Vehicle Sensor Slider Wiper for Debris-Clearing Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles equipped with numerous sensors face challenges in maintaining the accuracy of these sensors due to debris blocking their field of view, necessitating a robust and reliable debris management system.
Innovation Solution
A debris management system featuring a slider that moves along a track on the vehicle surface, equipped with a wiper mechanism and spray barriers, which can be controlled to clean the field of view of sensors as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a debris management system is implemented to clean sensor fields of view, then sensor accuracy is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The debris management system is divided into modular components: a slider mechanism with wiper elements, spray barriers, and fluid reservoirs. Each component performs a specific function (wiping, spraying, containing fluid) and can be independently controlled to move to different positions along a track, allowing targeted cleaning of different sensor areas without requiring a complex monolithic system
Solution Approach 2:
The slider mechanism is designed to be movable along a track rather than fixed, allowing dynamic repositioning to clean different sensors or areas as needed. The system can transition between active cleaning positions and retracted parking positions, providing adaptability while maintaining simplicity when cleaning is not required
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable slider mechanism is used to clean multiple sensors, then cleaning versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slider mechanism serves multiple functions: it can wipe different sensors, spray cleaning fluid, and retract to a parking position. The same mechanical structure enables cleaning of multiple sensors along the track, providing universal cleaning capability across different sensor types and locations without requiring separate mechanisms for each sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The track is divided into discrete positions or zones corresponding to different sensor locations, allowing the slider to segment its movement and cleaning actions. This segmentation enables versatile cleaning coverage by positioning the wiper at specific locations while maintaining a relatively simple linear track structure rather than requiring complex multi-axis positioning
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 removes debris from the sensors' field of view, ensuring continuous accurate data collection and operation in various driving environments.
Implementation Method 1
A wiper mechanism extends from the slider and is adapted to make contact with the vehicle surface
Implementation Method 2
a pump operationally connected to a nozzle adapted to spray fluid from the fluid reservoir onto the vehicle surface
Data Source
AI summary
A debris management system includes a slider adapted to move in first and second directions along a track disposed across a vehicle surface. The slider has a first side facing the first direction, a second side facing the second direction, and a spray barrier disposed along each of the first and second sides. A wiper mechanism extends from the slider and is adapted to make contact with the vehicle surface.