Rotating Sensor Assembly With Focused Airflow Lens Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor operation in autonomous vehicles can be impaired due to dirt and smudges on sensor lenses, which are not effectively addressed by existing cleaning systems.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a housing and blower system that directs airflow to clean and dry the sensor, utilizing a blower chamber and gutters to minimize air leakage and enhance airflow velocity for effective cleaning and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blower system is used to clean the sensor, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but air leakage reduces airflow velocity to the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
A channel structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the blower and the sensor. This channel guides and concentrates the airflow, preventing air leakage and maintaining high velocity airflow directly onto the sensor surface, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and airflow velocity
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow is concentrated and directed locally onto the sensor surface through the channel structure. Instead of allowing diffuse airflow, the system creates a localized high-velocity airflow path that maximizes cleaning effectiveness at the critical sensor location while minimizing overall air consumption
2Ease of operation
If the sensor housing is exposed to the environment, then sensor access is improved, but debris accumulation impairs sensor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous airflow system performs preliminary cleaning action by constantly removing debris and smudges from the sensor surface before they can accumulate and impair operation. This preventive approach maintains sensor accessibility while protecting against harmful factors
Solution Approach 2:
The blower system operates continuously or periodically to maintain constant airflow over the sensor surface, ensuring ongoing removal of debris and smudges. This continuous useful action prevents harmful factor accumulation while preserving sensor accessibility
3Area of stationary object
If airflow is dispersed over a wide area, then coverage is improved, but airflow velocity decreases reducing cleaning efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The channel structure concentrates airflow into a focused stream that maintains high velocity over a localized area. The design optimizes the balance between coverage and velocity by directing the high-velocity airflow precisely where needed on the sensor surface, ensuring effective cleaning without dispersing the airflow too widely
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 system effectively cleans and dries the sensor, maintaining its functionality and ensuring reliable operation by concentrating airflow for efficient debris removal and cooling.
Implementation Method 1
A blower is disposed in the blower box and configured to direct airflow to the sensor through the sensor chamber
Implementation Method 2
The sensor housing extends circumferentially around the sensor and defines a sensor chamber therebetween. A blower box is supported by the housing in the chamber. The blower box defines a blower chamber in fluid communication with the sensor chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly includes a housing defining a chamber. A sensor unit is supported by the housing and extends vertically upward along an axis from the housing. The sensor unit includes a base and a sensor housing mounted to the base and rotatable relative to the base about the axis. The sensor unit includes a sensor. The sensor housing extends circumferentially around the sensor and defines a sensor chamber therebetween. A blower box is supported by the housing in the chamber. The blower box defines a blower chamber in fluid communication with the sensor chamber. A blower is disposed in the blower box.