Laser Cleaning Optical Sensor Surface Vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning optical sensors on motor vehicles are cumbersome, require significant storage space and weight due to aqueous solutions, and often necessitate manual intervention for adherent dirt, impacting vehicle range and usability.
Innovation Solution
A laser-based cleaning device that emits a wavelength-specific laser beam via an optical fiber to the optical sensor, allowing for efficient dirt removal without the need for large water tanks, with adjustable wavelengths and beam shapes to suit different types of dirt, and integrated movement mechanisms for precise cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aqueous solution is used to clean the optical surface, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but vehicle weight increases and range decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/hydraulic cleaning system (aqueous solution spraying) with a laser-based cleaning system. The laser beam directly ablates or vaporizes dirt from the optical surface without requiring liquid carriers, thereby eliminating the weight penalty associated with water tanks and pumping systems while maintaining effective cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cleaning mechanism from chemical/physical action of liquid to optical energy delivery. By using laser radiation with specific wavelengths and power levels, the system achieves cleaning through photothermal or photomechanical effects, fundamentally changing the operational parameters from liquid-based to energy-based cleaning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If aqueous solution tank is integrated into the vehicle, then cleaning function is provided, but vehicle space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bulk storage requirement (water tank) from the cleaning system and replaces it with a compact laser source. The laser can be housed in a small enclosure near the optical sensor, eliminating the need for large-volume liquid storage and associated pumping infrastructure, thus freeing up valuable vehicle space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the bulky mechanical liquid delivery system with a compact optical system. The laser source, optical guides, and control electronics occupy minimal space compared to water tanks, hoses, and spray mechanisms, enabling integration without compromising vehicle interior or cargo space.
3Reliability
If high power laser beam is used to remove adherent dirt, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but risk of sensor degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing the laser beam precisely at the dirt-contaminated areas of the optical surface while avoiding the sensor's active detection regions. The beam is focused or shaped to treat only the affected zones, delivering high energy density where needed (on the dirt) while keeping the sensor surface exposed to lower energy levels, thus achieving effective cleaning without harmful exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic or pulsed laser action rather than continuous high-power exposure. By delivering energy in controlled pulses with appropriate duty cycles, the system accumulates sufficient energy to remove adherent dirt while allowing thermal diffusion and cooling between pulses, preventing heat buildup that could degrade the sensor materials.
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 laser-based cleaning device is lighter, easier to integrate, and more efficient, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing weight and space requirements while effectively cleaning optical sensors without degrading the sensor surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a source for emitting a laser beam and means for guiding the laser beam onto at least a part of the optical surface of the at least one sensor so as to clean the optical surface
Implementation Method 2
The means for guiding the laser beam may in particular include an optical fiber a first end of which is optically coupled to the source for emitting the beam and a second end of which is directed toward the optical sensor or sensors
Implementation Method 3
The shaping device may include at least one lens and/or one concave surfacing reflecting the laser beam in the direction of the optical surface of the optical sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a device (100) for cleaning the optical surface (162) of at least one optical sensor (160) for a motor vehicle. The cleaning device (100) includes a source (110) for emitting a laser beam and means for guiding the laser beam onto at least a part of the optical surface (162) of an optical sensor (160) so as to clean it.