Assembly for optical sensor

Abstract

The present invention relates to The present invention concerns an assembly comprising a part. The assembly further comprises a window having an external face and an internal face. The assembly further comprises a frame surrounding the perimeter of the window, the frame being made of a material with a tensile strength value less or equal to 200MPa. The assembly further comprises attaching means to attach the window to the part. The part comprises indentations means enclosed within the fame along the complete perimeter of the window. These indentation means are made of a material with a tensile strength value higher than 60MPa. The present invention further relates to a method of assembling such an assembly. The present invention further relates to the use of indentation means to seal a window.

Description

Assembly for optical sensorFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automotive assemblies. More specifically it relates to an assembly to protect an optical sensor placed behind such assembly, as well as to ensure its sealing, and to method to make such assembly.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Nowadays vehicles comprise an increasing number of devices and systems to assist and even to replace the driver. A vehicle includes cars, vans, lorries, motorbikes, buses, trams, trains, airplanes, helicopters, drones, boats and the like. The trend is moving towards fully autonomous vehicles able to manage various situations by themselves. Various optical sensors are therefore needed in order for the vehicle to assess the situation encountered, such as cameras, radars and lidars. These optical sensors usually comprise a window to protect the detection system.

[0003] Such window is transparent to the operating wavelength of the optical sensor. It can be made of glass, plastics or a combination thereof. As the window is usually sealed, it offers protection against humidity which may harm the optical sensor. It further offers protection against external environment, including rain, hail, projection of little pebbles or other kind of debris. However, the window itself may become damaged due to such impact.

[0004] The window can be attached to the housing of the optical sensor. In this case, one solution currently used by vehicle manufacturers is to replace not only the window itself, but the optical sensor and its housing including the window. Such full replacement is easier to proceed with, but leads to additional costs as the optical sensor may still work perfectly.

[0005] Another solution is to replace the window only. Such window is usually glued or sealed to the vehicle body through adhesive material. However, as the window may be difficult to access, replacing the window may be difficult. People in charge of the replacement usually work without seeing what they’re actually doing, leading to manipulation errors causing damage to the optical sensor.

[0006] There is therefore a need for a product to protect an optical sensor whileimproving the serviceability, allowing to replace such product without undue manipulation while keeping the advantages of such product, meaning sealing and protection against external environment.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention concerns an assembly comprising a part. The assembly further comprises a window having an external face and an internal face. The assembly further comprises a frame surrounding the perimeter of the window, the frame being made of a material with a tensile strength value less or equal to 20MPa. The assembly further comprises attaching means to attach the window to the part. The part comprises indentations means enclosed within the fame along the complete perimeter of the window. These indentation means are made of a material with a tensile strength value higher than 60MPa.

[0008] The present invention further relates to a method of assembling such an assembly.

[0009] The present invention further relates to the use of indentation means to seal a window.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates an assembly according to the prior art.

[0011] Fig. 2a illustrates an assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2b illustrates the same assembly, in an exploded view.

[0012] Fig. 3 illustrates an assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the inside.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The invention will now be described further, byway of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in the various figures. These examples are provided by way of illustration and not of limitation. The drawings are a schematic representation and not true to scale. The drawings do not restrict the invention in any way. More advantages will be explained with examples.

[0014] In this document to a specific embodiment and include various changes, equivalents, and / or replacements of a corresponding embodiment. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0015] As used herein, spatial or directional terms, such as "inner", "outer", "above", "below", "top", "bottom", and the like, relate to the invention as it is shown in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention can assume various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such terms are not to be considered as limiting. Further, all numbers expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, processing parameters, quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and the like, used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical values set forth in the following specification and claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, expression “substantially” mean to within 10%, preferably to within 5%.

[0016] Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to be inclusive of the beginning and ending range values and to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more, e.g. 1 to 6.1 , and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, e.g., 5.5 to 10. Further, as used herein, the terms “deposited over” or “provided over” mean deposited or provided on but not necessarily in surface contact with. For example, a coating “deposited over” a substrate does not preclude the presence of one or more other coating films of the same or different composition located between the deposited coating and the substrate.

[0017] Where the term “comprising” is used in the present description and claims, it does not exclude other elements or steps. Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun e.g. “a” or “an”, “the”, this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated. In this document, “configured to (or set to)” may be interchangeably used in hardware and software with, for example, “appropriate to”, “having a capability to”, “changed to”, “made to”, “capableof”, or “designed to” according to a situation. In any situation, an expression “device configured to do” may mean that the device “can do” together with another device or component.

[0018] Furthermore, the terms first, second and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. When it is described that a constituent element (e.g., a first constituent element) is “(functionally or communicatively) coupled to” or is “connected to” another constituent element (e.g., a second constituent element), it should be understood that the constituent element may be directly connected to the another constituent element or may be connected to the another constituent element through another constituent element (e.g., a third constituent element).

[0019] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims.

[0020] While some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.<Assembly>

[0021] The present invention proposes an assembly destined to be placed on a vehicle.

[0022] In some embodiments, such assembly aims to protect an optical sensor placed behind such assembly, as well as to ensure its sealing.<Part>

[0023] According to the invention, the assembly comprises a part.

[0024] In some embodiments, such part can be part of a vehicle such as a portion ofthe vehicle body.

[0025] In some embodiments, the part is made of a material with a tensile strength value higher than 60MPa. Tensile strength is defined as the maximum stress that a material can bear before breaking when it is allowed to be stretched or pulled. It can be measured according to ISO37:2017 or DIN53504:2017, as known by the skilled in the art. A value of tensile strength above the cited value allows the part to be sufficiently rigid.

[0026] In the automotive industry, such part is usually made of hard thermoplastic material, such as polycarbonate (PC) or a blend of polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Such part can also be made of metal.

[0027] In some embodiments, the part comprises an opening behind which an object can be inserted such as a sensor.<Window>

[0028] The assembly further comprises a window having an internal face and an external face. Here, the internal face refers to the face of the window where an optical sensor could be placed, such that the sensor benefits from the protection of the window towards external environment. The external face refers to the face of the window which is opposite to the internal face.

[0029] In some embodiments, the window can protect the object inserted behind the opening,

[0030] In some embodiments, the window can be made of mineral glass, more specifically a silica-based glass, such as soda-lime-silica, alumino-silicate or borosilicate type glass. The window can also be made of plastics, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate, also called organic glass. The window can also be made of an association of glass and plastics. The composition of the window depends on the desire application.<Frame>

[0031] The assembly further comprises a frame surrounding the perimeter of the window. Such frame ensures the tightness around the whole shape of the window.

[0032] The frame is preferably made of a material with a tensile strength valuecomprised between 7MPa and 20MPa. Tensile strength is defined as the maximum stress that a material can bear before breaking when it is allowed to be stretched or pulled. It can be measured according to ISO37:2017 or DIN53504:2017, as known by the skilled in the art. A value of tensile strength comprised between the cited range allows the frame to be sufficiently rigid for mechanical strength, but sufficiently soft to be penetrated by the indentation means.

[0033] In some embodiments, the frame is an injected material, allowing to reduce the manufacturing process / the cost. It can also bond directly to the glass (eventually using a primer to ensure the adhesion) making a good sealing. As it is a soft material, it can compensate the thermal expansion of the different surrounding elements. It is injected in a cavity to compensate the tolerances of the different surrounding elements. It fills the hole between the window and the carrier.

[0034] The frame can be a polymer such as soft polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and more generally thermoplastic (TPE) or thermoset elastomers.

[0035] In some embodiments, the frame is flush with the window, meaning the frame is completely level or even with the internal surface and / or the external surface of the window. This can be requested for better aesthetics of the assembly. It has the advantage that the edges of the window are better protected from external environment.

[0036] In some embodiments, the frame covers the edges of the window and covers at least partially at least one of the faces of the window. This can be requested for better aesthetics of the assembly. It has the advantage that the edges of the window are better protected from external environment. Further, such embodiment imposes less constraint on the process to produce such assembly.<Attaching means>

[0037] The assembly further comprises attaching means attaching the window to the part.

[0038] In some embodiments, the attaching means can be non-permanent, meaning the window can be detached from and reattached to the part using the attaching means to retrieve the window from the attached position.

[0039] In some embodiments, the attaching means can comprise screws or clips orany other suitable means known by the skilled in the art. These attaching means are particularly easy to put and remove, and therefore allow for higher serviceability.<Carrier>

[0040] In some embodiments, the attaching means comprise a carrier. The carrier is a support for the window. The carrier is attached to the window through the frame. The advantage of using a carrier is to render the process to manufacture the assembly easier to produce.

[0041] In some embodiments, the carrier is a hard material, meaning with a tensile strength above 40MPa. The carrier can be made of polycarbonate (PC) or a blend of polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The carrier can also be made of metal or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

[0042] In some embodiments, the carrier can be made of the same material as the part. clndentation means>

[0043] The part comprises indentation means enclosed within the frame along the complete perimeter of the window.

[0044] The term “enclosed”, in the sense of the invention, means that at least 10% of the height of the indentation means are inside the frame. It is understood that the indentation means can be fully enclosed within the frame, meaning that the indentation means penetrate the frame over the full height of the indentation means.

[0045] The indentation means are enclosed along the complete perimeter of the window. It means that the indentations means are elongated along the whole perimeter of the window, in order to ensure the sealing.

[0046] In some embodiments, the height of the indentation means is comprised between 0.3mm and 2mm, more preferably between 0.5mm and 1.5mm. Such values allow a good sealing for any conditions of assembling tolerances.

[0047] In some embodiments, the thickness of the indentation means is comprised between 0.3mm and 3mm, more preferably between 0.5mm and 1.5mm.

[0048] In some embodiments, the section of the indentation means is triangular, allowing for higher sealing. The section of the indentation means can otherwise betriangular with a rounded tip. The section of the indentation means can otherwise be rectangular. The section of the indentation means can otherwise be M-shaped, allowing for better sealing. The M-shape also allows for securing the sealing in case one of the tips of the M-shape does not perform efficiently (for example due to some irregularities on the frame or due to some malformation of one of the tips).

[0049] The indentation means are made of a material with a tensile strength value higher than 60MPa. The indentation means, being of a higher tensile strength than the frame, can therefore penetrate the frame material along the complete perimeter of the window. It allows to seal the assembly so that no external element such as water or dirt can go through the assembly.

[0050] In some embodiments, the indentation means are made of the same material as the part. It allows to ease the manufacturing process.

[0051] In some embodiments, the indentation means form a single piece with the part, allowing to increase the solidity of the whole piece and the processability.

[0052] In some embodiments, the part is molded over the indentation means. It allows to make it at the same time of the frame as it is the same material, and therefore allows for easier manufacturing process.

[0053] The present invention further concerns a method to assemble an assembly as described previously.

[0054] The method comprises a first step of providing a part (2) having indentation means (21), the indentation means (21 ) being made of a material with a tensile strength value higher than 60MPa.

[0055] The method comprises a second step of providing a window (3) having an external face (31 ) and an internal face (32).

[0056] The method comprises a third step of providing a frame (4) surrounding the perimeter of the window (3), the frame (4) being made of a material with a tensile strength value less or equal to 20MPa.

[0057] The method comprises a fourth step of providing attaching means (5) attaching the window to the part. The indentation means (21) penetrates the frame (4) along the complete perimeter of the window (3) to form an assembly.

[0058] The present invention further concerns a use of indentation means (21) to seal a window (3). The indentation means (21 ) are made of a material with a tensile strength value higher than 60MPa. The indentation means (21 ) are designed to penetrate a frame (4), the frame (4) being made of a material with a tensile strength value less or equal to 20MPa. The frame (4) surrounds the window (3).

[0059] Referring to Fig. 1, an assembly (1 ) according to the prior art is shown. The assembly (1) is shown with an optical sensor (6), which the assembly (1) protects from the external environment.

[0060] The assembly (1 ) comprises a part (2) that is a part of a body of a vehicle and a window (3). An optical sensor (6) could be placed facing the internal face (32) of the window (3) surrounded by a frame (4). In the present case, the frame (4) binds the window (3) to a carrier (51 ). The frame (4) is commonly made of a material with a tensile strength value less or equal to 20MPa. The frame (4) is usually made of an injectable material, injected between the carrier (51 ) and the window (3) to attach them together once the injected material is dried. The carrier (51 ) is attached to the part (2) through an adhesive (50), the carrier (51 ) and the adhesive (50) forming the attaching means (5). Such adhesive (50) is placed all around the window (3), on the carrier (51 ), in order to ensure the sealing of the assembly.

[0061] Such configuration of the prior art renders tricky the replacement of the window (3), as one must reach the adhesive (50) to try to cut it, usually blindly.

[0062] Fig. 2a shows some embodiment of an assembly (1 ) according to the present invention.

[0063] The part (2) presents indentation means (21 ) enclosed within the frame (4) along the complete perimeter of the window (3). These indentation means (21 ) are made of a material with a tensile strength value higher than 60MPa, allowing to ensure the sealing of the assembly (1 ). In this embodiment, the section of the indentation means (21 ) is triangular. In this embodiment, half of the height of the indentation means (21 ) is enclosed within the frame (4).

[0064] In some embodiments, the attaching means (5) can comprise screws (52), as illustrated. Such screws (52) are placed around the window (3), through the carrier (51 ) to fix the carrier (51 ) to the part (2).

[0065] In this embodiment, the attaching means also comprise a carrier (51 ), as in the prior art embodiment of Fig. 1. However, such carrier (51 ) could be omitted, and the screws (52) can directly or via a plug or alike connect the frame (4) to the part (2).

[0066] Fig. 2b shows an exploded view of Fig. 2a.

[0067] Fig. 3 shows the internal face (32) of the window (3). The window (3) is surrounded by the frame (4). The frame (4) attaches the carrier (51 ) to the window (3). Several screws (52), surrounding the window (3), allow to fix the carrier (51 ) to the part (not shown).

[0068] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the invention may be practiced in many ways. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

Claims

Claims1 . Assembly (1 ) comprising: a. A part (2); b. A window (3) having an external face (31 ) and an internal face (32); c. A frame (4) surrounding the perimeter of the window (3), the frame (4) being made of a material with a tensile strength value less than or equal to 20MPa; d. Attaching means (5) attaching the window to the part;Characterized in that the part (2) comprises indentation means (21 ) enclosed within the frame (4) along the complete perimeter of the window (3), the indentation means (21 ) being made of a material with a tensile strength value higher than 60MPa.

2. Assembly (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the height of the indentation means (21 ) is comprised between 0.3mm and 2mm, more preferably between 0.5mm and 1 ,5mm.

3. Assembly (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the thickness of the indentation means (21 ) is comprised between 0.3mm and 3mm, more preferably between 0.5mm and 1 ,5mm.

4. Assembly (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the part (2) is a part of a body of a vehicle.

5. Assembly (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the part (2) is made of polycarbonate or a blend of polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate reinforced fibers.

6. Assembly (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the frame (4) is an injected material.

7. Assembly (1 ) according to claim 6, wherein the injected material is a polymer.

8. Assembly (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the frame (4) is flush with the external face (31 ) and / or the internal face (32) of the window (3).

9. Assembly (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the frame (4) at least partially covers at least one of the external face (31) and / or the internal face (32) of the window (3).

10. Assembly (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the attaching means (5) comprise a carrier.11 . Assembly (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the attaching means (5) comprise screws or clips.

12. Assembly (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the section of the indentation means (21 ) is triangular or M-shaped.

13. Method of assembling an assembly (1) according to claims 1-12 comprising the steps of: i. Providing the part (2) having the indentation means (21 ); ii. Providing the window (3); iii. Providing the frame (4) surrounding the perimeter of the window (3); iv. Providing the attaching means (5) attaching the window to the part; Characterized in that the indentation means (21 ) penetrates the frame (4) along the complete perimeter of the window (3) to form the assembly.

14. Use of indentation means (21 ) made of a material with a tensile strength value higher than 60MPa, the indentation means (21 ) being designed to penetrate a frame (4) made of a material with a tensile strength value less or equal to 20MPa, the frame (4) surrounding a window (3), in order to seal said window (3).

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