Vehicle Sensor Device with Permeable and Absorbing Housing Walls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle sensor integration technologies are limited to front and rear positions, making it impractical to mount sensors on commercial vehicles without body parts, and require separate power and data connections for each sensor, increasing wiring complexity.

Innovation Solution

A device with sensor radiation-permeable and absorptive materials for environment sensors, shared voltage supply, and data bus connection via a single cable, allowing flexible mounting on commercial vehicles and reducing wiring effort by integrating sensors with radar and lidar technology.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate power supply and data bus connection are provided for each sensor, then each sensor can be independently powered and communicated, but wiring complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor connection reliabilityVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate connections (power supply and data bus) into a single integrated cable assembly. This single cable contains multiple conductors that simultaneously carry power signals and data communication signals to multiple sensors, eliminating the need for separate wiring harnesses for each sensor while maintaining reliable connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single cable assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power supply to multiple sensors, establishes data bus connections for communication, and acts as a mechanical support structure. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall wiring architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If sensors are integrated into vehicle body parts, then sensors can be positioned at front and rear, but mounting on commercial vehicles without body parts becomes impractical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor mounting position flexibilityVSAvoidmounting implementation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the sensor mounting system into separate modular components: a sensor assembly unit that can be independently configured and a separate mounting structure. This segmentation allows the sensor system to be adapted to different mounting locations (front, rear, sides) and vehicle types (with or without body parts) without requiring complete redesign of the integration system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting structure is designed with location-specific features tailored to each installation position. The device can be configured with different housing shapes, mounting bracket arrangements, and sensor orientations depending on whether it is mounted on the front bumper, rear bumper, or side areas of commercial vehicles, optimizing performance for each specific application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If absorbers are attached to device walls, then unwanted reflections are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunwanted radiation reflectionsVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates absorbing materials directly into the housing structure or as integrated liners within the mounting device. These composite constructions combine the structural function of the housing with the electromagnetic absorbing function, eliminating the need for separate absorber components while reducing unwanted reflections and interference between sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 reliable detection of blind spots and surrounding objects, reduces wiring complexity, and provides flexible mounting options on commercial vehicles, enhancing safety and visibility while maintaining a sleek vehicle silhouette.

Implementation Method 1

a housing wall of the device, preferably the wall in the direction of the detection area of the environmental sensors, is made of a sensor radiation-permeable material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation transmission: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

at least one housing wall of the device, preferably the wall which is oriented in the opposite direction to the detection area of the environmental sensors, is made of a sensor radiation-absorbing material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

Absorbers can be provided, for example, in the form of foam, which exhibits absorbing properties for electromagnetic radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3787108B1Device for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3787108B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3787108B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (7) for a vehicle, which is attached to a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, and in which at least one or more environmental sensors (15) are attached, wherein a housing wall (12) of the device, preferably the wall in the direction of the detection area (8, 16) of the environmental sensors, is made of a sensor radiation-transmitting material and at least one housing wall (10) of the device, preferably the wall in the opposite direction to the detection area of ​​the environmental sensors, is made of a sensor radiation-absorbing material.