Vehicle Sensor Cleaning Control for Fluid Residue Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle sensor cleaning systems are ineffective in removing foreign objects from small sensors located in various parts of a vehicle, which can impact autonomous driving and safety.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle sensor cleaning apparatus comprising a liquid sprayer and an air sprayer, controlled by respective controllers, alternately sprays washer fluid and air on sensors upon receiving a cleaning request signal from a vehicle controller, ensuring efficient removal of foreign materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If washer fluid is sprayed on sensors to remove foreign objects, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but liquid residue may remain on sensor surfaces affecting performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between liquid spraying mode and air spraying mode in periodic cycles. The liquid sprayer operates first to remove foreign objects, then the air sprayer operates to dry the sensor surface by evaporating and blowing away liquid residue. This periodic switching ensures both effective cleaning and complete drying, preventing liquid residue from affecting sensor performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process is made continuous by immediately following liquid spraying with air spraying. The air sprayer operates without delay after the liquid sprayer to continuously remove liquid residue, ensuring the sensor surface is completely dried before the next cleaning cycle begins. This continuous action prevents any period where liquid residue could interfere with sensor operation.
2Device complexity
If only liquid spraying is used for sensor cleaning, then structure is simplified, but cleaning completeness deteriorates due to liquid residue
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two cleaning functions into one integrated apparatus: liquid spraying for removing foreign objects and air spraying for drying and removing liquid residue. Both sprayers are controlled by a single controller that coordinates their operation, combining the advantages of both methods while managing them as a unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller switches between liquid spraying and air spraying in periodic cycles. Each cycle consists of liquid spraying followed by air spraying, creating a rhythmic pattern that ensures complete cleaning and drying. This periodic operation allows the system to achieve thorough cleaning completeness without requiring complex manual intervention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If air spraying alone is used to clean sensors, then no liquid residue remains, but foreign object removal effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by alternating between liquid spraying mode and air spraying mode. During the liquid spraying phase, foreign objects are effectively removed from the sensor surface. During the subsequent air spraying phase, liquid residue is completely eliminated. This periodic switching allows the system to achieve both effective foreign object removal and complete absence of liquid residue.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid spraying operation is performed as a preliminary action before air spraying. The liquid sprayer first removes foreign objects from the sensor surface, preparing it for the drying phase. This preliminary cleaning action ensures that when air spraying begins, there are no foreign objects to interfere with the drying process, maximizing the effectiveness of residue removal.
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 apparatus effectively removes foreign materials from vehicle sensors by alternating washer fluid and air spraying, enhancing sensor functionality and vehicle safety.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid sprayer configured to spray washer fluid at at least one sensor located in a vehicle through a motor drive
Implementation Method 2
an air sprayer configured to spray air at the at least one sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle sensor cleaning apparatus and a control method of the vehicle sensor cleaning apparatus are disclosed. The vehicle sensor cleaning apparatus includes a liquid sprayer configured to spray washer fluid at at least one sensor located in a vehicle through a motor drive, an air sprayer configured to spray air at the at least one sensor, a liquid controller configured to control washer fluid spraying by the liquid sprayer according to a cleaning request signal received from a vehicle controller, and an air controller configured to control air spraying by the air sprayer according to a cleaning request signal received from the vehicle controller.