Ultrasonic Sensor Recess Covering for Vehicle Panel Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic sensor arrangements on motor vehicles face limitations in flexible installation due to material and thickness restrictions of panel parts, which can impede signal transmission and reception, making it difficult to integrate sensors inconspicuously in various vehicle components.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic sensor arrangement where the sensor is housed within a continuous recess in a panel part, covered by a non-invasive material that allows signal transmission and reception, enabling flexible installation even in materials or thicknesses that would typically block ultrasonic signals, such as real glass, plastic, or metal, using a covering that does not impair the sensor's functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ultrasonic sensor is integrated into a panel part with certain material and thickness, then the sensor can be arranged inconspicuously in the vehicle exterior, but the transmission and reception of ultrasonic signals is blocked by the panel part material and thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The panel part is segmented by creating a continuous recess that removes the blocking material in the sensor region, while the covering restores the visual appearance. This segmentation allows ultrasonic signals to pass through the covering and recess region without being blocked by the panel part material.
Solution Approach 2:
A covering is introduced as an intermediary element that replaces the blocking panel part material in the sensor region. The covering is specifically designed to be acoustically transparent to ultrasonic frequencies while maintaining the visual appearance of the panel part, thus mediating between the need for inconspicuous integration and signal transmission.
2Shape
If a covering is added to cover the sensor in the recess, then the sensor becomes visually inconspicuous, but the covering might impair the transmission and reception of ultrasonic signals
Solution Approach 1:
The covering is designed with specific material and thickness parameters that are acoustically transparent to ultrasonic frequencies. By carefully selecting the covering's physical parameters (material composition, thickness), it allows ultrasonic signals to pass through while providing visual coverage for the sensor.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is arranged in a continuous recess, then the sensor can be integrated flexibly in various panel parts, but the recess requires additional covering to maintain visual appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The covering serves multiple functions simultaneously: it restores the visual appearance of the panel part by covering the recess, it allows ultrasonic signal transmission due to its acoustically transparent properties, and it can be integrated into the existing panel part structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate 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
This configuration allows for the flexible integration of ultrasonic sensors in various motor vehicle components, maintaining sensor functionality and providing meaningful information for driver assistance systems, even in materials that are normally impermeable to ultrasonic signals, enabling diverse and inconspicuous installation options.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic sensor (2) which has a front side (3) and is designed for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasonic signals via the front side (3)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor arrangement (8) for a motor vehicle (14), with a panel part (9) of the motor vehicle (14) and an ultrasonic sensor (2) which has a front side (3) and is designed for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasonic signals via the front side (3), wherein the ultrasonic sensor (2) is arranged within a continuous recess (10) in the panel part (9) and the recess (10) is covered by a covering (11) which does not impair the transmission and/or reception of the ultrasonic signals, wherein the panel part (9) has a material (M) and/or a material thickness (d2), by means of which the transmission and/or the reception of the ultrasonic signals is blocked at least in a region of the panel part (9) surrounding the recess (10). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (14) and to a method for installing an ultrasonic sensor (2) in a panel part (9) of a motor vehicle (14).