Sensor Cleaning Nozzle Layout With Air-Jet Liquid Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-driving cars face challenges in maintaining the cleanliness of their sensor systems, particularly camera and LIDAR systems, due to weather factors like rain and dirt, which can reduce the quality of information gathered.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system comprising a delivery unit with a liquid nozzle, an air nozzle, and a deflection orifice, all in fluid communication with a single air manifold, is designed to effectively clean the sensor surfaces of self-driving cars. The system includes a reservoir for cleaning liquid, an air inlet, and a compressor unit to drive the liquid and air to the delivery unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a liquid nozzle and air nozzle are positioned close to each other for compact cleaning system design, then the device complexity is reduced, but liquid may contaminate the air jet and reduce cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
A deflection orifice is introduced as an intermediary element between the liquid nozzle and air nozzle. This orifice deflects the liquid jet away from the air nozzle, preventing liquid contamination of the air jet while allowing both nozzles to remain in close proximity for a compact system design
Solution Approach 2:
The air manifold is segmented into separate fluid communication pathways: one pathway delivers air to the air nozzle, while another pathway delivers air to the deflection orifice. This segmentation allows independent control of air flow to different components, enabling the deflection function without compromising air nozzle performance
2Reliability
If a deflection orifice is added to prevent liquid contamination of air jet, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection orifice and air nozzle are both fed from a single air manifold, merging their air supply into one common structure. This integration reduces overall system complexity compared to having completely separate air supply systems for each component
Solution Approach 2:
The air manifold serves multiple functions: it supplies air to the air nozzle for primary cleaning and simultaneously supplies air to the deflection orifice for liquid jet deflection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function
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 cleaning system efficiently removes dirt and debris from sensor surfaces, ensuring optimal performance and data quality for self-driving cars in various weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid nozzle for delivering a liquid jet and directing the liquid jet towards a surface of the sensor system
Implementation Method 2
an air nozzle for delivering an air jet and directing the air jet towards the surface of the sensor system
Implementation Method 3
a deflection orifice for delivering an other air jet for deflecting the liquid jet away from the air nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a delivery unit for a cleaning system and a method of operation. The delivery unit has a liquid nozzle for delivering a liquid jet and directing the liquid jet towards a surface of a sensor system, an air nozzle for delivering an air jet and directing the air jet towards the surface of the sensor system, and a deflection orifice for delivering an other air jet for deflecting the liquid jet away from the air nozzle. The liquid nozzle is located proximate to the air nozzle. The air nozzle and the deflection orifice are in fluid communication with a single air manifold.