Transparent Sensor Window Vibration for Automatic Contaminant Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surveillance devices, particularly those with transparent windows, face issues with contaminant buildup that degrade optical clarity and resolution, leading to costly manual cleaning and mechanical stress on camera components.

Innovation Solution

A sensor system with a vibration device, such as an ultrasonic transducer, is used to excite the transparent window, causing it to vibrate and remove contaminants without mechanical stress to the camera, using damping members to isolate vibrations from the sensor device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a transparent window is used to protect the camera assembly, then environmental protection and optical clarity are improved, but contaminant buildup degrades optical clarity and resolution over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental protectionVSAvoidoptical clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies ultrasonic vibration to the transparent window to generate mechanical oscillations that dislodge and remove contaminants from the window surface, thereby maintaining optical clarity without manual cleaning intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-cleaning by automatically activating the vibration device to remove contaminants from the transparent window, eliminating the need for manual cleaning operations and maintaining continuous optical clarity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual cleaning is performed to maintain optical clarity, then contaminant removal is achieved, but operational complexity and time loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical clarityVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration device can be activated continuously or periodically to maintain optical clarity without interruption to surveillance operations, ensuring constant cleaning action without stopping the camera from functioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If mechanical cleaning mechanisms are used to remove contaminants, then contaminant removal is achieved, but mechanical stress on camera components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical clarityVSAvoidmechanical stress resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical cleaning mechanisms (such as wipers or brushes that physically contact and scrape the window) with ultrasonic vibration that removes contaminants through oscillatory motion, thereby reducing mechanical stress on the camera assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If the vibration device is activated to remove contaminants, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration device can be activated in periodic bursts rather than continuously, allowing the system to maintain cleaning effectiveness while reducing overall power consumption by operating only when contaminants accumulate to problematic levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 contaminants with reduced power consumption and mechanical stress, maintaining high-resolution imagery without manual intervention, and reduces the need for costly mechanical cleaning mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration device in communication with the transparent window, where the vibration device is controllable to produce a first sonic movement; where the transparent window is movably responsive to the first sonic movement with a second sonic movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12440874B2Sensor system having transparent window contaminant removal using vibration

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH

AI summary

A sensor system includes: a housing having an internal wall defining an opening; a transparent window mounted within the opening; a sensor device within the housing and having at least one of a sensor output or a sensor input alignable with the transparent window; a vibration device in communication with the transparent window, where the vibration device is controllable to produce a first sonic movement; where the transparent window is movably responsive to the first sonic movement with a second sonic movement; and at least one damping member located between the transparent window and the sensor device, where the damping member substantially isolates the sensor device from at least the second sonic movement of the transparent window. A method includes determining a cleaning trigger corresponding to cleaning the transparent window; and controlling, in response to the cleaning trigger, a vibration frequency, amplitude, or duration of the vibration device.