Radar Shock Detection Device Using Piston Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar systems installed behind vehicle shields are vulnerable to shocks, which can cause misalignment or failure without visible signs, requiring a rolling phase to detect issues before use, potentially leading to faulty operations during vehicle movement.
Innovation Solution
A shock detection device comprising a hollow body with a movable piston and spring mechanism that maintains an electrical circuit open if the radar experiences a calibrated depression threshold, allowing for passive diagnosis and alerting the driver of potential failures without additional power supply, and featuring a resettable design for after-sales intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radar is positioned close to the bumper surface to prevent interference from metallic parts, then the radar detection capability is improved, but the radar becomes more vulnerable to impacts and shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a shock detection device that performs preliminary detection of impacts before the radar begins operation. The device includes a shock sensor, electrical contacts, and a circuit that detects shock events and opens the electrical circuit before the radar rolls, preventing faulty operation. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by preparing the system in advance to handle impact vulnerability while maintaining detection capability.
2Reliability
If the vehicle undergoes a rolling phase to assess radar misalignment, then the radar fault detection is improved, but the vehicle operation time is extended and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shock detection device performs preliminary fault detection during vehicle assembly or before first use, identifying radar misalignment or damage beforehand. This eliminates or reduces the need for extended rolling phase assessments during vehicle operation, thereby maintaining high detection accuracy while minimizing productivity loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-diagnosis of radar faults through the electrical circuit configuration. When a shock exceeds the threshold, the circuit automatically opens, providing self-service fault detection without requiring external testing equipment or extended operational assessment, thus resolving the time contradiction.
3Reliability
If a shock threshold detection mechanism is implemented, then the radar failure detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device utilizes the radar's existing electrical circuitry and power supply to operate the shock sensor and detection mechanism. The electrical contacts and circuit integrate with the radar system itself, allowing the device to serve itself without requiring separate power sources or complex external circuitry, thus resolving the complexity contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The shock detection device merges multiple functions into a single integrated unit: the shock sensor, electrical contacts, threshold comparison circuit, and alert mechanism are combined and installed within or near the radar housing. This consolidation improves failure detection capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by utilizing shared components and space.
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
Enables early detection and alerting of radar failures due to shocks, ensuring safe vehicle operation by maintaining the electrical circuit open post-threshold, allowing for immediate diagnosis and potential reactivation after reset, thus preventing faulty radar usage during trips.
Implementation Method 1
a means for returning the piston, preferably consisting of a spring
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns an impact detection device for a motor vehicle face bar radar, which is located in the periphery of the radar, characterised in that it comprises: a hollow body (CC); a movable piston (PM) comprising a rod having a first end (E1) that remains outside the hollow body (CC) and a second end (E2) that remains inside the hollow body (CC), and comprising, between said two ends (E1, E2), a plane substantially perpendicular to the rod that remains inside the hollow body (CC), said movable piston (PM) being capable of sliding into the hollow body (CC), with electrical contacts between the piston (PM) and the hollow body (CC) forming, in the nominal position, a closed electric circuit, said circuit being open when the piston (PM) is in a non-nominal position; a return means for returning the piston (PM); and a retaining means (MR) capable of preventing the piston (PM) from being returned to the nominal position when the insertion stroke of the piston (PM) inside the hollow body (CC) exceeds a predetermined insertion threshold.