Rotating Sensor Cover Using Centrifugal Force for Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor assemblies in autonomous vehicles face challenges in maintaining effective detection capabilities due to dirt, water, ice, and condensation accumulation, which require frequent and resource-intensive cleaning methods.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a rotatable, transparent cover that utilizes airflow and vehicle movement to remove debris through centrifugal force, aided by a wiper and optional heating or magnetic elements, reducing the need for liquid or compressed gas cleaning and simplifying the cleaning system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cleaning methods (liquid or compressed gas) are used to remove dirt, water, ice, and condensation from the sensor cover, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly cover rotates automatically using natural airflow and vehicle movement to generate centrifugal force that removes debris. The system serves itself by utilizing the vehicle's existing motion and airflow rather than requiring separate cleaning mechanisms, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical cleaning systems (pumps, nozzles, motors) with a passive rotational mechanism driven by natural airflow and centrifugal force. This substitution eliminates the need for additional cleaning fluids and compressed gas systems, reducing both complexity and resource consumption
2Loss of substance
If a rotatable cover design is implemented to use centrifugal force for cleaning, then cleaning resource consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable cover serves multiple functions: it protects the sensor, allows optical access, and performs self-cleaning through rotation. By integrating the cleaning function into the existing cover structure rather than adding a separate mechanism, the patent avoids increasing device complexity while achieving reduced resource consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The cover transitions from a static protective element to a dynamic self-cleaning component. The rotation is driven by natural airflow and vehicle movement, converting environmental dynamics into a useful cleaning function without requiring additional motors or actuators, thus avoiding complexity increases
3Reliability
If the cover is made transparent for sensor access, then sensor functionality is improved, but susceptibility to contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover rotates continuously or periodically during vehicle operation, maintaining continuous sensor access while continuously removing contaminants. This ongoing rotational action prevents contamination accumulation on the transparent surface, preserving both sensor functionality and cleanliness without interruption
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 cleaning system efficiently maintains sensor functionality by using natural airflow and movement to rotate the cover, effectively removing debris without the need for additional cleaning fluids, thus ensuring continuous accurate environmental detection.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning system operates efficiently by allowing airflow and movement of the vehicle to clean the cover, reducing and/or eliminating the need to use liquid and/or compressed gas for cleaning the cover
Implementation Method 2
The wiper may be positioned to maintain contact with the cover as the cover rotates
Implementation Method 3
The sensor assembly may include a heating element positioned to apply heat to the cover
Implementation Method 4
The cover may include a magnetically sensitive element, and the sensor assembly may further include an electromagnet positioned to cause the cover to rotate via the magnetically sensitive element
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly includes a base, a sensor attached to the base, and a cover transparent to the sensor and forming a spherical joint with the base. The cover may have a partial spherical shape. The sensor assembly may include an exterior panel having a hole, and the cover may be disposed in the hole. The cover may be rotatable relative to the base about any axis extending parallel to the exterior panel.