Vehicle Sensor Cleaning Module With Integrated Air-Liquid Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensor cleaning systems for vehicles require separate configurations for air and cleaning liquid spraying, leading to increased complexity and difficulty in assembly and maintenance, particularly for sensors like LiDAR that may be compromised by foreign substances.
Innovation Solution
An integrated cleaning module that combines an air supply module with a washing liquid supply module, featuring a compressor, air tank, integrated dispenser, and solenoid valves to distribute compressed air and cleaning liquid through separate flow paths, simplifying the system and allowing for simultaneous or controlled spraying of air and cleaning liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate systems are used for spraying air and cleaning liquid, then the cleaning function is comprehensive, but the system complexity increases and assembly/maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air supply module and washing liquid supply module into a single integrated cleaning module. The housing contains both the compressor/air tank system and the cleaning liquid tank/pump system, with both fluid paths converging at a common nozzle assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies assembly while maintaining comprehensive cleaning functionality through coordinated air and liquid spray delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cleaning module serves multiple functions within a single system: compressed air generation and storage, cleaning liquid storage and pumping, fluid flow separation and distribution, and coordinated spray delivery. The housing and nozzle assembly are designed to handle both gas and liquid flows simultaneously, making the system multi-functional rather than requiring separate dedicated systems for each cleaning medium.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate systems are used for spraying air and cleaning liquid, then each system can be optimized independently, but assembly and A/S (after-sales service) become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
While integrating multiple functions, the patent maintains internal segmentation through separate flow paths for air and cleaning liquid within the housing. The air flow path and cleaning liquid flow path are distinctly separated from the tank level through solenoid valves to the nozzle, allowing independent optimization of each subsystem while facilitating easier maintenance through modular valve replacement without disassembling the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated housing acts as an intermediary structure that accommodates both air and cleaning liquid supply systems. This housing provides a unified mounting platform and fluid distribution manifold that simplifies assembly by pre-integrating mounting interfaces and connection points, while also facilitating maintenance by allowing access to both subsystems through a single access point.
3Device complexity
If an integrated module is used, then the system is simplified and packaged efficiently, but the flow paths must be carefully managed to prevent fluid mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements physical segmentation of fluid paths using separate channels within the housing structure. The air flow path and cleaning liquid flow path are defined as distinct routed passages with separate solenoid valve controls, ensuring that compressed air and cleaning liquid remain separated throughout the integrated module until their coordinated delivery at the nozzle assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Solenoid valves serve as intermediary control elements that regulate and separate the fluid paths. These valves are positioned at critical junctions where fluid paths converge, providing active control to prevent unwanted mixing while allowing coordinated delivery. The valves act as gatekeepers that maintain flow path integrity despite the integrated packaging.
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 integrated system simplifies the sensor cleaning process, reduces assembly and maintenance complexity, and enhances compatibility with various vehicle types, while minimizing energy loss and costs by integrating air and cleaning liquid supply components into a single module.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor configured to generate compressed air, and an air tank in which the compressed air generated by the compressor is stored
Implementation Method 2
a pump configured to transfer the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank to the integrated dispenser
Implementation Method 3
The integrated dispenser may include a body in which at least one solenoid valve is disposed
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated cleaning module of a vehicle sensor includes a washing liquid supply module configured to supply cleaning liquid; and an air supply module connected to the washing liquid supply module and configured to supply air. The air supply module includes a compressor configured to generate compressed air; an air tank in which the compressed air generated by the compressor is stored; and an integrated dispenser configured to be in fluid connection with the washing liquid supply module and the air tank. The integrated dispenser is configured to distribute the cleaning liquid and the compressed air.