An HVAC case configured to heat airflow for a vehicle HVAC system. The HVAC case has a defrost outlet, a primary demist outlet, a secondary demist outlet, and an airflow control door. The airflow control door is configured to control airflow through each one of the defrost outlet, the primary demist outlet, and the secondary demist outlet.

An HVAC case configured to heat airflow for a vehicle HVAC system. The HVAC case has a defrost outlet, a primary demist outlet, a secondary demist outlet, and an airflow control door. The airflow control door is configured to control airflow through each one of the defrost outlet, the primary demist outlet, and the secondary demist outlet.

A sensor assembly includes a first sensor including a first cylindrical sensor window defining an axis; an annular member substantially centered around the axis, fixed relative to the first sensor, and supporting the first sensor; a second sensor fixed relative to the annular member and suspended from the annular member, the second sensor including a second cylindrical sensor window defining the axis; a first tubular ring fixed relative to the annular member and substantially centered around the axis, the first tubular ring including a plurality of first nozzles aimed at the first cylindrical sensor window; a second tubular ring fixed relative to the annular member and substantially centered around the axis, the second tubular ring including a plurality of second nozzles aimed at the second cylindrical sensor window; and two legs extending downward from the annular member and supporting the annular member.

A method for controlling a sensor assembly cleaning apparatus includes receiving sensor data from various vehicle sensors, determining a level of obscurement of the transparent surface, and determining whether the level of obscurement exceeds a threshold level. If the transparent surface is obscured beyond the threshold level, a control signal may be sent to the apparatus to initiate the ejection of pressurized air onto the transparent surface. Optionally, the method may further evaluate other parameters such as the vehicle velocity in relation to a threshold vehicle velocity prior to sending the control signal to ensure that the cleaning operation using pressurized air would not be superfluous in light of the vehicle velocity. In addition, a method for selectively activating the sensor assembly cleaning apparatus includes determining an activation schedule for the apparatus based on an arrangement of transparent surfaces and controlling the apparatus to operate based on the activation schedule.

A method for controlling a sensor assembly cleaning apparatus includes receiving sensor data from various vehicle sensors, determining a level of obscurement of the transparent surface, and determining whether the level of obscurement exceeds a threshold level. If the transparent surface is obscured beyond the threshold level, a control signal may be sent to the apparatus to initiate the ejection of pressurized air onto the transparent surface. Optionally, the method may further evaluate other parameters such as the vehicle velocity in relation to a threshold vehicle velocity prior to sending the control signal to ensure that the cleaning operation using pressurized air would not be superfluous in light of the vehicle velocity. In addition, a method for selectively activating the sensor assembly cleaning apparatus includes determining an activation schedule for the apparatus based on an arrangement of transparent surfaces and controlling the apparatus to operate based on the activation schedule.

According to one aspect, a sensor clearing system is arranged to remove precipitation and/or other contamination from a sensor. A sensor clearing system which is suitable for use on an autonomous vehicle includes an axial fan and a duct arrangement. The axial fan is configured to provide air flow that is routed through the duct arrangement. The duct arrangement directs the air flow towards a sensor, e.g., a lidar, at a velocity and/or with a force that is selected to cause any precipitation on a surface of the sensor, e.g., a lens of a lidar, to be removed.

A system for humidification of a fuel cell electric vehicle includes a fuel cell stack for producing electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, a water supply tank for storing water generated during power generation in the fuel cell stack, a first duct for supplying air exhausted from a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) apparatus to a vehicle glass, a second duct for supplying air exhausted from the HVAC apparatus into the vehicle interior, a humidification apparatus for humidifying air supplied through the second duct using water supplied from the water supply tank, and a controller that supplies air to the vehicle glass through the first duct to perform anti-fogging control of the vehicle glass when adjusting an inside humidity of the vehicle using the humidification apparatus.

A system for humidification of a fuel cell electric vehicle includes a fuel cell stack for producing electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, a water supply tank for storing water generated during power generation in the fuel cell stack, a first duct for supplying air exhausted from a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) apparatus to a vehicle glass, a second duct for supplying air exhausted from the HVAC apparatus into the vehicle interior, a humidification apparatus for humidifying air supplied through the second duct using water supplied from the water supply tank, and a controller that supplies air to the vehicle glass through the first duct to perform anti-fogging control of the vehicle glass when adjusting an inside humidity of the vehicle using the humidification apparatus.

The subject disclosure relates to features that facilitate the automatic cleaning of optical sensors and in particular Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors used in autonomous vehicle deployments. In some aspects, the disclosed technology includes a sensor cleaning apparatus having a housing, wherein the housing is configured to be rotatably coupled to an optical sensor, a wiper blade coupled to the housing, wherein the wiper blade is disposed at a downward angle relative to a top-surface of the optical sensor, and one or more nozzles disposed within the wiper blade, wherein the nozzles are configured to apply compressed gas to a surface of the optical sensor.

Methods, devices, and systems of a light imaging and ranging system are provided. In particular, the imaging and ranging system includes a LIDAR sensor and a low-profile optics assembly having a reflective element with a continuous and uninterrupted reflective surface surrounding a periphery of a LIDAR sensor in a light path of the LIDAR sensor. The reflective element is positioned at a distance offset from the periphery of the LIDAR sensor and directs light emitted by the LIDAR sensor to a second reflective element that is substantially similar in shape and size as the reflective element. The second reflective element is arranged above and opposite the reflective element directing the light emitted by the LIDAR sensor to a sensing environment outside the imaging and ranging system.