A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify a contaminant on a lens of a sensor upon determining a force applied to the lens based on an electric current exceeding a threshold and to actuate a cleaning component to remove the contaminant from the lens.

A vehicular cleaner system (1) for cleaning a to-be-cleaned object (100), wherein: the vehicular cleaner system (1) is provided with a tank (11) that accommodates a cleaning liquid, a pump (12) that pressure-feeds the cleaning liquid inside the tank (11), a high-pressure-air generation unit (2) that generates high-pressure air, a first ejection port that sprays the cleaning liquid toward a cleaning surface of the to-be-cleaned object (100), a second ejection port that sprays the high-pressure air toward the cleaning surface, and a controller (4) and vehicle ECU (40) that control the spraying of the cleaning liquid and the spraying of the high-pressure air; and the controller (4) and the vehicle ECU (40) perform control so as to initiate the spraying of the high-pressure air from the second ejection port after spraying of the cleaning liquid from the first ejection port has been initiated.

Methods and systems for thermal management of sensors of a vehicle. The system includes a sensor that is attached to a vehicle, a temperature monitor configured to collect temperature data corresponding to the sensor, a processor, and a sensor cleaning subsystem. The sensor cleaning subsystem includes a cleaning fluid reservoir and a port that is positioned to direct cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the sensor. The processor is configured to: receive temperature data corresponding to the sensor from the temperature monitor, determine that a current temperature of the sensor is greater than a first threshold temperature, and cause the sensor cleaning subsystem to initiate a cleaning cycle and direct the cleaning fluid to the sensor to cool down the sensor in response to determining that the current temperature of the sensor is greater than the first threshold temperature.

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 wiping device for an optical device with a lens includes a surface, such as a curved or calotte-shaped surface, where the wiping device has a wiping element for wiping the surface of the lens free from water and dirt particles with at least one passage channel and at least one outlet channel which branches off from the passage channel in order to guide cleaning fluid onto the surface of the lens. In addition, a rear view device for a motor vehicle with an optical device includes such a wiping device.

The invention relates to a device for protecting an optical sensor for a motor vehicle, said optical sensor comprising an optic, a casing mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation (A1) and having a housing configured to receive the optical sensor, an optical element rigidly attached to the casing and configured to be arranged in the field of vision of the optical sensor, and an actuator coupled to the casing in order to rotate the casing and the optical element, the actuator comprising a rotor and a stator configured such that actuator is a motor with an internal rotor.

A vehicle cleaner nozzle injects a cleaning medium on an object to be cleaned which is mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle cleaner nozzle includes a housing, a nozzle chip accommodated in an interior of the housing, and a holder configured to support the housing in a state where the housing accommodates the nozzle chip. A feedback flow path for swinging and injecting the cleaning medium is formed by accommodating the nozzle chip in the housing.

A wiper is controlled to sweep a surface area, e.g., a portion of a windshield, in front of a camera, e.g., a camera mounted inside a vehicle. An image captured from the camera after the wiper completes, e.g., immediately completes, the sweep of the surface area in front of the camera is used in generating a depth map. In some embodiments a first wiper is controlled to clear a surface area in front of a first camera while a second wiper is controlled to clear a surface area in front of second camera at the same time, and the first and second cameras are synchronized to initiate image capture at the same time, capturing images through recently cleared area, and the captured images are used to generate a depth map. A vehicle control operation, e.g., a direction, braking or speed control operation is performed based on the depth map.

An arrangement for capturing an image of a space in front of or behind a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle having a motor vehicle windowpane which has an inner surface. The arrangement includes an image acquisition unit and a transparent heating film. The image acquisition unit is mounted on an inside of the motor vehicle windowpane. The image acquisition unit has a field of vision. The transparent heating film is arranged in the field of vision of the image acquisition unit and is attached to the inner surface of the motor vehicle windowpane.

An outside viewing device for a vehicle, having a camera that is housed in a casing having a frontal wall through which there passes an imaging window, and an internal partition which is parallel to the frontal wall and through which there passes an opening next to the imaging window. In addition, two peripheral wiper seals, disposed at the periphery of the window and the opening, delimit a guide in which a transparent screen slides, in a sealed manner, between at least two imaging positions, in each of which different surface portions of the screen are positioned next to the imaging window. Finally, a device for moving the screen is designed to slide the latter between its different positions.