Active Road Debris Blocking Devices for Sensor Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicles face challenges as mud, snow, and water from tires can obstruct sensors, particularly in autonomous vehicles, which require 360-degree data collection, necessitating a system to actively deploy and stow road debris blocking devices based on predetermined conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-integrated road debris blocking system that includes a processor, actuator, and wheel angle sensor to move a road debris blocking device between stowed and deployed configurations, using an anti-reflective panel to protect sensors from debris, and retracting when not needed to maintain vehicle styling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a road debris blocking device is permanently deployed to protect sensors, then sensor protection is improved, but vehicle styling and external footprint are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The road debris blocking device is designed to be movable between a deployed configuration (providing sensor protection) and a stowed configuration (maintaining vehicle styling). The actuator system enables dynamic transitions based on driving conditions, resolving the contradiction between permanent protection and aesthetic appearance.
2Reliability
If a road debris blocking device is always deployed, then sensor obstruction is prevented, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic assessment of driving conditions through the processor, which activates the blocking device only when predetermined conditions indicate potential debris risk. This conditional, periodic deployment reduces unnecessary complexity and energy consumption while maintaining sensor protection when needed.
3Reliability
If the blocking device is made larger to provide better protection, then sensor coverage is improved, but external footprint and aerodynamic drag increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device transitions between compact stowed and extended deployed states, providing full sensor coverage only when needed. This dynamic sizing reduces the external footprint during normal operation while maintaining adequate protection coverage when debris risk is detected.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a road debris blocking system that provides a barrier to road debris at a surveying sensor. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and a processor. A road debris blocking device moves between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration relative to the vehicle body. An actuator moves the road debris blocking device between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration. A wheel angle sensor provides a signal to the processor indicative of a wheel angle. A memory module is communicatively coupled to the processor that stores logic that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to receive the signal from the wheel angle sensor and instruct the actuator to move the road debris blocking device from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration based on the signal.