Vehicle Reverse Sensor Guide Element Impact Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle reversing sensors are prone to damage during low-speed rear impacts due to their positioning behind a rigid rear crossmember, which can lead to costly replacements, especially when shocks are not aligned horizontally with the sensor and crossmember opening.

Innovation Solution

A rear crossmember with a guide element is designed to deflect the reversing sensor towards an opening, preventing direct impact with the crossmember by ensuring smooth sliding along a converging guide element, regardless of shock direction, thus protecting the sensor from damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the reversing sensor is positioned behind the rigid rear crossmember, then the sensor is protected from external damage, but it is damaged during low-speed rear impacts when it strikes the crossmember

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor protectionVSAvoidimpact damage to sensor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A guide element is introduced as an intermediary component between the reversing sensor and the rear crossmember. This guide element has a opening that directs the sensor's movement path, allowing the sensor to be deflected away from the crossmember during low-speed impacts while maintaining the crossmember's protective function for high-speed collisions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective function is segmented into two distinct mechanisms: the guide element handles low-speed impact protection by deflecting the sensor, while the rear crossmember maintains its role in absorbing high-speed collision energy. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific protective function without compromising the other

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an opening is created in the rear crossmember to allow sensor movement, then the sensor can avoid impacting the crossmember during minor impacts, but the opening size is limited which restricts sensor movement freedom

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor impact preventionVSAvoidsensor movement freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element introduces a localized opening structure with specific geometric properties. The opening has a defined shape and size that provides sufficient movement freedom for the sensor during low-speed impacts from various angles, while the surrounding structure maintains the necessary strength for high-speed collision protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the opening in the rear crossmember is made larger to allow free sensor movement, then the sensor can move freely during impacts, but the rear crossmember's shock-absorbing function is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor movement freedomVSAvoidcrossmember shock-absorbing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function is segmented into two distinct mechanisms: the guide element handles low-speed impact protection by deflecting the sensor, while the rear crossmember maintains its role in absorbing high-speed collision energy. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific protective function without compromising the other

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element acts as an intermediary that manages sensor movement during low-speed impacts, preventing the need for a large opening in the crossmember. It provides the necessary movement freedom through its own structure while preserving the crossmember's integrity for high-speed collision protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3885201B1Vehicle provided with a secure reverse sensor
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 RENAULT SA
  • EP3885201B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3885201B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3885201B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle (1) comprising a rear shock-absorbing crossmember (2), a rear bumper, and a reversing sensor (3), said sensor (3) being supported by the bumper. According to the invention, the crossmember (2) has an opening (4) located in front of the sensor (3), and a guide element (100) is fixed to the crossmember (2) so as to guide the movement of the sensor (3) towards the opening (4) in the event of an accidental low-speed impact on the rear bumper caused by an external object.