Sensor Airflow Apparatus with Concentric Tunnel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle sensors, particularly cameras, face challenges with debris accumulation and vibration due to environmental exposure, which can affect their operation and require protection without compromising aesthetics or increasing component count.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a housing that creates an air curtain across the lens using a concentric tunnel and seal system, combined with a pressure source to maintain elevated chamber pressure, effectively prevents debris contact and reduces vibrations while maintaining a sleek design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the camera is directly exposed to the environment through an aperture, then the field of view is clear and unobstructed, but debris can contact the lens and vibrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the tunnel is positioned inside the housing, the tube is positioned inside the tunnel, and the lens is positioned inside the tube. This concentric nesting arrangement creates protective barriers (concentric gaps) between successive layers while maintaining a compact overall form factor, preventing debris contact without sacrificing aesthetic design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces concentric gaps as intermediary spaces between the lens, tube, tunnel, and housing. These gaps act as mediators that decouple the lens from direct exposure to environmental debris and vibrations, while still allowing optical functionality. The air curtain further serves as an intermediary barrier
2Reliability
If a protective structure is added around the lens, then debris contact is prevented, but the component count and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the housing serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines the chamber, contains the air curtain generation system, and forms part of the concentric protective structure. The tunnel also serves dual purposes as both a structural component and a definition of the concentric gap. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated protective components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the protective structure with the existing housing and mounting components. The tunnel is integrated into the housing structure, and the tube is integrated into the camera assembly. This combining approach creates protection without adding separate standalone components, thereby reducing overall device complexity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an air curtain is generated across the lens, then debris contact is prevented and vibrations are reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the air curtain system to utilize vehicle operational byproducts. The air curtain is generated using air already present in the vehicle's operational environment, and the system leverages the vehicle's existing pressure variations during operation. This self-service approach minimizes the need for dedicated energy-intensive air generation systems
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 air curtain solution efficiently prevents debris from reaching the lens and reduces vibrations, ensuring clear fields of view for autonomous vehicle operation with a compact and aesthetically pleasing design.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor assembly with a housing that creates an air curtain across the lens using a concentric tunnel and seal system, combined with a pressure source to maintain elevated chamber pressure
Implementation Method 2
effectively prevents debris contact and reduces vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly includes a housing defining a chamber and including a panel including an aperture; a camera disposed inside the chamber and including a base, a lens spaced from the base, and a tube elongated from the base to the lens; and a tunnel mounted to the base and elongated concentrically with the tube. The lens defines a field of view of the camera through the aperture. The tunnel defines a concentric gap between the tube and the tunnel from the base to the lens.