Ultrasonic Sensor Bezel Spring Attachment Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic sensors with enlarged sensor bodies face challenges in being inserted into vehicle bumpers due to their enlarged size, requiring alternative attachment structures that ensure secure fixation.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic sensor employs a bezel with a cylindrical shape and a metal spring to securely attach the sensor body to the vehicle, where the bezel is inserted from the outside and the sensor body from the inside, utilizing the spring's reactive force for firm attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor body is enlarged to house circuit boards and signal processing circuits, then the functionality and intelligence of the ultrasonic sensor is improved, but the sensor body cannot be inserted into the hole in the bumper from the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic sensor is divided into two separate components: a bezel that is inserted from the outside of the bumper, and a sensor body that is inserted from the inside of the bumper. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the bezel can be inserted from the outside while the enlarged sensor body is inserted from the inside, solving the insertion problem while maintaining enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor body is inserted into the hollow space of the bezel, creating a nested structure. The bezel acts as an outer housing that is inserted from the outside, while the sensor body containing the ultrasonic transducer and circuit boards is inserted from the inside and nested within the bezel's hollow space. This nesting arrangement enables the enlarged sensor body to be properly installed without interfering with the external insertion process.
2Ease of operation
If the bezel is used to hold the enlarged sensor body, then the sensor body can be properly installed, but the bezel must be firmly fixed to the bumper and the sensor body must be firmly fixed to the bezel
Solution Approach 1:
A metal spring is pre-installed in the bezel at a through hole before the sensor body is inserted. The spring is positioned to extend radially outward and is elastically deformable. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the sensor body is inserted from the inside, the spring can immediately provide the necessary retaining force without requiring additional complex fixation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal spring's physical state is changed from a relaxed state to a compressively deformed state when the sensor body is inserted. The spring is compressed between the bezel wall and the sensor body, generating elastic reactive force. This parameter change (deformation) enables the spring to provide strong retention force, ensuring reliable fixation between the bezel and sensor body while maintaining ease of installation.
3Reliability
If a metal spring is used to retain the sensor body in the bezel, then the sensor body can be firmly held, but the spring must be elastically deformable to accommodate the insertion process
Solution Approach 1:
The metal spring is designed to be elastically deformable, allowing it to dynamically adjust its shape during the insertion process. When the sensor body is inserted from the inside, the spring compresses radially inward, deforming from its relaxed state. After insertion, the spring returns to its original shape, generating elastic reactive force to retain the sensor body. This dynamic behavior enables the spring to accommodate both the insertion process and the retention requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal spring undergoes a periodic action sequence: it is compressed during insertion, then restores its original shape to provide retention force. This cyclic behavior (compression followed by restoration) allows the spring to serve dual purposes - facilitating the insertion process while ensuring reliable retention of the sensor body in the bezel.
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 allows for the secure fixation of the ultrasonic sensor to the vehicle, preventing detachment and ensuring reliable operation by distributing the spring's elastic force effectively across the bezel and sensor body.
Implementation Method 1
the spring is compressively deformed by an outer wall of the insertion portion and a wall face of the hole portion, thereby generating a reactive force that resiliently attaches the sensor body and the bezel on the wall face of the hole portion
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic sensor has a sensor body and a bezel having a metal spring attached on a side wall thereof for installation on a vehicle component. A free end of the metal spring is positioned to protrude from a through hole of the side wall, is pressed by a portion of the sensor body that is inserted in a hollow space of the bezel, and is pushed back by an opening face of the sensor body. In this manner, the bezel is firmly attached on the component and the sensor body is firmly attached on the bezel.