Assembly for cleaning sensor cover and method of using the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle sensors, particularly LIDAR sensors, face challenges in maintaining accuracy due to environmental contaminants like rain, snow, and debris on their covers, which existing cleaning methods fail to effectively remove.
Innovation Solution
An assembly comprising a wiper with a vibrating motor and heating element, connected to a rotating motor, which vibrates and rotates the sensor cover to dislodge contaminants, and sprays cleaning fluid through nozzles to efficiently clean the sensor cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wiper is used to clean the sensor cover, then cleaning capability is improved, but contaminants like rain, snow, and debris remain difficult to remove completely
Solution Approach 1:
A vibrating motor is integrated into the wiper assembly to generate vibrations that travel through the wiper blade and sensor cover, creating mechanical forces that dislodge adhered contaminants such as rain, snow, and debris, thereby improving complete contaminant removal
Solution Approach 2:
A heating element is incorporated into the wiper assembly to change the thermal parameter of the system, heating the wiper blade and/or sensor cover to melt ice and snow, enhancing the ability to remove frozen contaminants that standard wipers cannot effectively clear
2Measurement precision
If the sensor cover is cleaned more thoroughly, then sensor accuracy is improved, but the cleaning system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element and vibrating motor are integrated into the existing wiper assembly, merging multiple cleaning functions (mechanical wiping, vibration, heating) into a single integrated unit rather than separate systems, thereby managing complexity while enhancing cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: standard wiping, vibration-based contaminant dislodgment, and heating for ice/snow removal, allowing a single system to address various contaminant types and conditions without requiring separate dedicated systems
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 solution effectively removes rain, snow, and debris from sensor covers, enhancing sensor accuracy and reliability by using a combination of vibration, heating, and fluid spraying to address environmental contaminants.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrating motor configured to vibrate at least one of the wiper and the sensor cover
Implementation Method 2
the wiper head includes a heating element configured to heat the blade
Implementation Method 3
the wiper head includes at least one nozzle fluidly coupled to a source of cleaning fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for cleaning a sensor cover according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a sensor provided within the sensor cover, a wiper configured to wipe the sensor cover, and a vibrating motor configured to vibrate at least one of the wiper and the sensor cover. A method is also disclosed.