Vehicle Sensor Window Cleaning with Targeted Jet Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning systems for vehicle sensors, integrated into headlight or rear light systems, are inadequate in ensuring a clear view due to inefficiencies in targeting and removing contamination, leading to temporary sensor dysfunction.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning vehicle sensor system with a sensor that detects dirt on the window, a computing unit to calculate contamination position, and a window cleaning device emitting a controllable cleaning jet, adjustable in orientation and intensity, to specifically target and remove dirt, utilizing an adjustable nozzle and separate liquid supply channels for precise cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional windshield wipers or washer nozzles are used for cleaning, then the sensor area can be cleaned, but the cleaning is not targeted and requires complete coverage of the entire windshield area, resulting in slower cleaning speed and higher liquid consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing cleaning jets specifically to contaminated areas rather than uniformly cleaning the entire windshield. The cleaning system uses multiple nozzles positioned to target specific soiling locations detected by sensors, concentrating cleaning resources only where needed rather than treating the entire surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical windshield wipers with a jet-based cleaning system that uses focused streams of liquid medium directed at specific contamination points. This substitution allows for more precise targeting and reduces the amount of liquid required compared to blanket washing approaches.
2Reliability
If conventional washer nozzles are used to clean the sensor area, then contamination can be removed, but the nozzles cannot be precisely oriented toward specific soiling locations, resulting in inefficient cleaning and temporary sensor dysfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to detect soiling locations on the windshield and using this information to control the orientation and activation of cleaning jets. The system continuously monitors contamination and adjusts jet direction accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual cleaning needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cleaning jet orientation adjustable and controllable. The nozzles can change their direction dynamically based on detected soiling positions, allowing the system to adapt to different contamination patterns and maintain optimal cleaning effectiveness.
3Power
If high-pressure washer nozzles or air pressure cleaning devices are used, then cleaning power is increased, but the systems lack targeted orientation capability, causing unnecessary energy consumption and incomplete cleaning of specific contaminated areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating high-power cleaning jets only at detected contamination points rather than distributing energy across the entire windshield surface. This localized application maintains high cleaning power where needed while minimizing energy waste in clean areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by activating only the specific cleaning jets needed for detected contamination rather than operating all nozzles simultaneously. This selective activation reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining sufficient cleaning power at targeted locations.
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
This system enables rapid and efficient cleaning of dirty windows, ensuring sensors remain operational by directing cleaning jets precisely to contaminated areas, outperforming conventional systems in speed and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one sensor is set up to detect soiling of the window
Implementation Method 2
The area of the pane that covers the sensor and lies in the detection range of the sensor is transmissive to the type of signal to be detected by the sensor
Implementation Method 3
the window cleaning device is set up to emit a cleaning jet formed by a liquid medium which can be specifically changed in its orientation
Implementation Method 4
the nozzle is designed to regulate the cleaning jet depending on the pressure of the medium in the nozzle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a self-cleaning vehicle sensor system (1), comprising at least one at least partially translucent, in particular transparent, disc (2), at least one sensor (3) arranged behind the disc (2), and a disc cleaning device (4) arranged at least partially in front of the disc (2), wherein the at least one sensor (3) is configured to detect soiling of the disc (2), and wherein the vehicle sensor system (1) further comprises a computing unit (5) which is connected to the at least one sensor (3) and which is configured to calculate the position of the soiling on the disc using a sensor signal (Sin) emitted by the sensor (3) and, depending on this, to output a targeted control signal (Sout) to the disc cleaning device (4).wherein the disc cleaning device (4) is configured to emit a cleaning jet (RS) formed by a liquid medium, the orientation of which can be selectively changed, wherein the orientation of the cleaning jet (RS) is determined as a function of the control signal (Sout) of the computing unit (5) in order to selectively remove the contamination.