GB2572963A

GB2572963A - Retainer for a parking distance sensor

Info

Publication number: GB2572963A
Application number: GB1806217.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Williams Mark
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-17
Filing date: 2018-04-17
Publication date: 2019-10-23
Also published as: GB201806217D0

Abstract

A holder for a parking distance sensor (2, fig 1) in a vehicle bumper or trim 3 has resiliently deformable tongues 8 that splay to allow the sensor to be snap-fitted into the holder between the tongues, with a retainer 15 for attachment to the holder after insertion of the sensor to restrict splaying of the tongues. In embodiments the retainer can be a cap, sleeve, ring, or U-shaped clip, itself snap-fitted into the holder; and tethered to the holder by an integrally moulded hinged arm (30, fig 7). Projections 18 of the retainer locate in apertures 10 in the tongues. The retainer can reduce the sensor being incorrectly fitted or dislodged.

Description

The present disclosure relates to a retainer for a parking distance sensor. Aspects of the invention relate to a retainer for retaining a parking distance sensor in a holder, a mount for a parking distance sensor, an assembly comprising such a mount, a component for a vehicle comprising such a mount, a vehicle fitted with such a component and a method of attaching a parking distance sensor to a holder having spaced resiliently deformable tongues.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide a vehicle with a number of parking distance sensors that assist the driver in judging distances to obstacles when manoeuvring. The sensors are commonly mounted in a holder on the rear surface of a vehicle bumper or other trim component that extends around the periphery of a vehicle. Typically, the holder includes a pair of spaced, resiliently deformable, tongues. When a parking distance sensor is inserted into the space between the tongues, they splay apart due to the force applied to them by the parking distance sensor. The parking distance sensor and the tongues are designed to cooperate so that, once the parking distance sensor has been fully inserted into the holder, the tongues snap back over the parking distance sensor and locate it in position in the holder.

Because of its location within a deformable bumper or trim component around the periphery of a vehicle, a parking distance sensor may pop-out or otherwise become dislodged from its holder as a result of a low-speed impact causing the bumper/trim component to deform. Correct operation of the sensor may therefore be prevented. Often, replacement or removal of the trim component or bumper is not necessary following such low-speed impacts. However, refitting of the parking distance sensor into its holder whilst the bumper/trim component is in situ can be troublesome due to its inaccessible location. Accordingly, it may be necessary to remove the bumper/trim panel simply to refit the parking distance sensor.

Furthermore, it is currently possible for the parking distance sensor(s) to be incorrectly fitted to the bumper resulting in a faulty bumper assembly. Currently this problem is addressed by an end of line over-check to inspect part fitment of the sensor to the bumper.

It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a retainer for retaining a parking distance sensor in a holder mounted to a vehicle, a mount for a parking distance sensor, an assembly comprising a mount and a parking distance sensor, a component for fitting to a vehicle comprising a mount according to an aspect of the invention, a vehicle fitted with the component, and to a method of attaching a parking distance sensor to a holder, as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a retainer for retaining a parking distance sensor in a holder mounted to a vehicle, the holder having spaced, resiliently deformable, tongues that splay to allow a parking distance sensor to be snap-fitted into the holder between the tongues, the retainer being configured for attachment to the holder after insertion of a parking distance sensor so that the retainer restricts splaying of the tongues.

By restricting splaying of the tongues, the parking distance sensor is less likely to be dislodged in the event of an impact.

In an embodiment, the retainer may locate on the holder over the tongues so that the tongues are prevented or hindered from splaying by the retainer.

Optionally, the retainer comprises retaining means that are configured to cooperate with the holder to locate the retainer on the holder.

In some embodiments, the retaining means may comprise projections.

The projections may extend towards each other.

In an embodiment, the projections are configured to cooperate with the tongues of the holder.

In an embodiment, the retainer comprises a sleeve configured to locate over the tongues of the holder.

In another embodiment, the retainer comprises a U-shaped clip configured to locate over the tongues of the holder. The U-shaped clip may comprise a pair of facing leg portions each of which are configured to locate over a corresponding tongue, and a central connecting portion extending between the facing leg portions configured to extend across the top of a parking distance sensor received in the holder.

In another embodiment the retainer comprises a cap configured to locate over the tongues of the holder.

Optionally, the cap comprises openings, each opening being configured to receive a corresponding tongue when the cap is located on the holder.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a mount for a parking distance sensor, comprising a holder having spaced resiliently deformable tongues that splay to allow a parking distance sensor to be snap-fitted into the holder between the tongues, and a retainer according to the invention.

Optionally, the retainer is configured so that it is a snap-fit on the holder.

In an embodiment, each tongue comprises an aperture to receive a corresponding projection extending from the retainer.

Optionally, each tongue comprises an aperture to receive a corresponding ear extending from a parking distance sensor to locate the parking distance sensor in the holder.

The aperture in each tongue that receives a corresponding projection to attach the retainer to the holder may be the same aperture that receives a corresponding ear of a parking distance sensor to attach the parking distance sensor to the holder.

Optionally, the aperture in each tongue is configured so that each projection extending from the retainer locates in a corresponding aperture in each tongue below the ear of a parking distance sensor, in the direction of insertion of the parking distance sensor into the holder.

The retainer and the holder may be independent components. Alternatively, the retainer and holder may be integrally formed. Optionally, the mount may comprise an articulated strap coupling the retainer to the holder.

In an embodiment, the retainer is directly connected to the holder by a hinge.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly comprising a mount according to the invention, and a parking distance sensor received in the holder.

Optionally, the parking distance sensor comprises ears projecting therefrom, each ear being configured to locate in a corresponding aperture in a tongue of the holder to locate the parking distance sensor in the holder.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a component for fitting to a vehicle, comprising a mount for a parking distance sensor according to the invention. Optionally, the mount is an integral part of the component.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle fitted with the component according to the invention.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of attaching a parking distance sensor to a holder having spaced resiliently deformable tongues, the method comprising:

(a) inserting a parking distance sensor into a space between the tongues so that the tongues splay apart to allow the parking distance sensor to snap-fit into the holder between the tongues, and (b) attaching a retainer to the holder to prevent the tongues from splaying.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a mount according to an embodiment for a parking distance sensor comprising a holder in which a parking distance sensor is received, and which includes a retainer according to an embodiment, the retainer being shown unattached to the holder and the parking distance sensor, but in an orientation ready for attachment to the holder;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the mount shown in Figure 1, after the retainer, has been attached to the holder;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of the retainer after it has been attached to the holder, as shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view of the mount with the parking distance sensor received in the holder and the retainer mounted to the holder, as shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a mount for a parking distance sensor, the mount including a holder in which a parking distance sensor has been received, and a retainer, according to another embodiment, attached to the holder;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a mount for a parking distance sensor comprising a holder in which a parking distance sensor is received, and a retainer according to another embodiment of the invention, in an orientation ready for attachment to the holder;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a mount according to an embodiment for a parking distance sensor comprising a holder, and a retainer, according to an embodiment, which is hingedly attached to a component of which the holder forms an integral part;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a mount according to another embodiment for a parking distance sensor comprising a holder in which a parking distance sensor has been received, and a retainer, according to an embodiment, which is hingedly attached to the holder;

Figure 9 is a flowchart to illustrate the method of the invention; and

Figure 10 shows a vehicle including components having holders in which parking distance sensors are received and to which retainers have been attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings, there is shown a holder 1 in which is received a conventional parking distance sensor 2. The holder 1 is integrally moulded with a mounting component 3 that is welded or otherwise permanently attached to, or integrally formed with, the rear face of a vehicle bumper 4 or other trim component 3 (see Figures 7 and 10) that extends around at least part of the periphery of a vehicle 5, so that the parking distance sensor 2 faces outwardly and is positioned so that it provides the driver with a proximity warning to obstacles when manoeuvring.

The holder 1 comprises an upstanding wall 6 that encloses a space to receive and surround the parking distance sensor 2 inserted into the space defined by the holder 1. The upstanding wall 6 includes a cut-out 7 so that a connector housing 2a of the parking distance sensor 2 extends laterally through the cut-out 7. A terminal block (not shown) for connecting the parking distance sensor 2 to the control system of a vehicle 5 (see Figure 10) is inserted into the connector housing 2a so that signals may be transmitted from the parking distance sensor 2 to activate an audible and/or visual proximity warning to the driver.

A pair of facing tongues 8 is integrally formed from part of the upstanding wall 6 of the holder

1. Each tongue 8 has a chamfered or angled lip 9 at its tip, and an aperture 10 in its surface. The parking distance sensor 2 has lugs or ears 11 that protrude laterally in opposite directions. The ears 11 each have a ramped undersurface 12 (see Figure 1) extending towards their remote ends.

The parking distance sensor 2 is dimensioned so that it will fit into the space defined by the upstanding wall 6 of the holder 1. However, the ears 11 are aligned with the tongues 8 such that the ramped undersurface 12 of each ear 11 will contact the angled lip 9 of a corresponding tongue 8 during insertion into the holder 1. The application of pressure against the parking distance sensor 2 causes the ramped undersurface 12 of each ear 11 to apply a force to the tongues 8 which resiliently deform or splay outwardly to allow the end of each tongue 8 to ride along the ramped undersurface 12. Continued pressure against the parking distance sensor 2 results in the ears 11 sliding over the inner surface of the corresponding tongue 8 until the parking distance sensor 2 has been fully inserted into the holder 1, at which point each of the ears 11 locate in a corresponding aperture 10 in the tongue 8, thereby attaching the parking distance sensor 2 to the holder 1. As the tongues 8 are resiliently deformable, they snap back over the ears 11 when the ears 11 locate in the apertures 10. Capture of an ear 11 in each aperture 10 serves to retain the parking distance sensor 2 in place within the holder 1.

In certain circumstances, the tongues 8 may inadvertently splay, resulting in the parking distance sensor 2 becoming dislodged from the holder 1. For example, during a low-speed collision, deformation of the bumper 4 or other trim component 3 to which the holder 1 is mounted may cause the tongues 8 to splay sufficiently to enable one or both ears 11 to popout of its aperture 10 in which it is located.

Embodiments of the invention provide a retainer 13 to restrict or prevent movement of the tongues 8 to retain a parking distance sensor 2 in its holder 1.

The retainer 13 is attachable to the holder 1 once a parking distance sensor 2 has been received in the holder 1, and the retainer 13 is configured to restrict or prevent the tongues 8 from splaying. The retainer 13 may be a unitary component and may be formed from a plastics material such as polypropylene. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the retainer 13 is in the form of a cap that comprises a sleeve 15 and an end wall 16 that extends across and substantially closes one end of the sleeve 15.

A pair of spaced, parallel, elongate openings 17 extends through the retainer 13. Each opening 17 is formed so that it extends partly through the sleeve 15 and partly through the end wall 16. The openings 17 are positioned and dimensioned so that, when the retainer 13 is located over the holder 1 by lowering it onto the holder 1 in the direction indicated by arrow marked ‘X’ in Figure 1, the end of a tongue 8 passes into and is received within a corresponding opening 17, as shown most clearly in Figure 3.

The sleeve 15 has retaining means which attach the retainer 13 to the holder 1. In some embodiments the retaining means comprises projections 18 (see Figure 4) extending towards each other from its inner surface. The projections 18 extend from a part of the sleeve 15 that surrounds the opening 17 and they are configured so that, when the retainer 13 is positioned over the holder 1, the sleeve 15 deforms outwardly in the vicinity of the projections 18 so that each projection 18 is able to slide over the an outer surface of a corresponding tongue 8, over the end of a corresponding ear 11 already received in the aperture 10 of each tongue 8, and locate in the aperture 10 in each tongue 8 adjacent to the ear 11. It will be appreciated that, as the sleeve 15 is made from a resilient material and deforms to allow each projection 18 to slide over the outer surface of the tongue 8, each projection 18 will snap into the aperture 10 in the tongue 8 when the retainer 13 has been pushed onto the holder 1 by a distance sufficient to enable the projections 18 to clear the ears 11, and so that the retainer 13 regains its original shape. Once a projection 18 has been located in an aperture 10 in a corresponding tongue 8, the retainer 13 is attached to the holder 1 and separation or splaying of the tongues 8 is prevented by the retainer 13. The location of each projection 18, after the retainer 13 is attached to the holder 1, can be seen most clearly in the cross-sectional view of Figure 4.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6, each projection 18 may have an angled or chamfered lower edge 19 so that, when they contact the end of a corresponding tongue 8, the sleeve 15 deforms outwardly as a result of the application of downward pressure to allow the projections 18 to slide over the outer surface of each tongue 8 and prior to the projections 18 snapping into place within an aperture 10 in each tongue 8.

As most clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4, the end wall 16 is spaced from the sleeve 15 by an intermediate wall 20. The intermediate wall 20 spaces the end wall 16 from the parking distance sensor 2 received in the holder 1. Therefore, any pressure applied to the end wall 16 which may occur during, for example, attachment of the retainer 13 to the holder 1, or as a result of another kind of external force, is not transferred directly to the parking distance sensor

2. The upper end of the parking distance sensor 2 is thereby protected by the end wall 16.

Another embodiment is shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment, the retainer 13 is formed only from the sleeve 15, i.e. it does not have an end wall 16 that extends across and closes one end, or an intermediate wall 20. This retainer 13 of Figure 5 performs a similar function as described with reference to the previous embodiment, although it will be appreciated that the tongues 8 extend into a single opening 21 formed by the sleeve 15. As described with reference to the previous embodiment, the sleeve 15 has inwardly facing projections 18 that locate in corresponding apertures 10 in each tongue 8 to attach the sleeve 15 to the holder 1.

In either of the embodiments of the invention described above, it will be understood that the retainer 13 is a separate and independent component that is attachable to the holder 1 and removable therefrom. However, it will also be appreciated that the retainer 13 could be attached or otherwise tethered, directly or indirectly, to the holder 1 with an integral or separate flexible connection, joint or strap that allows the retainer 13 to be attached/detached from the holder 1 without completely separating it from the holder 1 or other component with which the holder 1 is an integral part. For example, and as shown in Figure 7, a generally ‘L’ shaped arm 30 is attached via a first hinge 31 at one end to the component 3. The opposite end of the arm 30 is attached via a second hinge 32 to the retainer 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 30 and retainer 13 are integrally formed together with the component 3 with which the holder 1 forms an integral part, although the arm could be a separate component which is attached to component 3 and/or to the retainer 13 during manufacture. As indicated with reference to arrow marked ‘A’, the retainer 13 is attached to the holder 1 to retain a parking distance sensor 2 by pivoting the retainer 13 about the first and second hinges 31,32.

In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, the retainer 13 is integrally moulded with the holder 1 so as to extend directly from one of the tongues 8 of the holder 1. The retainer 13 is connected to the tongue by a hinge 33 to allow the retainer 13 to pivot relative to the tongue 8. The free end of the retainer 13 comprises a catch 34 that cooperates with the opposite tongue 8 when the retainer 13 is in its operative position. By pivoting the retainer 13 about the hinge 33, the retainer 13 is movable between an operative position in which catch 34 engages with the opposite tongue 8 so that it extends across the holder 1 and over a parking distance sensor 2, so that the tongues 8 are prevented from splaying, and an inoperative position (as shown in Figure 8) in which the tongues 8 may be splayed to enable a parking distance sensor 2 to be removed from its holder 1.

In another embodiment, illustrated by Figure 6, the retainer 13 has the form of a U-shaped clip comprising a pair of facing leg portions 25, each of which carry the projections 18 and which engage with an aperture 10 in a corresponding tongue 8, as described with reference to the embodiments of Figures 1 to 5, when the retainer 13 is lowered onto the holder 1 in the direction of arrow marked “Y” in Figure 6. The leg portions 25 are connected by a central connecting portion or bridge 26 that extends between the facing leg portions 25 and over the end of each of the tongues 8. The central connecting portion 26 extends across the top of a parking distance sensor 2 received in the holder 1.

With reference to Figure 9, the steps to be taken in attaching a parking distance sensor 2 to a holder 1, according to embodiments of the invention, is illustrated. In step S1, a parking distance sensor 2 is inserted into a space between the tongues 8 of the holder 1 so that the tongues 8 splay apart to allow the parking distance sensor 2 to snap-fit into the holder 1 between the tongues 8. Once the parking distance sensor 2 is in position, a retainer 13 is attached to the holder 1, in Step S2, to prevent the tongues 8 from splaying. The retainer 13 may be a push-fit or snap-fit onto the holder 1.

A vehicle 5 according to an embodiment is shown in Figure 10. A number of parking distance sensors 2 are shown located in each bumper 4. In each case, parking distance sensors 2 are located in a holder 1 on a rear surface of each bumper 4. A retainer 13 according to an embodiment described above, is attached to each holder 1 to retain the parking distance sensor 2 in position within its holder 1.

References to a particular direction or orientation used herein, for example ‘up’, ‘down’, ‘upward’, ‘downward’, etc., are to be understood as being relative terms used to aid in the understanding of the various embodiments described herein and as illustrated in the 5 accompanying drawings, and should not be interpreted as being definitive in relation to a particular orientation of a component unless specifically stated.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A retainer for retaining a parking distance sensor in a holder mounted to a vehicle, the holder having spaced, resiliently deformable, tongues that splay to allow a parking distance sensor to be snap-fitted into the holder between the tongues, the retainer being configured for attachment to the holder after insertion of a parking distance sensor so that the retainer restricts splaying of the tongues.

2. A retainer according to claim 1, comprising retaining means configured to cooperate with the holder to locate the retainer on the holder.

3. A retainer according to claim 2, wherein the retaining means comprises projections.

4. A retainer according to claim 3, wherein the projections extend towards each other.

5. A retainer according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the projections are configured to cooperate with the tongues of the holder.

6. A retainer according to any of claims 3 to 5, comprising a sleeve configured to locate over the tongues of the holder.

7. A retainer according to any of claims 3 to 5, comprising a U-shaped clip configured to locate over the tongues of the holder.

8. A retainer according to claim 7, wherein the U-shaped clip comprises a pair of facing leg portions each of which are configured to locate over a corresponding tongue, and a central connecting portion extending between the facing leg portions configured to extend across the top of a parking distance sensor received in the holder.

9. A retainer according to any of claims 3 to 5, comprising a cap configured to locate over the tongues of the holder.

10. A retainer according to claim 9, wherein the cap comprises openings, each opening being configured to receive a corresponding tongue when the cap is located on the holder.

11. A mount for a parking distance sensor, comprising a holder having spaced resiliently deformable tongues that splay to allow a parking distance sensor to be snap-fitted into the holder between the tongues, and a retainer according to any preceding claim.

12. A mount according to claim 11, wherein the retainer is configured so that it is a snapfit on the holder.

13. A mount according to claim 12, when dependent on any of claims 3 to 10, wherein each tongue comprises an aperture to receive a corresponding projection extending from the retainer.

14. A mount according to claim 13, wherein each tongue comprises an aperture to receive a corresponding ear extending from a parking distance sensor to locate the parking distance sensor in the holder.

15. A mount according to claim 14, wherein the aperture in each tongue that receives a corresponding projection to attach the retainer to the holder is the same aperture that receives a corresponding ear of a parking distance sensor to attach the parking distance sensor to the holder.

16. An assembly according to claim 15, wherein the parking distance sensor comprises ears projecting therefrom, each ear being configured to locate in a corresponding aperture in a tongue of the holder to locate the parking distance sensor in the holder.

16. A mount according to claim 15, wherein the aperture in each tongue is configured so that each projection extending from the retainer locates in a corresponding aperture in each tongue below the ear of a parking distance sensor, in the direction of insertion of the parking distance sensor into the holder.

17. A mount according to any claims 11 to 16, wherein the retainer and the holder are independent components.

18. A mount according to any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the retainer and holder are integrally formed.

19. A mount according to claim 18, comprising an articulated strap coupling the retainer to the holder.

20. A mount according to claim 18, wherein the retainer is directly connected to the holder by a hinge.

21. An assembly comprising a mount according to any of claims 11 to 20, and a parking distance sensor received in the holder.

22. An assembly according to claim 21, wherein the parking distance sensor comprises ears projecting therefrom, each ear being configured to locate in a corresponding aperture in a tongue of the holder to locate the parking distance sensor in the holder.

23. A component for fitting to a vehicle, comprising a mount for a parking distance sensor according to any of claims 11 to 20.

24. A vehicle fitted with the component according to claim 23.

25. A method of attaching a parking distance sensor to a holder having spaced resiliently deformable tongues, the method comprising:

Amendments to the claims have been filed as followed:

1. A system for mounting a parking distance sensor comprising:

a mount for a parking distance sensor, comprising a holder having spaced resiliently deformable tongues that splay to allow a parking distance sensor to be snap-fitted into the holder between the tongues, wherein each tongue comprises an aperture to receive a corresponding projection extending from the retainer and a retainer for retaining a parking distance sensor in a holder mounted to a vehicle, the retainer being configured for attachment to the holder after insertion of a parking distance sensor so that the retainer restricts splaying of the tongues, the retainer comprising a projection configured to co-operate with a corresponding aperture on the holder.

2. A system according to claim 3, wherein the retainer comprises more than one projection and the projections extend towards each other.

3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the retainer comprises a sleeve configured to locate over the tongues of the holder.

4. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the retainer comprises a U-shaped clip configured to locate over the tongues of the holder.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the U-shaped clip comprises a pair of facing leg portions each of which are configured to locate over a corresponding tongue, and a central connecting portion extending between the facing leg portions configured to extend across the top of a parking distance sensor received in the holder.

6. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the retainer comprises a cap configured to locate over the tongues of the holder.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the cap comprises openings, each opening being configured to receive a corresponding tongue when the cap is located on the holder.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein each tongue of the mount comprises an aperture to receive a corresponding ear extending from a parking distance sensor to locate the parking distance sensor in the holder.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the aperture in each tongue that receives a corresponding projection to attach the retainer to the holder is the same aperture that receives a corresponding ear of a parking distance sensor to attach the parking distance sensor to the holder.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the aperture in each tongue is configured so that each projection extending from the retainer locates in a corresponding aperture in each tongue below the ear of a parking distance sensor, in the direction of insertion of the parking distance sensor into the holder.

11. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retainer and the holder are independent components.

12. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retainer and holder are integrally formed.

13. A system according to claim 12, comprising an articulated strap coupling the retainer to the holder.

14. A system according to claim 12, wherein the retainer is directly connected to the holder by a hinge (33).

15. An assembly comprising a system according to any of the preceding claims, and a parking distance sensor received in the holder.