Apple has filed for a patent dubbed “Automated Cleaning Of An Optical Element” that hints at a device for automatically (as opposed to manually) cleaning the lenses on a Vision Pro.
An optical device wearable by a user may include one or more lenses through which the user can view content and/or the surrounding environment. In the patent filing Apple says that, in some instances, manually cleaning the lenses can cause damage to the lenses and/or other components of the optical device.
One aspect of the Apple patent is a device that includes a first cleaning element and a second cleaning element positioned opposite the first cleaning element. An optical device such as the spatial computer can be placed between the first cleaning element and the second cleaning element. A sensor is configured to output a force signal that represents a force applied by the first cleaning element, and a controller is operable to control operation of the first cleaning element based on the force signal.
Another aspect of the patent is a device for cleaning a lens assembly that includes a housing that defines a lens receiving portion configured to receive the lens assembly. A first cleaning element is positioned on a first side of the lens assembly, is configured to contact a first side of the lens assembly, and includes a bladder configured to hold a gas. A sensor is coupled to the bladder and is configured to output a signal that represents a pressure of the gas in the bladder. A second cleaning element is positioned on a second side of the lens assembly and is configured to contact the second side of the lens assembly. A controller is operable to control operation of the first cleaning element based on the pressure.
A final aspect of the patent filing is a cleaning device that includes a lens receiving portion that is configured to receive a lens assembly. The lens assembly includes a first lens, a second lens, and a waveguide that are assembled in a stacked configuration where the first lens is positioned opposite the second lens, and the waveguide is positioned between the first lens and the second lens.
A first cleaning element is configured to contact and conform to the first lens, and a second cleaning element is configured to contact and conform to the second lens. A controller is configured to control operation of the first cleaning element and the second cleaning element in a manner that limits deformation of the first lens and the second lens relative to the waveguide.
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