Abstract: A system and method for detecting an anomaly of an optically transparent or translucent object are disclosed. The system and method include a light source configured to emit light, a light transmission element having a textured surface, and an optical couplant configured to be disposed between the light transmission element and the object. At least a portion of the light emitted by the light source is configured to pass into the light transmission element through the textured surface and pass into the object through the optical couplant. At least a portion of the light that passes into the object internally reflects within the object and impinges on the anomaly to provide an illumination that indicates the location of the anomaly.

Abstract: A vehicle having a Lidar system includes a cleaning apparatus that performs a method of cleaning the Lidar system. The cleaning apparatus includes a nozzle for spraying a gas onto a window of the Lidar, a pump for controlling a flow of the gas through the nozzle, and a processor. The processor is configured to control the pump to control the flow of the gas through the nozzle at a variable flow rate.

Abstract: A system includes a sensor including a window; at least three lamps positioned to illuminate the window and be able to generate different ranges of wavelengths than one another; a cleaning component positioned to clean the window; and a computer communicatively coupled to the sensor, the lamps, and the cleaning component. The computer is programmed to activate the lamps and actuate the cleaning component based on data generated by the sensor during the activations of the lamps.

Abstract: A system includes a dome, a wiper assembly, a position sensor and a control device. The wiper assembly includes a wiper blade configured to rotate around the dome. The position sensor may be configured to send a signal to a control device when a wiper blade passes the position sensor. The control device may include one or more processors configured to receive the signal from the position sensor and determine a location of the wiper blade relative to the dome based on the received signal.

Abstract: A foreign substance removing device includes: a cylinder including a support portion; a piston configured to send out a fluid flowing into the cylinder; a spring configured to urge the piston; and a mechanism configured to apply a moving force to the piston. A direction in which the fluid is sent out is a first direction. The piston is moved in the first direction by an urging force of the spring. An operation portion of the piston is formed with a convex or concave portion. The support portion is formed with an insertion concave portion into which the convex portion is capable of being inserted or an insertion convex portion capable of being inserted into the concave portion. A compression space is formed in the moving space when the piston is moved in the first direction and the convex portion or the insertion convex portion is inserted.

Abstract: A foreign material adhesion preventing device (30) that is mounted on a camera main body (20) having an image capturing surface (211a) exposed to external surroundings for preventing foreign material from adhering to the image capturing surface (211a) has a cover (32) having a cover member (322) configured to cover the image capturing surface (211a) and a nozzle (34) for spraying a fluid towards an outer surface (322b) of the cover member (322). This can provide the highly versatility foreign material adhesion preventing device (30) that can prevent foreign material from adhering directly to the image capturing surface (211a) of the camera main body (20).

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a LIDAR sensor, a camera having a field of view encompassing a volume directly forward of the LIDAR sensor, a nozzle aimed at least partially upward and positioned forward of the LIDAR sensor, and a computer programmed to increase output from the nozzle upon determining that an object is traveling rearward through the field of view based on data received from the camera.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning an optical device of a motor vehicle, wherein the cleaning device features at least two cleaning units and at least one holder upon which the cleaning units are arranged. Each cleaning unit has a drive part and a cleaning part, wherein the drive part features an electroactive polymer and can at least partly move the cleaning part. The holder on which the cleaning units are arranged can move between a working position, in which the cleaning units are positioned relative to the optical device in such a manner that the drive part can move the cleaning parts across a surface of the optical device that is to be cleaned, and a rest position, in which the cleaning units are positioned away from the optical device. The cleaning device is embodied in such a manner that each cleaning part of the cleaning units is moved over a subarea assigned to it of the surface to be cleaned, wherein the subareas can at least partly overlap.

Abstract: A robot cleaner is disclosed. The robot cleaner includes a main body defining an outer appearance thereof, a suction device mounted inside the main body and including a suction motor and a suction fan, a suction port for sucking foreign substances from a floor upon operation of the suction device, a dust collection device for collecting foreign substances from air sucked through the suction port, one or more wheels for enabling the main body to travel autonomously, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the suction device and the wheels. The suction motor includes a stator and a rotor disposed around the stator and formed to be rotated with a rotating shaft. The rotor includes a first magnet for rotating the rotor around the stator, and a second magnet for preventing the rotating shaft of the suction motor from moving axially within a range of end play.

Abstract: A vehicle light assembly is provided. The vehicle lighting assembly includes a housing, a light source, a lens disposed in front of the light source, a light sensor disposed outside the lens for sensing light intensity of light output from the lens, and a controller controlling the light source to adjust intensity of the light based on the sensed light intensity. The controller may also control a lens cleaner based on the sensed light intensity.

Abstract: A lens for a vehicle headlamp, the lens comprising an inner surface and an outer surface. A cleaning arrangement is arranged to provide a cleaning fluid to the outer surface of the lens. An inlet is connectable to a cleaning fluid hose for providing cleaning fluid to the cleaning arrangement. The cleaning arrangement comprises: a channel and an array of outlets in fluid communication with the channel. The channel is attached to the lens and is adapted to transport the cleaning fluid from the inlet to the array of outlets which are located on the outer side of the lens on the same side as the outer surface for providing the cleaning fluid to the outer surface of the lens. The invention also relates to a headlamp arrangement and a vehicle.

Abstract: A drive motor for at least one wiper arm intended to wipe a glazed surface of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The motor includes a cam surface linked in concentric rotation with a rotary shaft of the drive motor, and static cam reading means able to cooperate with said cam according to the angular positions occupied by said cam to generate electrical control signals varying as a function of the angular position of the wiper arm on the glazed surface. The cam has a first circular conductive track, a second semi-circular conductive track concentric to the first conductive track and connected to same via a conductive bridge, in which the static reading means are formed by three sliding contacts able to make and break electrical contact with respectively the first and second conductive tracks and the conductive bridge depending on the angular positions occupied by said cam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning one or more sensors on an autonomous vehicle according to a sensor cleaning system are provided. A method can include obtaining, by a computing system comprising one or more computing devices, data indicative of a sensor condition for the autonomous vehicle. The method can further include determining, by the computing system, a sensor cleaning sequence for one or more sensor cleaning units of the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the data indicative of the sensor condition. The one or more sensor cleaning units can be configured to respectively clean one or more sensors of the autonomous vehicle. The method can further include controlling, by the computing system, the one or more sensor cleaning units to sequentially clean the one or more sensors based at least in part on the sensor cleaning sequence.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a vehicle-mounted optic surface, including a housing, the housing including an opening adapted to fit an optic surface, a fluid inlet arranged to take in washer fluid, an at least one fluid discharge port arranged to discharge washer fluid onto the optic surface, a first passage in fluidic communication with the fluid inlet and the at least one fluid discharge port so as to guide the washer fluid from the fluid inlet towards the at least one fluid discharge port and a protruding part that substantially surrounds the opening so as to define an inner wall. A cleaning system and a vehicle-mounted sensor can include an optic surface and the cleaning device.

Abstract: A system and method for removing snow and/or ice from one or more zones on an exterior surface of a vehicle are provided. The system includes a plurality of detection/removal zones, each zone having an associated snow sensor and an associated removal element. Detection of snow within any zone by the associated snow sensor automatically activates the associated snow removal element. The method includes detecting and removing snow automatically within at least one zone of a multi-zone removal system of the same type.

Abstract: A vehicle includes headlights, a headlight switch, and a controller. The headlight switch may have automatic and override positions, and include a biasing member configured to return the switch to the automatic position from the override position. The controller may be configured to, in response to a signal indicative of movement from the automatic position to the override position, illuminate the headlights until the vehicle is in a key-off state, and prior to the signal, illuminate the headlights based on ambient light conditions. Also, the controller may set a threshold based on a level of ambient light sensed at a time of the input indicative of headlight switch movement from the automatic position to the override position and illuminate the headlights until first occurrence of the ambient light exceeding the threshold or the vehicle being in the key-off state.

Abstract: A pop-up external lens washing system has an extendable aiming fixture configured to aim a lens cleaning spray at an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. The extendable nozzle assembly is configured to be aimed toward the external lens by the extended aiming fixture during the washing operation only and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface.

Abstract: A system includes a dome, a wiper assembly, a position sensor and a control device. The wiper assembly includes a wiper blade configured to rotate around the dome. The position sensor may be configured to send a signal to a control device when a wiper blade passes the position sensor. The control device may include one or more processors configured to receive the signal from the position sensor and determine a location of the wiper blade relative to the dome based on the received signal.

Abstract: A wiper system for clearing a surface of a dome includes a plurality of wiper blades that are configured to move around a circumference of the dome. Rotation of the wiper blades in a first direction around the circumference of the dome deploys the wiper blades into an upright position and rotation of the wiper blades in a second direction opposite the first direction stows the wiper blades into a collapsed position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning deposits and accretions from an end plate of a sensor body, for accommodating a measuring apparatus for determining one or more physical and/or chemical, process variables. The sensor body is sealed against penetration by liquid and a wiper is provided having a wiper blade for cleaning the end plate. The wiper is arranged as a subcomponent on a peripheral, appended module, wherein geometries of the wiper and the peripheral, appended module are so embodied that the wiper in the case of rotary movement from a rest position into a cleaning position, with the lower edge of the wiper blade being flush with the upper edge of the end plate, in the cleaning position, and in order that the wiper cleans the end plate by contact of the wiper blade with the end plate, and the wiper then returns to the rest position.

Abstract: In a submersible camera housed within a spherical, transparent enclosure with instrumentation for driving the camera to different positions in photographing underwater activity, a cleaning arm is mounted on the external surface of the enclosure and is magnetically driven either by single or multiple drive magnets driven around an interior circular wall of the enclosure; and in the case of multiple drive magnets the cleaning arm has slave magnets in alignment with one or more drive magnets of opposite polarity to cause the cleaning arm to traverse the external surface of the enclosure at periodic intervals one or more cycles each time that the drive magnets are activated.

Abstract: A lens cleaning device having a housing. A cylindrical lens is disposed inside the housing and defines an inner cavity. An imager is disposed in the cavity. A gear assembly operably couples the cylindrical lens with a motor. The motor is operational to rotate the gear assembly and consequently the cylindrical lens.

Abstract: A headlight washer assembly includes a bracket secured to a rear surface of a component of a vehicle adjacent an opening therein through which a headlight washer device is configured to extend and retract. The bracket provides a recessed mounting surface for securing the headlight washer device to the component of the vehicle such that, unlike prior art approaches, the fasteners do not protrude from the front surface of the component of the vehicle. A cap concealing the opening in the component is received within the opening flush with the front surface of the component. In one embodiment, the component is a body panel of a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle cleaning system in which washer fluid is dispensed onto a vehicle windshield or headlight wiper blade via an integral channel and nozzles arrayed in a way so as to insure efficient dispensation of cleaning solution onto the vehicle windshield or headlight. The vehicle cleaning system comprises a fluid reservoir, an element to heat the fluid based on outside ambient temperature, a valve which regulates the fluid flow creating a hammering action during fluid application, and a surface wiper with an integral fluid dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle optical sensor device has a snow/ice removal orifice for jetting the cleansing fluid toward an upper space of a lens and an optical sensor cleansing orifice for jetting the cleaning fluid toward a lens surface of the lens of a camera. The jetted fluid from the snow/ice removal orifice and the optical sensor cleansing orifice removes snow/ice protruding from a sensor top cover of a case into a front upper space of the lens in an eaves shape and foreign matter on the lens surface of the lens of the camera.

Abstract: Provided is a light cleaning device for washing lights located on an external portion of a vehicle. The device has an elongate housing formed with an inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized liquid and a rinsing head fitted with at least one jet nozzle. The jet nozzle is mounted at a distal end of a telescopically retractable hollow tube of the device, which is normally retracted. There is a liquid flow path from the housing to the rinsing head which can emit a jet spray therefrom when the tube is projected from the housing. The nozzle may have a jet forming member fitted therein to turbulate the jet spray fluid.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a visible surface of a vehicle having a brake system comprising at least one tank of pressurized air, comprising at least one accumulator, a bleed valve assembly, at least one nozzle assembly, and a control valve assembly. Operation of the control valve assembly selectively allows and prevents pressurized air within the accumulator to flow to the at least one nozzle assembly. The bleed valve assembly controls the flow of air from the at least one tank of pressurized air to the at least one accumulator such that flow of pressurized air from the accumulator to the at least one nozzle assembly does not adversely affect operation of the brake system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle headlight cleaning apparatus. A main body of the cleaning apparatus is of a cylindrical structure and internally provided with a compression spring and a movable seal valve which is matched with the inner wall of a casing of the cleaning apparatus. Both ends of the spring are respectively fixed on the end part of the cleaning apparatus and a spring fixing seat of the movable seal valve. When cleaning solution flows in the cleaning apparatus through a cleaning solution inlet on a base, the pressure of the cleaning solution overcomes the spring force of the compression spring and drives a transmission guide rod, the movable seal valve and a nozzle to move together, and the transmission guide rod stops when moving to a limit position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid distributing apparatus for a windscreen or head lamp washer system of a vehicle, including a body (102, 202, 302) for fluid distribution, a holding apparatus (110, 210, 310) for attaching said fluid distributing apparatus to the vehicle and at least one connecting tubing (104, 206, 208, 308) for connecting a fluid line, said body (102, 202, 302) being retained for pivotal movement with respect to said holding apparatus (110, 210, 310), an adjusting apparatus being attached to said body (102, 202) or to said connecting tubing (308) for pivotal movement of said body (102, 202, 302) with respect to said holding apparatus (110, 210, 310) and for retaining said body (102, 202, 302) in the desired position with respect to said holding apparatus (110, 210, 310), said adjusting apparatus being configured to be a set screw (112, 212, 312), a tubular retaining fixture (132, 332) having an internal thread being attached to said body (102, 202) or to said connecting tubing (308), said set

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning the front cover lens of a vehicular lamp, including a bracket 8 that is attached to the cylinder of a spray nozzle 5 and positions the cylinder in the opening formed in a vehicle body, a fixing member 9 that covers the bracket, and an elastic member (a clip spring) 101 disposed between the bracket and the fixing member. Engagement pieces 83b and 84a of a pair of arm elements 83 and 84 of the bracket engage the front (outer) side of the opening, a plurality of contact portions 92a, 93a, 94a and 95a of the fixing member are in contact with the rear (inner) side of the opening, and the elastic member interposed between the bracket and the fixing member urges the fixing member toward the opening, thus securing the bracket to the opening.

Abstract: There are disposed a spray nozzle 12 which includes a supported section 13 and a spray section 14 for spraying cleaning water; a nozzle holder 9 into which the supported section 13 of the spray nozzle 12 is inserted and which supports the spray nozzle 12 so as to allow rotation only about an axis extending in the direction in which the spray nozzle 12 is inserted into the nozzle holder 9; and a water-supply unit 5 which has a fluid passage for supplying cleaning water to the spray nozzle 12 and to which the nozzle holder 9 is connected.

Abstract: A shield cleaning system, operating solely by spraying with washing fluid, for shields (2) of an automobile light has a plurality of washing nozzles (12-14) which are arranged on a washing arm (6) pivotable about a pivot axis (7) and which are located opposite and at a short distance from the shield (2) and together spray a part region of the shield (2) with washing fluid. The washing nozzles (12-14) are guided by the washing arm (6) over that region of the shield (2) which is to be cleaned.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for cleaning headlamps on motor vehicles by means of cleaning fluid to be discharged through at least one spray nozzle (7), wherein the spray nozzle (7) in the rest position is arranged concealed or recessed in the bumper (2) or the bodywork of the motor vehicle and can be positioned by means of an actuator in a cleaning position. The cleaning device (1) according to the invention is distinguished in that the spray nozzle is arranged on a mounting which is secured pivotably to the bodywork and which in the rest position is pivoted into the bodywork and which can be pivoted out into the cleaning position by the actuator.

Abstract: A moisture and build up removal system and method which deliver air at high velocity to the surface to be cleaned and/or maintained free of moisture and build up. The system and method having a particular implementation with surfaces of helmet visors and other equipment where having unobstructed view is an important feature of the equipment.

Abstract: A shield cleaning system, operating solely by spraying with washing fluid, for shields (2) of an automobile light has a plurality of washing nozzles (12-14) which are arranged on a washing arm (6) pivotable about a pivot axis (7) and which are located opposite and at a short distance from the shield (2) and together spray a part region of the shield (2) with washing fluid. The washing nozzles (12-14) are guided by the washing arm (6) over that region of the shield (2) which is to be cleaned.

Abstract: A headlamp cleaning system has a headlamp especially suited to HID or tungsten halogen applications including a source of light and a polycarbonate lens for distributing the light and a control system for automatically controlling a pump for distributing washer fluid against the lens each time that the vehicle ignition is turned on and whenever a sensor for sensing dirt build-up on the lens signals the presence of dirt build-up thereon and the control system continues the cleaning cycle until all dirt is removed from the lens.