Vehicle LiDAR Cover Strain Sensing for Foreign Substance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The degradation of sensor units installed on vehicle exteriors due to foreign substances adhering to the covers that allow light passage, which obstructs the detection of external information.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with a displacement sensor on the cover to detect changes in strain caused by foreign substances, combined with a processor for identifying and addressing adhesion, and optional features like vibration or liquid spraying for removal, ensuring continuous information detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover is used to protect the sensor unit, then the sensor unit is protected and forms part of the vehicle outer surface, but foreign substances may adhere to the cover and obstruct light passage, degrading detection capability
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement sensor continuously monitors the cover surface for foreign substance adhesion by detecting strain changes, providing feedback signals to the control device. This enables real-time detection and triggering of removal operations, maintaining sensor unit performance without compromising the protective function of the cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator generates mechanical vibrations that are transmitted to the cover, creating shear forces that dislodge adhered foreign substances. This vibration-based removal mechanism effectively clears the cover surface while preserving the cover's protective function and light transmission properties.
2Measurement precision
If a displacement sensor is added to detect foreign substances, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement sensor acts as an intermediary element that indirectly detects foreign substances by measuring strain changes on the cover surface rather than directly sensing the foreign objects. This indirect detection approach simplifies the overall system compared to direct sensing methods while maintaining effective detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement sensor serves multiple functions: it monitors both the structural integrity of the cover and detects foreign substance adhesion through strain changes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate detection systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If an actuator is added to remove foreign substances, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator enables the cover to self-clean by generating vibrations that remove adhered foreign substances. This self-service capability maintains detection reliability without requiring manual intervention or complex external cleaning systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is integrated with the existing cover structure and sensor system, combining the removal function with the protective cover rather than adding a separate complex cleaning mechanism. This merging approach achieves continuous detection capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 suppresses degradation in sensor unit performance by detecting and removing foreign substances, maintaining the integrity of external information detection.
Implementation Method 1
the distribution of the strain generated in the cover is not uniform, but the modes of strain detected at the same location exhibit the same displacement tendency
Implementation Method 2
If a foreign substance adheres to a portion of the cover located on the traveling path of the light used by the sensor unit for detecting information
Implementation Method 3
In a case where an acceleration sensor is used as the displacement sensor, the sensor system may include an actuator for vibrating the cover
Data Source
AI summary
A LiDAR sensor unit is configured to detect information of an outside area of a vehicle with sensing light. A cover covers the LiDAR sensor unit so as to allow passage of the sensing light while forming a part of an outer surface of the vehicle. A strain gage is disposed on the cover and configured to output a strain signal corresponding to strain generated in the cover. A processor is configured to detect a foreign substance adhered to the cover based on the strain signal.