Vehicle Sensor Nozzle Motion for Low-Fluid Surface Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for sensors, particularly in vehicles, face challenges in effectively cleaning large surfaces or multiple sensors efficiently while conserving cleaning fluid, and achieving a compact and inconspicuous nozzle design with optimal cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a switching mechanism that controls the actuator independently of the fluid control means, allowing for separate management of cleaning movement and fluid application, using compressed air and cleaning liquid in a sequential manner to enhance cleaning efficiency and fluid conservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single cleaning nozzle is used to clean large surfaces or multiple sensors, then the device structure remains simple, but cleaning efficiency and fluid conservation become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cleaning system into multiple nozzles (first cleaning nozzle and second cleaning nozzle) that can be independently controlled. Each nozzle can be selectively actuated based on the contamination detection results, allowing efficient cleaning of large surfaces or multiple sensors while conserving cleaning fluid by avoiding unnecessary application to already clean areas.
2Device complexity
If the cleaning nozzle is made compact and unobtrusive, then the device design is improved, but the angle of impact of cleaning fluid on the sensor surface deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs actuators that can dynamically adjust the position and orientation of the cleaning nozzles. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the nozzles to achieve optimal perpendicular impact angles on sensor surfaces while maintaining a compact integrated design when not in use, resolving the contradiction between compactness and cleaning effectiveness.
3Productivity
If cleaning movement and fluid application are controlled together, then the control system is simpler, but the ability to conserve cleaning fluid and improve cleaning efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into independent control paths: one for actuating the cleaning nozzles and another for controlling cleaning fluid application. This segmentation allows the system to selectively activate nozzles based on contamination detection, improving cleaning efficiency and fluid conservation while maintaining manageable control complexity through modular architecture.
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 enables effective cleaning of large or multiple sensor surfaces with reduced fluid consumption by allowing independent control of the cleaning nozzle movement and fluid application, ensuring thorough dirt removal while minimizing fluid usage.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid actuating means, in particular a fluid valve or a pump, designed to selectively provide the cleaning fluid to the cleaning nozzle
Implementation Method 2
an actuating actuator for generating a cleaning movement of the cleaning nozzle
Implementation Method 3
subjecting the surface to be cleaned to a cleaning fluid, in particular compressed air, during the cleaning movement, generating a retraction movement opposite to the cleaning movement, and advantageously subjecting the surface to be cleaned to a cleaning fluid, in particular compressed air, during the retraction movement
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning device (100) for a vehicle (1000), comprising - at least one cleaning nozzle (320), designed to apply a cleaning fluid (RF, DL, F) to a surface (AR), which is to be cleaned, of at least one sensor (300), - a fluid regulating means (270), in particular a fluid valve (272) or a pump (276), designed to selectively provide the cleaning fluid (RF) to the cleaning nozzle (320), - an actuator (140) for generating a cleaning movement (BR) of the cleaning nozzle (320). According to the invention, there is provision in the one cleaning device (100) that - the cleaning device (100) has a switching means (160) for controlling the actuator (140) in such a way that - the cleaning movement (BR) can be generated independently of the fluid regulating means (270).