Venturi Mixing Cleaner for Pump-Free Sensor Surface Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for vehicles, particularly those used for sensors, face issues with high equipment and maintenance costs, energy consumption, and fluid requirements, often relying on complex mechanisms and additional pumps which increase complexity and reduce reliability.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a Venturi mixing element and a 3/2-way or double check valve in the main medium supply line, along with an optional metering and control device in the branch medium supply line, allows for efficient dispensing of compressed air and liquid medium mixtures without the need for additional pumps, reducing equipment and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional pumps and complex mechanisms are used to supply liquid medium, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid medium supply is achieved through the Venturi effect, where the high-speed compressed air flow automatically creates negative pressure to suction liquid from the container. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional pumps or complex control systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by employing compressed air flow through a Venturi mixing element to generate the necessary pressure differential. This pneumatic approach replaces mechanical pumping systems, simplifying the overall device structure while ensuring reliable medium delivery
2Ease of operation
If additional pumps and valves are added to control medium flow, then the cleaning control precision is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the kinetic energy of compressed air to automatically control liquid medium flow through the Venturi effect. The high-velocity air stream self-regulates the liquid suction without requiring additional control valves or actuators, reducing energy consumption while maintaining operational control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the cleaning process by adjusting parameters of the compressed air (pressure, flow rate) rather than adding complex valve mechanisms. By changing the air flow parameters, the system effectively controls the liquid medium delivery and cleaning intensity, reducing energy overhead from additional control components
3Reliability
If more equipment components are included for thorough cleaning, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the maintenance effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary equipment components (additional pumps, complex valves) by using the Venturi mixing element that relies on compressed air flow characteristics. This extraction of superfluous parts reduces maintenance effort while the core Venturi mechanism ensures thorough cleaning through effective medium mixing and delivery
4Power
If compressed air flow rate is increased to improve cleaning, then the cleaning power is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes cleaning power by utilizing pneumatic principles where compressed air flow rate and pressure are efficiently converted into kinetic energy at the mixing element. The Venturi design ensures that the energy from compressed air is effectively transformed into high-velocity flow and suction, maximizing cleaning power while minimizing energy waste through proper aerodynamic design
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
This configuration enhances reliability, reduces maintenance needs, and lowers energy and fluid usage, ensuring thorough cleaning with minimal effort and resources.
Implementation Method 1
a Venturi mixing element with a first supply connection in a main medium supply line for supplying the gaseous medium for passage through the mixing element
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 2D~2E
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning device (100) for dispensing a gaseous medium (M1), in particular compressed air (DL), and/or a media mixture (MG) that consists of the gaseous medium (M1) and a liquid medium (M2), in particular water, preferably in the form of a media sequence (MS). Said cleaning device comprises: a mixing element (110), having a first supply connection (111) in a main medium supply line (MZ1) for supplying the gaseous medium for passage through the mixing element (110), a second supply connection (112) in a branching medium supply line (MZ2) for supplying the liquid medium (M2) transversely to the passage into the mixing element (110), and a dispensing connection (113) for dispensing the gaseous medium (M1) and/or the media mixture (MG); and a pressure chamber (240) on the main medium supply line (MZ1).