Roof Sensor Module Internal Bracket for Sealing and Panel Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges arise in incorporating a roof top sensor package onto vehicles, including preventing water intrusion, securing the package to the roof, and adequately supporting the outer casing and sensors.
Innovation Solution
A roof top sensor module with a shell attached to the vehicle's roof, featuring a top panel, bottom panel, and front panel connected to form an interior, a sensor bracket supporting the front middle portion of the top panel, and a sealing arrangement using bolts, gaskets, and ribs to prevent water intrusion, along with lifting features for easy installation and internal support structures for sensor mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a roof top sensor package is incorporated onto the vehicle, then the vehicle gains environmental monitoring capability, but water intrusion into the vehicle interior becomes a risk
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor package is nested within a protective shell that forms a sealed enclosure. The shell contains an interior space that houses the sensors while protecting them from water intrusion. The nested structure allows the sensors to be contained within the shell's protective environment while maintaining access to external environmental monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing arrangement acts as an intermediary between the sensor package and the vehicle roof. This sealing arrangement includes gaskets and sealing members that create a water-tight barrier, preventing water from penetrating into the shell interior while allowing the sensor package to be securely mounted to the roof.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sensor package is secured to the roof, then the package becomes firmly attached, but the structural support for the outer casing and sensors becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket and support structures are merged into an integrated assembly that combines multiple functions. The bracket not only secures the shell to the roof but also provides internal support for the sensors and top panel. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining firm attachment and structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: a mounting bracket for roof attachment, internal support elements for the top panel, and sensor mounting provisions. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function while working together as a cohesive assembly.
3Reliability
If the shell structure is designed to prevent water intrusion, then water-tight sealing is achieved, but the installation and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing arrangement is pre-configured with gaskets and sealing members positioned in specific locations within the shell. The mounting bracket is pre-designed with attachment provisions that align with the vehicle roof. This preliminary preparation simplifies the installation process while ensuring proper sealing is achieved from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing design incorporates features that allow the sealing arrangement to maintain its integrity without requiring complex external support systems. The gaskets and sealing members are designed to self-adjust and maintain their sealing function under various environmental conditions, reducing the need for frequent maintenance intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vehicle roof top sensor module includes a shell attached to a roof of an autonomous vehicle. The shell includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and a front panel, which are connected together to define an interior, in which an internal sensor bracket is arranged to support a front middle portion of the top panel and provides a structure for mounting a sensor. The sensor is mounted on the sensor bracket and detects a characteristic of the autonomous vehicle or a characteristic of an environment surrounding the autonomous vehicle. The sensor bracket connects the front middle portion of the top panel to the bottom panel, and thus inhibits sagging of the top panel, and also provides a structure for mounting sensors in the shell.