MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE'S ENVIRONMENTAL SENSOR

Abstract

Environmental sensor system (9) for a motor vehicle (1), wherein the environmental sensor system (9) comprises a mounting structure (2) for an environmental sensor of the motor vehicle (1), the mounting structure (2) comprising: - a sensor holder (7) for the environmental sensor of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the sensor holder (7) has a circumferential protective barrier (8) for the environmental sensor, which is arranged and designed such that in the event of a crash of the motor vehicle (1) with an external object in the area of ​​the mounting structure (2), the protective barrier (8) is mechanically impacted first; and wherein the environmental sensor system (9) comprises the environmental sensor held in the sensor holder (7), characterized in that the protective barrier (8) is designed in such a way that it forms an absorber for the environmental sensor.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mounting structure for an environment sensor of a motor vehicle, a mounting system comprising the mounting structure and the environment sensor, and a motor vehicle comprising the mounting system.

[0002] Modern motor vehicles, especially automobiles, are increasingly being equipped with driver assistance systems.

[0003] Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are electronic, especially mechatronic, devices in motor vehicles designed to support the driver in certain driving situations. Safety aspects are often a primary focus, but increasing driving comfort is also a key consideration.

[0004] Such driver assistance systems rely on data concerning the vehicle's surroundings, collected by environmental sensors such as radar and / or LIDAR sensors.

[0005] LiDAR sensor devices (where LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging) are known per se according to the current state of the art. A basic design of such a sensor device is described in DE 102015 104 208 A1. The use of LiDAR sensor devices in motor vehicles is also known per se, as shown in DE 10 2014 213 704 A1 and DE 10 2015 224 924 A1. The same applies to radar sensors.

[0006] Such environmental sensors can be installed in areas of the vehicle, for example in the front and / or rear, which are subject to high mechanical stress in a crash (e.g., front and / or rear impact), potentially leading to damage to the sensors. Such damage must be avoided.

[0007] The generic WO 2019 / 175408 A1 describes a holding device for a detection element, comprising: a mounting bracket comprising: a substantially flat support part, a mounting part with two inclined walls connected to each other by a connecting edge, wherein this mounting part is connected to an edge of the support part parallel to the connecting edge, wherein this mounting part is provided with elements for attachment to a structural element of a motor vehicle, an open protective housing that receives the detection element and has a rear wall abutting the support part which is surrounded by side walls, and elements for connecting the protective housing to the mounting bracket, in particular in a non-predetermined selected position.

[0008] US 2018 / 0203110 A1 describes a cover element that protects a sensor configured to emit an electromagnetic wave and detect the environmental conditions of a vehicle. The cover element comprises a cover, formed by a flexible element, located on the side of the sensor's electromagnetic wave output surface, and an electromagnetic wave absorbing element, attached to the inner or outer surface of the cover through which the sensor's electromagnetic wave output passes. The cover and the electromagnetic wave absorbing element form a layered structure.

[0009] Against the background of this prior art, the purpose of the present disclosure is to specify a device that is suitable to enrich the prior art.

[0010] One possible specific purpose of the disclosure could be to specify a mounting structure for a motor vehicle's environmental sensor that can reliably prevent damage to the environmental sensor in a crash of the motor vehicle.

[0011] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent and subordinate claims each contain optional further developments of the disclosure.

[0012] Accordingly, the task is solved by an environmental sensor system for a motor vehicle, wherein the environmental sensor system includes a mounting structure for a motor vehicle's environmental sensor. The mounting structure has a sensor holder for the motor vehicle's environmental sensor, which features a surrounding protective barrier for the sensor. This barrier is arranged and designed such that, in the event of a crash of the motor vehicle with an external object in the area of ​​the mounting structure, the protective barrier is the first object to be mechanically impacted.

[0013] The environmental sensor system includes an environmental sensor held in the sensor holder.

[0014] In other words, it is proposed to provide a protective barrier integrated into the sensor holder, surrounding the ambient sensor when it is mounted in the holder. Because the protective barrier or structure completely encircles the ambient sensor, direct contact with the sensor can be prevented in the event of an external mechanical impact on the mounting structure. Instead, the protective barrier is subjected to mechanical stress first, before any potential indirect impact on the ambient sensor can occur. This protects the ambient sensor in the event of a crash and thus prevents damage to it.

[0015] The following section explains in detail the optional advanced training options for the environmental sensor system.

[0016] The sensor holder can be arranged behind a trim panel that defines the outer boundaries of the vehicle.

[0017] This means that the sensor holder, and therefore the sensor itself, can be at least partially concealed from the outside by a trim panel or cover of the vehicle.

[0018] The environmental sensor can be attached to a frame component of the motor vehicle via the sensor holder.

[0019] In other words, the sensor bracket serves to attach the ambient light sensor to the vehicle, so that it is indirectly attached to the vehicle via the sensor bracket. This means that the ambient light sensor is fixed and, in the event of a crash, its movement is limited by the rigidity of the frame. However, this limitation is compensated for by the protective barrier surrounding the ambient light sensor.

[0020] The environmental sensor system can be arranged in the front and / or rear area of ​​the vehicle.

[0021] As part of the development of motor vehicles, especially automobiles, low-speed crash tests are carried out using a so-called RCAR bumper at impact speeds of up to 10 km / h to simulate vehicle damage in the front and rear areas.

[0022] Bumpers, in or on which the disclosed mounting structure can be arranged, are often the first part of the vehicle to absorb the impact in a collision. Repairing bumpers can therefore be very complex and expensive. For this reason, low-speed crash tests are common practice in order to develop effective bumper systems and reduce insurance costs.

[0023] The RCAR Bumper is a rigid, bumper-shaped barrier covered with an energy-absorbing material. This barrier is attached to a stationary surface and driven into by the test vehicles.

[0024] The deformable energy-absorbing element promotes designs that remain stable upon impact with deformable material, such as the bumper of another vehicle. It also features a solid rear "backstop" that can simulate the severity of damage from underruns in real-world scenarios.

[0025] Simulations using the disclosed fastening structure have shown in this context that the protective barrier can prevent damage to the environmental sensor in these low-speed crash tests with RCAR bumpers.

[0026] The environmental sensor can be, for example, a radar sensor and / or a LiDAR sensor (see above). The radar sensor can be a short-range (SRR), medium-range (MRR), and / or long-range (FRR) radar sensor.

[0027] The protective barrier (and especially its flanks) is designed in such a way that it forms an absorber for the environmental sensor.

[0028] An absorber is used with sensors to prevent unwanted reflections and false images. The dual function of the protective barrier, acting as both a shield and an absorber for the sensor, provides a space-saving and cost-effective solution, which also allows for greater design freedom.

[0029] Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a motor vehicle with the environmental sensor system described above.

[0030] The above description relating to the mounting structure and the environmental sensor system also applies analogously to the motor vehicle and vice versa.

[0031] The motor vehicle can be a passenger car, in particular an automobile, or a commercial vehicle, such as a truck. The vehicle may be automated. The vehicle may be designed to take over longitudinal and / or lateral control, at least partially and / or temporarily, during automated driving by means of a control device. The control device may receive sensor data from the environment sensor for this purpose.

[0032] The above can be summarized in other words and in a possible more concrete elaboration of the revelation as described below, whereby the following description is to be interpreted as not being restrictive for the revelation.

[0033] Simulations conducted during the development of a vehicle for "RCAR Structure" and "RCAR Bumper" revealed that the MRR / FRR sensor could potentially be struck and damaged by the barrier used. Damage to the sensor could increase the vehicle's insurance classification.

[0034] Accordingly, this disclosure proposes a constructive measure to keep the sensor “undamaged”.

[0035] More precisely, the sensor should be protected from damage by a surrounding (protective) barrier. This requires a stable connection of the sensor holder to the vehicle frame. The (protective) barrier can be integrated into the sensor holder. The intruding barrier thus first contacts the (protective) barrier, and the sensor is therefore not subjected to any mechanical stress. This measure can generally be applied to all sensors (e.g., MRR, FRR, SRR, and / or LiDAR sensors) that are integrated behind a panel / cover in the vehicle and located at any point around the vehicle.

[0036] An optional embodiment of the disclosure is described below with reference to Fig. 1 described. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle frame with a fastening structure as disclosed in a perspective view, and Fig. Figure 2 shows the motor vehicle as disclosed in a side view.

[0037] In Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a Cartesian coordinate system whose X-axis runs along a motor vehicle longitudinal direction X, whose Y-axis runs along a motor vehicle width direction Y, and whose Z-axis runs along a motor vehicle height direction Z.

[0038] The mounting structure 2 for an environment sensor (not shown) that can be arranged in an area 3 of a motor vehicle 1, which is e.g. a radar sensor and / or a LIDAR sensor, is designed as part of a frame or frame component 4 that is arranged in a front area 5 (and / or a rear area 6) of the motor vehicle 1.

[0039] The mounting structure 2 includes a sensor holder 7 for the environmental sensor. The environmental sensor is thus attached to the frame component 4 of the motor vehicle 1 via the sensor holder 7.

[0040] The fastening structure 2 together with the frame 4 forms a fastening system 9, which as a whole is arranged behind a fairing part 10, in this case a front apron, which defines the outer boundaries of the motor vehicle 1.

[0041] The sensor holder 7 includes a circumferential protective barrier 8 serving as an absorber for the environment sensor, which is arranged and designed in such a way that in the event of a crash of the motor vehicle 1 with an (not shown) external object in the area of ​​the mounting structure 2, the protective barrier 8 is mechanically impacted first.

[0042] More precisely, the protective barrier is essentially arranged in a plane spanned by the vehicle width direction Y and the vehicle height direction Z, so that in the event of a frontal crash of the vehicle, a displacement of the front apron 10 resulting from the force F caused by the impact results in both the front apron 10 and an object pressing against the front apron 10 from the outside (e.g. the bumper mentioned above) not coming into contact with the environment sensor, i.e., not penetrating the area 3, but rather being held back by the surrounding protective barrier 8.

[0043] This protects the environmental sensor from damage in the event of a crash. Reference symbol list 1 motor vehicle 2 Mounting structure 3. Area in which the environmental sensor is located 4 frames or frame components 5 Front area 6 Rear area 7 Sensor holders 8 Protective Wall 9 fastening system 10. Trim part, e.g. front apron or bumper X Motor vehicle longitudinal direction Y Motor vehicle width direction Z Motor vehicle height direction

Claims

[1] Environment sensor system (9) for a motor vehicle (1), wherein the environment sensor system (9) comprises a mounting structure (2) for an environment sensor of the motor vehicle (1), the mounting structure (2) comprising: - a sensor holder (7) for the environmental sensor of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the sensor holder (7) has a circumferential protective barrier (8) for the environmental sensor, which is arranged and designed such that in the event of a crash of the motor vehicle (1) with an external object in the area of ​​the mounting structure (2), the protective barrier (8) is mechanically impacted first; and wherein the environmental sensor system (9) comprises the environmental sensor held in the sensor holder (7), characterized by , that the protective barrier (8) is designed in such a way that it forms an absorber for the environmental sensor. [2] Environmental sensor system (9) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the sensor holder (7) can be arranged behind a trim panel (10) that defines the outer boundaries of the motor vehicle (1). [3] Environmental sensor system (9) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the environment sensor can be attached to a frame component (4) of the motor vehicle via the sensor holder (7). [4] Environmental sensor system (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the environmental sensor system (9) can be arranged in a front and / or a rear area (5, 6) of the motor vehicle (1). [5] Environmental sensor system (9) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the environmental sensor is a radar sensor and / or a LIDAR sensor. [6] Motor vehicle (1), characterized by , that the motor vehicle (1) comprises the environmental sensor system (9) according to one of the preceding claims.

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