Vehicle Camera Bracket Spring Lock for High Retention Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle camera bracket fixation arrangements face limitations in retention force, requiring high installation forces, long tolerance chains, and costly manual or automated installation, with a risk of spring element loss during transportation due to plastic snap fit failures.
Innovation Solution
The bracket incorporates a holder with a blind or through-hole configured to receive an angled leg of the spring element, limiting its movement in both longitudinal directions, allowing secure locking with a single locking feature and facilitating easier mounting and dismounting, while supporting the spring element from below to maintain its position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a spring element with a single angled leg is used for fixation, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the retention force may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element features an asymmetric design with a single angled leg (forming an angle of 90° to 110°) instead of symmetric double-leg configurations. This asymmetric geometry creates effective retention force through its angled structure, reducing device complexity while maintaining sufficient holding strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled leg extends in a direction angled relative to the base element, utilizing a different spatial dimension to generate retention force. This dimensional approach allows a single leg to provide both mechanical support and retention force, eliminating the need for multiple symmetric legs.
2Strength
If high installation forces are used to secure the spring element, then the retention force is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in mounting and dismounting
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is designed as a dynamic component that flexes during mounting and dismounting operations. The elastic material allows the spring to deform under installation forces and then maintain retention force in the locked state, enabling easy operation while preserving strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element's physical state changes during operation - it transitions from a flexible, deformable state during installation to a rigid, force-maintaining state during operation. The elastic material properties allow parameter changes in stiffness and force output based on operational phase.
3Ease of manufacture
If a plastic snap fit is used to secure the spring element, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of shearing and losing the spring element
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system is segmented into distinct functional elements: the spring element itself, the holder with receiving hole, and the angled leg as a separate locking feature. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the spring element can be easily manufactured while the holder provides reliable mechanical retention through the hole-angled leg interface.
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
This design enables lower force requirements for mounting and dismounting the camera carrier, achieves a high retention force, reduces the tolerance chain length, and simplifies the installation process while allowing for easy replacement of the spring element.
Implementation Method 1
the spring element comprises a base element configured to exert an elastic locking force on a pin of the camera carrier
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
A bracket (10) adapted to be mounted to a pane of a motor vehicle comprises a base part (11) and at least one fixation arrangement (12a, 12b, 12c) configured to fixate a camera carrier (35) carrying at least one camera (14) to the bracket (10). Each of said at least one fixation arrangement (12a, 12b, 12c) comprises a holder (13a, 13b, 13c) and a spring element (15) configured to exert an elastic locking force on a pin (19) of the camera carrier (35). The spring element (15) comprises a base element (17) configured to be held in said holder (13) and an angled leg (16) in the region of a first end (44) of the base element (17). The holder (13a, 13b, 13c) comprises a hole (18) configured to receive said angled leg (16) in a mounted state, wherein in the mounted state said hole (18) limits the movement of the angled leg (16) and thus of the spring element (15) in both longitudinal directions of the elongate base element (17).