Vehicle Camera Mounting Bracket With Flexible Damping Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle driver assist systems face challenges in securely and stably mounting camera housings to windshields, particularly in preventing motion during vehicle operation and ensuring easy installation and removal without damaging the mounting bracket.
Innovation Solution
A mounting arrangement featuring a camera housing with sliding tabs and channels on a mounting bracket, where flexible members with detents engage to securely connect the housing to the bracket, dampening motion and providing strain relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid mounting bracket is used to securely mount the camera housing, then the connection strength is improved, but the ease of installation and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is divided into a rigid outer structure for strength and flexible internal members for ease of operation. The flexible members are segmented elements that can independently deflect to allow insertion and removal of the camera housing while the rigid outer structure maintains overall connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible members change their physical state between a deflected state during installation/removal and a rigid engaged state during operation. This parameter change allows the mounting bracket to provide both easy installation and strong connection - the flexible members deflect to allow housing insertion, then engage to provide secure mounting.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the camera housing is firmly fixed to prevent motion, then the stability during vehicle operation is improved, but the ability to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible members act as flexible elements within the mounting bracket that can deflect to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the camera housing. These flexible members maintain a stable engaged state during normal operation while allowing movement during thermal cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where flexible members can deflect in response to thermal changes. The flexible members provide controlled movement to accommodate thermal expansion while maintaining operational stability through their engagement with the camera housing.
3Reliability
If a complex mounting mechanism with multiple components is used to ensure secure connection, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the flexible members - they provide structural support, allow for easy installation through deflection, secure the camera housing through engagement, and accommodate thermal changes. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible members serve multiple purposes: they act as structural elements of the mounting bracket, provide a mechanism for easy installation and removal, ensure secure connection during operation, and accommodate thermal expansion. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while improving reliability.
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 ensures a secure, stable connection of the camera housing to the mounting bracket, reducing motion during vehicle operation and facilitating easy installation and removal while preventing damage to the mounting bracket.
Implementation Method 1
The one of the mounting bracket and the camera housing has a flexible member that engages the tab to damp movement of the housing relative to the mounting bracket
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle driver assist system includes a mounting bracket connectable with the vehicle and a camera housing connectable with the mounting bracket. One of the mounting bracket and the camera housing includes a channel for receiving a tab on the other of the mounting bracket and the camera housing. The tab on the other of the mounting bracket and the camera housing slides into the channel in the one of the mounting bracket and the camera housing to connect the camera housing to the mounting bracket. The one of the mounting bracket and the camera housing has a flexible member that engages the tab to damp movement of the housing relative to the mounting bracket.