Windshield Bracket Wire Retention Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield bracket systems for vehicles lack an effective retention mechanism for electrical wires, which can lead to instability and improper positioning of rearview mirrors, affecting their functionality and safety.
Innovation Solution
A retention assembly with a fastening feature and coupling member is integrated into the windshield bracket, featuring a shaft with radial fins and a cover portion, along with first and second clips, to securely couple and rotate relative to the wires, ensuring stable positioning of the rearview mirror.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no retention mechanism is provided for electrical wires, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of electrical component positioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wire retention function with the existing windshield bracket structure by integrating a retention assembly that includes a fastening feature and coupling member. The fastening feature engages with the bracket while the coupling member secures the wire, merging multiple functions (structural support and wire retention) into a single integrated assembly, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The retention assembly serves multiple functions: the fastening feature anchors the assembly to the windshield bracket, the coupling member retains electrical wires, and the rotatable joint allows adjustment. This multi-functional design addresses the reliability need for stable mirror positioning while keeping the added complexity manageable through functional integration
2Reliability
If a retention assembly with multiple components is added, then the reliability of wire retention is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retention assembly is divided into distinct functional components: a fastening feature for anchoring, a coupling member for wire retention, and a rotatable joint for adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes, improving reliability through specialized design while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular production and assembly
3Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling member is made rotatable, then the adaptability of wire positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is designed with a rotatable joint that allows dynamic adjustment of wire positioning. This rotational capability provides adaptability for different wire routes and mirror positions while maintaining relatively simple construction through the use of a straightforward rotational mechanism rather than complex multi-axis adjustments
Data Source
AI summary
A retention assembly for a windshield bracket includes a fastening feature that includes a shaft defining a plurality of radial fins along a length of the shaft. A cover portion is operably coupled to the shaft of the fastening feature and includes an attachment feature. A coupling member includes a first clip that is operably coupled to the attachment feature of the cover portion and a second clip that is configured to receive a wire of said windshield bracket.