Detachable LiDAR Cleaning Nozzle Chips for Variable Spray Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR sensor cleaning systems require separate nozzles for varying sensor sizes and field of view areas, leading to inefficiencies in maintaining sensing performance due to contamination sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle system with detachable nozzle chips having multiple discharge ports with different spray angles, allowing for adjustable fluid distribution to effectively clean LiDAR sensors, including a drainage part to prevent clogging and maintain sensor performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed nozzle is used for LiDAR sensor cleaning, then the nozzle structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different sensor sizes and field of view areas
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into a nozzle body and a detachable nozzle chip. The nozzle chip can be replaced with different specifications to adapt to different LiDAR sensor sizes and field of view areas, while the nozzle body remains the same, thus reducing overall system complexity while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle body is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple types of nozzle chips with different spray angles and patterns. This allows a single nozzle body to serve multiple cleaning requirements for different sensor configurations.
2Reliability
If separate nozzles are developed for each LiDAR sensor specification, then each nozzle is optimized for its specific sensor, but the development cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the nozzle into a universal body and interchangeable chips, the development process only requires designing the common nozzle body once, and then developing separate chips for different sensor types. This dramatically reduces development time compared to designing complete separate nozzles for each sensor specification.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle chip contains the sensor-specific optimization parameters such as spray angle and discharge port configuration. This allows each chip to be tailored to specific sensor requirements while sharing the common nozzle body structure, achieving both customization and efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle is fixed and non-adjustable, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it cannot provide various spray angles for different sensor configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The spray angle adjustment capability is isolated to the removable nozzle chip rather than the entire nozzle assembly. This allows different spray angles to be achieved through simple chip variations while keeping the main nozzle body manufacturing process simple and standardized.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle system transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamically adjustable one by allowing users to change nozzle chips based on the specific LiDAR sensor being cleaned. This provides spray angle adaptability without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms in the nozzle body.
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 nozzle system provides versatile cleaning capabilities for various LiDAR sensor configurations, ensuring reliable sensing performance by adapting to different sensor sizes and environments through adjustable spray angles and drainage features.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid is sprayed through the nozzle to remove foreign substances and clean the LiDAR sensor
Implementation Method 2
a drainage part disposed on a side surface of each of the at least two or more nozzle chips and fluidly connected to the first discharge port
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle system includes: a nozzle housing configured to allow fluid flowing from a reservoir located in a vehicle body to flow thereinto; a nozzle cover located at an upper end of the nozzle housing and configured to form a flow path for the fluid flowing into the nozzle housing; and at least two or more nozzle chips configured to face a sensor part. Each of the nozzle chips is detachably coupled to a corresponding opening located in the nozzle cover. The nozzle chips includes two or more discharge ports having different spray angles, where the fluid is sprayed to an area of the sensor part at each of the spray angles through each of the discharge ports.