Sensor-cleaning apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11084464-B2
Application number	US-201916242600-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 8, 2019
Priority date	Jan 8, 2019
Publication date	Aug 10, 2021
Grant date	Aug 10, 2021

Abstract

An apparatus includes a base, a cylindrical sensor window fixed to the base, and a helical cleaning member movable between a retracted position in the base and an extended position extending around the sensor window. The cleaning member includes an outlet directed at the sensor window when the cleaning member is in the extended position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a base;
a cylindrical sensor window fixed to the base, the base including a helical ran, wherein the cylindrical sensor window is configured to house a sensor within; and
a helical cleaning member movable between a retracted position in the base and an extended position extending around the sensor window, the cleaning member including an outlet directed at the sensor window when the cleaning member is in the extended position, the cleaning member moving between the retracted position and the extended position by sliding along the rail.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning member includes a plurality of outlets including the outlet, and the outlets are directed at the sensor window when the cleaning member is in the extended position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cleaning member includes a tube fluidly coupled to the outlets.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the outlets are first outlets, the tube is a first tube, and the cleaning member includes a plurality of second outlets and a second tube fluidly coupled to the second outlets.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a first pump fluidly coupled to the first tube, and a second pump fluidly coupled to the second tube.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a controller communicatively coupled to the first pump and the second pump and programmed to activate the second pump while the cleaning member moves from the retracted position to the extended position.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further programmed to activate the first pump and instruct the cleaning member to move from the extended position to the retracted position, in response to an event.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the cleaning member includes a plurality of third outlets and a third tube fluidly coupled to the third outlets, the apparatus further comprising an air source disposed in the base and fluidly coupled to the third tube.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the air source is one of a blower or a compressor.

10. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a first reservoir fluidly coupled to the first tube and disposed in the base, and a second reservoir fluidly coupled to the second tube and disposed in the base.

11. The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a reservoir fluidly coupled to the tube and disposed in the base.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning member has a helical shape of at least two complete revolutions.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rail has a lead angle that is substantially equal to a lead angle of the cleaning member.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a motor drivably coupled to the cleaning member and disposed in the base.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising a controller communicatively coupled to the motor and programmed to prevent the motor from moving the cleaning member from the retracted position to the extended position while a vehicle is in motion.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising a controller communicatively coupled to the motor and programmed to instruct the motor to move the cleaning member from the extended position to the retracted position in response to a vehicle gear shifting out of park.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning member includes a wiper blade directed radially inward, and the wiper blade contacts the sensor window when the cleaning member is in the extended position.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the wiper blade is elongated along the cleaning member.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rail is integral with the base.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Velasco Jose Gerardo
• Perez Barrera Oswaldo
• Lopez Rubio David Franco
• Frieventh Cienfuegos Rodrigo

Classifications

• G01S2007/4977

  including means to prevent or remove the obstruction · 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

• B60S1/566 Primary

  including wiping devices (B60S1/563, B60S1/583 take precedence) · CPC title

• G01S7/4813

  Housing arrangements · CPC title

• B60S1/486

  including control systems responsive to a vehicle driving condition, e.g. speed · CPC title