Vehicle Camera Mounting Bracket With Resilient Tabs for Stable Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driver assist systems face challenges in securely and efficiently mounting cameras to vehicle windows while maintaining a desired orientation and ensuring an unobstructed field of view.

Innovation Solution

A mounting arrangement featuring a bracket with resilient arms and tabs that engage the camera housing, allowing secure attachment to a vehicle window with projections and notches, ensuring a stable and angled positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid mounting bracket is used to securely attach the camera to the vehicle window, then the mounting strength is improved, but the ability to absorb misalignment and maintain stable orientation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting strengthVSAvoidcamera orientation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket transitions from a purely rigid structure to one with resilient components that can dynamically adjust their mechanical properties. The resilient arms and tabs can flex elastically to absorb misalignment while maintaining secure attachment, resolving the contradiction between mounting strength and orientation stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system incorporates dynamic resilient elements that can adapt to varying installation conditions. The resilient arms and tabs provide a degree of freedom allowing the camera to self-align during installation while maintaining a stable final position, combining the benefits of both rigid and flexible mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple resilient arms and tabs are added to ensure secure camera engagement, then the reliability of mounting is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoidmounting bracket complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is divided into multiple functional segments: resilient arms for primary attachment, resilient tabs for secondary engagement, and notches for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving reliability through redundancy while keeping each individual component relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple mounting functions are combined into a single integrated bracket structure. The resilient arms, tabs, and notches work together as a unified system to provide both secure attachment and precise positioning, reducing the need for separate mounting components and simplifying the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of moving object

If the camera is mounted closer to the vehicle window to reduce obstruction, then the field of view is improved, but the ease of installation and adjustment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of viewVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient arms and tabs act as flexible mounting elements that can be easily compressed and released during installation. This flexibility allows for simple snap-in installation even in tight spaces near the vehicle window, while the resilient nature provides enough compliance to accommodate slight positioning adjustments for optimal field of view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The solution provides a stable, secure, and adjustable mounting system that maintains the camera's orientation and field of view, facilitating effective environmental monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

At least one resilient arm can extend from the at least one bracket wall and can engage the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The at least one resilient tab can urge the housing into engagement with the edge and can maintain the housing engaged to the edge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4222025B1Mounting arrangement for a driver assist system
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • EP4222025B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4222025B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4222025B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A driver assist system for a vehicle includes a camera having a housing and a lens extending from the housing. A mounting bracket has a mounting wall connectable with a vehicle window and the camera. The mounting wall has a first mounting surface configured to face the vehicle window, and a second mounting surface configured to face away from the vehicle window. At least one bracket wall extends from the second mounting surface and has an edge that engages the housing. At least one resilient arm extends from the at least one bracket wall and engages the housing. At least one resilient tab extends from the mounting wall and engages the housing. The at least one resilient tab urges the housing into engagement with the edge and maintains the housing engaged to the edge.