Fender Mirror Mount Structure for Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mirror mounts for vehicles, which are supported by the fender skin, suffer from reduced vibration attenuation and structural rigidity, leading to blurry views and potential damage due to vibrations, and occupy valuable space.
Innovation Solution
A mirror mount design that secures the mirror directly to the vehicle's frame member using pillars that extend through the fender, bypassing the fender skin for improved structural support and reduced vibration transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the bracket is strapped or screwed directly to the outer fender exterior, then the mirror mount can be simplified in structure, but the vibration attenuation effectiveness is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Z-shaped secondary bracket as an intermediary element that extends from the main bracket through the fender gap to the bulkhead. This secondary bracket acts as a mediator that transfers mounting forces away from the thin fender skin to the more rigid bulkhead structure, thereby reducing vibration transmission while maintaining overall mount simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the mounting structure into a third dimension by routing the Z-shaped secondary bracket through the gap between the fender and hood to reach the bulkhead. This spatial extension allows the mount to bypass the limitations of the thin fender skin and anchor to a more rigid structure in a different spatial plane.
2Ease of manufacture
If the bracket is supported by the fender skin, then the installation process is simplified, but the mirror vibration is increased causing blurry views
Solution Approach 1:
The Z-shaped secondary bracket serves as an intermediary that connects the main bracket to the bulkhead through the fender gap. This intermediary structure allows the mirror mount to be installed relatively simply while transferring vibrational loads away from the fender skin to the bulkhead, thereby reducing mirror vibration and improving view clarity.
3Reliability
If the mirror mount uses a Z-shaped secondary bracket extending through the fender gap, then the vibration attenuation is improved, but the device size increases occupying valuable viewing space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mirror mount into two functional segments: the main bracket that attaches to the fender and the Z-shaped secondary bracket that extends to the bulkhead. This segmentation allows the vibration attenuation function to be performed by the secondary bracket while keeping the main mounting structure compact and minimizing interference with viewing space.
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror mount that mounts a mirror to a vehicle fender. The mount can include a base that faces a vehicle fender exterior without extending upwardly and under a hood of the vehicle. A support arm extends from the base and includes a distal end that joins with a mirror. One or more pillars extend away from the base. The pillars can be sized and shaped to extend through holes in the fender to a frame member of the vehicle disposed inwardly relative to the fender. The pillars are associated with a fastener to join with the frame member so that weight of the mirror, the base, the support arm and/or the pillars are substantially born by the frame member. This can reduce transmission of vibration inherent in the fender to the mirror, and/or can rigidly and structurally connect the mirror to the frame member, rather than the fender.