Vehicle Radar Sensor Radome Elastic Clamp Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar sensors for vehicles face challenges in easy assembly, particularly in securely fastening the radome to the basic housing part without requiring additional processes like welding, soldering, or screwing, and maintaining a stable connection over time.
Innovation Solution
The use of preassembled elastic clamp elements, such as spring steel, which are integrated into the radome during manufacturing, allows for a snap-in connection with the basic housing part, providing a stable and secure attachment without additional assembly processes and ensuring the radome remains securely fastened over the sensor's lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional fastening methods (welding, soldering, screwing) are used to attach the radome to the basic housing part, then the connection strength is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening methods (welding, soldering, screwing) with a mechanical clamp element system that uses elastic deformation and friction to secure the radome. The clamp elements are pre-assembled on the radome and engage with corresponding features on the basic housing part, eliminating the need for complex thermal or mechanical joining processes while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp elements are pre-assembled on the radome during radome manufacturing, so that when the radome is installed on the basic housing part, the fastening function is already in place. This preliminary preparation simplifies the final assembly process, as the clamp elements are ready to engage with the housing part without requiring additional fastening operations.
2Reliability
If multiple separate fastening components are used to secure the radome, then the connection reliability is improved, but the number of components and assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening functions into integrated clamp elements that are pre-assembled on the radome. Each clamp element simultaneously provides clamping force, positioning, and securing functions, eliminating the need for multiple separate fastening components and reducing the total number of parts required in the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp elements are designed to perform multiple functions: they provide mechanical clamping force to secure the radome, maintain proper positioning during assembly, and ensure consistent contact pressure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized components for each function, simplifying the overall assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If plastic housing parts are used, then manufacturing flexibility and cost are improved, but the housing parts may give way over time under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses elastic clamp elements that can dynamically adapt to pressure changes and material deformation over time. The elastic properties allow the clamp elements to maintain constant clamping force even as the plastic housing parts undergo minor dimensional changes or settling, compensating for the lower structural stability of plastic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic clamp elements change their physical state (elastic deformation) in response to applied loads, allowing them to accommodate the compliance of plastic housing parts while maintaining secure fastening. This parameter change enables the fastening system to adapt to the viscoelastic behavior of plastic materials over time.
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 simplifies the assembly process, reduces the number of components needed, and maintains a constant mechanical tension, preventing the connection from becoming loose over time, thus ensuring the radome remains securely attached to the basic housing part.
Implementation Method 1
the radar sensor housing having a plurality of elastic clamp elements with which the radome is fastened to the at least one basic housing part
Implementation Method 2
At least one of the clamp elements can advantageously be implemented as a spring element. Spring elements can be designed to be elastic.
Data Source
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AI summary
A radar sensor (10) for a vehicle and a method for assembling a radar sensor (10) are described. The radar sensor (10) comprises at least one radar sensor housing (12) in which at least one radar antenna (14) is arranged. The radar sensor housing (12) comprises at least one base housing part (22) with a mounting side (26) for at least one radar antenna (14) and a radome (24) with which the mounting side (26) is closed and through which signals transmitted by the at least one radar antenna (14) and/or received signals can pass during operation of the radar sensor (10). The radar sensor housing (12) has a plurality of elastic clamping elements (34) with which the radome (24) is attached to the at least one base housing part (22). At least one of the clamping elements (34) is rigidly connected to the radome (24).