Integrated Air Drying Actuator for Vehicle Sensor Cleaning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressed air supply actuators for vehicles fail to provide high-pressure, dry air efficiently for cleaning sensors, leading to residual cleaning liquid and moisture issues, which affect sensor performance, and require complex control systems and large volumes.
Innovation Solution
A compact compressed air supply actuator integrating a compression unit and drying unit, utilizing adsorbents to remove moisture and regenerate the drying unit, allowing for efficient high-pressure air generation and storage, with a simple control mechanism to manage pressure and regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If atmospheric air is compressed to high pressure for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water vapor content increases causing poor cleaning results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes water vapor from compressed air using a drying unit equipped with desiccant materials (molecular sieves, silica gel, or activated alumina). The drying unit is integrated into the compressed air supply system to continuously or periodically remove moisture, ensuring dry compressed air is supplied to the cleaning nozzle for effective sensor cleaning without water vapor interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of compressed air by controlling humidity levels through the drying unit. By adjusting the drying mechanism (continuous or periodic regeneration mode) and selecting appropriate desiccant materials, the system optimizes the moisture content parameter of compressed air to maintain effectiveness for cleaning while preventing water vapor deposition on sensors.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a drying unit with adsorbent is added to remove moisture, then air dryness is improved, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drying unit with the compressed air supply system by integrating it between the compressor and storage tank. The drying unit shares the same housing structure and airflow path as the compressed air system, eliminating the need for separate moisture removal equipment. This integration reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective moisture removal capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying unit is designed to perform multiple functions: removing moisture from compressed air during normal operation, and regenerating the adsorbent material using heated air or vacuum during maintenance cycles. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate systems and simplifies the overall device structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If high-pressure compressed air is supplied to remove cleaning liquid, then cleaning performance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a storage tank that pre-stores compressed air at high pressure before cleaning operations. The compressor builds up pressure in advance and stores it, allowing the system to supply high-pressure air for cleaning without continuously operating the compressor at high power. This preliminary action reduces peak energy consumption during actual cleaning cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates the compressor in periodic cycles, building up pressure in the storage tank during low-demand periods and using stored pressure during cleaning operations. This periodic operation pattern reduces average energy consumption compared to continuous high-pressure compression, while maintaining cleaning performance when needed.
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 actuator effectively removes residual liquid and moisture from sensors using high-pressure, dry air, maintaining sensor performance while minimizing weight, volume, and complexity, enabling easy installation and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a drying unit configured to receive the compressed air compressed to the predetermined pressure by the compression unit via a movement passage connecting the compression unit and a first portion of the drying unit to remove moisture from the compressed air
Implementation Method 2
a compression unit configured to compress air from outside to form high-pressure compressed air
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator for supplying compressed air for cleaning and drying a sensor of a vehicle, includes a compression unit configured to compress air from outside to form high-pressure compressed air, a drying unit configured to receive the compressed air compressed to a high pressure by the compression unit via a movement passage to remove moisture from the compressed air, and a storage tank connected to the drying unit via a connecting passage and configured to store the compressed air passing through the drying unit to be supplied to the vehicle, wherein the compressed air is stored in the storage tank so that high-pressure compressed air is generated and sprayed to the sensor of the vehicle, cleaning and drying the same in a short time.