Sensor Window Cleaning Mechanism for Unmanned Vehicle Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned vehicle sensors often fail to function due to contamination by dirt such as dust, which blocks light and electromagnetic waves from passing through the sensor devices.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning mechanism is integrated into the unmanned vehicle, comprising a housing with a light transmissive element, a pivotable cleaning element, a driving component, and a control unit. This mechanism includes jet heads for liquid or gas cleaning and an electric heating film to ensure the light transmissive element remains clean, allowing sensors to operate normally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor devices are exposed to the external environment for capturing images and sensing objects, then the sensors can perform their functions normally, but the light transmissive elements become contaminated by dirt such as dust which blocks light and electromagnetic waves
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning mechanism enables the sensor device to clean its own light transmissive element through integrated cleaning elements (wipers, jet heads) that are automatically actuated by control units based on detected contamination levels or predetermined time intervals, allowing the system to maintain its own functionality without external intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mechanism performs preliminary cleaning actions before contamination severely impacts sensor functionality. The control unit detects dirt accumulation on the light transmissive element and activates cleaning elements proactively to prevent complete blockage of light and electromagnetic waves, ensuring continuous sensor operation
2Reliability
If a cleaning mechanism is integrated into the sensor device to clean the light transmissive element, then the sensor can function continuously, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning mechanism is merged with the sensor device housing, where cleaning elements (wipers, jet heads) are integrated into the existing structure. The control unit combines contamination detection and cleaning actuation functions within the sensor device, creating a unified system that maintains compactness while providing continuous operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mechanism is designed to handle multiple types of contamination (dust, dirt, water droplets) using different cleaning methods (wiping, jetting) within a single integrated system. The control unit can select appropriate cleaning modes based on the type and level of contamination detected, making the system versatile for various operating conditions
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 mechanism effectively removes dirt and debris from the light transmissive elements, ensuring continuous functionality of the sensors by maintaining a clear path for light and electromagnetic signals, thereby addressing the issue of sensor contamination.
Implementation Method 1
the cleaning element, when pivoting, frictionally interacting with a surface of the light transmissive element that is away from the receiving cavity to clean the light transmissive element
Implementation Method 2
each jet head having a jet hole facing the light transmissive element. The jet head is configured to jet a liquid and/or a gas onto the surface of the light transmissive element that is away from the receiving cavity to clean the light transmissive element
Implementation Method 3
an electric heating film mounted on a surface of the light transmissive element, and a gas valve mounted to the housing. The control unit may be communicatively connected to the electric heating film for controlling the electric heating film to heat the light transmissive element
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to vehicle technology, and more particularly, to an unmanned vehicle and its sensor device and cleaning mechanism. The cleaning mechanism includes: a housing, a cleaning element, a driving component transmissively connected to the cleaning element and a control unit installed within a receiving cavity. The housing has a light transmissive element provided on a side surface thereof. The cleaning element is pivotable about one end thereof and mounted to the housing. The cleaning element, when pivoting, frictionally interacts with a surface of the light transmissive element that is away from the receiving cavity to clean the light transmissive element. The control unit is communicatively connected to the driving component for controlling the driving component.