Rear View Base Assembly With Snap Covers and Harness Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base assemblies for exterior rear view devices on vehicles fail to simultaneously fulfill multiple functions such as attaching the device to the vehicle, supporting the head assembly, guiding harnesses, providing a pleasing appearance, ensuring safety, and offering water drainage.
Innovation Solution
A base assembly comprising a base frame with a door attachment portion, a head attachment portion, and an arm, covered by three snap-connected plastic cover pieces, which includes a camera cradle, a retainer means for guiding and sealing harnesses, and a sealing means for water drainage and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a base assembly uses a single integrated structure to fulfill multiple functions (attachment, support, harness guidance, sealing), then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to simultaneously optimize all functions is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The base assembly is divided into multiple independent cover pieces (first cover piece, second cover piece, third cover piece) that can be separately manufactured and assembled. Each cover piece can be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system integration through snap-fit connections and sealing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The base assembly design integrates multiple functions into a single assembly unit: attachment to vehicle door, support for head assembly, harness guidance through dedicated channels, water sealing via gaskets, and aesthetic appearance. The segmented cover pieces collectively provide all these functions while allowing individual optimization.
2Strength
If screws are used to connect cover pieces to the base frame, then connection strength is improved, but ease of manufacture and assembly is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional screw connections are replaced with snap-fit mechanical connections using integrated connection elements. The cover pieces include built-in snap features that engage with corresponding elements on the base frame, providing sufficient connection strength while enabling tool-free assembly and disassembly.
3Ease of operation
If a harness holder is separately attached to guide harnesses, then harness guidance is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The harness holder function is integrated directly into the cover piece structure. The cover pieces include built-in harness guidance features such as channels, slots, or molded-in holder elements that guide and secure harnesses without requiring separate attachment of a dedicated harness holder component.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure refers to a base assembly of an exterior rear view device to be mounted to a vehicle, comprising a base frame being formed with a door attachment portion for attachment to a door of the vehicle, a head attachment portion for moveably attachment of a head assembly and an arm between said attachment portions; a cover made out of three pieces to mantle the arm from the door attachment portion to the head attachment portion only via snap, clips and/or latch connections, without screws; a camera cradle for attaching a camera to the base frame; a retainer means arranged on the door attachment portion for guiding and sealing harness; a sealing means attached to the door attachment portion; and a harness holder for attachment a harness to the door attachment portion. It also refers to an exterior rear view device with such a base assembly and a vehicle with such an exterior rear view device.