Ultrasonic sensor device having a stiffening unit, assembly, motor vehicle, and method for producing an assembly

• US 9,846,225 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2013
• Issued: 12/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH (Valeo SE), Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH (Valeo SE), Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Wehling, Hans- Wilhelm, Weyland, Joerg, Weber, Natalie
• Primary Examiner(s): Dougherty, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Addison, Karen B
• Application Number:
  US14/435,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20150268334A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• Field of Search: 310348, 310328, 310334, 367155, 367157
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2015/938 in the bumper area radar in bumper area G01S2013/93275; bumper with obstacle sensor of electric or electronic type B60R19/483
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/521 Constructional features
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 9/22 Mountings; Casings
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/03 Assembling devices that include piezoelectric or electrostrictive parts
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/88 Mounts; Supports; Enclosures; Casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/42 Piezoelectric device making

Abstract

The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising an ultrasonic sensor (2), which has a membrane (5) for emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic waves, and comprising a stiffening unit (15) for attachment to a trim element (27) of the motor vehicle and for stiffening the trim element (27), wherein the stiffening unit (15) has a through-opening (17) for the membrane (5) of the ultrasonic sensor (2), wherein the stiffening unit (15) is formed from at least two separate stiffening elements (18 to 21) for attachment to a trim element (27).

Claims

1. An ultrasonic sensor device for a motor vehicle, comprising an ultrasonic sensor, which comprises a membrane for emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic waves, and comprising a stiffening unit for attachment to a trim element of the motor vehicle and for stiffening the trim element, wherein the stiffening unit has a through-opening for the membrane of the ultrasonic sensor,

characterized in that

the stiffening unit has at least two separate stiffening elements, which are configured for attachment to the trim element and for stiffening the trim element, wherein at least two stiffening elements are formed from different materials.

2. The ultrasonic sensor device according to claim 1,

characterized in that

in the circumferential direction the stiffening unit is subdivided into at least two stiffening elements, which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

3. The ultrasonic sensor device according to claim 1,

characterized in that

in the radial direction the stiffening unit has at least two concentrically arranged ring structures, which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the radial direction.

4. The ultrasonic sensor device according to claim 3,

characterized in that

at least one of the ring structures in the circumferential direction is subdivided into at least two ring sectors as stiffening elements, which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

5. The ultrasonic sensor device according to claim 1,

characterized in that

by the stiffening unit on the whole a ring shape is formed.

6. The ultrasonic sensor device according to claim 1,

characterized in that

at least two stiffening elements are formed from the same material.

7. The ultrasonic sensor device according to claim 1,

characterized in that

at least one of the stiffening elements is formed from ceramics, in particular from aluminum oxide and/or silicon carbide.

8. The ultrasonic sensor device according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the at least two stiffening elements are connected with each other via a side bar, which is formed from a material that is less stiff than the material of the stiffening unit.

9. The ultrasonic sensor device according to claim 8,

characterized in that

the side bar is formed from silicon and/or from plastics.

10. The ultrasonic sensor device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ultrasonic sensor device has a holder, which is connected to the stiffening unit, to which the ultrasonic sensor is capable of being fastened, in particular in a reversibly releasable manner.

11. An arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a trim element, a stiffening unit for stiffening the trim element, and an ultrasonic sensor arranged at a rear side of the trim element, wherein the ultrasonic sensor is designed for emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic waves through the trim element and the stiffening unit is attached to fit against the rear side of the trim element, the stiffening unit comprising at least two separate stiffening elements attached to and stiffening the trim element, wherein at least two stiffening elements are formed from different materials.

12. A motor vehicle comprising an arrangement according to claim 11.

13. A method for manufacturing an arrangement for a motor vehicle by providing a trim element , in particular a bumper, providing an ultrasonic sensor comprising a membrane for emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic waves, and providing a stiffening unit and attaching the stiffening unit to a rear side of the trim element, wherein the stiffening unit has a through-opening, through which the membrane is pushed through,

characterized in that

the stiffening unit is formed from at least two separate stiffening elements, wherein at least two stiffening elements are formed from different materials.