Sensor Enclosure Drainage Ring Plate Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicle sensors, when externally mounted, are exposed to harsh environmental conditions and risk damage from road debris, and the encasement of these sensors can lead to rainwater accumulation and potential water damage.

Innovation Solution

A sensor enclosure with a cover and structure that includes a drainage ring plate to redirect rainwater away from the enclosure, anchored to the vehicle with posts, and a powertrain to rotate the cover and spin off accumulated rainwater.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensors are mounted exteriorly to the autonomous vehicle, then the sensors can directly detect environmental conditions, but the sensors are exposed to harsh environmental conditions and road debris which may prematurely shorten their lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor lifetimeVSAvoidexposure to environmental conditions and debris

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor mounting system is segmented into a modular sensor enclosure that can be detached and replaced. The enclosure separates the sensors from harsh environmental conditions while maintaining operational capability, allowing the sensors to be protected yet still functional.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor enclosure acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the harsh external environment. It provides a protective barrier that filters out harmful factors like road debris and extreme weather while allowing the sensors to detect environmental conditions through controlled interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If sensors are encased in a sensor enclosure, then the sensors are protected against environmental elements and road debris, but rainwater accumulates on the outer surface and can seep into the enclosure causing water damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from environmental elements and debrisVSAvoidwater damage risk to sensors

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor enclosure features a curved, dome-shaped outer surface that promotes rainwater runoff. The spherical curvature prevents water accumulation by directing water droplets along the curved surface away from the enclosure, eliminating pooling that could lead to seepage and water damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure incorporates hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coatings that alter the surface properties to repel water. These coatings cause rainwater to bead up and roll off the surface rapidly, preventing accumulation and reducing the risk of water seeping into the enclosure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If the sensor enclosure has a base structure for mounting sensors, then the sensors can be securely enclosed and protected, but rainwater flows down to the base and can seep into the enclosure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protection and secure mountingVSAvoidrainwater seepage at base

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage function is extracted as a separate feature from the mounting base. The enclosure includes dedicated drainage channels and outlets that actively remove rainwater from the base area, preventing water accumulation and seepage while maintaining the structural integrity of the mounting system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage system utilizes vertical dimensionality by incorporating downward-sloping surfaces and gravity-driven drainage channels that direct water away from the base. This dimensional approach to water management prevents water from pooling at the mounting level and seeping into the enclosure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Effectively protects sensors from environmental conditions and debris while preventing rainwater accumulation and damage, ensuring the sensors' longevity and operational integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The ring can include a drainage ring plate that drains rainwater accumulated on the cover away from the sensor enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The powertrain can rotate the cover to tangentially spin-away a portion of the rainwater accumulated on the cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS10578716B1Sensor enclosure drainage

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 PONY AI INC

AI summary

A sensor enclosure comprises a cover and a structure. The structure can be encased by the cover. The structure comprises a frame, a ring, and one or more anchoring posts. The frame can be configured to mount one or more sensors. The ring, disposed peripherally to the frame, can be operatively coupled to the cover. The ring can include a drainage ring plate that drains rainwater accumulated on the cover away from the sensor enclosure. The one or more anchoring posts, disposed underneath the frame and the ring, can be used to anchor the sensor enclosure to a vehicle.