Lidar Window Cleaning With Optical Reflection Impairment Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar sensor systems in vehicles face permanent impairment of optical characteristics due to environmental factors like precipitation and contamination, which existing cleaning methods struggle to detect and address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a movable cleaning element equipped with an optical element that reflects primary light back into the receiving path, allowing for detection of continuous or irreparable optical impairments, and a control unit to evaluate the light intensity and trigger cleaning or warning signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning device is installed to remove contamination from the lidar sensor window, then the optical characteristics are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cleaning function with the optical detection function into a single integrated system. The cleaning device includes a wiper element that not only cleans the window but also serves as a platform for mounting optical elements (mirrors, diffusers) that enable transmission monitoring. This merging of functions reduces overall system complexity while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical cleaning of the window surface, optical transmission monitoring through integrated detectors, and potential heating functions to prevent icing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate monitoring systems, thereby reducing device complexity while improving reliability.
2Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring of optical transmission is implemented, then detection precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring cycles rather than continuous monitoring. The control unit is configured to evaluate transmission losses at defined intervals and only trigger cleaning operations when deterioration exceeds a threshold. This periodic approach maintains adequate detection precision while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from optical detectors to monitor transmission losses and automatically triggers cleaning only when necessary. The control unit receives signals from detectors, evaluates transmission quality, and activates the cleaning device only when deterioration exceeds a predefined threshold, optimizing energy usage while maintaining measurement precision.
3Reliability
If frequent cleaning operations are performed, then optical characteristics are maintained, but the service life of the window decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors optical transmission and triggers cleaning operations only when transmission loss exceeds a predefined threshold. This feedback-based approach prevents unnecessary frequent cleaning, thereby extending window service life while maintaining optimal optical characteristics through targeted cleaning only when degradation is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously monitors its own optical performance and self-regulates cleaning operations based on actual transmission quality. The control unit evaluates detector signals and automatically initiates cleaning only when needed, eliminating the need for manual intervention or fixed-schedule cleaning, thus extending window life while maintaining reliability.
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
Enables reliable detection and response to permanent or irreparable optical degradation, minimizing unnecessary cleaning operations and extending the service life of the lidar sensor's glass cover while maintaining optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
the optical element being configured to send back and, in particular, reflect back primary light from a transmitter circuit of the lidar sensor set-up, which is incident upon the optical element, into a receiving path of the lidar sensor set-up
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device for a lidar sensor set-up. The cleaning device includes a movable cleaning element, and is configured, for a cleaning operation, to move the cleaning element over a window of the lidar sensor set-up, on a side facing away from the lidar sensor device and facing the field of view of the lidar sensor set-up. The movable cleaning element has an optical element. The optical element is configured to send back and, in particular, reflect back primary light from a transmitting path of the lidar sensor set-up, which is incident upon the optical element, into a receiving path of the lidar sensor set-up.