Abstract
A LiDAR cleaning system includes a cleaning arm configured to clean a sensor surface of a LiDAR sensor by displacement of the cleaning arm. The system further includes a drive unit having at least two deflection elements and a belt element. The cleaning arm is detachably connected to the belt element. The drive unit is configured to displace the cleaning arm by rotation of the belt element about the at least two deflection elements to clean the sensor surface.
Claims
1. A LIDAR cleaning system (10) comprising: a cleaning arm (12) configured to clean a sensor surface (102) of a LiDAR sensor (100) by displacement (14) of the cleaning arm (12), and a drive unit (16), wherein the drive unit (16) has at least two deflection elements (18) and a belt element (20), wherein the cleaning arm (12) is detachably connected to the belt element (20), wherein the drive unit (16) is configured to displace the cleaning arm (12) by rotation of the belt element (20) about the at least two deflection elements (18) to clean the sensor surface (102).
2. The LiDAR cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning arm (12) is arranged on the belt element (20) by a connecting element (22), wherein the belt element (20) has a pin (24) which is configured to engage in a recess (26) of the connecting element (22).
3. The LiDAR cleaning system (10) according to claim 2, wherein the connecting element (22) has at least two recesses (28, 30), wherein the two recesses (28, 30) are arranged opposite a displacement axis (32) on the connecting element (22), wherein the pin (24) on the belt element (20) is designed such that the pin (24) engages in a first displacement direction (34) in the first recess (28) and the pin (24) engages in a second displacement direction (36) in the second recess (30).
4. The LiDAR cleaning system (10) according to claim 2, wherein the connecting element (22) has a groove (28), wherein the pin (24) is arranged displaceably in the groove (38), wherein the pin (24) is designed to change between a first position (42) in the groove (38) and a second position (44) in the groove (38) depending on a displacement direction (40).
5. The LiDAR cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the LiDAR cleaning system (10) has a rotary unit (46), wherein the rotary unit (46) has a bearing element (48) on which the cleaning arm (12) can be arranged, wherein a gripping element (50) is rotatably arranged on the bearing element (48), wherein the gripping element (50) is configured to form a force-fit and/or form-fit connection (42) with the belt element (20), wherein the rotary unit (46) is configured to change a displacement direction (40) of the cleaning arm (12) when the gripping element (50) reaches one of the at least two deflection elements (18).
6. The LiDAR cleaning system (10) according to claim 5, wherein the rotary unit (46) comprises a stopper element (54) configured to rotate the bearing element (48) by the force-fit and/or form-fit connection (52) between the gripping element (50) and the belt element (20) to change the displacement direction (40).
7. The LiDAR cleaning system (10) according to claim 5, wherein one of the at least two deflection elements (18) has a first side (56) and a second side (58), wherein the gripping element (50) toggles from the first side (56) to the second side (58) via rotation of the bearing element (48) when reaching the one of the at least two deflection elements (18).
8. The LiDAR cleaning system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the belt element (20) comprises a first plurality of recesses on a first flank of the belt element (20).
9. The LiDAR cleaning system (10) according to claim 8, wherein the belt element (20) comprises a second plurality of recesses on a second flank of the belt element (20).
10. A vehicle (200) comprising a LiDAR sensor (100) and a LiDAR cleaning system (10) according to claim 1.
11. The LiDAR cleaning system (10) according to claim 6, wherein one of the at least two deflection elements (18) has a first side (56) and a second side (58), wherein the gripping element (50) toggles from the first side (56) to the second side (58) via rotation of the bearing element (48) when reaching the one of the at least two deflection elements (18).
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the drawings:
[0025] FIG. 1 a LiDAR cleaning system according to one embodiment,
[0026] FIG. 2 a LiDAR cleaning system according to one embodiment,
[0027] FIGS. 3a, 3b a LiDAR cleaning system according to one embodiment,
[0028] FIGS. 4a through 4c a LiDAR cleaning system according to one embodiment,
[0029] FIGS. 5a through 5c a LiDAR cleaning system according to one embodiment,
[0030] FIG. 6 a LiDAR cleaning system,
[0031] FIGS. 7a through 7c a LIDAR cleaning system according to one embodiment,
[0032] FIG. 8 shows a vehicle according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Preferably, all identical components, elements, and/or units are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a LiDAR cleaning system according to one embodiment.
[0035] The LiDAR cleaning system 10 is arranged on a LiDAR sensor 100. The LiDAR sensor 100 has a sensor surface 102 which is designed to send and/or receive signals. The LiDAR cleaning system also comprises a cleaning arm 12. The cleaning arm 12 is designed to clean the sensor surface 102 by means of a displacement 14.
[0036] FIG. 2 shows a cleaning system 10 according to one embodiment. The cleaning system is arranged on the LiDAR sensor 100, which has a sensor surface 102. The LiDAR cleaning system 10 has a cleaning arm 12, which has a lip 13. The cleaning arm is also preferably designed to press the lip 13 against the sensor surface 102 by means of a preload 15 in order to clean it.
[0037] FIG. 3a shows a LiDAR cleaning system 10, which comprises a cleaning arm 12. The cleaning arm 12 is attached to a drive unit 16 of the LiDAR cleaning system 10. The drive unit 16 comprises at least one deflection element 18, which is designed to deflect a belt element 20 so that a displacement direction 40 of the cleaning arm 12 can be changed. Furthermore, the cleaning arm 12 can be displaced 14 by means of the drive unit 16 in order to clean the sensor surface 102.
[0038] FIG. 3b shows a top view of the LiDAR cleaning system 10 from FIG. 3a. A connecting element 22 is arranged on the belt element 20, which has at least one recess 26. In particular, the cleaning arm 12 can be arranged on the connecting element 22. Furthermore, the belt element 20 comprises a pin 24 which engages in the recess 26 of the connecting element 22 in order to be able to displace the cleaning arm 12 towards the sensor surface 102.
[0039] FIG. 4a shows an embodiment of the LiDAR cleaning system 10. The LiDAR cleaning system 10 is arranged on a LiDAR sensor 100, which has a sensor surface 102. The sensor surface 102 can be cleaned by means of the cleaning arm 12, which is arranged on the connecting element 22. The drive unit 16 of the LiDAR cleaning system 10 is designed to move the cleaning arm 12 along a displacement axis 32 relative to the sensor surface 102. The drive unit 16 comprises a deflection element 18 and a belt element 20. In particular, the belt element 20 is tensioned around two deflection elements 18 to form a type of belt drive.
[0040] FIG. 4b shows the embodiment of FIG. 4a, with the cleaning arm 12 removed from the connecting element 22. The connecting element 22 has a first recess 28 and a second recess 30. The pin 24 can engage in both the first recess 28 and the second recess 30. Furthermore, the drive unit 16 is designed to move the connecting element 22 by means of the belt element 20 and the deflection rollers 18.
[0041] FIG. 4c shows a top view of the embodiment of the LiDAR cleaning system 10 of FIGS. 4a and 4b. The connecting element 22 has a first recess 28, in which the pin 24 engages in order to displace the cleaning arm 12 or the connecting element 22 along a first displacement direction 34. The deflection roller 18 is designed to deflect the belt element 20 so that the pin 24 toggles from a first displacement direction 34 to a second displacement direction 36. Furthermore, the pin 24 is designed to engage in the second recess 30 of the connecting element 20 when the pin 24 moves in the second displacement direction 36 by means of the belt element 20.
[0042] FIG. 5a shows an embodiment of the LiDAR cleaning system 10. The LiDAR cleaning system 10 comprises a drive unit 16. The drive unit 16 has a deflection element 18, in particular a deflection roller, and a belt element 20, which is a belt or a chain, for example. In particular, the cleaning arm 12 can be arranged on the belt element 20 by means of a connecting element 22.
[0043] FIG. 5b shows a perspective view of the cleaning system 10 of FIG. 5a, in which the cleaning arm 12 has been detached from the connecting element 22. The connecting element 22 has a groove 38 in which a pin 24 is arranged. The pin 24 is arranged displaceably in the groove 38 of the connecting element 22 so that the pin 24 can change sides when it is deflected by means of the deflecting element 18.
[0044] FIG. 5c shows a top view of the LiDAR cleaning system 10 of FIGS. 5a and 5b. The connecting element 22 has a groove 38. A pin 24 is positioned in the groove 38, which is arranged on the belt element 20. In this case, the pin 24 can change from a first position 42 and a second position 44 of the groove 38 when the displacement direction of the cleaning arm 122 is changed.
[0045] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the LiDAR cleaning system 10. The LiDAR cleaning system 10 comprises a drive unit 16. Furthermore, the LiDAR cleaning system comprises a rotary unit 46. The rotary unit 46 comprises a bearing element 48. In particular, the cleaning arm 12 can be arranged on the bearing element 48, wherein in particular a connecting element 22 can be arranged between the bearing element 48 and the cleaning arm 12. A gripping element 50 is also preferably arranged on the bearing element 48. The gripping element 50 forms a form-and/or force-fit connection 52 with the belt element 20. When the rotary unit 46 reaches a deflection element 18, the gripping element 50 is rotated in relation to the cleaning arm 12. The gripping element 50 has an intermediate position 501 and an end position 502 of rotation. In the end position 502 of the rotation, the gripping element 50 moves in a further displacement direction.
[0046] FIG. 7a shows a LiDAR cleaning system 10, which has a cleaning arm 12. The cleaning arm 12 is designed to clean the sensor surface 102 of the LiDAR sensor 100. The cleaning arm 12 is arranged on the rotary unit 46, in particular on a bearing element 48 of the rotary unit 46. The cleaning arm 12 can be displaced towards the sensor surface 102 by means of the belt element 20.
[0047] FIG. 7b shows a perspective view of the LiDAR cleaning system 10 as shown in FIG. 7a. The LiDAR cleaning system 10 comprises a rotary unit 46. The rotary unit 46 has a bearing element 48, on which the cleaning arm 12 in particular can be arranged. In particular, a gripping element 50 is arranged on the bearing element 48. The gripping element 50 is transported in the direction of a deflection element 18 by means of the belt element 20. When the rotary unit reaches the deflection element 18, the stopper element 54 initiates a pivoting and/or rotating process of the gripping element 50. The gripping element 50 is rotated into an intermediate position 501 and an end position 502 by means of the movement of the belt element. In the end position 502, the rotary unit 46 is transported away from the deflection element 18 by means of the belt element 20.
[0048] FIG. 7c shows a top view of the LiDAR cleaning system 10 as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b. The LiDAR cleaning system 10 has a drive unit 16. Furthermore, the LiDAR cleaning system 10 comprises a rotary unit 46. The belt element 20 is fixed to the bearing element 48 by means of a gripping element 50. Furthermore, the deflection element 18 has a first side 56 and a second side 58. When the rotary unit 46 is transported to the deflection element 18 by means of the belt element 20, the gripping element 50 is located on the first side 56. As soon as the rotary unit 46 is in contact with the deflection element 18, the gripping element 50 is displaced into an intermediate position 501 and then into an end position 502 by means of the belt element 20, wherein the end position 502 is located on the second side 58.
[0049] FIG. 8 shows a vehicle 200 with a LiDAR sensor 100 and a LiDAR cleaning system 10.
