Sensor Enclosure Cooling with Noise-Filtering Hole Pattern

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicle sensors face operational challenges due to inadequate airflow and ventilation in their enclosures, leading to overheating and moisture-related issues that can cause malfunction, especially in harsh environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system for sensor enclosures on autonomous vehicles, featuring a vent at the base with a fan, a cover with a hole pattern for airflow, and a deflector to direct airflow, along with optional noise-filtering mechanisms like tapered pipes, capillary tubes, and active damping systems to reduce noise and improve airflow efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sensor enclosure is provided to protect sensors from environmental elements and road debris, then sensor protection and reliability are improved, but the internal temperature of the enclosure can exceed operational temperature ranges for the sensors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protectionVSAvoidinternal temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure cover incorporates a hole pattern that functions as a porous structure, allowing selective airflow through the enclosure while maintaining protection. The holes permit cooling air to enter and pass through the sensor compartment, removing heat while the overall enclosure structure continues to protect sensors from environmental elements and debris.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Temperature

If airflow is increased to cool the sensor enclosure, then temperature regulation is improved, but noise from the airflow increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature regulationVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A mechanical filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the airflow source and the sensor enclosure. This filter attenuates noise from the cooling airflow while allowing the air to pass through and perform its cooling function. The filter acts as a mediator that permits the beneficial airflow while blocking the harmful noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a mechanical filter is added to reduce noise from airflow, then noise attenuation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise attenuationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical filter is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it attenuates noise from the airflow, filters particles from the air entering the enclosure, and maintains structural support for the enclosure assembly. By combining noise reduction and filtration functions in a single component, the overall device complexity is minimized while achieving multiple beneficial effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system effectively regulates the temperature and reduces noise within the sensor enclosure, enhancing the operational reliability of autonomous vehicle sensors by maintaining optimal conditions and conserving energy.

Implementation Method 1

a fan disposed at a base of the enclosure... selectively permit an airflow to enter the enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

the cover comprising a hole pattern... selectively permit an airflow to enter the enclosure and filter noise from the airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic Absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 3

filter noise from the airflow through a plurality of holes of the hole pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 4

a deflector disposed on the vehicle outside the enclosure and configured to direct an airflow through the hole pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid Flow:

Implementation Method 5

tapered pipes, each of the tapered pipes having pressure sensing inlets and incrementally increasing in diameter to attenuate the noise from the airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic Impedance:

Implementation Method 6

a capillary tube, a closed volume chamber connected to the capillary tube, and a pressure transducer connected to the closed volume chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure Gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11592529B2System and method for reducing noise into an enclosure

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 PONY AI INC

AI summary

Provided herein is a system and method for cooling of a vehicle. The system comprises an enclosure disposed on the vehicle. The enclosure comprises a fan disposed at a base of the enclosure, one or more sensors within the enclosure, and a cover on an exterior of the enclosure. The cover comprises a hole pattern to selectively permit an airflow to enter the enclosure. The hole pattern comprises a plurality of holes to filter noise from the airflow. A deflector is disposed on the vehicle outside the enclosure and configured to direct an airflow through the hole pattern.