Camera Lens Cleaning Control for Dusty Soil Milling Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Soil milling machines face issues with camera lenses becoming contaminated by dust and fumes during operation, leading to degraded image quality, which is not effectively addressed by existing systems that require manual intervention or interrupt machine operation for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A control unit initiates automatic or operator-controlled cleaning of the camera's transparent element using fluid or compressed air from the machine's tanks, based on operating conditions and image analysis, ensuring continuous operation and optimal image quality without unnecessary cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the camera is equipped with a transparent element to protect it from contamination, then the camera is protected from dust and fumes, but the transparent element itself becomes contaminated and degrades image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning actions by detecting contamination early through image analysis and initiating cleaning before the transparent element becomes heavily soiled. The control unit monitors image quality parameters and triggers cleaning proactively, preventing severe contamination that would require more intensive cleaning interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors image information from the camera and analyzes it to detect contamination on the transparent element. This feedback loop allows the control unit to assess the cleaning need based on actual image quality degradation and trigger cleaning operations accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to real-time conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual cleaning intervention is required, then the transparent element can be cleaned, but machine operation is interrupted and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service cleaning operations automatically without requiring operator intervention. The control unit initiates cleaning of the transparent element using the machine's own fluid or compressed air resources, allowing the cleaning function to serve itself and maintain image quality without interrupting overall machine operation or requiring manual attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs cleaning actions preliminarily and automatically based on detected contamination levels, preventing the need for interruptive manual cleaning. By monitoring image quality and triggering cleaning before severe contamination occurs, the system maintains continuous operation while preserving image quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If cleaning is performed frequently to maintain image quality, then image quality is maintained, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from image analysis to determine when cleaning is actually needed. By continuously monitoring image quality parameters and comparing them against thresholds, the control unit triggers cleaning operations only when contamination reaches levels that affect image quality, avoiding unnecessary cleaning and associated resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the cleaning trigger parameter from fixed time intervals to dynamic image quality parameters. Instead of cleaning at regular intervals regardless of actual contamination levels, the system monitors image information parameters and triggers cleaning only when specific degradation thresholds are exceeded, optimizing resource usage based on actual needs.
4Loss of substance
If cleaning is delayed until heavy contamination occurs, then resource consumption is minimized, but image quality degrades significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning actions by detecting contamination early through continuous image analysis. The control unit monitors image quality parameters and triggers cleaning before the transparent element becomes heavily soiled, preventing severe contamination that would require more intensive cleaning and potentially interrupt operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from image information to assess contamination levels and determine when cleaning should be initiated. This continuous monitoring and feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain image quality by triggering cleaning at optimal moments, balancing resource consumption with image quality requirements.
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 maintains high-quality image capture by proactively cleaning the camera lens, preventing contamination-induced image degradation while minimizing interruptions and resource waste.
Implementation Method 1
supplying the transparent element with fluid from the fluid tank and/or compressed air from the compressed air tank for cleaning
Implementation Method 2
supplying the transparent element with fluid from the fluid tank and/or compressed air from the compressed air tank for cleaning
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Soil milling machine (1) for processing soil (8), in particular a road milling machine, recycler or stabilizer, comprising a machine frame (3) supported by drive devices (6, 38) with a driver's platform (2) for an operator, a milling device, at least one camera (12) for recording image information of an external environment and/or an external view of at least one part of the soil milling machine (1), wherein the camera (12) has a recording area (13) with a transparent element (37) through which it records the image information, a control device (20) which receives the image information from the camera (12), a fluid tank (14) containing a cleaning fluid and/or a compressed air tank (15) which is connected to a piping system (19), wherein a cleaning outlet (22) is provided which is connected to the piping system (19) via a valve (18) controlled by the control device (20) and is configured toto apply fluid from the fluid tank (14) and/or compressed air from the compressed air tank (15) to the transparent element (37) for cleaning, wherein the control device (20) is configured to initiate cleaning of the transparent element (37) depending on a working situation or depending on the image information.