FR3036481B1 - SENSOR DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

Sensor device (1) comprising a multi-part housing (5) housing at least one sensor (3, 4) with a measurement value generator and a measurement value receiver (12, 14). The housing (5) has an upper portion (6) and a lower portion (7) and in the mounted state it surrounds two adjacent cavities (5.1, 5.2). In the boundary zones (5.3, 5.4) between the first cavity (5.1) and the second cavity (5.2) there is a separating structure (9) which separates the two cavities (5.1, 5.2) and dampens the vibrations of the parasitic noise.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a sensor device comprising a multi-part housing housing at least one sensor with a measurement value generator and a measurement value receiver, the housing having at least one upper housing part and one lower part. housing and in the mounted state it surrounds at least two cavities adjacent to one another and which can in common constitute an amplifier noise.

State of the art

According to the state of the art, sensor devices for vehicles are known, in particular for capturing steering angles (steering angle) and comprising a multi-part housing housing a sensor with a measurement value generator and a receiver. measurement values. Such a housing generally has at least one upper housing part and a lower housing part surrounding in the mounted state at least two adjacent cavities and which, in common, may constitute an amplifier for interference noises. The sensor housing cavities may function as resonant amplifiers that amplify certain parasitic noise frequencies if the dimensions of the adjacent cavities correspond to an integer multiple of the parasitic frequency wavelength. The parasitic frequencies generated for example by moving parts have a frequency of the order of 1.5 to 2.5 KHz and a wavelength of 0.14 to 0.23 meters.

Description and advantages of the invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art and thus relates to a sensor device of the type defined above characterized in that a separating structure is provided in the boundary zones between the first cavity and the second cavity which separates the two cavities and dampens the vibrations of the parasitic noises.

The sensor device according to the invention for a vehicle and as defined above has the advantage, compared to the state of the art, of not amplifying annoying noise or at least reducing significant. The embodiments of the invention separate the existing cavities so that the dimensions of the cavities do not correspond to an integer multiple of the wavelength of the spurious signals generated. This advantageously avoids amplifying parasitic signals.

According to developments of the invention, the sensor device for a vehicle having a multi-part housing comprises at least one sensor with a measurement value generator and a measurement value receiver. The housing consists of at least one housing top and a housing bottom portion surrounding at least two adjacent cavities in the installed state and which can operate in common as an amplifier for interference noise. The boundary zones between the first cavity and the second cavity are each equipped with a separating structure so as to separate the two cavities from one another and to damp the vibrations of the parasitic noises.

Developments of the general features of the invention constitute advantageous improvements.

Thus, in a particularly advantageous manner for a first cavity having a substantially rectangular base surface and a second cavity having a base surface substantially in the shape of a ring segment, there are two boundary zones, each equipped with a separating structure.

According to an advantageous development of the sensor device according to the invention, the separating structures function as labyrinth structures each having a first rib element and a second rib element arranged relative to each other so that the ribs of the elements interpenetrate and form meanders between them. Preferably, the first rib elements are in the limit zone between the cavities being connected to the lower housing part and the second rib elements are provided in the boundary zones between the cavities being connected in the upper housing part. . The meanders of the labyrinth structures made by the separating structures are obtained when the upper part has been joined to the lower part of the housing. The two housing parts can be joined together, for example by snap-in connections, and the lower housing part has resilient latches such as springs, the other housing part having apertures or latching recesses for receiving the snap-nosts. The separating structures may also have other suitable shapes to dampen the spurious noises. The separating structures or the different rib elements of the separating structures can be connected to the housing, for example by gluing or welding. It is also possible to make separating structures or rib elements during the same injection operation on the upper housing part and / or the lower housing part so as not to require additional linking operation to connect separating structures to the housing.

According to another advantageous development of the sensor device according to the invention, at least one sensor is an angle sensor for detecting the rotation angle of a rotary component and generating angle information depending on the rotational movement of the component. rotary. The rotation generator is integrally connected in rotation to the rotating component and the first component of the angle sensor is rotatably mounted coupled to the rotation generator. A second component of the angle sensor may be installed in a fixed position at a predefined axial distance from the first component. This means that, in a possible embodiment of the sensor device, the measurement value generator is rotatably mounted as the first component of the angle sensor and is coupled to the rotation generator; the measurement value receiver, which is the second component of the wave sensor, is installed in a fixed position at a predefined axial distance with respect to the measurement value generator.

As a variant, the measurement value receiver constituting the first component of the angle sensor is rotatably mounted while being coupled to the rotation generator and the measurement value generator as the second component of the angle sensor is fixedly mounted to a sensor. predefined axial distance of the measured value receiver.

According to an advantageous development of the sensor device according to the invention, the rotary component passes through a circular opening of the housing and the rotation generator is in the form of a ring ring provided with a main ring gear being integrally connected to the rotary component by at least one drive member. The second housing cavity can thus at least partially surround the rotation generator made in the form of a circular ring. In addition, the first fixed component, that is to say, for example the receiver of measurement values in the form of a magnetic field sensor or for example the generator of measurement values in the form of a permanent magnet of at least An angle sensor is installed on a circuit board. In addition, the first fixed components and the second rotating components of at least one angle sensor can be accommodated in the first cavity of the housing.

drawings

The present invention will be described in more detail below with the aid of an exemplary sensor device having a multi-part housing shown in the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a sensor device according to the invention for a vehicle, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the lower part of the housing for the sensor device intended for a vehicle according to FIG. 1, FIG. is a schematic perspective view of the upper part of the sensor device housing for a vehicle according to Figure 1, Figure 4 is a sectional view of the sensor device in the mounted state, for a vehicle according to Figure 1.

Description of Embodiments of the Invention

As shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 1 to 4, the exemplary embodiment shown of a sensor device 1 according to the invention consists of a housing 5 in several parts housing a sensor 3, 4 with a generator of measured values. 20, 30 and a receiver of measured values 12, 14. The housing 5 here consists of at least one upper housing portion 6 and a lower housing portion 7 and in the assembled state it delimits at least two cavities 5.1, 5.2 which are adjacent and can operate in common as a parasitic noise amplifier. The boundary zones 5.3, 5.4 between the first cavity 5.1 and the second cavity 5.2 have a separating structure 9 for separating the two cavities 5.1, 5.2 and damping the vibrations of the parasitic noises.

As further shown in Figures 1 to 4, the sensor device 1 of the embodiment shown is intended to capture the steering angle of a vehicle; the measurements, the steering angle (also called steering angle) corresponding to several rotations of the flywheel using two generators of measured values 20, 30 made in the form of toothed wheels coupled to the steering column, not shown by means of a large main ring gear 2.1 of a rotation generator 2. Thus, a first measurement value generator 20 forms with a first measurement value receiver 12 a first angle sensor 3; a second measurement value generator 30 forms, with a second measurement value receiver 14, a second angle sensor 3. The moving parts which can generate spurious noise are the rotary measuring value generators 20, 30 and 30. rotation generator 2. In the middle of the measured value generators 20, 30 in the form of toothed wheels, there are non-detailed permanent magnets by means of which the measured value receivers 12, 14 in the form of Magnetic field sensors make it possible to determine the angle of rotation of the measuring value generators 20, 30 in the form of toothed wheels. The measurement value receivers 12, 14 are preferably Hall sensors and are installed in a fixed position at an axial distance L, predefined with respect to the corresponding measurement value generator 20, 30 on a circuit support 10. This allows a connection and a simple power supply of the measuring value receiver 12, 14. As a variant, the respective measuring value receiver 12, 14 can be connected in rotation by a toothed wheel and the measuring value generators 20, 30 can The two toothed rings 22, 32 of the measured value generators 20, 30 have a slightly different number of teeth, so that from the ratio, the angle of rotation can be determined. rotation and the respective number of rotations of the measuring gear generators 20, 30 in the form of gears and the rotation generator 2. The rotational generator n 2 is integrally rotatably coupled to the steering column by drive members 2.2 which penetrate into corresponding recesses of the steering column. Thus, by exploiting the angle information entered by the angle sensors 3, 4, the rotation angle of the steering column or steering wheel is determined over several revolutions.

As further shown in Figures 1 and 4, the rotation generator 2 is coupled by the main ring gear 2.1 through at least one drive member 2.2 to the steering column, rotary, not shown; the main ring gear 2.1 transmits the movement of the rotary steering column to a first ring gear 22 of the first measurement value generator 20 and to the second ring gear 32 of the second measurement value generator 30. The number of teeth of the first ring gear 22 differs from the number of teeth of the second ring gear 32. The first angle sensor 3 generates a first angle information based on the number of teeth of the first ring gear 22 of the first measurement value generator 20 with a first periodicity; the second angle sensor 4 generates a second angle information based on the number of teeth of the second ring gear 32 of the second measurement value generator 30 with a second periodicity. Thanks to the different number of teeth, it is possible from the report to determine the angle information and the respective number of rotations of the gears. It is thus possible to unambiguously determine the angle of the rotary steering column over several rotations by applying a calculation method which is known from the state of the art.

As further shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first angle sensor 3 and the second angle sensor 4 are housed in a common, multi-part housing 5; the fixed measurement value receivers 12, 14 of the angle sensors 3, 4 are installed on a common circuit support 10. The housing 5 of the exemplary embodiment shown is composed of the upper part of the housing 6 and the lower housing part 7. The two housing parts 6, 7 have a circular opening through which the rotary steering column wants to detect the angle of rotation. In the area of the housing surrounding the opening there is the second cavity 5.2 having a base surface substantially in the shape of a circle ring segment; the rotation generator 2 with the main ring gear 2.1 is guided in rotation outside the second cavity 5.2. The box area in the form of a circle ring segment is followed by a rectangular shaped box area which provides the first cavity 5.1 whose base surface is substantially rectangular and in which the circuit board 10 and the two are housed. measuring value receivers 12, 14 and two measuring value generators 20, 30.

As it also appears in FIGS. 2 to 4, between the substantially rectangular bridging surface of the first cavity 5.1 and the substantially circular ring segment base surface of the second cavity 5.2, there are two limit zones 5.3 , 5.4 with each time, as in the example shown, a separating structure 9 in the shape of a labyrinth. The separating structures 9 of the exemplary embodiment shown each have a first rib element 9.1 and a second rib element 9.2 which are made with respect to one another so that the ribs of the rib elements 9.1, 9.2 s interpenetrating and thus between the rib elements 9.1, 9.2 a meandering structure 9.3 is formed. As shown in FIG. 2, the first rib elements 9.1 are connected to the boundary zones 5.3, 5.4 between the cavities 5.1, 5.2 at the lower part 7 of the casing. The second rib elements 9.2 are provided on the boundary zones 5.3, 5.4 between the cavities 5.1, 5.2 with the upper housing part 6. In the embodiment shown, the rib elements 9.1, 9.2 are connected to the housing 5 by adhesive bonds or welds. Alternatively, the rib members 9.1, 9.2 may be formed on the top of the housing 6 and / or the lower portion of the housing 7 during the same plastic injection operation. In addition, the separating structure 9 can be made in one piece and be connected to the boundary zones 5.3, 5.4 between the cavities 5.1, 5.2 either at the lower housing part 7 or at the upper housing part 6. The separating structures 9 provided in the boundary areas 5.3, 5.4 advantageously prevent the annoying noise noise is amplified or at least they can significantly reduce such noise. The rib elements 9.1, 9.2 may for example be injected plastic parts by a plastic injection process or be obtained with a 3D printer by a printing process.

As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the toothed rings 22, 32 of the two measuring value generators 20, 30 are arranged so that the main ring gear 2.1 and the toothed rings 22, 32 of the measuring value generators 20, 30 meshes in a meshing zone and thus allow its training. The two measurement value generators 20, 30 are surrounded by a wall with the exception of the meshing zone; this wall is formed on the lower housing part 7. The two measurement value generators 20, 30 are rotatably installed in a guide 7.3. In addition, two guiding pins 7.1 are formed on the lower housing portion 7. These studs allow to receive the circuit board 10 by 16 corresponding guide holes to have a correct positioning. The upper part 6 of the housing comprises corresponding recesses 6.2 in which the end zones of the guide pins 7.1 are slid into the mounted state. The two housing parts 6, 7 are connected to each other by non-detailed clipping links. In addition, the first housing portion 6 has a connector housing 6.1 which receives a connector shown for making the electrical connection with the contact elements 18 provided on the circuit board 10. The second housing portion 7 has a plurality of mounting tabs 7.2 with through holes to secure the housing 5 to the vehicle.

NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS 1 Sensor device 2 Rotation generator 2.1 Main toothed crown 3 Sensor 4 Sensor 5 Multi-part housing 5.1 First cavity 5.2 Second cavity 5.3 Limit zone 5.4 Limit zone 6 Upper housing section 6.2 Housing 7 Bottom section 7.1 Guide pin 7.2 Clamp 9 Closing structure 9.1 Rib element 9.2 Rib element 9.3 Thread 12 Measuring value receiver 14 Measuring value receiver 16 Guide bore 20 Measuring value generator 22 First ring gear 30 Generator of values measuring 32 Second ring gear

Claims (10)

1) Sensor device (1) comprising a housing (5) in several parts housing at least one sensor (3, 4) with a measurement value generator (20, 30) and a measurement value receiver (12). , 14), the housing (5) having at least one upper housing part (6) and one lower housing part (7) and in the mounted state it surrounds at least two adjacent cavities (5.1, 5.2) one to each other and which may in common constitute an amplifier of parasitic noise, a sensor device characterized in that a separating structure (9) is provided in the boundary zones (5.3, 5.4) between the first cavity (5.1) and the second cavity (5.2) which separates the two cavities (5.1, 5.2) and dampens the vibrations of the parasitic noises. Sensor device according to claim 1, characterized in that for a substantially rectangular base surface in the first cavity (5.1) and a base surface substantially in the form of a ring-ring segment of the second cavity (5.2). ), there are two boundary zones (5.3, 5.4) each provided with a separating structure (9). Sensor device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the separating structure (9) is a labyrinth structure composed respectively of a first rib element (9.1) and a second rib element (9.2). ) which are combined so that the ribs of the rib elements (9.1, 9.2) interpenetrate and the rib elements (9.1, 9.2) form meanders (9.3). Sensor device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the first rib elements (9.1) are connected to the limit zones (5.3, 5.4) against the cavities (5.1, 5.2) at the lower housing part (7). and the second rib members (9.2), the boundary zones (5.3, 5.4) between the cavities (5.1, 5.2) are connected to the upper housing part (6). 5 °) sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the separating structures (9) are connected to the housing (5) by adhesive bonds or welds or they are formed on the part upper case (6) and / or the lower housing part (7) by the same plastic injection operation. Sensor device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one sensor is an angle sensor (3, 4) for capturing the rotation angles of a rotating component and generating an angle information dependent on the rotational movement of the rotary component, * an angle generator (2) being integrally connected in rotation to the rotating component, - the first component (measurement value generator (20, 30) receiving values measuring device (12, 14)) of the angle generator (3, 4) being rotatably mounted and coupled to the rotation generator (2), and - a second component (measuring value receiver (12, 14), measuring value generator (20, 30)) of the angle generator (3, 4) being fixedly installed at a predefined axial distance (L) with respect to the first component (measurement value generator (20, 30) , measuring value receiver (12, 14)). Sensor device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the rotary component passes through a circular opening of the housing (5) and the rotation generator (2) is a circle ring provided with a main ring gear (2.1). being connected to the rotary component by at least one drive member (2.2). 8 °) Sensor device according to claim 7, characterized in that the second cavity (5.2) of the housing (5) at least partially surrounds the rotation generator (2) is in the form of a circle ring. Sensor device according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the first fixed component (measuring value generator (20, 30) of the measuring value receiver (12, 14)) is at least one angle sensor (34) is installed on a circuit board (10). Sensor device according to claim 9, characterized in that the first fixed component (measurement value generator (20, 30), the measurement value receiver (12, 14)) and the second component mounted in a controlled manner. movable in rotation (measuring value receiver (12, 14), measurement value generator (20, 30) of at least one angle sensor (3, 4) are accommodated in the first housing cavity (5.1) .