Vehicle Camera Nozzle Pneumatic Mist Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning devices for vehicle-mounted cameras require a large amount of cleaning liquid to effectively clean the lens surface, leading to inefficiency and potential wastage.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a nozzle that combines cleaning liquid and compressed air, using a secondary tank to store the liquid and pump the air to create a negative pressure that suctions the liquid, forming a mist for efficient cleaning with minimal liquid usage, and includes modes for different conditions such as pressurized cleaning, air blow, and continuous water supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large amount of cleaning liquid is sprayed over the lens surface, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the cleaning liquid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing compressed air into the cleaning liquid supply system. The compressed air creates negative pressure that draws cleaning liquid through the nozzle, forming a mist spray pattern. This pneumatic-hydraulic combination allows the cleaning liquid to be dispersed into fine droplets that cover the lens surface more effectively, improving cleaning performance while reducing overall liquid consumption compared to conventional spray methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and delivery parameters of the cleaning liquid by transforming it from a continuous stream or large droplets into a fine mist. By controlling the compressed air pressure and nozzle design, the cleaning liquid is atomized into numerous small droplets that spread more uniformly across the lens surface, enhancing cleaning effectiveness while using less liquid material
2Reliability
If cleaning liquid is continuously sprayed, then the lens surface remains clean, but the cleaning liquid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the compressed air delivery to operate intermittently rather than continuously. The system can alternate between pressurized cleaning mode, air blow mode, and continuous water supply mode based on actual cleaning needs. This periodic operation maintains lens surface cleanliness by applying cleaning mist only when necessary, significantly reducing cleaning liquid consumption compared to continuous spraying
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 device efficiently cleans the lens surface using a small amount of cleaning liquid, effectively removing dirt and water droplets, and can adapt to various conditions like rain and vehicle speed, ensuring clear camera images.
Implementation Method 1
using a secondary tank to store the liquid and pump the air to create a negative pressure that suctions the liquid, forming a mist for efficient cleaning with minimal liquid usage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3
AI summary
A nozzle (7) for cleaning a lens surface (1a) of a camera (1) is provided, the nozzle (7) includes a cleaning liquid path (11a), (11b) that guides a cleaning liquid to a discharge port (10a), (10b) and an air passage (12) that guides a compressed air to a discharge port (10a), (10b). Furthermore, a distal end portion of the cleaning liquid path and a distal end portion of the air passage are disposed so as to be proximate to each other, or are disposed so as to be merged with each other. Then, at the time of cleaning the lens surface (1a), the compressed air is made intermittently jet from the discharge port, and the cleaning liquid is suctioned with the negative pressure occurring due to the jetting of the compressed air to make the cleaning liquid intermittently jet from the discharge port, thereby cleaning the lens surface (1a).