Vehicle End Structural Unit for Centralized Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of multiple environment sensing systems in vehicles is costly and limits design flexibility due to the need for complex component adjustments and space constraints, particularly in headlight and taillight installations.
Innovation Solution
A structural unit with a support body housing multiple environment sensing systems, allowing for centralized integration and pre-adjustment, detachable lighting device housings, and a transparent front cover with a cleaning system, enabling easier installation and design freedom by relocating control devices and sensors from lighting housings to a central support body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If environment sensing systems are integrated into headlights or tail lights, then sensor functionality is achieved, but headlight and tail light size must be increased to accommodate sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the environment sensing systems from the headlight and tail light assemblies and relocates them to a separate structural unit positioned in the front or rear end of the vehicle. This extraction allows headlights and tail lights to be reduced to their essential lighting functions without the burden of accommodating large sensor components, directly resolving the contradiction between sensor functionality and lighting component size.
2Reliability
If multiple environment sensing systems are integrated into vehicle components, then sensing capability is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple environment sensing systems (lidar, radar, cameras) into a single integrated structural unit that houses all sensors in a coordinated arrangement. This consolidation reduces the number of separate installations required, simplifies mounting procedures, and lowers overall installation complexity and cost while maintaining comprehensive sensing capability across all vehicle functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses environment sensing systems for autonomous driving, provides structural support for front or rear end assembly, and offers a standardized mounting platform that can be applied across different vehicle models. This multi-functionality reduces the need for model-specific sensor installations, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If environment sensing systems are integrated into various vehicle components, then sensor deployment is achieved, but design flexibility of vehicle components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting sensors from integrated positions within headlights, tail lights, and other vehicle components, the patent restores design flexibility to these components. They can now be optimized for their primary functions (lighting, aerodynamics, styling) without being constrained by sensor integration requirements, while sensors are deployed effectively through the separate structural unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the vehicle front or rear end into distinct functional modules: the structural unit containing all sensing systems, and the lighting components (headlights, tail lights) optimized for their primary functions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each module, enhancing overall design flexibility while ensuring comprehensive sensor deployment for autonomous driving operations.
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 reduces installation complexity and design constraints, allowing for smaller, more versatile headlights and tail lights, while maintaining sensor functionality and protection from environmental influences.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent front cover with a cleaning system, enabling easier installation and design freedom
Data Source
AI summary
A structural unit for provision in the front end or in the tail end of a motor vehicle, wherein the structural unit comprises a support body and at least two environment sensing systems, wherein the environment sensing systems are received on the support body.