PERIPHERAL INFORMATION DETECTION DEVICE AND SELF-DRIVING VEHICLE

• US 20160244028A1
• Filed: 12/15/2015
• Published: 08/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: WAKATSUKI, Kazutoshi
• Granted Patent: US 10,065,610 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/165 Scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/30 by movement of cleaning members over a surface
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/32 using rotary cleaning members
• 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: B60S 1/566 including wiping devices B60S1/563, B60S1/583 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/62 Other vehicle fittings for cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2007/4977 including means to prevent or remove the obstruction
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9323 Alternative operation using light waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93273 on the top of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 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

Abstract

A peripheral information detection device includes a device body that is mounted with sensors each including a detection section that detects peripheral information, and a wiping mechanism that wipes off foreign objects that have adhered to locations of the device body facing the detection sections.

Claims

1. A peripheral information detection device comprising:

a device body that is mounted with a sensor including a detection section that detects peripheral information; and

a wiping mechanism that wipes off a foreign object that has adhered to a location of the device body, the location facing the detection section.

2. The peripheral information detection device of claim 1, wherein the wiping mechanism includes:

a rotary shaft that is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the device body;

a wiper that is attached to the rotary shaft, that abuts a surface of the location of the device body facing the detection section, and that swings around along the device body due to rotation of the rotary shaft; and

a nozzle that applies cleaning fluid to a surface of the device body.

3. The peripheral information detection device of claim 2, further comprising:

a receiving dish that receives cleaning fluid that has been applied to the device body through the nozzle; and

a pump that pumps up cleaning fluid that has accumulated in the receiving dish and supplies the cleaning fluid to the nozzle.

4. A self-driving vehicle comprising:

the peripheral information detection device of claim 1; and

a control section that controls running of the vehicle based on peripheral information detected by the peripheral information detection device.