TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a module and support structure assembly. The invention relates in particular to a support structure with mounting bracket for a vehicle windscreen and adapted for releasable fixing a module such as a camera or other accessory.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Automobile vehicles which provide driving assistance are generally constructed with vision systems. For advanced driving assistance, vision systems can be installed in the passenger compartment. For example, a camera can be arranged behind the windscreen in order to make the road visible. Typically, the camera is mounted on a support or bracket, which is then fixed to the windscreen. The driving assistance requires a robust construction of the camera mounting system to be secure and ensure safety of the passengers, especially in case of crash. However, the camera mounting system shall not be a permanent fixation in order to allow the removal of the camera, for example for maintenance. Clipping systems (namely snap fit systems) have therefore been used to facilitate the locking of the camera on the platform.

WO 2013/009368 A1 discloses a retention system, on a mounting structure, for a generally cylindrical component, the retention system comprising: a generally U-shaped metal spring clip comprising a base and a pair of symmetric resilient retainer arms extending from the base and defining an inlet passage; and a member holding the U-shaped spring clip. The retainer arms have a substantially arcuate shape (hourglass-shaped profile), so that each retainer arm contacts the component over a substantial peripheral region, which allows securing the component between the retainer arms.

Current issues with known mounting brackets are the fragility of the releasable fixtures, which may not resist several mounting/dismounting required for maintenance, or may be damaged by a miss-assembly. In some designs, the locking grooves of the fixtures are oriented downwards, facilitating the detachment of the module on used mounting brackets.

Another camera mounting assembly is disclosed in EP 3 258 119. The mounting bracket disclosed therein has an improved retainer design with a metallic spring clip that has proved very robust in practice. Indeed, it allows detaching the camera from the mounting bracket several times, without risking damaging the retainers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described herein is a module and support structure assembly that permits a handy and reliable fixing of the module, while being releasable.

According to the present invention, a module and support structure assembly comprises a module having a housing; and a support structure adapted to carry said module, the housing and support structure comprising respective first and second fixation members cooperating with each other for releasable fixing, in particular by snapping, the module to the support structure.

It shall be appreciated that the housing and support structure further comprise cooperating positioning members that are configured to define a receiving position for the module on the support structure, in which the module is not fixed, and to assist in a guided fashion engagement of the first and second fixation members to bring said module in a fixed position.

In the present invention, the locking movement of the module is thus carried out in an assisted/guided manner, which ensures a proper engagement of the cooperating releasable fixation members. This is permitted by the positioning members, which not only accompany the engaging movement of the positioning members in all directions, and hence reduce the risk of damage, but also acts as a first fool-proof (poke-yoke) means. Indeed, bringing the module in the receiving position needs a proper orientation of the module, avoiding miss-assemblies. The positioning means are further of advantage in circumstances where the access to the support structure is not comfortable and the operator does not readily have a view on the parts. Here, once the operator has brought the module on the support structure in receiving position, he is confident that the cooperating fixation members can be properly engaged, as well as disengaged. Hence the present invention offers a handy and reliable assembly design.

The present invention has been particularly developed for application in automotive vehicles, e.g. for modules such as cameras, vision systems in general or other accessories, that may need to be securely and detachably fixed in the vehicle (in the passenger compartment or in the engine or trunk). In particular, the present design allows a plurality of mounting/dismounting of the module/camera on the support structure, as required e.g. during servicing (e.g. annual servicing) of a vehicle, where the windscreen can be more easily cleaned after removal of the camera. It will however be apparent that the invention can be transposed to a variety of application where a module with any functionality needs to be assembled to a support structure.

The positioning members may comprise a protrusion and a cavity, the protrusion being capable of rotation in the cavity so that the module is brought by pivoting about a rotating axis from the receiving position into the fixed position. Preferably the cavity is provided in the support structure and the housing comprises a positioning pin fitting into the cavity. In the receiving position the pin is within the cavity, so that it suffices to rotate/twist the module from the receiving position to engage the cooperating fixation members and bring the module in the fixed position. If desirable, the positioning cavity may comprise a snap-fit function to compensate for tolerances.

The positioning members are beneficial in that they provide a first level of poke-yoke by defining a predetermined position in which the module is to be oriented on the support structure. Furthermore, they ensure that the displacement movement required to engage the cooperating fixation members is properly carried out, reducing risks of damaging the latter. The fixation members being releasable, the positioning members also assist for the release/unlock movement of the camera.

Advantageously, poke-yoke means are further provided, which include at least one guide feature on the support structure that limits the angular displacement of the module on the support structure, and thereby defines the angular position corresponding to the receiving position. One or more guide features may be provided on the support structure and may take any appropriate form. Conveniently a pair of positioning walls are arranged on the support structure and spaced to accommodate the module, the positioning member of the support structure being located in-between the guide walls or separating one of the guide walls in two portions. This prevents any initial miss-assembly of the module on the support structure to reach the receiving position.

The releasable fixation members may include a pin and a groove with snap-fit function. The groove is preferably arranged on the support structure and the pin is provided on the module, although the contrary is possible. The pin preferably extends in a direction transversal (i.e. angled), in particular perpendicular, to the rotation axis of the positioning members. Alternatively the pin may be parallel to the rotation axis.

In embodiments, to further support the module, the latter is provided with a further pin that is engaged, in the fixing position, in a groove of a supporting member (which may by designed as groove of a fixation member with snap-fit function).

The combination of pin and snap-fit groove is conveniently used for its ease of manufacturing, and since it provides an easily engageable releasable fixture, in particular through the rotating movement imparted to the module. The snap-fit groove is easily formed by a plastic or metallic C or U shaped element having appropriate resilience or elasticity. Those skilled in the art will however appreciate that this is not critical and that a variety of releasable fixation members can be envisaged, with any appropriate shape and design, based on snap-fit, interference-fit, flexible/elastic fit or friction fit.

A minimum of one set of cooperating releasable fixation members is required so that there is at least one fixation point of the module to the support structure. However more fixation points can be used, with heavier modules.

When the module comprises two pins, they are preferably provided on opposite portions of the housing and extend along a respective axis transverse to said rotation axis, preferably perpendicular thereto, or can be both parallel to the rotation axis. The corresponding grooves are advantageously oriented such that their openings look in opposite directions, e.g. backwards and rearwards in a car. In doing so, there is one groove looking opposite to a crash direction, reducing the risk of camera popping out.

In embodiments, the support structure comprises a platform with the fixation member(s), respectively the support member, and guide walls, wherein the rotation axis is substantially perpendicular to the platform and wherein the grooves have an inlet region oriented such that it lies in a plane parallel to the platform. The pins are preferably arranged to extend along a same axis that passes through the positioning cavity for perfect turning.

In use, the platform is preferably substantially horizontally arranged (although any configuration is possible). The present assembly can be adapted for mounting to any kind of surface, in particular with any inclination (namely any rake angle of a vehicle windscreen). The support structure may comprise a bracket portion, in particular connected to the platform, for mounting to an external structure, in particular to a vehicle windscreen. The bracket portion is configured so that in use, the platform preferably lies within +/−30° from the horizontal, more preferably +/−10°, even more preferably less than 5°. The platform can e.g. also be directly affixed to a horizontal surface.

In many applications, as is the case for cameras, the module may have a generally rectangular housing with front and rear faces, lateral edges and top and bottom edges. The pins may protrude on opposite lateral edges. Alternatively the pins may be arranged to protrude from the front and rear faces. the positioning pin may be arranged to protrude beyond the top edge. In embodiments, depending on the space available on the support structure, the positioning pin is arranged on a tab protruding from the rear face.

Further features and advantages will appear more clearly on a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, which is given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

