Vehicle Sensor Air-Cleaning Surface for Ice and Dirt Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Environmental conditions such as rain, snow, and dirt can cause obstructions to form on sensors mounted on vehicles, compromising their operation.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a member offset from the sensor's surface, featuring a pneumatically connected space that uses compressed air to deform the surface, separating obstructions from the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor portion is disposed through the skin of the vehicle to monitor environmental conditions, then the sensor can detect external conditions relevant to vehicle operation, but obstruction can collect on the sensor surface thereby compromising operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using compressed air delivered through a nozzle to blow obstructions off the sensor surface. The air flow is directed at the sensor portion to remove rain, snow, ice, or other contaminants that would compromise sensor operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining sensor reliability and preventing obstruction accumulation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor portion is exposed to the environment outside the vehicle, then the sensor can monitor external conditions, but environmental conditions generate obstruction that collects on the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service by using the vehicle's existing compressed air supply to automatically clear the sensor surface. The air supply system, already present for other vehicle functions, is utilized to blow obstructions from the sensor, allowing the sensor to remain exposed to environmental conditions while self-cleaning prevents obstruction accumulation.
3Reliability
If compressed air is used to remove obstruction from the sensor surface, then sensor operation is maintained, but energy is consumed from the compressed air source
Solution Approach 1:
The compressed air system serves multiple functions: it provides braking assistance, suspension control, and now sensor cleaning. By utilizing the existing multi-functional compressed air infrastructure already present in the vehicle, the system maintains sensor reliability without adding dedicated energy consumption for a separate cleaning system.
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
Effectively reduces obstructions on vehicle sensors, ensuring continuous operation by using compressed air to separate and remove obstructions, such as ice, from the sensor surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
activating at least one of the first port and the second port to allow compressed air to flow from the source into the space
Implementation Method 2
The outer surface of the second side is deformed with air in the space thereby separating obstruction from the outer surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing obstruction compromising operation of at least one sensor having a portion disposed through skin of a vehicle, the portion having a surface offset from the skin, using an apparatus including a member disposed offset from the surface including a first side having an inner surface and an outer surface that opposes the surface of the portion, and a second side having a second side inner surface and a second side outer surface facing exterior of the vehicle, a space disposed between the second side inner surface and the inner surface, a first port and a second port pneumatically connected with the space, at least one of the first port and the second port pneumatically connected with a source of compressed air on the vehicle, and a vent pneumatically connected with at least one of the first port and the second port, the method comprises activating at least one of the first port and the second port allowing compressed air to flow from the source into the space. The outer surface of the second side is deformed to separate obstruction from the outer surface. Air flow is directed adjacent the outer surface.