US 12,386,039 B2
LIDAR sensor and surroundings detection system
Holger Maris Gilbergs, Sersheim (DE); Johannes Richter, Ludwigsburg (DE); Karl Christoph Goedel, Vaihingen an der Enz (DE); and Simon Bell, Sersheim (DE)
Assigned to ROBERT BOSCH GMBH, Stuttgart (DE)
Filed by Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart (DE)
Filed on Aug. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/393,304.
Claims priority of application No. 102020209930.8 (DE), filed on Aug. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0043121 A1, Feb. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. G01S 7/495 (2006.01); G01S 7/481 (2006.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); G01S 17/933 (2020.01)
CPC G01S 7/4813 (2013.01) [G01S 7/495 (2013.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); G01S 17/933 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A LIDAR sensor, comprising:
a window;
at least one first group of electrical conductors and at least one second group of electrical conductors; and
a detection circuit;
wherein the window is a light exit and light entry interface of the LIDAR sensor;
wherein each of the first group of electrical conductors and the second grouped of electrical conducts includes a first conductor and a second conductor, which are, in each case:
electrically insulated from one another, situated on and/or within the window and in each case form a capacitive sensor, and
electrically connected to the detection circuit;
wherein the first group of electrical conductors and the second group of electrical conductors are situated at positions which deviate from one another; and
wherein the detection circuit is configured to:
generate an electrical field at least between the respective first conductors and second conductors of the first and second groups, using a voltage source,
detect a change in the electrical field as a result of an object in close range of the window, and to ascertain a position of the object within the surface of the window, and
provide a piece of information about the position of the object.