Magnetic Sensor Cover Structure for Vehicle Dust and Rain Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensors on vehicles, particularly semi-trailers, are exposed to contamination from dust, soil, and frost, which affects their imaging performance, and existing solutions do not effectively prevent contamination while ensuring easy inspection and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A sensor case with a magnetic coupling mechanism that includes a backing plate and a protecting component with a cover plate, providing a gap for the sensor to pass through, which shields the sensor from contamination and allows easy access for inspection and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sensor is exposed to the outside of the vehicle body, then the sensor can capture external images, but the sensor surface is covered by dust, soil, frost, and rainwater which affects imaging performance
Solution Approach 1:
The protection component is divided into a cover plate and a base plate, with the cover plate being separable from the base plate. This segmentation allows the sensor to be protected when the cover plate is closed, and accessible when the cover plate is opened, resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate is designed to be movable relative to the base plate, transitioning between closed (protecting the sensor) and open (exposing the sensor for cleaning or inspection) states. This dynamic structure allows the system to adapt between protection mode and maintenance mode.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective cover is added to shield the sensor, then contamination is reduced, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection component is segmented into a cover plate and a base plate, where the base plate integrates mounting functions and the cover plate provides protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection component acts as an intermediary structure between the sensor and the external environment. It provides shielding without requiring complex integration with the sensor itself, simplifying the overall system design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the protecting component is firmly fixed to the backing plate, then structural stability is improved, but the ease of opening for inspection and cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic coupling mechanism replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (screws, clips, or latches). The magnet provides sufficient holding force for structural stability during normal operation, but allows easy separation by overcoming the magnetic force, simplifying the opening operation for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling force provides a balance between holding strength and ease of separation. The magnetic force is strong enough to maintain structural stability during vehicle operation but weak enough to be easily overcome by manual force for opening the cover plate during inspection or cleaning.
4Strength
If tools are required to open the protecting component, then structural security is improved, but the working efficiency of sensor maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic coupling mechanism replaces tool-based mechanical fastening systems. The magnet provides secure holding without requiring screws or clips that would need tools to remove, enabling tool-free opening for maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling allows the protecting component to be opened and closed by the user without requiring external tools or specialized equipment. The user can directly open the cover plate for inspection or cleaning and close it back by overcoming the magnetic force, enabling self-service maintenance.
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 solution effectively prevents contamination from rainwater and dust while maintaining the sensor's imaging performance, facilitating easy cleaning and inspection without the need for tools, thus improving the sensor's operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a protecting component magnetically coupled to the backing plate
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a sensor case, a sensor system, and a vehicle, the sensor case including: a backing plate; a first base plate mounted to the backing plate, the first base plate having a first opening configured for the first sensor to pass through; and a protecting component magnetically coupled to the backing plate, the protecting component including a first cover plate positioned above the first base plate and a first gap being defined between the first cover plate and the first base plate. The sensor case of the disclosure can provide waterproof and rainproof functions of a sensor, and has a simple structure, stable performance, convenient opening and closing, and improved cleaning efficiency of the sensor.