Sensor Assembly Seal Notch for Fluid Drainage and Contaminant Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles face challenges in managing fluid entry and exit within their sensor assemblies, particularly due to environmental factors like rain and washer fluid, which can compromise sensor functionality and durability.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly design that includes a base, a sensor, a housing, and a seal with a notch to allow fluid to exit from the enclosed space, while maintaining a sealed connection between the base and the housing to prevent dirt and debris from entering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a seal is used to prevent fluid entry into the sensor assembly, then protection from contaminants is improved, but fluid exit capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is segmented by introducing a notch that divides the continuous seal into sections, creating a controlled opening that allows fluid to exit while maintaining sealing in other areas. This segmentation enables the seal to simultaneously protect from contaminants and permit fluid drainage.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal has different properties at different locations: the majority of the seal provides contamination protection, while the localized notch region provides fluid exit capability. This local quality variation allows the seal to fulfill multiple contradictory functions in different areas.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the seal is made continuous to prevent dirt and debris entry, then protection from contaminants is improved, but fluid management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous seal is interrupted by the notch to create segmented sealing regions. This segmentation allows the seal structure to manage both contamination protection and fluid drainage functions within a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
A portion of the seal material is extracted or removed to create the notch opening. This extraction creates a controlled aperture that enables fluid management capability while preserving the sealing function in the remaining portions of the seal.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the seal is compressed tightly between base and housing to improve sealing, then protection from contaminants is improved, but fluid flow capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tightly compressed seal is segmented by the notch to create a fluid passage. The compression maintains sealing effectiveness in the sealed regions while the notch provides a dedicated pathway for fluid flow that is not blocked by the compression force.
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 design effectively manages fluid entry and exit, ensuring the sensors remain functional and protected from environmental contaminants, while maintaining a robust and reliable sealing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The seal is compressed between the base and the housing
Implementation Method 2
the base may be shaped to direct gravity-induced fluid flow from the mounting platform to the notch
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly includes a base, a sensor mounted to the base, a housing mounted to the base, and a seal extending around the base. The seal is compressed between the base and the housing. The seal includes a notch sized to permit fluid to exit from a space enclosed by the base and the housing.