Compact Rear-View Mirror Housing for Aerodynamic Multi-Axis Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear-view mirrors for vehicles are bulky, affecting aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, and are fragile due to exposed rotation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A compact rear-view mirror design with a rotation mechanism on three axes, housed within a protective casing, reducing exposure to impacts and allowing for greater aerodynamic shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the mirror is made large enough to allow a complete view of the field of vision, then the field of vision coverage is improved, but the overall dimension and volume of the rear-view mirror increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation mechanism is segmented into three independent axes (vertical, horizontal, and tilt), allowing each axis to control a specific rotation movement. This segmentation enables compact arrangement of the mechanism within the casing while achieving complete mirror orientation control for full field of vision coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the mirror is rotatably mounted within the casing, and the casing itself is rotatably mounted within the attachment arm structure. The three-axis rotation mechanism is nested within the compact casing, allowing multiple functional components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes and reducing the overall mirror assembly volume.
2Ease of operation
If the rotation mechanism is exposed to allow mirror adjustment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability and resistance to impacts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs electric motors mounted on the rotation mechanism to provide dynamic, motorized adjustment of the mirror and casing positions. This eliminates the need for exposed manual adjustment mechanisms, as the electric motors can be integrated within the protected casing while still enabling full range of motion for mirror orientation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system where electric motors and control circuits mediate between the user's adjustment commands and the physical mirror position. This intermediary layer allows the rotation mechanism to be enclosed and protected while maintaining full adjustability functionality through motorized actuation.
3Volume of moving object
If the rear-view mirror is made compact, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but the field of vision coverage may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional rotation across three independent axes to compensate for the reduced mirror surface area. By enabling the mirror to rotate vertically, horizontally, and tilt, the system expands the field of vision coverage into multiple spatial dimensions, allowing a smaller mirror to achieve the same total viewing area as a larger fixed mirror.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the mirror system by introducing multi-axis rotation capabilities. This allows the mirror to dynamically adjust its orientation and viewing angle, compensating for the reduced physical size through increased positional and orientational flexibility, thereby maintaining complete field of vision coverage despite compact dimensions.
4Reliability
If the rotation mechanism is protected within the casing, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protection function and the rotation mechanism into a single integrated casing structure. The casing simultaneously serves as the protective enclosure and as the mounting structure for the three-axis rotation mechanism, eliminating the need for separate protective housings and reducing overall structural complexity despite the enhanced protection and multi-axis functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
Rear-view device (10) for a vehicle comprising a support arm (20) adapted to be securely mounted with said vehicle, a casing (30) rotatably mounted with said support arm (20), characterised in that said rear-view device (10) comprises a mirror (40) securely mounted with said casing (30).