Ultrasonic Sensor Decoupling Element With Flexible Support Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decoupling elements for ultrasonic sensors in vehicles face issues with inconsistent assembly due to varying flat component thicknesses, leading to potential water ingress, ice bridges, and damage, particularly under high-pressure conditions, and require precise coordination with sensor dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A decoupling element with archway-shaped support ribs that are flexible and spaced apart, allowing for secure attachment to varying flat component thicknesses, preventing water accumulation and ice bridges by compressing inward under high pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hollow-cylindrical decoupling ring is used to enclose the membrane pot, then vibration decoupling and protection from moisture are achieved, but the axial holding force is insufficient and water can penetrate under high-pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling element is segmented into a hollow-cylindrical element and multiple support ribs that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. This segmentation allows the support ribs to be compressed independently under high pressure, maintaining sealing contact while the hollow-cylindrical element provides vibration decoupling and moisture protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The support ribs are designed to be compressible in the radial direction, allowing them to dynamically adapt to high-pressure conditions. When water pressure increases, the support ribs compress radially inward, maintaining contact with the membrane pot to prevent water penetration, while the overall axial holding force is maintained through the archway-shaped structure.
2Reliability
If the decoupling element is pressed against the flat component with high contact pressure to prevent water ingress, then sealing is improved, but the flat component thickness variations cause assembly inconsistencies and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The support ribs are designed with specific dimensional parameters (height, thickness, spacing) that allow them to compress radially under pressure. This parameter optimization enables the decoupling element to adapt to flat component thickness variations while maintaining effective sealing contact, reducing assembly inconsistencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The support ribs function as flexible structural elements that can compress and deform radially under high-pressure conditions. This flexibility allows the decoupling element to maintain sealing contact across varying flat component thicknesses without requiring excessively high assembly pressures that could cause damage.
3Reliability
If support ribs are added to provide axial holding force, then water penetration is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support ribs are integrated into the decoupling element as a single monolithic component rather than separate parts. This merging of the hollow-cylindrical element and support ribs into one piece provides axial holding force and water penetration prevention without increasing assembly complexity or requiring additional fastening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support ribs serve multiple functions: they provide axial holding force to prevent water penetration, compress radially under high pressure to maintain sealing contact, and work together with the hollow-cylindrical element to provide vibration decoupling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.
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
Enables secure and reliable attachment of ultrasonic sensors across different flat component thicknesses, preventing water ingress and ice formation, while maintaining a flush surface and ensuring effective vibration isolation.
Implementation Method 1
preventing water accumulation and ice bridges by compressing inward under high pressure
Implementation Method 2
In order to prevent vibrations being transmitted from the vehicle body via the flat component 6 to the membrane 5 of the membrane pot 3
Data Source
AI summary
A decoupling element for an ultrasonic sensor is disclosed. The ultrasonic sensor is able to be attached to a flat component for a vehicle. The flat component includes a cutout. The ultrasonic sensor includes a cylindrical ultrasonic transceiver element which is able to be introduced into the cutout. The decoupling element includes a hollow-cylindrical element for enclosing the cylindrical ultrasonic transceiver element of the ultrasonic sensor and a plurality of support ribs which are arranged in the radial direction outside the hollow-cylindrical element and are spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction of the hollow-cylindrical element for supporting the decoupling element on a region of the flat component outside the cutout when the cylindrical ultrasonic transceiver element with the hollow-cylindrical element enclosing it is introduced by an end portion at an axial end into the cutout.