Sensor pod having a sensor arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor pod (1) having a sensor arrangement for a vehicle, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of sensors (2, 3, 4) which are arranged in a common housing (1a) of the sensor pod (1). The sensors (2, 3, 4) are aligned with one another in relation to their centre axis such that all centre axes of the sensors (2, 3, 4) lie on a common horizontal line (M), wherein the horizontal line corresponds to the horizontal centre axis (M) of the housing (1a) and wherein the sensors (2, 3, 4) are attached in the housing (1a) with a pitch angle of 0°.

Description

[0001] Sensor pod with a sensor array

[0002] The invention relates to a sensor pod with a sensor arrangement for a vehicle.

[0003] Sensor arrangements and sensor pods are known from the state of the art, which can be mounted at various locations in a vehicle.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor pod with a sensor arrangement by means of which a simple attachment to a vehicle can be realized.

[0005] This object is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the subclaims.

[0006] Initial considerations were that up to now, either individual sensors have been mounted at different locations on a vehicle, or when using sensor pods, these have to be designed specifically for each side of the vehicle, for example with regard to the arrangement of the sensors in the sensor pod.

[0007] For this reason, the invention provides a sensor pod with a sensor arrangement for a vehicle, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of sensors arranged in a common housing of the sensor pod. The sensors are aligned with respect to their central axes such that all central axes of the sensors lie on a common horizontal line, wherein the horizontal line corresponds to the horizontal central axis of the housing, and wherein the sensors are mounted in the housing with a pitch angle of 0°.

[0008] This configuration advantageously makes it possible to provide a side-independent sensor pod that can be mounted on either the left or right side of a vehicle. This is made possible in particular by arranging all sensors on a common central axis and by mounting the sensors in the housing with a pitch angle of 0°. Because the common horizontal central axis corresponds to the horizontal central axis of the housing, a symmetrically constructed sensor pod is provided that has the same arrangement and alignment of the installed sensors regardless of the installation side. This accordingly enables easy mounting on the vehicle, as the same sensor pod can be used, for example, for both the right and left side of the vehicle.

[0009] The sensor arrangement can comprise a plurality of identical and / or different sensors. For example, one or more cameras, one or more radar sensors, lidar sensors, or ultrasonic sensors can be used.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, a sensor pod is provided, which has a sensor pod computing unit. A computing unit is arranged directly in the housing of the sensor pod, by means of which, for example, preprocessing of the sensor data can be implemented. This can be, for example, data fusion or an initial data analysis.

[0011] It is also conceivable for a sensor pod computing unit to be located in the housing and a central computing unit to be located in the vehicle. For example, a central computing unit in the vehicle can process the data from multiple sensor pods and, for example, combine them. The central computing unit can be, for example, an ECU (electronic control unit), which can control the sensor pods or corresponding driving functions.

[0012] Furthermore, the sensors are particularly preferably mirrorable on the horizontal axis.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment, the sensors are designed such that their pitch angle is adjustable. The sensors are initially installed with a pitch angle of 0°. Depending on the installation position or application, it may be necessary to align the sensors accordingly in order to adapt to different installation heights and provide sufficient sensor functionality. This adjustment can be made, for example, via a central computing device in the vehicle using appropriate software.

[0014] Another particularly preferred embodiment provides that the sensors can be used to determine which side of the vehicle the sensor pod is mounted on. This can be done, for example, by evaluating the sensor data and determining the vehicle's direction of travel. It would also be conceivable for a service flag to be set in the sensor pod after installation on the vehicle, indicating the mounting side.

[0015] It would also be conceivable for the plug on each side to indicate on which side the sensor pod is attached.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the housing is designed to be axially symmetrical to the horizontal central axis. This is advantageous because it ensures that the sensor pods can be designed identically regardless of the mounting side. Beauticovers or aerodynamic cladding can also be attached to the sensor pods. These can, like the housing, be designed symmetrically or be side-specific and simply mounted over the sensor pod housing.

[0017] Further advantageous embodiments are shown in the drawings, which show:

[0018] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a sensor pod according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0019] Fig. 2 shows a further schematic representation of a sensor pod with different orientations according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a sensor pod according to an embodiment of the invention. The sensor pod 1 comprises various sensors 2, 3, 4, for example, a radar sensor 2, several cameras 3, and a lidar sensor 4. The sensors 2, 3, 4 are aligned along the central axis / center plane M of the housing 1a.

[0020] Figure 2 shows a further schematic representation of a sensor pod with different orientations according to one embodiment of the invention. This representation corresponds to a top view of the sensor pod 1. The sensor pod 1 also comprises a plurality of sensors 2, 3, 4, which have different detection directions. The sensors 2, 3, 4 are arranged such that the same detection directions of the corresponding sensors 2, 3, 4 are maintained when the sensor pod 1 is rotated. The left representation could be attached to the left side of a vehicle, the right representation correspondingly to the right side of a vehicle. The sensors 2, 3, 4 are aligned on a common horizontal plane.

[0021] List of reference symbols

[0022] 1 Sensor Pod

[0023] 1a Housing 2 Radar sensor

[0024] 3 Camera

[0025] 4 Lidar sensor

[0026] M Central axis / central plane

Claims

Patent claims 1. Sensor pod (1) with a sensor arrangement for a vehicle, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises a plurality of sensors (2, 3, 4) which are arranged in a common housing (1a) of the sensor pod (1), characterized in that the sensors (2, 3, 4) are aligned with respect to one another with respect to their central axis such that all central axes of the sensors (2, 3, 4) lie on a common horizontal line (M), wherein the horizontal line corresponds to the horizontal central axis (M) of the housing (1a), and wherein the sensors (2, 3, 4) are mounted in the housing (1a) with a pitch angle of 0°.

2. Sensor pod (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a sensor pod computing unit is arranged in the sensor pod (1).

3. Sensor pod (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensors (2, 3, 4) are mirrorable on the horizontal axis.

4. Sensor pod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensors (2, 3, 4) are designed such that the pitch angle of the sensors (2, 3, 4) is adjustable.

5. Sensor pod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of the sensors (2, 3, 4) it can be determined on which side of the vehicle the sensor pod (1) is attached.

6. Sensor Pod (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (1a) is designed axially symmetrically to the horizontal central axis / central plane (M).

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