Air Compressor Self-Cooling for Vehicle Sensor Cleaning Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air compressors in sensor cleaning apparatuses for vehicles can overheat during prolonged or intense use, leading to reduced efficiency or shutdown, especially when cleaning sensors frequently, and adding additional components increases weight, manufacturing costs, and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a cooling member connected to the air compressor, which uses compressed air to dissipate heat through expanding air flowing through an internal space with concave-convex portions for enhanced heat exchange, preventing overheating without requiring additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the air compressor is used for prolonged or frequent sensor cleaning, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the air compressor overheats and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling member is integrated directly into the air compressor housing, merging the cooling function with the compression function. This allows the air compressor to be cooled by the compressed air it produces, eliminating the need for a separate cooling system while preventing overheating during prolonged operation
Solution Approach 2:
The air compressor uses its own output (compressed air) to cool itself through the cooling member. The compressed air flows through the cooling member, dissipating heat from the air compressor housing, thereby enabling self-cooling without external intervention or additional components
2Reliability
If additional cooling components are added to prevent overheating, then the air compressor reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling member is integrated directly into the air compressor housing, merging the cooling function with the compression function. This allows the air compressor to be cooled by the compressed air it produces, eliminating the need for a separate cooling system while preventing overheating during prolonged operation
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed air serves dual functions: it is used for sensor cleaning through the nozzle and simultaneously serves as a cooling medium for the air compressor through the cooling member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and minimizes device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The cooling member effectively prevents air compressor overheating, maintains efficiency, reduces weight and manufacturing costs, and minimizes power consumption by utilizing existing control systems.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling member proximal to a surface of the housing and connected to the compressor distributor. The cooling member may comprise one or more inlet ports configured to receive air from the compressor distributor
Implementation Method 2
uses compressed air to dissipate heat through expanding air flowing through an internal space
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor cleaning apparatus includes an air compressor for compressing air, a compressor distributor connected to the air compressor, a nozzle connected to the compressor distributor for providing air to a sensor, and a control unit connected to at least one of the air compressor or the compressor distributor. The air compressor includes a housing that forms an internal space in which air may be compressed, and a cooling member provided on an external surface of the housing and connected to the compressor distributor.