Method and device for a retractable sensor on an exterior component of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for a retractable sensor on an exterior component of a vehicle (110), in which a sensor unit (130) is configured to be foldable out and in on the exterior component. The sensor unit is arranged in an opening of an outer panel (120) at a first pivot point (132) anchored in the exterior component and a second pivot point (161) connected to a folding mechanism. The folding mechanism is formed by an actuator (160) with a pinion (163) driving a rack (162), wherein the rack is connected at one end to the sensor unit and the sensor unit is folded out and in by the actuator by rotating the pinion. The rack is provided with an offset as a predetermined bending point (166) at its connection to the sensor unit.When a load is applied perpendicular to the surface of the outer sheet metal to the sensor unit, the rack buckles at the predetermined bending point, and the sensor unit is pressed downward. Furthermore, a device is presented that enables the process to be carried out.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for a retractable sensor arranged on an exterior component of a vehicle. Furthermore, a device is presented with which the method can be carried out.

[0002] If a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, they are usually first struck in the leg and hip. To protect the pedestrian, the vehicle structure must be designed to be sufficiently deformable to absorb the impact energy. Due to legal requirements and the more stringent consumer protection standards, a complex pedestrian impact test is not conducted as a complete vehicle test, but rather as individual component tests for the leg, hip, and head. This involves firing appropriately shaped test objects onto the vehicle structure in a free-flying motion on test benches.

[0003] All vehicles must meet both legal requirements and the more stringent consumer protection standards regarding pedestrian protection. In detail, this corresponds, for example, to meeting the requirements of a head impact on a bonnet or hood. A head impactor is fired at the hood at angles of 50° and 65° at 35 km / h and 40 km / h. To dissipate this energy and thus meet the requirements, the bonnet and surrounding components are designed to be deformable, as is the state of the art. For example, penetration distances of up to 100 mm are achieved when the head impactor penetrates the hood.

[0004] The publication US 2020 / 0331407 A1 describes an autonomous vehicle with various sensors. When autonomous driving is deactivated, the sensors can be retracted into the vehicle to protect them from external influences and improve the vehicle's aesthetic and aerodynamic properties. The sensors are housed in a housing with a movable platform protruding from the hood. The actuator used for this purpose has an elongated housing with a thread around its longitudinal axis. The system is designed to yield in the event of an impact with a force exceeding a certain threshold.

[0005] The publication DE 10 2017 110 588 A1 discusses a camera for vehicles. This camera is mounted on a carriage that can be moved between two positions: a rest position in which the camera unit is accommodated in the housing, and an operating position in which the camera unit extends at least partially out of the housing. Furthermore, the camera unit can change its orientation relative to the carriage because it and the carriage are rotatably mounted on the housing via the same bearing axis. In an emergency situation, e.g., in the event of an external force, the camera cover is designed to be pushed back toward the closed position against the spring force.

[0006] US 2019 / 0361094 A1 discloses a movement mechanism for a lidar scanner unit. The mechanism consists of a motor mounted within the housing of the scanner unit, a spur gear connected to the motor shaft and rotating upon rotation of the motor shaft, and a matching rack and pinion gear attached to the housing of the module unit. The rotation of the spur gear causes the lidar scanner unit to move along the housing cavity, thereby extending and retracting the scanner unit. The rack and pinion gear can run parallel to the extension and retraction direction of the lidar scanner unit and can be either integrally formed with the module housing or mounted separately.

[0007] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to propose a method for a sensor arranged on an exterior component of a vehicle, in which the sensor is designed to be retractable as impact protection for impacting objects, particularly in the event of a pedestrian impact. Furthermore, a device is to be presented with which the method can be carried out.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a method for a retractable sensor on an exterior component of a vehicle is proposed, in which a sensor unit is formed by a sensor housing, a sensor, a cover, and a cable connection for transmitting measurement data from the sensor to an internal vehicle control unit. The sensor unit is designed to be foldable and extendable on the exterior component by • the sensor unit is arranged in an opening of an outer panel at a first pivot point anchored in the exterior component and a second pivot point connected to a folding mechanism, wherein the folding mechanism is anchored to an inner panel which is connected to the outer panel for opening the outer panel, • the folding mechanism is formed by an actuator with a pinion driving a rack, whereby the rack is connected at one end to the sensor unit and the sensor unit is folded out and in by the actuator by rotating the pinion, • the rack is provided with a bend at its connection to the sensor unit as a predetermined bending point.

[0009] When a load acts on the sensor unit perpendicular to the surface of the outer sheet, the rack experiences a longitudinal force in the direction of the non-actuated pinion when the sensor unit is unfolded, causing the predetermined bending point to buckle. The energy generated by the load is absorbed by bending the rack and the cover with the sensor is pressed into the folded position. If the load then continues to act, or if the sensor unit is folded in when the load occurs, the sensor unit and an area around the sensor unit with the surrounding outer sheet are deformed vertically downwards, whereby the energy generated by the load is absorbed by the deformation and in the predetermined bending point of the rack.

[0010] The method according to the invention thus advantageously reduces the impact of an object approaching the vehicle, in particular the impact of a head on a hood in a pedestrian accident, so that the severity of injuries is not increased. This is achieved in both the unfolded and folded positions of the sensor unit, whereby, for example, legal requirements regarding head impacts according to UN R127 are met by the method according to the invention.

[0011] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the exterior component is selected from the following list: bonnet, vehicle roof, bumper, fender, side door exterior, tailgate exterior.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the sensor is selected from the following list: lidar, radar, camera, environment camera.

[0013] In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the sensor unit is arranged in a form-fitting manner with an outer sheet metal surface of the exterior component in the folded state.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the cover of the sensor housing is formed in the design of an outer panel of the exterior component.

[0015] Furthermore, a device is claimed which comprises a sensor unit arranged in an exterior component of a vehicle with a folding mechanism, wherein the sensor unit is formed by a sensor housing, a sensor, a cover, and a cable connection for transmitting measurement data from the sensor to an internal vehicle control unit. The device is designed to fold the sensor unit out and in on the exterior component, wherein • the sensor unit is arranged in an opening of an outer panel at a first pivot point anchored in the exterior component and a second pivot point connected to a folding mechanism, wherein the folding mechanism is anchored to an inner panel, which is connected to the outer panel for opening the outer panel, • the folding mechanism is formed by an actuator with a pinion driving a rack, the rack being connected at one end to the sensor unit and the sensor unit being foldable in and out by the actuator by rotating the pinion, • the rack is provided with a bend at its connection to the sensor unit as a predetermined bending point.

[0016] The device is designed so that, when a load acts on the sensor unit perpendicular to the surface of the outer sheet, • in the case of a folded-out sensor unit, the rack experiences a longitudinal force in the direction of the non-actuated pinion and thereby the predetermined bending point is bent, whereby the energy generated by the load effect is absorbed by a bending of the rack, and the cover with sensor is pressed into the folded-in position, and further continued or • In the case of a sensor unit that is folded in when the load occurs, the sensor unit and an area around the sensor unit with the surrounding outer sheet are immediately deformed vertically downwards, with the energy generated by the load being absorbed by the deformation and in the predetermined bending point of the rack.

[0017] In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the exterior component is selected from the following list: bonnet, vehicle roof, bumper, fender, side door exterior, tailgate exterior.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the sensor is selected from the following list: lidar, radar, camera, environment camera.

[0019] In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the sensor unit is arranged in a form-fitting manner with an outer sheet surface of the exterior component in the folded-in state.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the cover of the sensor housing is formed in the shape of an outer panel of the exterior component.

[0021] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0022] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0023] The characters are described coherently and comprehensively. Fig. 1 shows a positioning on the vehicle and a sectional view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of an unfolded state of a sensor unit in the embodiment of the device according to the invention. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of a loading effect from above when the sensor unit is extended in the embodiment of the device according to the invention. Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a continued loading effect from above with deformation of an outer sheet in the embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0024] In Fig. 1 shows a positioning 101, 102 on a vehicle 110 and a sectional view 103 of an embodiment of the device according to the invention. The perspective views 101 and 102 show the positioning of a sensor unit 130 on an outer panel 120 of a front hood of a vehicle 110. The sensor unit can be folded out and in 129. The sectional view 103 shows a defined opening in the outer panel 120, in which the sensor unit 130 is arranged. An inner panel 121 is folded onto the outer panel at a flange. The fold-out sensor unit 130 comprises a cover 131, e.g., a painted exterior component, a sensor housing 133, and a sensor 141 installed therein, e.g., designed as a camera with a lens, e.g., an exit opening 140, and a cable connection 150 with a plug 151.The extendable and retractable sensor unit 130 has a first pivot point 132 on the sensor housing 133 and a second pivot point 161 for extending and retracting via a folding mechanism. A bracket 164 of the folding mechanism is attached to the inner panel 121 via a connecting technology. An actuator 160, in this case a small electric motor, is attached to this bracket 164. This actuator 160, in this case a small electric motor, drives a rack 162 via a pinion 163. The rack 162 has a corresponding offset 166 at a predetermined location. This offset 166 in the rack 162 is designed as a predetermined bending point, which bends under load and thereby absorbs energy.

[0025] In Fig. 2 shows a sectional view 200 of a sensor unit 130 in the embodiment of the device according to the invention in its unfolded state. The pinion 163 is rotated via the actuator and the rack 162 is extended. This extension 265 ensures that the sensor unit 130 is unfolded 290, enabling a sensor measurement 242.

[0026] In Fig. 3 shows a sectional view 300 of a loading effect 371 from above in the unfolded state 330 of the sensor unit 130 in the embodiment of the device according to the invention. A head impactor 370 strikes a front edge of the cover 131 of the sensor unit 130. A force transmitted in this process creates a longitudinal force in the rack 162, which cannot follow the pinion 163 when the pinion is stationary, whereby this longitudinal force acts on the predetermined bending point 366. The predetermined bending point 366 bends, and the sensor unit 130 assumes an advanced position in the depressed state 332 with the continued loading effect 371 of the advanced head impactor 372.

[0027] In Fig.4 shows a schematic sectional view 400 of a continued loading effect 371 from above with deformation of an outer sheet in the embodiment of the device according to the invention. The further advanced head impactor 473 bends and deforms not only the cover 431 of the sensor unit but also the outer sheet 420. The sensor housing dips further downwards from 440, and the predetermined bending point 466 bends further. List of reference symbols 101 Positioning: Perspective representation 102 Positioning: Page display 103 Sectional view 110 vehicles 120 outer sheet 121 inner panel 129 Sensor unit foldable and extendable 130 Sensor unit 131 Cover 132 First pivot point 133 Sensor housing 140 lens / exit aperture 141 Sensor 150 cable connection 151 plugs 160 Actuator 161 Second pivot point 162 rack 163 pinions 164 bracket 166 Predetermined bending point: Offset 200 Display unfolded state 242 Sensor measurement 265 Extend rack 290 Folding direction of sensor unit 300 Illustration of the load effect 330 Unfolded state 332 Depressed state 366 Bent predetermined bending point 370 Head Impactor 371 Stress effect 372 Advanced Position Head Impactor 400 Deformation sensor range 420 Deformation of outer sheet 431 Deformation cover 440 Sensor housing further down 466 Further bent crank 473 More advanced position head impactor

Claims

[1] Method for a retractable sensor on an exterior component of a vehicle, in which a sensor unit (130) is formed by a sensor housing (133), a sensor (141), a cover (131), and a cable connection (150) for forwarding measurement data of the sensor (141) to a vehicle-internal control unit, in which the sensor unit (130) is designed to be foldable and extendable on the exterior component by • the sensor unit (130) is arranged in an opening of an outer panel (120) at a first pivot point (132) anchored in the exterior component and a second pivot point (161) connected to a folding mechanism, wherein the folding mechanism is anchored to an inner panel (121) which is connected to the outer panel (120) for opening the latter, • the folding mechanism is formed by an actuator (160) with a pinion (163) driving a rack (162), wherein the rack (162) is connected at one end to the sensor unit (130) and the sensor unit (130) is folded out and in by the actuator (160) by rotating the pinion (163), • the rack (162) is provided with a crank at its connection to the sensor unit (130) as a predetermined bending point (166, 366, 466), and in which a load (371) acting perpendicular to the surface of the outer sheet (120) on the sensor unit (130) • in the case of a folded-out sensor unit (130), the rack (162) experiences a longitudinal force in the direction of the non-actuated pinion (163) and thereby the predetermined bending point (166, 366, 466) is bent, whereby the energy generated by the loading effect (371) is absorbed by a bending of the rack (162), and the cover (131) with sensor (141) is pressed into the folded-in position, and further continued or • in the case of a sensor unit (130) folded in upon occurrence of the loading effect (371), the sensor unit (130) and an area around the sensor unit (130) with the surrounding outer sheet (120) are immediately deformed vertically downwards, wherein the energy generated by the loading effect (371) is absorbed by the deformation and in the predetermined bending point (166, 366, 466) of the rack (162). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the exterior component is selected from the following list: bonnet, vehicle roof, bumper, fender, side door exterior, tailgate exterior. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sensor (141) is selected from the following list: lidar, radar, camera, environment camera. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sensor unit (130) is arranged in a form-fitting manner with an outer sheet surface of the exterior component in the folded-in state. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cover of the sensor housing (133) is formed in the shape of an outer panel (120) of the exterior component. [6] Device comprising a sensor unit (130) arranged in an exterior component of a vehicle (110) with a folding mechanism, wherein the sensor unit (130) is formed by a sensor housing (133), a sensor (141), a cover (131), and a cable connection (150) for forwarding measurement data of the sensor (141) to a vehicle-internal control unit, wherein the device is designed to fold the sensor unit (130) out and in on the exterior component, wherein • the sensor unit (130) is arranged in an opening of an outer panel (120) at a first pivot point (132) anchored in the exterior component and a second pivot point (161) connected to a folding mechanism, wherein the folding mechanism is anchored to an inner panel (121) which is connected to the outer panel (120) for opening the latter, • the folding mechanism is formed by an actuator (160) with a pinion (163) driving a rack (162), wherein the rack (162) is connected at one end to the sensor unit (130) and the sensor unit (130) can be folded out and in by the actuator (160) by rotating the pinion (163), • the rack (162) is provided with a bend at its connection to the sensor unit (130) as a predetermined bending point (166, 366, 466), wherein the device is designed such that, when a load (371) acts on the sensor unit (130) perpendicular to the surface of the outer sheet (120), • in the case of a folded-out sensor unit (130), the rack (162) experiences a longitudinal force in the direction of the non-actuated pinion (163) and thereby the predetermined bending point (166, 366, 466) is bent, whereby the energy generated by the loading effect (371) is absorbed by a bending of the rack (162), and the cover (131) with sensor (141) is pressed into the folded-in position, and further continued or • in the case of a sensor unit (130) folded in upon occurrence of the loading effect (371), the sensor unit (130) and an area around the sensor unit (130) with the surrounding outer sheet (120) are immediately deformed vertically downwards, wherein the energy generated by the loading effect (371) is absorbed by the deformation and in the predetermined bending point (166, 366, 466) of the rack (162). [7] Device according to claim 6, wherein the exterior component is selected from the following list: hood, vehicle roof, bumper, fender, side door outside, tailgate outside. [8] Device according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the sensor (141) is selected from the following list: lidar, radar, camera, environment camera. [9] Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the sensor unit (130) is arranged in a form-fitting manner with an outer sheet surface of the exterior component in the folded state. [10] Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the cover of the sensor housing (133) is formed in the shape of an outer panel (120) of the exterior component.

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