Venturi Sensor Cleaning Pulse Without Liquid Shut-Off Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for vehicle sensors are reliant on a shut-off valve for the liquid container, increasing equipment and maintenance complexity, and require additional fluid pumps for liquid media, leading to high consumption and susceptibility to faults.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a switching valve in the main medium feed line, configured as a 3/2-way valve or double check valve, and an optional regulating device in the branch line, allows independent control of gaseous and liquid medium flow, eliminating the need for additional pumps and reducing maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a shut-off valve for the liquid container is used to control liquid medium flow, then the cleaning device can control the medium mixture supply, but the equipment complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the shut-off valve from the liquid container and extracts the liquid supply control function to the mixing element, where liquid is supplied only when gaseous medium flows through the mixing element, thereby reducing equipment complexity while maintaining operational control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the liquid supply control function with the mixing element operation, so that liquid medium is supplied automatically when gaseous medium flows through the mixing element, eliminating the need for a separate shut-off valve and reducing maintenance requirements
2Quantity of substance
If additional fluid pumps are used to supply liquid medium, then the liquid medium can be delivered to the mixing element, but energy consumption increases and susceptibility to faults increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure from the gaseous medium flowing through the mixing element to deliver the liquid medium, eliminating the need for additional fluid pumps and reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable liquid supply
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the flow of gaseous medium through the mixing element to automatically deliver the liquid medium, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for external pumps, thereby reducing energy consumption and fault susceptibility
3Reliability
If a shut-off valve and additional pumps are used, then the cleaning device can function thoroughly, but maintenance requirements and equipment outlay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the shut-off valve and additional pumps from the system, extracting only the essential functions needed for thorough cleaning, thereby reducing maintenance requirements and equipment outlay while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically controls liquid medium supply based on gaseous medium flow through the mixing element, reducing the need for manual intervention and maintenance while ensuring thorough cleaning functionality
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 solution achieves reliable and thorough cleaning with reduced equipment outlay, energy consumption, and maintenance, while maintaining high cleaning effectiveness, especially suitable for vehicle sensors.
Implementation Method 1
Cleaning device for applying a media pulse to a surface according to the venturi principle
Implementation Method 2
a compressor provides compressed air for an intermediate pressure container
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device for dispensing a gaseous medium and/or a medium mixture includes a mixing element having a first feed connection in a main medium feed line, a second feed connection in a medium feed branch line, and a dispensing connection configured to dispense the gaseous medium and/or the medium mixture. The cleaning device further includes a pressure chamber on the main medium feed line and a switching valve arranged in the main medium feed line, downstream or and/or at the pressure chamber. The switching valve is configured to prevent passage of the gaseous medium through the mixing element in a first switching state and to allow passage of the gaseous medium in a second switching state. The cleaning device optionally additionally includes a regulating device arranged in the medium feed branch line and configured to regulate a feed of the liquid medium.