Vehicle Radar Sensor Sliding Carriage for Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle proximity sensors are vulnerable to damage from low-speed impacts, which can disrupt their functionality and require frequent replacement.
Innovation Solution
A radar assembly with a biasing mechanism that slides the radar module away from the impact force, allowing it to return to its original position after impact, utilizing a sliding assembly and springs to maintain stability and prevent damage during minimal impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the radar module is mounted at an extreme forward position for enhanced sensing capabilities, then the sensing performance is improved, but the vulnerability to impact damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar module is mounted on a movable carriage that can dynamically adjust its position. The carriage is biased away from the mount to a use position where the radar module extends forward for enhanced sensing. Upon impact, the carriage automatically moves toward the mount, protecting the radar module. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize sensing performance during normal operation while automatically protecting against impact damage when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A biasing mechanism (spring or elastomeric member) is pre-loaded to bias the carriage away from the mount. This beforehand cushioning provides a restoring force that automatically returns the carriage to a protected position upon impact, preventing damage to the radar module while maintaining forward positioning during normal operation for enhanced sensing.
2Loss of information
If the radar module is positioned forward for better detection, then the detection range is improved, but the susceptibility to impact forces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar module's position is made dynamic through the slidable carriage mechanism. During normal operation, the carriage is biased to the use position, extending the radar module forward to maximize detection range. When impact forces are applied, the carriage automatically moves toward the mount, reducing susceptibility to impact damage. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between detection range and impact susceptibility.
3Device complexity
If a fixed mounting structure is used for the radar module, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the vulnerability to impact damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure transitions from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic slidable connection with biasing. The carriage can slide along the mount, allowing automatic adjustment upon impact. While this increases structural complexity compared to a fixed mount, it dramatically improves impact resistance by enabling the radar module to move away from impact forces while maintaining a relatively simple overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage acts as an intermediary element between the radar module and the mount. It provides a sliding connection that mediates the transmission of impact forces, allowing the radar module to move independently upon impact while maintaining its operational position during normal conditions. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by protecting the radar module without requiring a completely complex mounting system.
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 the radar module from low-speed impacts, allowing it to maintain functionality and reducing the need for frequent replacements by positioning the radar module at an extreme forward position for enhanced sensing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing mechanism biases the radar carriage away from the radar mount toward a use position. Imposition of an impact force against the radar module temporarily overcomes the biasing mechanism and biases the radar carriage toward the radar mount.
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a sliding assembly and springs to maintain stability and prevent damage during minimal impacts
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular radar assembly includes a radar mount positioned proximate an engine compartment within a vehicle. A radar carriage is slidably coupled to the radar mount and having a radar module coupled thereto. A biasing mechanism biases the radar carriage away from the radar mount toward a use position. Imposition of an impact force against the radar module temporarily overcomes the biasing mechanism and biases the radar carriage toward the radar mount.