Vehicle Sensor Mount With Spray Nozzles for Clear Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle sensors face challenges in maintaining accuracy and effectiveness due to positioning vulnerabilities and obstruction by debris, dirt, and environmental factors, which can impair their field-of-view and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for cleaning and positioning sensors on vehicles using a sensor base with nozzles that create overlapping spray patterns to cover the sensor window, ensuring optimal field-of-view and protection from damage, including a tether system to secure the sensor in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned to maximize field-of-view, then the sensor coverage and navigation accuracy are improved, but the sensor becomes more vulnerable to impact damage from road debris and environmental obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by positioning the sensor within a sensor base that provides structural protection and shock absorption. The sensor base acts as a protective enclosure that cushions the sensor against impact damage from road debris while maintaining the sensor's elevated position for optimal field-of-view coverage.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned in a highly-visible location to maximize field-of-view, then the sensor coverage is improved, but the sensor becomes obstructed by dirt, debris, and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a cleaning system with nozzles that proactively remove dirt and debris from the sensor window before they can obstruct the sensor's field-of-view. The nozzles are positioned to spray cleaning fluid onto the sensor window, preventing accumulation of contaminants that would block the sensor's view.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor window is cleaned with spray patterns from nozzles, then the sensor visibility is improved, but the system complexity increases due to multiple nozzles and spray pattern configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating multiple nozzles into a unified cleaning system where the nozzles work together to provide comprehensive coverage of the sensor window. The nozzles are arranged in a configuration where their spray patterns overlap and combine to ensure complete cleaning of the entire sensor window surface, reducing the need for separate cleaning mechanisms for different areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning nozzles at specific locations around the sensor base, with each nozzle targeted to clean a particular area of the sensor window. The spray patterns are configured with specific angles and coverage areas to ensure that each nozzle contributes effectively to cleaning its designated zone, optimizing the cleaning efficiency while managing system complexity.
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 solution effectively maintains sensor functionality by ensuring clear visibility and protection from environmental obstructions, enhancing the reliability of autonomous vehicle navigation and control systems.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of nozzles, where the plurality of nozzles are disposed within the sensor base, where each nozzle defines a spray pattern
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a system and method for sensor cleaning and positioning of the sensor on a vehicle. A system can include a mount attached to a vehicle; a sensor base; a sensor supported on the sensor base; a boom connecting the mount to the sensor base; and a tether, where the tether is connected at a first end, at least indirectly, to the sensor, and at a second end to a structure within the vehicle. The system may include a sensor cleaning array of nozzles, where combined spray patterns of the array of nozzles cover a sensor window of the sensor about a field-of-view of the sensor.