Wiper Speed Control for Camera Field of View Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle sensor enclosures face interference from wipers that remove moisture, as they can enter the field of view of cameras, disrupting sensor operations during rain or snow.
Innovation Solution
A wiper system that adjusts its speed based on camera operating modes, ensuring wipers are out of the camera's field of view during exposure and within it during integration modes to prevent interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wipers are used to remove moisture from the sensor enclosure cover, then moisture removal effectiveness is improved, but sensor operation reliability deteriorates due to wiper interference with camera field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper system dynamically adjusts its operating speed based on real-time camera exposure timing information. The control system receives exposure timing data from the camera and modulates the wiper motor speed accordingly, allowing the wiper to move slowly or pause when the camera is capturing images, and move faster during integration periods. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the wiper speed adaptive rather than fixed, ensuring moisture removal continues while minimizing interference with sensor operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the camera's exposure timing information is continuously fed back to the wiper control system. The control unit processes this timing data and adjusts the wiper operation in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables the wiper system to respond to the actual operational state of the sensors, coordinating their operations to prevent interference while maintaining moisture removal effectiveness.
2Speed
If wiper speed is increased to improve moisture removal, then moisture removal speed is improved, but interference with camera operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper system employs periodic action by synchronizing its operation with the camera's exposure-integration cycle. During the exposure period when the camera is capturing images, the wiper moves slowly or remains stationary to avoid appearing in the field of view. During the integration period when the camera is processing data, the wiper accelerates to remove moisture more effectively. This periodic modulation of wiper speed based on camera operational phases resolves the contradiction between removal speed and interference prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method for operating a wiper system of a sensor enclosure. The wiper system can be configured to receive a camera operating information from one or more cameras. The one or more cameras can be determined to be in an exposure mode based on the camera operating information. A first speed of one or more wipers can be adjusted such that the one or more wipers are not in field of views of the one or more cameras while the one or more cameras are in the exposure mode.