Fluid Dispensing System for Autonomous Vehicle Sensor Lens Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spatial sensing devices on vehicles, such as cameras and lidars, are affected by external elements like water, snow, and dust, which can cloud their lenses and reduce their ability to detect objects dynamically, potentially disabling autonomous vehicle operations until the lenses are cleaned.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispensing system with a mixing valve and heat source is used to dispense heated liquid and air onto the vehicle's external surfaces, effectively cleaning the lenses and maintaining visibility for the sensing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spatial sensing devices are protected from external elements, then reliability is improved, but cleaning capability deteriorates when lenses become clouded
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the sensing device to clean its own lens automatically without external intervention. The fluid dispensing system is integrated with the sensing device, allowing it to self-diagnose when the lens is clouded and self-clean by dispensing fluid onto the lens surface, thereby maintaining both protection and cleaning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the spatial sensing device itself to monitor the clarity of its own lens and provides feedback to the control system. When the sensor detects that the lens is clouded, it triggers the fluid dispensing system to clean the lens, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that maintains optimal sensing performance
2Ease of operation
If fluid is dispensed onto the lens to clean it, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid dispensing system is designed to serve multiple functions: it can dispense different types of fluids (water, cleaning solution), control heating of the fluid, and target different surfaces. The same system infrastructure is used regardless of which specific cleaning function is needed, reducing overall complexity compared to having separate systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the fluid dispensing system, heating system, and control system into an integrated assembly that works together as a unified cleaning system. By merging these functions into a single coordinated system rather than separate independent systems, the overall complexity is reduced while maintaining comprehensive cleaning capability
3Productivity
If heated fluid is used for cleaning, then cleaning performance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is activated periodically or on-demand based on the cleaning requirement rather than continuously. The system monitors lens clarity and only activates heating when cleaning is needed, converting continuous energy consumption into periodic or event-driven energy usage while maintaining effective cleaning performance
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 continuous operation of autonomous vehicles by maintaining the clarity of spatial sensing devices' lenses, preventing delays in object detection and ensuring reliable autonomous functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a heat source being in thermal communication with the liquid
Implementation Method 2
a mixing valve that is in communication with a pressurized fluidic supply system
Implementation Method 3
The mixing valve includes first and second valve conduits that are fluidly connected to the outlet orifice via a mixing portion
Data Source
AI summary
A device for dispensing liquid onto a target area of a vehicle surface is described, and includes a mixing valve that is in communication with a pressurized fluidic supply system via a fluidic distribution system, and a controller. The mixing valve includes an outlet orifice that is disposed proximal to the target area, and the mixing valve includes first and second valve conduits that are fluidly connected to the outlet orifice via a mixing portion. The first valve conduit includes a first control valve, and the second valve conduit includes a second control valve. The fluidic distribution system includes a first fluidic conduit and a second fluidic conduit. The controller is operatively connected to the fluidic supply system, and the first and second control valves.