Driver Assistance Sensor Cleaning with Selective Spray Bars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving assistance systems face challenges in maintaining the functionality of detection modules with large optical surfaces, as debris and dirt can hinder image acquisition, and conventional cleaning methods like windshield washer fluid can be costly and disruptive, especially in autonomous vehicles where multiple modules are redundant.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with independently activatable projection ramps, each with fluid nozzles, mounted on telescopic deployment devices, allows for selective and sequential cleaning of angular sectors of the detection module's optical surface, ensuring continuous image acquisition by maintaining some modules operational during cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If windshield washer fluid is sprayed massively onto the detection module, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but cost of cleaning fluid increases and image acquisition is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device divides the optical surface into multiple angular sectors, each cleaned by a dedicated projection ramp. This segmentation allows targeted cleaning of only the dirty sector rather than the entire surface, reducing cleaning fluid consumption while maintaining effective cleaning of affected areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Each projection ramp is configured to clean a specific angular sector of the optical surface. The cleaning action is localized to the precise area requiring maintenance, applying cleaning fluid only where needed rather than uniformly across the entire detection module surface.
2Reliability
If the entire optical surface is cleaned simultaneously, then cleaning completeness is improved, but image acquisition is completely prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The optical surface is divided into multiple angular sectors that can be cleaned independently. When one sector is being cleaned, other sectors remain operational and continue to acquire images, ensuring that complete image acquisition is maintained even during cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the specific angular sector requiring cleaning is cleaned at any given time, rather than cleaning the entire surface simultaneously. This partial action approach maintains sufficient image acquisition capability from unaffected sectors while still achieving complete cleaning of the dirty area.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple projection ramps are activated simultaneously, then cleaning coverage is improved, but system complexity and fluid consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The projection ramps are equipped with telescopic deployment devices that allow them to move between retracted and deployed positions independently. This dynamic configuration enables flexible activation of only the necessary ramps for each cleaning scenario, simplifying control while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage when needed.
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
This solution enables efficient and cost-effective cleaning of detection modules, preventing total system blindness, ensuring safety by maintaining partial image acquisition capabilities during the cleaning process, particularly suitable for autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
each spray bar being configured to ensure the cleaning of a portion of the optical surface of the detection module
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention concerns a cleaning device (120) for cleaning a detection module (110) with a large optical surface area of a driver-assistance system (100) of a motor vehicle (300), comprising at least two spray bars (121a, 121b, 21c) for spraying a cleaning fluid arranged around the detection module (110) with a large optical surface, each spray bar (121a, 121b, 121c) being configured to clean a part of the optical surface of the detection module, each spray bar being capable of being activated separately from the other spray bars (121a, 121b, 121c).