RETENTION SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR FOR A CAMERA IN AN INSIDE COMPARTMENT OF A VEHICLE

• US 20170361780A1
• Filed: 06/16/2017
• Published: 12/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: Edgarian, Robik, Kulkarni, Ravindra
• Granted Patent: US 10,207,654 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/243 internal, i.e. with spreading action
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/245 external, i.e. with contracting action
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/99 Fasteners with means for avoiding incorrect assembly or positioning
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0685 Joining sheets or plates to strips or bars F16B5/0692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils

Abstract

A retention system on a mounting structure for a generally cylindrical component extending in a transversal axis. The retention system includes a generally U-shaped spring clip comprising a base and a pair of resilient retainer arms extending from the base along a longitudinal axis and defining an inlet passage; and a member holding said U-shaped spring clip; the retainer arms are adapted to engage with an upper side of the component in front of the inlet passage. The member includes one or multiple rigid retention walls extending inside the spring clip and which are adapted to engage with a lower side of the component at distance of the base, in working position.

Claims

1. A retention system on a mounting structure for a generally cylindrical component, the retention system comprising:

a U-shaped spring clip that includes a base and a pair of resilient retainer arms extending from the base along a main axis and defining an inlet passage; and

a holding member for holding said U-shaped spring clip,

wherein said retainer arms are adapted to engage with a first side of the component facing the inlet passage, and said holding member includes a rigid retention wall extending inside the spring clip and which are adapted to engage with a second side of the component opposite the first side, said second side located at a distance from the spring clip base in working position.

2. The retention system according to claim 1, characterized in that said holding member comprises two lateral sub-members that are disjoined, each of said lateral sub members comprising at least one retention wall engaging a respective lateral peripheral portion of said component.

3. The retention system according to claim 2, characterized in that each lateral sub-member) comprises at least one support wall, which is configured to be in contact with the end portion of the inner face of the spring clip base in working position.

4. The retention system according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the retainer arms is generally inwardly inclined and connected to the base via an elbow, and each of said lateral sub-members comprises a side face presenting a clearance with the corresponding elbow, in working position.

5. The retention system according to claim 4, characterized in that the spring clip base is received between said support walls and a reception sub-platform.

6. The retention system according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a rear support, the holding member and the reception sub-platform protruding from said rear support.

7. The retention system according to claim 6, characterized in that said reception sub-platform is a second reception sub-platform, which receives a central portion of the outer side of said base, the retention system comprising a first reception sub-platform at distance from said second reception sub-platform, the system being configured to receive the outer face of the base on said first reception sub-platform, and allow sliding the base on the second reception sub-platform, for mounting the spring clip.

8. The retention system according to claim 7, characterized in that said reception sub-platform extends beyond said holding member to serve as guide during mounting of said spring clip.

9. The retention system according to claim 5, characterized in that said reception sub-platform comprises a cavity configured to receive a corresponding locking protrusion provided in the spring clip base.

10. The retention system according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the retainer arms engages said first side of the component over a peripheral portion, which has an angular extension (α

) that is less than 45°

11. The retention system according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the retainer arms engages said first side of the component over a peripheral portion, which has an angular extension (α

) that is between 1° and

5°

.

12. The retention system according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid retention wall is positioned inside the spring clip at an average distance from the clip base corresponding to at least 25% of the height of the spring clip, preferably between 30% and 40% of said height.

13. A camera assembly for mounting to a windscreen in a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle, said camera assembly comprising:

a camera the includes a cylindrical component;

a mounting structure comprising a reception platform with a first side adapted to be fixed to the windscreen, and an opposite side adapted for receiving the camera;

wherein said cylindrical component is fixed by a retention system that includes

a U-shaped spring clip that includes a base and a pair of resilient retainer arms extending from the base along a main axis and defining an inlet passage; and

a holding member for holding said U-shaped spring clip,

wherein said retainer arms are adapted to engage with a first side of the component facing the inlet passage, and said holding member includes a rigid retention wall extending inside the spring clip and which are adapted to engage with a second side of the component opposite the first side, said second side located at a distance from the spring clip base in working position.

14. The camera assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the camera further comprises two legs at an opposite end of the camera housing, the mounting structure further comprising two leg holders adapted for holding a respective leg.

15. The camera assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that each leg holder comprises a rigid hook, which is adapted to retain a corresponding leg;

and in that the rigid hook comprises a fool-proof mounting rib running on the external side of the rigid hook and extending by a noticeable amount over the top portion of the rigid hook.