Vehicle LiDAR Window Cleaning Using Coordinated Wiper Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
LiDARs in vehicles suffer from degraded performance due to stained windows in rainy or snowy weather, leading to reduced long-distance detection capabilities and crosstalk, and additional cleaning devices are costly and affect the appearance of the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
Utilize the vehicle's existing wiper to clean the LiDAR window by coordinating its operation with the LiDAR's detection through regulated parameters, ensuring a predetermined distance and timing to avoid interference with scanning operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional cleaning devices are provided to clean the LiDAR, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the cost increases and the appearance of the passenger car is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper is designed to perform multiple functions: it cleans both the vehicle windshield and the LiDAR window. By making the wiper universal for both cleaning tasks, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated LiDAR cleaning devices, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The existing wiper system serves itself by extending its cleaning function to include the LiDAR window. The wiper uses its own structure and motion to clean both surfaces it encounters, eliminating the need for external or additional cleaning mechanisms
2Device complexity
If the wiper cleans the LiDAR window, then the cleaning cost is reduced, but the normal operation of the LiDAR may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the LiDAR's non-ranging time period in advance and schedules the wiper operation to occur during this predetermined time window. By performing the cleaning action during a pre-identified safe period when the LiDAR is not detecting, the system ensures detection performance is not affected
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback from the LiDAR about its ranging status and adjusts the wiper operation timing accordingly. The system continuously monitors whether the LiDAR is in ranging or non-ranging mode and dynamically schedules cleaning operations based on this feedback, ensuring cleaning occurs only when detection is not active
3Productivity
If the wiper operates during LiDAR detection, then the cleaning operation can be performed, but the detection accuracy is reduced due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates the wiper periodically during the LiDAR's non-ranging time periods, which occur regularly in the LiDAR's operating cycle. This periodic scheduling ensures that cleaning operations are performed at intervals when the LiDAR is naturally not detecting, maintaining both cleaning productivity and detection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit identifies and schedules cleaning operations during predetermined non-ranging time periods before detection begins. By preparing and executing cleaning during these pre-identified windows, the system ensures that cleaning and detection operations do not overlap, preserving detection accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
Ranging devices and vehicles include a LiDAR. The LiDAR is fixed to an inside of a vehicle cover, and a field of view of the LiDAR forms a projection area on the vehicle cover. A cleaning range of a wiper of the vehicle at least partially coincides with the projection area. Methods for cleaning a window of a LiDAR for a vehicle includes: regulating operating parameter of at least one of the wiper or the LiDAR such that a cleaning operation of the wiper cooperates with a detection operation of the LiDAR; and controlling the wiper to perform the cleaning operation.