Vehicle Radar Mount with Variable Struts for Angular Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting solutions for radar sensors on vehicles, such as automobiles, face limitations in angular adjustment due to limited space, restricting the flexibility of positioning these sensors effectively.
Innovation Solution
A mount comprising a carrier, a fixed length strut with a ball and socket joint, and two variable length struts with threaded members that pivotally engage the surface, allowing for adjustment about two axes while minimizing overall size, enabling up to six degrees of angular movement without requiring lateral movement of adjuster arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable mounts are used to increase angular adjustment flexibility, then the positioning flexibility of radar sensors is improved, but the overall package size increases due to space requirements for adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the strut lengths variable rather than fixed. The mounting system includes struts whose lengths can be adjusted dynamically to change the angular position of the carrier relative to the base, enabling flexible positioning without requiring large adjustment mechanisms. This dynamic length adjustment allows the same structure to achieve multiple angular configurations within a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of strut length from fixed to variable. By allowing the lengths of the struts connecting the base to the carrier to be modified, the system can achieve different angular positions of the mounted object. This parameter change enables compact angular adjustment because the struts can be shortened or lengthened in-place rather than requiring lateral movement of large adjustment arms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the length of variable struts is increased to achieve greater angular adjustment range, then the angular movement capability is improved, but the overall mount size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic length adjustment of the struts to achieve the desired angular range. Rather than using excessively long fixed struts, the invention employs shorter struts whose lengths can be varied. This allows the mounting system to achieve a six-degree angular adjustment range while keeping the struts relatively short, thereby avoiding increased overall mount size and complexity.
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 provides enhanced flexibility in adjusting the orientation of radar sensors, allowing for precise positioning within limited space, reducing the length of variable struts required for a given adjustment range and accommodating deformation at extreme angles.
Implementation Method 1
Each pivot point may comprise a body which is at least part spherical with a threaded bore therethrough, the threaded member engaging the threaded member. As such, rotation of the threaded member may cause the body to move along the threaded member, thus varying the variable length.
Implementation Method 2
The fixed length strut may comprise a ball and socket joint.
Implementation Method 3
Each body may be mounted in the carrier in a complementary bearing. As such, the bearing may be at least part spherical.
Data Source
AI summary
A mount for mounting an object, such as non-exclusively a radar sensor, on a surface, such as one of a vehicle, the mount comprising: a carrier; a fixed length strut which has a fixed length from a mounting point arranged to engage the surface and a pivot point about which it is mounted pivotally on the carrier; and two variable length struts, which each have a variable length from a mounting point arranged to engage the surface and a pivot point about which it is mounted pivotally on the carrier.