PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11536593-B1
Application Number: US-201916252770-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Sensor mounting assembly

Abstract:
A sensor mounting assembly for a vehicle includes a sensor that is operable to detect conditions outside of the vehicle, and a vehicle body structure having an inner wall and an outer wall located opposite the inner wall. A sensor mount is coupled to the outer wall with at least one fastener extending through the outer wall, inner wall, and sensor mount. The sensor mount defines an internal space in which the sensor is coupled.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sensor mounting assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
 a sensor that is operable to detect conditions outside of the vehicle; 
 a vehicle body structure including an inner wall and an outer wall located opposite the inner wall; and 
 a sensor mount that is coupled to the outer wall with at least one fastener extending through the outer wall, the inner wall, and the sensor mount, wherein the sensor mount defines an internal space in which the sensor is coupled. 
 
     
     
       2. The sensor mounting assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising;
 a body panel spaced apart from the outer wall in a direction opposite the inner wall, wherein the body panel includes a signal transmissive material through which the sensor can detect conditions outside of the vehicle, 
 wherein the sensor mount comprises:
 a sensor retaining portion that defines the internal space, wherein the sensor retaining portion extends through an aperture in the outer wall, and at least part of the sensor retaining portion is located between the inner wall and the outer wall; and 
 a flange that is integral with the sensor retaining portion and coupled to the outer wall along at least a portion of a periphery of the aperture, wherein the at least one fastener extends through the flange, and 
 
 wherein:
 the sensor retaining portion of the sensor mount includes a peripheral wall that is integral with the flange, 
 the flange is coupled to the vehicle body structure along an entirety of the periphery of the aperture, and 
 the peripheral wall defines the internal space. 
 
 
     
     
       3. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor mount includes:
 a sensor retaining portion that defines the internal space, wherein the sensor retaining portion extends through an aperture in the outer wall; and 
 a flange that is integral with the sensor retaining portion and coupled to the outer wall along at least a portion of a periphery of the aperture, wherein the at least one fastener extends through the flange. 
 
     
     
       4. The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein at least part of the sensor retaining portion is located between the inner wall and the outer wall. 
     
     
       5. The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the sensor retaining portion of the sensor mount includes a peripheral wall that is integral with the flange, the flange is coupled to the vehicle body structure along an entirety of the periphery of the aperture, and the peripheral wall extends around the internal space. 
     
     
       6. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor mount includes:
 a sensor retaining portion that defines the internal space, wherein the sensor retaining portion extends away from the outer wall in a direction opposite from the inner wall; and 
 a flange that is integral with the sensor retaining portion and coupled to the outer wall, wherein the at least one fastener extends through the outer wall, the inner wall, and the flange. 
 
     
     
       7. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor mount includes at least one aperture through which the sensor can be accessed from outside the internal space. 
     
     
       8. The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cover coupled to the sensor mount, wherein the cover encloses the sensor inside the internal space, and wherein the cover includes a signal transmissive material. 
 
     
     
       9. The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a body panel spaced apart from the outer wall in a direction opposite the inner wall, wherein the body panel includes a signal transmissive material through which the sensor can detect conditions outside of the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       10. The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a body panel spaced apart from the outer wall in a direction opposite the inner wall, wherein the body panel includes an aperture through which the sensor can detect conditions outside of the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       11. A sensor mounting assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
 a sensor operable to detect conditions outside of the vehicle; 
 a sensor mount defining an internal space in which the sensor is coupled; 
 a vehicle body structure including an inner wall and an outer wall located opposite the inner wall; 
 a sleeve extending between the outer wall and the inner wall; and 
 at least one fastener extending through the outer wall, the inner wall, the sleeve, and the sensor mount to couple the sensor mount to the vehicle body structure, with the sleeve and the fastener structurally supporting the vehicle body structure between the outer wall and the inner wall. 
 
     
     
       12. The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor mount includes:
 a peripheral wall coupled to the outer wall of the vehicle body structure, wherein the peripheral wall extends around the internal space; and 
 a cover coupled to the sensor mount, wherein the cover encloses the sensor inside the internal space and includes a signal transmissive material. 
 
     
     
       13. The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the sensor mount includes:
 a sensor retaining portion that defines the internal space; and 
 a flange that is integral with the sensor retaining portion and coupled to the outer wall. 
 
     
     
       14. The assembly of  claim 11 , comprising a body panel spaced apart from the outer wall in a direction opposite the inner wall, wherein the body panel includes a signal transmissive material through which the sensor can detect conditions outside of the vehicle. 
     
     
       15. The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the fastener further comprises:
 a bolt having a head end and a threaded end located opposite the head end, with the head end disposed at one of the inner wall and the outer wall and the threaded end disposed at the other one of the inner wall and the outer wall; and 
 a nut coupled to the threaded end of the bolt, with the nut and bolt configured to tighten against the inner wall and the outer wall, 
 wherein the sleeve maintains spacing between the inner wall and the outer wall as the bolt and nut are tightened. 
 
     
     
       16. A sensor mounting assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
 a sensor operable to detect conditions outside of the vehicle; 
 a vehicle body structure including an inner wall having a first aperture and an outer wall having a second aperture, wherein the outer wall is located opposite the inner wall; and 
 a sensor mount defining an internal space in which the sensor is coupled, wherein the sensor mount is coupled to the inner wall and the outer wall, and wherein the sensor mount extends through the first aperture and the second aperture. 
 
     
     
       17. The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the sensor mount includes:
 a sensor retaining portion extending through the first aperture and the second aperture, wherein the sensor retaining portion defines an internal space in which the sensor is coupled, 
 a first flange coupled to the inner wall along at least a portion of a periphery of the first aperture, and 
 a second flange coupled to the outer wall along a least a portion of a periphery of the second aperture. 
 
     
     
       18. The assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 at least one fastener extending through the first flange, the inner wall, the outer wall, and the second flange. 
 
     
     
       19. The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the sensor retaining portion of the sensor mount includes a peripheral wall that is integral with the first flange and the second flange, wherein the first flange is coupled to the inner wall and the second flange is coupled to the outer wall, and wherein the peripheral wall extends around the internal space. 
     
     
       20. The assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a body panel spaced apart from the outer wall in a direction opposite the inner wall, wherein the body panel includes a signal transmissive material through which the sensor can detect conditions outside of the vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/644,759, filed on Mar. 19, 2018. The content of the foregoing application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to assemblies for mounting a sensor to a vehicle body structure. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicles, including autonomous vehicles, often use sensors to detect a variety of driving conditions including obstacles, vehicle location, temperature, ice, snow, rain, velocity, traffic, etc. Sensors used to detect these conditions are often mounted on the exterior of the vehicle body to allow unimpeded sensor detection. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosure is a sensor mounting assembly for a vehicle. The sensor mounting assembly includes a sensor that is operable to detect conditions outside of the vehicle. The assembly also includes a vehicle body structure having an inner wall and an outer wall that is located opposite the inner wall. A sensor mount is coupled to the outer wall with at least one fastener extending through the outer wall, inner wall, and sensor mount. The sensor mount defines an internal space in which the sensor is coupled. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is a sensor mounting assembly for a vehicle that includes a sensor that is operable to detect conditions outside of the vehicle and a sensor mount defining an internal space in which the sensor is coupled. The assembly also includes a vehicle body structure including an inner wall and an outer wall located opposite the inner wall. The outer wall includes a depression that is configured to receive at least a portion of the sensor mount. The sensor mount is coupled to the outer wall inside of the depression. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is a sensor mounting assembly for a vehicle that includes a sensor that is operable to detect conditions outside of the vehicle. The assembly includes a vehicle body structure having an inner wall having a first aperture and an outer wall having a second aperture. The outer wall is located opposite the inner wall. A sensor mount defines an internal space in which the sensor is coupled. The sensor mount is coupled to the inner wall and the outer wall. The sensor mount may also extend through the first aperture and the second aperture. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a sensor mounting assembly according to a first implementation. 
         FIG.  2    is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG.  1   , showing the sensor mounting assembly. 
         FIG.  3    is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a sensor mounting assembly according to a second implementation in which a sensor retaining portion extends away from an outer wall in a direction opposite an inner wall. 
         FIG.  4    is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a sensor mounting assembly according to a third implementation. 
         FIG.  5    is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a sensor mounting assembly according to a fourth implementation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure relates to assemblies for mounting sensors to vehicle body structures. Vehicle sensors are often mounted to the exterior of a vehicle body to avoid obstructing the sensors&#39; field of detection; however, exterior sensors increase air resistance acting on the vehicle while in motion and negatively affect the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle. The sensor mounting assemblies disclosed herein mount the sensor to the vehicle body structure. Compared to conventional sensor mounting techniques, the sensor mounting assemblies described herein may provide, as examples, reduced air resistance, reduced aesthetic impacts, better usage of space inside the vehicle body structure, and capacity for larger and/or heavier sensors. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a sensor mounting assembly  100  according to a first implementation. The sensor mounting assembly  100  includes a sensor mount  102  coupled to a vehicle body structure  104 . The vehicle body structure  104  is a portion of a vehicle, which may be a wheeled road-going vehicle (e.g., an automobile). The sensor mount  102  may define an internal space in which a sensor  106  is coupled. The vehicle body structure  104  may include any portion of a body-in-white, unibody, monocoque, subframe, frame, chassis, or any other vehicle structure. The vehicle body structure  104  may also be hollow or solid. The vehicle body structure  104  may also be made of any plastic, metal, or other suitable material or combination thereof. The sensor  106  may be or include any type of sensing device that is operable to detect conditions outside of the vehicle, such as by measuring incident electromagnetic, radiation, or sound waves. Examples of sensing devices that can be incorporated in the sensor  106  include a visible spectrum camera, an infrared camera, a RADAR sensor, a LIDAR sensor, a structured-light-stereo sensor, or any other sensor, detection, or measurement device. The sensor  106  may also be of any size, shape, material, and may include multiple sensing devices or a combination of varying sensor types. 
       FIG.  2    is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG.  1   , showing the sensor mounting assembly  100 . The sensor mounting assembly  300  shown in  FIG.  2    is identical to the sensor mounting assembly  100  except as described hereafter. The sensor mounting assembly  300  may include a sensor  206  operable to detect conditions outside of the vehicle and a vehicle body structure  204 . The vehicle body structure  204  may include an inner wall  208  and an outer wall  210  located opposite the inner wall  208 . The inner wall  208  and the outer wall  210  can form a closed cross-sectional shape with other portions of the vehicle body structure  204  or other components of the sensor mounting assembly  300 . The closed cross-sectional shape shown in  FIG.  2    that is formed by the inner wall  208  and the outer wall  210  is rectangular, but may be square, round, or any other closed cross-sectional shape. 
     A sensor mount  202  may be coupled to the outer wall  210  with at least one fastener, such as a fastener  212  that extends through the outer wall  210 , inner wall  208 , and sensor mount  202 . The sensor mount  202  may be coupled to the inner wall  208 , the outer wall  210 , or both the inner wall  208  and the outer wall  210 . The sensor mount  202  may be coupled to the inner wall  208 , outer wall  210 , or both the inner wall  208  and the outer wall  210  using a rigid or a non-rigid connection. The fastener  212  may be any structure that is configured to couple the sensor mount  202  to the inner wall  208 , the outer wall  210 , or both the inner wall  208  and the outer wall  210 , such as a welded structural member, adhesive, interference fit, bolts, screws, nails, rivets, or any other mechanical fastener. The sensor mount  202  may define an internal space  214  in which the sensor is coupled. The sensor mount  202  and internal space  214  illustrated in  FIG.  2    are of a substantially rectangular prismatic shape, but may be cubic, cylindrical, or any other prismatic or amorphous shape. The sensor mount  202  and internal space  214  may be of any size or dimension. The sensor mount  202  and internal space  214  may also be configured to enclose a particular sensor or configured to accommodate the presence of other components or vehicle structures that are independent of the sensor mount  202 . The sensor mount  202  may also be of any thickness and may be constructed of any metal, plastic, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof. 
     The sensor mount  202  may have an opening  216  allowing the sensor  206  to be inserted into and removed from the internal space  214 . The opening  216  may be located on a side of the sensor mount  202  opposite the inner wall  208  or may be located anywhere else on the sensor mount  202 , such as on a side of the sensor mount  202  opposite the outer wall  210 . In some implementations, the opening  216  may not exist and the sensor  206  may be fully enclosed inside the sensor mount  202 . In other implementations, the sensor  206  may extend through the opening  216  so that at least a portion of the sensor  206  is external to the internal space  214 . In some implementations, a space of any size may also exist between the sensor mount  202  and the inner wall  208 . In other implementations, no space exists between the sensor mount  202  and the inner wall  208 . The sensor mount  202  and the inner wall  208  may be coupled via welds, adhesive, interference fit, bolts, screws, nails, rivets, or any other mechanical fastener. 
     The sensor mount  202  may include an aperture  218  through which the sensor  206  can be accessed. A single aperture or multiple apertures may be formed through the sensor mount  202  The aperture  218  may also allow electrical, cooling, or other connections  220  to the sensor  206  through the sensor mount  202  from inside or outside of the vehicle. The outer wall  210  and inner wall  208  may also include apertures that are similar to the aperture  218  allowing access to the sensor  206  and sensor mount  202  through which the connections  220  may extend. The aperture  218  may be located on a side of the sensor mount  202  opposite the outer wall  210 , but may be located anywhere on the sensor mount  202 . The aperture  218  may be of any size and shape. In some implementations, the sensor mount  202  may include no aperture  218 . 
     The sensor mount  202  may include a sensor retaining portion  222  that defines the internal space  214 . The sensor retaining portion  222  shown in  FIG.  2    takes the shape of a rectangular prism in which the sensor  206  is retained. The sensor retaining portion  222  can be of a cylindrical, spherical, cubic, or any other prismatic or amorphous shape. The sensor retaining portion  222  may also be configured to correspond to the shape and size of a particular sensor or may be configured to accommodate the presence of other components or vehicle structures that are independent of the sensor retaining portion  222 . The sensor retaining portion  222  may enclose the sensor  206 , may include the opening  216 , or may retain a portion of the sensor  206 . The sensor retaining portion  222  may be coupled to the inner wall  208 , the outer wall  210 , or both the inner wall  208  and the outer wall  210 . The sensor retaining portion  222  may be coupled to the inner wall  208 , outer wall  210 , or both the inner wall  208  and the outer wall  210  using a rigid or a non-rigid connection. The sensor retaining portion  222  may be coupled to the inner wall  208 , outer wall  210 , or both the inner wall  208  and the outer wall  210  via welds, adhesive, interference fit, bolts, screws, nails, rivets, or any other mechanical fastener. 
     The sensor retaining portion  222  may be located between the inner wall  208  and the outer wall  210  as shown by  FIG.  2   . The sensor retaining portion  222  may be of any size, shape, or thickness and may include any of the described features of the sensor mount  202 . The sensor retaining portion  222  may extend through an aperture  224  in the outer wall  210 . The aperture  224  may be of any size and shape. The aperture  224  may be larger than the sensor retaining portion  222  or may be sized to fit the sensor retaining portion  222 . A seal may or may not exist between the outer wall  210  and the sensor retaining portion  222 . In some implementations, the aperture  224  may be included in the inner wall  208 . In other implementations, the sensor retaining portion  222  may not extend through any aperture  224 . 
     A flange  226  integral with the sensor retaining portion  222  may be coupled to the outer wall  210  along at least a portion of a periphery of the aperture  224 . In implementations where the aperture  224  is included in the inner wall  208 , the flange  226  may be coupled to the inner wall  208  along at least a portion of a periphery of the aperture  224 . In some implementations, the flange  226  may not be integral with the sensor retaining portion  222 . The flange  226  may be separately coupled to the sensor retaining portion  222 . The flange  226  may also include one or more apertures through which the fastener  212  may extend. The flange  226  illustrated in  FIG.  2    is of a rectangular shape, but may be square, round, or any other shape. The flange  226  may be coextensive with a periphery of the aperture  224  in the outer wall  210 . The flange  226  may extend around a portion of the periphery of the aperture  224  or around the entire periphery of the aperture  224 . The flange  226  may or may not form a seal with the outer wall  210 . The flange  226  may be coupled to the outer wall  210  on a side of the outer wall  210  facing the inner wall  208  or on a side of the outer wall  210  opposite the inner wall  208 . The flange  226  may also extend any distance away from the aperture  224  and may be of any thickness. The sensor  206 , the sensor mount  202 , or the sensor retaining portion  222  may or may not be flush with the flange  226 . The flange  226  may be coupled to the outer wall  210  via welds, adhesive, interference fit, bolts, screws, nails, rivets, or any other mechanical fastener. 
     The  212  may extend through the outer wall  210 , inner wall  208 , and flange  226 . In some implementations, the fastener  212  may include a bolt  228  having a head end  230  and a threaded end  232  located opposite the head end  230 . The head end  230  may be disposed at the outer wall  210  or at the inner wall  208 . The bolt  228  may extend through the flange  226 , the outer wall  210 , and the inner wall  208 . A sleeve  234  may be disposed about the bolt  228  and may extend between the outer wall  210  and the inner wall  208 . The sleeve  234  may be cylindrical or any other shape. The sleeve  234  may be made of metal, plastic, or any other material. A nut  236  may be coupled to the threaded end  232  to hold the bolt  228  in place in the sensor mount  202 . 
     In the illustrated example, two occurrences of the fastener  212  are present, each extending through the outer wall  210 , inner wall  208 , and flange  226 . In other implementations, a single fastener or more than two fasteners that are similar to the fastener  212  may extend through the outer wall  210 , inner wall  208 , and flange  226  around the periphery of the aperture  224 . As an example, fasteners that are similar to the fastener  212  may be located on all sides of the flange  226  around the periphery of the aperture  224 , and may be equally or unequally spaced from each other and may also be spaced equally or unequally from the aperture  224 . 
     The fastener  212  may also extend through the sensor mount  202  and vehicle body structure  204  at any angle and may be in any orientation relative to the sensor mount  202  and vehicle body structure  204 . The fastener  212  may include any type of bolt, rod, nail, screw, rivet, clamp, or other known fastener. The fastener  212  may also be of any size, shape, or thickness, and may be made of any plastic, metal, other suitable material, or combination thereof. In some implementations, the fastener  212  may not extend through the outer wall  210 , inner wall  208 , and flange  226 . For example, the fastener  212  may extend through the flange  226  and the outer wall  210 . In other implementations, the sensor mount  202  may not include the fastener  212 . In such implementations, the sensor mount  202  may be coupled to the outer wall  210  or inner wall  208  via welds, adhesive, interference fit, or by any other known means of mechanical attachment. In implementations of the sensor mounting assembly  300  that do not include the flange  226 , the fastener  212  may extend through the outer wall  210 , inner wall  208 , and any part of the sensor mount  202 . 
     The sensor retaining portion  222  of the sensor mount  202  may include a peripheral wall  238  integral with the flange  226 . The flange  226  may be coupled to the vehicle body structure  204  along the entire periphery of the aperture  224 . In some implementations, the flange  226  may be coupled to the vehicle body structure  204  along a portion of the periphery of the aperture  224 . The peripheral wall  238  may define the internal space  214 . The flange  226  may be coupled to the vehicle body structure  204  by the fastener  212  or by any other fastener or known means of mechanical attachment. In some implementations, the peripheral wall  238  may also be coupled to the vehicle body structure  204  at any portion of the peripheral wall  238  that is not the flange  226 . The peripheral wall  238  may have any thickness. In some implementations, the peripheral wall  238  may not be integral with the flange  226 . 
     The sensor mounting assembly  300  may include a cover  240  coupled to the sensor mount  202 . The cover  240  may be coupled to the sensor mount  202 , the sensor retaining portion  222 , the flange  226 , the outer wall  210 , or the inner wall  208  via interference fit, a hinge, welds, adhesive, bolts, screws, nails, rivets, snap fasteners, or any other type of mechanical fastener. The cover  240  may also be connected to the sensor  206 . The cover  240  may enclose the sensor  206  inside the internal space  214  by closing the opening  216 . The cover  240  may open and close the opening  216  to allow access to the sensor  206 . The cover  240  also may or may not create a seal with the sensor mount  202 . The cover  240  may include a signal transmissive material. A signal transmissive material is any material through which a sensor can detect conditions outside of the vehicle. The signal transmissive material may include any type of glass, rubber, plastic, metal, or other material and may be translucent, transparent, or opaque. 
     The sensor mounting assembly  300  may include an outer plate  242  coupled to the flange  226  and the cover  240  using the fastener  212 . The fastener  212  may extend through the outer plate  242 , the flange  226 , the outer wall  210 , and the inner wall  208 . In other implementations the outer plate  242  may be coupled to the sensor mount  202  via welds, adhesive, interference fit, bolts, screws, nails, rivets, or any other mechanical fastener. The outer plate  242  may be coupled to a side of the flange  226  opposite the inner wall  208 . The outer plate  242  may also retain the cover  240  in place to enclose the sensor  206  inside the internal space  214 . The outer plate  242  may include an aperture through which the cover  240  may extend. The cover  240  may be disposed between the sensor  206  and the flange  226 , between the sensor and the peripheral wall  238  of the sensor retaining portion  222 , between the sensor  206  and the outer plate  242 , or between the sensor  206  and the atmosphere. In some implementations the cover  240  may be coupled to the outer plate  242 . The cover  240  may be coupled to a side of the outer plate  242  opposite the inner wall  208  or to a side of the outer plate  242  facing the inner wall  208 . The outer plate  242  may be sized to cover the cover  240 , sensor mount  202 , and the flange  226 , but may be of any size, shape, or thickness. The outer plate  242  may be made of any rubber, plastic, glass, metal, or any other material or combination thereof. The outer plate  242  may be made of the same or different material as the cover  240 , the sensor mount  202 , or the flange  226 . In some implementations the sensor mounting assembly  300  may not include the outer plate  242 . 
     A body panel  244  may be spaced apart from the outer wall  210  in a direction opposite the inner wall  208 . The body panel  244  may be any portion of any vehicle body panel or structure including for example a door panel, fender, hood, quarter panel, or roof panel. The body panel  244  may be mounted to any portion of the vehicle body structure  204  or elsewhere on the vehicle. The body panel  244  may include a signal transmissive material through which the sensor  206  can detect conditions outside of the vehicle. The signal transmissive material may include any type of glass, rubber, plastic, metal, or other material and may be translucent, transparent, or opaque. In other implementations, the body panel  244  may include an aperture  246  through which the sensor  206  can detect conditions outside of the vehicle. The aperture  246  may be of any size or shape and may be at any orientation relative to the sensor  206 . In some implementations, a portion of the sensor  206  or the sensor mount  202  may extend through the aperture  246 . In some implementations, sensors  206  may be used that are able to detect conditions outside of the vehicle through the body panel  244  without an aperture  246  or signal transmissive material. The body panel  244  may be spaced any distance from the outer wall  210 , the sensor mount  202 , the flange  226 , the cover  240 , or the outer plate  242 . The space between the body panel  244  and the outer wall  210  also may or may not be uniform. In some implementations, the sensor  206 , the sensor retaining portion  222 , or the sensor mount  202  may be coupled to the body panel  244 . 
       FIG.  3    is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a sensor mounting assembly  300  according to a second implementation in which the sensor retaining portion  322  extends away from the outer wall  310  in a direction opposite the inner wall  308 . The sensor mounting assembly  300  shown in  FIG.  3    is identical to the sensor mounting assembly  100  except as described hereafter. The sensor retaining portion  322  may extend away from the outer wall  310  in a direction opposite from the inner wall  308 . In such implementations the sensor mount  302 , sensor  306 , outer plate  342 , and the cover  340  may be located between the outer wall  310  and the body panel  344 . The end of the sensor retaining portion  322  opposite the outer wall  310  may extend any distance from the outer wall  310 . There may or may not be a space between the sensor retaining portion  322  and the body panel  344 . The sensor mount  302  and the outer wall  310  may be coupled using a rigid or a non-rigid connection. 
       FIG.  4    is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a sensor mounting assembly  400  according to a third implementation. The sensor mounting assembly  400  shown in  FIG.  4    is identical to the sensor mounting assembly  100  except as described hereafter. The sensor mounting assembly  400  may include a vehicle body structure  404  having an inner wall  408  and an outer wall  410  located opposite the inner wall  408 . The outer wall  410  may include a depression  448  shaped and sized to receive at least a portion of the sensor mount  402 . In some implementations, the inner wall  408  may include the depression  448 . The depression  448  shown in  FIG.  4    is of a substantially rectangular prismatic shape, but it may be cubic, cylindrical, or any other prismatic or amorphous shape. The depression  448  may also have a size and shape that are configured according to the geometry of the sensor mount  402 . The depression  448  may retain the entirety of the sensor mount  402  or a portion of the sensor mount  402 . The sensor mount  402  may be coupled to the outer wall  410  inside of the depression  448 . The sensor mount  402  and the outer wall  410  may be coupled via welds, adhesive, interference fit, bolts, screws, nails, rivets, or any other mechanical fastener. The sensor mount  402  and the outer wall  410  may be coupled using a rigid or a non-rigid connection. 
     The sensor mount  402  may include a peripheral wall  438  coupled to the outer wall  410  of the vehicle body structure  404 . The peripheral wall  438  may define the internal space  414 . The sensor mount  402  may also include a cover  440  coupled to the sensor mount  402 . The cover  440  may enclose the sensor  406  inside the internal space  414  and may include a signal transmissive material. The peripheral wall  438  may be coupled to the outer wall  410  inside of the depression  448  in the outer wall  410 . In some implementations, the inner wall  408  of the vehicle body structure  404  may include the depression  448  and the peripheral wall  438  may be coupled to the inner wall  408  inside of the depression  448 . In such an implementation, at least a portion of the sensor mount  402  may be between the inner wall  408  and the outer wall  410 . In other implementations, both the inner wall  408  and the outer wall  410  may include depressions  448  opposite each other and the peripheral wall  438  may be coupled to the inner wall  408  and the outer wall  410  inside the depressions  448 . The peripheral wall  438  may have any thickness. The sensor mount  402  may have the same features as the sensor mount  202  previously described. 
     The sensor mount  402  may also include a sensor retaining portion  422  that defines the internal space  414 . The sensor retaining portion  422  may be coupled to the outer wall  410  inside of the depression  448 . In other implementations, the sensor retaining portion  422  may be coupled to the inner wall  408  inside a depression  448  in the inner wall  408 . The sensor retaining portion  422  may have the same features as the sensor retaining portion  422  previously described. 
     A flange  426  may be integral with the sensor retaining portion  422  and may be coupled to the outer wall  410  outside of the depression  448 . In some implementations, the flange  426  may not be integral with the sensor retaining portion  422  but may be separately coupled to the sensor retaining portion  422 . The flange  426  may be coupled to the outer wall  410  along a portion of a periphery of the depression  448  or may be coupled to the outer wall  410  along the entire periphery of the depression  448 . The flange  426  may extend any distance away from the depression  448 . The flange  426  may have the same features as the flange  226  previously described. At least one fastener, such as a fastener  412 , may extend through the flange  426 , the outer wall  410 , and the inner wall  408 . The fastener  412  may have the same features as the fastener  212  previously described. 
     In some implementations, the sensor mount  402  and a portion of the outer wall  410  inside the depression  448  may include at least one aperture, such as an aperture  418  through which the sensor  406  can be accessed from outside the internal space  414 . In some implementations, the aperture  418  may be located on the sensor mount  402  on the portion of the sensor mount  402  coupled to the depression  448 . In other implementations the aperture  418  may be located elsewhere on the sensor mount  402 , such as on a side of the sensor mount  402  located opposite the outer wall  410 . In implementations where the sensor mount  402  is coupled to a depression  448  in the inner wall  408 , the aperture  418  may be located on the outer wall  410  or the inner wall  408 . Like the sensor mounting assembly  300 , the aperture  418  may also allow electrical, cooling, or other connections  420  to the sensor  406  through the sensor mount  402  from inside or outside of the vehicle. 
       FIG.  5    is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a sensor mounting assembly  500  according to a fourth implementation. The sensor mounting assembly  500  shown in  FIG.  5    is identical to the sensor mounting assembly  100  except as described hereafter. The sensor mounting assembly  500  may include a sensor  506  operable to detect conditions outside of the vehicle. A vehicle body structure  504  may include an inner wall  508  having a first aperture  550  and an outer wall  510  having a second aperture  552 . The first aperture  550  may be located opposite the second aperture  552 . The outer wall  510  may be located opposite the inner wall  508 . A sensor mount  502  may define an internal space  514  in which the sensor  506  is coupled. The sensor mount  502  may be coupled to the inner wall  508  and the outer wall  510 , and the sensor mount  502  may extend through the first aperture  550  and the second aperture  552 . The sensor mount  502  may be coupled to the inner wall  508  and the outer wall  510  using a rigid or a non-rigid connection. The first aperture  550  and the second aperture  552  may be of any size or shape. The first aperture  550  and the second aperture  552  may be larger than the sensor mount  502  or may be sized to fit the sensor mount  502 . A seal may or may not exist between the outer wall  510  and the sensor mount  502  or the inner wall  508  and the sensor mount  502 . The first aperture  550  and the second aperture  552  may be the same shape and size or different shapes or sizes. 
     The sensor mount  502  may include a sensor retaining portion  522  extending through the first aperture  550  and the second aperture  552 . The sensor retaining portion  522  may define an internal space  514  in which the sensor  506  is coupled. The sensor mount  502  may include a first flange  554  coupled to the inner wall  508  along at least a portion of a periphery of the first aperture  550 . The sensor mount  502  may also include a second flange  556  coupled to the outer wall  510  along a least a portion of a periphery of the second aperture  552 . The first flange  554  and the second flange  556  may or may not be integral with the sensor mount  502 . The first flange  554  may be coupled to the inner wall  308  and the second flange  556  may be coupled to the outer wall  510  via welds, adhesive, interference fit, bolts, screws, nails, rivets, or any other mechanical fastener. The first flange  554  and the second flange  556  may have the same features as the flange  226  previously described. 
     At least one fastener, such as a fastener  512 , may extend through the first flange  554 , inner wall  508 , outer wall  510 , and second flange  556 . The fastener  512  may have the same features as the fastener  212  previously described. 
     The sensor retaining portion  522  of the sensor mount  502  may include a peripheral wall  538  integral with the first flange  554  and the second flange  556 . The first flange  554  and the second flange  556  may or may not be integral with the peripheral wall  538  or the sensor mount  502 . The first flange  554  and the second flange  556  may or may not have the same size, shape, orientation, or thickness. The first flange  554  may be coupled to the inner wall  508  and the second flange  556  may be coupled to the outer wall  510 . The first flange  554  and the second flange  556  may have the same features as the flange  226 . The peripheral wall  538  may define the internal space  514 . The peripheral wall  538  may have any thickness. The sensor retaining portion  522  may include the same features as the sensor retaining portion  222  previously described. 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data by detecting conditions for use in vehicle control. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data or can be used to identify personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person, such as by capturing an image that depicts a person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter ID&#39;s, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, capturing images that depict the surroundings of a vehicle can be useful to detect objects near the vehicle and to control motion of the vehicle with respect to the objects. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to use personal information data. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of that user personal information data is maintained or entirely prohibit the storage of personal information data. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, images collected by sensors can be filtered to make persons unrecognizable.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20190121
Publication Date: 20221227
Grant Date: 20221227
Priority Date: 20180319
Inventors: WOLF, PHILIPP J.
GARVER, ALYSSA J.
MARQUETTE, BROOKS G.
DOWLE, JAMES J.
ELFWING, JENS M.
TEIL, ROMAIN A.
FERMER, ERIK MIKAEL
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B60R2011/0063", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2011/0052", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2011/004", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R11/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2011/0042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01D11/30", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01D11/245", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R11/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2011/0063", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01D11/245", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R11/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2011/0052", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R11/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2011/004", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R2011/0042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01D11/30", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R19/483", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60R11/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01D11/30", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 84689619