Vehicle Outer Panel Water Conduit for Sensor Rainwater Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rainwater entering the gap between the outer panel and the vehicle body structural member can reach sensor devices like radar antennas, leading to deterioration in sensing accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle structure with a water conduit portion above the sensor device on the back surface side of the outer panel, guiding liquid away from the sensor device, utilizing an inclined surface to redirect and discharge rainwater to a position separated from the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the outer panel is positioned close to the vehicle body structural member to reduce gap, then the structural integrity is improved, but liquid infiltration risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a water conduit portion as an intermediary structure between the outer panel and the sensor device. This water conduit acts as a mediator that captures liquid entering through the gap and redirects it away from the sensor, thus protecting the sensor from liquid infiltration while maintaining the close positioning of the outer panel for structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The water conduit portion is positioned above the sensor device in advance to prevent liquid from reaching the sensor. By having the water conduit ready and positioned correctly before liquid infiltration occurs, the system proactively prevents the harmful effect of liquid reaching the sensor device, rather than reacting after infiltration happens.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the outer panel is positioned away from the vehicle body structural member to prevent liquid entry, then liquid infiltration is reduced, but structural support is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The water conduit portion serves as an intermediary that allows the outer panel to maintain its structural support function while preventing liquid from reaching the sensor. The water conduit is positioned to intercept liquid in the gap and redirect it, thus decoupling the structural support requirement from the liquid protection requirement.
3Measurement precision
If a water protection structure is added above the sensor device, then sensing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water conduit portion is designed to perform multiple functions: it reinforces the outer panel from the back surface, provides water protection for the sensor device, and guides liquid away from the sensor. By combining these functions into a single structure, the patent reduces the need for separate components, thus limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving sensing accuracy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the reinforcement function and the water protection function into a single water conduit portion structure. This consolidation means that instead of adding a separate water protection component to the existing reinforcement structure, the water conduit itself serves as the reinforcement element, thereby reducing overall structural complexity.
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 rainwater from reaching the sensor device, maintaining its accuracy and reliability by redirecting and discharging it away from the sensitive areas.
Implementation Method 1
a water conduit portion (33) that is located above the sensor device S on the back surface side of the outer panel 10 and guides liquid to a position away from the sensor device S
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem to be Solved] To keep liquid such as rainwater from reaching a sensor device. [Solution] A vehicle structure 1 includes a structure for arranging a sensor device S on the back surface side of an outer panel 10 forming a design surface on the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle structure 1 includes a water conduit portion 33 that is located above the sensor device S on the back surface side of the outer panel 10 and guides liquid to a position away from the sensor device S.