Telescopic Heated Spray Ramp for Optical Sensor Defrosting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical detection systems for motor vehicles face challenges in effectively cleaning and defrosting optical surfaces, such as camera lenses, which can impair data quality and driver assistance due to inadequate cleaning power and potential hindrance from traditional cleaning devices.
Innovation Solution
A compact telescopic cleaning device with a heating element integrated into the fluid distribution ramp, utilizing a resistive wire to heat the cleaning fluid, ensuring efficient projection and distribution without obstructing the optical sensor's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional cleaning device is used to spray cleaning fluid onto the optical surface, then the cleaning function is provided, but the device obstructs the operation of the optical sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device employs a telescopic mechanism that allows the distribution ramp to move between retracted and extended positions. When retracted, the device does not obstruct the optical sensor; when extended, it delivers cleaning fluid effectively. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between providing cleaning function and avoiding obstruction.
2Reliability
If the cleaning fluid is heated to increase cleaning power, then the cleaning and defrosting effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases due to integration of heating element
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated directly into the distribution ramp structure, merging the thermal processing function with the fluid distribution component. This consolidation improves cleaning and defrosting effectiveness while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by combining functions into a single integrated unit.
3Productivity
If the distribution ramp is extended to improve fluid distribution, then the cleaning coverage is enhanced, but the device complexity and potential obstruction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution ramp is designed as a telescopic component that can extend and retract along the optical axis. This dynamic structure allows the ramp to extend only when cleaning is needed, providing enhanced cleaning coverage, and retract when not in use, minimizing obstruction and reducing the impact of device complexity.
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
Enhances the cleaning and defrosting effectiveness of optical surfaces by increasing the temperature of the cleaning fluid, thereby improving data quality and maintaining the operational integrity of optical sensors while avoiding interference with the detection system.
Implementation Method 1
the distribution ramp is equipped with a heating device integrated at least partially into the distribution ramp to heat the fluid passing through said distribution channel
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~5
AI summary
A telescopic cleaning device is designed to project at least one cleaning and/or drying fluid onto a glazed surface of a motor vehicle, such as the optical surface of an optical sensor in an optical detection system. The cleaning device comprises at least one fluid distribution element, made movable along an extension axis (X) and at the end of a piston that moves between a first retracted position and a second extended cleaning and/or drying position. The fluid distribution element includes a distribution ramp (4) within which extends a fluid distribution channel (56), and the distribution ramp is equipped with a heating device (60) integrated at least partially into the distribution ramp to heat the fluid passing through said distribution channel.