Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a sensing device, and more specifically to a radar unit for automobiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Generally, automobiles are provided with a rider assist system that provides an indication to a rider and is essentially meant for safe automotive riding, blind spot detection, etc. The rider assist systems are genreally configured to detect vehicles/ objects not in the Field Of View (FOV) of a driver’s vision zone and normally alerts the driver with an indication in the form of a signal such as a repetitive beep or buzzing noise when the vehicles/ objects are within a proximate range of the automobile.
[003] Rider assist systems generally includes an imaging system, a Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR), a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), an ultrasonic sensor, and the like. Commonly used system in most automobiles is a radar which is effective and efficient for short distance detection of objects proximate to the automobile. The radar uses radio waves for vehicle identification or objects that approach the automobile typically near blind spot zones by transmitting radio waves and then detecting the radio waves that are reflected from the object or vehicles proximate to the automobile.
[004] Typically, radar units consist of a printed circuit board which has a power circuit and a radar circuit. A number of electronic components are logically connected the power circuit and the radar circuit to form a radar unit. The radar unit also includes specific number of antennas in which few are dedicated for transmitting and a few are dedicated for receiving radio waves. Based on the receiving signal density and pre-set algorithm that are written or built around the radar unit, the information received by the radar unit is sent to an Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The ECU then provides an indication to the rider.
[005] Considering that automobiles are always exposed to external environment, water and dust ingress in radar units is inevitible. For relentless functioning of the radar unit, the radar unit must be protected from water entry, dust entry, and vehicle vibrations. Same can cause components to drop off or function incorrectly. Further, heat generated by radar unit may also pose problem in normal functioning and thus dissipation of heat is also of primary concern to ensure prolonged operation.
[006] Thus, there is a need in the art for a sensing device, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a sensing device. The sensing device has a cover, a protective member and an electronic circuitry. The cover is configured to have an opening wherein the opening receives one or more electrical or electronic components. The protective member is attached to the cover to form a casing and is of a pre-determined thickness to allow radio waves to pass therethrough. The electronic circuitry is housed inside the casing and the electronic circuitry is configured to communicate with a Control Unit. In an embodiment, the electronic circuitry includes a power circuitry, and a radar circuitry.
[008] In one embodiment, the one or more electrical or electronic components includes a connector. The connector is configured to receive and lock a mating connector, and provide a passage for a wiring harness and a passage for a SMD connector. In an embodiment, the wiring harness and the SMD connector are configured to connect with at least one or more cameras and intelligent electronics in a vehicle.
[009] In a further embodiment, the sensing device has a housing enmolded with the cover wherein the housing is provided on the opening and configured to house a connector.
[010] In another embodiment, the sensing device has a rim which is configured to receive the protective membrane. In this regard, the cover has a peripheral groove which is configured to receive the rim. The rim has a plurality of resting chamfers configured to receive the electronic circuitry wherein the resting chamfers are of an uneven dimension. A sealant is applied in the groove for sealing the rim onto the cover.
[011] In a further embodiment, the cover is configured to have a plurality of fins to dissipate heat. The plurality of fins has at least one of: a heat dissipating organic conducting material; or a heat dissipating inorganic conducting material; or a combination thereof.
[012] In another embodiment, the sensing device has a thermal sheet placed between the electronic circuitry and the cover. The thermal sheet has a conductive material of a pre-determined thickness and being configured to transfer heat from the electronic circuitry to the fins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[013] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment showing an exploded view of a sensing device, in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a perspective view of the sensing device, in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2B illustrates an exemplary embodiment showing another perspective view of the sensing device, in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2C illustrates an exemplary embodiment showing yet another perspective view of the sensing device, in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 3A illustrates an exemplary embodiment showing a sectional view of the sensing device, in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 3B illustrates an exemplary embodiment showing an isometric sectional view of the sensing device, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[014] The present invention relates to a sensing device which is typically mounted on automobiles (hereinafter also referred to as vehicles) in order to better assist the driver of the vehicles.
[015] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment showing sensing device, in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated in the Figure the sensing device 100 has a cover 110, a protective member 120, and an electronic circuitry 130. As illustrated in Figure 2A and 2B, the protective member 120 is attached to the cover 110 to form a casing 150 (shown in Figure 3A and Figure 3B) in which the electronic circuitry 130 is being housed.
[016] As further illustrated in Figure 1, the cover 110 has an inner side 110a (shown in Figure 2C) and an outer side 110b. In an embodiment, the inner side 110a of the cover 110 is configured to house the electronic circuitry 130 and has a raised periphery configured to receive the protective member 120. Further, the cover 110 has an opening 112 which is configured to receive one or more electrical components or electronic components. The one or more electrical or electronic components includes a connector and a SMD connector. The SMD connector is typically an electronic device for which the components are mounted or placed directly onto the surface of the electronic circuitry 130. The opening 112 is configured to receive and lock a mating connector of a wiring harness and a passage for the SMD connector. In an embodiment, the wiring harness and the SMD connector are configured to connect with at least one or more cameras and intelligent electronics in a vehicle.
[017] In a further embodiment as illustrated in Figure 2B, the sensing device 100 has a housing 160 moulded with the cover 110 wherein the housing 160 is provided on the opening 112 and configured to house a connector. The housing 160 is generally a non-conducting material such that it does not interfere with the functioning or the sensing device. For example, the housing may be made of metal and coated with plastic such that the housing 160 is strong and at the same time non-conducting. In another example, the housing 160 may be made from a non-conducting material. The connector housing 160 is fixed in the opening 112 and is made in a manner as to allow passage to receive connection from other components of the vehicle or may connect the sensing device to the control unit of the vehicle. In this regard, the housing 160 has one or more slots 162 (shown in Figure 2C) which allows for the connection of the SMD connector. Further, wiring harness connector and the SMD connector may be connected with at least one or more cameras and intelligent electronics in a vehicle.
[018] As stated hereinbefore, the protective member 120 is attached to the cover 110 to form the casing 150 in which the electronic circuitry 130 is being housed. In this regard, the sensing device 100 is provided with a rim 122 which receives the protective member 120. Corresponding to the rim 122, the inner side 110a of the cover 110 has peripheral grooves 114 (shown in Figure 2C) which are configured to receive the rim 122. While assembling, a sealant is applied in the grooves 114 and thereafter the rim 122 is placed on the cover 110. Due to the grooves 114 and application of sealant inside the grooves 114, the rim 122 is sealed onto the cover 110 thereby avoiding any ingress of water or dust. In an embodiment, such sealant may also be applied around the housing 160 while assembling on to the cover 110.
[019] Further as shown in Figure 2C, the cover 110 has resting chamfers 118 on the inner side 110a of the cover 110. The resting chamfers 118 are of uneven dimension and provide for a POKE-YOKE and are created for resting the electronic circuitry 130. In this regard, it may be noted that the electronic circuitry 130 may be a printed circuit board dimensioned according to the dimensions of the cover 110 so that the printed circuit board may rest on the chamfers 118. In an embodiment, the electronic circuitry 130 has a power circuit which is responsible for power input and other basic operations, and a radar circuit which transmits and receives radio waves. In this regard, a processor is provided in the electronic circuitry 130 which is configured to manage the power circuit as well as the radar circuit.
[020] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2B, the outer side 110b of the cover 110 has a plurality of fins 116. The fins 116 are used for heat dissipation from the sensing device 100 and are generally a heat sink consisting of extended surfaces constructed on the outer side 110b which have high thermal conductivity. The design of the fins 116 normally has a significant impact on the heat dissipation and overall heat transfer rate. The heat dissipation performance of the fins 116 depends on several factors, such as fin shape, fin size, spacing between fins, material used to make the fins and mode of heat transfer to the fins. Accordingly, based on the requirement of the sensing device 100, shape of the fins 116 may be designed on the outer surface 110b. In an embodiment, fins 116 are made of at least one of: a heat dissipating organic conducting material; or a heat dissipating inorganic conducting material; or a combination thereof.
[021] As shown in Figure 3A and Figure 3B, a thermal sheet 132 is placed between the electronic circuitry 130 and the cover 110. The thermal sheet 132 is configured to transfer heat from the circuitry 130 to the fins 116 on the cover 110 such that the electronic circuitry 130 does not get overheated. The thermal sheet 132 is made of a thermally conductive such as aluminium, copper, graphite, and ceramic.
[022] As explained hereinbefore, the protective member 120 is attached to the cover 110 to form a casing 150 in which the electronic circuitry 130 is being housed. In this regard, the protective member 120 may be made up of any material that allows radio waves to pass through it. In a preferred embodiment, such a protective member 120 is a radome. The protective member 120 is a structural, weatherproof enclosure that protects a radar antenna (not shown the in the Figures) that is housed within the sensing device 100. The protective member 120 is configured to have a pre-determined thickness, and the thickness is determined such that the protective member 120 allow radio waves to pass therethrough, and at the same time provide protection to the antennas of the sensing device 100.
[023] Further, the outer cover 110 may also have mounting provisions 119 for mounting the sensing device 100 onto a vehicle. The sensing device 100 may be mounted on the vehicle by a screw or a nut and bolt mechanism or a double sided tape.
[024] Advantageously, the sensing device of the present invention is a robust assembly which prevents water and dust ingression, and withstand vibrations thereby preventing malfunction of the sensing device due to any unforeseen circumstances. Further, the sensing device of the present invention can be easily assembled and manufactured. Additionally, the sensing device of the present invention is light weight compared to conventional sensing devices.
[025] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals
100 - Sensing device
110 - cover
110a - inner side of cover
110b - outer side of cover
112 - opening
114 - groove
116 - fins
118 - chamfers
119 - mounting provisions
120 - protective member
122 - rim
130 - electronic circuitry
132- Thermal Sheet
150 - casing
160 - housing
162 - slots , Claims:1. A sensing device (100), the sensing device (100) comprising:
a cover (110), the cover (110) being configured to have an opening (112), the opening (112) being configured to receive one or more electrical or electronic components;
a protective member (120), the protective member (120) being attached to the cover (110) to form a casing (150); and
an electronic circuitry (130) housed inside the casing (150), the electronic circuitry (130) being configured to communicate with a Control Unit.

2. The sensing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more electrical or electronic components includes a connector, and the electronic circuitry includes a power circuitry, and a radar circuitry.

3. The sensing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a rim (122) wherein the rim (122) being configured to receive the protective membrane (120), the protective membrane (120) being of a pre-determined thickness and allows radio waves to pass therethrough.

4. The sensing device (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cover (110) comprises a peripheral groove (114), the peripheral groove (114) being configured to receive the rim (122).
5. The sensing device (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a sealant is applied in the groove (114) thereby sealing the rim (122) onto the cover (110).

6. The sensing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises: a housing (160) enmolded with the cover (110), the housing (160) being provided on the opening (112) and configured to house a connector.

7. The sensing device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connector being configured to receive and lock a mating connector, and provide a passage for a wiring harness and a passage for a SMD connector.

8. The sensing device (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rim (122) comprises a plurality of resting chamfers (118), the plurality of resting chamfers (118) being configured to receive the electronic circuitry (130).

9. The sensing device (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the resting chamfers (118) being configured to be of an uneven dimension.

10. The sensing device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover (110) being configured to have a plurality of fins (116) to dissipate heat, the plurality of fins (116) comprises: at least one of
a heat dissipating organic conducting material; or
a heat dissipating inorganic conducting material; or
a combination thereof.
11. The sensing device (100) as claimed in claim 10, comprises: a thermal sheet (132) being placed between the electronic circuitry (130) and the cover (110), the thermal sheet (132) comprising a conductive material of a pre-determined thickness and being configured to transfer heat from the electronic circuitry (130) to the fins (116).

12. The sensing device (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the wiring harness and the SMD connector being configured to connect with at least one or more cameras and intelligent electronics in a vehicle.

13. An automobile comprising the sensing device (100) as claimed in claims 1 to 12.