Concentric-Ring Sensor Housing for Glare and Debris Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensors used in autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle control systems are vulnerable to glare and debris within their field-of-view, which can obstruct their functionality and require complex cleaning methods that are not well-suited for their positioning.
Innovation Solution
A sensor housing with a baffle featuring concentric rings that diffuse light and a cleaning system with a controller-activated injector and pneumatic nozzle to direct cleaning fluid or air towards the lens, facilitating the removal of debris and maintaining optimal sensor functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is positioned to maximize field-of-view, then the sensor can collect more environmental data, but the sensor becomes vulnerable to dirt, debris, and objects that obstruct the field-of-view
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful factor (debris) is extracted from the sensor's field-of-view by using a baffle structure that physically blocks debris from reaching the lens while allowing light to pass through. The baffle creates a protected pathway for light while excluding contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
A baffle structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the sensor lens and the external environment. This baffle includes a series of concentric rings with light-transmissive gaps that mediate between the need for clear light transmission and the need to block debris.
2Reliability
If a complex cleaning system is used to remove debris from the sensor lens, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly performs its own cleaning function through an integrated cleaning system that includes a nozzle and fluid reservoir. The system uses the vehicle's existing water supply to clean the lens, eliminating the need for external cleaning equipment or complex mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system uses hydraulic principles by utilizing the vehicle's water supply system to deliver cleaning fluid to the sensor lens through a nozzle. This approach leverages existing vehicle infrastructure rather than requiring a separate pneumatic or mechanical cleaning system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a baffle structure is added to block debris, then debris protection is improved, but the structure may interfere with light transmission to the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle structure has varying properties in different regions: the concentric rings provide solid debris blocking, while the gaps between rings provide light transmission pathways. This local differentiation allows the same structure to simultaneously block debris and transmit light effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle is segmented into multiple concentric rings with gaps between them, rather than being a solid continuous structure. This segmentation allows light to pass through the gaps while the rings themselves block debris, achieving both protection and transmission functions.
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 effectively mitigates glare and debris impact on sensors, ensuring continuous accurate data collection and autonomous vehicle operation by maintaining the sensor's field-of-view and enabling efficient cleaning without the need for complex systems.
Implementation Method 1
the series of concentric rings include forward-facing surfaces between surfaces that are substantially parallel to an axis through a center of the sensor lens. According to some embodiments, the surfaces that are substantially parallel to the axis through the center of the sensor lens have a surface texture configured to diffuse light
Implementation Method 2
the sensor assembly includes an injector, where the injector is received within a port of the baffle and configured to direct a spray pattern of cleaning fluid toward the sensor lens
Implementation Method 3
the sensor assembly of some embodiments further includes a pneumatic nozzle, where the pneumatic nozzle is configured to direct a burst of air to the sensor lens of the sensor assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a system and method for a sensor housing that mitigates glare within the field-of-view and facilitates cleaning of a sensor lens. A sensor assembly may include: a sensor having a sensor lens and a field-of-view through the sensor lens; and a baffle defining a sensor lens aperture, where the field-of-view through the sensor lens is through the sensor lens aperture, where the baffle includes a series of concentric rings extending away from the sensor lens aperture and increasing in diameter as a distance from the sensor lens aperture increases. According to some embodiments, the series of concentric rings defines a viewing angle, where the viewing angle corresponds to the field-of-view of the sensor lens.