A sensor lens cleaning system for a cylindrical sensor having a sensor lens surface includes an extended member having a first end coupled to the cylindrical sensor and a second end opposite the first end, a nozzle coupled to the second end of the extended member, an actuator coupled to the extended member and configured to control the extended member, and a controller in electronic communication with the actuator and configured to communicate an actuator control signal to the actuator. The nozzle generates an air stream directed at the sensor lens surface.

A sensor module includes a window structure configured to permit the passage of transmitted light and received light between an inside of the sensor module and a field-of-view; a transmitter configured to transmit a transmit light beam; a scanning structure configured to rotate about at least one scanning axis, the scanning structure configured to receive the transmit light beam from the transmitter and direct the transmit light beam towards the window structure and the field-of-view; a light detector configured to detect a reflected light beam that corresponds to the transmit light beam; and at least one processor configured to measure a time-of-flight of a round trip light beam comprising of the transmit light beam and the reflected light beam, compare the time-of-flight to a threshold time, and detect a dirt formation on the window structure on a condition that the time-of-flight is less than the threshold time.

Provided is a vehicle including one or more of an IR emitter, ring lens, ring wedge, or any combinations thereof. In an embodiment, an infrared emitter configured to output energy. A ring lens receive the energy output by the infrared emitter and converges the energy to a predetermined field coverage. The predetermined field coverage is determined based on, at least in part, the surface to be heated. The surface to be heated receives the converged energy and is heated.

Systems, devices, system-implemented methods, computer-implemented methods and/or computer program products are provided that can facilitate movement and/or cleaning of a sensor lens of a sensor system for a vehicle body. In one embodiment, the sensor system can comprise a sensor lens having a retractable portion that is moveable at least partially into and out of a chamber. The sensor system also can comprise a cleaning assembly configured to clean the retractable portion disposed within the chamber and at least partially separated from airflow exterior to the chamber. According to another embodiment, a sensor system for a vehicle body can comprise a moveable sensor lens, a cover, and a cleaning assembly configured to clean the sensor lens at least partially concealed by the cover from an environment about the vehicle body.

The invention relates to a lidar device (10a-10l) having a cleaning unit (12a-12l) which has at least one wiper unit (14a-14l) having at least one wiper blade (16a-16l) for mechanically cleaning a cover element (18a-18l) of a lidar unit (20a-20l), and having at least one pressing element (22a-22l) which in a mounted state provides a pressing force for the wiper blade (16a-16l).

A wiper device having a wiper arm (20a; 20b; 20c), having at least one wiper blade (18a, 18a′, 18a″) which is coupled to the wiper arm (20a; 20b; 20c), which includes at least one wiper lip (22a, 22a′, 22a″) for wiping a surface (16a; 16b; 16c) of a protective element (14a; 14b; 14c) of a sensor device (12a), in particular of a Lidar device, and having a wiper arm guide unit (24a) which is provided for moving the wiper arm (20a; 20b; 20c) in an at least substantially translatory manner along a guide path (50a). It is proposed that the wiper device has a rotary joint (26a) by means of which the wiper blade (18a, 18a′, 18a″) is pivotably mounted on the wiper arm (20a; 20b; 20c).

A wiper device (10a-10f) for wiping a sensor system (30a-30f), in particular a lidar system, with at least one wiper unit (12a-12f), which comprises at least one wiper lip (16a-16f) for wiping a surface (38a-38f) of the sensor system (30a-30f) and with at least one pressing unit (14a-14f). It is proposed that the pressing unit (14a-14f) comprises at least one spring element (24a; 52b; 54c, 56c; 58d; 60e; 62f, 64f) for pressing the wiper unit (12a-12f) against the surface (38a-38f).

The technology relates to a system for clearing a sensor cover. The system may comprise a wiper comprising a wiper support, a wiper blade, and a sensor cover. The wiper blade may be configured to clear the sensor cover of debris, and the sensor cover may be configured to house one or more sensors. A wiper motor may rotate the wiper and a sensor motor may rotate the sensor cover. The system wiper blade may comprise a first edge attached to the wiper support and a second edge which may be configured to be in contact with the sensor cover. The wiper blade may extend in a corkscrew shape around the wiper support. The wiper motor may be configured to rotate the wiper in a first direction and the sensor motor may be configured to rotate the sensor cover in a second direction opposite the first direction.

A distance measuring apparatus includes an optical system abnormality detection section for detecting abnormalities of an optical system of the distance measuring apparatus by comparing a relationship between a measured distance value d and a light intensity Ls with a reference value K.sub.ρ, K.sub.ρ1, K.sub.Ls0d0, or K.sub.Ab0.

Example embodiments relate to beam homogenization for occlusion avoidance. One embodiment includes a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device. The LIDAR device includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes a light emitter. The light emitter emits light that diverges along a fast-axis and a slow-axis. The transmitter also includes a fast-axis collimation (FAC) lens optically coupled to the light emitter. The FAC lens is configured to receive light emitted by the light emitter and reduce a divergence of the received light along the fast-axis of the light emitter to provide reduced-divergence light. The transmitter further includes a transmit lens optically coupled to the FAC lens. The transmit lens is configured to receive the reduced-divergence light from the FAC lens and provide transmit light. The FAC lens is positioned relative to the light emitter such that the reduced-divergence light is expanded at the transmit lens.