Rearview Mirror Backplate Snap Connection Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interior rearview mirror assemblies face challenges in providing a secure and adjustable mounting system that simplifies manufacturing and enhances assembly, while also offering adjustable rearward field of view and optional lighting features.
Innovation Solution
The proposed interior rearview mirror assembly incorporates a backplate with a snap connection mechanism to the bezel and mirror casing, featuring a unitarily molded planar attachment portion, pivot element, and perimeter flange, which allows for easy assembly and adjustment, along with optional perimeter lighting using LEDs and light directing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional attachment plate and separate snap connection components are used, then the mirror assembly provides secure mounting, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the attachment plate, snap connection elements, and mounting interface into a single integrated backplate component. This backplate includes an attachment plate for securing the reflective element, snap connection elements for joining to the bezel, and a mounting interface for the pivot assembly, thereby reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining secure mounting reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The backplate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it attaches the reflective element to the mirror assembly, provides snap connections to the bezel for structural support, and includes an integrated mounting interface for the pivot assembly. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing assembly complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for the backplate assembly, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall assembly time and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The backplate is designed as a single integrated component that can be manufactured as one piece using injection molding or similar processes. This unified structure eliminates the need to assemble multiple separate components, significantly reducing assembly time and manufacturing cost while still allowing optimization of the overall component design
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple attachment plate is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but secure connection to the bezel and casing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The backplate integrates the attachment plate with snap connection elements that engage with corresponding features on the bezel and casing. This combination provides secure mechanical connection while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a single integrated component that can be produced using standard molding processes
Solution Approach 2:
The snap connection elements incorporate curved or flexible portions that allow for easy assembly through elastic deformation, enabling the components to snap together securely. The curved geometry provides both the securing function and facilitates simple manufacturing through injection molding
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances the assembly and manufacturing process of the mirror assembly, provides adjustable rearward field of view, and offers customizable lighting to improve the driver's visibility and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
a backplate that is attachable to (such as via an adhesive or tape or the like) at a rear surface of a reflective element
Implementation Method 2
a socket element (for attaching to a ball member of a mounting arm) integrally formed therewith
Data Source
AI summary
A rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a front mirror casing portion configured to receive the mirror reflective element, a rear mirror casing and a mirror backplate. The mirror backplate includes a generally planar attachment portion for attaching at a rear surface of the mirror reflective element and includes a perimeter flange circumscribing a perimeter of the generally planar attachment portion. The perimeter flange is partially received in the rear mirror casing portion and partially received in the front mirror casing portion, and the perimeter flange couples the front and rear mirror casing portions to the mirror backplate.