Vehicle Camera Lens Hood Detachment for Interior Mirror Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle camera units can inhibit the detachment of interior mirrors during vehicle impacts from the front direction, especially when they overlap the back surface projection area of the interior mirror.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle camera unit design that includes a bracket fixed to the windshield, a detachable lens hood, an imaging device, and a cover, allowing the unit to be positioned overlapping the back surface projection area of the interior mirror. The lens hood is detachable from the bracket in the inclination direction of the windshield, ensuring it does not obstruct the detachment of the interior mirror during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the vehicle camera unit is disposed at a position overlapping the back surface projection portion of the interior mirror, then the camera unit can be installed in a compact space, but the camera unit may inhibit the detachment of the interior mirror when an impact is applied from the front direction
Solution Approach 1:
The camera unit is divided into two main segments: the bracket (fixed portion) and the lens hood (movable portion). The bracket is fixed to the windshield and remains stationary, while the lens hood is detachably attached and can move independently. This segmentation allows the camera unit to occupy the overlapping space without permanently blocking the interior mirror's detachment path, as the lens hood can be pushed away by the detaching mirror.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens hood is designed with detachable attachment to the bracket, allowing it to transition from a fixed state during normal operation to a movable state during impact events. When an impact is applied from the front direction, the lens hood can be pushed away by the detaching interior mirror, enabling the mirror to detach safely. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between occupying the overlapping space and allowing mirror detachment.
2Strength
If the lens hood is firmly fixed to the bracket, then the imaging device is securely positioned, but the lens hood cannot detach during impact to allow interior mirror detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism between the lens hood and bracket is designed to be detachable, allowing the system to adapt between two states: firmly fixed during normal operation for secure positioning, and detachable during impact events to allow the interior mirror to detach safely. This dynamic attachment capability resolves the contradiction between maintaining strong attachment and enabling detachment when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable attachment mechanism is designed in advance to fail or release under specific impact conditions. The mechanism includes features that allow the lens hood to detach when subjected to impact forces from the front direction, preventing the lens hood from interfering with the interior mirror's safety detachment function.
3Reliability
If the lens hood is made detachable in the inclination direction of the windshield, then the interior mirror can detach safely during impact, but the lens hood may become loose during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable attachment mechanism is designed to maintain stability during normal operation through friction, elastic deformation, or mechanical interlocking, while allowing controlled detachment when impact forces exceed a certain threshold. The mechanism includes features such as elastic members or friction-fit interfaces that provide stable attachment under normal conditions but release when subjected to impact forces from the front direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism's holding force is designed to change based on the applied load. During normal operation, the attachment maintains a strong hold through friction or elastic deformation. When impact forces are applied from the front direction, the attachment mechanism's holding parameter changes, allowing the lens hood to detach and enable the interior mirror to detach safely.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle camera unit includes a bracket, a lens hood, an imaging device, and a cover. The bracket is configured to be fixed to a windshield. The lens hood is configured to be detached from the bracket. The imaging device is attached to the lens hood. The cover covers the imaging device. The vehicle camera unit overlaps a back surface projection portion of an interior mirror or a display device having a function of the interior minor, each of which is detachable in an inclination direction of the windshield. The lens hood is attached to the bracket detachably in the inclination direction of the windshield.