Viewing Window Cleaning with Vibration and Hydrophobic Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional headlight cleaning systems for vehicles are complex, prone to maintenance issues, and require high water consumption, which can lead to operational failures and safety concerns, especially for sensitive optical devices like cameras and sensors.
Innovation Solution
A compact cleaning device for vehicle viewing windows featuring a hydrophobic and dirt-repellent coating, coupled with a vibration element activated by a control device, and an anti-fog device on the inside to prevent contamination and condensation, eliminating the need for washing liquids and reducing wear and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional high-pressure washing systems are used for cleaning headlight covers, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex high-pressure pump, storage tanks, and washer fluid delivery system from the headlight cleaning mechanism. Instead, it uses a simple vibration element coupled directly to the headlight cover that generates cleaning vibrations without requiring external fluid delivery infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration element is integrated directly into the headlight cover structure, allowing the cover to vibrate and clean itself without requiring external pumps, hoses, or fluid delivery systems. The hydrophobic coating works passively to repel water and contaminants, eliminating the need for active washing mechanisms.
2Reliability
If high-pressure washing systems with movable nozzles are used, then cleaning capability is improved, but pedestrian safety deteriorates due to injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the movable high-pressure nozzles from the front bumper area and eliminates the entire high-pressure fluid delivery system. The cleaning function is achieved through integrated vibration elements that eliminate the need for external nozzles and high-pressure fluid jets.
3Reliability
If conventional high-pressure cleaning systems are used, then water-based cleaning is effective, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration element integrated into the headlight cover generates cleaning vibrations that work in conjunction with the hydrophobic coating to repel and remove contaminants without requiring external water delivery. The system uses minimal water that is naturally repelled by the coating rather than consuming large amounts of washer fluid.
4Duration of action of moving object
If mechanical brush or wiper cleaning systems are used for headlight covers, then continuous cleaning is possible, but wear and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical brush or wiper systems with a vibration-based cleaning mechanism. The vibration element generates high-frequency oscillations that clean the headlight cover surface without physical contact from brushes or wipers, eliminating wear on cleaning components.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration element is integrated directly into the headlight cover structure, allowing the cover to vibrate and clean itself without requiring external mechanical cleaning components that would wear out and require maintenance.
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
Ensures reliable cleaning and defogging of vehicle windows, maintaining clear visibility for optical sensors and cameras without the use of consumables, enhancing safety and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophobic and dirt-repellent optically transparent coating (25) applied to an outer side (11) of the viewing window (10), wherein due to minimized adhesion, contamination in the form of dirt particles or dirty water does not adhere to the coated outer side (11)
Implementation Method 2
at least one vibration element (21), which is coupled to the viewing window (10) and which can be activated by a control device, ensures that the viewing window (10) vibrates
Implementation Method 3
an optically transparent anti-fogging device arranged on an inner side (12) of the viewing window (10)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning device (20) for a window pane (10), in particular of a vehicle, comprising an optically transparent window pane (10), a hydrophobic and dirt-repellent optically transparent coating (25) which is applied onto the outer face (11) of the window pane (10), at least one vibration element (21) which is coupled to the window pane (10), said at least one vibration element (21) being activatable by a controller (40), and an optically transparent anti-fogging device (30) which is arranged on the inner face (12) of the window pane (10). The invention additionally relates to a vehicle comprising at least one cleaning device (20).