Vehicle Sensor Cleaning Device Retaining Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for vehicle-mounted optic sensors are inefficient in removing strongly adhered foreign matter like dried mud or insects, as they waste washer fluid and do not effectively direct the impact energy onto the optic surface.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a protruding part that moves between retracted and extended positions to create an inner wall around the optic surface, allowing washer fluid to bounce back and retain contact, enhancing direct impact and turbulence for effective foreign matter removal, while reducing fluid consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If washer fluid is discharged onto a downward tilting surface or ground, then foreign matter is removed from the optic surface, but washer fluid consumption increases significantly due to spattering loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the housing with retaining wall) between the optic surface and the ground. This intermediary captures and redirects the washer fluid that would otherwise spatter onto the ground, making it return to the optic surface for repeated cleaning action, thereby reducing fluid consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a fluid recovery mechanism where washer fluid that bounces off the optic surface is prevented from being discarded onto the ground. Instead, the retaining wall causes the fluid to return to the optic surface, enabling multiple cleaning cycles from the same fluid quantity and significantly reducing overall consumption
2Loss of substance
If washer fluid is discharged onto a surface other than the optic surface, then fluid consumption is reduced, but impact energy is wasted and cleaning efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it directs washer fluid onto the optic surface, retains bouncing fluid, redirects it back to the surface, and prevents loss to the ground. This multi-functionality ensures that every portion of the washer fluid contributes to cleaning the optic surface, maximizing impact energy utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a periodic cycle where washer fluid is discharged onto the optic surface, bounces off, is retained by the housing, and returns to the surface repeatedly. This periodic action ensures continuous cleaning with the same fluid, maintaining impact energy effectiveness while reducing consumption
3Loss of substance
If a retaining structure is added to redirect washer fluid, then washer fluid consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retaining wall and fluid redirection function into the existing housing structure of the cleaning device. By integrating these functions into the housing rather than adding separate components, the design reduces overall complexity while achieving the goal of reducing washer fluid consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is designed to perform multiple functions: structural support, fluid direction, and fluid retention. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated components, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving effective fluid management
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 efficiently removes adhered foreign matter with reduced washer fluid consumption, maintaining cleaning efficiency and effectively addressing strongly adhered contaminants like dried mud or insects.
Implementation Method 1
The inner wall further contributes to retain a quantity of washer fluid in contact with at least a portion of the optic surface. Therefore, the impingent washer fluid removes adhered foreign matter due to its direct impact onto the optic surface and contributes to create a turbulent flow in the retained washer fluid
Implementation Method 2
the impingent washer fluid removes adhered foreign matter due to its direct impact onto the optic surface and contributes to create a turbulent flow in the retained washer fluid, further removing adhered foreign matter
Implementation Method 3
washer fluid which has bounced off from the optic surface instead of spattering to the ground, bounces off the inner wall of the protruding part and returns to the optic surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A first aspect of the invention refers to a cleaning device (10) for cleaning a vehicle-mounted optic surface (2), comprising a housing (11), the housing (11) comprising an opening (12) adapted to fit an optic surface (2), a fluid inlet (13) arranged to take in washer fluid, an at least one fluid discharge port (22) arranged to discharge washer fluid onto the optic surface (2), a first passage (23) in fluidic communication with the fluid inlet (13) and the at least one fluid discharge port (22) so as to guide the washer fluid from the fluid inlet (13) towards the at least one fluid discharge port (22) and a protruding part (20) that substantially surrounds the opening (12) so as to define an inner wall (21). The invention also refers to a cleaning system and to a vehicle-mounted sensor (1) comprising an optic surface (2) and a cleaning device (10).