Ultrasonic Surface Wave Liquid Displacement Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing liquids from surfaces, such as windshields and sensors, are inefficient due to high energy requirements for ultrasonic vaporization and unsuitable for large areas or precise control, and mechanical wipers are impractical for autonomous vehicles and small areas.
Innovation Solution
An electroacoustic device with acoustically coupled transducers generating ultrasonic surface waves, a control unit estimating external forces, and adjusting the acoustic force orientation to facilitate liquid displacement, combining with external forces for efficient removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ultrasonic vaporization is used to remove liquid from surface, then liquid removal effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using ultrasonic vibration only in the specific zone where liquid accumulation is detected, rather than vaporizing the entire surface. The control unit activates transducers selectively based on liquid detection, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective liquid removal where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface is divided into multiple zones with separate transducers for each zone. The control unit can independently activate specific transducers based on where liquid is detected, allowing localized treatment rather than global vaporization, thus reducing energy consumption.
2Productivity
If mechanical wiper is used to remove liquid from surface, then liquid removal is achieved, but field of view is blocked and particles are spread
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiper system with an ultrasonic vibration-based liquid removal system. Ultrasonic transducers generate surface waves that directly displace liquid through acoustic radiation pressure, eliminating the need for physical contact with wiper blades, thus avoiding field of view blockage and particle spreading.
3Use of energy by moving object
If ultrasonic surface waves are used to displace liquid, then energy consumption is reduced, but control precision over liquid displacement direction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives information about liquid position and adjusts the activation pattern of transducers accordingly. By detecting liquid accumulation and providing feedback to the control unit, the system can precisely control which transducers are activated and at what power levels, achieving precise directional control of liquid displacement while maintaining low energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the activation and power levels of individual transducers based on real-time liquid detection. The control unit can modify the operational state of each transducer independently, allowing dynamic control over the direction and intensity of ultrasonic forces applied to the liquid.
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 device effectively displaces liquids on surfaces by aligning acoustic forces with external forces, reducing energy consumption and improving removal efficiency, suitable for various surfaces including those on autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
at least two wave transducers acoustically coupled to the support and each being configured to generate an ultrasonic surface wave which propagates through the support
Implementation Method 2
the acoustic force being applied to the liquid, produced by the interaction between the one or more ultrasonic surface waves and the liquid
Implementation Method 3
a support, at least two wave transducers acoustically coupled to the support and each being configured to generate an ultrasonic surface wave
Data Source
AI summary
Device for cleaning a support member covered with a liquid Electroacoustic device (10) comprising:—a support member (50),—at least two wave transducers (15a-h) which are acoustically coupled to the support member and each configured to generate an ultrasonic surface wave (Wa-h) which propagates in the support member, the propagation directions (P) of the ultrasonic surface waves generated by the transducers being different;—a control unit (40), the device comprising an analysis unit (35) which is configured to estimate the orientation of the external force (OFe) which is applied to a liquid when the liquid is in contact with the support member and/or the device being configured to receive the estimate of the orientation of the external force, the control unit being configured to control at least one of the transducers, from the estimate of the orientation of the external force, so that the acoustic force which is applied to the liquid and produced by the interaction between the ultrasonic surface wave(s) and the liquid is orientated in a predetermined direction.