Cleaning device, scraper device, optical sensing device and cleaning method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning mechanism for cleaning a sensor window of an optical sensing device of a vehicle. The optical sensing device may preferably be an optical sensing device for optical distance measurement, and more preferably a LiDAR sensor device. The cleaning mechanism includes a wiper blade. The cleaning mechanism further includes at least a first scraper for scraping off obstacles from the wiper blade. The cleaning mechanism is positioned to wipe the wiper blade over the sensor window. The cleaning mechanism is further positioned to move at least one of the wiper blade and the first scraper relative to and along each other to scrape off obstacles from the wiper blade.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for cleaning a sensor window of an optical sensing device of an automobile. Preferably, the method may be a method for cleaning a sensor window of an optical sensing device for optical distance measurement, and more preferably, it may be a LiDAR sensor device. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicles are typically equipped with various optical sensing devices, whether for actual autonomous driving or manual driving, and these may be, for example, devices for optical distance measurement. For example, a map of the vehicle's environment can be generated by estimating the distance between an object in the vehicle's environment and the vehicle. A specific type of optical sensor technology used is known as LiDAR or LIDAR ("Light Detection And Ranging" or "Laser Imaging Detection And Ranging"), and is also referred to as laser radar ("Laser Detection And Ranging") or 3D laser scanning.

[0003] Typically, an optical sensing device, such as an optical distance measuring device, particularly a LiDAR sensing device, may include one or more light sources, preferably one or more laser light sources, to transmit one or more light beams, preferably one or more laser light sources, into the environment. The optical sensing device may further include one or more optical detectors for detecting reflections of the transmitted one or more light beams, and may further include a processing unit, which may be, for example, for generating a mapping of the environment based on transmitted data and data related to the detected reflections of the light. Furthermore, the optical sensor device typically includes a sensor window glass forming the outer surface of the optical sensor device. The sensor window glass may subsequently form an optically transparent protective layer to protect underlying sensor components, such as the one or more light sources and / or optical detectors. Light can therefore be transmitted and detected through the sensor window, and in order to obtain a substantially unobstructed view of the environment, the optical sensing device is typically positioned outside the vehicle, and the sensor window faces the environment and faces away from the vehicle, preferably facing substantially forward.

[0004] Outside the vehicle, the sensing device, specifically the sensor window, is prone to being covered with obstacles that can obstruct, block, or otherwise interfere with the optical signal passing through the sensor window, such as rainwater, fine particles, insects, etc., and such obstacles may result in incorrect sensor data. The problem to be solved

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and / or means for mitigating at least one of the known defects of a vehicle's sensing device, and in particular, to mitigate at least one of the defects described above. In particular, it may be desirable to improve the sensor data of the vehicle's optical sensor device. More particularly, it may be desirable to minimize the accumulation of optical obstacles, such as rainwater, particulates, insects, etc., on the sensor glass of the optical sensor device. means of solving the problem

[0006] According to the first aspect of the present invention, a method for cleaning a sensor window of an optical sensing device of a vehicle, preferably an optical sensing device for optical distance measurement, more preferably a LiDAR sensor device, comprises: a step of wiping at least a portion of the sensor window with a wiper blade; and a step of scraping along the side of the wiper blade, preferably in a direction toward the tip of the wiper blade.

[0007] By wiping the wiper blade over the sensor glass, water droplets and / or other obstacles that may obstruct the view of the optical sensing device can be removed from the sensor glass, which may result, for example, improved sensor data and / or improved accuracy. By scraping along the side of the wiper, preferably in a direction toward the tip of the wiper blade, obstacles removed from the sensor glass and swept away by the wiper blade can be removed from the wiper blade, which may, for example, counteract such obstacles that may unintentionally accumulate when the wiper blade sweeps the sensor glass again. The scraper can thus improve the efficiency of the use of the wiper blade.

[0008] In one embodiment, the method may further include the step of sweeping the tip of the wiper blade over the wipe-off surface to wipe away liquid and / or other obstacles from the wiper blade and over the wipe-off surface before wiping the wiper blade again over at least a portion of the sensor glass window. As a result, liquid and / or other obstacles that may be present at or near the tip of the wiper blade, particularly on or above the lower surface of the wiper blade, if present, can be swept away from the wiper blade over the wipe-off surface. Preferably, during the step of sweeping the tip of the wiper blade over the wipe-off surface, the wiper blade may be in a first position, particularly in a first angular position with respect to the wipe-off surface, and the first position may substantially correspond to a second position, particularly in a second angular position, with respect to the sensor glass containing the wiper blade, while the wiper blade is being wiped over the sensor glass. As a result, liquid and / or obstructions that may be present at or near the tip of the wiper blade may be allowed to accumulate, particularly spread over the wipe-off surface. Preferably, the accumulated liquid may be removed at least partially so as to flow down the wipe-off surface and / or by means of a drainage slit arranged to allow water to pass through the slit by capillary motion, for example by a capillary means.

[0009] In another embodiment, the method may also include a step of additionally scraping along the side of the wiper, particularly in a direction toward the tip of the wiper blade, preferably with an additional scraping means. The additional step of additionally scraping along the side of the wiper blade may be performed before wiping the wiper blade again over at least a portion of the sensor glass, and preferably after an optional step of sweeping the tip of the wiper blade over the aforementioned wipe-off surface. In the additional step of additionally scraping along the side of the wiper, the last remaining obstacle, e.g., liquid and / or dirt, may be scraped at least partially from the wiper blade to help the wiper blade be relatively clean before being wiped again over the sensor glass.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a cleaning mechanism is provided for cleaning a sensor window of an optical sensing device of an automobile, preferably an optical sensing device for optical distance measurement, more preferably a LiDAR sensor device. Preferably, the cleaning mechanism may be arranged to perform at least partially the method described above. The cleaning mechanism comprises at least a wiper blade and a first scraper for scraping off an obstacle from the wiper blade. The cleaning mechanism is arranged to wipe the wiper blade over the sensor window, and the cleaning mechanism is further arranged to move at least one of a group consisting of the wiper blade and the first scraper relative to and along each other to scrape off an obstacle from the wiper blade by means of the first scraper.

[0011] By positioning the cleaning mechanism to scrape off optical obstacles such as dirt and / or liquid from the wiper blade, the wiper blade can be kept relatively clean when wiped again over the sensor window glass, thereby enabling relatively efficient and / or effective cleaning of the sensor window glass and / or improving sensor usage and / or accuracy and / or sensor data.

[0012] Advantageously, the first scraper may be fixed to the position of the sensor window glass, and the cleaning mechanism may be positioned to move the wiper blade relative to the first scraper so as to scrape the wiper blade along the scraper. As a result, the cleaning mechanism may include, for example, one or more driving mechanisms, all of which are intended to wipe the wiper blade over the sensor window glass and to move the wiper blade along the first scraper. The cleaning mechanism may be of a relatively simple design, and, for example, for convenience of explanation, the driving mechanism for driving the scraper may be omitted in the case of a fixed scraper.

[0013] In an embodiment, the cleaning mechanism may include a wipe-off surface, preferably located downstream from the first scraper, and the cleaning mechanism may be positioned so that the tip of the wiper blade sweeps the wipe-off surface. The wipe-off surface may allow liquid and / or dirt to be wiped off from the wiper blade onto the wipe-off surface by sweeping the wiper blade over the wipe-off surface.

[0014] Advantageously, the wipe-off surface is positioned substantially parallel to the outer surface of the sensor window glass, and more preferably, substantially along the outer surface of the sensor window glass. This allows, for example, when the wiper blade is substantially in a specific state or position, particularly when it is in a specific rotational state or position, and when it moves substantially linearly, that is, when it moves linearly first along the sensor window glass, then over the first scraper, and subsequently along the wipe-off surface, the wiper blade may be in substantially the same position relative to the sensor window glass and also in the same position relative to the wipe-off surface, thereby helping to ensure that liquid and / or dirt that might accumulate on the sensor window glass in such a position can already accumulate on the wipe-off surface before the wiper blade is swept back over the sensor window glass.

[0015] In an embodiment, the wipe-off surface is formed by a second scraper, the second scraper includes a second scraper edge, preferably the second scraper edge is located at the proximal end of the wipe-off surface so that the wiper blade can be partially scraped at least twice before being swept over the wipe-off surface.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, in the embodiments, the cleaning device further comprises additional scrapers, particularly a third scraper, which can help to remove at least partially from the wiper blade any contaminants still remaining on the wiper blade after the wiper has swept over the wipe-off surface.

[0017] In at least a preferred embodiment, the wiper blade may be made of a material that is relatively flexible and / or relatively elastic compared to the material of the glass window. Additionally or alternatively, the wiper blade may be made of a material that is relatively flexible and / or relatively elastic compared to the material of the first scraper and / or the material of the wipe-off surface and / or the material of the second scraper and / or the material of the additional scraper. For example, the wiper blade may be made of rubber or a rubber-like material. The sensor window glass may comprise, for example, an optically transparent material, which is substantially smooth and / or homogeneous to avoid local refractive index variations. The sensor window glass may be, for example, substantially flat, or alternatively, a curved surface of a desired shape, for example, a curved surface having a radius of curvature required to optimize the field of view of the optical sensing device. The shape of the wiper blade, in particular the tip of the wiper blade, can be positioned to correspond to the shape of the sensor window glass for optimal cleaning of the sensor window glass.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, a scraper mechanism for a cleaning mechanism is provided, wherein the scraper mechanism comprises at least one first scraper defining a first scraper edge for scraping an obstacle from the wiper blade of the cleaning mechanism, preferably the scraper mechanism further comprises a wipe-off surface, more preferably the wipe-off surface is spaced apart from the first scraper edge, and even more preferably spaced apart from the first scraper.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, an optical sensing device, in particular a LiDAR sensor device is provided.

[0020] Advantageous embodiments according to the present invention are described in the appended claims. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0021] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, which is described in combination with the enclosed drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a scraper mechanism for a cleaning mechanism for cleaning a sensor window glass of an optical sensing device according to one aspect of the present invention. FIGS. 2a-2f illustrate schematic, partially cut cross-sectional views of embodiments of a cleaning mechanism for cleaning a sensor window glass of an optical sensing device according to the sun of the present invention in various states. The drawings merely illustrate preferred embodiments according to the present invention. In the drawings, reference numerals denote similar components unless otherwise specified. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a scraper mechanism (7) for use in a cleaning mechanism (8), said cleaning mechanism is positioned to clean the sensor window glass (91) of an optical sensing device (90). FIG. 2a-2f illustrates schematic, partial cutaway, and cross-sectional views of said cleaning mechanism in six different states of said cleaning mechanism (8). said cleaning mechanism (8) is intended to clean the sensor window glass (91) of an optical sensing device (90) of an automobile or other vehicle, and in particular to clean the outer surface (92) of said sensor window glass (91). said optical sensing device (90) may preferably be for optical distance measurement, and more preferably may be for a LiDAR sensor device.

[0023] The cleaning mechanism (8) comprises a wiper blade (40), which is preferably made of a resilient and / or rubber or rubber-like material. The cleaning mechanism (8) is positioned to wipe the wiper blade (40), preferably at least its tip (41), over the sensor window glass (91), and the cleaning mechanism (8) and / or the wiper blade (40) may be positioned to push away from at least a portion of the sensor window glass (91) other fluids such as water, cleaning liquid, or deposits (6), and / or other obstacles to light transmission, for example, in a wiping direction (D1) parallel to the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass (91).

[0024] The cleaning mechanism (8) further includes a first scraper (1) for scraping off obstacles (6) from the wiper blade (40). Furthermore, the cleaning mechanism (8) is arranged to move at least one of the wiper blade (40) and the first scraper (1) relative to and along each other to scrape off obstacles (6) from the wiper blade (40). The first scraper (1) may be at least partially part of a cleaning system or scraping system for cleaning the wiper blade (40). In particular, the first scraper (1) may be part of a scraper mechanism (7), which may be formed as an assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected parts (1, 2, 3), for example, mounted within a frame (70). However, a person skilled in the art will know that the scraper mechanism (7) can alternatively be formed integrally, for example, that the scraper mechanism (7) can be formed by means of integral injection molding.

[0025] As shown herein in the embodiment, at least the first scraper (1), and preferably the entire scraping system (7), may be fixed to the position of the sensor window glass (91), and the cleaning mechanism (8) may be positioned in such embodiment to move the wiper blade (40) to the first scraper (1) and to scrape the wiper blade (40) along the scraper, and preferably may also be positioned to move the wiper blade (40) to one or more optional additional cleaning sections (2, 3) of the scraping system (7), for example, to a wipe-off surface (22) and / or an additional scraper (3), which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0026] Additionally or alternatively, in a favorable embodiment, the cleaning mechanism (8) may be positioned to wipe the wiper blade (40) over the sensor window glass (91) from a first position, particularly from an upper position, toward a second position, particularly toward a lower position, and positioned to wipe at least a first portion of the sensor window glass (91) located between the first position and the second position, and the cleaning mechanism (8) is characterized by being positioned to move the wiper blade (40) backward from the second position toward the first position without wiping over the first portion of the sensor window glass (91). As shown herein in an exemplary embodiment, the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass (91) may extend upward, preferably substantially vertically, and the wiper blade (40) may wipe at least a portion of the outer surface (92), preferably by wiping in a downward direction (D1). The wiper blade (40) wiping over the sensor window glass (91) can push the obstacle (6) downward, which can be advantageous, for example, because it does not need to operate against gravity.

[0027] For example, before moving the wiper blade (40) back to the first position, the wiper blade (40) may be moved substantially laterally (D4) away and away from the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass (91). Alternatively, or additionally, the wiper blade (40) may be moved away from the virtual plane (P92) where the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass (91) extends by rotating the wiper blade (40) in the rotational direction (R4), for example, around the rotation axis (A4) of the wiper (4) including the wiper blade (40).

[0028] It is known that wiping in a unidirectional manner, particularly avoiding wiping substantially toward the first position from the second position, while wiping from the first position to the second position, can produce relatively good cleaning results, and is known to be better than wiping in both directions. Avoiding wiping during the return movement of the wiper blade (40) substantially toward the first position from the second position corresponds to the placement of a fluid film over the sensor window glass (91) during the return movement. The wiper blade (40) can therefore come into contact with the sensor window glass (91) while wiping from the first position to the second position, whereas the wiper blade (40) can be released from the sensor window glass (91) during the movement of the wiper blade (40) substantially toward the first position from the second position.

[0029] In the embodiment, the wiper (4) and / or the wiper blade (40) may be substantially in a specific state or position, particularly in a specific rotational state or rotational position, and may be substantially linearly moved, particularly in a wiping direction (D1), first along the sensor window glass (91), as shown in FIG. 2a, for example, and subsequently over the first scraper, as shown in FIG. 2b, for example. Preferably, the first scraper (1) may protrude beyond a virtual plane (P92) to which the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass (91) extends, as can be seen, for example, in FIG. 2b. Protruding may be considered to mean protruding beyond the virtual plane (P92) on the side opposite to where the sensor window glass (91) is located. In FIG. 2b, the sensor window glass (91) is located to the right of the virtual plane (P92), and the first scraper (1) protrudes to the left of the virtual plane (P92), which may correspond to the front of a car or other vehicle having the cleaning mechanism (8).

[0030] As can be seen in FIG. 2b, the first scraper (1) can define a first scraping edge (10), and the cleaning mechanism (8) can be positioned so that the first scraper edge (10) engages with the side (44) of the wiper blade (40) at a position spaced apart from the tip (41) of the wiper blade. Subsequently, when the wiper blade (40) is moved further, particularly in direction D2, substantially along direction D1, where direction D1 is the direction in which the sensor window glass (91) was moved while wiping, the first scraper (1), particularly the first scraper edge (10), can scrape along the side (44) of the wiper blade toward the tip (41) of the wiper blade (40), particularly to scrape off obstacles (6, 61), such as insects, and then be removed, particularly through the first discharge passage (51), etc.

[0031] Preferably, the first scraper (1) may have a relatively sharp edge (10), preferably such that the angle is less than 120 degrees, preferably about 90 degrees, as shown here in the example, or may be less than 90 degrees.

[0032] Advantageously, the cleaning device (8) may further include a wipe-off surface (22), and the cleaning device (8) may be positioned so that the tip of the wiper blade (41) sweeps over the wipe-off surface (22), as can be seen, for example, in FIG. 2d. By sweeping over the wipe-off surface (22), liquid and / or other obstacles may be wiped from the wiper blade (40) onto the wipe-off surface (22), particularly when the wiper blade (40) sweeps over at least a portion of the window glass (91) before being wiped again. As a result, liquid (62) and / or other obstacles that may be present at or near the tip (41) of the wiper blade, particularly on or above the lower surface (42) of the wiper blade (40), if the wiper blade (40) has such a lower surface, can be swept down from the wiper blade (40) onto the wipe-off surface (22).

[0033] Preferably, the wipe-off surface (22) may be located downstream from the first scraper. In other words, the first scraper edge (10) may be located between the sensor window glass (91) and the wipe-off surface (22).

[0034] Additionally or alternatively, the wipe-off surface (22) may be positioned substantially parallel to the sensor window glass (91), and in particular, substantially parallel to the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass (91). Preferably, the wipe-off surface (22) may be positioned substantially along the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass (91), as can be seen in FIGS. 2a-2f, offset from therefrom, for example, by less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm, and more preferably less than 1 mm.

[0035] The first scraper (1) may preferably protrude particularly outwardly (D3) beyond the virtual plane (P22) to which the wipe-off surface (22) extends, and may be considered in a direction (D3) transverse to the virtual plane to which the wipe-off surface (22) extends and / or to the wipe-off surface (22).

[0036] Advantageously, the wipe-off surface (22) may be spaced apart from the first scraper edge (10), preferably spaced apart from the first scraper (1), for example spaced apart in the direction (D2) and / or downward direction in which the wiper blade (40) moves, and in particular, may be formed to form a discharge passage (52), for example, a second discharge passage (52) to remove obstacles removed from the wiper blade (40). For example, water droplets (63) or other obstacles scraped by the first scraper edge (10) may flow along the lower side (11) of the first scraper (1) through the second drainage passage (52), while other obstacles (61), for example, relatively large and / or solid parts (61), may be removed through the first drainage passage (51), as can be seen, for example, in FIG. 2c.

[0037] In an embodiment, the wipe-off surface (22) may be formed by a second scraper (2). The second scraper (2) may subsequently include a second scraper edge (20), the second scraper edge preferably located at the proximal end of the wipe-off surface (22), and the proximal end shown in the embodiment is located on the upper side of the wipe-off surface (22). Preferably, the second scraper (2) may have a relatively sharp edge (20), and preferably the angle is less than 120 degrees, preferably about 90 degrees, as shown herein in the embodiment, or may be less than 90 degrees. As can be seen from FIG. 2c, the second scraper edge (20) can scrape along the side (44) of the wiper blade (40), preferably in a direction toward the tip (41) of the wiper blade (40), and preferably scrape substantially before the tip (41) is swept over the wipe-off surface (22). Here, the wipe-off surface (22) is a place where, for example, a film of liquid and / or other obstacles may accumulate. In order to allow the wiper blade (40) to accumulate such liquid relatively well, particularly by spreading it over the wipe-out surface (22), the wipe-out surface (22), and preferably also the part over which the wiper blade (44) actually wipes, may have a length L22, which can be measured in the direction (D2) in which the wiper blade (40) wipes over the wipe-out surface (22), wherein the length L22 is formed as the height of the wipe-out surface (22), as shown herein in the exemplary embodiment, and may be at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, more preferably at least 3 mm, and at least about 5 mm.Alternatively or additionally, the length (L22) may be at least equal to or preferably greater than the thickness T41 of the tip portion (41) of the wiper blade (40) and / or the thickness T42 of the lower surface (42) of the wiper blade (40), preferably at least twice as large, more preferably at least three times larger.

[0038] The above obstacle, particularly the liquid obstacle, can flow down along the wipe-off surface (22) and, preferably, be removed, and, in particular, be drained by means of each drain passage (53), and in particular, by the third drain passage (53). Advantageously, the drain passage (53) may be located adjacent to the downstream end of the wipe-off surface (22), the downstream end being considered downstream of the direction (D2) in which the wiper blade is moved, and the downstream end is preferably the lower end of the wipe-off surface (22). Furthermore, the drain passage (53) may form a drain slit (53) that can be arranged to allow water to pass through the slit by means of a capillary, as understood by a person skilled in the art. In particular, the drainage slit can drain the liquid from an opening (531) of the drainage slit (53) located near the downstream end of the wipe-off surface (22) and toward an opening (532) of the drainage slit located opposite the opening (531). Preferably, the wall surfaces defining the capillary drainage slit (53) may be relatively smooth and may extend substantially parallel to each other. Additionally or alternatively, the wall surfaces may preferably be offset from each other by a distance shorter than 2 mm, and the distance may be, for example, between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, or between 0.25 mm and 0.5 mm. Although the liquid may preferably be drained by means of the capillary effect provided by the drainage slit (53), in the embodiment, alternatively or additionally, active suction means may be provided. Such suction means may be provided for the third drainage passage (53), but additionally or alternatively may be provided for one or more other drainage passages (51, 52).

[0039] Although the wipe-off surface (22) may be formed by a part formed as a second scraper (2) defining the second scraper edge (20) at the proximal end of the wipe-off surface (22), this is not essential. For example, at the proximal end, particularly at the upper end of the wipe-off surface (22), it may curve away and, for example, curve away by blending into another surface, particularly into the upper surface of the part (2) defining the wipe-off surface (22). In practice, although a gap and / or drainage passage (51) may exist between the part defining the second scraper edge (20) and the first scraper (1), this is also not essential. For example, the wipe-off surface (22) may be formed by the first scraper (1), and the wipe-off surface (22) may be extended to the end, for example, to the lower side (11) of the first scraper (1), as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2a in such an alternative embodiment.

[0040] Advantageously, the cleaning device (8) may include additional scrapers (3), particularly a third scraper (3). Preferably, the additional scraper (3) may protrude beyond the virtual plane (P22) where the wipe-off surface (22) extends and / or beyond the virtual plane (P92) where the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass (91) extends inward. The additional scraper (3), in particular its scraping edge (30), may help to remove at least partially contaminants remaining on the wiper blade (40) after the wiper blade (40) has swept over the wipe-off surface (22).

[0041] Preferably, the scraping edge (30) may define an acute angle α30, preferably an angle less than 75 degrees, more preferably less than 60 degrees, which is equal to about 50 degrees, about 45 degrees, or a smaller angle. In particular, in the embodiment, the sensor window glass (91), or at least its outer surface (92), is substantially upwardly extended, for example, substantially vertical, and the additional scraper (3) is positioned at a height level below the lower end of the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass (91), and the lower surface (31) of the additional scraper (3) extends from the scraping edge (30) of the scraper (3) and is inclined toward the rear, particularly inclined toward the virtual plane (P92) to which the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass (91) extends. Such a relatively sharp angle, or so-called acute angle α30, can correspond to water droplets and / or other obstacles removed from the wiper blade (40) that may remain behind the additional scraping edge (30).

[0042] The above drainage slit (53) is characterized by being formed between the part (2) defining the wipe-off surface (22) and the additional part (3), preferably between the part (2) defining the wipe-off surface (22) and the additional scraper (3) and / or the additional part (3) defining the scraper edge (30).

[0043] It can be seen that during use, the wiper blade (40), particularly its tip (41), can therefore first wipe over at least a portion of the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass (91), and in particular, can be wiped in a substantially downward direction (D1) as shown in FIG. 2a. Subsequently, the wiper blade (40) can be moved further, particularly in a further downward direction (D2), to be adjacent to the first scraper (1), and the first scraper (1) can scrape off at least a portion of the obstacle (61) accumulated on the wiper blade (40) as shown in FIG. 2b. Subsequently, the wiper blade (40) may be further movable, particularly further downward (D2), to contact the part (2) defining the wipe-off surface (22), and in an embodiment, the part (2) has an additional scraping edge (20), and the edge (20) may scrape off at least an additional portion of the obstacle accumulated on the wiper blade (40) as shown in FIG. 2c. However, in an alternative embodiment, the part (2) may be formed differently and may have a rounded upper edge that may serve as part of the wipe-off surface (22), for example. After contacting the above part (2), the wiper blade (40), particularly its tip (41), can be swept over the wipe-off surface (22), as can be seen in FIG. 2d, and can be swept, particularly until the wiper blade is adjacent to the third scraper (3), as can be seen in FIG. 2e. Subsequently, the third scraper edge (30) of the third scraper (3) can scrape off at least some of the obstacles still remaining on the wiper blade (40), as can be seen in FIG. 2f.

[0044] Subsequently, the wiper blade (40) may be moved back to the first position on the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass (91), preferably without wiping the sensor window glass (91) when the wiper blade (40) returns to the first position. In addition, before moving the wiper blade (40) back to the first position to wipe the outer surface (92) again, the wiper blade (40) may be moved, for example, in an outward direction (D4) and / or tilted in a specific range (R4). For example, when arriving at or near the first position on the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass (91), the wiper blade (40) may be returned to an initial state, which may substantially correspond to the rotational state of the wiper (4) and / or the wiper blade (40) shown in FIG. 2a.

[0045] It is known that wiping in a unidirectional manner, particularly wiping from the first position to the second position without wiping substantially toward the first position from the second position, can produce relatively good cleaning results, and is known to be better than wiping in both directions. Refraining from wiping during the return movement of the wiper blade (40) from the second position to the first position corresponds to the placement of a fluid film over the sensor window glass (91) during the return movement. The wiper blade (40) can therefore come into contact with the sensor window glass (91) while wiping from the first position to the second position, whereas the wiper blade (40) can be released from the sensor window glass (91) during the movement of the wiper blade (40) from the second position to the first position.

[0046] However, in an alternative embodiment, the wiper blade (40) may nevertheless also wipe the sensor window glass (91) when moving backward. In such an alternative embodiment, the cleaning mechanism (7) may be positioned for bidirectional wiping, that is, for wiping back and forth, and the wiper blade (40) is characterized by being at least partially cleaned by scraping off obstacles at least partially by means of at least the first scraper (1) before wiping backward over the sensor window glass (91).

[0047] In an embodiment, while wiping the wiper blade (40) over the sensor window glass (91) and / or while cleaning the wiper blade (40), particularly by means of the scraper mechanism (7) and / or the first scraper (1) and / or the wipe-off surface (22) and / or the additional scraper (3), the wiper (4) and / or the wiper blade (40) may be substantially placed in a specific position, particularly in a specific rotational position, and may be moved substantially linearly, particularly in the wiping direction (D1) and / or substantially downward direction (D2), first along the sensor window glass (91) and subsequently over the first scraper (1). Preferably, the wiper (4) and / or the wiper blade (40) may subsequently remain substantially in the specific predetermined position as they are subsequently moved along the wipe-off surface (22). In particular, the wiper (4) and / or the wiper blade (40) may be an elongated wiper blade (40) extending transversely in the plane of the drawing below, and may remain substantially in the same position with respect to the outer surface of the sensor window glass (91) while wiping the sensor window glass (91) with respect to the wipe-off surface (22) when wiping over the wipe-off surface (22). For example, the wiper (4) and / or the wiper blade (40) may be moved at an angle α4, α40 with respect to normals n92, n22, nD1, nD2 with respect to the direction in which the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass and / or the wipe-off surface (22) and / or the wiper (4) and / or the wiper blade (40) are moved, and the angles α4, α40 may be acute angles, preferably between 20 and 70 degrees, more preferably between 30 and 60 degrees, between 40 and 50 degrees, for example, about 45 degrees.

[0048] Subsequently, particularly before returning the wiper blade (40) to its first position, the wiper blade (40) may be tilted so that it is in a different rotational position that does not touch the sensor window glass (91) while moving back to the first position. Alternatively, in the case of bidirectional wiping instead of unidirectional wiping, the wiper blade (40) may also be tilted or rotated before returning the wiper, particularly substantially tilted or rotated to a rotational position substantially reflecting the rotational position in FIG. 2a, to help the wiper blade (40) wipe away obstacles from the sensor window glass (91) during the return operation. Furthermore, a person skilled in the art will know that, for example, a second scraper may be provided in such an embodiment, and in particular, that the outer surface (92) of the sensor window glass may be extended at the opposite end of the sensor window glass (91), for example, upward, over the sensor window glass (91), preferably substantially vertically.

[0049] For the sake of clarity and conciseness, the features described herein are part of identical or distinct embodiments; however, it will be understood that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having all or part of the described features. In particular, a person skilled in the art will understand that features directly and clearly described as part of a specific aspect, for example, features related to the cleaning mechanism (8), will also be considered to be disclosed in the context of other aspects of the invention, for example, in the context of a scraper mechanism (7) and / or in the context of a method for cleaning a sensor window glass (91).

[0050] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. It will be understood that various modifications are possible, and that other such modifications, as configured in the following claims within the scope of the present invention, will be known to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

Claim 1 A cleaning mechanism for cleaning a sensor window of an optical sensing device of a vehicle, wherein the cleaning mechanism comprises: a wiper blade; the cleaning mechanism further comprises at least a first scraper for scraping off an obstacle from the wiper blade; the cleaning mechanism is positioned to wipe the wiper blade over the sensor window; the cleaning mechanism is further positioned to move the wiper blade against the first scraper and along the first scraper and / or to move the first scraper against the wiper blade and along the wiper blade to scrape off an obstacle from the wiper blade; the cleaning mechanism comprises a wipe-off surface; the cleaning mechanism is positioned to cause the tip of the wiper blade to sweep over the wipe-off surface, wherein the wipe-off surface is spaced apart from the edge of the first scraper. Claim 2 A cleaning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first scraper is fixed to the position of the sensor window glass, and the cleaning mechanism is arranged to move the wiper blade relative to the first scraper so as to scrape the wiper blade along the scraper. Claim 3 In claim 1, the cleaning mechanism wherein the first scraper protrudes beyond a virtual plane extending from the outer surface of the sensor window glass. Claim 4 A cleaning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first scraper defines a first scraping edge, and the cleaning mechanism is positioned such that the first scraper edge engages with the side of the wiper blade at a position spaced apart from the tip of the wiper blade and scrapes along the side toward the tip. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 In claim 1, the wipe-off surface is a cleaning mechanism located downstream from the first scraper. Claim 7 A cleaning mechanism according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the wipe-off surface is substantially parallel to the sensor window glass. Claim 8 A cleaning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first scraper protrudes beyond a virtual plane in which the wipe-off surface extends. Claim 9 delete Claim 10 A cleaning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the wipe-off surface is formed by a second scraper, and the second scraper includes a second scraper edge. Claim 11 In claim 1, the cleaning device further comprises an additional scraper. Claim 12 In claim 11, the cleaning mechanism wherein the additional scraper comprises a scraping edge defining an acute angle. Claim 13 A cleaning mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the sensor window glass extends substantially upward, and the additional scraper is positioned at a height level below the lower part of the sensor window glass, and the additional scraper includes an additional scraping edge and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface extends from the additional scraping edge and is inclined rearward toward a virtual plane to which the outer surface of the sensor window glass extends. Claim 14 A cleaning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a drainage slit is provided adjacent to the downstream end of the wipe-off surface to drain liquid wiped from the wiper blade onto the wipe-off surface. Claim 15 In claim 14, the above drainage slit is arranged to allow water to pass through the slit by means of a capillary means, a washing device. Claim 16 In claim 14, the drainage slit is formed between the part defining the wipe-off surface and an additional part, in a cleaning mechanism. Claim 17 In claim 1, the cleaning mechanism is positioned to wipe the wiper blade over the sensor window glass from a first position toward a second position, and is positioned to wipe at least a first portion of the sensor window glass located between the first position and the second position, and the cleaning mechanism is positioned to move the wiper blade again from the second position substantially toward the first position without wiping over the first portion of the sensor window glass. Claim 18 A scraper mechanism for a cleaning mechanism of claim 1, comprising: at least one first scraper defining a first scraper edge for scraping off an obstacle from the wiper blade of the cleaning mechanism. Claim 19 A scraper mechanism according to claim 18, wherein the wipe-off surface is formed by a second scraper, and the second scraper includes a second scraper edge. Claim 20 In paragraph 18, a scraper device including an additional scraper. Claim 21 A method for cleaning a sensor window glass of an optical sensing device of a vehicle using the cleaning mechanism of claim 1, comprising: a step of wiping at least a portion of the sensor window glass by means of a wiper blade; and a step of scraping along the side of the wiper blade. Claim 22 A method according to claim 21, further comprising a subsequent step of sweeping the tip of the wiper blade over the wipe-off surface to wipe away liquid and / or other obstacles from the wiper blade and over the wipe-off surface before wiping the wiper blade again over at least a portion of the sensor window glass. Claim 23 A method according to claim 21, further comprising a second scraping step along the side of the wiper. Claim 24 An optical sensing device having the cleaning mechanism of claim 1 and / or the scraper mechanism of claim 18.

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