Waymo LLC

X Development LLC

Seth Gilbertson

Benjamin T Ingram

Ben Berkowitz

Eric Schmidt

Nicholas Wiles

Marc D Strauss

Felix Jose Alvarez Rivera

Jeff Anthony Weber

Robert Wilson

Roger Best

Jeffrey Bingham

Min Wang

Stephan Heinrich

Michael Hall-Snyder

Alexander Grinberg

Steffen Walter

Mincheol Shin

Oliver Simon Matthews

Aspects of the disclosure relate to cleaning rotating sensors having a sensor housing with a sensor input surface. For instance, a first signal from a position sensor indicating a current position of the sensor housing may be received. A second signal to activate a liquid nozzle and an air nozzle, the liquid nozzle being configured to provide a spray of liquid and the air nozzle being configured to provide a puff of gas may be received. When to activate the liquid nozzle in order to provide the spray of liquid on the sensor input surface may be determined based on the current position of the sensor housing and the second signal. When to activate the air nozzle in order to provide the puff of gas on the sensor input surface may be determined based on the current position of the sensor housing and the second signal.

Cleaning for rotating sensors

A system for clearing a sensor cover is described. The system includes a first sensor that rotates within a sensor cover, a plurality of second sensors that are fixed relative to the sensor cover, a first wiper that is configured to clear the sensor cover of debris, and a motor. The motor is capable of rotating the first wiper in a first direction at a first predetermined rotation rate defined at least in part by a second predetermined rotation rate of the first sensor.

Wiper timing and geometry to minimize sensor occlusion

This technology relates to a system for clearing a sensor cover. The system may be comprised of a first sensor that rotates within a sensor cover, a plurality of second sensors that are fixed relative to the sensor cover, a first wiper that is configured to clear the sensor cover of debris, and a motor. The motor may rotate the first wiper in a first direction at a first predetermined rotation rate defined at least in part by a second predetermined rotation rate of the first sensor.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to cleaning rotating sensors having a sensor housing with a sensor input surface. For instance, a first signal indicating that there is a contaminant on the sensor input surface may be received. In response to receiving the first signal, a second signal may be sent in order to cause one or more transducers to generate waves in order to attempt to remove the contaminant from the sensor input surface.

This technology relates to system for clearing a sensor cover. The system may include a sprayer, a support, and a positioning device. The sprayer may be mounted to the support and direct a flow of fluid to the sensor cover. The positioning device may be configured to adjust the position of the sprayer on the support. The system may include a nozzle and the nozzle may be positioned to direct the flow of fluid to an area of the sensor cover. The system may include additional sprayers.

Actuated sprayer system

The disclosure provides for a wiper system for cleaning a surface of a sensor housing, such as a sensor housing positioned on top of a vehicle. The wiper system includes a plurality of windows spaced around a sensor housing, and a plurality of wipers positioned around the sensor housing, each of the wipers includes a wiper blade configured to clean a corresponding window of the plurality of windows. The wiper system further includes a drive system including a moveable part coupled to a motor. The motor is configured to drive the drive system to simultaneously rotate the plurality of wipers around the sensor housing such that the plurality of wipers remove debris from the plurality of windows.

Rotary wiper system

Aspects of the disclosure relate to systems for cleaning a sensor. For example, the sensor may include a housing as well as internal sensor components housed within the housing. The housing may include a sensor input surface through which signals may pass. The system may also include a motor configured to rotate the internal sensor components relative to a mount as well as the mount to which the motor is fixed. The system may also include a wiper including a wiper blade. The wiper may be attached to the mount such that rotating the housing causes the wiper to contact the sensor input surface in order to clean the sensor.

Sensor with internal cleaning

A device is provided. The device includes a worm drive comprising a worm and a worm gear. The device also includes an actuator comprising a motor, a shaft, and the worm, wherein the shaft is configured to rotate about a shaft axis, and the actuator is configured to (i) drive the worm drive, and (ii) move linearly along the shaft axis. The device also includes a first spring and a second spring, wherein the second ends are fixed, and wherein the first and second springs are configured to resist movement of the actuator along the shaft axis in opposite directions as a result of forces transmitted through the worm drive. The device further includes a linear position encoder configured to determine a position of the actuator along the shaft axis.

Grounded SEA actuator

The disclosure provides for a wiper system for cleaning a surface of a sensor housing, such as a sensor housing positioned on top of a vehicle. The wiper system includes a plurality of windows spaced around a sensor housing, and a plurality of wipers positioned around the sensor housing, each of the wipers includes a wiper blade configured to clean a corresponding window of the plurality of windows. The wiper system further includes a drive system including a movable part coupled to a motor. The motor is configured to drive the drive system to simultaneously rotate the plurality of wipers around the sensor housing such that the plurality of wipers remove debris from the plurality of windows.

This technology relates to a system for clearing a sensor cover. The system may be comprised of a first wiper and second wiper configured to clear the sensor cover of debris and a motor. The motor may rotate the first wiper and the second wiper in a first direction at a first predetermined rotation rate defined at least in part by a second predetermined rotation rate of a first sensor arranged within the sensor cover. The first wiper and the second wiper may be offset by a predetermined angular distance relative to a center of the sensor cover.

An example system includes a transmission having a first plurality of gears and an extent of backlash. The system also includes a first motor connected to an input shaft of the transmission and a second motor connected to an output shaft of the transmission through a second plurality of gears. A first gear ratio of a first plurality of gears is greater than a second gear ratio of the second plurality of gears. The system may receive a command to change a direction of rotation of the output shaft from a first direction to a second direction. In response to the received command, the first motor may drive the transmission through a first portion of the extent of backlash deadband. The second motor may drive the transmission through a second portion of the extent of backlash deadband. The second portion may be greater than the first portion.

Growing community of inventors

Dublin, CA, United States of America

Seth Gilbertson