Electrical connectors – With supporting means for coupling part – Coupling part or mating part extending into panel opening
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-27
2001-03-20
Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With supporting means for coupling part
Coupling part or mating part extending into panel opening
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203366
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a receptacle for sensors, in particular transmitters or receivers for measuring distances. These types of sensors have been advantageously installed in the bumpers of motor vehicles as is e.g. described in DE-OS 43 33 066 or DE-OS 195 28 474. Towards this end, the sensors can be either radiation receivers or radiation transmitters or could perform both tasks at differing times. The above mentioned conventional devices normally comprise a sleeve for the sensor at least one portion of which is inserted through a prepared opening in the bumper from the outer side facing away from the vehicle towards the inner side thereof and then anchored in the bumper. Since the position of the sensor must not change during operation, a plurality of measures must be taken to permanently secure the position of the conventional sleeve relative to the bumper.
The invention therefore concerns a mounting configuration as claimed. The purpose of the invention is to simplify mounting and to provide greater assurance that the position of the sensor does not shift while simultaneously simplifying the construction to reduce costs associated with installation of the sensor in the motor vehicle.
This purpose is achieved with the combination of features given in the independent claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first aspect of the invention consists primarily of a configuration having two pieces with one piece being integrally connected to the bumper and processed thereon during manufacture thereof, and with the other piece of the configuration being connected to the first piece in a non-detachable fashion, in particular, welded. In this fashion, a permanent connection is produced between the two components of the configuration. Since the first component of the configuration is molded onto the bumper during manufacture thereof or is molded therein, it can be made from the same material and have the same color and is securely and permanently mounted thereto. In addition, molding preparations for the bumper are relatively simple, since one can structure the first component in such a fashion that its dimensions perpendicular to the surface of the bumper are relatively small. The molding-on of the first component is therefore relatively easy from a technical point of view. The first component can, however, also be made from a differing material than the bumper such as e.g. a cast or cast-iron body molded with the bumper. In accordance with the invention, the second component is configured as a sleeve and is plugged onto the first component configured as a shoulder and a protrusion projecting through an opening in the sleeve is deformed by welding in such a fashion that the two components are welded to each other or at least such that a spatial deformation is effected on the protrusion of the shoulder in the form of an undercut to secure the sleeve. The second case is e.g. important when the sleeve is not made from plastic rather from metal or from another suitable material. It is also possible within the context of the invention to connect the sleeve to the shoulder in a detachable fashion e.g. by latching.
Another advantage of the invention is that the sleeve which is to be connected to the shoulder e.g. through welding can be adapted to the sensor to be retained so that differing sensors can be mounted in accordance with the invention to the bumper. In this fashion, the configuration is generally not mounted to the bumper in a detachable fashion, but can be easily adapted to differing types of sensors.
Differing methods can be utilized for the connection, in particular welding. For example, the required undercut between the shoulder and the sleeve can be fashioned by heat deformation of the shoulder. In practical applications, plastic has been the material of choice for the sleeve as well as for the shoulder, wherein the plastic components are preferentially connected to each other by ultrasonic welding.
In principle, the invention is suitable for all kinds of sensors intended for the measurement of ambient parameters for regulation devices of a motor vehicle. Since modern bumpers are normally made from plastic, it is particularly advantageous in accordance with the invention to also directly shape the shoulder (first component) of the configuration onto the bumper.
In order to secure the position of the sleeve relative to the shoulder during welding, one can initially latch the sleeve to the shoulder and then weld. It is however also within the framework of the invention to mold a shoulder on the inner surface of the bumper facing the vehicle which extends towards the vehicle and to attach the sleeve to this shoulder and to the bumper in a detachable fashion e.g. by means of latching. Of primary importance is the fact that one component of the sleeve configuration is molded to the bumper.
A particularly simple configuration of the sleeve has the mounting shoulder provided with at least one mounting protrusion which projects through an opening in the sleeve. This protrusion can be welded to the surrounding regions of the sleeve or be positively connected by means of heat deformation. The protrusion can however also be latched to the sleeve in a detachable manner.
A particularly good alignment of the sleeve relative to the shoulder and thereby relative to the bumper is achieved when a plurality of protrusions project evenly from the surface of the bumper and are distributed about a circular periphery so that the sleeve is secured relative to the shoulder at a plurality of locations to ensure stability for the mounting with respect to transverse torques acting on the sleeve from arbitrary directions.
The sleeve also has latches which are, per se, of a conventional construction for removable reception of the sensor. The retroactive mounting of the sleeve to the bumper also facilitates use of the sleeve as an adapter for differing types of sensors, as already mentioned above.
In order to improve the radiation path of the ultrasound or radar radiation irradiated by the sensor, the bumper is provided, with a circular hole through which the sensor radiates. The circular nature of the hole is however not absolutely necessary. Slot-shaped openings can also be provided e.g. for positively influencing the lobes of the sensor radiation.
In certain cases, a hole in the bumper is not necessary. One can simply reduce the thickness thereof locally, so that it acts as a collimator in the vicinity of the sensor and provides little resistance to the radiation given off by the sensor, e.g. radar radiation. Radar radiation can also be generated in such a fashion that it is not hindered by e.g. an increased bumper thickness.
In particular when the bumper has an opening, it is advantageous to border the edge thereof with a ring rib and to sidewardly connect the protrusions penetrating past the surface of the bumper to the outer surface of the ring-shaped rib. This increases the strength of the protrusions. In addition, the end surfaces of the ring ribs can simultaneously serve as seating surfaces for the sensor and/or the sensor sleeve. A different and optionally additional seating possibility for the sleeve is given when the shoulder and/or plastic component has spacer ribs for seating the sleeve in an inserted state. The spacer ribs can thereby be simultaneously integrally connected to the protrusions which serve for mounting the sleeve. In order to increase the seating surface of the sleeve, same can be given a peripheral console (collar), which is supported on the spacer ribs. In order to uniquely determine the angular position of the sleeve relative to the bumper, an advantageous improvement to the invention. Provides that, the protrusions can only penetrate through the associated openings at a particular angular orientation of the sleeve so that the sleeve cannot be mounted or latched in an incorrect installation orientation relative to the mounting shoulder.
In the event that the spacer ribs have differing heights, the sleeve and the sensor can be mounted to the bumper at
Mathes Joachim
Muller Harry
Wöllecke Frank
Donovan Lincoln
Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
Vincent Paul
Webb Brian S.
LandOfFree
Sleeve for receiving a sensor, connected to the bumper of an... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Sleeve for receiving a sensor, connected to the bumper of an..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sleeve for receiving a sensor, connected to the bumper of an... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2465822