Concave Sensor Housing With Air Curtain for Clear Vehicle Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle sensor assemblies face challenges in maintaining a clear field of view due to debris and environmental factors such as bugs, snow, and rain, which can obstruct the sensor's operation.
Innovation Solution
The sensor assembly features a uniquely shaped front panel that is concave along both vertical and horizontal axes, creating an airflow pattern that deflects debris away from the sensor. Additionally, air nozzles oriented vertically are integrated to create an air curtain, further protecting the sensor from debris and moisture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat front panel is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but debris and environmental factors can obstruct the sensor's field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel is designed with a concave curvature that creates an airflow pattern directing debris away from the sensor. This curved surface modifies the natural airflow to generate a protective flow field that maintains sensor visibility while using a relatively simple single-piece structure.
2Reliability
If air nozzles are added to create an air curtain, then protection from debris and moisture is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Air nozzles are integrated into the front panel to discharge air vertically, creating an air curtain that acts as a barrier against debris and moisture. This pneumatic protection system uses the vehicle's existing airflow to generate the protective curtain without requiring complex mechanical moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The air nozzles are integrated directly into the front panel structure, combining the protective air curtain function with the existing panel. This merging of functions reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate protective mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a concave front surface is used, then airflow pattern is optimized to deflect debris, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The concave surface is designed with specific curvature characteristics that optimize airflow deflection. The curved geometry creates a natural flow pattern that directs debris away from the sensor, and this curvature can be achieved through standard molding techniques without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing tolerances.
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 designed airflow pattern and air curtain effectively prevent debris and moisture from reaching the sensor, maintaining a clear and unobstructed view for the sensor assembly, even in adverse environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The housing includes a front panel. The front panel includes a front surface on an exterior of the housing. The front surface is concave along a vertical axis and concave along a horizontal axis orthogonal to the vertical axis. The concave shape creates an airflow pattern that deflects bugs, snow, and other debris in the air away from the sensor.
Implementation Method 2
The sensor assembly may further include at least one air nozzle mounted to the top panel adjacent to the sensor. The at least one air nozzle may be oriented to discharge vertically. The air nozzles are integrated to create an air curtain, further protecting the sensor from debris and moisture.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly includes a housing mountable to a vehicle and a sensor mounted to the housing on top of the housing. The housing includes a front panel. The front panel includes a front surface on an exterior of the housing. The front surface is concave along a vertical axis and concave along a horizontal axis orthogonal to the vertical axis. The front surface is wider than the sensor along the horizontal axis.