Sensor Cooling Housing With Air Channels and Adaptive Fan Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices for motor vehicle sensors, such as driving environment sensors, are inefficient in high external temperature scenarios, particularly when the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly, as they rely on continuous fan operation to dissipate heat, leading to energy consumption and potential overheating.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a housing frame, heat exchanger, electrically drivable fan unit, and control unit that automatically switches between active and passive cooling modes based on temperature measurements, utilizing external air flows when sufficient to avoid continuous fan operation, and incorporates a modular design with materials of varying thermal conductivity for efficient heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrically driven fans are used to dissipate heat by convection when there is no external air flow, then cooling reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device dynamically switches between passive cooling (relying on external air flow) and active cooling (using electrically driven fans) based on the presence and sufficiency of external air flow. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by using fan power only when necessary, improving reliability while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes external air flow generated by vehicle movement to perform cooling service without requiring additional energy input from fans. When external air flow is sufficient, the system serves itself passively, eliminating the need for active fan operation and thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining cooling reliability.
2Reliability
If fans run in continuous operation to ensure adequate cooling, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous fan operation, the system employs periodic or conditional fan activation based on sensor feedback regarding external air flow conditions. The fans operate periodically or intermittently only when external air flow is insufficient, thereby maintaining cooling effectiveness while significantly improving energy efficiency by avoiding continuous power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system incorporates sensors that provide feedback on external air flow conditions and temperature. Based on this feedback, the control system intelligently determines when fan activation is necessary, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains cooling effectiveness while optimizing energy efficiency by activating fans only when required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor unit is secured near the engine compartment to improve vehicle integration, then adaptability is improved, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult due to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated cooling device with heat exchanger and air flow channels as an intermediary between the sensor unit and the external environment. This intermediary system actively manages heat dissipation by directing external air flow across the sensor unit, enabling the sensor to be mounted in high-temperature engine compartment areas while maintaining adequate thermal conditions through the mediating cooling 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
The cooling device efficiently manages heat dissipation by leveraging external air flows and reducing energy consumption, allowing for flexible mounting and improved usability of sensors like lidar sensors, while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.
Implementation Method 1
a housing frame (10), in particular disposed on a first surface (22) of the heat exchanger (20)
Implementation Method 2
The fan unit (30) is configured in such a way that, during operation of the fan unit, a first air flow (60) is generated toward the first surface (22) of the heat exchanger (20)
Implementation Method 3
the housing frame (10) has at least one air channel (12) having an air inlet opening (14) and an air outlet opening (16), the air channel (12) being formed parallel to the first surface (22) of the heat exchanger (20), so that a second air flow (70) may pass through the air channel (12) along the first surface (22)
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device including a housing frame, a heat exchanger, an electrically drivable fan unit, a control unit, and a sensor unit. The housing frame can be disposed on a first surface of the heat exchanger. The fan unit is configured so that, during operation of the fan unit, a first air flow is produced toward the first surface of the heat exchanger. The fan unit is accommodated in a recess of the housing frame. The housing frame has at least one air channel having an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, the air channel being formed parallel to the first surface of the heat exchanger, allowing a second air flow to pass through the air channel along the first surface. A measured quantity is recorded by the sensor unit, and the fan unit is driven by the control unit as a function of the recorded measured quantity.