Sensor Cleaning Device Using Pressure Surge Pneumatics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for sensors, such as wipers and compressed air systems, often fail to effectively remove contaminants from sensor surfaces without causing damage or requiring extensive infrastructure, leading to reduced measurement accuracy and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a pump, pressure accumulator, and pressure-controlled valve that generates a pressure surge to clean the sensor surface, combined with a wiper mechanism for additional cleaning, allowing for efficient removal of contaminants without the need for external compressed air sources or extensive infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wipers with wiper lip or brushes are used to clean sensor outer portions, then cleaning effect is improved, but outer portions may be scratched by abrasive contaminants like sand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiper system with a pneumatic cleaning system that uses compressed air to blow contaminants off the sensor outer portion. This substitution eliminates direct mechanical contact between the cleaning device and the sensor surface, thereby preventing scratches while maintaining effective cleaning capability through high-velocity air streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs compressed air (pneumatics) as the cleaning medium to remove contaminants from the sensor outer portion. The pneumatic system delivers high-velocity air through nozzles positioned near the sensor, creating a strong airflow that dislodges and removes particles including abrasive contaminants without requiring mechanical contact with the sensitive sensor surface.
2Productivity
If compressed air is supplied through long supply lines from a remote generator, then cleaning capability is improved, but line resistance losses increase and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the compressed air generator with the sensor assembly by integrating a small compressor and pressure accumulator directly at the sensor location. This combination eliminates long supply lines and associated energy losses by generating compressed air locally, while the accumulated pressure provides sufficient cleaning capability without requiring extensive infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a pressure accumulator to store compressed air in advance, building up pressure that can be rapidly discharged for cleaning. This preliminary accumulation of pressure allows the system to deliver high cleaning capability on demand without requiring continuous high-power compression or long supply lines, reducing energy losses and device size.
3Productivity
If a powerful compressed air generator is used to overcome line resistance in long supply lines, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the compressed air generation system with the sensor assembly into an integrated unit. By merging the compressor, pressure accumulator, and sensor into a single compact system, the invention eliminates the need for separate remote infrastructure while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through locally generated high-pressure air.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure accumulator pre-stores compressed air at high pressure, enabling the system to deliver powerful cleaning bursts without requiring a continuously running high-power compressor. This preliminary pressure accumulation simplifies the overall system by allowing a smaller compressor to operate intermittently while still achieving 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 device achieves a strong cleaning effect with reduced energy consumption and compact design, minimizing line resistance losses and enabling reliable operation in various environments, including those with limited infrastructure and exposure to harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
air sucked in by means of the pump is compressed in the pressure accumulator via the supply line, and at least a portion of the compressed air generated in the pressure accumulator is expelled in the form of a pressure surge via the nozzle(s)
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device for cleaning an outer portion of a sensor includes: a pump connected to an air supply line; a pressure accumulator connected to the pump in a housing of the cleaning device, which can be mounted on the sensor; and an exhaust air duct with a pressure-controlled valve connected to the pressure accumulator and connected to at least one nozzle which is aligned on the outer portion to be cleaned. The cleaning device is configured to perform pressure-surge cleaning operations in which air drawn in by the pump is compressed in the pressure accumulator, and the compressed air in the pressure accumulator is expelled as a pressure surge via the at least one nozzle when pressure exerted by the compressed air enclosed in the pressure accumulator exceeds a pressure value required to temporarily open the pressure-controlled valve.