Camera Mounting Trim with Dished Support for Vehicle Fascia Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reversing cameras installed on vehicles face challenges with positioning and retention due to geometric variations in the deformed rear fascia, which can lead to instability and damage from minor impacts.
Innovation Solution
A mounting arrangement featuring a support with a central boss and dished formation that interacts with the fascia's inner face, providing a wider base and increased stability, along with an inclined insertion angle and peripheral edges extending perpendicularly to enhance contact and rigidity, ensuring the camera's secure positioning and resistance to impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the camera is fixed directly to the rear fascia, then the installation is simple, but the positioning stability deteriorates due to geometric variation from deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trim as an intermediary component between the camera support and the rear fascia. This trim acts as a mediator that absorbs geometric variations and deformation effects, providing a stable mounting surface for the camera while remaining easy to install on the fascia.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: the trim (which interfaces with the fascia), the support (which holds the camera), and the camera itself. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the trim handles installation simplicity while the support ensures positioning stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the support base is enlarged to improve stability, then the bearing area increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support utilizes the thickness dimension of the rear fascia by extending peripheral edges forward to contact the inner face, creating a three-dimensional mounting footprint. This dimensional approach increases stability without requiring a larger two-dimensional base area or more complex structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The dished formation with its curved geometry provides an optimized stress distribution and structural efficiency, achieving high stability with minimal material and simple geometry. The curved shape naturally distributes loads more effectively than flat or angular forms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the peripheral edges are extended forward to contact the inner face, then the bearing area and stability improve, but the insertion angle becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the insertion angle parameter to between 30° and 60° relative to the inner face, finding the optimal balance between achieving sufficient bearing area for stability and maintaining practical ease of installation. This parameter optimization resolves the conflict between stability and installation ease.
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for mounting a functional component on a motor vehicle bodywork element includes a trim clipped onto the bodywork element and provided with an outer flange bearing against an outer face of the bodywork element and a support to which the functional component is fixed. The support is clipped to the trim. The support includes a central boss to which the functional component is fixed. The boss is introduced into a housing of the trim so as to position the functional component opposite an opening formed in an end wall of the trim. The support also includes a dished formation inside which the boss is located. Peripheral edges of the dished formation are extended forward to contact and interact with an inner face of the bodywork element.