Vehicle Sensor Cover Attachment With Elastic Gap Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional attachment structures for vehicle exterior detection sensors often result in design gaps due to gravitational forces acting on the sensor cover, causing misalignment and gaps between the sensor cover and the overhead console.
Innovation Solution
A cover member attachment structure that includes a support member fixed to the vehicle roof, a console member, and a cover member supported by a glass member with an elastic member interposed between the cover member and the support member, allowing the cover member to be biased by the elastic restoring force to reduce misalignment and gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the cover member is fixed rigidly to the support member, then the attachment structure is simple and strong, but gravitational force causes misalignment and design gaps between the cover member and console member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the attachment parameter from rigid fixation to elastic connection by introducing an elastic member between the cover member and support member. This allows the cover member to maintain precise alignment with the console member while accommodating gravitational forces through elastic deformation, resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member serves as an intermediary element between the cover member and support member. It mediates the force transmission while maintaining alignment precision, preventing direct rigid contact that would cause misalignment under gravitational load
2Manufacturing precision
If the cover member is allowed to move freely, then assembly tolerance is adjusted, but misalignment and design gaps occur due to gravitational force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static rigid attachment to a dynamic elastic attachment system. The elastic member allows controlled movement during assembly to accommodate tolerances, then maintains precise alignment under operating conditions through elastic restoring force, resolving the contradiction between assembly ease and alignment precision
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 structure effectively reduces design gaps by restraining movement of the cover member, enhances design properties, and reduces production costs by integrating the elastic member with the roof lining, while allowing for assembly tolerance adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
the second end portion of the cover member is biased to the first end portion side with respect to the support member, by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member
Data Source
AI summary
A cover member attachment structure includes; a support member that is fixed to a roof member of a vehicle; a console member; and a cover member that is disposed so as to be adjacent to the console member in a vehicle front-rear direction, such that a first end portion of the cover member in the vehicle front-rear direction is supported by a glass member and a second end portion of the cover member in the vehicle front-rear direction is attached to the support member, the cover member housing a housed object between the cover member and the glass member. In the attachment structure, an elastic member is interposed between the second end portion of the cover member and the support member.