Autonomous Vehicle Sensor Fluid Management System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle sensors mounted on the roof face challenges with heat management and fluid leakage, as they generate heat during operation and are exposed to environmental temperatures, leading to potential coolant leaks that could enter the vehicle cabin.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system comprising a closed-loop liquid cooling system with a catch basin and drain tubes secured to the roof, collecting and routing any leaked coolant to a lower region of the vehicle, while sensors monitor coolant properties to detect leaks and alert the user or control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a closed-loop liquid cooling system is used for roof-mounted autonomous vehicle sensors, then sensor temperatures are maintained within safe limits, but coolant leakage may enter the vehicle cabin
Solution Approach 1:
A catch basin is introduced as an intermediary component between the cooling system and the vehicle cabin. The catch basin intercepts leaked coolant before it can enter the cabin, allowing the coolant to be collected and drained away safely while maintaining the cooling function above it
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a catch basin is added to collect coolant leaks, then coolant is prevented from entering the cabin, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catch basin is integrated with the existing vehicle roof structure and cooling system components. By combining the catch basin with the cooling system rather than adding a completely separate system, the overall complexity is minimized while still achieving effective coolant containment and drainage
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
Effectively manages coolant leaks by diverting them away from the cabin, maintaining sensor and electrical component temperatures within safe limits, and ensuring the autonomous vehicle's safety by preventing coolant from entering the passenger compartment.
Implementation Method 1
a closed-loop liquid cooling system adapted to transmit a coolant through a catch basin disposed at a roof region of the autonomous vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a catch basin adapted to be secured to a roof region of the vehicle in proximity to at least one autonomous vehicle component
Implementation Method 3
at least one drain tube secured to the catch basin adjacent a catch basin drain opening to receive coolant collected in the catch basin. The at least one drain tube extends from the roof region to a lower region of the vehicle
Implementation Method 4
at least one sensor adapted to sense a coolant property of the coolant within the closed-loop liquid cooling system
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous-driving system having at least one autonomous vehicle component disposed at a roof region of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle further includes a thermal management system adapted to transmit a coolant in proximity to the autonomous vehicle component. The autonomous vehicle further includes a fluid management system having a catch basin secured to the roof region below the autonomous vehicle component. The fluid management system further includes a drain tube secured to the catch basin to receive coolant collected in the catch basin.