Vehicle sensor system

• US 10,272,886 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2017
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Baldovino, Segundo, Sykula, Andre, Krishnan, Venkatesh, Bartol, Stephanie, Norwood, Joshua
• Primary Examiner(s): Paige, Tyler D
• Application Number:
  US15/699,248
• Publication Number:
  US 20190077376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 701 36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/481 the operation of at least part of the liquid supply being controlled by electric means electrical washing liquid warming-up means B60S1/488
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/485 including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/50 Arrangement of reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/52 Arrangement of nozzles; Liquid spreading meansnozzles per se B05B
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/54 using gas, e.g. hot air
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/56 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 Class Codes: G01J 1/42 using electric radiation detectors optical or mechanical part G01J1/04; by comparison with a reference light or electric value G01J1/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/42 Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S17/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2007/4975 of sensor obstruction by, e.g. dirt- or ice-coating, e.g. by reflection measurement on front-screen
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2007/4977 including means to prevent or remove the obstruction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4813 Housing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/497 Means for monitoring or calibrating

Abstract

A sensor system includes a base including first and second windows. The sensor system includes first and second optical sensors supported by the base and positioned to receive light through the first and second windows. The sensor system includes first and second nozzles directed at the first and second windows. The sensor system includes a manifold in fluid communication with the first and second nozzles. The sensor system includes a liquid reservoir in fluid communication with the manifold. The sensor system includes an air compressor in fluid communication with the manifold.

Claims

1. A sensor system comprising:

a base including first and second windows;

first and second optical sensors supported by the base and positioned to receive light through the first and second windows;

first and second nozzles directed at the first and second windows;

a manifold in fluid communication with the first and second nozzles;

a liquid reservoir in fluid communication with the manifold; and

an air compressor in fluid communication with the manifold.

2. The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising a valve between the first nozzle and the manifold.

3. The sensor system of claim 2, further comprising a computer programmed to actuate the liquid reservoir to provide liquid to the manifold and the air compressor to provide air to the manifold and to actuate the valve to an open position upon a determination that first window is contaminated.

4. The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising a check valve between the liquid reservoir and the manifold and positioned to permit fluid flow from the liquid reservoir to the manifold.

5. The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising a check valve between the air compressor and the manifold and positioned to permit fluid flow from the air compressor to the manifold.

6. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the base defines a cavity and the air compressor is disposed within the cavity.

7. The sensor system of claim 1, where the base defines a cavity and the optical sensors are disposed within the cavity.

8. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the base includes a vent.

9. The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising a computer programmed to actuate the air compressor to provide air to the manifold, and then to actuate the liquid reservoir to provide liquid to the manifold upon a determination that at least one of the windows is contaminated.

10. The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising a computer programmed to actuate the liquid reservoir to provide a first amount of liquid to the manifold, and then to actuate the liquid reservoir to provide a second amount of liquid to the manifold upon a determination that at least one of the windows is contaminated, wherein the second amount is greater than the first amount.

11. A vehicle comprising:

a base including first and second windows and supported at a first location;

first and second optical sensors supported by the base and positioned to receive light through the first and second windows;

first and second nozzles directed at the first and second windows;

a manifold in fluid communication with the first and second nozzles;

a liquid reservoir supported at a second location spaced from the first location and in fluid communication with the manifold; and

an air compressor in fluid communication with the manifold.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising an engine bay, wherein the second location is within the engine bay.

13. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a roof, wherein the first location is on the roof.

14. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the liquid reservoir includes a first sensor configured to detect a first amount of liquid in the reservoir and a second sensor configured to detect a second amount of liquid in the liquid reservoir that is less than the first amount.

15. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a windshield and a third nozzle directed at the windshield and in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a computer programmed to actuate the liquid reservoir to selectively provide liquid to the first, second, and third nozzles.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the computer is programmed to prioritize providing liquid to the first and second nozzles over providing liquid to the third nozzle upon a determination that an amount of liquid in the liquid reservoir is below a threshold.

18. The vehicle of claim 11, where in the base defines a cavity and the air compressor is disposed within the cavity.

19. The vehicle of claim 11, where in the base defines a cavity and the manifold is disposed within the cavity.

20. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a first valve between the manifold and the first nozzle and a second valve between the manifold and the second nozzle.