Method and device for a depressible sensor in the front area of ​​a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for a depressible sensor on a front surface of a vehicle, in which a sensor unit (124) is arranged on the front surface of the vehicle so as to be extendable and retractable. The sensor unit is displaceably mounted in a deformation frame, wherein the deformation frame is formed with a predetermined number of deformation elements (330) arranged along an inner cylindrical contour. When a load is applied by an impact object (410) from above the front surface, the deformation frame, together with the surrounding receiving frame and the surrounding outer panel (510), is pressed vertically downward. When the deformation frame rests on the inner panel, a counterforce is built up in the direction of the load. The counterforce shortens the length of the deformation frame, whereby the deformation elements are bent and compressed.The rotational movement of a base of the deformation frame resulting from the cylindrical contour during compression dissipates the energy generated by the loading effect. Furthermore, a device is presented that enables the process to be carried out.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for a depressible sensor in the front area 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. In accordance with legal and higher consumer protection requirements, 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 statutory and higher consumer protection requirements 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 an angle of 50° and 65° at 35 km / h and 40 km / h, respectively, onto the hood. To dissipate this energy and thus meet these requirements, the hood and surrounding components are designed to be deformable, as is state of the art. For example, penetration distances of up to 100 mm are achieved when the head impactor penetrates the hood.

[0004] The German patent document DE 197 21 565 A1 describes a vehicle containing infrared, ultrasonic, and radar sensors. These sensors are designed to detect an impending collision with a pedestrian and trigger a safety device at an early stage. Additionally, mechanical sensors can be used that react to an impact and thus detect the occurrence of a collision. An actuator triggered by the sensor can be integrated into the cable for unlocking the hood. Alternatively, a locking bolt on the hood is designed with a cylinder and a piston that are displaced relative to each other by a propellant charge.

[0005] The document US 2009 / 0229901 A1 discusses a device for lifting the hood of a vehicle, which is located at the rear of the hood. This device uses an actuator with a cylinder and a piston rod to raise the hood. A sensor in the front bumper detects or predicts a collision with a pedestrian and activates a micro-gas generator that drives the actuator. This gas generator is attached to the reinforcement of the hood edge, using a mounting bracket that holds the actuator cylinder. The generator is provided with a connector for the control cable on its underside.

[0006] Document DE 199 57 869 A1 discloses a solution in which the front hood is raised to ensure sufficient deformation distance from the engine. Additionally, a front hood lifting mechanism is provided, in which an energy storage device, such as a cylinder-piston unit, activated by a sensor device, moves the front hood from the rest position to a raised impact position. Another alternative embodiment comprises a safety device with a two-part deformation element consisting of an elastomer buffer held in a cylinder housing and a deformation part.

[0007] The document DE 10 2017 009 057 A1 relates to an arrangement of a sensor with a sensor guide on or behind an exterior component of a vehicle. The sensor guide can retract the sensor from a use position into the vehicle interior and push it back into the use position after a collision caused by an external force in a low-speed range.

[0008] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to propose a method for a sensor arranged in the front area 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.

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a method for a depressible sensor on a front surface of a vehicle is proposed, in which a sensor unit is arranged on the front surface of the vehicle in a retractable and extendable manner by • the front surface is formed by an outer sheet with an inner sheet spaced underneath, • a support frame for holding a deformation frame that can be moved vertically to the front surface is clipped into a circular opening in the outer panel, • the deformation frame with a sensor unit is placed in the receiving frame and is anchored to the receiving frame in the vertical direction to the front surface by means of tear-off elements, wherein the deformation frame is formed with a predetermined number of deformation elements which are arranged in an arc-like manner along an inner cylindrical contour, • the sensor unit is mounted in the deformation frame so that it can be moved vertically relative to the front surface, whereby the sensor unit is formed by the sensor sitting on a spiral spring pressed into the deformation frame, which is connected to a measuring control via a cable connection, and a sensor cover, and • a vertical position of the sensor unit is set via a Bowden cable with actuator, whereby retraction of the sensor unit is controlled by pulling in a pull cable on the Bowden cable, and extension of the sensor unit is achieved by relaxing the pull cable and the force of the compressed spiral spring.

[0010] When a load is applied from above the front surface, the cover with the sensor is pushed into the retracted position when the sensor unit is extended. If the load continues to apply, or if the sensor unit is retracted when the load occurs, • the deformation frame with the surrounding support frame and the surrounding outer sheet is pressed vertically downwards, • when the deformation frame rests on the inner sheet, a counterforce is built up in the direction of the load effect, • the length of the deformation frame is shortened by the counterforce, whereby the deformation elements are bent and compressed, and • the rotational movement of a base of the deformation frame resulting from the cylindrical contour during compression dissipates energy generated by the loading effect.

[0011] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, a predetermined breaking point is provided in the tear-off elements. With continued loading, the tear-off elements tear off, and the deformation frame and thus its deformation elements are further deformed. A respective tear-off element can be designed, for example, as a shear pin.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the sensor is selected from the following list: Lidar, real top view camera, surround camera.

[0013] In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the sensor cover is formed by an element from the following list: cover flap, manufacturer emblem. By instrumentalizing the sensor cover as a manufacturer emblem, no additional installation space is required, since the manufacturer emblem is already present as an essential styling element on every vehicle.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the Bowden cable is designed to transmit compressive forces in addition to its function of transmitting tensile forces. This allows the sensor unit to be extended and retracted solely by the Bowden cable, making it possible to eliminate the need for a coil spring.

[0015] Furthermore, a device is claimed which comprises a receiving frame inserted into a front surface of a vehicle, a deformation frame received in the receiving frame and displaceable in the vertical direction relative to the front surface, and a sensor unit extendable and retractable in the deformation frame. The front surface is formed by an outer sheet with an inner sheet spaced therebelow. The device is designed such that • the mounting frame is arranged or clipped into a circular opening in the outer panel, • the deformation frame is anchored to the receiving frame by tear-off elements in the vertical direction to the front surface, wherein the deformation frame is formed with a predetermined number of deformation elements which are arranged in an arc-like manner along an inner cylindrical contour, • the sensor unit is mounted in the deformation frame so that it can be displaced vertically relative to the front surface, whereby the sensor unit is formed by the sensor sitting on a spiral spring pressed into the deformation frame, which is connected to a measuring control via a cable connection, and a sensor cover, and • a vertical position of the sensor unit can be adjusted via a Bowden cable with actuator, whereby retraction of the sensor unit can be controlled by pulling in a pull cable on the Bowden cable, and extension of the sensor unit can be achieved by relaxing the pull cable and the force of the compressed spiral spring.

[0016] When a load is applied from above the front surface, the cover with the sensor can be pushed into the retracted position when the sensor unit is extended. The deformation frame is designed to • to be pressed vertically downwards with the surrounding mounting frame and the surrounding outer sheet, • to build up a counterforce in the direction of the load effect when sitting on the inner panel, and • to be shortened in length by the counterforce, whereby the deformation elements are bent and compressed, and • to dissipate energy generated by the loading effect through the rotational movement of a base of the deformation frame resulting from the cylindrical contour during compression.

[0017] In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the tear-off elements are provided with a predetermined breaking point. As a result, the tear-off elements tear off under continued loading, and the deformation frame and thus its deformation elements are further deformed.

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

[0019] In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the sensor cover is formed by an element from the following list: cover flap, manufacturer's emblem.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the Bowden cable is designed to transmit not only tensile forces but also compressive forces. This allows the sensor unit to be extended and retracted solely by the Bowden cable.

[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 sectional view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of an extended state of a sensor unit in the embodiment of the device according to the invention. Fig. 3 shows in perspective view two states of a deformation frame in the embodiment of the device according to the invention. Fig. 4 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. 5 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 sectional view of an embodiment of the device 100 according to the invention. A front region of a vehicle, e.g., a hood, is formed by an outer panel 110 and an underlying inner panel 111. A receiving frame 121 is clipped into a recessed border in a round cutout in the outer panel 110. A deformation frame 122, also circular, is translationally mounted in the receiving frame 121. A tear-off element 126, e.g., designed as a shear pin, fixes the deformation frame 122 in the receiving frame 121. A sensor unit 124 is installed within the deformation frame 122. The sensor unit 124 has a sensor with a cover 123, e.g., a manufacturer's emblem. The sensor unit 124 can perform a translational movement 180 upwards and downwards in the deformation frame 122, but finds its rest position in the retracted position by resting a border of the sensor cover 123 on a storage stop 125.A preloaded coil spring 190 arranged within the deformation frame 122 below the sensor unit 124 applies an upward force (i.e., outwardly of the deformation frame 122) to the sensor unit 124. A Bowden cable 140 has a connection 142 to the sensor unit 124 and is connected to an actuator via its pull cable 141. The actuator controls the translational movement 180 of the sensor unit 124 via the Bowden cable 140, with the sensor transmitting its measured values ​​to the sensor unit 124 via a cable connection 150 during a measurement process.

[0025] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view 200 of an extended state 281 of the sensor unit 124 in the embodiment of the device according to the invention. Due to the upwardly relaxing coil spring 291, the sensor unit 124 is moved upwards in a translational manner, so that the sensor in the sensor unit 124 protrudes from the deformation frame 122 and can detect an environment 282.

[0026] In Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of two states 301, 302 of the deformation frame 122 in the embodiment of the device according to the invention. The deformation frame 122 is deliberately weakened with a defined number of deformation elements 330. These are arranged in an arc-like manner along an inner, cylindrical contour. A rest length 389 of the deformation frame 122 in the rest state 301 is shortened by a difference 312 to a respective compression length 399 upon a respective loading effect 321 from above. The circular, arc-like deformation elements 330 create a rotational movement 303 of a base of the deformation frame 122 around its own axis. This advantageously leads to particularly efficient energy dissipation.

[0027] In Fig. 4 shows a sectional view 400 of a loading effect 410, for example, a head impact, from above with the sensor unit 124 extended in the embodiment of the device according to the invention. The kinetic energy of the loading effect of an impact object 410 ensures that the sensor unit 124 is pressed downward 408 until the deformation frame 122 rests 401 on the inner panel 111 and a counterforce 402 is generated. The counterforce 402 ensures that the deformation elements 330 are bent and compressed.

[0028] In Fig. 5 shows a schematic sectional view 500 of a continued loading effect 410 from above with deformation 510 of an outer sheet in the embodiment of the device according to the invention. Due to the continued loading effect 410, the tear-off elements 126 tear out Fig. 1 and the deformation elements 330 are further deformed. List of reference symbols 100 device 110 outer sheet 111 inner panel 121 mounting frames 122 deformation frames 123 Cover 124 Sensor unit 125 Support stop for cover 126 demolition element 140 Bowden cable 141 Pull cable to the actuator 142 Connection with sensor 150 cable connection 180 Translation movement up / down 190 spiral spring 200 Extended state 281 Exit direction 282 Environment detection by sensor 291 Spring pushed upwards 301 Resting state deformation frame 302 Compressed deformation frame 303 Rotational movement of the soil 312 Difference 321 Loading effect from above 330 Deformation element 389 Resting length 399 Length of the compressed deformation frame 400 Representation of impact 401 Seating deformation frame on inner panel 402 Counterforce due to support on inner sheet 408 downward pressure 410 Impact object 500 Process with continued deformation 510 Deformed outer sheet

Claims

[1] A method for a depressible sensor on a front surface of a vehicle, in which a sensor unit (124) is arranged on the front surface of the vehicle in a retractable and extendable manner by • the front surface is formed by an outer sheet (110) with an inner sheet (111) spaced thereunder, • a receiving frame (121) for receiving a deformation frame (122) which can be displaced in the vertical direction to the front surface is arranged in an opening of the outer sheet (110), • the deformation frame (122) with a sensor unit (124) is placed in the receiving frame (121) and is anchored to the receiving frame (121) in the vertical direction to the front surface by tear-off elements (126), wherein the deformation frame (122) is formed with a predetermined number of deformation elements (330) which are arranged along an inner cylindrical contour, • the sensor unit (124) is mounted in the deformation frame (122) so as to be displaceable (180) in the vertical direction relative to the front surface, wherein the sensor unit (124) is formed by the sensor which is seated on a spiral spring (190) pressed into the deformation frame (122), which is connected to a measuring control via a cable connection (150), and a sensor cover (123), and • a vertical position of the sensor unit (124) is set via a Bowden cable (140) with actuator, wherein a retraction of the sensor unit (124) is controlled by pulling in a pull cable (141) on the Bowden cable (140), and an extension of the sensor unit (124) is achieved by relaxing the pull cable (141) and the force of the pressed-in spiral spring (190), in which, in the case of an extended sensor unit (124), a load effect (321) coming from above the front surface, the cover (123) with the sensor is pressed into the retracted position, and continued or, in the case of a retracted sensor unit (124) upon occurrence of the load effect (321), immediately occurring • the deformation frame (122) with surrounding support frame (121) and surrounding outer sheet (110) is pressed vertically downwards, • when the deformation frame (122) sits (401) on the inner plate (111), a counterforce (402) is built up in the direction of the load effect (321), • the deformation frame (122) is shortened in its length (399) by the counterforce (402), whereby the deformation elements (330) are bent and compressed, and • the rotational movement (303) of a base of the deformation frame (122) resulting from the cylindrical contour during compression dissipates energy generated by the loading effect (321). [2] Method according to claim 1, in which predetermined breaking points are provided in the tear-off elements (126), whereby the tear-off elements (126) tear off when the load effect (321) continues and the deformation frame (122) and thus its deformation elements (330) are further deformed. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sensor is selected from the following list: Lidar, real top view camera, environment camera. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sensor cover (123) is formed by an element from the following list: Cover flap, manufacturer emblem. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the Bowden cable (140) is designed not only to transmit tensile forces but also to transmit compressive forces, whereby the sensor unit (124) can be extended and retracted solely by the Bowden cable (140). [6] Device comprising a receiving frame (121) inserted into a front surface of a vehicle, a deformation frame (122) received in the receiving frame (121) and displaceable in the vertical direction relative to the front surface, and a sensor unit (124) retractable and extendable in the deformation frame (122), wherein the front surface is formed by an outer sheet (110) with an inner sheet (111) spaced thereunder, wherein the device is designed such that • the receiving frame (121) is arranged in a circular opening of the outer sheet (110), • the deformation frame is anchored to the receiving frame (121) in the vertical direction to the front surface by tear-off elements (126), wherein the deformation frame (122) is formed with a predetermined number of deformation elements (330) arranged along an inner cylindrical contour, • the sensor unit (124) is mounted in the deformation frame (122) so as to be displaceable (180) in the vertical direction relative to the front surface, wherein the sensor unit (124) is formed by the sensor which is seated on a spiral spring (190) pressed into the deformation frame (122) and which is connected to a measuring control via a cable connection (150), and a sensor cover (123), and • a vertical position of the sensor unit (124) is adjustable via a Bowden cable (140) with actuator, wherein a retraction of the sensor unit (124) is controllable by pulling in a pull cable (141) on the Bowden cable (140), and an extension of the sensor unit (124) is achievable by relaxing the pull cable (141) and the force of the compressed coil spring (190), wherein in the case of an extended sensor unit (124), a load (321) coming from above the front surface, the cover (123) with the sensor can be pressed into the retracted position, and the deformation frame (122) is designed to continue the load (321) or to continue the load (321) in the case of a sensor unit (124) that has already been retracted when the load (321) occurs, • to be pressed vertically downwards with the surrounding support frame (121) and the surrounding outer sheet (110), • when seated (401) on the inner plate (111) to build up a counterforce (402) in the direction of the load effect (321), and • to be shortened in its length (399) by the counterforce (402), whereby the deformation elements (330) are bent and compressed, and • to reduce energy generated by the loading effect (321) by means of the rotational movement (303) of a base of the deformation frame (122) resulting from the cylindrical contour during compression. [7] Device according to claim 6, wherein the tear-off elements (126) are provided with a predetermined breaking point, whereby the tear-off elements (126) tear off when the load effect (321) continues and the deformation frame (122) and thus its deformation elements (330) are further deformed. [8] Device according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the sensor is selected from the following list: Lidar, real top view camera, surround camera. [9] Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the sensor cover (123) is formed by an element from the following list: cover flap, manufacturer emblem. [10] Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the Bowden cable (140) is designed to transmit compressive forces in addition to transmitting tensile forces, whereby the sensor unit (124) can be extended and retracted solely by the Bowden cable (140).

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