Abstract: A system including a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor is arranged to monitor a field of view, and includes a LiDAR sensor and a linear resonant actuator. The LiDAR sensor includes a first portion including a laser array and a detector array, and a second portion including a transmitting lens and a receiving lens. The linear resonant actuator is arranged to oscillate one of the first portion or the second portion of the LiDAR sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly includes a first trim component having an interior facing surface and an exterior facing surface, the first trim component including an extended portion, a second trim component including an edge defining a groove configured to engage with the extended portion of the first trim component, and a single chip sensor overmolded with the second trim component such that the single chip sensor is integrated into the second trim component. The single chip sensor is formed with the second trim component in a multi-shot injection molding process.

Abstract: A sensor lens cleaning system for a cylindrical sensor having a sensor lens surface includes an extended member having a first end coupled to the cylindrical sensor and a second end opposite the first end, a nozzle coupled to the second end of the extended member, an actuator coupled to the extended member and configured to control the extended member, and a controller in electronic communication with the actuator and configured to communicate an actuator control signal to the actuator. The nozzle generates an air stream directed at the sensor lens surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods in a vehicle involve transmitting light with an initial polarization from a lidar system, and controlling an external compensator, external to the lidar system, or an internal compensator within the lidar system to change the initial polarization of the light to a new polarization of the light. The method also includes receiving reflected light resulting from reflection of the light from one or more objects, and obtaining information about the one or more objects based on the reflected light.

Abstract: A tool for applying a protective film to a lens of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor is disclosed. The tool includes at least one cover, a film spindle, a film roller, and a pivot bar. The at least one cover has an elongated shape with a first end and a second end opposite of the first end. The film spindle is mounted to the at least one cover adjacent to the second end thereof. The film spindle is configured to hold a roll of the protective film. The film roller is mounted to the at least one cover adjacent to the first end thereof. The film roller is configured to apply the protective film onto the lens. The pivot bar has a first end configured to be pivotally attached to the LIDAR sensor and a second end pivotally attached to the at least one cover.

Abstract: An applique for covering a clear substrate through which light is at least one of transmitted and received includes: a transparent sheet having: a first surface; and a second surface that is opposite the first surface; and a ultraviolet (UV) curable pressure sensitive adhesive that is disposed on the first surface of the transparent sheet, that is curable using UV light, and that is configured to adhere the transparent sheet to a third surface of the clear substrate.

Abstract: A sensor diagnostic system includes a first sensor configured to receive a reflected signal that corresponds to a portion of a transmitted signal transmitted from a second sensor and reflected from a surface, a wavelength determination module configured to determine a first wavelength of the reflected signal that is indicative of a second wavelength of the transmitted signal, a wavelength shift detection module configured to determine a shift in at least one of the first wavelength and the second wavelength, and a sensor health analysis module configured to perform diagnostics on the second sensor based on the determined shift.

Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly includes a trim component having an interior facing surface and an exterior facing surface opposite the interior facing surface, a lens assembly overmolded into the trim component, the lens assembly including an optical surface positioned adjacent to the exterior facing surface of the trim component, and a sensor module including a sensor housing enclosing a sensor, the sensor module joined to the trim component and the lens assembly.

Abstract: A method of integrating a lidar system in a vehicle involves disposing one or more receive portions of the lidar system in one or more first locations of the vehicle and fabricating an integrated transmit portion of the lidar system to be disposed in a second location of the vehicle. The fabricating includes injection molding optical components to light emitting devices affixed to a printed circuit board to form a transmit portion and overmolding one or more additional elements to the transmit portion. The overmolding includes performing one or more additional injection molding processes.

Abstract: A sensor-integrated glass assembly includes a first glass component including an automotive glass material, a second glass component including an interlayer material, the second glass component exterior to the first glass component, a third glass component including a high transmission glass material, the third glass component exterior to the second glass component such that the second glass component is positioned between the first and third glass components, and a single chip sensor having a sensor lens, the single chip sensor coupled with the second glass component. The single chip sensor is positioned on the interlayer component such that a transmission from the single chip sensor passes through the third glass component and does not pass through the first glass component.

Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly includes a first trim component having an interior facing surface and an exterior facing surface, the first trim component including an extended portion, a second trim component including an edge defining a groove configured to engage with the extended portion of the first trim component, and a single chip sensor overmolded with the second trim component such that the single chip sensor is integrated into the second trim component. The single chip sensor is formed with the second trim component in a multi-shot injection molding process.

Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly includes a trim component having an interior facing surface and an exterior facing surface opposite the interior facing surface, a lens assembly overmolded into the trim component, the lens assembly including an optical surface positioned adjacent to the exterior facing surface of the trim component, and a sensor module including a sensor housing enclosing a sensor, the sensor module joined to the trim component and the lens assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods in a vehicle involve transmitting light with an initial polarization from a lidar system, and controlling an external compensator, external to the lidar system, or an internal compensator within the lidar system to change the initial polarization of the light to a new polarization of the light. The method also includes receiving reflected light resulting from reflection of the light from one or more objects, and obtaining information about the one or more objects based on the reflected light.

Abstract: A system including a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor is arranged to monitor a field of view, and includes a LiDAR sensor and a linear resonant actuator. The LiDAR sensor includes a first portion including a laser array and a detector array, and a second portion including a transmitting lens and a receiving lens. The linear resonant actuator is arranged to oscillate one of the first portion or the second portion of the LiDAR sensor.

Abstract: A sensor lens cleaning system for a cylindrical sensor having a sensor lens surface includes an extended member having a first end coupled to the cylindrical sensor and a second end opposite the first end, a nozzle coupled to the second end of the extended member, an actuator coupled to the extended member and configured to control the extended member, and a controller in electronic communication with the actuator and configured to communicate an actuator control signal to the actuator. The nozzle generates an air stream directed at the sensor lens surface.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by the controller, first return data detected by a first detector of a lidar device as a result of a first laser pulse or chirp; receiving, by the controller, second return data detected by a second detector of the lidar device as a result of a second laser pulse or chirp; combining, by the controller, the first return data and the second return data to form a point cloud; and controlling, by the controller, the vehicle based on the point cloud.

Abstract: An applique for covering a clear substrate through which light is at least one of transmitted and received includes: a transparent sheet having: a first surface; and a second surface that is opposite the first surface; and a ultraviolet (UV) curable pressure sensitive adhesive that is disposed on the first surface of the transparent sheet, that is curable using UV light, and that is configured to adhere the transparent sheet to a third surface of the clear substrate.

Abstract: A tool for applying a protective film to a lens of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor is disclosed. The tool includes at least one cover, a film spindle, a film roller, and a pivot bar. The at least one cover has an elongated shape with a first end and a second end opposite of the first end. The film spindle is mounted to the at least one cover adjacent to the second end thereof. The film spindle is configured to hold a roll of the protective film. The film roller is mounted to the at least one cover adjacent to the first end thereof. The film roller is configured to apply the protective film onto the lens. The pivot bar has a first end configured to be pivotally attached to the LIDAR sensor and a second end pivotally attached to the at least one cover.

Abstract: A method of assembly includes providing a sensor having an electronic sensing unit operable to emit or receive light rays and a clear substrate attached to the electronic sensing unit. The method also includes providing a tubular protective wrap having a central orifice. The protective wrap has a transparent film layer and an interstitial layer. The interstitial layer is disposed on an interior surface of the film layer proximate the orifice. The method additionally includes disposing the protective wrap about the electronic sensing unit. The method further includes shrinking the protective wrap via application of heat such that the interstitial layer contacts at least a portion of the sensor with the film layer superposed over at least a portion of the clear substrate.

Abstract: A sensor for emitting or receiving light rays includes a clear substrate having a first surface, and an applique attached to the first surface of the clear substrate. The applique includes a transparent fluoropolymer sheet of fluorinated ethylene propylene having a first surface facing the first surface of the clear substrate, and a pressure sensitive optically clear acrylic adhesive disposed on the first surface of the fluoropolymer sheet. The pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive adheres the transparent sheet to the first surface of the clear substrate, and exhibits a peel strength of between 1 and 3 lbs/in. The first surface of the fluoropolymer sheet is treated for adhesion prior to applying the pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive thereto.