Variable Vent Sensor Assembly for Debris Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in maintaining a clear field of view for sensors, particularly LIDAR sensors, due to debris and environmental factors like rain and snow, which can impair their functionality and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A data collection assembly for vehicles that includes a housing with a blower and a variable-sized outlet vent system, which directs air to deflect debris and maintain a clear field of view for sensors, utilizing a movable plate and pivotable baffles controlled by a computer to adjust airflow based on sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed outlet vent is used, then the structure is simple, but the sensor field of view cannot be maintained clear under varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet vent is made variable in size through a movable plate that can adjust its position to change the vent opening size. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different environmental conditions (rain, snow, debris) while maintaining sensor field of view clarity, resolving the contradiction between reliability and structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If airflow is continuously directed at the sensor, then debris is kept clear, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blower operates intermittently rather than continuously, activating only when debris detection sensors detect contamination or when environmental conditions (rain, snow) are detected. This periodic operation maintains sensor cleanliness while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
Debris detection sensors provide feedback to the control system, which then activates the blower only when needed. This feedback mechanism ensures the blower operates based on actual sensor contamination levels rather than continuously, optimizing the balance between sensor cleanliness and energy consumption.
3Reliability
If the outlet vent size is increased, then more debris is deflected, but the airflow coverage area increases beyond what is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The variable outlet vent directs airflow precisely where needed - across the sensor field of view - by adjusting the vent size and angle. This localized airflow delivery ensures effective debris deflection at the critical sensor area without wasting airflow volume in unnecessary directions, resolving the contradiction between deflection effectiveness and airflow quantity.
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
Effectively keeps sensors clear of debris and environmental obstructions, ensuring continuous and accurate data collection for autonomous vehicle operations by dynamically managing airflow and debris deflection.
Implementation Method 1
a blower in the chamber and in fluid communication with the air inlet
Implementation Method 2
The housing has an outlet vent of variable size, the outlet vent in communication with the blower and aimed across the field of view of the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a housing defining a chamber and having an air inlet. The assembly includes a blower in the chamber and in fluid communication with the air inlet. The assembly includes a sensor defining a field of view and supported by the housing. The housing has an outlet vent of variable size. The outlet vent is in communication with the blower and aimed across the field of view of the sensor.