High-Pressure Sensor Nozzles for Autonomous Vehicle Signal Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in maintaining the operational effectiveness of exterior sensors due to exposure to environmental hazards like snow, rain, dust, dirt, and mud, which can degrade sensor performance.
Innovation Solution
A sensor cleaning system integrated into autonomous vehicles, which includes sensors, a fluid reservoir, conduits, and nozzles. The system uses a processor to assess sensor signal quality and dispense a cleaning fluid through nozzles positioned around the sensor face to maintain optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned on the exterior of the vehicle to provide field of view, then sensing capability is improved, but sensors are exposed to environmental hazards such as snow, rain, dust, dirt and mud which degrade performance
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor cleaning system automatically detects when sensors are contaminated and cleans them without human intervention. The processor monitors sensor output quality and autonomously activates the cleaning system when degradation is detected, allowing the sensor system to maintain itself during vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a fluid delivery mechanism with conduits and nozzles to transport cleaning fluid from a reservoir to the sensor surfaces. High-pressure fluid is delivered through the hydraulic/pneumatic system to effectively remove contaminants from the sensor faces during vehicle operation.
2Reliability
If cleaning fluid is dispensed through nozzles towards the sensor face, then sensor cleaning effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into separate functional modules: a fluid reservoir, conduits for fluid transport, multiple nozzles positioned at different locations, and a processor for control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance and manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is designed to service multiple different sensors (cameras, LIDAR, radar) with a single integrated fluid delivery system. The same reservoir, conduits, and processor can clean various sensor types, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate cleaning systems for each sensor.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple nozzles are positioned around the sensor face to extend approximately 180 degrees, then cleaning coverage is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzles are positioned asymmetrically around the sensor face rather than in a symmetric pattern, with specific nozzles located at different angles and distances to optimize cleaning coverage of the sensor surface. This asymmetric arrangement achieves comprehensive coverage while simplifying the mounting structure compared to a symmetric design.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzles are arranged in a curved or arc-like pattern extending approximately 180 degrees around the sensor face, following the curvature of the sensor mounting surface. This curved arrangement provides comprehensive cleaning coverage while allowing nozzles to be mounted on a continuous arc structure rather than individual mounting points.
4Reliability
If the processor continuously monitors sensor signal quality and dispenses cleaning fluid, then sensor performance maintenance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor periodically monitors sensor output quality and activates the cleaning system only when contamination is detected, rather than operating continuously. This periodic operation maintains sensor performance while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring and cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the processor's analysis of sensor signal quality to control cleaning fluid dispensing. When the processor detects that sensor performance has degraded below a threshold, it activates the cleaning system, and when performance is restored, it stops cleaning. This closed-loop feedback control maintains reliability while minimizing energy consumption.
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 cleans sensors in real-time, ensuring they operate at nominal capability even in adverse environmental conditions, thereby enhancing the reliability and safety of autonomous vehicle operations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one nozzle configured to direct the fluid towards the sensor face
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor cleaning system for an autonomous vehicle includes at least one sensor configured to generate a sensor signal, the at least one sensor including a sensor face. 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 face. 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 at least one nozzle towards the sensor face.