Pneumatic Sensor Cleaning Arm via Fluid Pressure Differential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dirty or smudged sensor lenses and covers in autonomous vehicles can impair sensor operation, affecting the vehicle's ability to detect internal states and the external environment accurately.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system with a rotatable arm and nozzles powered by pressurized fluid sources, which uses a liquid pump and gas compressor to rotate the arm and emit fluid for cleaning, allowing for debris removal without the need for electricity, thus improving sensor operation and vehicle autonomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning system uses pressurized fluid sources (liquid pump and gas compressor) to rotate the arm and emit fluid for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic and hydraulic principles by using pressurized fluid sources (liquid pump and gas compressor) to drive the rotatable arm and provide cleaning fluid through nozzles. The pressurized fluid rotates the arm via fluid pressure differential and emits fluid for cleaning the sensor, eliminating the need for electrical motors and reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system uses the pressurized fluid to serve multiple functions: rotating the arm and cleaning the sensor. The fluid pressure differential automatically controls the arm rotation direction, and the same fluid is emitted through nozzles for cleaning, allowing the system to clean itself without external control mechanisms.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the cleaning system uses pressurized fluid sources to power the rotatable arm, then noise and vibration are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical systems (electrical motors, gears, and mechanical linkages) with a pneumatic-fluid system. The pressurized fluid sources drive the arm rotation and cleaning operations through fluid pressure, eliminating mechanical contact and associated noise and vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic and hydraulic principles to convert fluid pressure into rotational motion and cleaning action. The pressurized fluid creates pressure differential to rotate the arm and provides fluid flow for cleaning, replacing mechanical actuation systems that generate noise and vibration.
3Area of stationary object
If the cleaning system uses a rotatable arm with nozzles positioned to emit fluid on respective sides of the wiper blade, then cleaning coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning nozzles at specific locations on the rotatable arm to emit cleaning fluid on respective sides of the wiper blade. This targeted fluid application ensures comprehensive cleaning coverage of the sensor surface, addressing different areas with localized fluid delivery points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-point cleaning approach to a multi-dimensional cleaning coverage by using a rotatable arm with nozzles positioned at different locations. The rotation adds temporal dimension, while the multi-nozzle configuration adds spatial dimension, achieving comprehensive sensor surface coverage.
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 cleaning system effectively removes obstructions from sensors, enhancing the operation of autonomous vehicles, is cost-effective and energy-efficient, and reduces noise and vibration, ensuring longer system life.
Implementation Method 1
The rotatable barrier is rotatable by relative pressures of the chambers
Implementation Method 2
The arm includes a first nozzle fluidly connected to the first chamber and a second nozzle fluidly connected to the second chamber
Implementation Method 3
emit fluid for cleaning
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning system includes an actuator and an arm rotatable by the actuator. The actuator includes a housing and a rotatable barrier in the housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber. The rotatable barrier is rotatable by relative pressures of the chambers. The arm includes a first nozzle fluidly connected to the first chamber and a second nozzle fluidly connected to the second chamber.