Universal Sensor Mount with Filling Means for Vehicle Trim
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for attaching sensors to vehicle trim components require multiple, location-specific sensor mounts, leading to high logistical and manufacturing costs and a risk of incorrect installation due to similar flange geometries, which can result in sensor detachment during vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A trim component with through-openings and sensor receptacles that use a filling and fastening means to align and attach sensors regardless of the trim component's geometry, allowing for the use of identical sensor mounts across different locations, reducing manufacturing and logistical efforts and minimizing the risk of incorrect installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If location-specific sensor mounts with joining flanges are used for each sensor location on the trim component, then the sensor attachment reliability is improved, but the device complexity and logistical effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by replacing multiple location-specific sensor mounts with a single universal sensor mount design. The universal mount can be positioned at different locations on the trim component and secured using the same filling and fastening means, eliminating the need for different joining flange geometries for different locations while maintaining attachment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces filling and fastening means as an intermediary between the sensor mount and the trim component. This intermediary substance fills the free space and provides the securing function, replacing the need for complex location-specific joining flanges. The filling and fastening means adapts to different locations while the sensor mount remains standardized.
2Strength
If location-specific joining flanges are used to match the curvature geometry of the trim component, then the sensor mount attachment strength is improved, but the ease of manufacture and logistics are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from geometric adaptation to material-based securing. Instead of adapting the joining flange geometry to match the trim component curvature, the patent uses filling and fastening means that can be applied in varying amounts and configurations to achieve the required pull-off force for different locations, while keeping the sensor mount geometry standardized.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex, location-specific sensor mounts with a simpler, standardized sensor mount design. The securing function is transferred to the filling and fastening means, which can be applied as needed without requiring precise geometric matching, thereby simplifying manufacturing and logistics.
3Ease of manufacture
If similar joining flange geometries are used for different locations, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of correct installation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The filling and fastening means acts as an intermediary that provides location-specific adaptation while the sensor mount remains standardized. This intermediary substance ensures correct installation by being applied specifically at the intended location, preventing the risk of installing a standardized mount at the wrong location while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
4Quantity of substance
If identical sensor mounts are used for all locations, then the logistical effort is reduced, but the ability to achieve required pull-off forces on curved surfaces is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from geometric adaptation to material-based securing. The filling and fastening means can be applied in varying amounts and configurations to achieve the required pull-off force for different locations, while the sensor mount geometry remains standardized and identical for all locations.
Data Source
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Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fairing component for a vehicle, comprising one or more through-openings (22), one or more sensor receptacles (24) for receiving a sensor (26), which are arranged at least partially spaced apart from the fairing component (12) in the region of one of the through-openings (22), forming a clearance (42), and a filling and fastening means (41) for filling the clearance (42) between the fairing component (12) and the sensor receptacle (24), for aligning the sensor receptacle (24) with respect to the fairing component (12), and for fastening the sensor receptacle (24) to the fairing component (12). The invention also relates to a method for fastening and aligning a sensor (26) and/or a sensor receptacle (24) to a fairing component (12) of a vehicle.