Quick-Connect Lamp Mount With Cantilever Lock Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lamp assemblies for vehicles require mechanical fasteners like threaded bolts or screws for mounting, which increase cost, complexity, and risk of corrosion, and are difficult to assemble and disassemble, while also lacking a secure yet easy release mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A lamp assembly with a mount post and cantilevered lock that slides between releasing and locking portions of a mounting hole, using a friction fit and snap features to secure the assembly without mechanical fasteners, ensuring a positive lock and easy release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded mechanical fasteners are used to mount lamp assemblies, then the mounting is secure and reliable, but the cost increases, complexity increases, and corrosion risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the threaded fastener component from the mounting system, replacing it with a direct insert-mount design where the lamp assembly body is inserted into a mounting hole and secured by a cantilevered lock mechanism that engages with a stop, removing the need for separate bolts or screws
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is designed to be self-securing through the cantilevered lock that automatically engages with the stop when the lamp assembly is inserted, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations or components
2Reliability
If threaded mechanical fasteners are used to mount lamp assemblies, then the mounting is secure, but the assembly and disassembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting hole is segmented into two distinct portions: a releasing portion that allows easy insertion and removal, and a locking portion that provides secure retention when engaged by the cantilevered lock
Solution Approach 2:
The cantilevered lock provides dynamic retention where the lamp assembly can be easily inserted during installation but becomes securely locked in place during operation, and can be quickly released when needed for maintenance
3Reliability
If a secure retention force is applied to prevent dislodgement during impact, then the mounting reliability improves, but the ease of release for repair decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting hole is divided into a releasing portion with greater width for easy access and a locking portion with smaller width for secure retention, allowing the same structure to provide both strong retention during operation and easy release during maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The design inverts the traditional approach by making the insertion/removal path wider and easier while the retention mechanism uses a narrower locking portion that engages positively, reversing the typical sequence of ease-of-access versus security
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, corrosion-resistant, and efficient mounting system that simplifies assembly and disassembly, while maintaining secure attachment and including a water-resistant seal.
Implementation Method 1
The cantilevered lock is configured to releasably engage with a stop on the mounting surface when the mount post slides into the locking portion of the mounting hole to retain the mount post within the locking portion of the mounting hole
Implementation Method 2
using a friction fit and snap features to secure the assembly without mechanical fasteners
Data Source
AI summary
A lamp body to be releasably coupled to a mounting surface. The lamp body comprises a mount post and a cantilevered lock. The mount post is configured to be received in a mounting hole in the mounting surface, where the mount post is configured to slide between a releasing portion of the mounting hole and a locking portion of the mounting hole. The cantilevered lock is configured to releasably engage with a stop on the mounting surface when the mount post slides into the locking portion of the mounting hole to retain the mount post within the locking portion of the mounting hole.