On-Vehicle Optical Sensor Cleaning via Gas-Liquid Mixture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning systems lack the capability to eject cleaning liquids under higher pressure, which limits their effectiveness in removing foreign matter from sensing surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system that includes a washer pump, an air pump, and a nozzle member, where the air pump discharges air through a discharge valve to mix with a cleaning liquid stored in the nozzle member, creating a gas-liquid mixture for high-pressure ejection onto the sensing surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If water and compressed air are ejected from a nozzle to clean the sensing surface, then foreign matter is removed from the sensing surface, but the cleaning liquid cannot be ejected under sufficiently high pressure to enhance cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into separate functional components: a washer pump for delivering cleaning liquid, an air pump for generating compressed air, and a nozzle member for mixing and ejection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling high-pressure ejection while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning liquid from the washer pump and compressed air from the air pump are merged in the nozzle member to create a gas-liquid mixture. This combination allows the system to achieve higher ejection pressure and improved cleaning effectiveness by leveraging both liquid and gas properties.
2Reliability
If only compressed air is used for cleaning, then the system is simple to operate, but the cleaning effect is insufficient for removing stubborn foreign matter
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes pneumatic (compressed air from air pump) and hydraulic (cleaning liquid from washer pump) principles to generate a high-pressure gas-liquid mixture. This approach significantly enhances cleaning effectiveness for removing stubborn foreign matter while the automated control system maintains ease of operation through simple activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the cleaning medium by combining liquid and gas phases under pressure. The washer pump delivers cleaning liquid at controlled flow rates, and the air pump compresses air to high pressure, creating a gas-liquid mixture with enhanced cleaning capability that adapts to different contamination levels.
3Reliability
If cleaning liquid is applied directly to the sensing surface, then foreign matter is removed, but residual cleaning liquid may cause image deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The high-pressure compressed air component of the gas-liquid mixture serves a dual function: it delivers the cleaning liquid effectively to remove foreign matter, and subsequently blows off residual cleaning liquid from the sensing surface. This pneumatic action prevents image deformation while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by using the same gas-liquid mixture ejection process for both cleaning and drying. The compressed air continues to act on the sensing surface after foreign matter removal, ensuring complete evaporation or removal of residual cleaning liquid, thereby preventing image deformation.
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 removes foreign matter from the sensing surface by ejecting a gas-liquid mixture under higher pressure, enhancing cleaning efficiency and preventing image deformation caused by residual cleaning liquid.
Implementation Method 1
The air pump includes a discharge valve and discharges air through the discharge valve. The discharge valve opens when air is compressed in the air pump.
Implementation Method 2
The nozzle member includes an ejection port that ejects a gas-liquid mixture toward a sensing surface of an on-vehicle optical sensor to remove foreign matter from the sensing surface.
Data Source
AI summary
The on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning system includes a washer pump that feeds a cleaning liquid, an air pump, a nozzle member, and a controller. The air pump includes a discharge valve and discharges air through the discharge valve. The discharge valve opens when air is compressed in the air pump. The nozzle member includes an ejection port that ejects a gas-liquid mixture toward a sensing surface of an on-vehicle optical sensor to remove foreign matter from the sensing surface. The cleaning liquid from the washer pump and the air from the air pump are mixed in the gas-liquid mixture. The controller controls the washer pump and the air pump. The controller is configured so that the gas-liquid mixture is ejected by storing the cleaning liquid in the nozzle member to cover the ejection port and then feeding the air to the nozzle member.