Vehicle Mounting Assembly Anti-Theft Clipping Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing external attachment devices on motor vehicles, such as cameras and lighting modules, are easily removable and pose a significant theft risk due to their ease of detachment, making high-quality modules vulnerable to theft.

Innovation Solution

A mounting assembly with holding means that utilize clip, undercut, and latching mechanisms, featuring a predetermined breaking point and self-locating electrical connections, ensures that external attachment devices can only be removed by destruction, thereby increasing security and rendering them useless to thieves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If external attachment devices are made easily removable for installation and maintenance, then ease of operation is improved, but theft risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidtheft protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing means is divided into two separate components: a first fixing means integrated into the attachment device and a second fixing means integrated into the holding means. This segmentation allows the attachment device to be easily installed by connecting the two parts, while the design of the connection interface prevents unauthorized removal without destruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing means includes predetermined breaking points that are designed to break under excessive force. This preliminary action ensures that if someone attempts to remove the attachment device by force, the breaking point will fail first, rendering the attachment device unusable and deterring theft before the device can be removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If fixing means are made secure and difficult to remove, then theft protection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetheft protectionVSAvoidease of removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing mechanism is segmented into two parts that connect through a simple interface. The first fixing means on the attachment device connects to the second fixing means on the holding means through a straightforward insertion motion, making installation easy while the connection geometry prevents easy removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing means incorporates predetermined breaking points that are designed to break under excessive force. This creates a disposable safety feature where the fixing means is intentionally designed to be destroyed rather than allowing unauthorized removal, effectively making it a single-use security mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If retro-fittable external attachments are used, then adaptability is improved, but security against theft deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretro-fit capabilityVSAvoidtheft risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding means with its second fixing means is designed to universally accommodate different types of attachment devices that have the corresponding first fixing means. This universal interface allows retro-fitting of various external attachments while the security-oriented design of the fixing means prevents theft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11180088B2Mounting assembly for an exterior attachment device, rearview device and motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.11.23 SMR PATENTS S A R L

AI summary

A mounting assembly for an attachment device of a vehicle includes receiving or holding means on a rearview device of the vehicle, the receiving or holding means being adapted so that the attachment device can be fixed by means of at least one fixing means of the attachment device in operative connection with at least one complementary fixing means of the receiving or holding means, where at least one of the at least one fixing means of the attachment device or the receiving or holding means is configured to be in operative connection, where after fixation, the attachment device cannot be released from the fixing means without destruction, and at least one of the at least one fixing means of the attachment device or the complementary fixing means of the receiving or holding means includes at least one of a clip, an undercut and a latch.