Vehicle Door Mirror Assembly Impact Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frameless vehicle side mirror assemblies are vulnerable to forward impacts, which can cause damage to the actuator and lead to detachment of the glass assembly due to excessive or repetitive forces, as they are not designed to withstand such loads effectively.
Innovation Solution
The external mirror assembly incorporates a support arm, a housing with a pivoting structure, a bracket with a curved surface, and a pin that transfers impacts or loads from the housing to the bracket, directing them through the pivoting structure to prevent damage to the actuator and maintain the glass assembly's attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the glass assembly is extended out to be flush with the housing for a frameless appearance, then the aesthetic quality is improved, but the glass assembly becomes vulnerable to impacts and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recessed configuration where the glass assembly is positioned within the housing rather than flush with it. This creates a protective buffer zone that absorbs impact forces before they reach the glass assembly and its attachment points, preventing detachment while maintaining the frameless aesthetic through careful design of the recess depth and positioning.
2Device complexity
If the actuator and glass assembly are designed for basic adjustment functionality, then the device complexity is reduced, but they cannot withstand excessively large or repetitive forces from impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary protective structure between the glass assembly and the actuator mechanism. This intermediary element absorbs and distributes impact forces, protecting the actuator from excessive loads while allowing the actuator itself to remain relatively simple in design. The intermediary structure acts as a force distributor that prevents concentrated loads from reaching the adjustment mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If the housing is designed without additional protective structures, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the glass assembly is exposed to forward impacts from fore to aft direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing structure into distinct functional zones: a protective outer housing and an inner recessed area where the glass assembly is positioned. This segmentation allows the outer housing to serve as the impact-absorbing element while the inner recessed area protects the glass assembly. The segmentation is achieved through structural features integrated into the housing itself, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while providing enhanced protection.
Data Source
AI summary
An external mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a support arm adapted to be affixed to an associated vehicle side door and a housing movably mounted to the support arm. A glass assembly is attached to the housing. A bracket is supported within the housing for mounting an actuator, and the actuator is configured to selectively adjust the housing and glass assembly together and in tandem relative to the bracket to adjust a field of view of the glass assembly as viewed by an associated vehicle operator. A pin disposed between the housing and the bracket is configured to transfer an impact or load exerted on the housing into the bracket.