Automotive electronic sensor assembly temperature regulation system
AssigneeContinental Automotive Systems, Inc.
InventorJames Robert Massie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automotive electronic sensor assembly includes a light source configured to generate light into a field of view. A detector is configured to receive light reflected off an object in the field of view. The assembly also includes a temperature regulation system. The temperature regulation system includes a thermoelectric cooler coupled to the automotive electronic sensor assembly and a heat exchanger coupled to the thermoelectric cooler and including a passage for accommodating fluid from a cooling system of a vehicle.
Claims14
A temperature regulation system for an automotive electronic sensor assembly, said system comprising:
- a thermoelectric cooler coupled to the automotive electronic sensor assembly;
- a heat exchanger coupled to said thermoelectric cooler, said heat exchanger including a passage for accommodating fluid from a cooling system of a vehicle.
An automotive electronic sensor assembly, comprising:
- a light source configured to generate light into a field of view;
- a detector configured to receive light reflected off of an object in the field of view;
- and
- a temperature regulation system including
- a thermoelectric cooler coupled to the automotive electronic sensor assembly,
- a heat exchanger coupled to said thermoelectric cooler and including a passage for accommodating fluid from a cooling system of a vehicle.
A vehicle comprising:
- an internal combustion engine defining a cooling jacket extending to an engine cooling inlet and an engine cooling outlet;
- a cooling system coupled to said internal combustion engine, said cooling system including
- a radiator having a radiator inlet and a radiator outlet,
- a first hose connecting said engine cooling outlet to said radiator inlet;
- a second hose connecting said radiator outlet to said engine cooling inlet;
- and
- a fluid pump connected to one of said hoses for pumping fluid therethrough;
- an electronic sensor assembly for sensing an environment proximate said vehicle;
- a thermoelectric cooler including
- a first side coupled to the electronic sensor,
- a second side, and
- a plurality of semiconductors disposed between said sides;
- a heat exchanger coupled to said second side of said thermoelectric cooler, said heat exchanger including
- an inlet port for receiving fluid from the cooling system of the internal combustion engine, and
- an outlet port for returning fluid to the cooling system of the internal combustion engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.