Vehicle Sun Visor Mounting Assembly Cover Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle sun visor mounting assemblies face issues with the cover detaching during transport due to the flexibility of living hinges, leading to potential installation problems.
Innovation Solution
A mounting assembly design featuring a cover with a second locking element, a second rotation element, and a second engagement element that engages with the mounting bracket's first locking, first rotation, and first engagement elements, respectively, to prevent movement during transport and ensure secure attachment post-installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a living hinge is used to rotatably couple the cover to the mounting bracket, then the cover can rotate between access and concealment positions, but the cover may detach from the mounting bracket during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket employs a dynamic positioning system with multiple engagement elements (first engagement element for transport position, second engagement element for concealed position) that allow the cover to be securely held in different states. The living hinge maintains flexibility for rotation while the engagement elements provide deterministic positioning, resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and transport stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate engagement elements (locking arms, engagement protrusions, and recesses) that act as mediators between the cover and mounting bracket. These intermediaries provide secure attachment during transport while allowing the living hinge to maintain its rotational function, thus resolving the contradiction without compromising either requirement.
2Shape
If the cover is designed to conceal the fastener opening, then the appearance is enhanced, but access to the fastener is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed with dynamic positioning capability through the living hinge, allowing it to switch between a first position that provides full access to the fastener opening and a second position that conceals the fastener for aesthetic purposes. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing both access and concealment at different operational stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket includes engagement elements positioned to automatically guide and secure the cover in the appropriate position during the installation process. The first engagement element secures the cover in the access position during installation, and the second engagement element secures it in the concealed position afterward, eliminating the need for manual positioning and ensuring the correct state at each stage.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting assembly for a vehicle sun visor includes a mounting bracket having a first locking element and a first rotation element. The mounting assembly also includes a cover having a second locking element and a second rotation element. The first locking element is configured to engage the second locking element while the cover is in a transport position to block movement of the cover relative to the mounting bracket, the first rotation element is configured to engage the second rotation element while the cover is in an extended position to enable rotation of the cover relative to the mounting bracket, and the cover conceals a fastener opening of the mounting bracket while the cover is in the closed position.