Radar Sensor Adjusting Mirror Fastening Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar sensor devices for motor vehicles face challenges in achieving precise alignment due to production-related tolerances and mechanical component variations, which complicates their installation and adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A radar sensor device with a sensor housing and radome, featuring separate production of fastening elements with mirror-reflective areas that can be selectively positioned, allowing for precise alignment and simplifying the production process by enabling the use of identical radome designs for different mirror positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the mirror is integrated into the sensor housing or radome, then the production process becomes more complex requiring different radome designs for different mirror positions, but the alignment precision can be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the mirror from the sensor housing and radome by integrating it into the fastening element. This segmentation allows the radome and sensor housing to be produced uniformly while the mirror position is adjusted through different fastening element configurations, thereby reducing production complexity while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening element serves as an intermediary component that carries the mirror and connects the radar sensor device to the mounting location. This intermediary role allows the mirror to be positioned independently of the radome design, simplifying production while enabling precise alignment through the fastening element's adjustable positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate fastening elements are produced for different mirror positions, then production flexibility is improved, but the number of different components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the fastening element as a universal component that can accommodate different mirror positions through selective assembly or adjustable positioning mechanisms. This multi-functionality allows a single fastening element design to serve multiple purposes (different mirror positions), reducing the total number of unique components while maintaining production flexibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If the mirror is positioned after radome production, then tool costs are reduced, but the alignment precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror is pre-mounted on the fastening element during fastening element production, before the actual installation of the radar sensor device. This preliminary action allows the mirror to be precisely positioned and fixed on the fastening element using dedicated tooling, while the radome and sensor housing can be produced uniformly without specialized tooling for different mirror positions, thus reducing overall tool costs while maintaining alignment precision.
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 enables precise adjustment and simplifies production by allowing separate production of the sensor housing and fastening elements, reducing tool costs and enabling uncomplicated production of radar sensor devices with differently positioned mirrors without modifying the radome or sensor housing.
Implementation Method 1
at least one fastening section, which has an engagement contour for a fastening element, the fastening element being in engagement with the engagement contour and carrying a mirror-reflective area
Data Source
AI summary
A radar sensor device for motor vehicles, having a sensor housing, which includes a radome; a fastening section having an engagement contour for a fastening element which is in engagement with the engagement contour and carries a mirror-reflective region; and further fastening sections having engagement contours that are suitable for the engagement of such a fastening element, to fasten the radar sensor device in the installation location in the motor vehicle; and a method for fastening a mirror to a radar sensor device for motor vehicles. Fastening elements of a similar type, which are suitable for the engagement with engagement contours of fastening sections of the radar sensor device, are provided, and at least one of the fastening elements is provided with a mirror-reflective region, so that a mirror is formed; and the fastening elements are fastened to the fastening sections.