Optical Cover Vibration Control for Muddy Droplet Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle optical sensor covers face challenges in effectively removing liquid droplets, particularly muddy water, due to their vibration mechanisms, which often result in droplets adhering to the cover glass.
Innovation Solution
A vibration device and method that vibrates the light-transmissive body at specific acceleration ranges (1.5×10^5 to 8.0×10^5 m/s^2) controlled by a controller, using a piezoelectric element and a vibrating body, to enhance droplet removal by reducing the sliding angle and adhesion energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic vibration is applied to remove liquid droplets, then droplet removal performance is improved, but liquid droplets may adhere to the cover glass due to insufficient vibration acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the vibration acceleration to a specific range (1.5×10^5 to 8.0×10^5 m/s^2) and frequency (20-100 kHz) to effectively remove liquid droplets. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient vibration intensity to prevent adhesion while maintaining reliable droplet removal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs mechanical vibration through a vibrator that generates ultrasonic vibrations at controlled acceleration and frequency. This mechanical vibration directly addresses the contradiction by creating sufficient dynamic forces to overcome surface tension and adhesion forces, enabling effective droplet removal without causing harmful adhesion.
2Productivity
If vibration acceleration is increased to improve droplet removal, then removal efficiency is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the vibration acceleration within a specific range (1.5×10^5 to 8.0×10^5 m/s^2) rather than using excessively high values. This parameter optimization achieves high droplet removal efficiency while controlling energy consumption by avoiding over-vibration that would waste energy without providing additional benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous ultrasonic vibration at optimized parameters to ensure sustained droplet removal efficiency. This continuous action at controlled acceleration levels provides consistent cleaning performance while managing energy consumption through sustained rather than intermittent high-power operation.
3Reliability
If vibration frequency is increased to enhance droplet removal, then cleaning performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a vibration frequency range of 20-100 kHz, which provides effective droplet removal without requiring excessively complex control systems. This parameter range allows the use of standard ultrasonic components and controllers, maintaining device simplicity while achieving reliable cleaning performance.
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
Improves the removal of liquid droplets and muddy water by ensuring they slide off the light-transmissive body efficiently, enhancing the cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
using a piezoelectric element and a vibrating body, to enhance droplet removal
Implementation Method 2
a vibrator to vibrate the light-transmissive body at a vibration acceleration of equal to or more than about 1.5×10^5 m/s^2 and equal to or less than about 8.0×10^5 m/s^2
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration device includes a light-transmissive body, and a vibrator to vibrate the light-transmissive body at a vibration acceleration of equal to or more than about 1.5×105 m/s2 and equal to or less than about 8.0×105 m/s2.