Radar Support Structure with Energy Absorbing Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle radar support structures fail to effectively absorb energy associated with rapid changes in velocity, particularly during impact events, which can lead to excessive stress on radar units.
Innovation Solution
A radar support structure with an energy absorbing portion, comprising an attachment portion, a mounting portion, and an energy absorbing portion with biasing springs, that absorbs impacting forces by compressing during an impact event, minimizing the energy transmitted to the radar unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radar units are attached to rigid brackets that are installed to rigid vehicle body structures, then the radar unit is securely fixed and stable, but the radar unit is exposed to excessive stress and potential damage during impact events with rapid changes in velocity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating an energy-absorbing portion between the radar bracket and vehicle body structure that is designed to compress during impact events. This cushioning element is pre-installed to absorb shock loads before they reach the radar unit, protecting it from damage while maintaining secure attachment during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy-absorbing portion serves as an intermediary element between the rigid bracket and the rigid vehicle body structure. This mediator component decouples the rigid connection, allowing relative movement and energy absorption during impacts while maintaining the structural integrity and secure mounting of the radar unit during normal conditions.
2Strength
If rigid brackets are used to attach the radar unit to the vehicle body, then the attachment is strong and stable, but the bracket cannot absorb energy from rapid velocity changes during collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The energy-absorbing portion is pre-installed in the attachment assembly to cushion impact forces before they are transmitted to the radar unit. This allows the attachment to maintain strength during normal operation while providing energy absorption capability during collisions through compression of the cushioning element.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment assembly combines rigid components (bracket and vehicle body structure) with a compliant energy-absorbing material or structure. This composite construction allows the system to exhibit both strength for secure mounting and energy absorption for impact protection, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
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 energy absorbing portion effectively reduces the impact forces experienced by the radar unit, ensuring its stability and functionality during collisions by compressing biasing springs, thereby minimizing the energy imparted to the radar unit.
Implementation Method 1
The energy absorbing portion effectively reduces the impact forces experienced by the radar unit, ensuring its stability and functionality during collisions by compressing biasing springs
Data Source
AI summary
A radar support structure includes a vehicle body structure, an emblem, a radar attachment assembly and a radar unit. The vehicle body structure has a front end, with the emblem being attached to the front end of the vehicle body structure. The radar attachment assembly has an attachment portion, a mounting portion and an energy absorbing portion. The energy absorbing portion is disposed between the attachment portion and the mounting portion. The attachment portion is fixedly attached to the front end of the vehicle body structure. The radar unit is installed to the mounting portion such that the radar unit is spaced apart from and aligned with the emblem.