Vehicle sensor cleaning

Abstract

The present disclosure provides "vehicle sensor cleaning". A system includes: a roof mount, the roof mount including a drain pan; a sensor housing, the sensor housing disposed on the roof mount; and a sensor, the sensor being supported by the sensor housing and a fluid jet directed toward the sensor. The sensor is disposed above the drain pan.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Vehicles such as passenger cars often include sensors for collecting data about the surrounding environment. Sensors may be placed on various parts of the vehicle, such as a vehicle roof, a vehicle hood, a rear door, etc. Sensors (e.g., lens covers) may become dirty during operation of the vehicle. Effectively cleaning the sensors and / or sensor lenses or covers is a problem, especially when sensor data and / or environmental conditions around the vehicle may change and the changes may affect sensor operation. Summary of the invention

[0003] A system includes a roof mount including a drain pan, a sensor housing disposed on the roof mount, and a sensor supported by the sensor housing and a fluid ejector directed toward the sensor, wherein the sensor is disposed above the drain pan.

[0004] The system may also include a pipe connected to the drain pan.

[0005] The system may further include a vehicle post, wherein the tube may extend along the vehicle post.

[0006] The system may also include a fluid reservoir connected to the fluid ejector.

[0007] The drain pan may extend along a seam between the roof mount and the door. The system may also include a tube connected to the drain pan extending along the seam.

[0008] The fluid ejector may be supported by the sensor housing.

[0009] The system may also include a second sensor disposed above the drain pan and a second fluid ejector supported by the sensor housing.

[0010] The system may also include a front pillar and a rear pillar, wherein the sensor housing may extend from the front pillar to the rear pillar.

[0011] The drain pan may include a drain opening arranged to move fluid away from the roof mount.

[0012] A system includes a vehicle pillar, a roof mount including a drain pan, a sensor housing disposed above the drain pan, and a tube in communication with the drain pan extending along the vehicle pillar.

[0013] The drain pan may extend along a seam between the roof mount and the door.

[0014] The system may further include a second vehicle pillar, wherein the sensor housing may extend from the vehicle pillar to the second vehicle pillar.

[0015] The drain pan may include a drain opening arranged to move fluid away from the roof mount.

[0016] The tube may extend along a seam between the roof mount and the door.

[0017] The sensor housing may be disposed above an outer surface of the roof mount.

[0018] A system includes: a roof mount; a member for receiving a sensor disposed on the roof mount; a member for spraying the receiving member with a fluid; a member for collecting the sprayed fluid; and a member for moving the collected fluid away from the roof mount.

[0019] The system may also include a vehicle column and means for moving the collected fluid along the vehicle column.

[0020] The receiving member may be disposed above an outer surface of the roof mount.

[0021] The member for collecting the sprayed fluid may extend along a seam between the roof mount and the door. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is an illustration of an example vehicle including a roof mount.

[0023] Figure 2 is a view of an example vehicle with the sensor on the roof mount.

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A view of an example roof mount.

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A view of an example roof mount showing the sensor.

[0026] Figure 5 is a side view of an example sensor and fluid ejector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to remove dirt and / or other debris from the window protecting the vehicle sensor, a fluid injector can spray cleaning fluid onto the window. The window can be set above a drain pan that collects the injected fluid. The injected fluid moves along the drain pan (e.g., under the action of gravity) and away from the vehicle via a tube connected to an outlet. Incorporating the drain pan below the sensor housing mounted to the roof will configure the drain pan to receive fluid from multiple windows. In addition, the fluid moves away from the door through the tube, thereby preventing the fluid from overflowing onto the vehicle occupants entering or leaving the vehicle. Therefore, the sensor can collect data without interference from obstructing materials such as dirt, debris, etc. on the window.

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 may be, for example, an automobile, including a sedan, a pickup truck, a sport utility vehicle, and the like. The vehicle 10 may be an autonomous vehicle 10. For example, the vehicle 10 may have a computer (not shown) that may control the operation of the vehicle 10 in an autonomous mode, a semi-autonomous mode, or a non-autonomous mode. For purposes of this disclosure, an autonomous mode is defined as a mode in which a computer controls each of vehicle propulsion, braking, and steering; in a semi-autonomous mode, a computer controls one or two of vehicle propulsion, braking, and steering; and in a non-autonomous mode, a human driver controls vehicle propulsion, braking, and steering.

[0029] The vehicle 10 includes a body 12. The body 12 includes two front pillars 14 and two rear pillars 16. The body 12 can be a one-piece structure, that is, a monolithic structure. In the one-piece structure, the body 12 is integral, that is, although the body 12 can be assembled from various parts, the vehicle 10 does not have a frame other than the body 12. As another example not shown in the drawings, the body 12 and the frame of the vehicle 10 can have a body-frame separation structure (also known as a non-load-bearing body structure). In other words, the body 12 and the frame are separate components, that is, modular, and the body 12 is supported on the frame and fixed to the frame. The body 12 and / or the frame can be formed of any suitable material, for example, steel, aluminum, etc.

[0030] The vehicle 10 includes a roof 18. The roof 18 is supported by the pillars 14, 16. The roof 18 may protect the occupants of the vehicle 10 from, for example, rain, snow, wind, sun, etc. The roof 18 may support one or more components used for the operation of the vehicle 10, such as a sunroof, sensors 24, etc.

[0031] like Figure 1 to Figure 2 The illustrated vehicle 10 includes a roof mount 20 . Figure 3 to Figure 4The roof mount 20 is shown in greater detail. The roof mount 20 is a structure that is generally attachable to the vehicle body 12. The roof mount 20 provides support for one or more vehicle components, such as sensor housings, injectors, etc. The roof mount 20 can be separate from the pillars 14, 16, such as so that a second roof mount 20 can replace the first roof mount 20 and can be secured to the vehicle body 12 to support a different component, such as a second set of sensors 24. When the roof mount 20 is attached to the vehicle body 12 without utilizing an additional frame or bracket, the roof mount 20 defines the roof 18. Alternatively, the vehicle body 12 can include brackets (not shown) that are attached to the pillars 14, 16, and the roof mount 20 in combination with the brackets can define the roof 18. The roof mount 20 can be attached to the vehicle body 12 using, for example, fasteners, welding, adhesives, etc.

[0032] The roof mount 20 includes a sensor housing 22, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown. The sensor housing 22 can be a support structure or the like that can house a plurality of sensors 24, such as one or more cameras and one or more lidar sensors. The sensor housing 22 can secure the sensors 24 in a fixed orientation to collect data in a specific direction relative to the vehicle 10. The sensor housing 22 can be secured to the roof mount 20. The sensor housing 22 can extend along the roof 18 from the front pillar 14 to the rear pillar 16. The sensor housing 22 can be disposed above an outer surface of the roof mount 20, i.e., facing away from the interior cabin of the vehicle 10. When the sensor housing 22 is disposed above the outer surface of the roof mount 20, the sensors 24 supported by the sensor housing 22 can collect data from an area surrounding the vehicle 10. Furthermore, when the sensor housing 22 is disposed above the outer surface of the roof mount 20, the field of view of the sensors 24 can be substantially outside the vehicle body 12.

[0033] The roof mount 20 includes at least one sensor 24, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown. The sensor 24 is supported by the sensor housing 22. The sensor 24 can be arranged to align with the vehicle body 12 or otherwise oriented in a specific manner to collect data around the vehicle 10. Alternatively or additionally, one or more sensors 24 can be attached to a movable platform (not shown) that moves the sensor 24 to different fields of view, for example, one of the sensors 24 can be attached to a rotating platform that rotates the field of view of the sensor 24, thereby allowing the sensor 24 to collect data over a larger area than a fixed sensor 24. The sensor 24 can include, for example but not limited to, a laser radar, a radar, a vision system, a microphone, a radio frequency directional antenna, and a directional ultrasonic sensor. The sensor 24 can be placed behind the window 25. The window 25 can collect dirt, thereby reducing the data volume and / or accuracy of the data collected by the sensor 24. As used herein, "dirt" can be any material that blocks the window 25 (i.e., reduces the data volume and / or accuracy of the data collected by the sensor 24 through the window 25), for example, dirt, dust, sand, grime, precipitation, moisture (e.g., fog, dew), etc.

[0034] By securing the sensor 24 in the sensor housing 22 on the roof mount 20, the vehicle 10 can operate components in both autonomous and semi-autonomous modes. For example, if the sensor 24 is a lidar sensor, the sensor 24 can collect data in front of the vehicle 10, and a computer in the vehicle 10 can use the data from the sensor 24 to operate vehicle components, such as propulsion, braking, steering, etc., to move the vehicle 10 along the road. In addition, by securing the sensor housing 22 to the roof 18, the sensor 24 can have an increased field of view and can generally collect more data than if the sensor 24 is secured to other parts of the vehicle 10.

[0035] The sensor housing 22 includes at least one and typically a plurality of windows 25. The windows 25 can protect the sensors 24 from obstructing materials, such as dirt. The windows 25 are transparent, thereby allowing light to pass through the windows 25 to the sensors 24 and out of them. Thus, the sensors 24 can collect data through the windows 25. Each sensor 24 is placed behind a corresponding window 25.

[0036] The roof mount 20 includes a fluid injector 26 such as Figure 2 and Figures 4 to 5. The fluid ejector 26 ejects fluid onto the window 25, thereby cleaning dirt from the window 25 and allowing the sensor 24 to collect data through the window 25. The fluid ejector 26 may receive cleaning fluid from a fluid reservoir 28, which is connected to the fluid ejector 26. The fluid ejector 26 may be directed toward the window 25 so that the fluid ejected from the fluid ejector 26 removes dirt from the window 25. After the dirt is removed by the ejected fluid, the sensor 24 may collect data through the window 25 for use by the computer of the vehicle 10. The fluid ejector 26 may be disposed in the sensor housing 22, as shown. Figure 2 The window 25 is disposed between the fluid injector 26 and the sensor 24 so that the fluid injector 26 can inject the cleaning fluid onto the window 25 .

[0037] The roof mount 20 includes a drain pan 30, such as Figures 1 to 5 As shown. The drain pan 30 is supported by the roof mount 20 and is disposed below the sensor housing 22. For example, the drain pan 30 can extend around the perimeter of the sensor housing 22. The drain pan 30 can be shaped to collect fluid from the sensor housing 22. For example, the drain pan 30 can be tilted so that after the fluid is sprayed from the fluid sprayer 26 onto the window 25, the collected fluid can move to one or more specific locations, such as the front pillar 14, the rear pillar 16, etc. In another example, the drain pan 30 can include a raised lip to prevent the fluid from overflowing from the drain pan 30.

[0038] The roof mount 20 may include at least one tube 32 extending from the drain pan 30. Figures 1 to 4 In the example of FIG. 1 , the roof mount 20 includes four tubes 32, three of which are shown. The tubes 32 may be flexible or rigid tubes, such as formed of aluminum, synthetic rubber, etc., that move collected fluid away from the drain pan 30. The tubes 32 may extend along one of the pillars 14, 16 so that fluid moves away from the roof mount 20. If the vehicle 10 includes a center pillar (or pillars) (not shown) between the front pillar 14 and the rear pillar 16, the tubes 32 may extend along the center pillar.

[0039] like Figure 2 and Figures 4 to 5 As shown, the drain pan 30 may include a drain opening 34. The vehicle 10 may include an outlet 36 directed away from the vehicle 10, such as Figure 1 to Figure 2 As shown. The pipe 32 can connect the drain opening 34 to the outlet 36, and the fluid moves from the drain pan 30 away from the vehicle 10. The outlet 36 can be located, for example, on the bottom of the vehicle 10, the pillars 14, 16, etc. Figure 1 to Figure 2As shown, vehicle 10 includes four outlets 36 (three of which are shown) on the sides of vehicle 10. Fluid sprayed from sprayer 26 onto window 25 drains into drain pan 30, moves from drain port 34 down tube 32, and out through outlet 36 and away from vehicle 10.

[0040] like Figure 1 to Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle 10 includes at least one door 38. The door 38 is attached to the vehicle body 12. Figure 1 The vehicle 10 is shown including two doors 38 , and the vehicle 10 may include two additional doors 38 on opposite sides of the vehicle 10 and a rear door 38 toward the trunk of the vehicle 10 (five doors 38 total), Figure 1 Alternatively, the vehicle 10 may have a different number of doors 38, such as two doors 38, three doors 38, etc. The doors 38 allow entry and exit of occupants of the vehicle 10. The doors 38 and the roof mount 20 may meet at a seam 40. The seam 40 is defined where the door 38 meets the roof mount 20. The drain pan 30 and the tube 32 may extend along the seam 40.

[0041] The drain pan 30 and the tube 32 allow the sprayed fluid to move away from the roof 18. Thus, the drain pan 30 can prevent the sprayed fluid from flowing onto an occupant of the vehicle 10 who enters or exits the vehicle 10 using the door 38. In addition, because the drain pan 30 extends along the seam 40 between the door 38 and the roof mount 20, the fluid sprayer 26 can spray the fluid along the roof mount 20 and the fluid can move away from the door 38 in the drain pan 30.

[0042] A computer (not shown) in the vehicle 10 can utilize the sensor 24 to collect data in order to operate the vehicle 10 components in an autonomous or semi-autonomous mode. When the window 25 protecting the sensor 24 becomes dirty, i.e., dirt or other obstructing material is present on the window 25, the obstructing material can reduce the data and / or data quality collected by the sensor 24 through the window 25, and the computer can actuate the fluid sprayer 26 to spray the cleaning fluid from the fluid reservoir 28 onto the window 25. The cleaning fluid can remove the dirt on the window 25, and the sensor 24 can collect data through the window 25 without obstruction from the dirt (i.e., the material no longer reduces the amount and / or quality of the collected data). After the obstructing material is removed, the fluid can drip into the drain pan 30. The fluid can move along the drain pan 30 to one of the drain ports 34, where the fluid moves under gravity through one of the tubes 32 to one of the outlets 36, thereby allowing the fluid to leave the vehicle 10. Additionally, drain pan 30 may move fluid away from door 38, thereby preventing fluid from being splashed onto occupants entering or exiting vehicle 10. Thus, fluid sprayer 26 may clean window 25 while the sprayed fluid is moved away from vehicle 10.

[0043] Figure 5 An example sensor 24, an example window 25, and an example fluid ejector 26 of the roof mount 20 are shown. The fluid ejector 26 is directed toward the window 25 and supported by the drain pan 30. The fluid ejector 26 ejects fluid onto the window 25. As the fluid drips from the window 25, the fluid drips into the drain pan 30. The fluid moves along the drain pan 30 to one of the drain ports 34 and moves down along one of the tubes 32. The drain pan 30 includes a lip that prevents the fluid from overflowing the drain pan 30 and onto another portion of the roof 18 and / or onto the door 38. The fluid ejector 26 can be positioned so that the fluid ejected from the fluid ejector 26 drips only into the drain pan 30 and does not drip onto another portion of the roof 18 and / or onto the door 38. Figure 5 The example of FIG. 2 shows one sensor 24 with one fluid injector 26 and one window, but the roof mount 20 may include multiple sensors 24 , each with a corresponding fluid injector 26 and a corresponding window 25 .

[0044] As used herein, the adverb "substantially" modifying an adjective means that the shape, structure, measurement, value, calculation, etc. may deviate from the exact described geometry, distance, measurement, value, calculation, etc. due to imperfections in materials, processing, manufacturing, data collector measurements, calculations, processing time, communication time, etc.

[0045] Therefore, it should be understood that the present disclosure (including the above description and the accompanying drawings and the appended claims) is intended to illustrate, rather than to limit. After reading the above description, those skilled in the art will understand many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided. The scope of the present invention should not be determined with reference to the above description, but should be determined with reference to the claims attached thereto and / or included in the non-provisional patent application based thereon and the full scope of the equivalents of the rights of such claims. It is expected and intended that future developments will occur in the fields discussed herein, and the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In summary, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is capable of modification and variation.

[0046] Unless otherwise specified or required by context, the articles "a" and "an" modifying a noun are to be understood to mean one or more. The phrase "based on" encompasses partially or completely based on.

[0047] According to the present invention, a system is provided, the system having: a roof mount, the roof mount including a drain pan; a sensor housing, the sensor housing disposed on the roof mount; and a sensor supported by the sensor housing and a fluid ejector directed toward the sensor, wherein the sensor is disposed above the drain pan.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the above invention is also characterized by a pipe connected to the drain pan.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the above invention is also characterized by a vehicle column, wherein the tube extends along the vehicle column.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the above invention is also characterized by a fluid reservoir connected to the fluid ejector.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the drain pan extends along a seam between the roof mounting and the door.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the above invention is also characterized by a tube connected to the drain pan extending along the seam.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the fluid injector is supported by the sensor housing.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by a second sensor disposed above the drain pan and a second fluid ejector supported by the sensor housing.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the above invention is also characterized by a front pillar and a rear pillar, wherein the sensor housing extends from the front pillar to the rear pillar.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the drain pan comprises a drain opening arranged to move fluid away from the roof mount.

[0057] According to the present invention, a system is provided, the system having: a vehicle pillar; a roof mount including a drain pan; a sensor housing disposed above the drain pan; and a tube communicating with the drain pan extending along the vehicle pillar.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the drain pan extends along a seam between the roof mounting and the vehicle door.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the above invention is also characterized by a second vehicle pillar, wherein the sensor housing extends from the vehicle pillar to the second vehicle pillar.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the drain pan comprises a drain opening arranged to move fluid away from the roof mount.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the tube extends along a seam between the roof mounting and the door.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the sensor housing is arranged above an outer surface of the roof mounting.

[0063] According to the present invention, there is provided a system having: a roof mount; a member for housing a sensor disposed on the roof mount; a member for spraying the housing member with a fluid; a member for collecting the sprayed fluid; and a member for moving the collected fluid away from the roof mount.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the above invention is also characterized by a vehicle column and means for moving the collected fluid along the vehicle column.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the receiving member is arranged above an outer surface of the roof mounting.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the means for collecting the sprayed fluid extends along a seam between the roof mounting and the door.

Claims

1. A system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a roof mount, the roof mount including a drain pan, wherein the drain pan extends along a seam between the roof mount and the door; a sensor housing, the sensor housing being disposed on the roof mounting member; as well as a sensor supported by a sensor housing and a fluid ejector directed toward the sensor and extending from the drain pan; The sensor is arranged above the drain pan.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a pipe connected to the drain pan.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a vehicle column, wherein the tube extends along the vehicle column.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid reservoir connected to the fluid ejector.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a tube connected to the drain pan extending along the seam.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid ejector is supported by the sensor housing.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a front pillar and a rear pillar, wherein the sensor housing extends from the front pillar to the rear pillar.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the drain pan includes a drain opening arranged to move fluid away from the roof mount.

9. The system of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a second sensor disposed above the drain pan and a second fluid ejector extending from the drain pan.

10. The system of any one of claims 2 to 6 and 8, further comprising a front pillar and a rear pillar, wherein the sensor housing extends from the front pillar to the rear pillar.

11. The system of any one of claims 4 to 8, further comprising a pipe connected to the drain pan.

12. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 8, further comprising a fluid reservoir connected to the fluid ejector.

13. The system of any one of claims 2 to 5 and 7 to 8, wherein the fluid ejector is supported by the sensor housing.

14. The system of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the drain pan includes a drain opening arranged to move fluid away from the roof mount.

Images