LiDAR-Camera Sensor Housing With Independent Cover Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems for automatic driving vehicles face challenges in maintaining the sensitivity of integrated LiDAR and camera units, require effective cleaning mechanisms without increasing processing load on the vehicle control unit, and need to ensure cleanliness of transmission covers.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with integrated LiDAR and camera units, featuring a housing with a liquid and air cleaner, and a cleaner control unit that operates independently of the vehicle control unit to maintain cleanliness without additional processing load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor system integrates multiple sensors (LiDAR, camera) in a single unit, then the sensing accuracy and coordination are improved, but the complexity of maintaining cleanliness and the difficulty of targeted cleaning increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is segmented into multiple independent cleaners, each with its own nozzle(s) positioned to clean specific sensor surfaces. The LiDAR cleaner and camera cleaner operate independently, allowing targeted cleaning of each sensor type without requiring a complex unified cleaning mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cleaner is designed with specific nozzle characteristics and positioning optimized for its target sensor. The LiDAR cleaner has nozzles positioned to clean the LiDAR's lens at appropriate angles and distances, while the camera cleaner has nozzles configured for the camera lens, providing locally optimized cleaning quality for each sensor type.
2Device complexity
If a single cleaner is used to clean multiple sensors, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning effectiveness and precision for each sensor type deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is segmented into multiple specialized cleaners rather than using one general-purpose cleaner. Each cleaner is dedicated to specific sensor types, ensuring that cleaning effectiveness is optimized for each sensor's unique requirements while maintaining manageable system complexity.
3Extent of automation
If the vehicle control unit manages all cleaning operations, then centralized control is achieved, but the processing load on the vehicle control unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control function is segmented by providing dedicated control units for each cleaner (LiDAR cleaner control unit and camera cleaner control unit). These control units operate semi-independently, managing their respective cleaners without requiring constant intervention from the main vehicle control unit, thus reducing its processing load while maintaining automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
Dedicated control units act as intermediaries between the vehicle control unit and the individual cleaners. These intermediary control units handle the detailed control logic for each cleaner, shielding the main vehicle control unit from complex processing tasks and reducing its computational burden.
4Measurement precision
If cleaning nozzles are positioned close to sensors for effective cleaning, then cleaning precision is improved, but the risk of contamination during installation and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning nozzles are extracted from the sensor housing and positioned in separate cleaner units that can be independently installed and maintained. This separation allows the nozzles to be positioned close to sensors for effective cleaning while minimizing contamination risk during installation and maintenance, as the nozzle assembly can be handled separately from the sensitive sensor components.
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 cleans the integrated sensors and transmission covers, ensuring high accuracy and reducing processing load on the vehicle control unit.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid cleaner (103A) having liquid nozzles (131a, 131b) that eject cleaning liquid toward a first area (123a) through which light emitted from the LiDAR (6f) passes and a second area (123b) corresponding to a camera lens
Implementation Method 2
an air cleaner (103B) having air nozzles (141a, 141b) that eject air toward the first area (123a) and a second area (123b)
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor system (100) to be mounted on a vehicle (1) includes a LiDAR (6f), a camera (6g), a housing (121) that accommodates the LiDAR (6f) and the camera (6g) and a cleaner (103) that is attached to the housing (121) and has at least one nozzle (131) configured to clean a first cleaning target surface (123a) corresponding to the LiDAR (6f) and a second cleaning target surface (123b) corresponding to the camera (6g) at the same time using a cleaning medium.