Pivoting Sensor Holder for Low-Speed Impact Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle sensor systems face damage and displacement during low-speed impacts, necessitating larger vehicle overhangs and reduced ventilation cross-sections due to conventional mounting methods.
Innovation Solution
A holding device with pivoting brackets and a pre-tensioning mechanism that allows sensors to be lowered into the vehicle frame during impacts, preventing damage and displacement while allowing for shorter overhangs and larger ventilation cross-sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are attached to a cross member for protection, then sensor reliability is improved, but vehicle overhang must be sufficiently large
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor holding device incorporates pivoting brackets that can dynamically change position between an operating position (extending forward for optimal sensor alignment) and a protecting position (retracted into the vehicle body for impact protection). This dynamic positioning allows the vehicle to have shorter overhang while maintaining both sensor reliability and compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device is divided into separable components including the frame, pivoting brackets, and sensor holder. This segmentation allows the sensor assembly to be independently positioned and protected without affecting the entire vehicle structure, enabling shorter overhang while maintaining protection capability.
2Reliability
If sensors are installed in the concealed area of the cross member, then protection against damage is improved, but ventilation cross-section is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor holder can dynamically extend forward from the concealed area during normal operation to provide optimal sensor positioning and alignment, then retract into the concealed area during impacts for protection. This dynamic movement allows the grille to maintain larger ventilation cross-section without compromising sensor protection.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned for optimal alignment, then measurement precision is improved, but vulnerability to impact damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting brackets enable the sensor holder to dynamically adjust its position between an operating position that provides optimal sensor alignment for measurement precision and a protecting position that retracts sensors into the vehicle body for impact protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-tensioning mechanism applies preliminary protective force to the pivoting brackets, pre-positioning them in a state that resists impact forces before collision occurs. This preliminary anti-action ensures sensors are protected from impact damage while maintaining alignment capability during normal operation.
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
The solution effectively protects sensors from damage and displacement, enabling shorter vehicle overhangs and improved ventilation, while maintaining sensor functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a pre-tensioning mechanism (22) being provided, which is configured to pre-tension the first pivoting bracket (13) and the second pivoting bracket (15) into a usage position
Data Source
AI summary
A holding device for a motor vehicle sensor system, including a frame attached to a structural element of a motor vehicle and a sensor holder configured to hold sensors. First/second pivoting brackets are mounted on first/second sides of the frame to be pivotable about a first/second pivot axis. First/second guide element of the first/second pivoting bracket are accommodated in at least one first/second guiding receptacle of the sensor holder. A pre-tensioning mechanism pre-tensions the first/second pivoting brackets into a usage position by applying a predetermined force onto the sensor holder to overcome the pre-tension so that the sensor holder can be lowered along a movement direction in the direction of the frame, such that a first distance between the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis is smaller than a second distance between the at least one guiding receptacle and the at least one second guiding receptacle.