

Abstract

TITLE: Lidar Sensor Cleaning System Cleaning system (10) for a lidar sensor comprising: - a cleaning arm for cleaning the field of view of the lidar sensor, and - a drive system, - the drive system comprising at least one drive unit and one transmission unit, * the drive unit driving the transmission unit, * the transmission unit moving the cleaning arm over the field of view to clean it, and - the drive system has a compensation unit (20) for reducing a force and / or a torque transmitted to the drive unit. Figure 2

Description

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

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

[0002] Currently, a large number of different solutions are known for cleaning sensor surfaces in the automotive field. However, the increasing number of sensor surfaces to be cleaned in the automotive field as well as the increase in quality requirements continuously increase the need for an innovative and robust cleaning process.

[0003] The constant reduction of weight in the automotive field to reduce consumption and the growth of competition result in pressure on costs so that there is a growing increase in demand for more advantageous and more efficient components for the automotive field.

[0004] DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0005] For this purpose, the invention relates to a cleaning system for a lidar sensor comprising:

[0006] - a cleaning arm for cleaning the field of view of the lidar sensor, and

[0007] - a drive system,

[0008] - the drive system comprising at least one drive unit and one transmission unit,

[0009] * the drive unit driving the transmission unit,

[0010] * the transmission unit moving the cleaning arm across the field of vision to clean it, and

[0011] - the drive system has a compensation unit for reducing a force and / or a torque transmitted to the drive unit.

[0012] The cleaning system of a lidar sensor according to the invention has the advantage over the state of the art that the compensation unit reduces the disturbances in operation of the cleaning system and also the load applied to the drive system, in particular to the drive unit. This makes it possible to increase the overall service life of the cleaning system. The cleaning system also has the advantage that if the cleaning arm is deflected by environmental influences, in particular according to a 3-dimensional deflection, the forces and torque will not be transmitted to the drive unit. This is particularly the case when the drive unit moves the cleaning arm along the field and deforms the arm. cleaning against the direction of movement so that there will be no breakage or similar effects on the transmission unit because the force and / or torque of the drive unit cannot be triggered by the compensation unit.

[0013] In other words, the compensation unit transmits a force or torque from the drive unit to the transmission unit to move the cleaning arm across the field of view of the lidar sensor without, however, having to reduce at the same time the force and / or torque that is transmitted by the cleaning arm and / or the transmission unit to the drive unit, if for example environmental influences are exerted on the cleaning arm. The drive unit of the drive system is an electric motor or similar equipment. The transmission unit and the drive system may consist, for example, of a belt drive or a similar drive.Preferably, the compensation unit is installed between the drive unit and the transmission unit so that the compensation unit both transmits a torque from the drive unit to the transmission unit and at the same time protects them by the compensation unit because this compensation unit will not be able to transmit the force and / or the torque which act for example on the cleaning arm or on the transmission unit.

[0014] The compensation unit receives the force and / or torque applied to the cleaning arm and / or the transmission unit so that the force and / or torque only partially acts on the drive unit.

[0015] This embodiment has the advantage that the compensation unit can, for example, absorb an elastic deformation or the like by a briefly increased amplitude torque or by a briefly elevated force so that this torque or force is not transmitted to the drive unit.

[0016] According to another preferred feature, the compensation unit has a first jaw element and a second jaw element, the first jaw element being connected to the drive unit and the second jaw element being provided on the transmission unit, the first jaw element and the second jaw element at least periodically forming a connection by form and / or force for transmitting a drive torque.

[0017] Another advantage of this embodiment is that with the first jaw element and / or the second jaw element, it is possible to transmit both a driving torque from the drive unit to the cleaning arm while ensuring that there is no influence of the environment or the like on the drive unit. Thus, for example, the first jaw element has a recess and the second jaw element has an impression and thus the recess and the impression interpenetrate to develop a connection by force and / or by shape. Furthermore, with for example a first spring element or similar means, the first jaw element is pressed against the second jaw element.

[0018] Preferably, a passage element is provided between the first jaw element and the second jaw element, this passage element being designed so that with an elastic deformation of the passage element, the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque is reduced.

[0019] This embodiment has the advantage that with the elastic deformation, a brief maximum of a force and / or a torque is compensated without having to interrupt the drive of the cleaning arm. Preferably, the passage element is manufactured in particular from a plastic material or a similar product to provide elastic deformation.

[0020] According to another characteristic, the compensation unit releases the connection by the shape to reduce the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque.

[0021] This embodiment has the advantage that with the release of the connection by the shape, such as for example, a passage between the first jaw element and the second jaw element, no force and / or torque is transmitted which does not act on the cleaning arm or on the transmission unit and will not be transmitted in full to the drive unit.

[0022] According to another preferred characteristic, the compensation unit has a first jaw element, a second jaw element and a torsion element, the first jaw element being installed on the drive unit which receives the second coupling element to the transmission unit, the torsion spring being installed between the first jaw element and the second jaw element, the torsion element by its elastic deformation reducing the transmission of force and / or of the torque element to be transmitted.

[0023] This feature has the advantage that with the jaw elements, the installation of the compensation unit on the drive unit and the transfer unit will be simpler, which reduces the manufacturing cost of the cleaning system. For example, the torsion element is a spiral spring or a similar spring so that the further increase in torque on the second jaw acts through the transmission unit and / or the cleaning arm and will be damped before reaching the drive unit.

[0024] The compensation unit advantageously comprises a first fluidic element and a second fluidic element, the first fluidic element and the second fluidic element delimiting a fluid chamber filled with a fluid, this fluid making it possible to create at least one connection by force between the first fluidic element and the second fluidic element, the fluid making it possible to release the connection by force if the force to be transmitted and / or the torque to be transmitted exceeds a predefined threshold.

[0025] This feature has the advantage that the fluid coupling is carried out with little friction, which increases the reliability of the compensation unit and thus the service life of the cleaning system. The fluid can be oil or a similar fluid. In the case where a force is transmitted by the cleaning arm or by the transmission unit to the drive unit, thanks to the properties of the fluid, its viscosity can be adjusted to trigger the release of the connection by the force of the fluid.

[0026] The drive unit preferably has a first pulley and the transmission unit has a second pulley, the compensation unit having a force passage element which provides a force and / or form connection with the first pulley and the second pulley, this force passage element making it possible to release the force and / or form connection if the force and / or torque to be transmitted exceeds a predefined threshold.

[0027] This feature has the advantage that by simple means such as for example two pulleys and a force transmission element, such as a belt, the drive unit is protected against overloading because the force transmission element slides on the first pulley and / or the second pulley thus avoiding any damage. It is possible, for example, to have a force transmission element such as a belt drive or the first pulley and the second pulley can be a kind of toothed wheel to thus develop a connection by force and / or form between the first pulley, the second pulley and the force transmission element.

[0028] According to another characteristic, the force transmission element makes it possible to transmit a motor torque from the drive unit to the transmission unit to move the cleaning arm.

[0029] This feature has the advantage that through functional integration, the number of components required is reduced and yet the drive unit is protected against damage.

[0030] The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with a cleaning system as described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0031] The present invention will be described hereinafter in more detail with the aid of embodiments of lidar sensor cleaning system shown in the accompanying drawings in which the same components or elements bear the same references in the different figures.

[0032] Thus:

[0033] [Fig-1] overall view of a cleaning system, according to the invention,

[0034] [Fig.2] Perspective view of a compensating element of a cleaning system according to the invention,

[0035] [Fig.3] partial axial sectional view of the compensating element of [Fig.2],

[0036] [Fig.4] Perspective view of another compensating element with a compensating element torsion, according to the invention,

[0037] [Fig.5] axial sectional view of [Fig.4],

[0038] [Fig.6a] axial sectional view of another embodiment of a system of cleaning with a fluid compensating element,

[0039] [Fig.6b] detailed sectional view of part of the cleaning system of [Fig.4],

[0040] [Fig.7] schematic perspective view of a cleaning system, according to the invention,

[0041] [Fig.8] very schematic view of a vehicle 100 equipped with a cleaning system according to the invention.

[0042] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0043] [Fig.l] shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment. The cleaning system 10 for cleaning a lidar sensor 200 comprises a cleaning arm 12 for cleaning the field of view 202 of the lidar sensor 200. The cleaning system 10 has a drive system 14 with a drive unit 16 and a transmission unit 18; the drive unit 16 drives the transmission unit 18 which moves the cleaning arm 12 over the field of view to clean it; the drive system 14 has a compensation unit 20 for reducing the force and / or torque transmitted to the drive unit 16.

[0044] Preferably, the compensation unit 20 receives the force and / or torque exerted on the cleaning arm 12 or the transmission unit 18 so that the force and / or torque only partly acts on the drive unit 16.

[0045] [Fig. 2] shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment. This cleaning system 10 has a drive system 14 with a compensation unit 20. This compensation unit 20 has a first jaw element 22 and a second jaw element 24. Between the first jaw element 24 and the second jaw element 24, there is a force transmission element 26. This force transmission element 26 makes it possible to reduce, by its elastic deformation, the force and / or the torque to be transmitted.

[0046] [Fig. 3] shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment. This cleaning system 10 has a drive system 14 with a drive unit 16 and a transmission unit 18. As shown in [Fig. 2], the second jaw element 24 is installed on the drive unit 16. The first jaw element 22 is installed on the transmission unit 18. The passage element 26 is installed between the first jaw element 22 and the second jaw element 24, which makes it possible to transmit a torque from the drive unit 16 to the transmission unit 18 and reduce it as well as the torque acting on the transmission unit 18 so as not to reach the drive unit 16.

[0047] [Fig. 4] shows another embodiment of a cleaning system 10. The cleaning system 10 has a drive system 14 with a compensation unit 20. This compensation unit 20 has a first jaw element 28 and a second jaw element 30. The first jaw element 28 is installed on the drive unit 16 and the second jaw element 30 is installed on the transmission unit 18. A torsion element 32 connects the first jaw element 28 and the second jaw element 30 so that this torsion element 32 reduces the transmitted force and / or torque.

[0048] [Fig. 5] shows an embodiment of the cleaning system 10 which has a drive unit 16 and a transmission unit 18 forming a drive system 14. According to [Fig. 5], the first jaw element 28 is installed on the drive unit 16 and the second jaw element 30 is installed on the transmission unit 18. The torsion element 32 which is, for example, a spiral spring or the like is installed between the first jaw element 28 and the second jaw element 30.

[0049] [Fig.6a] shows an embodiment of the cleaning system 10 which has a drive system 14 with a drive unit 16 and / or a transmission unit 18; the drive system 14 has a compensation unit 20 which, as shown in [Fig.6a], has a first fluid element 34 and a second fluid element 36. The first fluid element 34 and the second fluid element 36 delimit a fluid chamber 38 containing a fluid. The fluid makes it possible to release the connection by force between the first fluid element 34 and the second fluid element 36 at least partially if the force and / or the torque to be transmitted exceeds a predefined threshold.

[0050] [Fig.6b] shows an embodiment of a cleaning system 10. The cleaning system 10 has a drive system 14 with a compensation unit 20. The compensation unit 20 has a first fluidic element 34 and a second fluidic element 36 which are rotatable relative to each other. The first fluidic element 34 and the second fluidic element 36 define a fluid cavity 38 containing a fluid; the fluid cavity 38 is filled with the fluid.

[0051] [Fig.7] shows a cleaning system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention for equipping a lidar sensor 200 with a field of view 202. The cleaning system cleans the field of view 200 with its cleaning arm 12. The cleaning arm 12 is moved over the field of view 202 by the drive system 14. This drive system 14 has a drive unit 16 with a first pulley 38 and a second pulley 40; the compensation unit 20 has a passage element of force 42 which achieves a connection by force and / or form with the first pulley 38 and the second pulley 40. The force passage element 42 is designed to trigger the connection by force and / or form if the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque exceed a determined threshold.

[0052] [Fig.8] shows very schematically a vehicle 100 according to the invention with a cleaning system as described above, for cleaning the lidar sensor 200 of the vehicle 100.

[0053] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0054] 10 Cleaning system

[0055] 12 Cleaning arms

[0056] 14 Drive system

[0057] 16 Drive unit

[0058] 18 Transmission unit

[0059] 20 Compensation Unit

[0060] 22 First bit element

[0061] 24 Second jaw element

[0062] 26 Force passage element

[0063] 28 First bit element

[0064] 30 Second jaw element

[0065] 32 Torsion element

[0066] 34 First fluidic element

[0067] 36 Second fluidic element

[0068] 38 Fluidic cavity

[0069] 38 First pulley

[0070] 40 Second pulley

[0071] 42 Force passage element

[0072] 100 Vehicle

[0073] 200 Lidar sensor

[0074] 202 Lidar sensor field of view

Claims

Claims

1. A cleaning system (10) for a lidar sensor (200) comprising: - a cleaning arm (12) for cleaning the field of view (202) of the lidar sensor (200), and - a drive system (14), - the drive system (14) comprising at least one drive unit (16) and one transmission unit (18), * the drive unit (16) driving the transmission unit (18) * the transmission unit (18) moving the cleaning arm (12) over the field of view (202) to clean it, and - the drive system (14) has a compensation unit (20) for reducing a force and / or a torque transmitted to the drive unit (16).

2. Cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the compensation unit (20) receives a force and / or torque exerted on the cleaning arm (12) and / or the transmission unit (18) so that the force and / or torque only partially acts on the drive unit (16).

3. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the compensation unit (20) has a first jaw element (22) and a second jaw element (24), * the first jaw element (22) being connected to the drive unit (16) and the second jaw element (24) being installed on the transmission unit (18), * the first jaw element (22) and the second jaw element (24) being designed to at least partly provide a form-fitting and / or force-fitting connection for transmitting a drive torque.

4. A cleaning system (10) according to claim 3, wherein a passage member (26) is provided between the first jaw member (22) and the second jaw member (24), * the passage member (26) reducing the force and / or torque transmitted by its elastic deformation.

5. A cleaning system (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the compensation unit (20) reduces the transmitted force and / or torque by opening the connection by the shape.

6. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the compensation unit (20) has a first jaw element (28), a second jaw element (30) and a torsion element (32), * the first jaw element (28) being provided on the drive unit (16), - the second jaw element (30) being provided on the transmission unit (18), - the torsion element (32) being between the first jaw element (28) and the second jaw element (30), - the torsion element (32) being designed to reduce the force and / or torque transmitted by the elastic deformation of the torsion element (32).

7. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the compensation unit (7) comprises a first fluidic element (34) and a second fluidic element (36), - the first fluidic element (34) and the second fluidic element (36) delimiting a fluid chamber (38) filled with a fluid, - the fluid making it possible to at least partially create a force connection between the first fluidic element (34) and the second fluidic element (36), - the fluid being designed to release the force connection if the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque exceed a predefined limit value.

8. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the drive unit (16) has a first pulley (38), - the transmission unit (18) has a second pulley (40), - the compensation unit (20) has a force passage element (42) which forms a force and / or form connection with the first pulley (38) and the second pulley (40), * the force transmission element (42) releasing the connection by force and / or by shape if the transmitted force and / or the transmitted torque exceed a predefined threshold.

9. A cleaning system (10) according to claim 8, wherein the force passage member (42) transmits a motor torque from the drive unit (16) through the transmission unit (18) to move the cleaning arm (22).

10. Vehicle (100) equipped with a cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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