Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a blower, a sensor, an air nozzle positioned to receive airflow from the blower and eject the airflow onto the sensor, an air pump positioned to eject airflow onto the sensor, and a heater mounted to the air pump and positioned to heat airflow passing through the air pump.

Abstract: An applique is mounted over one or both B-pillars of an autonomous vehicle and includes a display, speaker, touch input, and microphone. The applique may include a curved cover mounted over a printed circuit board (PCB) having LED arrays mounted thereto. A diffuser defines windows for the LED arrays and has a planar surface interfacing with the PCB and a curved surface interfacing with the curved cover. A controller of the vehicle detects proximity to a passenger to be picked up and displays the passenger's name at a first proximity, outputs a spoken message at a second, closer, proximity, and outputs a visible and audible prompt to enter an access code at a third proximity closer than the second proximity.

Abstract: A lighting system may include a lamp assembly including a lens assembly, wherein the lens assembly includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first and second sections each include a material having variable light transmissivity in response to an applied voltage, and wherein the light transmissivity of the first section is adjustable independent of the light transmissivity of the second section.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a pump, a valve supplied from the pump, a sensor fixed relative to the pump, a nozzle supplied from the valve and aimed at the sensor, and a computer communicatively coupled to the pump, the valve, and the sensor. The computer is programmed to instruct the pump to operate; while the pump is operating, instruct the valve to close; receive data from the sensor while the pump is operating and the valve is instructed to be closed; and set a flag upon determining, based on the data received from the sensor, that the nozzle is outputting fluid onto the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis and an air nozzle positioned at one end of the sensor window and shaped to direct airflow in a direction parallel to the axis across the sensor window. The air nozzle extends circumferentially relative to the axis around the sensor window. The nozzle is formed of an inner edge and an outer edge each extending circumferentially relative to the axis around the sensor window. The inner edge is circular with a radius at least as great as an outer radius of the sensor window. The outer edge includes a first portion with a semicircular shape with a radius smaller than the outer radius of the sensor window and a second portion that extends circumferentially relative to the axis around the sensor window from the first portion to the first portion at a constant radial distance from the inner edge.

Abstract: A solenoid valve in a manifold is commanded to move to a closed position. Upon activating a pump to supply fluid to the manifold via a supply line, a first pressure is determined in the supply line after commanding the solenoid valve to move to the closed position. Upon deactivating the pump to stop supplying fluid to the manifold, a second pressure is determined in the supply line. Based on a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, the solenoid valve is determined to be one of (a) at least partially open or (b) in the closed position.

Abstract: An assembly includes an inlet tube. The assembly includes a first outlet tube. The assembly includes a solenoid assembly having a plunger movable between an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet tube to the outlet tube and a closed position in which fluid is inhibited from flowing from the inlet tube to the outlet tube. The solenoid assembly has a spring urging the plunger to the closed position. The solenoid assembly has a strain gage fixed to the spring. A strain detected by the strain gage indicates whether the plunger is at the closed position.

Abstract: An assembly includes an inlet tube and an outlet tube. The assembly includes a solenoid assembly having a plunger movable between an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet tube to the outlet tube and a closed position in which fluid is inhibited from flowing from the inlet tube to the outlet tube. The solenoid assembly has a spring urging the plunger to the closed position. The assembly includes a first pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the open position. Pressure detected by the first pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the open position. The assembly includes a second pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the closed position. Pressure detected by the second pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the closed position.

Abstract: A sensor is disclosed. The sensor may comprise: a housing, comprising a transmitting coil; and an optic assembly, comprising a body supporting at least one receiving coil and a conductive film that is in electrical contact with the at least one receiving coil, wherein, when the transmitting coil is energized, the at least one receiving coil is wirelessly energized causing a temperature of the film to increase.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a cylindrical sensor window defining an axis oriented vertically and a ramp. The sensor window includes an exterior surface facing radially outward relative to the axis. The ramp is on the exterior surface of the sensor window. The ramp includes a leading surface and a trailing surface. The leading surface and the trailing surface are elongated parallel to the axis.

Abstract: Upon determining an autonomous mode for a vehicle is activated, a motor is actuated to move a wiper across a windshield in a low mode based on determining to clean the windshield. A blower is actuated to direct air across a sensor. Then, after expiration of a first timer, a pump is actuated according to a pressure threshold to direct fluid through a fluid nozzle and across the windshield towards the sensor. The pressure threshold specifies a fluid pressure less than a maximum fluid pressure for the pump. The pump is stopped after expiration of a second timer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exterior signage evaluation are disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving images of an exterior signage area of an exterior surface of a first vehicle, the images being obtained by the first vehicle, a second vehicle camera or an infrastructure camera, determining current environmental conditions around the first vehicle, processing the images of the exterior signage area using the current environmental conditions, wherein processing includes comparing an expected appearance of the exterior signage area with an actual appearance of the exterior signage area to determine a visual appearance quality of the exterior signage area, and presenting a message on a display that includes the visual appearance quality.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a windshield having a top edge. The vehicle includes a roof extending rearward from the top edge of the windshield. The vehicle includes a sensor assembly supported by the roof, the sensor assembly including at least one of a LIDAR sensor or a camera. The vehicle includes a deflector movable from a lowered position to a raised position and supported by the roof at the top edge of the windshield forward of and spaced from the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a base, a sensor body mounted to the base and rotatable around an axis relative to the base, a sensor window fixed relative to the sensor body, a sensing apparatus inside the sensor body and having a field of view through the sensor window, a vapor chamber fixed relative to the sensor body, and a heat pipe extending from the sensor body to the vapor chamber. The vapor chamber is spaced radially outward from the sensor body relative to the axis and has a curved shape extending circumferentially around the axis.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a housing including an outlet. The sensor assembly includes a sensor window, the sensor window fixed relative to the housing, and the outlet aimed across the sensor window. The sensor assembly includes a flap rotatably coupled to the housing at the outlet. The sensor assembly a deflector covering the flap, the flap disposed between the outlet and the deflector and rotatable toward and away from the deflector.

Abstract: An assembly includes a housing. The assembly includes a sensor supported by the housing. The assembly includes a shell enclosing the sensor and rotatable relative to the housing in a first direction, the shell defining a window. The assembly includes a deflector extending radially outward from the shell at a leading edge of the window.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a vehicle includes a base, a sensor body mounted to the base and rotatable relative to the base around an axis in a direction of rotation, and a cover. The sensor body includes a sensor window and a wall having heat fins elongated circumferentially relative to the axis. The cover is positioned to cover the heat fins. The cover includes an inlet open in the direction of rotation. The cover defines an airflow path from the inlet through the heat fins. The cover includes an outlet positioned to direct air across the sensor window.

Abstract: A vehicle wash system includes a manifold having pump compartments separated by dividers. The manifold is constructed of an electrically conductive material to shield electromagnetic fields. A pump is disposed within each compartment and configured to generate the electromagnetic fields when activated. A power connector is coupled to the manifold. The power connector is configured to power each pump and is a common ground for the manifold. An upper level sensor is proximate to the manifold. A lower level sensor is proximate to the manifold. The upper level sensor and the lower level sensor are configured to sense fluid level in a washer bottle.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a sensor including a sensor lens, an air nozzle fixed relative to the sensor lens and positioned to direct airflow out of the air nozzle across the sensor lens, and a fin positioned inside the air nozzle. The fin is rotatably coupled to the air nozzle and rotatable relative to the air nozzle around an axis of rotation. The fin is elongated radially from the axis of rotation. The fin is rotatable between a first position impeding airflow through the air nozzle and a second position permitting airflow through the air nozzle.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a sensor and a plurality of panels connected to each other in a loop around the sensor. A duct is positioned to direct air towards the sensor. A heating element is disposed in the duct. First and second valves are disposed in the duct and spaced from each other along the duct. The first and second valves are selectively actuatable between an open position permitting airflow through the duct and a closed position blocking airflow through the duct. A computer is communicatively coupled to the heating element and the first and second valves. The computer is programmed to, upon determining a first difference between one respective panel temperature and an ambient temperature is greater than a first threshold, actuate the second valve to the closed position and maintain the first valve in the open position. The computer is further programmed to actuate the heating element to a first heating level based on the first difference.