Vehicle equipped with adjustable reversing sensors

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle (1) comprising at least one reversing sensor (10) opening into a wall (3) of a rear end (2) of said vehicle. According to the invention, said reversing sensor (10) is attached to a deformable support (11), said deformable support (11) being connected to a rigid support (12) which is fixed to the wall (3) of the rear end (2), the connection of the deformable support (11) to the rigid support (12) comprising adjustable connecting means (13, 14) capable of deforming the deformable support (11) on the fixed support (12) to position the reversing sensor (10) correctly. Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: vehicle equipped with adjustable reversing sensors

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with adjustable reversing sensors.

[0002] In order to understand the positioning of the various parts involved in a vehicle according to the invention, the description is made with reference to a direct orthonormal reference frame XYZ in which X is a front-rear longitudinal axis of the vehicle oriented towards the rear, Y is a transverse axis oriented towards the right of the vehicle and Z is a vertical axis directed upwards.

[0003] Reversing sensors have existed for some time in the automobile industry. They are placed at the rear of the vehicle and make it possible to detect the presence of an obstacle located at the rear of the vehicle. In this way, a driver starting to reverse his vehicle, for example to try to park it, will be informed of the presence of this obstacle by the emission of audible beeps in the passenger compartment of said vehicle, linked to the operation of these reversing sensors. The closer the vehicle gets to this obstacle, the more the emission rate of these audible beeps will increase, until reaching a continuous audible signal when the vehicle is about to touch this obstacle. These reversing sensors, which are positioned at the rear of the vehicle, so as to face an external area located at the rear of said vehicle, are intended to assist the driver in a difficult maneuver, for which he has poor visual control.

[0004] Until now, in the absence of precise regulations, these reversing sensors were mounted on the vehicle in a somewhat approximate manner, with the risk that these sensors do not operate in an optimized manner. The consequences of such a sloppy mounting are that the sensors can provide erroneous information on the relative position of the vehicle with respect to the obstacle, which could lead to a collision of said vehicle against said obstacle located behind it.

[0005] The appearance of new regulations means that the reversing sensors must be mounted with rigor and precision at the rear of the vehicle, in order to be able to cover a clearly identified sub-zone of the exterior zone located at the rear of the vehicle, said exterior zone having to be covered entirely by the vehicle's reversing sensors.

[0006] A vehicle according to the invention comprises at least one reversing sensor whose position can be adjusted with precision, in particular once said sensor has been mounted in said vehicle.

[0007] The subject of the invention is a vehicle comprising at least one reversing sensor opening into a wall of the rear facade of said vehicle.

[0008] According to the invention, said reversing sensor is secured to a deformable support, said deformable support being connected to a rigid support which is fixed to the wall of the facade. rear, the connection of the deformable support to the rigid support comprising adjustable connection means capable of deforming the deformable support to the rigid support to place the reversing sensor in the correct position. In this way, once the reversing sensor has been mounted in the vehicle, it still remains orientable in order to refine its position and therefore to cover a certain predetermined area located behind the vehicle. Preferably, the reversing sensor is placed in the correct position by the adjustable connection means, by means of a rotational movement. Advantageously, the maximum amplitude of movement of said reversing sensor to achieve the correct orientation with the adjustable connection means is between +25° and -25°, and even more advantageously, between +15° and -15°.Preferably, the vehicle comprises several reversing sensors placed at the same altitude and distributed homogeneously along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle. Preferably, the adjustable connecting means can be adjusted, either manually or by means of a standard tool such as, for example, a screwdriver or pliers. Each reversing sensor has an active face through which a wave is emitted, said active face extending in a vertical and transverse plane YZ of the vehicle. This active face can be flush with an external surface of the wall of the rear facade, or it can emerge from said external surface by being placed just behind it outside the vehicle. The rigid support can be fixed by any means to the wall of the rear facade, such as for example by welding. The term "rigid support" means that said support is not designed to deform when the connecting means are manipulated, unlike the deformable support.Advantageously, the rigid support is flush with the wall materializing the rear facade of the vehicle.

[0009] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the adjustable connecting means comprise a first adjustment screw capable of causing a deformation of the deformable support in a first direction, said deformation causing a rotation of the reversing sensor in a vertical and longitudinal plane XZ of the vehicle. The adjustable connecting means thus comprise a component making it possible to adjust the tilt of the reversing sensor. This first adjustment screw is a worm screw, and a rotation of this first adjustment screw around its axis of revolution will cause a deformation of the deformable support which will cause a rotational movement of the reversing sensor in a longitudinal and vertical plane XZ of the vehicle. This first screw can for example be manipulated using a conventional screwdriver.

[0010] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the adjustable connecting means comprise a second adjustment screw capable of causing a deformation of the deformable support in a second direction, said deformation causing rotation of the reversing sensor in a horizontal plane XY of the vehicle. The adjustable connecting means thus comprise a component making it possible to adjust the position of the reversing sensor in a horizontal plane. This second adjustment screw is a worm screw, and rotation of this second adjustment screw around its axis of revolution will cause a deformation of the deformable support which will cause a rotational movement of the reversing sensor in a horizontal XY plane of the vehicle. This second screw can for example be manipulated using a conventional screwdriver.

[0011] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the first adjustment screw and the second adjustment screw each pass through the deformable support, a self-locking washer being inserted between a head of each of said screws and a surface of said deformable support. Indeed, it is important that the reversing sensor, once its position has been precisely adjusted to cover the desired area behind the vehicle, remains fixed in this position without risk of drift over time. This self-locking washer prevents any rotation of the first and second adjustment screws around their axes of revolution which would be likely to involuntarily deform the deformable support on the rigid support and therefore to modify the orientation of the reversing sensor.

[0012] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the deformable support is connected to the rigid support by non-adjustable fixing means. These non-adjustable fixing means make it possible to reinforce the fixing of the deformable support on the rigid support by making it more robust, and by limiting the risks of positional drift over time of said deformable support on said rigid support.

[0013] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the non-adjustable fixing means comprise at least one screw. This is a conventional screw which can, for example, cooperate with a nut.

[0014] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the rigid support comprises an opening in the continuity of which the reversing sensor is placed. In this way, an active surface of the reversing sensor through which a wave is emitted, is directly opposite an obstacle to be detected located at the rear of the vehicle.

[0015] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the vehicle comprises four reversing sensors equally distributed on the wall of the rear facade along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle. The presence of four reversing sensors makes it possible to cover the entirety of an area located at the rear of the vehicle and in which an obstacle might be located. Advantageously, the four reversing sensors are placed at the same altitude within the wall of the rear facade of said vehicle.

[0016] Another subject of the invention is a method for adjusting the position of a reversing sensor of a vehicle according to the invention.

[0017] According to the invention, said method comprises the following steps: - a step of connecting the deformable support to which the reversing sensor is attached, on the rigid support with adjustable connecting means, - a step of welding the rigid support to the wall of the rear facade of the vehicle, - a step of manipulating the adjustable connecting means to deform the deformable support on the rigid support in order to adjust the orientation of the reversing sensor.

[0018] In such a method, when the rigid support is welded to the wall of the rear facade of the vehicle, the reversing sensor is often placed in a position which is slightly offset from an ideal position for which it would cover the desired area. The adjustable connecting means make it possible to refine the position of the reversing sensor by means of a fairly limited angular amplitude to place it in an ideal position.

[0019] Another subject of the invention is an assembly comprising a rigid support, a deformable support and a reversing sensor for producing a vehicle according to the invention.

[0020] According to the invention, said reversing sensor is secured to the deformable support, said deformable support being connected to the rigid support by adjustable connecting means capable of deforming the deformable support to place the reversing sensor in the correct position. Such an assembly can be mounted in a particular location, before being transported along a vehicle assembly line, thus making it possible not to clutter up said assembly line.

[0021] A vehicle according to the invention has the advantage of having reversing sensors whose position is finely adjustable on said vehicle, after said reversing sensor has been mounted in said vehicle. This possibility makes it possible to obtain reversing sensors mounted with great precision in said vehicle. It also has the advantage of having reversing sensors whose position is adjustable by means of a simple manipulation which may or may not require the use of a standard tool, such as for example a screwdriver.

[0022] A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention is given below, with reference to the following figures:

[0023] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of the rear of a vehicle according to the invention, showing the location of the reversing sensors,

[0024] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the interior of a wall of a facade rear of a vehicle according to the invention, showing the location of a reversing sensor,

[0025] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention, comprising a rigid support, a deformable support and a reversing sensor,

[0026] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view from another angle of the whole of the [Fig.3]

[0027] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a top view of an assembly according to the invention, comprising a rigid support, a deformable support and a reversing sensor, said assembly not being mounted in the correct position in the vehicle,

[0028] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a top view of the whole of [Fig.5], the position of which has been corrected,

[0029] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a flowchart detailing the main steps of a method for adjusting the position of a reversing sensor according to the invention.

[0030] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention is delimited by a rear facade 2 which is materialized by a wall 3 extending generally in a transverse and vertical plane YZ of the vehicle. By way of example, the vehicle 1 comprises four reversing sensors 10 placed at the same height on the wall 3 materializing the rear facade 2 of said vehicle. These reversing sensors 10 are distributed homogeneously on said wall 3, along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle, so as to cover the entirety of an area located at the rear of the vehicle and in which an obstacle might be found. As a reminder, these reversing sensors 10 each emit a signal which will be reflected on a possible obstacle located at the rear of the vehicle.Thus, as soon as an obstacle is detected at the rear of the vehicle, beeps are emitted inside the vehicle, at regular time intervals, to warn the driver of the presence of this obstacle. The closer the vehicle 1 gets to the obstacle, the more the beeps will be emitted with a high cadence, ending with a continuous sound signal as soon as the vehicle is about to come into contact with said obstacle.

[0031] To eliminate any risk of collision with this external obstacle, it is imperative that the reversing sensors 10 are placed very precisely on the wall 3 materializing the rear facade 2 of the vehicle 1, so as to cover the entire rear area in which an obstacle might be found. Indeed, if certain parts of this rear area were not covered by these reversing sensors 10, the risks of the vehicle colliding with an external obstacle would be increased. This observation is all the more true since the driver expects to hear beeps in the event of the presence of an external obstacle. If he hears nothing, he will think that there is no obstacle, and he will reverse without any particular restraint.

[0032] To overcome this problem of covering the entire rear area located behind the vehicle 1 by the reversing sensors 10, a vehicle according to the invention is equipped with several reversing sensors 10, the position of which can be further refined once said reversing sensors 10 have been mounted in the vehicle 1.

[0033] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, each reversing sensor 10 of a vehicle 1 according to the invention is secured to a deformable support 11, which is itself fixed to a rigid support 12 by means of adjustable connecting means 13, 14, and by means of fixed connecting means 15. The rigid support 12 is metallic and is similar to a flat, slightly curved tongue having a rectangular outline. This rigid support 12 has an inner surface 16 and an outer surface 17, which are pa alleles between them, said rigid support 12 being provided with a foolproof device in the form of a rounded protrusion 18. The deformable support 11 is a flat and thin part, having an inner surface 19 and an outer surface 20, said deformable support 11 being fixed to the rigid support 12 so that: - said two supports 11, 12 are substantially parallel to each other, and - their internal surfaces 16, 19 face each other.

[0034] The reversing sensor 10 has a cylindrical main section 21 and a rectilinear secondary section 22, said two sections 21, 22 being perpendicular. Two receiving protrusions 23, 24 of slightly curved shape and facing each other, originate on the external surface 20 of the deformable support 11 and serve to trap the main section 21 of the reversing sensor 10. The rigid support 12 has a circular opening 25 to allow the main section 21 of the reversing sensor 10 which is fixed to the deformable support 11 to extend beyond the rigid support 12. The active surface 26 of the reversing sensor 10 through which the signal 27 sent by said sensor 10 to an area located behind the vehicle 1 is emitted, is placed at one end of the main section 21 which emerges from the rigid support 12, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

[0035] Referring to [Fig. 4], the fixed connecting means of the deformable support 11 on the fixed support 12 comprise a screw 15 passing through the deformable support 11 and which is inserted into a tapped hole of a tip 28 emerging from the inner surface 16 of the fixed support 12. The adjustable fixing means comprise a first endless adjustment screw 13, capable of causing a deformation of the deformable support 11 in a first direction, generating a rotation of the reversing sensor 10 in a vertical and longitudinal plane XZ of the vehicle. The adjustable fixing means also comprise a second endless adjustment screw 14, capable of causing a deformation of the deformable support 11 in a second direction, generating a rotation of the reversing sensor 10 in a horizontal plane XY of the vehicle.The first screw 13 is placed above the main section 21 of the reversing sensor 10, and the second screw 14 is placed next to said main section 21 and at the same height as the latter. The deformable support 11 is fixedly connected to the first adjustment screw 13 and the second adjustment screw 14, said two adjustment screws 13, 14 being able to be screwed into tapped holes of two end pieces 29 emerging from the inner surface 16 of the fixed support 12. In this way, if one of the two adjustment screws 13, 14 is screwed into the tapped hole of the corresponding end piece 29 of the rigid support 12, it will penetrate into said hole or come out of it, carrying with it the deformable support 11 which will then deform since it is also connected to the rigid support 12 with fixed connecting means. The first adjusting screw 13 and the second adjusting screw 14 each have a head 30 crossed by a slot, said head 30 emerging from the . outer surface 20 of the deformable support 11. A self-locking washer 31 is inserted between the head 30 of each of the two adjustment screws 13, 14 and the outer surface 20 of the deformable support 11.

[0036] The rigid support 12 to which the deformable support 11 carrying the reversing sensor 10 is secured, is welded to the wall 3 of the rear facade 2 of the vehicle so as to be flush with said wall 3, and so that the deformable support 11 is inside said wall 3.

[0037] Referring to [Fig. 5], if after the rigid support 12 has been welded to the wall 3 of the rear facade 2 of the vehicle, the reversing sensor 10 does not entirely cover the intended area 32 located at the rear of the vehicle 1, it is sufficient to use a screwdriver 33 and then screw or unscrew at least one of the two adjustment screws 13, 14, to deform the deformable support 11 in the right direction. The reversing sensor 10 is then placed in a favorable position covering the intended area 32, as illustrated in [Fig. 6]. The self-locking washers 31 associated with the adjustment screws 13, 14 make it possible to fix said screws 13, 14 in the position in which they were left, after the removal of the screwdriver 33, to prevent the deformable support 11 from inadvertently deforming and modifying the position of the reversing sensor 10.

[0038] Referring to [Fig.7], a method for verifying the conformity of the reversing sensors 10 on a vehicle mounted at the end of the production line comprises the following steps: - a step 100 of checking the correct positioning of each reversing sensor 10 within the vehicle, by verifying the area covered at the rear of said vehicle 1 by said reversing sensor 10, -if the result of the inspection is satisfactory 101, the vehicle is considered saleable 102, -if the control result is not satisfactory 103, a comparison step 104 between the area actually covered by the reversing sensor 10 and the ideal area that said reversing sensor 10 should cover, - a step 105 of correcting the position of the reversing sensor 10 by means of manipulating at least one of the two adjustment screws 13, 14 to deform the deformable support 11 in the correct direction, - a step 106 of checking the correct positioning of the reversing sensor 10, the position of which has been modified a first time, by checking the area covered at the rear of said vehicle 1 by said reversing sensor 10, - if the result of the inspection is satisfactory 107, the vehicle is considered saleable 102, - if the result of the check is not satisfactory 108, a new step of comparison 104, and correction 105 of the position of the reversing sensor 10 until said position is deemed satisfactory.

Claims

Claims

1. Vehicle (1) comprising at least one reversing sensor (10) opening into a wall (3) of a rear facade (2) of said vehicle, characterized in that said reversing sensor (10) is secured to a deformable support (11), and in that said deformable support (11) is connected to a rigid support (12) which is fixed to the wall (3) of the rear facade (2), the connection of the deformable support (11) to the rigid support (12) comprising adjustable connection means (13, 14) capable of deforming the deformable support (11) on the fixed support (12) to place the reversing sensor (10) in the correct position.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustable connecting means comprise a first adjustment screw (13) capable of causing a deformation of the deformable support (11) in a first direction, said deformation causing a rotation of the reversing sensor (10) in a vertical and longitudinal plane XZ of the vehicle.

3. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjustable connecting means comprise a second adjustment screw (14) capable of causing a deformation of the deformable support (11) in a second direction, said deformation causing a rotation of the reversing sensor (10) in a horizontal plane XY of the vehicle.

4. Vehicle according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the first adjusting screw (13) and the second adjusting screw (14) each pass through the deformable support (11), and in that a self-locking washer (31) is inserted between a head (30) of each of said screws (13, 14) and a surface (20) of said deformable support (11).

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the deformable support (11) is connected to the rigid support (12) by non-adjustable fixing means (15).

6. Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the non-adjustable fixing means comprise at least one screw (15).

7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rigid support (12) comprises an opening (25) in the continuity of which the reversing sensor (10) is placed.

8. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises four equally distributed reversing sensors (10) on the wall (3) of the rear facade (2) along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle.

9. Method for adjusting the position of a reversing sensor of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - a step of connecting the deformable support (11) to which the reversing sensor (10) is secured, to the rigid support (12) with adjustable connecting means (13, 14), - a step of welding the rigid support (12) to the wall (3) of the rear facade (2) of the vehicle, - a step of manipulating the adjustable connecting means (13, 14) to deform the deformable support (11) on the rigid support (12) in order to adjust the orientation of the reversing sensor (10).

10. Assembly comprising a rigid support (12), a deformable support (11) and a reversing sensor (10) for producing a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said reversing sensor (10) is secured to the deformable support (11), and in that said deformable support (11) is connected to the rigid support (12) by adjustable connecting means (13, 14) capable of deforming the deformable support (11) on the rigid support (12) to place the reversing sensor (10) in the correct position.

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