US 12,269,437 B2
Sensor cleaning mechanism for an autonomous vehicle
Yuzhou Lucy Zhuang, Sunnyvale, CA (US); Peter Jon Kardassakis, Mountain View, CA (US); Joseph Penniman, Mountain View, CA (US); and Ryan Tyler Mackintosh, Los Gatos, CA (US)
Assigned to NURO, INC, Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed by Nuro, Inc., Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 12, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/096,152.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/946,240, filed on Dec. 10, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0170995 A1, Jun. 10, 2021
Int. Cl. B60S 1/52 (2006.01); B60S 1/50 (2006.01)
CPC B60S 1/52 (2013.01) [B60S 1/50 (2013.01)] 34 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a plurality of sensors having fields of view extending outward from a central axis and configured to observe a condition associated with a vehicle;
a housing configured to be mounted on the vehicle, the housing comprising:
a window surface configured to be disposed within a field of view of at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors,
at least one first opening that defines a first channel for providing fluid to the window surface and positioned above the at least one sensor,
at least one second opening that defines a second channel for expelling the fluid from the window surface and is positioned below the at least one sensor;
a top baffle and a bottom baffle, each having a plurality of openings for the plurality of sensors, wherein the plurality of sensors are positioned between the top baffle and the bottom baffle, and
a shaft that is coaxial with the central axis and between the top baffle and the bottom baffle, wherein the plurality of sensors are positioned around the shaft;
a fluid providing mechanism configured to provide the fluid to the window surface and is positioned above the at least one first opening; and
an actuating mechanism configured to:
rotate the housing about the at least one sensor at a first speed, which is greater than zero, thereby causing at least a portion of the fluid to be expelled from the window surface, and
change a speed of rotation of the housing to a second speed, which is greater than zero and different from the first speed, in response to a determination that the window surface is clear of the fluid.