Delivery Vehicle Sensor Layout With Overlapping 360° Camera Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery vehicles lack efficient sensor systems with overlapping fields of view, leading to limited mobility and safety, and require additional layers that obstruct radar signals, affecting performance.
Innovation Solution
A delivery vehicle equipped with a sensor system comprising cameras, light sources, and radars with overlapping 360° fields of view, along with a LiDAR for redundancy, ensuring unobstructed radar operation and improved terrain data generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional layers are added to the delivery vehicle structure, then sensor coverage is improved, but radar signal obstruction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the radar sensor from behind obstructing layers and places it on an external mounting structure (mast or pole) that extends above the vehicle body. This positioning removes the radar from the path of signal obstruction while maintaining its sensing function, allowing unobstructed 360-degree coverage without requiring additional protective layers on the vehicle body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the radar mounting from a two-dimensional plane on the vehicle body to a three-dimensional vertical extension using a mast or pole. This dimensional change elevates the radar above obstructions, providing clear line-of-sight for signal transmission while maintaining integration with the vehicle system.
2Reliability
If sensor system complexity is increased to achieve 360° coverage, then mobility and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (cameras, LIDAR, radar) into an integrated sensor system that shares common mounting structures and control architecture. The mast-mounted radar works in conjunction with cameras and LIDAR sensors, creating a unified perception system that achieves 360-degree coverage through coordinated operation rather than through complex individual sensor arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mast or pole structure serves multiple functions: it mounts the radar sensor, provides structural support, and acts as an antenna for signal transmission. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall system while maintaining comprehensive sensing capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances mobility and safety by providing comprehensive 360° coverage, improving performance through unobstructed radar operation and redundant LiDAR, enabling autonomous navigation and item delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor also mounted relative to the light sources and cameras
Implementation Method 2
The sensor system can include a plurality of radars
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery vehicle with sensors having overlapping fields of view is described herein. In an example, a cargo bay is mounted to a chassis. A sensor system is mounted to the cargo bay and includes a plurality of cameras that have a first collective 360° field of view along a first plane and that form pairs of adjacent cameras. The cameras in each one of the pairs have overlapping fields of view along the first plane. The sensor system also includes a plurality of light sources configured to emit collectively light along the first collective 360° field of view. A first light source of the plurality of light sources is mounted adjacent to a first camera of the plurality of cameras.