Electro-Mechanical Droplet Removal for Clear Windshields and Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current windshield cleaning methods, such as wipers, are inefficient and disruptive, and external devices like cameras suffer from rainwater accumulation, leading to performance degradation and increased power consumption due to continuous cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning device utilizing electrical and mechanical oscillations to merge and remove droplets, combining a hydrophobic layer with electrodes and a mechanical oscillation unit to efficiently remove rainwater, dust, and frost by generating new droplets that can be moved or atomized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wiper is used to remove foreign substance on the windshield, then foreign substance can be removed, but the wiper interrupts the driver's view continuously and can only clean a restricted arc-shaped area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiper system with an electrostatic field-based cleaning system. Electrodes generate electric fields that attract and remove foreign substances (rainwater, dust) from the windshield surface without mechanical contact, eliminating view interruption and expanding cleaning coverage to the entire windshield area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dielectric layer as an intermediary between the electrode and the windshield surface. This dielectric layer enables the electrostatic field to effectively interact with foreign substances while protecting the electrode and allowing for hydrophobic coating application, thereby improving cleaning efficiency without mechanical intervention.
2Reliability
If the wiper is worn out, then friction noise occurs and removal ability reduces, but exchanging the wiper regularly increases device complexity and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical wiper component entirely by using electrostatic fields for cleaning. This substitution removes the wear and friction issues associated with mechanical wipers, providing a maintenance-free solution that maintains consistent cleaning performance without requiring periodic replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrostatic cleaning system operates automatically without mechanical wear. The electrodes continuously generate electric fields that repel or attract foreign substances, providing self-sustaining cleaning action without the need for mechanical components that degrade over time.
3Reliability
If the cleaning device is continuously driven to remove droplets on camera surface, then droplets can be removed, but unnecessary power consumption occurs and lifetime reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or on-demand activation of the electrostatic cleaning function rather than continuous operation. The system activates electrodes only when droplets are detected or during specific conditions (rain, fog), significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining effective droplet removal capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a hydrophobic layer coating on the camera surface that changes the surface properties to repel water droplets. This passive parameter change reduces droplet adhesion, allowing for less frequent and lower-power activation of the electrostatic cleaning system, thereby extending device lifetime and reducing 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
Enhances droplet removal efficiency, reduces power consumption, and maintains clear views on windshields and external devices by using a combination of electrical and mechanical oscillations to manage droplet size and movement.
Implementation Method 1
electrical oscillation for oscillating a droplet in a horizontal direction is generated by applying a first electric signal to the first electrode, thereby merging the droplets formed on the hydrophobic layer
Implementation Method 2
the mechanical oscillation unit moves the merged droplets in a specific direction or atomizes the merged droplets to remove the merged droplets by generating mechanical oscillation for oscillating the droplet in a vertical direction
Implementation Method 3
a hydrophobic layer disposed on the first dielectric layer
Data Source
AI summary
Self-cleaning device and method using electrical oscillation and mechanical oscillation are disclosed. The self-cleaning device comprises at least one first electrode disposed on a solid material layer, a first dielectric layer disposed on the first electrode, a hydrophobic layer disposed on the first dielectric layer and at least one mechanical oscillation unit. Here, electrical oscillation for oscillating a droplet in a horizontal direction is generated by applying a first electric signal to the first electrode, thereby merging the droplets formed on the hydrophobic layer, and the mechanical oscillation unit moves the merged droplets in a specific direction or atomizes the merged droplets to remove the merged droplets by generating mechanical oscillation for oscillating the droplet in a vertical direction.