Segmented Fender Cover for LiDAR and Radar Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous driving sensors, such as LiDAR and radar, protrude excessively when mounted on vehicle fenders, leading to spatial restraints and difficulties in mounting additional sensors due to the lack of separate mounting spaces and protruded shapes, which complicates sensor installation and degrades the vehicle's exterior shape.
Innovation Solution
A fender cover system with multiple interlocking parts, including a first cover part for guiding a LiDAR sensor, a second cover part for fixing the mounting position, and a third cover part for supporting a radar sensor, along with a fourth cover part for shielding, allows for efficient sensor mounting without separate hole machining, maintaining sensor performance while improving the vehicle's exterior shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are mounted on the fender using a protruded structure, then sensor mounting is enabled, but the exterior shape of the vehicle is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The fender cover is divided into multiple segments: a first cover part for mounting the LiDAR sensor, a second cover part for mounting the radar sensor, and a third cover part for shielding. This segmentation allows each sensor to be mounted in its own dedicated space without excessive protrusion, resolving the contradiction between mounting capability and exterior shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by arranging sensors at different heights and depths within the fender cover structure. The LiDAR sensor is mounted on the first cover part while the radar sensor is mounted on the second cover part at a different position, allowing efficient use of three-dimensional space to minimize overall protrusion while maintaining both mounting capabilities.
2Shape
If a single integrated fender cover is used for multiple sensors, then exterior shape is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than creating one complex integrated cover, the patent segments the cover into multiple simpler parts (first cover part, second cover part, third cover part), each designed for a specific sensor. This reduces the complexity of individual components while achieving the overall goal of maintaining good exterior shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple cover parts are nested or coupled together to form the complete fender cover assembly. The first cover part, second cover part, and third cover part are coupled in a nested manner, allowing each part to be relatively simple in design while the combination achieves the desired exterior shape and sensor mounting functionality.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate hole machining is performed for each sensor, then mounting precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fender cover is pre-designed with integrated mounting structures and positioning features for multiple sensors. The first cover part includes a mounting structure for the LiDAR sensor, and the second cover part includes a mounting structure for the radar sensor, allowing precise mounting positions to be established in advance during cover manufacturing rather than requiring separate hole machining operations for each sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting functions for multiple sensors are merged into a single integrated fender cover design. The cover incorporates all necessary mounting structures, positioning features, and fastening mechanisms for both the LiDAR and radar sensors in one unified component, eliminating the need for separate hole machining operations and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment fender cover for mounting of an autonomous driving sensor includes a first cover part fastenable to a fender for a vehicle in which a mounting area is machined and configured to guide a first sensor to be mounted in a protruded state in the mounting area, a second cover part coupled to the first cover part and configured to guide a mounting position of the first sensor, and a third cover part coupled to the second cover part and fastened to the mounting area, disposed to support the second cover part and a second sensor mounted in the mounting area, and including a mounting guide hole with a shape corresponding to a shape of the second sensor.