Vehicle Peripheral Assembly With Integrated Actuator Cover Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing peripheral functional assemblies for motor vehicles, such as winglets and rear-view mirrors, are complex and costly due to their intricate designs and require improvements for cost-effectiveness and simplicity.

Innovation Solution

A peripheral functional assembly for motor vehicles featuring a base bracket, an electric actuator assembly with a cover that encloses the driving means, and a cover assembly supporting a functional element, which integrates the actuator and element without additional accessory parts, using a shaft with sections for guided movement and a plug for protection, allowing for automated assembly and reduced complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional peripheral functional assemblies use separate housings for actuators and functional elements, then the assembly provides adequate protection and support, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection and supportVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the actuator housing and functional element support into a single integrated cover assembly. The cover assembly simultaneously encloses the driving means and supports the functional element (mirror, camera, radar, or LIDAR), eliminating the need for separate accessory parts and reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining protective and supportive functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a protective enclosure for the actuator, a support structure for the functional element, and a mounting interface for the functional element. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed in the assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional designs use multiple accessory parts for integration, then the assembly provides adequate functionality, but the manufacturing cost and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional integrationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the actuator housing and functional element support into a single cover assembly, eliminating the need for multiple accessory parts. This reduction in part count directly lowers manufacturing costs and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining full functional capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If traditional assemblies require multiple separate components, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but automated assembly becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidautomated assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated cover assembly reduces the number of discrete components that need to be handled during assembly. With fewer parts to position and secure, the assembly process becomes more suitable for automated manufacturing while retaining the flexibility to accommodate different functional elements (mirrors, cameras, radars, LIDAR).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4046871B1Peripheral functional assembly for motor vehicles
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 FICOSA AUTOMOTIVE S L U
  • EP4046871B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4046871B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4046871B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The peripheral functional assembly (100) comprises a base bracket (110) to be fixedly attached to a motor vehicle and an electric actuator assembly (120) pivotally mounted to the base bracket (110). The electric actuator assembly (120) comprises driving means (130) for pivoting to the base bracket (110). The electric actuator assembly (120) also comprises a cover assembly (140) enclosing the driving means (130) immediately adjacent the driving means (130). The cover assembly (140) is also configured for supporting a functional element (200) such as an electrical device.