Sensor Pod Mounting Assembly for Quick Swap and Secure Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for installing and uninstalling sensor pods on vehicles are inefficient, often requiring complex procedures and additional support structures, and do not adequately address the need for quick swap capabilities and universal attachment solutions.
Innovation Solution
A connecting assembly comprising a sensor pod arm and bracket that allows for alignment, secure attachment, and easy removal, featuring a support axle for weight management and quick swap functionality, with shear bolts for vibration prevention and flexible crumple zones to minimize damage in collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional installation methods are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The installation process is segmented into distinct phases: positioning the sensor pod arm on the bracket, supporting weight on the support axle, and then securing with fasteners. This segmentation allows for quick initial attachment followed by secure fastening, reducing overall installation time while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The support axle is pre-positioned on the bracket before the sensor pod arm is fully attached. This preliminary action provides immediate weight support and stabilization, enabling quick swap capabilities while ensuring secure attachment during the subsequent fastening step
2Reliability
If complex procedures are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support axle automatically positions itself to support the weight of the sensor pod arm when lowered onto the bracket. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional support structures or complex alignment procedures, allowing a single operator to perform installation easily while ensuring secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket and support axle assembly is designed as a universal attachment system that can accommodate multiple sensor pod types and vehicle styles. This multi-functionality simplifies the installation procedure across different applications while maintaining reliable attachment through standardized fastening mechanisms
3Weight of moving object
If additional support structures are used, then weight support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is extracted as a separate, dedicated component (the support axle) that is integrated into the bracket assembly. This extracted support mechanism handles weight support independently, allowing the rest of the attachment system to focus on secure fastening, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving weight support capability
Data Source
AI summary
A method of installing a sensor pod on a vehicle includes aligning a sensor pod arm with a bracket attached to the vehicle, lowering the sensor pod arm onto the bracket, supporting the weight of the sensor pod on a support axle between the bracket and the sensor pod arm before rigidly coupling the sensor pod arm to the bracket, rotating the sensor pod arm into alignment with the bracket, and securing the sensor pod arm to the bracket. A method of uninstalling the sensor pod on a vehicle.