Patent attributes
Described herein is a sensor assembly and a method of operating the sensor assembly. In various embodiments, the sensor assembly can comprise a base component, a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor, a transparent cylinder, a motor component, and a controller. The LiDAR sensor can be mounted on a support platform disposed centrally on the base component. The transparent cylinder can be disposed peripherally to the LiDAR sensor and can provide a field of view (FOV) for the LiDAR sensor. The transparent cylinder can be rotated independently of the base component. The motor component can be disposed on the base component, adjacent to the support platform. The motor component can be coupled to the transparent cylinder through a gearset and configured to rotate the transparent cylinder. The controller can be configured to obtain sensor data from on-board vehicle sensors. The controller can determine a level of obscurement on the transparent cylinder based on the sensor data. The controller can determine that the level of obscurement exceeds a threshold level of obscurement. The controller can transmit an actuation signal to the motor component to cause a rotation of the transparent cylinder at a rotational speed. The rotation of the transparent cylinder can disperse obscurements away from the transparent cylinder.
