SENSOR MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor installation system for a vehicle.

[0002] The steady increase in driver assistance systems in vehicles requires extensive environmental sensors. These include, for example, cameras, radar, lidar, and ultrasonic sensors. To ensure the correct functioning of driver assistance systems, the vehicle's surroundings must be recorded as accurately as possible. It is particularly important that the corresponding environmental sensors are installed and aligned as intended. The installation of environmental sensors in large-scale production requires a simple installation method that is as error-free as possible.

[0003] The document DE 10 2013 200 966 A1 relates to a modular device for a camera system, comprising a housing device having an internal opening and configured to enable adjustment of an installation position of the modular device in a motor vehicle. The modular device comprises a sensor mounting device having an upper region and a base region, coupled to the housing device via at least one support element, and configured to accommodate an image sensor.In addition, such a modular device comprises a lens device, which is coupled to the sensor mounting device at the upper region via at least one connecting element and which is designed to generate an optical image on the image sensor, and a retaining spring device, which is coupled to the base region of the sensor mounting device and which is designed to press the image sensor with the heat-conducting intermediate layer against the sensor mounting device by means of spring force, thereby forming a heat conduction path via the heat-conducting intermediate layer. EP3173290A1 discloses a sensor mounting system according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor mounting system for an environmental sensor of a vehicle, which ensures a quick, low-tolerance and correct mounting of the environmental sensor and which allows the mounted environmental sensor to be quickly and easily removed from the fastening device during service work.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a sensor installation system having the features according to the independent claim.

[0006] Advantageous developments of the present invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] A fastening device for an environmental sensor of a vehicle comprises a sensor holding device with a receiving area in which the environmental sensor can be arranged at least partially when properly fastened to the sensor holding device. The fastening device also comprises a retaining spring device which is configured to hold the environmental sensor in the receiving area via a spring force for proper fastening. The retaining spring device has a bearing element at a first end by means of which the retaining spring device is rotatably mounted on the sensor holding device. Finally, the retaining spring device can be releasably locked to the sensor holding device at a second end opposite the first end for proper fastening.

[0008] In other words, the vehicle's environment sensor can be arranged at least partially within the receiving area of ​​the sensor holding device. An at least partially arranged environment sensor is understood to mean an arrangement of the environment sensor in the receiving area of ​​the sensor holding device, in which the environment sensor is at least partially enclosed, i.e., at least partially surrounded by the receiving area. If the environment sensor is attached to the sensor holding device as intended, or is arranged at least partially in the receiving area, the retaining spring device can be used to hold the environment sensor in the receiving area by means of spring force.

[0009] The bearing element of the retaining spring device, located at the first end of the retaining spring device, is rotatably mounted on the sensor holder. The environmental sensor can thus be mounted particularly easily, since the spring force for holding the environmental sensor in the receiving area can be applied with one hand due to the rotational movement. The retaining spring device can be releasably locked to the sensor holder at the second end for proper attachment.

[0010] An intermediate region of the retaining spring device, which is located between the first end and the second end of the retaining spring device opposite the first end, exerts a spring force on an environmental sensor arranged as intended in the receiving region and holds the environmental sensor in the sensor holding device or in the receiving region of the sensor holding device. As a result, a high spring force can also be exerted easily during assembly due to the resulting lever. The lever or lever force results from the fact that the retaining spring device is rotatably mounted at the first end and a force is applied to the second end opposite the first end during assembly. The retaining spring device can be designed, for example, as a leaf spring, torsion spring or the like.

[0011] An advantageous embodiment of the fastening device provides that the sensor holding device has a rotary axis element which is at least partially surrounded by the bearing element. The rotary axis element of the sensor holding device serves to rotatably mount the retaining spring device. Since the bearing element of the retaining spring device only partially surrounds the rotary axis element, simple mounting of the retaining spring device on the sensor holding device is possible. In other words, the retaining spring device can be mounted to the sensor holding device with the bearing element located at the first end - for example by means of a plug-in assembly or by means of a snap-in connection. Consequently, the retaining spring device can be mounted in a particularly simple manner. Finally, the retaining spring device is thus rotatably mounted on the sensor holding device.Furthermore, a lever effect can be exerted via the bearing element and the intermediate region of the retaining spring device, which exerts the spring force on the properly fastened environmental sensor, which simplifies assembly and increases the stability of the properly fastened environmental sensor on the sensor holding device.

[0012] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the retaining spring device and the sensor holding device have corresponding locking elements, which form a locking connection for releasably locking the retaining spring device to the sensor holding device. For example, the sensor holding device can have a notch or a recess as a locking element. The retaining spring device can, for example, have an elevation or a projection as a locking element. In this case, the notch or the recess, together with the elevation or the projection, can form one of the corresponding locking elements, wherein the elevation or the projection engages in the notch or the recess of the sensor holding device for releasably locking the retaining spring device.During the assembly of the environmental sensor in the fastening device, it is thus possible in a simple manner to apply the spring force for holding the environmental sensor in the receiving area of ​​the sensor holding device and to lock the retaining spring device to the sensor holding device by means of the snap-in connection.

[0013] A further advantageous embodiment of the fastening device provides that the corresponding locking elements are designed such that they only form the locking connection if the spring force exceeds a predetermined minimum force. During assembly of the environmental sensor, it can often happen that the environmental sensor is correctly positioned in the receiving area of ​​the sensor holding device, but the employee carrying out the assembly exerts too little force on the retaining spring device. As a result, it can happen that corresponding locking elements do not form a locking connection and the retaining spring device is therefore unable to hold the environmental sensor in the receiving area for proper fastening using the spring force. However, since the corresponding locking elements do not form a locking connection, incorrect assembly can be immediately recognized by the employee.In other words, an alternative and / or additional quality inspection can be implemented in the form of an IO inspection. Correct assembly can thus be ensured even in large-scale production.

[0014] Furthermore, during installation of the environmental sensor, it may also occur that the environmental sensor is not correctly positioned in the receiving area of ​​the sensor holder for its intended attachment. As a result, an increased spring force may be required to lock the retaining spring device to the sensor holder. Due to the increased spring force, an increased force can be exerted on the locking connection. If the spring force or the increased force exerted on the locking connection exceeds a predetermined tolerance range, the locking connection may also become loose under certain circumstances. This can prevent additional or alternative incorrect installation of the environmental sensor in the fastening device.

[0015] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the sensor holding device and / or the retaining spring device has an auxiliary element which is designed to release the locking connection. During servicing work or in order to remove or dismantle the environment sensor, it is particularly advantageous if the locking connection can be released easily and simply. If, for example, the corresponding locking elements - as described above by way of example - are a notch or a recess on the sensor holding device and a raised portion or a projection on the retaining spring device, then an auxiliary element in the form of a lever can be attached, for example, to the retaining spring device or the raised portion or the projection of the retaining spring device, which auxiliary element is designed to release the raised portion or the projection from the notch or the recess. Can the raised portion or the projection of the retaining spring device be removed from the notch orThe locking connection can be easily and simply released by removing the recess in the sensor holder. Depending on the type of locking connection, other designs are also conceivable for releasing the locking connection.

[0016] Finally, it is advantageous if the rotatably mounted retaining spring device has a minimum rotation range of between 70° and 200°, preferably between 80° and 180°, for the intended attachment of the environmental sensor to the sensor holding device. Such a minimum rotation range can ensure that the environmental sensor can be arranged in the receiving area of ​​the sensor holding device in a particularly simple manner during assembly. It should be noted that such a minimum rotation range places certain demands on the bearing element of the retaining spring device and any rotary axis element of the sensor holding device, which is at least partially surrounded by the bearing element. For example, a simply clipped or plugged-on retaining spring device cannot guarantee such a minimum rotation range.A predetermined minimum rotation range can be achieved by means of the bearing element of the retaining spring device, a possible rotation axis element, and a geometric design of the retaining spring device and the sensor holder device. This allows the environment sensor to be positioned and secured as intended in the receiving area of ​​the sensor holder device using extremely simple manual steps. Consequently, the installation of the environment sensor, in particular, can be simplified.

[0017] A sensor installation system according to the invention for a vehicle comprises a fastening device according to the invention and an environmental sensor which is arranged in the receiving area.

[0018] The inventive design of the sensor installation system provides that the sensor holding device of the fastening device and the environmental sensor have corresponding alignment elements, which ensure proper fastening by means of a poka-yoke principle. The corresponding alignment elements are designed in the form of alignment pins and alignment openings corresponding to the alignment pins. The environmental sensor or the housing of the environmental sensor has alignment pins. If the environmental sensor is arranged in the receiving area of ​​the sensor holding device of the fastening device or is fastened as intended, the alignment pins can be inserted into the alignment openings provided on the sensor holding device. The arrangement of the exemplary alignment elements in the form of alignment pins and alignment openings is also conceivable the other way around.For example, it is also conceivable that the alignment pins are arranged on the sensor holding device and the alignment openings are arranged on the environmental sensor or the housing of the environmental sensor.

[0019] The corresponding alignment elements are always arranged on the mounting device or on the environment sensor in such a way that it can be ensured that the environment sensor is attached as intended and is therefore precisely aligned. Furthermore, precise detection of the vehicle's surroundings can be ensured. The corresponding alignment elements can therefore form a technical precaution or device for preventing errors during installation of the environment sensor. This principle is also called the poka-yoke principle or the lock-and-key principle.

[0020] Furthermore, the corresponding alignment elements, together with the retaining spring device of the fastening device, limit movement of the environment sensor relative to the sensor holding device in three mutually perpendicular spatial directions. For example, it is conceivable that a first alignment pin and a first alignment opening in the form of a round hole limit movement of the environment sensor relative to the sensor holding device in three mutually perpendicular spatial directions. A second alignment pin and a second alignment opening in the form of an elongated hole can additionally limit movement of the environment sensor relative to the sensor holding device in two mutually perpendicular spatial directions. This can additionally prevent further of the three possible rotations.Additional alignment elements, for example in the form of support surfaces and support points, can limit movement of the environment sensor relative to the sensor holder in another spatial direction. Consequently, rotation about the remaining axis can ultimately be prevented. Together with the retaining spring device, movement of the environment sensor relative to the sensor holder can be completely limited, i.e., both translationally and rotationally.

[0021] Overall, this ensures that the environment sensor is fastened as intended, and that the environment sensor can be precisely aligned in the receiving area of ​​the fastening device. The corresponding alignment elements can also ensure that the fastening device can be produced easily, and that any manufacturing tolerances that could lead to incorrect alignment of the environment sensor can be compensated for. Depending on the design of the corresponding alignment elements, it can also be ensured that the environment sensor is not arranged in a statically over-determined manner. In addition, assembly and / or fastening of the environment sensor in the receiving area as intended can be ensured while adhering to predetermined manufacturing tolerances. Furthermore, a wide variety of production processes and materials can be used. For example, with a fastening device or fastening system according to the invention of this type,In the advantageous embodiments thereof, plastics with an increased glass fiber content, for example 30% or more, are also used.

[0022] Finally, it is advantageous if a camera is arranged in the recording area as the environment sensor. In other words, the environment sensor can be designed as a camera. In particular, the camera can be designed as a so-called satellite camera. The term "satellite camera" refers to a camera in which the control unit connected to the camera is installed in a different position than the camera. However, the environment sensor can also be designed as an optical sensor, infrared sensor, lidar sensor, or the like.

[0023] A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle comprising a sensor installation system for a vehicle according to the invention. The vehicle can be designed, in particular, as a passenger car.

[0024] The preferred embodiments presented with reference to the fastening device according to the invention and their advantages apply accordingly to the sensor installation system according to the invention and to the vehicle according to the invention.

[0025] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0026] The invention will now be explained in more detail using preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle comprising a sensor installation system, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a fastening device for an environmental sensor of a vehicle, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a retaining spring device of a fastening device for an environmental sensor of a vehicle, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a fastening device for an environmental sensor of a vehicle, which has corresponding alignment elements in the form of alignment openings, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an environmental sensor in the form of a camera, which has corresponding alignment elements in the form of alignment pins, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a sensor installation system for a vehicle in a further embodiment, which can accommodate two environmental sensors.

[0027] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a front area of ​​a vehicle 1 having a sensor installation system 2 according to the invention. Here, the sensor installation system 2 is arranged behind the windshield of the vehicle 1. The sensor installation system 2 comprises a fastening device 3 according to the invention and an environment sensor 4. In the present example, the environment sensor 4 is designed as a camera. However, it is also conceivable that the environment sensor 4 is a lidar, radar, infrared sensor, or the like.

[0029] The fastening device 3 comprises a sensor holding device 5 and a retaining spring device 6. In the present example, the retaining spring device 6 is designed as a leaf spring. However, it is also conceivable for the retaining spring device 6 to be designed as a bent wire part, torsion spring, or the like. The sensor holding device 5 has a receiving area 7. The environment sensor 4 can be arranged at least partially within the receiving area 7 when properly attached to the sensor holding device 5. The retaining spring device 6 is designed to hold the environment sensor 4 in the receiving area 7 via a spring force for proper attachment. A part of the sensor holding device 5 can also be designed as a lens hood.

[0030] The retaining spring device 6 has a bearing element 61 at a first end. The retaining spring device 6 is rotatably mounted on the sensor holding device 5 by means of the bearing element 61. At a second end opposite the first end of the retaining spring device 6, the retaining spring device 6 has a locking element 62. The locking element 62 serves to releasably lock the retaining spring device 6 to the sensor holding device 5. For this purpose, the sensor holding device 5 has a corresponding locking element 62'.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the fastening device 3 for an environment sensor 4 of a vehicle 1 in detail. Fig. 2 shows, in addition to the sensor holding device 5 and the retaining spring device 6, a rotary axis element 8 of the sensor holding device 5. The rotary axis element 8 is surrounded at least in part by the bearing element 61. The retaining spring device 6 with the bearing element 61 located at the first end can thus be mounted on the sensor holding device 5 - for example by means of a plug-in assembly. Consequently, the retaining spring device 6 can be mounted in a particularly simple manner. Due to such a rotatable mounting of the retaining spring device 6 on the sensor holding device 5, the retaining spring device 6 can be pivoted, whereby the installation of the environment sensor 4 can be simplified.

[0032] For releasably locking the retaining spring device 6 to the sensor holding device 5 by means of the locking element 62, the sensor holding device 5 has a corresponding locking element 62', which is designed as an opening. If the environment sensor 4 is located in the receiving area 7 for its intended attachment to the sensor holding device 5, the environment sensor 4 can be held in the receiving area 7 by means of the retaining spring device 6 via a spring force. For releasably locking the retaining spring device 6 to the sensor holding device 5, a locking connection can be formed by means of the locking element 62 and the corresponding locking element 62'.

[0033] An intermediate region 9 of the retaining spring device 6, which is located between the first end and the second end of the retaining spring device 6 opposite the first end, can exert a spring force on an environmental sensor 4 arranged as intended in the receiving region 7. This allows the environmental sensor 4 to be held in the sensor holding device 5 or in the receiving region 7 of the sensor holding device 5. Furthermore, due to the resulting lever, a high spring force can be exerted in a simple manner.

[0034] The retaining spring device 6 can also have an auxiliary element 63. In the present example, the auxiliary element 63 is arranged in the region of the locking element 62 of the retaining spring device 6. The auxiliary element 63 is configured to manually release the locking connection, which can be formed by means of the locking element 62 and the corresponding locking element 62'. Thus, an environment sensor 4 can be removed easily and simply during service work or the like.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows a construction drawing of the retaining spring device 6 of the fastening device 3 for the environment sensor 4 of the vehicle 1, which is also shown in the perspective view of Fig. 2 can be seen. In this example, the retaining spring device is designed as a leaf spring. It is also shown how the bearing element 61, which at least partially surrounds the rotary axis element 8 of the sensor holding device 5, can be designed. In addition, the locking element 62, which can be arranged at the second end of the retaining spring device 6 opposite the first end, is shown in detail. An auxiliary element 63 can also be arranged in the area of ​​the locking element 62. As shown in the design drawing, the auxiliary element 63 can release the locking connection by means of a lever effect. The retaining spring device 6 also has an intermediate area 9. The intermediate area 9 can serve for force transmission. In other words, the intermediate area 9 can bear against the environment sensor 4 and hold the environment sensor 4 for intended fastening in the receiving area 7 of the sensor holding device 5 via a spring force.

[0036] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the fastening device 3 for the environment sensor 4 of the vehicle 1 according to Fig. 2 from a different perspective. The sensor holding device 5 of the fastening apparatus 3 and the environmental sensor 4 have corresponding alignment elements 10, which ensure the intended fastening and the exact alignment of the environmental sensor 4 by means of a poka-yoke principle. The sensor holding device 5 has alignment openings 102 within the receiving area 7. These alignment openings 102 can be designed in the form of a round hole and an elongated hole. This can ensure that the environmental sensor 4 is not mechanically over-determined when attached as intended in the receiving area 7 of the sensor holding device 5. In addition, a proper attachment of the environmental sensor 4 in the receiving area 7 can be ensured while adhering to specified manufacturing tolerances.

[0037] The alignment elements 10 can ensure that the environmental sensor 4 is correctly positioned for its intended attachment to the sensor holding device 5. For this purpose, the corresponding alignment elements 10, which can be attached to the environmental sensor 4, can engage with the alignment elements 10 of the sensor holding device 5. If the environmental sensor 4 is arranged as intended in the receiving area 7 of the sensor holding device 5, the retaining spring device 6 can be releasably locked to the sensor holding device 5. The retaining spring device 6 exerts a spring force on the environmental sensor 4 for its intended attachment in the receiving area 7. During assembly of the environmental sensor 4, it may happen that the environmental sensor 4 is correctly positioned in the receiving area 7 of the sensor holding device 5, but the employee carrying out the assembly exerts too little force on the retaining spring device 6.As a result, it may happen that the corresponding locking elements 10 do not form a locking connection, and the retaining spring device 6 is therefore unable to hold the environment sensor 4 in the receiving area 7 for proper attachment using the spring force. However, since the corresponding locking elements 10 do not form a locking connection, incorrect assembly can be immediately detected by the employee. This allows for an additional quality inspection to be implemented during assembly.

[0038] An incorrect arrangement of the environment sensor 4 in the receiving area 7 of the sensor holding device 5 can also occur, for example, if the corresponding alignment elements 10 of the sensor holding device 5 and the environment sensor 4 do not engage correctly due to dirt, deposits, and / or the like. This can result in a higher spring force being required during assembly of the environment sensor 4 in order to lock the retaining spring device 6 to the sensor holding device 5. In such a case, an increased force can consequently be exerted on the locking connection or on the corresponding locking elements 62, 62'. To avoid such incorrect assembly, the corresponding locking elements 62, 62' can also be designed such that the locking connection releases if such a spring force or increased force exceeds a predetermined tolerance range.

[0039] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of an exemplary environmental sensor 4, which can be arranged at least partially in the receiving area 7 of the sensor holding device 5 for intended attachment to the sensor holding device 5. In this example, the environmental sensor 4 is designed as a camera. The environmental sensor 4 has alignment elements 10. The alignment elements 10 are shown in the form of two alignment pins 101 and in the form of three alignment stops 103. The alignment elements 10 of the environmental sensor 4 can engage with the corresponding alignment elements 10 of the sensor holding device 5, which in this case can be designed in the form of alignment openings 102.

[0040] Fig. 6shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a fastening device 3 according to the invention for an environmental sensor 4 of a vehicle 1. The fastening device 3 can be designed such that two environmental sensors 4 can be arranged in a respective receiving area 7 provided for this purpose. These can be environmental sensors 4 of the same type as well as environmental sensors 4 of different types. In other words, it is conceivable that, for example, a lidar sensor is arranged in one receiving area 7 and a camera is arranged in the other receiving area 7. However, it is also conceivable that, for example, two cameras or two lenses of a stereo camera can be arranged in the receiving area 7 of the sensor holding device 5 of the fastening device 3.Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous when, for example, due to increasingly extensive driver assistance systems, several cameras are used for different areas of application.

Claims

1. Sensor installation system (2) for a vehicle (1), comprising: - a fastening device (3) for a surround sensor (4) of a vehicle (1), comprising: ■ a sensor holding device (5) having a receptacle region (7), in which at least regions of the surround sensor (4) are arrangeable when the surround sensor is fastened to the sensor holding device (5) as intended, ■ a holding spring device (6) which is configured to hold the surround sensor (4) by way of a spring force, for the purpose of fastening said surround sensor in the receptacle region (7) as intended, ■ wherein at a first end the holding spring device (6) comprises a bearing element (61) by means of which the holding spring device (6) is rotatably mounted on the sensor holding device (5), and ■ at a second end opposite to the first end the holding spring device (6) is releasably fixable to the sensor holding device (5), for the purpose of fastening as intended; and - a surround sensor (4) arranged in the receptacle region (7) of the fastening apparatus (3), wherein the sensor holding device (5) of the fastening apparatus (3) and the surround sensor (4) comprise corresponding alignment elements (10), which serve for preventing errors during the assembly of the surround sensor and ensure the fastening as intended by means of a poka-yoke principle; characterized in that - the corresponding alignment elements (10) are formed by ■ two alignment pins (101) and two corresponding alignment openings (102), and ■ three alignment stops (103) and - together with the holding spring device (6) of the fastening apparatus (3), the corresponding alignment elements (10) restrict a movement of the surround sensor (4) relative to the sensor holding device (5) in three mutually perpendicular spatial directions.

2. Sensor installation system (2) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sensor holding device (5) comprises a pivot element (8), at least regions of which are surrounded by the bearing element (61).

3. Sensor installation system (2) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding spring device (6) and the sensor holding device (5) comprise corresponding latching elements (62, 62') which form a latching connection for the purpose of releasably fixing the holding spring device (6) to the sensor holding device (5).

4. Sensor installation system (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the corresponding latching elements (62, 62') are designed such that these only form the latching connection if the spring force exceeds a predetermined minimum force.

5. Sensor installation system (2) according to either of Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the sensor holding device (5) and / or the holding spring device (6) comprises an auxiliary element (63) which is configured to release the latching connection.

6. Sensor installation system (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that for fastening the surround sensor (4) to the sensor holding device (5) as intended, the rotatably mounted holding spring device (6) has a minimum rotary range of between 70° and 200°, preferably between 80° and 180°.

7. Sensor installation system (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that as the surround sensor (4), a camera is arranged in the receptacle region (7).