Laminate structures for maintaining clear apertures

    公开(公告)号:US11852753B1

    公开(公告)日:2023-12-26

    申请号:US16593531

    申请日:2019-10-04

    Applicant: Waymo LLC

    CPC classification number: G01S7/497 G01S7/4813 G01S2007/4977

    Abstract: A sensor (e.g., an optical sensor) is disposed in an enclosure that separates it from an external environment. The enclosure includes an aperture comprising a transparent material. A laminate comprising a plurality of transparent films is coupled to the aperture such that the sensor has a field of view of the external environment through the transparent material of the aperture and the plurality of transparent films. The laminate includes an exposed transparent film that is exposed to the external environment and that is removable to expose an underlying film in the laminate when dirt, debris, or other obscuring material has collected on it. A laminate module that includes the laminate, a laminate sensor, and a peeling mechanism may be removably mounted on the aperture. The laminate sensor can sense the number of transparent films remaining in the laminate. The peeling mechanism can peel away individual transparent films in the laminate.

Patent Agency Ranking