Sensor assembly
A sensor assembly includes a sensor window, a heatsink including a plurality of fins, and a duct. The heatsink is fixed relative to the sensor window. The duct is positioned to direct airflow between the fins and across the sensor window. The sensor assembly may include a motor and/or a circuit board fixed relative to the sensor window. The heatsink may be directly connected by a thermal conductor to the motor and/or the circuit board.
1. A sensor assembly comprising:
a sensor window;
a heatsink including a plurality of fins, the heatsink fixed relative to the sensor window;
a duct positioned to direct airflow between the fins and across the sensor window;
a motor fixed relative to the sensor window, wherein the heatsink is directly connected by a thermal conductor to the motor; and
a sensor rotatably coupled to the motor.
2. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a circuit board fixed relative to the sensor window, wherein the heatsink is directly connected by the thermal conductor to the circuit board.
3. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a LIDAR sensor.
4. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the heatsink is disposed below the sensor window.
5. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fins are oriented vertically.
6. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the duct includes a plurality of nozzles.
7. The sensor assembly of claim 6 , wherein each adjacent pair of fins defines a gap therebetween, and each nozzle is positioned to direct airflow through one of the gaps.
8. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor window has a cylindrical shape.
9. The sensor assembly of claim 8 , wherein the sensor window defines an axis, and the fins are elongated radially relative to the axis.
10. The sensor assembly of claim 8 , wherein the sensor window defines an axis, and the heatsink is arranged annularly about the axis.
11. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a compressor fixed relative to the sensor window, wherein the duct is positioned to receive airflow from the compressor.
12. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the duct is positioned to create an air curtain across the sensor window.
13. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the duct includes a slot extending below multiple of the fins.
14. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fins are exposed to an ambient environment.
15. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sensor window is connectable to a vehicle, and multiple of the fins are positioned to receive airflow therebetween from forward motion of the vehicle.
16. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the heatsink has a higher thermal conductivity than the sensor window.
17. A sensor assembly comprising:
a sensor window;
a heatsink including a plurality of fins, the heatsink fixed relative to the sensor window;
a duct positioned to direct airflow between the fins and across the sensor window;
wherein the sensor window has a cylindrical shape;
the sensor window defines an axis; and
the fins are elongated radially relative to the axis.
18. A sensor assembly comprising:
a sensor window;
a heatsink including a plurality of fins, the heatsink fixed relative to the sensor window;
a duct positioned to direct airflow between the fins and across the sensor window;
wherein the sensor window has a cylindrical shape;
the sensor window defines an axis; and
the heatsink is arranged annularly about the axis.