Vehicular Lamp Cleaning System Using Isolation Solenoid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular lamp cleaning systems are ineffective in removing debris from exterior signal lamps, particularly in adverse weather conditions, leading to reduced visibility and increased risk of collisions, as they often require manual intervention, are costly to upgrade, or interfere with air-braking systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular lamp cleaning system utilizing a synergistic combination of an isolation solenoid, air reservoir, and discharge nozzle, which draws pressurized air from the vehicle's air tank to blast debris away from exterior signal lamps without interfering with the air-braking system, ensuring continuous operation and improved visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air is drawn from the air braking system for cleaning the exterior signal lamp, then the cleaning function is provided, but the air-brake supply volume is interfered with and the system may be rendered inactive during high-demand braking applications
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is divided into two separate reservoirs: a main air tank for the braking system and a smaller air reservoir for the lamp cleaning system. This segmentation allows the cleaning function to operate independently without interfering with the primary braking air supply, resolving the contradiction between providing automatic cleaning and maintaining brake system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
An isolation solenoid valve acts as an intermediary component between the air tank and the cleaning system. This mediator controls the flow of air to the cleaning system, ensuring that air is only drawn when the brakes are not in high-demand mode, thus protecting the reliability of the braking system while enabling automatic cleaning operation.
2Illumination intensity
If the driver manually cleans the exterior signal lamps, then the lamp visibility is improved, but the productivity is reduced and operating costs increase due to repeated stoppages
Solution Approach 1:
The lamp cleaning system is designed to be self-operating, automatically detecting when lamps need cleaning and executing the cleaning function without driver intervention. The system uses the vehicle's existing air system resources and operates autonomously, eliminating the need for manual cleaning stoppages and thereby maintaining productivity while ensuring lamp visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system operates continuously or periodically based on sensor feedback, maintaining lamp cleanliness without interrupting the driving workflow. This continuous operation ensures that lamps remain visible throughout the journey without requiring repeated manual interventions that would break the continuity of driving productivity.
3Ease of operation
If electric compressors are used to generate air for cleaning the exterior signal lamp, then the cleaning function is provided, but the electrical system requires costly and time-consuming upgrades
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the existing air tank, which is already part of the vehicle's braking system infrastructure, for a dual purpose: supporting both braking operations and lamp cleaning. This multi-functional use of the air system eliminates the need for separate electric compressors and associated electrical system upgrades, reducing manufacturing costs while providing automatic cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by utilizing compressed air from the existing air tank to power the cleaning system. This approach replaces the need for electric compressors and electrical system modifications with a pneumatic solution that integrates with the vehicle's existing air-based braking system, thereby reducing upgrade costs and complexity.
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 effectively maintains exterior signal lamp visibility during adverse weather conditions by automatically removing debris without disrupting the air-braking system, reducing the risk of collisions and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The discharge nozzle is configured to (A) receive the pressurized air from the air reservoir, and (B) release and direct the pressurized air towards the exterior signal lamp of the vehicle. This is done in such a way that the pressurized air, which is released from the discharge nozzle, removes debris from the exterior signal lamp.
Implementation Method 2
The isolation solenoid is configured to be fluidly connected to the vehicular air tank of the vehicle in such a way that the isolation solenoid receives pressurized air from the vehicular air tank. The isolation solenoid is also configured to be electrically and fluidly isolated from the vehicular air tank of the vehicle during activation of the vehicular brake system of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular lamp cleaning system includes an isolation solenoid, an air reservoir and a discharge nozzle. The isolation solenoid is configured to be fluidly connected to the vehicular air tank of the vehicle. The air reservoir is configured to be fluidly connected to the isolation solenoid. The discharge nozzle is configured to be fluidly connected to the air reservoir. The discharge nozzle is also configured to (A) receive the pressurized air from the air reservoir, and (B) release and direct the pressurized air towards the exterior signal lamp of the vehicle. This is done in such a way that the pressurized air, which is released from the discharge nozzle, removes debris from the exterior signal lamp.