DE102018213660A1 - Sensor device for a motor vehicle and method for operating such a sensor device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor device (2) for a motor vehicle (4) that can be operated autonomously and / or controlled by a person, with at least one housing (6) that can be fixed or fixed on or in a vehicle component (8) of the motor vehicle (4) and with at least one sensor means (10) which can be arranged or arranged in a fixed position in a cavity (12) of the housing (6) relative to the housing (6) and through which a vehicle environment can be detected by transmitting and / or receiving electromagnetic waves , It is characterized in that the housing (6) can be fixed so that it can move relative to the vehicle component (8) and from a basic position in which the at least one sensor means (10) for transmitting and / or receiving electromagnetic waves is at least predominantly shielded Working position can be transferred in which at least one of the at least one sensor means (10) for transmitting and / or receiving electromagnetic waves is released by the vehicle component (8).

Description

The invention relates to a sensor device for a motor vehicle that can be operated autonomously and / or operated by a person, with at least one housing that can be fixed or fixed on or in a vehicle component of the motor vehicle, and with at least one sensor means that is relative in a cavity of the housing can be arranged or arranged in a stationary manner with respect to the housing and through which a vehicle environment can be detected by transmitting and / or receiving electromagnetic waves, and a method for operating such a sensor device.

Modern motor vehicles are able to drive autonomously. This means that the motor vehicle can be operated and controlled without driving a vehicle occupant. For this purpose, a large number of sensors are provided in the motor vehicles which make it possible to detect a vehicle environment. In order to increase the safety of the vehicle occupants, several sensors are provided which interact redundantly.

In modern motor vehicles, however, not all sensor means are required in different driving situations, for example reversing cameras and the like. However, these are available installed in their fixed working position. This means that the sensor means are continuously exposed to environmental influences and are therefore always exposed to the risk of moisture and contamination.

In order to ensure that the sensor means are ready to work, it is provided in modern motor vehicles to clean these sensor means by means of cleaning units. Due to the large number of different sensor means, a large number of cleaning units must also be provided, which increases the number of components installed in the motor vehicle and reduces the available installation space.

In addition, the arrangement of sensor means for autonomous driving can restrict the field of vision of the vehicle driver, for example if the motor vehicle is in a person-controlled driving state and the sensor means is arranged between vehicle occupants and the direction of travel.

The object of an embodiment of the invention is to propose a sensor device in which the traffic safety of the motor vehicle is improved.

This object is achieved in a sensor device mentioned at the outset in that the housing can be fixed so that it can move relative to the vehicle component and can be transferred from a basic position, in which the at least one sensor means for transmitting and / or receiving electromagnetic waves is at least predominantly shielded, into a working position , in which at least one of the at least one sensor means for transmitting and / or receiving electromagnetic waves is released by the vehicle component.

The fact that the housing can be moved relative to the vehicle component and can be transferred from the basic position into the working position means that the housing and the sensor means arranged therein can be arranged in the basic position when it is not required. This makes it possible to arrange the sensor means outside the field of vision of the vehicle driver and to shield the sensor means against environmental influences, such as dirt or moisture, by the vehicle component. Both advantages increase the traffic safety of the motor vehicle.

Because the sensor means can be moved into the working position with the housing, the at least one sensor means is available at least when it is required for operating the motor vehicle, for example for autonomous driving.

Because the housing can be transferred from the basic position to the working position, it is visible to road users from the outside that the motor vehicle is not being guided by a person. This enables them to adjust the road users to a corresponding driving behavior.

The housing can be arranged lying on a vehicle component. However, it proves to be advantageous if the housing is arranged in a recess of the vehicle component at least in the basic position and / or if an outer wall of the housing continues at least almost continuously in the basic position of a surface of the vehicle component.

Because the housing is arranged in an exception of the vehicle component at least in the basic position and, in a special case, the surface of the vehicle component continues at least almost continuously, the housing can be completely removed from the field of vision of the vehicle occupant in the basic position. In addition, the aerodynamic properties of the motor vehicle in the basic position are at least almost unaffected if the vehicle component comprises a component that interacts with the surroundings of the motor vehicle, such as the bonnet, trunk lid, vehicle door or the like.

In principle, it is conceivable that the housing is manually transferred from the basic position into the working position and / or back again by a vehicle occupant. Operation of the sensor device is facilitated if the sensor device comprises at least one drive unit, by means of which at least the housing can be automatically transferred from the basic position to the working position and can be fixed in the working position and / or if the sensor device comprises at least one fixing means by which the Housing can be releasably fixed in the working position and / or basic position.

The operation of the sensor device is facilitated by the provision of the drive unit. In addition, it is conceivable that the fixing means is formed by the drive unit, for example in the form of a motor brake.

The drive unit can be operated or operated electrically, mechanically, pneumatically and / or hydraulically.

By providing a fixing means, a fixation of the housing in the working position can be achieved in addition or independently of the drive unit.

In one embodiment of the sensor device, it is provided that the drive unit comprises a spring means, that the housing is pretensioned in the working position and can be releasably fixed in the working position and / or in the basic position by the fixing means.

The housing can be moved manually from the basic position to the working position or can be automatically transferred from the basic position to the working position by manually actuating the drive unit. In one embodiment of the sensor device, it is provided that the sensor device comprises at least one control unit, by means of which the drive unit for transferring the housing from the basic position into the working position can be controlled, at least when detecting and / or initiating autonomous driving operation of the motor vehicle.

In such a case, it can be ensured that the housing is automatically transferred from the basic position into the working position and that the sensor means is thus available as soon as the motor vehicle goes into autonomous driving mode.

In addition, in a further development of the sensor device, it is provided that the sensor device comprises at least one manually operable switch element, by means of which the control unit or the drive unit can be controlled to transfer the housing from the basic position into the working position and / or vice versa.

In such a case, the housing and the control means arranged therein can be transferred manually from the basic position into the working position, for example if the sensor means is not absolutely necessary for the autonomous operation of the motor vehicle. In such a case, the at least one sensor means can comprise, for example, an element of a parking assistance system, a reversing sensor system or the like.

In order to further reduce the risk of contamination of the at least one sensor means, it has proven to be advantageous if the sensor device comprises at least one translucent and / or transparent pane means which is arranged between the at least one sensor means and an environment arranged outside the vehicle interior.

In a development of the last-mentioned embodiment, it proves to be particularly advantageous if the at least one pane means comprises a front, side or rear window of the motor vehicle and / or if the at least one pane means comprises a housing pane, through which the cavity of the housing at least almost outwardly is lockable.

If the at least one pane means comprises a front, side or rear window of the motor vehicle, the housing is arranged in a vehicle interior. There, the risk of contamination or penetration of moisture is reduced compared to an arrangement outside the vehicle interior. If the housing is arranged outside the vehicle interior, it proves to be advantageous if the disk means comprises a housing disk. As a result, the at least one sensor means arranged in the cavity of the housing is shielded from the surroundings by the housing disc.

In addition, in one embodiment of the sensor device it is provided that the vehicle components comprise a vehicle fitting and / or a bonnet and / or that the at least one sensor means, a camera, a radar, a GPS, a sensor such as a motion sensor, distance sensor, image recognition sensor or a Lidar covers.

If the vehicle component comprises a vehicle fitting, the housing and the at least one sensor means arranged therein are arranged within the motor vehicle. If the vehicle component includes a hood, is the housing and the sensor means are arranged outside the motor vehicle.

Only one sensor means or a plurality of sensor means can be arranged in the housing. If several sensor means are provided, they can each comprise one and the same optical axis. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the plurality of sensor means to be arranged with an optic axis that is spaced apart and / or at an angle to one another. This improves detection of the surroundings. In this case, the plurality of sensor means can be of the same type and / or can comprise a different type.

In order to ensure high quality of the data recorded by the at least one sensor means, it proves to be advantageous if the sensor device comprises at least one cleaning unit comprising a wiping means and / or a fluid spray means, such as a nozzle, in particular a high-pressure nozzle, by means of which the disc means can be cleaned ,

The cleaning unit can, for example, comprise a wiping means in the form of a windshield wiper which can be guided over the windshield means by a rotational movement or a translational movement in order to remove dirt or moisture from the windshield means. In addition, the cleaning unit designed as a wiping means can be arranged on the vehicle component, wherein when the housing is transferred from the basic position to the working position or from the working position to the basic position, the window means is simultaneously moved relative to the wiping means and thereby removed from the window means by dirt and moisture becomes.

In addition to this or as an alternative to this, a cleaning fluid in the form of a fluid spray, such as a nozzle, in particular a high-pressure nozzle, can be provided for cleaning the pane means. In such a case, a cleaning fluid is sprayed at high pressure onto the disk medium in order to free it of impurities.

1. a. Erfassen eines Einleitens eines autonomen Fahrbetriebs des Kraftfahrzeugs durch die Steuereinheit oder manuelles Betätigen des Schaltelements;
2. b. Ansteuern der Antriebseinheit durch die Steuereinheit und/oder durch das Schaltelement zum Überführen des Gehäuses von der Grundstellung in die Arbeitsstellung;
3. c. Aktivieren des mindestens einen Sensormittels;
4. d. Ansteuern der Antriebseinheit durch die Steuereinheit und/oder durch das Schaltelement zum Überführen des Gehäuses von der Arbeitsstellung in die Grundstellung, wenn ein Einleiten eines personengesteuerten Fahrens erfasst wird;

Finally, the object is achieved by a method for operating a sensor device for a motor vehicle, with at least one of the aforementioned features, which can be operated autonomously and / or in a person-controlled manner, with the steps:

1. a. Detecting initiation of autonomous driving of the motor vehicle by the control unit or manual actuation of the switching element;
2. b. Controlling the drive unit by the control unit and / or by the switching element for transferring the housing from the basic position into the working position;
3. c. Activating the at least one sensor means;
4. d. Triggering of the drive unit by the control unit and / or by the switching element for transferring the housing from the working position into the basic position when initiation of a person-controlled driving is detected;

Further features, details and advantages of the invention result from the attached patent claims, from the drawing and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the sensor device and the method.

• 1 Eine isometrische Vorderansicht auf ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel der Sensorvorrichtung;
• 2 Eine isometrische Vorderansicht auf ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der Sensorvorrichtung;
• 3 Ein schematisches Ablaufdiagramm des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

The drawing shows:

• 1 An isometric front view of a first embodiment of the sensor device;
• 2 An isometric front view of a second embodiment of the sensor device;
• 3 A schematic flow diagram of the method according to the invention.

The 1 and 2 show embodiments of a total with the reference numeral 2 provided sensor device for a motor vehicle 4 , The respective sensor device 2 in the embodiment of 1 and 2 each includes a housing 6 that on or in a vehicle component 8th of the motor vehicle 4 is set. At the in 1 shown embodiment of the sensor device 2 includes the vehicle component 8th a vehicle valve. In the second embodiment according to 2 includes the vehicle component 8th a hood.

In the case 6 the sensor device 2 is a sensor means in each of the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures 10 set that in a cavity 12 of the housing 6 relative to the housing 6 is stationary. By the sensor means 10 electromagnetic waves can be emitted and / or electromagnetic waves can be received and thereby a vehicle environment can be detected.

In the two embodiments, the housing 6 each shown in a working position in which the housing 6 relative to the vehicle component 8th is moved and fixed and the sensor means 10 are released for sending and / or receiving electromagnetic waves.

The housing is in a basic position (not shown in the figures) 6 each flush in the vehicle component 8th arranged so that the sensor means 10 are shielded against transmission and / or reception of electromagnetic waves.

To arrange the housing flush 6 in the vehicle component 8th to enable includes the vehicle component 8th one recess each 14 ,

To the housing 6 Transfer from the basic position to the working position and back include the sensor devices 2 one drive unit each 16 , which is only indicated in the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

In addition, the sensor device comprises 2 a control unit 18 , through which it is at least possible to determine whether the motor vehicle 4 is in an autonomous driving mode. The control unit too 18 is only indicated schematically in the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

Soiling of the at least one sensor means 10 to prevent include the sensor devices 2 each have a translucent and / or transparent lens 20 , At the in 1 The embodiment shown is the disk means 20 through a windscreen of the motor vehicle 4 educated. At the in 2 The embodiment shown is the disk means 20 formed by a housing washer through which the cavity 12 of the housing 6 is closed to the vehicle environment.

1 shows a first embodiment of the sensor device 2 , In this is the sensor device 2 inside a vehicle interior of the motor vehicle 4 arranged. The housing 6 the sensor device 2 is in such a case in a vehicle component designed as a vehicle fitting 8th admitted. At least one sensor means 10 The pane agent is to protect against moisture and dirt 20 as the windscreen of the motor vehicle 4 educated.

2 shows a second embodiment of the sensor device 2 , In this is the sensor device 2 outside the vehicle interior of the motor vehicle 4 arranged. The vehicle component 8th includes a hood. To the sensor device 2 , in particular the at least one sensor means 10 To protect against moisture and dirt, includes the disc agent 20 at the in 2 Embodiment shown a housing disc.

• In einem ersten Schritt 100 wird durch die Steuereinheit 18 oder durch ein manuelles Betätigen eines Schaltelements (in den Figuren nicht dargestellt) ein autonomer Fahrbetrieb erfasst oder das Einleiten eines autonomen Fahrbetriebs erfasst.

3 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method according to the invention. With the help of 1 and 2 the method according to the invention is described below:

• In a first step 100 is through the control unit 18 or by manual actuation of a switching element (not shown in the figures), an autonomous driving mode is detected or the initiation of an autonomous driving mode is detected.

In a subsequent step 101 becomes the drive unit 16 by the control unit 18 and / or controlled by the switching element to the housing 6 to transfer from the basic position to the working position.

After reaching the working position would be in one step 102 the at least one sensor means 10 activated. That means the sensor means 10 is put into operation.

In a subsequent step 103 becomes the drive unit 16 by the control unit 18 and / or by the switching element for transferring the housing 6 controlled from the working position to the basic position when a person-controlled driving is detected.

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the claims and in the drawing can be essential both individually and in any combination in the implementation of the invention in its various embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

sensor device

4

motor vehicle

6

casing

8th

vehicle component

10

sensor means

12

cavity

14

recess

16

drive unit

18

control unit

20

disc means

Claims (10)

Sensor device (2) for a motor vehicle (4) which can be operated autonomously and / or operated by a person, with at least one housing (6) which can be fixed or fixed on or in a vehicle component (8) of the motor vehicle (4), and with at least one sensor means (10), which can be arranged or arranged in a cavity (12) of the housing (6) relative to the housing (6) and through which a vehicle environment The transmission and / or reception of electromagnetic waves can be detected, characterized in that the housing (6) can be fixed movably relative to the vehicle component (8) and from a basic position in which the at least one sensor means (10) for transmitting and / or receiving electromagnetic waves are at least predominantly shielded, can be converted into a working position in which at least one of the at least one sensor means (10) for transmitting and / or receiving electromagnetic waves is released by the vehicle component (8). Sensor device (2) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the housing (6) is arranged at least in the basic position in a recess (14) of the vehicle component (8) and / or in that an outer wall of the housing (6) in the basic position at least almost a surface of the vehicle component (8) continuously continues. Sensor device (2) after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized by at least one drive unit (16) by means of which at least the housing (6) can be automatically transferred from the basic position into the working position and fixed in the working position and / or by at least one fixing means through which the housing (6) in the working position and / or basic position is releasably fixable. Sensor device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one control unit (18) by which, at least when detecting and / or initiating an autonomous driving operation of the motor vehicle (4), the drive unit (16) for transferring the housing (6) from the basic position can be controlled in the working position. Sensor device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one manually operable switch element by which the control unit (18) or the drive unit (16) can be controlled for transferring the housing (6) from the basic position into the working position and / or vice versa. Sensor device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one translucent and / or transparent pane means (20) which is arranged between the at least one sensor means (10) and an environment arranged outside the vehicle interior. Sensor device (2) after Claim 6 , characterized in that the at least one window means (20) comprises a front, side or rear window of the motor vehicle (4) and / or in that the at least one window means (20) comprises a housing window through which the cavity (12) of the housing (6) is at least almost closable to the outside. Sensor device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle components (8) comprises a vehicle fitting and / or a bonnet and / or that the at least one sensor means (10), a camera, a radar, a GPS, a Includes sensor, such as motion sensor, distance sensor, image recognition sensor and / or a lidar. Sensor device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one cleaning unit comprising a wiping agent and / or a fluid spray agent, such as a nozzle, in particular a high-pressure nozzle, by means of which the disk means (20) can be cleaned. Method for operating a sensor device (2) for a motor vehicle (4), according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 which can be operated autonomously and / or operated by persons, with the steps: a. Detecting an initiation of autonomous driving of the motor vehicle (4) by the control unit (18) or manual actuation of the switching element; b. Controlling the drive unit (16) by the control unit (18) and / or by the switching element for transferring the housing (6) from the basic position into the working position; c. Activating the at least one sensor means (10), d. Triggering the drive unit (16) by the control unit (18) and / or by the switching element for transferring the housing (6) from the working position into the basic position when initiation of a person-controlled driving is detected;

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