SENSOR DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A sensor device for a vehicle for detecting vehicle dimensions and/or pieces of vehicle surroundings information and a method for manufacturing such a sensor device. The sensor device includes at least one sensor unit for measuring corresponding vehicle dimensions and/or pieces of vehicle surroundings information, and a housing which at least partially encloses the sensor unit, the housing being at least partially formed by a ceramic casting compound, so that the housing may be manufactured in an unpressurized casting step, with exemption of sensor surfaces of the sensor unit.

Claims

1. A sensor device for a vehicle for detecting vehicle dimensions and/or pieces of vehicle surroundings information, the sensor device comprising: at least one sensor unit configured to measure the vehicle dimensions and/or pieces of vehicle surroundings information; and a housing which at least partially encloses the sensor unit with exemption of at least sensor surfaces of the sensor unit; wherein the housing is at least partially formed by a ceramic casting compound so that the housing is manufactured in an unpressurized casting step.

2. The sensor device as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor unit includes a camera sensor unit, or a radar sensor unit, or an ultrasonic sensor unit.

3. The sensor device as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is at least partially extrusion coated by the ceramic casting compound, so that the sensor unit is held by the ceramic casting compound.

4. The sensor device as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor unit includes an electronic circuit board, which is held in the ceramic casting compound and is completely enclosed thereby, so that a thermal contact is ensured.

5. The sensor device as recited in claim 1, wherein the ceramic casting compound is formed in such a way that at least one screw hole for a fastening on a carrier construction may be introduced therein.

6. The sensor device as recited in claim 1, wherein the ceramic casting compound is a silicone elastomer.

7. A method for manufacturing a sensor device for a vehicle for detecting vehicle dimensions and/or pieces of vehicle surroundings information, the method comprising the following steps: inserting a sensor unit into a casting mold, the sensor unit configured to measure the vehicle dimensions and/or pieces of vehicle surroundings information; and extrusion coating the sensor unit using a ceramic casting compound, so that a housing is formed which at least partially encloses the sensor unit.

8. The method for producing a sensor device as recited in claim 7, wherein the sensor unit is extrusion coated in such a way that the sensor unit is completely held in the ceramic casting compound.

9. A vehicle including a sensor device for detecting vehicle dimensions and/or pieces of vehicle surroundings information, the sensor device comprising: at least one sensor unit configured to measure the vehicle dimensions and/or pieces of vehicle surroundings information; and a housing which at least partially encloses the sensor unit with exemption of at least sensor surfaces of the sensor unit; wherein the housing is at least partially formed by a ceramic casting compound so that the housing is manufactured in an unpressurized casting step.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0019] The figure shows a section through an exemplary embodiment of a sensor device according to the present invention for a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0020] A section through an exemplary embodiment of a sensor device according to the present invention for a vehicle is shown in the figure. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the sensor device is designed as a camera, for example, as a rear view camera for a vehicle. The sensor device includes a sensor unit 14, which is designed in this exemplary embodiment as a camera sensor unit.

[0021] Sensor unit 14 is accommodated in a housing 18 of the sensor device. Housing 18 is formed by a ceramic casting compound. Housing 18 is formed by a casting mold in which sensor unit 14 is inserted and into which the ceramic casting compound is introduced.

[0022] Sensor unit 14 is formed from an image sensor 22, which is situated on a circuit board 26 and fastened thereon. An image signal of the surroundings may be recorded using image sensor 22. Sensor unit 14 is at least partially extrusion coated by the ceramic casting compound during the manufacturing method of the sensor device, so that sensor unit 14 is held by the ceramic casting compound.

[0023] Due to the extrusion coating of sensor unit 14, additional fasteners, such as screws, for example, are not necessary to fasten sensor unit 14. Sensor unit 14 may thus be formed to be smaller. In addition, the thermal contact between sensor unit 14 and the ceramic casting compound is improved.

[0024] An optical unit 30 is situated in front of image sensor 22, via which the image of the surroundings is focused on image sensor 22. Optical unit 30 is held via a metallic optic holder 34. Optic holder 34 is extrusion coated by the casting compound of housing 18 and fixed thereby. After an insertion of optical unit 30 into optic holder 34 and an alignment of optical unit 30 in relation to image sensor 22, it is connected via an adhesive seam 38 to housing 18. Fixing of optical unit 30 and sealing to the outside are thus achieved.

[0025] A plug receptacle 42, at which a plug is pluggable, is situated on a side of housing 18 opposite to optical unit 30. Plug receptacle 42 is connected to circuit board 26, so that the image signal recorded via image sensor 22 may be relayed to the vehicle. In addition, a screw hole 46 is situated on the side opposite to optical unit 30, via which the sensor device is fastenable on the vehicle via a screw.