Non-opaque Sensor Bezel for Multi-Color Vehicle Bumpers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking aid sensor bezels for vehicle bumpers are costly to manufacture and assemble, as they require unique designs and materials to match various vehicle colors, and often necessitate the use of both sonar and radar sensors for adequate operation.
Innovation Solution
A parking aid sensor assembly featuring a sensor housing with an external fascia made of non-opaque materials such as transparent or tinted polycarbonate, which allows the vehicle's bumper color to be visible through, enabling a single design to be used across multiple color schemes, and optionally includes LED illumination or photo-luminescent materials for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional opaque bezels are used to match vehicle body colors, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but manufacturing cost and inventory complexity increase due to needing multiple color variants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by making the bezel transparent or translucent instead of opaque, allowing the underlying vehicle body color to show through. This eliminates the need to manufacture separate bezels in different colors for different vehicle models, as a single transparent bezel design can accommodate any body color while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the vehicle body color itself as the visual reference, copying the appearance effect without requiring physical replication. Instead of painting the bezel to match the body color, the transparent material allows the actual body color to be visible, achieving the same aesthetic effect with simpler manufacturing.
2Shape
If radar-based sensors are used instead of sonar sensors, then sensor concealment behind bumper cover is improved, but system cost increases due to radar sensor expense
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent fascia as an intermediary element that allows sonar sensors to be concealed behind the bumper cover while maintaining proper acoustic operation. The fascia acts as a mediator between the need for sensor concealment and the requirement for sensor functionality, enabling cost-effective sonar sensors to be hidden while still performing adequately.
3Strength
If heat staking or adhesive bonding techniques are used for sensor attachment, then attachment strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex attachment processes (heat staking, adhesive bonding, sonic welding) and replaces them with a simpler mechanical retention system. The sensor housing includes integrated retention features that mechanically secure the sensor assembly to the bumper, eliminating the need for additional thermal or chemical bonding processes while maintaining adequate attachment strength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces manufacturing and assembly costs by allowing a single design to accommodate various vehicle colors, enhances visibility and safety with illuminated features, and provides active operational benefits like alerting pedestrians or vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The fascia may be formed of a material capable of being illuminated, and/or the assembly may include a light source (i.e. a LED) for illuminating the fascia.
Implementation Method 2
The fascia may be formed of an ABS or PC/ABS polycarbonate material and/or a photo-luminescent material.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for mounting a parking aid sensor to an automobile bumper. The assembly may include a sensor housing including an internal structure configured to secure the parking aid sensor and an external structure configured to secure the sensor housing in an opening in the automobile bumper. A fascia may be mounted to or integrated with the sensor housing and disposable against the automobile bumper. The fascia may be formed of a non-opaque material for enabling a color or background of the automobile bumper to be visible through the fascia to enable the assembly to be used with a plurality of automobile bumpers of different colors or backgrounds.