Vehicle Sensor Module Cooling Layout to Prevent Warm Air Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning devices for vehicle environment sensors, such as lidar sensors, face challenges in optimizing cooling performance due to limited installation space and complex airflow management within compact sensor modules, leading to inefficient heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A sensor module design where the fan is positioned on a carrier element separate from the environment sensor, allowing for high-velocity airflow to the sensor inflow area, with a trough-shaped carrier element and adjustable fan angle, ensuring effective cooling by increasing the distance between the fan outlet and sensor inflow area and simplifying airflow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the fan is mounted directly on the extendable environment sensor with a compact design, then the air-conditioning device can be integrated into limited installation space, but the positioning freedom of the fan is restricted and air-conditioning performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air-conditioning device into separate functional components: the fan is mounted on the carrier element while the air outlet is positioned on the housing. This segmentation allows the fan to be positioned optimally for air intake while the air outlet can be directed toward the sensor, resolving the conflict between compact integration and cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning the fan on the carrier element at a distance from the sensor and directing its airflow through a specific path to the sensor surface. This dimensional approach allows optimal cooling coverage without requiring the fan to be mounted directly on the sensor, thus maintaining both compactness and performance.
2Device complexity
If the fan outlet is connected directly to an air outlet from the sensor module with limited installation space, then the air-conditioning device can be compactly integrated, but only some areas of the environment sensor can receive the airstream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an adjustable environment sensor that can move between retracted and extended positions. When extended, the sensor positioning in combination with the fan's airflow direction ensures comprehensive cooling coverage of the sensor surface, dynamically adapting to the sensor's operational position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary airflow path where the fan draws air from the environment and directs it through the housing to the sensor surface. This intermediary approach allows the cooling air to reach all areas of the sensor effectively without requiring direct connection between fan outlet and sensor, thus improving cooling coverage while maintaining compact integration.
3Volume of moving object
If the fan and air inlet are positioned in a compact sensor module, then the device can be integrated into limited space, but recirculation of warm air may occur within the air-conditioning device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air inlet function from the immediate sensor area by positioning it on the housing rather than directly on the sensor. This separation allows the fan to draw fresh air from the environment through the housing, preventing recirculation of warm air that would occur if the inlet were positioned too close to the heat-generating sensor.
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
Enhances cooling performance by increasing the air-conditioning efficiency and heat dissipation capacity, optimizing airflow distribution, and eliminating recirculation, thus maintaining optimal sensor operation within specified temperature ranges.
Implementation Method 1
The air-conditioning device has a fan which is arranged and/or fixed on the carrier element, preferably immovably, and is aimed at an inflow area of the environment sensor in order to air-condition or to cool the environment sensor, in particular by causing ambient air and/or external air taken in by the fan to flow to and/or around the environment sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor module for a motor vehicle, which has a carrier element, a see-through area, an environment sensor, which can capture a vehicle environment through the see-through area and which is adjustable relative to the carrier element, and an air-conditioning device. The air-conditioning device has a fan, which is arranged on the carrier element and is aimed at an inflow area of the environment sensor to air-condition the environment sensor.