Vehicle sensor system

• US 10,632,926 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2017
• Issued: 04/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Datta Gupta, Somak, Siddiqui, Adil Nizam, Ghannam, Mahmoud Yousef, Diedrich, Jonathan, Neubecker, Cynthia M., Bennie, Brian, Hansen, Cheri Lyn, Abdel-raziq, Haron
• Primary Examiner(s): Chwasz, Jade R
• Application Number:
  US15/702,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20190077318A1
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 359865, 359850, 359854, 359855, 359856, 359857, 359862, 359871, 359872, 359877
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/10 Front-view mirror arrangements; specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; Periscope arrangements , i.e. optical devices using combinations of mirrors, lenses, prisms or the like specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; for viewing traffic-lights B60R1/005; Other mirror arrangements giving a view from above or under the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/46 using liquid; Windscreen washers
• 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: G02B 23/02 involving prisms or mirrors G02B23/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0816 by means of one or more reflecting elements
• 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: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/1821 for rotating or oscillating mirrors

Abstract

A system includes a base having a first window and a second window spaced from the first window. The system includes an optical sensor supported by the base. The system includes a mirror supported by the base and movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the mirror directs light from the first window to the sensor. In the second position the mirror directs light from the second window to the sensor.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a base defining a chamber, the base having a first window and a second window spaced from the first window, the first window and the second window permitting light to enter the chamber, the base having a track;

an optical sensor supported by the base;

a single mirror supported by the base and movable between a first position and a second position, in the first position the single mirror directs light from the first window to the sensor, and in the second position the single mirror directs light from the second window to the sensor; and

a shutter slidable along the track between an open position permitting light to travel from the first window to the single mirror and a closed position covering the first window and restricting light traveling from the first window to the single mirror;

wherein the single mirror includes a first reflective surface that directs light to the sensor in the first position and a second reflective surface that directs light to the sensor in the second position.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second mirror positioned to direct light from the first window to the mirror in the first position.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second mirror is immovably supported by the base.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the second mirror is rotatably supported by the base.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a baffle supported by the base and disposed between the first window and the second window.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cleaning mechanism configured to clean the first window.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a servo coupled to the single mirror and operable to rotate the single mirror between the first position and the second position.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first window and the second window face a same direction.

9. A system, comprising a computer having a processor and a memory storing program instructions executable by the processor to:

capture, with an optical sensor, a first image while a mirror is at a first position in which the mirror directs light from a first window to the optical sensor and a second image while the mirror is at a second position in which the mirror directs light from a second window to the optical sensor;

compare an area or number of artifacts in the first image with an area or number of artifacts in the second image;

determine that the first window is more contaminated than the second window based on the comparison of the area or number of artifacts in the first image with the area or number of artifacts in the second image; and

upon determining that the first window is more contaminated than the second window, actuate the mirror to move from the first position to the second position.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions include instructions to, upon determining that the first window is contaminated, actuate a shutter from an open position permitting light to travel from the first window to the mirror to a closed position restricting light traveling from the first window to the mirror.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions include instructions to, upon actuation of the shutter from the open position to the closed position, actuate a second shutter to an open position permitting light to travel from the second window to the mirror.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions include instructions to actuate a cleaning mechanism to clean the first window upon actuating the mirror to move from the first position to the second position.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions include instructions to actuate movement of a second mirror to alter a field of view of the sensor while the mirror is in the first position, the second mirror positioned to direct light from the first window to the mirror in the first position.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions include instructions to, upon determining that the first window is contaminated, actuate a first shutter to a closed position restricting light traveling from the first window to the mirror, and to actuate a second shutter to a closed position restricting light traveling from the second window to the mirror while the first shutter is in the closed position.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions include instructions to operate a vehicle in an autonomous mode or a semi-autonomous mode based on data received from the sensor.