LiDAR Sensor Assembly Contaminant Trap for Bearing Debris
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor assemblies, particularly LiDAR systems, face contamination issues from contaminants released by bearings, which can degrade performance by depositing on optical components and windows, leading to reduced accuracy and reliability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a contaminant trap, such as a sorbent material like activated carbon, around the shaft to capture contaminants from bearings, combined with a cleaning member that slides along the window to remove buildup, ensuring contaminants do not reach the transmitter and receiver components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bearing is used to support the shaft for rotation, then the rotational movement is smooth and reliable, but contaminants are released from the bearing which can deposit on optical components and degrade sensor performance
Solution Approach 1:
A contaminant trap is introduced as an intermediary component between the bearing and the optical components (transmitter and receiver). This trap captures contaminants released from the bearing, preventing them from depositing on the optical components. The intermediary element (contaminant trap) resolves the contradiction by allowing the bearing to continue its reliable rotational function while intercepting the harmful contaminants before they reach the sensitive optical surfaces.
2Productivity
If the rotatable mount rotates continuously to scan the environment, then the LiDAR system achieves comprehensive coverage and functionality, but contaminants accumulate on the window and optical components over time, reducing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The contaminant trap serves as a mediator that intercepts contaminants in the rotational path, preventing their accumulation on the window and optical components. This allows the rotatable mount to continue its continuous scanning motion for comprehensive environmental coverage while the trap maintains measurement precision by blocking contaminant deposition on the optical surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful contaminants are extracted or removed from the system by the contaminant trap before they can reach and deposit on the optical components. This extraction process separates the contaminants from the optical path, allowing the scanning function to proceed without degradation in measurement accuracy.
3Device complexity
If no protective measures are taken, then the device structure remains simple, but contaminants from the bearing will inevitably reach and contaminate the transmitter and receiver components, leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
A relatively simple contaminant trap structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the bearing and the optical components. This trap provides reliable protection against contaminant deposition without requiring complex protective systems. The intermediary trap maintains structural simplicity while ensuring the reliability and performance of the transmitter and receiver components.
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 prevents contamination of optical components and windows, maintaining sensor accuracy and reliability by trapping contaminants and cleaning them away, thereby enhancing the operational integrity of LiDAR systems.
Implementation Method 1
the contaminant trap includes a sorbent material configured to trap vapor released from lubricant included with the bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly including: a rotatable mount; transmitter components and receiver components supported by the rotatable mount so as to rotate with the rotatable mount; a motor configured to rotate the rotatable mount by rotating a shaft connected to the rotatable mount; a bearing configured to support the shaft; and a contaminant trap between the bearing and each of the transmitter components and the receiver components, the contaminant trap configured to capture contaminants to restrict passage of contaminants from the bearing to the transmitter components and the receiver components.