Ultrasonic sensor and obstacle detection apparatus

An obstacle detection apparatus comprising:

• a transducer for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave;
• one or more light sources to be mounted in a back side of a bumper of a vehicle;
• an optical element for holding the transducer configured in such a manner that at least a part of the optical element is exposed on a front surface of the bumper, wherein the optical element is configured to guide light emitted by the one or more light sources to a front surface of the bumper and to project the light to an outside of the vehicle;
• a processor to execute a program;
• and
• a memory to store the program which, when executed by the processor, results in the processes of:
• controlling transmission and reception of the ultrasonic wave by the transducer;
• detecting an obstacle by using a result of transmission and reception of the ultrasonic wave by the transducer;
• and
• causing the one or more light sources to emit light when the transducer transmits the ultrasonic wave or when the obstacle detection unit detects an obstacle.

An ultrasonic sensor configured to be fixed to a bumper of a vehicle, the ultrasonic sensor comprising:

• a transducer for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave;
• a plurality of light sources;
• and
• an optical element for holding the transducer, the optical element being configured in such a manner that at least a part of the optical element is exposed on a front surface of the bumper to guide light emitted by the plurality of light sources to a front surface of the bumper and to project the light to an outside of the vehicle,
• wherein the optical element comprises a light scattering portion for scattering light to be projected to the outside of the vehicle.