Exterior Mirror Unit With Detachable Coupling For Independent Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exterior mirror units for motor vehicles are economically unfavorable as the mirror part and carrier are typically permanently connected, requiring replacement of both when the mirror part is damaged, leading to unnecessary costs.

Innovation Solution

The mirror part is detachably fixed to the carrier via a coupling mechanism, allowing for independent replacement of the mirror part without needing to replace the entire exterior mirror unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the mirror part and carrier are permanently connected, then the structural integrity and stability are improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates as the entire unit must be replaced when the mirror part is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of repair

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The exterior mirror unit is divided into separable components: the mirror part and the carrier, connected through a coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows the mirror part to be detached and replaced independently while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation, directly resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of repair

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism transitions from a static permanent connection to a dynamic state where the mirror part can be easily detached when needed. The coupling allows the system to adapt between a stable connected state during use and a separable state during maintenance, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and repairability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the mirror part and carrier are permanently connected, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of substance increases as the entire unit must be discarded when the mirror part is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidloss of substance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the exterior mirror unit into replaceable mirror part and reusable carrier, the invention enables selective replacement of only the damaged component. This reduces material waste significantly compared to discarding the entire permanently connected unit, while the segmentation complexity is offset by the simplicity of the coupling mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism enables the carrier to be recovered and reused after the mirror part is replaced. Only the damaged mirror part is discarded, while the functional carrier remains in service, directly addressing the loss of substance issue while maintaining acceptable device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS10493919B2Exterior mirror unit

Publication Date: 2019.12.03 MCI MIRROR CONTROLS INT NETHERLANDS

AI summary

An exterior mirror unit for a motor vehicle includes a mirror part and a carrier which carries the mirror part. The mirror part is detachably fixed to the carrier via a coupling. A method is also provided for detaching a mirror part of an exterior mirror unit for a motor vehicle from a carrier of the exterior mirror unit in which a coupling between the mirror part and the carrier is adjusted from the lock position to the release position.