Systems, apparatus, and methods to remove vehicle sensor debris

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11034336-B2
Application number	US-201816153036-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 5, 2018
Priority date	Oct 5, 2018
Publication date	Jun 15, 2021
Grant date	Jun 15, 2021

Abstract

Systems, apparatus, and methods to remove vehicle sensor debris are disclosed. A disclosed cleaning assembly for a vehicle includes a track coupled to the vehicle. The cleaning assembly also includes an arm adjustably coupled to the track and having a nozzle positioned on the arm. The arm is moveable, via the track, near an exterior surface of the vehicle that is associated with a vehicle sensor. The cleaning assembly also includes a first motor operatively coupled to the arm configured to move the arm along the track relative to debris positioned on the exterior surface. The cleaning assembly also includes a pump fluidly coupled to the nozzle configured to expel the fluid from the nozzle to remove the debris.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle, comprising:
a controller configured to:
control a first motor operatively coupled to an arm having a nozzle positioned thereon, the arm adjustably coupled to a track on the vehicle and configured to move, via output of the first motor, along the track relative to sensor debris on an exterior surface of the vehicle, the nozzle receives a fluid and directs the fluid away therefrom;
detect the sensor debris via a sensor;
adjust the output of the first motor in response to the detection to position the nozzle proximate to the sensor debris such that the fluid removes the sensor debris from the exterior surface; and
control a second motor operatively coupled to a joint of the arm interposed between first and second portions of the arm, the first or second portion configured to rotate, via output of the second motor, relative to an axis defined by the joint to change an orientation of the nozzle.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller adjusts the output of the first or second motor to position the arm and the nozzle outside of a field of view associated with a sensor after the debris is removed.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:
determine, via a sensor, an observed parameter of the debris; and
adjust the output of the first or second motor based on the observed parameter.

4. A tangible machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to at least:
control a first motor operatively coupled to an arm having a nozzle positioned thereon, the arm adjustably coupled to a track on the vehicle and configured to move, via output of the first motor, along the track relative to sensor debris on an exterior surface of the vehicle, the nozzle receives a fluid and directs the fluid away therefrom;
detect the sensor debris via a sensor;
adjust the output of the first motor in response to the detection to position the nozzle proximate to the sensor debris such that the fluid removes the sensor debris from the exterior surface; and
control a second motor operatively coupled to a joint of the arm interposed between first and second portions of the arm, the first or second portion configured to rotate, via output of the second motor, relative to an axis defined by the joint to change an orientation of the nozzle.

5. The tangible machine-readable storage medium of claim 4 , wherein the instructions cause the processor to adjust the output of the first or second motor to position the arm outside of a field of view associated with the sensor after the debris is removed.

6. The tangible machine-readable storage medium of claim 4 , wherein the instructions cause the processor to:
determine, via a sensor, an observed parameter of the debris; and
adjust the output of the first or second motor based on the observed parameter.

7. The tangible machine-readable storage medium of claim 6 , wherein the instructions cause the processor to:
determine a fluid pressure or flow rate for the fluid based on the observed parameter of the debris; and
control a pump that is fluidly coupled to the nozzle to provide the fluid to the nozzle at the fluid pressure or flow rate.

Assignees

• Toyota Eng & Mfg North America

Inventors

• Frederick Scott L
• Robison Scott P

Classifications

• 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

• B60S1/522

  moving liquid spreading means, e.g. arranged in wiper arms · CPC title

• B25J5/02

  travelling along a guideway · CPC title

• B25J9/045

  Polar coordinate type · CPC title

• B60S1/481

  the operation of at least part of the liquid supply being controlled by electric means (electrical washing liquid warming-up means B60S1/488) · CPC title