Optical Sensor Front Element Cleaning With Contamination Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning systems for transparent front elements of motor vehicle optical sensors are inefficient in detecting and addressing contamination, leading to impaired sensor functionality and increased energy and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning apparatus that includes a light source, detector device, and evaluation unit to assess contamination levels, generating a control signal for a cleaning device to effectively clean the front element using ultrasonic waves, liquid, or air, while minimizing unnecessary cleaning and energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual activation of liquid and/or air cleaning system is used, then the transparent front element can be cleaned, but energy consumption and cleaning medium consumption increase due to lack of targeted cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a detector device to detect contamination on the transparent front element and provides feedback to a control unit, which then activates the cleaning device only when contamination is detected. This feedback mechanism ensures cleaning is performed reliably when needed while avoiding unnecessary cleaning operations that would waste energy and cleaning media.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the transparent front element to essentially clean itself by detecting its own contamination state through the detector device and automatically triggering the cleaning device when contamination exceeds a threshold, eliminating the need for manual activation and reducing unnecessary cleaning operations.
2Reliability
If cleaning device is always active or protruding, then cleaning can be performed随时, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is designed to be movable relative to the transparent front element, allowing it to protrude when cleaning is needed and retract when not in use. This dynamic positioning maintains aerodynamic performance during normal operation while ensuring cleaning availability when contamination is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device is mounted on a telescopic arm that can extend and retract independently, separating the cleaning function from the permanent vehicle structure. This segmentation allows the cleaning device to be positioned only when needed, reducing its impact on aerodynamics during normal vehicle operation.
3Productivity
If contamination is not detected accurately, then inappropriate cleaning activation occurs, but cleaning resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector device continuously monitors the transparent front element for contamination and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit processes this information and activates the cleaning device only when contamination exceeds a predetermined threshold, ensuring cleaning is performed efficiently and avoiding unnecessary consumption of cleaning media.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual judgment and activation with an automated optical detection system. The detector device uses light to detect contamination presence and the control unit automatically decides when cleaning is needed, eliminating human error and ensuring consistent, accurate contamination assessment that optimizes cleaning media usage.
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 provides accurate contamination detection and targeted cleaning, improving sensor operation, reducing resource consumption, and maintaining aerodynamic efficiency by integrating the cleaning device with a telescopic arm and housing the light source and cleaning device together.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (13) for externally illuminating the front element (11) with light beams (14)... a detector device (18) for receiving the light beams (14) passed through the front element (11)
Implementation Method 2
the cleaning device (10) is formed for generating ultrasonic waves, wherein the front element (11) is cleanable by means of the ultrasonic waves
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus (9) for cleaning a transparent front element (11) of an optical sensor (4) for a motor vehicle (1), including the transparent front element (11) and including a light source (13) for externally illuminating the front element (11) with light beams (14), including a detector device (18) for receiving the light beams passed through the front element (11), and including an evaluation device (19), which is formed for evaluating the light beams received by the detector device (18) for determining a degree of contamination of the front element (11), wherein a control signal (22) for a cleaning device (10) of the cleaning apparatus (9) is generable depending on the evaluation such that the front element (11) is cleanable by means of the cleaning device (10). Further, the invention relates to an assembly (32) and to a method.