Retaining frame for a support element of a sensor

Abstract

A retaining frame for a support element of a sensor in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The retaining frame has a flat underside that can be adhered to a window of a motor vehicle, and having an opening with at least one contact surface for the support element in which opening the support element can be positioned flat on the window and against the contact surface, and has a spring element by which a force can be applied to the support element.

Description

[0001] This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application PCT / EP2005 / 003276, which was filed on Mar. 29, 2005, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 102004015402, which was filed in Germany on Mar. 26, 2004, and which are both herein incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a retaining frame for a support element of a sensor in a motor vehicle, wherein the sensor is held in areal contact with an inner side of a window of the motor vehicle. [0004] 2. Description of the Background Art [0005] The use of sensors in motor vehicles, for example to sense temperature, lighting conditions, or precipitation, is commonplace today to simplify operation and improve comfort. In addition to the external meteorological influences to which the vehicle is exposed, it is also commonplace to sense the climate conditions in the motor vehicle, to measure appropriate p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a way to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art and fasten the sensor to the window in a removable manner. It is also the object of the invention to create a removable connection between the sensor and the window that is simple in design and economical to implement.

[0010] The object of the invention is attained by a retaining frame for a support element of a sensor in a motor vehicle, wherein the retaining frame has a flat underside that can be adhered to a window of a motor vehicle, has an opening with at least one contact surface for the support element, in which opening the support element can be positioned flat on the window and against the contact surface, and having a spring element by which a force can be applied to the support element. The inventive use of a retaining frame, and the separation between the retaining frame and the support element for the sensor, now make it possible to attach the costly sensor element to the window in a removable manner and ensure reusability in the event of breakage of the window. Due to the inventive design, it is advantageously possible, with the most minimal design complexity and low production costs, to provide a retaining frame for the sensor that can remain on the window in the event of breakage of the window and that is easy to replace. Moreover, the inventively designed retaining frame makes it possible to press the sensor directly against the window, ensuring optimal connection of the sensor to the window. An opening is provided in the retaining frame that provides at least one contact surface in order to position the sensor vertically. In this way, easy and positionally precise installation of the support element in the retaining frame is ensured.

Problems solved by technology

These latter two references have the disadvantage that the sensor is joined to the window such that it is nearly impossible to remove in the event of damage to the supporting material, where the supporting material in the example embodiments can be a windshield.

Thus, when the windshield is replaced the sensor must be replaced as well, since it is joined to the windshield or could at least be damaged or destroyed due to its very delicate interior structure during removal from the windshield.

As a result, costs for the very sophisticated sensor are incurred in addition to the cost of a new window.

Images