Hydraulic Cleaning System for Optical Devices Using Segmented Pumps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic cleaning systems for optical and optoelectronic devices in vehicles face challenges with high fluid consumption and pressure losses due to varying viscosities and temperatures, requiring large and heavy reservoirs and powerful pumps, which are inefficient and difficult to manage.
Innovation Solution
A low-loss cleaning system utilizing positive-displacement pumps with individually controlled high-pressure pulses at each cleaning unit, eliminating the need for large central pumps and heavy hose lines by generating pressure only where needed, and using displacement pumps to ensure precise fluid delivery regardless of viscosity and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a central pump supplies cleaning fluid to multiple cleaning units via hydraulic lines, then the system can serve multiple devices, but fluid consumption increases and reservoirs become large and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized fluid supply system into multiple independent segments, with each cleaning unit having its own integrated reservoir and pump. This segmentation allows each unit to operate independently with minimal fluid requirements, eliminating the need for a large centralized reservoir and reducing overall fluid consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cleaning unit is equipped with its own reservoir and pump, providing localized fluid generation capability. This local quality ensures that each unit has exactly the fluid it needs when it needs it, without relying on long hydraulic lines from a central source, thereby reducing fluid consumption and reservoir size.
2Quantity of substance
If electromagnetic shut-off valves are used to control delivery quantity for individual cleaning units, then fluid consumption can be limited, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Each cleaning unit is equipped with an integrated pump that automatically generates and supplies cleaning fluid to its own nozzle without requiring external control valves or centralized management. This self-service capability eliminates the need for electromagnetic shut-off valves and reduces system complexity while maintaining controlled fluid consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fluid control function from the centralized system and embeds it directly into each cleaning unit through integrated pumps. This extraction eliminates the need for separate electromagnetic shut-off valves in the hydraulic lines, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If high pressure pulses are used for optimal cleaning, then cleaning performance improves, but line losses increase requiring larger pumps and pressure-resistant lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high-pressure generation function into individual cleaning units, with each unit having its own pump that generates high-pressure pulses locally. This eliminates the need to transmit high pressure through long hydraulic lines, thereby minimizing line losses and energy waste while maintaining optimal cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated pump at each cleaning unit acts as an intermediary that generates high-pressure cleaning fluid locally, eliminating the need for long high-pressure hydraulic lines. This intermediary approach allows high-pressure pulses to be generated only where needed, reducing energy losses in the hydraulic lines.
4Quantity of substance
If passive volume-controlled dosing devices are used, then fluid consumption is limited, but the system has high inertia and requires powerful pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static passive dosing devices with dynamic active pumps at each cleaning unit that can adjust their operation in real-time based on actual cleaning needs. This dynamic approach allows precise fluid dosage control without the high inertia and power requirements of passive volume-controlled systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cleaning unit's integrated pump independently controls its own fluid dosage without requiring powerful centralized pumps or complex passive dosing mechanisms. The self-service capability of each unit enables precise fluid management with minimal power 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
This solution minimizes fluid consumption and pressure losses, allowing for efficient cleaning with minimal liquid use across a wide temperature range, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining optimal cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
In the immediate vicinity of each cleaning unit 7 a displacement pump 9 is used in the hydraulic line 6. Positive-displacement pumps have a design-related property of conveying the fluid sequentially as a defined, limited volume, so that precise dosing can be achieved through targeted control of the displaced volume.
Implementation Method 2
Ideally, for an optimal cleaning result, a high pressure pulse is required, which leads to an intensive spray jet and thus also removes strongly adhering dirt.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an improved low-loss cleaning system (1) for installation in a vehicle for cleaning a transparent element (2) of an optical or optoelectronic apparatus (3). In order to optimise the cleaning with minimal fluid use, with different cleaning fluids of different viscosities in a wide temperature range, according to the invention, the cleaning system (1) has a supply pump (4), which conveys a cleaning fluid from a storage container (5) with a supply pressure (Pv) into a hydraulic line (6) in the direction of a cleaning unit (7) with a spray nozzle (8) for applying cleaning fluid to the transparent element (2), wherein a device (9) is interconnected in the hydraulic line (6), which blocks the hydraulic line (6) in the back-flow direction (R) and, during activation, supplies the cleaning unit (7) connected downstream with a working pressure (Pa) that is increased relative to the supply pressure (Pv).