Vehicle Window Sensor Mounting With Rigid-Flex PCB Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor units for vehicles face challenges in easily attaching to vehicle windows and adapting to varying distances between the sensor and the window, particularly when using flexible circuit boards that rely on elastic restoring forces.
Innovation Solution
A sensor unit with a rigid-flexible printed circuit board that includes a recess for a fixing means, allowing for adjustable height and secure attachment to the vehicle window, enabling easy adaptation to different installation situations through a combination of bends and recess designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sensor unit is pressed against the vehicle window using only the elastic restoring force of the flex printed circuit board, then the attachment is simple, but the sensor unit cannot easily be adapted to different distances between the vehicle window and the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the printed circuit board adaptable through bending. The PCB can be bent to different degrees and fixed in various positions using recesses and fixing means, allowing the sensor unit to adapt to different distances between the vehicle window and sensor while maintaining secure attachment. This transforms a static structure into a dynamically adjustable one.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the shape and position of the printed circuit board through bending. The recesses in the PCB allow for different bending configurations, changing the physical parameters (distance, angle, position) of the sensor unit relative to the vehicle window, thereby enabling adaptation to various installation scenarios.
2Reliability
If additional components are used to attach the moisture sensor to the vehicle window, then the attachment is secure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by integrating the fixing means directly into the printed circuit board structure through recesses. Instead of using separate attachment components, the PCB itself contains built-in recesses that receive fixing elements, combining the circuit board function with the mounting function into a single integrated component, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs self-service by designing the printed circuit board with self-contained fixing capabilities. The recesses in the PCB allow it to self-fix to the vehicle window without requiring external attachment components, making the system self-sufficient and reducing the number of separate parts needed.
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
The solution allows for a secure, adjustable, and easy attachment of the sensor unit to vehicle windows, ensuring reliable humidity and temperature detection, and accommodating various installation scenarios with enhanced flexibility and stability.
Implementation Method 1
the bend of the rigid-flexible printed circuit board being arranged in such a way as to generate an elastic restoring force which presses the rigid-flexible printed circuit board against the vehicle window
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor unit for vehicles for detecting at least the moisture and/or the temperature on the inside of a vehicle window by a sensor is disclosed. The sensor unit is mounted adjacent to the inside of the vehicle window, the sensor unit comprises a housing within which it is partially enclosed, the housing has at least one opening in the direction of the vehicle window through which the sensor unit is pressed against the vehicle window. The sensor unit has a printed circuit board (PCB) that is pressed against the inside of the vehicle window when the sensor unit is in the mounted state, and is arranged between the sensor and the vehicle window. The PCB is a rigid-flexible PCB comprising a bend at least in a partial region, the bend of the rigid-flexible PCB being set up in such a way as to generate an elastic restoring force, which presses the rigid-flexible PCB against the vehicle window. The rigid-flexible PCB has at least one recess for receiving a fixing means and these together are designed to hold the rigid-flexible PCB in a specific shape.