Rotating Sensor Carrier for Adaptive AV Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in maintaining optimal sensor coverage due to fixed sensor placements, which create blind spots and reduce their field of view as they move and navigate through changing environments, posing risks to safety and operation.
Innovation Solution
A rotating sensor positioning platform that dynamically repositions sensors on an autonomous vehicle, using a motorized actuator system and cable management to maintain connectivity and visibility, allowing sensors to adapt to changes in motion and environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sensors are mounted at fixed locations on the autonomous vehicle, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the field of view and coverage are reduced due to blind spots created by changes in motion and driving angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a rotating sensor platform that dynamically adjusts sensor positions and orientations based on vehicle motion and environmental conditions. The platform can rotate sensors to different angles and positions, transforming the static sensor mounting into a dynamic system that adapts to changing driving conditions, thereby eliminating blind spots while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
2Ease of operation
If sensors are mounted at fixed locations on the autonomous vehicle, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability is reduced due to blind spots that create significant risks to safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a control system that receives feedback from vehicle motion sensors, GPS data, and environmental sensors to automatically adjust the positioning of the sensor platform. This feedback mechanism ensures the sensor system maintains optimal coverage and reliability without requiring manual intervention, thus preserving ease of operation while significantly improving safety detection capability by eliminating blind spots.
3Loss of information
If a rotating sensor platform is implemented to improve field of view and coverage, then the loss of information is reduced, but the device complexity and ease of manufacture increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating sensor platform is designed as a multi-functional system that not only rotates sensors to improve coverage but also integrates cable management, power distribution, and control functions into a single unified structure. This universal design approach allows the system to perform multiple functions simultaneously, reducing the need for separate components and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the added rotational capability.
4Reliability
If a rotating sensor platform is implemented to improve field of view and coverage, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensor positioning system into modular segments including the rotating platform, sensor array, cable management system, and control unit. Each module can be manufactured and tested independently, then assembled into the complete system. This segmentation approach maintains ease of manufacture by allowing specialized production of each component while achieving the reliability benefits of a rotating platform that provides comprehensive environmental understanding.
Data Source
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.