Movable Sensor Platform for Autonomous Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of sensors in vehicles for autonomous driving poses safety concerns due to their fragility and potential impact hazards, as well as aesthetic and aerodynamic issues when protruding from the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A movable sensor platform that extends or retracts from the vehicle, featuring an elongated threaded member and intermediate threaded member system, allowing for controlled extension and retraction, and includes a sacrificial element to absorb impact forces, ensuring safety and maintaining vehicle aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is extended from the vehicle to enable autonomous navigation sensing, then the sensor can detect external environment effectively, but the sensor becomes vulnerable to impact damage and creates safety hazards to pedestrians
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor platform is designed to be movable between extended and retracted positions along the longitudinal axis. When autonomous navigation is active, the platform extends to provide optimal sensing coverage. When not in use or during impact events, it retracts to protect the sensor and eliminate pedestrian hazards. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by adapting the sensor's exposure state based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is separated from the main vehicle body through an independent movable platform that can extend and retract. This segmentation allows the sensor to be positioned optimally for sensing while maintaining the ability to isolate and protect it from impact damage. The platform acts as a separate protective enclosure that can be dynamically positioned.
2Reliability
If the sensor protrudes from the vehicle body, then autonomous sensing capability is achieved, but vehicle aesthetics and aerodynamics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor platform transitions between extended and retracted states. When retracted, the platform aligns with the vehicle's exterior surface, maintaining aesthetic appearance and aerodynamic flow. When extended, it provides the necessary protrusion for effective autonomous sensing. This dynamic shape adjustment resolves the contradiction between sensing capability and vehicle appearance/aerodynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor platform is designed to nest within or align with the vehicle's exterior body panels when retracted. The platform can be positioned within the vehicle's body contours, making it invisible or minimally visible from the exterior. This nesting approach allows the sensor to maintain full sensing capability while preserving vehicle aesthetics and aerodynamic properties.
3Reliability
If a movable sensor platform is implemented to extend and retract, then sensor protection and aesthetics are improved, but the device complexity increases due to the threaded member mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex motorized actuators, sensors, and control systems with a purely mechanical threaded member mechanism. The elongated threaded member engages with a rotating component to produce linear motion for platform extension and retraction. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for electric motors, power consumption, and electronic control, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining the protective and aesthetic benefits.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the sensor is retracted to the vehicle body, then safety and aesthetics are maintained, but the sensor cannot perform autonomous navigation sensing
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor platform dynamically adjusts its position between extended and retracted states based on operational mode. During autonomous navigation, the platform extends to enable sensing. During normal driving or when autonomous mode is inactive, the platform retracts to eliminate impact hazards and maintain aesthetics. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by making sensing function available only when needed while maintaining safety otherwise.
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 safety by protecting sensors from damage and preventing harm to pedestrians, while maintaining vehicle aesthetics and aerodynamics by retracting sensors when not in use, thus addressing the fragility and protrusion-related hazards.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated threaded member characterized by an axis of elongation, wherein a thread of the elongated threaded member at least partially circumvents the axis of elongation. The techniques can also include an intermediate threaded member including a thread mechanically engaged with the thread of the elongated threaded member
Data Source
AI summary
Various techniques related to a sensor for use with autonomous driving and/or navigation of a vehicle. The techniques can include use of an elongated threaded member, an intermediate threaded member, and a tertiary member. The members can be operable to extend or retract a vehicle sensor on a platform. The members can also enable the sensor to retract upon application of a force external to the vehicle.