Vehicle Sensor Fluid Cooling for External Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle sensor components are vulnerable to temperature extremes, leading to unreliable operation and shortened lifespan, especially when exposed to high ambient temperatures, as existing cooling systems cannot effectively manage the temperature of externally installed sensors.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle sensor system that includes a temperature monitor, processor, and a sensor cleaning subsystem with a cleaning fluid reservoir, which initiates a cleaning cycle to cool or heat sensors based on temperature thresholds, ensuring operation within a safe temperature range, using fluids like methanol, ethanol, or glycol, and leveraging waste thermal energy or HVAC systems for temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cleaning fluid is directed to the sensor to cool it down, then the sensor temperature is reduced, but the system complexity increases due to integration of cleaning subsystem for thermal management
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning fluid delivery system is designed to serve dual purposes: cleaning the sensor surface and regulating sensor temperature. The same fluid reservoir, pump, and delivery mechanism are used for both cleaning operations and thermal management, eliminating the need for separate cooling system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the cleaning function and cooling function into a single integrated system. The cleaning fluid delivery subsystem is merged with the thermal management requirements, where the fluid serves both to clean the sensor optics and to dissipate heat from the sensor during or between cleaning cycles.
2Temperature
If the cleaning cycle is initiated frequently to maintain temperature, then the sensor temperature is controlled, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor sensor operating temperature and provide feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the cleaning cycle frequency and duration based on actual temperature readings, initiating cooling cleaning cycles only when temperature thresholds are exceeded rather than operating continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous operation, the system uses periodic cleaning cycles triggered by temperature thresholds. The control unit monitors temperature and initiates cooling cleaning cycles intermittently only when needed, reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous fluid delivery.
3Temperature
If the sensor is cooled using interior cooling systems, then the sensor temperature is reduced, but the cooling effectiveness is insufficient for externally installed sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensor from the protected interior environment where conventional cooling systems are effective, and instead provides dedicated thermal management directly at the sensor location. The cleaning fluid delivery system is positioned to apply cooling fluid directly to the externally mounted sensor, bypassing the limitations of interior cooling systems.
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 maintains sensor components within their operational temperature range, enhancing reliability and lifespan by actively managing temperature through controlled cleaning fluid application and utilizing existing vehicle systems for thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
direct the cleaning fluid to the sensor to cool down the sensor
Implementation Method 2
using fluids like methanol, ethanol, or glycol
Implementation Method 3
leveraging waste thermal energy or HVAC systems for temperature control
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems for thermal management of sensors of a vehicle. The system includes a sensor that is attached to a vehicle, a temperature monitor configured to collect temperature data corresponding to the sensor, a processor, and a sensor cleaning subsystem. The sensor cleaning subsystem includes a cleaning fluid reservoir and a port that is positioned to direct cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the sensor. The processor is configured to: receive temperature data corresponding to the sensor from the temperature monitor, determine that a current temperature of the sensor is greater than a first threshold temperature, and cause the sensor cleaning subsystem to initiate a cleaning cycle and direct the cleaning fluid to the sensor to cool down the sensor in response to determining that the current temperature of the sensor is greater than the first threshold temperature.