Protective apparatus for a sensor device in a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective apparatus (100) for a sensor device (10) in a motor vehicle, comprising a protective frame (110), which is designed to accommodate and to fasten a sensor device (10) therein, and a fastening receptacle (120), which is arranged on the protective frame and which is designed to accommodate and to fasten a peripheral device (130) for the sensor device (10) thereon.

Description

[0001] AUDI AG

[0002] Protective device for a sensor device in a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

[0003] DESCRIPTION:

[0004] The present invention relates to a protective device for a sensor device in a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle with such a protective device.

[0005] Sensors such as lidar and / or radar sensors are expensive and can be easily damaged in an accident.

[0006] From the publication DE 102022 200 280 A1, a sensor system and a method for assembling a sensor system are known.

[0007] WO 2020 / 216547 A1 discloses a rotatable cover for vehicle sensor modules. DE 10 2020 206 814 A1 describes a lidar sensor for vehicles. DE 10 2021 206 727 A1 discloses a wiper device for a vehicle. DE 10 2019 112 908 B4 describes a rotatable cover for vehicle sensor modules.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved protective device for a sensor device in a motor vehicle.

[0009] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims. According to a first aspect, a protective device for a sensor device in a motor vehicle is provided.

[0010] The protective device comprises a protective frame which is designed to receive and fasten a sensor device therein and a fastening receptacle which is arranged on the protective frame and which is designed to receive and fasten a cleaning device for the sensor device thereon.

[0011] The protective device serves, in particular, to protect a sensor device of the motor vehicle from external influences, such as shock and / or impact, such as those that occur in an accident, such as a collision between the motor vehicle and another vehicle and / or object. In particular, the protective device is designed to absorb a shock but not transmit it to the sensor device.

[0012] For this purpose, the protective device comprises a protective frame which is designed to receive and fasten a sensor device therein.

[0013] The protective frame, in particular, forms a cavity in which the sensor device can be accommodated and secured to the protective frame. For example, the protective frame encloses the sensor device accommodated therein on at least two, in particular at least four sides.

[0014] For this purpose, the protective frame can be made of a particularly hard and / or stiff, in particular torsion-resistant material. In particular, the protective frame is harder and / or stiffer than the sensor device. For example, the protective frame is made of or comprises metal, in particular steel and / or stainless steel, plastic and / or a composite material, such as fiberglass plastic and / or carbon, or in particular a combination of the aforementioned materials. The sensor device can in particular comprise one or more optical sensors, for example one or more of one or more camera devices, lidar devices and / or radar devices. The sensor device serves in particular to capture an image of the exterior of the motor vehicle and / or to capture distances in the surroundings of the motor vehicle.

[0015] For this purpose, the sensor device can be arranged and fastened to the protective frame, in particular to one or more inner sides of the protective frame. Suitable fastening means, such as screws, rivets, and / or locking elements, can be used for this purpose.

[0016] In particular, the sensor device can be detachably attached to the protective frame so that, in the event of damage to the protective frame, it can be removed non-destructively, for example, to be used with or in a new protective frame. The protective device can also include the sensor device, but does not have to. In particular, the sensor device or the protective frame is replaceable, for example, in the event of damage, as described above.

[0017] The protective frame or protective device is in particular indirectly, for example via a compensating device, as described below, or directly connected to a body element and / or connectable to it or fastened and / or fastenable thereto. The protective frame can be formed either integrally or in one piece with the body element or different or separate from it. In the present case, the body element also comprises in particular a chassis and / or a frame of the motor vehicle. In particular, the body element is a load-bearing element of the motor vehicle. The protective frame or protective device is arranged in particular at a front end of the motor vehicle. For example, the protective frame is arranged on, near and / or immediately behind a front apron, below or above a radiator inlet and / or below or above a license plate or a license plate bracket.

[0018] In particular, the protective frame is arranged between 30 and 60 cm from a road surface, in particular between 40 and 50 cm. In particular, a center point of the protective frame along the height or distance from the road surface is arranged between 40 and 50 cm, more particularly at 45 cm.

[0019] In particular, the protective frame is arranged on the motor vehicle in such a way that it protects the sensor device against an impact caused by a pendulum test, in particular a pendulum test according to ECE R42 and / or according to 49 CFR 581, or prevents or at least reduces damage to the sensor device caused by such a test.

[0020] The protective device also comprises a mounting receptacle arranged on the protective frame and configured to receive and mount a peripheral device for the sensor device thereon.

[0021] A peripheral device is a device that supports the sensor device and / or promotes, effects, and / or enables a function of the sensor device. In particular, the peripheral device is a cleaning device for the sensor device, as will be described below.

[0022] To accommodate the peripheral device on the protective device or the protective frame, one or more fastening receptacles are provided on the protective frame. The fastening device can, for example, be a hole, with or without a thread, which can be designed as a through hole or as a blind or blind hole, and in which a fastening element, such as a screw or rivet, can be accommodated. Alternatively or additionally, the fastening device can be a locking receptacle that can be engaged and, in particular, latched into a corresponding locking element.

[0023] The fastening receptacles can be arranged along at least one edge of the protective frame, in particular a front edge which is located in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle.

[0024] In particular, the peripheral device can be releasably attached to the protective frame via the mounting receptacles, so that in the event of damage to the protective frame, it can be removed non-destructively, for example, to be used with or in a new protective frame. The protective device can also include the peripheral device, but this is not required. In particular, the peripheral device or the protective frame is replaceable, for example, in the event of damage, as described above.

[0025] The protective device according to the invention makes it possible to protect a sensor device of the motor vehicle from external influences, such as in particular a shock and / or an impact, such as occurs in an accident, such as a collision with the motor vehicle and another vehicle and / or object.

[0026] According to the invention, the protective frame is essentially cuboid-shaped and open on one side.

[0027] In this case, cuboid-shaped means that the protective frame has a total of six side surfaces, each arranged essentially rectangularly to one another, of which at least one is partially or completely open. For example, the fastening receptacles can be arranged on the upper front, left front, right front, and / or lower front edge of the cuboid-shaped protective frame on the open side.

[0028] Through this open side, the sensor device can be inserted into and / or removed from the protective frame, for example.

[0029] In particular, the open side is a side that is positioned at the front in the direction of travel when mounted.

[0030] This enables a particularly compact design of the protective device.

[0031] According to the invention, the protective frame has a projection on the open side.

[0032] The protective frame has at least one projection that protrudes beyond the rest of the frame on the open side, in particular by at least 1 cm, 2 cm, 5 cm, or 10 cm. The projection can extend, in particular, along a width of the protective frame, in particular across the entire width. Likewise, in particular, the projection can be arranged on an upper and / or lower edge of the protective frame.

[0033] In particular, two projections can also be provided on the protective frame, which extend along a width, in particular the entire width, of the protective frame and parallel to each other on the open side.

[0034] Likewise, in particular, a first projection may extend at or along the upper edge of the open side and a second projection may extend at or along the lower edge of the open side.

[0035] The two projections can protrude to the same or different extents. According to the invention, the first projection and optionally the second projection form the foremost point or the foremost edge of the protective frame and the protective device, optionally with the exception of the peripheral arrangement.

[0036] This provides particularly good protection for the sensor device.

[0037] According to the invention, the fastening receptacle for the peripheral arrangement is arranged on the projection.

[0038] In particular, the fastening receptacle(s) is / are arranged on an upper projection running along the upper edge of the open side. Alternatively, the fastening receptacle(s) is / are arranged on a lower projection running along the lower edge of the open side.

[0039] This makes it possible to arrange the peripheral arrangement particularly advantageously relative to the sensor device.

[0040] According to the invention, the projection projects beyond the sensor device in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle.

[0041] The projection(s) can project beyond and / or protrude from the sensor device, in particular a foremost point or a foremost edge of the sensor device in the direction of travel, by at least 1 cm, 2 cm, 5 cm or 10 cm.

[0042] This also enables particularly effective protection of the sensor device.

[0043] According to a further development, the protective device further comprises a compensating device designed to be arranged and fastened to a body element of the motor vehicle, wherein the compensating device is designed to provide a tolerance compensation function of the protective frame relative to the body element. The compensating device can also be designed as a fastening device and fasten the protective device or the protective frame to the body element of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, compensating means can be provided that allow the protective frame to be adjusted along its width, height, and / or depth, thus assuming a predefined position relative to the motor vehicle or the body element.

[0044] For this purpose, for example, one or more elongated holes can be provided and / or the compensation device can vary along the depth or thickness, so that one or more fastening means together with the compensation device can set a predetermined position relative to the motor vehicle.

[0045] This further development enables particularly good adaptation and adjustment of the protective device to the body element.

[0046] According to a further development, the protective device further comprises a covering device which is designed to cooperate with a corresponding receptacle on a covering element of the motor vehicle and to form a substantially flat covering surface.

[0047] The protective device comprises a covering device that can be arranged and fastened to the protective device and in particular to the protective frame. This covering device interacts with a covering element of the motor vehicle and thus forms a flat covering surface. In particular, the covering device represents a part of the covering surface, which is received in a corresponding covering recess of the covering element. For example, the covering device is designed as a part of a front apron, which interacts with a recess formed in the front apron and is partially or completely received therein, thus forming a substantially flat and continuous front apron surface when viewed from the outside of the motor vehicle.

[0048] This further development enables a particularly dirt-proof and aerodynamic arrangement of the sensor device.

[0049] According to a further development, the cladding device comprises a viewing device through which the sensor device provides a view of the exterior space outside the protective device.

[0050] The viewing device can be designed as an at least partially transparent viewing element and can be arranged in the cladding device.

[0051] In particular, the viewing device can be permeable to waves or wavelengths of a radar and / or lidar device, for example, but not to visible light. Alternatively, the viewing device can be permeable to waves or wavelengths in the visible and / or infrared range, for example, for a camera device. Alternatively, the viewing device can also be permeable to waves or wavelengths in both the visible and / or infrared range and for a radar and / or lidar device.

[0052] For example, the viewing device can be made of a transparent and / or tinted material such as glass, plexiglass and / or plastic.

[0053] This refinement enables particularly good sensor utilization. According to a further refinement, the peripheral device is designed to clean the viewing device.

[0054] The peripheral device is designed, in particular, as a cleaning device. The cleaning device can, for example, comprise one or more outlets, in particular nozzles, for water, a liquid cleaning agent, and / or air.

[0055] These can direct a jet of water, cleaning agent and / or air onto the sensor device and in particular onto the viewing device in order to remove dirt that has accumulated on it.

[0056] This further development makes it possible to clean the sensor device particularly effectively and thus enable particularly trouble-free operation.

[0057] According to a further aspect, a motor vehicle is provided. The motor vehicle according to the invention comprises a protective device according to one of the previously described embodiments, wherein the protective device is arranged in particular at the front of the motor vehicle in the direction of travel.

[0058] The invention also encompasses combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also encompasses implementations that each comprise a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, unless the embodiments are described as mutually exclusive.

[0059] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a protective device for a sensor device in a motor vehicle.

[0060] The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of one another, each of which also develops the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to encompass combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0061] In the figures, the same reference symbols designate elements with the same function.

[0062] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a protective device 100 for a sensor device 10 in a motor vehicle, not shown.

[0063] The protective device 100 is encompassed by the motor vehicle (not shown in detail) and is arranged at the front of the motor vehicle in the direction of travel F.

[0064] The protective device 100 serves to protect a sensor device 10 of the motor vehicle and comprises a protective frame 110, which is designed to receive and fasten a sensor device 10 therein, and a fastening receptacle 120, which is arranged on the protective frame and which is designed to receive and fasten a peripheral device 130 for the sensor device 10 thereon. The protective frame 110 is essentially cuboid-shaped. For this purpose, the protective frame essentially has six sides, two of which extend parallel to one another: two of them along the height H and the depth T, two along the depth T and width B, and two along the width B and height H.

[0065] Both sides along the width B and height H, i.e., the two sides perpendicular to the direction of travel, the front side 111 and the rear side 112, are open. The upper side 113 and the lower side 114 also have a recess, whereby heat generated by the sensor device 10 can escape through an upper recess 113-1 and water can escape through a lower recess 114-1.

[0066] The protective frame 110 has an upper projection 111-1 and a lower projection 111-2 on the front open side 111, which extend along the upper and lower edges of the cuboid-shaped protective frame 110, respectively.

[0067] The fastening receptacle 120 is arranged on the upper projection 111-1 and thus fastens the peripheral device 130 to the upper projection 111-1.

[0068] The upper projection 111-1 and the lower projection 111-2 project beyond the sensor device 10 in the direction of travel F of the motor vehicle. The upper projection 111-1 and the lower projection 111-2 have the same extent along the depth T and in the direction of travel F, respectively.

[0069] The upper projection 111-1 and the lower projection 111-2 represent the foremost point or the foremost edge or edges in the direction of travel of the protective device with the exception of the peripheral device.

[0070] The protective device 100 also comprises a compensation device 140 which is designed to be arranged and fastened to a body element of the motor vehicle, wherein the compensation device 140 is designed to provide a tolerance compensation function of the protective frame 110 with respect to the body element.

[0071] The compensation device 140 is shown as an example as a mounting plate and has a plurality of elongated holes (not shown in detail) via which the protective frame 110 and thus the protective device 100 is fastened to the motor vehicle and can be set or adjusted to a predefined position.

[0072] The protective device 100 also has a covering device 150 which is designed to cooperate with a corresponding receptacle on a covering element of the motor vehicle and to form a substantially flat covering surface.

[0073] The covering device 150 is arranged and fastened to the protective frame 110 and closes the front open side 111, in particular against rain and / or dirt.

[0074] The cladding device 150 also has a viewing device 151 through which the sensor device 10 is provided with a view of the exterior space outside the protective device 100.

[0075] The peripheral device 130 is designed to clean the viewing device 151, for example by providing air, water and / or cleaning agents to the viewing device 151 in order to remove dirt therefrom.

[0076] Overall, the examples show how a mechanical protection system can be provided for vehicle sensors.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS:

1. A protective device (100) for a sensor device (10) in a motor vehicle, comprising: a protective frame (110) designed to receive and fasten a sensor device (10) therein; and a fastening receptacle (120) arranged on the protective frame and designed to receive and fasten a peripheral device (130) for the sensor device (10) thereon; wherein the protective frame (110) is substantially cuboid-shaped and is open on one side (111); wherein the protective frame (110) has a projection (111-1, 111-2) on the open side (111); wherein the fastening receptacle (120) is arranged on the projection (111-1); and wherein the projection (111-1, 111-2) projects beyond the sensor device (10) and the remaining protective frame (110) in the direction of travel (F) of the motor vehicle, so that the projection forms a foremost edge of the protective device in the direction of travel (F).

2. Protection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a compensation device (140) which is designed to be arranged and fastened to a body element of the motor vehicle, wherein the compensation device (140) is designed to provide a tolerance compensation function of the protective frame (110) with respect to the body element.

3. Protection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a covering device (150) which is designed to cooperate with a corresponding receptacle on a covering element of the motor vehicle and to form a substantially flat covering surface.

4. The protective device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the covering device (150) comprises a viewing device (151) through which the sensor device (10) is provided with a view of the external space outside the protective device (100).

5. The protective device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the peripheral device (130) is configured to clean the viewing device (151).

6. A motor vehicle comprising a protective device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective device (100) is arranged at the front of the motor vehicle in the direction of travel (F).

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