Moonroof Sensor Mount for Autonomous Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles require a robust and secure mounting system for roof-mounted sensors that can support the weight of sensor assemblies, typically ranging from 45 to 70 kilograms, without necessitating a single-purpose roof panel, while also ensuring compatibility with existing vehicle platforms.
Innovation Solution
A mount system utilizing a cap with attachment features compatible with a moonroof opening, supported by a reinforcement ring and brackets that connect to roof rails, providing structural integrity and sealing to prevent water and air leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a roof panel is designed specifically for sensor assembly mounting, then the mounting reliability and structural support are improved, but the adaptability to existing vehicle platforms deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is designed to be compatible with existing moonroof openings in standard vehicle roofs, allowing the same mounting structure to serve both as a sensor platform and maintaining compatibility with conventional vehicle architectures. The cap and support member assembly can be installed in existing moonroof openings without requiring custom roof panels, thus achieving universality across different vehicle platforms while providing reliable sensor mounting capability.
2Strength
If a single-purpose roof panel is created for sensor mounting, then the structural support for heavy sensors is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a cap that fits into the existing moonroof opening, support members that connect to the vehicle's existing roof structure, and attachment features for the sensor assembly. This segmentation allows the mounting system to leverage existing structural elements (roof rails, moonroof opening) rather than requiring a completely new reinforced roof panel, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining structural support capability for heavy sensors weighing 45-70 kilograms.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing vehicle platforms are used without modification, then the ease of manufacture and platform compatibility are improved, but the mounting reliability for heavy sensors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cap and support member assembly act as intermediary components that bridge the existing moonroof opening and the sensor assembly. The cap fits into the existing moonroof opening and provides attachment features, while the support members extend outward to connect to the vehicle's existing roof rails or structural elements. This intermediary mounting system enables reliable installation of heavy sensors on existing vehicle platforms without requiring custom roof panels, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring mounting reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A mount for a roof-mounted autonomous vehicle sensor assembly includes a cap, a seal, and a plurality of support members. The mount is compatible in shape with a moonroof opening in a vehicle roof panel. The cap is sized to overlap the moonroof opening. The cap has a plurality of attachment features to connect to the sensor assembly. The seal is to be disposed between the cap and the roof panel. The plurality of support members connects the cap to roof rails.