Vehicle Optic Lens Cleaning via Hydraulic Air Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for cleaning vehicle-mounted optic sensors are complex and expensive, as they require motorized air pumps to dry the lens after washing, disrupting the driver's view until the water evaporates and are not cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A system using a washing liquid nozzle and an air nozzle to dispense pressurized washing liquid and air in a coordinated manner, where the air pump is operated by the hydraulic force of the washing liquid, reducing the need for separate motorized equipment and minimizing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If motor driven air pumps are used to dry the lens after washing, then the washing liquid can be removed from the lens surface, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the washing and drying functions into a single integrated system. The washing liquid pump supplies pressurized washing liquid that serves dual purposes: cleaning the lens and driving the air pump to generate compressed air for drying. This merging eliminates the need for separate motorized air pumps, reducing device complexity while maintaining drying effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing liquid serves multiple functions in the system. It not only cleans the lens surface but also acts as the operating medium to drive the air pump through hydraulic force. This multi-functionality of the washing liquid reduces the need for additional power sources and simplifies the overall system architecture.
2Reliability
If motor driven air pumps are used to generate compressed air for drying, then the washing liquid can be blown off the lens surface, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functions of washing liquid supply and air compression into a single integrated mechanism. The air pump is designed to be driven directly by the hydraulic force of the washing liquid, combining two previously separate functions (washing and drying) into one cost-effective system that eliminates expensive motorized air pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing liquid serves itself by not only performing its primary cleaning function but also by providing the hydraulic force needed to operate the air pump. This self-service approach allows the system to generate compressed air without external power sources, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining drying effectiveness.
3Reliability
If washing liquid is sprayed on the lens to clean it, then dirt is removed from the surface, but the cleaning time increases until water evaporates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by alternating between spraying washing liquid and blowing compressed air in cycles. After spraying the lens with washing liquid to remove dirt, the system immediately follows with compressed air blasts to rapidly evaporate and blow off the liquid. This periodic alternation maintains high cleaning quality while dramatically reducing the total cleaning time compared to passive evaporation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by immediately following the washing phase with the drying phase. Rather than allowing the washing liquid to sit and evaporate naturally, the compressed air system continuously acts on the lens surface to remove liquid, ensuring the cleaning process is completed quickly without interruption or idle waiting time.
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 the optic surface quickly and efficiently, reducing cleaning time and costs by utilizing the same flow of pressurized washing liquid to clean and generate air, ensuring a clear image without the need for complex motorized air pumps.
Implementation Method 1
The air pump is configured to generate pressurized air, by means of the hydraulic force exerted by a fluid applied to the air pump
Implementation Method 2
an air pump is provided to generate a jet of pressurized air. The air pump is configured to generate pressurized air, by means of the hydraulic force exerted by a fluid applied to the air pump
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers a system and a method for automatically cleaning an optic lens mounted on a vehicle, by spraying a washing liquid to remove any type of dirt from the lens such as a clear image or optic signal can be captured anytime, where an air pump is provided including a variable volume compression chamber to pressurize a volume of air, and a washing liquid conduit is communicated with a liquid nozzle and with the air pump, such as the air pump can be operated by the flow of pressurized washing liquid, such as the same flow of pressurized washing liquid is used to clean the optic surface, and to operate the air pump and generate a blast of air to blow off any liquid drop from the optic lens.