High-Pressure Sensor Nozzles for On-Demand Lens Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle sensors, such as cameras, SONAR, and LIDAR, are exposed to environmental hazards like snow, rain, dust, and mud, which can degrade their performance and require regular cleaning to maintain nominal operation.
Innovation Solution
A sensor cleaning system integrated into autonomous vehicles, which includes a processor, memory, and a fluid dispensing mechanism. The system uses sensors to detect the quality of the sensor signal and initiates a cleaning cycle by dispensing a fluid, such as water or gas, through nozzles positioned around the sensor lenses to remove obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are positioned on the exterior of the vehicle to detect environmental data, then the sensors can provide relevant information for autonomous operation, but the sensors are exposed to environmental hazards such as snow, rain, dust, and mud that degrade their performance
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid (water or gas) is introduced as an intermediary substance to remove contaminants from the sensor lens. The fluid delivery system acts as a mediator between the contamination problem and the sensor, using the fluid to wash away dirt, snow, rain, and other environmental hazards that degrade sensor performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor cleaning system enables the sensor to clean itself automatically. The processor monitors sensor signal quality and triggers the fluid delivery system when contamination is detected, allowing the sensor to maintain its own performance without manual intervention. This self-service mechanism addresses the contradiction by enabling the sensor to counteract environmental contamination autonomously.
2Reliability
If the sensor signal quality degrades due to environmental conditions, then the sensor performance is compromised, but initiating a cleaning cycle requires additional system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The processor receives sensor signals and monitors their quality to determine when cleaning is needed. This feedback mechanism allows the system to respond automatically to contamination conditions, maintaining sensor reliability without requiring constant manual monitoring or overly complex control systems. The feedback loop triggers fluid delivery only when necessary, balancing reliability with system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor cleaning system operates autonomously by monitoring its own performance and initiating cleaning when needed. This self-service approach maintains sensor reliability without requiring external intervention or complex centralized control, as the system manages its own maintenance based on real-time sensor signal quality assessment.
3Reliability
If fluid is dispensed continuously through the nozzles to maintain sensor cleanliness, then sensor performance is maintained, but fluid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous fluid delivery, the system uses periodic action by triggering fluid dispensing only when the processor detects signal quality degradation. This on-demand approach maintains sensor performance reliability while significantly reducing fluid consumption compared to continuous operation. The periodic cleaning cycles are initiated based on actual contamination conditions rather than operating continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor monitors sensor signal quality and uses this feedback to control fluid delivery timing. Fluid is dispensed only when contamination is detected and signal quality falls below acceptable thresholds, ensuring sensor performance is maintained while minimizing unnecessary fluid consumption. This feedback-controlled approach balances reliability with resource efficiency.
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 effectively maintains the performance of autonomous vehicle sensors by regularly cleaning them, ensuring continuous operation even in harsh environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one nozzle configured to direct the fluid towards the at least one sensor lens
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor cleaning system for an autonomous vehicle includes at least one sensor configured to generate a sensor signal. At least one sensor lens may be positioned forward of the sensor. At least one reservoir for a fluid and at least one conduit fluidly coupled to the at least one reservoir and to at least one nozzle are configured to direct the fluid towards the sensor lens. At least one processor is communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor. A memory is operably coupled with the at least one processor, where the memory stores instructions that cause the at least one processor to perform operations including: receiving the sensor signal from the sensor; comparing a detected quality of the sensor signal relative to a nominal quality of the sensor signal; and, dispensing the fluid from the at least one reservoir through the nozzle towards the sensor lens.