Sensor Cleaning and Thermal Control via Diverter Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle sensor systems face challenges in maintaining an uncontaminated field of view and controlling sensor temperature, which can lead to reduced performance and accuracy in object detection, especially in harsh environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly that includes a diverter valve, fluid nozzle, and cooler, controlled by a processor to manage airflow and temperature, using a washer fluid system to maintain a clear field of view and a vortex tube cooler to regulate sensor temperature, ensuring optimal operation of navigation sensors like LIDAR and cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor is mounted to a vehicle exterior to detect objects outside the vehicle, then the sensor can detect objects in the area outside the vehicle, but the sensor field of view may become contaminated and sensor temperature may increase, reducing detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the airflow control into two separate output ports: one dedicated to field of view cleaning and another dedicated to sensor cooling. The diverter valve can direct compressed air independently to each function or both simultaneously, allowing optimized control for each harmful factor without interference
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses compressed air stored in a reservoir to preemptively clean the field of view and cool the sensor before contamination or overheating significantly degrades performance. The processor monitors conditions and activates the cleaning/cooling functions in advance to maintain detection accuracy
2Object-affected harmful factors
If compressed air is used to clean the sensor field of view, then contaminants are removed from the lens, but the sensor temperature may increase due to compressed air exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the compressed air flow into two separate paths through the diverter valve: one path directs air to the fluid nozzle for field of view cleaning, while the other path directs air to the cooler for sensor cooling. This segmentation allows the system to address both contamination and temperature issues simultaneously without one action exacerbating the other
Solution Approach 2:
The diverter valve acts as an intermediary device that controls and directs compressed air flow to different destinations based on system needs. It mediates between the compressed air source and the two different functions (cleaning and cooling), enabling precise control over where the air is applied
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a diverter valve is used to control airflow to both cleaning and cooling functions, then both field of view cleanliness and sensor temperature can be managed, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diverter valve serves multiple functions: it can direct compressed air to the fluid nozzle for field of view cleaning, to the cooler for sensor cooling, or to both simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows a single component to manage both harmful factors (contamination and temperature) without requiring separate control mechanisms for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines the field of view cleaning function and sensor cooling function into a single integrated system controlled by one diverter valve. Both functions share the same compressed air source and control logic, merging what could have been separate systems into one unified solution that manages both contamination and temperature
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 solution effectively maintains an uncontaminated field of view and regulates sensor temperature, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of object detection systems in vehicles, even under contaminated or high-temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a vortex tube cooler to regulate sensor temperature
Implementation Method 2
a fluid nozzle in fluid communication with the first output port and facing the field of view
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a sensor defining a field of view. The assembly includes a diverter valve having an input port, a first output port, and a second output port. The assembly includes a fluid nozzle in fluid communication with the first output port and facing the field of view. The assembly includes a cooler in fluid communication with the second output port.