Claims:We Claim:

1. A mounting assembly 100, 200 for mounting a sensor 300 on a vehicle, the mounting assembly 100, 200 includes a plurality of locking interfaces 120, 220 configured on a wall 102, 202 of the mounting assembly 100, 200 for mounting the sensor 300 therein, each of the locking interfaces 120, 220 comprising:
an aligning member 130, 230 configured on each of locking interfaces 120, 220, the aligning member 130, 230 are adapted to slide over an aligning protrusion 330 of the sensor 300;
at least one snap-fit members 140, 240 with at least one snapping pocket 145, 245 therearound, the at least one snap-fit members 140, 240 are adapted to slide over a respective snap-fit protrusions 340 of the sensor 300 and lock the protrusion in the respective snapping pocket 145, 245;
a guiding arrangement 138, 238 configured on the inner side of the locking interface 120, 220 for guiding the aligning protrusion 330 of the sensor 300 for co-axial engagement therebetween.

2. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the aligning member 130 is an elongated member with an aligning pocket 135 therearound.

3. The mounting assembly 100 as claimed in the claim 2, wherein the aligning member 130 is flexible and adapted to slide over the aligning protrusion 330 of the sensor 300 and engage the aligning protrusion 330 in an aligning pocket 135 configured around the aligning member 130.

4. The mounting assembly 100, 200 as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the snap-fit members 140, 240 are flexible.

5. The mounting assembly 100, 200 as claimed in the claim 1, wherein each of the snapping pocket 145, 245 is in a tunnel shape which is configured on the wall 102, 202 of the mounting assembly 100, 200.

6. The mounting assembly 100, 200 as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly 100, 200 is a bezel.

7. The mounting assembly 100, 200 as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the snap-fit members 140, 240 are flexible and having a projection 140a, 240a with tapper surface 140b, 240b configured on a tip for engaging with the snapping protrusions 340 on the sensor 300.

8. The mounting assembly 100, 200 as claimed in the claim 1, wherein two locking interfaces 120, 220 are configured symmetrically opposite to each other on the wall 102 and 202 of the mounting assembly 100.
9. The mounting assembly 100, 200 as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the wall 102, 202 having a poka-yoke arrangement 110, 210.

10. The mounting assembly 100, 200 as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the snap-fit members 140, 240 is arranged adjacent to the aligning member 130, 230.
, Description:Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a mounting assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mounting assembly for mounting a sensor on a vehicle.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Generally, vehicles are provided with a mounting assembly to mount a sensor, such as an ultrasonic sensor or range sensor to a vehicles’ front and/or rear bumper. The mounting assembly facilitates in mounting the sensor on a vehicle. While parking or driving the vehicle, the axis of the mounting assembly and the sensor gets asynchronous. Also, a user needs to apply higher force to assembly cause discomfort to the user. The inadequate/incorrect snap engagement of the mounting assembly may cause the failure of the mounting assembly. Mostly, failure of the mounting assembly also may happen due to less sustainability of vibration levels which may be due to incorrect snap engagement of the mounting assembly and the sensor. Further, there is also chances of false detection of obstacles due to change in orientation of the sensor mounted on the vehicle.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to provide a mounting assembly for mounting a sensor on the vehicle, which overcomes few or all drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a mounting assembly for mounting a sensor on a vehicle.

[0005] One more object of the present invention is to provide a mounting assembly for mounting a sensor on a vehicle, which ensures synchronous snap engagement and prevents misalignment between the mounting assembly and the sensor even in case of vibrations in the vehicle.

[0006] Further object of the present invention is to provide a mounting assembly for mounting a sensor on a vehicle, which is flexible and easy to assemble.

[0007] Yet one more object of the present invention is to provide a mounting assembly for mounting a sensor on a vehicle, which is easy to install and operate.

[0008] Still one object of the present invention is to provide a mounting assembly for mounting a sensor on a vehicle, which is compact.

Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided with a mounting assembly for mounting a sensor on a vehicle. The mounting assembly may be a bezel having a wall that extends cylindrically to hold the sensor on a bumper of a vehicle. The sensor can be an ultrasonic sensor or distance sensor or range sensor or proximity sensor or the like. The sensor may be mounted on a front bumper or/and a back bumper of the vehicle for sensing an obstacle while parking the vehicle or while driving the vehicle. The mounting assembly may be provided with a poka-yoke arrangement and a plurality of locking interfaces. The poka-yoke arrangement may be configured for mounting the sensor. Specifically, the poka-yoke arrangement may be configured therein for ensuring correct assembly of the sensor with the mounting assembly.

[0010] The sensor may be configured with a plurality of engaging interfaces and a poka-yoke protrusions opposite to each other. Each of the engaging interfaces may be provided with an aligning protrusion and at least one snap-fit protrusions. The snap-fit protrusions may have a tapered surface for sliding and engagement with the mounting assembly. The aligning protrusion and the snap-fit protrusions may be configured for mounting the sensor on the mounting assembly. Further, in the present embodiment two locking interfaces may be configured symmetrically opposite to each other on the wall of the mounting assembly. Specifically, the locking interfaces may be configured to engage with the engaging interface for mounting the sensor on the mounting assembly symmetrically. The locking interfaces may be provided with an aligning member, at least one snap-fit members, an aligning pocket and at least one snapping pocket. The aligning member may be an elongated member with the aligning pocket therearound configured on each of the locking interfaces. The aligning member may be flexible, thereby enabling smooth sliding on the aligning protrusion of the sensor. In an alternate embodiment, the aligning pocket may be removed, and the aligning member may be extending throughout the mounting assembly to create a partition between the snap-fit members.

[0011] Further, the aligning member may be provided with a guiding arrangement configured on the inner surface of the aligning member. The guiding arrangement may be configured by arranging two cylindrical members, parallelly like a guide rail. In an alternate embodiment, the guiding arrangement may not be configured with the two cylindrical members and the guiding arrangement may be a slot configured in the inner surface of the cylindrical wall. Specifically, the guiding arrangement of the present embodiment, ensure co-axiality between the mounting assembly and the sensor. The guiding arrangement may be provided for guiding the aligning protrusion of the sensor. Specifically, the aligning member may be adapted to slide over the aligning protrusion of the sensor and engage the aligning protrusion in the aligning pocket configured around the aligning member, thereby engaging the sensor on the mounting assembly.

[0012] The snap-fit members may be arranged adjacent to the aligning member. The snap-fit members may be elongated in shape with the snapping pocket therearound. In the present embodiment, a pair of snap-fit members may be arranged separately in the sides of the aligning member with the snapping pocket there around. Each of the snapping pocket is a tunnel shaped. The snap-fit members may be flexible and having a projection with tapper surface configured on a tip of the snap-fit members from an inner side for engaging with the snapping protrusions on the sensor. The snap-fit members may be configured to guide the snap-fit protrusions of the sensor during assembly. Specifically, the snap-fit members may be adapted to slide over the respective snap-fit protrusions of the sensor and engage the protrusion in the respective snapping pocket which provides synchronous snap-fit engagement, thereby it prevents tilting of the axis between the sensor and the mounting assembly and also ensures correct mounting of the sensor.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols.

[0014] Figure 1a illustrates a perspective view of a mounting assembly for mounting a sensor on a vehicle in accordance with the present invention;

[0015] Figure 1b illustrates a side view of the mounting assembly is illustrated in accordance with the present invention;

[0016] Figure 1c illustrates a bottom view of the mounting assembly;

[0017] Figure 1d illustrates a schematic side view of the mounting assembly;

[0018] Figure 2a illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the mounting assembly;

[0019] Figure 2b illustrates a top view of the embodiment of the mounting assembly;

[0020] Figure 2c illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the mounting assembly;

[0021] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the sensor; and

[0022] Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the sensor assembled on the mounting assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0023] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0024] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0025] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0026] Referring now to figures 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d, various views of a mounting assembly 100 for mounting a sensor 300 on a vehicle in accordance with the present invention are illustrated. The mounting assembly 100 is a bezel having a wall 102 that extends cylindrically to hold the sensor 300. Specifically, the mounting assembly 100 is adapted to hold the sensor 300 on a bumper (not shown) of a vehicle.

[0027] Referring now to figure 3, the sensor 300 is shown. The sensor 300 can be an ultrasonic sensor or distance sensor or range sensor or proximity sensor or the like. The sensor 300 is mounted on the vehicle for sensing an obstacle while parking the vehicle or while driving the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the sensor 300 is mounted on a front bumper (not shown) or/and a back bumper (not shown) of the vehicle.

[0028] Referring again to figures 1a to 1d, the mounting assembly 100 is provided with flanges 400, which extends away from the wall 102. The flanges 400 have holes 410 (refer figure 1c and 1d) for mounting the mounting assembly 100 on a bracket (not shown) using nut and bolts. The bracket is further mounted on the bumper of the vehicle. In one embodiment, at least the front bumper or the back bumper of the vehicle are provided with openings (not shown) for mounting the mounting assembly 100 therein.

[0029] The mounting assembly 100 is further provided with a poka-yoke arrangement 110. The poka-yoke arrangement 110 is configured for mounting the sensor 300. In the present embodiment, the poka-yoke arrangement 110 have two channels with different dimensions configured opposite to each other on the wall 102 of the mounting assembly 100, as shown in figure 1a and figure 1d. Further, in the present embodiment, the poka-yoke arrangement 110 is configured in such a way that, the engagement of the sensor 300 with the mounting assembly 100 is unidirectional, refer figure 4.

[0030] Referring again to figure 3, a perspective view of the sensor 300 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The sensor 300 is configured with the poka-yoke protrusion 310 opposite to each other and a plurality of engaging interfaces 320. The poka-yoke protrusions 310 are a type of protruded column configured on a cylindrical outer surface 302 of the sensor 300. The poka-yoke protrusion 310 of the sensor 300 engage with the poka-yoke arrangement 110 of the mounting assembly 100.

[0031] Further, the engaging interfaces 320 are configured on the sensor 300. In the present embodiment, two engaging interfaces 320 is configured symmetrically opposite to each other on the cylindrical outer surface 302 of the sensor 300. Each of the engaging interface 320 is provided with an aligning protrusion 330 and at least one snap-fit protrusions 340. The snap-fit protrusions 340 are arranged on the sides of the aligning protrusion 330. The aligning protrusion 330 are like elongated spindle shape, or bulges or bumps shape. The aligning protrusion 330 and the snap-fit protrusions 340 are configured for mounting the sensor 300 on the mounting assembly 100. Specifically, the snap-fit protrusions 340 are rectangular projections with tapered surface 340a for assembly with the mounting assembly 100. Specifically, the sensor 300 is arranged inside the wall 102 of the mounting assembly 100, as shown in figure 4.

[0032] Referring again to the figures 1a to 1d, a schematic side views of the mounting assembly 100 with a plurality of locking interfaces 120 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. In the present embodiment, two locking interfaces 120 are configured symmetrically opposite to each other on the wall 102 of the mounting assembly 100. Specifically, the locking interfaces 120 are configured to engage with the engaging interface 320 for mounting the sensor 300 on the mounting assembly 100 symmetrically.

[0033] In one embodiment, the locking interfaces 120 are provided with an aligning member 130, at least one snap-fit members 140, an aligning pocket 135 and at least one snapping pocket 145. Specifically, the aligning pocket 135, and each of the snapping pocket 145 is a tunnel shaped, as shown in figure 1b. The aligning member 130 is configured on each of locking interfaces 120. The aligning member 130 is an elongated member with the aligning pocket 135 therearound. Specifically, the aligning pocket 135 is configured around the periphery of the aligning member 130. Also, the aligning member 130 is flexible enough to ensure smooth sliding on the aligning protrusion 330 of the sensor 300.

[0034] Further, the aligning member 130 is provided with a guiding arrangement 138 configured on the inner surface thereon. The guiding arrangement 138 is configured by arranging two cylindrical members 138a and 138b, parallelly like a guide rail. Specifically, the guiding arrangement 138 of the present embodiment ensures co-axiality between the mounting assembly 100 and the sensor 300 by guiding the aligning protrusion 330 of the sensor 300 therethrough., The aligning member 130 is adapted to slide over the aligning protrusion 330 of the sensor 300 and engage the aligning protrusion 330 in the aligning pocket 135 configured around the aligning member 130 thereby engaging the sensor 300 on the mounting assembly 100.

[0035] The snap-fit members 140 are arranged adjacent to the aligning member 130. The snap-fit members 140 are also elongated in shape with the snapping pocket 145 therearound as shown in figure 1b. In the present embodiment, a pair of snap-fit members 140 is arranged on the sides of the aligning member 130 with the snapping pocket 145 there around. The snapping pocket 145 is configured around the periphery of the snap-fit members 140. In this embodiment, the snapping pocket 145 and the aligning pocket 135 is provided with an area sufficient enough to sustain harsh vibration and shock created by the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the snap-fit members 140 are flexible. The height of the snap-fit members 140 are lesser than that of the aligning member 130; accordingly, the aligning member 130 and the snap-fit members 140 configures a trident structure.

[0036] The snap-fit members 140 are configured to guide the snap-fit protrusions 340 of the sensor 300 during assembly. The snap-fit members 140 are having a projection 140a with tapper surface 140b configured on a tip of the snap-fit members 140 from an inner side, which resembles like a "P" shape from a side as shown in figure 1a. The projections 140a slide over the tapper surface 340a of the snap-fit protrusions 340 of the sensor 300. The snap-fit members 140 are adapted to slide over the respective snap-fit protrusions 340 of the sensor 300 and lock the snap-fit protrusions 340 in the respective the snapping pocket 145, which provides synchronous snap-fit engagement, thereby it prevents tilting of the axis between the sensor 300 and the mounting assembly 100 and also ensures correct mounting of the sensor 300.

[0037] Referring now to figures 2a, 2b, and 2c, various view of another embodiment of the mounting assembly 100, hereinafter referred to as the mounting assembly 200 are illustrated in accordance with the present invention. The mounting assembly 200 is also provided with a poka-yoke arrangement 210. The poka-yoke arrangement 210 is having two channels engraved on an inner side of a wall 202 of the mounting assembly 200, as shown in figure 2c for mounting the sensor 300 thereon.

[0038] The mounting assembly 200 is provided with a plurality of locking interfaces 220. In this embodiment, two locking interfaces 220 are provided. The locking interfaces 220 is having at least one snap-fit member 240, at least one snapping pocket 245, and an aligning member 230. In this embodiment, two snap-fit member 240 with respective snapping pocket 245 are configured on the wall 202 of the mounting assembly 200.

[0039] In this embodiment, an aligning pocket is not provided, and the aligning member 230 is extending throughout the mounting assembly 200 to create a partition between the snap-fit members 240. A guiding arrangement 238 is configured on the inner side of the locking interface 220 (as shown in figures 2a and 2c) for guiding the aligning protrusion 330 of the sensor 300 for co-axial engagement therebetween. In this embodiment, the guiding arrangement 238 is a slot with two cylindrical members 238a and 238b configured in the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 202.

[0040] Similarly, the snap-fit members 240 are also elongated in shape with the snapping pocket 245 therearound. The snapping pocket 245 is configured around the periphery of the snap-fit members 240. In this embodiment, the snap-fit members 240 are flexible. In this embodiment, the snap-fit members 240 are arranged separately in the sides of the aligning member 230 with the snapping pocket 245 there around in an ‘A’ shape or a tunnel-shaped configured on the wall 202 of the mounting assembly 200. The snap-fit members 240 are configured to guide the snap-fit protrusions 340 of the sensor 300 during assembly.

[0041] The snap-fit members 240 are having a projection 240a with a tapper surface 240b configured on a tip of the snap-fit members 240 from an inner side, which resembles like a "P" shape from a side as shown in figure 2a. The projections 240a slide over the tapper surface 340a of the snap-fit protrusions 340 of the sensor 300. Specifically, the snap-fit members 240 are adapted to slide over respective snap-fit protrusions 340 of the sensor 300 and lock the protrusion in the respective snapping pocket 245 which provides synchronous snap-fit engagement, thereby it prevents tilting of the axis between the sensor 300 and the mounting assembly 200 and also ensures correct mounting of the sensor 300. In the embodiment, the wall 202 of the mounting assembly 200 is provided with a threaded engagement to provide flexibility. Specifically, the threaded engagement is provided to eliminate deflection during mounting of the sensor 300.

[0042] Therefore, the advantages of the present invention are to provide a mounting assembly 100, 200 for mounting a sensor on a vehicle. The mounting assembly 100, 200 ensures synchronous snap engagement and prevents misalignment between the mounting assembly 100, 200 and the sensor even in case of vibrations in the vehicle. The mounting assembly 100, 200 is flexible and easy to assemble. Further, the mounting assembly 100, 200 is easy to install and operate. The mounting assembly 100, 200 is compact.

[0043] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.