Optical Device Transparent Body Temperature Gradient Foreign Matter Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical units face challenges in removing foreign matter, such as raindrops and dust, from the center of the transparent body, leading to residue and obstructed field of view, as centrifugal actions are less effective at the center and may result in residue formation.
Innovation Solution
A temperature adjuster is used to create a temperature gradient on the transparent body, increasing temperature from the periphery to the center, utilizing Marangoni convection to move foreign matter to the periphery for removal, in conjunction with vibrating or rotating mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rotating mechanism is used to remove foreign matter from the transparent body, then foreign matter at the periphery can be removed effectively, but foreign matter at the center cannot be removed and residue is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies temperature parameter changes to resolve the contradiction. By heating the transparent body, the patent changes the physical state of water droplets from liquid to vapor phase, enabling removal from the center region where mechanical rotation is ineffective. This thermal parameter change complements the mechanical rotation to achieve complete foreign matter removal across all regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugal force system with a thermal system for removing foreign matter from the center region. While rotation provides mechanical centrifugal force effective at the periphery, the patent introduces heating as a non-mechanical substitute that operates effectively at the center, thereby resolving the limitation of purely mechanical approaches.
2Ease of operation
If only a rotating or vibrating mechanism is used to remove water droplets, then removal is achieved through centrifugal or vibration action, but residue occurs depending on droplet size and adhesion location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through heating. This phase change enables the water droplets to be removed as vapor rather than liquid, preventing residue formation on the transparent body surface regardless of droplet size or initial adhesion location, thereby achieving superior surface cleanliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite cleaning system combining mechanical vibration/rotation with thermal heating. This composite approach integrates multiple physical mechanisms (mechanical vibration, centrifugal force, and thermal energy) to achieve comprehensive foreign matter removal that neither mechanism could accomplish alone, resolving the limitation of simple single-mechanism systems.
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
Effectively removes foreign matter from the center of the transparent body without residue, ensuring a clear field of view for the optical sensor by leveraging surface tension changes with temperature gradients.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing Marangoni convection to move foreign matter to the periphery for removal
Implementation Method 2
leveraging surface tension changes with temperature gradients
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device includes a protective cover disposed in a field of view direction of an optical sensor, a casing that holds the protective cover, a temperature adjuster that adjusts the temperature of the protective cover, and a vibrating body that drives the protective cover to remove foreign matter adhering to a surface of the protective cover. The temperature adjuster adjusts the temperature of the protective cover so that the temperature increases from the periphery to the center of the protective cover.