Modular Bracket Assembly for Driver Assistance Sensors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional windshield brackets for driver assistance systems become increasingly complex and large due to varying sensor devices, requiring multiple bracket types and compromising on tooling directions, leading to tolerance issues and increased costs, with limited flexibility for configuration changes.
Innovation Solution
A modular bracket assembly featuring a flexible or semi-flexible plate with preassembled interface cutouts for multiple brackets, allowing for precise positioning and adjustment, which can be fixed to different vehicle surfaces using snap rivets, screws, or welding, reducing the need for multiple bracket designs and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single bracket is designed to receive multiple electronic components with different interfaces, then the number of bracket types is reduced, but the bracket size and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the bracket into multiple separable individual brackets, each designed for a specific interface type. These individual brackets can be independently selected and combined based on the specific sensor device requirements, avoiding the need for a single large complex bracket that accommodates all interface types.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal mounting plate that can accommodate multiple individual brackets of different types. The mounting plate provides standardized mounting locations and interface cutouts that work with various bracket configurations, achieving versatility at the system level rather than within a single bracket.
2Quantity of substance
If a single bracket is designed to receive multiple electronic components with different interfaces, then the bracket can support more components, but the optimal tooling direction for each interface cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the bracket into multiple individual brackets, each can be manufactured with optimized tooling directions specific to its interface requirements. Each individual bracket can be precisely molded or formed in the optimal direction for its specific interface, maintaining high manufacturing precision for each component type.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bracket size is increased to accommodate multiple interfaces, then more components can be mounted, but the fitting between the bracket and the supporting surface becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is divided into multiple standardized mounting locations where individual brackets are attached. This segmentation allows each bracket to be independently fitted and positioned, simplifying the overall fitting process compared to creating a single large custom bracket that must accommodate all interfaces in one piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate serves as an intermediary component between the supporting surface and the multiple individual brackets. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the fitting process, allowing brackets to be attached to the plate rather than directly to the supporting surface, thereby reducing fitting complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If configuration changes are made to a single bracket after tooling has started, then design flexibility is improved, but completely new tools are required
Solution Approach 1:
By using multiple individual brackets instead of a single integrated bracket, configuration changes can be made by selecting different combinations of individual brackets or modifying specific bracket types independently. This allows for easier adaptation to different sensor device configurations without requiring complete retooling of a single complex bracket.
Solution Approach 2:
Standardized individual bracket types are pre-designed and pre-manufactured with common interfaces and mounting features. This preliminary standardization allows for easy reconfiguration of the system by simply changing which pre-made brackets are used, rather than requiring new tools for each configuration change.
5Manufacturing precision
If local design changes are made to a single bracket, then specific interface corrections are possible, but the entire bracket is affected and other interfaces may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Since each interface is handled by a separate individual bracket, local design changes or corrections can be made to one bracket type without affecting the design or specifications of other brackets. Each bracket can be independently optimized and corrected, maintaining the reliability and precision of all interfaces.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A modular bracket assembly (1) and method for mounting components of a driver assistance system of a vehicle, said modular bracket assembly comprising a plate (2) having interface cutouts (3-1, 3-2, 3-3) for interfaces of at least two brackets preassembled on said plate (2), wherein each bracket (4-1, 4-2, 4-3) includes components of the driver assistance system, wherein the plate (2) is adapted to be fixed to a surface of said vehicle.