Patent · US Expired

System and method of installation for locating a hidden sensor externally active on a motor vehicle

US5629690A · kind A · utility

22Cited by
5References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 27, 1995
Grant dateMay 13, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 27, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01S2015/938
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

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…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.