Optical Surface Wiper Loop Drive for Compact Sensor Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning systems for optical surfaces in motor vehicles, such as LiDAR sensor devices, are cumbersome and inefficient, particularly in terms of space usage and effectiveness, as they require large motor devices and complex mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A compact surface cleaning apparatus with a wiper driving actuator featuring a partially closed loop, such as a ring gear, that rotates to maintain a constant distance from the optical surface, combined with a wiper assembly and motor means to efficiently clean and dry curved optical surfaces, utilizing a minimal space configuration and integrated water injection system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a motor device and complex mechanism are used to clean optical surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper assembly is made movable relative to the optical surface, allowing it to adapt its position dynamically. The actuator moves the wiper assembly between a retracted position (minimizing space) and a cleaning position (maximizing cleaning effectiveness), resolving the contradiction between space requirements and cleaning performance
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is segmented into separate functional components: the wiper assembly, the actuator mechanism, and the mounting structure. This allows the wiper assembly to be positioned only when needed for cleaning, while being compact when retracted, thus reducing overall space requirements while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
2Productivity
If a wiper system with multiple blades is used, then cleaning coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade is designed with a curved configuration that matches the curvature of the optical surface. This single curved blade can effectively clean the entire optical surface area through its arc-shaped contact, providing comprehensive cleaning coverage without requiring multiple straight blades or complex multi-blade mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The single wiper blade is designed to perform multiple functions: it can clean different areas of the optical surface by rotating with the actuator, and its curved design allows it to conform to the surface geometry. This universal design provides full cleaning coverage while simplifying the overall system
Data Source
AI summary
The apparatus for cleaning a surface comprises a housing for accommodating an object whose surface is to be cleaned, a wiper driving actuator adjacent the surface to be cleaned, the wiper driving actuator comprising an at least partially closed loop adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the housing, and at least one wiper assembly operable by the wiper driving actuator to move along the at least partially closed loop and having a first end that is attached to the wiper driving actuator, the wiper assembly being movably mounted in the housing such that, in use, a constant distance is kept between the wiper assembly and the surface to be cleaned.