Supports – Instrument in panel – Having biased clip holding means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-01
2001-05-08
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Instrument in panel
Having biased clip holding means
C248S552000, C073S001010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227501
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a sensor mounting particularly, but not exclusively, for mounting a sensor of a reversing aid system at a vehicle bumper (fender).
Systems for indicating the presence of an obstruction behind the vehicle to the driver when reversing use a plurality of ultrasonic or other electromagnetic sensors mounted at the rear of the vehicle. The orientation of the sensors must be correctly aligned for the system to operate correctly.
Known systems have fixed sensors mounted on brackets at the rear of the vehicle or at the vehicle's bumper. A specific mounting or bracket is thus required for every different model of vehicle to ensure correct sensor alignment.
Systems are also being developed which are relatively insensitive to sensor orientation, but these rely on more expensive sensor transducers and additional electronic processing, or which make use of software to compensate for angular misalignment. However, such proposals involve significant additonal costs.
The present invention provides a sensor mounting comprising a housing, a sensor holder secured within the housing for adjustment about two axes, and means for maintaining the sensor holder in a fixed orientation within the housing after adjustment.
Preferably, the housing has a part-spherical internal surface engaging a part-spherical outer surface of the sensor holder, whereby the orientation of the sensor holder with respect to the housing may be continuously adjusted.
Said maintaining means may suitably comprise resilient means acting between the housing and the sensor holder.
The housing is preferably adapted to be secured in a vehicle bumper. Typically, the housing has a generally cylindrical outer shape for reception in a circular aperture in a vehicle bumper, and a front flange for abutting against the outer surface of the vehicle bumper.
Teeth may be provided on the outer surface of the housing adjacent the rear of said flange, to grip the vehicle bumper.
The housing may suitably comprise a front portion defining a cavity in which the sensor holder can be inserted, and a rear portion retaining the sensor holder within the housing. The rear portion may be held within the front portion by a spring clip.
The sensor may be an ultrasonic or other sensor. It may be a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver.
The mounting facilitates mounting a sensor at a bumper, for example, for retrofitting of a reversing aid system. The adjustability provided by the mounting alleviates the criticality of the position and orientation of the mounting itself. It may enable the mounting to be arranged, for example, on a downwardly directed portion of a curved bumper with the sensor orientated within the mounting for correct operation.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4134564 (1979-01-01), Hanna
patent: 5414229 (1995-05-01), Rocheleau et al.
patent: 5671984 (1997-09-01), Kodera
patent: 5684336 (1997-11-01), McCurdy
patent: 5875588 (1999-03-01), Torii et al.
patent: 5947436 (1999-07-01), Bucher et al.
patent: 6003371 (1999-12-01), Okada
patent: 0 131 654 A1 (1985-01-01), None
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 096, No. 007; JP 08 074825A, Niles Parts Co. Ltd., Mar., 19, 1996.
Landry Walter
Ramirez Ramon O.
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