A housing apparatus configured to be attached to an external housing of a vehicle mounted optical device is described. The housing apparatus is configured to direct an airflow at a lens of the optical device in order to prevent or remove obstructions, such as rain, dirt, pollen, insects, and other items. In one embodiment, among others, an apparatus comprises a tunnel structure that has a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, and a top side. The first end of the tunnel structure has an entry opening for capturing air flow while the vehicle is in motion. The second end of the tunnel structure has an exit opening for directing the air flow to a lens of the optical device.

A cleaning system for a sensor to be cleaned, comprising an accumulator comprising at least one cleaning fluid compartment provided with at least one tensioning element; a cleaning fluid inlet for receiving cleaning fluid; a cleaning fluid outlet for providing cleaning fluid in the form of a cleaning fluid jet; at least one gas compartment provided with at least one tensioning element; a gas inlet for receiving gas; and a gas outlet for providing gas in the form of a gas jet, a cleaning fluid electrovalve for controlling flow of cleaning fluid applied to the sensor to be cleaned, and a gas electrovalve for controlling flow of gas applied to the sensor to be cleaned.

A cleaning system for a sensor to be cleaned, comprising an accumulator comprising at least one cleaning fluid compartment provided with at least one tensioning element; a cleaning fluid inlet for receiving cleaning fluid; a cleaning fluid outlet for providing cleaning fluid in the form of a cleaning fluid jet; at least one gas compartment provided with at least one tensioning element; a gas inlet for receiving gas; and a gas outlet for providing gas in the form of a gas jet, a cleaning fluid electrovalve for controlling flow of cleaning fluid applied to the sensor to be cleaned, and a gas electrovalve for controlling flow of gas applied to the sensor to be cleaned.

A pneumatic windscreen wiper for a transparent element of a vehicle. The pneumatic windscreen wiper has: at least one nozzle, which is arranged at an edge of the transparent element, is oriented towards the transparent element and is capable of emitting a compressed air jet that hits the transparent element to lick the transparent element; a source of compressed air; and a control valve which is interposed between the nozzle and the source of compressed air and is suitable for regulating the flow of compressed air.

A pneumatic windscreen wiper for a transparent element of a vehicle. The pneumatic windscreen wiper has: at least one nozzle, which is arranged at an edge of the transparent element, is oriented towards the transparent element and is capable of emitting a compressed air jet that hits the transparent element to lick the transparent element; a source of compressed air; and a control valve which is interposed between the nozzle and the source of compressed air and is suitable for regulating the flow of compressed air.

A sensor assembly includes a sensor including a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis, a cover fixed relative to the sensor, and a duct mounted to the sensor and extending through the axis. The cover is positioned to expose a circumferential portion of the sensor window. The circumferential portion extends circumferentially relative to the axis from a first end adjacent to the cover to a second end adjacent to the cover. The circumferential portion includes a midpoint circumferentially between the first end and the second end. The duct includes an inlet and an outlet. The outlet extends circumferentially from the first end of the circumferential portion to the second end of the circumferential portion. The duct includes a deflector positioned to direct airflow from the inlet to the outlet at the first end and second end of the circumferential portion before the airflow reaches the midpoint of the circumferential portion.

A sensor assembly includes a sensor including a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis, a cover fixed relative to the sensor, and a duct mounted to the sensor and extending through the axis. The cover is positioned to expose a circumferential portion of the sensor window. The circumferential portion extends circumferentially relative to the axis from a first end adjacent to the cover to a second end adjacent to the cover. The circumferential portion includes a midpoint circumferentially between the first end and the second end. The duct includes an inlet and an outlet. The outlet extends circumferentially from the first end of the circumferential portion to the second end of the circumferential portion. The duct includes a deflector positioned to direct airflow from the inlet to the outlet at the first end and second end of the circumferential portion before the airflow reaches the midpoint of the circumferential portion.

A method of controlling an automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes steps of: comparing, by a controller, a voltage applied to a mode door actuator with a first operating voltage, a second operating voltage, and a third operating voltage when a driving condition of a vehicle meets an external condensation occurrence condition; and controlling, by the controller, a defrost mode door to close a defrost outlet or adjust an opening degree of the defrost outlet to be less than a reference opening degree when the voltage applied to the mode door actuator is greater than or equal to the first operating voltage, where the defrost outlet directs air toward a front windshield, and the reference opening degree is an opening degree of the defrost outlet which has been set when the driving condition of the vehicle does not meet the external condensation occurrence condition.

A method of controlling an automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes steps of: comparing, by a controller, a voltage applied to a mode door actuator with a first operating voltage, a second operating voltage, and a third operating voltage when a driving condition of a vehicle meets an external condensation occurrence condition; and controlling, by the controller, a defrost mode door to close a defrost outlet or adjust an opening degree of the defrost outlet to be less than a reference opening degree when the voltage applied to the mode door actuator is greater than or equal to the first operating voltage, where the defrost outlet directs air toward a front windshield, and the reference opening degree is an opening degree of the defrost outlet which has been set when the driving condition of the vehicle does not meet the external condensation occurrence condition.

The present disclosure relates to automated or remotely controlled methods and apparatuses for cleaning and drying soiled external 2-D or 3-D image sensor surfaces such as objective lenses on Light Detection and Ranging (“LIDAR”) sensors when mounted in a configuration that is exposed to dirty environments.