ECU Mounting Structure Cantilever Retention Stopper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic device mounting structures for vehicles are bulky, increasing the size and cost of the device mounting housing, and have poor engagement and disengagement mechanisms, leading to unreliable retention of electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device mounting structure incorporates a stopper and holding members with cantilevered arms, where the stopper is juxtaposed with the holding members to reduce housing size, enhance rigidity, and facilitate easy engagement and disengagement without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the stopper is spaced far from the retaining finger to prevent ECU falling out, then the reliability of device retention is improved, but the housing size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining finger is designed as a cantilevered elastic component that can dynamically deform under load. When the ECU is inserted, the finger bends to allow passage, then springs back to engage with the ECU's projection, providing reliable retention without requiring excessive spacing to the stopper.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the retaining finger from rigid to elastic, allowing it to undergo reversible deformation. This enables the finger to provide both insertion clearance and retention force within a compact space, resolving the contradiction between reliability and housing size.
2Reliability
If the retaining finger is deeply set inside the housing to engage with ECU projections, then the device retention reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for disengagement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a manipulative portion as an intermediary element that extends the retaining finger's engagement point to the housing exterior. This allows users to apply force from outside the housing to disengage the ECU, eliminating the need to insert tools deep inside while maintaining reliable internal engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulative portion extends the engagement interface from the internal dimension (where the finger engages the ECU) to the external dimension (where the user applies force). This dimensional extension resolves the contradiction by providing both deep engagement and easy external operation.
3Ease of operation
If the housing is designed with large internal spaces to accommodate tool insertion, then the ease of operation for disengagement is improved, but the housing size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulative portion serves as an intermediary that brings the disengagement function to the housing exterior. Users can operate the retaining finger by applying force to the manipulative portion from outside, eliminating the need for large internal clearance spaces and maintaining compact housing dimensions.
4Reliability
If conventional mounting structures are used with spaced stoppers and retaining fingers, then the device retention reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the retaining finger structure: it serves as both the retention element (engaging ECU projections) and the insertion guide (allowing ECU passage during assembly). The manipulative portion is integrated with the finger rather than being a separate mechanism, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining finger is designed to perform multiple functions: guiding ECU insertion, providing elastic retention engagement, and enabling external disengagement through the manipulative portion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
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
This configuration reduces the housing size and cost, improves the reliability of device retention, and simplifies the disengagement process by allowing tool-free operation.
Implementation Method 1
The arm is cantilevered, and the finger is formed on a distal end of the arm so as to project into the open space. The holding member is elastically deformable in a direction in which the finger presses the electronic device
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An electronic device mounting structure for fitting an ECU 2 (electronic device) in an open space 4 formed in a device mounting housing 1 and for holding the ECU fitted in the open space 4 by a holding finger 9 formed on the device mounting housing 1, includes a stopper 10 formed in the device mounting housing 1 so as to be juxtaposed with the holding finger 9, the stopper being configured to prevent the ECU 2 from falling out of the device mounting housing 1.