Vehicle Cleaning Fluid Control With Central Pressure Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning systems for motor vehicle components, particularly those used in autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, are complex, error-prone, and costly due to the large number of pressure and flow sensors required for controlling cleaning fluid delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a fluid delivery device with adjustable output ports and a control device to determine and adjust fluid pressure and flow rates centrally, reducing the need for individual monitoring devices by interpolating cleaning pressures and quantities across multiple cleaning devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of pressure sensors and flow sensors are assigned to each cleaning nozzle, then the cleaning system can accurately monitor and control fluid pressure and flow rate at each nozzle, but the system becomes complex, error-prone, and cost-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual pressure sensors and flow sensors into a single centralized pressure sensor that monitors the entire cleaning system. Instead of having separate monitoring devices at each cleaning nozzle, the system uses one pressure sensor at the fluid delivery device to measure the fluid pressure, and then calculates flow rates and pressure losses for all cleaning devices centrally, significantly reducing component count while maintaining control accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized pressure sensor and control device serve multiple functions simultaneously: they monitor fluid pressure for all cleaning nozzles, calculate flow rates for each cleaning device, determine pressure losses in line paths, and control the fluid delivery device. This multi-functional approach replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized sensors and control units
2Measurement precision
If a large number of pressure sensors and flow sensors are used in the cleaning system, then individual cleaning pressures and flow rates can be directly measured, but the control process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual model of the cleaning system's fluid dynamics through mathematical calculations. Instead of physically measuring pressure at each nozzle with actual sensors, the system copies the pressure measurement from the centralized sensor and uses it to calculate derived parameters (flow rates, pressure losses) for all cleaning devices, eliminating the need for multiple physical sensors while maintaining measurement accuracy
3Device complexity
If centralized pressure determination is used with interpolated cleaning pressures, then the number of monitoring devices is reduced and the system is simplified, but measurement and control accuracy must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the centralized pressure sensor continuously monitors the actual fluid pressure, and the control device uses this feedback information to calculate flow rates and pressure losses, then adjusts the fluid delivery device to maintain the desired pressure levels at cleaning nozzles despite variations in system conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters (fluid pressure, flow rate) based on real-time measurements and calculations. The control device continuously adjusts the fluid delivery device's output parameters to compensate for pressure losses in line paths and ensure that each cleaning device receives the required fluid pressure, maintaining control accuracy despite using fewer sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a cleaning system for motor vehicle components includes a fluid delivery device, a pressure sensor for determining a pressure generated by the fluid delivery device, a fluid distribution device with at least one input port fluidly connected to the fluid delivery device and with at least two output ports fluidly connected to the input port, wherein each output port is adjustable between an open position and a closed position, at least two cleaning devices, each fluidly connected via a fluid line to a respective output port, and a control device, which is data-coupled to the fluid delivery device, the pressure sensor and the fluid distribution device for transmitting and/or receiving signals, the method achieving simplified control of the cleaning system and a reduction in the susceptibility of the cleaning system to errors.