Automotive Sonar Decoupling Member With Drainage Channels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automotive sonars face issues such as deformation and warping of decoupling elements, and accumulation of rainwater, snow, or frost on the sensor surface leading to distorted sensing results, especially in severe weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
An automotive sonar design featuring a decoupling member with drainage channels and a storage tank to prevent external substances from damaging the sensor by allowing water and snow to be discharged through these channels, thereby maintaining sensor integrity and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional decoupling ring is used to cover the sensor edge, then the sensor is protected from direct contact with the bumper, but the decoupling ring deforms and warps over time due to aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible decoupling member made of elastomeric material that can deform elastically to accommodate sensor vibrations and thermal expansions without permanent deformation or warping, resolving the contradiction between providing protection and maintaining structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The decoupling member's material properties are optimized through parameter changes in elastomeric compounds, achieving a balance between flexibility for protection and dimensional stability to prevent warping during aging
2Ease of operation
If the sensor is exposed to the external environment, then the sensor can detect obstacles, but rain water, snow, or frost accumulates on the sensor surface leading to distorted sensing results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts harmful substances (water, snow, frost) from the sensor surface by providing drainage channels that actively remove accumulated substances, allowing the sensor to maintain its detection function without distortion from water accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The decoupling member acts as an intermediary element between the sensor and the external environment, providing a protective interface that allows drainage of water and snow while maintaining sensor accessibility for detection operations
3Reliability
If a decoupling member with drainage channels is added to protect the sensor, then water and snow can be discharged, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical decoupling from the bumper, protection of the sensor, and active drainage of water and snow through integrated channels, thereby providing comprehensive protection without requiring separate complex subsystems
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 design effectively prevents sensor damage by removing accumulated water and snow, ensuring accurate sensing results and prolonged sensor life by preventing interference with signal transmission and reception.
Implementation Method 1
the drainage channel has a first end and a second end, and the first end is disposed between the sensor and the second end. When the automotive sonar is disposed in a vehicle, a height of the first end is greater than or equal to that of the second end
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An automotive sonar (1) includes a sensor (300), a housing (100), and a decoupling member (400). The housing (100) accommodates at least a portion of the sensor (300). The decoupling member (400) abuts against the sensor (300) and is formed to have at least one drainage channel (460) in communication with an exterior of the housing (100). The housing (100) includes a front portion (110), the sensor (300) protrudes relative to the front portion (110), and the decoupling member (400) covers another portion of the sensor (300) and the front portion (110). The decoupling member (400) is further formed to have a storage tank (470), which is disposed between the sensor (300) and the at least one drainage channel (460) and is in communication with the at least one drainage channel (460).