Airfoil Sensor Housing Self-Cleaning via Bernoulli Effect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle sensors often become soiled with dirt, debris, water, or ice, leading to reduced accuracy in environmental detection and the need for complex cleaning systems using liquids or compressed gas, which can be costly and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with an airfoil-shaped housing featuring a suction surface and a nozzle that utilizes airflow and gravity to clean the sensor, eliminating the need for liquid or compressed gas, and potentially replacing side-view mirrors to reduce vehicle costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex cleaning systems using liquids or compressed gas are used to clean sensors, then sensor cleanliness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex cleaning system components (liquid reservoirs, compressed gas tanks, pumps, and control systems) by utilizing the natural airflow already present in the vehicle's aerodynamic structure. The housing design captures and directs this existing airflow onto the sensor surface, achieving cleaning without additional cleaning system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor housing performs its own cleaning function by incorporating airflow channels and surfaces that direct vehicle motion-generated airflow onto the sensor. This self-cleaning mechanism eliminates the need for separate cleaning systems, reducing complexity while maintaining sensor cleanliness through the housing's integrated aerodynamic design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If side-view mirrors are used for vehicle monitoring, then field of view is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor housing is designed to serve multiple functions: it protects the sensor, manages airflow to prevent contamination, provides structural mounting, and potentially integrates lighting or signaling elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components like side-view mirrors, thereby reducing overall vehicle complexity while maintaining monitoring capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are exposed to external environment for detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but susceptibility to contaminants increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of vehicle motion (which generates airflow that could potentially dislodge contaminants) into a beneficial self-cleaning mechanism. The aerodynamic housing design captures and directs this motion-generated airflow onto the sensor surface, continuously removing contaminants and maintaining detection accuracy without compromising sensor exposure to the external environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerodynamic housing acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the external environment. It manages the interaction by directing controlled airflow onto the sensor surface to remove contaminants while still allowing the sensor to detect environmental conditions. This intermediary structure protects the sensor from harmful contaminant accumulation without isolating it from necessary environmental exposure.
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 sensor assembly effectively maintains sensor accuracy by removing contaminants using airflow and gravity, reducing the need for additional cleaning systems and potentially eliminating side-view mirrors, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing vehicle costs.
Implementation Method 1
The housing has an airfoil shape and includes a pressure surface and a suction surface... creates a low-pressure zone across the sensor, helping to remove water, dust, debris, etc.
Implementation Method 2
A sensor assembly with an airfoil-shaped housing featuring a suction surface and a nozzle that utilizes airflow and gravity to clean the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly includes a housing having an airfoil shape and including a pressure surface and a suction surface, a sensor attached to the housing and disposed on the suction surface, and a nozzle attached to the housing and directed toward the sensor. A vehicle may include an exterior panel, and the sensor assembly may be attached to the exterior panel.