Vehicle Sensor Cleaning System Using Pneumatic and Fluid Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle sensors become soiled by moisture, dirt, and particles, reducing their effectiveness in environmental perception and vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A sensor cleaning system that includes air and fluid-based cleaning devices, controlled by a vehicle computing system, which uses solenoids, pumps, and regulators to deliver compressed air and cleaning fluid to sensors such as cameras and lidar, ensuring efficient cleaning and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are exposed to various environmental conditions for autonomous vehicle operation, then the vehicle's operational capability is improved, but the sensors become soiled by moisture, dirt, and particles reducing their effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning actions by ejecting air and/or fluid onto the sensor surface before dirt and debris can significantly degrade sensor performance. The cleaning system proactively removes contaminants rather than waiting for severe soiling to occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the presence of dirt or debris on the sensor surface and provides feedback to the computing system. This feedback triggers the cleaning mechanism to activate only when needed, optimizing the balance between maintaining sensor effectiveness and energy consumption.
2Reliability
If a sensor cleaning system is implemented to remove debris and dirt, then sensor performance is maintained, but the device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is designed to clean multiple different sensor types (cameras, LIDAR, radar) using a unified approach with air and/or fluid ejection. The system can clean various sensor surfaces located at different positions on the vehicle through a multi-functional design that handles diverse cleaning needs with a single system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic (compressed air) and/or hydraulic (fluid) mechanisms to deliver cleaning media to the sensor surfaces. This approach eliminates the need for complex mechanical contact-based cleaning mechanisms, reducing device complexity while effectively removing contaminants from various sensor types.
3Reliability
If cleaning fluid is used to clean sensors, then effective removal of dirt and particles is achieved, but energy consumption and fluid usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system can apply cleaning fluid partially or in combination with air, depending on the severity of contamination. For light contamination, air alone may suffice, while for heavier soiling, fluid is applied. This partial action approach reduces overall fluid consumption while maintaining effective cleaning capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Compressed air serves as an intermediary that can deliver cleaning fluid to the sensor surface with controlled force and distribution. The air stream helps atomize and distribute the fluid evenly across the sensor surface, improving cleaning efficiency and reducing the total amount of fluid required for effective cleaning.
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 system effectively removes debris and dirt from sensors, maintaining their performance and ensuring reliable operation of autonomous vehicles in various environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a camera cleaning device that can be used to clean a camera lens of the camera by ejecting air onto a surface of the camera lens
Implementation Method 2
A sensor cleaning system that includes air and fluid-based cleaning devices
Data Source
AI summary
A device for cleaning a sensor can include a first valve, a second valve, a set of fluid nozzles, and a housing structure. The housing structure includes a first channel to enable fluid to move from the first valve to the set of fluid nozzles, a cavity, a second channel to enable air to move from the second valve to the cavity, and a slit opening to enable air to move from the cavity to outside the housing structure.