Mirror Support Base Guide Means Offset Harness Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing support bases for fixing interior mirror, rain sensors, and surveillance cameras against the windshield are difficult to install due to interference with the electrical harness, leading to potential damage and malfunctions, and increasing the base's size to avoid this issue reduces visibility and quality perception.

Innovation Solution

A support base with guide means offset from the female latching means to guide the electrical harness and prevent interference, featuring notches, indentations, and lyre-shaped cutouts to secure the harness and reduce noise, along with centering and clamping mechanisms to ensure proper fit and reduce noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the support base volume is increased to avoid interference with the electrical harness, then the interference problem is resolved, but the driver's visibility is reduced and quality perception deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of electrical harness damageVSAvoidwindshield coverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide means are offset perpendicular to the plate in the depth dimension, creating a three-dimensional separation between the electrical harness path and the latching means. This allows the harness to pass through a different spatial plane, avoiding interference without increasing the overall width or visible footprint on the windshield.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide means act as an intermediary structure that actively manages the electrical harness path. By providing notches, indentations, and cutouts, the guide means mediates between the harness and the latching means, directing the harness along a safe path and preventing contact with critical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the support base volume is increased to avoid interference with the electrical harness, then the interference problem is resolved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of electrical harness damageVSAvoidsupport base structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide means are integrated directly into the support base structure as a unified component rather than being separate attachments. The notches, indentations, and cutouts are formed as part of the base's molding process, combining the support and guidance functions into a single structural element that reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide means serve multiple functions simultaneously: they guide the electrical harness path, provide structural support, and maintain the offset positioning from latching means. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall device while achieving the reliability goal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the electrical supply harness is allowed to move freely, then the installation is simpler, but the harness may come into contact with the cover causing clicking noises and quality issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidclicking noises during vehicle operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide means are pre-configured with specific notches, indentations, and cutouts that anticipate the harness path requirements. During installation, the harness naturally follows this pre-established path without requiring complex routing maneuvers, maintaining ease of installation while preventing future contact issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guide means serve as an intermediary structure that actively manages the electrical harness path. By providing notches, indentations, and cutouts, the guide means mediates between the harness and the latching means, directing the harness along a safe path and preventing contact with critical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3746334B1Support base for fastening a cover for the base of an interior rear-view mirror to the windshield of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3746334B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3746334B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3746334B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The present invention relates to a support base for fastening a cover for the base of an interior rear-view mirror to the windshield of a vehicle, having a U-shaped plate (21) comprising two substantially parallel lateral arms (22, 23) connected by a cross member (24) and having an adhesive face, and two lateral faces (26, 27) each extending from one of said lateral arms, these faces comprising female snap-fastening means (28) provided to cooperate with complementary male snap-fastening means formed on said cover, said base also having guide means (31, 33) formed at the face (27) of a first of said lateral arms (23) and intended to cooperate with a cable bundle (4) for guiding the movement thereof, said guide means also being offset in a direction perpendicular to said plate (21) with respect to the female snap-fastening means (28) of this face (27).