Single Bracket Camera Mounting for Vehicle Windshield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior rearview mirror systems require multiple independent brackets for mounting mirror assemblies, rain sensors, and forward camera modules, which complicates installation and can affect camera performance due to mirror position tolerances and vibration inputs.
Innovation Solution
A single bracket is adhesively attached to the vehicle windshield, supporting a mirror assembly, rain sensor, and forward camera module, allowing for centralized mounting and decoupling of camera and mirror vibrations, enhancing installation efficiency and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent brackets are used for mounting mirror assembly, rain sensor, and forward camera module, then each component can be mounted separately, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate mounting brackets into a single integrated bracket structure that simultaneously supports the mirror assembly, rain sensor, and forward camera module. This unified bracket is mounted as one piece to the windshield, eliminating the need for multiple separate mounting operations and reducing installation complexity while maintaining the ability to accommodate all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The single bracket structure is designed with multiple mounting features and attachment points that can accommodate different components (mirror assembly, rain sensor, camera module) in various configurations. This universal bracket serves multiple mounting functions simultaneously, providing versatility in component placement while simplifying the overall mounting system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent brackets are used for mounting components, then each component has its own mounting structure, but the installation time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple mounting functions into a single bracket assembly, the patent enables all components to be installed simultaneously during one mounting operation rather than requiring separate installation steps for each bracket. This significantly improves installation efficiency and productivity at the vehicle assembly line while maintaining the adaptability to mount different components.
3Reliability
If the forward camera module is mounted separately from the mirror assembly, then camera performance can be improved, but the number of mounting brackets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the camera module mounting with the mirror assembly mounting structure in a single bracket system. The camera is positioned at a predetermined location on the bracket that is optimized for performance while maintaining a fixed spatial relationship with the mirror assembly. This approach improves camera reliability by ensuring proper positioning without increasing the number of separate mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The single bracket is designed with distinct mounting zones and attachment features that separately accommodate the mirror assembly and camera module while maintaining their relative positions. This segmentation within a unified structure allows independent positioning optimization for each component while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent brackets.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution simplifies the mounting process by using a single bracket for multiple components, improving camera performance by isolating it from mirror position and vibration issues, and reducing the complexity of independent bracket installations.
Implementation Method 1
a bracket (12) attached (such as adhesively attached or bonded) at the in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield
Data Source
AI summary
A method of mounting a camera module at a vehicle windshield includes attaching an attaching portion of a bracket at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield and attaching a mirror mounting base at the bracket, and attaching a mirror head at the mirror mounting base. With the attaching portion of the bracket attached at the in-cabin surface of the windshield, camera attaching structure of the bracket extends downward along the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield below the attaching portion. With the attaching portion of the bracket attached at the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield, the camera module is attached at the camera attaching structure of the bracket, whereby the lens of the camera module is below the attaching portion of the bracket and the camera module has a field of view through a portion of the vehicle windshield below the attaching portion.