System and method of installation for locating a hidden sensor externally active on a motor vehicle
First Claim
1. A method of transducing signals from a motor vehicle, comprising the steps ofsecurely mounting a transducer (2) having an outer membrane (3) on an outer surface part (1) of the vehicle,with the outer surface of the membrane (3) being flush, or even with the outer surface of said outer surface part, wherein the outer surface part has a predetermined surface shape or contour;
- andcovering said outer surface part (1) including the region where the transducer is located, with a cover (4) which is shaped to match, and fit over, the surface shape or contour of the outer surface part (1) and visually covering and hiding the transducer to render said transducer essentially invisible.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
To hide, and protect a transducer (2), such as an ultrasonic, infrared transducer or the like, located on an outer surface part (1) of a vehicle, for example within a recess in a bumper, from vandalism or other damage, the transducer is located on the outer surface part (1) to be flush with the outer surface thereof, and a cover (4) is located on said outer surface part. The outer surface part (1), as is customary has a predetermined surface shape or contour, and the outer surface cover (4) matches and engages that predetermined outer surface part of contour. Preferably, the transducer is an ultrasonic transducer terminating in a membrane (3) which is located flush with the outer surface of the outer surface part (1), and acoustically coupled, for example by an adhesive (5), with the outer cover (4) to reduce damping of signals from the transducer, and of echo signals from an object received by the transducer, and passing through the outer cover. The material of the cover is preferably so selected that it has sufficient hardness and stiffness for good matching with the transducer. The method and system is suitable for combination with a parking assistance system (10, 11). The cover location of the transducer (2) prevents visual identification of the transducer, so that there is no interference with the visual aspect of the vehicle, and damage to the transducer, inadvertently or by vandalism, is effectively eliminated.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of transducing signals from a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of
securely mounting a transducer (2) having an outer membrane (3) on an outer surface part (1) of the vehicle, with the outer surface of the membrane (3) being flush, or even with the outer surface of said outer surface part, wherein the outer surface part has a predetermined surface shape or contour; - and
covering said outer surface part (1) including the region where the transducer is located, with a cover (4) which is shaped to match, and fit over, the surface shape or contour of the outer surface part (1) and visually covering and hiding the transducer to render said transducer essentially invisible. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for transducing signals from a motor vehicle,
wherein the motor vehicle includes an outer surface part (1) which has a predetermined surface shape or contour; -
a recess or bore formed in said outer surface part; an ultrasonic transducer (2) having a transducer membrane (3) at an outer side thereof, located within said recess or bore and mounted such that the outer surface of the membrane (3) is flush, or even with the outer surface of said outer surface part (1); and a cover (4) covering said outer surface part (1) including the region of the ultrasonic transducer, and engaged with and about the outer surface part (1) and visually covering and hiding the transducer to render said transducer essentially invisible. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification