Joints and connections – With adjunctive protector – broken parts retainer – repair,... – Position or guide means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-08
2001-11-27
Kim, Harry C. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
With adjunctive protector, broken parts retainer, repair,...
Position or guide means
C403S024000, C403S077000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322275
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for mounting a distance sensor, in particular a proximity radar device, on a motor vehicle The device simultaneously permits simple shifting of the alignment (adjustment) of the distance sensor, for example, in relation to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, free from operator error.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A device of this type is known from German Patent No. 42 01 214. This patent describes a device for adjusting a directional antenna of an anti-collision radar device of a motor vehicle, in which the alignment of the directional antenna is adjustable with the aid of an adjustment headlight. At the same time, a device is disclosed here for mounting the anti-collision radar device on the motor vehicle. In this device, the directional antenna of the anti-collision radar device is connected via a rotary axle to a vehicle-mounted housing. This design only permits adjustment of the directional antenna in the direction of height. The adjustment can be carried out with the assistance of an adjusting plate, both using adjusting screws and using a positioning motor. According to the patent, it is left to the discretion of one skilled in the art to provide a mounting support which would permit adjustability in two or even in all three directions. However, the patent gives no teaching of the kind which must be taken into consideration in such a mounting support with regard to cost-effective, large-scale production, easy applicability on other motor vehicles, as well as fast mounting and adjustment, free from operator error. Accordingly, the patent also gives no information about how a mounting support could look, in view of these additional requirements.
From German Patent No. 196 42 810.6-53, which is not pre-published, it is known that the type of mounting support for a radar system, or at least of its directional antenna, can be adapted from the known suspension mount or support of a motor-vehicle headlight. In this context, the radar system or its directional antenna is fixed in position at three points, preferably in an L-shape relative to each other, in one plane vertical to the main beam direction. Thus, the two outer suspension mounts are displaced in two directions relative to each other. They are composed in each case of a threaded rod which is provided at one end with a ball pivot and is moveably supported by this in a mounting support. The middle, third suspension point is likewise moveably supported by a ball pivot, however, it generally has no adjustment possibility in the form of a threaded rod or something similar. The patent points out the problem that in each case, the adjustment device must be re-adapted to different installation surroundings. To that end, it suggests a radar system in which, to adjust the main beam direction, the position of the transmitter/receiver elements of the radar system is variable relative to a focusing means. However, such a radar system requires a design already basically suited to that, permitting, for example, adjustability of the transmitter/receiver elements within a housing of the distance sensor. The teaching of this patent cannot easily be transferred to a radar system already constructed per se, that does not include such adjustability. Furthermore, German Patent No. 196 42 810.6-35 does not disclose a device for mounting the distance sensor on the motor vehicle itself.
Object, Achievement and Advantages of the Invention
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to specify an alternative device for mounting a distance sensor on a motor vehicle.
The advantage of the present invention compared to a radar system according to German Patent No. 196 42 810.6-35 is that the basic design of a distance sensor can remain unchanged within its housing. In this respect, the present invention requires no basic redesign of already existing distance sensors. Because the distance sensor is mounted on a motor vehicle by way of a separate holder, only a change of this holder is necessary for applying the distance sensor on other motor vehicles. The distance sensor itself can be used substantially unchanged for different types of motor vehicles. Thus, the combination of all the features of the invention ensure a simple adjustment and a simple application of the distance sensor on a motor vehicle. Compared to German Patent No. 42 01 214, the mounting device according to the invention alone already has the advantage of permitting the distance sensor to be adjusted in the horizontal and in the vertical direction.
The features that, in the installed state of the distance sensor, the screws are able to be screwed from its front side, and that screw-out protection is provided for at least two of the screws, permit adjustment which is easy and reliable, above all even with respect to operator errors. For example, without screw-out protection, it is impossible to rule out in a fail-safe manner that the distance sensor will not fall off from the motor vehicle during an adjustment operation because the screws have been unscrewed too far.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5113330 (1992-05-01), Makita
patent: 5743618 (1998-04-01), Fujino et al.
patent: 5926127 (1999-07-01), Schmidt et al.
patent: 42 01 214 (1993-02-01), None
patent: 196 42 810 (1998-04-01), None
patent: 05 027037 (1993-02-01), None
patent: WO 97 48578 (1997-12-01), None
Langenhan Dirk
Lucas Bernhard
Schmidt Ewald
Zeiher Juergen
Kenyon & Kenyon
Kim Harry C.
Robert & Bosch GmbH
LandOfFree
Device for mounting a distance sensor on a motor vehicle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device for mounting a distance sensor on a motor vehicle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for mounting a distance sensor on a motor vehicle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2595017