Vehicle Sensor Housing Dampens Noise via Soft Elastomer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle security device sensors face challenges in minimizing noise emissions, which are becoming increasingly stringent due to stricter regulations on motor vehicle noise emissions both internally and externally.
Innovation Solution
A sensor design featuring a support element and a housing part made of softer materials than the support element, where the housing part is designed to dampen noise by being made of elastomer or soft plastics, and includes features like snap elements, annular stop portions, and rail portions for effective mounting and noise reduction, along with a bore in the rolling surface to adjust sensitivity and reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the housing part is made of the same material hardness as the support element, then the structural strength is maintained, but the noise emissions from the sensor are not damped
Solution Approach 1:
The housing part is made of softer material specifically at the regions that contact or are near the support element, while other parts of the housing can maintain higher strength. This local differentiation of material properties allows noise damping where needed while preserving overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing part is made of composite material combining soft and hard phases, where the soft phase provides noise damping and the hard phase provides structural strength. This allows both requirements to be met simultaneously in the same component.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the housing part is made of softer material to dampen noise, then the noise emissions are reduced, but the mounting precision and alignment may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The housing part is divided into different functional regions: softer regions for noise damping and harder or more precisely manufactured regions for mounting and alignment. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The material parameters of the housing part are varied spatially, with softer material used for noise-critical regions and harder or more dimensionally stable material used for mounting regions. This parameter variation allows simultaneous achievement of noise damping and mounting 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 sensor significantly reduces noise emissions by damping both structure-borne and air-borne sounds, allowing for more accurate production and adjustment with greater tolerances, while maintaining effective functionality in triggering vehicle security systems like seat belt retractors.
Implementation Method 1
the noises occurring in the region of the support element of the sensor are damped by the softer material of the housing part
Implementation Method 2
the housing part consists of an elastomer or a soft plastics material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates inter alia to a sensor (10), in particular for triggering a vehicle security device (1). According to the invention the sensor (10) comprises a support element (40) and a housing part (70), which holds the support element (40), and the housing part (70) consists of a softer material than the support element (40).