VEHICLE FORWARD SENSOR MODULE HOUSING AND COVER

• US 20200130607A1
• Filed: 10/23/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Parvizi, Milad, Falzone, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 11,173,850 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/04 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02 the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable adjustable arm-rests B60N2/75; adjustable head-rests B60N2/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3011 the back-rest being hinged on the cushion, e.g. "portefeuille movement"
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/305 the cushion being hinged on the vehicle frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/919 Positioning and locking mechanisms B60N2/16, B60N2/18, B60N2/22, B60N2/225 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/225 Small compartments, e.g. glove compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0024 Rear shelves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/043 mounted on or under a seat
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/28 Locks for glove compartments, console boxes, fuel inlet covers or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 9/047 comprising key-operated locks, e.g. a lock cylinder to drive auxiliary deadbolts or latch bolts E05C9/041 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/538 Interior lids
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93276 in the windshield area
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 : Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 : Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers

Abstract

A vehicle with sensor enabled features includes a vehicle frame, a windshield movable between a lowered position and a raised position where the windshield is coupled to the vehicle frame, and a forward sensor assembly coupled to the vehicle frame and including a sensor module disposed within a protective housing assembly. The protective housing assembly defines an open end and includes a front cover configured to removably couple to the protective housing assembly to selectively cover the open end. When the windshield is in the raised position, the windshield covers the open end to facilitate protecting the sensor module. When the windshield is in the lowered position, the front cover is configured to cover the open end to facilitate protecting the sensor module.

Claims

1. A vehicle having sensor enabled features, the vehicle comprising:

a vehicle frame;

a windshield movable between a lowered position and a raised position where the windshield is coupled to the vehicle frame;

a forward sensor assembly coupled to the vehicle frame and including a sensor module disposed within a protective housing assembly, wherein the protective housing assembly defines an open end facing the windshield; and

a front cover configured to removably couple to the protective housing assembly to selectively cover the open end,

wherein when the windshield is in the raised position, the windshield covers the open end to facilitate protecting the sensor module, and

wherein when the windshield is in the lowered position, the front cover is configured to cover the open end to facilitate protecting the sensor module during use of the vehicle with the windshield in the lowered position.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the forward sensor assembly is free from being coupled to the windshield.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle frame is a header extending between a pair of A-pillars, and wherein the forward sensor assembly is coupled to the header.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, further comprising a rearview mirror coupled to the header adjacent the forward sensor assembly.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the sensor module comprises a camera and a radar sensor.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the protective housing comprises:

a support bracket coupled to the vehicle frame; and

a main housing coupled to the support bracket and defining an enclosure for the sensor module.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the support bracket comprises a connecting member extending between a pair of arms.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein a distal end of each arm includes an aperture configured to receive a fastener for coupling the support bracket to the vehicle frame.

9. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the connecting member includes one or more apertures configured to receive a fastener for coupling the main housing to the support bracket.

10. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein each arm includes an aperture configured to receive a fastener for coupling the main housing to the support bracket.

11. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein a lower wall of the main housing includes a plurality of tabs extending outwardly therefrom configured to be received within corresponding slots formed in the front cover to facilitate coupling the front cover over the open end.

12. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein a rear wall of the main housing defines a rear opening configured to removably receive a rear cover.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the main housing rear wall defines a first plurality of tabs extending outwardly therefrom configured to engage a second plurality of tabs extending outwardly from the rear cover to facilitate coupling the rear cover to the main housing.

14. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the rear cover includes a plurality of fasteners extending outwardly therefrom configured to be received within slots formed in the main housing to facilitate coupling the rear cover to the main housing.

15. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the rear cover defines a plurality of vent slots configured to vent the main housing to cool the sensor module.

16. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the rear cover defines a clearance slot configured to receive a portion of a rearview mirror therethrough.

17. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the main housing includes a connection portion having a plurality of clips extending therefrom configured to couple to the vehicle frame.