阅读说明：本技术 传感器总成 (Sensor assembly ) 是由 文卡特什·克里希南 拉肖恩·菲尼塞 玛南·塞瓦克 詹姆斯·皮齐门蒂 于 2020-08-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开提供了“传感器总成”。一种总成,包括具有入口和出口的基座。所述总成包括由所述基座在所述入口后方支撑的导流器。所述总成包括由所述基座支撑并且与所述出口流体连通的传感器。所述基座限定在第一端部与第二端部之间延伸的通道,所述入口在所述第一端部处并且所述导流器在所述第二端部处。所述出口在所述导流器前方并且在所述通道外部。(The present disclosure provides a "sensor assembly". An assembly includes a base having an inlet and an outlet. The assembly includes a deflector supported by the base behind the inlet. The assembly includes a sensor supported by the base and in fluid communication with the outlet. The base defines a channel extending between a first end and a second end, the inlet at the first end and the flow director at the second end. The outlet is forward of the deflector and outside the channel.)

1. An assembly, comprising:

a base having an inlet and an outlet;

a deflector supported by the base behind the inlet;

a sensor supported by the base and in fluid communication with the outlet;

the base defines a channel extending between a first end and a second end, the inlet being at the first end and the flow director being at the second end; and is

The outlet is forward of the deflector and outside the channel.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flow director is removable from the base.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base includes a vent at the second end of the channel.

4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a housing supported by the base and having a vent in fluid communication with the outlet.

5. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a blower supported by the base and in fluid communication with the outlet.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base includes legs, the channel being defined by the legs.

7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a housing supported by the base, the housing having a bottom portion extending beyond a top portion of the base.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the bottom of the housing defines a vent hole spaced from the base.

9. The assembly of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the base defines a chamber having a rear opening, the outlet being in the chamber.

10. A vehicle, comprising:

a body panel;

a base supported by the body panel and having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet facing in a forward direction of the vehicle;

a deflector supported by the base behind the inlet;

a sensor supported by the base and in fluid communication with the outlet;

the base and the body panel defining a channel extending from the inlet to the deflector; and is

The outlet is forward of the deflector and outside the channel.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a seal abutting the body panel and defining the channel.

12. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the base includes an exhaust at a rear of the base.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the exhaust port is defined by the body panel and the pedestal.

14. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the inlet is spaced apart from the body panel.

15. The vehicle of any of claims 10-14, further comprising a housing supported by the base and having a vent in fluid communication with the outlet, the vent facing away from the vehicle forward direction.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle sensors.

Background

The vehicle may operate in an autonomous mode, a semi-autonomous mode, or a non-autonomous mode. In the autonomous mode, each of the propulsion system, the braking system, and the steering system of the vehicle is controlled by the vehicle's computer. In the semi-autonomous mode, the computer controls one or both of the propulsion system, the braking system, and the steering system. In the involuntary mode, the human operator controls the propulsion system, the braking system, and the steering system. The computer may control the propulsion system, the braking system, and/or the steering system based on data from one or more sensors.

The sensors detect the outside world and generate data that can be transmitted to a computer, for example, via a communication bus or the like. The sensors may be, for example, radar sensors, scanning laser rangefinders, light detection and ranging (lidar) devices, and image processing sensors such as cameras.

Disclosure of Invention

An assembly includes a base having an inlet and an outlet. The assembly includes a deflector supported by the base behind the inlet. The assembly includes a sensor supported by the base and in fluid communication with the outlet. The base defines a channel extending between a first end and a second end, the inlet at the first end and the flow director at the second end. The outlet is forward of the deflector and outside the channel.

The flow director may be removable from the base.

The base may include an exhaust at the second end of the channel.

The assembly may include a housing supported by the base and having a vent in fluid communication with the outlet.

The sensor may be located between the outlet and the vent.

The housing may include a housing and a support ring inside the housing, the sensor being supported by the support ring.

The vent may face the sensor.

The assembly may include a sensor supported by the base and in fluid communication with the outlet.

The assembly may include a seal extending around a periphery of the base.

The base may include legs, the channel being defined by the legs.

The assembly may include a housing supported by the base, the housing having a bottom portion extending beyond a top portion of the base.

The bottom of the housing may define a drain hole spaced apart from the base.

The base may define a chamber having a rear opening, the outlet being in the chamber.

A vehicle includes a body panel. The vehicle includes a base supported by the body panel having an entrance and an exit, the entrance facing in a forward direction of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a deflector supported by the base rearward of the inlet. The vehicle includes a sensor supported by the base and in fluid communication with the outlet. The base and the body panel define a channel extending from the inlet to the deflector. The outlet is forward of the deflector and outside the channel.

The vehicle may include a seal abutting the body panel and defining the channel.

The base may include an exhaust port at a rear of the base.

The exhaust port may be defined by the body panel and the base.

The vehicle may include a housing supported by the base and having a vent in fluid communication with the outlet, the vent facing away from the forward direction of the vehicle.

The inlet may be spaced apart from the body panel.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a sensor assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sensor assembly.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the sensor assembly.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the sensor assembly.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the sensor assembly taken along line 5-5 shown in FIG. 2.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the sensor assembly.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, an assembly 20 for a vehicle 22 includes a base 24 having an inlet 26 and an outlet 28 (shown in fig. 3-6). The assembly 20 includes a deflector 30 supported by the base 24 behind the inlet 26. The assembly 20 includes at least one sensor 32 supported by the base 24 and in fluid communication with the outlet 28. The base 24 defines a channel 34 extending between a first end 36 and a second end 38, the inlet 26 at the first end 36 and the flow director 30 at the second end 38. The outlet 28 is forward of the deflector 30 and outside the channel 34.

The assembly 20 supports the sensor 32 and separates the liquid L from the liquid L and air a mixture entering the inlet 26. For example, when the vehicle 22 is traveling in the forward direction D, the air a and liquid L mixture may enter the inlet 26. The air a and liquid L mixture may flow through the channels 34 and into the flow director 30. The collision of the mixture with the deflector 30 separates the liquid L from the air a. A portion of the air a may flow through the outlet 28 and provide a cooling airflow to the sensor 32. A portion of the air a may flow out of the exhaust port 80. Gravity and the air a flowing out of the exhaust port 80 may push the separated liquid L to flow down the deflector 30 and out of the exhaust port 80.

The vehicle 22 may be any type of passenger or commercial vehicle, such as an automobile, truck, sport utility vehicle, cross-car, van, minivan, taxi, bus, or the like. The vehicle 22 may include a passenger compartment to accommodate occupants of the vehicle 22 (if any). The vehicle 22 may include one or more body panels 40. Body panel 40 surrounds the passenger compartment and other components of vehicle 22. Body panel 40 provides an exterior surface of vehicle 22 and may have a class a surface, i.e., a surface that is specially manufactured to have a high quality, flawless, fine aesthetic appearance. One or more body panels 40 may be located at a roof 42 of the vehicle 22, e.g., above the passenger compartment.

The vehicle 22 defines a longitudinal axis a1 that extends, for example, between the front and rear of the vehicle 22. The vehicle 22 defines a vehicle lateral axis a2 that extends, for example, between the right and left sides of the vehicle 22. The vehicle 22 defines a vertical axis a3 that extends, for example, between the top and bottom of the vehicle 22. The longitudinal axis a1, the vehicle lateral axis a2, and the vertical axis A3 are perpendicular to one another.

The vehicle 22 may operate in an autonomous mode, a semi-autonomous mode, or a non-autonomous mode. For purposes of this disclosure, an autonomous mode is defined as a mode in which each of the propulsion system, braking system, and steering system of the vehicle 22 are controlled by the computer of the vehicle 22. In the semi-autonomous mode, the computer controls one or both of the propulsion system, the braking system, and the steering system. In the involuntary mode, the human operator controls the propulsion system, the braking system, and the steering system. The computer may control the propulsion system, the braking system, and/or the steering system based on data from one or more sensors 32.

The base 24 supports other components of the assembly 20, such as the sensor 32, the blower 44, and the like. The base 24 may include an inner tray 46 as shown, for example, in fig. 5 and 6. The base 24 may include an outer tray 48 above the inner tray 46. The outer tray 48 may be secured to the inner tray 46, for example, via fasteners, adhesive, friction welding, or the like. For example, the inner tray 46 and the outer tray 48 may be fused together at the perimeter 50 of the base 24, such as via welding, friction welding, adhesives, or the like.

The perimeter 50 may be located at the bottom of the base 24. The base 24 includes a top portion 58. The outer surface 60 of the base 24 may extend downward from the top 58 to the periphery 50, for example, relative to the vertical axis a 3. The outer surface 60 of the base 24 may extend outwardly from the top 58 to the periphery 50, for example, with respect to the center of the base 24, the longitudinal axis a1, and the vehicle lateral axis a 2. The outer surface 60 may be defined by the outer tray 48.

The base 24 may include one or more legs 54. The assembly 20 may be supported by the vehicle 22 via legs 54, as described further below. The legs 54 may extend away from the top 58. For example, the legs 54 may extend downwardly from a first end 62 at the upper portion 52 of the inner tray 46 to a second end 64 spaced apart from the upper portion 52. The upper portion 52 is above other components of the base 24 (e.g., the periphery 50, the legs 54, the central portion 56, etc.). The leg 54 may be generally elongated along the longitudinal axis a1, e.g., between the front and rear of the vehicle 22. The legs 54 may be secured to the roof 42, one of the body panels 40, etc., such as with fasteners, etc.

The base 24 may include one or more second legs 66 (shown in fig. 5 and 6). The second leg 66 may be in the leg 54. The second leg 66 may extend downward from the outer surface 60 to a distal end 68. The distal end 68 of the second leg 66 may abut the second end 64 of the leg 54.

A central portion 56 (shown in fig. 3-6) of the base 24 extends away from the top portion 58. The central portion 56 may extend downward from the upper portion 52 of the inner tray 46. The central portion 56 may include a bottom 70. The base 70 may be horseshoe shaped.

The central portion 56 defines a chamber 72. The chamber 72 may be enclosed by the central portion 56 along the front and sides of the chamber 72. The cavity 72 may be enclosed by the body panel 40 along a bottom of the cavity 72. The chamber 72 may be enclosed along the top by the upper portion 52.

The central portion 56 may define an opening 74 (shown in fig. 3 and 4) at a rear of the cavity 72. The opening 74 provides fluid communication between the deflector 30 and the chamber 72. The opening 74 may be located between horseshoe-shaped ends 76 of the central portion 56.

The channels 34 shown in fig. 3-6 guide the fluid. For example, the passage 34 may direct the air a and liquid L from the inlet 26 to the flow director 30. The liquid L is entrained in the air a and may be, for example, airborne precipitation, road splash, condensation, and the like. The base 24 defines a channel 34, for example, between the legs 54, the upper portion 52, and the central portion 56. For example, the legs 54 and the central portion 56 may extend along the sides of the channel 34, and the upper portion 52 of the base 24 may extend along the top of the channel 34. The body panel 40 may also define the channel 34, such as extending along the bottom of the channel 34.

The channel 34 extends between a first end 36 and a second end 38. The first end 36 may be located at the front of the base 24, i.e., closer to the front than to the rear. The second end 38 may be located at a rear portion of the base 24. The channel 34 may be open at a first end 36 and a second end 38, for example, to allow fluid to enter and exit the channel 34. The inlet 26 may be located at the first end 36 and the flow director 30 may be located at the second end 38. In other words, the channel 34 may extend from the inlet 26 to the flow director 30.

The assembly 20 may include one or more seals 78 for preventing fluid flow between the base 24 and the body panel 40. For example, one or more seals 78 may extend around the perimeter 50 of the base 24 (e.g., adjacent the perimeter 50 and the body panel 40). As another example, one or more seals 78 may extend around the central portion 56 (e.g., abutting the central portion 56 and the body panel 40). The seal 78 may be rubber, closed cell foam, or any suitable material. The seal 78 may also define the passage 34 and the chamber 72.

The inlet 26 enables fluid flow from outside the assembly 20 to the channel 34. The inlet 26 may include an opening at the front of the outer tray 48. The inlet 26 faces the vehicle forward direction D relative to the longitudinal axis a1, e.g., such that air is pushed into the inlet 26 as the vehicle 22 travels in the vehicle forward direction D. The inlet 26 is spaced from the body panel 40. For example, the perimeter 50 of the base 24 and the seal 78 may extend below the inlet 26, e.g., between the body panel 40 and the inlet 26. Spacing the inlet 26 from the body panel 40 limits liquid from entering the inlet 26, for example, by preventing liquid from flowing along the body panel 40 and into the inlet 26.

The outlet 28 enables air to flow from the chamber 72 to the sensor 32. The outlet 28 may include an opening defined by an inner tray 46. The outlet 28 may be located forward of the deflector 30. For example, the opening 74 at the rear of the central portion 56 may be located between the deflector 30 and the outlet 28. The outlet 28 may be located outside the channel 34. For example, the outlet 28 may be located in a chamber 72 defined by the central portion 56.

The base 24 may include an exhaust port 80 (shown in fig. 3 and 5). The vent 80 allows air and liquid to exit the assembly 20. The exhaust port 80 may be located at the second end 38 of the passage 34. The exhaust port 80 may be located at a rear portion of the assembly 20, for example, relative to the longitudinal axis a 1. For example, a portion 82 of the perimeter 50 may be elevated relative to the perimeter 50 adjacent such portion 82. When the assembly 20 is supported by the vehicle 22, the elevated portion 82 may be spaced apart from the body panel 40, i.e., define an opening therebetween.

The flow director 30 redirects the air a, for example, from the second end 38 of the channel 34 to the outlet 28. The flow director 30 may separate the liquid L from the air a. For example, liquid L from a mixture of liquid L and air a may separate from air a when mixture A, L hits deflector 30. After impacting the deflector 30, the air a may flow to the exhaust port 80 and the outlet 28, and the liquid L may flow, for example, along the deflector 30 to the body panel 40, exiting the exhaust port 80. The deflector 30 may be a generally planar panel member that is rectangular in shape. The flow director 30 may be plastic, metal, or any suitable solid material. For example, the deflector 30 and the base 24 may be the same material.

The deflector 30 may be supported by the base 24 rearward of the inlet 26 (e.g., at the second end 38 of the channel 34). The flow director 30 may extend downwardly and rearwardly from the top 58 of the base 24. The flow director 30 may be removable from the base 24. For example, the inner tray 46 and the outer tray 48 may define an opening 84 that is aligned with each other and at the rear of the base 24. The deflector 30 may be releasably secured to the base 24, e.g., via threaded fasteners or the like, so as to cover the opening 84. Removal of the deflector 30 may provide access, for example, to a chamber 72 defined by the central portion 56, the second end 38 of the channel 34, and the like. The deflector 30 may be reattached after removal. In other words, being removable from the base 24 means that the deflector 30 may be removed and reinstalled without damaging the base 24 or the deflector 30. Alternatively, the flow director 30 may be non-removably secured to the base, such as via welding or the like. As used herein, non-removably secured means secured such that the deflector 30 cannot be detached from the base 24 without deforming or otherwise damaging the base 24 and/or the deflector 30. For example, the base 24 and the flow director 30 may be unitary, i.e., without any fasteners, joints, welds, adhesives, one-piece unit that secures the base 24 and the flow director 30 to each other.

The assembly 20 may include a housing 86 that houses and supports one or more sensors 32. The housing 86 may be supported by the base 24. For example, the housing 86 may be secured to the top portion 58 of the base 24, such as via fasteners, friction fit, or the like.

The housing 86 may include an outer shell 88. The housing 88 may enclose a chamber 90. For example, the housing 88 of the housing 86 may include a bottom 92 and sidewalls 94 that define the chamber 90.

The bottom 92 of the housing 86 may extend beyond the top 58 of the base 24, for example, along the longitudinal axis a1 and/or the vehicle lateral axis A3. For example, the bottom 92 of the housing 86 may be wider than the top 58 of the base 24.

The bottom 92 of the housing 86 may define a drain hole 96 (shown in fig. 4 and 5). The drain hole 96 allows liquid to exit the chamber 90 of the housing 86, for example, by being pushed by gravity. The drain hole 96 is spaced from the base 24, for example, along the vehicle transverse axis A3 and/or the longitudinal axis a 1. For example, the drain hole 96 may be located outside the top portion 58 of the base 24. Liquid exiting the drain hole 96 may fall on the outer surface 60 of the base 24 and be urged by gravity to flow along the outer surface 60 and exit the assembly 20, for example, onto the body panel 40.

The housing 86 may include a support ring 98. The support ring 98 supports one or more sensors 32. The support ring 98 is located inside the housing 88, i.e., in the chamber 90 defined by the housing 88. The support ring 98 may be supported by the housing 88. For example, the support ring 98 may be secured to the housing 88 via fasteners, adhesives, or the like. As another example, the housing 88 and the support ring 98 may be unitary.

The housing 86 may have one or more vents 100 in fluid communication with the outlet 28, e.g., such that air from the outlet 28 may flow to the vents 100. For example, air from the chamber 83 defined by the central portion 56 may flow through the outlet 28 to the chamber 90 defined by the outer shell 88 of the housing 86 and then out of the vent 100.

The vents 100 face the sensors 32, i.e., such that air from the vents 100 flows through the field of view of the respective sensors 32. Air from the vents 100 may maintain a clear view of the sensors 32, for example, by limiting the amount of debris that contacts lenses in front of the respective sensors 32 and/or by removing debris from such lenses. The vent 100 faces away from the vehicle forward direction D. For example, the vent 100 may face the right, left, and/or rear of the vehicle 22. The facing direction of the vent 100 is the direction in which the vent 100 directs the air a.

The sensors 32 detect the outside world and generate data that can be transmitted to a computer of the vehicle 22, for example, via a communication bus or the like. The sensors 32 may be, for example, radar sensors 32, scanning laser rangefinders, light detection and ranging (lidar) devices, and image processing sensors such as cameras. The field of view of each sensor 32 is the volume relative to and detectable by that sensor 32. The volume may be defined by an azimuth and elevation range and a depth or detection distance.

The sensor 32 may be supported by the base 24 and in fluid communication with the outlet 28, i.e., such that air from the outlet 28 may flow to the sensor 32. The airflow to the sensor 32 may maintain the temperature of the sensor 32, for example, by reducing the temperature of the sensor 32. For example, the sensor 32 may be positioned between the outlet 28 and the vent 100 such that air passes from the vent 28 through the sensor 32 and out of the vent 100. The sensor 32 is supported by the support ring 98, e.g., secured to the support ring 98.

The assembly 20 may include a blower 44. The blower 44 pumps air, for example, by generating a lower air pressure at the air inlet of the blower 44 relative to a higher air pressure at the air outlet of the blower 44. The blower 44 may include a motor operatively coupled to a fan. The blower 44 may be supported by the base 24. For example, the blower 44 may be secured to an inner tray 46 of the assembly 20. The blower 44 may be in fluid communication with the outlet 28, i.e., such that air a from the outlet 28 may flow to the blower 44. For example, an air inlet of the blower 44 can be operatively coupled to the outlet 28 to draw air a from the chamber 72 defined by the central portion 56 through the outlet 28. The blower 44 may be in fluid communication with the housing 86, i.e., such that air a may flow from the blower 44 to the housing 86. For example, the exhaust 80 of the blower 44 may output air a into a chamber 90 defined by an outer shell 88 of the housing 86.

During normal operation of the vehicle 22, the air a and liquid L entrained in the air a mixture may flow in the inlet 26, for example, via ram air effect from a forward traveling vehicle 22. The air a and liquid L mixture may flow from the inlet 26 to a first end 36 of the channel 34 and through the channel 34 to a second end 38 of the channel 34. The air a and liquid L mixture may flow from the second end 38 into the flow director 30. The flow director 30 may separate the liquid L from the air a. The liquid L may exit the vent 80 of the assembly 20. Air a may flow into the chamber 72 defined by the central portion 56 and out of the exhaust port 80 of the assembly 20. The blower 44 may draw air a from the chamber 72 defined by the central portion 56, through the outlet 28 and into a chamber 90 defined by an outer shell 88 of the housing 86. Air a in the housing 86 may flow through the sensor 32, out of the vent 100, and through the field of view of the sensor 32.

The 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. 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 invention, there is provided an assembly having: a base having an inlet and an outlet; a deflector supported by the base behind the inlet; a sensor supported by the base and in fluid communication with the outlet; the base defines a channel extending between a first end and a second end, the inlet being at the first end and the flow director being at the second end; and the outlet is forward of the deflector and outside the channel.

According to one embodiment, the flow director is removable from the base.

According to one embodiment, the base comprises an exhaust port at the second end of the channel.

According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by a housing supported by the base and having a vent in fluid communication with the outlet.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is between the outlet and the vent.

According to one embodiment, the housing comprises a housing and a support ring inside the housing, the sensor being supported by the support ring.

According to one embodiment, the vent faces the sensor.

According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by a blower supported by the base and in fluid communication with the outlet.

According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by a seal extending around a perimeter of the base.

According to one embodiment, the base comprises legs, the channel being defined by the legs.

According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by a housing supported by the base, the housing having a bottom portion extending beyond a top portion of the base.

According to one embodiment, the bottom of the housing defines a drain hole spaced from the base.

According to one embodiment, the base defines a chamber having a rear opening, the outlet being in the chamber.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle having: a body panel; a base having an inlet and an outlet; the inlet faces in a vehicle forward direction; a deflector supported by the base rearward of the inlet; a sensor supported by the base and in fluid communication with the outlet; the base and the body panel defining a channel extending from the inlet to the deflector; and the outlet is forward of the deflector and outside the channel.

According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by a seal abutting the body panel and defining the channel.

According to one embodiment, the base includes an exhaust port at a rear of the base.

According to one embodiment, the exhaust port is defined by the body panel and the base.

According to one embodiment, the above invention is further characterized by a housing supported by the base and having a vent in fluid communication with the outlet, the vent facing away from the forward direction of the vehicle.

According to one embodiment, the inlet is spaced from the body panel.