Sensor Window Deflector Assembly for Pulsed Droplet Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle sensors, particularly LIDAR devices, face challenges in maintaining clear sensor windows due to water droplets and debris, which can impair data accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A sensor assembly with a rotatable flap mechanism between the outlet and deflector, which deflects airflow to pulse the airflow velocity and effectively remove water droplets from the sensor window, ensuring clearer visibility for the sensor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a continuous airflow is used to clean the sensor window, then water droplets are removed, but small water droplets remain and debris can accumulate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor window clarityVSAvoidwater droplet accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using a flap mechanism that oscillates between blocking and unblocking the airflow path. This creates pulsed or periodic airflow rather than continuous airflow, which generates stronger shear forces that effectively remove small water droplets and prevent debris accumulation on the sensor window.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If airflow velocity is increased to remove small water droplets, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater droplet removal effectivenessVSAvoidairflow energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The periodic opening and closing of the flap creates intermittent high-velocity airflow pulses. During the open phase, high velocity removes droplets effectively; during the closed phase, energy consumption is reduced. This periodic action achieves effective cleaning while minimizing overall energy consumption compared to maintaining continuous high-velocity airflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The flap mechanism dynamically adjusts the airflow characteristics by transitioning between open and closed states. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize the balance between cleaning effectiveness and energy consumption, creating high-velocity pulses only when needed rather than maintaining constant high velocity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 pulsed airflow mechanism enhances the effectiveness of removing small water droplets, maintaining the sensor window's clarity and improving data accuracy by preventing debris accumulation.

Implementation Method 1

a deflector covering the flap, the flap disposed between the outlet and the deflector and rotatable toward and away from the deflector. The deflector may deflect air across and/or toward the flap.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow deflection:

Implementation Method 2

The pulsed airflow mechanism enhances the effectiveness of removing small water droplets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPulsed airflow:

Data Source

PatentUS12372620B2Sensor assembly with deflector

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A sensor assembly includes a housing including an outlet. The sensor assembly includes a sensor window, the sensor window fixed relative to the housing, and the outlet aimed across the sensor window. The sensor assembly includes a flap rotatably coupled to the housing at the outlet. The sensor assembly includes a deflector covering the flap. The flap is disposed between the outlet and the deflector and rotatable toward and away from the deflector.