Vehicle Sensor Bracket Locking for Panel-Mounted Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles face challenges in maintaining the alignment and stability of sensors, such as lidar sensors, when the vehicle's movable panels are articulated between open and closed positions, leading to potential misalignment and displacement, which can affect sensor accuracy and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly that includes a bracket with actuatable pins and spring couplers, which are actuated by electromechanical switches to securely fix the sensor to the vehicle structure, restricting angular and linear motion, ensuring the sensor remains aligned and stable during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is mounted on a movable panel that articulates between open and closed positions, then the sensor can be repositioned or accessed, but the sensor alignment and stability deteriorate due to potential misalignment and displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into multiple independent components: a bracket fixed to the movable panel, actuatable pins that engage with the vehicle structure, and spring couplers that provide resilient connection. This segmentation allows the sensor to be repositioned by manipulating individual components while maintaining stability when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic state during panel articulation, then returns to a stable fixed position when engaged. The spring couplers enable dynamic adjustment during movement while maintaining rigid fixation during operation, resolving the contradiction between repositioning capability and alignment stability.
2Reliability
If the bracket is rigidly fixed to the vehicle structure, then sensor alignment stability is improved, but the ability to articulate the movable panel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is designed to be dynamic during panel articulation and static during sensor operation. The spring couplers and actuatable pins allow the bracket to move with the panel during articulation, then lock into a fixed position relative to the vehicle structure when engaged, enabling both panel versatility and sensor stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring couplers automatically adjust to maintain connection between the bracket and vehicle structure during panel movement, and the actuatable pins self-lock into place when engaged, providing automatic stabilization without requiring continuous external control.
3Reliability
If actuatable pins are used to fix the bracket, then sensor displacement is restricted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-component mechanical mounting system is replaced with a simplified electromechanical system where electromechanical switches directly actuate the pins. This substitution reduces mechanical linkages and simplifies the control mechanism while maintaining effective displacement restriction.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring couplers provide automatic mechanical assistance by using spring force to maintain engagement between the bracket and vehicle structure, reducing the need for complex active control mechanisms and simplifying the overall system while ensuring reliable displacement restriction.
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
The solution effectively restricts sensor displacement to less than a threshold amount, maintaining accuracy and reliability by ensuring the sensor remains aligned with the vehicle body, even when the movable panel is in the closed position, thereby enhancing the vehicle's ability to detect objects and navigate effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a spring coupler to couple to the bracket, the spring coupler including a plurality of springs
Implementation Method 2
a first electromechanical switch mounted to the fixed vehicle structure and positioned to apply a force to engage the first actuatable pin into a first receptacle of the bracket
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly includes a fixed vehicle structure and a vehicle panel that is movable relative to the fixed vehicle structure between an open position and a closed position. The sensor assembly additionally includes a bracket mounted to the movable vehicle panel, a sensor mounted to the bracket, and a first pin that is actuatable to fix the bracket to the fixed vehicle structure when the movable vehicle panel is in the closed position.