Sensor cleaning system for vehicles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10220817-B2
Application number	US-201615213149-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 18, 2016
Priority date	Jul 18, 2016
Publication date	Mar 5, 2019
Grant date	Mar 5, 2019

Abstract

A device for cleaning a sensor can include a support structure and a platform assembly. The platform assembly can include a platform structure that includes a set of channels and a raised lip structure that is provided around at least a portion of the perimeter of the platform structure. The raised lip structure includes a set of cavities that is connected to the set of channels and a set of openings to enable air to move from the set of cavities to outside the raised lip structure in a direction towards a center of the platform structure.

First claim

What is being claimed is:

1. A device for cleaning a sensor, comprising:
a support structure that includes a first set of channels to channel air from an air compressor; and
a platform assembly, comprising:
a platform structure coupled to the support structure, the platform structure having a sensor comprising a lens mounted thereon, and including a second set of channels connected to the first set of channels and receiving the air from the first set of channels; and
a first raised lip structure provided around at least a portion of a perimeter of the sensor, the first raised lip structure including (i) a set of cavities each comprising an expansion chamber connected to receive the air from the second set of channels, and (ii) a set of openings to output the air from the set of cavities to the lens of the sensor.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the platform assembly further comprises a second raised lip structure, the second raised lip structure being positioned under an interior portion of the first raised lip structure so that the first raised lip structure covers at least a portion of the second raised lip structure.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the first raised lip structure and the second raised lip structure are disconnected from each other.

4. The device of claim 2 , wherein each of the first raised lip structure and the second raised lip structure are positioned on the platform structure in a shape of an arc.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein a perimeter of the platform structure is in a shape of an arc.

6. The device of claim 4 , wherein the sensor comprises a lidar sensor coupled to the platform assembly, wherein the lidar sensor comprises a housing that is substantially cylindrical in shape, and wherein the second raised lip structure substantially encircles the housing of the lidar sensor.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first raised lip structure further includes a second set of openings to enable air to move from outside the first raised lip structure to the set of cavities.

8. A lidar sensor assembly, comprising:
a lidar sensor comprising a lens; and
a device coupled to the lidar sensor, the device comprising:
a support structure that includes a first set of channels to channel air from an air compressor; and
a platform assembly, comprising:
a platform structure coupled to the support structure, the platform structure having the lidar sensor mounted thereon, and including a second set of channels connected to the first set of channels and receiving the air from the first set of channels; and
a first raised lip structure provided around at least a portion of a perimeter of the lidar sensor, the first raised lip structure including (i) a set of cavities each comprising an expansion chamber connected to receive the air from the second set of channels, and (ii) a set of openings to output the air from the set of cavities to the lens of the lidar assembly.

9. The lidar sensor assembly of claim 8 , wherein the platform assembly further comprises a second raised lip structure, the second raised lip structure being positioned under an interior portion of the first raised lip structure so that the first raised lip structure covers at least a portion of the second raised lip structure.

10. The lidar sensor assembly of claim 9 , wherein the first raised lip structure and the second raised lip structure are disconnected from each other.

11. The lidar sensor assembly of claim 9 , wherein each of the first raised lip structure and the second raised lip structure are positioned on the platform structure in a shape of an arc.

12. The lidar sensor assembly of claim 11 , wherein a perimeter of the platform structure is in a shape of an arc.

13. The lidar sensor assembly of claim 11 , wherein the lidar sensor has a housing that is substantially cylindrical in shape and is mounted on the device, and wherein the second raised lip structure substantially encircles the housing of the lidar sensor.

14. The lidar sensor assembly of claim 13 , further comprising:
a second lidar sensor, the second lidar sensor having a housing that is substantially cylindrical in shape;
wherein the device is mounted on the second lidar sensor so that the lidar sensor and the second lidar sensor are substantially aligned with each other about their centers.

15. The lidar sensor assembly of claim 14 , wherein platform assembly further comprises a third raised lip structure that is provided around at least a portion of the perimeter of the platform structure on an opposing side of the platform structure than the first raised lip structure, the third raised lip structure including (i) a second set of cavities that is connected to the second set of channels, and (ii) a third set of openings to enable air to move from the second set of cavities to outside the third raised lip structure in a direction towards the second lidar sensor.

16. The lidar sensor assembly of claim 15 , wherein the platform assembly further comprises a fourth raised lip structure, the fourth raised lip structure being positioned under an interior portion of the third raised lip structure so that the third raised lip structure covers at least a portion of the fourth raised lip structure.

17. A system for cleaning one or more sensors, comprising:
an air compressor to compress air;
an air accumulator coupled to the air compressor to store the compressed air;
a first set of valves to control output of the compressed air; and
a sensor cleaning device, comprising:
a support structure that includes (i) a second set of valves, and (ii) a first set of channels to channel the compressed air from the air accumulator, the first set of channels having a first end connected to the first set of valves and a second end connected to the second set of valves; and
a platform assembly, comprising:
a platform structure coupled to the support structure, the platform structure having the one or more sensors mounted thereon, and including a second set of channels connected to the second set of valves and receiving the compressed air from the first set of channels; and
a first raised lip structure provided around at least a portion of a perimeter of the one or more sensors, the first raised lip structure including (i) a set of cavities each comprising an expansion chamber connected to receive the compressed air from the second set of channels, and (ii) a set of openings to output the compressed air to a lens of each of the one or more sensors.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the platform assembly further comprises a second raised lip structure, the second raised lip structure being positioned under an interior portion of the first raised lip structure so that the first raised lip structure covers at least a portion of the second raised lip structure.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the system is included with a vehicle.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein a computing system of the vehicle provides a first set of control signals to the first set of valves to selectively activate one or more valves of the first set of valves at different times to cause the compressed air to flow out a respective opening of the set of openings of the first raised lip structure.

Assignees

• Uber Technologies Inc

Inventors

• Rice Wesly Mason

Classifications

• B60S1/54

  using gas, e.g. hot air · CPC title

• G05D1/0088

  characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours (using knowledge based models G06N5/00) · CPC title

• B60S1/52

  Arrangement of nozzles; {Liquid spreading means}(nozzles per se B05B) · CPC title

• B60S1/56 Primary

  specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens {(rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602)} · CPC title

• B60S1/62

  Other vehicle fittings for cleaning · CPC title