Improving Water Droplet Prediction for Vehicle Exterior Water Management: Insights from Experimental and Simulation Studies

Abstract: This thesis focuses on the study of water transportation on vehicle surfaces, which is crucial for ensuring the unobstructed operation of sensors and cameras in autonomous vehicles. The research aims to develop and validate experimental and simulation methods to enhance the understanding of water droplet behaviour and to create accurate models for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The primary objective is to investigate the feasibility of simulating water droplets using CFD. The study examines the behaviour of water droplets on a lacquered metal sheet and a glass surface. Physical experiments and CFD simulations are conducted to analyse droplet movement under the influence of gravity and airflow. The findings provide insights into the factors influencing droplet behaviour and validate the accuracy of the simulation models through physical tests. The research also discusses the limitations of the study and the implications for Volvo Cars, aiming to improve their ability to predict water droplet movement on their vehicles.