This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Fouling and Cleaning of Transparent, Functional Coatings for Autonomous Vehicle Sensors
Abstract:
A reproducible analytical test method was developed to quantify the fouling
resistance and cleanability of camera lens covers for autonomous vehicles (AVs).
Reproducible fouling and cleaning cycles were achieved using a custom-built
laboratory test stand. The impact of fouling/cleaning on image quality was
quantified using digital image analysis. Three optically transparent,
fluorine-containing functional coatings on lens covers were used to validate the
test method. Accelerated weathering was employed to deliberately degrade the
functional coatings. Coating degradation was characterized using water contact
angle and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effect of coating degradation on
cleaning performance was studied using this test method. This analysis method
was able to characterize differences in coating performance and can be used as a
tool to evaluate next-generation functional coatings for autonomous
vehicles.