Adaptive Sensor Wiper Cleaning Intensity for Wear and Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor cleaning devices face a trade-off between cleaning efficiency and wiper blade abrasion, with increased cleaning intensity leading to increased friction and noise, and reduced intensity compromising cleaning effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A sensor cleaning device with adjustable cleaning intensity based on required cleaning needs, using multiple wiper elements with varying contact pressures and positions, and optional use of cleaning liquids and air discharge to optimize cleaning efficiency while minimizing abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the strength of pushing the wiper element against the surface to be cleaned is increased, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but friction of the wiper blade at the surface increases, causing increased abrasion of the wiper blade, increased wiping noise, and a need for a stronger wiper motor
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade's contact pressure against the sensor surface is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The actuator system varies the pressing force based on detected dirt levels, allowing high pressure for tough contaminants and low pressure for light dirt, thus optimizing the trade-off between cleaning efficiency and blade abrasion.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of contact pressure is changed dynamically during operation. By adjusting the pressing force of the wiper blade against the sensor surface based on detected soiling conditions, the system adapts cleaning intensity to match actual needs, reducing unnecessary abrasion while maintaining effective cleaning when required.
2Productivity
If the strength of pushing the wiper element against the surface to be cleaned is increased, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but wiping noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact pressure is dynamically adjusted based on actual cleaning needs detected by the soiling detection system. High pressure is applied only when necessary for effective cleaning, while low pressure is used during normal operation, thereby minimizing noise generation while maintaining cleaning effectiveness when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing force parameter is varied according to detected dirt levels on the sensor surface. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures that high contact pressure—and associated noise—is only applied when actual cleaning is needed, rather than continuously.
3Productivity
If the strength of pushing the wiper element against the surface to be cleaned is increased, then a stronger wiper motor is required, but this increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The motor's output torque and the wiper blade's contact pressure are dynamically adjusted based on detected soiling conditions. The system uses high power only when necessary for effective cleaning, while operating at low power during normal conditions, optimizing the balance between cleaning efficiency and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor power and contact pressure parameters are changed dynamically according to actual cleaning needs. This prevents continuous high-power operation and associated energy waste, while ensuring sufficient power is available when cleaning effectiveness is required.
4Reliability
If continuous cleaning with high intensity is applied, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but wiper blade lifetime is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade operates at low contact pressure during normal conditions to extend its service life, while the system dynamically switches to high contact pressure only when soiling is detected and cleaning is required. This dynamic operation maintains cleaning effectiveness while significantly reducing cumulative blade wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact pressure parameter is adjusted based on detected dirt levels, allowing the system to use minimal pressure during extended periods and only increase pressure when cleaning is actually needed. This intermittent high-pressure application maintains cleaning reliability while preserving blade lifetime.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a sensor cleaning device (4) according to claim 1. The sensor cleaning device (4) for cleaning an exterior sensor surface (3) of a sensor (2), in particular an optical camera or a LiDAR, for use in automotive applications, comprising - at least one wiper element (5), and - a wiper rig (6), which supports the at least one wiper element (5), and which is movable to move the at least one wiper element (5) across the exterior sensor surface (3). The sensor cleaning device (4) is characterized in that, - the sensor cleaning device (4) is adjustable to adjust its cleaning intensity for cleaning the exterior sensor surface (3) based on a required cleaning intensity for cleaning the exterior sensor surface (3). The present invention also discloses a sensor unit (1) according to claim 18. The sensor unit (1) comprises a sensor (2) with an exterior sensor surface (3), in particular an optical camera or a LiDAR, for use in automotive applications and a sensor cleaning device (4) of any of claims 1 to 17.