Sensor assembly
A sensor assembly includes a navigation sensor. The sensor assembly includes a heatsink thermally coupled to the navigation sensor. The sensor assembly includes an air conditioning unit. The sensor assembly includes a duct positioned to direct airflow from the air conditioning unit toward the heatsink.
1. A sensor assembly, comprising:
a navigation sensor that is one of a camera or a LIDAR;
a heatsink thermally coupled to the navigation sensor;
an air conditioning unit; and
a duct positioned to direct airflow from the air conditioning unit toward the heatsink.
2. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the air conditioning unit includes a vortex tube having an air input, a warm air output, and a cold air output, the cold air output being in fluid communication with heatsink via the duct.
3. The sensor assembly of claim 2 , wherein the air conditioning unit includes a compressor in fluid communication with the air input of the vortex tube.
4. The sensor assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to actuate the compressor based on a detected temperature of the navigation sensor.
5. The sensor assembly of claim 2 , wherein the vortex tube includes a valve positioned at the warm air output and movable between an open position and a closed position.
6. The sensor assembly of claim 5 , further comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to actuate the valve based on a detected temperature of the navigation sensor.
7. The sensor assembly of claim 5 , further comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to actuate the valve based on information from a rain sensor.
8. The sensor assembly of claim 5 , wherein the valve includes a conical plug and a linear actuator.
9. The sensor assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a temperature sensor positioned to detect a temperature of airflow from the cold air output of the vortex tube.
10. The sensor assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a temperature sensor positioned to detect a temperature of airflow to the air input of the vortex tube.
11. The sensor assembly of claim 2 , wherein the warm air output provides air to an ambient environment.
12. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a pillar, the air conditioning unit and the navigation sensor supported by the pillar.
13. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor window, the duct positioned to direct airflow from the air conditioning unit along the heatsink and across the sensor window.
14. The sensor assembly of claim 13 , wherein the heatsink includes a plurality of fins elongated between the duct and the sensor window.
15. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to actuate the air conditioning unit based on data indicating a weather condition.
16. The sensor assembly of claim 15 , wherein the data indicating the weather condition includes at least one of a precipitation level, a humidity, and an external temperature.
17. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the navigation sensor includes a motor thermally coupled to the heatsink.
18. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the navigation sensor includes a circuit board thermally coupled to the heatsink.
19. The sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the air conditioning unit is upstream of the heatsink.