Vehicle Mirror Backplate Coupling for Easy Service Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior rear-view mirror assemblies for vehicles face issues with tolerance problems and require complex assembly and disassembly processes, particularly in foldable designs where the backplate supporting the mirror surface is not easily interchangeable.
Innovation Solution
The mirror assembly features a direct coupling between the backplate and the actuator's movable part, with flexible clips and biasing tabs, allowing the backplate to be independently disassembled without removing the cover frame, and a direct coupling between the cover frame and the actuator's movable part using fixation clips and tongues, enhancing robustness and reducing tolerance issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the backplate is directly coupled to the actuator without intermediate components, then the assembly robustness and tolerance problems are improved, but the ease of disassembly and serviceability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: flexible clips for attachment and biasing tabs for retention. This segmentation allows the backplate to be directly coupled to the actuator for robustness while maintaining serviceability through the modular nature of the coupling components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible clips and biasing tabs introduce dynamic elements to the coupling system. The flexible clips can deform during assembly and disassembly, while the biasing tabs provide controlled retention force. This dynamic behavior enables easy serviceability while maintaining a robust direct coupling when assembled.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex assembly and disassembly processes are used, then the adaptability and interchangeability of the backplate are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into specialized components with specific functions: flexible clips for connection and biasing tabs for retention. This segmentation enables the backplate to be easily interchanged by simply manipulating these discrete elements, improving adaptability while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible clips and biasing tabs act as intermediary elements between the backplate and actuator. These intermediaries simplify the coupling and decoupling processes, making the backplate easily interchangeable without requiring complex assembly or disassembly procedures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the backplate requires removal of the cover frame for disassembly, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ease of operation and serviceability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into flexible clips and biasing tabs that are integrated with the cover frame structure. This segmentation allows the backplate to be coupled and decoupled through these specialized elements without requiring removal of the entire cover frame, maintaining structural integrity while improving serviceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible clips and biasing tabs provide dynamic coupling and retention mechanisms that operate independently of the cover frame's main structure. This dynamic design enables the backplate to be easily assembled and disassembled through the flexible elements while the cover frame remains in place, preserving structural integrity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention refers to an exterior rear view mirror assembly (1) for vehicles, comprising: a support base (19), a mirror head (20) coupled to the support base, the mirror head in turn (20) comprising: a housing comprising a cover frame (7), a backplate (2) having an outer side (2a) and an inner side (2b), a mirror surface (3) supported on the outer side (2a) of the backplate (2), an actuator (4) comprising a movable part (6). The backplate (2) is coupled to the movable part (6) of the actuator (4), such that the backplate (2) is movable by means of the actuator (4), and the cover frame (7) is also coupled to the movable part (6) of the actuator (4). The coupling between the backplate (2) and the movable part (6) of the actuator (4) and the coupling between the cover frame (7) and the movable part (6) of the actuator (4) are direct couplings.