TEMPERATURE CONTROL ELEMENT AND SENSOR ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a temperature control element for heating a sensor for detecting surroundings, having a three-dimensional plastic component, characterized in that at least one metallized structure is integrated into the plastic component or respectively provided therein, wherein the metallized structure is configured in such a manner that it assumes a heating function. A sensor arrangement for detecting surroundings is also disclosed, having a sensor for detecting surroundings as well as a temperature control element.

Claims

1. A temperature control element for heating a sensor for detecting surroundings or respectively at least one component of a sensor for detecting surroundings, comprising a three-dimensional plastic component, wherein at least one metallized structure is integrated into the plastic component or provided therein, and wherein the metallized structure is configured such that it assumes a heating function.

2. The temperature control element according to claim 1, wherein the metallized structure is produced by means of laser structuring, in particular by means of laser direct structuring.

3. The temperature control element according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control element is configured as a hollow body.

4. The temperature control element according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling point for connecting the metallized structure to external elements for energization.

5. The temperature control element according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control element is configured as a lens hood or as a radome.

6. A sensor arrangement for detecting surroundings, comprising a sensor for detecting surroundings, and a temperature control element comprising a three-dimensional plastic component, wherein at least one metallized structure is integrated into the plastic component or provided therein, and wherein the metallized structure is configured such that it assumes a heating function .

7. The sensor arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the sensor is an optical device.

8. The sensor arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the sensor comprises a camera or a radar sensor.

9. The sensor arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the temperature control element at least partially surrounds the sensor.

10. The sensor arrangement of claim 6, wherein the temperature control element encloses the sensor.

11. The sensor arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the temperature control element and the sensor immediately adjoin one another.

12. The sensor arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the temperature control element is positively connected to the sensor.

13. The sensor arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the temperature control element is arranged in a detection range of the sensor.

14. The sensor arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the temperature control element includes at least one coupling point for connecting the metallized structure to external elements for energization.

15. The sensor arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the temperature control element is configured as a hollow body.

16. The sensor arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the temperature control element is configured as a lens hood or as a radome.

17. A method for at least one of heating or cooling a sensor which detects surroundings of a motor vehicle, the method comprising: obtaining a temperature control element, the temperature control element comprising a three-dimensional plastic component and at least one metallized structure integrated into the plastic component or provided therein, the metallized structure is configured to provide at least one of a heating function or a cooling function; connecting the temperature control element to a sensor; providing at least one coupling point electrically coupled to the at least one metallized structure; and energizing the at least one metallized structure via the at least one coupling point.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein connecting the temperature control element comprises directly contacting the temperature control element with the sensor.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein connecting the temperature control element comprises enclosing at least a portion of the sensor, the portion of the sensor being disposed in a cavity defined by the temperature control element.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the temperature control element comprises a lens hood or a radome of the sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Further advantageous configurations are set out by the drawings, wherein:

[0039] FIG. 1: shows a schematic representation of a temperature control element in an embodiment in multiple views;

[0040] FIG. 2: shows a schematic representation of a metallized structure in an embodiment;

[0041] FIG. 3: shows a schematic representation of a sensor arrangement in an embodiment;

[0042] FIG. 4: shows a schematic representation of a temperature control element in a further embodiment;

[0043] FIG. 5: shows a schematic representation of a temperature control element in yet another embodiment;

[0044] FIG. 6: shows a schematic representation of a sensor arrangement in a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a temperature control element 1 for heating a sensor in an embodiment in multiple views, wherein a side view of a temperature control element 1 is represented top left, a top view of a temperature control element 1 is represented bottom left, a side view (cross-sectional view) of a temperature control element is represented in the center, wherein a plastic component 2 has been partially omitted, and a three-dimensional view of a temperature control element 1 is represented on the right.

[0046] The temperature control element 1 according to the example embodiments includes a three-dimensional plastic component 2, wherein at least one metallized structure 4 is integrated into the plastic component 2. The metallized structure 4 is configured in such a manner that it may be energized, as a result of which it assumes a heating function.

[0047] The plastic component 2 is, in an aspect, an injection-molded component, wherein the plastic may be any of a thermoplastic, a duromer or an elastomer.

[0048] The metallized structure 4 is configured in a meandering pattern and extends substantially over the entire plastic component 2 or respectively over the entire lateral surface of the plastic component 2. Only a small region of the lateral surface of the plastic component 2 does not have a metallized structure 4. As a result, a particularly good heating capacity may be achieved.

[0049] The line width of the metallized structure 4 is, in one aspect, approximately 150 μm. The metallized structure 4 may at least be partially configured from copper, from nickel or from gold.

[0050] The temperature control element 1 is, in an aspect, configured as a hollow body. The advantage of this is that it encloses a temperature-regulating sensor, as a result of which a very good heat transfer may take place.

[0051] The temperature control element 1 shown in FIG. 1 additionally has a coupling point 6 for connecting the metallized structure 4 to external elements for energization.

[0052] The temperature control element 1 is, in an aspect, used for heating a sensor 10 for detecting the surroundings of a motor vehicle or a structural element of a sensor 10 for detecting the surroundings.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a metallized structure 4 in an embodiment. The meandering design or respectively the uniform course of the metallized structure 4 is particularly well visible here. The coupling point 6 is also represented. This is represented as a hook or respectively clip element. As a result, a connection to external elements may be established particularly well and securely.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a sensor arrangement 8 in an embodiment. The sensor arrangement 8 is composed of a temperature control element 1 according to the example embodiment and a sensor 10. The sensor 10 shown in FIG. 3 is a lens module which includes a lens barrel 12.

[0055] The temperature control element 1 is configured as a hollow body and encloses at least a part, in particular a structural element of the sensor 10, namely the lens barrel 12. The temperature control element 1 constitutes a type of sleeve with respect to the sensor or respectively the lens barrel 12. The temperature control element 1 and the sensor 10 immediately adjoin one another. A positive fit is provided. As a result, a particularly good heat transfer may be ensured.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a temperature control element 1 in a further embodiment, wherein the temperature control element 1 is configured as a lens hood 14.

[0057] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a temperature control element 1 in yet another embodiment. The temperature control element 1 represented in FIG. 5 is configured as a radome 16 of a radar sensor.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a sensor arrangement 8 in a further embodiment. The sensor arrangement 8 includes a temperature control element 1 and a radar sensor 18 which has at least one radar sensor element 20 and a radome 16. Here, the temperature control element 1 is configured as a component of the radar sensor 18, namely as a radome 16. Metallized structures 4 are configured in the radome 16.

[0059] A detection range is additionally schematically represented in FIG. 6 (see region between the dashed lines). Signals are substantially sent or respectively received by the radar sensor element 20 through this region.

[0060] The invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous amendments as well as variations are possible, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims. A combination of the various exemplary embodiments is also possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0061] 1 Temperature control element [0062] 2 Plastic component [0063] 4 Metallized structure [0064] 6 Coupling point [0065] 8 Sensor arrangement [0066] 10 Optical device [0067] 12 Lens barrel [0068] 14 Lens hood [0069] 16 Radome [0070] 18 Radar sensor [0071] 20 Radar sensor element