Vehicle Sensor Transparent Shield Cleaning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical sensors on vehicles can be rendered inoperable due to contaminants like dirt blocking their field of view, which affects navigation and safety features such as collision avoidance and lane maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with a transparent shield and movable pads and gaskets that can be actuated by a computer to maintain an uncontaminated field of view, using a nozzle to provide fluid for cleaning and a user interface for manual operation, ensuring the optical sensor remains clear and functional.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical sensor is exposed to the environment to capture light, then the sensor can perform navigation and safety functions, but the sensor becomes vulnerable to contamination from dirt and other contaminants that block the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor system is segmented into distinct functional components: the optical sensor itself, the transparent shield that protects it, and the cleaning mechanism with pads and gaskets. This segmentation allows the sensor to remain protected while maintaining optical functionality through the transparent shield, and enables independent cleaning of the shield without affecting the sensor directly.
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent shield is introduced as an intermediary element between the optical sensor and the external environment. This shield blocks contaminants from directly contacting the sensor while allowing light to pass through for navigation and safety functions. The shield can be cleaned independently of the sensor, maintaining sensor reliability without direct exposure to harmful factors.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a transparent shield is added to protect the optical sensor, then contamination is reduced, but the system complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is merged with the protective shield system. The pads and gaskets are integrated with the transparent shield assembly, allowing the cleaning mechanism to operate on the shield without requiring a separate independent system. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to having entirely separate protection and cleaning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent shield serves multiple functions: it protects the optical sensor from contamination, maintains the field of view for light passage, and provides a surface that can be cleaned by the integrated pads and gaskets. The cleaning mechanism also serves dual purposes by removing contaminants from both the shield and the sensor assembly, maximizing the utility of each component.
3Ease of operation
If manual cleaning operation is provided through user interface, then ease of operation is improved, but automation level decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, allowing operation mode to change based on needs. The system can switch between automatic operation (actuating the shield and pads without user input) and manual operation (user-initiated cleaning through the interface). This dynamic flexibility enables the system to optimize between automation efficiency and user control as required by different operating conditions.
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 system effectively prevents contamination of the optical sensor, maintaining its functionality and ensuring continuous navigation and safety features operation by automatically or manually cleaning the transparent shield.
Implementation Method 1
A transparent shield supported by the base and movable between a first position and a second position, the shield covering the opening in the first position
Implementation Method 2
A pair of gaskets supported by the base, the opening disposed between the gaskets. The sensor system includes a pair of pads supported by the base, the gaskets disposed between the pads
Implementation Method 3
The sensor system may include a nozzle positioned to provide fluid to at least one of the pads
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a base defining an opening. The system includes a pair of gaskets supported by the base, the opening disposed between the gaskets. The system includes a pair of pads supported by the base, the gaskets disposed between the pads. The system includes a transparent shield supported by the base and movable between a first position and a second position, the shield abutting one of the pads in the first position and the other of the pads in the second position.