Sensor Array for Autonomous Vehicle

• US 20180086280A1
• Filed: 09/27/2016
• Published: 03/29/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: NGUYEN, Trong Duy
• Granted Patent: US 10,488,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/87 Combinations of systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/9327 Sensor installation details
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4813 Housing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/02 Control of position or course in two dimensions

Abstract

A sensor array for an autonomous vehicle. The sensor array includes a center sensor mounted to a center sensor mounting device, which is configured to telescope to adjust a height of the center sensor. A first side sensor is mounted to a first side sensor mounting device, which is configured to pivot to adjust an angle of the first side sensor. A second side sensor is mounted to a second side sensor mounting device, which is configured to pivot to adjust an angle of the second side sensor.

Claims

1. A sensor array for an autonomous vehicle, the sensor array comprising:

a center sensor mounted to a center sensor mounting device configured to telescope to adjust a height of the center sensor;

a first side sensor mounted to a first side sensor mounting device configured to pivot to adjust an angle of the first side sensor; and

a second side sensor mounted to a second side sensor mounting device configured to pivot to adjust an angle of the second side sensor.

2. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein each one of the center sensor, the first side sensor, and the second side sensor is a LIDAR sensor.

3. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein each one of the center sensor, the first side sensor, and the second side sensor includes a housing with LIDAR lasers therein.

4. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein each one of the center sensor mounting device, the first side sensor mounting device, and the second side sensor mounting device is mounted to a base configured to be mounted to a roof of a vehicle.

5. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein:

the first side sensor mounting device is configured to telescope to vary a height of the first side sensor; and

the second side sensor mounting device is configured to telescope to vary a height of the second side sensor.

6. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein:

the center sensor mounting device is configured to move the center sensor from an active position to a storage position;

the first side sensor mounting device is configured to move the first side sensor from an active position to a storage position; and

the second side sensor mounting device is configured to move the second side sensor from an active position to a storage position.

7. The sensor array of claim 6, wherein the center sensor mounting device is configured to rotate the center sensor to move the center sensor from the active position to the storage position.

8. The sensor array of claim 7, wherein the center sensor mounting device is configured to rotate towards a rear of the vehicle from a vertical position in the active position to horizontal position in the storage position.

9. The sensor array of claim 6, wherein:

the first side sensor mounting device is configured to move towards the center sensor to move the first side sensor from the active position to the storage position; and

the second side sensor mounting device is configured to move towards the center sensor to move the second side sensor from the active position to the storage position.

10. The sensor array of claim 6, wherein:

the first side sensor mounting device is configured to rotate towards the center sensor to move the first side sensor from the active position to the storage position; and

the second side sensor mounting device is configured to rotate towards the center sensor to move the second side sensor from the active position to the storage position.

11. The sensor array of claim 1, further comprising a motor configured to move at least one of the center sensor mounting device, the first side sensor mounting device, and the second side sensor mounting device.

12. The sensor array of claim 1, wherein the sensor array has only three sensors consisting of the center sensor, the first side sensor, and the second side sensor.

13. A sensor array for an autonomous vehicle, the sensor array comprising:

a center LIDAR sensor mounted to a center sensor mounting device configured to telescope to adjust a height of the center sensor, and configured to move the center LIDAR sensor from an active position to a storage position;

a first side LIDAR sensor mounted to a first side sensor mounting device configured to pivot to adjust an angle of the first side LIDAR sensor, and configured to move the first side LIDAR sensor from an active position to a storage position; and

a second side LIDAR sensor mounted to a second side sensor mounting device configured to pivot to adjust an angle of the second side LIDAR sensor, and configured to move the second side LIDAR sensor from an active position to a storage position;

wherein the sensor array has only three sensors consisting of the center LIDAR sensor, the first side LIDAR sensor, and the second side LIDAR sensor.

14. The sensor array of claim 13, wherein each one of the center sensor mounting device, the first side sensor mounting device, and the second side sensor mounting device is mounted to a base that is configured to be mounted to a roof of a vehicle.

15. The sensor array of claim 13, wherein each one of the center LIDAR sensor, the first side LIDAR sensor, and the second side LIDAR sensor includes a housing with LIDAR lasers therein.

16. The sensor array of claim 13, wherein:

the first side sensor mounting device is configured to telescope to vary a height of the first side sensor; and

the second side sensor mounting device is configured to telescope to vary a height of the second side sensor.

17. The sensor array of claim 13, wherein the center sensor mounting device is configured to:

rotate the center sensor to move the center sensor from the active position to the storage position; and

rotate towards a rear of the vehicle from a vertical position in the active position to horizontal position in the storage position.

18. The sensor array of claim 13, further comprising a motor configured to move at least one of the center sensor mounting device, the first side sensor mounting device, and the second side sensor mounting device.

19. The sensor array of claim 13, wherein each one of the center sensor mounting device, the first side sensor mounting device, and the second side sensor mounting device includes a hinge.