A vehicle optical device comprises an optical module including a lens through which external light passes; a cover glass arranged on a front surface of the lens; a motor driving the cover glass; a cleaner for accommodating a portion of the cover glass; and a controller driving the motor to accommodate a portion of the cover glass, which is arranged on the front surface of the lens and contaminated, in the cleaner through rotation of the cover glass if the portion of the cover glass is contaminated. The vehicle optical device may acquire exact information by removing particles that disturb acquisition of external information.

A system includes a base defining an opening. The system includes a pair of gaskets supported by the base, the opening disposed between the gaskets. The system includes a pair of pads supported by the base, the gaskets disposed between the pads. The system includes a transparent shield supported by the base and movable between a first position and a second position, the shield abutting one of the pads in the first position and the other of the pads in the second position.

A vehicular camera module includes a camera having a CMOS image sensor and a lens. The image sensor is disposed at a first printed circuit board, and circuitry of a second printed circuit board is in board-to-board electrical connection with circuitry of the first printed circuit board. Board-to-board electrical connection between the first and second printed circuit boards is via a multi-wire ribbon connection. A housing houses the first and second printed circuit boards. The housing is configured for mounting at a vehicle and, with the vehicular camera module mounted at the vehicle, the camera has a field of view external of the vehicle. With the vehicular camera module mounted at the vehicle and responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the image sensor, an object in the field of view of the camera is detected.

A sensor enclosure comprising a domed cover and a base. The base can be encased by the domed cover. The base comprises an inner frame, an outer frame, one or more wipers, and a powertrain. The inner frame can provide surfaces for one or more sensors. The outer frame, disposed underneath the inner frame, the outer frame includes a slewing ring. The slewing ring comprises an inner ring to which the domed cover is attached and an outer ring attached to the outer frame. The one or more wipers extends vertically from the outer frame, each wiper having a first end attached to the outer frame and a second end attached to a support ring, and each wiper making a contact with the dome cover. The powertrain, disposed within the outer frame, configured to rotate the ring and the dome cover attached to the inner ring.

A vehicular camera module includes a camera having an image sensor and a lens. The image sensor is disposed at a first printed circuit board, and a second printed circuit board is in board-to-board electrical connection with the first printed circuit board. Board-to-board electrical connection between the first and second printed circuit boards is via a multi-wire ribbon connection. A housing houses the first and second printed circuit boards. The housing is configured for mounting at a windshield of a vehicle and, with the vehicular camera module mounted at the windshield of the vehicle, the camera has a field of view external of the vehicle. With the vehicular camera module mounted at the windshield of the vehicle and responsive at least in part to processing by an image processor of image data captured by the image sensor, an object in the field of view of the camera is detected.

Sensor cleaning apparatus, systems, and related methods for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a sensor of a vehicle. The apparatus also includes a motor operatively coupled to the sensor to enable the sensor to move within a cavity of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a wiper fixedly coupled to the vehicle and partially defining the cavity. An edge of the wiper is to engage the sensor when the sensor moves to remove debris.

An imaging device for a vehicle and a vehicle are disclosed. The imaging device includes: a casing, a camera, a wiping member, and a drive device. The casing includes a casing body and a transparent cover disposed to the casing body, and the transparent cover is rotatable relative to the casing body. The camera is disposed in the casing and configured to obtain image information outside the transparent cover through the transparent cover. The wiping member is disposed to the casing and is stationary relative to the camera. The drive device is connected with the transparent cover and configured to drive the transparent cover to rotate to enable the wiping member to wipe an outer surface of the transparent cover.

An assembly for cleaning a sensor cover according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a sensor provided within the sensor cover, a wiper configured to wipe the sensor cover, and a vibrating motor configured to vibrate at least one of the wiper and the sensor cover. A method is also disclosed.

A sensor assembly includes a base, a sensor attached to the base, and a cover transparent to the sensor and forming a spherical joint with the base. The cover may have a partial spherical shape. The sensor assembly may include an exterior panel having a hole, and the cover may be disposed in the hole. The cover may be rotatable relative to the base about any axis extending parallel to the exterior panel.

An exterior camera lens cleaning system for a vehicle may include: a base unit fixed to the vehicle; a housing unit configured to be rotatable with respect to the base unit; a camera unit including a camera module, the camera unit at least partially inserted into the housing unit and configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the housing unit; a wiper disposed on an inside surface of the housing unit so as to face the camera module; and a control unit configured to receive video data through the camera module, to control a rotation operation of the housing unit based on a state of the vehicle, and to control an extension operation of the camera unit. The camera unit may be interlocked with the housing unit, and when the housing unit is rotated by the control unit, the camera unit may be configured to move horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the housing unit.