Sensor housing with particle blocking feature

Abstract

This technology relates to a system for preventing particle buildup on a sensor housing. The system may include a sensor housing including a first surface, a motor, and a spoiler edge. The motor may be configured to rotate the sensor housing around an axis. The spoiler edge may be positioned adjacent to the first surface and extended away from the first surface perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the sensor housing.

1 . A sensor housing for preventing particle buildup, the sensor housing comprising:
 a housing window configured to allow signals that are transmitted and received by one or more sensor components within the sensor housing to penetrate the sensor housing; and   a spoiler edge positioned adjacent to a leading position of the housing window relative to an axis of rotation of the sensor housing, the spoiler edge extending away from the housing window, the spoiler edge being configured to cast a shadow region on the sensor housing when the sensor housing is rotating about the axis of rotation, and wherein particles are not able to contact the sensor housing within the shadow region when the sensor housing is rotating about the axis of rotation.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor housing of  claim 1 , wherein a size of the shadow region is defined by a speed of the rotation of the sensor housing about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor housing of  claim 1 , wherein a size of the shadow region is defined by a height of the spoiler edge. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor housing of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are able to contact the sensor housing outside of the shadow region when the sensor housing is rotating about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor housing of  claim 1 , wherein the spoiler edge alters a path of the particles as they approach the sensor housing. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor housing of  claim 1 , wherein the rotation of the sensor housing causes the spoiler edge to generate an airflow that travels parallel to the sensor housing and away from the spoiler edge. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor housing of  claim 1 , wherein a size of the shadow region is defined by a speed at which the particles approach the sensor housing. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor housing of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are droplets of water. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor housing of  claim 1 , wherein particles that contact the sensor housing are ejected from the sensor housing via a centripetal force generated by rotating the sensor housing. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor housing of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor housing has a hydrophobic coating in order to reduce adhesion force of the particles. 
     
     
         11 . A sensor housing for preventing particle buildup, the sensor housing comprising:
 a spoiler edge extending away from the sensor housing and positioned relative to an axis of rotation of the sensor housing, the spoiler edge being configured to cast a shadow region on the sensor housing when the sensor housing is rotating about the axis of rotation, and wherein particles are not able to contact the sensor housing within the shadow region when the sensor housing is rotating about the axis of rotation.   
     
     
         12 . The sensor housing of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor housing is configured to allow signals that are transmitted and received by one or more sensor components within the sensor housing to penetrate the sensor housing. 
     
     
         13 . The sensor housing of  claim 11 , wherein the spoiler edge is an integrated part of the sensor housing. 
     
     
         14 . The sensor housing of  claim 11 , wherein a size of the shadow region is defined by a speed of the rotation of the sensor housing about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         15 . The sensor housing of  claim 11 , wherein a size of the shadow region is defined by a height of the spoiler edge. 
     
     
         16 . The sensor housing of  claim 11 , wherein the particles are able to contact the sensor housing outside of the shadow region when the sensor housing is rotating about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         17 . The sensor housing of  claim 11 , wherein the spoiler edge alters a path of the particles as they approach the sensor housing. 
     
     
         18 . The sensor housing of  claim 11 , wherein the rotation of the sensor housing causes the spoiler edge to generate an airflow that travels parallel to the sensor housing and away from the spoiler edge. 
     
     
         19 . The sensor housing of  claim 11 , wherein a size of the shadow region is defined by a speed at which the particles approach the sensor housing. 
     
     
         20 . The sensor housing of  claim 11 , wherein the particles are droplets of water. 
     
     
         21 . The sensor housing of  claim 11 , wherein particles that contact the sensor housing are ejected from the sensor housing via a centripetal force generated by rotating the sensor housing. 
     
     
         22 . The sensor housing of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor housing has a hydrophobic coating in order to reduce adhesion force of the particles.