# US 11,305,741 B2 · Sensor cleaning apparatus, systems, and related methods for use with vehicles

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- Number: US 11,305,741 B2
- Document ID: US11305741B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/135,579
- Filed: 2018-09-19
- Published: 2020-03-19
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2018-09-19
- Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
- Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
- Inventors: Scott L. Frederick; Ryan C. Harris
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305741B2

## CPC

- B60S 1/566: {including wiping devices (B60S1/563, B60S1/583 take precedence)}
- B60R 1/0602: {comprising means for cleaning or deicing}
- B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
- B60S 1/0411: {the windscreens, windows or optical devices being movable with respect to fixed wipers}
- B60S 1/0822: {characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means}
- B60S 1/52: Arrangement of nozzles; {Liquid spreading means}(nozzles per se B05B)
- B60S 1/522: {moving liquid spreading means, e.g. arranged in wiper arms}
- G01S 7/027: {Constructional details of housings, e.g. form, type, material or ruggedness}
- G01S 13/931: of land vehicles
- 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 2011/004: {outside the vehicle}
- B60R 2011/0082: {collapsible, e.g. for storing after use}
- B60R 2011/0084: {with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position}
- B60R 2011/0092: {with motorization}
- G01S 2013/9323: {Alternative operation using light waves}
- G01S 2013/93273: {on the top of the vehicles}
- B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

Sensor cleaning apparatus, systems, and related methods for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a sensor of a vehicle. The apparatus also includes a motor operatively coupled to the sensor to enable the sensor to move within a cavity of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a wiper fixedly coupled to the vehicle and partially defining the cavity. An edge of the wiper is to engage the sensor when the sensor moves to remove debris.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus, comprising:
a sensor of a vehicle;
a motor operatively coupled to the sensor to enable the sensor to move linearly within a cavity of the vehicle along an axis of the cavity between a first position and a second position, the cavity including a first side surface and a second bottom surface, the axis of the cavity extending vertically;
a mounting plate on which the sensor is mounted, the mounting plate extending laterally farther from the axis than the sensor, the mounting plate beings coupled to the motor so as to move linearly along the axis of the cavity, the mounting plate abutting the second bottom surface of the cavity when the sensor is in the second position; and
a wiper fixedly coupled to the vehicle and partially defining the cavity, an edge of the wiper to engage the sensor when the sensor moves to remove debris,
wherein the edge of the wiper remains engaged with an outer surface of the sensor as the sensor moves between the first position and the second position, and
wherein an end of the sensor is further from an exterior surface of the vehicle in a direction parallel to the axis of the cavity in the first positon than in the second position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the wiper and the outer surface of the sensor are substantially flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle when the sensor is in the second position which is a lowered position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further including one or more nozzles operatively coupled to the vehicle and positioned proximate to the sensor, the one or more nozzles configured to spray a fluid on the sensor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more nozzles are radially distributed relative to an axis of the sensor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The apparatus of claim 3, further including a seal coupled to the vehicle and at least partially disposed in the cavity, the seal to engage the sensor to remove the fluid when the sensor moves.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the wiper or the seal surrounds the outer surface of the sensor.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the wiper or the seal is concentric with the sensor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the seal includes an O-ring.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the seal is disposed in a seal groove that is positioned in the cavity.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor has a first shape and the cavity has a second shape that matches the first shape.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wiper includes at least a second edge to cooperatively engage the sensor with the first edge.

### Claim 12

A vehicle, comprising:
a cavity formed by an exterior surface of the vehicle to receive a sensor, the cavity including a first side surface and a second bottom surface, an axis of the cavity extending vertically;
a mounting plate on which the sensor is mounted and which moves linearly along the axis of the cavity the mounting plate extending laterally farther from the axis than the sensor;
a wiper partially defining the cavity to engage the sensor when the sensor moves linearly along an axis of the cavity between a first position and a second position to remove debris, an edge of the wiper remaining engaged with an outer surface of the sensor as the sensor moves between the first position and the second position; and
a seal partially defining the cavity to engage the sensor,
wherein the mounting plate abuts the second bottom surface of the cavity when the sensor is in the second position.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the wiper and the seal are coupled to a sensor enclosure of the vehicle.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the wiper and the seal are positioned on a first wall of the sensor enclosure and extend along an axis of the sensor.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the seal is a first seal, further including a second seal to engage the sensor and coupled to a second wall of the sensor enclosure, the sensor positioned between the first and second seals.