In-Vehicle Device Drop-Off Mechanism With Plate Spring Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional attachment structures for in-vehicle devices, such as inner mirrors, face challenges with high sliding resistance during attachment, insufficient support strength leading to backlash and chatter vibration, and inability to adjust attachment strength, particularly with the increasing weight of electronic mirrors.
Innovation Solution
A drop-off mechanism-equipped attachment structure that uses a plate spring and screw system allowing easy attachment with adjustable fitting force, utilizing a non-acute screw distal end and a lug with hook for secure engagement, and a pivoting connection for two-step avoidance actions, enabling stable support and reduced backlash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the spring force of the plate spring pieces is increased to reduce backlash and chatter vibration, then the support strength is improved, but the sliding resistance increases making attachment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The plate spring pieces are designed to elastically deform during the attachment process. When the attachment base is pushed in, the plate spring pieces bend and reduce sliding resistance, allowing easy attachment. After attachment, the elastic recovery of the plate spring pieces provides strong support force to prevent backlash and chatter vibration, thus resolving the contradiction between easy attachment and strong support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the plate spring pieces from a rigid high-force state to a flexible low-force state during attachment, and then back to a rigid high-force state after attachment. This parameter change allows the system to provide both easy attachment (low resistance) and strong support (high force) at different stages, resolving the technical contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If the spring force of the plate spring pieces is decreased to facilitate attachment, then the attachment ease is improved, but the support strength becomes insufficient causing backlash and chatter vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The plate spring pieces utilize elastic deformation to dynamically adjust their force characteristics. During attachment, they deform to provide low resistance for easy attachment. After attachment, their elastic recovery generates high support force to prevent backlash and chatter vibration, thus resolving the contradiction between easy attachment and adequate support strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate spring pieces are pre-designed with appropriate elasticity to provide cushioning during the attachment process. This beforehand cushioning allows the attachment base to be pushed in easily while ensuring that sufficient support force is available after attachment to prevent backlash and chatter vibration, resolving the technical contradiction.
3Strength
If an acute screw is used to press the attachment base, then the initial attachment strength is improved, but the screw distal end abrasion increases due to vibration causing early backlash
Solution Approach 1:
The screw distal end is designed with a non-acute (rounded or blunt) shape instead of an acute point. This curved/rounded geometry reduces stress concentration and friction during vibration, preventing abrasion and deep digging into the attachment base. The rounded shape maintains adequate attachment strength while significantly improving long-term reliability by reducing wear, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the weight of the in-vehicle device is increased for electronic mirror functionality, then the image display capability is improved, but the attachment strength requirement increases making backlash more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The plate spring pieces are designed with optimized elasticity to dynamically support the increased weight of electronic mirrors. They provide sufficient support force to prevent backlash and chatter vibration while maintaining ease of attachment, thus resolving the contradiction between enhanced device functionality and adequate attachment strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the elastic parameters of the plate spring pieces to match the weight characteristics of electronic mirrors. This parameter optimization ensures that the attachment structure provides adequate support strength for heavier devices while maintaining ease of attachment, resolving the technical contradiction between device functionality and attachment strength.
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
Facilitates easy and secure attachment of in-vehicle devices with reduced backlash and improved support strength, accommodating varying weights and ensuring occupant safety through adjustable attachment force and two-step avoidance mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the plate spring has a structure that allows the attachment base to slide into the space and thereby receives the attachment base and causes the attachment base to be fitted in the plate spring
Implementation Method 2
the screw is fastened in a state in which the attachment base is fitted in the plate spring and screwed into the support part so that a front surface of the attachment base is pressed by a screw distal end to generate an appropriate force of fitting
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment structure includes a support part for an in-vehicle device, a plate spring attached to the support part, and a screw screwed into the support part. The attachment base slides and is received in a space interposed between left and right plate spring pieces. The screw is fastened in this state. A screw distal end presses a front surface of the attachment base to generate an appropriate force of fitting between the attachment base and the left and right plate spring pieces and thereby the attachment base and the plate spring are elastically fitted with each other. The in-vehicle device is attached to the attachment base via the plate spring using the elastic fitting. If an external force that is equal to or exceeds a predetermined value is applied to the in-vehicle device, the elastic fitting is cancelled and the in-vehicle device drops off from the attachment base.