Sensor and cleaning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle sensors, particularly LIDAR devices, face obstructions from vehicle components, leading to reduced accuracy in detecting the external environment due to blocked viewing areas.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning apparatus comprising a sensor arm with a wiper blade and sprayer system that clears obstructions from the sensor's viewing area, ensuring continuous and unobstructed detection of the external environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned to detect the external environment, then the detection capability is improved, but vehicle components obstruct the sensor's viewing area
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is positioned in a three-dimensional space above the vehicle body, utilizing vertical dimension to achieve an unobstructed viewing area. By elevating the sensor to a higher altitude position, the patent creates a spatial dimension where vehicle components no longer block the detection path, allowing 360-degree horizontal detection coverage without obstruction from hood, roof, or other vehicle parts.
2Reliability
If a cleaning apparatus is added to clear obstructions, then sensor accuracy is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning apparatus is integrated with the sensor assembly, where the wiper blade and motor are combined into a single compact unit that attaches directly to the sensor housing. This merging of functions allows the cleaning mechanism to be added without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the cleaning components share the same mounting structure and control system as the sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper blade is designed to automatically clean the sensor's viewing area without requiring external intervention. The motor-driven wiper mechanism activates independently to remove obstructions such as rain, snow, or debris from the sensor window, allowing the sensor system to maintain its own operational reliability without additional external cleaning equipment.
3Productivity
If the wiper blade is positioned to clean the sensor, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the wiper blade may obstruct the sensor's field of vision
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to move between a retracted position during sensor operation and an extended position during cleaning cycles. The blade can be rotated or translated to clear the sensor's field of vision when not actively cleaning, ensuring that the cleaning mechanism does not permanently obstruct the detection area while maintaining cleaning effectiveness when activated.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a sensor supported by a sensor arm and a wiper blade. The sensor includes a cylindrical windows having an obstructed portion and a viewing portion. The wiper blade is attached to the sensor and movable across the viewing portion from a resting position contacting the obstructed portion.