Patent ID: 12251737

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the description below, embodiments of the present disclosure are described as follows with reference to the attached drawings.

In the drawings, the same elements are indicated by the same reference numerals.

Terms such as “first” and “second” may be used in describing various elements, but the above elements shall not be restricted to the above terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one element from the other.

As publicly known in the art, some of exemplary forms may be illustrated in the accompanying drawings from the viewpoint of function blocks, units and/or modules. Those having ordinary skill in the art should understand that such blocks, units and/or modules are physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits such as logic circuits, discrete components, processors, hard wired circuits, memory devices and wiring connections. When the blocks, units and or modules are implemented by processors or other similar hardware, the blocks, units and modules may be programmed and controlled through software (for example, codes) in order to perform various functions discussed in the present disclosure.

When a component, device, element, or the like of the present disclosure is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, or the like, the component, device, or element should be considered herein as being “configured to” meet that purpose or to perform that operation or function.

In example embodiments, the apparatus for protecting a sensor may be installed in, for example, a vehicle, for ease of description, but an example embodiment thereof is not limited thereto.

Also, the terms “up and down,” “upper,” “lower,” and “left and right” used in relation to the direction are defined based on a vehicle body, that is, an installation object.

FIG.1is a perspective diagram illustrating an installation state of an apparatus for protecting a sensor according to a first example embodiment.FIG.2is a front diagram illustrating an apparatus for protecting a sensor according to a first example embodiment.FIG.3is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating an apparatus for protecting a sensor according to a first example embodiment.FIG.4is a perspective diagram illustrating an apparatus for protecting a sensor according to a first example embodiment, while a second housing unit is omitted.

The apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the first example embodiment may include a housing10, a protective film20, and a moving unit.

The housing10may be a box-shaped member, and one side surface disposed in a side direction may be configured as an open surface, for example. The housing may be fixed to an installation object3.

The installation object3may be implemented as, for example, a vehicle body, and the installation object may have an opening4which may allow an arbitrary sensor1in the installation object to sense desired external information. Accordingly, the housing10may be disposed such that the open surface corresponds to the opening of the installation object.

The housing10may be coupled to the installation object3by a fastener5(seeFIG.6), such as a screw. To this end, the housing may include protrusions17having holes on upper, lower, left and right ends of the open surface, respectively.

In another form, the housing10may be configured to be divided into a first housing unit11and a second housing unit12. When the housing is divided into the first housing unit and the second housing unit, the open surface may also be divided into two regions. For example, the first housing unit and the second housing unit may be vertically separated from each other.

The housing10may accommodate the components of the apparatus for protecting a sensor described below together with the sensor1therein. The sensor may be connected to a power source outside of the housing by a wire (not illustrated) or may be connected to a battery disposed in the housing and may be supplied with power.

The protective film20may be formed of a transparent material such that the sensing may be performed while a sensing plane2of the sensor1is covered, and the protective film20may have an elongated band shape to be wound. A width (length in the Z direction inFIGS.1,2and4) of the protective film may be formed to have a size of several to several tens of centimeters sufficient to cover the sensing plane.

In one form, the protective film20may be formed of a transparent synthetic resin such as, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PU), and the like.

When the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the first example embodiment is applied to protect an image sensor such as a camera, for example, the protective film20may be formed of a transparent material.

Here, transparency in the example embodiment may indicate that, in addition to transmission of light such as visible light, infrared light, laser, or the like, electromagnetic waves required for sensing may also pass through without reflection or scattering.

In the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the first example embodiment, the protective film20may be configured in the form of a cartridge such that a first end in the length direction thereof may be fixed to a first bobbin21and may be wound on the first bobbin, and a second end thereof may be fixed to a second bobbin22.

In this case, the first bobbin21may be fitted to a first roller31described below and may be installed to rotate together with the first roller, and the second bobbin22may be fitted to a second roller32described below and may be installed to rotate together with the second roller.

In order to couple the bobbin to the roller to rotate together without relative rotation with each other, a groove or a protrusion may be formed in the bobbin and a protrusion or a groove may be formed in the corresponding roller. However, in the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the first example embodiment, the coupling means between the bobbin and the roller is not limited to any particular example.

The protective film20in the form of a cartridge may be easily inserted into and easily withdrawn from the housing10, particularly when the housing is configured to be divided into the first housing unit11and the second housing unit12.

The moving unit may be installed in the housing10and may move the protective film while the protective film20is maintained with respect to the sensing plane2of the sensor1. The moving unit may include a first roller31, a second roller32, and a driving unit40.

The first roller31may be mounted while the protective film20is wound, and may be a member for unwinding the protective film. That is, the protective film before being used may be installed in a wound state on the outer circumferential surface of the first roller, and as the first roller rotates, a portion of the protective film may be released from the first roller.

For the installation of the first roller31, a seating groove for holding and supporting the rotation shaft of the first roller may be formed on the upper internal surface and the lower internal surface of the housing10. For example, when the housing is configured to be divided into the first housing unit11and the second housing unit12, a first seating groove13may be formed on an internal surface of one side of the first housing unit as illustrated inFIG.4, and the second seating groove14may be formed on an internal surface of one side of the second housing unit as illustrated inFIG.3.

The apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the first example embodiment may further include a rotation prevention means33for preventing rotation of the first roller31when no external force is applied.

In one form, the rotation prevention means33may include a spring, for example, a torsion spring or a spiral spring. One end of the spring may be caught by and fixed to the first roller31, and the other end may be caught by and fixed to the housing10.

The rotation prevention means33may prevent the first roller31from rotating by the elastic force of the spring when no external force is applied. Accordingly, the protective film20may be maintained at constant tension by the rotation prevention means.

The second roller32may be spaced apart from the first roller31in the housing10and may be disposed parallel to the first roller. The second roller32may be a member for winding the protective film20unwound from the first roller. For example, the first roller and the second roller may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction (X direction inFIGS.1,2, and4) in the housing.

The second roller32may be configured to rotate by the driving force of the driving unit40, and the second roller may wind the protective film20unwound from the first roller31on the outer circumferential surface thereof. For winding the second roller, the second end of the protective film may be coupled so as not to rotate relative to the second roller via the second bobbin22.

For the installation of the second roller32, the upper internal surface of the housing10may include a roller seating groove15for holding and supporting the rotation shaft of the second roller. A driving-unit seating groove16for seating the driving unit40rotating the second roller may be formed on the lower internal surface of the housing.

For example, when the housing10is configured to be divided into the first housing unit11and the second housing unit12, a roller seating groove16may be formed on an internal surface of one side of the first housing unit as illustrated inFIG.4. A driving-unit seating groove15may be formed on an internal surface of one side of the second housing unit as illustrated inFIG.3.

In one form, the driving unit40may include a motor or actuator, which is able to rotate the second roller32at a predetermined angle, such as a step motor. The driving unit may be directly connected to the rotation shaft of the second roller or may further include a transmission means such as a gear and may be indirectly connected to the rotation shaft of the second roller.

Here, the driving unit40may not only be installed in the second roller32, and if desired, selectively, a driving unit may be provided in the first roller31and may rotate the first roller. In this case, the driving unit of the first roller may also work as the rotation prevention means33.

Also, the driving force applied by the driving unit40to rotate the second roller32may be configured to exceed the rotation preventing force by force of the rotation prevention means33of the first roller31, that is, the elastic force of the spring. Accordingly, when the second roller rotates by the driving unit, the first roller31, connected by the protective film20, may also rotate.

The driving unit40may be supplied with power by being connected to a power source outside the housing10by a wire (not illustrated) or by being connected to a battery disposed in the housing.

In the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the first example embodiment, because the second roller32is spaced apart from the first roller31, the protective film20may be exposed by a spacing between the first roller and the second roller.

Further, when the opening4is formed in the installation object3, at least a portion of the exposed surface of the protective film20may be exposed toward the outside of the installation object. In other words, the exposed surface of the protective film may be disposed between the sensing plane2of the sensor1and the opening of the installation object.

The housing10may be firmly fixed to the installation object3by a fastener5, and simultaneously, the sensor1may be supported by the internal surface of the housing. In particular, the protective film20may always be maintained with constant tension between the first roller31and the second roller32by the rotation prevention means33, such that the exposed surface of the protective film may be flatly and securely in close contact with the sensor.

Accordingly, foreign objects may be prevented from entering between the exposed surface of the protective film20and the sensor1.

When the exposed surface of the protective film20is contaminated by foreign objects, by rotating the second roller32by the driving unit40, a clean portion of the protective film may be released from the wound first roller31and may be disposed over the sensing plane2of the sensor1, and a contaminated portion may be wound on the outer circumferential surface of the second roller.

Because the protective film20in the form of a cartridge may be easily withdrawn from the housing10, the cartridge of the used protective film may be separated from the housing and may be removed.

The apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the first example embodiment may further include a control unit50for controlling the driving unit40. The control unit may be electrically connected to the driving unit and may communicate with the driving unit by a wired, wireless, or wired/wireless manner.

The control unit50may rotate the second roller32by operating the driving unit40every time the protective film20reaches a certain period (1 to 6 months) or a certain condition (when transparency deteriorates), thereby controlling the protective film having a clean surface to be unwound from the first roller31.

In one form, the control unit50may include a timer51or may be electrically connected to the timer. Accordingly, when it is determined that a predetermined movement period has been reached, the control unit may control the operation of the driving unit40. For example, the control unit50may be electrically connected to the sensor1and the driving unit40. Accordingly, when foreign objects are attached to the protective film20, the control unit may recognize abnormality of the sensor. For example, when the sensor is a camera, the control unit may analyze the image, may sense the transparency of the protective film and may also simultaneously measure the degree of contamination, and may control the operation of the driving unit according to the result of the measurement.

Alternatively, the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the first example embodiment may include a transparency sensor (not illustrated) disposed in the housing10and configured to sense transparency of the protection film20, and the control unit50may be electrically connected to the transparency sensor and the driving unit40.

As the transparency sensor, for example, an optical sensor, such as an infrared sensor, or a rain sensor may be employed. Substantially, the transparency sensor may sense the transparency of the protective film20, and when it is determined that the transparency of the protective film deteriorates more than a reference value by a signal from the transparency sensor, the control unit50may control the operation of the driving unit40.

Accordingly, a clean portion of the protective film20may be automatically placed on the sensing plane2of the sensor1.

Also, the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the first example embodiment may include a thickness sensor52(seeFIG.5) disposed in the housing10and sensing a thickness of the protective film20wound on the second roller32, and the control unit may be electrically connected to the thickness sensor and a warning unit (not illustrated).

As the thickness sensor52, for example, a contact sensor, a non-contact distance sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like, may be employed. Substantially, the thickness sensor may sense the thickness of the protective film20wound on the second roller32after being used, and when it is determined that the protective film is wound to a limit by a signal from the thickness sensor, the control unit50may operate the warning unit to warn a user of the installation object3visually or audibly that the cartridge replacement time has arrived.

Alternatively, when the control unit50determines that a predetermined replacement period has been reached by the timer51, the control unit50may operate the warning unit to visually or audibly warn the user of the installation object3that the cartridge replacement time has arrived.

Accordingly, the user may replace the cartridge of the protective film20at an appropriate time.

When the apparatus for protecting a sensor in the example embodiment is applied to a vehicle, the control unit50may be incorporated into or used in combination with an electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle, for example.

FIG.5is a diagram illustrating an operational state of an apparatus for protecting a sensor according to a first example embodiment.FIG.5is a plan view in which a first housing unit is omitted.

When the foreign object F is attached to the protective film, as described above, the control unit50may recognize sensing abnormality of the sensor1, or when the sensor is a camera, the control unit50may analyzes the image, may sense the transparency of the protective film and may simultaneously measure the degree of contamination, and may control the operation of the driving unit40.

Alternatively, the transparency sensor may sense the transparency of the protective film20, and when it is determined that the transparency of the protective film deteriorates more than a reference value by a signal from the transparency sensor, the control unit50may control the operation of the driving unit40.

The second roller32may rotate by the driving force of the driving unit40, and the first roller31connected by the protective film20may also rotate. The second roller may wind the protective film unwound from the first roller on the outer circumferential surface thereof according to the rotation thereof.

In this case, the foreign object F may also move together according to the movement of the protective film20, and the foreign object may gradually approach an edge of one side forming the opening4of the installation object3. The foreign object may be removed from the protective film by the relatively sharp edge of the opening.

Although the foreign object F is removed from the protective film20, traces or still contaminated portions may be wound on the outer circumferential surface of the second roller32. As the winding of the protective film continues, a clean portion of the protective film may be released from the wound first roller31, may spread to correspond to the sensing plane2of the sensor1and may form the exposed surface.

Accordingly, the sensor1may continuously perform accurate sensing through the protective film20.

The above process may be repeated several times, and the thickness sensor52may sense the thickness of the protective film20wound on the second roller32after being used, and when it is determined that the protective film is wound by a limit by a signal from the thickness sensor, the control unit50may operate the warning unit to warn the user of the installation object3visually or audibly that the cartridge replacement time has arrived.

Alternatively, when the control unit50determines that a predetermined replacement period has been reached by the timer51, the control unit50may operate the warning unit to visually or audibly warn the user of the installation object3that the cartridge replacement time has arrived.

Accordingly, the user may exchange the cartridge of the protective film20in the protective device for the sensor according to the first example embodiment at an appropriate time.

FIG.6is a diagram illustrating a method of changing a cartridge of an apparatus for protecting a sensor according to a first example embodiment.

While the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the first example embodiment is mounted on the installation object3, at least a portion of the housing10may be removed from the rear surface of the installation object.

For example, when the housing10is configured to be divided into the first housing unit11and the second housing unit12, the fastener5fastened to the protrusion17of the first housing unit may be released, such that the first housing unit may be separated from the installation object3.

Thereafter, the cartridge of the used protective film20may be removed. By releasing the coupling between the bobbin and the roller of the protective film, the protective film may be easily separated from the first roller31and the second roller32.

A cartridge of a new protective film20may be prepared, and a bobbin of the new protective film may be coupled to the roller, such that the cartridge of the new protective film may be mounted in the housing10, at least in the second housing unit12. In this case, the bobbin may be coupled to not rotate relative to the corresponding roller.

Finally, by coupling the separated first housing unit11to the rear surface of the installation object3by means of the fastener5, replacement of the cartridge in the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the first example embodiment may be completed.

As described above, since the protection device for a sensor according to the first example embodiment is configured to allow replacement of the cartridge by removing the first housing, the sensor and the components may be protected, and the used protective film may be easily replaced with a new protective film.

According to the protection device for a sensor according to the first example embodiment, the sensor may be protected, and foreign objects may be prevented from adhering to the sensing plane of the sensor, and the sensor may continuously and accurately sense through the protection film.

Also, according to the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the first example embodiment, a pump for spraying air or water, a connection pipe, a wiper for wiping, and the like, may not be used such that the apparatus may be configured compactly. Accordingly, there may be an effect in which costs may be reduced, and that the space required for the installation object such as a vehicle may be significantly reduced.

Also, according to the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the first example embodiment, using a cartridge replacement method, contamination of the sensor and also the installation object and the environment may be prevented, and even when contamination by foreign objects occurs, the sensing may be resumed by simply replacing the protective film.

FIG.7is a perspective diagram illustrating an installation state of an apparatus for protecting a sensor according to a second example embodiment.FIG.8is diagrams illustrating an apparatus for protecting a sensor according to a second example embodiment, while a housing is omitted.FIG.9is an exploded perspective diagram illustrating an apparatus for protecting a sensor according to a second example embodiment.

The apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment may include a housing10, a protection film20, a moving unit, and a cleaning liquid tank60.

The housing10may be a box-shaped member, and one side surface disposed in a side direction may be configured as an open surface, for example. The housing may be fixed to an installation object3.

The installation object3may be implemented as, for example, a vehicle body, and the installation object may have an opening4which may allow an arbitrary sensor1in the installation object to sense desired external information. Accordingly, the housing10may be disposed such that the open surface corresponds to the opening of the installation object.

The housing10may be coupled to the installation object3by a fastener5(seeFIG.6), such as screws. To this end, the housing may be formed with protrusions17(seeFIGS.1to6) having holes on upper, lower, left and right ends of the open surface, respectively.

The housing10may accommodate the components of the apparatus for protecting a sensor described below together with the sensor1therein. The sensor may be connected to a power source outside the housing by a wire (not illustrated) or may be connected to a battery disposed in the housing and may be supplied with power.

The apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment may further include a guide member7installed in the opening4of the installation object3, pressing the protective film20to be bent, and improving the efficiency of removing foreign objects when the protective film moves.

The guide member7may be formed of a material such as plastic, for example, and may be formed in a rod shape having a polygonal cross-sectional surface, such as triangular or quadrangular shape.

The protective film20may be formed of a transparent material such that sensing may be performed while the sensing plane2of the sensor1is covered, and may be formed in an elongated band shape to be able to be wound. The width (length in the X direction inFIGS.7and8) of the protective film may be configured to have a size of several to several tens of centimeters sufficient to cover the sensing plane.

Also, the protective film20may be formed of, for example, a transparent synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PU), and the like.

When the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment is applied to protect an image sensor such as a camera, for example, the protective film20may be formed of a transparent material.

Here, transparency in the example embodiment may indicate that, in addition to transmission of light such as visible light, infrared light, laser, or the like, electromagnetic waves required for sensing may also pass through without reflection or scattering.

In the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment, a first end of the protective film20in the length direction may be directly fixed to a first roller31described below and may be wound on or unwound from the first roller31, and a second end may be directly fixed to a second roller32described below and may be wound on or unwound from the second roller.

To couple the end of the protective film20to the roller to rotate together without relatively rotating from each other, a slit may be formed in the roller and the end may be inserted into the slit, or the end may be bonded to the roller. However, in the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment, the coupling means between the end of the protective film and the roller is not limited to any particular example.

The moving unit may be installed in the housing10, and may move the protective film while maintaining the protective film20with respect to the sensing plane2of the sensor1. The moving unit may include a first roller31, a second roller32, and a driving unit40.

The first roller31may be mounted while the protective film20is wound, and the first roller31may be a member for unwinding the protective film. That is, the protective film before being used may be installed while being wound on the outer circumferential surface of the first roller, and as the first roller rotates, a portion of the protective film may be released from the first roller.

For the installation of the first roller31, a support bracket (not illustrated) for supporting the rotation shaft of the first roller to rotate may be formed on the internal surface of the housing10and may be integrated with the housing.

Alternatively, for installation of the first roller31, a through-hole (not illustrated) for supporting the rotation shaft of the first roller to rotate may be formed on both left and right side surfaces of the housing10.

The apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment may further include a rotation prevention means33for preventing the rotation of the first roller31when no external force is applied.

In one form, the rotation prevention means33may include a spring, for example, a torsion spring or a spiral spring. One end of the spring may be caught by and fixed to the first roller31, and the other end may be caught by and fixed to the housing10.

The rotation prevention means33may prevent the first roller31from rotating by the elastic force of the spring when no external force is applied. Accordingly, the protective film20may be maintained at constant tension by the rotation prevention means.

The second roller32may be spaced apart from the first roller31in the housing10and may be disposed parallel to the first roller, and the second roller32may be a member for winding and unwinding the protective film20unwound from the first roller. For example, the first roller and the second roller may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction (Z direction inFIGS.7and8) in the housing.

In the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment, the second roller32may be supported by the cleaning liquid tank60, which is described below.

The second roller32may be rotated by the driving force of the driving unit40, and the second roller may wind the protective film20unwound from the first roller31to the outer circumferential surface thereof or may unwind the protective film from the outer circumferential surface. For winding of the protective film20by the second roller, the second end of the protective film may be coupled the second roller so as not to rotate relative to the second roller.

In another form, the driving unit40may include a motor or an actuator, which may rotate the second roller32forward and reverse at a predetermined angle. The driving unit may be directly connected to the rotation shaft of the second roller or may further include a transmission means such as a gear and may be indirectly connected to the rotation shaft of the second roller.

Here, the driving unit40may not only be installed in the second roller32, and if desired, selectively, a driving unit may be provided in the first roller31and may rotate the first roller. In this case, the driving unit of the first roller may also work as the rotation prevention means33.

Also, the driving force applied by the driving unit40to rotate the second roller32in the forward direction (e.g., counterclockwise inFIG.10) may be set to exceed the rotation preventing force by force of the rotation prevention means33of the first roller31, that is, the elastic force of the spring. Accordingly, when the second roller rotates in the forward direction by the driving unit, the first roller31connected by the protective film20may also rotate in the forward direction.

When the second roller32rotates in the reverse direction (e.g., clockwise inFIG.10) by the driving unit40, the first roller may also rotate in the reverse direction by the force of the rotation prevention means33of the first roller31, that is, the elastic force of the spring.

The driving unit40may be connected to a power source outside the housing10by a wire (not illustrated) or may be connected to a battery disposed inside the housing and may be supplied with power.

The apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment may include a cleaning liquid tank60accommodating the second roller32and the cleaning liquid W (seeFIG.10). In the cleaning liquid tank, the second roller may be immersed in the cleaning liquid and may rotate.

The cleaning liquid tank60may be a box-shaped member having an open upper surface, and may include a cover61for closing the upper surface. The cleaning liquid tank may be installed to be supported by the lower internal surface of the housing10.

A second roller32may be installed in the cleaning liquid tank60. For the installation of the second roller, a through-hole62to receive the rotation shaft of the second roller to rotate may be formed in left and right side surfaces of the cleaning liquid tank.

A sealing member such as a mechanical seal or a sealed bearing which may prevent leakage of a cleaning liquid and may support the rotation shaft of the second roller to rotate may be applied to the through-hole62.

Since the second roller32is immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank60, a portion of the protective film20wound on the second roller may also be immersed in the cleaning liquid and may be washed.

The driving unit40may be installed outside the cleaning liquid tank60and may be connected to the second roller32in the cleaning liquid tank through the through-hole62.

In the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment, since the second roller32is spaced apart from the first roller31, the protective film20may be exposed by a spacing between the first roller and the second roller.

Further, when the opening4is formed in the installation object3, at least a portion of the exposed surface of the protective film20may be exposed toward the outside of the installation object. In other words, the exposed surface of the protective film may be disposed between the sensing plane2of the sensor1and the opening of the installation object.

Also, the protective film20may be disposed between the sensor1and the guide member7.

The housing10may be firmly fixed to the installation object3by the fastener5, and simultaneously, the sensor1may be supported by the internal surface of the housing, and in particular, the protective film20may always be maintained with constant tension between the first roller31and the second roller32by the rotation prevention means33, such that the exposed surface of the protective film may be flatly and securely in close contact with the sensor.

Accordingly, foreign objects may be prevented from entering between the exposed surface of the protective film20and the sensor1.

When the exposed surface of the protective film20is contaminated by foreign objects, by rotating the second roller32alternately in the forward and reverse directions by the driving unit40, the winding and unwinding of the protective film may be performed sequentially in the second roller, and the winding and unwinding of the protective film may also be performed sequentially in the first roller to corresponding to the winding and unwinding of the second roller.

During the reciprocating movement of the protective film, foreign objects having a relatively large size may be removed from the contaminated portion of the protective film20by the guide member7.

Thereafter, the foreign objects having high viscosity and a relatively smaller thickness remaining in the contaminated portion of the protective film20may be washed by the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank60. The washing action of the protective film may be performed in the cleaning liquid.

The apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment may further include a control unit50(seeFIG.4) for controlling the driving unit40.

The control unit50may rotate the second roller32by operating the driving unit40every time the protective film20reaches a certain period (1 to 6 months) or a certain condition (when transparency deteriorates), thereby controlling the protective film to be washed by the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank60.

To this end, the control unit50may include a timer51or may be electrically connected to the timer. Accordingly, when it is determined that a predetermined movement period has been reached, the control unit may control the operation of the driving unit40.

For example, the control unit50may be electrically connected to the sensor1and the driving unit40. Accordingly, when foreign objects are attached to the protective film20, the control unit may recognize sensing abnormality of the sensor, or when the sensor is a camera, the control unit may analyze the image, may sense the transparency of the protective film and may simultaneously measure the degree of contamination, and may control the operation of the driving unit according to the result of the measurement.

Alternatively, the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment may include a transparency sensor (not illustrated) disposed in the housing10and configured to sense transparency of the protection film20, and the control unit50may be electrically connected to the transparency sensor and the driving unit40.

As the transparency sensor, for example, an optical sensor, such as an infrared sensor, or a rain sensor may be employed. Substantially, the transparency sensor may sense the transparency of the protective film20, and when it is determined that the transparency of the protective film deteriorates more than a reference value by a signal from the transparency sensor, the control unit50may control the operation of the driving unit40.

Accordingly, the contaminated portion of the protective film20may be automatically immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank60and may be washed.

When the apparatus for protecting a sensor in the example embodiment is applied to a vehicle, the control unit50may be incorporated into or used in combination with an electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle, for example.

FIG.10is a diagram illustrating an operational state of an apparatus for protecting a sensor according to a second example embodiment.FIG.10is a side view in which a housing is omitted.

When the foreign object F is attached to the protective film, as described above, the control unit50may recognize sensing abnormality of the sensor1, or when the sensor is a camera, the control unit50may analyzes the image, may sense the transparency of the protective film and may simultaneously measure the degree of contamination, and may control the operation of the driving unit40.

Alternatively, the transparency sensor may sense the transparency of the protective film20, and when it is determined that the transparency of the protective film deteriorates more than a reference value by a signal from the transparency sensor, the control unit50may control the operation of the driving unit40.

The second roller32may rotate in the forward direction (e.g., counterclockwise inFIG.10) by the driving force of the driving unit40, and the first roller31connected by the protective film20may also rotate in the forward direction. The second roller may wind the protective film unwound from the first roller to the outer circumferential surface thereof according to the rotation thereof.

In this case, the foreign object F may also move together according to the movement of the protective film20, and the foreign object may gradually approach an edge of one side forming the opening4of the installation object3. A relatively large foreign object F may be removed from the protective film20by the guide member7disposed on the edge of the opening.

Although the foreign object F is removed from the protective film20, traces or still contaminated portions may be wound on the outer circumferential surface of the second roller32. The winding of the protective film may continue such that the contaminated portion may be sufficiently immersed in the cleaning liquid W in the cleaning liquid tank60.

Accordingly, the foreign objects f having high viscosity and a relatively smaller size or thickness remaining in the contaminated portion of the protective film20may be washed by the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank60for a short time.

During the washing, a clean portion of the protective film20unwound from the first roller31may spread to correspond to the sensing plane2of the sensor1and may form an exposed surface.

Thereafter, the second roller32may rotate in the reverse direction (e.g., clockwise inFIG.10) by the driving unit40. As the second roller rotates in the reverse direction, the protective film20may be unwound again from the second roller, and the first roller31may also rotate in the reverse direction by force of the rotation prevention means33, that is, the elastic force of the spring. The first roller may wind the protective film unwound from the second roller to the outer circumferential surface thereof according to the rotation.

By performing the process at least once or more, the washed and cleaned portion of the protective film20may be released from the second roller32in the cleaning liquid W, may spread to correspond to the sensing plane2of the sensor1and may form the exposed surface.

Accordingly, the sensor1may continuously perform accurate sensing through the protective film20.

As described above, since the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment is configured to perform the washing of the protective film, the sensor and components may be protected, and it may not be necessary to periodically supply a cleaning liquid, and the protective film may be used semi-permanently.

According to the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment, the sensor may be protected, foreign objects may be prevented from adhering to the sensing plane of the sensor, and the sensor may continuously and accurately sense through the protection film.

Also, according to the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment, a pump for spraying air or water, a connection pipe, a wiper for wiping, and the like, may not be used such that the apparatus may be configured compactly. Accordingly, there may be an effect in which costs may be reduced, and that the space required for the installation object such as a vehicle may be significantly reduced.

Also, according to the apparatus for protecting a sensor according to the second example embodiment, a two-step system in which a large-sized foreign object may be removed by the guide member and a small-sized foreign object having large viscosity may be washed using a cleaning liquid may be applied, such that the effect of reliably removing foreign object within the short period of time may be obtained.

While the example embodiments have been illustrated and described above, it should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that modifications and variations could be made without departing from the scope in the example embodiment.