Sensor Cleaning Nozzle Geometry for Low-Air Lens Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Environmental sensors on vehicles, such as cameras, are prone to soiling from foreign matter like dust, rain, and snow, which impairs their ability to accurately detect the surrounding environment, hindering autonomous driving.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning apparatus with a nozzle designed to inject fluid, specifically compressed air, is used to effectively clean the lens of environmental sensors, particularly cameras, by varying the cross-sectional shape of the nozzle to enhance cleaning efficiency and minimize air usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional nozzle with uniform cross-section is used to clean the sensor lens, then the cleaning coverage is limited, but the air consumption increases to achieve thorough cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle cross-section is designed with non-uniform distribution, creating different flow characteristics at different locations. The varying cross-sectional area along the flow direction enables concentrated air delivery at critical cleaning zones, optimizing both air utilization and cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle geometry parameters (cross-sectional area) are varied along the flow direction to control air flow distribution. This parameter change enables the air stream to maintain optimal velocity and pressure characteristics throughout the cleaning process, reducing waste while preserving cleaning power
2Productivity
If high air flow rate is used to ensure rapid contaminant removal, then cleaning speed improves, but air consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle cross-sectional area is optimized along the flow direction to maintain high air velocity without requiring excessive flow rates. The varying geometry ensures that the air stream retains sufficient kinetic energy for rapid contaminant removal while minimizing overall air consumption
3Productivity
If the nozzle is positioned to directly contact the lens for effective cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the risk of damaging the lens increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is positioned to target specific contaminated zones on the lens rather than direct contact with the entire lens surface. The localized air jet application removes contaminants from critical areas while maintaining a safe distance to prevent mechanical damage to the lens
Solution Approach 2:
The air stream acts as an intermediary cleaning medium, transferring momentum to remove contaminants without requiring direct mechanical contact between the nozzle and lens. This indirect cleaning mechanism preserves lens integrity while achieving effective contaminant removal
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 design allows for rapid and thorough removal of contaminants from the sensor lens, maintaining sensor performance and enabling accurate environmental detection.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle configured to receive a fluid and inject the fluid to a subject
Implementation Method 2
receive compressed air and inject the compressed air to a camera
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning apparatus and, more particularly, a sensor cleaning apparatus. The cleaning apparatus includes a nozzle configured to receive a fluid and inject the fluid to a subject. The nozzle is configured such that a cross-section thereof changes in a flow direction of the fluid.