Motor vehicle with movable sensor and sensor holder

Abstract

Motor vehicle (100) comprising a space (42) for a sensor (20) and a sensor holder (30) arranged in the space (42) holding a sensor (20), wherein the sensor holder (30) has a receptacle (44) for a sensor (20), wherein at least two intersecting legs (24) of the sensor holder (30) are arranged to shear against each other in the event of an impact (F) on the sensor (20) during an impact on the motor vehicle (100) in order to displace the receptacle (44) in a direction which at least partially follows the direction of impact.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle. The invention relates to a sensor holder. Sensors in motor vehicles are known from the prior art.

[0002] KR 10 248 9724 B1 describes a stationary device for a vehicle radar comprising a first cover equipped with a sensor that detects information about an object located near a vehicle; and a second cover attached to the vehicle, to which the first cover is mounted in such a way that it can slide. The described technology can provide a mounting device for a vehicle radar that can reliably protect expensive radar equipment from external influences.

[0003] The KR 20230127749 A describes a vehicle radar mounting device for mounting a radar unit on a vehicle.According to one embodiment, a first bracket is provided which is coupled to the vehicle and comprises a block receiving opening which is recessed in a second direction which intersects with a first direction opposite to the vehicle, and a connecting through-hole which is formed in the first direction and mutually intersects the block receiving opening; a second bracket which is arranged separately from the first bracket and which supports the radar unit; a connecting element which projects from the second bracket in the first direction and inserts one end into the connecting through-hole in which a block through-hole is formed in the second direction; and a break-initiating block of a length in the second direction which is inserted separately and interchangeably into the block receiving hole in order to pass through the block through-hole.Therefore, the described device is able to reduce the impact exerted on a pedestrian and to suppress damage to the radar unit.

[0004] The German patent application DE 10 2019 210 776 A1 describes a motor vehicle comprising a space for a sensor and a sensor holder arranged in that space, holding a sensor, the sensor holder having a receptacle for a sensor. Upon impact on the sensor during a collision with the motor vehicle, the receptacle is displaced in a direction that at least partially follows the direction of impact.

[0005] The devices described in the prior art are considered unsatisfactory with regard to an installation situation. The protection of the sensors is also considered unsatisfactory.

[0006] The purpose of the invention is to improve the installation situation and the protection of sensors.

[0007] The problem is solved in particular by a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. The problem is solved in particular by a sensor holder with the features of claim 9. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features, advantages, and / or details described in connection with the motor vehicle according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the sensor holder according to the invention. The reverse is also true, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always includes, or allows for, reciprocal reference.

[0008] According to one aspect, the problem is solved in particular by a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1.

[0009] A motor vehicle may have a space for a sensor. A sensor mount may be located within this space. The sensor mount may hold a sensor. The sensor mount may have a receptacle for a sensor. At least two intersecting arms may be assigned to the sensor mount in such a way that, upon impact on the sensor during a collision with the motor vehicle, they shear against each other to displace the receptacle in a direction that at least partially follows the direction of impact.

[0010] A motor vehicle may have a designated space for a sensor. This space may have a specific geometry and size to optimally position and protect the sensor.

[0011] A sensor mount can be installed within this space. The sensor mount serves to hold the sensor securely and stably, protecting it from damage. It can be made from various materials that offer high strength and robustness to withstand the stresses encountered during operation.

[0012] The sensor mount can hold a sensor. This means it fixes the sensor in a specific position and protects it from damage and vibrations. The sensor mount may also have a receptacle for the sensor to attach it in the correct location.

[0013] At least two intersecting arms can be assigned to the sensor mount in such a way that, upon impact with the vehicle, they shear against each other to displace the mount in a direction that at least partially follows the direction of impact. These arms can be made of various materials such as metal or plastic and are specifically designed to react quickly and reliably upon impact with the vehicle by shearing against each other and thus moving the sensor into a safe position.This enables optimal reading of the sensor data in an original configuration and original positioning of the sensor, as it can move closer to the outer contour of the bumper, i.e., sit further forward in the vehicle and thus have a larger field of view, since it can be brought to safety by the legs in the event of a parking bump or other impact on the vehicle.

[0014] According to one aspect, at least one rail can be arranged on the sections of the legs furthest from the point of attachment, into which the legs engage in a sliding manner in order to slide within the rail during shearing. Alternatively or additionally, each leg can be assigned a pivot joint which allows rotation of the leg during shearing, but remains fixed relative to at least one rail, and wherein engagements in each rail can be provided in order to slide within one of the rails (during shearing).

[0015] At least one rail can be arranged on the sections of the arms furthest from the sensor's position. Sliding elements of the arms, which can be referred to as "engagements," can engage with these rails. The sliding elements can include pins for sliding motion, but also—alternatively or additionally—a gear assembly (in particular, a gear for a toothed rail). This rail serves to allow the arms to slide within the rail when the sensor shears (i.e., when the sensor moves from its original position), thus enabling the shearing motion of the sensor.

[0016] A "leg" is a structural component of the sensor mount that serves to hold the sensor in its original position and protect it from damage. This is achieved by transferring the two legs, which can be arranged in an X-shape, into an alternative, recessed configuration. For example, the X can be compressed as the legs shear against each other. A leg can be made of various materials such as metal or plastic and has a specific length and shape to ensure the correct positioning of the sensor.

[0017] "Scissor movement" refers to a movement of the legs relative to each other in order to move the sensor from its original position. This movement can be caused by various factors, such as an impact on the sensor (e.g., during a parking bump).

[0018] The two legs on the same side of the X-shaped arrangement can have leg ends that can be brought closer together in a compressed configuration than in an original configuration.

[0019] "Sliding in the track" means that, during a shearing action, the arms move in conjunction with the engagement points in the track, thus enabling smooth and reliable sensor movement. The sensor's direction of movement can be, in particular, at least partially in the direction of impact. The movement of the arms' engagement points in the track is, in particular, in a direction that can be approximately 90° to the sensor's direction of movement. This design allows the sensor to move, in particular, in a direction parallel to an inward direction away from the surface (largely parallel to a surface normal).

[0020] It can also be provided, in particular—alternatively or additionally—that one end of each leg is fixed in a pivot joint relative to a rail, which is associated with another leg, so that the other leg can move within this rail via engagements therein. Alternatively, another end of the leg, which may be fixed via the pivot joint, can also move within a rail via an engagement. This can apply accordingly to both legs, so that each has a pivot joint fixed to a rail, and each has a leg moving within a rail at another end.

[0021] From one perspective, a reset device can be designed to return the legs, which were damaged after impact, to their original configuration in order to return the sensor mount to its original position.

[0022] The reset device can be designed to return the legs, which are displaced after an impact, to their original configuration, thus restoring the sensor mount to its original position. This reset device can, for example, include a spring or spring system that is compressed upon impact with the vehicle and then returns to its original shape, returning the legs to their original position and configuration. This ensures, in particular, that the sensor can still be correctly positioned even after an impact and that its functionality is not impaired.

[0023] From one perspective, the return device can have at least one spring arranged in the at least one rail to slide the engagements of the legs back into their original configuration after an impact.

[0024] A reset device can be designed to return the legs, which are displaced after an impact, to their original configuration, thereby restoring the sensor mount to its original position. The reset device can include at least one spring arranged in the at least one rail to allow the engagement of the legs to slide back into their original configuration after an impact.

[0025] The spring can be positioned to push the engagements at the ends of the legs back into their original configuration and position within the rail. This ensures, in particular, that the legs return to their original position after an impact, allowing the sensor-holding element (the receptacle) to remain functional and the sensor to resume its operation. The spring can be made of suitable materials, such as metal, to achieve the required coefficient of compression and ensure a long service life.

[0026] From one perspective, the sensor can be positioned between a CMS (Crash Management System) and a ULE (lower load level).

[0027] In particular, two crossbeams with CMS and ULE should be designated, between which the reversible holder can be installed.

[0028] According to one aspect, (at least) two pairs of shearing arms can be arranged on the receptacle, with a crossbar connecting the two pairs in such a way as to perform coordinated shearing upon impact on the sensor. The at least one pair can be arranged on the receptacle in such a way as to support the receptacle on one side each. The crossbar can contact at least one arm of each pair—in particular, the arm with the same function—so that coordinated movement of the pairs relative to each other can occur, regardless of the direction or position of the impact on the sensor. The coupling of the two arms can be improved by driving the crossbar / torsion bar via a reduction gear (e.g., by means of a rack and pinion). Thus, the sliding seats of both shear arms can be moved simultaneously, and the arms can be interlocked accordingly.

[0029] From an independent perspective, a sensor mount can be designed and configured for a motor vehicle as described elsewhere herein.

[0030] The sensor mount can be designed and configured for a motor vehicle as described elsewhere herein. The sensor mount can hold a sensor. The sensor mount, in particular, has a receptacle for a sensor. At least two intersecting arms are specifically assigned to the sensor mount in such a way that, upon impact on the sensor, particularly upon impact on the motor vehicle, they shear against each other to displace the receptacle in a direction that at least partially follows the direction of impact.

[0031] The sensor mount can be described by the features, properties, and / or advantages of the motor vehicle. This also applies across the category boundaries of method, device, and system. Thus, the motor vehicle can also be described by the features, properties, and / or advantages of the sensor mount. For the sake of readability and conciseness, a repetition of all these features, properties, and advantages is omitted.

[0032] In other words, and to summarize, this means that when the sensor is subjected to stress, a sliding bearing causes a movement that triggers a scissor mechanism. The advantage of the scissor mechanism is that the evasive movement is always initiated, regardless of where along the scissor mechanism the force is applied. To ensure smooth evasive action even when forces are applied alongside the scissor mechanism (or when only one scissor mechanism is loaded), a coupling rod can be incorporated.

[0033] The restoring force and the fixing of the sensor in the nominal position can be achieved by a spring.

[0034] The sensor bracket can be attached to a CMS and a ULE. This can involve an upper and a lower crash crossmember to which the bracket can be attached.

[0035] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. The drawings schematically show: Fig. 1 A representation of an embodiment of a motor vehicle with a sensor mount.

[0036] Fig.Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a motor vehicle 100 with a sensor holder 30. The motor vehicle 100 has a mounting space 42 for a sensor 20 and a sensor holder 30. The sensor holder 30 is specifically arranged in the mounting space 42, holding a sensor 20. The sensor holder 30 can have a receptacle 44 for the sensor 20. At least two intersecting legs 24 are assigned to the sensor holder 30 such that, upon an impact F on the sensor 20 during a collision with the motor vehicle 100, they shear against each other. For this purpose, they can move about a common joint 28. In doing so, an X-configuration of the legs 24 relative to each other is compressed about the joint as the pivot point of the legs 24 in order to displace the receptacle 44 in a direction that at least partially follows the impact direction of the impact F.

[0037] It can be provided that two attachment points 41, each assigned to one another on one side of the rails 26, 34, are pivot joints 39 that cannot move. The other two attachment points 41 can be engagements 32 that can rotate and move within the rails 34, 26, thus enabling shearing of the legs 24. It can therefore be provided that only one side of each leg 24 is slidably mounted via engagements 32, while the other part can be designed as a fixed pivot joint 39.

[0038] A return mechanism 36 is designed in particular to return the legs 24, which are displaced after an impact, to their original configuration in order to return the sensor 20's receptacle 44 to its original position. The return mechanism 36 may include at least one spring 37 arranged in the at least one rail 34 to allow the engagements 32 of the legs 24 to slide back into their original configuration after an impact. In particular, the return mechanism 36 may be extended in one position and compressed (relaxed) in the original configuration.

[0039] Two pairs of shearing legs 24 can be arranged on the receptacle 44, with a crossbar 26 connecting the two pairs in such a way as to carry out a coordinated shearing upon impact F on the sensor 20.

[0040] The sensor 20 can be positioned between a CMS 38 and a ULE 40.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (100) comprising a space (42) for a sensor (20) and a sensor holder (30) arranged in the space (42) holding a sensor (20), wherein the sensor holder (30) has a receptacle (44) for a sensor (20), wherein at least two intersecting legs (24) of the sensor holder (30) are arranged to shear against each other in the event of an impact (F) on the sensor (20) during a collision with the motor vehicle (100) in order to displace the receptacle (44) in a direction which at least partially follows the direction of impact. [2] Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1, characterized by, that at least one rail (34) is arranged on the areas of the legs (24) furthest from the receiving (44), into which at least one engagement (32) of the legs (24) slidably engages in order to slide in a rail (26, 34) during shearing; and / or wherein each leg is assigned a pivot joint (39) which allows rotation of the leg (24) during shearing, but remains fixed relative to at least one rail (26, 34) and wherein engagements (32) are provided in each of the rails (26, 34) in order to slide in each of the rails (26, 34). [3] Motor vehicle (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that a reset device (36) is designed to return the legs (24) which were damaged after impact to their original configuration in order to return the sensor (20) to its original position. [4] Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the return device (36) has at least one spring (37) which is arranged in the at least one rail (26, 34) to return the engagements (32) of the legs (24) to their original configuration after an impact. [5] Motor vehicle (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sensor (20) is arranged between a CMS (38) and a ULE (40). [6] Motor vehicle (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that two pairs of shearing legs (24) are arranged on the receptacle (44), wherein a crossbar (26) connects the two pairs in such a way as to carry out coordinated shearing upon impact (F) on the sensor (20) and / or upon unilateral loads on the sensor (20). [7] Sensor holder (30), designed and configured for a motor vehicle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, holding a sensor (20), wherein the sensor holder (30) has a receptacle (44) for a sensor (20), wherein at least two intersecting legs (24) of the sensor holder (30) are arranged to shear against each other in the event of an impact (F) on the sensor (20), in particular in the event of an impact on the motor vehicle (100), in order to displace the receptacle (44) in a direction which at least partially follows the direction of impact.

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