Vehicle Cleaner Valve Diagnosis for Failed Sensor Washers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cleaner systems lack the ability to effectively recognize and respond to failed cleaners, which can impact the functionality of cameras and sensors on vehicles, particularly in automatic driving modes.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle cleaner system incorporating electromagnetic valves with improved responsiveness and a control circuit that uses intelligent power devices to diagnose and manage the status of each cleaner, allowing for the recognition of failed components and adjusting operations accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vehicle cleaners are integrally mounted on the vehicle to clean multiple cameras and sensors, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the system complexity increases and the ability to recognize failed cleaners deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into independent cleaner units, each equipped with its own electromagnetic valve and control circuit. This segmentation allows each cleaner to be individually diagnosed and controlled, resolving the complexity issue while maintaining multi-camera cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit includes a diagnosis function that monitors the status of each cleaner and provides feedback to the control unit. When a cleaner fails, the system receives feedback and can identify the specific failed component, enabling reliable operation despite system complexity.
2Device complexity
If traditional vehicle cleaners are used without diagnostic capabilities, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to recognize and respond to failed cleaners deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner system performs self-diagnosis through the control circuit that monitors the status of electromagnetic valves and cleaners. The system automatically detects failures and reports them to the control unit without requiring external diagnostic equipment, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A diagnosis signal is generated by the control circuit when a cleaner or electromagnetic valve fails, providing feedback to the control unit. This enables the system to recognize and respond to failures reliably while keeping the added complexity minimal.
3Speed
If electromagnetic valves with fast response are used to improve cleaner responsiveness, then the cleaning speed is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic valve is controlled with periodic pulsed signals rather than continuous power supply. The control unit applies voltage in pulses to achieve fast valve opening and closing, then reduces or stops power supply during steady states, thereby improving response speed while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit adjusts the voltage application parameters to the electromagnetic valve, applying high voltage briefly for fast response, then reducing voltage or switching to maintenance mode. This dynamic parameter adjustment achieves fast cleaner responsiveness while controlling energy consumption.
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 ensures continued operation of critical vehicle sensors by identifying and isolating failed cleaners, reducing the risk of system failures and maintaining vehicle control even when individual cleaners malfunction.
Implementation Method 1
a valve that is operated by an electromagnetic force to be opened and closed, namely an electromagnetic valve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a vehicle cleaner system with which it can be ascertained which cleaner has broken down. A vehicle cleaner system (100) comprises: a plurality of cleaner units (101-109b); a motor pump (112, 113); an electromagnetic valve (21-30) which switches between allowing and denying the movement of a cleaning liquid; a cleaner control unit (116); and a plurality of protection determination units (218-220) that protect the electromagnetic valve (21-30) from being supplied with an overcurrent when the electromagnetic valve (21-30) has short-circuited and is opened, and that notify the cleaner control unit (116) that the electromagnetic valve (21-30) has short-circuited and is opened. The cleaner control unit (116) outputs, to a vehicle control unit (3), which electromagnetic valve (21-30) is unavailable for use, on the basis of a signal that is acquired from the protection determination units (218-220) and that indicates that the electromagnetic valve (21-30) has short-circuited and is opened.