# US 10,768,063 B1 · Systems and methods for using piezoelectric sensors to ensure securement of enclosures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,768,063 B1 - Document ID: US10768063B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/522,572 - Filed: 2019-07-25 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2019-07-25 - Assignees: Pony AI Inc. - Applicants: Pony Al Inc. - Inventors: Peter G. Diehl; Cheng Jin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10768063B1 ## CPC - G01L 5/24: for determining value of torque or twisting moment for tightening a nut or other member which is similarly stressed - B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle - G01S 7/4813: {Housing arrangements} - G01S 7/497: Means for monitoring or calibrating - G01S 17/86: Combinations of lidar systems with systems other than lidar, radar or sonar, e.g. with direction finders - G01S 17/931: of land vehicles - B60R 2011/004: {outside the vehicle} - B60R 2011/0052: {using screws, bolts, rivets or the like} - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the notification is an audio cue. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the notification is a visual cue. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein converting the measured values from the one or more piezoelectric sensors into corresponding torque values is based on a calibration curve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the calibration curve is at least one of a linear curve, a polynomial curve, or an exponential curve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein converting the measured values from the one or more piezoelectric sensors into corresponding torque values is based on a lookup table. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the values measured by the one or more piezoelectric sensors correspond to pressures exerted between the enclosure and the fixture. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the enclosure encases a LiDAR and cameras. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more mechanical coupling devices include at least one of a screw, a nut and bolt, a rivet, or a fastener. ### Claim 10 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the notification is an audio cue. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the notification is a visual cue. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein converting the measured values from the one or more piezoelectric sensors into corresponding torque values is based on a calibration curve. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the calibration curve is at least one of a linear curve, a polynomial curve, or an exponential curve. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein converting the measured values from the one or more piezoelectric sensors into corresponding torque values is based on a lookup table. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the values measured by the one or more piezoelectric sensors correspond to pressures exerted between the enclosure and the fixture. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the enclosure encases a LiDAR and cameras. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more mechanical coupling devices include at least one of a screw, a nut and bolt, a rivet, or a fastener. ### Claim 19 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.