Sensor Housing Drainage With Heater And Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensors in vehicles, especially autonomous or semi-autonomous systems, face operational issues due to temperature and moisture, leading to reduced performance or failure, as existing solutions do not effectively manage temperature and water accumulation within sensor assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a housing, air inlet tube, and drain system that includes a heater and controller to activate the heater when ambient temperature is below a threshold and a water-level sensor to manage water accumulation, ensuring airflow for cooling and preventing water from reaching interior sensors, with a blower and filter to dehumidify air and a drain valve to remove collected water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are exposed to external environment for detection, then sensing capability is improved, but sensors are affected by temperature and moisture leading to reduced performance or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is divided into separate functional zones: an external sensing area exposed to the environment and an internal protected area housing the sensors. The air inlet tube creates a distinct airflow path that separates incoming air (containing moisture) from the sensor housing, allowing sensors to remain protected while still performing external detection.
Solution Approach 2:
A drain system with heater and controller acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the sensor housing. This intermediary component manages moisture accumulation by heating and draining water, preventing direct contact between moisture and sensors while maintaining the sensing function.
2Temperature
If air inlet tube is used for cooling sensors, then temperature management is improved, but water accumulation in the tube leads to sensor malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful element (water) is extracted from the air inlet tube through a dedicated drain system. The drain, positioned at the lowest point of the tube, actively removes accumulated water before it can enter the sensor housing, while the heater prevents water condensation and freezing in the tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater performs preliminary action by preventing water condensation and freezing in the air inlet tube before water can accumulate to harmful levels. The controller activates the heater based on temperature and water level sensors, proactively managing moisture before it becomes a problem.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If heater and drain system are added to manage moisture, then water ingress prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drain system is designed to be self-regulating through the controller that monitors temperature and water level sensors. The system automatically activates the heater and opens/closes the drain valve based on sensor inputs, eliminating the need for complex manual control mechanisms or continuous monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater serves multiple functions: preventing water condensation in the air inlet tube, preventing ice formation during cold conditions, and aiding in water evacuation. The drain system simultaneously handles both water removal and temperature management, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
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 solution ensures continued operability of interior sensors by maintaining optimal temperature and preventing water ingress, thereby enhancing the reliability of vehicle sensors in varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a heater thermally connected to the drain. The drain may include a drain tube extending downward from the air inlet tube, and the heater may extend around the drain tube.
Implementation Method 2
a blower in the path of air flowing through the air inlet tube
Implementation Method 3
a drain valve to remove collected water
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly includes a housing, an air inlet tube through the housing and including a drain, and a sensor in the path of air flowing through the air inlet tube. The sensor assembly may further include a heater thermally connected to the drain. A controller may be communicatively coupled to the heater and programmed to activate the heater upon detecting an ambient temperature below a temperature threshold.