Integrated Vehicle Window Sensor Module for Low-Loss LiDAR
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle sensors, particularly LiDAR systems, face performance and efficiency issues when mounted internally due to photon deflection and absorption through windshields, and externally mounted sensors disrupt vehicle design.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle windshield with an integrated sensor module, featuring a prefabricated module housing that surrounds a cavity, allowing the sensor to be installed independently within the windshield without disrupting the vehicle's appearance, with the module housing designed to minimize photon deflection and absorption by optimizing the angle of sensor signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LiDAR sensors are mounted inside the vehicle behind the windshield, then the sensor is protected and integrated into the vehicle structure, but photon deflection, scattering, and absorption increase due to the shallow angle of the windshield relative to the road surface
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module is extracted from the interior mounting position behind the windshield and relocated to an external mounting position on the vehicle. This extraction removes the sensor from the problematic shallow-angle interaction with the windshield, eliminating photon deflection, scattering, and absorption while maintaining sensor protection through the module's own housing structure.
2Loss of energy
If LiDAR sensors are mounted externally in a separate sensor enclosure, then photon loss is reduced, but the vehicle's design is disrupted as the sensor housing cannot be integrated smoothly into the vehicle's external appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module is merged with the vehicle's external body structure, specifically integrating it into the rear window assembly. The module housing is designed to form part of the vehicle's external contours, creating a seamless integration that maintains aerodynamic properties and aesthetic appearance while providing external mounting benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear window assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the vehicle's rear window function, structural support, and housing for the LiDAR sensor module. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensor enclosures, maintaining clean vehicle design while achieving external sensor mounting.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are attached separately to the windshield or other vehicle components, then installation flexibility is increased, but device complexity and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module is merged into the rear window assembly as an integrated unit during manufacturing. This combining of the sensor module with the window assembly reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps required during vehicle production, while maintaining the flexibility of external mounting.
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
Enables high-efficiency LiDAR operation by reducing photon deflection and absorption, maintaining vehicle aesthetics, and allowing seamless integration of sensors without additional vehicle assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The distance to an object is determined by measuring the time of flight of the laser pulses emitted by the LiDaR sensor and reflected by the object
Implementation Method 2
LiDAR (LiDAR) has proven advantageous. Li ght D detection a and RLiDaR systems have proven effective, using laser pulses with an infrared wavelength to scan the environment point by point
Implementation Method 3
laser pulses emitted by the LiDaR sensor and reflected by the object
Implementation Method 4
the angle of the windshield relative to the road surface means that the laser pulses must pass through the windshield at a very shallow angle, resulting in relatively high deflection, scattering, and absorption of the emitted and reflected photons
Implementation Method 5
resulting in relatively high deflection, scattering, and absorption of the emitted and reflected photons
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle window pane (1) having an integrated sensor module (3), which vehicle window pane comprises: - a window pane main body (2) having a recess (4), - a sensor module (3) which is designed as a prefabricated assembly and has a module housing (18) which forms a cavity (21) in which at least one sensor (22) is accommodated, wherein the module housing (18) forming the cavity (21) is inserted into the recess (4) and fastened to the window pane main body (2), wherein an outer surface (25) of the module housing (18) and an outer surface (I) of the window pane main body (2) together form an outer surface (44) of the vehicle window pane (1).