Patent Application
20250145119
The present disclosure relates generally to a debris management system for cleaning debris blocking the field of view of vehicle mounted sensors, and more particularly, but without limitation, to such a debris management system that can operate in an indexed mode or a continuous mode.
Sensors are being disposed on surfaces of modern vehicles in ever increasing numbers. Such sensors are distributed all around a vehicle for collecting data on the vehicle surroundings in all directions for use in critical tasks, for example, including autonomous driving modes. It is crucial that such sensors function accurately without being fouled by debris coating the sensor and interfering with optimum sensing. A need therefore exists for a robust and reliable cleaning system that can clean vehicle mounted sensors in any driving environment. It would be useful if such a cleaning system could operate to clean individual sensors as needed while also being able to clean one or more sensors continuously when the vehicle is subjected to a continuously fouling environment.
In one aspect of the invention, a debris management system for vehicle sensors comprises a sensor disposed on a first side of a transparent cover, the sensor having a field of view through the transparent cover, wherein the transparent cover is configured to move across the field of view of the sensor. A solvent nozzle is disposed on a second side of the transparent cover, wherein the solvent nozzle is configured to spray solvent at a surface of the second side and into the field of view. A wiper is disposed in contact with the surface of the second side.
In another aspect of the invention, a debris management system for vehicle sensors comprises a sensor disposed on a first side of a transparent cover, the sensor having a field of view through the transparent cover, wherein the transparent cover is configured to move across the field of view of the sensor by rotating around an axis outside of the field of view. A solvent nozzle is disposed on a second side of the transparent cover, wherein the solvent nozzle is configured to spray solvent at a surface of the second side and into the field of view. A wiper is disposed in contact with the surface of the second side.
In a further aspect of the invention, a debris management system for vehicle sensors comprises a sensor disposed on a first side of a transparent cover, the sensor having a field of view through the transparent cover, wherein the transparent cover is configured to move linearly across the field of view of the sensor. A solvent nozzle is disposed on a second side of the transparent cover, wherein the solvent nozzle is configured to spray solvent at a surface of the second side and into the field of view. A wiper is disposed in contact with the surface of the second side.
The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope.
In the following detailed description, various embodiments are described with reference to the appended drawings. The skilled person will understand that the accompanying drawings are schematic and simplified for clarity. Like reference numerals refer to like elements or components throughout. Like elements or components will therefore not necessarily be described in detail with respect to each figure.
Referring to
In an embodiment, a solvent nozzle 70 is disposed on a second side 80 of the transparent cover 50. In an embodiment, the solvent nozzle 70 is configured to spray solvent, illustrated by the fan shaped pattern of dashed arrows 75 in
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Exemplary embodiments of the DMS 10 and 200 as illustrated respectively in
Without being held to theory, it is believed that the first mode of operation including rotating the transparent cover 50 while spraying solvent on and wiping off the surface of the transparent cover 50 is useful for spot or intermittent cleaning of debris that has collected on the transparent cover 50 in the line of sight 60 of a sensor 30. In a second mode of operation for the DMS 10, 200, the transparent cover 50 is configured to rotate continuously without of operation the solvent nozzle 70. Without being held to theory, it is believed that the second mode of operation including wiping off the surface of the transparent cover 50 without spraying solvent is useful for environments that continually foul the transparent cover 50 with debris, for example, muddy or slushy environments.
Exemplary embodiments of the DMS 20 and 300 as illustrated respectively in
Without being held to theory, it is believed that the first mode of operation including linear translation of the transparent cover 50 while spraying solvent on and wiping off the surface of the transparent cover 50 is useful for spot or intermittent cleaning of debris that has collected on the transparent cover 50 in the line of sight 60 of a sensor 30. In a second mode of operation for the DMS 20, 300, the transparent cover 50 is configured to move continuously without of operation the solvent nozzle 70. Without being held to theory, it is believed that the second mode of operation including wiping off the surface of the transparent cover 50 without spraying solvent is useful for environments that continually foul the transparent cover 50 with debris, for example, muddy or slushy environments. In other embodiments, the solvent nozzle 70 described as part of any of the DMS 10, 20, 200, 300 operates to spray solvent independently of whether the transparent cover 50 moves or not.
With respect to the use of plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. Unless otherwise noted, the use of the words “approximate,” “about,” “around,” “substantially,” etc., mean plus or minus ten percent.
A debris management system for vehicle sensors operates to move a transparent cover wiped by a stationary wiper through the field of view of one or more vehicle sensors, thereby cleaning the transparent cover of debris collected thereon. The system operates in an indexed mode including a solvent sprayed onto the transparent cover and in a continuous mode without the solvent. The system can be manufactured in industry for use on vehicles purchased by consumers.
Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. It is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved. All patents, patent publications and applications, and other references cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
