Exterior Rear View Retainer Assembly for Harness Routing and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear view devices face challenges in safely guiding and sealing harnesses between the vehicle interior and exterior components, particularly due to the need for electrical and moisture sealing while accommodating the metal base frame's limitations.
Innovation Solution
A retainer assembly is introduced, comprising a plastic component with openings, guiding projections, and sealing portions to securely route and seal the harnesses between the base assembly and vehicle, using hooks, clips, and a 2K door gasket for effective sealing and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal base frame is used to support the head assembly and connect electronic components, then structural strength is improved, but sealing and moisture protection become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A plastic retainer component is introduced as an intermediary element between the metal base frame and the vehicle door panel. This retainer includes integrated sealing portions that mate with a 2K door gasket, creating an additional sealing layer that protects the harness and electronic components from moisture while maintaining the structural integrity of the metal base frame.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate components are used for harness routing and sealing, then functional clarity is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed as an integrated component that combines multiple functions: it provides structural support, creates sealing surfaces for the 2K door gasket, and forms guiding channels for harness routing. By merging these functions into a single component, the design achieves functional clarity while reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying assembly operations.
3Device complexity
If the base frame directly connects to the vehicle door, then structural simplicity is improved, but harness protection and positioning accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the base frame and vehicle door is segmented by introducing the retainer as an intermediate component. This segmentation allows the retainer to provide dedicated harness protection features and precise positioning elements (such as engagement protrusions and guiding channels) without complicating the overall base frame structure.
4Reliability
If a 2K door gasket is used for sealing, then moisture protection is improved, but assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is pre-assembled with the base frame before installing the 2K door gasket. This preliminary action ensures that the sealing surfaces are correctly positioned and aligned, reducing the precision requirements during the final gasket installation. The retainer acts as a positioning fixture that guides the gasket into proper alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure refers to a retainer assembly adapted to be installed between a base assembly of an exterior rear view device and a vehicle to which the exterior rear view device is mounted, the retainer assembly, comprising a retainer means adapted to be mounted on one side to a door attachment portion of a base frame of the base assembly and on the opposite side to a door panel of the vehicle, wherein the retainer means is provided with at least one opening for allowing at least one datum structural element of the door attachment portion of the base frame to pass thereto, and at least one guiding projection and/or at least one guiding channel portion for providing at least part of a guiding channel for routing and/or guiding at least one harness from the vehicle to an electric component of the rear view device, and/or at least one sealing portion for covering at least a portion of the at least one harness. It also refers to a exterior rear view device with such a retainer assembly, a method for assembling such a rear view device and a vehicle with such a rear view device.