SENSOR MODULE, LIDAR SENSOR AND MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION

Abstract

A sensor module for a sensor. The sensor module includes a motor; a housing part including a cover; and a cleaning device. The cleaning device includes a fluid nozzle assembly including a first fluid nozzle, the fluid nozzle assembly being movable along a surface of the cover with the aid of the motor, and being designed to direct a fluid stream onto the surface of the cover.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A sensor module for a sensor, the sensor module comprising: a motor; a housing part including a cover; and a cleaning device, the cleaning device including a fluid nozzle assembly including a first fluid nozzle, the fluid nozzle assembly being movable along a surface of the cover using the motor, and being configured to direct a fluid stream onto the surface of the cover.

12. The sensor module as recited in claim 11, wherein the first fluid nozzle includes a first outlet opening, the outlet opening being punctiform and/or linear.

13. The sensor module as recited in claim 12, wherein the first fluid nozzle includes a second outlet opening that is designed to direct a fluid stream onto the surface of the cover, the first outlet opening and the second outlet opening pointing in different directions relative to one another.

14. The sensor module as recited in claim 11, wherein the first fluid nozzle is also configured to direct the fluid stream onto the surface of the cover at an angle of 30° to 60° with respect to a surface normal of the cover.

15. The sensor module as recited in claim 12, wherein a cross section of the first fluid nozzle that tapers toward the first outlet opening is triangular or circular.

16. The sensor module as recited in claim 11, wherein the first fluid nozzle is movable on a straight and/or curved path using the motor.

17. The sensor module as recited in claim 11, wherein the first fluid nozzle is configured to carry out a self-rotation using the motor.

18. The sensor module as recited in claim 11, wherein the cleaning device also includes a heating device that is configured to control a temperature of the fluid stream.

19. A LIDAR sensor, comprising: a sensor module for the LIDAR sensor, the sensor module including: a motor, a housing part including a cover, and a cleaning device, the cleaning device including a fluid nozzle assembly including a first fluid nozzle, the fluid nozzle assembly being movable along a surface of the cover using the motor, and being configured to direct a fluid stream onto the surface of the cover.

20. A transportation vehicle, comprising: a LIDAR sensor, including: a sensor module for the LIDAR sensor, the sensor module including: a motor, a housing part including a cover, and a cleaning device, the cleaning device including a fluid nozzle assembly including a first fluid nozzle, the fluid nozzle assembly being movable along a surface of the cover using the motor, and being configured to direct a fluid stream onto the surface of the cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in greater detail below with reference to the figures.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows one specific embodiment of the LIDAR sensor according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows an illustration of one specific embodiment of a fluid nozzle of the sensor module according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows an illustration of a taper of a cross section of one specific embodiment of a fluid nozzle of the sensor module according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows one specific embodiment of the means of transportation according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] FIG. 1 shows one specific embodiment of a LIDAR sensor 40 according to the present invention which includes a sensor module 1 according to the present invention. In addition, a camera 30 may be combined with LIDAR sensor 40 for sensor module 1 according to the present invention. Sensor module 1 according to the present invention includes a first fluid nozzle 2. In addition, the LIDAR sensor includes a second surface 3b of the cover via which the LIDAR radiation may exit. Furthermore, the camera includes a first surface 3a of the cover, the cover in the present case being a camera lens in particular. First and second surfaces 3a, 3b may be cleaned by a fluid stream that is directed onto these surfaces 3a, 3b by first fluid nozzle 2. In particular, motor 4 may guide first fluid nozzle 2, which in particular has a linear design along the length of fluid nozzle 2, along first and second surfaces 3a, 3b in a circular path, as demonstrated by the curved arrow. A fluid stream may thus be directed onto any point of surfaces 3a, 3b. In particular, the functions of sensor module 1 according to the present invention as well as those of camera 30 and of LIDAR sensor 40 may be controlled by an evaluation unit 6.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates one specific embodiment of first fluid nozzle 2 of sensor module 1 according to the present invention. First fluid nozzle 2 includes a first outlet opening 7a and a second outlet opening 7b. These outlet openings 7a, 7b point in different directions, as shown by the triangular arrows. First fluid nozzle 2 may thus be guided by motor 4 in such a way that during an outbound path across second surface 3b of the cover of LIDAR sensor 40, the fluid stream is guided solely from first outlet opening 7a in the direction of the left arrow. Second outlet opening 7b, whose direction is indicated by the right arrow, may be appropriately blocked by a valve. If first fluid nozzle 2 is to be returned via the same path, first outlet opening 7a may be deactivated while second outlet opening 7b is activated, as the result of which a fluid stream may exit onto second surface 3b of the LIDAR sensor in the direction of the right arrow. Thus, fluid may be optimally directed onto first and/or second surface 3a, 3b of camera 30 and of LIDAR sensor 40 when second fluid nozzle 2 from FIG. 2 is considered in conjunction with FIG. 1. The outbound path is illustrated by the curved arrow, while the return path extends in the direction opposite the curved arrow.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a profile P of a tapering cross section of first fluid nozzle 2 according to the present invention, while tapering cross section Q is shown in a triangular shape in the illustration on the right.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a means of transportation (e.g., a transportation vehicle) 50 according to the present invention which includes a LIDAR sensor 40 according to the present invention.