Lamp Quick-Connect 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 cumbersome 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 system that slides between releasing and locking portions of a mounting hole, using frictional and snap engagement mechanisms to secure the lamp body 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 to trailers, then the mounting is secure and reliable, but the cost, complexity, and corrosion risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the threaded fastener component from the mounting system, replacing it with a direct snap-fit mechanism where the lamp body itself engages with the mounting surface through complementary geometric features, removing the need for separate fasteners
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting function is merged directly into the lamp body structure through integrated engagement features (such as tabs, slots, or interlocking geometries), combining the lamp housing and mounting mechanism into a single unified component rather than separate parts
2Reliability
If threaded mechanical fasteners are used to mount lamp assemblies, then secure attachment is achieved, but assembly and disassembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting interface is segmented into distinct engagement zones with progressive locking stages, allowing the lamp to be quickly snapped into position through simple linear or rotational motion rather than requiring multi-step fastening operations
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting features are pre-configured with alignment guides and self-centering geometries that automatically position the lamp correctly during insertion, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment and reducing assembly time
3Device complexity
If a simple mounting system without mechanical fasteners is used, then cost and complexity are reduced, but retention force and resistance to impact may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement features utilize asymmetric geometries where the insertion direction offers low resistance while the retention direction provides high mechanical strength, allowing easy installation but secure holding under load and impact conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved or rounded engagement surfaces that distribute stress evenly across the mounting interface, enhancing the strength and durability of the connection without requiring additional fasteners or complex structures
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 frictional and snap engagement mechanisms to secure the lamp body 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.