# US 10,768,412 B2 · Device for protecting an optical sensor and associated driving assistance system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,768,412 B2 - Document ID: US10768412B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/981,391 - Filed: 2018-05-16 - Published: 2018-11-22 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-17 - Assignees: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage - Applicants: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage - Inventors: Marcel Trebouet; Frédéric Bretagnol; Giuseppe Grasso; Frederic Gossele; Denis Garnier; Nicolas Pinchon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10768412B2 ## CPC - G02B 27/0006: {with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation (G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B)} - B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle - B60S 1/0848: {Cleaning devices for cameras on vehicle} - H04N 23/51: Housings - B08B 7/00: Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass - B60R 2011/0085: {with adjustment by rotation in their operational position} - B60R 2011/0092: {with motorization} - B60R 2300/101: using cameras with adjustable capturing direction - B60R 2300/40: characterised by the details of the power supply or the coupling to vehicle components - G03B 17/08: Waterproof bodies or housings - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A device for an optical sensor for a motor vehicle and a corresponding driver-assistance system are disclosed. The optical sensor includes an optic. The device includes a housing that is mounted so as to be able to rotate around an axis of rotation and that has a compartment that is configured to accommodate the optical sensor, and an optical element that is securely fastened to the housing. The optical element has at least one planar surface that is configured to be placed in the field of view of the optical sensor. The device also includes and an actuator that is coupled to the housing in order to drive the housing and the optical element to rotate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for an optical sensor for a motor vehicle, said optical sensor comprising an optic, the device comprising: a housing that is mounted to be able to rotate around an axis of rotation and that has a compartment that is configured to accommodate the optical sensor; an optical element that is securely fastened to the housing, the optical element having at least one planar surface that is configured to be placed in the field of view of the optical sensor; and an actuator that is coupled to the housing to drive the housing and the optical element to rotate, wherein the actuator is disposed entirely behind the housing, wherein the optical sensor and the actuator comprise respective complimentary apertures for connecting to a power-supply wiring harness, and wherein the housing further comprises an anti-condensation means comprising at least two orifices arranged symmetrically about the axis of rotation of the housing, wherein the orifices provide ventilation and prevent condensation from accumulating. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one planar surface has an extent larger than or equal to the extent of the field of view of the optical sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the optical element is configured to be arranged so that said at least one planar surface is centered with respect to the optical sensor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the optical element includes an internal surface and an external surface that are opposite and respectively at least partially planar in the field of view of the optical sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the optical element is configured to be placed upstream of the optic of the optical sensor so that the optical axis of the optical element is coincident with the optical axis of the optical sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the optical element is placed centered with respect to the axis of rotation of the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the compartment of the housing is configured to accommodate the optical sensor so that the optical axis of the optical sensor is coincident with the axis of rotation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the compartment for the optical sensor is defined by a wall of the housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device according to claim 8, wherein the wall is centered on the axis of rotation of the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein one or more semipermeable membranes are arranged in each of the orifices. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A driver-assistance system comprising: an optical sensor comprising an optic; and a device for the optical sensor according to claim 1. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The driver-assistance system according to claim 11, wherein the planar surface of the device has an extent larger than or equal to the extent of the field of view of the optical sensor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The driver-assistance system according to claim 11, wherein the optical sensor accommodated in the housing has a field of view of angle strictly smaller than 180° . ### Claim 14 A device for an optical sensor for a motor vehicle, said optical sensor comprising an optic, the device comprising: a housing that is mounted to be able to rotate around an axis of rotation and that has a compartment that is configured to accommodate the optical sensor; an optical element that is securely fastened to the housing, the optical element having at least one planar surface that is configured to be placed in the field of view of the optical sensor; an actuator that is coupled to the housing to drive the housing and the optical element to rotate; and a cylindrical fixed portion disposed entirely behind the optical sensor, wherein a motor is disposed on and in contact with an outer lateral periphery of the cylindrical fixed portion, wherein the housing further comprises an anti-condensation means comprising at least two orifices arranged symmetrically about the axis of rotation of the housing, wherein the orifices provide ventilation and prevent condensation from accumulating. ### Claim 15 A device for an optical sensor for a motor vehicle, said optical sensor comprising an optic, the device comprising: a housing that is mounted to be able to rotate around an axis of rotation and that has a compartment that is configured to accommodate the optical sensor; an optical element that is securely fastened to the housing, the optical element having at least one planar surface that is configured to be placed in the field of view of the optical sensor; an actuator that is coupled to the housing to drive the housing and the optical element to rotate; and a relief that has a shape that narrows to a point, the relief being centered with respect to the optical axis of the optical element and projecting forward from a front surface of the optical element, wherein the housing further comprises an anti-condensation means comprising at least two orifices arranged symmetrically about the axis of rotation of the housing, wherein the orifices provide ventilation and prevent condensation from accumulating. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device according to claim 15, wherein the relief is disposed at the optical axis of the optical sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The device according to claim 15, wherein the relief is disposed at the axis of rotation of the actuator.