Device and method for adjusting a motor vehicle sensor

Abstract

Device for attaching a measuring instrument (28) to a motor vehicle sensor (30), in particular a vehicle environment sensor, comprising: - a base plate (12), - a retaining plate (14) which is connected to the base plate (12) by a connecting means (16), a clamp (22) which is movably attached to the retaining plate (14), wherein the clamp (22) consists of two elements (20) which are each connected to the retaining plate (14) by a joint (24) and wherein one end of the elements (20) of the clamp (22) can be attached to the vehicle sensor (30); a rod (26) which is connected to the base plate (12) and has a measuring means (28) or a holding device for a spirit level (28) or an electronic tilt sensor (28), wherein the base plate (12) has at least one projection (13) which is a counterpart to a recess (11) of a housing (15) of the vehicle sensor (30).

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to a device for fastening a measuring means to a motor vehicle sensor, in particular a vehicle environment sensor, and to a method for adjusting a motor vehicle sensor.

[0002] A motor vehicle sensor, especially a vehicle surroundings sensor, is regularly checked in the workshop to ensure its inclination is correctly adjusted. The vehicle sensor is mounted near the vehicle body. A well-known inclination checking tool is mounted on the vehicle sensor using a suction cup that encloses the convex surface of the sensor lens. Using a spirit level attached to the tool, the inclination of the vehicle surroundings sensor can be checked and adjusted.

[0003] Document DE 2 696 162 A1 discloses a portable measuring device and a configurator that together form a measuring kit. Document US 5 819 425 A discloses a clamp for temporarily attaching a spirit level to a component. Document US 2011 / 0 146 091 A1 discloses a device for determining the orientation of a surface relative to the horizontal, wherein the device comprises an elongated body part and at least one fastening part for attaching the elongated body part to a workpiece. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a device for attaching a measuring device to a motor vehicle sensor. In the conventional device, which attaches the measuring device to the motor vehicle sensor using a suction cup, the holding force may be insufficient due to adverse workshop conditions. The suction cup can become dirty and must be cleaned before each use of the device. Furthermore, a method for adjusting a motor vehicle sensor is to be provided that uses the aforementioned device.

[0005] The invention according to independent device claim 1 and independent method claim 9 offers an alternative form of mounting the measuring device that is not limited by contamination that may occur in the workshop. The device is attached to the side of the motor vehicle sensor housing using a clamp.

[0006] The inventive method for adjusting a motor vehicle sensor, in particular a vehicle environment sensor, comprises the following steps: a) Attaching a device for attaching a measuring device to the motor vehicle sensor so that one end of the elements of the clamp engages in an elongated gap of a housing of the motor vehicle sensor, b) Changing the inclination or orientation of the vehicle sensor by means of screws on a bracket of the housing until the measuring device indicates a specified value.

[0007] It is advantageous if the clamp consists of two elements, each connected to the mounting plate by a joint, as the clamp elements can grip the housing of the automotive sensor like a pair of pincers. The joint allows the elements to be mounted rotatably on the mounting plate.

[0008] A further advantage arises when a clamp spring is arranged between the clamp element and the retaining plate, so that movement of the element toward the retaining plate is only possible against the spring force of the clamp spring. The spring preloads the clamp, so that the device sits firmly after being attached to the housing of the automotive sensor and can only be released from the automotive sensor by applying force counter to the spring force of the clamp spring.

[0009] A connecting means which has a spring arranged between the holding plate and the base plate so that the holding plate and the base plate can only approach each other against the spring force of the spring is advantageous because a certain rigidity is achieved between the base plate and the holding plate.

[0010] A particular advantage arises when the base plate has at least one raised portion that complements a recess in the housing of the automotive sensor, as this allows for precise adaptation of the base plate to the housing of the automotive sensor. Precise engagement of the clamps in the recesses of the housing is only possible if the raised portion fits precisely into the recess that acts as the counterpart. The precise adaptation of the base plate to the housing increases measurement accuracy by preventing the plate from slipping.

[0011] A rod consisting of a base rod connected to the base plate and a rod attachment that can be firmly connected to the base rod is advantageous, as different rods can be attached to the same basic structure consisting of a base plate and holding plate with clamps. Depending on the vehicle type, the installation position of the vehicle sensor is lower or higher within the body, so that a mechanic can read the measuring device better with a longer rod or rod attachment. The flexible structure of the base rod and rod attachment allows the same basic structure to be used flexibly for different vehicle types, as only the rod attachment needs to be replaced. It is also possible to use a different rod with an alternative measuring device for the respective measurement.

[0012] It is advantageous if the measuring device is a spirit level or an electronic inclinometer, as these are cheap and easy-to-use means of determining a zero level.

[0013] The use of a magnet as a holding device is recommended because the measuring device can be easily attached to the measuring rod or removed again. Examples of implementation

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description.

[0015] They show: Fig. 1 a section through a device for attaching a measuring means to a motor vehicle sensor according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 a view of a side wall of a base plate of the device, Fig. 3 a view of a motor vehicle sensor and Fig. 4 a section through a device for fastening a measuring means to a motor vehicle sensor according to a second embodiment. Embodiments of the invention

[0016] The Fig. 1 shows a section through a device for attaching a measuring means 28 to a motor vehicle sensor 30 according to a first embodiment.

[0017] The device has a base plate 12, which in the embodiment according to Fig. 2 is a plate with a rectangular cross-section. However, the cross-section of the plate can also have a different shape.

[0018] The base plate 12 is firmly connected to a rod 26. The rod 26 is connected at one end to a side wall of the base plate 12. The side wall of the base plate 12 opposite the rod 26 can have at least one elevation 13. The elevation 13 is a surface of any shape that stands out from the flat side wall of the base plate 12. In Fig. 2 shows a side wall view of a base plate 12 with three protrusions 13. The shape of the protrusion 13 can be chosen arbitrarily, but the protrusion 13 should be a counterpart to a recess 11 on a housing 15 of a motor vehicle sensor 30, as shown in Fig. 3 shown.

[0019] Fig. Figure 3 shows a motor vehicle sensor 30 with a housing 15, which, together with the sensor lens 31, forms a flat surface. The housing has three recesses 11. At least one elongated gap 32 is located at the edge of the housing.

[0020] A protrusion 13 is a counterpart to a depression 11 if the protrusion 13 fits exactly into the depression 11 and fills it completely.

[0021] The rod 26 has a measuring device 28 or a holding device for a measuring device 28. The measuring device 28 can be a spirit level or a vial, which makes it possible to determine the alignment of the rod 26 and thus also the alignment of the base plate 12 to a zero level. Instead of the spirit level or vial, an electronic inclination sensor can also be used as the measuring device 28. The measuring device 28 is either permanently connected to the rod 26 or connected to the rod 26 via a holding device. The holding device makes it possible to remove the measuring device 28 from the rod or to replace it with another measuring device 28. A holding device can be implemented using a magnet.

[0022] The base plate 12 is connected to a retaining plate 14 via a connecting means 16. The retaining plate 14 is located on the side of the base plate 12 on which the base plate 12 is connected to the rod 26. The retaining plate 14 has an opening so that the rod 26 can be guided through the retaining plate 14 without touching it.

[0023] Furthermore, a clamp 22 is movably attached to the holding plate 14. The clamp 22 consists of two elements 20, each connected to the holding plate 14 by a joint 24. One element 20 is attached to the side of the holding plate 14 and extends laterally along the device to the base plate 12. At a first end of the element 20, which faces the base plate 12, the element 20 has a projection 9 pointing toward the base plate 12. The projection 9 is preferably located in the region of the at least one elevation 13 of the base plate 12.

[0024] A clamp spring 17 can be arranged between the element 20 and the retaining plate 14, so that movement of the second end of the element 20 facing the retaining plate 14 in the direction of the retaining plate 14 is only possible against the spring force of the clamp spring 17. The clamp spring 17 thus pushes the second end of the element 20 away from the retaining plate 14, while the first end experiences a movement in the direction of the base plate 12 due to its mounting in the joint 24.

[0025] The clamp 22 makes it possible to attach the device to a motor vehicle sensor 30 by ensuring that the projection 9 of the first end of the elements 20 engages in an elongated gap 32 of the housing 15 of the motor vehicle sensor 30. The spring force of the clamp spring 17 prevents the device from becoming loose or slipping. The device can be released from the motor vehicle sensor 30 by a user exerting a force counter to the spring force of the clamp spring 17 on the second end of the elements 20 of the clamp 22.

[0026] The connecting element 16 can be a screw that is firmly connected to the base plate 12, while the retaining plate 14 can be guided along the screw. A screw head forms a stop for the retaining plate 14, thus limiting the maximum distance between the base plate 12 and the retaining plate 14.

[0027] Furthermore, the connecting means 16 can be a spring arranged between the retaining plate 14 and the base plate 12, so that the base plate 12 and the retaining plate 14 can only approach each other against the spring force. A combination of a screw with a screw head and the spring as the connecting means 16 is also possible.

[0028] In a second embodiment according to Fig. 4, the rod 26 can consist of a base rod 27, which is firmly connected to the base plate 12, and a rod attachment 29, which can be firmly connected to the base rod 27. In this embodiment, the rod attachment 29 comprises the measuring device 28 or the holding device for the measuring device 28.

[0029] The device for attaching a measuring device 28 to a motor vehicle sensor 30 can be used for adjusting a motor vehicle sensor 30, in particular a vehicle environment sensor. For this purpose, the device is attached to the motor vehicle sensor 30 such that one end of the elements 20 of the clamp 22 engages in the elongated gap 32 of the housing 15 of the motor vehicle sensor 30.

[0030] Using the measuring device 28 on the rod 26, the inclination of the housing 15 and thus also of the motor vehicle sensor 30 relative to a zero level can be determined. A technician can adjust the inclination or orientation of the motor vehicle sensor 30 using screws on a bracket of the housing 15 until the measuring device 28 indicates a specified value.

Claims

[1] Device for attaching a measuring means (28) to a motor vehicle sensor (30), in particular a vehicle environment sensor, comprising: - a base plate (12), - a holding plate (14) which is connected to the base plate (12) by a connecting means (16), a clamp (22) which is movably fastened to the holding plate (14), wherein the clamp (22) consists of two elements (20), which are each connected to the holding plate (14) by a joint (24) and wherein one end of the elements (20) of the clamp (22) can be fastened to the motor vehicle sensor (30); a rod (26) which is connected to the base plate (12) and has a measuring means (28) or a holding device for a spirit level (28) or an electronic inclination sensor (28), wherein the base plate (12) has at least one elevation (13) which is a counterpart to a recess (11) of a housing (15) of the motor vehicle sensor (30). [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein a clamp spring (17) is arranged between the element (20) and the holding plate (14), so that a movement of the element (20) in the direction of the holding plate (14) is only possible against the spring force of the clamp spring (17). [3] Device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means (16) comprises a spring which is arranged between the holding plate (14) and the base plate (12) so that the holding plate (14) and the base plate (12) can only approach each other against the spring force of the spring. [4] Device according to claim 1, wherein the rod (26) consists of a base rod (27) which is connected to the base plate (12) and a rod attachment (29) which is fixedly connectable to the base rod (12). [5] The device according to claim 1, wherein the holding device is a magnet. [6] Method for adjusting a motor vehicle sensor (30), in particular a vehicle environment sensor, comprising the following steps: a) fastening a device according to one of claims 1 to 5 to the motor vehicle sensor (30), so that one end of the elements (20) of the clamp (22) each engages in an elongated gap (32) of a housing (15) of the motor vehicle sensor (30), b) Changing the inclination or orientation of the motor vehicle sensor (30) by means of screws of a holder of the housing (15) until the measuring means (28) indicates a predetermined value. [7] Method according to claim 6, wherein the device is attached to the motor vehicle sensor (30) such that the at least one elevation (13) fits exactly into the recess (11) which forms a counterpart to the elevation (13).

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