Vehicle Optical Sensor Protection Using an Ultrasonic Cleaning Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical sensors on vehicles face contamination from environmental pollutants like dust, water, and dirt, which can degrade image clarity and require interruption for cleaning, disrupting data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A method using an ultrasonic field generated by a protection device to create a cavitation zone in front of the sensor, preventing pollutants from reaching the optical surface and removing existing contaminants without physical contact or liquids, utilizing frequencies between 20 kHz to 200 kHz and air streams to evaporate or pulverize pollutants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical sensor is covered to protect from contamination, then the sensor surface remains clean, but the data acquisition operation is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating ultrasonic vibrations before pollutants can adhere to the optical surface. The vibration source is activated continuously or periodically to create a protective effect zone that prevents contamination before it occurs, allowing the sensor to remain exposed and operational while maintaining surface cleanliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning systems (such as wipers or covers) with an ultrasonic vibration field. This non-contact method uses high-frequency vibrations to create acoustic pressure that repels pollutants, eliminating the need to interrupt data acquisition for cleaning or covering the sensor.
2Reliability
If mechanical cleaning methods are used, then the sensor surface is cleaned, but the operation is interrupted and mechanical contact may damage the optics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical cleaning contact with a non-contact ultrasonic vibration field. The vibration source generates acoustic waves that create pressure variations to remove pollutants without physical contact, eliminating the risk of mechanical damage and allowing continuous operation during cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an ultrasonic vibration field as an intermediary between the cleaning function and the optical surface. This intermediate medium (acoustic field) transfers the cleaning action without requiring direct mechanical contact, preserving the optical surface integrity while maintaining operational continuity.
3Productivity
If ultrasonic field is applied to remove pollutants, then the sensor remains operational, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using ultrasonic vibrations at specific frequencies and intensities only where needed to repel pollutants. The vibration source is positioned to create a localized protection zone directly in front of the optical surface, consuming energy only in the necessary region rather than uniformly across the entire sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by activating the ultrasonic vibration source in cycles or continuously at low intensity, rather than requiring high-intensity continuous operation. The periodic ultrasonic waves maintain a repulsion field that prevents pollutant accumulation, balancing energy consumption with effective protection.
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
Ensures uninterrupted operation of optical sensors by maintaining image clarity and preventing contamination, allowing continuous data acquisition while keeping the sensor surface clean and free from environmental pollutants.
Implementation Method 1
a strong sound wave, preferably stronger than 100 dB or stronger than 130 dB, may be provided to the air volume in front of the optical surface... such that the air and/or the optical surface of the sensor may be shaken by vibrations of the applied ultrasonic frequency
Implementation Method 2
the water droplets and/or the dirt particles are evaporated and/or pulverized due to a cavitation in the environmental pollutants caused by the ultrasonic field
Implementation Method 3
the air and/or the optical surface of the sensor may be shaken by vibrations of the applied ultrasonic frequency
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention is concerned with a method for protecting an optical sensor (20) of a vehicle (10), wherein the sensor (20) is protected from environmental pollutants (40) which adhere to an optical surface (30) of the sensor (20) if the sensor (20) is exposed to them, and wherein the environmental pollutants are kept away from the sensor (20) by an ultrasonic cleaning of the sensor (20) surface using an ultrasonic field. The ultrasonic field of the ultrasonic cleaning is emitted by a protection device (60) into the air to provide a protection zone (50) around the optical surface (30) of the sensor (20) such that a contact of the optical surface (30) with the environmental pollutants (40) is avoided, wherein the environmental pollutants (40) are moved and/or destroyed in the air away from the sensor (20) if they enter the protection zone (50), and wherein the protection zone (50) provides a contactless cleaning of the sensor (20)