US 12,253,575 B1
Systems and methods for detecting failure of spring contacts
Yi-Heng Sen, San Jose, CA (US); and Noah Lassar, Santa Cruz, CA (US)
Assigned to Waymo LLC, Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed by WAYMO LLC, Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed on Jul. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/859,255.
Int. Cl. G01R 31/68 (2020.01); G01R 1/07 (2006.01); H01R 12/70 (2011.01); H01R 12/71 (2011.01); H05B 3/84 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 31/68 (2020.01) [G01R 1/07 (2013.01); H05B 3/84 (2013.01); H01R 12/7076 (2013.01); H01R 12/714 (2013.01); H05B 2203/016 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, comprising:
a first element;
a first electrical contact attached to the first element;
a second element remote from the first element;
one or more vibration sensors coupled to the second element;
a second electrical contact, the second electrical contact being a spring contact configured to press against the second element and at least a portion of the first electrical contact;
a joint configured to attach a first portion of the second electrical contact to the second element, wherein the joint is a component of a sensor assembly of an autonomous vehicle; and
one or more processors configured to determine a state of the joint based on vibrations from operation of the autonomous vehicle sensed in situ by the one or more vibration sensors.