Pod connection for Autonomous Vehicle Sensors

• US 20180150083A1
• Filed: 11/29/2016
• Published: 05/31/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2016
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Waymo LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Waymo LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Izadian, Jamal
• Application Number:
  US15/363,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20180150083A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/023 for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/00 Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0231 using optical position detecting means position-fixing by using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. optical position detecting means G01S5/16
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0255 using acoustic signals, e.g. ultra-sonic singals sonar systems designed for anti-collision purposes G01S15/93
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0268 using internal positioning means

Abstract

Examples relating to vehicle radar systems are described. An example radar system may include a sensor unit. The sensor unit includes a plurality of sensors configured to sense the environment of a vehicle. The sensor unit also includes a coupling portion configured to couple the sensor unit to a vehicle. The coupling portion includes a power supply connection and a data bus. The data bus may be configured to provide information to a control system of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicular system comprising:

a control system configured to provide autonomous control to a vehicle; and

a connector coupled to a roof of the vehicle configured to enable a sensor unit to couple to the vehicle, wherein the connector comprises;

a power supply connection; and

a data bus, wherein the data bus is coupled to the control system.

2. The vehicular system of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a thermal connection configured to remove heat from the sensor unit.

3. The vehicular system of claim 1, wherein the data bus is configured to provide vehicular control instructions from the sensor unit to the control system.

4. The vehicular system of claim 1, wherein the data bus is configured to provide sensor data from the sensor unit to the control system.

5. The vehicular system of claim 1, further comprising a conversion unit configured to:

determine an object in an environment of the vehicle; and

communicate control signals to the vehicle by way of the data bus, wherein the control signals are based on the determined object

6. The vehicular system of claim 5, wherein the conversion unit is further configured to convert a voltage provided by the power supply connection to at least one voltage of the sensor unit.

7. The vehicular system of claim 1, wherein the connector is configured to removably couple the sensor unit to the vehicle.

8. A sensor unit comprising:

a plurality of sensors configured to sense an environment of a vehicle; and

a coupling portion of the sensor unit configured to couple the sensor unit to the vehicle, the coupling portion comprising;

a power supply connection; and

a data bus, wherein the data bus is configured to provide information to a control system of the vehicle.

9. The sensor unit of claim 8, further comprising a conversion unit configured to:

determine an object in the environment of the vehicle; and

communicate control signals to the vehicle by way of the data bus, wherein the control signals are based on the determined object.

10. The sensor unit of claim 9, wherein the conversion unit is further configured to convert a voltage provided by the power supply connection to at least one voltage of the sensor unit.

11. The sensor unit of claim 8, wherein the coupling portion is configured to removably couple the sensor unit to the vehicle.

12. The sensor unit of claim 8, wherein the coupling portion further comprises a thermal connection configured to remove heat from the sensor unit.

13. The sensor unit of claim 8, wherein the data bus is configured to provide vehicular control instructions from the sensor unit to the control system of the vehicle.

14. The sensor unit of claim 8, wherein the data bus is configured to provide sensor data from the sensor unit to the control system of the vehicle.

15. A method comprising:

providing a control system configured to provide autonomous control to a vehicle; and

providing a connector coupled to a roof of the vehicle configured to enable a sensor unit to couple to the vehicle, wherein the connector comprises;

a power supply connection; and

a data bus, wherein the data bus is coupled to the control system.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a conversion unit configured to:

determine an object in an environment of the vehicle; and

communicate control signals to the vehicle by way of the data bus, wherein the control signals are based on the determined object.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the conversion unit is further configured to convert a voltage provided by the power supply connection to at least one voltage of the sensor unit.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a thermal connection configured to remove heat from the sensor unit.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the data bus is configured to provide vehicular control instructions from the sensor unit to the control system of the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the data bus is configured to provide sensor data from the sensor unit to the control system of the vehicle.