Rearview Mirror Bracket With Pre-Holding Hook for Fast Vehicle Pillar Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for attaching an exterior mirror to the body structure of light vehicles, such as tricycles or quadricycles, are cumbersome and time-consuming due to the need for one-handed operation and limited space, making it difficult to securely fix the mirror using conventional bracket-shaped supports.

Innovation Solution

A metal sheet support with a pre-retaining hook that facilitates secure positioning and attachment to the vehicle's upright, allowing both hands to be used during assembly, and featuring a T-shaped hook, Z-shaped section, and anti-rotation indexing to ensure correct alignment and secure fixing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional bracket-shaped support is used to fix the mirror to the upright, then the mirror can be securely attached, but the assembly operation becomes difficult and time-consuming due to one-handed operation constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidassembly operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-holding hook is designed to preliminarily engage with the upright before final screw fixation, allowing the operator to secure the support in position with one hand while using the other hand to insert and tighten the screw. This preliminary engagement action resolves the contradiction by enabling secure attachment through the hook mechanism while simultaneously improving ease of operation by freeing both hands during the assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a conventional bracket-shaped support is used to fix the mirror, then the mirror can be attached, but the assembly cycle duration increases significantly due to delicate one-handed operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fixationVSAvoidassembly cycle duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-holding hook performs the preliminary action of securing the support to the upright before the time-consuming screw tightening operation. By engaging the hook first, the support is held firmly in position, allowing the operator to efficiently complete the screw insertion and tightening without needing to constantly reposition or hold the support, thereby significantly reducing the overall assembly cycle duration while maintaining secure fixation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the support is fixed without a pre-holding mechanism, then the structure remains simple, but correct positioning becomes difficult to ensure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-holding hook performs the preliminary action of automatically positioning the support correctly on the upright through its geometric engagement with the slot. This preliminary positioning action ensures manufacturing precision by guaranteeing correct alignment before final fixation, while adding minimal complexity to the overall structure since the hook is integrated into the existing bracket design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4382364A1Support for fixing an external rear view mirror to a frame member of a vehicle body structure
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4382364A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4382364A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4382364A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a mounting bracket (100) for an exterior vehicle rearview mirror on a pillar of the vehicle body structure, said bracket being obtained by folding and/or stamping from a sheet of metal and comprising: - a first wing (110) including first fastening means (111) allowing said bracket to be fixed to said pillar; - a second wing (120) including second fastening means (121, 122) allowing said exterior rearview mirror to be rigidly attached thereto; characterized in that it also includes a pre-holding hook (131) adapted to cooperate with a slot provided on said pillar to hold this bracket in the mounting position against said pillar before its fixing.