# US 11,994,263 B2 · Sensor system adapted to be installed in a vehicle including a cover > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,994,263 B2 - Document ID: US11994263B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/292,889 - Filed: 2019-11-12 - Published: 2021-12-30 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-13 - Assignees: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Hiroshi Inoue - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994263B2 ## CPC - F21S 41/28: {Cover glass} - F21S 41/2805: {Cover glass} - B60Q 1/0023: {the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera} - B60S 1/52: Arrangement of nozzles; {Liquid spreading means}(nozzles per se B05B) - B60W 40/02: related to ambient conditions - G01B 5/0025: {Measuring of vehicle parts (G01B5/003 takes precedence)} - G01B 11/18: {using photoelastic elements} - G01B 21/32: for measuring the deformation in a solid - G01N 21/94: Investigating contamination, e.g. dust (G01N21/85 takes precedence) - G01N 21/958: Inspecting transparent materials {or objects, e.g. windscreens (for conveyed flat sheet or rod G01N21/896)} - G01N 29/12: by measuring frequency or resonance of acoustic waves {(measuring frequency or resonant frequency of mechanical vibrations or acoustic waves in general G01H1/06, G01H3/04, G01H13/00; acoustic resonators G10K11/04; vibration or shock testing of structures G01M7/00)} - G01N 29/14: using acoustic emission techniques {(echo of particles G01N29/046; measuring mechanical vibrations or acoustic waves in solids in general G01H1/00)} - G01N 29/32: Arrangements for suppressing undesired influences, e.g. temperature or pressure variations {, compensating for signal noise} - G01N 29/46: by spectral analysis, e.g. Fourier analysis {or wavelet analysis (spectral signal processing per se G06F17/14)} - G01S 7/4813: {Housing arrangements} - G01S 7/497: Means for monitoring or calibrating - G01S 7/4972: {Alignment of sensor} - G01S 17/931: of land vehicles - B60S 1/0859: {Other types of detection of rain, e.g. by measuring friction or rain drop impact} - B60S 1/522: {moving liquid spreading means, e.g. arranged in wiper arms} - B60S 1/56: specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens {(rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior including cleaning devices B60R1/0602)} - B60W 2420/408: Radar; Laser, e.g. lidar - G01N 2291/0256: Adsorption, desorption, surface mass change, e.g. on biosensors - G01S 2007/4977: {including means to prevent or remove the obstruction} - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60W: CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - 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 ## Abstract A LiDAR sensor unit is configured to detect information of an outside area of a vehicle with sensing light. A cover covers the LiDAR sensor unit so as to allow passage of the sensing light while forming a part of an outer surface of the vehicle. A strain gage is disposed on the cover and configured to output a strain signal corresponding to strain generated in the cover. A processor is configured to detect a foreign substance adhered to the cover based on the strain signal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensor system adapted to be installed in a vehicle, comprising: a sensor unit configured to detect information of an outside area of the vehicle with light; a cover covering the sensor unit so as to allow passage of the light through a light passage area while forming a part of an outer surface of the vehicle; a displacement sensor disposed on the cover and configured to output a signal corresponding to displacement of the cover; and a processor configured to detect a foreign substance adhered to the cover based on a change in the signal, wherein the displacement sensor is disposed on the cover and configured to output a signal corresponding to displacement of the cover comprises a plurality of displacement sensors disposed on the cover at locations other than the light passage area of the cover. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the displacement sensor is a strain gage. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the displacement sensor is an acceleration sensor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The sensor system according to claim 3, further comprising: an actuator configured to vibrate the cover. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the displacement sensor is an optical fiber sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the displacement sensor is disposed in an peripheral portion of the cover. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sensor system according to claim 1, further comprising: a nozzle configured to spray liquid, wherein the processor is configured to cause the nozzle to spray the liquid toward the cover in a case where adhesion of the foreign substance is detected. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sensor system according to claim 1, further comprising: a nozzle configured to spray liquid, wherein the processor is configured to specify a position on the cover to which the foreign substance adheres, and to cause the nozzle to spray the liquid toward the position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The sensor system according to claim 1, further comprising: a lamp unit configured to emit illumination light to the outside area of the vehicle, wherein the cover is configured to allow passage of the illumination light. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the displacement sensor is configured to output a signal corresponding to a change in distribution of strain of the cover. ### Claim 11 A sensor system adapted to be installed in a vehicle, comprising: a sensor unit configured to detect information of an outside area of the vehicle with light; a cover covering the sensor unit so as to allow passage of the light while forming a part of an outer surface of the vehicle; a displacement sensor disposed on the cover and configured to output a signal corresponding to displacement of the cover; and a processor configured to detect a foreign substance adhered to the cover based on a change in the signal, wherein the displacement sensor is disposed in a portion where a thickness of the cover changes.