Sensor cleaning device

Abstract

An assembly includes a sensor arm extendable from a pillar of a vehicle, a sensor and a sensor window each attached to the sensor arm, a blower positioned between the sensor window and the pillar, and an air duct extending from the blower to direct airflow from the blower through the sensor window.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle equipment, and more particularly to a sensor cleaning device. Background Art

[0002] Autonomous vehicles include a variety of sensors. Some sensors detect the internal state of the vehicle (e.g., wheel speed, wheel orientation, and engine and transmission variables). Some sensors detect the position or orientation of the vehicle, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors, accelerometers such as piezoelectric or microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), gyroscopes such as rate, ring lasers, or fiber gyroscopes, inertial measurement units (IMUs), and magnetometers. Some sensors such as radar sensors, scanning laser rangefinders, laser radar (Light Detection and Ranging, LIDAR) devices, and image processing sensors such as cameras detect the outside world. LIDAR devices detect the distance to an object by emitting laser pulses and measuring the flight time for the pulses to propagate to the object and return. Some sensors are communication devices, such as vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) devices. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to the present invention, there is provided an assembly, comprising:

[0004] a sensor arm, the sensor arm being extendable from a pillar of the vehicle;

[0005] a sensor and a sensor window each attached to the sensor arm;

[0006] A fan located between the sensor window and the column; and

[0007] An air duct extends from the fan to direct airflow from the fan through the sensor window.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor window is cylindrical.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sensor window defines an axis, and the air duct directs the air flow parallel to the axis.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air duct has an opening extending along an arc centered on the axis.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the opening is positioned to form an air curtain across the sensor window when the fan is running.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the invention, the opening extends at least 180° around the axis.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the invention, the opening has a substantially constant width along the arc.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the opening extends parallel to the axis from the inlet end to the outlet end, and the width of the opening is narrower at the outlet end than at the inlet end.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air duct has a plurality of nozzles, each of which is located on a circle centered on the axis.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the axis is a first axis, and the fan comprises an impeller rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air duct defines a channel through which the fan guides the airflow, and the channel extends from above the fan to above the sensor window.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the channel includes a first circular channel disposed above the impeller and a second circular channel disposed above the sensor window.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the first circular channel is at least as large as the diameter of the impeller, and the diameter of the second circular channel is at least as large as the diameter of the sensor window.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the channel comprises a connecting channel extending from the first circular channel to the second circular channel.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the width of the connecting channel is narrower than the diameter of the first circular channel and narrower than the diameter of the second circular channel.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly further comprises a pillar of the vehicle.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pillar extends from a first end at the bottom of the windshield to a second end at the top of the windshield, and the sensor arm is attached to the pillar spaced apart from the first end and the second end.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly further comprises a windshield.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the blower includes an inlet, the assembly further includes a passage extending through the sensor arm and connected to the inlet.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly further comprises a filter disposed across the inlet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example vehicle;

[0028] Figure 2 is a top view of the vehicle;

[0029] Figure 3 is a stereogram of a sensor assembly of a vehicle;

[0030] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor assembly;

[0031] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of a first example of an air duct of a sensor assembly;

[0032] Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of a second example of an air duct. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] An assembly includes a sensor arm extendable from a pillar of a vehicle, a sensor and a sensor window each attached to the sensor arm, a blower positioned between the sensor window and the pillar, and an air duct extending from the blower to direct airflow from the blower through the sensor window.

[0034] The sensor window may be cylindrical. The sensor window may define an axis, and the air duct may direct the airflow parallel to the axis. The air duct may have an opening extending along an arc centered on the axis. The opening may be positioned to form an air curtain across the sensor window when the fan is running. The opening may extend at least 180° around the axis. The opening may have a substantially constant width along the arc. The opening may extend parallel to the axis from the inlet end to the outlet end, and the width of the opening may be narrower at the outlet end than at the inlet end.

[0035] The air duct may have a plurality of nozzles, each nozzle being located on a circle centered on the axis.

[0036] The axis may be a first axis, and the blower may include an impeller rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis. The air duct may define a channel through which the blower guides airflow, and the channel may extend from above the blower to above the sensor window. The channel may include a first circular channel disposed above the impeller and a second circular channel above the sensor window. The diameter of the first circular channel may be at least as large as the diameter of the impeller, and the diameter of the second circular channel may be at least as large as the diameter of the sensor window. The channel may include a connecting channel extending from the first circular channel to the second circular channel. The width of the connecting channel may be narrower than the diameter of the first circular channel and narrower than the diameter of the second circular channel.

[0037] The assembly may include a pillar of the vehicle. The pillar may extend from a first end at the bottom of the windshield to a second end at the top of the windshield, and the sensor arm may be attached to the pillar spaced apart from the first end and the second end. The assembly may include a windshield.

[0038] The blower may include an inlet, and the assembly may further include a passage extending through the sensor arm and connected to the inlet. The assembly may include a filter positioned across the inlet.

[0039] The cleaning system described herein cleans the vehicle sensors and thus can allow the sensors to more accurately detect the external environment. The sensors are positioned relative to the rest of the vehicle so as to not cause significant drag or increase the height of the vehicle by being located on the roof of the vehicle while still maintaining a wide field of view of the sensors. The cleaning system is positioned relative to the rest of the vehicle so that the cleaning system does not block the field of view of the sensors or the view of a human driver of the vehicle looking through the windshield or windows of the vehicle.

[0040] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the body 32 of the vehicle 30 may include an A-pillar 34, a B-pillar 36, a C-pillar 38, and a roof rail 40. The A-pillar 34 may extend between the windshield 42 and the window 44 and extend from a first end 46 at the bottom of the windshield 42 to a second end 48 at the top of the windshield 42. (The adjectives "first" and "second" are used throughout this document as identifiers and are not intended to indicate importance or order.) The B-pillar 36 may extend between the windows 44 of adjacent doors 50. The C-pillar 38 may extend between the window 44 and the rear window glass 52. If the vehicle 30 is, for example, an SUV, a crossover, a minivan, or a station wagon, the body 32 may also include a D-pillar (not shown), in which case the C-pillar 38 extends between the window 44 of the rear door 50 and the rear left and right windows 44, and the D-pillar extends between the rear left and right windows 44 and the rear window glass 52. The roof rail 40 extends along the window 44 from the A-pillar 34 to the B-pillar 36 to the C-pillar 38 .

[0041] The windshield 42 , the windows 44 , and the rear window 52 may be formed of any suitable durable transparent material, including glass such as laminated tempered glass or plastic such as plexiglass or polycarbonate. The windshield 42 is located adjacent the A-pillar 34 .

[0042] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the vehicle 30 may include an exterior rearview mirror 54. The exterior rearview mirror 54 may be located on the front door 50 or on the body 32 near the bottom of the windshield 42. The exterior rearview mirror 54 may be visible to a human driver through the window 44 and provide the driver with a reflected view of the vehicle in a rearward direction.

[0043] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , a sensor arm 56 extends from one of the pillars 34, 36, 38 of the vehicle 30 (e.g., the A pillar 34) to a sensor housing 58. The sensor arm 56 can be located between the ends 46, 48 of the A pillar 34, i.e., spaced apart from the bottom of the windshield 42 and the top of the windshield 42, i.e., spaced apart from the first end 46 and the second end 48. The sensor arm 56 can be attached to a bottom surface 60 of the sensor housing 58. The sensor arm 56 can have a tubular or other hollow shape, i.e., a cavity can extend through the sensor arm 56. The cavity can allow wiring, tubing, etc. to pass through the sensor arm 56 while being shielded from the external environment.

[0044] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the sensor housing 58 is supported by the sensor arm 56. The sensor housing 58 may have a cylindrical shape having a top surface 62, a bottom surface 60, and a side surface 64. The top surface 62 faces in the upward direction of the vehicle, and the bottom surface 60 faces downward, that is, in the downward direction of the vehicle. The exterior rearview mirrors 54 may be located below the sensor housing 58, that is, in the downward direction of the vehicle from the sensor housing 58, and each bottom surface 60 may face each exterior rearview mirror 54. The cylindrical shape of the sensor housing 58 defines an axis A extending through the center of the sensor housing 58. The axis A is oriented vertically relative to the vehicle 30.

[0045] refer to Figure 3, the sensor 66 is disposed within the sensor housing 58 and is attached to and supported by the sensor arm 56. The sensor 66 may be designed to detect features of the outside world; for example, the sensor 66 may be a radar sensor, a scanning laser rangefinder, a laser radar (LIDAR) device, or an image processing sensor such as a camera. In particular, the sensor 66 may be a LIDAR device. The LIDAR device detects the distance to an object by emitting laser pulses of a specific wavelength and measuring the flight time for the pulses to propagate to the object and return.

[0046] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the side surface 64 may include a sensor window 68. The sensor window 68 is supported by and attached to the sensor arm 56. The sensor window 68 may be cylindrical and may also define an axis A. The sensor window 68 extends around the axis A. The sensor window 68 may extend completely (i.e., 360°) around the axis A or partially around the axis A. The sensor window 68 extends from a bottom edge 70 to a top edge 72 along the axis A. The bottom edge 70 may be at the bottom surface 60 or may be spaced from the bottom surface 60 along the side surface 64. The top edge 72 may be located at the top surface 62 or may be spaced from the top surface 62 along the side surface 64. The sensor window 68 has a diameter. If present, the diameter of the sensor window 68 may be the same as the rest of the side surface 64; in other words, the sensor window 68 may be flush or substantially flush with the side surface 64. "Substantially flush" means that the seam between the sensor window 68 and the rest of the side surface 64 does not cause disturbances in the air flowing along the side surface 64. At least some of the sensor windows 68 are transparent to any medium that the sensor 66 is capable of detecting. For example, if the sensor 66 is a LIDAR device, the sensor windows 68 are transparent to visible light of the wavelengths generated by the sensor 66.

[0047] Reference Figure 2 , the sensor window 68 has a blocking portion and an observation portion. The blocking portion faces the vehicle 30, and the observation portion faces away from the vehicle 30. In other words, the blocking portion is the area of ​​the sensor window 68 where the sensor 66 is blocked by the vehicle 30 and cannot detect the external environment. The observation portion is the area of ​​the sensor window 68 that can detect the external environment without being blocked by the vehicle 30. If the sensor arm 56 is as Figure 1 As shown extending between the ends 46, 48 of the A-pillar 34, the viewing portion may be approximately equal to or greater than 270°.

[0048] refer to Figure 4, passage 74 extends through sensor arm 56 and is connected to inlet 76 of blower 78. Passage 74 is different from the cavity of sensor arm 56 described above. Passage 74 can be connected to the passenger compartment of vehicle 30; in other words, air can flow from the passenger compartment to passage 74. Passage 74 can provide a path for airflow from the passenger compartment to inlet 76.

[0049] The fan 78 is positioned between the sensor window 68 and the A pillar 34. For the purposes of this disclosure, “positioned between” means that a straight line from the sensor window 68 to the A pillar 34 intersects the fan 78. More specifically, the fan 78 can be positioned laterally between the sensor window 68 and the A pillar 34, that is, a horizontal straight line from the sensor window 68 to the A pillar 34 intersects the fan 78. The fan 78 may include an inlet 76, an air filter 80, a drive motor 82, and an impeller 84 rotatably connected to the drive motor 82. Specifically, the drive motor 82 and / or the impeller 84 may be positioned between the sensor window 68 and the A pillar 34. The fan 78 may be a centrifugal fan (such as Figure 4 shown), axial flow fans, cross flow fans, or any other type of fan.

[0050] The inlet 76 leads from the passage 74 to the impeller 84. The inlet 76 may be a passage, such as a tube. The inlet 76 may face downward.

[0051] The inlet 76 may accommodate an air filter 80. The air filter 80 may be positioned across the inlet 76, i.e., may cover a cross-section of the inlet 76 so that air cannot bypass the air filter 80 through the inlet 76. The air filter 80 may be formed of a fibrous material that removes solid particles such as dust, smoke, pollen, etc. from the air.

[0052] The impeller 84 has blades that draw air from the inlet 76 and push the air toward the air duct 86 when the impeller 84 is rotated by the drive motor 82. The impeller 84 can rotate about a second axis B. The second axis B can be parallel to the axis A.

[0053] Continue to refer to Figure 4 , a drive motor 82 may be connected to the sensor arm 56 and to the impeller 84. The drive motor 82 may be fixed to the sensor arm 56, for example, by fastening. The drive motor 82 may be disposed above or below the impeller 84. The drive motor 82 may be, for example, an electric motor having a rotational output.

[0054] refer to Figure 4-5B, duct 86 extends from fan 78 to direct the airflow from fan 78 through sensor window 68. Duct 86 defines a passage 88 through which fan 78 directs the airflow. Passage 88 extends from above fan 78 to above sensor window 68. Impeller 84 directs the airflow upward to duct 86, and duct 86 directs the airflow horizontally from above fan 78 to above sensor window 68. Duct 86 then directs the airflow downward through sensor window 68, i.e., parallel to axis A.

[0055] The channel 88 may include a first circular channel 90, a connecting channel 92, and a second circular channel 94. The first circular channel 90 is disposed above the impeller 84. The diameter of the first circular channel 90 is at least as large as the diameter of the impeller 84. Figure 5A -B, the first circular channel 90 may have an annular shape, wherein the first circular channel 90 extends around a solid circle, or the first circular channel 90 may have a circular shape without a solid center. The connecting channel 92 extends from the first circular channel 90 to the second circular channel 94. The width of the connecting channel 92 may be narrower than the diameter of the first circular channel 90 and narrower than the diameter of the second circular channel 94. The second circular channel 94 is disposed above the sensor window 68. The diameter of the second circular channel 94 is at least as large as the diameter of the sensor window 68. The second circular channel 94 may have an annular shape, such as Figure 5A -B, the second circular channel 94 extends around a solid center, or the second circular channel 94 may have a circular shape without a solid center.

[0056] Continue to refer Figure 4-5B , the air duct 86 includes at least one passage for directing airflow downward through the sensor window 68. Specifically, the passage(s) may form an air curtain across the sensor window 68 when the fan 78 is operating.

[0057] refer to Figure 5AIn a first example of (one or more) passages, the duct 86 may have an opening 96 extending along an arc centered on the axis A. "Arc" should be understood in its plain and ordinary sense, i.e., a connected portion of the circumference of a circle (i.e., a partial circle). The opening 96 may extend completely (i.e., 360°) around the axis A (i.e., 360°), or the opening 96 may extend partially around the axis A. For example, the opening 96 may extend at least 180° around the axis A. The opening 96 has a width that may be substantially constant in the circumferential direction (i.e., along the arc); therefore, the difference in airflow through the opening 96 at different points around the circle may be negligible. The opening 96 extends from the inlet end of the second circular passage 94 to the outlet end parallel to the axis. The width of the opening 96 may be narrower at the outlet end than at the inlet end. The opening 96 is positioned to form an air curtain across the sensor window 68 when the fan 78 is running. An "air curtain" is a layer of moving air. In other words, the airflow from the opening 96 passes perpendicularly across the sensor window 68 and generally covers the sensor window 68 or the portion of the field of view of the sensor window 68, i.e., covers a majority of the sensor window 68 or the portion of the field of view of the sensor window 68. "Passing" means from one side of something to the other. The air curtain acts as a barrier and can deflect debris or other potential obstructions from contacting the sensor window 68.

[0058] refer to Figure 5B In a second example of the passageway(s), the air duct 86 may have a plurality of nozzles 98, each nozzle 98 being located on a circle centered on the axis A. The nozzles 98 may be spaced circumferentially around the sensor housing 58. The nozzles 98 may be evenly spaced around the axis A or partially spaced around the axis A, or the nozzles 98 may be more closely spaced on the vehicle-forward (i.e., facing the front of the vehicle) side of the sensor housing 58 than on the vehicle-rearward (i.e., facing the rear of the vehicle) side of the sensor housing 58. The nozzles 98 may be positioned to form an air curtain across the sensor window 68 when the blower 78 is operating. In other words, the airflow from the nozzles 98 passes vertically across the sensor window 68, i.e., from the top edge 72 to the bottom edge 70, and substantially covers the sensor window 68 or a viewing portion of the sensor window 68.

[0059] When the vehicle 30 is in operation, the drive motor 82 drives the blower 78. The impeller 84 draws air from the passenger cabin through the inlet 76 and the air filter 80 and pushes the air into the air duct 86. The air travels through the channel 88, from the first circular channel 90 to the connecting channel 92 to the second circular channel 94 to the opening 96. The opening 96 guides the air through the sensor window 68. The continuous airflow can deflect dust, particles, etc. to prevent contact with the sensor window 68, keep the sensor window 68 clean and facilitate the operation of the sensor 66.

[0060] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced in ways other than those specifically described.

Claims

1. A sensor assembly, comprising: a sensor arm extendable from a pillar of the vehicle; a sensor and a sensor window each attached to the sensor arm; a fan located between the sensor window and the column; as well as an air duct extending from the fan to guide airflow from the fan through the sensor window; wherein the air duct defines a channel through which the fan guides the airflow, the channel extending from above the fan to above the sensor window, wherein the channel comprises a first circular channel disposed above an impeller of the fan and a second circular channel disposed above the sensor window, the diameter of the second circular channel being the same as the diameter of the sensor window; A passage extends through the sensor arm and connects to an inlet of the blower, and the passage connects to a passenger compartment of a vehicle. 2 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor window is cylindrical and defines an axis, and the air duct directs the airflow parallel to the axis.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the air duct has an opening extending along an arc centered on the axis.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the opening is positioned to form an air curtain across the sensor window when the blower is operating.

5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the opening extends greater than or equal to 180° around the axis.

6. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said opening has a constant width along said arc.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the opening extends parallel to the axis from an inlet end to an outlet end, and the width of the opening is narrower at the outlet end than at the inlet end.

8. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the air duct has a plurality of nozzles, each nozzle being located on a circle centered on the axis.

9. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the axis is a first axis and the blower includes an impeller rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the first circular passage is as large as a diameter of the impeller, and a diameter of the second circular passage is as large as a diameter of the sensor window.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the passage includes a connecting passage extending from the first circular passage to the second circular passage, and a width of the connecting passage is narrower than the diameter of the first circular passage and narrower than the diameter of the second circular passage.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the blower includes an inlet, the assembly further comprising a passage extending through the sensor arm and connected to the inlet.

13. The assembly of any one of claims 1-12, further comprising the pillar of the vehicle, wherein the pillar extends from a first end at a bottom of the windshield to a second end at a top of the windshield, and the sensor arm is attached to the pillar spaced apart from the first end and the second end.

Images