Lidar sensor unit cleaning system

Abstract

Title: Lidar sensor unit cleaning system Cleaning system (10) of a lidar sensor unit (100) comprising: - a wiper arm (12), - a drive unit (14), * the drive unit (14) moving the wiper arm (12) over the field of view (102) of the lidar sensor unit (100), * the drive unit (14) having a guide element (16), * the guide element (16) moving the wiper arm away from the surface of the lidar sensor unit (100) when the wiper arm (12) is in an edge region (20) of the field of view (102) and / or outside the field of view (102). Figure 1

Description

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

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

[0002] Numerous means are currently known for cleaning sensor surfaces in the automotive field. However, the increase in sensor surfaces to be cleaned and the increase in quality requirements result in a continuous demand for innovation and robust means for cleaning sensors.

[0003] The constant reduction of weight in the automotive sector to reduce consumption and increasing competition result in pressure on costs, which corresponds to a greater demand for advantageous and efficient components for vehicles.

[0004] DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0005] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a system for cleaning a lidar sensor unit comprising: a wiper arm, a drive unit, the drive unit moving the wiper arm across the field of view of the lidar sensor unit, the drive unit having a guide element, the guide element moving the wiper arm away from the surface of the lidar sensor unit when the wiper arm is in an edge region of the field of view and / or outside the field of view.

[0006] The cleaning system of a lidar sensor unit according to the invention has the advantage, compared to the state of the art, of moving the guide element of the wiper arm, in particular the wiping lip, away from the surface, thereby increasing the reliability of the wiper arm or the wiping lip. Thus, it is possible, in particular, to move the wiper arm with the wiping lip away from the rest position on a surface so that the wiping lip is no longer subjected to a force. Thus, on the one hand, there is a guide element which has the advantageous effect that the wiping lip will be less stressed than with a ramp, ensuring that the friction between the arm and the ramp is significantly reduced.

[0007] In other words, the guide element allows the wiper arm to be moved away from the field of view of the lidar sensor when it is not in use, in particular, orthogonally to the surface of the lidar sensor so that the wiping lip of the wiper arm no longer presses against the field of view, i.e. the surface of the field of view. The lidar sensor has, for example, a surface which corresponds to the field of view of the sensor. The edge region of the field of view is, for example, at a distance of about 10% from the diagonals of the field of view as a rectangle or as a square drawn on the field of view. Furthermore, preferably, the field of view has an edge or similar means so that the wiper arm passes over this edge to be outside the field of view. The cleaning system has a drive unit which is driven by an actuator or an electric drive to move the wiper arm along the surface which corresponds to the field of view. The drive unit, in particular the wiper arm will be moved to clean the field of view, i.e. the surface of the lidar sensor.

[0008] According to another preferred characteristic, the guide element has a first ramp by which the wiper arm is moved away from the surface by a first surface of predetermined section.

[0009] This embodiment has the advantage of reducing the friction between the wiper arm and the guide element because the surface of the section is adapted so that the transition takes place, if possible, without friction. Thus, the first predetermined section surface is in particular designed to continuously increase the gap between the wiper arm and the surface until this gap is sufficient to move the wiping lip away from the surface, i.e. from the field of vision.

[0010] According to another advantageous characteristic, the guide element has a second ramp which moves the wiper arm away from the surface by a second surface of predefined section.

[0011] This embodiment has the advantage that both sides of the wiper arm will be spaced away from the surface, i.e. from the field of vision, so that in each of the positions, the wiping lip of the wiper arm does not continue to be stressed, even for a simple wiping operation. Preferably, the second predefined sectional surface is chosen to continuously increase the distance between the wiping unit and the surface.

[0012] According to another preferred characteristic, the first ramp is on a first side of the surface and the second ramp on a second side of the surface, the first side and the second side being opposite each other.

[0013] This embodiment has the advantage that the load on the wiping lip and the wiper arm will be reduced accordingly because there is no passage of an edge of the field of vision or the surface of the wiping lip.

[0014] Preferably, the first predefined section surface and / or the second predetermined section surface have a first radius and a second radius, the first radius and the second radius being designed to reduce friction between the wiper arm and the guide element.

[0015] This feature has the advantage that the first radius and the second radius can be adjusted in a targeted manner to thereby have a transition to the lifting of the wiping unit relative to the surface which is as smooth as possible.

[0016] According to another preferred feature, the wiper arm has a wiping lip and the second radius is designed to move the wiping lip away from the surface.

[0017] This feature has the advantage that the second radius can be chosen so that the wiping lip is at a predetermined distance from the surface to thereby avoid freezing of the wiping lip against the surface.

[0018] According to another advantageous characteristic, the guide element has a limiting element to prohibit rotation of the wiping lip if the wiper arm is located in the edge region and / or beyond the field of vision.

[0019] This feature has the advantage that if the wiper arm with the wiping lip is in a rest position, the wiping lip is moved away from the surface and at the same time is protected against rotation if, for example, a draft or the like acts on the wiping lip.

[0020] According to another feature, the cleaning system is adapted to press the wiper arm with a predefined force against the surface, the cleaning system moving the wiper arm along a predefined axis on the surface and the guide element moving the wiper arm substantially orthogonally to the predefined axis from the surface.

[0021] This feature has the advantage that the guide element lifts the wiper arm in some way relative to the surface so that the wiper lip is no longer pressed against the surface of the lidar sensor although the cleaning system exerts a force on the wiper arm. This reduces in particular the friction of the wiper lip.

[0022] Further, preferably, the wiper arm has at least one roller to assist the movement of the wiper arm along the predefined axis, this guide element being adapted to receive the roller and move the wiper arm away from the surface.

[0023] This feature has the advantage of having a regular passage when lifting the wiper arm relative to the surface and thus reducing the snagging of the wiping unit.

[0024] The invention also relates to a lidar sensor unit for a motor vehicle and which comprises a cleaning system as described above and a lidar sensor. The cleaning system is designed to clean the field of view of the lidar sensor and this cleaning system moves the wiping arm over the surface of the field of vision to move it out of the way when the wiper arm is in the edge region of the field of vision or outside the field of vision.

[0025] This feature has the advantage of reducing the load applied to the wiper lip and wiper arm of the lidar sensor unit.

[0026] The invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with a lidar sensor unit as described above and a cleaning system as also described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] The present invention will be described hereinafter in more detail with the aid of examples of lidar sensor cleaning systems shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] [Fig-1] embodiment of a cleaning system,

[0029] [Fig.2] embodiment of a cleaning system,

[0030] [Fig.3] embodiment of a cleaning system,

[0031] [Fig.4] embodiment of a cleaning system,

[0032] [Fig.5] embodiment of a cleaning system,

[0033] [Fig.6a] embodiment of a cleaning system,

[0034] [Fig.6b] embodiment of a cleaning system,

[0035] [Fig.7a] embodiment of a cleaning system,

[0036] [Fig.7b] embodiment of a cleaning system,

[0037] [Fig.7c] embodiment of a cleaning system,

[0038] [Fig.8] embodiment of a lidar sensor unit,

[0039] [Fig.9] vehicle equipped with a lidar sensor system.

[0040] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The identical components, elements or units described above bear the same references.

[0042] [Fig.l] shows an embodiment of a cleaning system 10 of a lidar sensor unit 100. The cleaning system 10 comprises a wiper arm 12, a drive unit 14. The drive unit 14 moves the wiper arm 12 over the field of view 102 of the lidar sensor unit 100; the drive unit 14 comprises a guide element 16 and this guide element 16 moves the wiper arm 12 away from the surface 104 of the lidar sensor unit 100 when the wiper arm 12 is in the edge region 20 of the field of view 102 and / or beyond the field of view 2. Furthermore, preferably, the wiper arm 12 is moved by the drive unit 14 along a predefined axis 40 over the field of view 102, i.e. the surface 104 of the lidar sensor unit 100. Furthermore, preferably, the guide element 16 has a ramp 22 as well as a second ramp 26. According to [Fig.l], the first ramp 22 is on a first side 30 and the second ramp 26 on a second side 32 of the surface 104.

[0043] [Fig. 2] shows an embodiment of a cleaning system 10. The guide element 16 is preferably made in one part as shown in [Fig. 2]. The guide element 16 has a first ramp 22 with a first predefined cross-sectional area 24 and a second ramp 26 with a second predefined cross-sectional area 28. The first ramp 22 is on the first side 30 and the second ramp 26 on the second side 32. Furthermore, the guide element 16 has a limiting element 39 which is provided in particular on the first ramp 22. The limiting element 39 prohibits or avoids, in particular, the rotation of the wiping lip 38.

[0044] [Fig. 3] shows an embodiment of a cleaning system 10 which preferably comprises a wiper arm 12 and a guide element 16. The guide element 16 has a first ramp 22 with a first section 24. In addition, the first ramp 22 has a limiting element.

[0045] [Fig. 4] shows an embodiment of the cleaning system 10. The cleaning system 10 preferably comprises a wiper arm 12. The wiper arm 12 is preferably equipped with a wiping lip 38 for cleaning the field of view 102, i.e., the surface 104 of the lidar sensor unit 100. Furthermore, the wiper arm 12 has a roller 42 for assisting the movement of the wiper arm 12 along the predefined axis 40. The roller 42 moves the wiper arm 12 away from the surface 104 when the roller 42 arrives at the first ramp 22 or the second ramp 26.

[0046] [Fig. 5] is a schematic representation of the first ray 34 and the second ray 36 according to one embodiment. The first ray 34 and the second ray 36 are applied, in particular to the first predefined section surface 24 and / or to the second predefined section surface 28. The first ray 34 and the second ray 36 meet at an intersection point 37.

[0047] [Fig.6a] shows an embodiment of the cleaning system 10. This cleaning system 10 preferably has a guide element 16 which has a first ramp 22. The first ramp 22 has a first sectional surface 24 which has a first radius 34 and a second radius 36.

[0048] [Fig.6b] shows an embodiment of the cleaning system 10. This cleaning system 10 has a guide element 16. The guide element 16 has a second ramp 26 with a second predefined section 28. The predefined section 28 has a first radius 34 and a second radius 36.

[0049] Figures 7a, 7b, 7c show embodiments of the cleaning system 10. The cleaning system 10 has a respective wiper arm 12. Each of the wiper arms 12 has rollers 42 corresponding to different embodiments.

[0050] [Fig.8] shows a lidar sensor unit 100 equipped with a cleaning system 10 as described above. The lidar unit 100 has a lidar sensor 110.

[0051] [Fig.9] shows a vehicle 200 equipped with a lidar sensor unit 100 with a cleaning system 10 as described above.

[0052] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0053] 10 Cleaning system

[0054] 12 Windshield wiper arm

[0055] 14 Drive unit

[0056] 16 Drive unit / guide element

[0057] 20 Edge region of the field of vision

[0058] 22 First ramp of the guide element

[0059] 24 First section of the first ramp

[0060] 26 Second ramp of the guide element

[0061] 28 Second section

[0062] 30 First side of the surface

[0063] 32 Second side of the surface

[0064] 34 First ray

[0065] 36 Second ray

[0066] 37 Point of intersection

[0067] 38 Wiper lip

[0068] 39 Limiting element / reference element

[0069] 40 Predefined axis

[0070] 42 Pebble

[0071] 100 Lidar sensor unit

[0072] 102 Field of view of the lidar sensor unit

[0073] 104 Surface of the lidar sensor unit

[0074] 200 Vehicle

Claims

Claims

1. A cleaning system (10) of a lidar sensor unit (100) comprising: - a wiper arm (12), - a drive unit (14), * the drive unit (14) moving the wiper arm (12) over the field of view (102) of the lidar sensor unit (100), * the drive unit (14) having a guide element (16), * the guide element (16) moving the wiper arm (12) away from the surface (104) of the lidar sensor unit (100) when the wiper arm (12) is in an edge region (20) of the field of view (102) and / or outside the field of view (102).

2. A cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the guide member (16) has a first ramp (22) which moves the wiper arm (12) away from the surface (104) by a first predetermined cross-sectional area (24).

3. A cleaning system (10) according to claim 2, wherein the guide member (16) has a second ramp (24) which moves the wiper arm (12) away from the surface (104) by a second predetermined cross-sectional area (26).

4. A cleaning system (10) according to one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the first ramp (22) is on a first side (30) of the surface (104) and the second ramp (26) is on a second side (32) of the surface (104), * the first side (30) and the second side (32) are opposite each other.

5. Cleaning system (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first predetermined sectional surface (24) and / or the second predetermined sectional surface (28) have a first radius (34) and a second radius (36), * the first radius (34) and the second radius (36) being designed to reduce friction against the wiper arm (12) and the guide element (16).

6. A cleaning system (10) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the wiper arm (12) has a wiping lip (38), * the second radius (36) moving the wiping lip (38) away from the surface (104).

7. A cleaning system (10) according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the guide element (16) has a limiting element (39) for prohibiting rotation of the wiping lip (38) when the wiper arm (12) is in the edge region (20) and / or beyond the field of vision (102).

8. Cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning system (10) presses the wiper arm (12) with a predetermined force against the surface (104), * the cleaning system (10) being adapted to move the wiper arm (12) along a predefined axis (40) on the surface (104), * the guide element (16) moving the wiper arm (12) substantially orthogonal to the predetermined axis (40) relative to the surface (104).

9. Cleaning system (10) according to claim 8, wherein the cleaning arm (12) plays at least one role (42) in that it is designed to assist a movement of the wiper arm (12) along the predefined axis (40), * the guide element (16) receiving the roller (42) to move the wiper arm (12) away from the surface.

10. Lidar sensor unit (100) for a vehicle comprising: - a cleaning system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - a lidar sensor (110) with a field of view (102), * the cleaning system (10) cleaning the field of view (102) of the lidar sensor (110), * the cleaning system being adapted to move a wiper arm (12) away from the surface (104) of the field of view if the wiper arm

11. ice (12) is located in an edge region (20) of the field of vision (102) and / or outside the field of vision (102). Vehicle (200) comprising a lidar sensor unit (100) according to claim 9 and / or a cleaning system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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