While a vehicle is off, an automatic trigger strategy activates a heating device that melts snow and ice off exterior vehicle sensors as it is needed. The automatic trigger strategy determines when to turn on the heating device while the vehicle is in a limited power state by using data pulled from memory or data obtained from a current data check. Collected, analyzed, and stored during key-off, data pulled from memory allows the invention to accurately choose the correct time to start the heating device without consuming additional power. If current data checks are required because data saved at key-off is not enough information to execute a decision, the invention may determine the least power consuming data checks. A power manager extends a threshold that is dependent on the energy reserve. Once the energy reserve is below the threshold, the power manager inactivates the heating device and voids manual commands.

A vehicle has a sensor thawing device that discharges high-temperature air in a target direction, which is any one of left, right, down, or up directions, to an air discharge duct extended from a molding box coupled to a radiator grill. The device heats outside air introduced into a heat source line with a heat source including a heating wire to convert the outside air into high-temperature air. The device supplies the high-temperature air to an air distribution box, moves the air discharge duct in the target direction by forming the air pressure with a part of the high-temperature air by using an air pressure actuator, and supplies the air discharge duct with the remaining high-temperature air through a moving duct.

The technology relates to keeping sensors of a perception system optically clear and free from condensation. A transparent film, such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), acts as a moisture sensor that covers the optical area of interest. When a measured value of the moisture sensor meets a certain threshold that indicates the presence of condensate, power is applied to the sensor, turning it into a heater. When the measured value no longer meets the threshold, power is removed and heating ceases. The ITO layer may be lithographically applied to a glass sensor cover or other window, with interleaved sections of material that are spaced closely to detect a minimum amount of condensate. This arrangement enables the system to be employed in sensor assemblies at various locations along a self-driving vehicle, and can be used with different types of sensors such as lidar sensors, cameras and other imaging devices.

An embodiment method of controlling a heating glass includes setting a designated temperature of the heating glass depending on temperature and humidity conditions measured through a sensor, calculating an applied power to reach the designated temperature based on an integrated thermal resistance formed in the heating glass, performing a phase shift of AC power of two or more phases to provide the calculated applied power to a load of the heating glass, and calculating a corrected power in consideration of a resolution of the sensor, wherein respective operations are controlled depending on a set control cycle.

The disclosure relates to determining a contamination of an optical sensor of a vehicle. A corresponding method can comprise obtaining, by a device comprising a processor, first data indicative of a measured detection range of the optical sensor to a ground of a surrounding of the vehicle based on a measurement of the ground by the optical sensor, obtaining, by the device, second data indicative of a nominal detection range of the optical sensor to the ground of the surrounding of the vehicle, and determining, by the device, the contamination of the optical sensor based on a comparison of the first data to the second data.

The disclosure relates to determining a contamination of an optical sensor of a vehicle. A corresponding method can comprise obtaining, by a device comprising a processor, first data indicative of a measured detection range of the optical sensor to a ground of a surrounding of the vehicle based on a measurement of the ground by the optical sensor, obtaining, by the device, second data indicative of a nominal detection range of the optical sensor to the ground of the surrounding of the vehicle, and determining, by the device, the contamination of the optical sensor based on a comparison of the first data to the second data.

A windshield according to the present invention comprises: a sheet glass member having a heating region that includes at least a JIS R 3212-tested region A; and a heat-generating means that is disposed in the heating region. The heat-generating means comprises a plurality of heaters formed in a planar shape and arranged in a line in a first direction in the heating region, and a pair of busbars that are connected respectively to the ends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction in each beater.

Provided is a heating element capable of suppressing the rapid temperature rise even when the supply voltage is high. The heating element includes a resin film and heating wires provided on at least one surface of the resin film and including a copper wire, wherein copper crystal grains forming the copper wire have a cross-sectional crystal size of less than 1.5 m.

A vehicular camera includes a housing having a front housing portion and a rear housing portion, with the front housing portion including a lens accommodated by a lens barrel. A heating device is disposed at an outermost lens element of the lens. The heating device includes a heating element and electrically conductive elements that extend along the lens barrel for electrical connection to circuitry at a printed circuit board. The electrically conductive elements are disposed along respective channels established along the inner surface of the lens holder. An outer end of each of the electrically conductive elements is disposed at and in contact with the heating element. When powered, the heating element heats the outermost lens element. The camera is configured to be disposed at an exterior portion of a vehicle so as to have a field of view exterior of the vehicle.

According to one aspect, a vehicle includes a chassis, a propulsion system carried on the chassis, a control system carried on the chassis, and a components arrangement carried on the chassis. The propulsion system configured to propel the vehicle, and the control system is configured to enable the vehicle to operate autonomously. The components arrangement includes at least a frame, a panel having a surface, a wiper arrangement having at least one wiper, and a fluid distribution arrangement. The frame is configured to interface with the chassis and to support the panel, the wiper arrangement, and the fluid distribution arrangement. The fluid distribution arrangement is configured to dispense a fluid onto the surface and the wiper is configured to sweep over the surface.