Motor Vehicle Radar Pivot Bracket Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The packaging of forward-facing radar systems in motor vehicles faces challenges in balancing functionality, cooling, aerodynamics, and styling, often resulting in damage or misalignment due to low-speed impact forces from flexible front fascia components.
Innovation Solution
A radar system with a pivotally mounted radar support bracket and a torsion spring biasing element that allows the radar module to pivot from a deployed to a deflected position during impacts, dissipating force and ensuring the module remains functional.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the radar module is positioned adjacent to flexible front fascia components to achieve compact packaging, then packaging efficiency is improved, but the radar module becomes vulnerable to impact damage from deflected fascia components
Solution Approach 1:
The radar support bracket is designed with pivotable mounting that allows the radar module to dynamically adjust its position. The bracket can rotate about a pivot point, enabling the radar module to move from a deployed position (extending forward) to a retracted position (pivoted backward), transforming a static rigid structure into a dynamic adjustable one.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular parameter of the radar module's orientation. In the deployed position, the radar module extends forward at a specific angle for optimal detection. Upon impact detection, the module pivots to change its angular position, redirecting impact forces away from the radar housing and onto the stronger bracket structure.
2Measurement precision
If a rigid mounting structure is used to maintain radar module stability and alignment, then measurement precision is improved, but the radar module becomes susceptible to stress and damage from impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure transitions from a purely rigid fixed connection to a dynamic pivotable connection. The pivot joint maintains precise alignment during normal operation through the biasing element, but allows controlled rotation during impacts to absorb energy while preventing permanent damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing element (torsion spring or coil spring) is pre-loaded to store elastic potential energy, creating a cushioning effect. This pre-loaded spring absorbs impact energy by compressing or winding during collisions, protecting the radar module from direct stress while maintaining operational stability during normal use.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the radar support bracket is made rigid to maintain proper radar orientation, then orientation stability is improved, but the bracket cannot absorb impact forces without causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket system combines rigid structural elements for maintaining orientation during normal operation with a pivotable joint that introduces dynamic flexibility during impacts. The biasing element ensures the bracket returns to its stable deployed position after absorbing impact forces, maintaining orientation stability while managing impact forces.
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 system effectively protects the radar module and support bracket from low-speed impacts, maintaining proper orientation and functionality for adaptive cruise control and pre-crash braking features without permanent deformation.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing element may be a torsion spring. That torsion spring may be received over the pivot rod. Further, that torsion spring may have a first end connected to the mounting bracket and a second end connected to the radar support bracket.
Implementation Method 2
a biasing element for biasing the radar support bracket toward the deployed position
Data Source
AI summary
A radar system for a motor vehicle includes a mounting bracket and a radar support bracket carried on the mounting bracket. The radar support bracket is displaceable between a deployed position and a deflected position. A biasing element biases the radar support toward the deployed position. A radar module is carried on the radar support bracket.