Multi-Nozzle Manifold Assembly for Cleaning Vehicle Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nozzle designs for cleaning vehicle surfaces are costly, labor-intensive, and inefficient, particularly in newer vehicle designs with increased sensors and space constraints, limiting their versatility across different vehicle surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A modular fluid nozzle assembly with a manifold and multiple nozzles that can vary flow rate, flow type, pressure, direction, and spray pattern, allowing for multi-functional cleaning of various vehicle surfaces such as windows, cameras, and sensors from a single nozzle head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional nozzles are designed for specific vehicle surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness for that surface is improved, but adaptability to different vehicle surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly is designed with multiple nozzles (first nozzle for window, second nozzle for camera sensor, third nozzle for LIDAR sensor, fourth nozzle for CMHSL) that can clean different vehicle surfaces. Each nozzle is configured with specific spray patterns and orientations suitable for its target surface, allowing a single assembly to perform multiple cleaning functions across various surfaces including windows, sensors, and cameras.
2Reliability
If multiple separate nozzles are used for different surfaces, then cleaning specialization is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple specialized nozzles into a single integrated nozzle assembly. The assembly includes a common body housing containing multiple nozzles, each with its own passage and outlet configured for specific surfaces. This merging approach maintains the cleaning specialization of individual nozzles while reducing the overall number of separate components, simplifying installation and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional nozzles are used for multiple surfaces, then versatility is improved, but manufacturing precision and cleaning effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Each nozzle within the assembly is configured with local quality optimized for its specific target surface. The passages and outlets of each nozzle are specifically designed to produce spray patterns, flow rates, and pressures appropriate for the particular surface it serves (e.g., window vs. camera sensor). This localized optimization ensures high manufacturing precision and cleaning effectiveness for each surface while maintaining overall versatility through the multi-nozzle configuration.
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 assembly effectively cleans multiple surfaces with reduced manufacturing costs, weight, and complexity, improving adaptability and efficiency while conserving space and reducing assembly time.
Implementation Method 1
a manifold comprising an internal cleaning media passage having a plurality of cleaning media passageways
Implementation Method 2
each of the plurality of nozzles fed by one of the plurality of cleaning media passageways and having at least one outlet through which cleaning media is sprayed
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle assembly for cleaning a vehicle surface is provided. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle head including a manifold comprising an internal cleaning media passage having a plurality of cleaning media passageways, a cleaning media inlet, and a plurality of nozzles carried by the nozzle head, each of the plurality of nozzles fed by one of the plurality of cleaning media passageways and having at least one outlet through which cleaning media is sprayed. At least one of the nozzles; provides a different flow rate, flow type, pressure, direction, or spray pattern of cleaning media, collectively creating a multi-functional spray of cleaning media.