Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Kerrie Nikaido Holguin

Mark Edward Nichols

Cindy Anne Peters

Sabrina Louise Peczonczyk

Christopher Michael Seubert

William Arthur Paxton

Niamh Hosking

Elyssa Kayser

Laser sensor lenses and methods for maintaining clean laser sensors lenses are disclosed. One method may include applying a coating having first and second components to an exterior surface of a lens of a laser sensor, the first component including a thermogenic light-absorbing (TLA) material; and irradiating the TLA material from a light source within the laser sensor to generate heat from the TLA material to cause the second component to form an active coating. The light source may be a laser of a LiDAR sensor. The heat from the TLA material may cause the second component to cure, solidify, or undergo a phase change. The active coating may be at least one of hydrophobic, oleophobic, and hydrophilic. In another embodiment, a removable cover having a TLA material may be positioned proximate the lens window and irradiated to heat the lens window (e.g., to melt ice thereon).

Maintaining clean laser lens windows using light absorbing materials

A vehicle computer includes a memory and a processor programmed to execute instructions stored in the memory. The instructions include comparing a captured image of a predetermined object to a target image of the predetermined object to quantify a first noise characteristic of the captured image, comparing the first noise characteristic to a first predetermined threshold, and detecting debris on an image sensor that outputs the captured image as a result of comparing the first noise characteristic to the first predetermined threshold.

Vehicle image sensor cleaning

A sensor apparatus includes a housing, a LIDAR sensor attached to the housing, a window attached to the housing, and a film covering the window and removable from the window. The window may be cylindrical. The film may be a first film, and the sensor apparatus may include a second film covering the first film and removable from the first film.

Sensor apparatus

A vehicle includes a first metallic body panel, second metallic body panel, and spacer. The first metallic body panel is secured to the second metallic body panel. The second metallic body panel is comprised of a dissimilar metal relative to the first metallic body panel. The spacer has a concave peripheral surface. The spacer is disposed between and secured to both the first and second metallic body panels such that the concave peripheral surface is exposed via a gap between the first and second metallic body panels.

Mechanical interface

A sensor apparatus includes a housing, a LIDAR sensor attached to the housing, and a window releasably coupled to the housing. The window may be cylindrical. The housing may be a first housing, and the sensor apparatus may include a second housing. The window may be releasably coupled to the second housing.

A vehicle system includes a processor programmed to receive sensor signals from a LIDAR sensor. The processor estimates frost accumulation on the LIDAR sensor from the sensor signals and compares the estimated frost accumulation to a predetermined threshold. The processor further prevents a host vehicle from operating in an autonomous mode if the estimated frost accumulation exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Kerrie Nikaido Holguin