Vehicle Lamp Lens Vibration Cleaning for ADAS Sensor Clarity
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lamp systems experience reduced recognition rates of ADAS sensors due to foreign materials and water condensation on the lens, necessitating a solution to improve sensor recognition rates while maintaining effective lens cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A lamp system for vehicles that utilizes a piezoelectric element on the lens to generate vibrations based on electrical acoustic signals, controlled by a sensor unit, to remove foreign materials and maintain lens clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional lamp system is used without a washing function, then the structure is simple, but the sensor recognition rate is significantly reduced when foreign materials or water condensation are present on the lens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lens washing function with the lamp system by integrating a piezoelectric element directly onto the lens. This combination allows the lamp system to perform both illumination and self-cleaning functions, improving sensor recognition rate without requiring a separate washing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through the piezoelectric element to remove foreign materials and water condensation from the lens surface. The vibration generated by the piezoelectric element creates acoustic waves that dislodge contaminants, thereby maintaining lens clarity and sensor recognition rate.
2Reliability
If a lamp washing system is added to improve sensor recognition rate, then the recognition rate improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lamp system is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating the piezoelectric element that serves dual purposes: generating light through the lamp and cleaning the lens through vibration. This universal approach allows one system to perform multiple functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated washing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lamp system performs self-service by using its own integrated piezoelectric element to clean its own lens. The system monitors foreign materials on the lens and activates the piezoelectric element to remove them, enabling the system to maintain its own performance without external intervention or additional complex washing mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the piezoelectric element generates strong vibrations to remove foreign materials, then the cleaning effectiveness improves, but the operational temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric element operates with periodic action, generating vibrations only when foreign materials are detected on the lens. The control unit activates the piezoelectric element intermittently based on sensor feedback, allowing the lens to be cleaned effectively while reducing continuous operation and heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control where the sensor unit continuously monitors the lens surface for foreign materials. When contaminants are detected, the control unit activates the piezoelectric element to remove them. This feedback mechanism ensures the piezoelectric element operates only when necessary, improving cleaning effectiveness while minimizing temperature increase from continuous operation.
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
Enhances ADAS sensor recognition rates by effectively cleaning the lens, ensuring clear visibility and reducing noise interference, while maintaining optimal operational frequencies and temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element positioned on a surface of the lens and generating a vibration based on an electrical acoustic signal
Data Source
AI summary
A lamp system for a vehicle includes a sensor unit including at least one of a camera sensor or a distance detection sensor, the system including: a light source unit including at least one lens and at least one light source; a piezoelectric element positioned on a surface of the lens and generating a vibration based on an electrical acoustic signal; and a control unit controlling the piezoelectric element, wherein the control unit controls the piezoelectric element by varying the electrical acoustic signal based on sensing information received from the sensor unit.