Adaptive Vehicle Cleaning System for Optical Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning systems for vehicles are inadequate for autonomous driving, as they cannot independently assess and adapt to the cleaning needs of multiple optical and optoelectronic components, leading to inefficient cleaning agent consumption and potential system failure due to freezing or dirt accumulation, especially in harsh weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent, actively controlled, adaptive cleaning system that uses various vehicle information sources to predictively adjust cleaning operations, incorporating individualized pressure boosting pumps, dosing devices, and sensors to optimize cleaning agent use and ensure functionality of optical detection devices across varying weather conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning requirements of all components are adjusted to the needs of the most soil-prone component, then all components are ensured to be cleaned adequately, but cleaning agent consumption becomes disproportionately high
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into multiple independent cleaning circuits, each with its own pump and control unit. Each cleaning circuit is assigned to specific transparent elements (windshield, cameras, sensors, headlights), allowing independent control and optimization of cleaning agent consumption for each component based on its specific needs rather than applying a uniform high-consumption approach to all components.
Solution Approach 2:
Each transparent element is equipped with local sensors (optical, capacitive, or image-based) that detect soiling conditions specific to that component. The control unit processes this local information and activates cleaning only when and where needed, ensuring adequate cleaning reliability while avoiding unnecessary cleaning agent consumption on components that don't require it.
2Reliability
If the cleaning system is made adaptive to changing operating conditions, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each transparent element has integrated sensors that autonomously detect soiling conditions and transmit this information to the control unit. The system self-regulates by activating cleaning circuits based on actual sensor data from each component, adapting to changing operating conditions without requiring complex centralized monitoring or manual intervention, thus improving effectiveness while keeping the control architecture manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed with universal functionality to process information from multiple types of sensors (optical, capacitive, image-based) and control multiple cleaning circuits simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows the system to adapt to various operating conditions and component types without requiring separate specialized control systems for each, balancing adaptability with manageable complexity.
3Loss of substance
If individual cleaning control is implemented for each component, then cleaning agent consumption is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments cleaning control into independent circuits, each with its own pump and control logic. This segmentation allows cleaning agent optimization for each component based on local sensor feedback while distributing the control complexity across multiple simple, identical modules rather than requiring one complex centralized controller, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining optimization benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cleaning circuit is equipped with sensors and control capabilities that may seem excessive for individual components, but this partial redundancy across multiple circuits actually simplifies the overall system architecture. Each module operates independently with complete functionality, allowing the system to optimize cleaning agent usage per component while keeping each module's design simple and standardized.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures reliable operation of optical detection devices by optimizing cleaning agent consumption, extending the service life of the cleaning agent, and prioritizing cleaning based on component-specific needs, thereby maintaining functionality in cold weather and reducing unnecessary cleaning agent usage.
Implementation Method 1
separate pressure boosting pumps can counteract the increased viscosity of the cleaning fluid caused by cold temperatures
Implementation Method 2
Certain optical or optoelectronic detection devices capable of this can independently determine their degree of soiling, for example by analyzing light scattering and/or refraction at transparent components
Implementation Method 3
Certain optical or optoelectronic detection devices capable of this can independently determine their degree of soiling, for example by analyzing light scattering and/or refraction at transparent components
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronically regulated cleaning system (1) which can be adjusted independently of the driver and adaptively to the continuously variable operating conditions, for installation in a vehicle for cleaning at least one transparent element (2) with a fluid cleaning agent, comprising, inter alia: - at least one additive container (7) for storing an additive which is provided for mixing with the cleaning agent, - at least one electrically switchable metering device (8) for the controlled mixing of the additive with the cleaning agent, - at least one electronic control unit (9) which adaptively controls the electrically controllable components of the cleaning system (1), - at least one cleaning agent filling level sensor (10) which monitors the filling level of the cleaning agent in the cleaning agent container (3) and communicates it to the electronic control unit (9), - at least one freezing point sensor (11) which monitors the mixture-dependent freezing point of the cleaning agent in the cleaning agent container (3) and communicate it to the electronic control unit (9),- at least one surroundings temperature sensor (12) which monitors the temperature of the surroundings outside the vehicle and communicates it to the electronic control unit (9).