Autonomous Vehicle Sensor Cleaning via Gas-Pressurized Liquid
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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, controlled by processors, using a fluid source and flow control devices to selectively clean sensors based on data analysis, featuring both gas and liquid cleaning systems, with the liquid system being gas-pressurized for higher pressure capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a cleaning system is implemented for autonomous vehicle sensors, then sensor data quality is improved, but energy consumption and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements individualized cleaning for each sensor based on its specific contamination level rather than uniform cleaning of all sensors. The controller analyzes sensor data quality for each sensor independently and activates cleaning only for contaminated sensors, applying local quality improvement where needed while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption for clean sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial cleaning action by selectively cleaning only the subset of sensors that require it, rather than cleaning all sensors continuously. This partial action approach maintains sufficient sensor performance while reducing overall energy and resource consumption compared to comprehensive cleaning of all sensors.
2Reliability
If continuous cleaning of all sensors is performed, then sensor reliability is maintained, but system complexity and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains sensor reliability locally by monitoring and cleaning individual sensors based on their specific contamination status. Each sensor is assessed independently and cleaned only when its data quality degrades, maintaining overall system reliability without requiring complex continuous cleaning of all sensors simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensors essentially self-diagnose their contamination status through data quality analysis performed by the controller. The system allows sensors to indicate their own cleaning needs through performance degradation detection, reducing the complexity of active monitoring and control mechanisms required for forced continuous cleaning.
3Loss of energy
If individualized sensor cleaning is implemented, then resource efficiency is improved, but the risk of temporary sensor blindness during cleaning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sensor array into multiple independent cleaning zones, allowing individual sensors to be cleaned separately rather than all sensors simultaneously. This segmentation enables continuous operation of non-cleaned sensors while maintaining resource efficiency through selective cleaning of only contaminated sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic cleaning action based on contamination detection rather than continuous cleaning. Sensors are cleaned periodically only when contamination is detected, allowing the vehicle to rely on other clean sensors during the cleaning process, thus maintaining overall system reliability while improving resource efficiency.
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 data quality by cleaning only necessary sensors, reducing energy and resource usage, and preventing temporary sensor system blindness by allowing immediate cleaning of contaminated sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure transfer device that uses a first volume of gas to pressurize the liquid held in the liquid tank
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.