Vehicle Camera Cleaning System Using Fluid-Driven Air Bursts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air and fluid cleaning systems for vehicle vision devices and sensors are either ineffective, complex, or costly, particularly for dome-shaped lenses where droplets of rain or cleaning fluid can deteriorate the visual image and require complex coatings or compressor-driven air flows.
Innovation Solution
An integrated air and fluid cleaning system using a fluid pump to propel cleaning fluid and air jets onto vehicle vision devices or sensors, eliminating the need for a separate compressor by utilizing a piston-cylinder arrangement driven by fluid pressure to generate air bursts for removing residual droplets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a compressor-driven air flow system is used to prevent debris buildup on lens surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring a constantly driven compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the compressor component from the cleaning system. Instead of using a compressor-driven air flow system, the invention uses a fluid pump to generate cleaning fluid jets that carry air bursts to remove droplets from the lens surface, thereby simplifying the system while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid pump serves multiple functions: it generates cleaning fluid jets for removing dirt and debris, and simultaneously creates air bursts to remove residual droplets from the lens surface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate compressor, reducing system complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrophilic coating is applied to lens cover to prevent droplet adhesion, then droplet removal is improved, but reliability decreases due to coating wear and susceptibility to deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning by propelling cleaning fluid onto the lens surface to remove dirt and debris before droplets can adhere. By pre-cleaning the surface, the need for hydrophilic coatings is reduced, and any droplets that do form are quickly removed by subsequent air bursts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical approach (hydrophilic coating) with a mechanical approach (air bursts propelled by fluid pressure). The air bursts physically remove droplets from the lens surface without relying on coating properties, thereby eliminating coating wear issues
3Area of stationary object
If cleaning fluid is continuously sprayed onto dome-shaped lenses, then cleaning coverage is improved, but droplet adhesion worsens as small droplets accumulate and deteriorate the visual image
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by alternating between cleaning fluid spray and air burst phases. The cleaning fluid removes dirt and debris, then air bursts remove residual droplets before they can accumulate and adhere to the lens surface. This periodic alternation prevents droplet buildup while maintaining cleaning coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of cleaning fluid droplets into a beneficial process. The air bursts use the fluid pressure to propel air that removes droplets from the lens surface, turning what could be a contamination problem into an effective droplet removal mechanism
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
Provides effective, reliable, and cost-effective cleaning of vehicle vision devices and sensors without the need for a compressor, ensuring clear images by efficiently removing dirt and droplets from lens surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
an air jet generating means, fluidly connected to the at least one air nozzle, the air jet generating means being hydraulically connected to said fluid supply conduit and said air jet generating means being operated by the fluid pressure provided by the fluid pump
Implementation Method 2
at least one cleaning fluid pump fluidly connected to a fluid supply conduit and to a cleaning fluid source
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an air and fluid cleaning system for propelling a cleaning fluid and air onto a vehicle vision device such as a vehicle camera system. The cleaning system comprises at least one fluid nozzle aimed at the camera; at least one cleaning fluid pump fluidly connected to both a fluid supply conduit and a cleaning fluid source; at least one air nozzle aimed at the vehicle camera; and at least one telescopic air jet fluidly connected to the air nozzle, hydraulically connected to the fluid supply conduit, and operated by the fluid pressure provided by the cleaning fluid pump; such that during a first operation time interval only cleaning fluid is propelled onto the vehicle camera and during a second operation time interval only an air jet burst is propelled onto the vehicle camera. The invention further includes a method for cleaning a vehicle camera exposed to ambient.