SENSOR MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR A VEHICLE

A sensor mounting structure for a vehicle includes a support arm that extends at a first end from the vehicle body, and a sensor assembly attached to a second end of the support arm. The sensor assembly includes at least one mirror having a back side and a reflective side facing a first direction, and at least one sensor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a sensor mounting structure for a vehicle, and more particularly to a sensor mounting structure for a vehicle that is built into an existing side view mirror structure and that can be configured for both manual driving and autonomous driving.

BACKGROUND

Sensors are being disposed on surfaces of modern vehicles in ever increasing numbers. Such sensors are distributed all around a vehicle for collecting data on the vehicle surroundings in all directions for use in critical tasks, for example, including autonomous driving modes. In some instances, such sensors are added to a vehicle mounted on a winglet or other body extension from the surface, which takes away from the aesthetics of the vehicle and can result in an odd and/or cluttered look. Additional winglets or body extensions add complexity and cost to manufacture as well. A need therefore exists for a sensor mounting system that utilizes existing structures without having to add structures. It would be useful if such a mounting system could be added to existing structures without limiting or decreasing their existing functionality, for example, if such a mounting system could seamlessly accommodate both manual driving using mirrors without sensors and autonomous driving using sensors without mirrors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a sensor mounting structure for a vehicle comprises a support arm that extends at a first end from the vehicle body, and a sensor assembly attached to a second end of the support arm. The sensor assembly comprises at least one mirror having a back side and a reflective side facing a first direction, and at least one sensor.

In another aspect of the invention, a sensor mounting structure for a vehicle comprises a support arm that extends at a first end from the vehicle body, and a sensor assembly attached to a second end of the support arm. The sensor assembly comprises at least one mirror having a back side and a reflective side facing a first direction, and at least one sensor. In a first configuration the at least one sensor is disposed having a field of view directed to the first direction and the back side of the at least one mirror disposed with the reflective side facing the first direction, and in a second configuration the at least one mirror is disposed outside of the field of view of the at least one sensor disposed having a field of view directed to the first direction.

In a further aspect of the invention, a sensor mounting structure for a vehicle comprises a support arm that extends at a first end from the vehicle body, and a sensor assembly attached to a second end of the support arm. The sensor assembly comprises a plurality of mirrors each having a back side and a reflective side facing a first direction, and at least one sensor. In a first configuration the at least one sensor is disposed having a field of view directed to the first direction and the back side of at least one of the plurality of mirrors disposed with the reflective side facing the first direction, and in a second configuration the at least one of the plurality of mirrors is disposed outside of the field of view of the at least one sensor disposed having a field of view directed to the first direction.

In the following detailed description, various embodiments are described with reference to the appended drawings. The skilled person will understand that the accompanying drawings are schematic and simplified for clarity. Like reference numerals refer to like elements or components throughout. Like elements or components will therefore not necessarily be described in detail with respect to each figure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG.1, an exemplary vehicle body10is illustrated having an exemplary side-view mirror assembly20extending from a door30of the body10. The exemplary side-view mirror assembly20comprises a support mirror arm40and a mirror45.

Referring toFIG.2, in an embodiment, a sensor mounting structure50comprises a support arm60and a sensor assembly70. In an embodiment the support arm60extends at a first end62from a vehicle body10. In an embodiment the sensor assembly70attaches to a second end64of the support arm60. In an embodiment the sensor assembly includes an axis80disposed therethrough.

Referring toFIG.3, in an embodiment the sensor assembly70comprises at least one mirror90(two are shown) and at least one sensor95(four are shown). In an embodiment each of the mirrors90has a back side92and a reflective side94facing in a first direction96. In an embodiment, each of the mirrors90can be flat or convex, for example, flat as illustrated by the top mirror inFIG.3, or convex (in the first direction96) as illustrated by the bottom mirror90inFIG.3.

In an embodiment, one or more of the sensors95, also referred to as an additional sensor95A, may be positioned along the axis80so as to never be configured behind a mirror90, for example like the bottom sensor95shown inFIG.3. In an embodiment, each of the sensors95,95A can have a field of view directed to the first direction96or to a direction different from the first direction96. In an embodiment each of the sensors95,95A is selected from the group of sensors consisting of an optical sensor, a light direction and ranging (LIDAR) sensor, a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor, an infrared sensor, and a sonic sensor.

Referring toFIGS.3to4B, in an embodiment, each of the sensors95,95A is fixed relative to the axis80. In another embodiment each of the mirrors90and each of the sensors95,95A is configured to be controllably rotated around the axis80from the first configuration (shown inFIG.4B) to the second configuration (shown inFIG.4A). Referring toFIGS.4A and4B, the sensor assembly70is schematically illustrated as viewed from above along the axis80. In an embodiment a windscreen82protects the components of the sensor assembly70from wind and debris as the vehicle upon which it is mounted drives along.

In an embodiment the sensor assembly70has first and second configurations. In a first configuration as exemplarily shown inFIG.4Bthe at least one sensor95is disposed having a field of view, F, directed to the first direction96and the back side92of the at least one mirror90disposed with the reflective side94facing the first direction96. In a second configuration as exemplarily shown inFIG.4Athe at least one mirror90is disposed outside of the field of view, F, of the at least one sensor95disposed having the field of view, F, directed to the first direction96.

In another embodiment each of the mirrors90and each of the sensors95,95A is configured to be controllably rotated around the axis80from the first configuration (shown inFIG.4B) to the second configuration (shown inFIG.4A). For example, in an embodiment each of the sensors95,95A and mirrors90is attached to a drive shaft93, and portions of the drive shaft93to which each sensor95,95A or mirror90is attached can be independently rotated, for example by a motor and transmission assembly (not shown), as directed from the driver console within the vehicle body10. Thus, the sensor assembly70can be configured for both manual driving using the mirrors90or for autonomous driving using the sensors95,95A with the mirrors90moved, for example rotated, out of the field of view, F, of the sensors95,95A.

In an embodiment each of the sensors95,95A are illustrated inFIG.3to be attached directly to the drive shaft93, whereas the mirrors90are illustrated to be attached by supporting members98. In other embodiments other mechanisms can be used to facilitate movement of the mirrors90and the sensors95,95A around the axis80.

With respect to the use of plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. Unless otherwise noted, the use of the words “approximate,” “about,” “around,” “substantially,” etc., mean plus or minus ten percent.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A sensor mounting structure for a vehicle includes a sensor assembly having at least one mirror and at least one sensor. The sensor assembly can be configured for both manual driving using the at least one mirror or for autonomous driving using the at least one sensor with the mirrors moved out of the field of view of the at least one sensor. The system can be manufactured in industry for use on vehicles purchased by consumers.

Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. It is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved. All patents, patent publications and applications, and other references cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.