Deployable Deflector for Motor Vehicle Side Mirror

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind buffeting caused by strong airflow over side windows of motor vehicles, resulting from aerodynamic design to minimize drag, makes it undesirable to have rear windows open during certain speeds, leading to discomfort for operators.

Innovation Solution

An exterior mirror system with a deployable deflector that automatically deploys when rear windows are opened and vehicle speed exceeds a threshold, using a control system with sensors and motors to fill the gap between the mirror housing and support, reducing buffeting pressure pulsations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the side mirrors are designed to minimize aerodynamic drag, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but the airflow over the side windows becomes stronger causing wind buffeting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerodynamic dragVSAvoidwind buffeting

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mirror assembly transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one by deploying a panel from the housing. This deployable panel is positioned to deflect airflow away from the side windows, reducing the harmful buffeting effect while maintaining the aerodynamic benefits of the streamlined mirror design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The deployable panel acts as an intermediary element between the mirror housing and the side windows. By introducing this intermediate structure, the patent redirects the airflow in a controlled manner, preventing it from directly impacting the side windows and thus eliminating the wind buffeting problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If rear windows are opened during vehicle operation, then operator comfort is improved, but wind buffeting noise and pressure pulsations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindow openingVSAvoidwind buffeting noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system preemptively deploys the panel before the operator opens the rear windows. By detecting the window opening state through sensors, the control system activates the deployable panel in advance, creating a protective airflow configuration that prevents wind buffeting noise and pressure pulsations from occurring when the windows are opened.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates sensors that detect the state of the rear windows and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically deploy or retract the panel based on real-time window position information, ensuring the panel is deployed only when needed and maintaining optimal aerodynamic conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a deployable panel is added to the mirror housing, then wind buffeting is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind buffetingVSAvoidmirror system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the deployable panel directly into the mirror housing structure, merging the deflection function with the existing mirror assembly. This integration approach allows the panel to be stored within the housing when not in use and deployed only when required, adding functionality without significantly increasing overall system complexity or occupying additional space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively reduces wind buffeting noise and pressure pulsations inside the vehicle, allowing rear windows to be opened without compromising aerodynamic performance, enhancing operator comfort and safety.

Implementation Method 1

Through the Helmholz resonance phenomenon, this strong airflow can cause a buffeting pressure pulsation in the motor vehicle interior when the rear windows of the vehicle are opened

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHelmholtz resonance: Helmholtz Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS7621588B2Deployable deflector for outside mirror

Publication Date: 2009.11.24 FCA US LLC

AI summary

An exterior mirror system for a motor vehicle includes a housing and a coupling arm. The coupling arm is adapted to couple the housing to a body of the motor vehicle. The exterior mirror system also includes a deployable panel substantially resident in the housing in a stowed position and extending toward the body in a deployed position.