Miniature Fluidic Oscillator Nozzle for Compact Lens Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic nozzle assemblies are too large for compact applications, such as automotive exterior trim, and require high flow rates or mechanical wipers to effectively clean camera lenses and other surfaces, while shear nozzles provide poor control and performance at varying temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized low-flow fluidic oscillator nozzle assembly with an elongated insert member and nozzle housing, featuring fluid passages and power nozzles that produce an oscillating jet with a uniform spray fan, capable of operating at low flow rates and high viscosity, and designed for integration into compact spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fluidic nozzle assemblies are used to achieve effective cleaning with low flow rates, then cleaning performance is improved, but the nozzle assembly size becomes too large for compact applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the fluidic oscillator circuit inside a cup-shaped housing that integrates the nozzle assembly. The oscillator circuit is contained within the housing volume, allowing the entire assembly to maintain a compact footprint while preserving the low-flow cleaning performance of fluidic oscillators. This nesting approach resolves the contradiction by organizing components spatially to minimize overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional lateral outlet configurations to a downward-facing spray orientation. By directing the spray downward at an angle rather than laterally, the nozzle assembly achieves effective cleaning in a compact vertical arrangement, reducing the horizontal footprint while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through the oscillating spray pattern.
2Volume of moving object
If jet spray nozzles are used to reduce package size, then nozzle assembly size is reduced, but spray pattern coverage becomes too narrow and cleaning effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fluidic oscillator that dynamically switches the spray direction between multiple nozzles in an oscillating pattern. This dynamic operation creates an effective wide coverage spray pattern from a compact nozzle assembly, as the oscillating jet sequentially activates different spray outlets to cover a broader area over time, resolving the contradiction between compact size and spray coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidic oscillator produces periodic switching between spray nozzles, creating an oscillating spray pattern that covers a wider area than a static jet nozzle. This periodic action allows the compact assembly to achieve effective cleaning coverage by cycling through multiple spray directions, maintaining productivity while minimizing package size.
3Productivity
If traditional nozzles are used to achieve wide spray coverage, then spray pattern coverage is improved, but the nozzle assembly requires mechanical wipers for effective cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiper system with a fluidic oscillator that uses fluid dynamics to create an oscillating spray pattern. The oscillator employs pneumatic/hydraulic principles to switch spray directions without mechanical moving parts, eliminating the need for wipers while achieving effective cleaning coverage through the dynamic spray pattern alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidic oscillator circuit uses pneumatic/hydraulic principles to control the spray switching mechanism. Fluid pressure differentials and flow dynamics naturally switch the spray between nozzles without mechanical actuators, providing a simpler system that achieves wide coverage and effective cleaning without requiring mechanical wipers or complex control systems.
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 nozzle assembly achieves effective cleaning with a compact size, reliable operation at low flow rates, and ability to handle viscous liquids, providing a uniform spray pattern without the need for mechanical wipers, suitable for automotive applications like camera lens cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
fluidic oscillator nozzle assembly... first and second fluid flows are aimed by the first and second power nozzles into an interaction region... issuing an oscillating jet of fluid from the interaction region
Implementation Method 2
fluid passages receive pressurized fluid... pressurized fluid flows into the first and second power nozzles... accelerating first and second fluid flows
Data Source
AI summary
A miniature low-flow, fluid conserving washer nozzle has an elongated housing enclosing an interior volume aligned along an inlet axis which receives an elongated insert member with internal fluid passages defining first and second power nozzles, so that accelerating first and second fluid flows are aimed by the first and second power nozzles toward one another in an interaction region defined within the insert with an insert throat to aim spray laterally or transversely along a spray axis through an aligned sidewall aperture in the nozzle housing. The nozzle may generate a planar oscillating sweeping fan of spray, produced by fluidic oscillations at low flow rates, typically 150-300 ml/min at 25 psi. The fan of spray generated may be varied from 20° to 70° or about 15°-60°. The outer dimensions of spray head could be as small as 3.5 mm. The fluidic geometry is also capable of spraying high viscosity liquids up to 25 CP or up to 15 CP.