Rotating Washer Fluid Conduit for Multi-Nozzle Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washer fluid distribution systems for vehicles struggle to effectively clean contaminants from devices like cameras, LiDAR, and RADAR used in autonomous driving, due to the inability to accurately position and rotate the transfer conduit for efficient fluid distribution.
Innovation Solution
A washer fluid distribution device with a transfer conduit that can be rotated to correspond with multiple nozzle units, using a step motor to control the rotation and a controller to measure current values and detect failures, ensuring accurate positioning and fluid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single washer pump motor is used to supply washer fluid to multiple devices, then the device complexity is reduced, but the positioning accuracy of the transfer conduit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller measures current values from the step motor to detect the actual position of the transfer conduit and compares it with the target position. This feedback mechanism enables precise positioning control despite using a single pump motor system, resolving the contradiction between reduced complexity and maintained positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with an electrical control system using a step motor and controller. The step motor provides precise rotational control of the transfer conduit through electrical signals, substituting mechanical complexity with electrical control while maintaining positioning accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transfer conduit is rotated to correspond with different nozzle units, then the adaptability of the washer fluid distribution is improved, but the reliability of the system deteriorates due to potential positioning failures
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors current values to detect the actual position of the transfer conduit during rotation. This feedback allows the system to verify successful positioning at each nozzle unit, maintaining reliability while enabling adaptability to serve multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer conduit is designed to be rotatable, dynamically changing its orientation to align with different nozzle units based on which device requires cleaning. This dynamic positioning capability provides adaptability while the control system ensures reliable operation through current value monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If current values are measured to detect failures, then the measurement precision of system status is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The step motor and controller inherently provide current value information that can be used for failure detection. The system uses existing electrical parameters for self-diagnosis, achieving precise failure detection without adding separate sensing components, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
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 achieves effective washer fluid distribution to various devices on a vehicle, including those used in autonomous driving, by ensuring precise positioning of the transfer conduit and detecting potential failures, thereby maintaining the stability and functionality of these devices.
Implementation Method 1
a step motor configured to apply a driving force to the transfer conduit
Implementation Method 2
a washer pump motor configured to move the washer fluid to the nozzle unit
Data Source
AI summary
A washer fluid distribution device includes a plurality of nozzle units formed consecutively, a transfer conduit configured to pass through the plurality of nozzle units and having one end fluidly connected to an introduction part, the introduction part located at one end of the transfer conduit and configured to allow a washer fluid to be introduced from a washer pump, a plurality of discharge holes configured to correspond to the number of the nozzle units in the transfer conduit and having different angles based on a center of the transfer conduit, and a controller configured to control a rotation angle of the transfer conduit to allow the discharge holes to correspond to the nozzle units in response to a user's request.