Velocity Stack Sensor Assembly for Stable Lens-Cleaning Airflow
Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor operation in autonomous vehicles can be impaired by dirt and smudges on lenses, which affect data quality and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a housing containing a blower and a velocity stack that directs compressed air flow through a channel to stabilize and increase the velocity of air, allowing it to effectively clean and dry the sensor lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a blower is used to direct air across the sensor lens, then lens cleaning effectiveness is improved, but air flow stability is insufficient without a velocity stack
Solution Approach 1:
The velocity stack acts as an intermediary component between the blower and the air nozzle. It receives unstable air flow from the blower, stabilizes it through its structured channel design, and then delivers the stabilized air flow to the nozzle for effective lens cleaning. This mediator component transforms the raw, unstable air flow into a controlled, stable stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The velocity stack changes the parameters of the air flow by increasing its velocity and stabilizing its direction. The structured channels and air foil design within the velocity stack modify the air flow characteristics, transforming it from an unstable, low-velocity stream into a high-velocity, stable stream suitable for effective lens cleaning.
2Speed
If air flow velocity is increased to improve cleaning effectiveness, then debris removal capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The velocity stack replaces the need for a more powerful (and energy-consuming) blower by using aerodynamic structures. Instead of increasing blower power to achieve higher air flow velocity, the system uses the velocity stack's air foil and channel design to naturally accelerate and direct the air flow, achieving high velocity with minimal additional energy input.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a velocity stack is added to stabilize air flow, then air flow directionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The velocity stack performs multiple functions within a single integrated component: it stabilizes air flow, increases velocity, directs the air stream, and conditions the flow before it reaches the nozzle. By consolidating these functions into one universal component, the overall device complexity is minimized while achieving superior air flow control.
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 solution improves lens clarity, enhancing sensor data quality and reliability by effectively removing debris and moisture, thus improving the performance of autonomous vehicle systems.
Implementation Method 1
A velocity stack is mounted to the blower and includes an air foil and an outer wall spaced from the air foil and extending entirely around the air foil. The air foil and the outer wall define a channel therebetween.
Implementation Method 2
A blower is disposed in the chamber and is in fluid communication with the air nozzle. A velocity stack is mounted to the blower and includes an air foil and an outer wall spaced from the air foil and extending entirely around the air foil.
Implementation Method 3
An air nozzle is aimed to direct air across the lens. The blower is in fluid communication with the chamber through the channel.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly includes a housing defining a chamber. A sensor is disposed in the chamber and has a lens. An air nozzle is aimed to direct air across the lens. A blower is disposed in the chamber and in fluid communication with the air nozzle. A velocity stack is mounted to the blower and includes an air foil and an outer wall spaced from the air foil and extending entirely around the air foil. The air foil and the outer wall define a channel therebetween. The blower is in fluid communication with the chamber through the channel.