WO2024005844A1 - Multi-phase sensor cleaning systems and methods - Google Patents

Multi-phase sensor cleaning systems and methods Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024005844A1
WO2024005844A1 PCT/US2022/035997 US2022035997W WO2024005844A1 WO 2024005844 A1 WO2024005844 A1 WO 2024005844A1 US 2022035997 W US2022035997 W US 2022035997W WO 2024005844 A1 WO2024005844 A1 WO 2024005844A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fluid
vehicle
pressurized air
cleaning system
air supply
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2022/035997
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Graylon MILLER
Original Assignee
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc filed Critical International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc
Priority to PCT/US2022/035997 priority Critical patent/WO2024005844A1/en
Publication of WO2024005844A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024005844A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
    • B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
    • B60S1/56—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices specially adapted for cleaning other parts or devices than front windows or windscreens
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/02—Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
    • B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
    • B60S1/46—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices using liquid; Windscreen washers
    • B60S1/48—Liquid supply therefor
    • B60S1/52—Arrangement of nozzles; Liquid spreading means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
    • B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
    • B60S1/54—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices using gas, e.g. hot air

Definitions

  • the present subject matter relates generally to a vehicle sensor cleaning system and method of using a vehicle sensor cleaning system. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a sensor cleaning system, and related method, that use an air supply, a cleaning fluid supply, and a mixing nozzle to create a multi-phase cleaning composition which reduces cleaning fluid usage while improving cleaning performance.
  • a previous vehicle sensor cleaning system generally used a fluid-only jet to remove a contaminant on a sensor surface and then used compressed air to dry the sensor surface. This system relied on a significant volume of cleaning fluid to effectively clean a vehicle sensor.
  • a cleaning fluid pump 52 directs cleaning fluid from a cleaning fluid storage 54 to a fluid control valve 56, which controls volume and pressure of cleaning fluid supplied to a cleaning fluid nozzle 58.
  • the cleaning fluid nozzle 58 directs a spray of cleaning fluid 60 onto a sensor surface 62.
  • a compressed air nozzle 64 directs compressed air 66 onto the sensor surface 62 to expedite drying the sensor surface 62.
  • Vehicle sensor cleaning fluids may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are a component of ground-level ozone formation and one of the main pollutants leading to smog. Reducing cleaning fluid usage therefore has the additional environmental effect of limiting VOC emissions into the atmosphere. Further, reducing cleaning fluid usage has the additional effect of reducing consumable costs for the user. [0006] Accordingly, there is a need for an vehicle sensor cleaning system that reduces volume of cleaning fluid that is needed in order to maintain operation of vehicle sensors, as described herein.
  • VOCs volatile organic compounds
  • a vehicle sensor cleaning system for cleaning a sensor surface on a vehicle comprises, disposed on the vehicle, a fluid storage, a fluid control valve operatively connected with the fluid storage, a pressurized air supply, and a mixing nozzle operatively connected with the pressurized air supply disposed adjacent the sensor surface.
  • the mixing nozzle includes an air inlet for receiving pressurized air from the pressurized air supply, a fluid inlet for receiving the fluid supply from the fluid storage, and a multi-phase outlet for directing a multi-phase jet generated by the fluid supply mixed with the pressurized air supply towards the sensor surface.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art vehicle sensor cleaning system
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram of a vehicle sensor cleaning system including a cleaning fluid pump described herein;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle sensor cleaning system without a cleaning fluid pump described herein;
  • Fig. 4A shows first glass test piece used in a test described herein
  • Fig. 4B shows second glass test piece used in a test described herein;
  • Fig. 5 A shows the first glass test piece used in a test described herein.
  • Fig. 5B shows the second glass test piece used in a test described herein.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle sensor cleaning system 100 for cleaning a sensor surface on a vehicle.
  • the vehicle sensor cleaning system 100 may be located on any vehicle, such as a truck, a trailer tractor, a bus, an auto and the like.
  • the vehicle sensor cleaning system 100 includes a fluid storage, such as a tank and the like, is disposed on the vehicle.
  • a fluid control valve is disposed on the vehicle and is operatively connected with the fluid storage for controlling flow of a fluid supply from the fluid storage.
  • a pressurized air supply is disposed on the vehicle for supplying pressurized air.
  • a mixing nozzle is disposed on the vehicle adjacent the sensor surface.
  • the mixing nozzle includes an air inlet for receiving pressurized air from the pressurized air supply, a fluid inlet for receiving the fluid supply from the fluid storage, and a multi-phase outlet for directing a multi-phase jet generated by the fluid supply mixed with the pressurized air supply towards the sensor surface.
  • the vehicle sensor cleaning system 100 includes a mixing nozzle 102 that combines pressurized air with a cleaning fluid to generate a multi-phase spray 104.
  • This multi-phase spray 104 of the vehicle sensor cleaning system 100 may remove contaminant from sensor surface 114 effectively and efficiently by entraining the pressurized air with cleaning fluid.
  • a mixing nozzle 102 includes a passageway 102a between an air inlet 102b and an outlet 102c.
  • An air supply 112 feeds a pressurized jet of air through the air inlet 102b.
  • the pressurized air supply 112 shown in Fig. 2 may be provided by any known mechanism, such as a native compressed air system found on any vehicle, a dedicated air compressor, or any other suitable device that generates a pressurized air jet.
  • a cleaning fluid pump 106 directs a fluid supply 107 from a fluid storage 108 through a fluid control valve 110 to the fluid inlet 102d. Accordingly, in the example shown in Fig. 2, the cleaning fluid pump 106 provides a pressurized jet of cleaning fluid to the fluid control valve 110, which controls volume and pressure of the cleaning fluid that is directed to the fluid inlet 102d of mixing nozzle 102.
  • the passageway 102a’ of the mixing nozzle 102’ includes a Venturi section 102e’ defined by a reduced cross-section that increases velocity of air flowing through passageway 102a’, which causes a corresponding drop in pressure of the air flowing through passageway 102a’, producing a partial vacuum along a fluid inlet 102d’. Accordingly, as the pressurized air supply 112’ flows from the air supply inlet 102b’ through the Venturi section 102e’, velocity of pressurized air supply 112’ increases and pressure of pressurized air supply 112’ is reduced.
  • the fluid inlet 102d’ feeding into the Venturi section 102e’ allows partial vacuum drawn by reduced pressure of the pressurized air supply 112’ to entrain cleaning fluid into the pressurized air supply 112’ to generate a multi-phase jet 104’ via a combination of the pressurized fluid flow and the Bernoulli effect.
  • the vehicle sensor cleaning system 100’ shown in Fig. 3 does not include the cleaning fluid pump 106 that is part of the vehicle sensor cleaning system 100 shown in Fig. 2. Accordingly, while the fluid control valve 110’ of the system 100’ of Fig. 3 provides control over whether cleaning fluid flows from the cleaning fluid storage 108’ into the mixing nozzle 102’, the cleaning fluid supply 107’ presented at the fluid inlet 102d’ is unpressurized and is mixed into the air supply 112’ based on the Bernoulli effect.
  • the multi-phase jet 104, 104’ is directed to the sensor surface 114, 114’ of a sensor to reduce any contaminant from the sensor surface 114, 114’.
  • the multi-phase jet 104, 104’ exhibits sufficient energy and mass to facilitate removal of dirt and other contaminants from the sensor surface 114, 114’.
  • the outlet 102c, 102c’ of the mixing nozzle 102, 102’ is positioned approximately 10 mm from the sensor surface 114, 114’ although the outlet 102c, 102c’ may be provided at any suitable distance from the sensor surface 114, 114’ as desired in order to achieve removal of contaminant therefrom.
  • the air inlet 102b, 102b’, the outlet 102c, 102c’, the fluid inlet 102d, 102d’, and the Venturi section 102e’ may vary as needed or desired.
  • the air inlet 102b’ and the outlet 102c’ have a diameter of about 9 mm and the passageway 102a’ has a diameter of about 2 mm at a choke of the Venturi section 102e’.
  • the embodiments of the multi-phase vehicle sensor cleaning system 100, 100’ include a fluid storage 108, 108’, a fluid control valve 110, 110’ controlling flow of a fluid supply 107, 107’ from the fluid storage 108, 108’, a pressurized air supply 112, 112’, and a mixing nozzle 102, 102’ including an air inlet 102b, 102b’ for receiving the pressurized air supply 112, 112’, a fluid inlet 102d, 102d’ for receiving the fluid supply 107, 107’, and a multi-phase outlet 102c, 102c’ for discharging a multi-phase jet 104, 104’.
  • the air supply 112, 112’ is provided to the air inlet 102b of the mixing nozzle 102, 102’.
  • a pump 106, 106’ directs the fluid supply 107, 107’ to the fluid control valve 110, 110’, which controls flow of the fluid supply 107, 107’ to the fluid inlet 102d, 102d’ of the mixing nozzle 102, 102’.
  • Cleaning fluid 107, 107’ is entrained into the air supply 112, 112’ as the air supply 112, 112’ flows through the mixing nozzle 102, 102’, generating the multi-phase jet 104, 104’ that is dispensed from the multi-phase outlet 102c, 102c’ toward the sensor surface 114, 114’.
  • the air supply 112’ is provided to the air inlet 102b’ of the mixing nozzle 102’.
  • a Venturi section 102e’ on the mixing nozzle 102’ causes velocity of the air supply 112’ to increase as the air supply 112’ flows through the mixing nozzle 102’, which creates a vacuum and draws the fluid supply 107’ into the mixing nozzle 102’ through the fluid inlet 102d’.
  • Cleaning fluid 107’ is entrained into the air supply 112’ as the air supply 112’ flows through the mixing nozzle 102’, generating the multi-phase jet 104’ that is dispensed from the multi-phase outlet 102c’ toward the sensor surface 114’.
  • the following example compares the vehicle sensor cleaning system of the present application using a multi-phase jet, and a conventional sensor cleaning system using a liquid-only jet. Both systems were operated under identical conditions to clean a test piece. Cleaning the test piece with 10 ml of fluid using the vehicle sensor cleaning system of the present application provided a cleaned area of approximately 7,088 mm 2 , whereas cleaning the test piece with 10ml of fluid using the conventional sensor cleaning system provided a cleaned area of approximately 120 mm 2 . It therefore follows that in order to obtain cleaning areas of the same size, the amount of fluid used in the vehicle sensor cleaning system of the present application is less than the amount of fluid used in the conventional sensor cleaning system.
  • an vehicle sensor cleaning system of the present application was constructed using the following components:
  • a conventional sensor cleaning system was constructed using the following components: • an air compressor and pressure regulator with a %" quick coupler;
  • a mixture of equal parts flour and water was formed, and 15 mL of the mixture was applied equally and evenly to each of a first glass test piece and a second glass test piece, forming first and second samples.
  • the vehicle sensor cleaning system of the present application was tested first.
  • the air pressure regulator was set to 6.2 bar (90 PSI), and 10 mL of water was inserted into the vinyl tubing using a syringe. An outer end of the vinyl tubing was temporarily plugged.
  • the nozzle of the vehicle sensor cleaning system was positioned approximately 10 mm above the first glass test piece. The air nozzle was then actuated as the plug was removed from the outer end of the vinyl tubing, resulting in the discharge of a multi-phase jet from the mixing nozzle towards the first glass test piece.
  • the conventional sensor cleaning system was then tested.
  • the air pressure regulator was set to 2.8 bar (40 PSI), which simulates the pressure available under conventional systems.
  • the iron pipe and cap assembly was removed from the ball valve and filled with 10 mL of water using a syringe.
  • a plug was inserted into the iron pipe opposite the cap before the iron pipe and cap assembly was reattached to the ball valve. The plug provides an interface to ensure that only fluid is discharged from the iron pipe during use.
  • the cap of the iron pipe and cap assembly of the conventional sensor cleaning system was positioned approximately 10 mm above the second glass test piece. The ball valve was then actuated, resulting in the discharge of a liquid-only jet towards the second glass test piece.
  • Fig. 4A shows the first glass test piece after the multi-phase jet system was operated and the first glass test piece was wet.
  • Fig. 4B shows the second glass test piece after the conventional system was operated and when the second glass test piece was wet.
  • Fig. 5A shows the first glass test piece cleaned by the multi-phase jet system after the first glass test piece had dried.
  • Fig. 5B shows the second glass test piece cleaned by the conventional system after the second glass test piece had dried.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)

Abstract

A vehicle sensor cleaning system (100) for cleaning a sensor surface (114) on a vehicle comprises, disposed on the vehicle, a fluid storage (108), a fluid control valve (110) operatively connected with the fluid storage, a pressurized air supply (112), and a mixing nozzle (102) operatively connected with the pressurized air supply disposed adjacent the sensor surface. The mixing nozzle includes an air inlet (102b) for receiving pressurized air from the pressurized air supply, a fluid inlet (102d) for receiving the fluid supply from the fluid storage, and a multi-phase outlet (102c) for directing a multi-phase jet (104) generated by the fluid supply mixed with the pressurized air supply towards the sensor surface.

Description

MULTI-PHASE SENSOR CLEANING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Background
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a vehicle sensor cleaning system and method of using a vehicle sensor cleaning system. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a sensor cleaning system, and related method, that use an air supply, a cleaning fluid supply, and a mixing nozzle to create a multi-phase cleaning composition which reduces cleaning fluid usage while improving cleaning performance. [0002] A previous vehicle sensor cleaning system generally used a fluid-only jet to remove a contaminant on a sensor surface and then used compressed air to dry the sensor surface. This system relied on a significant volume of cleaning fluid to effectively clean a vehicle sensor.
[0003] For reference, an example of a conventional sensor cleaning system 50 is shown in Fig. 1. As shown, a cleaning fluid pump 52 directs cleaning fluid from a cleaning fluid storage 54 to a fluid control valve 56, which controls volume and pressure of cleaning fluid supplied to a cleaning fluid nozzle 58. The cleaning fluid nozzle 58 directs a spray of cleaning fluid 60 onto a sensor surface 62. Once a sufficient amount of cleaning fluid 60 has been dispensed onto the sensor surface 62, a compressed air nozzle 64 directs compressed air 66 onto the sensor surface 62 to expedite drying the sensor surface 62.
[0004] Current vehicle technology, particularly for an autonomous vehicle, involves use of a large number of sensors, including camera sensors, LIDAR sensors, and others. Each sensor is cleaned to prevent dirt and other contaminants from obstructing view of the sensor. When using a conventional sensor cleaning system, the large number of sensors results in a significant volume of cleaning fluid to be stored on the vehicle. The volume of cleaning fluid used for cleaning the large number of sensors may further depend on factors such as driving environment, cleaning frequency for each sensor, etc. In some cases, limited fluid storage volume of a vehicle may limit range of the vehicle due to sensor cleaning requirements.
[0005] Vehicle sensor cleaning fluids may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are a component of ground-level ozone formation and one of the main pollutants leading to smog. Reducing cleaning fluid usage therefore has the additional environmental effect of limiting VOC emissions into the atmosphere. Further, reducing cleaning fluid usage has the additional effect of reducing consumable costs for the user. [0006] Accordingly, there is a need for an vehicle sensor cleaning system that reduces volume of cleaning fluid that is needed in order to maintain operation of vehicle sensors, as described herein.
Summary
A vehicle sensor cleaning system for cleaning a sensor surface on a vehicle comprises, disposed on the vehicle, a fluid storage, a fluid control valve operatively connected with the fluid storage, a pressurized air supply, and a mixing nozzle operatively connected with the pressurized air supply disposed adjacent the sensor surface. The mixing nozzle includes an air inlet for receiving pressurized air from the pressurized air supply, a fluid inlet for receiving the fluid supply from the fluid storage, and a multi-phase outlet for directing a multi-phase jet generated by the fluid supply mixed with the pressurized air supply towards the sensor surface.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0007] Fig. 1 is a diagram of a prior art vehicle sensor cleaning system;
[0008] Fig. 2 is a diagram of a vehicle sensor cleaning system including a cleaning fluid pump described herein;
[0009] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle sensor cleaning system without a cleaning fluid pump described herein;
[0010] Fig. 4A shows first glass test piece used in a test described herein;
[0011] Fig. 4B shows second glass test piece used in a test described herein;
[0012] Fig. 5 A shows the first glass test piece used in a test described herein; and
[0013] Fig. 5B shows the second glass test piece used in a test described herein.
Detailed Description
[0014] Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle sensor cleaning system 100 for cleaning a sensor surface on a vehicle. The vehicle sensor cleaning system 100 may be located on any vehicle, such as a truck, a trailer tractor, a bus, an auto and the like. The vehicle sensor cleaning system 100 includes a fluid storage, such as a tank and the like, is disposed on the vehicle. A fluid control valve is disposed on the vehicle and is operatively connected with the fluid storage for controlling flow of a fluid supply from the fluid storage. A pressurized air supply is disposed on the vehicle for supplying pressurized air. A mixing nozzle is disposed on the vehicle adjacent the sensor surface. The mixing nozzle includes an air inlet for receiving pressurized air from the pressurized air supply, a fluid inlet for receiving the fluid supply from the fluid storage, and a multi-phase outlet for directing a multi-phase jet generated by the fluid supply mixed with the pressurized air supply towards the sensor surface.
[0015] As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle sensor cleaning system 100 includes a mixing nozzle 102 that combines pressurized air with a cleaning fluid to generate a multi-phase spray 104. This multi-phase spray 104 of the vehicle sensor cleaning system 100 may remove contaminant from sensor surface 114 effectively and efficiently by entraining the pressurized air with cleaning fluid.
[0016] In the embodiment of the vehicle sensor cleaning system 100 shown in Fig. 2, a mixing nozzle 102 includes a passageway 102a between an air inlet 102b and an outlet 102c. An air supply 112 feeds a pressurized jet of air through the air inlet 102b. The pressurized air supply 112 shown in Fig. 2 may be provided by any known mechanism, such as a native compressed air system found on any vehicle, a dedicated air compressor, or any other suitable device that generates a pressurized air jet.
[0017] As further shown in Fig. 2, a cleaning fluid pump 106 directs a fluid supply 107 from a fluid storage 108 through a fluid control valve 110 to the fluid inlet 102d. Accordingly, in the example shown in Fig. 2, the cleaning fluid pump 106 provides a pressurized jet of cleaning fluid to the fluid control valve 110, which controls volume and pressure of the cleaning fluid that is directed to the fluid inlet 102d of mixing nozzle 102.
[0018] In the example of the vehicle sensor cleaning system 100’ shown in Fig. 3, the passageway 102a’ of the mixing nozzle 102’ includes a Venturi section 102e’ defined by a reduced cross-section that increases velocity of air flowing through passageway 102a’, which causes a corresponding drop in pressure of the air flowing through passageway 102a’, producing a partial vacuum along a fluid inlet 102d’. Accordingly, as the pressurized air supply 112’ flows from the air supply inlet 102b’ through the Venturi section 102e’, velocity of pressurized air supply 112’ increases and pressure of pressurized air supply 112’ is reduced. The fluid inlet 102d’ feeding into the Venturi section 102e’ allows partial vacuum drawn by reduced pressure of the pressurized air supply 112’ to entrain cleaning fluid into the pressurized air supply 112’ to generate a multi-phase jet 104’ via a combination of the pressurized fluid flow and the Bernoulli effect.
[0019] The vehicle sensor cleaning system 100’ shown in Fig. 3 does not include the cleaning fluid pump 106 that is part of the vehicle sensor cleaning system 100 shown in Fig. 2. Accordingly, while the fluid control valve 110’ of the system 100’ of Fig. 3 provides control over whether cleaning fluid flows from the cleaning fluid storage 108’ into the mixing nozzle 102’, the cleaning fluid supply 107’ presented at the fluid inlet 102d’ is unpressurized and is mixed into the air supply 112’ based on the Bernoulli effect.
[0020] In both of the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the multi-phase jet 104, 104’ is directed to the sensor surface 114, 114’ of a sensor to reduce any contaminant from the sensor surface 114, 114’. The multi-phase jet 104, 104’ exhibits sufficient energy and mass to facilitate removal of dirt and other contaminants from the sensor surface 114, 114’. In some embodiments, the outlet 102c, 102c’ of the mixing nozzle 102, 102’ is positioned approximately 10 mm from the sensor surface 114, 114’ although the outlet 102c, 102c’ may be provided at any suitable distance from the sensor surface 114, 114’ as desired in order to achieve removal of contaminant therefrom.
[0021] Dimensions of diameters at the air inlet 102b, 102b’, the outlet 102c, 102c’, the fluid inlet 102d, 102d’, and the Venturi section 102e’ may vary as needed or desired. In one embodiment, the air inlet 102b’ and the outlet 102c’ have a diameter of about 9 mm and the passageway 102a’ has a diameter of about 2 mm at a choke of the Venturi section 102e’.
[0022] A method of using embodiments of the multi-phase vehicle sensor cleaning system will now be described. The embodiments of the multi-phase vehicle sensor cleaning system 100, 100’ include a fluid storage 108, 108’, a fluid control valve 110, 110’ controlling flow of a fluid supply 107, 107’ from the fluid storage 108, 108’, a pressurized air supply 112, 112’, and a mixing nozzle 102, 102’ including an air inlet 102b, 102b’ for receiving the pressurized air supply 112, 112’, a fluid inlet 102d, 102d’ for receiving the fluid supply 107, 107’, and a multi-phase outlet 102c, 102c’ for discharging a multi-phase jet 104, 104’.
[0023] In one embodiment, the air supply 112, 112’ is provided to the air inlet 102b of the mixing nozzle 102, 102’. A pump 106, 106’ directs the fluid supply 107, 107’ to the fluid control valve 110, 110’, which controls flow of the fluid supply 107, 107’ to the fluid inlet 102d, 102d’ of the mixing nozzle 102, 102’. Cleaning fluid 107, 107’ is entrained into the air supply 112, 112’ as the air supply 112, 112’ flows through the mixing nozzle 102, 102’, generating the multi-phase jet 104, 104’ that is dispensed from the multi-phase outlet 102c, 102c’ toward the sensor surface 114, 114’.
[0024] In another embodiment, the air supply 112’ is provided to the air inlet 102b’ of the mixing nozzle 102’. A Venturi section 102e’ on the mixing nozzle 102’ causes velocity of the air supply 112’ to increase as the air supply 112’ flows through the mixing nozzle 102’, which creates a vacuum and draws the fluid supply 107’ into the mixing nozzle 102’ through the fluid inlet 102d’. Cleaning fluid 107’ is entrained into the air supply 112’ as the air supply 112’ flows through the mixing nozzle 102’, generating the multi-phase jet 104’ that is dispensed from the multi-phase outlet 102c’ toward the sensor surface 114’.
[0025] By way of example and not limitation, the following example compares the vehicle sensor cleaning system of the present application using a multi-phase jet, and a conventional sensor cleaning system using a liquid-only jet. Both systems were operated under identical conditions to clean a test piece. Cleaning the test piece with 10 ml of fluid using the vehicle sensor cleaning system of the present application provided a cleaned area of approximately 7,088 mm2, whereas cleaning the test piece with 10ml of fluid using the conventional sensor cleaning system provided a cleaned area of approximately 120 mm2. It therefore follows that in order to obtain cleaning areas of the same size, the amount of fluid used in the vehicle sensor cleaning system of the present application is less than the amount of fluid used in the conventional sensor cleaning system.
[0026] For the example, an vehicle sensor cleaning system of the present application was constructed using the following components:
• a %” (6 mm) T-valve with a 2 mm mixing nozzle;
• an air nozzle gun connected to an inlet of the T-valve, the air nozzle gun receiving air from an air compressor and pressure regulator with a %" quick coupler; and
• %” (6 mm) vinyl tubing connected to the suction inlet of the T-valve.
[0027] A conventional sensor cleaning system was constructed using the following components: • an air compressor and pressure regulator with a %" quick coupler;
• a ¥2” (13 mm) ball valve;
• a ¥2” (13 mm) x 5”(127 mm) pipe with a cap having a 2.5mm-diameter opening; and
• bushings and couplers as needed.
[0028] A mixture of equal parts flour and water was formed, and 15 mL of the mixture was applied equally and evenly to each of a first glass test piece and a second glass test piece, forming first and second samples.
[0029] The vehicle sensor cleaning system of the present application was tested first. The air pressure regulator was set to 6.2 bar (90 PSI), and 10 mL of water was inserted into the vinyl tubing using a syringe. An outer end of the vinyl tubing was temporarily plugged. The nozzle of the vehicle sensor cleaning system was positioned approximately 10 mm above the first glass test piece. The air nozzle was then actuated as the plug was removed from the outer end of the vinyl tubing, resulting in the discharge of a multi-phase jet from the mixing nozzle towards the first glass test piece.
[0030] The conventional sensor cleaning system was then tested. The air pressure regulator was set to 2.8 bar (40 PSI), which simulates the pressure available under conventional systems. The iron pipe and cap assembly was removed from the ball valve and filled with 10 mL of water using a syringe. A plug was inserted into the iron pipe opposite the cap before the iron pipe and cap assembly was reattached to the ball valve. The plug provides an interface to ensure that only fluid is discharged from the iron pipe during use. The cap of the iron pipe and cap assembly of the conventional sensor cleaning system was positioned approximately 10 mm above the second glass test piece. The ball valve was then actuated, resulting in the discharge of a liquid-only jet towards the second glass test piece.
[0031] An area of the first test piece exposed to the multi-phase jet and an area of the second test piece exposed to the liquid-only jet are identical.
[0032] Fig. 4A shows the first glass test piece after the multi-phase jet system was operated and the first glass test piece was wet.
[0033] Fig. 4B shows the second glass test piece after the conventional system was operated and when the second glass test piece was wet.
[0034] Fig. 5A shows the first glass test piece cleaned by the multi-phase jet system after the first glass test piece had dried. [0035] Fig. 5B shows the second glass test piece cleaned by the conventional system after the second glass test piece had dried.
[0036] Reviewing these test results, it is believed that the multi-phase jet system improves over the conventional system.

Claims

Claims We claim:
1. A vehicle sensor cleaning system for cleaning a sensor surface on a vehicle, the vehicle sensor cleaning system comprising: a fluid storage disposed on the vehicle; a fluid control valve disposed on the vehicle and operatively connected with the fluid storage for controlling flow of a fluid supply from the fluid storage; a pressurized air supply disposed on the vehicle for supplying pressurized air; and a mixing nozzle disposed on the vehicle adjacent the sensor surface, the mixing nozzle including an air inlet for receiving pressurized air from the pressurized air supply, a fluid inlet for receiving the fluid supply from the fluid storage, and a multiphase outlet for directing a multi-phase jet generated by the fluid supply mixed with the pressurized air supply towards the sensor surface.
2. The vehicle sensor cleaning system of claim 1, further comprising: a pump disposed on the vehicle operatively connected with the fluid storage and the fluid control valve.
3. The vehicle sensor cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the mixing nozzle includes a Venturi section located between the air inlet and the multi-phase outlet.
4. The vehicle sensor cleaning system of claim 1, further comprising: an air compressor disposed on the vehicle operatively connected with the pressurized air supply.
PCT/US2022/035997 2022-07-01 2022-07-01 Multi-phase sensor cleaning systems and methods WO2024005844A1 (en)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180272998A1 (en) * 2017-03-24 2018-09-27 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Sensor cleaner
US20190210570A1 (en) * 2018-01-08 2019-07-11 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Sensor cleaning and cooling
US20190275991A1 (en) * 2018-03-09 2019-09-12 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Sensor cleaning and thermal control
US20220194327A1 (en) * 2019-05-03 2022-06-23 Zf Cv Systems Hannover Gmbh Cleaning device for applying a media pulse to a surface according to the venturi principle, compressed-air system, cleaning method, control system and vehicle

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180272998A1 (en) * 2017-03-24 2018-09-27 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Sensor cleaner
US20190210570A1 (en) * 2018-01-08 2019-07-11 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Sensor cleaning and cooling
US20190275991A1 (en) * 2018-03-09 2019-09-12 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Sensor cleaning and thermal control
US20220194327A1 (en) * 2019-05-03 2022-06-23 Zf Cv Systems Hannover Gmbh Cleaning device for applying a media pulse to a surface according to the venturi principle, compressed-air system, cleaning method, control system and vehicle

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