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.

A fluid ejection system includes an electromagnetically operated valve for regulating the flow of a fluid. The electromagnetically operated valve includes a valve body defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a plunger member, an electromagnetic driving means, and a spring adapted to bias the plunger member toward a closed position. The electromagnetic driving means is adapted to drive the plunger member along an open direction inside the valve body and into an open position facilitating the flow of the fluid through the valve body. The electromagnetic driving means includes a coil and a coil reel. The coil is arranged to surround the coil reel, and the coil reel is arranged to surround the plunger member for generating an electromagnetic field suitable for driving the plunger member into the open position. A nozzle is arranged at the fluid outlet for ejecting the cleaning fluid.

A fluid ejection system includes an electromagnetically operated valve for regulating the flow of a fluid. The electromagnetically operated valve includes a valve body defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a plunger member, an electromagnetic driving means, and a spring adapted to bias the plunger member toward a closed position. The electromagnetic driving means is adapted to drive the plunger member along an open direction inside the valve body and into an open position facilitating the flow of the fluid through the valve body. The electromagnetic driving means includes a coil and a coil reel. The coil is arranged to surround the coil reel, and the coil reel is arranged to surround the plunger member for generating an electromagnetic field suitable for driving the plunger member into the open position. A nozzle is arranged at the fluid outlet for ejecting the cleaning fluid.

The present teaching relates to method, system, and implementations for glare control. A sensor housing assembly is provided on an autonomous vehicle to house at least one sensor therein and protect the at least one sensor from negative impact from an environment including glare from the environment that prevents the at least one sensor from capturing accurate information regarding a field of view with respect to the environment to facilitate autonomous driving of the autonomous vehicle. The negative impact on the at least one sensor is determined by a controller, which then activates a glare blocking mechanism in response to the determined negative impact. The glare blocking mechanism being mounted on the sensor housing assembly and configured to assist in blocking glare with respect to the at least one sensor.

The disclosure relates to a sensor cleaning system for a vehicle having: at least one sensor cleaning module, wherein the sensor cleaning module has a valve unit, wherein the valve unit is configured for receiving compressed air via a module compressed air port and for selectively outputting the compressed air cleaning pulse via a cleaning compressed air port. The sensor cleaning module has a module reservoir and a pump mechanism, wherein the module reservoir is configured for receiving and storing the cleaning liquid provided via a module liquid port, and is connected to the pump mechanism for fluid transfer, and the pump mechanism is configured for providing the cleaning liquid in the form of a liquid cleaning pulse at a cleaning fluid port depending on a control signal.

The disclosure relates to a sensor cleaning system for a vehicle having: at least one sensor cleaning module, wherein the sensor cleaning module has a valve unit, wherein the valve unit is configured for receiving compressed air via a module compressed air port and for selectively outputting the compressed air cleaning pulse via a cleaning compressed air port. The sensor cleaning module has a module reservoir and a pump mechanism, wherein the module reservoir is configured for receiving and storing the cleaning liquid provided via a module liquid port, and is connected to the pump mechanism for fluid transfer, and the pump mechanism is configured for providing the cleaning liquid in the form of a liquid cleaning pulse at a cleaning fluid port depending on a control signal.

A cleaning device for a vehicle provides a liquid cleaning pulse and/or a compressed air cleaning pulse for a cleaning nozzle. The cleaning device includes a module compressed air connection for receiving compressed air and a pressure cylinder with a cylinder volume. A movable separator divides the cylinder volume into a compressed air receiving chamber and a cleaning liquid receiving chamber in a fluid tight manner. The air chamber has an air chamber connection which can be supplied with compressed air. Contraction of the liquid chamber occurs when filling the air chamber by moving the separator against a restoring force. A switching valve establishes a pneumatic connection between the module compressed air connection and the air chamber connection. A bypass valve establishes a pneumatic connection between the module compressed air connection and the compressed air nozzle line while bypassing the switching valve for providing a bypass compressed air flow.

A cleaning device for a vehicle provides a liquid cleaning pulse and/or a compressed air cleaning pulse for a cleaning nozzle. The cleaning device includes a module compressed air connection for receiving compressed air and a pressure cylinder with a cylinder volume. A movable separator divides the cylinder volume into a compressed air receiving chamber and a cleaning liquid receiving chamber in a fluid tight manner. The air chamber has an air chamber connection which can be supplied with compressed air. Contraction of the liquid chamber occurs when filling the air chamber by moving the separator against a restoring force. A switching valve establishes a pneumatic connection between the module compressed air connection and the air chamber connection. A bypass valve establishes a pneumatic connection between the module compressed air connection and the compressed air nozzle line while bypassing the switching valve for providing a bypass compressed air flow.

A sensor apparatus includes a sensor including a sensor lens, an air nozzle fixed relative to the sensor lens and positioned to direct airflow out of the air nozzle across the sensor lens, and a fin positioned inside the air nozzle. The fin is rotatably coupled to the air nozzle and rotatable relative to the air nozzle around an axis of rotation. The fin is elongated radially from the axis of rotation. The fin is rotatable between a first position impeding airflow through the air nozzle and a second position permitting airflow through the air nozzle.

A sensor apparatus includes a sensor including a sensor lens, an air nozzle fixed relative to the sensor lens and positioned to direct airflow out of the air nozzle across the sensor lens, and a fin positioned inside the air nozzle. The fin is rotatably coupled to the air nozzle and rotatable relative to the air nozzle around an axis of rotation. The fin is elongated radially from the axis of rotation. The fin is rotatable between a first position impeding airflow through the air nozzle and a second position permitting airflow through the air nozzle.