Front Fascia Support Bracket With Sensor Housing to Prevent Sag

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Solution Overview

Problem

Front bumper nose fascia in vehicles tends to sag over time, leading to an undesirable aesthetic appearance.

Innovation Solution

A support bracket with a base plate and cube member that secures to the vehicle bumper, providing structural support to the fascia and housing for sensors, maintaining a desired spacing and preventing sag.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the front bumper nose fascia is left unsupported, then the installation process is simple, but the fascia sags over time leading to undesirable appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefascia appearanceVSAvoidsupport bracket structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support bracket is divided into distinct functional segments: a base plate for mounting to the bumper, a cube member for structural support and sensor housing, and various mounting features. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall structural integrity and preventing fascia sag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Shape

If a support bracket is added to prevent fascia sag, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefascia appearanceVSAvoidbracket configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support bracket merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides structural support to prevent sag, houses sensors within the cube member, offers mounting attachment points via the base plate, and maintains proper spacing. This consolidation reduces the need for separate components while achieving all necessary functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cube member serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a structural support element, a housing for sensors, a spacing maintainer, and provides mounting surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the cube member is made larger to house sensors, then sensor positioning is improved, but the bracket size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor positioningVSAvoidcube member configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is nested within the cube member, utilizing the internal space of the cube for sensor housing. This nesting approach allows the sensor to be precisely positioned and protected within the compact cube structure without requiring additional external mounting components or increasing overall bracket footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20260001504A1Support bracket for a front vehicle fascia

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 FCA US LLC

AI summary

A support bracket for a vehicle bumper nose fascia has a base plate with an overall quadrilateral configuration with a curve portion on opposing sides. A cube member projects from the base plate. The cube dividing the base plate into two halves. The two halves each include a bore to receive a securement fastener. The cube is adjacent an edge of the base plate. A support portion is adjacent another edge of the base plate. It has a securement bore. A window is in one of the cube sides to enable sensor access through the cube.