阅读说明：本技术 传感器冷却设备 (Sensor cooling device ) 是由 小迈克尔·罗伯森 泰勒·D·汉密尔顿 阿什温·阿伦莫治 拉古·拉曼·苏里尼迪 于 2020-10-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开提供了“传感器冷却设备”。一种传感器设备包括：传感器,所述传感器具有视野；传感器窗口,所述视野延伸通过所述传感器窗口；空气喷嘴,所述空气喷嘴定位成引导气流穿过所述传感器窗口；表面,所述表面相对于所述传感器窗口固定,所述表面包括多个散热翅片；以及覆盖件,所述覆盖件在所述翅片上方延伸并且包括入口。所述入口定位在所述传感器窗口的与所述空气喷嘴相对的边缘处。所述空气喷嘴瞄准所述入口。(The present disclosure provides a "sensor cooling apparatus". A sensor apparatus comprising: a sensor having a field of view; a sensor window through which the field of view extends; an air nozzle positioned to direct an air flow through the sensor window; a surface fixed relative to the sensor window, the surface comprising a plurality of heat fins; and a cover extending over the fins and including an inlet. The inlet is positioned at an edge of the sensor window opposite the air nozzle. The air nozzle is aimed at the inlet.)

1. A sensor apparatus, comprising:

a sensor having a field of view;

a sensor window through which the field of view extends;

an air nozzle positioned to direct an air flow through the sensor window;

a surface fixed relative to the sensor window, the surface comprising a plurality of heat fins; and

a cover extending over the heat sink fins and including an inlet;

wherein the inlet is positioned at an edge of the sensor window opposite the air nozzle; and is

The air nozzle is aimed at the inlet.

2. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air nozzle is open to an ambient environment and the inlet is open to the ambient environment.

3. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover includes an outlet and forms an airflow path between the inlet and the outlet, and the fin is elongated along the airflow path.

4. The sensor apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sensor window is mounted to a body panel of a vehicle, and the fin is elongated in a forward direction of the vehicle.

5. The sensor apparatus of claim 4, wherein the outlet faces in a forward direction of the vehicle.

6. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface is positioned to receive heat generated by the sensor.

7. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the sensor window is cylindrical.

8. The sensor apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensor window defines an axis and the surface is centered on the axis.

9. The sensor apparatus of claim 8, wherein the surface is oriented orthogonal to the axis.

10. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor housing top comprising a surface, wherein the sensor housing top is mounted to the sensor window.

11. The sensor device of claim 10, wherein the sensor window extends vertically from a bottom edge to a top edge, the sensor housing top includes a side surface extending vertically upward from the top edge of the sensor window, and the surface extends laterally from the side surface.

12. The sensor apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cover extends from the inlet over the side surface and forms an airflow path from the inlet to the fin.

13. The sensor device of one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein the sensor window extends vertically from a bottom edge to a top edge.

14. The sensor apparatus of claim 13, wherein the air nozzle is positioned at the bottom edge and the inlet is positioned at the top edge.

15. The sensor device of claim 13, wherein the sensor window is unobstructed from the bottom edge to the top edge.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle sensors.

Background

Autonomous vehicles include a variety of sensors. Some sensors detect internal conditions of the vehicle, such as wheel speed, wheel direction, and engine and transmission variables. Some sensors detect the position or orientation of the vehicle, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors; accelerometers, such as piezoelectric or micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS); gyroscopes, such as rate gyroscopes, ring laser gyroscopes, or fiber optic gyroscopes; an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU); and a magnetometer. Some sensors detect foreign objects, such as radar sensors, scanning laser rangefinders, light detection and ranging (lidar) devices, and image processing sensors (e.g., cameras). Lidar devices detect distance to an object by emitting a laser pulse and measuring the time of flight of the pulse to and from the object. Some sensors are communication devices, such as vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) devices.

Disclosure of Invention

A sensor apparatus comprising: a sensor having a field of view; a sensor window through which the field of view extends; an air nozzle positioned to direct an air flow through the sensor window; a surface fixed relative to the sensor window, the surface comprising a plurality of heat fins; and a cover extending over the heat sink fins and including an inlet. The inlet is positioned at an edge of the sensor window opposite the air nozzle, and the air nozzle is aimed at the inlet.

The air nozzle may be open to the ambient environment and the inlet may be open to the ambient environment.

The cover may include an outlet and may form an airflow path between the inlet and the outlet, and the fin may be elongated along the airflow path. The sensor window may be mounted to a body panel of the vehicle, and the fin may be elongated in a vehicle forward direction. The outlet may face in a forward direction of the vehicle.

The surface may be positioned to receive heat generated by the sensor.

The sensor window may be cylindrical. The sensor window may define an axis, and the surface may be centered on the axis. The surface may be oriented orthogonal to the axis.

The sensor window may extend vertically from a bottom edge to a top edge. The air nozzle may be positioned at the bottom edge and the inlet may be positioned at the top edge.

The sensor window may be unobstructed from the bottom edge to the top edge.

The sensor device may further comprise a sensor housing top comprising the surface, and the sensor housing top may be mounted to the sensor window. The sensor window may extend vertically from a bottom edge to a top edge, the sensor housing top may include a side surface extending vertically upward from the top edge of the sensor window, and the surface may extend laterally from the side surface. The cover may extend from the inlet over the side surface and may form an airflow path from the inlet to the fin.

The contour of the cover may match the contour of the surface.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle including a sensor housing.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the housing.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary sensor housing and cover.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the sensor housing and cover.

Fig. 5A is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a sensor housing and a cover.

Fig. 5B is a front cross-sectional view of a portion of a sensor housing and a cover.

Fig. 6A is a side cross-sectional view of the sensor housing and cover when the vehicle is traveling at low speed.

Fig. 6B is a side cross-sectional view of the sensor housing and cover when the vehicle is traveling at high speed.

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a sensor housing with another exemplary cover.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, a sensor apparatus 32 for a vehicle 30 comprises: a sensor 34, the sensor 34 having a field of view; a sensor window 36 through which a field of view extends; a first air nozzle 38, the first air nozzle 38 positioned to direct an air flow through the sensor window 36; a surface 40, said surface 40 being fixed relative to the sensor window 36, said surface 40 comprising a plurality of heat sink fins 42; and a cover 44, the cover 44 extending over the heat sink fins 42 and including an inlet 46. The inlet 46 is positioned at an edge of the sensor window 36 opposite the first air nozzle 38. The first air nozzle 38 is aimed at the inlet 46.

The sensor device 32 provides a way to effectively dissipate the heat generated by the sensor 34 and prevent external heat from being absorbed by the sensor device 32. The cover 44 forms a route for the airflow from the first air nozzle 38 to pass over the heat sink fins 42 and absorb heat generated by the sensor 34, thereby removing heat from the sensor device 32. The cover 44 and the first air nozzle 38 are arranged so that the sensor 34 is unobstructed for view through the sensor window 36. The cover 44 may also protect the surface 40 of the sensor device 32 from sunlight. The sensor device 32 provides these benefits with a small number of parts that do not normally move.

Referring to fig. 1, the vehicle 30 may be any passenger or commercial automobile, such as a car, truck, sport utility vehicle, cross-car, van, minivan, taxi, bus, or the like.

The vehicle 30 may be an autonomous vehicle. The computer may be programmed to operate the vehicle 30 completely or to a lesser extent independently of human driver intervention. The computer may be programmed to operate propulsion, braking systems, steering, and/or other vehicle systems based at least in part on data received from sensors, such as sensors 34 described below. For the purposes of this disclosure, autonomous operation means that the computer controls propulsion, braking systems, and steering without input from a human driver; semi-autonomous operation means that one or both of propulsion, braking system, and steering are computer controlled, while the rest is controlled by the human driver; and non-autonomous operation means that the human driver controls propulsion, braking systems and steering.

The vehicle 30 includes a body 48. The vehicle 30 may be of a one-piece construction in which the frame and body 48 of the vehicle 30 are a single component. Alternatively, the vehicle 30 may be a body-frame split configuration, wherein the frame supports the body 48, the body 48 being a separate component from the frame. The frame and body 48 may be formed from any suitable material (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.).

The body 48 includes a body panel 50 that partially defines an exterior of the vehicle 30. The body panel 50 may present a class a surface, such as a finished surface that is exposed to the customer's line of sight and free of unsightly blemishes and defects. The vehicle body panel 50 includes, for example, a roof 52 and the like.

Referring to fig. 2, a housing 54 for the sensor 34 and other sensors 56 may be attached to the vehicle 30, e.g., one of the body panels 50 of the vehicle 30, e.g., the roof 52. For example, the housing 54 may be shaped to be attachable to the roof 52, e.g., may have a shape that matches the contour of the roof 52. The housing 54 may be attached to the roof 52, which may provide the sensors 34, 56 with an unobstructed view of the area around the vehicle 30. The housing 54 may be formed of, for example, plastic or metal.

The sensor housing 58 is supported by the housing 54. The sensor housing 58 may be disposed on top of the housing 54 at the highest point of the housing 54. The sensor housing 58 has a cylindrical shape and defines an axis a.

Referring to fig. 3, the sensor housing 58 includes a sensor housing top 60, a sensor window 36, and a sensor housing bottom 62. The sensor housing top 60 is disposed directly above the sensor window 36 and the sensor housing bottom 62 is disposed directly below the sensor window 36. The sensor housing top 60 and the sensor housing bottom 62 are vertically spaced apart by the height of the sensor window 36.

The sensor 34 is disposed inside the sensor housing 58 and is attached to the housing 54 and supported by the housing 54. The sensor 34 may be designed to detect characteristics of the outside world; for example, the sensor 34 may be a radar sensor, a scanning laser range finder, a light detection and ranging (lidar) device, or an image processing sensor such as a camera. In particular, the sensor 34 may be a lidar device, e.g., a scanning lidar device. Lidar devices detect distance to an object by emitting a laser pulse of a particular wavelength and measuring the time of flight of the pulse to travel to and return from the object. The sensor 34 has a field of view that encompasses the area from which the sensor 34 receives input.

The sensor window 36 is cylindrical and defines an axis a that is oriented substantially vertically. The sensor window 36 extends about the axis a. The sensor window 36 may extend completely (i.e., 360 °) about the axis a, or partially about the axis a. The sensor window 36 extends along the axis a from a bottom edge 64 to a top edge 66. Bottom edge 64 contacts sensor housing bottom 62 and top edge 66 contacts sensor housing top 60. The sensor window 36 has an outer diameter. The outer diameter of the sensor window 36 may be the same as the outer diameter of the sensor housing top 60 and/or the sensor housing bottom 62; in other words, the sensor window 36 may be flush or substantially flush with the sensor housing top 60 and/or the sensor housing bottom 62. By "substantially flush" it is meant that the seam between the sensor window 36 and the sensor housing top 60 or the sensor housing bottom 62 does not cause turbulence in the air flowing along the sensor window 36. At least some of the sensor windows 36 are transparent to any medium that the sensor 34 is able to detect. For example, if sensor 34 is a lidar device, sensor window 36 is transparent to the wavelength of visible light produced by sensor 34. The field of view of the sensor 34 extends through a sensor window 36. As explained more fully below, the sensor window 36 is unobstructed from the bottom edge 64 to the top edge 66.

The sensor housing top 60 is cylindrical in shape and defines an axis a. The sensor housing top 60 extends upwardly from the sensor window 36. The sensor housing top 60 is mounted to the sensor window 36 and is fixed relative to the sensor window 36. The sensor housing top 60 is positioned to receive heat generated by the sensor 34; for example, the sensor housing top 60 is directly above the sensor 34, and convection transfers heat from the sensor 34 to the sensor housing top 60 via air inside the sensor housing 58.

Sensor housing top 60 includes side surfaces 68 and surface 40. Surface 40 faces upwardly, i.e., in a vehicle-up direction, i.e., axially relative to axis a, and side surface 68 faces horizontally outwardly, i.e., radially relative to axis a. Side surface 68 extends vertically upward from top edge 66 of sensor window 36 to surface 40. Surface 40 extends transversely to side surface 68. The top edge 66 of the sensor window 36 is spaced from the surface 40 by the height of the side surface 68.

The surface 40 has a circular shape and is centered on the axis a. Surface 40 is oriented orthogonal to axis a. The highest point of surface 40 is at the center of surface 40, i.e., at the point where axis a intersects surface 40. The slope of the surface 40 (ignoring the fins 42) is horizontal at the center point. The surface 40 is gradually inclined downward in a radially outward direction from the center point (i.e., from the axis a). The slope of the surface 40 is closer to horizontal as it approaches the center point and steeper as it moves away from the center point.

The surface 40 includes a plurality of heat sink fins 42. The heat sink fins 42 extend upwardly from the remainder of the surface 40, and the heat sink fins 42 are oriented parallel to one another. The radiator fins 42 may be oriented in the forward direction of the vehicle. The heat sink fins 42 are thermally conductive, i.e., have a high thermal conductivity, e.g., a thermal conductivity equal to at least 15 watts per meter kelvin (W/(m K)) at 25 ℃, e.g., greater than 100W/(m K). For example, the heat sink fins 42 may be aluminum.

Returning to fig. 2, the sensor device 32 includes a first air nozzle 38 and a plurality of second air nozzles 70. The air nozzles 38, 70 are mounted on the housing 54. The air nozzles 38, 70 are positioned below the sensor window 36 and are arranged circumferentially around the sensor housing 58. The first air nozzle 38 is positioned in a direction from the center of the sensor housing 58 toward the right rear of the vehicle, that is, in a direction from the axis a toward the right rear of the vehicle. The second air nozzle 70 is positioned forward of the first air nozzle 38. The air nozzles 38, 70 are aimed upwardly, e.g., in a direction parallel to axis a. The air nozzles 38, 70 may receive an air flow from, for example, a compressor or blower (not shown). The air nozzles 38, 70 are open to the ambient environment.

Referring to fig. 4, the cover 44 extends over the fins. The cover 44 extends along and conceals at least a majority of the surface 40 (e.g., at least 75% of the surface 40, such as the entire surface 40), and the cover 44 extends along and conceals a portion of the side surface 68, such as a rearmost portion of the side surface 68. The cover 44 includes a cover top surface 72 that faces generally upward. The cover 44, specifically the cover top surface 72, is contoured to match the contour of the surface 40; for example, the cover top surface 72 has a highest point at which the axis a intersects the cover top surface 72, and the cover top surface 72 has a gradually downward slope radially outward from the axis a. The slope of the cover top surface 72 is closer to horizontal as it approaches axis a and steeper as it moves away from axis a.

The cover 44 is a thermally conductive polymer, i.e. for polymers having a high thermal conductivity, for example a thermal conductivity equal to at least 1.0 watt per meter kelvin (W/(m K)) at 25 ℃, for example greater than 5W/(m K).

Referring to fig. 5A-5B, the cover 44 is fixed relative to the sensor housing top 60. For example, as shown, the cover 44 is bolted to the sensor housing top 60 by bolts 74, the bolts 74 extending through the cover 44 and into the sensor housing top 60.

The cover 44 includes an inlet 46. The inlet 46 is positioned below the surface 40 and at the top edge 66 of the sensor window 36, e.g., slightly above it. The cover 44 extends upwardly from the inlet 46 to the surface 40 above the side surface 68. The inlet 46 is the lowest point of the cover 44 and at the rearmost portion of the cover 44. The inlet 46 is positioned at an edge of the sensor window 36 opposite the first air nozzle 38; that is, the sensor window 36 is between the inlet 46 and the first air nozzle 38 in a direction parallel to the sensor window 36; for example, inlet 46 is positioned at a top edge 66 of sensor window 36 and first air nozzle 38 is positioned below a bottom edge 64 of sensor window 36.

Referring to fig. 6A-6B, the first air nozzle 38 is aimed at the inlet 46; in other words, the discharge direction of the first air nozzle 38 intersects the inlet 46. For example, the first air nozzle 38 has a discharge direction that is straight vertically upward, and the inlet 46 is positioned directly above the first air nozzle 38. The inlet 46 faces the first air nozzle 38, e.g., downwardly. The inlet 46 is open to the ambient environment and the airflow from the first air nozzle 38 to the inlet 46 is exposed to the ambient environment. The sensor window 36 is unobstructed from the bottom edge 64 to the top edge 66; for example, there is no structure extending between the first air nozzle 38 and the inlet 46 along the sensor window 36.

The cover 44 includes an outlet 76. The outlet 76 is positioned at the forward most portion of the cover 44. The outlet 76 extends upwardly from the surface 40. The outlet 76 faces in the vehicle forward direction. The outlet 76 defines an opening that may have a horizontal width that is at least as large as one-half the diameter of the surface 40, as best shown in fig. 3 and 4.

Referring to fig. 7, the cover 44 may include a ram air inlet 78. Ram air intake 78 extends upwardly from the portion of cover 44 that mates with surface 40. The ram air inlet 78 is positioned forward of the axis a. The ram air intake 78 faces in the forward direction of the vehicle.

Referring to fig. 6A-7, the cover 44 forms an airflow path P between the inlet 46 and the outlet 76. The airflow path P extends from the inlet 46 up along the side surface 68 to the surface 40, and then along the surface 40 in the forward direction of the vehicle to the outlet 76. The heat sink fins 42 are elongated along the airflow path P, i.e., the direction of airflow along the surface 40 is the same as the direction of elongation of the fins along the surface 40 (e.g., the forward direction of the vehicle). The vertical distance from the top of the fin to the cover 44 is substantially constant along the airflow path P.

In operation, when the vehicle 30 is stopped or traveling at a low speed, as shown in fig. 6A, the first and second air nozzles 38, 70 blow air up along the sensor window 36. The airflow may form an air curtain that prevents debris from striking the sensor window 36 or blowing debris away from the sensor window 36. The airflow from the first air nozzle 38 enters the inlet 46 and travels along the airflow path P to the outlet 76. The airflow absorbs heat generated by the sensor 34 via convection from the surface 40 and the heat fins 42 and carries the heat away from the sensor device 32. The cover 44 may reflect sunlight and thus at least partially prevent the sensor housing top 60 from absorbing heat from the sunlight.

When the vehicle 30 is traveling at high speeds as shown in fig. 6B and 7, ram air enters the outlet 76 and, if present, the ram air intake 78. The moving airflow from the vehicle 30 then travels in the opposite direction along the airflow path P from before, and the airflow exits through the inlet 46. The airflow absorbs heat generated by the sensor 34 via the surface 40 and via the heat sink fins 42 and carries the heat away from the sensor device 32. The first and second air nozzles 38, 70 blow air up the sensor window 36, but the air flow exiting the inlet 46 cancels the air flow from the first nozzle and prevents the air flow from the first air nozzle 38 from entering the inlet 46.

The present disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. The adjectives "first," "second," and "third" are used throughout this document as identifiers, and are not intended to represent an importance, order, or quantity. As used herein, "substantially" means that the size, duration, shape, or other adjective may differ slightly from that described due to physical imperfections, power interruptions, variations in machining or other manufacturing, and the like. Terms such as "front," "forward," "rear," "rearward," "left," "right," "side," and the like are to be understood with respect to the vehicle 30. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

According to the present invention, there is provided a sensor device having: a sensor having a field of view; a sensor window through which the field of view extends; an air nozzle positioned to direct an air flow through the sensor window; a surface fixed relative to the sensor window, the surface comprising a plurality of heat fins; and a cover extending over the heat sink fins and including an inlet; wherein the inlet is positioned at an edge of the sensor window opposite the air nozzle; and the air nozzle is aimed at the inlet.

According to one embodiment, the air nozzle is open to the surroundings and the inlet is open to the surroundings.

According to one embodiment, the cover includes an outlet and forms an airflow path between the inlet and the outlet, and the fin is elongated along the airflow path.

According to one embodiment, the sensor window is mounted to a body panel of the vehicle, and the fin is elongated in a vehicle forward direction.

According to one embodiment, the outlet faces in a forward direction of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment, the surface is positioned to receive heat generated by the sensor.

According to one embodiment, the sensor window is cylindrical.

According to one embodiment, the sensor window defines an axis and the surface is centered on the axis.

According to one embodiment, the surface is oriented orthogonal to the axis.

According to one embodiment, the sensor window extends vertically from a bottom edge to a top edge.

According to one embodiment, the air nozzle is positioned at the bottom edge and the inlet is positioned at the top edge.

According to one embodiment, the sensor window is unobstructed from the bottom edge to the top edge.

According to one embodiment, the invention also features a sensor housing top including a surface, wherein the sensor housing top is mounted to the sensor window.

According to one embodiment, the sensor window extends vertically from a bottom edge to a top edge, the sensor housing top includes a side surface extending vertically upward from the top edge of the sensor window, and the surface extends laterally from the side surface.

According to one embodiment, the cover extends from the inlet over the side surface and forms an airflow path from the inlet to the fin.

According to one embodiment, the contour of the cover matches the contour of the surface.