US 11,921,208 B2
Sensor apparatus with cleaning
Michael Robertson, Jr., Garden City, MI (US); Raghuraman Surineedi, Dearborn, MI (US); Venkatesh Krishnan, Canton, MI (US); Tyler D. Hamilton, Farmington, MI (US); Kunal Singh, Farmington Hills, MI (US); and Shibu Koyadan Chathoth, Clawson, MI (US)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Aug. 27, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/004,316.
Prior Publication US 2022/0066031 A1, Mar. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. G01S 7/481 (2006.01); B08B 5/02 (2006.01); B60R 11/04 (2006.01); B60S 1/52 (2006.01); B60S 1/56 (2006.01); G01S 17/10 (2020.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); G02B 27/00 (2006.01); B60R 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01S 17/10 (2013.01) [B08B 5/02 (2013.01); G01S 7/4813 (2013.01); G01S 7/4814 (2013.01); G01S 17/931 (2020.01); B60R 2011/004 (2013.01); B60R 2011/0064 (2013.01); B60R 11/04 (2013.01); B60S 1/52 (2013.01); B60S 1/56 (2013.01); G02B 27/0006 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sensor apparatus comprising:
a first sensing device;
a third sensing device;
a sensor housing, wherein the sensor housing includes a first sensor window, a third sensor window, and a top panel, the first sensing device has a field of view through the first sensor window, and the third sensing device has a field of view through the third sensor window;
a bracket mounted on top of the top panel;
a second sensor held by the bracket and including a second sensor window; and
a channel plate fixed to the bracket;
wherein the bracket includes a first nozzle aimed at the first sensor window, a third nozzle aimed at the third sensor window, and a second nozzle aimed at the second sensor window;
the bracket includes a channel fluidly connected to the first nozzle, the third nozzle, and the second nozzle;
the channel plate covers the channel;
the channel plate includes an inlet fluidly connected to the channel; and
the channel is sealed except for the inlet, the first nozzle, the second nozzle, and the third nozzle.