Sensor Enclosure Cover with Grooved Cones for Circular Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle sensors face premature failure due to exposure to harsh environmental conditions and potential damage from road debris when mounted externally, and internal sensor enclosures can lead to thermal stress and condensation issues that affect sensor operation.
Innovation Solution
A cover for the sensor enclosure with a specific geometric design and material properties that creates circular airflows to cool and ventilate sensors, using a structure with three identifiable portions and protruding grooves to channel airflow and prevent condensation, while being transparent to light wavelengths and durable against impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are mounted exteriorly to the autonomous vehicle, then sensor accessibility and field of view are improved, but sensor reliability deteriorates due to exposure to harsh environmental conditions and road debris
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor enclosure is introduced as an intermediary structure between the sensors and the external environment. The enclosure provides physical protection against road debris and environmental conditions while containing the sensors, thereby improving reliability without completely isolating the sensors from their operational field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor enclosure utilizes a cover with specific geometric designs (circular domed shape, truncated cone shapes) that allow controlled airflow while providing protection. The cover acts as a flexible barrier that protects sensors from harmful external factors while maintaining sensor functionality through strategic airflow channels.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sensors are encased in a sensor enclosure, then protection against environmental elements and road debris is improved, but thermal management deteriorates causing internal temperature to rise beyond operational limits
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor enclosure incorporates airflow channels and protruding grooves that create circular airflow patterns inside the enclosure. This pneumatic design allows continuous air circulation to carry away heat generated by sensors, preventing internal temperature from rising beyond operational limits while maintaining the protective enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover features a circular domed shape with curved surfaces that facilitate smooth airflow circulation. The curved geometry promotes circular airflow patterns that enhance convective heat transfer, allowing efficient thermal management while maintaining the protective enclosure structure.
3Strength
If sensors are encased in a sensor enclosure, then protection from road debris is improved, but condensation control deteriorates causing moisture to condensate or fog up inside the enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure design incorporates airflow channels and protruding grooves that create continuous circular airflow patterns. This pneumatic circulation prevents stagnant air pockets where condensation could form, and the moving air stream helps evaporate or redistribute moisture, preventing fogging and condensation inside the protective enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The circular airflow channels ensure continuous air circulation within the enclosure, maintaining constant air movement that prevents moisture accumulation and condensation. The continuous airflow action keeps the internal environment stable and free from condensation issues while maintaining protective enclosure integrity.
4Temperature
If a cover with geometric design is used to create circular airflows, then thermal management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover employs circular domed shapes and curved surfaces that naturally guide airflow into circular patterns. These curved geometric features create the desired thermal management effect through passive airflow organization, achieving effective cooling without requiring complex active cooling systems or multiple moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides protection against environmental elements, creates circular airflow patterns for thermal management, and prevents condensation through the same geometric design. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving thermal management goals.
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 cover effectively cools sensors, prevents condensation, and protects them from environmental damage, ensuring the autonomous vehicle's operational reliability by maintaining sensor functionality across varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more protruding grooves channel a portion of an inlet airflow drawn into a cavity of the cover into a circular airflow
Implementation Method 2
the cover is made of material transparent to wavelengths of light receptive to one or more sensors inside the sensor enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A cover defining an outer contour of a sensor enclosure with at least three identifiable portions stacked along a vertical axis. A first portion having a circular domed shape. A second portion, disposed underneath the first portion and coupled to a base of the first portion, having a truncated cone shape. The second portion includes one or more protruding grooves arranged diagonally about the vertical axis and imprinted on an outer surface of the second portion. The one or more protruding grooves channel a portion of an inlet airflow drawn into a cavity of the cover into a circular airflow. A third portion, disposed underneath the second portion and coupled to a base of the second portion, having a truncated cone shape.