Corner Sensor Module Layout for 360-Degree Vehicle Perception
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of sensor architecture in autonomous vehicles due to multiple discrete sensor systems leads to challenges in field of view coverage, redundancy, installation, calibration, and cable management, making it difficult to achieve 360-degree perception across various vehicle variants.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of corner-mounted sensor modules with a rigid structure housing different types of sensors, positioned at pre-defined points on the vehicle body, providing a composed field of view that covers 360 degrees using two modules, allowing for shared cabling and maintenance access, and facilitating calibration through rigid mounting and modular design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple discrete sensor systems are used to provide 360-degree coverage with redundancy, then the perception capability and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and cable management complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete sensor systems (cameras, LIDAR, radar) into integrated sensor modules where sensors of different types are mounted together on common structures. This merging reduces cable management complexity by allowing shared power and communication cables among sensors within the same module, while maintaining the reliability benefits of having multiple sensor types for 360-degree coverage
2Reliability
If multiple discrete sensor systems with separate mounting points are used, then the sensor coverage and redundancy are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements and design efforts increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors are merged into modular assemblies mounted at fewer standardized locations on the vehicle. This reduces the number of unique mounting points and their associated precision requirements, while the modular design allows flexible configuration to achieve the required sensor coverage and redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal mounting structures and standardized interfaces that can accommodate different sensor types at the same mounting locations. This multi-functional approach reduces manufacturing precision requirements by allowing the same mounting structure to serve multiple sensor types, while maintaining flexible sensor coverage
3Reliability
If individual cabling is provided for each sensor system, then the power supply and communication reliability are improved, but the cable routing complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power and communication cabling at the module level, where sensors within the same sensor module share common power rails and communication buses. This reduces the total cable routing complexity and installation time while maintaining reliable power supply and communication through the shared infrastructure within each module
4Reliability
If sensors are mounted at various locations on the vehicle body, then the field of view coverage is improved, but the calibration complexity and relative calibration stability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are merged into modular groups mounted at standardized vehicle locations, reducing the number of unique mounting positions that require individual calibration. The modular structure provides stable relative positions among sensors within each module, simplifying calibration while maintaining comprehensive field of view coverage through strategic module placement
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to corner-mounted sensor modules for vehicles containing a multitude of sensor systems based on different types of sensors. In particular, the disclosure relates to a vehicle comprising a first and a second sensor module. The first and a second sensor modules each comprises a rigid structure, one or more first sensors of a first sensor type, one or more second sensors of a second type and an attachment mechanism. A sum of the field of views of the first and second sensor modules is at least 540 degrees. Furthermore, one of the sensor modules is arranged at a front corner of the vehicle 1 and the other sensor module is arranged at a rear corner at the opposite side of the vehicle 1 such that a composed field of view of the two sensor modules covers 360 degrees in relation to a reference point at the vehicle 1.