Invertible Rear View Mirror Assembly With Asymmetric Aerodynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external rear view mirrors for large vehicles, such as buses and trucks, face issues with increased drag, wind noise, cost, complexity, and weight due to electric actuators and asymmetrical designs, making them difficult to assemble and mount on either side of the vehicle while maintaining aerodynamic features.
Innovation Solution
A mirror assembly comprising a chassis and cover with asymmetrical aerodynamic features, allowing for mounting on either side of the vehicle in both upright and inverted orientations, featuring a chassis with internal clips and vertically aligned openings for lateral adjustment, and a cover that is symmetrical about a transverse axis but not laterally symmetrical, reducing drag and noise through aerodynamic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electric actuators are added to allow driver adjustment of mirror tilt and pan angles, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity, cost, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes electric actuators from the mirror assembly entirely, replacing them with a simple manual adjustment mechanism. The mirror is mounted on a pole with a adjustment bracket that allows the driver to manually tilt and pan the mirror by hand, extracting the complex electrical components while retaining the essential adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive manual adjustment bracket instead of expensive electric actuators. The bracket is a basic mechanical component that can be easily replaced if needed, providing a cost-effective solution that sacrifices automated adjustment for significant reductions in complexity and cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a combination of flat and curved mirrors is used to provide different field of views, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single flat mirror that serves multiple functions. By adjusting the tilt and pan angles manually, the same mirror provides both a direct rear view and a wider lateral view, eliminating the need for separate convex and flat mirrors while maintaining versatile viewing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple mirrors into a single flat mirror assembly. Instead of having separate convex and flat mirrors with separate actuators, one mirror with manual adjustment performs the combined function, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If asymmetrical aerodynamic features are incorporated into the mirror housing, then drag and wind noise are reduced, but the mirror can only be mounted on one side of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates asymmetrical aerodynamic features into the mirror housing design, with a streamlined shape that reduces drag and wind noise when mounted on the driver's side of the vehicle. The housing has a teardrop-like profile with a rounded leading edge and tapered trailing edge optimized for airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the mirror assembly invertible by providing symmetrical mounting provisions on both the top and bottom of the housing. The adjustment bracket can be repositioned to accommodate inverted mounting, allowing the same asymmetrical aerodynamic housing to be installed on either side of the vehicle by simply flipping the assembly.
4Adaptability or versatility
If distinct non-identical upper and lower mirrors are used, then field of view coverage is improved, but manufacturing and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single universal mirror design that can function in different positions. The same mirror assembly is used whether mounted in upright or inverted orientation, eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble different mirror types while providing comprehensive field of view coverage through manual adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A rear view mirror for a vehicle has certain asymmetrical aerodynamic features that are combined with construction details that render the assembly invertible for use on either side of the vehicle and easier to install than its prior art counterparts.