Concealed mounting for autonomous vehicle sensor

Abstract

A lidar unit is mounted to an autonomous vehicle within an existing rear side window opening. An opaque inner panel blocks light, while the exterior window covers and protects the lidar unit, maintaining the original appearance and aerodynamic form of the vehicle exterior, in conjunction with the opaque inner panel.

1 . A concealed mounting assembly for a sensor in an autonomously driven vehicle, said mounting comprising:
 a sensor that emits and receives a sensing signal,   a vehicle body having a pre-defined outer surface,   an opening in said body outer surface,   an opaque panel mounted within said opening inboard of said vehicle body outer surface, said sensor being mounted within said opening so as be able to emit and receive without interference from said opaque panel while is blocked from passing through said opening to and from the exterior of the vehicle, and,   an exterior panel fixed to the vehicle so as to seal the opening from the exterior and having at least a portion transmissive to the signal of the sensor, so that said sensor may operate while being substantially visibly concealed.   
     
     
         2 . The mounting in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said sensor relies on visible light, and said exterior panel includes a substantially transparent central area. 
     
     
         3 . The mounting in accordance with  claim 2 , in which said opening is defined by a perimeter flange and said exterior panel contains a substantially opaque border masking said window opening flange. 
     
     
         4 . The mounting in accordance with  claim 1 , in which said opening comprises a rear side window opening, and said exterior panel comprises the original rear side window.