See-Through Sensor Assembly With Membrane Cleaning for Dirt and Ice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning systems for see-through areas in motor vehicles, such as environment sensors, are inefficient under varying ambient conditions, leading to residual dirt and reduced sensor availability, which affects vehicle safety and increases cleaning costs.
Innovation Solution
A see-through assembly with a movable membrane or shape-changing excitation layer, actuated by a control feature, that loosens and removes foreign particles from the see-through area, combined with a cleaning nozzle and wiper element for enhanced effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a generic cleaning feature is used to clean the see-through area, then cleaning capability is provided, but cleaning effectiveness is insufficient under varying ambient conditions leading to residual dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning feature uses a movable membrane that can be actuated to change its position and shape dynamically. The membrane is capable of moving between a retracted position and an extended position, and can be deformed to create mechanical action for removing contaminants. This dynamic behavior allows the cleaning system to adapt to different ambient conditions and effectively remove various types of contaminants including ice, snow, and dirt.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning feature employs vibration or oscillation of the membrane to remove foreign particles from the see-through area. The membrane can be vibrated at high frequencies to create a mechanical cleaning action that effectively removes contaminants without requiring direct contact with the sensor surface. This vibration mechanism enhances cleaning effectiveness under varying ambient conditions.
2Ease of operation
If manual activation of cleaning feature is used, then control is provided, but continuous monitoring and timely cleaning cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a control unit that receives signals from the environment sensor and automatically activates the cleaning feature when contamination is detected. The control unit monitors the sensor output and determines when cleaning is necessary, eliminating the need for manual activation. This feedback mechanism ensures timely cleaning and maintains continuous sensor availability without requiring user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system operates autonomously by self-activating based on sensor feedback. The control unit automatically triggers the cleaning feature when contaminants are detected on the see-through area, allowing the system to service itself without manual intervention. This self-service capability ensures that cleaning occurs at the appropriate moment to maintain sensor functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If compressed air cleaning is used, then no cleaning waste water needs to be removed, but cleaning effectiveness for various contaminants is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses vibrated or oscillated membrane elements to mechanically remove contaminants from the see-through area. This mechanical vibration approach is more effective than static compressed air cleaning for removing adhered contaminants such as ice, snow, and dirt. The vibration creates dynamic mechanical forces that effectively dislodge and remove various types of contaminants while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning feature changes physical parameters such as membrane position, shape, and vibration frequency to optimize cleaning effectiveness for different contaminant types. By varying these parameters, the system can effectively remove diverse contaminants including ice, snow, and dirt without requiring complex multi-mode cleaning systems or waste water removal infrastructure.
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 significantly reduces the residence time of foreign particles, simplifies subsequent cleaning, and achieves more effective removal of dirt, ice, and snow, ensuring uninterrupted sensor operation and improved vehicle safety.
Implementation Method 1
The control feature is configured to cause the membrane to move in a predetermined manner relative to an outer surface of the see-through area so that foreign particles located on an outer surface of the membrane can be loosened and/or broken up and/or detached and/or removed
Implementation Method 2
Alternatively, the see-through area comprises a shape-changing and/or volume-changing and/or thickness-changing excitation layer at least on its outer surface, in particular an excitation layer comprising a shape memory material
Data Source
AI summary
A see-through assembly for an environment sensor of a motor vehicle, the see-through assembly having at least one see-through area, a control feature, and a cleaning feature for cleaning the see-through area. The cleaning feature has a membrane spaced apart from an outer surface of the see-through area by a layer, or the see-through area has a shape-changing and/or volume-changing and/or thickness-changing excitation layer at least on its outer surface, the control feature being configured to cause the membrane to move in a predetermined manner relative to the outer surface of the see-through area or to cause the shape-changing and/or volume-changing and/or thickness-changing excitation layer to move in a predetermined manner so that foreign particles located on an outer surface of the membrane can be loosened and/or detached and/or removed.