Vehicle Sensor Nozzle Control for Adaptive Cleaning Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor cleaners for vehicles are ineffective in maintaining detection accuracy of sensors under varying weather conditions and surrounding environments, particularly in autonomous driving scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A cleaner system with a rotatable or sliding nozzle that adjusts its movement range based on vehicle travel conditions, including speed and weather, to effectively clean sensors like LiDAR and maintain detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle is made movable (rotatable or sliding) to adapt to different cleaning needs, then the adaptability of the cleaning system is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to rotate or slide to different positions. This dynamic configuration enables the cleaning system to adapt to various weather conditions and traveling situations by adjusting the nozzle's position and orientation, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Productivity
If the control unit adjusts the movable range of the nozzle based on traveling conditions, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives information about traveling conditions (such as vehicle speed, weather conditions) and automatically adjusts the movable range of the nozzle accordingly. This feedback-based control mechanism enables the system to optimize cleaning effectiveness dynamically without requiring complex manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and control system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the nozzle movable range is limited to maintain detection accuracy, then the sensor detection accuracy is preserved, but the cleaning coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the nozzle's movable range based on real-time traveling conditions and sensor requirements. When detection accuracy is critical, the movable range is appropriately limited; when cleaning coverage is needed, the range is expanded. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining detection accuracy and providing sufficient cleaning coverage.
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 ensures efficient cleaning of sensors by adapting to different travel situations and weather conditions, thereby maintaining sensor detection accuracy and enhancing the reliability of autonomous driving systems.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle (123) having a jetting port (143) for jetting a cleaning medium to a surface to be cleaned (136f)
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaner system includes a cleaner including a nozzle having a jetting port for jetting a cleaning medium to a surface to be cleaned of a sensor mounted on a vehicle, and a control unit configured to control an operation of the cleaner. The nozzle is rotatable or slidingly movable in an operation state of the cleaner. The control unit is configured to change a movable range of the nozzle according to a travelling condition of the vehicle.