Lidar Sensor Air-Blast Cleaning With Filtered Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar sensors mounted on vehicle bumpers are prone to foreign matter adherence, which degrades measurement reliability and environmental recognition due to exposure, necessitating a solution for effective cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A cleaner system incorporating a blast pipe unit with a fan-generated wind stream, a filter for purification, a temperature measurement unit, and a control unit to manage the opening/closing of the blast pipe, ensuring safe and effective removal of foreign matter from the lidar sensor while preventing damage from high-temperature winds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lidar sensor is mounted on the vehicle bumper to sense the surrounding environment, then the sensor can recognize the area at the front/rear of the vehicle, but foreign matter such as dust may adhere to the surface of the sensor, degrading measurement reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning function from the main sensor system by introducing a separate air blowing device that directs airflow onto the sensor surface. This external cleaning mechanism removes foreign matter without interfering with the sensor's primary sensing function, thereby maintaining measurement reliability while eliminating dust accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air flow as an intermediary substance between the cleaning system and the sensor surface. The air flow acts as a mediator that transports foreign matter away from the sensor without requiring direct contact between cleaning components and the sensor, thus maintaining reliability while preventing foreign matter adherence
2Reliability
If a filter is installed in the blast pipe unit to purify wind, then the lidar sensor is prevented from being contaminated by foreign matter in the wind, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the air blowing device multi-functional by equipping it with both cleaning capability (blowing dust off the sensor) and protection capability (filtering incoming air). This universal design prevents sensor contamination from both external sources and the cleaning system itself, improving reliability while minimizing additional device complexity through functional integration
3Productivity
If the blast pipe unit discharges wind toward the lidar sensor to remove foreign matter, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but high-temperature wind may damage the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a temperature sensor continuously monitors the temperature of air discharged from the blast pipe unit. When the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control unit automatically adjusts or stops the air blowing operation. This feedback mechanism ensures effective cleaning while preventing thermal damage to the sensor by dynamically adjusting cleaning intensity based on real-time temperature conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively removes foreign matter from lidar sensors, maintains sensor reliability, and prevents damage by purifying and controlling the wind stream, ensuring accurate environmental sensing.
Implementation Method 1
a filter installed in the blast pipe unit, and configured to purify wind passing through the blast pipe unit
Implementation Method 2
a temperature measurement unit installed in the blast pipe unit, and configured to measure temperature of the wind passing through the blast pipe unit
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaner for a lidar sensor may include: a blast pipe unit through which wind generated from a fan of an engine passes; and a lidar sensor installed in the blast pipe unit, wherein foreign matter adhering to the surface of the lidar sensor are removed by wind discharged from the blast pipe unit.