Vehicle Sensor Bracket With Recessed Finger Grips
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for fixing a detection sensor to a vehicle's fender panel are cumbersome due to the limited space between the fender panel and the inner panel, making it difficult for workers to perform the fixing task without interfering with the inner panel.
Innovation Solution
A mounting structure for a vehicle-use detection sensor that includes a bracket with recessed parts allowing easier handling and reduced interference with the inner panel, and a design that allows the same bracket to be used for both left and right sides of the vehicle, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing workability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the detection sensor is fixed to the fender panel using a bracket in the conventional manner, then the detection sensor can be securely mounted, but the limited space between the fender panel and inner panel makes the fixing work difficult and reduces workability
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket includes recessed parts that extend in the vehicle width direction, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to provide finger insertion spaces. This allows the worker's fingers to reach behind the bracket body without increasing the bracket's footprint in the constrained space between the fender panel and inner panel, thereby improving graspability without worsening the space constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed parts act as intermediary structures that mediate between the worker's hand and the bracket body. By providing these recessed spaces, the worker can insert fingers behind the bracket to achieve a secure grip, effectively using the bracket's own structure as a tool to overcome the limited working space.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate brackets are manufactured for left and right sides of the vehicle, then the brackets can be optimized for each side, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with symmetric recessed parts positioned at both the front and rear ends, allowing the same bracket design to be used on both the left and right sides of the vehicle. The recessed parts are arranged such that they provide effective finger insertion spaces regardless of which side the bracket is installed on, achieving universality without sacrificing side-specific functionality.
3Reliability
If the connector connection port is positioned without considering water drainage, then the connector may be easily accessible, but water from the cowl outlet can flow onto the connector causing reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed part structure is designed to intercept water flowing from the cowl outlet and redirect it away from the connector connection port. The recessed space acts as a water barrier that converts the harmful effect of water flow into a beneficial protective feature, preventing water from reaching the connector while maintaining accessibility for connection work.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting structure of a vehicle-use detection sensor comprises a fender panel 10, an inner panel 18 placed on a vehicle inward side with respect to the panel 10, a detection sensor 14 placed in a space between the panels 10 and 18, and a bracket 20 placed in the above-mentioned space, holding the sensor 14, and fixed to the panel 10. The bracket 20 comprises a first wall part 22 including a surface 22a fixed to the panel 10, a second wall part 24 placed on the vehicle inward side with respect to the wall part 22 and including a surface 24b opposing the panel 18, and a connection part 26 connecting the wall parts 22 and 24. The wall part 24 comprises recessed parts 40, 42 on vehicle front and rear sides thereof, respectively, each of which being recessed from the surface 24b toward a vehicle outward direction.