Vehicle sensor mounting systems

• US 10,196,007 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2016
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Nickolaou, James N., Gray, Jeremy P., Decker, Stephen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Millner, Monica E
• Application Number:
  US15/353,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20180134234A1
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 2482781
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0087 around two axes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0092 with motorization
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/04 Balancing means
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00

Abstract

Systems are provided for mounting a sensor to a vehicle. In one embodiment, a sensor mounting system includes a mounting assembly coupled to a body of the vehicle. The mounting assembly has a first mounting plate spaced apart from a second mounting plate by at least one isolation member. The second mounting plate is coupled to the body of the vehicle. The sensor mounting system also includes a turret housing coupled to the first mounting plate so as to be movable relative to the first mounting plate. The turret housing defines at least one receptacle for a first sensing device.

Claims

1. A sensor mounting system for a vehicle, comprising:

a mounting assembly coupled to a body of the vehicle, the mounting assembly having a first mounting plate spaced apart from a second mounting plate by at least one isolation member, the second mounting plate coupled to the body of the vehicle; and

a turret housing coupled to the first mounting plate so as to be movable relative to the first mounting plate, the turret housing defining at least one receptacle for a first sensing device,

wherein the turret housing includes a counterbore, and the mounting assembly is received within the counterbore such that the turret housing substantially surrounds the mounting assembly.

2. The sensor mounting system of claim 1, wherein the turret housing is movable relative to the vehicle in one degree of freedom.

3. The sensor mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a first slip ring that couples the turret housing to the first mounting plate.

4. The sensor mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a drive system that moves the turret housing relative to the first mounting plate, with a portion of the drive system coupled to the first mounting plate.

5. The sensor mounting system of claim 4, wherein the drive system further comprises a motor, a drive gear and a driven ring gear, the motor having an output shaft coupled to the drive gear, and the drive gear is coupled to the driven ring gear such that an activation of the motor drives the drive gear, which drives the driven ring gear.

6. The sensor mounting system of claim 5, wherein the first mounting plate defines a chamber, and the drive gear of the drive system is received within the chamber.

7. The sensor mounting system of claim 5, wherein the driven ring gear is coupled to the turret housing.

8. The sensor mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a gimbal that includes a second sensing device and the gimbal is coupled to the first mounting plate.

9. The sensor mounting system of claim 1, wherein the at least one isolation member is at least one spring.

10. A sensor mounting system for a vehicle, comprising:

a mounting assembly coupled to a body of the vehicle, the mounting assembly having a first mounting plate spaced apart from a second mounting plate by at least one isolation member, the second mounting plate coupled to the body of the vehicle;

a turret housing coupled to the first mounting plate so as to be movable relative to the first mounting plate, the turret housing defining at least one receptacle for a first sensing device and the turret housing substantially surrounds the mounting assembly; and

a gimbal including a second sensing device coupled to the first mounting plate.

11. The sensor mounting system of claim 10, wherein the turret housing is movable relative to the vehicle in one degree of freedom.

12. The sensor mounting system of claim 10, further comprising a drive system that moves the turret housing relative to the first mounting plate, with a portion of the drive system coupled to the first mounting plate.

13. The sensor mounting system of claim 12, wherein the drive system further comprises a motor, a drive gear and a driven ring gear, the motor having an output shaft coupled to the drive gear, and the drive gear is coupled to the driven ring gear such that an activation of the motor drives the drive gear, which drives the driven ring gear.

14. The sensor mounting system of claim 13, wherein the first mounting plate defines a chamber, and the drive gear of the drive system is received within the chamber.

15. The sensor mounting system of claim 13, wherein the driven ring gear is coupled to the turret housing.

16. The sensor mounting system of claim 10, wherein the turret housing includes a counterbore, and the mounting assembly is received within the counterbore.

17. An autonomous vehicle, comprising:

a spring plate coupled to a body of the autonomous vehicle, the spring plate having a first mounting plate spaced apart from a second mounting plate by at least one spring, the second mounting plate coupled to the body of the autonomous vehicle;

a turret housing coupled to the first mounting plate so as to be movable relative to the first mounting plate, the turret housing defining at least one receptacle for a first sensing device and a counterbore, with the spring plate at least partially received within the counterbore such that the turret housing substantially surrounds the spring plate; and

a gimbal including a second sensing device coupled to the first mounting plate.

18. The autonomous vehicle of claim 17, further comprising a drive system that moves the turret housing relative to the first mounting plate, with a portion of the drive system coupled to the first mounting plate.

19. The autonomous vehicle of claim 18, wherein the drive system further comprises a motor, a drive gear and a driven ring gear, the motor having an output shaft coupled to the drive gear, and the drive gear is coupled to the driven ring gear such that an activation of the motor drives the drive gear, which drives the driven ring gear;

and

wherein the first mounting plate defines a chamber, and the drive gear of the drive system is received within the chamber.