Vehicle Sensor Cleaning Sequence With Air-First Hybrid Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning methods for vehicle sensors, particularly those using liquid media, face challenges with installation space and weight restrictions due to the need for large storage tanks, and often impair sensor measurements temporarily, while achieving effective cleaning with minimal fluid consumption remains problematic.
Innovation Solution
A method that applies compressed air first to the sensor surface, checks for cleaning efficacy, and if necessary, performs a hybrid cleaning step combining compressed air with a limited amount of cleaning fluid, adjusting the fluid and air quantities based on the number of cleaning cycles to ensure effective cleaning with minimal fluid use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a cleaning system with multiple cleaning units arranged in series is used to clean large surface areas, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the risk of bacterial contamination increases due to prolonged operation time and potential contamination from previously cleaned areas
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into multiple independent cleaning units (first, second, third cleaning units) that operate in parallel rather than series. Each unit has its own cleaning element and can independently clean different zones simultaneously, thereby expanding coverage without extending operation time that would increase contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary disinfection of the cleaning elements between cleaning cycles or between different cleaning zones. The control unit manages disinfection sequences to ensure cleaning elements are disinfected before moving to new cleaning areas, preventing bacterial contamination of previously cleaned surfaces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cleaning elements are continuously disinfected to prevent bacterial contamination, then hygiene is improved, but the operation time and productivity are reduced due to frequent interruption for disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic disinfection cycles where cleaning elements are automatically disinfected at predetermined intervals during operation. The control unit coordinates disinfection of one cleaning element while other cleaning units continue operating, maintaining hygiene standards without stopping overall cleaning productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel arrangement of multiple cleaning units allows the system to maintain continuous cleaning operation. When one cleaning unit undergoes disinfection, other units continue cleaning, ensuring that the overall cleaning process remains continuous and productive rather than being interrupted.
3Device complexity
If multiple cleaning units are controlled by a single control unit, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to independently manage disinfection and cleaning cycles for each unit is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single control unit is designed with multi-functional capabilities to manage multiple cleaning units independently. It can simultaneously control cleaning cycles, disinfection cycles, and coordination for each cleaning unit, providing the flexibility of multiple controllers with the simplicity of a single integrated unit.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method (400) for operating a cleaning system (100) for cleaning a sensor surface (300) of a sensor (301) of a vehicle (1000), in particular an optical sensor (302), comprising the step of: - applying an amount of compressed air (M1) to the sensor surface (300) in an air cleaning step (412). According to the invention the method includes: checking an air cleaning result (LRE) in a checking step (413), - in the event of a negative air cleaning result (LRE), carrying out a hybrid cleaning step (430) comprising: - applying an amount of cleaning fluid (M2) to the sensor surface (300) in a fluid, in particular liquid, cleaning step (414) and/or - applying an amount of compressed air (M1) to the sensor surface (300) in a further air cleaning step (416).