Smart sensor-cover apparatus and methods and computer products for implementing same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10310298-B2
Application number	US-201615334136-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 25, 2016
Priority date	Oct 25, 2016
Publication date	Jun 4, 2019
Grant date	Jun 4, 2019

Abstract

A smart sensor-cover apparatus for covering a sensor, such as a vehicle sensor, includes controllable layers, responsive to inputs, such as a wavelength-filtering controllable layer to selectively filter out select wavelengths of light; a polarizing layer controllable layer to selectively polarize or allow through light; a concealing controllable layer to change between a visible state and a concealed state; and an outermost, cleaning, layer configured to melt incident ice. The outermost layer in various embodiments has an outer surface positioned generally flush with an outer vehicle surface for operation of the apparatus, to promote the concealing effect when the concealing layer is not activate. The outermost layer may be configured to self-mend when scratched, and in some cases is hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or super hydrophilic outer surface. An insulating component, such as a glass or polycarbonate layer, is positioned between each adjacent controllable layer.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A smart sensor-cover apparatus, for covering a sensor, comprising:
a plurality of controllable layers;
wherein each of the controllable layers is configured to be separately adjusted, based on an actuating input to the layer, to affect light incident on the controllable layer in a manner different than manners by which the light is affected by other of the controllable layers before arriving at the sensor.

2. The smart sensor-cover apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controllable layers include a wavelength-filtering controllable layer configured to, in response to a predetermined actuating input to the wavelength-filtering controllable layer, selectively filter out or allow through select wavelengths of infrared and/or visible light incident on the wavelength-filtering controllable layer.

3. The smart sensor-cover apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controllable layers include a polarizing controllable layer configured to, in response to a predetermined actuating input to the polarizing controllable layer, selectively polarize or allow through light incident on the polarizing controllable layer.

4. The smart sensor-cover apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controllable layers include a concealing controllable layer configured to, in response to a predetermined actuating input to the concealing controllable layer, change between (a) an opaque state, to partially or fully conceal the smart-sensor-cover apparatus, and so the sensor from view, and (b) a transparent state in which light can pass freely through the concealing controllable layer and on to the sensor.

5. The smart sensor-cover apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the controllable layers include a cleaning controllable layer; and
the cleaning layer is configured to, in response to a predetermined actuating input, heat up to melt any ice or snow contacting the cleaning controllable layer.

6. The smart sensor-cover apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cleaning layer, being an outermost layer of the smart sensor-cover apparatus and comprising a hydrophobic or hydrophilic outer surface.

7. The smart sensor-cover apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a protecting layer, being an outermost layer of the smart sensor-cover apparatus and configured to self-mend when scratched.

8. The smart sensor-cover apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an insulating component positioned between each set of adjacent controllable layers.

9. The smart sensor-cover apparatus of claim 8 wherein at least one of the insulating components includes a layer of glass or polycarbonate separating adjacent controllable layers.

10. The smart sensor-cover apparatus of claim 8 wherein the actuating input is a voltage input.

11. A smart sensor-cover apparatus, for covering a sensor, comprising:
a first controllable layer configured to, in response to a first predetermined input, selectively filter out or allow through select wavelengths of infrared and/or visible light incident on the first layer;
a second controllable layer configured to, in response to a second predetermined input, selectively polarize or allow through light incident on the second controllable layer;
a third controllable layer configured to, in response to a third predetermined input, change between an opaque state to partially or fully conceal the smart-sensor-cover apparatus and so the sensor from view, and a transparent state in which light can pass freely through the third controllable layer and on to the sensor; and
a fourth protecting layer, being an outermost layer of the smart sensor-cover apparatus, the fourth protecting layer having at least one characteristic selected from a group of characteristics consisting of:
being configured to self-mend when scratched;
being configured to, in response to a fourth predetermined input, heat up to melt any ice or snow contacting the fourth protecting layer, in which case the fourth protecting layer is a fourth controllable layer; and
having a hydrophobic or hydrophilic outer surface.

12. The smart sensor-cover apparatus of claim 11 further comprising an insulating component positioned between each set of adjacent controllable layers.

13. The smart sensor-cover apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least one of the insulating components includes a layer of glass or polycarbonate separating each adjacent controllable layer.

14. The smart sensor-cover apparatus of claim 11 wherein, for having the self-mending characteristic, the fourth protective layer comprises a polymer nanocomposite.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Wang Jinsong
• Lewis Allan K
• Zhao Qingrong
• Chaney Jr Michael T
• Sims Iii Robert D
• Zhang Wende
• Huang Xiaosong

Classifications

• G02F1/0102 Primary

  Constructional details, not otherwise provided for in this subclass · CPC title

• B60S1/56

  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

• G02F2203/055

  wavelength filtering · CPC title

• G02F1/0136

  for the control of polarisation, e.g. state of polarisation [SOP] control, polarisation scrambling, TE-TM mode conversion or separation (G02F1/0353 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G02B27/0006

  with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation (G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B) · CPC title