Vehicle Sensor Cleaning Alerts to Limit Fluid Scatter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor cleaning technologies for vehicles often result in washer fluid or waste being scattered on pedestrians and can lead to vehicle interior contamination, including odors and noise, due to the external installation of sensors which are susceptible to dust and water droplets.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted device and method for sensor cleaning management, which includes a control unit to determine if sensor cleaning is necessary, an internal Human Machine Interface (HMI) to inform occupants, and an external HMI to inform pedestrians, along with a cleaning unit that can eject washer fluid or air, allowing for controlled sensor cleaning while preventing interior contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor cleaning is performed by ejecting washer fluid toward the sensor, then detection performance is maintained, but washer fluid and waste are scattered on pedestrians and may enter the vehicle interior
Solution Approach 1:
A notification system acts as an intermediary between the sensor cleaning function and the surrounding environment. The control unit activates notification devices (visual and/or audible) before initiating sensor cleaning, warning pedestrians and occupants of the upcoming washer fluid ejection. This allows the cleaning function to proceed while mitigating the harmful effects of fluid scattering through advance alerting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by providing advance notification before the harmful effect occurs. The control unit determines when sensor cleaning is needed and activates notification devices prior to ejecting washer fluid, preventing the harmful scattering effect from surprising or endangering pedestrians and occupants.
2Reliability
If sensors are installed externally to detect the environment, then detection capability is improved, but sensors become susceptible to contamination by dust and water droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor cleaning system enables self-service by automatically detecting when sensors are contaminated and performing cleaning without manual intervention. The control unit monitors sensor conditions and activates the cleaning unit to eject washer fluid when contamination is detected, allowing the sensor system to maintain its own performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by repeatedly performing sensor cleaning at intervals based on contamination detection. Rather than a single cleaning event, the control unit continuously monitors sensor conditions and initiates cleaning cycles as needed to maintain detection capability throughout vehicle operation.
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 effectively alerts occupants and pedestrians to sensor cleaning operations, prevents washer fluid and foreign matter from entering the vehicle, and maintains detection performance by minimizing external contamination during the cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning unit configured to eject at least one of washer fluid and air toward the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method are provided for cleaning a vehicle sensor. The method, performed by the device of a vehicle, is for sensor cleaning management and includes determining whether to initiate sensor cleaning; providing first information on the sensor cleaning internally (e.g., to an occupant inside of the vehicle); and providing second information on the sensor cleaning externally (e.g., to a person outside of the vehicle).