Autonomous vehicle conversion

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10150432-B2
Application number	US-201715462958-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 20, 2017
Priority date	Mar 20, 2017
Publication date	Dec 11, 2018
Grant date	Dec 11, 2018

Abstract

An assembly includes a sensor module having an external surface configured to receive a seal and defining a perimeter. The assembly includes a plurality of sensors supported by the sensor module. The assembly includes a lock movable between a locked state and an unlocked state and supported by the sensor module within the perimeter. A computer is supported by the sensor module and is programmed to actuate the lock.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly comprising:
a sensor module having an external surface configured to receive a seal and defining a perimeter;
a plurality of sensors supported by the sensor module;
a lock movable between a locked state and an unlocked state and supported by the sensor module within the perimeter; and
a computer supported by the sensor module and programmed to actuate the lock.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an interface module, the sensor module secured to the interface module with the lock.

3. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the interface module includes a bottom end opposite a top end and defines a passage extending through the bottom end and the top end, the sensor module supported by the top end of the interface module.

4. The assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a releasable coupling supported by the sensor module and extending through the passage to the bottom end of the interface module.

5. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the releasable coupling includes a suction device.

6. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the releasable coupling includes a magnet.

7. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the sensor module is moveable between a connected position connected to the top end and a disconnected position disconnected from the top end, and further comprising a vehicle connection member secured to the bottom end of the interface module, the vehicle connection member being accessible through the top end when the sensor module is in the disconnected position and inaccessible through the top end when the sensor module is in the connected position.

8. The assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a first seal disposed between the sensor module and the top end of the interface module and abutting the external surface of the sensor module along the perimeter and the top end of the interface module.

9. The assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a second seal mounted on the bottom end of the interface module.

10. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the sensor module abuts the interface module and encloses the passage at the top end of the interface module.

11. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical wire extending from the sensor module within the perimeter.

12. A vehicle comprising:
a roof having a top surface;
an interface module having a bottom end opposite a top end and defining a passage extending from the bottom end to the top end, the interface module supported by the top surface of the roof and enclosing the passage at the bottom end; and
a sensor module supported by the interface module and enclosing the passage at the top end.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 , further comprising a releasable coupling supported by the sensor module and extending through the passage of the interface module and releasably secured to the roof.

14. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the sensor module is moveable between a connected position connected to the top end and a disconnected position disconnected from the top end, and further comprising a vehicle connection member securing the interface module to the roof, the vehicle connection member being accessible through the top end when the sensor module is in the disconnected position and inaccessible through the top end when the sensor module is in the connected position.

15. The vehicle of claim 12 , further comprising a first seal disposed between the interface module and the sensor module and defining a first perimeter, the passage at the top end of the interface module located within the first perimeter.

16. The vehicle of claim 15 , further comprising a second seal disposed between the interface module and the roof and defining a second perimeter, the passage at the bottom end of the interface module located within the second perimeter.

17. The vehicle of claim 16 , further comprising the roof including an opening, and an electrical wire extending from the sensor module through the first seal, the passage, and the second seal into the opening of the roof.

18. The vehicle of claim 15 , further comprising a lock securing the sensor module to the interface module within the first perimeter.

19. The vehicle of claim 18 , the sensor module further comprising a computer programmed to actuate the lock.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Dry Alan George
• Line Johnathan Andrew

Classifications

• B60W60/00

  Drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles · CPC title

• B60W2422/00

  Indexing codes relating to the special location or mounting of sensors · CPC title

• B60R11/00 Primary

  Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• B62D25/06

  Fixed roofs (non-fixed roofs or like shelters B60J7/00; roof liners B60R13/02; insulating elements B60R13/08) · CPC title

• B60R16/0231 Primary

  Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle (monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P) · CPC title