Ultrasonic Sensor Attachment Structure for Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic sensors attached to vehicle bumpers face errors in detection due to mechanical vibration transmission between the sensors and the vehicle body, which current attachment methods fail to adequately minimize.
Innovation Solution
A sensor attachment system comprising a cylindrical ultrasonic microphone with a cushion made of elastic synthetic material and an anti-vibration spacer, along with a bezel and retainer, is designed to reduce vibration transmission by using a contact surface-decreasing structure in the through-hole facing portion and strategically placing the anti-vibration spacer between the flange and the vehicle body member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ultrasonic sensor is directly attached to the vehicle body member using conventional methods, then the sensor is securely fixed to the vehicle body, but mechanical vibration is transmitted from the vehicle body to the sensor causing detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sensor attachment as an intermediary component between the ultrasonic sensor and the vehicle body member. This attachment includes a cylinder with a through-hole facing portion that has a contact surface-decreasing structure, which minimizes the contact area with the vehicle body member, thereby reducing vibration transmission while still providing secure mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The through-hole facing portion of the cylinder is designed with a contact surface-decreasing structure that creates localized non-contact regions or reduced contact areas. This local modification of the contact interface reduces vibration transmission paths from the vehicle body to the sensor without compromising overall mounting security.
2Strength
If the contact area between the sensor attachment and vehicle body member is increased, then the mounting security is improved, but vibration transmission is enhanced causing more detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor attachment serves as a mediator that decouples the mounting function from the vibration transmission path. The cylinder structure provides secure mounting through its overall geometry and retention mechanisms, while the through-hole facing portion with reduced contact area specifically addresses vibration isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor attachment is segmented into distinct functional regions: the cylinder body that provides structural support and secure mounting, and the through-hole facing portion with contact surface-decreasing structure that specifically minimizes vibration transmission. This segmentation allows independent optimization of mounting strength and vibration isolation.
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 effectively minimizes mechanical vibration transmission, reducing the risk of errors in object detection by the ultrasonic sensors and enhancing the accuracy of vehicle-mounted ultrasonic systems.
Implementation Method 1
a cushion which is of a cylindrical shape and made from an elastic synthetic material, the cushion being disposed in the cylinder and surrounding the ultrasonic microphone
Implementation Method 2
configured to reduce vibration transmission
Implementation Method 3
an anti-vibration spacer which is made from an elastic synthetic material and arranged between the flange and the vehicle body member
Implementation Method 4
arranged between the flange and the vehicle body member to reduce vibration transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor attachment is used in securing an ultrasonic sensor to a plate-like vehicle body member. The ultrasonic sensor is equipped with a cylindrical ultrasonic microphone extending in an axial direction perpendicular to a center axis line. The sensor attachment includes a cylinder which is fit in a through-hole in the vehicle body member and surrounds the ultrasonic microphone in a vehicle-mounted state where the ultrasonic sensor is mounted in the vehicle body member. The cylinder includes a through-hole facing portion which faces an inner surface of the through- hole in proximity thereto in a radial direction perpendicular to the center axis line in the vehicle- mounted state. The through-hole facing portion is designed to have a contact surface-decreasing structure which minimizes an area of contact with the inner surface of the through-hole.