Light obstruction can be detected using a light obstruction sensor. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, by a light obstruction sensor, light being emitted by a light source, a light level being associated with the light, and the light source and the light obstruction sensor being disposed in a light assembly. The method further includes determining, by a processing device, whether the light level exceeds a first threshold. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the light level exceeds the first threshold, determining that the light being emitted by the light source is at least partially impaired by an object. The method further includes validating, by the processing device, the determination that the light source is at least partially impaired by the object to confirm whether the light source is at least partially impaired by the object.

An apparatus includes a base, a cylindrical sensor window fixed to the base, and a helical cleaning member movable between a retracted position in the base and an extended position extending around the sensor window. The cleaning member includes an outlet directed at the sensor window when the cleaning member is in the extended position.

A DC-DC converter control apparatus, installed in a vehicle including parallel-connected first and second DC-DC converters and in-vehicle devices configured to operate on an electric power that is output from at least one of the first and second DC-DC converters, is configured to control the first and second DC-DC converters, and includes a processor. The processor is programmed to monitor an operational status of at least one predetermined device that is included in the in-vehicle devices; when the at least one predetermined device is not in operation, set at least a controlled target value of an output voltage of the first DC-DC converter to a target voltage for operating the in-vehicle devices; and, when at least one of the at least one predetermined device is in operation, set controlled target values of output voltages of both the first and second DC-DC converters to the target voltage.

A DC-DC converter control apparatus, installed in a vehicle including parallel-connected first and second DC-DC converters and in-vehicle devices configured to operate on an electric power that is output from at least one of the first and second DC-DC converters, is configured to control the first and second DC-DC converters, and includes a processor. The processor is programmed to monitor an operational status of at least one predetermined device that is included in the in-vehicle devices; when the at least one predetermined device is not in operation, set at least a controlled target value of an output voltage of the first DC-DC converter to a target voltage for operating the in-vehicle devices; and, when at least one of the at least one predetermined device is in operation, set controlled target values of output voltages of both the first and second DC-DC converters to the target voltage.

Described herein are sensor assembly cleaning systems and apparatuses that are adapted to rotate a transparent surface of a sensor assembly independently of a housing of the sensor assembly in order to disperse water, moisture, debris, or the like from the surface. The transparent surface may be a glass window that provides a camera of the sensor assembly with a field-of-view of an external environment. Sensor data captured from various on-board vehicle sensors such as moisture data, image data, vehicle velocity data, or the like can be evaluated against various criteria to determine when and for how long to rotate the transparent surface. Sensor data can be evaluated over a period of time to identify patterns or trends relating to one or more vehicle parameters. An activation schedule for initiating and ceasing rotation of the transparent surface can be determined based on such patterns/trends.

A control device executes a process including a step of determining whether a first state is established, a step of acquiring an operating state of a wiper of a surrounding vehicle when the first state is determined to be established, a step of determining whether rainfall of which rainfall amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount is predicted, and a step of executing elevating control when the rainfall of which rainfall amount is equal to or more than the predetermined amount is predicted.

A vibrating device includes a tubular body including first and second end surfaces, and a side wall portion that connects the first and second end surfaces, a piezoelectric vibrator provided on the first end surface of the tubular body, and a light transmitting body that is directly or indirectly connected to the second end surface and covers an opening in the second end surface of the tubular body. A connecting portion is connected to the first end surface of the tubular body inside or outside an opening in the first end surface. A tubular bent portion is connected to a surface of the connecting portion that faces toward the second end surface of the tubular body. The tubular bent portion extends in a direction from the first end surface toward the second end surface of the tubular body.

A method includes: predicting, by a computer device, a time a user will start driving a vehicle; determining, by the computer device, freezing conditions; determining, by the computer device, a time to start a deicing system of the vehicle based on the predicted time and the determined freezing conditions; and generating, by the computer device, an output to start the deicing system at the determined time. A system includes: a windshield wiper that is selectively driven by a windshield wiper motor; a wiper sensor configured to detect an amount of deflection of the windshield wiper from a baseline position; and a computer operatively connected to the windshield wiper motor and the wiper sensor, the computer being configured to: actuate the windshield wiper motor; receive data from the wiper sensor while the windshield wiper motor is actuated; and determine a thickness of ice on a windshield based on the received data.

The invention provides an air and fluid cleaning system for propelling a cleaning fluid and air onto a vehicle vision device such as a vehicle camera system. The cleaning system comprises at least one fluid nozzle aimed at the camera; at least one cleaning fluid pump fluidly connected to both a fluid supply conduit and a cleaning fluid source; at least one air nozzle aimed at the vehicle camera; and at least one telescopic air jet fluidly connected to the air nozzle, hydraulically connected to the fluid supply conduit, and operated by the fluid pressure provided by the cleaning fluid pump; such that during a first operation time interval only cleaning fluid is propelled onto the vehicle camera and during a second operation time interval only an air jet burst is propelled onto the vehicle camera. The invention further includes a method for cleaning a vehicle camera exposed to ambient.

The invention relates to a connection unit (20) for a wiper motor (100) for windshield wiper systems with a plug connector element (22) for receiving electric connection lines (24) which are configured for the at least indirect contacting of a commutator (6) of an electric motor (1), with a carrier element (26) on which connection elements (40) for contacting the commutator (6) and/or at least one component of an electric circuit are arranged, and with a carbon brush holder plate (30), wherein the carrier element (26) is formed as a pre-mountable construction unit (32) with the carbon brush holder plate (30) formed as separate component.