Impulse Nozzle Cleaning Module for Reliable Vehicle Sensor Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for vehicle sensors require complex apparatus, high energy consumption, and mechanical components, which are inefficient and prone to maintenance issues, especially in ensuring thorough and reliable cleaning of surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A compact cleaning device with a high-pressure accumulator and solenoid changeover valve integrated in an accumulator valve module, allowing for pulse-like bombardment of surfaces with compressed air or liquid media, reducing complexity and energy consumption by using a direct switching mechanism for precise control of the cleaning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical wipers are used for cleaning surfaces, then cleaning function is provided, but device complexity and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wipers with a pneumatic cleaning system using a high-pressure accumulator and impulse nozzle. Compressed air is stored in the accumulator and released in controlled pulses through the nozzle to bombard and remove dirt particles from the surface, eliminating the need for mechanical contact components and their associated maintenance needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a high-pressure accumulator connected to an impulse nozzle to deliver controlled bursts of compressed air onto the cleaning surface. The solenoid valve controls the pneumatic flow to create impulse-like bombardment that effectively removes contaminants without requiring mechanical moving parts, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining cleaning reliability.
2Reliability
If continuous cleaning media flow is used, then cleaning coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by releasing compressed air in controlled impulse bursts rather than continuous flow. The high-pressure accumulator stores compressed air and the solenoid valve opens briefly to create periodic impulse-like bombardment on the surface, achieving effective cleaning while minimizing energy consumption compared to continuous media flow.
3Device complexity
If simple valve connection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but medium flow control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The high-pressure accumulator performs preliminary action by pre-storing compressed air at high pressure before cleaning is needed. This allows the solenoid valve to simply open and release pre-prepared pressurized air in precise bursts without requiring complex flow control mechanisms during the actual cleaning operation, maintaining both simplicity and precision.
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 solution achieves reliable and efficient cleaning with reduced complexity, energy, and maintenance needs, enabling effective removal of dirt particles from surfaces without mechanical wipers, while minimizing the number of moving parts and potential faults.
Implementation Method 1
a high-pressure accumulator (140, 140') configured for storing the first medium which is loaded with an accumulator pressure, in particular a high pressure
Implementation Method 2
an impulse nozzle (126) configured for bombarding the surface in a pulse-like manner with the first medium which is loaded with the accumulator pressure
Implementation Method 3
a changeover valve configured as a solenoid valve having a nozzle connector (X1, X1') configured for connecting to the impulse nozzle (126) and a high-pressure accumulator connector (X2, X2') configured for connecting to the high-pressure accumulator (140, 140')
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device for selectively bombarding a surface with a first medium, including an accumulator valve module having a high-pressure accumulator configured to store the first medium at a high-pressure accumulator pressure, an impulse nozzle configured to bombard the surface with the first medium, a changeover valve having a nozzle connector configured to connect to the impulse nozzle and a high-pressure accumulator connector configured to connect to the high-pressure accumulator, wherein the changeover valve is configured to: connect, in a release position, the high-pressure accumulator and the impulse nozzle via the high-pressure accumulator connector and the nozzle connector, interrupt, in a charge position, a flow path from the high-pressure accumulator to the impulse nozzle, and switch between the release position and the charge position. The cleaning device includes a high-pressure accumulator holding valve connecting the high-pressure accumulator to the first medium source.