Vehicle Radar Cover Assembly Debris Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar units installed under vehicle bumpers are prone to interference from debris and particles, which can lead to malfunction over time due to the lack of a clean surface and obstructions between the radar unit and the bumper cover.
Innovation Solution
A radar cover assembly that includes a radar bracket with mounting apertures and a radar cover with corresponding apertures, secured to the vehicle using fasteners, which simultaneously secures both the bracket and the cover to the underside surface, preventing interference from undesirable matter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the radar unit is installed under the bumper cover, then the radar unit is protected from most debris and particles, but over time some debris and particles can work their way beneath the bumper cover and interfere with the radar unit
Solution Approach 1:
A radar cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the bumper cover and the radar unit. This cover creates an additional barrier that prevents debris and particles from reaching the radar unit's working surface, while still allowing the radar to function properly through the cover's aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into multiple components: the radar bracket, the radar cover, and the bumper cover. This segmentation allows the radar cover to be specifically designed to protect the radar unit while the bracket provides structural mounting, and the bumper cover provides overall vehicle integration.
2Strength
If separate fasteners are used to secure the radar bracket and radar cover, then each component can be securely mounted, but the installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The same fastener that secures the radar bracket to the vehicle is used to also secure the radar cover. By merging the mounting functions, the patent reduces the number of fasteners needed and simplifies the installation process while maintaining secure mounting of both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the bracket fastener and the cover fastener. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate fasteners and reduces installation complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the radar cover is designed to fully enclose the radar unit, then maximum protection from debris is achieved, but the radar unit cannot detect objects properly
Solution Approach 1:
The radar cover is designed with different properties in different areas: it is solid and enclosing in most areas to protect from debris, but has a specific aperture or opening in the area where the radar needs to detect objects. This localized differentiation allows both protection and functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle radar cover assembly and method includes a radar bracket for securing a radar unit to the vehicle, a radar cover for inhibiting undesirable matter from interfering with the radar unit, and at least one fastener securing both the radar bracket and the radar cover to the vehicle. The radar bracket includes at least one bracket mounting aperture. The radar cover includes at least one cover mounting aperture. The at least one fastener is received through aligned ones of the at least one bracket mounting aperture and the at least cover mounting aperture.