Rotating Sensor Housing Spoiler for Convective Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The buildup of heat within sensor housings due to trapped solar heat and internal component-generated heat can adversely affect the operation of sensors, leading to degradation or failure, especially in vehicles operating in partially or fully autonomous modes.
Innovation Solution
A spoiler is positioned on or near the inlet of the sensor housing to increase air pressure and promote laminar flow, maintaining a pressure differential for convective airflow that cools the sensors, even at varying vehicle speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor housing is sealed to protect internal components, then protection from debris and contaminants is improved, but heat dissipation deteriorates due to trapped solar heat and internal component-generated heat
Solution Approach 1:
The housing incorporates a porous material that allows convective airflow through its structure. This porous design enables the housing to maintain protection from debris and contaminants while permitting heat dissipation through the porous walls via natural convection of air passing through the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic principles by introducing a gas flow (air) through the housing to facilitate heat removal. The convective airflow acts as a cooling medium that passes through the housing, carrying heat away from internal components while the housing structure maintains its protective function.
2Ease of manufacture
If the housing structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but airflow control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing design utilizes changes in geometric parameters, specifically incorporating a curved surface configuration that optimizes natural convective airflow. This curvature parameter modification enhances airflow generation and heat dissipation efficiency while maintaining a manufacturable structure using conventional forming techniques.
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 spoiler enhances convective airflow through the sensor housing, effectively cooling the sensors and preventing degradation or failure, ensuring reliable operation across different vehicle speeds.
Implementation Method 1
The spoiler is configured to increase an air pressure near the inlet or promote laminar flow near the inlet in order to promote the airflow through the housing
Implementation Method 2
The spoiler enhances convective airflow through the sensor housing, effectively cooling the sensors
Implementation Method 3
The airflow is configured to cool the one or more sensors while the one or more sensors are operating
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to a sensor unit with rotating housing and spoiler for enhanced airflow. An example device includes one or more sensors configured to sense one or more aspects of an environment surrounding the device. The device also includes a housing that at least partially surrounds the one or more sensors. The housing and the one or more sensors are configured to rotate about a shared axis. The housing includes an inlet configured to act as an air intake for an airflow through the housing. The airflow is configured to cool the one or more sensors while the one or more sensors are operating. Further, the device includes a spoiler positioned on or near the inlet. The spoiler is configured to increase an air pressure near the inlet or promote laminar flow near the inlet in order to promote the airflow through the housing.