Piezoelectric Sensor Window Cleaning via Adaptive Vibration Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle sensor cleaning methods, such as blowing air or spraying washer fluid, often temporarily obstruct sensors and consume significant power, especially under adverse weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

The use of piezoelectric vibrators positioned outside the sensor's field of view to vibrate obstructions off the sensor window, with varying frequencies and phase velocities based on obstruction type, optimizing energy consumption and minimizing interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If air blowing or washer fluid spraying is used to clean sensors, then sensor obstructions are removed, but the sensor is temporarily obstructed and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor cleanlinessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a piezoelectric vibrator to generate mechanical vibrations that propagate through the sensor housing and window, causing obstructions to detach from the sensor surface. The vibrator is driven by an oscillating signal from a function generator, creating resonant vibrations that effectively remove dirt, dust, and other debris without requiring air blowing or fluid spraying, thereby reducing power consumption and avoiding temporary sensor obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Reliability

If cleaning methods are applied regularly under adverse weather conditions, then sensor obstructions are removed, but the sensor is temporarily obstructed during cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor cleanlinessVSAvoidsensor data loss during cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical vibration method allows for continuous sensor operation during cleaning. The vibrations are transmitted through the housing and window without blocking the sensor aperture, enabling the sensor to continue collecting data while obstructions are being removed. This eliminates the data loss issue associated with air blowing or fluid spraying methods that temporarily block the sensor field of view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Reliability

If piezoelectric vibrators are positioned outside the field of view to vibrate obstructions off, then sensor obstruction removal is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor cleanlinessVSAvoidcleaning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The piezoelectric vibrator is extracted and positioned outside the sensor's field of view, typically on the external surface of the housing. This separation allows the cleaning mechanism to operate independently without interfering with the sensor's detection function. The vibrator is coupled to the housing structure, using the housing itself as a transmission medium to deliver vibrations to the sensor window, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Use of energy by moving object

If multiple piezoelectric vibrators are activated with different frequencies and phase velocities, then energy consumption is optimized, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic control of multiple piezoelectric vibrators, where each vibrator can be activated with different frequencies and phase velocities based on the detected obstruction characteristics. The function generator adjusts the oscillating signal parameters in real-time, allowing the system to optimize energy consumption by activating only the necessary vibrators with appropriate parameters, rather than running all vibrators at fixed settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This method effectively removes obstructions without temporarily obstructing the sensor and reduces energy expenditure by adapting vibration profiles based on obstruction type and effectiveness metrics.

Implementation Method 1

at least one piezoelectric vibrator positioned to impart vibrations to the sensor window

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

instruct the piezoelectric vibrator to vibrate the sensor window with vibrations following a vibration profile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11224902B2Sensor assembly with cleaning

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A system includes a sensor window, a sensor having a field of view through the sensor window, a piezoelectric vibrator positioned to impart vibrations to the sensor window, and a computer communicatively coupled to the sensor and the piezoelectric vibrator. The computer is programmed to identify a type for an obstruction of the sensor window based on data from the sensor, and instruct the piezoelectric vibrator to vibrate the sensor window with vibrations having a vibration profile. The vibration profile has at least one of frequency or phase velocity chosen according to the identified type of obstruction.