Sensor Pod Connecting Assembly With Controlled Shear Disconnect

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved connecting assemblies for sensor pods on vehicles that can reduce damage and debris in collisions, facilitate quick swapping, provide universal attachment, and ensure secure yet flexible mounting to handle various sensor pod types and vehicle styles.

Innovation Solution

The connecting assembly includes a conduit connector on the sensor pod housing, a conduit extending to the vehicle, and a conduit connector point with varying shear strengths, along with a pivoting arm and bracket system that allows rotation and slack in conduits to prevent damage and facilitate easy installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the conduit connector point has high shear strength to secure the conduit connection, then connection reliability is improved, but damage during collisions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit connection reliabilityVSAvoidcollision damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit connector point is designed with differentiated shear strength characteristics - the connector point itself has lower shear strength than the conduit, creating a controlled weak point that sacrifices itself during collisions to protect the more valuable conduit from damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lower shear strength of the conduit connector point is intentionally designed to fail first during collisions, converting the harmful collision force into a beneficial protective mechanism that prevents greater damage to the conduit and sensor pod system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the arm is rigidly fixed to prevent movement, then connection stability is improved, but adaptability to different sensor pod types decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidsensor pod compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The arm is designed with pivot capability between first and second positions, allowing it to dynamically adjust its configuration. This enables the same arm structure to accommodate different sensor pod types and vehicle styles while maintaining stable connection through the pivot mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the conduit is made taut to ensure secure connection, then connection reliability is improved, but damage during arm pivoting increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit connection reliabilityVSAvoidconduit damage during pivoting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit is designed with flexibility to accommodate arm movement, allowing it to bend and flex as the arm pivots between positions. This flexible design prevents damage during pivoting while the connector point maintains reliable electrical connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution provides a secure, vibration-resistant connection that minimizes damage during collisions, allows quick swapping of sensor pods, and supports universal attachment to different vehicles, ensuring reliable data transmission while reducing debris and operational complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the conduit connector point has a first shear strength when the conduit is in tension and the conduit has a second shear strength when the conduit is in tension, the first shear strength being less than the second shear strength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear strength differential: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 2

the arm is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivoting rotation: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

the conduit has a length of slack such that the conduit remains connected to the conduit connector at the conduit connector point when the arm is pivoted between the first position and the second position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConduit slack: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20230382322A1Connecting assembly for a sensor pod

Publication Date: 2023.11.30 KODIAK ROBOTICS INC

AI summary

A connecting assembly for connecting sensors in a sensor pod to a vehicle. The connecting assembly has a conduit connector located on a housing of the sensor pod, a conduit configured to connect with the conduit connector and extending from the conduit connector to the vehicle, and a conduit connector point located at a connection between the conduit connector and the conduit. The conduit connector point has a first shear strength when the conduit is in tension and the conduit has a second shear strength when the conduit is in tension. The first shear strength is less than the second shear strength.