Deformable Cleaning Element for Vehicle Sensor Housing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning systems for optical and optoelectronic sensors with a wide range of vision (>180°, particularly 360°) are limited by their dependence on wiping speed and are often permanently attached, reducing sensor availability due to dirt accumulation on the protector.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a deformable structure that uses a fluid to mechanically connect and move a retaining device along a perpendicular axis, allowing direct contact with the housing surface for effective cleaning, including acentrically arranged openings for fluid application and drying, and integration with a drive device for movement during vehicle operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning device is permanently disposed on the sensor protector, then the sensor can be cleaned continuously, but the sensor availability decreases due to dirt accumulation on the protector
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is designed to be movable rather than permanently fixed. The retainer can be positioned at different locations along the housing surface, allowing the cleaning element to reach areas that would otherwise accumulate dirt on the protector. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by enabling cleaning without requiring the device to be permanently attached to the protector surface.
2Reliability
If the cleaning device depends on wiping speed, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but the sensor availability is reduced for sensors with large range of vision
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element is deformable by fluid pressure, allowing it to adapt its shape and maintain contact with the housing surface regardless of wiping speed. The fluid-conductible deformation enables the cleaning element to conform to the surface geometry and apply consistent cleaning pressure, eliminating the dependency on high wiping speeds that would otherwise be required for effective cleaning of large-range sensors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a deformable structure with fluid conductibility is used, then the cleaning element can adapt to the housing surface, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element is implemented as a deformable membrane or flexible structure that can be shaped by fluid pressure. This flexible design allows the cleaning surface to adapt to the housing geometry without requiring complex mechanical actuation systems. The fluid-conductible deformation is achieved through simple pressure application to the flexible membrane, providing adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
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
This solution increases sensor availability by preventing dirt accumulation on the protector and enabling regular cleaning of a large housing surface area without retracting the sensor, even during vehicle operation, ensuring optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
the first means being deformable along a first axis by a fluid which can be conducted between the first means and the second means
Implementation Method 2
first means comprises at least one opening designed for emitting the fluid
Implementation Method 3
the bulge of the first means functions as a drying unit of the partial region of the housing surface
Data Source
AI summary
A device for cleaning at least a partial region of a housing surface. The device includes a first structure having an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface being situated opposite to the inner surface, the inner surface being able to be disposed on the partial region of the housing surface, and a second structure having an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface of the second structure being situated opposite to the inner surface of the second structure, wherein the inner surface of the second structure is disposed on the outer surface of the first structure, the first structure being deformable along a first axis by a fluid which is able to be conducted between the first structure and the second structure and the second structure being movable along a second axis, the second axis being disposed perpendicular to the first axis.