Sensor Cleaning Nozzle Geometry for Low-Fluid Dirt Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nozzles for cleaning vehicle sensors are inefficient in removing persistent dirt, require high fluid consumption, and often necessitate manual intervention at cleaning stations, disrupting vehicle functionality.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle design featuring a flat surface with opposing sides and converging curved surfaces, optimized fluid jet formation, and protrusions to enhance pressure and directionality, allowing for efficient and reliable dirt removal with reduced fluid usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional nozzle design is used to clean the sensor, then fluid can be dispensed to remove loose dirt, but large quantities of fluid are required and persistent dirt cannot be removed effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle outlet is segmented into multiple outlet openings arranged in a specific pattern, allowing the fluid to be distributed into multiple directed jets rather than a single dispersed stream. This segmentation enables concentrated cleaning at multiple points across the sensor surface, improving dirt removal effectiveness while reducing overall fluid consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle incorporates outlet openings with different characteristics (sizes, shapes, orientations) positioned at specific locations to create localized fluid jets with varying properties. This allows different regions of the sensor to receive appropriately tailored fluid delivery - high-pressure jets for persistent dirt in some areas, gentler flow in others - optimizing cleaning effectiveness while minimizing total fluid usage.
2Reliability
If a conventional nozzle design is used, then the nozzle structure is simple, but the nozzle cannot reliably remove persistent dirt such as insect residues
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple outlet openings with specific geometric configurations, allowing the creation of multiple focused fluid jets that can target persistent dirt deposits more effectively than a single conventional outlet. This segmentation enables reliable removal of stubborn contaminants while maintaining a relatively simple overall nozzle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet openings are designed with specific curved geometries that shape the fluid flow into focused jets. The curved surfaces guide the fluid to converge into directed streams, enhancing the cleaning power for persistent dirt removal without requiring complex mechanical components or moving parts.
3Reliability
If more fluid is used to remove persistent dirt, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but fluid consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the fluid flow into multiple directed jets through separate outlet openings, the nozzle achieves thorough cleaning of persistent dirt across the sensor surface without requiring large volumes of fluid. Each jet concentrates cleaning power at specific locations, eliminating the need to flood the entire sensor area with excessive fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle design utilizes hydraulic principles to create high-velocity fluid jets through properly sized and positioned outlet openings. By optimizing the fluid dynamics - using pressure differentials and jet formation - the system achieves effective persistent dirt removal with minimal fluid consumption, leveraging fluid mechanics rather than relying on quantity.
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 nozzle effectively removes dirt, including persistent dirt, with minimal fluid consumption, ensuring reliable and thorough cleaning without manual intervention, thus maintaining sensor functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The curved surfaces (14) are configured such that they converge towards one another in the direction of the upper side (12). The nozzle (2) is configured to accelerate the fluid.
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle for the automatic cleaning of a sensor, in particular a sensor of a motor vehicle, includes an outlet for dispensing the fluid, and a flat surface. The flat surface is arranged on the inner surface of the nozzle. The outlet is arranged in the flat surface. The flat surface includes two opposing sides and an upper side. The upper side is arranged between the two opposing sides. The nozzle further includes two curved surfaces on the inner surface. Each of the curved surfaces is arranged on each of the two opposing sides of the flat surface, and the curved surfaces are configured such that they converge towards one another in the direction of the upper side.