Rearview Mount Assembly With Spring-Jammed Ball Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for cameras and sensors in vehicles, particularly at the windshield area, leads to spatial constraints for rearview assembly mounting structures, as they require more space and supporting hardware, limiting room for mounting and interfacing with the rearview assembly.
Innovation Solution
A mount assembly comprising a tube, base, first cup, pivot, second cup, and spring, where the spring exerts force to grip the components, allowing for compact design and reduced space usage, with the pivot and cups designed to support the rearview assembly and accommodate a wire harness, enabling a more compact and efficient mounting solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional mounting structures are used for rearview assemblies, then the rearview assembly can be supported and positioned, but the mounting structure takes up significant space proximate the windshield and within the rearview assembly housing, leaving less room for cameras, sensors, and other technological features
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly utilizes a nested structure where the cup component is disposed within the tube, and the spring is disposed within the tube between the first and second cups. This nesting arrangement consolidates multiple functional elements into a compact volume, reducing the overall space required for the mounting structure while maintaining support and positioning capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The spring component provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the mounting assembly to adapt to variations in installation conditions and rearview assembly positioning requirements. The spring can compress and expand to accommodate different spatial constraints, ensuring reliable mounting support while minimizing the fixed volume required for the mounting structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rearview assembly incorporates more features requiring supporting hardware, then functionality is improved, but the supporting hardware takes up precious space inside the rearview assembly housing, leaving less room for interfacing with the mounting assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the tube provides structural support, the cups provide positioning and interface surfaces, and the spring provides adjustment capability. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing the overall volume required while accommodating multiple features within the rearview assembly housing
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly is designed as a universal interface that can support various rearview assembly configurations and technological features. The standardized tube-cup-spring structure can accommodate different camera, sensor, and feature placements, providing multi-functional support without requiring additional dedicated mounting hardware for each feature
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces space usage near the windshield and within the rearview assembly, allowing for additional technological features and a more compact design, enhancing the aesthetic and functionality of vehicles by minimizing the spatial constraints for cameras and sensors.
Implementation Method 1
the force exerted onto the first cup may be operable to jam the wall portion into the taper of the first end of the tube, causing the wall portion of the first cup to deflect and grip the knob
Implementation Method 2
The spring may be operable to exert a force to the end portions of the first and second cups
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is directed to a mount assembly for a rearview assembly, which may comprise a member, a pivot, a cup, and/or a spring. The member may have a cavity with a tapered opening. The pivot may comprise a ball and be configured to support the rearview assembly. The cup may have an end portion, a wall portion, and a cavity. The cavity may be defined, at least in part, by the end and wall portions. Further, the cup may be disposed within the member and the ball portion may be disposed, at least in part, within the cavity of the cup. The spring may be disposed within the member and exert a force on the end portion of the cup. The force exerted onto the cup may be operable to jam the wall portion into the taper, causing the cup's wall portion to deflect and grip the ball portion.