Curved Delivery Manifold for Optical Sensor Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detection systems on motor vehicles, particularly those with optical sensors, are hindered by fouling agents like dirt and water, which disrupt signal emission and reception, rendering them ineffective in various environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A detection system with a curved delivery manifold for cleaning and drying fluids that matches the curvature of the optical sensor's surface, ensuring efficient cleaning and drying across the sensor's field of detection, including both emitting and receiving portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional cleaning device with a straight delivery manifold is used, then the device structure is simple, but the cleaning fluid cannot effectively reach all areas of the curved optical sensor surface
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery manifold is designed with a curved configuration that matches the curvature of the optical sensor surface. This allows the cleaning fluid to be distributed evenly across the entire curved surface, ensuring complete cleaning coverage. The curved manifold follows the contours of the sensor, enabling effective cleaning of all areas including edges and corners that would be inaccessible to a straight manifold.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the detection system operates in fouling-prone environments, then the system can collect environmental information, but the optical sensor surface becomes contaminated disrupting signal emission and reception
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is integrated into the detection system to perform preliminary cleaning actions before fouling significantly degrades sensor performance. The system proactively removes contaminants from the optical surface, preventing disruption of signal emission and reception. This preliminary maintenance approach ensures the sensor remains operational and reliable in fouling-prone environments without waiting for performance degradation to occur.
3Ease of operation
If the optical sensor surface is exposed to the environment for detection purposes, then the sensor can detect environmental objects, but the surface becomes subject to fouling from dirty water, dust, and sprays
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system incorporates an integrated cleaning device that autonomously maintains the optical sensor surface. The cleaning system activates to remove fouling contaminants without requiring external intervention, allowing the sensor to continue operating in environmental conditions while self-maintaining its cleaning state. This self-service capability ensures continuous detection functionality despite exposure to dirty water, dust, and sprays.
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 the cleanliness of optical sensors, ensuring reliable signal emission and reception by effectively reaching and cleaning all areas of the sensor surface, even in conditions prone to fouling, thereby enhancing the vehicle's environmental awareness capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a delivery manifold for at least one cleaning and/or drying fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A detection system (1) intended to equip a motor vehicle comprises at least one optical sensor (2) delimited by at least one curved optical surface (20). It also comprises at least one cleaning device (3) for cleaning the optical surface (20) that comprises a delivery ramp (4) for delivering at least one cleaning and/or drying fluid. According to the invention, the delivery ramp (4) has a curved shape, the curvature (C′) of which is substantially equal to the curvature (C) of at least a portion (201, 202) of the optical surface (20).