Curved Optical Window Cleaning via Torsion-Driven Brush
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater optical wireless communication devices face challenges with biofouling due to sea organisms adhering to their optical windows, which affects signal transmission, and existing anti-biofouling methods like coatings and UV radiation are either ineffective or energy-intensive, especially for devices like AUVs and seabed nodes with curved optical windows.
Innovation Solution
An optical window cleaning device featuring a cleaning brush and wiper arm with a torsion mechanism and drive system, allowing the brush to adapt to curved surfaces and maintain close contact for effective cleaning, combined with a base and guide rail for movement along the optical window, utilizing a disinfectant nozzle and UV lamp for long-term effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anti-biofouling coatings are applied to optical windows, then biofouling is reduced, but optical transparency is reduced and signal transmission is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning function from the optical window surface by introducing a separate mechanical cleaning device (rotating brush) that physically removes biofouling without requiring coatings on the optical surface, thereby maintaining optical transparency while achieving anti-biofouling effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces chemical/physical coating methods with a mechanical cleaning system consisting of a rotating brush driven by a motor, which mechanically scrapes off biofouling from the optical window without affecting optical properties
2Reliability
If UV radiation is used to prevent biofouling, then biofouling is reduced, but system power consumption increases dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive UV radiation method with a low-power mechanical cleaning system that uses a motor-driven rotating brush to remove biofouling, dramatically reducing power consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device is designed to be self-contained with an integrated motor and brush system that autonomously cleans the optical window without requiring external power-intensive UV sources, enabling self-service cleaning operation
3Reliability
If a mechanical cleaning device is used to scrape off organisms, then energy consumption is reduced and cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a motor unit, a rotating brush unit with cleaning elements, and a mounting structure, allowing independent optimization of each component while managing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device incorporates a rotating brush mechanism that dynamically adapts to the optical window surface through rotational motion, enabling effective cleaning of curved surfaces while maintaining a relatively simple structural design
4Reliability
If the optical window has a curved shape to match transmitter/receiver active area, then communication performance is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating brush mechanism provides dynamic cleaning capability that adapts to curved optical window surfaces through rotational motion and flexible brush elements, enabling effective cleaning of complex geometries while maintaining a simple drive system
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning brush incorporates flexible cleaning elements that can conform to curved optical window surfaces, allowing effective contact and cleaning of transmitter/receiver apertures with complex shapes
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 effectively removes biofouling from optical windows of varying curvatures, ensuring continuous data transmission by maintaining the optical window's clarity and reducing energy consumption, suitable for underwater devices like AUVs and seabed nodes.
Implementation Method 1
UV radiation can be also used to prevent biofouling on the surface
Implementation Method 2
the torsion mechanism includes an energy storage element between the first link and the second link, and the energy storage element is configured to provide the first link and the second link with an elastic restoring force
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an optical window cleaning device, including: a cleaning brush; and a wiper arm. The wiper arm includes a first link, a torsion mechanism, a second link and a wiper arm drive system. A second end of the first link is hinged to a first end of the second link. The cleaning brush is hinged to a first end of the first link, a rotation trajectory of the cleaning brush and a rotation trajectory of a hinge joint between the second end of the first link and the first end of the second link are both located in a first plane. A rotation trajectory of the second link and the rotation trajectory of the hinge joint are located in the first plane. The torsion mechanism provides the first link and the second link with a force that rotates the first link relative to the second link.