Electronics systems cluster with interlocking brackets

• US 10,457,223 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2019
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Maxwell, Kurt Hugh, Dunham, Scott Holmes
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hoa C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Augustin, Christopher L
• Application Number:
  US16/288,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20190193642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 243 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/816 Fastening of displays or touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/828 Mounting or fastening exchangeable modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/834 Docking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/00 Dashboards as road-vehicle superstructure sub-units B62D25/14
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/02 electric constitutive elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0063 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0064 Connection with the article
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/026 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0208 Interlock mechanisms; Means for avoiding unauthorised use or function, e.g. tamperproof
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/12 Resilient or clamping means for holding component to structure
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14 Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack

Abstract

An electronics systems cluster includes a plurality of brackets, a plurality of electronic devices held in the plurality of brackets and an interlocking feature securing the plurality of brackets directly together into a small footprint configuration less likely to interfere with driver sight lines.

Claims

1. An electronics systems cluster, comprising:

a plurality of brackets;

a plurality of electronic devices held in said plurality of brackets; and

an interlocking feature provided along edges of said plurality of brackets wherein said interlocking feature is configured to allow freedom of movement between said plurality of brackets perpendicular to a tangent plane of a windshield to which said plurality of brackets are to be adhered whereby said plurality of brackets are secured directly together and staggered in position with respect to one another in order to accommodate curvature of a windshield.

2. The electronics systems cluster of claim 1, wherein said interlocking feature extends laterally between said plurality of brackets.

3. The electronics systems cluster of claim 2, wherein said interlocking feature includes cooperating male and female connectors.

4. The electronics systems cluster of claim 3, wherein said cooperating male and female connectors allow said plurality of brackets to be staggered in position with respect to one another in order to accommodate curvature of a windshield and allow for proper windshield mounting.

5. The electronics systems cluster of claim 4, further including an adhesive securing said plurality of brackets to said windshield.

6. The electronics systems cluster of claim 1, wherein said interlocking feature includes cooperating male and female connectors.

7. The electronics systems cluster of claim 6, wherein said cooperating male and female connectors allow said plurality of brackets to be staggered in position with respect to one another in order to accommodate curvature of a windshield and allow for proper windshield mounting.

8. The electronics systems cluster of claim 1, further including an adhesive securing said plurality of brackets to a windshield.

9. An electronics systems duster, comprising:

a plurality of brackets;

a plurality of electronic devices held in said plurality of brackets; and

a common interlocking feature provided on said plurality of brackets and configured to secure said plurality of brackets directly together in a staggered configuration in order to accommodate curvature of a windshield and allow for proper windshield mounting;

wherein said interlocking feature is configured to allow freedom of movement between said plurality of brackets perpendicular to a tangent plane of a windshield.

10. The electronics systems cluster of claim 9, wherein said common interlocking feature is a two-way locator.

11. The electronics systems cluster of claim 10, wherein said two-way locator is cooperating male and female connectors.

12. The electronics systems cluster of claim 9, wherein said interlocking feature is a four way locator.

13. The electronics systems cluster of claim 12, wherein said four way locator is a plurality of cooperating dove tail connectors.

14. A method of constructing and mounting an electronics systems cluster to a windshield of a motor vehicle, comprising:

interconnecting, by an interlocking feature, a plurality of brackets carrying a plurality of electronic devices; and

staggering said plurality of brackets with respect to one another in order to accommodate curvature of said windshield and allow for proper windshield mounting;

allowing, by said interlocking feature, freedom of movement between said plurality of brackets perpendicular to a tangent plane of said windshield.

15. The method of claim 14, including adhering, by an adhesive, said plurality of brackets to said windshield.

16. The method of claim 15, including providing a plurality of cooperating dovetail connectors for said interlocking feature.