Movable Sensor Cleaning Nozzle for Low-Fluid Vehicle Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for sensors, particularly those with large surfaces or multiple sensors, face challenges in achieving effective cleaning while conserving cleaning fluid.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a movable cleaning nozzle actuated by a fluidic pressure cylinder, controlled by a switching unit that allows independent operation of the cleaning movement and fluid supply, enabling efficient cleaning of large surfaces or multiple sensors with minimal fluid usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning nozzle is made deployable to achieve a perpendicular angle of impact for high cleaning capacity, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning nozzle is designed to be movable relative to the sensor surface, allowing it to adjust its position and angle dynamically. This enables the nozzle to achieve an optimal perpendicular impact angle for high cleaning capacity while maintaining a compact structure when not in use, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning nozzle is pre-positioned or pre-oriented in a compact configuration and only deployed when cleaning is required. This preliminary arrangement allows the system to maintain low complexity during normal operation while achieving optimal cleaning performance when activated.
2Reliability
If cleaning fluid is applied continuously during nozzle movement to ensure complete coverage, then cleaning completeness is improved, but cleaning fluid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a sensor to detect soiling on the sensor surface and provides feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit activates the cleaning nozzle and regulates fluid supply only when and where cleaning is actually needed, ensuring complete coverage while minimizing cleaning fluid consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous cleaning fluid application, the system applies cleaning fluid partially and selectively based on detected soiling conditions. The fluid supply is activated only in the specific areas and time periods when cleaning is required, reducing overall fluid consumption while maintaining cleaning completeness.
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 solution allows for effective cleaning of sensors with large surfaces or multiple sensors, while significantly reducing the amount of cleaning fluid used, thereby enhancing cleaning efficiency and fluid conservation.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator (140) configured as a fluidic pressure cylinder (142) for generating a cleaning movement (BR) of the cleaning nozzle (320)
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device is for a vehicle. The cleaning device has at least one cleaning nozzle configured to apply a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned of at least one sensor, a fluid supply unit, in particular a fluid valve or a pump, configured to selectively provide the cleaning fluid to the cleaning nozzle, and an actuator for generating a cleaning movement of the cleaning nozzle. It is provided in the cleaning device that the cleaning device has a switching unit for controlling the actuator, such that the cleaning movement can be generated independently of the fluid supply unit.