For drivers, having a car that automatically cleans its windows and lenses is convenient and cool. No, Elon Musk, the "Iron Man" with the most "Internet celebrity" potential in the automotive industry, has acquired another black technology.
According to foreign media reports, Tesla announced this week that a new patent titled "Using pulse laser to clean accumulated debris on automobile glass products and photovoltaic modules" was approved. Sounds long and awkward? In fact, this is a "laser wiper", which can use the on-board laser system to clean the front and rear windshields, cameras, roof solar panels, etc.
It is reported that the system consists of a laser emitting component, a debris monitoring circuit and a control circuit for calibration parameters. It uses the high energy of the laser to achieve the effect. It was developed by Tesla scientific and industrial imaging expert Firoz Da Hand of Lal.
Looking closely at the patent drawings, the Tesla Model S has outlets installed on the hood, fenders and B-pillars that can spray laser beams for cleaning front and side cameras.
When the vehicle-mounted sensor detects stains on the glass, a high-energy beam will be emitted to burn away the stains on the glass and roof to keep the glass clean.
In addition, the technology can also be used to remove debris from photovoltaic solar panels and glass-like coatings. If it is covered with debris, it will reduce the light-heat-electricity conversion efficiency of the solar panel.
Traditional car glass cleaning relies on physical wipers or chemical solutions. However, cleaning and drying wipers takes a long time, and chemical solutions are not universally applicable. If they are sprayed on electronic devices such as cameras and dashboards, they may malfunction. The emergence of laser cleaning vehicle technology can be described as "timely rain".