Vehicle Mirror Ball Clamp Assembly with Spring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle inside mirror devices with ball clamps face issues of mechanical errors and assembly errors due to dimension differences and deformation caused by press-fitting, leading to easy separation and increased manufacturing complexity and costs.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle inside mirror device employing barrel-shaped ball clamps formed by assembling pairs of semi-barrel-shaped and symmetrical bodies, with a spring between them to absorb mechanical and assembly errors, and guide parts to maintain coupling, preventing deformation and enhancing mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a spherical ball clamp is assembled through hook coupling, then assembly is simplified, but mechanical errors and assembly errors occur due to dimension differences and deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoiddimensional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ball clamp is divided into two separate semi-spherical parts that are assembled together. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured with precise dimensions independently, reducing cumulative dimensional errors while maintaining ease of assembly through the hook coupling mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The two semi-spherical parts are combined to form a complete spherical ball clamp assembly. This merging provides both the dimensional accuracy of precisely manufactured individual parts and the functional integrity of a complete ball clamp, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If press-fitting manner is used for ball clamp assembly, then connection strength is improved, but deformation of the ball clamp occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidball clamp deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

A spring element is introduced into the ball clamp assembly to provide beforehand cushioning. The spring absorbs assembly errors and mechanical errors, cushioning against deformation of the ball clamp while maintaining connection strength through the elastic force of the spring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element changes the mechanical parameters of the assembly by introducing elasticity. This allows the assembly to accommodate dimensional variations and prevent rigid deformation, maintaining both connection strength and shape integrity under varying load conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If safety separation means separates bolt from spring tube, then safety separation is achieved, but stay separation becomes extremely easy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety separationVSAvoidstay stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The ball clamp assembly with spring element provides dynamic stability to the stay connection. The spring allows for controlled movement and absorption of forces, maintaining stay stability during normal operation while still enabling safety separation when necessary, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and safety separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple complicated parts are assembled, then functional requirements are met, but assembly difficulty and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ball clamp assembly with spring element serves multiple functions: providing connection strength, absorbing assembly errors, cushioning against deformation, and enabling safety separation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate components, simplifying the overall device while meeting all functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution effectively absorbs mechanical and assembly errors, ensuring precise assembly, reducing deformation, and simplifying manufacturing while providing a safer and more reliable mirror adjustment mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a spring provided between the first ball clamp and the second ball clamp for generating an expansion force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8474990B2Vehicle inside mirror device employing ball clamps

Publication Date: 2013.07.02 SMR PATENTS S A R L

AI summary

A vehicle inside mirror device employs a ball clamp in which a barrel-shaped ball clamp is prepared by assembling a pair of semi-barrel-shaped and symmetrical bodies to accommodate for manufacturing errors and the like. The ball clamp includes a mirror through which a driver can view rearwardly; and a mirror mounting part. The mirror mounting part has a barrel-shaped hinge part. A first ball clamp surrounds and clamps the hinge part. A second ball clamp corresponds to the first ball clamp with a spring between the first ball clamp and the second ball clamp for generating an expansion force. The mirror mounting part is fixed to a glass or a ceiling of a vehicle and has a hinge part for coupling the second ball clamp thereto. A tube surrounding the first ball clamp, the second ball clamp and the spring.