Sensor module for automatic guided vehicles

• US 9,329,078 B1
• Filed: 10/13/2014
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Mahoney, Phillip C., Mundhenke, David D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, JAMEL E
• Application Number:
  US14/512,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20160103014A1
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 734/31
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0271 Housings; Attachments or accessories for photometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2001/0276 Protection
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/12 using one transmitter and one receiver
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0238 using obstacle or wall sensors G05D1/0246 and G05D1/0289 take precedence; lidar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S17/93

Abstract

A sensor module for a vehicle includes a sensor unit enclosed in a housing. The sensor unit has an active end which emits or receives said radiation beam. The housing has a removable cover, a back wall for mounting to the vehicle, a bottom wall, a first end wall and a second end wall spaced apart from the first end wall. The radiation beam is directed through an opening in the first end wall. The active end is internal to the housing and spaced apart internally from the first end wall. A hollow sleeve is received by the opening, and a portion of the sleeve receives at least a portion of the sensor unit. The active end of the sensor unit is inside the sleeve and spaced apart from an end of the sleeve.

Claims

1. A sensor module for a vehicle, the sensor module comprising:

a sensor unit, the sensor unit having an active end which emits or receives a radiation beam which is directed along an outer surface of the vehicle;

a housing enclosing the sensor unit, the housing having an end wall with an opening formed therein, the radiation beam being directed through said opening, said active end being internal to the housing and spaced apart internally from the end wall; and

a hollow sleeve that is received by the opening, the sleeve having a portion which receives a portion of the sensor unit, the active end of the sensor unit being inside the sleeve and spaced apart from an end of the sleeve.

2. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein:

the housing includes a removable cover.

3. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein:

the housing comprises cover, a back wall for mounting to the vehicle, a bottom wall, a further end wall spaced apart from the other end wall, the back wall, bottom wall and end walls enclosing the sensor unit.

4. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein:

the hollow sleeve includes internal threads which engage external threads on the sensor unit.

5. The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises:

an automatic guided vehicle (AGV).

6. The sensor module of claim 1, further comprising:

a drain hole having a lower end which opens at a bottom surface of the housing, and having an upper end which opens near the active end of the sensor unit.

7. The sensor module of claim 6, wherein:

the drain hole is positioned between the end wall and the active end of the sensor unit.

8. A sensor module for a vehicle, the sensor module comprising:

a sensor unit, the sensor unit having an active end which emits or receives a radiation beam which is directed along an outer surface of the vehicle;

a housing enclosing the sensor unit, the housing having a cover, a back wall for mounting to the vehicle, a bottom wall, a first end wall, a second end wall spaced apart from the first end wall, the back wall, bottom wall, cover and end walls enclosing the sensor unit, the first end wall having an opening formed therein, the radiation beam being directed through said opening, said active end being internal to the housing and spaced apart internally from the first end wall; and

;

a hollow sleeve that is received by the opening, a portion of the hollow sleeve receiving at least a portion of the sensor unit, the active end of the sensor unit being inside the sleeve and spaced apart from an end of the sleeve.

9. The sensor module of claim 8, wherein:

the cover is removable.

10. The sensor module of claim 8, wherein:

the hollow sleeve includes internal threads which engage external threads on the sensor unit.

11. The sensor module of claim 8, wherein the vehicle comprises:

an automatic guided vehicle (AGV).

12. The sensor module of claim 8, further comprising:

a drain hole having a lower end which opens at a bottom surface of the housing, and having an upper end which opens near the active end of the sensor unit.

13. The sensor module of claim 12, wherein:

the drain hole is positioned between the end wall and the active end of the sensor unit.