Flexible License Plate Bracket with Resilient Members
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Designing motor vehicle license plate brackets is challenging due to compatibility issues with fascia materials, aesthetic and structural design limitations, and varying jurisdictional requirements, which increase manufacturing and calibration costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, single tool contour-managing license plate bracket with resilient members on its B surface, allowing attachment to any vehicle fascia without altering the fascia's appearance or requiring different tooling, and providing energy dissipation during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different tooling is used for different brackets attached to different fascia, then the profile and contours of complex vehicle fascia can be accommodated, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with a universal attachment mechanism that can accommodate different fascia profiles using the same tooling. The resilient members and contoured body allow the single bracket design to adapt to various fascia shapes without requiring different tooling for different vehicle models.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an integral surface is provided in the fascia for bracket attachment, then jurisdictions without front license plate requirements can be accommodated, but infrastructure and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed as a separate, removable component that attaches to the fascia surface rather than being integrally formed with it. This allows the fascia to maintain a uniform design across all jurisdictions while the bracket can be selectively attached or removed based on licensing requirements.
3Strength
If the bracket is attached directly to the fascia A surface, then secure mounting is achieved, but visual appearance and fascia integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket utilizes the B surface of the fascia (the rear or inner surface) for attachment rather than the A surface (the visible outer surface). By attaching from the opposite dimension, the bracket achieves secure mounting while remaining hidden from view, thus preserving the fascia's visual appearance.
4Reliability
If pedestrian protection sensors are mounted in the fascia, then pedestrian safety is improved, but calibration complexity increases when license plate brackets are present
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient members act as an intermediary element between the bracket and the fascia, providing a standardized interface that minimizes interference with sensor calibration. The contoured design and spacing features create predictable geometric relationships that simplify the calibration process for pedestrian protection sensors.
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
Enables cost savings through common tooling and calibration procedures, reduces repair costs by being separate from the fascia, and simplifies sensor calibration across different vehicle models and configurations.
Implementation Method 1
one or more resilient members are disposed on the body B surface
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle license plate mounting bracket includes a substantially planar body defining an A surface and an opposite B surface and one or more resilient members disposed on the body B surface. The bracket body further includes a sidewall having one or more resiliency-imparting notches or grooves therein. Fascia assemblies including the license plate mounting bracket are described.