Airflow deflector for vehicle sensor

Abstract

A sensor cartridge is configured to be mounted to a vehicle. The sensor cartridge includes: a housing; a sensor mounted to the housing, the sensor being oriented such that when the sensor cartridge is mounted to the vehicle, the sensor faces an area rearward of the sensor cartridge; and an airflow deflector mounted to the housing adjacent an outer surface of the sensor, the airflow deflector including a body spaced apart from the housing, the body defining a first airflow passage through an interior of the body and a second airflow passage between the body and the housing. The airflow deflector is configured to direct a first laminar airflow through the first airflow channel such that the first laminar airflow flows generally parallel to the outer surface of the sensor, and direct a second laminar airflow through the second airflow channel toward the outer surface of the sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an airflow deflector for a vehicle sensor. Vehicles often include sensors on their exterior, such as sonar sensors, camera sensors, electromagnetic sensors, microwave sensors, etc. The sensors can be configured with various functions for pedestrian detection, obstacle detection, parking assistance, autonomous driving, etc. Background Art

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally introducing the background of the present disclosure. To the extent described in this section, the work of the presently named inventors and aspects of the description that may not constitute prior art at the time of filing are neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present disclosure includes, among other features, a sensor pod configured to be mounted to a vehicle. The sensor pod includes: a housing; a sensor mounted to the housing, the sensor oriented so that when the sensor pod is mounted to the vehicle, the sensor faces an area behind the sensor pod; and an airflow deflector mounted to the housing adjacent an outer surface of the sensor, the airflow deflector including a body spaced apart from the housing, the body defining a first airflow channel through an interior of the body and a second airflow channel between the body and the housing. The airflow deflector is configured to direct a first layer of airflow through the first airflow channel so that the first layer of airflow flows substantially parallel to an outer surface of the sensor, and to direct a second layer of airflow through the second airflow channel toward the outer surface of the sensor.

[0004] In further features, the sensor includes at least one of a camera sensor, an infrared sensor, a sonar sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, and a microwave sensor.

[0005] In a further feature, the sensor box is mounted to the autonomous vehicle, the sensor box positioned to allow the sensor to monitor passengers entering and exiting the vehicle through a side door of the vehicle behind the sensor box.

[0006] In further features, the airflow deflector also includes a lip extending from the rear end of the body.

[0007] In further features, the lip is angled relative to the body.

[0008] In further features, the lip extends from the rear end of the body toward the housing at an angle of approximately 45°.

[0009] In further features, the lip and a surface of the housing adjacent an outer surface of the sensor extend at diverging angles.

[0010] In further features, surfaces of the body and the housing opposite the body extend at diverging angles.

[0011] In further features, the lip extends from the inner surface of the body such that airflow exiting the first airflow channel flows over an outer surface of the lip.

[0012] In further features, the sensor is a first sensor and the sensor cartridge further includes a second sensor different from the first sensor.

[0013] Among the various features, the present disclosure also includes a sensor box configured to be mounted to a vehicle, the sensor box comprising: a housing; a sensor mounted to the housing, the sensor oriented so that when the housing is mounted to the vehicle, the sensor faces an area behind the sensor box; and an airflow deflector mounted to the housing adjacent to an outer surface of the sensor, the airflow deflector comprising a body and a lip extending from the body at a certain angle, the body and the lip being spaced apart from the housing, the body defining a first airflow channel passing through the body, and the lip extending from a downstream end of the body so that airflow leaving the first airflow channel flows over an outer surface of the lip.

[0014] In a further feature, the airflow deflector also defines a second airflow channel between the main body and the housing; the airflow deflector is configured to guide a first layer of airflow through the first airflow channel so that the first layer of airflow flows approximately parallel to the outer surface of the sensor, and guide a second layer of airflow through the second airflow channel toward the outer surface of the sensor.

[0015] In further features, the lip extends from the rear end of the body at an angle of approximately 45°.

[0016] In further features, the lip and a first surface of the housing adjacent an outer surface of the sensor extend at diverging angles; and the body and the housing extend at diverging angles relative to a second surface of the body.

[0017] In various features, the present disclosure includes a vehicle including a sensor box located outside the vehicle. The sensor box includes a housing; a sensor mounted to the housing, the sensor oriented to face an area behind the sensor box; and an airflow deflector mounted to the housing adjacent an outer surface of the sensor, the airflow deflector including a body and a lip extending from the body at a certain angle, the body and the lip are both spaced from the housing, the body defining a first airflow channel through the body, and the lip extending from a downstream end of the body so that airflow exiting the first airflow channel flows over an outer surface of the lip.

[0018] In further features, the sensor includes at least one of a camera sensor, an infrared sensor, a sonar sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, and a microwave sensor.

[0019] In a further feature, the sensor is located forward of a side door of the vehicle to allow the sensor to monitor persons entering and exiting the vehicle through the side door.

[0020] In a further feature, the airflow deflector also defines a second airflow channel between the main body and the housing; the airflow deflector is configured to guide a first layer of airflow through the first airflow channel so that the first layer of airflow flows approximately parallel to the outer surface of the sensor, and guide a second layer of airflow through the second airflow channel toward the outer surface of the sensor.

[0021] In further features, the lip extends from the rear end of the body at an angle of approximately 45°.

[0022] In further features, the lip and a first surface of the housing adjacent an outer surface of the sensor extend at diverging angles; and the body and the housing extend at diverging angles relative to a second surface of the body.

[0023] The present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0024] 1. A sensor cartridge configured to be mounted to a vehicle, the sensor cartridge comprising:

[0025] shell;

[0026] a sensor mounted to the housing, the sensor oriented so that when the sensor cartridge is mounted to the vehicle, the sensor faces an area behind the sensor cartridge; and

[0027] an airflow deflector mounted to the housing adjacent an outer surface of the sensor, the airflow deflector comprising a body spaced apart from the housing, the body defining a first airflow passage through an interior of the body and a second airflow passage between the body and the housing;

[0028] The airflow deflector is configured to guide a first layer of airflow through a first airflow channel so that the first layer of airflow flows substantially parallel to an outer surface of the sensor, and guide a second layer of airflow through a second airflow channel toward the outer surface of the sensor.

[0029] 2. The sensor box according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a camera sensor, an infrared sensor, a sonar sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, and a microwave sensor.

[0030] 3. A sensor box according to Option 1, wherein the sensor box is mounted to an autonomous vehicle, and the sensor box is positioned to allow the sensor to monitor passengers entering and leaving the vehicle through a vehicle side door located behind the sensor box.

[0031] 4. The sensor box according to claim 1, wherein the airflow deflector further comprises a lip extending from a rear end of the body.

[0032] 5. A sensor box according to Option 4, wherein the lip is angled relative to the body.

[0033] 6. The sensor box according to claim 4, wherein the lip extends from the rear end of the body toward the housing at an angle of approximately 45°.

[0034] 7. The sensor box according to claim 4, wherein the lip and the surface of the housing adjacent to the outer surface of the sensor extend at diverging angles.

[0035] 8. The sensor box according to claim 7, wherein the surfaces of the main body and the housing opposite to the main body extend at diverging angles.

[0036] 9. The sensor box according to claim 4, wherein the lip extends from the inner surface of the body so that the airflow leaving the first airflow channel flows over the outer surface of the lip.

[0037] 10. The sensor box according to Option 1, wherein the sensor is a first sensor, and the sensor box further includes a second sensor different from the first sensor.

[0038] 11. A sensor cartridge configured to be mounted to a vehicle, the sensor cartridge comprising:

[0039] shell;

[0040] a sensor mounted to the housing, the sensor oriented so that when the housing is mounted to the vehicle, the sensor faces an area behind the sensor cartridge; and

[0041] An airflow deflector is mounted to the housing adjacent to the outer surface of the sensor, the airflow deflector comprising a main body and a lip extending from the main body at a certain angle, the main body and the lip are both spaced apart from the housing, the main body defines a first airflow channel passing through the main body, and the lip extends from the downstream end of the main body so that the airflow leaving the first airflow channel flows over the outer surface of the lip.

[0042] 12. The sensor cartridge of claim 11, wherein the airflow deflector further defines a second airflow channel between the body and the housing, and

[0043] The airflow deflector is configured to guide a first layer of airflow through a first airflow channel so that the first layer of airflow flows substantially parallel to an outer surface of the sensor, and guide a second layer of airflow through a second airflow channel toward the outer surface of the sensor.

[0044] 13. The sensor box according to claim 11, wherein the lip extends from the rear end of the body at an angle of approximately 45°.

[0045] 14. The sensor cartridge of claim 11, wherein:

[0046] The lip and a first surface of the housing adjacent to an outer surface of the sensor extend at diverging angles; and

[0047] The body and the housing extend at diverging angles relative to the second surface of the body.

[0048] 15. A vehicle comprising a sensor box on the exterior of the vehicle, the sensor box comprising:

[0049] shell;

[0050] a sensor mounted to the housing, the sensor oriented to face the area behind the sensor cartridge; and

[0051] An airflow deflector is mounted to the housing adjacent to the outer surface of the sensor, the airflow deflector comprising a main body and a lip extending from the main body at a certain angle, the main body and the lip are both spaced apart from the housing, the main body defines a first airflow channel passing through the main body, and the lip extends from the downstream end of the main body so that the airflow leaving the first airflow channel flows over the outer surface of the lip.

[0052] 16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a camera sensor, an infrared sensor, a sonar sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, and a microwave sensor.

[0053] 17. A vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the sensor is located in front of a side door of the vehicle to allow the sensor to monitor people entering and exiting the vehicle through the side door.

[0054] 18. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the airflow deflector further defines a second airflow passage between the body and the housing; and

[0055] The airflow deflector is configured to guide a first layer of airflow through a first airflow channel so that the first layer of airflow flows substantially parallel to an outer surface of the sensor, and guide a second layer of airflow through a second airflow channel toward the outer surface of the sensor.

[0056] 19. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the lip extends from the rear end of the body at an angle of approximately 45°.

[0057] 20. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein:

[0058] The lip and a first surface of the housing adjacent to an outer surface of the sensor extend at diverging angles; and

[0059] The body and the housing extend at diverging angles relative to the second surface of the body.

[0060] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings.The detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0062] Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle with a sensor cartridge installed according to the present disclosure;

[0063] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of a sensor box;

[0064] Figure 3 is a bottom-up stereogram of the sensor box;

[0065] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the sensor box;

[0066] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Additional perspective views of the sensor box; and

[0067] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a top view of a sensor cartridge showing exemplary airflow over and through the airflow deflector of the sensor cartridge.

[0068] Among the drawings, reference numerals may be repeated to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] Figure 1An exemplary vehicle 10 including a sensor box 30 according to the present disclosure is shown. The vehicle 10 generally includes a body 12, a front end 14, a rear end 16, and a side 18. At the side 18 is a door 20. The vehicle 10 may include wheels 22 configured to move the vehicle 10 along any suitable road surface. The wheels 22 may also be configured to move the vehicle 10 along any suitable track, such as when the vehicle 10 is configured as a rail car. The vehicle 10 may be any suitable vehicle configured in any suitable manner. For example, the vehicle 10 may be configured as a private passenger car, a ride-sharing vehicle, a public transportation vehicle, a rail car, a construction vehicle, a multi-purpose vehicle, etc. The vehicle 10 may also be configured as a ship, an airplane, etc. Although the sensor box 30 is described herein as being configured to be mounted to a vehicle, the sensor box 30 may also be configured to be used in any suitable non-vehicle application. For example, the sensor box 30 may be configured for use in any non-vehicle application, wherein the sensor of the sensor box faces rearward or partially rearward relative to the direction of airflow passing through the sensor box.

[0070] The vehicle 10 may be configured to be driven by a human, as a fully autonomous vehicle, or as a partially autonomous vehicle. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the vehicle 10 is configured as an autonomous ride-sharing vehicle. Regardless of the configuration, the vehicle 10 includes a sensor box 30 .

[0071] exist Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the sensor box 30 is located on the front side of the vehicle door 20 and is therefore configured as a front sensor box. An optional rear sensor box 32 is mounted to the vehicle 10 on the rear side of the vehicle door 20. A sensor array 36 is located at the front end 14 of the vehicle 10 and may include any suitable sensor (e.g., a camera sensor, a LiDAR sensor, a radar sensor, a sonar sensor, etc.) configured to monitor at least the area in front of the vehicle 10.

[0072] Continue to refer Figure 1 , and additionally refer to Figure 2-6 , the front sensor cartridge 30 will now be described in more detail. The front sensor cartridge 30 includes a housing 34 that is configured to be mounted to the vehicle 10 at the side 18 of the vehicle 10. The housing 34 has a front region 40 and a rear region 42 that is opposite the front region 40. Between the front region 40 and the rear region 42 is a side surface 44, which is an exterior surface. The side surface 44 is located between the upper region 46 and the lower region 48. The front sensor cartridge 30 is configured so that when mounted to the vehicle 10, the front region 40 faces the front end 14 of the vehicle 10 and the rear region 42 faces the rear end 16 of the vehicle 10. The side surface 44 extends generally along the side 18 of the vehicle 10.

[0073] The front sensor cartridge 30 includes a sensor 50 housed within or otherwise mounted to the housing 34. The sensor 50 may be any sensor suitable for monitoring an area to the rear and / or sides of the front sensor cartridge 30, which corresponds to an area to the rear and / or sides of the vehicle 10 when the front sensor cartridge 30 is mounted to the vehicle 10. The sensor 50 may include any suitable camera sensor, sonar sensor, LiDAR sensor, electromagnetic sensor, microwave sensor, etc.

[0074] The sensor 50 includes an outer surface 52 located at a face 44' of the side surface 44, which is oriented toward an area behind and / or to one side of the front sensor cartridge 30. The sensor 50 is thus oriented so that when the front sensor cartridge 30 is mounted to the vehicle 10, the sensor 50 is positioned to monitor an area behind the sensor cartridge 30 and at the side 18 of the vehicle 10. For example, the sensor 50 may be oriented and configured to monitor an area around the door 20 to identify people entering and exiting the vehicle 10, as well as any objects that may be obstructing the movement of the door 20.

[0075] The front sensor cartridge 30 also includes an airflow deflector 60. The airflow deflector 60 is mounted to the housing 34 adjacent the outer surface 52 of the sensor 50. For example, the airflow deflector 60 may be mounted to the side surface 44 of the sensor 50. The airflow deflector 60 may be mounted to the housing 34 with any suitable support mount 70. The support mount 70 may be integral with a body 80 of the airflow deflector 60 and attached to the housing 34 with any suitable fasteners.

[0076] The body 80 of the airflow deflector 60 includes a front end 82 and a rear end 84 opposite the front end 82. The body 80 defines a passage 86 extending from the front end 82 to the rear end 84. The passage 86 allows airflow to flow through the body 80. The body 80 (including the passage 86 defined thereby) extends at a diverging angle relative to the side surface 44 (including the face 44') of the housing 34.

[0077] The airflow deflector 60 also includes a lip 90 that extends from the rear end 84 of the body 80. The lip 90 extends to a distal end 92 that is opposite the face 44' and closer to the outer surface 52 of the sensor 50 than the body 80. The lip 90 extends from the inner surface of the body 80 at the rear end 84 so that the airflow exiting the passage 86 flows over an outer lip surface 94 of the lip 90. The outer lip surface 94 is on a side of the lip 90 that is opposite the housing 34. Thus, the outer lip surface 94 faces away from the housing 34. The lip 90 extends from the body 80. The lip 90 can extend from the body 80 at any suitable angle, such as at an angle of 45° or about 45°. The lip 90 and the face 44' extend at diverging angles.

[0078] Figure 6An exemplary airflow (indicated by arrows pointing from left to right) through and over the airflow deflector 60 is shown. The airflow pattern is generated during forward movement of the vehicle 10. A first layer of airflow A flows through the channel 86 and along the outer lip surface 94. The channel 86 and the lip 90 are oriented so that the first layer of airflow A flows generally parallel to the face 44' and the outer surface 52 of the sensor 50. A second layer of airflow B flows between the housing 34 and the airflow deflector 60. Thus, the airflow deflector 60 defines a first airflow path through the body 80 through the channel 86 and defines a second airflow path between the housing 34 and the airflow deflector 60. The second layer of airflow B is directed toward the face 44' and the outer surface 52 of the sensor 50. The airflow deflector 60 is particularly effective in keeping the sensor 50 clean and enhancing its function when the vehicle 10 is moving and air flows over and through the airflow deflector 60.

[0079] The second layer of airflow B provides enhanced air movement over the outer surface 52 of the sensor 50 to advantageously reduce the accumulation of contaminants (e.g., dirt, dust, etc.) on the outer surface 52. The first layer of airflow A maximizes the energy of the airflow in the area of ​​the outer surface 52 to avoid the formation of low-pressure recirculation areas of the airflow that could disrupt the second layer of airflow B and contribute to the accumulation of contaminants on the outer surface 52.

[0080] The rear sensor cartridge 32 includes a sensor that may be the same, similar, or different than the sensor 50. The sensor of the rear sensor cartridge 32 faces toward the front of the vehicle 10. Because the sensor of the rear sensor cartridge 32 faces forward, the sensor is more directly exposed to the airflow and is less likely to experience a buildup of contaminants.

[0081] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or use. The broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, although the present disclosure includes specific examples, the true scope of the present disclosure should not be so limited, because after studying the drawings, the specification and the appended claims, other modifications will become apparent. It should be understood that one or more steps in the method can be performed in different orders (or simultaneously) without changing the principles of the present disclosure. In addition, although each embodiment is described as having certain features above, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented in any other embodiment and / or combined with the features of any other embodiment, even if the combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and the replacement of one or more embodiments with each other is still within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0082] Various terms are used, including "connected," "engaged," "coupled," "adjacent," "next to," "on," "above," "below," and "disposed," to describe the spatial and functional relationships between elements (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.). Unless explicitly described as "direct," when a relationship between a first element and a second element is described in the above disclosure, the relationship can be a direct relationship in which there are no other intermediate elements between the first element and the second element, but can also be an indirect relationship in which there are one or more intermediate elements (spatially or functionally) between the first element and the second element. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be interpreted to mean a logical (A or B or C) using a non-exclusive logical "or", and should not be interpreted to mean "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."

Claims

1. A sensor cartridge configured to be mounted to a vehicle, the sensor cartridge comprising: shell; a sensor mounted to the housing, the sensor oriented so that when the sensor cartridge is mounted to the vehicle, the sensor faces an area behind the sensor cartridge; and an airflow deflector mounted to the housing adjacent an outer surface of the sensor, the airflow deflector comprising a body spaced apart from the housing, the body defining a first airflow passage through an interior of the body and a second airflow passage between the body and the housing; The airflow deflector is configured to guide a first layer of airflow through a first airflow channel so that the first layer of airflow flows substantially parallel to an outer surface of the sensor, and guide a second layer of airflow through a second airflow channel toward the outer surface of the sensor.

2. The sensor box according to claim 1, wherein the sensor includes at least one of a camera sensor, an infrared sensor, a sonar sensor, an electromagnetic sensor, and a microwave sensor.

3. The sensor box of claim 1, wherein the sensor box is mounted to an autonomous vehicle, the sensor box being positioned to allow the sensor to monitor passengers entering and exiting the vehicle through a vehicle side door located behind the sensor box.

4. The sensor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the airflow deflector further comprises a lip extending from a rear end of the body. The sensor cartridge of claim 4 , wherein the lip is angled relative to the body.

6. The sensor cartridge of claim 4, wherein the lip extends from a rear end of the body toward the housing at an angle of approximately 45°.

7. The sensor cartridge of claim 4, wherein the lip and a surface of the housing adjacent an outer surface of the sensor extend at diverging angles.

8. The sensor cartridge of claim 7, wherein the body and surfaces of the housing opposite to the body extend at diverging angles.

9. The sensor cartridge of claim 4, wherein the lip extends from an inner surface of the body such that airflow exiting the first airflow channel flows over an outer surface of the lip.

10. The sensor cartridge of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a first sensor, the sensor cartridge further comprising a second sensor different from the first sensor.

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