Autonomous Vehicle Sensor Cleaning With Selective Gas-Liquid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle sensors face degradation due to debris, contaminants, and environmental conditions such as rain, snow, and dirt, which affect the quality of sensor data collected.
Innovation Solution
A sensor cleaning system with individualized cleaning units, using both gas and liquid cleaning methods, where a controller determines the need for cleaning based on sensor data analysis and controls the flow of fluid to specific cleaning units to clean only the required sensors, utilizing a gas-pressurized liquid system for enhanced pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all sensors are cleaned simultaneously using a centralized cleaning system, then comprehensive cleaning coverage is achieved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into multiple independent cleaning units, each assigned to specific sensors. Each cleaning unit can operate independently, allowing selective cleaning of individual sensors based on their contamination status without requiring the entire system to be activated.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cleaning units are configured with different cleaning methods (gas-based or liquid-based) appropriate for their specific sensor requirements. The system applies localized cleaning solutions to specific sensors rather than using a uniform approach across all sensors.
2Reliability
If all sensors are cleaned simultaneously, then complete cleaning coverage is achieved, but energy consumption and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system dynamically activates individual cleaning units based on real-time sensor contamination detection. The controller receives sensor data, identifies contaminated sensors, and activates only the corresponding cleaning units, rather than operating all cleaning units continuously or simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cleaning unit operates autonomously based on local contamination conditions detected by its associated sensors. The system self-regulates by activating cleaning only where and when needed, eliminating the need for continuous operation of the entire cleaning system.
3Reliability
If a liquid cleaning system is used, then effective contaminant removal is achieved, but system pressurization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-based cleaning units and liquid-based cleaning units are integrated into a single unified cleaning system. Both cleaning methods share common components including the controller, fluid sources, and flow control devices, reducing overall system complexity despite the diversity of cleaning approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is designed to provide multiple cleaning functions (gas-based cleaning and liquid-based cleaning) through a single integrated platform. The system can selectively apply different cleaning methods based on sensor requirements, achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate independent systems.
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
Improves sensor efficiency and performance by cleaning only necessary sensors, reducing energy and resource usage, and maintaining better sensor data quality by preventing temporary system blindness.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid sensor cleaning system that is gas-pressurized
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of flow control devices that respectively control a flow of the fluid from the fluid source to the plurality of sensor cleaning units
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a sensor cleaning system that cleans one or more sensors of an autonomous vehicle. Each sensor can have one or more corresponding sensor cleaning units that are configured to clean such sensor using a fluid (e.g., a gas or a liquid). Thus, the sensor cleaning system can include both a gas cleaning system and a liquid cleaning system. According to one aspect, the sensor cleaning system can provide individualized cleaning of the autonomous vehicle sensors. According to another aspect, a liquid cleaning system can be pressurized or otherwise powered by the gas cleaning system or other gas system.