Roof Module Sensor Cooling With Conical Inlet Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof modules face challenges with heat buildup affecting environment sensors, leading to overheating, and known cooling mechanisms are prone to contamination and maintenance issues due to foreign particles entering through air intakes, causing damage and increased pressure losses.
Innovation Solution
A roof module with a conical or inclined filter member at the cooling-air inlet, featuring a fine filter and liquid draining device, designed to prevent foreign particles and moisture from entering the cooling mechanism, minimizing pressure drops and extending maintenance intervals by providing a larger filtration surface and self-cleaning capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling mechanism with air intake from outside is used to dissipate heat from environment sensors, then the sensors can be kept at operating temperature, but foreign particles and moisture can enter the cooling channel causing contamination and component damage
Solution Approach 1:
A filter member is introduced as an intermediary component between the outside environment and the cooling channel. This filter member allows air to pass through for cooling purposes while blocking foreign particles and moisture, thus mediating between the need for heat dissipation and the need to prevent contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful function of foreign particles and moisture is extracted/separated from the useful function of air flow. The filter member separates the cooling air flow from contaminants, allowing only clean air to enter the cooling channel while removing harmful substances before they can cause damage
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a flat filter is used at the cooling air inlet, then foreign particles can be filtered out, but pressure losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The filter member is designed with a conical or inclined curved surface instead of a flat surface. This curvature allows air to flow over and around the filter more smoothly, reducing turbulence and pressure losses while still maintaining effective filtration of foreign particles
Solution Approach 2:
The filter member extends in the vertical dimension with a conical or inclined shape rather than being a two-dimensional flat filter. This three-dimensional configuration increases the filtration surface area and allows air to approach from multiple angles, reducing the pressure drop across the filter
3Productivity
If the cooling mechanism components are exposed to foreign particles, then cooling function can be maintained, but components are damaged and maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter member performs preliminary filtration of air before it enters the cooling channel and reaches sensitive components. By filtering air in advance, foreign particles are removed before they can cause damage to cooling mechanism components, preventing reliability issues before they occur
Solution Approach 2:
The filter member acts as a protective cushion or barrier in advance, shielding vulnerable cooling mechanism components from the harmful effects of foreign particles and moisture. This beforehand protection prevents direct contact between contaminants and components, extending their service life and reducing maintenance needs
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 reduces the entry of fine particles and moisture, preventing component damage and overheating, while maintaining efficient airflow and simplifying maintenance, thus enhancing the reliability and longevity of the cooling mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling mechanism (22) having a cooling-air inlet (24), a filter member (26) and at least one cooling channel (28). The cooling mechanism (22) is configured to dissipate waste heat emitted by the environment sensor (16)
Implementation Method 2
The filter member (26) is configured to prevent and/or reduce the entry of foreign particles (30) and/or a liquid (32) into an interior of the at least one cooling channel (28) and/or the cooling mechanism (22)
Data Source
AI summary
A roof module for forming a vehicle roof on a motor vehicle, the roof module having a panel component which at least partially forms a roof skin of the vehicle roof, the roof skin serving as an outer sealing surface of the roof module, at least one environment sensor configured to send and/or receive electromagnetic signals through a roof see-through area to detect a vehicle environment, and a cooling mechanism having a cooling-air inlet, a filter member and at least one cooling channel, the cooling mechanism being configured to dissipate waste heat emitted by the environment sensor and/or ambient heat introduced from outside from the environment sensor. The filter member has a conical and/or pot-shaped shape and is provided at the cooling-air inlet and is configured to prevent and/or reduce an entry of foreign particles and/or liquid into an interior of the at least one cooling channel.