Flexible sensor strip, method of manufacturing a flexible sensor strip, use of a flexible sensor strip and motor vehicle having a flexible sensor strip

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024069164-A1
Application number	US-202118271297-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 27, 2021
Priority date	Jan 8, 2020
Publication date	Feb 29, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flexible sensor strip for a motor vehicle, in particular for a tailgate, a movable roof element or a convertible top of a motor vehicle, the flexible sensor strip including: a first continuous portion; a second portion, which is at least partially electrically connected to the first continuous portion, and comprises alternately arranged recesses and mounting portions; where the first continuous portion and the second portion are arranged at an angle to each other.

First claim

1 : A flexible sensor strip for a motor vehicle,
the flexible sensor strip, including: a first continuous portion; and a second portion, which is at least partially electrically connected to the first continuous portion, and comprises alternately arranged recesses and mounting portions; wherein the first continuous portion and the second portion are arranged at an angle with respect to one another.

2 : The flexible sensor strip according to claim 1 , wherein
the angle between the first continuous portion and the second portion is 10° to 170°.

3 : The flexible sensor strip according to claim 2 , wherein
at least one of: the recesses and mounting portions of the second portion are at least partially at least one of: rectangular in plan view and square in plan view.

4 : The flexible sensor strip according to claim 2 , wherein
at least one of: the recesses and mounting portions of the second portion at least partially have a wave shape in plan view.

5 : The flexible sensor strip according to claim 2 , wherein
wherein at least one of the mounting portions of the second portion and one or more end faces of the continuous first portion are equipped with sensors, wherein the sensors comprise one or more of: IR-LEDs, radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, laser sensors, Lidar sensors, and/or multisensors.

6 : The flexible sensor strip according to claim 5 , wherein
the sensors are arranged on at least one of: a surface of the mounting portions of the second portion, one or more end faces of the continuous first portion, in the mounting portions of the second portion, and in the end faces of the continuous first portion.

7 : The flexible sensor strip according to claim 6 , wherein
the first continuous portion and the second portion are connected by means of electrical conductors.

8 : The flexible sensor strip according to claim 7 , wherein
the mounting portions of the second portion at least partially comprise stabilization cores.

9 : The flexible sensor strip according to claim 8 , wherein
the stabilization cores have a potting material.

10 : A method for manufacturing a flexible sensor strip comprising:
defining a first continuous portion and a second portion of a flexible sensor strip, the second portion being at least partially electrically connected to the first continuous portion; removing material of the flexible sensor strip in the second portion so that recesses and mounting portions are arranged alternately; and arranging the first continuous portion and the second portion at an angle with respect to one another.

11 : The method according to claim 10 , wherein
the angle between the first continuous portion and the second portion is 10° to 170°.

12 : The method according to claim 11 , wherein
the flexible sensor strip is made from a piece of a flex circuit board of foil material.

13 : The method according to claim 12 , wherein
the removal of material of the flexible sensor strip in the second portion is carried out by punching, whereby at least one of: the recesses and mounting portions of the second portion are at least one of: at least partially rectangular in plan view and at least partially square in plan view.

14 : The method according to claim 12 , wherein
the removal of material of the flexible sensor strip in the second portion is carried out by a continuous cut, in particular by movable knives, as a result of which at least one of: the recesses and mounting portions of the second portion at least partially include a wave shape in plan view.

15 : The method according to claim 14 , wherein
at least one of: mounting portions of the second portion and end faces of the continuous first portion are equipped with sensors, wherein the sensors comprise one or more of: IR-LEDs, radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, laser sensors, Lidar sensors, and multisensors.

16 - 17 . (canceled)

18 : The flexible sensor strip for a motor vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the flexible sensor strip is for at least one of: a tailgate, a movable roof element, and a convertible top of a motor vehicle.

19 : The flexible sensor strip according to claim 9 , wherein the potting material is a PU foam core.

Assignees

• Webasto SE

Inventors

• Hinz Alexander
• Pradella Moritz

Classifications

• G01S7/4813 Primary

  Housing arrangements · CPC title

• G01S7/027

  Constructional details of housings, e.g. form, type, material or ruggedness · CPC title

• G01S7/521

  Constructional features · CPC title

• G01S13/862

  Combination of radar systems with sonar systems · CPC title

• G01S13/865

  Combination of radar systems with lidar systems · CPC title