Vehicle Sensor Mounting Structure With Adjustable Damped Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor mounting devices for vehicles lack robustness and integration capabilities, particularly in environments with vibrations and debris, which can impact the functionality of sensors in autonomous driving systems and other demanding applications.

Innovation Solution

A sensor mounting device with adjustable connecting elements that allow for precise calibration and easy replacement of sensors, incorporating features like adjustment screws, ball joints, and damping elements to ensure robustness and protection from external factors, along with an integrated cleaning system for maintaining sensor performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If commercially available sensor mounting devices are used, then basic mounting function is provided, but robustness against vibrations and debris is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor functionality under vibration and debrisVSAvoidmounting device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting device is divided into separate functional modules: a mounting body for attachment to the vehicle, a sensor holder for securing the sensor, and adjustable connecting elements with damping components. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall robustness against vibrations and debris.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Damping elements are pre-integrated into the connecting elements between the mounting body and sensor holder. These damping components are designed beforehand to absorb and reduce vibrations before they reach the sensor, providing proactive protection rather than reactive correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If fixed mounting structures are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but sensor calibration and replacement difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor calibration and replacementVSAvoidsensor orientation consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting elements incorporate adjustable mechanisms that allow the sensor holder to be positioned at different angles and orientations relative to the mounting body. This dynamic adjustability enables precise sensor calibration while maintaining secure fixed positions once calibrated, resolving the conflict between ease of adjustment and orientation consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting device allows adjustment of geometric parameters such as the angle and distance between the mounting body and sensor holder through the connecting elements. This parameter adjustability facilitates easy sensor calibration and replacement while ensuring consistent orientation through precise positioning capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If integrated cleaning system is added, then sensor performance maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor performance consistencyVSAvoidmounting device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system is merged with the existing mounting device structure, integrating cleaning nozzles and fluid delivery mechanisms into the mounting body and connecting elements. This combination provides sensor performance maintenance functionality while minimizing additional structural complexity by utilizing the existing device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution provides a robust, cost-efficient sensor mounting system that maintains sensor orientation and functionality, enhances integration, and minimizes the need for sensor removal during maintenance or calibration, while protecting against debris and vibrations, thereby ensuring reliable sensing performance in harsh environments.

Implementation Method 1

the at least two connecting elements are adapted to adjust an inclination of the object attachment member relative to the sensor attachment member by adjusting the distance in the longitudinal direction between portions of the object attachment member and the sensor attachment member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical adjustment:

Implementation Method 2

The damping elements are used to damp vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11796656B2Sensor mounting device, sensor assembly and vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 CPAC SYST

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a sensor mounting device for mounting a sensor to an object The device comprises an object attachment member for attaching the sensor mounting device to the object, a sensor attachment member for attaching the sensor to the sensor mounting device, wherein the object attachment member and the sensor attachment member are located at a distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of the sensor mounting device. The object attachment member and the sensor attachment member are connected by at least two connecting elements, and the at least two connecting elements are adapted to adjust an inclination of the object attachment member relative to the sensor attachment member by adjusting the distance in the longitudinal direction between portions of the object attachment member and the sensor attachment member. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a sensor assembly and a vehicle comprising a sensor mounting device.