Sensor cleaning system with anti-freezing function

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Solution Overview

Problem

Environmental sensors on vehicles are prone to freezing and clogging due to rapid pressure drops and freezing of moisture, leading to operational failures and potential accidents, especially in autonomous driving scenarios.

Innovation Solution

An air cleaning system with integrated heating elements and hoses to maintain air tank and hose temperatures above freezing, preventing clogging and ensuring continuous sensor operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If compressed air is used for sensor cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but freezing and clogging of components occurs in cold environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor cleaning effectivenessVSAvoidsystem operational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is activated before the air compressor operates to pre-heat the air tank and surrounding components. This preliminary heating action prevents the compressed air and internal components from freezing during operation in cold environments, ensuring continuous reliable operation while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the temperature parameter of the air tank and internal components by applying heat through the heating element. This parameter change prevents the air and components from reaching freezing temperatures, thereby eliminating the clogging issue while preserving the compressed air cleaning function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If heating elements are added to prevent freezing, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operational reliabilityVSAvoidsystem structural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is integrated into the existing air tank structure, merging the heating function with the air storage component. This combination approach adds the necessary heating capability while minimizing overall system complexity by avoiding separate, standalone heating assemblies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element is controlled to operate automatically when cold conditions are detected, allowing the system to self-regulate and prevent freezing without requiring complex external control mechanisms. The system serves itself by monitoring and responding to temperature conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Prevents freezing and clogging of air cleaning system components, ensuring reliable sensor cleaning and safe autonomous driving by maintaining component temperatures above freezing.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element disposed in the air tank and configured to apply heat to the air tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12447931B2Sensor cleaning system with anti-freezing function

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A sensor cleaning system for a vehicle implements anti-freezing and defrosting functions. The sensor cleaning system includes: an air tank configured to store compressed air; a heating element disposed in the air tank and configured to apply heat to the air tank; and a controller configured to operate the heating element when a preset condition is satisfied.