Rotating Sensor Housing With Spoiler Edge Against Particle Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles equipped with sensors face interference from environmental debris and contaminants, such as rain, snow, and dirt, which accumulate on the sensor housing and impede signal transmission and reception, leading to impaired sensor functionality.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a rotating sensor housing with a spoiler edge that alters particle trajectories and generates airflow to prevent particle buildup, utilizing a centripetal force to eject particles and a hydrophobic coating to reduce adhesion, ensuring continuous sensor operation without manual cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover is added to protect internal sensor components from debris and contaminants, then the sensor components are protected, but the cover itself becomes dirty and blocks signals
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into functional zones: a first surface for signal transmission, a second surface exposed to environment, and a spoiler edge separating them. This segmentation allows the signal-transmitting portion to remain clean while the spoiler edge handles particle deflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoiler edge extends from the housing surface into the particle flow path, creating a three-dimensional protective structure that deflects particles before they reach the first surface. This adds a spatial dimension to particle management without blocking signal paths.
2Device complexity
If the sensor housing is made stationary, then the structure is simple, but particles accumulate on the housing surface
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor housing is made rotatable about a vertical axis, transforming it from a static to a dynamic structure. This rotation creates continuous particle ejection through centrifugal force and airflow generation, preventing accumulation without requiring complex cleaning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating housing generates its own protective airflow and centrifugal force to automatically eject particles. The structure serves its own cleaning function through rotation, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms or manual intervention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a rotating sensor housing with spoiler edge is used to prevent particle buildup, then particle accumulation is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating housing performs multiple functions simultaneously: it protects internal components, generates protective airflow, creates centrifugal particle ejection, and enables active scanning. The spoiler edge integrated into the housing combines particle deflection with structural support, reducing the need for separate 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 system effectively prevents particle accumulation on the sensor housing, maintaining sensor functionality in adverse environments without the need for additional cleaning mechanisms, ensuring uninterrupted vehicle operation in conditions like rain or snow.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor housing is configured to generate an airflow that prevents particles from building up on a first surface of the sensor housing
Implementation Method 2
the sensor housing may be configured to generate a centripetal force on one or more particles in contact with the sensor housing
Implementation Method 3
the first surface may be coated in a hydrophobic coating
Data Source
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AI summary
This technology relates to a system for preventing particle buildup on a sensor housing. The system may include a sensor housing 215 including a first surface, a motor 220, and a spoiler edge 311. The motor may be configured to rotate the sensor housing around an axis 320. The spoiler edge may be positioned adjacent to the first surface and extended away from the first surface perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the sensor housing.