阅读说明：本技术 保护系统、驾驶员辅助系统以及车辆构件 (Protection system, driver assistance system and vehicle component ) 是由 T·桑塔格 于 2020-11-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了一种用于光学传感器的保护系统,该光学传感器处于机动车辆中并且用于检测该机动车辆的周围环境,其中保护系统包括至少一个用于该光学传感器的遮盖件,该遮盖件能够被带到遮盖位置,在该遮盖位置,该至少一个遮盖件保护光学传感器免受周围环境影响。保护系统包括用于多个遮盖件的储存设备,至少一个遮盖件能够从该储存设备移动至遮盖位置。本发明还公开了一种驾驶员辅助系统以及车辆构件。(The invention relates to a protective system for an optical sensor which is located in a motor vehicle and is used to detect the surroundings of the motor vehicle, wherein the protective system comprises at least one cover for the optical sensor, which cover can be brought into a cover position in which the at least one cover protects the optical sensor from the surroundings. The protective system includes a storage facility for a plurality of covering members, at least one covering member being movable from the storage facility to a covering position. The invention also discloses a driver assistance system and a vehicle component.)

1. A protection system (10) for an optical sensor in a motor vehicle and for detecting the surroundings of the motor vehicle, wherein the protection system (10) comprises at least one covering (30, 31, 32) for the optical sensor, which covering can be brought into a covering position (a), in which it protects the optical sensor from the surroundings, characterized by a storage device (20) for a plurality of coverings (30, 31, 32), from which storage device at least one covering (30, 31, 32) can be moved into the covering position (a).

2. Protection system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one screen (30, 31, 32) is movable from said covering position (a) back into said storage device (20).

3. Protection system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protection system (10) comprises a cleaning device (40) which provides a cleaning position (C) for at least one of the plurality of screen members (30, 31, 32).

4. Protection system (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the protection system comprises a cleaning device (40) having a wet cleaning station.

5. Protection system (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the covering members (30, 31, 32) are each arranged in the storage device (20) to be movable from a storage position (B) to the covering position (a) and/or from the storage position (B) to a cleaning position (C).

6. Protection system (10) according to claim 5,

characterized in that the storage device is embodied as a rotary bin and/or a stacking bin.

7. Protection system (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the protection system comprises a throwing-out device adapted for moving the at least one covering (30, 31, 32) out of the covering position (a) away from the protection system.

8. Protection system (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the protection system (10) has a heater (70) for heating at least one of the screen members in the storage position (B), the covering position (A) and/or the cleaning position (C).

9. Protection system (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the covering part is movable transversely to the light path of the optical sensor from the storage direction (20) into the covering position (A).

10. Protection system (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the storage device (20) has a service opening, via which a plurality of covers (30, 31, 32) can be exchanged.

11. A driver assistance system for a motor vehicle, the driver assistance system comprising: an optical sensor (82) for providing ambient data of the motor vehicle; protection system (10) having a plurality of covers (30, 31, 32), in particular designed according to one of claims 1 to 8, at least one of which can be brought into a cover position (a) to protect the optical sensor from the environment;

and a control unit (84) which is designed and adapted to recognize soiling of the covering (30, 31, 32) in the covering position by means of a change in the data provided by the optical sensor, to bring the covering (30, 31, 32) from the covering position (a) into a storage position (B), and to bring another covering of the plurality of coverings (30, 31, 32) into the covering position (a).

12. A vehicle component (80) for fitting in an outer region of a motor vehicle, characterized in that it has an optical sensor and a protection system (10) designed in particular according to one of claims 1 to 8, which has a cover (30, 31, 32) for protecting the optical sensor from the surroundings.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a protection system for an optical sensor which is installed in a motor vehicle, in particular in a passenger or load-carrying motor vehicle. The optical sensor is adapted to generating ambient data, such as distance data, image data, object data, about the surroundings of the motor vehicle and to providing these ambient data to the driver assistance system according to the invention. The invention relates in particular to a protection system for a camera sensor or a lidar sensor. The invention also relates to a driver assistance system, in particular a driver assistance system which processes camera data and/or lidar data, for a motor vehicle having a protection system for protecting a sensor which generates the camera data and/or lidar data. Finally, the invention also relates to a vehicle component for fitting in an outer region of a vehicle, such as a crash bar, a tailgate, a radiator grille, an exterior rear view mirror or other parts of a housing of a motor vehicle.

Background

Various driver assistance systems or autopilot systems are based on the fact that they generate, by means of optical sensors, ambient data (such as image data or distance data) which describe the surroundings of a vehicle equipped with a driver assistance system. As the degree of automation of vehicle operation increases, increasingly high-quality ambient data must be available and available as far as possible at any point in time and without interruption. In the case of driver assistance systems which rely to a large extent on ambient or image data, the temporary unavailability of image data (caused by environmental influences, such as soiling or icing of the image sensor) or the gradual degradation of the image data quality, temporarily or over a longer period of time, can lead to a reduction in the efficiency of the driver assistance system and to the danger to the vehicle occupants.

Further, the quality of the surrounding data depends on the optical-penetrability quality of the optically-penetratable member on the vehicle-surrounding-environment side, which is positioned outermost in the optical flow from the vehicle surrounding to the optical sensor. This is effected by environmental influences over the entire life cycle of the vehicle, which can affect the quality of the optical penetration of the components located outermost in the beam path on the vehicle surroundings side.

In order to achieve a high detection accuracy, an optical component (e.g. a lens) which is expensive compared to the total price of the optical sensor is usually formed as an output and/or input of the optical sensor. In order to achieve smaller manufacturing tolerances, these optical components are in any case non-replaceable parts of the sensor.

From US 2016/0264064 a1 a protection system for an optical sensor is known, wherein the optical sensor is protected from the environment by a cover that performs optical turning. The covering member is fitted in a replaceable manner. The protection system comprises a cleaning nozzle via which cleaning fluid can be sprayed to the covering member.

EP 3230128B 1 shows a camera assembly which, together with a cleaning unit, is held on a carrier which can be moved from a rest position (the camera is protected from the environment) to a shooting position (the camera unit is used per function). The camera assembly further comprises a cleaning unit by means of which a cleaning fluid can be applied to the lens of the camera unit.

Disclosure of Invention

The purpose of the invention is: the disadvantages of the prior art are overcome, in particular a protection system, a driver assistance system, and a vehicle component are provided, which accordingly increase the availability and quality of the ambient data of the optical sensor over the entire life cycle of the vehicle.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Accordingly, a protective system for an optical sensor is proposed, wherein the sensor can be fitted or fitted in a motor vehicle and is adapted to detect the surroundings of the motor vehicle, and which comprises a cover for the optical sensor, which cover is translucent, preferably transparent, in particular at least in the wavelength range critical to the sensor. The cover can be brought into a covering position in which it protects the optical sensor from environmental influences. According to the invention, the protection system comprises a storage device for a plurality of covers which are translucent, preferably transparent, at least in a wavelength range critical to the sensor, at least one cover being movable from the storage device into a covering position. In the covering position, the covering part is the outermost, ambient-side component with respect to the light path from the surroundings of the motor vehicle to the optical sensor. The cover is in particular independent of the component (e.g. lens) forming the sensor input and/or the sensor output, which is structurally assigned to the optical sensor. The cover is in any case transparent to the light components to be received and/or emitted by the optical sensor. The storage device comprises a plurality of preferably homogeneous and/or technically identical covering parts, in particular of equal size, of which a respective at least one is arranged so as to be movable from the storage device into a covering position. By providing a plurality of covers, when a cover is soiled or optically affected during the life cycle, the cover that is not soiled or affected can be brought from the storage device into the covering position, in order to again produce the initial imaging quality of the optical sensor.

In particular, a camera sensor (e.g. a camera equipped with a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor or a PMD camera) or a lidar sensor is provided as an optical sensor providing ambient data.

In a particular embodiment, the cover is movable back into the storage device. This measure forms a circulation system which enables the covering parts to be reused.

In a particular embodiment, the protective system comprises a cleaning device which provides a cleaning position for the at least one covering element. In particular, the protection system is equipped with a transport device (such as a rotary mechanism or a rail system) by means of which the covering can be moved from the covering position into the cleaning position. The transport means may be driven electrically, by spring force, gravity or by fluid flow.

Preferably, the cleaning apparatus is sized and adapted such that a plurality of covers can be cleaned simultaneously. By means of the cleaning station, the light transmission quality and thus the image data quality of the at least one soiled covering element can be reproduced repeatedly over a longer period of time. By providing the cleaning position and the plurality of covering members, it is possible to simultaneously perform the operation of the optical sensor and the cleaning of the covering members. By means of the simultaneous cleaning of a plurality of covering elements, a long and thorough cleaning process can be achieved without hindering the cleaning device from accommodating further soiled covering elements.

In particular, the cleaning device operates on a first-in first-out principle. This ensures a high usability of the covering element, while ensuring cleaning for as long as possible.

In a particular embodiment, the protection system comprises a cleaning device having a wet cleaning station. In particular, the wet cleaning device is adapted to thoroughly wet the covering with the cleaning fluid in the cleaning position. The wet cleaning station comprises, in particular, a flexible, fluid-storing carrier (e.g. a sponge) which is arranged so as to be movable by means of a covering. Alternatively or additionally, the wet cleaning station comprises a dip bath. In particular, the bath may be heated. The wet cleaning device preferably comprises an ultrasonic cleaning facility. Alternatively or additionally, the wet cleaning device comprises at least one nozzle, via which cleaning liquid can be sprayed (preferably with a too high pressure) onto at least one, in particular a plurality of, covering elements located in the cleaning position. In particular, the wet cleaning device is connected with a tank for cleaning fluid. Preferably, the wet cleaning installation is connected to a tank of a windscreen cleaning installation of the motor vehicle. Thorough cleaning is achieved by means of a wet cleaning station. By wetting the covering completely, the cleaning process ensures that the light transmission properties of the covering change uniformly over the life cycle. By using a dipping bath, it is possible to apply the cleaning solution to the covering part for a longer period of time and thus to achieve a gentler and more thorough cleaning. By heating the cleaning liquid and/or the bath, the cleaning time is shortened for an equivalent cleaning efficiency. In particular, heating can optionally be started in the case of temporarily high availability requirements or rapid soiling. One or more of the above measures may be implemented to enable the protection system to operate energy-efficiently.

In a particular embodiment, the covers are each arranged in the storage device so as to be movable from a storage device B to the covering position a and/or from the storage position B to a cleaning position C. The protective system comprises in particular a transport device (e.g. a rail system or a guide device) which can carry out a movement of the covering parts from the respective storage position into the covering position and into the cleaning position. By this measure, a circulation and a reusability of the covering elements are achieved, wherein the usability and the cleaning efficiency are increased by the storage position.

In a particular embodiment, the storage device is embodied as a rotary magazine. In particular, the rotary magazine is rotatably mounted about a rotational axis which is preferably oriented parallel to the optical path of the optical sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the storage device may comprise a stacked bin. Preferably, the storage device is embodied as a rotary magazine having a plurality of magazine chambers, wherein the respective magazine chambers are embodied as stacked magazines. That is, a plurality of covers are arranged as a stack in each rotational position where the covers can be separated in a rotatably mounted carrier. Rotating the cartridge makes it possible to provide a particularly easy provision of the covering parts from the storage position into the covering position. In particular, the transport device is designed such that the covering elements can be moved from a storage position of the rotating magazine and/or the stacking magazine into a cleaning position and/or a covering position. For this purpose, the storage device can be moved to an output position which leads to the cleaning position and/or to the covering position, in which one or more of the covering parts are separated and can be moved by the transport device into the cleaning position and/or into the covering position.

In a particular embodiment, the protection system comprises a throwing-out device adapted to move the at least one covering from the covering position out of the protection system. The ejection device may also be designed such that one or more covers can be moved out of the storage device away from the protection system. Thus, the covering whose optical transparency is permanently influenced is removed from the circulation and does not occupy any space or cleaning capacity. In this embodiment, the covering can be made of a biodegradable material. The ejection device may be powered electrically, by spring force, gravity, or by air flow.

In a particular embodiment, the protection system has a heater for heating at least one of the screen members in the storage position, the covering position and/or the cleaning position. The heater is particularly adapted to heat each of the covering members. The heating is especially adapted for heating the storage position, the covering position, and the cleaning position. The heater comprises in particular a sub-heating system for heating the cleaning liquid and/or the immersion bath of the cleaning device. The heater is preferably designed as a heating wire. Alternatively or additionally, the heater comprises an infrared heating element. Alternatively or additionally, the heater may be connected to a heating system of the motor vehicle. The heater ensures a high quality of optical penetration in winter weather conditions.

In a particular embodiment, the cover is arranged so as to be movable transversely (preferably perpendicularly) to the light path of the optical sensor from the storage position into the cover position or vice versa. By moving transversely or perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the light path, the covering can be replaced without the function of the optical sensor having to be interrupted for a longer time.

In a particular embodiment, the storage device has a service opening, via which a plurality of covers can be exchanged. In particular, the covering elements can be individually replaced. Preferably, the storage device comprises a carrier or magazine for a plurality of covering elements, which carrier or magazine can be removed as a replacement module via the service opening and can be inserted. Preferably, the service opening is closable by means of a service flap. The ability to easily replace multiple covering members improves the ease of servicing of the protection system and the motor vehicle equipped with the protection system.

The invention also relates to a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle, comprising: an optical sensor for providing ambient data of the motor vehicle; and a protection system, in particular designed according to the invention, having a plurality of covers, at least one of which can be brought into a covering position in order to protect the optical sensor from the environment; and a control unit which is designed and adapted to recognize soiling of the covering in the covering position by means of a change in the data provided by the optical sensor, to bring the covering from the covering position into a storage position, and to bring another covering of the plurality of coverings into the covering position.

In particular, the driver assistance system comprises a controller adapted and designed for evaluating a change in ambient data with respect to a constant segment of the ambient environment. From the change in the surroundings of the section that is expected to be constant, a change in the light path or an influence on the light path, for example due to soiling of the covering part temporarily in the covering position, can be inferred. Preferably, the controller is adapted and designed for bringing the covering from the storage position into the covering position and for bringing the covering in the covering position from the covering position into the storage position and/or into the cleaning position.

Finally, the invention relates to a vehicle component for installation in an outer region of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle component has an optical sensor and a protection system, which is designed in particular according to the invention, the optical system having a cover for protecting the optical sensor from the surroundings. In particular, the vehicle component is, for example, a front fender or a radiator grille with an integrated camera sensor.

Drawings

Further features, advantages and characteristics of the invention are set forth by describing preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1: embodiments of the inventive vehicle component with the inventive protection system are shown.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an example of a protection system 10, which is integrated in a vehicle component 80, for example in a front bumper. The protection system 10 protects the optical sensor (i.e., in fig. 1, the camera sensor 82) from environmental influences acting on the optical input of the camera sensor 82 from the outside. The camera sensor 82 is connected to a controller 84. The controller 84, the camera sensor 82, and the protection system 10 are part of a driver assistance system, not shown in detail, such as lane change assistance based on camera images.

The protection system 10 comprises a storage device 20, which is shown here as a stacked bin by way of example and only schematically. In the storage device 20, a plurality of covering elements 30, 31 are stored, which can be moved from the storage position B into the covering position a by means of a transport device (e.g. a slide rail), which is not shown in detail. In the covering position, the illustrated covering 33 is arranged such that the optical input or the optical output of the optical sensor (here the optical input of the camera sensor 82) is protected from environmental influences acting from the outside with respect to the light path.

The protective system 10 furthermore has a parking position cover 38, which cuts off the light path and protects the optical sensor (in fig. 1, i.e. the camera sensor 82) and the transport device, not shown in detail, and the cover 33 in the cover position a from the environment. Furthermore, when the motor vehicle in which the protection system 10 is installed is put into a resting state (e.g., turned off), the parking position cover 38 is brought forward of the covering position a. In this rest state, no function of the optical sensor is generally required, so that the additional protection by the parking position cover 38 leads to an extended service life of the protection system 10 and the optical sensor.

The protective system 10 furthermore has a cleaning device 40, which is designed as a dipping basin 42. At least one of the covers of the storage device 20 reaches the bath 42 of the cleaning device 40 via an inlet opening and an outlet opening, not shown in detail, and by means of a transport device, not shown in detail, in order to remove dirt. The cleaning apparatus 40 is sized so that a plurality of covers can be cleaned simultaneously.

The protection system 10 further includes a heater including a plurality of heating zones 74, 72, 76. The first heating zone 72 is provided in the storage device 20 and is designed to heat at least one of the plurality of covering members in the storage position B. In particular, the heating zone 72 is designed such that at least the next covering part 31 brought from the storage position B into the covering position a is heated. In another embodiment, not shown, the heating zone 72 is designed such that all of the covers held in the storage device are heated.

Another heating zone 76 is provided for heating the bath 42. The third heating field 74 is provided in the camera sensor 82 and ensures that winter weather conditions do not have any function-related effect on the covering 31 arranged in the covering position a or the parking position covering 38. The heater 74 is implemented as a heating wire or mesh that is permeable to the sensor. In an alternative or additional embodiment (not shown in detail), the heater 70, in particular one or more heating zones 72, 74, 76, can be connected to a heating system of a motor vehicle equipped with the protection system 10.

The controller 34 of the driver assistance system monitors the image data stream of the camera sensor 82 for changes in the light path. For this purpose, constant image parts can be identified by means of image processing algorithms and detail changes that can be traced back to changes in the beam path can be identified on the constant image parts. If the controller 84 recognizes such a change, the controller 84 outputs at least one signal that causes the covering in the covering position A to be replaced with the covering in the storage position B. Next, the controller 84 generates a signal that causes the covering member a, which is distant from the covering position, to move to the cleaning position C in the cleaning apparatus 40. The cleaning process in the cleaning device 40 is controlled and monitored by the controller 84. Then, after the covering member is cleaned, the covering member is transported again from the cleaning position C to the storage apparatus.

In this way, a plurality of cleaned covers are generally stored in the storage device 20, so that a soiled cover can be replaced at any time without substantially affecting the functional operation of the optical sensor.

List of reference numerals

10 protection system

20 storage facility

30, 31, 32, 33 covering parts

38 park position cover

40 cleaning device

42 bath

70 heater

72, 74, 76 heating zone

80 vehicle component

82 optical sensor

84 controller

A position of covering

B storage location

C cleaning position