Vehicle Sensor Cleaning with Impinging Line-Shaped Liquid Outlets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor cleaning devices for autonomous vehicles, particularly in harsh conditions, are inefficient and costly, often failing to cover the entire sensor surface due to the use of conventional spray nozzles that miss areas and require multiple nozzles, leading to incomplete cleaning and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A sensor cleaning device with two line-shaped liquid outlets that impinge each other to form a sheet of liquid, efficiently covering the entire sensor surface, optionally using 3D-printed components, and potentially incorporating gas outlets for additional cleaning patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spray nozzles are used to clean the sensor, then the cleaning device can be simple in structure, but the entire sensor surface cannot be covered, leading to incomplete cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-like spray nozzles to line-shaped liquid outlets that extend in the circumferential direction. This dimensional change from 0D/3D spray points to 1D line structures allows continuous coverage along the sensor surface, ensuring complete cleaning without requiring multiple discrete nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pressurized liquid flowing through line-shaped outlets to create a continuous liquid sheet that covers the sensor surface. The hydraulic approach replaces multiple mechanical nozzles with a single integrated fluid delivery system, simplifying the device while improving coverage.
2Reliability
If multiple spray nozzles are used to cover the entire sensor surface, then cleaning coverage can be improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete nozzle functions into a single integrated line-shaped liquid outlet structure. This consolidation reduces the number of components, simplifies assembly, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining complete surface coverage through the extended linear geometry of the outlet.
Solution Approach 2:
The line-shaped liquid outlet serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides continuous liquid delivery along the entire circumferential direction, creates a spreading liquid sheet for comprehensive coverage, and eliminates the need for multiple separate nozzle components, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional spray nozzles are used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but the cleaning efficiency decreases due to missed areas
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the liquid outlet from a point source to a line structure in the circumferential direction, the patent achieves complete surface coverage without complicating the manufacturing process. The line-shaped outlet can be formed using standard machining or molding techniques, maintaining ease of manufacture while dramatically improving cleaning 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
The device provides thorough and cost-effective cleaning of external vehicle sensors by ensuring no surface area is missed, enhancing sensor performance and reducing manufacturing costs through innovative design and materials.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second line-shaped liquid outlets are further configured so that emitted pressurized liquid therefrom during use impinge each other, thereby forming a resulting sheet of liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a sensor cleaning device (1) for cleaning an external vehicle sensor device from above, the sensor cleaning device comprising, a liquid inlet (10) for receiving pressurized liquid, a first and a second liquid outlet (11, 12) for emitting pressurized liquid which is received from the liquid inlet (10), a chamber (13) for pressurized liquid fluidly connecting the liquid inlet (10) and the first and second liquid outlets (11, 12), wherein each one of the first and second liquid outlets is having a width and a length, wherein the length extends in a length direction (L1, L2) and the width extends in a width direction (w1, w2), wherein the length direction is perpendicular to the width direction, and wherein the first and second liquid outlets (11, 12) are configured so that pressurized liquid is emitted transversely through a sectional plane defined by the width direction and the length direction, wherein, the length is greater than the width for each first and second liquid outlet so that a first and second line-shaped liquid outlet (11, 12) is formed, and the first and second line-shaped liquid outlets (11, 12) are further configured so that emitted pressurized liquid therefrom during use impinge each other, thereby forming a resulting sheet of liquid (LS).