US5629690A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method of installation for locating a hidden sensor externally active on a motor vehicle
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
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Filing: 1995-02-27
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Granted: 1997-05-13
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Expires: 2015-02-27
Abstract
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 location of the transducer (2) prevents visual identification of the transducer, so that there is no interference with the visual aspect of the vehicle, and damage to the transducer, inadvertently or by vandalism, is effectively eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Knoll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/93; G01S15/931; B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/48; B60R19/483; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/521; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/931; G01S2013/9323; G01S2013/9324; G01S2013/9327; G01S2013/93272; G01S2013/93275; G01S2015/937; G01S2015/938
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of transducing signals from a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of securely mounting a transducer (2) having an outer membrane (3) on an outer surface part (1) of the vehicle, with the outer surface of the membrane (3) being flush, or even with the outer surface of said outer surface part, wherein the outer surface part has a predetermined surface shape or contour; and covering said outer surface part (1) including the region where the transducer is located, with a cover (4) which is shaped to match, and fit over, the surface shape or contour of the outer surface part (1) and visually covering and hiding the transducer to render said transducer essentially invisible.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of transducing signals from a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of securely mounting a transducer (2) having an outer membrane (3) on an outer surface part (1) of the vehicle, with the outer surface of the membrane (3) being flush, or even with the outer surface of said outer surface part, wherein the outer surface part has a predetermined surface shape or contour; and covering said outer surface part (1) including the region where the transducer is located, with a cover (4) which is shaped to match, and fit over, the surface shape or contour of the outer surface part (1) and visually covering and hiding the transducer to render said transducer essentially invisible.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the transducer (2) comprises one of: an optical transducer, a capacitative transducer, an electromagnetic transducer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said step of covering the outer surface part comprises covering said outer surface part with a cover (4) which is at least one of: optically transparent, transparent to infrared light, and transparent to electromagnetic wave radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the covering step comprises covering the transducer with a plastic cover or sturdy foil, wherein the plastic cover or sturdy foil has a predetermined hardness or stiffness, which hardness or stiffness is characterized by minimum damping of signals transduced by the transducer (2).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said covering step comprises operatively, acoustically coupling the membrane (3) to said cover (4).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of evaluating an echo signal transduced by said transducer; and providing an output signal representative of said echo signal if the echo signal indicates that an echo is received from an object located within a predetermined distance from said outer surface part (1).
Claim 8
Independent Claim
122 words
A system for transducing signals from a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle includes an outer surface part (1) which has a predetermined surface shape or contour; a recess or bore formed in said outer surface part; an ultrasonic transducer (2) having a transducer membrane (3) at an outer side thereof, located within said recess or bore and mounted such that the outer surface of the membrane (3) is flush, or even with the outer surface of said outer surface part (1); and a cover (4) covering said outer surface part (1) including the region of the ultrasonic transducer, and engaged with and about the outer surface part (1) and visually covering and hiding the transducer to render said transducer essentially invisible.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
122 words
A system for transducing signals from a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle includes an outer surface part (1) which has a predetermined surface shape or contour; a recess or bore formed in said outer surface part; an ultrasonic transducer (2) having a transducer membrane (3) at an outer side thereof, located within said recess or bore and mounted such that the outer surface of the membrane (3) is flush, or even with the outer surface of said outer surface part (1); and a cover (4) covering said outer surface part (1) including the region of the ultrasonic transducer, and engaged with and about the outer surface part (1) and visually covering and hiding the transducer to render said transducer essentially invisible.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 7, wherein said outer surface part comprises a bumper of the vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 7, wherein the material of the cover (4) has a hardness or stiffness which is matched to the oscillation frequency of the transducer (2) for minimum damping of signals transduced by the transducer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 7, wherein the transducer membrane (3) and the cover (4) are tightly acoustically coupled.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 7, including coupling means (5), optionally an adhesive, between the membrane (3) of the transducer (2) and the cover (4).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 7, in combination with a parking assistance system (10) having an output indication (11) providing an output if the transducer transduces echo signals received from an object located spaced from the vehicle below a predetermined distance.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-12 | 2000-11-11 | 2001-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-12 | 2004-11-11 | 2005-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-12 | 2008-11-11 | 2009-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |