Side Mirror Sensor Assembly for Large Vehicle Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large vehicles such as trucks and buses face challenges in equipping sensors for autonomous driving due to placement concerns and high costs, particularly in providing comprehensive fields of view and maintaining sensors, which are often impractical on the roof and can interfere with aerodynamics.
Innovation Solution
A sensor tower assembly is integrated into the side view mirror housing of large vehicles, co-locating LIDAR, radar, and camera sensors with conduits for power, data, and cooling, allowing for enhanced fields of view and simplified installation, and enabling operation in autonomous or semi-autonomous modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If sensors are placed on the roof of large vehicles, then comprehensive fields of view can be achieved, but it interferes with aerodynamics and increases installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional roof-mounted sensor placement (horizontal dimension) to side-view mirror integrated sensor placement (vertical dimension along the vehicle side). This dimensional change allows sensors to achieve comprehensive fields of view while avoiding aerodynamic interference on the roof, as the side-mounted position is below the main airflow path.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are equipped on large vehicles for autonomous driving, then sensing capability is improved, but cost and installation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (LIDAR, radar, cameras) into a single integrated housing unit mounted on the side-view mirror. This merging approach maintains comprehensive sensing capability while reducing installation complexity by treating the sensor array as one modular component rather than multiple separate installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The side-view mirror housing serves multiple functions: it acts as both the traditional mirror support structure and as an integrated housing for multiple sensors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional mounting structures and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Ease of manufacture
If sensors are placed in an integrated housing on the side of the vehicle, then installation is simplified and cost is reduced, but field of view may be limited compared to roof placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable and articulating mounting mechanisms that allow the sensor housing to dynamically adjust its orientation and position. This enables the side-mounted sensors to optimize their fields of view for different driving conditions, compensating for the inherent limitations of side-mounted placement.
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 cost-effective and practical sensor placement, enhancing visibility and redundancy while reducing installation complexity and maintaining sensor integrity, allowing for efficient operation in various autonomous driving modes.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of sensors includes a pair of light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of sensors further includes at least one of a radar sensor and a camera sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The technology relates to autonomous vehicles for transporting cargo and/or people between locations. Distributed sensor arrangements may not be suitable for vehicles such as large trucks, busses or construction vehicles. Side view mirror assemblies are provided that include a sensor suite of different types of sensors, including LIDAR, radar, cameras, etc. Each side assembly is rigidly secured to the vehicle by a mounting element. The sensors within the assembly may be aligned or arranged relative to a common axis or physical point of the housing. This enables self-referenced calibration of all sensors in the housing. Vehicle-level calibration can also be performed between the sensors on the left and right sides of the vehicle. Each side view mirror assembly may include a conduit that provides one or more of power, data and cooling to the sensors in the housing.