Movable Containment Wall for Optical Sensor Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical sensors on motor vehicles, particularly rear vision cameras, are prone to dirt accumulation on their optics due to their exposed location, which affects their performance, especially in adverse weather conditions like rain and snow, necessitating an effective cleaning system.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning system for optical sensors that includes a movable containment wall with a projection element for spraying a cleaning fluid, which can be liquid or gas, and an actuator to position the containment wall for effective cleaning and drying, utilizing a pump and supply channels to ensure optimal operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the optical sensor is positioned at the rear bumper or rear license plate level for optimal viewing angle, then the angle of view is improved, but the sensor becomes highly exposed to dirt projections and splashes, reducing its reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle of viewVSAvoidsensor operability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A containment wall is introduced as an intermediary structure between the optical sensor and the external environment. This wall creates a protective enclosure that prevents dirt, rain, and snow from directly contacting the sensor optics, thereby maintaining sensor reliability while allowing the sensor to remain in its optimally positioned location at the rear bumper or license plate level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a cleaning system is added to protect the optical sensor, then the sensor reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor operabilityVSAvoidcleaning system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The containment wall serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the sensor from environmental contaminants, provides a mounting structure for cleaning fluid projection elements, and acts as a barrier to contain cleaning fluid within the enclosure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective structures and simplifies the overall system design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning system utilizes hydraulic or pneumatic projection elements that spray cleaning fluid onto the sensor optics through the containment wall structure. This approach eliminates the need for mechanical contact cleaners and reduces structural complexity by using fluid dynamics to perform the cleaning function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If cleaning fluid is projected onto the optical sensor, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the loss of substance increases due to fluid consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning fluid consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The containment wall structure is designed to collect and channel cleaning fluid that flows down from the sensor optics back into the vehicle's washing system or recovery tank. This allows the cleaning fluid to be recovered and reused, reducing overall fluid consumption while maintaining effective cleaning of the sensor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 cleans and dries the optical sensors, ensuring optimal operation by positioning the cleaning fluid or air precisely and efficiently removing dirt, thus maintaining the sensor's functionality even in harsh weather conditions.

Implementation Method 1

at least one projection element (5) for projecting cleaning fluid onto the optical sensor (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

containment wall (11) which is movable between a retracted position in which the containment wall is configured to be positioned out of the field of vision of the optical sensor (3) and a cleaning position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical movement:

Implementation Method 3

an actuator to position the containment wall for effective cleaning and drying

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectActuation:

Implementation Method 4

utilizing a pump and supply channels to ensure optimal operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP3463996B1System for cleaning an optical sensor, set comprising a system of said type, and associated motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.07.08 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS

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AI summary

The invention relates to a system (1) for cleaning an optical sensor (3), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: - at least one projection member (5) for protecting a cleaning fluid, characterized in that the system (1) includes a confinement wall (11) that supports the at least one projection member (5) and can move from a retracted position in which the confinement wall is designed to be outside the field of view of the optical sensor (3) and a cleaning position in which the confinement wall (11) is designed to be located across from the optical sensor (3) and in which the at least one projection member (5) is positioned in such a way as to project the cleaning fluid against the optical sensor (3).