Rear View Base Assembly With Camera Cradle and Harness Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base assemblies for exterior rear view devices face challenges in providing both aesthetic and technical functions, particularly in securing and sealing electrical connections while adapting to vehicle designs, and ensuring effective water drainage.
Innovation Solution
A base assembly with a three-piece plastic cover system that uses clip, snap, and latch connections to mantle a metal base frame, incorporating a camera cradle and glare shield, and a retainer means for harness sealing and routing, ensuring secure attachment and sealing without screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal base frame is used to support the head assembly and connect to the vehicle, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the complexity of sealing electrical connections and adapting to vehicle designs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base assembly is segmented into a metal base frame and a separate plastic base cover that houses the sealing and electrical connection components. This segmentation allows the metal frame to provide structural strength while the plastic cover handles the complex sealing functions, isolating the two concerns into separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic base cover acts as an intermediary component between the metal base frame and the vehicle body. It provides the sealing interface and electrical connection housing, mediating between the structural metal frame and the vehicle while managing the complexity of sealing and electrical connections.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single-piece base cover is used to house the base frame, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ability to provide effective water drainage and sealing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base cover is divided into multiple separate pieces (first base cover piece, second base cover piece, etc.) that can be manufactured independently with integrated drainage features. This segmentation allows each piece to be optimized for both manufacturing ease and effective water drainage paths, while assembling into a complete sealing system.
3Strength
If screw connections are used to attach the base frame to the vehicle, then connection strength is improved, but assembly complexity and aesthetic appearance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional screw connection system is replaced with a clip-based mechanical fastening system. The clips provide sufficient connection strength while eliminating the need for screws, thereby simplifying assembly and improving aesthetic appearance by removing visible fasteners.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the base assembly is designed to be highly adaptable to different vehicle designs, then versatility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base assembly is designed with universal features including standardized connection interfaces and adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow adaptation to different vehicle designs. The plastic base cover incorporates sealing features that can accommodate variations in vehicle body contours while maintaining manufacturing precision through modular design elements.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 1d~1f
Figure 2a~2e
AI summary
The present disclosure refers to a base assembly of an exterior rear view device. The base assembly is configured to be mounted to a vehicle in a way that moveably supports a head assembly of the exterior rearview device. The base assembly comprises: a camera with a lens, a cleaning system with a nozzle for dispensing cleaning fluid onto the lens, a base frame, a base cover that comprises a plurality of cover pieces, and a camera cradle. The cover pieces provide a first opening for the lens and a second opening for the nozzle. The camera cradle is mounted to the base frame for holding both the camera and the nozzle.