Stowable vehicle sensor

• US 10,589,724 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2017
• Issued: 03/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Krishnan, Venkatesh, Sykula, Andre, Baldovino, Segundo, Garcia Crespo, Jose
• Primary Examiner(s): Adhlakha, Rita P
• Application Number:
  US15/647,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20190016306A1
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0848 Cleaning devices for cameras on vehicle
• 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: G01N 2021/151 Gas blown
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/15 Preventing contamination of the components of the optical system or obstruction of the light path
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/024 in combination with a laser lasers per se H01S
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0257 using a radar radar systems designed for anti-collision purposes between land vehicles or between land vehicle and fixed obstacles G01S13/931

Abstract

A sensor cleaning system for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly may include a fluid-dispensing nozzle for a vehicle sensor, a housing within a body of a vehicle, and a driving member which can move the nozzle between a stowed position within the housing and a deployed position.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising:

a housing having a cavity sized for a sensor, the housing comprising an opening at a first end, and a housing base having a drain at an opposite end;

a nozzle coupled to a top of the sensor;

a sensor mount; and

a driving member coupled to the mount to move the mount, through the opening, between a stowed position and a deployed position.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle has an annular shape, wherein the nozzle is positioned above the base so that fluid dispensed by the nozzle exits the cavity via the drain.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the driving member comprises a screw coupled to a motor.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the driving member includes an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve that is coupled to the mount and, when the mount moves between the stowed and deployed positions, the inner sleeve moves relative to the outer sleeve.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing base is sloped toward the drain.

6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising the sensor, wherein the sensor also is coupled to the mount.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is sized to move through the opening, wherein the nozzle comprises:

a first member comprising an annular first flange extending radially-inwardly from a first nozzle base; and

a second member having an annular second flange extending radially-outwardly from a second nozzle base, the first and second flanges forming a circumferential passage and an at least partially circumferential outlet.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the first flange is parallel to at least a portion of the second flange.

9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein a width of the outlet is uniform.

10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the first or second member comprises a circumferentially-extending wall protruding from the respective first or second nozzle base, wherein the wall is located inboard of the second flange, wherein an edge of the wall abuts the respective second or first nozzle base.