On-Vehicle Camera Cleaning Nozzle with Colliding Injection Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning nozzle configurations for on-vehicle camera lenses are ineffective in removing dirt from the lower side of spherical lenses due to nozzle placement interfering with the camera's field of view and increased complexity, and the use of conditioned air results in low pressure that is overwhelmed by traveling wind, leading to incomplete cleaning and clogging issues.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning nozzle unit with multiple injection ports disposed at predetermined angles to collide cleaning solution and air mixtures at the apex of a spherical lens, generating a turbulent flow that enhances cleaning performance and prevents clogging, while a lid body elastically opens to prevent cleaning solution leakage during water droplet removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a nozzle is positioned to protrude and avoid casting a shadow on the spherical lens surface, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the nozzle enters the camera's angle of view and is excessively protruded from the vehicle body
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is segmented into multiple injection ports (first and second injection ports) positioned at different locations. The first injection port is positioned above the lens to avoid shadowing, while the second injection port is positioned at the side to clean the lower portion, dividing the cleaning task across multiple strategically placed nozzles rather than requiring one complex protruding nozzle
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lens receive cleaning from different injection ports based on their specific cleaning needs. The upper region is cleaned by the first injection port, while the lower region is cleaned by the second injection port, allowing each nozzle to be optimally positioned for its specific zone without compromising the overall camera system
2Object-affected harmful factors
If air is conditioned by an air-conditioning device for cleaning, then air quality is improved, but pressure of injected air becomes relatively low and is defeated by traveling wind
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the air-conditioning device with a blowing fan to create a dual-function air supply system. The air-conditioning device conditions the air (filtering and temperature control) while the blowing fan simultaneously provides the necessary pressure boost, combining quality control and pressure generation in a single integrated air supply pathway
Solution Approach 2:
The air supply system serves multiple functions: the air-conditioning device provides air quality control (filtration and temperature regulation), while the blowing fan adds pressure generation capability. This multi-functional air supply system replaces the need for separate high-pressure air sources, achieving both quality and pressure requirements through a unified system
3Manufacturing precision
If a separate nozzle for cleaning the lower side of the lens is added, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the number of components and structure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blowing fan serves multiple functions: it provides pressurization for the air supplied to the first injection port, supplies air to the second injection port, and enables the side-positioned second injection port to effectively clean the lower lens surface. This multi-functional component reduces overall system complexity while achieving comprehensive cleaning coverage
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 configuration effectively cleans the lower side of the lens by generating a strong second air current that scrapes away dirt, improving cleaning performance and preventing clogging, while maintaining a simple structure and avoiding nozzle interference with the camera's view.
Implementation Method 1
generating a turbulent flow that enhances cleaning performance
Implementation Method 2
a lid body that closes the outlet of the inner liquid passage and opens the outlet of the inner liquid passage by elastically deforming by hydraulic pressure of the cleaning solution
Implementation Method 3
generating a strong second air current that scrapes away dirt
Data Source
AI summary
In a cleaning nozzle unit including an inner liquid passage guiding a cleaning solution, an inner air passage feeding air to an outlet of the inner liquid passage, and an injection port that mixes the cleaning solution guided by the inner liquid passage and the air fed by the inner air passage and injects a mixture of the cleaning solution and the air to a surface of an object, a plurality of the injection ports are provided, are disposed at predetermined intervals and inject the mixtures in directions such that the mixtures hits each other in the surface at a substantially predetermined angle in a front view of the surface.