Oscillating Sensor Cleaning Nozzle for Low-Fluid Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle sensors face degradation due to precipitation, debris, contaminants, and environmental objects, which interfere with the collection of sensor data.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle system for cleaning sensors, which includes an inlet for high-pressure fluid, an oscillator to generate an oscillating fluid, and an outlet to deliver the oscillating fluid to the sensor surface, effectively delaminating debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high pressure fluid is used to clean sensor surfaces, then debris removal effectiveness is improved, but fluid consumption and energy usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an oscillator to generate oscillating fluid flow from the high pressure fluid supply. This mechanical vibration principle transforms continuous high pressure fluid into pulsed oscillating jets, reducing overall fluid consumption while maintaining effective debris removal through the dynamic impact and cavitation effects of the oscillating flow pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system uses periodic oscillating fluid delivery instead of continuous high pressure application. The oscillator creates rhythmic on-off cycles of fluid喷射, delivering cleaning action in periodic bursts that are sufficient to remove debris while allowing fluid to be replenished during off-cycles, thereby reducing total fluid consumption compared to continuous application
2Productivity
If continuous high pressure fluid is applied to clean sensors, then debris removal speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic oscillating fluid delivery where high pressure fluid is applied in rhythmic bursts rather than continuously. The oscillator generates periodic jets that maintain high debris removal speed during active phases while consuming less energy overall compared to sustained continuous high pressure application, as the system can recover or reduce pressure during off-phases
3Reliability
If oscillating fluid is used instead of steady fluid flow, then debris delamination effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an oscillator component that converts steady high pressure fluid flow into oscillating jets. This mechanical vibration mechanism, while adding a component to the system, provides superior debris delamination through dynamic impact patterns and cavitation effects that steady flow cannot achieve, justifying the increased device complexity through enhanced cleaning performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic or hydraulic oscillation mechanisms where high pressure fluid itself is utilized to generate the oscillating motion through pressure differentials and flow dynamics within the oscillator chamber. This approach leverages the fluid's own energy to create oscillation, reducing the need for additional complex mechanical actuators and minimizing the increase in device complexity
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 nozzle system efficiently removes debris from sensors, improving data quality and maintaining the performance of autonomous vehicle systems.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillator coupled with the inlet. The oscillator can be configured to receive the high pressure fluid from the inlet and generate an oscillating fluid
Implementation Method 2
The outlet can be configured to receive the oscillating fluid and provide the oscillating fluid to a surface to delaminate debris from the surface
Data Source
AI summary
Nozzles and systems for cleaning sensors of a vehicle are provided. An adjustable nozzle can include an inlet configured to receive a pressurized fluid, an adjustable oscillator coupled with the inlet, and an outlet coupled with the adjustable oscillator. The adjustable oscillator can be configured to receive the pressurized fluid from the inlet and generate an oscillating fluid, and can include a first oscillation wall comprising a first adjustable chamber modifier wall and a second oscillation wall comprising a second adjustable chamber modifier wall. The first adjustable chamber modifier wall and the second adjustable chamber modifier wall can define an adjustable mixing chamber configured to generate the oscillating fluid having one or more properties that are adjustable by the first adjustable chamber modifier wall or the second adjustable chamber modifier wall. The outlet can be configured to receive the oscillating fluid and eject the oscillating fluid from the adjustable nozzle.