Sensor unit and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor unit (10) comprising a sensor (14) and a cover (16) for the sensor (14), wherein the cover (16) can be moved between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2), the sensor (14) being covered by the cover (16) when the cover (16) is in the first position (P1), and the sensor (14) not being covered by the cover (16) when the cover (16) is in the second position (P1), wherein the sensor unit (10) has a drive (20) for moving the cover (16) between the first position (P1) and the second position (P1), the drive (20) being a pneumatic drive (22).

Description

[0001] Sensor unit and vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a sensor unit comprising a sensor and a cover for the sensor, wherein the cover is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the sensor is covered by the cover when the cover is in the first position, wherein the sensor is left free of the cover when the cover is in the second position, and wherein the sensor unit has a drive for moving the cover between the first position and the second position.

[0003] The invention also relates to a vehicle with such a sensor unit.

[0004] Such a sensor unit can, for example, comprise a rear-view camera for a vehicle as a sensor.

[0005] Many future commercial vehicles will be equipped with rear-view cameras that must comply with general safety regulations. The reversing information system (RelS) must either provide a camera image that is always visible to the driver or warn the driver of collisions with an audible signal. Camera-based assistance systems are often preferred by drivers because the camera images contain more information and allow the driver to react accordingly. The regulation does not currently apply to vehicle category O (trailers). This is expected to change when a reliable high-speed interface between the towing vehicle and trailer is established and standardized.

[0006] Rear view cameras mounted on commercial vehicles, such as trucks or trailers, are exposed to all weather conditions and must still provide a clear view at the end of a working day. This can be ensured by a protective unit that covers a rear view camera lens during normal driving. The protective unit, typically in the form of a cover, is typically only raised when a driving situation requires rearward visibility (reversing, etc.). When the cover is raised, the lens can become contaminated with dirty dust and polluted rain. This can block images from the camera. A commercial vehicle is typically on the road for many hours at a time. The rear view camera must also provide a clear view at the end of the journey for the final maneuvers of the working day.While water-assisted lens cleaning is conceivable in a towing vehicle, since the towing vehicle has a water supply for windshield cleaning, a trailer, by default, does not have a water supply available for cleaning.

[0007] As a remedy for dirt on the lens of a rearview camera, an electric folding mechanism is often used in cars. When reverse gear is engaged, the rearview camera is activated and a flap containing the rearview camera is swung open. A washer nozzle is located next to the lens. Washing the rear window simultaneously triggers a washing process on the rearview camera lens. A disadvantage of this approach is that drops can stick to the lens and obstruct a clear view.

[0008] For trucks, a high mounting position and a drip plate above the lens are often provided as measures to prevent the lens from being rained on.

[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a sensor unit of the type mentioned above which is particularly suitable for use in a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle.

[0010] This object is achieved by a sensor unit according to claim 1.

[0011] The sensor unit comprises a sensor and a cover for the sensor, wherein the cover is movable between a first position and a second position. The sensor is covered by the cover when the cover is in the first position, and the sensor is exposed by the cover when the cover is in the second position. The sensor unit comprises a drive for moving the cover between the first position and the second position, wherein the drive is a pneumatic drive.

[0012] The pneumatic drive allows for reliable opening and closing of the cover, ensuring the sensor is reliably protected and always ready for use. The pneumatic drive makes the sensor unit particularly suitable for use in commercial vehicles, and especially in trailers, as the drive is powered by a form of energy that is typically already present in the commercial vehicle or trailer. This eliminates the need for additional, complex electronic control.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit has a joint for guiding the movement of the cover. A joint is a connection between two rigid bodies that can be moved in a predetermined manner. The joint defines a movement of the cover, in particular relative to a housing of the sensor unit.

[0014] The drive can advantageously be integrated into the joint. Integrating the drive into the joint enables a compact design.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the joint is a swivel joint. This allows for advantageous articulation of the cover.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit has a position-holding device for the cover, which is designed to be bistable, so that the cover maintains its first position and its second position without pressure on the drive. This ensures low energy and pressure requirements. The position-holding device can preferably be integrated into a joint for guiding the movement of the cover. The position-holding device can preferably be a clamping mechanism, in particular a locking clamping mechanism.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the drive comprises a first compressed air connection and a second compressed air connection and is operable by compressed air pulses at the first and second compressed air connections. The drive is configured such that a compressed air pulse at the first compressed air connection moves the cover into the first position and a compressed air pulse at the second compressed air connection moves the cover into the second position. This embodiment allows for a particularly simple design of the drive.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the drive has a compressed air connection and is operable by compressed air pulses at the compressed air connection, wherein the drive is designed such that each compressed air pulse at the compressed air connection moves the cover from one of the first position and the second position, in which the cover is located before the compressed air pulse, into the other position. This embodiment allows, in particular, a particularly simple construction of a system comprising the sensor unit. According to one embodiment, the sensor is a camera. The camera can, for example, be a video camera or ToF camera. The camera can, for example, be a rear-view camera for a vehicle.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit comprises a cleaning device for the sensor. This ensures the functionality of the sensor in an even more reliable manner.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the cleaning device is designed as a pneumatic cleaning device. This utilizes a form of energy commonly found in commercial vehicles, making it particularly suitable for commercial vehicles. A pneumatic cleaning device is understood to be a device with a cleaning function using compressed air. Advantageously, the sensor unit can include a common compressed air supply line for the pneumatic cleaning device and the drive.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the cleaning device is designed as a mechanical cleaning device. A mechanical cleaning device is understood to be a cleaning device that comprises a solid body by means of which the sensor is cleaned by contact during a cleaning process. The mechanical cleaning device can, for example, be a textile, a cloth, a brush, a sponge, or similar, or it can comprise a solid body.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the cleaning device is designed as a hydraulic cleaning device. This refers to a cleaning device that is configured to clean the sensor with a cleaning fluid, for example, water or another fluid.

[0023] For example, a pneumatic cleaning device, a mechanical cleaning device and / or a hydraulic cleaning device can also be combined with each other.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the cleaning device is integrated into the cover. This has the advantage, among other things, that the cleaning device is also protected by the cover and thus does not become contaminated. This further improves the reliability of the sensor. Furthermore, the cleaning device does not need to be moved separately and does not interfere with the sensor's detection field. According to one embodiment, the sensor unit is configured so that the cleaning device cleans the sensor while the cover moves between the first position and the second position. This makes it easy to utilize the movement of the cover to clean the sensor.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the housing and / or the cover have a spherical basic shape. This has the advantage, among other things, that such a shape is less susceptible to soiling, particularly compared to the otherwise commonly used cuboid shape.

[0026] The cover can, for example, be a protective flap.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit additionally has an electric drive for moving the cover between the first position and the second position. This allows the functional reliability of the sensor unit to be easily improved.

[0028] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a sensor unit according to the type described above.

[0029] The vehicle may in particular be a commercial vehicle, a truck, a tractor, a trailer, e.g. a semi-trailer, a tractor-trailer combination and / or a bus.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the sensor is a rear view camera of the vehicle.

[0031] An important basic concept of the invention describes a sensor unit in which a pneumatic drive is integrated for moving a cover, in particular a protective flap. Furthermore, the combination of the cover with an air nozzle for cleaning and drying the sensor, e.g., a camera, is described. Thus, using an energy source that is available in most heavy commercial vehicles and trailers, this sensor unit can be used to protect and, in particular, also clean the sensor.

[0032] Another embodiment provides a connection to a water line. A nozzle, particularly a second one, can be used to clean the towing vehicle with water and compressed air, for example, in addition to a pneumatically operated cover. For example, the sensor unit can comprise a pneumatic supply line with which the cover can be moved into the end positions and held in place using pressure pulses, similar to a ballpoint pen. Starting with a closed cover and pressure-free pneumatics, a first air pressure pulse is generated and opens the cover, e.g., protective flap, to an end position (open, "open cover") and simultaneously blows the lens clear during the movement. The compressed air is directed to the nozzle (integrated into the cover) via a swivel joint. The angle at which air flows out of the compressed air nozzle can be defined by the size of a slot in the swivel joint.With the cover open and the pneumatic system depressurized, a second air pressure pulse starts the closing movement of the cover to the end position (closed, “closed cover”) and at the same time blows the lens free during the movement.

[0033] A first and second air pressure pulse can be delivered either via two differently controlled air pressure supply lines or, advantageously, via only one line and a "switch" integrated into the sensor unit that presets the next movement state. A second swivel joint can be used to supply fluid to a second nozzle integrated into the cover, whereby, in particular, the fluid nozzle and air nozzle can be combined.

[0034] A pneumatic drive is integrated into the sensor unit, which is suitable for moving a cover (opening / closing). An air nozzle can be integrated into the cover. While the cover is opened, the sensor, e.g., the camera or its lens, can be blown clean with compressed air. An air duct in the swivel joint between the cover and a sensor unit housing is suitable for this. A sensible design is that the compressed air is only allowed to pass to the nozzle when the nozzle is in front of the surface to be cleaned. This can be achieved using a rotary piston with a slot control in the swivel joint.

[0035] In one embodiment, the cover remains open as long as air pressure is applied. In the cover's end positions, no air is released through the cleaning nozzle.

[0036] In another embodiment, the cover remains open thanks to a locking mechanism even after the pneumatic drive is vented. A renewed pneumatic pressure releases the locking mechanism, allowing the cover to close again. In another embodiment, the sensor unit, e.g., camera, is also blown clean with compressed air when the cover is closed.

[0037] The first position or the “closed cover” position can be held by spring force or by snapping.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the cover is opened by a first pneumatic supply line and the cover is closed by a second pneumatic supply line.

[0039] One embodiment provides for opening and closing with only one pneumatic supply line.

[0040] One embodiment also provides for cleaning during opening and closing with only one pneumatic supply line.

[0041] One embodiment provides a fluid-carrying supply line that directs the fluid to a second nozzle in the cover via a second swivel joint. This second nozzle allows the sensor to be cleaned with fluid independently and without interference from the air supply.

[0042] In a further embodiment, the cover is provided with a fiber, a cloth and / or a soft brush which, when opened, sweeps over the sensor and creates a cleaning effect similar to blinking the eye.

[0043] An electric drive can be integrated into the sensor unit to move the cover to the end positions.

[0044] Various tests have repeatedly shown that a sensor mount, especially a camera mount, should be aligned with the orientation of cleaning nozzles. Furthermore, a cover, especially a protective flap, provides simple and effective protection against contamination and damage.

[0045] Heavy-duty trucks are already required to have reversing information systems (RelS). Extending this to trailers (vehicle category O) would be beneficial for safety. Each unit requires a mounting bracket. Combining this with a simple cleaning and protection mechanism, as proposed, results in a simple overall system with a high level of safety and reliability.

[0046] Other possible applications include industry and agricultural technology.

[0047] The cover can in particular be made at least substantially of metal, which has advantages in terms of temperature and stability. A housing for the sensor unit can be made of plastic. The compressed air can be fed into the cover via the pivot point (rotary valve) to a cleaning nozzle. Control can be achieved, for example, with a 2 / 2-way valve or a 3 / 2-way valve. The control can be dual-circuit, e.g., with a dual-circuit cylinder, or single-circuit, e.g., with a spring and locking mechanism. A locking mechanism can be implemented with a mini-pneumatic cylinder; one cylinder exhausts faster than the other, thus ensuring locking. The "venting times" could also be reversed. For example, at least one spring, in particular two springs, can be provided.

[0048] The sensor unit may comprise a housing with a spherical basic shape, similar to a tennis ball.

[0049] The housing can generally have a flattened, straight back with a central recess open at the bottom for a cable feed to the sensor or camera.

[0050] Slots can be provided in the rear wall of the housing to allow rotational alignment of the sensor or camera by, for example, + / - 20°.

[0051] The housing is preferably open at the bottom to allow moisture to drain away.

[0052] The housing preferably has an air hose connection on one side (e.g., left / downward outlet). The housing preferably has a water hose connection on the opposite side (e.g., right / downward outlet). The supply lines (hoses / cables) can preferably be routed to the connections from below.

[0053] The swivel joints can be designed as an inlet for cleaning media to one or more nozzles on the cover, e.g. on the left for compressed air and on the right for cleaning fluid.

[0054] A rotary joint can form a stationary part of a pneumatic rotary cylinder. The sensor unit includes a cover. This can also have a spherical basic shape, similar to a tennis ball.

[0055] The sensor unit may comprise a sensor insert.

[0056] The vehicles described herein can also be advantageously further developed in accordance with the described individual features and embodiments of the sensor units and vice versa.

[0057] The invention is further explained below by way of example only with reference to schematic drawings.

[0058] Fig. 1 shows a sensor unit.

[0059] Fig. 2 shows the sensor unit of Fig. 1 in an exploded view.

[0060] Fig. 3 shows the sensor unit of Fig. 1 with an open cover.

[0061] Fig. 4 shows the sensor unit of Fig. 1 in a sectional view from one side.

[0062] Fig. 5 shows the sensor unit of Fig. 1 in a representation corresponding to Fig. 4 with an open cover.

[0063] Fig. 6 shows a connection diagram of a sensor unit.

[0064] Fig. 7 shows another connection diagram of a sensor unit.

[0065] Fig. 8 shows another connection diagram of a sensor unit.

[0066] Fig. 9 shows another connection diagram of a sensor unit.

[0067] Fig. 10 shows a vehicle with a sensor unit.

[0068] 1 to 5 are described together unless individually referenced. Individual reference numerals have been omitted in individual figures for the sake of clarity. Figs. 1 to 5 show a sensor unit 10. The sensor unit 10 comprises a housing 12, a sensor 14 arranged in the housing 12, and a cover 16 for the sensor 14. The sensor 14 is a camera 15. The cover 14 is movable between a first position P1 (see Fig. 1) and a second position P2 (see Fig. 3). The sensor 14 is covered by the cover 16 when the cover is in the first position P1. The sensor 14 is left free of the cover 16 when the cover 16 is in the second position P2. A corresponding movement 18 is indicated in Fig. 1.

[0069] The sensor unit 10 includes a drive 20 for moving the cover 16 between the first position P1 and the second position P2. The drive 20 is a pneumatic drive 22.

[0070] The sensor unit 10 includes a joint 24 for guiding the movement of the cover 16 relative to the housing 12. The drive 20 is integrated into the joint 24. The joint 24 is a rotary joint 26.

[0071] The sensor unit 10 comprises a position-holding device 28 for the cover 16. The position-holding device 28 is designed to be bistable, so that the cover 16 maintains its first position P1 and its second position P2 without pressure on the drive 20. The position-holding device 28 is integrated into the joint 24.

[0072] The sensor unit 10 comprises a cleaning device 30 which is integrated into the cover 16, wherein the sensor unit 10 is configured such that the cleaning device 30 cleans the sensor 14 while the cover 16 moves between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0073] The cleaning device 30 comprises a pneumatic cleaning device 32, which is clearly visible in Fig. 5 and includes a nozzle 34 and a line 36. Fig. 5 also shows a jet 38 of the pneumatic cleaning device 32.

[0074] The cleaning device 30 also comprises a mechanical cleaning device 40, which comprises a brush 42.

[0075] The cleaning device 30 also includes a hydraulic cleaning device 44. The nozzle 36 and the line 34 are also part of the hydraulic cleaning device 44. The hydraulic cleaning device 44 is thus integrated with the pneumatic cleaning device 32 such that air and cleaning fluid are sprayed together onto the sensor 14 by the jet 38.

[0076] Furthermore, the hydraulic cleaning device 44, the mechanical cleaning device 40, and the pneumatic cleaning device 32 are all integrated into the cover 16. The sensor unit 10 is configured so that the cleaning devices 30, 32, 40, and 44 clean the sensor 14 while the cover 14 moves between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0077] The housing 12 and the cover 16 have a spherical basic shape 46.

[0078] The sensor unit 10 additionally has an electric drive 48 for moving the cover 16 between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0079] Fig. 6 shows a connection diagram of a sensor unit 10, for example one according to Fig. 1. A drive 20, namely pneumatic drive 22, of the sensor unit 10 comprises a first compressed air connection 50 and a second compressed air connection 52 and can be operated by compressed air pulses 54, 56 at the first compressed air connection 50 and the second compressed air connection 52, respectively. The drive 20 is designed such that a compressed air pulse 54 at the first compressed air connection 50 moves a cover 16 of the sensor unit 10 into a first position P1 and that a compressed air pulse 56 at the second compressed air connection 52 moves the cover 16 into a second position P2. By means of a solenoid valve 58, either a compressed air pulse 54 at the first compressed air connection 50 or a compressed air pulse 56 at the second compressed air connection 52 can be generated. The solenoid valve 58 is connected to a compressed air reservoir 60, which is connected to a pump 62.

[0080] Fig. 7 shows a further connection diagram of a sensor unit 10, for example one according to Fig. 1. The sensor unit 10 comprises a drive 20, namely a pneumatic drive 22, which has a compressed air connection 64 and is operable by compressed air pulses 66 at the compressed air connection 64. The drive 20 is designed such that each compressed air pulse 66 at the compressed air connection 66 moves the cover 16 from one of the first position P1 and the second position P2, in which the cover 16 is located before the compressed air pulse 66, into the other position. By means of a solenoid valve 58, a compressed air pulse 66 can be generated at the first compressed air connection 64. The solenoid valve 58 is connected to a compressed air reservoir 60, which is connected to a pump 62. Fig.8 and 9 illustrate connection diagrams of sensor units 10, each of which comprises a pneumatic drive 22 and a cleaning device 30 with a pneumatic cleaning device 32 and a hydraulic cleaning device 44. Each sensor unit 10 comprises a nozzle 36 connected to a pneumatic line 68 and a hydraulic line 70. In Fig. 8, the nozzle 36 is supplied with compressed air separately from the pneumatic drive 22. In Fig. 9, the nozzle 36 is supplied with compressed air via the pneumatic drive 22.

[0081] Fig. 10 shows a vehicle comprising a sensor unit 10, for example one according to one of the preceding figures. A sensor 14 of the sensor unit 10 is, in this example, a rear-view camera 82.

[0082] List of reference symbols (part of the description)

[0083] 10 Sensor unit

[0084] 12 housings

[0085] 14 Sensor

[0086] 15 Camera

[0087] 16 Cover

[0088] 18 Movement

[0089] 20 drive

[0090] 22 pneumatic drive

[0091] 24 joint

[0092] 26 Swivel joint

[0093] 28 Position holding device

[0094] 30 cleaning equipment

[0095] 32 pneumatic cleaning device

[0096] 34 Line

[0097] 36 nozzle

[0098] 38 beam

[0099] 40 mechanical cleaning device

[0100] 42 brush

[0101] 44 hydraulic cleaning device

[0102] 46 spherical basic form

[0103] 48 electric drive

[0104] 50 first compressed air connection

[0105] 52 second compressed air connection

[0106] 54 compressed air pulse

[0107] 56 compressed air pulse

[0108] 58 Solenoid valve

[0109] 60 compressed air reservoir

[0110] 62 Pump

[0111] 64 Compressed air connection

[0112] 66 compressed air pulse

[0113] 68 pneumatic line

[0114] 70 hydraulic line

[0115] 80 vehicles

[0116] 82 Rear view camera P1 first position

[0117] P2 second position

Claims

Claims 1. Sensor unit (10) comprising a sensor (14) and a cover (16) for the sensor (14), wherein the cover (16) is movable between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2), wherein the sensor (14) is covered by the cover (16) when the cover (16) is in the first position (P1), wherein the sensor (14) is left free of the cover (16) when the cover (16) is in the second position (P1), wherein the sensor unit (10) has a drive (20) for moving the cover (16) between the first position (P1) and the second position (P1), characterized in that the drive (20) is a pneumatic drive (22).

2. Sensor unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit (10) has a joint (24) for guiding the movement (18) of the cover (16) and wherein the drive (20) is integrated into the joint (24).

3. Sensor unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit (10) has a joint (24) for guiding the movement (18) of the cover (16), wherein the joint (24) is a rotary joint (26).

4. Sensor unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit (10) has a position holding device (28) for the cover (16), which is designed to be bistable, so that the cover (16) maintains its first position (P1) and its second position (P2) in each case without pressure on the drive (20).

5. Sensor unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive (20) comprises a first compressed air connection (50) and a second compressed air connection (52) and is operable by compressed air pulses (54, 56) at the first compressed air connection (50) and second compressed air connection (52), wherein the drive (20) is designed such that that a compressed air pulse (54) at the first compressed air connection (50) moves the cover (16) into the first position (P1) and that a compressed air pulse (56) at the second compressed air connection (52) moves the cover (16) into the second position (P2).

6. Sensor unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive (20) has a compressed air connection (64) and is operable by compressed air pulses (66) at the compressed air connection (64), wherein the drive (20) is designed such that each compressed air pulse (66) at the compressed air connection (64) moves the cover (16) from one of the first position (P1) and the second position (P2), in which the cover (16) is located before the compressed air pulse (66), into the other position (P1, P2).

7. Sensor unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (14) is a camera (15).

8. Sensor unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit (10) comprises a cleaning device (30) for the sensor (14).

9. Sensor unit (10) according to claim 8, wherein the cleaning device (30) is designed as a pneumatic cleaning device (32), as a mechanical cleaning device (40) and / or as a hydraulic cleaning device (44).

10. Sensor unit (10) according to one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the cleaning device (30, 32, 40, 44) is integrated into the cover (16).

11. Sensor unit (10) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the sensor unit (10) is configured such that the cleaning device (30, 32, 40, 44) cleans the sensor (14) while the cover (16) moves between the first position (P1) and the second position (P2).

12. Sensor unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a housing (12) of the sensor unit (10) and / or the cover (16) have a spherical basic shape (46).

13. Sensor unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor unit (10) additionally has an electric drive (48) for moving the cover (16) between the first position (P1) and the second position (P2).

14. Vehicle (80) comprising a sensor unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Vehicle (80) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (14) is a rear view camera (82) of the vehicle.

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