Vehicle Sensor Assembly with Pressurized Air Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in maintaining the cleanliness and optimal temperature of object-detection sensors, such as LIDAR and cameras, due to contamination from dirt, water, and snow, which can affect their performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle object-detection sensor assembly that includes a housing with a chamber pressurized by a blower, where pressurized air exits through ports to clean and cool the sensors, eliminating the need for individualized pressure sources and reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pressurized chamber with multiple ports is used to clean and cool sensors, then device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but the ability to provide individualized cleaning and cooling for each sensor may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single pressurized chamber serves multiple sensors simultaneously, providing both cleaning and cooling functions through shared pressurized air supply. This multi-functional approach reduces system complexity while maintaining effective sensor maintenance through common infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber includes multiple independently controllable ports that can be selectively activated. Each port can be opened or closed independently to direct pressurized air to specific sensors as needed, allowing individualized control within the unified chamber structure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pressurized air is continuously supplied to clean sensor windows, then contaminant removal effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system can alternately activate different ports in a periodic manner rather than continuously supplying pressurized air to all sensors. This allows contaminants to be removed effectively over time while reducing overall energy consumption through intermittent operation cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies pressurized air to only those sensors that require cleaning at any given moment, rather than continuously treating all sensors. This partial action approach maintains contaminant removal effectiveness while minimizing unnecessary energy expenditure
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 maintains sensor windows free of contaminants and helps maintain optimal temperature for object-detection sensors, enhancing their performance and reliability in various environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
pressurized air exits through ports to clean and cool the sensors
Implementation Method 2
pressurized air exits through ports to clean and cool the sensors
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a housing having a chamber. A pressure source is in fluid communication with the chamber. A first sensor window and a second sensor window are each defined by the housing. The housing has a first port and a second port each in fluid communication with the chamber. The first port is adjacent the first sensor window, and the second port is adjacent the second sensor window.