Optical Sensor Cleaning via Acoustic Interference Waves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaning systems for vehicle sensors, such as those using fluid or compressed air, are inefficient and costly, and often fail to effectively remove debris from optical surfaces, impacting sensor performance.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing multiple transducers to generate and sense energy waves on the optical sensor surface, with a controller determining debris presence and location, and generating interference patterns to dislodge debris using constructive interference of energy waves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fluid based washing systems are used to clean optical surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but vehicle weight and fluid storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces fluid-based mechanical washing systems with an acoustic field-based cleaning system. Transducers generate acoustic waves that create standing wave patterns on the optical surface, using acoustic radiation pressure to remove debris without requiring any fluid reservoirs or mechanical contact, thereby eliminating the weight penalty of fluid storage systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium between the cleaning source and the optical surface. The transducers convert electrical energy to acoustic energy, which then interacts with the optical surface and debris through standing wave formation and acoustic radiation pressure, providing a lightweight alternative to direct fluid application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If compressed air systems are used to clean optical surfaces, then debris removal is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris removal capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces compressed air mechanical systems with an acoustic field-based system. Instead of using high-pressure gas flows requiring compressors, valves, and delivery mechanisms, the system uses transducers to generate acoustic waves that create standing patterns on the optical surface, removing debris through acoustic radiation pressure with significantly reduced mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The acoustic cleaning system is integrated directly into the optical sensor assembly, with transducers mounted on or near the optical surface. The system uses the optical surface itself as the acoustic medium to generate cleaning patterns, eliminating the need for separate delivery systems and making the cleaning function self-contained with the sensor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If conventional washing systems are used to clean optical surfaces, then debris is removed, but the system requires large fluid reserves that may be depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris removal capabilityVSAvoidfluid reserve quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces fluid-based washing with acoustic field-based cleaning. Transducers generate acoustic waves that form standing patterns on the optical surface, using acoustic radiation pressure to continuously remove debris without consuming any fluid, thereby eliminating the need for fluid reserves entirely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The acoustic cleaning system operates continuously or on-demand without depletion concerns. The transducers can generate acoustic waves as long as electrical power is supplied, allowing indefinite operation without the need to replenish fluid reserves, ensuring continuous sensor performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 debris from vehicle sensors without the need for large fluid reserves or additional costly devices, ensuring continuous sensor operation by using energy waves to dislodge and sweep away debris, maintaining sensor performance.

Implementation Method 1

generating interference patterns to dislodge debris using constructive interference of energy waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

input energy into the optical surface to produce an energy wave through the optical sensor surface and sense at least one attribute of an energy wave within the optical sensor surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic Radiation Pressure: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Data Source

PatentUS11581481B2Optical surface cleaning with directed energy waves

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 CONTINENTAL AUTONOMOUS MOBILITY US LLC

AI summary

A vehicle sensor assembly includes an optical sensor surface, at least two transducers arranged to input energy into the optical surface to produce an energy wave through the optical sensor surface and sense an attribute of an energy wave within the optical sensor surface. A controller arranged to drive the at least two transducers to input energy into the optical surface to produce an energy wave within the optical sensor surface to dislodge debris from the optical sensor surface.