DAMAGE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A VEHICLE-BASED SENSOR

• US 20090037049A1
• Filed: 07/31/2008
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chemring Sensors and Electronic Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: NIITEK, Inc.
• Inventors: Clodfelter, James F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,140,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 63/00 Lifting or adjusting devices or arrangements for agricultural machines or implements lifting mechanisms for the cutter-bar of a mower A01D34/24; adjusting devices for the cutter-bar of a mower A01D34/28; constructional features of lifting devices per se B66F

Abstract

A damage control system for a vehicle-mounted sensor comprises at least one sensor frame. At least one sliding mechanism is coupled to the at least one sensor frame and configured to provide a path for the sensor frame to move forwards or backwards, or both. At least one height-adjustment mechanism is coupled to the sliding mechanism and configured to raise, lower, or both, the sensor frame.

Claims

1. A damage control system for a vehicle-mounted sensor comprising:

at least one sensor frame configured to hold a vehicle-mounted sensor;

at least one sliding mechanism coupled to the at least one sensor frame and configured to provide a path for the at least one sensor frame to move forwards or backwards, or both; and

at least one height-adjustment mechanism coupled to the sliding mechanism and configured to raise, lower, or both, the at least one sensor frame.

2. The system of claim 1, further including at least one pivot mechanism coupled to the at least one sensor frame and configured such that the at least one sensor frame pivots in an upward, downward, sideways direction, or any combination thereof.

3. The system of claim 1, further including at least one pivot coupled to the at least one sliding mechanism and configured such that the at least one sensor frame pivots in an upward, downward, sideways direction, or any combination thereof.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sliding mechanism includes at least one rail configured to provide at least one track for the at least one sensor frame to move forwards, backwards, or both.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one height-adjustment mechanism includes an acme screw, a spring, an actuator, a rack and pinion arrangement, a motor-gear arrangement, or a pulley arrangement, or any combination thereof.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one pivot mechanism includes one or more pivot points around which the at least one sensor frame pivots to a left side or right side of the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1, further including at least one height controller in communication with the at least one height-adjustment mechanism, the height controller being configured to control the at least one height-adjustment mechanism to raise, lower, or both, the at least one sensor frame.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one height controller is configured to receive a signal from the vehicle-mounted sensor to control the at least one height-adjustment mechanism.

9. The system of claim 1, further including a magnet coupled to the at least one sliding mechanism and a metal plate coupled to the at least one sensor frame, wherein the at least one sensor frame is configured to be deployed upon engagement of the magnet and the metal plate.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor frame is configured to slide along the at least one sliding mechanism upon disengagement of the magnet and the metal plate.

11. The system of claim 1, further including at least one spring and roller mechanism coupled between the at least one sensor frame and the at least one sliding mechanism, wherein the vehicle-mounted sensor is deployed when the at least one spring and roller mechanism is locked into a slot on the at least one sliding mechanism or the at least one sensor frame.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one sensor frame is configured to slide along the at least one sliding mechanism when the at least one spring and roller mechanism moves out of the slot on the at least one sliding mechanism or the at least one sensor frame.

13. The system of claim 1, further including at least one counterbalancing mechanism coupled to the at least one sensor frame and configured to counter balance a load of the vehicle-mounted sensor such that the at least one sensor frame slides along the path provided by the at least one sliding mechanism.

14. A method of moving a vehicle-mounted sensor, the method comprising:

receiving a force acting on a vehicle-mounted sensor; and

sliding at least one sensor frame coupled to the vehicle-mounted sensor backwards along a path provided to move the at least one sensor frame upon the receipt of the force acting on the vehicle-mounted sensor.

15. The method of claim 14, further including lifting the at least one sensor frame upwards upon the receipt of the force acting on the vehicle-mounted sensor.

16. The method of claim 14, further including pivoting the at least one sensor frame around a pivoting mechanism upon the receipt of the force acting on the vehicle-mounted sensor.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the sliding includes moving the at least one sensor frame along at least one rail provided for the at least one sensor frame to move forwards, backwards, or both.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the lifting includes operating an acme screw, a spring, an actuator, a rack and pinion arrangement, a motor-gear arrangement, or a pulley arrangement, or any combination thereof.

19. The method of claim 14, further including raising or lowering the at least one sensor frame based on at least one signal received from the vehicle-mounted sensor.

20. A vehicle configured to carry a sensor suite, the vehicle comprising:

a chassis;

an engine operably coupled to the chassis;

at least one sensor frame configured to hold a vehicle-mounted sensor;

at least one sliding mechanism coupled to the at least one sensor frame and configured to provide a path for the at least one sensor frame to move forwards or backwards, or both; and

at least one height-adjustment mechanism coupled to the sliding mechanism and configured to raise, lower, or both, the at least one sensor frame.

21. The vehicle of claim 20, further including at least one pivot mechanism coupled to the at least one sensor frame and configured such that the at least one sensor frame pivots in an upward, downward, sideways direction, or any combination thereof.

22. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein the at least one height-adjustment mechanism includes an acme screw, a spring, an actuator, a rack and pinion arrangement, a motor-gear arrangement, or a pulley arrangement, or any combination thereof.

23. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein the at least one pivot mechanism includes one or more pivot points around which the at least one sensor frame pivots to a left side or right side of the vehicle.

24. The vehicle of claim 20, further including at least one height controller in communication with the at least one height-adjustment mechanism, the height controller being configured to control the at least one height-adjustment mechanism to raise, lower, or both, the at least one sensor frame.

25. The vehicle of claim 20, further including one or more shear points, the one or more shear points being located on the vehicle such that one or more portions of the vehicle shear away on impact.

26. The vehicle of claim 20, further including one or more shock absorbers, the one or more shock absorbers being configured to reduce vibrations felt by the vehicle during operation of the vehicle.

27. The vehicle of claim 20, further including at least one counterbalancing mechanism coupled to the at least one sensor frame and configured to counter balance a load of the vehicle-mounted sensor such that the at least one sensor frame slides along the path provided by the at least one sliding mechanism.