Vehicle Sensor Offset Air-Cleaning Structure for Obstruction Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Environmental conditions such as rain, snow, and dirt can cause obstructions to form on the sensors of a vehicle, compromising their operation and reducing the vehicle's ability to function as intended.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a member offset from the sensor's surface, featuring a space pneumatically connected to compressed air, which is used to deform and separate obstructions from the sensor's surface, improving its operational clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are exposed to the external environment through skin of the vehicle, then the sensors can monitor environmental conditions, but obstructions such as rain, snow, and dirt can collect on the sensor surface and compromise operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensor portion from the vehicle skin by creating an offset arrangement where the sensor is positioned away from the skin surface. This spatial separation prevents obstructions that collect on the skin from directly contacting the sensor surface, thereby maintaining sensor operation reliability while the sensor remains exposed to detect environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate space between the vehicle skin and the sensor portion. This intermediate region acts as a mediator that allows the sensor to remain exposed to environmental conditions for monitoring while preventing direct contact between obstructions on the skin and the sensor surface, thus resolving the contradiction between exposure and obstruction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the sensor portion is offset from the skin, then obstructions are reduced, but the structural complexity of the sensor mounting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The offset member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it positions the sensor away from the skin to prevent obstruction, provides structural support for the sensor, and creates the necessary spatial relationship between the skin and sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity.
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 apparatus effectively reduces obstructions on vehicle sensors, ensuring their continued operation and maintaining the vehicle's intended functionality even in adverse environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Ports are pneumatically connected with the space, a source of compressed air and a vent
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for reducing obstruction compromising operation of at least one sensor having a portion disposed through skin of a vehicle, the portion having a surface offset from the skin comprises a member disposed offset from the surface. The member includes a first side having an inner surface and an outer surface that opposes the surface of the portion, and a second side having a second side inner surface and a second side outer surface. The second side outer surface faces exterior of the vehicle. A space is disposed between the second side inner surface and the inner surface. Ports are pneumatically connected with the space, a source of compressed air and a vent.