Sensor Protector Partitioning Sheet for Vehicle Bumper Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snow and mud can adhere to the detection surface of sensors mounted on vehicle bodies, affecting their performance due to gaps between bumper covers and outside panels, and existing solutions do not provide a clear method for attaching cover members.
Innovation Solution
A sensor protector comprising a stay fixed to the vehicle's outside panel and a thin-plate sheet that extends below the sensor to partition the space between the panel and bumper cover, preventing snow and mud from reaching the detection surface, with the sheet held by the stay through elastically deformable claws and slits, and made from a plastic corrugated board for durability and ease of manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bumper cover is positioned away from the outside panel to allow sensor installation, then the sensor can be mounted and covered, but snow and mud can enter through the gap and adhere to the detection surface
Solution Approach 1:
The space between the bumper cover and outside panel is segmented into an upper space (containing the detection surface) and a lower space (containing the connector) using a partitioning sheet. This segmentation prevents snow and mud from the lower space from reaching the detection surface in the upper space, while maintaining the necessary gap for sensor installation.
Solution Approach 2:
A partitioning sheet acts as an intermediary element between the lower space and the detection surface. This sheet blocks the harmful factors (snow and mud) from the lower space while allowing the sensor to remain installed in the gap between the bumper cover and outside panel.
2Measurement precision
If cover members are attached to the sensor to prevent erroneous detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but the attachment method is not clearly defined and structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The partitioning sheet combines multiple functions: it prevents erroneous detection by blocking snow and mud, partitions the internal space, and is attached to the stay structure. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate cover members and simplifies the overall attachment structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The partitioning sheet serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a protective barrier against snow and mud, a space partitioning element, and an integrated component of the sensor mounting structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated cover members.
3Reliability
If a protective structure is added to prevent snow and mud adhesion, then sensor performance is maintained, but the structure becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
A thin partitioning sheet is used instead of a rigid protective structure. This thin film effectively blocks snow and mud while being simple in structure, easy to manufacture, and cost-effective, thus maintaining sensor performance without adding significant complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The partitioning sheet is implemented as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and installed. Rather than using a complex permanent protective structure, this simple element provides effective protection at low cost.
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 solution effectively reduces the adhesion of snow and mud to the sensor's detection surface, maintaining its performance while being cost-effective and adaptable to various vehicle models, with the sheet's design allowing it to bend during collisions to reduce damage to the vehicle's panel.
Implementation Method 1
the sheet holding part has an elastically deformable claw part (33C, 43C) and a slit (SL1, SL2) into which the sheet is inserted
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor protector includes two stays and a thin-plate shaped separate sheet held by the stays. The stays are provided on a bracket. The bracket holds a sensor and is fixed at a predetermined position to an outside panel of the body of a vehicle covered with a bumper cover of the vehicle. The sheet extends such that, in the sensor attached state, the sheet divides/partitions a space around the sensor formed between the outside panel of the body and the bumper cover into an upper space which contains the entirety of the detection surface of the sensor and a lower space which does not contain the detection surface of the sensor.