Vehicle Sensor Cleaning Phases for Adaptive Dirt Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor cleaning methods for vehicles fail to effectively address varying types of dirt, leading to degraded sensor performance and potential safety risks, especially in autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a primary and secondary cleaning phase with adjustable parameters, a cleaning counter, and safety ensuring functions to ensure thorough cleaning and prevent fluid wastage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a uniform cleaning process is applied to all dirt types, then the cleaning procedure is simple to implement, but the cleaning effectiveness is insufficient for various dirt types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying cleaning parameters (such as cleaning liquid type, flow rate, temperature, or application method) based on the detected dirt type. The system transitions from a fixed uniform cleaning process to a dynamic process where parameters are adjusted according to the specific contamination, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system becomes dynamic by continuously detecting dirt type and adjusting cleaning parameters in real-time. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain effectiveness across various dirt types while preserving ease of operation through automated parameter adjustment, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
2Reliability
If cleaning is performed multiple times on a dirty surface, then the cleaning effectiveness may improve, but cleaning fluid is wasted and sensor functionality is degraded due to excessive cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by detecting the dirt type and cleaning effectiveness, then using this information to control the cleaning process. The feedback mechanism prevents unnecessary repeated cleaning by identifying when cleaning is sufficient, thereby reducing cleaning fluid consumption while maintaining effective cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing cleaning only to the extent necessary for each dirt type. Rather than applying excessive cleaning uniformly, the system adjusts the cleaning intensity and duration to match the specific contamination level, avoiding both insufficient and excessive cleaning.
3Reliability
If cleaning parameters are adjusted to handle different dirt types, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system performs self-service by automatically detecting dirt types and adjusting its own cleaning parameters without external intervention. This automation manages the inherent complexity internally while presenting a simple interface to the user, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and perceived system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system achieves universality by designing a multi-functional platform that can handle various dirt types through parameter adjustment rather than requiring separate cleaning systems for each contamination type. This consolidates multiple functions into a single system, managing complexity while maintaining versatility.
4Reliability
If frequent cleaning is performed to maintain sensor quality, then sensor detecting function is maintained, but cleaning fluid consumption increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback to determine when cleaning is actually needed based on real-time dirt detection, rather than following a fixed frequent cleaning schedule. This demand-driven approach maintains sensor functionality while significantly reducing unnecessary cleaning operations and associated fluid consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts cleaning parameters to match the actual contamination level, performing intensive cleaning only when necessary and using milder or no cleaning when the sensor is sufficiently clean. This parameter adaptation maintains sensor detecting function while minimizing cleaning fluid consumption and environmental impact.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cleaning a surface of a vehicle, comprising steps of: detecting whether the surface is dirty, triggering a cleaning counter if said surface is dirty, executing a primary cleaning phase employing at least one cleaning parameter, checking whether said surface is clean, resetting said cleaning counter and stopping execution of said primary cleaning phase if the surface is clean, otherwise incrementing said cleaning counter, and if it is lower than a primary threshold, reiterating said primary cleaning phase, if said cleaning counter is equal to said primary threshold, executing a secondary cleaning phase with said at least one cleaning parameter modified, and if said cleaning counter is equal to said secondary threshold, resetting it, stopping execution of said secondary cleaning phase, and executing a function ensuring safety of said vehicle.