Sensor system, sensor module, and lamp device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11467284-B2
Application number	US-201716332469-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 8, 2017
Priority date	Sep 15, 2016
Publication date	Oct 11, 2022
Grant date	Oct 11, 2022

Abstract

A LiDAR sensor (41) is configured to sense information of an outside of a vehicle. An ultrasonic sensor (42) is configured to sense information of the outside of the vehicle in a different manner from the LiDAR sensor (41). A first bracket (43) supports the LiDAR sensor (41) and the ultrasonic sensor (42). A first sensor actuator (44) is configured to adjust a sensing reference position of the LiDAR sensor (41) relative to the first bracket (43). A second sensor actuator (45) is configured to adjust a sensing reference position of the ultrasonic sensor (42) relative to first bracket (43). A first bracket actuator (46) is configured to adjust at least one of a position and a posture of the first bracket (43) relative to the vehicle.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A sensor system adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, comprising:
a stationary housing;
a first sensor configured to sense information of an outside of the vehicle;
a second sensor configured to sense information of the outside of the vehicle in a different manner from the first sensor;
a supporting member supporting the first sensor and the second sensor;
a first adjuster configured to adjust a sensing reference position of the first sensor relative to, and independent from, the supporting member;
a second adjuster configured to adjust a sensing reference position of the second sensor relative to, and independent from, the supporting member; and
a third adjuster configured to adjust at least one of a position and a posture of the supporting member relative to the vehicle thereby adjusting the sensing reference position of the first sensor and the sensing reference position of the second sensor relative to a body of the vehicle;
wherein the first sensor, the second sensor, the supporting member, the first adjuster, the second adjuster, and the third adjuster are provided inside of the stationary housing.

2. The sensor system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an actuator configured to adjust at least one of the position and the posture of the supporting member in accordance with a predetermined signal;
wherein the actuator is provided inside of the stationary housing.

3. A sensor system adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, comprising:
a first sensor configured to sense information of an outside of the vehicle;
a second sensor configured to sense information of the outside of the vehicle in a different manner from the first sensor;
a supporting member supporting the first sensor and the second sensor;
a first adjuster configured to adjust a sensing reference position of the first sensor relative to the supporting member;
a second adjuster configured to adjust a sensing reference position of the second sensor relative to the supporting member;
a third adjuster configured to adjust at least one of a position and a posture of the supporting member relative to the vehicle; and
an identifier holding information adapted to be identified by the vehicle,
wherein the third adjuster includes a screw mechanism configured to adjust at least one of the position and the posture of the supporting member; and
wherein the identifier is configured to be destroyed when the screw mechanism is operated.

4. The sensor system according to claim 3 , further comprising:
a cover covering at least a portion of the screw mechanism,
wherein the identifier is provided on the cover; and
wherein the identifier is configured to be destroyed when the cover is removed.

5. (The sensor system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the third adjuster includes a screw mechanism disposed in such a position that is not visually recognizable or not operable from a front side or an upper side of the vehicle.

6. The sensor system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a light source configured to emit light for lighting a predetermined area,
wherein the light source is supported on the supporting member,
wherein the light source is provided inside of the stationary housing.

7. The sensor system according to claim 6 , further comprising:
a fourth adjuster configured to adjust a lighting reference position of the light source relative to the supporting member.

8. The sensor system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the first sensor and the second sensor include at least two of a LiDAR sensor, a camera, a millimeter wave radar, and an ultrasonic sensor.

9. The sensor system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an identifier holding information adapted to be identified by the vehicle,
wherein the third adjuster includes a screw mechanism configured to adjust at least one of the position and the posture of the supporting member; and
wherein the identifier is configured to be destroyed when the screw mechanism is operated.

10. The sensor system according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a cover covering at least a portion of the screw mechanism.

Assignees

• Koito Mfg Co Ltd

Inventors

• Yamamoto Teruaki
• Kasaba Yusuke
• Hori Takashi
• Fushimi Yoshiaki

Classifications

• G01S13/867

  Combination of radar systems with cameras · CPC title

• G01S7/521

  Constructional features · CPC title

• G01S7/4813

  Housing arrangements · CPC title

• G01S17/42

  Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates (indirect measurement G01S17/46) · CPC title

• G01S2013/93277

  in the lights · CPC title