Systems and methods for providing a flow of air about a lens of a sensor of a vehicle
AssigneeArgo AI, LLC
InventorSean William Shawgo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
System and methods are disclosed herein for preventing debris accumulation and/or for removing debris about a lens of a sensor of a vehicle. The sensor may include one or more LIDAR units disposed about the vehicle. An airflow device may be disposed about the lens of the sensor. The airflow device may be configured to provide an airflow about the lens of the sensor. The airflow provided to the lens may be a constant flow of air about the lens at a low pressure and/or bursts of air about the lens at a higher pressure.
Claims20
A system, comprising:
- a sensor comprising a lens;
- and
- an airflow device disposed around the lens, wherein the airflow device comprises an outlet orifice directed at the lens that is configured to provide an airflow around the lens to prevent debris accumulation around the lens and/or remove debris from the lens.
A system, comprising:
- a mast;
- a first LiDAR unit attached to the mast, wherein the first LIDAR unit comprises a first lens;
- a second LIDAR unit attached to the mast, wherein the second LIDAR unit comprises a second lens;
- a first tube disposed around the first LIDAR unit, wherein the first tube comprises a first outlet orifice directed towards the first lens, wherein the first outlet orifice is configured to provide an airflow about the first lens to prevent debris accumulation about the first lens and/or remove debris from the first lens;
- and
- a second tube disposed around the second LIDAR unit, wherein the second tube comprises a second outlet orifice directed towards the second lens, wherein the second outlet orifice is configured to provide an airflow about the second lens to prevent debris accumulation about the second lens and/or remove debris from the second lens.
A method for preventing debris accumulation and/or for removing debris about a lens of a sensor of a vehicle by an airflow device about the lens, the method comprising:
- determining if debris is disposed about the lens;
- determining an airflow to provide about the lens to remove the debris about the lens;
- and
- causing the airflow device to provide (i) a constant flow of air about the lens and/or (ii) bursts of air about the lens.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.