Sensor Assembly Airfoil Blade for Rotating Shell Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor assemblies for vehicles face challenges in efficiently cooling and managing airflow for rotating sensor units, leading to inefficiencies in airflow delivery and potential water management issues, especially when the cylindrical shell rotates relative to the housing.
Innovation Solution
The sensor assembly incorporates a housing with an aperture for airflow, a cylindrical shell with a rotatable airfoil blade to direct airflow, and a pressurized-air source, along with a gutter to manage airflow and water, ensuring efficient cooling and water management by minimizing airflow loss and directing airflow effectively into the sensor unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cylindrical shell rotates relative to the housing, then the sensor unit can scan the external environment, but airflow is lost through the gap between the housing and cylindrical shell
Solution Approach 1:
An airfoil blade is introduced as an intermediary element positioned at the gap between the housing and cylindrical shell. The airfoil blade intercepts and redirects airflow that would otherwise escape through the gap, channeling it into the cylindrical shell to cool the sensor unit while minimizing airflow loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow management function is extracted from the housing structure and assigned to a separate airfoil blade component. This allows the airfoil blade to be optimized specifically for airflow redirection while the housing maintains its primary structural and protective functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cylindrical shell rotates relative to the housing, then the sensor unit can scan the external environment, but water management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The airfoil blade serves as a dual-function intermediary that manages both airflow and water. By positioning the airfoil blade at the gap, it redirects both air and water away from the rotating cylindrical shell, simplifying water management while the sensor unit scans the environment.
3Temperature
If airflow is delivered to the sensor unit for cooling, then the rotating sensor unit is cooled, but airflow efficiency is reduced due to the gap between housing and cylindrical shell
Solution Approach 1:
The airfoil blade acts as a mediator that captures airflow at the gap location and redirects it into the cylindrical shell. This ensures that cooling airflow reaches the sensor unit effectively while minimizing the amount of airflow lost through the gap, thereby improving both cooling effectiveness and airflow efficiency.
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 configuration enhances airflow efficiency and cooling for rotating sensor units, reduces airflow loss, and effectively manages water, providing a reliable and efficient solution for vehicle sensor assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor unit includes a cylindrical shell defining a vertical axis. The cylindrical shell is rotatable around the axis relative to the housing. The housing includes an aperture centered on the axis. The aperture defines an airflow outlet from the housing radially inside the aperture relative to the axis. The sensor unit defines an airflow inlet radially inside the lower edge relative to the axis and positioned to receive airflow from the aperture.
Implementation Method 2
This configuration enhances airflow efficiency and cooling for rotating sensor units
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly includes a housing, a sensor unit attached to the housing, and an airfoil blade. The sensor unit includes a cylindrical shell defining a vertical axis. The cylindrical shell is rotatable around the axis relative to the housing. The cylindrical shell includes a lower edge and extends along the axis from the lower edge. The housing includes an aperture centered on the axis. The aperture defines an airflow outlet from the housing radially inside the aperture relative to the axis. The sensor unit defines an airflow inlet radially inside the lower edge relative to the axis and is positioned to receive airflow from the aperture. A gap is defined between the aperture and the lower edge along the axis. The airfoil blade is positioned at the gap and positioned to interrupt airflow from the housing through the aperture into the cylindrical shell.