Ultrasonic Sensor Frequency Tuning for Automatic Deicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face performance degradation due to frozen precipitation adhering to their sensors, which impede data collection and accuracy, and manual deicing is impractical, inefficient, and risky.
Innovation Solution
Utilize frequency tuning to generate resonance frequencies that exceed the adhesive shear strength of frozen precipitation layers on ultrasonic sensors, applying shear stress and heat to remove the ice without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual deicing is used to remove frozen precipitation from sensors, then the sensors can be cleaned, but the process is impractical, inefficient, and risky
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs deicing automatically using its own ultrasonic transducer. The controller detects frozen precipitation and triggers the transducer to emit ultrasonic waves that generate shear stress to remove the ice, eliminating the need for manual intervention and making the system self-sufficient
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical deicing with an automated ultrasonic vibration system. The ultrasonic transducer generates high-frequency vibrations that create shear stress on the frozen precipitation, substituting human mechanical action with acoustic field-based mechanical effect
2Productivity
If ultrasonic waves are emitted at resonance frequency to remove frozen precipitation, then deicing effectiveness is improved, but the risk of sensor damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors the ultrasonic transducer's operation and the sensor's response in real-time. By detecting changes in acoustic impedance or vibration characteristics, the system adjusts the ultrasonic wave parameters dynamically to maintain effective deicing while preventing excessive stress that could damage the sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts ultrasonic wave parameters such as frequency, amplitude, and duty cycle based on the detected state of frozen precipitation and sensor condition. This allows optimization of deicing effectiveness while controlling the risk of damage by modifying operational parameters in real-time
3Extent of automation
If frequency tuning is used to generate resonance frequencies for deicing, then automated deicing is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic transducer serves dual functions: normal sensing operation and deicing operation. The same hardware component is used for both detecting the environment and removing frozen precipitation, eliminating the need for separate deicing mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the deicing control functionality with the existing sensor controller. The controller integrates both sensing signal processing and deicing decision-making, merging multiple functions into a single control unit to minimize additional 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
Automatically deices and defrosts ultrasonic sensors by breaking and displacing frozen layers, ensuring continuous operation in sub-zero conditions without damaging the sensors.
Implementation Method 1
emit one or more sound waves having one or more resonance frequencies, wherein the one or more sound waves with the one or more resonance frequencies are determined to yield a shear stress on an interface between the radiation surface and the one or more layers of frozen precipitation that exceeds an adhesive shear strength
Implementation Method 2
yield a shear stress on an interface between the radiation surface and the one or more layers of frozen precipitation that exceeds an adhesive shear strength
Implementation Method 3
the transducer comprising an active piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques are provided for deicing/defrosting an ultrasonic sensor using frequency tuning. An example method can include determining that a radiation surface of a housing of an acoustic sensor includes a layer of frozen precipitation, wherein the housing contains a transducer configured to emit sound waves through the radiation surface and receive sound waves that are reflected from a target and pass through the radiation surface to the transducer; determining resonance frequency for sound waves that yields a shear stress on an interface between the radiation surface and the layer of frozen precipitation on the radiation surface, wherein the shear stress exceeds an adhesive shear strength of the layer of frozen precipitation; generating the sound waves having the resonance frequency; and removing the layer of frozen precipitation on the radiation surface based on the sound waves having the resonance frequency.