Remote Gas Sampling Layout for Whole-Vehicle Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated vehicles lack effective means to detect vehicle problems like burning oil, overheating fluids, and exhaust leaks without human intervention, as existing gas sensors are expensive or not robust enough for automotive environments.
Innovation Solution
Deploy gas sensors in a protected housing within the vehicle, using tubes and pumps to channel fluid samples from exposed locations to a confined sensor housing, isolating sensors from damaging environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gas sensors are placed in exposed locations (engine bay, wheel well) to detect vehicle faults, then fault detection capability is improved, but sensor reliability deteriorates due to exposure to damaging environmental effects (moisture, excess temperature)
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sensing function into two separate locations: a protected location (confined space within the vehicle) housing the gas sensors, and exposed locations (engine bay, wheel well) where fluid samples are collected. This segmentation allows sensors to remain protected from environmental damage while still detecting faults from remote locations through sampled fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fluid samples (gas, air, or liquid) as intermediaries to transfer information from exposed locations to the protected sensor location. Instead of placing sensors directly in harsh environments, the system samples fluids at exposed locations and transports them to a safe location for analysis, allowing indirect fault detection without exposing sensors to damaging conditions.
2Reliability
If gas sensors are placed in protected locations to avoid environmental damage, then sensor reliability is improved, but fault detection capability deteriorates due to inability to directly access exposed locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic/hydraulic mechanisms (tubes, pumps, pressure differentials) to transport fluid samples from exposed locations to the protected sensor housing. This allows physical separation of sensors from harsh environments while maintaining the ability to deliver representative samples for accurate fault detection through fluid-based transport.
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid samples serve as intermediaries that carry fault information from exposed locations to protected sensor locations. The system collects fluids (exhaust gases, lubricating oil, coolant) at exposed locations where faults occur, transports them through tubes to protected housing, and analyzes them there, enabling accurate fault detection without direct sensor exposure.
3Reliability
If fluid sampling system (tubes, pumps, valves) is implemented to transport samples from exposed to protected locations, then sensor protection is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functional components that serve multiple purposes: tubes serve as both fluid transport conduits and sampling pathways; pumps provide both fluid transport and pressure differential creation; valves enable both sample selection and system purging. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall system despite the added protection infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-purging capability where the pump creates pressure differentials that automatically flush tubes and remove contaminants without external intervention. The valves enable automatic sample routing and system self-diagnosis, reducing the need for manual maintenance and simplifying operation despite the complex fluid transport infrastructure.
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
Enables reliable fault detection in automated vehicles by protecting sensors from environmental damage, allowing them to effectively monitor vehicle health without human involvement.
Implementation Method 1
a pump configured to force the one more fluid samples from the one or more sample locations to the sensor housing via a tube
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein include a system of fluid-delivery hardware, including tubes, valves, and pumps that deliver samples of fluid gathered from various exposed locations of a vehicle to commonly located gas analysis sensors. A durable sensor housing contains the gas sensors and is situated in a confined location of the vehicle, which is environmentally isolated and physically partitioned from the sample locations exposed to potentially deleterious environments. For a given sample location, a tube and valves gather and channel fluid samples from the sample location towards the sensor housing at the confined location. A pump forces air outwards to purge debris in the tube or tube inlet, and draws air inward through the tube towards the sensor housing for delivery to the sensors.