Pressurized Sensor Seal Housing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle sensor housings face challenges in maintaining a secure seal against environmental factors, such as headwinds, while allowing for an unobstructed field of view and efficient detection of the vehicle's surroundings, and in minimizing the overall volume occupied by sealing components.
Innovation Solution
A housing design with apertures for sensors, a seal that fits concentrically around the aperture, and a blower to increase pressure within the housing, ensuring a secure seal and maintaining sensor stability even in high-speed conditions, using thermally conductive fins and a radially symmetric seal with an interference fit to prevent separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is used to seal the gap between the sensor and the aperture, then the seal prevents environmental factors from affecting the sensor, but the seal may separate under high pressure conditions such as headwinds
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple segments or lips that can independently deform and conform to the sensor surface. This segmentation allows the seal to maintain contact and sealing effectiveness even when subjected to external forces such as headwinds, as each segment can adjust locally rather than the entire seal failing at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing it to deform and adapt to changing pressure conditions. The seal material and geometry are configured to enable elastic deformation that maintains sealing contact under varying external pressures, transforming a static sealing solution into a dynamic one that responds to environmental forces.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor is exposed through the aperture for unobstructed field of view, then the sensor can detect the environment accurately, but environmental factors such as headwinds can affect the sensor operation
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible seal membrane or thin film is used to cover the aperture while allowing the sensor to detect through it. The flexible nature of the seal allows it to conform to the aperture opening and provide environmental protection, while its thinness and flexibility ensure it does not significantly obstruct the sensor's field of view or detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal acts as an intermediary element between the external environment and the sensor. It provides a protective interface that filters or reduces the impact of harmful environmental factors such as headwinds, rain, or dust while still allowing the sensor to perform its detection function. The seal mediates between the need for exposure and the need for protection.
3Reliability
If sealing components are added to protect the sensor, then the seal effectiveness is improved, but the volume occupied by sealing components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides environmental sealing, structural support for the sensor mounting, and pressure equalization features. By integrating these functions into a single component rather than using separate elements for each function, the overall volume occupied by sealing components is reduced while maintaining or improving seal effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged with the sensor housing or mounting structure, eliminating the need for separate, bulky sealing components. The seal is integrated into the existing structural elements, combining protection and support functions in a compact configuration that minimizes the volume occupied by sealing 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
The solution provides a pressure-fit sealing that maintains sensor accuracy and stability, prevents seal separation during headwinds, and minimizes the volume occupied by sealing components, ensuring effective environmental detection and efficient operation of vehicle systems.
Implementation Method 1
a blower positioned to blow into the housing
Implementation Method 2
The seal can have an interference fit with the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a housing including an aperture, a sensor in the housing and having a field of view received through the aperture, a seal sealing a gap between the sensor and the aperture, and a blower positioned to blow into the housing. The seal may be attached to the housing concentrically around the aperture.