# US 2025/0093306 A1 · Sensor apparatus having at least one sensor element and method for producing a sensor apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2025/0093306 A1 - Document ID: US20250093306A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/884,767 - Filed: 2024-09-13 - Published: 2025-03-20 - Earliest claimed: 2023-09-14 - Assignees: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA - Applicants: HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA - Inventors: Thomas Niemann; Karl Kreft; Carsten Horst; Hauke Baumgärtel; Paul Deron; Daniel Zöllner; Falko Strackerjan; Daniel Peretzki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20250093306A1 ## CPC - G01N 29/225: {Supports, positioning or alignment in moving situation} - G01N 29/2437: {Piezoelectric probes} - G01N 2291/106: one or more transducer arrays - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A sensor apparatus has at least one sensor element, with at least one data conducting interface, with at least one power supply device and with at least one carrier structure, in which it is provided as essential to the invention that the carrier structure forms at least two segments and that the segments are connected flexibly to each other. For a method for producing a sensor apparatus, a carrier structure is provided, segments are produced from the carrier structure, and flexible connections are formed between the segments. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensor apparatus having at least one sensor element, with at least one data conducting interface, with at least one power supply device, and with at least one carrier structure, wherein the carrier structure forms at least two segments, and that the segments are connected flexibly to each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carrier structure is designed flexibly, and that the flexible connection between the segments is formed by sections of the carrier structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carrier structure is of elongated design, and that the segments and the flexible connections between the segments are formed from the elongated carrier structure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The sensor apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least one segment has a trapezoidal footprint. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one segment surrounds at least a section of at least one further segment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The sensor apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least one segment has a rounding. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The sensor apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the segments are substantially circular in shape, and that the segments are arranged substantially concentrically. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible connection between two adjacent segments is formed by strut-like sections of the carrier structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least two adjacent segments are each surrounded by a protective body, and that the minimal angle between the two segments is delimited by the outer shape of the respective protective bodies. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The sensor apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the protective bodies have lateral areas facing the connection areas between two segments, and that the lateral areas each subtend an angle with the carrier structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first segment has sensor elements, and that a second segment has a power supply. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sensor apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least one further segment has the data conducting interface, and/or that at least one further segment has an evaluator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the minimal angle between two adjacent segments is limited by the distance of the segments from each other. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one segment has a mounting region for mounting the sensor apparatus. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one segment has at least one rigidly constructed area to accommodate components that are to be soldered. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The sensor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one sensor element has the form of a piezoelectric element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The sensor apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the segment with the piezoelectric element has a lower mass than the other segments. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16, 17) The sensor apparatus according to one of claim 16 or 17, wherein an acoustic impedance jump is formed between at least two segments. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A motor vehicle with the sensor apparatus according to claim 1. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A method for producing the sensor apparatus; according to claim 1, wherein a carrier structure is provided, wherein segments are produced from the carrier structure, and that flexible connections are formed between the segments. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method for producing the sensor according to claim 20, wherein the flexible connection of the segments is formed by the carrier structure.