Rotating Vane Cover Cooling for Electronic Spinning Assemblies
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air cooling systems for electronic spinning assemblies in autonomous vehicles, such as lidar devices, often fail to adequately cool all components due to design limitations, particularly with heat sinks and camera arrays, as traditional impeller-based methods may not reach all areas effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing static vanes and a rotating vane cover that draws air from below the assembly, directing it through ducts to cool specific components, with choke points to increase airflow pressure, ensuring uniform cooling across the assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an impeller is used to pull air through the electronic spinning assembly, then air can be drawn through the assembly, but the cooling may not reach all areas effectively such as heat sinks and camera arrays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static impeller-based cooling system to a dynamic system where the vane cover rotates with the spinning assembly. This dynamic configuration allows the air inlets and ducts to move relative to the assembly components, enabling effective cooling delivery to all areas including heat sinks and camera arrays regardless of assembly design variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating vane cover system serves multiple functions: it draws air through the assembly, directs airflow to specific cooling zones, and adapts to different assembly configurations. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by providing universal cooling effectiveness across various electronic spinning assembly designs without requiring design-specific customization.
2Reliability
If air is blown through the electronic spinning assembly, then cooling is provided, but it may not adequately reach all areas that need to be cooled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotational dimension to the cooling system. The vane cover and its integrated air inlets and ducts rotate with the assembly, creating a three-dimensional cooling approach that encompasses all radial areas of the assembly. This dimensional change ensures reliable cooling coverage to all components including those previously unreachable by linear airflow paths.
3Strength
If a housing is used to protect internal components from debris and contaminants, then protection is provided, but the housing may trap solar heat and heat generated by internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the protective housing by implementing a separate, integrated cooling system through the rotating vane cover. This allows the housing to maintain its protective function while the dedicated cooling system actively removes heat, preventing heat accumulation despite the enclosed protective structure.
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
This solution effectively cools all critical components of the electronic spinning assembly, enhancing the reliability and performance of autonomous vehicle sensors by maintaining optimal operating temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
air can be drawn up from below the assembly through the static vanes and up a plurality of ducts in the rotating cover to cool the spinning assembly
Implementation Method 2
at least one choke point disposed in the cover. The at least one choke point can be configured to increase pressure of the airflow
Implementation Method 3
air can be drawn up from below the assembly through the static vanes and up a plurality of ducts in the rotating cover to cool the spinning assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to an air cooling system for an electronic spinning assembly. An example embodiment includes a plurality of vanes coupled to a static base. A vane cover is rotatably coupled to the static base. The vane cover at least partially encloses the plurality of vanes. Additionally, the vane cover is coupled to an electronic spinning assembly and configured to rotate with the spinning assembly. The vane cover further includes at least one air inlet configured to act as an air intake for an airflow, at least one air duct extending from the vane cover and configured to direct the airflow, and at least one choke point disposed in the cover. The at least one choke point is configured to increase a pressure of the airflow.