Adjustable support for securing electronic and / or mechanical components to the windshield of a vehicle.

Abstract

An adjustable support (1000) for securing electronic and / or mechanical components to the windshield of a vehicle. The adjustable support (1000) includes a first support element (1001), a second support element (1002), and a protective cover (1003) for protecting the first and second support elements (1001, 1002). The first support element (1001) is used to secure the components to the windshield. The second support element (1002) is connected to the first support element (1001) via a hinge (1004) configured to allow the second support element (1002) to rotate relative to the first support element (1001). The protective cover (1003) and the second support (1002) each include complementary connecting devices (1005) such that when the protective cover (1003) is fixed to the first and second support elements (1001, 1002), these connecting devices (1005) allow a relative tilt angle to be formed between the second support element (1002) and the first support element (1001).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustable support for securing electronic and / or mechanical components to the windshield of a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In the automotive industry, windshield supports are commonly used to secure mechanical and / or electronic components (such as sensors and / or cameras) to the vehicle's windshield. The design of these supports varies depending on the shape, position, and orientation of the windshield on which they are mounted, as well as the technical requirements of the mechanical and / or electronic components they support.

[0003] These fixed supports are typically adjustable to make them more easily adaptable to different windshield constructions and / or different types of mechanical and / or electronic components. In particular, this adjustability allows for a degree of freedom in selecting the tilt angle of the mechanical and / or electronic components relative to the windshield, enabling these components to be oriented at a specified angle for proper operation.

[0004] For example, in a motor vehicle, for optimal operation of a driver assistance system that is mounted on the windshield and includes a camera and / or sensors, the camera and / or sensors may need to be positioned along a horizontal axis relative to the vehicle's chassis.

[0005] Windshields are typically tilted relative to the chassis, and this tilt may need to be compensated for to ensure levelness. Angle compensation is usually attributed to fixed supports. The compensation angle of the supports generally depends on the nature, shape, position of the windshield, and its tilt angle relative to the vehicle on which it is mounted.

[0006] DE10 2010 008 215A1[DAIMLER AG[DE]]16.09.2010 describes an adjustable support comprising a first element for fixing to a windshield, a second movable element rotatably connected to the first element, and a slider equipped with a clamping screw for adjusting the tilt angle of the second element relative to the first element.

[0007] WO 2013 / 070158 A1[SCANIA CV AB[SE]]16.05.2013 describes an adjustable support comprising a first element for fixing to a windshield, a second movable element rotatably connected to the first element, a protective cover, and a pad for adjusting the tilt angle of the second element relative to the first element.

[0008] EP 2 979 929 A1 [Continental Automotive GmbH [DE]] 03.02.2016 also describes an adjustable support, including a first element for fixing to a windshield, a second movable element rotatably connected to the first element, and a pad for adjusting the tilt angle of the second element relative to the first element. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] The first drawback of existing adjustable supports is that the tilt angle can only be fixed by means of pads or sliders, which offer only relatively limited degrees of freedom in selecting that angle. In fact, the minimum or maximum achievable tilt angle depends on the minimum or maximum available stroke of the pads or sliders. However, more adaptable supports may be needed, especially in terms of the numerical value of the tilt angle.

[0011] The second drawback is that the pads or sliders are supplementary elements to the support. However, in terms of manufacturing, a simpler support solution involving particularly fewer elements in its assembly and function would be advantageous.

[0012] Advantages of the present invention

[0013] The first advantage of this invention is the simpler adjustable support, which allows for a greater selection of tilt angles. Since the tilt angle of the support is adjusted via a mechanical connection between the support elements and the protective cover, the support is allowed greater tilt freedom relative to the windshield on which it may be used, particularly through the design of the protective cover. In a sense, the support according to the invention offers superior adaptability compared to prior art supports.

[0014] The second advantage is that the manufacturing and packaging of the supports are simplified. In particular, during packaging, the first and second elements of the support can be configured to ensure a very small geometric volume, especially a planar volume. This allows more supports to be packaged in the same space for storage and transportation.

[0015] The third advantage is that this fixed support allows for a significant reduction in the number of parts that need to be manufactured. In particular, according to some embodiments, the support may only require the manufacture of two parts: two support elements and a protective cover. Attached Figure Description

[0016] [ Figure 1 [Illustration] is an orthogonal projection schematic diagram of the adjustable support member according to an embodiment.

[0017] [ Figure 2[Illustration] is an orthogonal projection schematic diagram of the first and second elements of the adjustable support according to an embodiment.

[0018] [ Figure 3 [Illustration] is an orthogonal projection schematic diagram of the protective cover of the adjustable support member according to an embodiment.

[0019] [ Figure 4 ]yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the adjustable support component.

[0020] [ Figure 5 [Illustration] is an orthogonal projection schematic diagram of the first and second elements of an adjustable support member in the unfolded position according to another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Reference Figures 1 to 4 In one embodiment, an adjustable support 1000 is provided for securing electronic and / or mechanical components to the windshield of a vehicle. The adjustable support 1000 includes:

[0022] - First support element 1001.

[0023] -Second support element 1002; and

[0024] - Protective cover 1003 for protecting the first and second support elements 1001, 1002;

[0025] in,

[0026] - The first support element 1001 is fixed.

[0027] - The second support element 1002 is connected to the first support element 1001 by means of a hinge 1004, which is configured to allow the second support element 1002 to rotate relative to the first support element 1001;

[0028] - The protective cover 1003 and the second support element 1002 each include complementary connecting devices 1005, such that when the protective cover 1003 is fixed to the first and second support elements 1001, 1002, these connecting devices 1005 allow a relative tilt angle to be formed between the second support element 1002 and the first support element 1001.

[0029] The first and second support elements 1001, 1002 and the protective cover 1003 can be made of any suitable material. In particular, they can be based on thermoplastic materials, such as PVC, PC, PA66 and / or ABS with possible fillers. The advantage of using thermoplastic materials is that it allows all or part of the support elements to be manufactured using an injection molding process.

[0030] According to some embodiments, the first and second support elements 1001, 1002 and the protective cover 1003 may include reinforcing or abutting elements (not shown). Advantageously, these reinforcing or abutting elements allow for improved mechanical strength and stability of the second support element 1002 abutting the protective cover 1003, depending on the type of electronic and / or mechanical components that the adjustable support 1000 may shield. These reinforcing or abutting elements may be made of plastic and / or metal materials.

[0031] The first and second support elements 1001, 1002 may include design features 1006, such as openings, notches, indentations, ribs, flocking, textures, to allow signals required for the operation of connectors such as cables and / or the components to pass through, for example.

[0032] In the context of this invention, "hinge" 1004 is understood to refer to any suitable mechanical device that allows the second support element to rotate relative to the first support element. As an example, this device may be a central hinge in the form of a set of movable male and female pins (as shown), or it may be a rotating shaft in the form of a pivot system (possibly clip-on) arranged facing each other, as described in DE10 2010 008 215A1, WO 2013 / 070158 A, or EP 2 979 929 A1. Other forms of hinges are also possible, particularly those described in certain advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0033] In the context of this invention, the "protective cover" 1003 is understood to be any cover that provides some protection against the external environment to electronic and / or mechanical components that the adjustable support may obscure. It may also have functional and / or aesthetic features that conceal the components from the view of the driver and passengers of the vehicle, particularly through its shape, surface texture, and / or color. The cover may be a complete cover, i.e., completely enclosed. It may also include openings.

[0034] According to the present invention, the protective cover 1003 and the second support element 1002 each include complementary connecting means 1005, such that when the protective cover 1003 is fixed to the first and second support elements 1001, 1002, these connecting means 1005 allow a relative tilt angle to be formed between the second support element 1002 and the first support element 1001.

[0035] These connecting devices 1005 can be configured in any suitable manner to form the relative tilt angle. Preferably, they can be disposed facing each other on the surfaces of the protective cover 1003 and the second support 1002, as particularly shown in the drawings. They can also be arranged on the periphery of the second support and on the lateral surfaces of the protective cover.

[0036] According to some embodiments, as shown in the figures, the relative tilt angle can be defined by the arrangement of complementary connecting devices 1005. In particular, a specific arrangement can be obtained by appropriately selecting the size and shape of the connecting devices 1005. These connecting devices 1005 can then form the relative tilt angle independently of the angle formed between the surface of the protective cover 1003 opposite to the first support element 1001 on one hand and the first support element 1001 on the other hand.

[0037] According to other embodiments, the relative tilt angle can be defined by the tilt angle between the inner surface of the protective cover 1003 and the first support element 1001. These embodiments are particularly advantageous in that they allow the first support element 1001, the second support element 1002, and the hinge 1004 to be used with a very wide range of protective covers, which only need to be adapted in their design to the required tilt angle. In other words, the first support element 1001, the second support element 1002, and the hinge 1004 can be designed in a universal manner to provide advantageous reusability in multiple applications requiring different tilt angles, while the protective cover itself adapts to each application.

[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment, the complementary connecting device 1005 may be a detachable device. A detachable device can facilitate the removal of the protective cover 1003, particularly when it is necessary to change parts of the support, such as the cover itself and / or another element of the support, and / or one or more electronic and / or mechanical components that may be obscured.

[0039] According to some embodiments, the connecting device 1005 may be a male-female connector. Examples of male-female connectors include screw and bolt assemblies, male-female pin assemblies, dovetail and tenon assemblies, assembly clips, hooks and eyelets. Preferably, as shown, the male-female connector may form a snap-fit ​​fastening device. Depending on its construction, the snap-fit ​​fastening device allows for fixed or removable fastening.

[0040] According to an advantageous embodiment, refer to Figure 5 The first support element 1001, the second support element 1002, and the hinge 1004 can be three parts of a single integral part 5000. In other words, the first support element 1001, the second support element 1002, and the hinge 1004 do not form separate parts assembled with each other, but are separate parts of the same part 5000, with the hinge 1004 forming a hinged connection integrated with the first and second support elements 1001 and 1002.

[0041] These embodiments offer certain advantages in the manufacture and packaging of the adjustable fixing support 1000 according to the invention. The adjustable support 1000 can be manufactured with only two parts: on the one hand, two support elements 1001, 1002, and on the other hand, a protective cover 1003—while conventional fixing supports require the manufacture and complex assembly of many more parts.

[0042] As for the packaging used for storage and transportation purposes, the fact that the first support element 1001, the second support element 1002, and the hinge 1004 form a single integral piece 5000 allows for a reduction in geometric volume, particularly by allowing for substantially flat parts when the first and second elements 1001, 1002 are folded onto themselves or fully unfolded. Therefore, a greater number of adjustable fixed supports 1000 can be packaged in the same space.

[0043] It is also noted that the assembly of the adjustable fixing support 1000 is greatly simplified because the fixing support of the prior art requires the assembly of multiple parts (especially more than three), while the embodiment described above only requires the assembly of two parts.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the single integral part is a component made of thermoplastic material, and the hinge 1004 is formed by a flexible connection region 5001 of the single integral part, located between the portions of the single integral part forming the first and second support elements 1001, 1002. As an example, the flexible connection region 5001 can be obtained by reducing the thickness of the part in the connection region. Figure 5 As shown, thinning can also advantageously be achieved by forming two inclined planes facing each other, to allow the two portions corresponding to the first and second support elements to fold toward each other.

[0045] According to the invention, the first support element 1001 is fixed. In particular, the first support element 1001 can be used to fix to a surface, especially the surface of a windshield. In an advantageous embodiment, the first support element 1001 may have a shape that allows it to conform to the curvature of the windshield, which typically has a certain curvature.

[0046] In some embodiments, the adjustable fixing support 1000 may further include an inclined reinforcing pad (not shown) located between the first support element 1001 and the second support element 1002. Examples of reinforcing pads are described in applications DE10 2010008215A1, WO 2013 / 070158 A, or EP 2 979 929 A1. It should be noted that these reinforcing pads are not necessary for implementing the fixing support according to the invention. They are optional. They may be useful in some applications when mechanical reinforcement to maintain the tilt angle is required.

[0047] The adjustable fixing support 1000 according to any of the embodiments described can be used to fix electronic and / or mechanical components to the windshield of a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. An adjustable support (1000) for securing electronic and / or mechanical components to the windshield of a vehicle, said adjustable support comprising: - First support element (1001); -Second support element (1002); as well as - A protective cover (1003) for protecting the first support element (1001) and the second support element (1002); in, - The first support element (1001) is used to fix the windshield. - The second support element (1002) is connected to the first support element (1001) via a hinge (1004), the hinge being configured to allow the second support element (1002) to rotate relative to the first support element (1001); The protective cover (1003) and the second support element (1002) each include complementary connecting devices (1005) such that when the protective cover (1003) is fixed to the first support element (1001) and the second support element (1002), these connecting devices (1005) allow a relative tilt angle to be formed between the second support element (1002) and the first support element (1001). Its features are, These connecting devices (1005) form the relative tilt angle independently of the angle formed between the surface of the protective cover (1003) opposite the first support element (1001) and the first support element (1001) on the other hand, and the protective cover only needs to be designed to accommodate the required tilt angle.

2. The support member (1000) according to claim 1, wherein, The relative tilt angle is defined by the arrangement of the complementary connecting devices (1005).

3. The support member (1000) according to claim 1, wherein, The complementary connecting device (1005) is a detachable device.

4. The support member (1000) according to claim 1, wherein, The connecting device is a male-female connector.

5. The support member (1000) according to claim 4, wherein, The male-female connector forms a snap-fit ​​fixing device.

6. The support member (1000) according to claim 1, wherein, The first support element (1001), the second support element (1002), and the hinge (1004) are three parts of a single integral component (5000).

7. The support member (1000) according to claim 6, wherein, The single integral part (5000) is a part made of thermoplastic material, and the hinge is formed by a flexible connection area (5001) of the single integral part (5000), the flexible connection area being located between the portions of the single integral part (5000) forming the first support element (1001) and the second support element (1002).

8. The support member (1000) according to claim 1, wherein, The first support element (1001) is used to fix it to the surface.

9. The support member (1000) according to claim 8, wherein, The surface in question is the surface of the windshield.

10. The support member (1000) according to claim 1, wherein, The support (1000) further includes an inclined reinforcing pad located between the first support element (1001) and the second support element (1002).

11. Use of the adjustable support (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for securing electronic and / or mechanical components to the windshield of the vehicle.

12. The use of the adjustable support (1000) according to claim 11, wherein, The vehicle in question is a motor vehicle.

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