Vehicle Trim Damping Device for Ultrasonic Sensor Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic sensors installed behind vehicle bumpers are visually unappealing and require precise positioning and bonding to minimize transmission and reception losses, necessitating a cost-effective damping solution to manage vibrations effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cladding device with a damping system featuring movement elements connected to the covering part, designed to absorb vibrations through mechanical oscillations, potentially using cylindrical or conical elements with varying resonance frequencies, and integrated damping materials like silicone foam, to limit vibration range and structure-borne noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If ultrasonic sensors are installed behind the bumper to conceal them, then the visual appearance is improved, but the transmission and reception losses increase due to signal attenuation through the bumper material
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling element is introduced as an intermediary between the ultrasonic sensor membrane and the bumper. This coupling element facilitates efficient ultrasonic energy transfer through the bumper material, reducing transmission losses while allowing the sensor to remain concealed behind the bumper surface.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a damping device made of ceramic is used to limit vibrations, then the vibration control is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device parameters are optimized by using a polymeric material instead of ceramic, changing the material properties to achieve effective vibration damping with reduced complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to limit vibrations to local areas around the ultrasonic sensor.
3Loss of energy
If the ultrasonic sensor is mechanically firmly connected to the bumper, then the transmission losses are reduced, but the positioning and bonding precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into multiple functional components: the ultrasonic sensor membrane, the coupling element, and the damping device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the coupling element providing mechanical connection and the damping device ensuring proper positioning, thereby reducing overall positioning precision requirements while maintaining firm connection for low transmission losses.
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
This solution provides a cost-effective and efficient method to dampen vibrations and noise, allowing for the concealment of ultrasonic sensors while maintaining effective signal transmission and reception, without the need for ceramic materials.
Implementation Method 1
a damping device for damping a vibration generated as a result of an ultrasonic signal emitted by the ultrasonic sensor
Implementation Method 2
at least some of the movement elements can be excited to a movement by the vibration
Implementation Method 3
ultrasonic sensors are installed in the front area and in the rear area of the motor vehicle
Implementation Method 4
the front side of the membrane, via which ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a trim device (4) for a motor vehicle, comprising a trim part (5), which has an accommodating region (16) for arranging an ultrasonic sensor (2), and comprising a damping apparatus (7) for damping a vibration produced as a result of an ultrasonic signal emitted by the ultrasonic sensor (2), wherein the damping apparatus (7) surrounds the accommodating region (16) at least in some areas, wherein the damping apparatus (7) has motion elements (8), which are connected to the trim part (5), wherein shaping and/or a mechanical property of the motion elements (8) is designed in such a way that at least some of the motion elements (8) can be excited to move by the vibration.