Apparatus and method that manage sensor module temperature
An apparatus configured to manage the temperature of a sensor module is provided. The apparatus includes a vehicle, a sensor module disposed on top of the vehicle, a solar panel disposed on top of the sensor module, and a gap between the sensor module and solar panel, the gap configured to direct airflow from a front of the vehicle to exit behind the sensor module or the solar panel, the airflow functioning to cool the sensor module or the solar panel.
1. An apparatus that manages sensor module temperature, the apparatus comprising:
a vehicle; and
a sensor module including a solar panel and a sensor rack disposed on top of the vehicle, the sensor module further including vents configured to allow air to flow into the sensor module, least one thermoelectric device, and at least one fan, wherein the air, the at least one thermoelectric device, and the fan are configured to cool one or more sensors in the sensor module, the solar panel being spaced from the sensor rack by a gap configured to direct airflow from a front of the vehicle through a space between the sensor rack and the solar panel defined by the gap to exit behind the sensor module, the airflow functioning to cool at least one of the sensor rack and the solar panel; and
a controller configured to control the at least one fan and the at least one thermoelectric device based on one or more of a solar intensity parameter, an ambient temperature, vehicle speed, a lidar temperature, and a plurality of predetermined lidar temperature operating ranges,
wherein the controller is configured to power off the at least one fan and the at least one thermoelectric device if the lidar temperature is in a first lidar temperature operating range, and
wherein the controller is further configured to apply power provided by the solar panel to charge a battery or to power vehicle components other than the at least one fan and the at least one thermoelectric device if the lidar temperature is in the first lidar temperature operating range.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the solar panel is shaped to reduced drag.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the solar panel comprises a front end or a rear end that include one from among a spherical shape, an elliptical shape, or an air foil shape.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising supports configured to attach the solar panel to the sensor rack.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to run the at least one fan and keep the at least one thermoelectric device off if the lidar temperature is in a second lidar temperature operating range that is greater than the first lidar temperature operating range.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to apply power provided by the solar panel to the at least one fan and direct excess power from the solar panel to charge a battery or to power vehicle components other than the at least one fan and the at least one thermoelectric device if the lidar temperature is in a second lidar temperature operating range that is greater than the first lidar temperature operating range.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to run both the at least one fan and the at least one thermoelectric device if the lidar temperature is in a third lidar temperature operating range that is greater than the second lidar temperature operating range.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to apply power provided by the solar panel to the at least one fan and the at least one thermoelectric device and direct excess power from the solar panel to charge a battery or to power vehicle components other than the at least one fan and the at least one thermoelectric device if the lidar temperature is in a third lidar temperature operating range that is greater than the second lidar temperature operating range.
9. An apparatus that manages sensor module temperature, the apparatus comprising:
a sensor module including a solar panel and a sensor rack, the sensor module further including vents configured to allow air to flow into the sensor module, least one thermoelectric device, and at least one fan, wherein the air, the at least one thermoelectric device, and the fan are configured to cool one or more sensors in the sensor module;
a gap disposed between the sensor rack and solar panel, the gap configured to direct airflow from a front of the sensor rack through a space between the sensor rack and the solar panel defined by the gap and to exit behind the sensor module, the airflow functioning to cool at least one of the sensor rack and the solar panel; and
a controller configured to control the at least one fan and the at least one thermoelectric device based on one or more of a solar intensity parameter, an ambient temperature, vehicle speed, a lidar temperature, and a plurality of predetermined lidar temperature operating ranges,
wherein the controller is configured to power off the at least one fan and the at least one thermoelectric device if the lidar temperature is in a first lidar temperature operating range, and
wherein the controller is further configured to apply power provided by the solar panel to charge a battery or to power vehicle components other than the at least one fan and the at least one thermoelectric device if the lidar temperature is in the first lidar temperature operating range.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to run the at least one fan and keep the at least one thermoelectric device off if the lidar temperature is in a second lidar temperature operating range that is greater than the first lidar temperature operating range.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to run both the at least one fan and the at least one thermoelectric device off if the lidar temperature is in a third lidar temperature operating range that is greater than the second lidar temperature operating range.