US 12,214,758 B2
Automated fluid dispensing systems for cleaning vision-based surfaces
Demetris A Agrotis, Canton, MI (US)
Assigned to Clear Lens Robotics, Inc., Yorktown, VA (US)
Filed by Clear Lens Robotics, Inc., Yorktown, VA (US)
Filed on Feb. 12, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/175,264.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/044,379, filed on Jun. 26, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0402961 A1, Dec. 30, 2021
Int. Cl. B60S 1/54 (2006.01); B60Q 9/00 (2006.01); B60S 1/52 (2006.01); G05B 13/02 (2006.01); G08B 21/12 (2006.01)
CPC B60S 1/54 (2013.01) [B60Q 9/00 (2013.01); G05B 13/0265 (2013.01); G08B 21/12 (2013.01); B60S 1/52 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated fluid dispensing system for a vision-based surface, the system comprising:
a controller in communication with a plurality of sensors configured to receive an environmental condition and a vision condition of the vision-based surface;
a replaceable pre-pressurized container providing a pressurized air supply;
a pressure manifold in communication with the replaceable pre-pressurized container, and a plurality of pressure supply lines;
a distribution manifold;
a distribution control in fluid communication with the distribution manifold; first, second, and third fluid-air sources having respective first, second, and third fluid-air types in a parallel arrangement between the pressure manifold and the distribution manifold, the first, second, and third fluid-air types including at least one of liquid and air, and the first, second, and third fluid-air sources being in communication with the pressurized air supply and respective ones of the plurality of pressure supply lines;
first, second, and third valves in fluid communication with the respective first, second and third fluid-air sources; and
a unitary nozzle in fluid communication, by way of the distribution control, with the first, second, and third fluid-air sources, the unitary nozzle being arranged according to the vision-based surface, wherein the controller is configured to:
communicate with a plurality of sensors regarding an environmental condition, a vision condition, and a target vision area of the vision-based surface;
automatically select a mixture type and an operation type according to the determined environmental condition, vision condition, and target vision area;
selectively activate the first, second and third valves to release the first, second, and third fluid-air types according to the selected mixture type;
mix, by the unitary nozzle in fluid communication with the distribution control, the first, second, and third fluid-air types of the respective first, second, and third fluid-air sources according to the selected mixture type; and
automatically clean, by way of the unitary nozzle, the vision-based surface by distributing the selected mixture type of the first, second and third fluid-air types via the unitary nozzle to the target vision area using the selected operation type.