Rotating Sensor Cover Cleaning for Fluid-Free LiDAR Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor cleaning systems for autonomous driving vehicles, such as LiDAR sensors, are inefficient and costly due to the use of washer fluids, which can lead to hardened foreign substances and increased vehicle weight and complexity, and do not effectively remove contaminants without additional components.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable cover unit surrounding the sensor, coupled with a cleaning unit and rotation driving unit, removes foreign substances through friction and air flow without the need for separate air or cleaning liquids, reducing system complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If washer fluid is sprayed on the lens cover to clean foreign substances, then cleaning effect is improved, but vehicle weight increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex fluid delivery system (pipes, pumps, reservoirs) from the cleaning mechanism. Instead of spraying washer fluid through a complex network of components, the invention uses a simple rotating cover structure that mechanically removes contaminants through friction and centrifugal force, achieving cleaning without the extracted complex subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating cover system is self-contained and self-powered, utilizing the vehicle's existing motion or a simple motor to rotate the cover. The cover itself performs the cleaning function through its rotation and friction contact with the lens, eliminating the need for external fluid delivery systems, pumps, and control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If washer fluid is sprayed on the lens cover to clean foreign substances, then cleaning effect is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the weight of washer fluid reservoirs, pumps, hoses, and associated components from the vehicle. The cleaning function is achieved through a lightweight rotating cover mechanism that eliminates the need for heavy fluid storage and delivery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a simple, lightweight rotating cover that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than investing in a complex, heavy fluid delivery system. The mechanical cleaning approach uses minimal materials compared to the substantial weight of pump systems, reservoirs, and piping.
3Reliability
If multiple components are used to spray washer fluid on the lens cover, then cleaning function is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates multiple expensive components (pumps, reservoirs, piping, spray nozzles) from the cleaning system. The remaining structure consists of a simple rotating cover and drive mechanism, dramatically reducing part count and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cleaning function with the existing sensor cover structure. The cover serves both its protective function and the cleaning function through rotation, eliminating the need for separate cleaning system components and reducing overall system cost.
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 system effectively cleans sensors by rotating the cover unit in a different direction from the cleaning unit, improving performance and merchantability by eliminating the need for pipes and reducing system complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
cleaning unit coupled to the cover unit to transmit a rotation driving force to the cover unit and configured to clean the cover unit by friction while being rotated in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the cover unit
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous driving sensor cleaning system for a vehicle includes a rotatable cover unit configured to surround a sensor such as a cylindrical sensor. The system also includes a cleaning unit coupled to the cover unit to transmit a rotation driving force to the cover unit and configured to clean the cover unit by friction while being rotated in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the cover unit. The system also includes a rotation driving unit coupled to the cleaning unit and configured to transmit the rotation driving force to the cleaning unit.