Vehicle Antenna Mounting Base with Resilient Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna mounting methods for vehicles are either aesthetically unpleasing due to the use of screws or require two workers for installation, and existing solutions are either unsightly or labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle antenna mounting system comprising a mounting base with temporary resilient retention arms and a retainer that allows single-worker installation by compressing and expanding arms to secure the antenna through a hole in the vehicle body panel, providing an aesthetic appearance with a permanent installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws are used to mount the antenna from the outside, then the mounting is secure, but the appearance becomes unaesthetic
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mounting function from visible external screws and relocates it to internal flange portions that engage with the vehicle body panel from the inside, eliminating the need for visible fasteners and thus resolving the contradiction between secure mounting and aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting the antenna from the outside with visible screws, the invention inverts the approach by inserting the mounting base from the inside of the vehicle body panel, with flange portions engaging internally, thereby achieving secure mounting without compromising external aesthetics
2Reliability
If a retainer is installed from the outside to hold the antenna permanently, then the mounting is secure and aesthetic, but two workers are required for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of insertion, retention, and permanent mounting into a single integrated mounting base that can be installed by one worker. The flange portions with resilient retention arms combine temporary retention during insertion with permanent mounting capability, eliminating the need for coordinated two-worker installation
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient retention arms automatically engage with the vehicle body panel during insertion and provide self-retention without requiring external assistance. The mounting base is designed to be self-installing, where the retention arms compress during insertion and then expand to lock the mounting in place, enabling single-worker installation
3Ease of operation
If temporary retention arms are compressed during insertion, then single-worker installation is enabled, but the arms must be resilient to maintain engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the retention arms by making them resilient rather than rigid. This allows the arms to compress during insertion to pass through the hole and then expand to engage with the vehicle body panel, providing both ease of installation and secure retention without complex mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy, single-worker installation of vehicle antennas while maintaining an aesthetic appearance and ensuring a secure, permanent attachment to the vehicle body panel.
Implementation Method 1
at least two temporary resilient retention arms are provided on the flange portion adjacent the insertion portions. The two temporary retention arms are for engaging with the outer surface of the vehicle body panel after being inserted through the hole in the panel
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting for a vehicle antenna including a mounting base which has an insertion portion for insertion through a hold in a vehicle body panel and a flange for engagement with an inner surface of the vehicle panel. The mounting further includes a temporary retainer at least two resilient temporary retention arms extending upward from engaging with the outer surface of the vehicle body panel after being inserted through the hole in the vehicle body panel. A retainer is then provided in the insertion portion to permanently mount the mounting to the vehicle body panel.