IP Library › Granted Patent US 12673735
Granted Patent B2
US 12673735 · App. 18/491,586 · Granted Jul 7, 2026

Airflow deflector for vehicle sensor

Inventors: Kothamasi Sumithra Raju (Bangalore, IN); Yuchuan Liu (Troy, MI); Julien P. Mourou (Bloomfield Hills, MI); Pooyan Razi (New Hudson, MI)
Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
B62D35/008B60R11/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12673735
App. No.
18/491,586
Granted
Jul 7, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sensor pod configured to be mounted to a vehicle. The sensor pod including: a housing; a sensor mounted to the housing, the sensor oriented such that when the sensor pod is mounted to the vehicle the sensor faces an area rearward of the sensor pod; and an airflow deflector mounted to the housing adjacent to an exterior surface of the sensor, the airflow deflector including a body spaced apart from the housing, the body defining a first airflow passageway through an interior of the body and a second airflow passageway between the body and the housing. The airflow deflector is configured to direct a first layer of airflow through the first airflow passageway such that the first layer of airflow flows generally parallel to the exterior surface of the sensor, and direct a second layer of airflow through the second airflow passageway towards the exterior surface of the sensor.

Claims (38)

1 . A sensor pod configured to be mounted to a vehicle, the sensor pod comprising:

a housing configured to be mounted to a side of the vehicle;

a sensor mounted to the housing, the sensor oriented such that when the sensor pod is mounted to the vehicle the sensor faces an area rearward of the sensor pod; and

an airflow deflector mounted to the housing adjacent to an exterior surface of the sensor, the airflow deflector including:

a body spaced apart from the housing, the body defining a first airflow passageway through an interior of the body and a second airflow passageway between the body and the housing; and

a lip extending from a rear end of the body towards the sensor, the lip is exterior to the first airflow passageway and is between the rear end of the body and the sensor;

wherein the airflow deflector is configured to direct a first layer of airflow through the first airflow passageway such that the first layer of airflow flows generally parallel to the exterior surface of the sensor, and direct a second layer of airflow through the second airflow passageway towards the exterior surface of the sensor.

2 . The sensor pod of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes at least one of a camera sensor, an infrared sensor, a sonar sensor, electromagnetic sensor, and microwave sensor.

3 . The sensor pod of claim 1 , wherein the sensor pod is mounted to an autonomous vehicle, the sensor pod positioned to allow the sensor to monitor passengers entering and exiting the vehicle through a side door of the vehicle that is rearward of the sensor pod.

4 . The sensor pod of claim 1 , wherein the lip is angled relative to the body.

5 . The sensor pod of claim 1 , wherein the lip extends from the rear end of the body at an angle of about 45° towards the housing.

6 . The sensor pod of claim 1 , wherein the lip and a surface of the housing adjacent to the exterior surface of the sensor extend at divergent angles.

7 . The sensor pod of claim 6 , wherein the body and the surface of the housing opposite to the body extend at divergent angles.

8 . The sensor pod of claim 1 , wherein the lip extends from an inner surface of the body such that airflow exiting the first airflow passageway flows across an outer surface of the lip.

9 . The sensor pod of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a first sensor, the sensor pod further including a second sensor that is different from the first sensor.

10 . A sensor pod configured to be mounted to a vehicle, the sensor pod comprising:

a housing configured to be mounted to a side of the vehicle;

a sensor mounted to the housing, the sensor oriented such that when the housing is mounted to the vehicle the sensor faces an area rearward of the sensor pod; and

an airflow deflector mounted to the housing adjacent to an exterior surface of the sensor, the airflow deflector including a body and a lip extending from the body at an angle, both the body and the lip are spaced apart from the housing, the body defining a first airflow passageway through the body, the lip extending from a downstream end of the body towards the sensor, the lip is exterior to the first airflow passageway and is between the downstream end of the body and the sensor such that airflow exiting the first airflow passageway flows over an outer surface of the lip.

11 . The sensor pod of claim 10 , wherein the airflow deflector further defines a second airflow passageway between the body and the housing; and

wherein the airflow deflector is configured to direct a first layer of airflow through the first airflow passageway such that the first layer of airflow flows generally parallel to the exterior surface of the sensor, and direct a second layer of airflow through the second airflow passageway towards the exterior surface of the sensor.

12 . The sensor pod of claim 10 , wherein the lip extends from a rear end of the body at an angle of about 45°.

13 . The sensor pod of claim 10 , wherein:

the lip and a first surface of the housing adjacent to the exterior surface of the sensor extend at divergent angles; and

the body and a second surface of the housing opposite to the body extend at divergent angles.

14 . A vehicle including a sensor pod at an exterior of the vehicle, the sensor pod including:

a housing mounted to a side of the vehicle forward of a side door of the vehicle;

a sensor mounted to the housing, the sensor oriented to face an area rearward of the sensor pod, the area including the side door; and

an airflow deflector mounted to the housing adjacent to an exterior surface of the sensor, the airflow deflector including a body and a lip extending from the body at an angle, both the body and the lip are spaced apart from the housing, the body defining a first airflow passageway through the body, the lip extending from a downstream end of the body towards the sensor, the lip is exterior to the first airflow passageway and is between the downstream end of the body and the sensor such that airflow exiting the first airflow passageway flows over an outer surface of the lip.

15 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the sensor includes at least one of a camera sensor, an infrared sensor, a sonar sensor, electromagnetic sensor, and microwave sensor.

16 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the sensor is forward of a side door of the vehicle to allow the sensor to monitor persons entering and exiting the vehicle through the side door.

17 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the airflow deflector further defines a second airflow passageway between the body and the housing; and

wherein the airflow deflector is configured to direct a first layer of airflow through the first airflow passageway such that the first layer of airflow flows generally parallel to the exterior surface of the sensor, and direct a second layer of airflow through the second airflow passageway towards the exterior surface of the sensor.

18 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the lip extends from a rear end of the body at an angle of about 45°.

19 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein:

the lip and a first surface of the housing adjacent to the exterior surface of the sensor extend at divergent angles; and

the body and a second surface of the housing opposite to the body extend at divergent angles.

20 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the first airflow passageway defined by the body is rectangular in cross-section.