Systems and methods for using piezoelectric sensors to ensure securement of enclosures
AssigneePony AI Inc.
InventorsPeter G. Diehl, Cheng Jin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for securing an enclosure to an autonomous vehicle. The enclosure can be translated to a final alignment location on a fixture of the autonomous vehicle. The enclosure can include one or more piezoelectric sensors disposed underneath one or more mounting points of the enclosure. The one or more piezoelectric sensors can be initialized to an initial value. Changes in values from the one or more piezoelectric sensors can be measured as the enclosure is being secured to the fixture by one or more mechanical coupling devices through the one or more mounting points.
Claims19
A method for securing an enclosure to a vehicle comprising:
- translating the enclosure to a location on a fixture of the vehicle, wherein the enclosure includes one or more piezoelectric sensors disposed underneath one or more respective mounting points of the enclosure;
- initializing the one or more piezoelectric sensors to an initial value;
- and
- measuring values from the respective one or more piezoelectric sensors as the enclosure is being secured to the fixture by one or more mechanical coupling devices at the one or more respective mounting points;
- converting the measured values from the one or more piezoelectric sensors into corresponding torque values;
- and
- emitting a notification when a measured value reaches a value corresponding to a desired torque value.
A system for securing an enclosure to a vehicle comprising:
- the enclosure mounted to a fixture of the vehicle, the enclosure comprising:
- one or more sensors encased by the enclosure;
- and
- a transparent cover as an exterior of the enclosure;
- one or more piezoelectric sensors disposed beneath the enclosure and between the enclosure and the fixture;
- one or more processors;
- and
- a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the system to perform:
- translating the enclosure to a location on the fixture of the vehicle,
- initializing the one or more piezoelectric sensors to an initial value, and
- measuring values from the respective one or more piezoelectric sensors as the enclosure is being secured to the fixture by one or more mechanical coupling devices at one or more respective mounting points of the enclosure,
- converting the measured values from the one or more piezoelectric sensors into corresponding torque values;
- and
- emitting a notification when a measured value reaches a value corresponding to a desired torque value.
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform:
- translating an enclosure on a vehicle to a location on a fixture of the vehicle, wherein the enclosure includes one or more piezoelectric sensors disposed underneath one or more respective mounting points of the enclosure;
- initializing the one or more piezoelectric sensors to an initial value;
- and
- measuring values from the respective one or more piezoelectric sensors as the enclosure is being secured to the fixture by one or more mechanical coupling devices at the one or more respective mounting points;
- converting the measured values from the one or more piezoelectric sensors into corresponding torque values;
- and
- emitting a notification when a measured value reaches a value corresponding to a desired torque value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.