Pulse Nozzle Cleaning Module With Integrated High-Pressure Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for vehicle sensors and camera systems are inefficient, requiring mechanical wipers and high energy consumption, and lack a compact and low-maintenance design.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a high-pressure accumulator and solenoid valve integrated in an accumulator valve module, using a pulse nozzle to impulsively apply compressed air or water to the surface, reducing the need for mechanical wipers and minimizing energy and media consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical wiper is used for cleaning sensor surfaces, then cleaning reliability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiper system with a pneumatic impulse system. A compressed air reservoir stores pressurized air, which is delivered through a nozzle as short impulses to remove contaminants from the sensor surface. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts, reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles to achieve cleaning without mechanical contact. The compressed air reservoir and impulse nozzle create focused air jets that blow contaminants off the sensor surface. This pneumatic approach replaces the mechanical wiper action with fluid dynamics, simplifying the system architecture.
2Reliability
If continuous cleaning media application is used, then cleaning thoroughness is improved, but energy and media consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous media application, the patent employs periodic impulse delivery. The compressed air is released in short, controlled bursts through the impulse nozzle rather than continuously. This periodic action maintains cleaning effectiveness by delivering concentrated cleaning force only when needed, significantly reducing energy and media consumption compared to continuous application methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temporal parameters of media application from continuous to pulsed. By controlling the duration and frequency of air impulses, the system achieves thorough cleaning while minimizing the total amount of cleaning media and energy required. The impulse timing and pressure parameters are optimized for maximum cleaning efficiency per unit of energy consumed.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact cleaning device is designed, then installation space is reduced, but device complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the compressed air reservoir, impulse nozzle, and control mechanisms into a compact modular unit. By merging these components into a single integrated assembly, the system achieves space efficiency for sensor cleaning while managing complexity through functional integration. The reservoir and nozzle are positioned to work together in a compact configuration suitable for vehicle installation.
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 solution provides a reliable, efficient, and compact cleaning method with reduced equipment and maintenance costs, achieving thorough cleaning with minimal effort and low resource usage.
Implementation Method 1
a high-pressure accumulator (140) designed for storing the first medium under a storage pressure, in particular under high pressure
Implementation Method 2
a pulse nozzle (126) designed for pulse-like application of the first medium under the storage pressure to the surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning device (100, 100') for selectively applying a first medium (M1) to a surface (O) having: - a high pressure reservoir (140, 140') designed to store the first medium (M1) held under a storage pressure (PS), particularly under high pressure (PH), - a pulse nozzle (126), designed for applying the first medium (M1) under the storage pressure (PS) in a pulsed manner to the surface (O), a switching valve (160, 160') comprising: - a nozzle port (X1) and a high pressure reservoir port (X2), designed for selectively establishing a first connection between the high pressure reservoir (140, 140') and the pulse nozzle (126), and - a feed port (384) for establishing a second connection between the high pressure reservoir (140, 140') and a first medium source (MQ1, MQ1'). According to the invention, the cleaning device is designed such that the high pressure reservoir (140, 140') and the switching valve (160, 160') are structurally integrated in a reservoir valve module (260, 260'), wherein - the switching valve (160, 160') is designed as a solenoid valve (360), to switch between the first and the second connection when the high pressure reservoir port (X2) is under the storage pressure (PS).