Rotating Sensor Window Cleaning to Expel Fluid and Debris
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles rely on sensors like cameras for safe operation, but sensor surfaces can become dirty, compromising image quality and safe operation.
Innovation Solution
A sensor cleaning mechanism that includes a fluid providing mechanism to dispense fluid onto a window surface within the sensor's field of view and an actuating mechanism to rotate the housing, expelling the fluid and any debris through centrifugal and gravitational forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor cleaning mechanism uses fluid dispensing and rotation to clear debris, then sensor performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the housing rotation function with the sensor mounting structure, integrating the actuating mechanism into the existing housing design. This merging approach allows the housing to serve dual purposes: protecting the sensor and enabling the cleaning function through rotation, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining sensor performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed to perform multiple functions: it protects the sensor, provides structural mounting, and enables cleaning through rotation. By making the housing multi-functional rather than adding a separate dedicated cleaning device, the patent reduces complexity while achieving reliable sensor performance through effective debris removal.
2Productivity
If the housing rotates at high speed to expel fluid quickly, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning mechanism operates periodically rather than continuously - the housing rotates at high speed only when cleaning is needed to expel fluid, then returns to a lower speed or stops. This periodic high-speed rotation achieves effective cleaning efficiency while minimizing overall energy consumption compared to continuous high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating mechanism dynamically adjusts the housing rotation speed based on cleaning requirements. The system transitions between different rotational speeds (high speed for expelling fluid, lower speed for normal operation), optimizing the balance between cleaning efficiency and energy consumption rather than maintaining a fixed high speed.
3Reliability
If fluid is dispensed onto the window surface to clean debris, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses centrifugal force generated by housing rotation to expel the dispensed fluid along with debris from the window surface. The rotation converts the potentially harmful effect of fluid accumulation (which could obstruct the sensor) into a beneficial cleaning action, allowing effective debris removal while managing fluid loss through controlled expulsion rather than waste.
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
Effectively clears debris and fluid from the sensor's field of view, ensuring accurate sensor measurements and maintaining safe autonomous vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
An actuating mechanism is configured to rotate the housing about the at least one sensor at a first speed, thereby causing at least a portion of the fluid to be expelled from the window surface
Implementation Method 2
The actuating mechanism also can be configured to change a speed of rotation of the housing to a second speed, which is greater than zero, in response to a determination that the window surface is substantially clear of the fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor cleaning mechanism is provided herein. At least one sensor is configured to observe a condition associated with a vehicle. A housing is configured to be mounted on the vehicle. The housing includes a window surface configured to be disposed substantially within a field of view of the at least one sensor. A fluid providing mechanism is configured to provide fluid to the window surface. An actuating mechanism is configured to rotate the housing about the at least one sensor at a first speed, thereby causing at least a portion of the fluid to be expelled from the window surface. The actuating mechanism also can be configured to change a speed of rotation of the housing to a second speed, which is greater than zero, in response to a determination that the window surface is substantially clear of the fluid.