Ultrasonic vibrations on a window in a lidar system
US11002853B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2017 |
| Grant date | May 11, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S2007/4977
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
To clear the line-of-sight (LOS) on a window in a lidar system within a vehicle, ultrasonic transducers are physically attached to the interior surface of the window to remove debris. When debris is detected at the window, the ultrasonic transducers are directed to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency thereby generating an ultrasonic wave which causes the debris to bounce off the window. In some scenarios, the ultrasonic transducers vibrate with a particular phase shift to generate a travelling wave that causes the debris to sweep across the window. Additionally, windshield wipers, spray from a nozzle, and/or a hydrophobic or oleophobic coating may be used in combination with the ultrasonic transducers to remove the debris from the window.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.