Sensor Pod Connecting Assembly With In-Arm Lidar Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connecting assemblies for sensor pods on vehicles are burdened by the weight and size of sensors, cameras, and heat sinks, leading to significant structural rigidity requirements to counteract the moment generated, which can be improved by relocating components like scanning lidars within the assembly to reduce the moment arm and overall size.
Innovation Solution
The relocation of the scanning lidar and heat sink within the connecting assembly, allowing the scanning lidar to be positioned closer to the vehicle, thereby reducing the moment arm and weight distribution, while maintaining the heat dissipation functionality and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If sensors, cameras, and heat sinks are placed in the sensor pod housing, then the sensor pod can be compact, but the moment generated by the sensor pod increases due to the weight and size of these components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scanning lidar and heat sink from the sensor pod housing and relocates them to the connecting assembly. This separation removes the heavy heat-generating components from the sensor pod, thereby reducing the moment generated by the sensor pod while maintaining a compact sensor pod housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent redistributes components along the longitudinal axis of the connecting assembly rather than concentrating them in the sensor pod housing. By positioning the scanning lidar and heat sink within the connecting assembly structure, the design shifts the weight distribution to a different spatial dimension, reducing the moment arm of the sensor pod.
2Volume of stationary object
If the scanning lidar is positioned farther from the vehicle, then the sensor pod has more space for components, but the moment arm increases and structural rigidity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning lidar is extracted from the sensor pod housing and repositioned within the connecting assembly. This allows the sensor pod housing to be more compact while the scanning lidar is positioned at an optimal location in the connecting assembly that minimizes the moment arm relative to the vehicle mounting point.
Solution Approach 2:
The design preliminarily positions the scanning lidar and heat sink within the connecting assembly during the assembly design phase, optimizing their locations before final installation. This preliminary positioning ensures that the moment arm is minimized and structural rigidity requirements are reduced from the outset.
3Quantity of substance
If heavy components are concentrated in the sensor pod, then the sensor pod housing must be larger to accommodate them, but this increases the overall weight and moment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor system into two distinct parts: the sensor pod housing containing only the sensor pod and the connecting assembly containing the scanning lidar and heat sink. This segmentation distributes the heavy components away from the sensor pod, reducing sensor pod weight while maintaining proper component concentration in the connecting assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The heavy scanning lidar and heat sink are taken out from the sensor pod housing and placed in the connecting assembly. This extraction reduces the weight of the sensor pod while maintaining the necessary component concentration in the overall assembly structure.
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
This configuration reduces the moment generated by the sensor pod, allowing for a more compact and aerodynamically efficient design while maintaining the operational effectiveness of the sensors, and reduces the weight and size of the sensor pod, enhancing its mechanical and modular benefits.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink located within the arm
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting assembly for coupling a sensor pod to a vehicle. The connecting assembly includes an arm and a scanning lidar located within the arm.