Vehicle Sensor Barrier Structure Using Traveling-Wind Air Curtain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Environmental sensors on vehicles, such as radar and LiDAR, are prone to contamination from dust, rain, and other foreign substances, leading to the need for frequent cleaning, which increases power consumption and reduces sensor performance.
Innovation Solution
A sensor barrier structure that utilizes the traveling wind to create an air curtain around the sensors, reducing contamination by forming a fluid passage from an intake portion to the sensing portion, thereby minimizing the need for the sensor cleaning system's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are mounted on the outer side of the vehicle to enable environmental sensing, then the sensing capability is improved, but the sensors become easily contaminated by foreign substances such as dust and rain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary substance to form a protective barrier between the sensor and contaminants. The air curtain acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between harmful foreign substances and the sensor surface, thereby maintaining sensing capability without requiring the sensor to be physically isolated or protected by solid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by utilizing vehicle traveling wind to generate a pressurized air flow that forms a protective curtain around the sensor. This pneumatic barrier effectively repels contaminants through air pressure and flow dynamics, preventing contamination while maintaining sensor exposure for optimal sensing performance.
2Reliability
If a sensor cleaning system is provided to maintain sensor performance, then the sensing performance is maintained, but the power consumption increases and the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the sensor to protect itself passively by utilizing the vehicle's existing traveling wind to form a protective air curtain. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for active cleaning systems, reducing power consumption while maintaining sensor performance through continuous passive protection during vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the vehicle's traveling motion, which naturally creates wind flow, into a beneficial protective mechanism. The same wind that would potentially carry contaminants toward the sensor is instead harnessed to create a pressurized air curtain that repels contaminants, transforming a potential harmful effect into a protective benefit.
3Reliability
If a sensor cleaning system is provided to clean contaminated sensors, then the sensor performance is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protective function from complex active cleaning systems and implements it through a simple passive air curtain mechanism. By removing the need for motors, nozzles, and control systems associated with active cleaning, the design achieves sensor protection with minimal added complexity while maintaining performance.
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 effectively keeps the sensors clean, reducing the frequency of cleaning operations and lowering power consumption by maintaining a protective barrier against contaminants during vehicle travel.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid passage may receive the traveling wind to form an air curtain at the environmental sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor barrier structure includes an intake portion provided in an environmental sensor installed in a vehicle. In particular, the environmental sensor includes a sensing portion configured to detect surrounding environment of the vehicle and a passage of fluid flow is formed from the intake portion to the sensing portion in the environmental sensor.