Motor Vehicle Sensor Protection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle devices with protective elements and surroundings detection units face issues with permanent and reliable protection against external influences like dust and moisture due to decreasing spring restoring force and alignment tolerances, leading to mechanical dysfunction and noise during operation.
Innovation Solution
The surroundings detection unit engages with the protective element during both extension and retraction movements, creating an additional degree of freedom by not having a permanent articulated connection, allowing for reliable mechanical function and reduced noise, with a driver element pulling the protective element into the closed position during retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the environment detection unit is permanently connected to the protective element in an articulated manner, then protection against external influences is improved, but alignment precision requirements increase and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the protection function (protective element) from the detection function (environment detection unit) by allowing the protective element to be pivoted open during extension and retraction movements, rather than maintaining a permanent articulated connection. This segmentation enables independent optimization of each component's function.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective element transitions from a static permanent connection to a dynamic state where it can be pivoted between closed and open positions based on the movement phase of the environment detection unit. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt its protection level according to operational requirements.
2Device complexity
If the spring element restoring force is used to close the protective element, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of protection decreases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The environment detection unit itself serves the dual function of both detecting the environment and actively closing the protective element by engaging with the driver element during retraction. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate active closure actuators while ensuring reliable protection.
3Ease of operation
If the protective element is held closed by a spring element, then ease of operation is improved, but permanent protection against external influences is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The protective element undergoes periodic opening and closing actions synchronized with the extension and retraction cycles of the environment detection unit. During extension, the protective element opens to allow detection; during retraction, it closes to provide protection. This periodic action ensures both operational ease and continuous protection.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle, comprising a protective element (32), which can be pivoted from a closed position into an open position, an environment-sensing unit (10), which can be brought into an active position for capturing images by means of an extension movement and into an idle position by means of a retraction movement, in which idle position the environment-sensing unit (10) is arranged behind the protective element (32), which is in the closed position, the environment-sensing unit thus being inaccessible from the outside, and a drive unit for moving the environment-sensing unit (10), which drive unit acts on the environment-sensing unit (10). The environment-sensing unit (10) can be brought into engagement with the protective element (32) during the extension movement of the environment-sensing unit in order to press the protective element open into the open position.