Ultrasonic sensor device for a motor vehicle having a two-part attachment device, paneling arrangement, motor vehicle and method

Abstract

The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor device (2) for a motor vehicle, having an ultrasonic sensor (3) which has a diaphragm (8) for emitting and/or receiving an ultrasonic signal, and having an attachment device which is configured, in a correct installation position of the ultrasonic sensor device (2) on an exterior panelling part (6) of the motor vehicle, to press the diaphragm (8) against an inner side (7) of the exterior panelling part (6) with a prestressing force, wherein the attachment device has a securing apparatus (5) and a cover apparatus (4), wherein the securing apparatus (5) can be arranged on the inner side (7) of the exterior panelling part (6) and has an opening (22) in which the diaphragm (8) is arranged, and wherein the cover apparatus (4) has a receptacle (24) in which a rear side (23), lying opposite the diaphragm (8), of the ultrasonic sensor (3) is secured, and wherein the cover apparatus (4) and the securing apparatus (5) are connected in a positively locking fashion.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic sensor device for a motor vehicle, comprising: an ultrasonic sensor which comprises a diaphragm for emitting and/or receiving an ultrasonic signal; and an attachment device which is configured, in a correct installation position of the ultrasonic sensor device on an exterior panelling part of the motor vehicle, to press the diaphragm against an inner side of the exterior panelling part with a prestressing force, wherein the attachment device comprises a securing apparatus and a cover apparatus, wherein the securing apparatus is arranged on the inner side of the exterior panelling part and comprises an opening in which the diaphragm is arranged, wherein the cover apparatus comprises a receptacle in which a rear side, lying opposite the diaphragm, of the ultrasonic sensor is secured, wherein the cover apparatus and the securing apparatus are connected in a positively locking fashion, wherein the securing apparatus engages a front side of the attachment device and the cover apparatus engages the rear side of the attachment device, the front side being opposite to the rear side, wherein the ultrasonic sensor further comprises at least one elevated projection disposed on an outer side of the ultrasonic sensor, wherein the outer side of the ultrasonic sensor is disposed between the diaphragm and the rear side of the ultrasonic sensor, and wherein the cover apparatus comprises at least one spring element which applies the prestressing force to the at least one elevated projection.

2. The ultrasonic sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle of the cover apparatus comprises at least one clamp element, which, in order to secure the rear side of the ultrasonic sensor, is connected in a positively locking fashion to a corresponding clamping region of the housing.

3. The ultrasonic sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the cover apparatus comprises a multiplicity of latching hooks which are each connected in a positively locking fashion to a corresponding elevated portion of the securing apparatus by means of a snap-action connection.

4. The ultrasonic sensor device according to claim 3, wherein the latching hooks are arranged one next to the other in a circumferential direction of the cover apparatus and the elevated portion of the securing apparatus is embodied running around in a circumferential direction of the securing apparatus.

5. The ultrasonic sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the securing apparatus comprises a multiplicity of elastically deformable support elements which can each be arranged on the inner side of the exterior panelling part.

6. A panelling arrangement for a motor vehicle comprising: the ultrasonic sensor device according to claim 1; and an exterior panelling part.

7. The panelling arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the ultrasonic sensor is configured to emit the ultrasonic signal through the exterior panelling part and/or to receive the ultrasonic signal through the exterior panelling part.

8. The panelling arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the securing apparatus is connected to the inner side of the exterior panelling part by means of a bonded connection.

9. The panelling arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the diaphragm of the ultrasonic sensor is connected to the inner side of the exterior panelling part by a bonding element.

10. The panelling arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the exterior panelling part is part of a door of the motor vehicle.

11. A motor vehicle comprising at least one panelling arrangement according to claim 6.

12. A method for mounting an ultrasonic sensor device on an exterior panelling part of a motor vehicle, the method comprising: connecting an ultrasonic sensor which comprises a diaphragm for emitting and/or receiving an ultrasonic signal to the exterior panelling part of the motor vehicle by an attachment device, wherein in a correct installation position of the ultrasonic sensor device on the exterior panelling part the diaphragm is pressed with a prestressing force against an inner side of the exterior panelling part by the attachment device; and arranging a securing apparatus of the attachment device on the inner side of the exterior panelling part, wherein the ultrasonic sensor is arranged in a cover apparatus of the attachment device so that a rear side, lying opposite the diaphragm, of the ultrasonic sensor is secured in a receptacle of the cover apparatus, connecting the cover apparatus and the securing apparatus in a positively locking fashion so that the diaphragm is arranged in an opening in the securing apparatus, wherein the securing apparatus engages a front side of the attachment device and the cover apparatus engages the rear side of the attachment device, the front side being opposite to the rear side, wherein the ultrasonic sensor further comprises at least one elevated projection disposed on an outer side of the ultrasonic sensor, wherein the outer side of the ultrasonic sensor is disposed between the diaphragm and the rear side of the ultrasonic sensor, and wherein the cover apparatus comprises at least one spring element which applies the prestressing force to the at least one elevated projection.

Description

(1) FIG. 1 shows a panelling arrangement which has an ultrasonic sensor device and an exterior panelling part of a motor vehicle, in an exploded illustration;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a cover apparatus and an ultrasonic sensor of the ultrasonic sensor device in a perspective view;

(3) FIG. 3 shows the ultrasonic sensor and the cover apparatus according to FIG. 2, wherein the ultrasonic sensor is secured in the cover apparatus;

(4) FIG. 4 shows the ultrasonic sensor device in a perspective view, wherein the ultrasonic sensor which is secured in the cover apparatus is connected to the securing apparatus; and

(5) FIG. 5 shows the ultrasonic sensor device according to FIG. 4, wherein the cover apparatus and the securing apparatus are illustrated in section.

(6) In the figures, identical and functionally identical elements are provided with same reference symbols.

(7) FIG. 1 shows a panelling arrangement 1 in an exploded illustration. The panelling arrangement 1 comprises an ultrasonic sensor device 2. The ultrasonic sensor device 2 comprises in turn an ultrasonic sensor 3. The ultrasonic sensor 3 serves to emit and/or receive an ultrasonic signal. The ultrasonic sensor 3 is arranged in a cover apparatus 4. The ultrasonic sensor device 1 additionally comprises a securing apparatus 5 which can be connected to an exterior panelling part 6 of a motor vehicle. The cover apparatus 4 and the securing apparatus 5 together form an attachment device. The exterior panelling part 6 can be, in particular, a door panel of the motor vehicle. In this context, the securing apparatus 5 can be connected to an inner side 7 of the exterior panelling part 6. The inner side 7 is located on a side lying opposite an outer side of the exterior panelling part 6. The outer side of the exterior panelling part 6 is visible from the outside to a viewer who is standing in front of the motor vehicle.

(8) FIG. 2 shows the ultrasonic sensor 3 and the attachment apparatus 4 in a perspective view. In this context it is apparent that the ultrasonic sensor 3 has a diaphragm 8. The diaphragm 8 is embodied in a pot-shaped fashion in the present exemplary embodiment, and can be formed, for example, from aluminium. A bonding element 9 is arranged on an emission surface or base surface of the diaphragm 8. The diaphragm 8 can be attached to the inner side 7 of the exterior panelling part 6 with this bonding element 9, which is embodied, for example, as a bonding pad. In order to emit the ultrasonic signal, the diaphragm 8 or the emission surface of the diaphragm 8 can be excited to undergo mechanical oscillations by means of a piezo-electric element. In this context, the arrow 10 characterizes the transmission direction or main emission direction of the ultrasonic sensor 3. Ultrasonic signals which are reflected by an object can also be received by means of the diaphragm 8.

(9) The ultrasonic sensor 3 additionally comprises a housing 11, which can be formed, for example, from a plastic. In this context, the diaphragm 8 can be arranged at least partially within the housing 11. The housing 11 additionally comprises a plug section 12, through which corresponding electrical leads for making contact with the ultrasonic sensor 3 or the electronics of the ultrasonic sensor 3 can be guided. In addition, at least one elevated portion 14 is arranged on an outer side 13 of the housing 11. In addition, a clamping region 15 in the form of a further elevated portion is arranged on the outer side 13 of the housing 11.

(10) The attachment apparatus 4 can be formed, for example, from a plastic. The attachment apparatus 4 has a receptacle 24 for the ultrasonic sensor 3. A rear side 23, which is assigned to the housing 11, can be introduced into the receptacle 24. The attachment apparatus 4 comprises at least one spring element 16 which can press on the elevated portions 14 of the ultrasonic sensor 3. Furthermore, the attachment apparatus 4 comprises at least one clamping element 17. In the present exemplary embodiment, the attachment apparatus 4 has two clamping elements 17, which are embodied in a way corresponding to the clamping region 15 of the housing 11 of the ultrasonic sensor 3. In addition, the attachment apparatus 4 has a cutout 18 for the plug region 12.

(11) FIG. 3 shows the ultrasonic sensor 3 which is arranged in the attachment apparatus 4 or in the receptacle 24. It is apparent here that the clamping region 15 of the ultrasonic sensor 3 is clamped between the clamping elements 17 of the attachment apparatus 4. A friction locking connection is therefore made available between the clamping region 15 and the clamping elements 17. This connection also makes it possible for the ultrasonic sensor 3 to be able to be moved relative to the attachment apparatus 4, in the transmission direction 10.

(12) FIG. 4 shows the ultrasonic sensor device 2 in a perspective view. In this context, the attachment apparatus 4 in which the ultrasonic sensor 3 is arranged is connected to the securing apparatus 5. On the upper side of the attachment apparatus 4, the two spring elements 16 are apparent, which spring elements 16 press against the ultrasonic sensor 3 and therefore bring about a prestressing force in the direction of the transmission direction (arrow 10). In addition, it is apparent that the securing apparatus 5 has a multiplicity of support elements 19 which are embodied, for example, in an elastically deformable fashion. The support elements 19 can be connected to the inner side 7 of the exterior panelling part 6, for example with an adhesive.

(13) FIG. 5 shows the ultrasonic sensor device 2 according to FIG. 4, wherein the cover apparatus 4 and the securing apparatus 5 are illustrated in section. It is apparent here that the cover apparatus 4 has a multiplicity of latching hooks 20 which are arranged one next to the other in a circumferential direction of the attachment apparatus 4. These latching hooks engage in an elevated portion 21, embodied running around, of the securing apparatus 5. The attachment apparatus 4 and the securing apparatus 5 can therefore be connected to one another by means of a snap-action connection or latching connection. In addition it is apparent that in the connected state of the attachment apparatus 4 and the securing apparatus 3 the spring elements 16 are elastically deformed and therefore exert the prestressing force on the elevated portions 14 and therefore on the ultrasonic sensor 3. This ensures that the diaphragm 8 or the adhesive pad 9 is pressed onto the inner side 7 of the exterior panelling part. In this context, a reliable bonded connection can be made available between the diaphragm 8 and the exterior panelling part 6.

(14) When the ultrasonic sensor device 2 is mounted on the exterior panelling part 6, the securing apparatus 5 or the individual rear sides of the support surfaces 19 can firstly be bonded onto the inner side 7 of the exterior panelling part 6. Subsequently, the ultrasonic sensor 3 can be connected to the cover apparatus 4. In this context, the ultrasonic sensor 3 is secured in the attachment apparatus 4 by means of the connection of the clamping region 15 and of the clamping elements 17. Subsequently, the unit composed of the ultrasonic sensor 3 and attachment apparatus 4 can be connected to the securing apparatus 5. In this context, the attachment apparatus 4 can be pressed onto the securing apparatus 5 in the direction of the arrow 10. In this context, the latching hooks 20 are elastically deformed until they latch in on the elevated portion 21. In this context, the prestressing force is exerted on the diaphragm 8 or the clamping element 9 by the spring element 16 until the adhesive of the bonding element 9 is cured. In this way, simplified mounting of the ultrasonic sensor device 2 on the exterior panelling part 6 or the door panel can be made possible.