Lidar sensor with window breakage detection
AssigneeContinental Autonomous Mobility US, LLC
InventorsJose Miguel Banuelos Carrillo, Benjamin Gordon, Octavio Samano Cancino
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Abstract
A lidar sensor assembly includes a housing having a window. A light source is disposed within the housing and configured to generate light which is directed through the window. A detector array is disposed within the housing and configured to detect light generated by the light source and reflected off at least one object. A controller is in communication with the light source to control operation of the light source. A strain gauge is in communication with the controller and includes a conductive element disposed on the window. The controller is configured to deactivate the light source in response to the strain gauge indicating damage to said window.
Claims10
A lidar sensor assembly comprising:
- a housing having a window;
- a light source disposed within said housing and configured to generate light which is directed through said window;
- a detector array disposed within said housing and configured to detect light generated by said light source and reflected off at least one object;
- and
- a controller in communication with said light source to control operation of said light source;
- and
- a strain gauge in communication with said controller and including a conductive element disposed on said window;
- said controller configured to deactivate said light source in response to said strain gauge indicating damage to said window.
A method of detecting damage to a window of lidar sensor assembly, wherein the lidar sensor assembly includes a housing defining an opening, the window disposed in the opening, a light source disposed within the housing and configured to generate light which is directed through the window, a detector array disposed within the housing and configured to detect light generated by the light source and reflected off at least one object, said method comprising:
- disposing a conductive element disposed on the window;
- sensing a resistance of the conductive element as part of a strain gauge;
- and
- determining whether damage has occurred to the window based on the sensed resistance of the conductive element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.