Ultrasonic Sensor Cover Mounting with Counteracting Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic sensors face challenges in mounting due to increased size, causing the cover member to slant when the sensor body is fixed, particularly when attached to vehicle bumpers or other components.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic sensor design incorporates a cover member with opposing engagement portions that counteract forces applied during attachment, ensuring the cover member remains upright by using a combination of snap fits, nails, and elastic deformation to securely fasten the sensor body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor body is enlarged to house signal processing circuits, then the functionality and intelligence of the ultrasonic sensor is improved, but the sensor body cannot be inserted through the hole of the bumper from the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting method is inverted: instead of inserting the sensor body from the outside of the bumper, the cover member is inserted first, then the sensor body is inserted from the inside of the bumper. This allows the enlarged sensor body to be mounted despite its increased size.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is divided into two separate components: the cover member that is inserted from the outside, and the sensor body that is inserted from the inside. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific insertion direction and function.
2Reliability
If the cover member is firmly fixed to the bumper and the sensor body is firmly fixed to the cover member, then the stability of the mounting is improved, but the cover member becomes susceptible to slanting due to concentrated forces
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portions are positioned asymmetrically on the cover member, with the first engagement portion for the lance and the second engagement portion for the snap fit. This asymmetric arrangement distributes the fixing forces in different directions, preventing the cover member from slanting while maintaining firm fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual engagement portions act as counterbalancing elements that distribute and counteract the forces applied during fixation. The lance engagement and snap fit engagement work together to balance the forces, preventing slanting of the cover member.
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 design effectively prevents the cover member from slanting, providing a stable and secure attachment of the ultrasonic sensor to vehicle components, ensuring accurate obstacle detection.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member which is elastically deformed when the sensor body is inserted in the hollow portion from the inner side of the bumper, and generates an elastic force in the insertion direction
Data Source
AI summary
A cover member of an ultrasonic sensor has a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion, which are respectively engaged with a third engagement portion and a fourth engagement portion of a sensor body. The engagement portions are arranged in such a manner that a force applied to the cover member due to an engagement between the first engagement portion and the third engagement portion and a force applied to the cover member due to an engagement between the second engagement portion and the fourth engagement portion respectively have opposite directions to be substantially countervailed when the sensor body is attached to the cover member. Thus, the cover member can be restricted from slanting when the sensor body is fixed to the cover member.