SELF-CLEANING SENSOR HOUSINGS
Among other things, we describe a self-cleaning sensor housing. The self-cleaning sensor housing includes at least one sensor comprising a sensor aperture, a motor rotatable about a first axis of revolution, a substantially transparent screen rotatable about a second fixed axis of revolution, and a cleaning mechanism located proximate to the screen and configured to contact the substantially transparent screen. The screen is mechanically coupled to the motor and covers at least a portion of the sensor aperture. We also describe methods for performing self-cleaning operations.
1 . A system comprising:
a sensor housing, the sensor housing including:
a first sensor comprising a sensor aperture;
a motor rotatable about a first fixed axis of revolution, wherein the motor is configured to be actuated when the first sensor's accuracy is below a threshold accuracy value;
a substantially transparent screen rotatable about a second fixed axis of revolution, the substantially transparent screen being mechanically coupled to the motor and covering at least a portion of the sensor aperture when the motor is in a first operational condition; and
a cleaning mechanism located proximate to the screen when the motor is in at least a second operational condition, the cleaning mechanism configured to contact the substantially transparent screen.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the cleaning mechanism comprises a microfiber material.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning mechanism comprises an outlet configured to release pressurized air.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the cleaning mechanism comprises a cellulose sponge.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the motor is further configured to be actuated when the first sensor detects an occlusion.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the motor is mechanically coupled to the screen using a line and one or more pulleys.
7 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a second sensor configured to perform sensing operations when the motor is actuated.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first axis of revolution and the second axis of revolution are oriented in substantially similar directions.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the screen comprises an acrylic-based material.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the screen comprises polyethylene terephthalate or thermoplastic polyurethane.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured to output a torque having a value of at least 1 newton-meter.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured to rotate at a rotational speed of at least one rotations per minute.
13 . A method, comprising:
rotating, by a motor rotatable about a first axis of revolution, a substantially transparent screen covering at least a portion of an aperture of a first sensor when the motor is in a first position, wherein the screen is rotated about a second fixed axis of revolution; and
contacting, by a cleaning mechanism located proximate to the screen when the motor is in at least a second position, the screen to remove one or more substances from the screen.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising actuating the motor when an accuracy of the sensor accuracy is below a threshold accuracy value.
15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising performing, by a second sensor, sensing operations during the rotating of the screen.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein rotating the screen comprises rotating the motor at a rotational speed of at least one rotations-per-minute.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the cleaning mechanism comprises a microfiber material and contacting the screen comprises contacting the screen with the microfiber material.
18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the cleaning mechanism comprises an outlet configured to release pressurized air and contacting the screen comprises contacting the screen with the pressurized air.
19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein rotating the screen comprises using a line and one or more pulleys to rotate the screen.
20 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising actuating the motor when the first sensor detects an occlusion.