Rotating Sensor Platform With Cleaning for AV Blind Spot Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges with sensor blind spots and reduced field of coverage due to changes in motion, driving angles, and environmental changes, which can compromise safety and operational effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A sensor positioning platform with rotating sensors and a motorized carrier structure that dynamically repositions sensors for optimal coverage, incorporating a cleaning system and cable management to maintain connectivity during rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are mounted at fixed locations on the autonomous vehicle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the field of coverage and detection capability are limited due to blind spots created by vehicle motion and environmental changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from fixed sensor mounting to a dynamic rotating sensor platform. The sensor carrier structure can rotate to different positions and orientations, allowing the sensors to dynamically adjust their field of coverage based on vehicle motion and environmental conditions. This resolves the contradiction by making the sensor system adaptable while managing complexity through a controlled rotation mechanism rather than multiple fixed sensor arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sensor system by separating the sensors from the fixed vehicle body and placing them on an independent rotating carrier structure. This segmentation allows the sensor platform to be independently positioned and oriented, enabling flexible field of coverage adjustment without requiring the entire vehicle structure to be complex or modular.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating sensor platform is implemented to improve field of coverage, then detection capability is enhanced, but maintaining connectivity and power supply during rotation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible cables that can bend and rotate with the sensor carrier structure. These flexible cable assemblies allow electrical connectivity to be maintained during rotation, replacing rigid wired connections with flexible conduits that accommodate the dynamic movement of the sensor platform while managing the complexity of cable routing.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are dynamically repositioned to maintain optimal coverage, then measurement precision is improved, but the reliability of sensor operation may be reduced due to moving parts and potential mechanical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using sensors to detect the vehicle's motion state and environmental conditions, then automatically adjusting the sensor platform's position and orientation to maintain optimal detection capabilities. This feedback mechanism ensures measurement precision is maintained while the system adapts to changing conditions, improving reliability through automated control rather than manual intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
Technologies for steering sensors in a sensor carrier structure on an autonomous vehicle (AV) are described herein. In some examples, a sensor positioning platform on an AV can include an actuator system including a motor configured to move and reposition a sensor carrier structure having a plurality of sensors; a motor controller configured to receive instructions for controlling the motor to reposition the sensor carrier structure and, based on the instructions, send to the motor control signals configured to control the motor to reposition the sensor carrier structure; one or more hoses arranged within tubes mounted to a portion of the actuator system and configured to output sensor cleaning substances through a thru-bore on the actuator system; and one or more cleaning systems configured to receive the sensor cleaning substances and spray the sensor cleaning substances on one or more sensors on the sensor carrier structure.