Radar Connector and Its Assembly Method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a radar connector and an assembly method thereof. More specifically, a radar connector and an assembly method thereof can be provided, which can prevent the radar housing from detaching from the bracket when the bracket and the radar housing are simultaneously fastened together through a connecting member provided in the radar housing without using a socket, thereby preventing a possible quality degradation when using the socket and saving the manufacturing cost.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2021 - 0032712, filed on March 12, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes as fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] This embodiment relates to a radar connector and an assembly method thereof, and more particularly, to a radar connector and an assembly method thereof that can couple a bracket to a radar housing without using a socket. Background Art

[0004] Currently, in - vehicle radar is an effective accident prevention system for preventing traffic accidents.

[0005] The in - vehicle radar identifies vehicles on the road and collects distance, relative speed, direction, or other information between the host vehicle and other vehicles. The electronic control unit 123 and the controller in the in - vehicle radar use the collected data to control cruise and the distance between vehicles. Such in - vehicle radar is installed in the rear space inside the front bumper of the vehicle and collects the information data required by the host vehicle. The in - vehicle radar is built into the radar housing, fastened to the bracket, and installed in front of the vehicle. Generally, a socket assembly is used to smooth and maintain the fastening between the radar housing and the bracket.

[0006] However, the structure of using a socket to fasten the radar housing and the bracket requires an automated equipment for controlling the fastening force and multiple sockets, which increases the manufacturing cost. Further, after the radar housing and the bracket are fastened, the socket may be damaged. In particular, if the socket is damaged after fastening, the radar housing may become detached from the bracket. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to this embodiment, a radar connector and an assembly method thereof can be provided, which can prevent the radar housing from falling off the bracket when the bracket and the radar housing are simultaneously fastened together without using a socket by a coupling member provided in the radar housing.

[0008] According to an embodiment, a radar connector can be provided, which includes: a bracket having a protrusion protruding forward and installed on a vehicle; and a radar housing including a box - shaped main body with a radar built therein and a coupling member provided on the outer edge of the main body. The coupling member includes a coupling hole, and the protrusion of the bracket is disposed in the coupling hole.

[0009] According to an embodiment, a method of assembling a radar connector can be provided. The method includes: a first shaft coupling step of sliding and placing a first opening provided in a radar housing onto a first protrusion provided in a bracket; a second shaft coupling step of, when the radar housing is in an inclined state, sliding and placing a second opening provided in the radar housing onto a second protrusion provided in the bracket by rotating the radar housing; and a third shaft coupling step of horizontally placing the radar housing on the bracket and press-fitting a third protrusion provided in the bracket into a through hole.

[0010] According to the present embodiment, a radar connector and an assembling method thereof can be provided. When the radar connector is fastened together simultaneously by coupling members provided in the radar housing without using a socket between the bracket and the radar housing, the radar housing can be prevented from falling off the bracket, thereby preventing a possible quality degradation when using the socket and saving manufacturing costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood by referring to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description, where:

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a radar connector mounted on a vehicle according to the current embodiment;

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the radar connector according to the current embodiment;

[0014] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a radar housing included in the radar connector according to the current embodiment;

[0015] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection between a coupling member of the radar housing and a protrusion of the bracket according to the current embodiment;

[0016] Figure 6 and Figure 7 is a top view showing the connection between a coupling member of the radar housing and a protrusion of the bracket according to the current embodiment;

[0017] Figure 8 and Figure 9 is a top view showing the arrangement state of a coupling member of the radar housing and a protrusion of the bracket according to the current embodiment;

[0018] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the arrangement state of a coupling member of the radar housing and a protrusion of the bracket according to the current embodiment;

[0019] Figure 11is a perspective view showing a bracket included in a radar connector according to the current embodiment; and

[0020] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing a method of assembling a radar connector according to the current embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings of examples or embodiments of the present disclosure, which are shown in a manner that illustrates specific examples or embodiments that can be implemented, and the same reference numerals and symbols in the drawings can be used to denote the same or similar components even if they appear in different drawings. Further, in the following description of examples or embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that the description may obscure the subject matter in some embodiments of the present disclosure, a detailed description of known functions and components incorporated herein will be omitted. Terms such as "comprising", "having", "including", "consisting of", "consisting in", and "formed of" used herein generally mean allowing the addition of other components, unless used together with the term "only". When used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0022] Terms such as "first", "second", "A", "B", "(A)", and "(B)" may be used herein to describe elements of the present disclosure. Each of these terms is not used to define the essence, order, sequence, quantity, etc. of an element, but is only used to distinguish the corresponding element from other elements.

[0023] When referring to a first element being "connected or coupled to" a second element, "contacting or overlapping" the second element, etc., it should be understood that not only can the first element be "directly connected or coupled to" the second element or "directly contacting or overlapping" the second element, but also a third element can be "inserted" between the first element and the second element, or the first element and the second element can be "connected or coupled", "contacting or overlapping", etc. with each other via a fourth element. Here, the second element may be included in at least one of two or more elements that are "connected or coupled", "contacting or overlapping", etc. with each other.

[0024] When time-related terms such as "after", "subsequent to", "subsequently", "before", etc. are used to describe the operation or configuration of a process or element, or the flow or steps in an operation, process, or manufacturing method, these terms may be used to describe a non-continuous or non-sequential process or operation, unless the terms "directly" or "immediately" are used together with these terms.

[0025] In addition, when referring to any dimensions, relative sizes, etc., it should be considered that even without specifically stating the relevant description, the numerical values or corresponding information of the components or features (e.g., levels, ranges, etc.) also include the tolerance or error ranges that may be caused by various factors (e.g., process factors, internal or external influences, noise, etc.). Further, the term "may" fully encompasses all the meanings of the term "can".

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a radar connector mounted on a vehicle according to the current embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a radar connector according to the current embodiment. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a radar housing included in a radar connector according to the current embodiment. Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection between a connection member of a radar housing and a protrusion of a bracket according to the current embodiment. Figure 6 and Figure 7 is a top view showing the connection of a protrusion between a connection member of a radar housing and a bracket according to the current embodiment. Figure 8 and Figure 9 is a top view showing the arrangement state of a protrusion between a connection member of a radar housing and a bracket according to the current embodiment. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the arrangement state of a protrusion between a connection member of a radar housing and a bracket according to the current embodiment. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a bracket included in a radar connector according to the current embodiment. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing a method of assembling a radar connector according to the current embodiment.

[0027] As shown in the figure, according to the current embodiment, the radar connector includes: a bracket having a protrusion protruding forward and mounted on a vehicle; and a radar housing including a box-shaped main body with a radar built therein and a connection member provided on an outer edge of the main body. The connection member includes a connection hole in which the protrusion of the bracket is disposed.

[0028] A vehicle sensing system, a driver sensing system, an object detection system, or an alarm system senses and collects data from outside the vehicle through sensors provided in the vehicle and detects objects around the vehicle, thereby assisting the vehicle in traveling when the driver or the vehicle's autonomous driving system drives the vehicle forward or backward. Such a system includes a processor or a controller that receives the data sensed and collected by one or more sensors, processes the received data, and generates a vehicle alarm signal, a steering signal, or a control signal.

[0029] Referring to Figure 1, according to the current embodiment, the radar connector 101 includes at least one radar 103. For example, the radar connector 101 may include one or more of the following: a forward detection radar mounted on the front of the vehicle 100, a rearward detection radar mounted on the rear of the vehicle 100, and a lateral detection radar mounted on each side of the vehicle 100.

[0030] According to the current embodiment, the radar connector 101 may be disposed in the vehicle grille, bumper, or inside the vehicle body. However, it is not limited thereto, and the radar connector 101 may be configured as part of a component of the vehicle exterior such as the vehicle grille, bumper, or vehicle body. If the radar connector 101 is disposed inside the vehicle, the vehicle may have better aesthetics and facilitate the installation of the radar connector 101.

[0031] Refer to Figure 2 , according to the current embodiment, the radar connector 101 includes: a bracket 200 having a protrusion 210 protruding forward and mounted on the vehicle 100; and a radar housing 300 including a box-shaped main body 310 with a radar built therein and a coupling member 320 provided on the outer edge of the main body 310. The coupling member 320 includes a coupling hole 321 in which the protrusion 210 of the bracket 200 is placed.

[0032] The bracket 200 may be provided with mounting holes 220 for fixing to the vehicle 100. The bracket 200 may be fixed to the vehicle by fastening members (not shown) placed in the mounting holes 220 so that the radar connector 101 can be mounted on the vehicle 100.

[0033] The protrusion 210 of the bracket 200 is set to protrude forward. "Forward" may refer to the outward direction perpendicular to the plane on which the radar connector 101 is mounted on the vehicle 100 and the main body 310 faces the outside of the vehicle.

[0034] As Figure 2 shown, three protrusions 210 may be provided. However, the number of protrusions 210 is not limited thereto. For example, two protrusions 210 may be provided, or four or more protrusions 210 may be provided.

[0035] The radar can be placed inside the box-shaped main body 310 of the radar housing 300. The radar placed in the main body 310 can analyze the transmitted signal and the received signal, process data, and accordingly detect information about an object. To this end, the radar can include an electronic control unit (ECU) or a processor. However, the current embodiment is not limited thereto. If the radar itself does not have an electronic control unit (ECU) or a processor, the radar can collect information about the object and transmit the signal to a separately provided electronic control unit (ECU) or processor, and the electronic control unit (ECU) or the processor can analyze the received signal, process the data, and detect the object information.

[0036] Data transmission or signal communication from the radar to the electronic control unit (ECU) or the processor can use known techniques, such as a communication link, such as a suitable vehicle network bus.

[0037] The coupling member 320 can be provided at the outer edge of the main body 310. For example, the coupling member 320 can be provided at the corners of the outer edge of the main body 310. The coupling member 320 can be provided at the center of the outer edge of the main body 310. The coupling member 320 can be provided at the corners and the center of the outer edge of the main body 310. However, the coupling member 320 needs to be provided at a position corresponding to the protrusion 210 of the bracket 200. Therefore, the position on the edge of the main body 310 where the coupling member 320 is provided can vary according to the position of the protrusion 210 of the bracket 200.

[0038] The coupling hole 321 is provided to pass through the coupling member 320. The coupling member 210 of the bracket 200 is press-fitted into the coupling hole 321 so that the radar housing 300 and the bracket 200 can be coupled together. For example, the radar housing 300 and the bracket 200 can be coupled to each other by placing the radar housing 300 in front of the bracket 200 and press-fitting the protrusion 210 of the bracket 200 into the coupling hole 321 of the coupling member 320. Therefore, when the protrusion 210 is placed in the coupling hole 321, the radar housing 300 and the bracket 200 can be fastened together.

[0039] As described above, according to the current embodiment, the bracket 200 and the radar housing 300 can be coupled and fastened together through the coupling member 320 of the radar housing 300 without using a socket, thereby preventing quality deterioration that may occur when using a socket and saving manufacturing costs.

[0040] Refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3, the coupling member 320 may include a first support member 323 having a coupling hole 321 and a second support member 325. The first support member 323 may extend outward from the coupling hole 321, and one outer side of the first support member 323 is connected to the main body 310. The second support member 325 may extend forward along the coupling hole. The inner circumferential surface of the first support member 323 provided with the coupling hole may be elastically deformed. Therefore, when the first support member 323 is elastically deformed, the protrusion 210 may be inserted into the coupling hole 321.

[0041] The first support member 323 may extend outward from the coupling hole 321, and one outer side of the first support member 323 may be connected to the main body 310. When the inner circumferential surface is elastically deformed, the extended first support member 323 may disperse the insertion force of the protrusion 210, thereby preventing damage to the coupling member 320.

[0042] The outer circumferential surface of the first support member 323 may be set to a rectangular shape, but is not limited thereto. For example, the outer circumferential surface of the first support member 323 may be set to other shapes, such as a circular shape or a hexagonal shape.

[0043] The second support member 325 may be integrally formed with the first support member 323. In other words, the second support member 325 may extend forward from the first support member 323.

[0044] The coupling hole 321 may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the second support member 325. The second support member 325 may press and support the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 210 inserted into the coupling hole 321, so that the protrusion 210 is fixed at a specific position on the inner circumferential surface of the second support member 325.

[0045] The outer circumferential surface of the second support member 325 may be set to a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. For example, the outer circumferential surface of the second support member 325 may be set to other shapes, such as a hexahedral shape or a hemispherical shape.

[0046] The coupling member 320 may further include a third support member 327 extending forward and backward from the other end of the first support member 323. For example, the third support member 327 may extend in the forward direction, that is, in the same direction as the second support member 325 extends, and extend in the backward direction, that is, in the direction opposite to the direction in which the second support member 325 extends.

[0047] The inner circumferential surface of the third support member 327 may be set to a shape connected along the outer circumferential surface of the first support member 323. Therefore, the inner circumferential surface of the third support member 327 may be set to the same shape as the outer circumferential surface of the first support member 323.

[0048] When the protrusion 210 is inserted into the coupling hole 321, the third support member can further disperse the insertion force applied by the protrusion 210 to the first support member 323, thereby preventing damage to the first support member 323.

[0049] The coupling member 320 may further include a fourth support member 329 that connects the front surface of the first support member 323 and the outer circumferential surface of the second support member 325. In this case, a plurality of fourth support members 329 may be provided to be spaced apart from each other.

[0050] The fourth support member 329 can enhance the rigidity of the first support member 323 and the second support member 325. For example, the fourth support member 329 can prevent damage to the first support member 323 when the protrusion 210 is inserted into the coupling hole 321, and prevent damage to the second support member 325 when the protrusion 210 is placed in the coupling hole 321.

[0051] The first support member 323 to the fourth support member 329 may be formed of an elastic material. For example, the first support member 323 to the fourth support member 329 may be formed of plastic, but is not limited thereto, and they may be formed of known elastic materials.

[0052] Refer to Figure 4 , the protrusion 210 may be provided in a columnar shape. For example, the protrusion 210 may be a columnar shape protruding forward, but is not limited thereto. For example, the protrusion 210 may be provided as an inclined columnar shape with a diameter decreasing forward. In this case, it is possible to easily press-fit the protrusion 210 into the coupling hole 321.

[0053] The columnar protrusion 210 may be cylindrical, but is not limited thereto, and it may also be rectangular columnar. In other words, the columnar protrusion 210 may be provided in any shape that can be placed and fixed in the coupling hole.

[0054] If the protrusion 210 is provided in a columnar shape, the portion where the first support member 323 and the second support member 325 are connected to each other may have an inclined portion 324 with a diameter increasing backward of the coupling hole. In this case, when the protrusion 210 is inserted into the coupling hole 321, the front end of the inclined portion 324 may be elastically deformed.

[0055] Even when the coupling hole 321 provided on the inner circumferential surfaces of the first support member 323 and the second support member 325 is not accurately positioned above the protrusion 210 when the radar housing 300 and the bracket 200 are coupled together, the inclined portion 324 allows the protrusion 210 to move along the inclined portion 324 and be placed in the coupling hole 321. In other words, the inclined portion 324 can be used to guide the protrusion 210 to the coupling hole 321.

[0056] Refer to Figure 5, one end of the protrusion 210 may have a protruding end 213 that protrudes radially from the main body 211. The shape of the protruding end 213 may be a truncated sphere, but is not limited thereto. For example, the shape of the protruding end 213 may be a complete sphere, a hexahedron, or a truncated cone.

[0057] In this case, a seat groove 325a having the same curvature as the protruding end 213 may be formed in the inner circumferential surface of the second support member 325 to rest the protruding end 213 at a specific position of the coupling hole 321. Accordingly, the seat groove 325a may prevent the protruding end 213 from disengaging from the inner circumferential surface of the second support member 325.

[0058] The seat groove 325a may be provided at a position connected to the front end of the inclined portion 324 of the second support member 325. However, it is not limited thereto, and the seat groove 325a may be provided between the front end of the inclined portion 324 and the front end of the second support member 325.

[0059] Accordingly, the inclined portion 324 may be utilized to guide the protrusion 210 to the coupling hole 321, and the seat groove 325a in which the protruding end 213 of the protrusion 210 is located may be utilized to prevent the protrusion 210 from disengaging from the coupling hole 321.

[0060] Refer to Figure 6 , the coupling hole 321 may be provided with an opening 322 through which the second side of the coupling member 320 is opened.

[0061] The second side may refer to a side surface in any one direction of the remaining portion of the outer circumferential surface other than the side connected to the main body 310. The second side shall also be interpreted in the same manner hereinafter.

[0062] The protrusion 210 may slide and be seated in the coupling hole 321 having the opening 322. For example, the protrusion 210 may be inserted through the first side of the coupling member 320 having the opening 322 and slide along the opening 322 to reach the coupling hole 321, and be coupled while being supported by the inner circumferential surface of the second support member 325.

[0063] In this case, the width of the opening 322 and the diameter of the coupling hole 321 are formed to be smaller than the diameter of the protrusion 210. The protrusion 210 may be inserted into the opening 322 that is elastically deformed by press-fitting and slide along the opening 322, and if it reaches the coupling hole 321, it may be fixed and coupled at a specific position by the inner circumferential surface of the second support member 325.

[0064] Refer to Figure 7, the width of the opening 322 can be set to be smaller than the diameter of the coupling hole 321. In this case, the protrusion 210 can slide while elastically deforming the inner circumferential surface of the opening 322, reach the coupling hole 321, and be coupled while being supported by the inner circumferential surface of the second support member 325. Since the diameter of the coupling hole 321 is smaller than the width of the opening 322, the protrusion 210 can be prevented from detaching through the opening 322, that is, from the coupling member 320.

[0065] Although Figure 6 and Figure 7 show the columnar protrusion 210 being placed into the coupling hole 321 having the opening 322, the current embodiment can also be applied even if a protruding end (not shown) is provided at one end of the protrusion 210. In this case, a seat groove (not shown) continuous with the inner circumferential surface of the opening 322 and the inner circumferential surface of the coupling hole 321 can be provided, and the protrusion 210 can be inserted and slide along the seat groove (not shown) to be placed into the coupling hole 321.

[0066] Referring to Figure 8 , among the plurality of coupling members 320, the first coupling member 320a can be provided at one of the four corners of the main body 310, and the second coupling member 320b can be provided at another corner diagonally opposite to the first coupling member 320a.

[0067] For example, as Figure 8 shown, the first coupling member 320a can be provided at the upper right corner of the main body 310, while the second coupling member 320b can be provided at the lower left corner of the main body 310. However, the current embodiment is not limited thereto. The first coupling member 320a can be provided at the upper left corner of the main body 310, while the second coupling member 320b can be provided at the lower right corner of the main body 310.

[0068] The first protrusion 210a and the second protrusion 210b can be respectively provided at positions corresponding to the first coupling member 320a and the second coupling member 320b, and are respectively placed into the first coupling hole 321a and the second coupling hole 321b. Therefore, the bracket 200 can be coupled to the radar housing 300, and this coupling can be stably supported by the coupling between the protrusion 210a and the coupling hole 321a of the coupling member 320a and the coupling between the protrusion 210b and the coupling hole 321b of the coupling member 320b.

[0069] Referring to Figure 9 , the first coupling member 320a can have a first opening 322a, and the second side of the first opening 322a opens from the coupling hole in the first direction, and the second coupling member 320b can have a second opening 322b, and the second side of the second opening 322b opens from the coupling hole in the second direction.

[0070] As shown Figure 9 in the figure, the first direction in which the first opening 322a opens from the coupling hole may be the right direction of the first coupling member 320a, and the second direction in which the second opening 322b opens from the coupling hole may be the lower direction of the second coupling member 320b, but is not limited thereto. As an example, the first direction may be the upper direction of the first coupling member 320a, and the second direction may be the lower direction of the second coupling member 320b. In other words, the first opening 322a and the second opening 322b in the first direction and the second direction from the coupling hole opening should be interpreted as different directions in which one of the first opening 322a and the second opening 322b can be coupled to one of the first protrusion 210a and the second protrusion 210b by rotating the radar housing 300, and the other of the first opening 322a and the second opening 322b is coupled to the other of the first protrusion 210a and the second protrusion 210b.

[0071] The first protrusion 210a can slide through the first opening 322a of the first coupling member 320a and be placed in the first coupling hole 321a, while the second protrusion 210b can slide through the second opening 322b of the second coupling member 320b and be placed in the second connection hole 321b. The first opening 322a and the second opening 322b open in different directions, namely the first direction and the second direction, to prevent the protrusion 210a from detaching from the coupling hole 321a and the protrusion 210b from detaching from the coupling hole 321b, where the protrusion 210a is placed in the coupling hole 321a and the protrusion 210b is placed in the coupling hole 321b, thereby preventing the radar housing 300 from detaching from the bracket 200.

[0072] Referring Figure 10 to the figure, among the plurality of coupling members 320, the third coupling member 320c may be provided at the corner between the first coupling member 320a and the second coupling member 320b. For example, the third coupling member 320c may be provided at the lower right corner of the main body 310, between the first coupling member 320a provided at the upper right corner of the main body 310 and the second coupling member 320b provided at the lower left corner of the main body 310. However, it is not limited thereto, and the third coupling member 320c may be provided at the upper left corner of the main body 310, between the first coupling member 320a provided at the upper right corner of the main body 310 and the second coupling member 320b provided at the lower left corner of the main body 310.

[0073] The first coupling hole 321a of the first coupling member 320a may have a third opening 322c, the second side of the third opening 322c opens from the coupling hole in the third direction, and the third coupling member 320c may have a fourth opening 322d, the second side of the fourth opening 322d opens from the coupling hole in the fourth direction perpendicular to the third direction. The second coupling member 320b may have an unopened second coupling hole 321b.

[0074] The fourth direction in which the third coupling hole 321c opens may be perpendicular to the third direction in which the first coupling hole 321a opens. As Figure 10 shown, the third direction in which the first coupling hole 321a opens may be above the first coupling member 320a, and the fourth direction in which the third coupling hole 321c opens may be the right direction perpendicular to the third direction of the third coupling member 320c. However, this is merely an example, and the current embodiment may also be applied to other combinations of directions in which the third direction and the fourth direction of the coupling hole opening are perpendicular to each other. In other combinations, one of the third opening 322c and the fourth opening 322d may be coupled to one of the first protrusion 210a and the third protrusion 210c by rotating the radar housing 300, and the other of the third opening 322c and the fourth opening 322d may be coupled to the other of the first protrusion 210a and the third protrusion 210c.

[0075] The first protrusion 210a may be placed into the first coupling hole 321a through the third opening 322c, thereby preventing the protrusions 210a, 210b, and 210c from disengaging in the radial and vertical directions. The second protrusion 210b may be placed into the non-opening second coupling hole 321b, thereby preventing the protrusions 210a, 210b, and 210c from disengaging in the axial direction. Further, the third protrusion 210c may be placed into the third coupling hole 321c through the fourth opening 322d, thereby preventing the protrusions 210a, 210b, and 210c from disengaging in the radial and horizontal directions. Therefore, the coupling between the coupling holes 321a, 321b, and 321c and the protrusions 210a, 210b, and 210c has an anti-disengagement complementary structure, thereby preventing the radar housing 300 from disengaging from the bracket 200.

[0076] Referring to Figure 11 , at least one of the protrusions 210 has a threaded portion 215 formed along the outer circumferential surface of its lower end, and the threaded portion 215 may be coupled to a fastening hole 230 formed in the bracket 200. In other words, when the threaded portion 215 rotates along the thread 235 formed in the inner circumferential surface of the fastening hole 230, the first protrusion 210a may be coupled to the bracket 200.

[0077] The tilt angle of the radar housing 300 coupled to the bracket 200 may be controlled according to the length of the coupling between the first protrusion 210a and the bracket 200. For example, when the first protrusion 210a is coupled lower or higher than the other protrusions 210b and 210c, the radar housing 300 will tilt from the lower part to the upper part or from the upper part to the lower part of the main body 310. Therefore, the installation angle of the vehicle-mounted radar provided inside the main body 310 may be controlled by controlling the tilt angle of the radar housing 300 coupled to the bracket 200.

[0078] According to the current embodiment, when the bracket and the radar housing are fastened together simultaneously through a coupling member provided in the radar housing without using a socket, the radar connector can prevent the radar housing from detaching from the bracket.

[0079] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing a method of assembling a radar connector according to the current embodiment.

[0080] Referring to Figure 12 , the method of assembling a radar connector includes a first shaft coupling step (S1210) of sliding and placing a first opening 410 provided in the radar housing 300 onto a first protrusion 510 provided on the bracket 200. For example, the first opening 410 may slide from the radial left side of the first protrusion 510 and be placed on the first protrusion 510.

[0081] Referring to Figure 12 , the method of assembling a radar connector includes a second shaft coupling step (S1220) of, with the radar housing 300 tilted, rotating the radar housing 300 to slide and place a second opening 420 provided in the radar housing 300 onto a second protrusion 520 provided in the bracket 200. For example, the radar housing 300 may be rotated counterclockwise in the tilted state, and through the rotation, the second opening 420 may slide from the radial left side of the second protrusion 520 and be placed on the second protrusion 520. In this case, the first opening 410 may rotate along the outer circumferential surface of the first protrusion 510.

[0082] The opening directions of the first opening 410 and the second opening 420 are not limited to the Figure 12 directions shown. It should be understood that the first opening 410 and the second opening 420 may be provided in opening directions such that one of the first opening 410 and the second opening 420 can slide on the protrusion 520 along the opening direction, and the other of the first opening 410 and the second opening 420 is placed on the protrusion 510.

[0083] The first opening 410 and the second opening 420 may refer to openings whose second sides open from the coupling holes.

[0084] Referring to Figure 12 , the method of assembling a radar connector may include a third shaft coupling step (S1230) of placing the radar housing 300 horizontally on the bracket 200 and coupling the radar housing 300 and the bracket 200 by press-fitting a third protrusion 530 provided in the bracket 200 into a through hole 600. For example, the radar housing 300 placed in front of the third protrusion 530 may be lowered backward to press-fit the third protrusion 530 into the through hole 600, where the first protrusion 510 and the second protrusion 520 have been placed.

[0085] The through hole 600 may refer to a connection hole that is not open on the second side.

[0086] According to the current embodiment, the method of assembling the radar connector is convenient for assembly and can connect the radar housing 300 to the bracket 200 without using a socket. Further, the method can prevent the protrusions 510, 520, and 530 from detaching in the axial, radially perpendicular, and radially horizontal directions when the radar housing 300 is connected to the bracket 200.

[0087] The above description has been presented to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the technical concepts of the present disclosure, and the above description has been provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications, additions, and substitutions to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the concept and scope of the present disclosure. The above description and drawings provide examples of the technical concepts of the present disclosure only for illustrative purposes. That is, the disclosed embodiments are intended to illustrate the scope of the technical concepts of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but is consistent with the broadest scope conforming to the claims. The protection scope of the present disclosure should be interpreted based on the following claims, and all technical concepts within the scope of the equivalents of the present disclosure should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A radar connector, comprising: a bracket having at least one protrusion protruding forward and mounted to a vehicle; and a radar housing including a box-shaped body with a radar built therein and at least one coupling member provided on an outer edge of the body, each of the at least one coupling member including a coupling hole in which the protrusion of the bracket is fitted, wherein each of the at least one coupling member includes a first support member and a second support member, the first support member having a coupling hole on an inner circumferential surface thereof, wherein the first support member extends outward from the coupling hole, and a first side of an outer circumferential surface of the first support member is connected to the body, and wherein the second support member extends forward along the coupling hole, wherein the at least one protrusion includes a first protrusion, a second protrusion, and a third protrusion, wherein the at least one coupling member includes a first coupling member, a second coupling member, and a third coupling member, the first coupling member having a first opening, a second side of the first opening opening from the coupling hole in a first direction, the second coupling member having a second opening, a second side of the second opening opening from the coupling hole in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion slide and are fitted into the coupling holes of the first coupling member and the second coupling member, and the third protrusion is press-fitted into the coupling hole of the third coupling member.

2. The radar connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least one coupling member further includes a third support member extending forward and backward from one end of a second side of the first support member.

3. The radar connector according to claim 2, wherein each of the at least one coupling member further includes a plurality of fourth support members spaced apart from each other and connecting a front surface of the first support member and an outer circumferential surface of the second support member.

4. The radar connector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion is provided in a columnar shape, and an inclined portion where a diameter of the coupling hole increases backward is provided at a portion where the first support member and the second support member are connected to each other.

5. The radar connector according to claim 4, wherein one end of the at least one protrusion is provided with a protruding end protruding radially from the body, a seat groove is formed in an inner circumferential surface of the second support member to rest the protruding end, and the seat groove has the same curvature as the protruding end.

6. The radar connector according to claim 1, wherein a width of the first opening or the second opening is respectively smaller than a diameter of the coupling hole of the first coupling member or the second coupling member.

7. The radar connector according to claim 1, wherein in the at least one coupling member, the first coupling member is provided at one of four corners of the body, and the second coupling member is provided at a corner in a diagonal direction of the first coupling member.

8. The radar connector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one protrusion has a threaded portion formed along an outer circumferential surface of a lower end thereof, and wherein the threaded portion is disposed in a fastening hole formed in the bracket.

9. A method of assembling a radar connector according to any one of claims 1-8, comprising: a first shaft coupling step of sliding and disposing the first opening provided in the radar housing onto the first protrusion provided in the bracket; a second shaft coupling step of, in an inclined state of the radar housing, rotating the radar housing to slide and dispose the second opening provided in the radar housing onto the second protrusion provided in the bracket; and a third shaft coupling step of horizontally placing the radar housing on the bracket and press-fitting the third protrusion provided in the bracket into a coupling hole of the third coupling member.

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