Mirror Base Cover Sealing via Cap Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of exterior rear view mirror assemblies is complicated due to dimensional deviations and tolerances in the mirror base cover and articulated connection, leading to high assembly effort and potential rejections, with existing solutions causing wear and allowing entry of liquid and dirt during pivoting movements.
Innovation Solution
A mirror base cover with an opening larger than necessary for the articulated connection, featuring a mirror base cap assembly with a hard, rigid component and a soft, elastic seal, which extends to the edge of the opening for precise alignment and sealing, reducing assembly complexity and wear while preventing liquid and dirt entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the opening in the mirror base cover is made precisely fitted to the articulated connection, then the positioning accuracy and gap reduction are improved, but the assembly complexity and time increase due to tolerance adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented from the mirror base cover into a separate mirror base cap assembly. This allows the opening in the mirror base cover to be larger and simpler, while the cap assembly provides the precise fitting and sealing function, reducing assembly complexity of the main cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror base cap assembly acts as an intermediary component between the mirror base cover and the articulated connection. It mediates the tolerance issues by providing a adaptable interface that can accommodate dimensional deviations while maintaining precise positioning and sealing.
2Reliability
If a seal is provided between the mirror base cap and the edge of the opening, then the sealing against liquid and dirt is improved, but the wear increases during pivoting movements
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is extracted from the main mirror base cover structure and integrated into the separate mirror base cap assembly. This allows the seal to be positioned optimally within the cap assembly, away from high-wear pivot areas, while maintaining effective sealing against liquid and dirt.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is copied from the mirror base cover to the mirror base cap assembly, allowing the seal to be implemented in a location that minimizes wear during pivoting movements while maintaining the same sealing effectiveness.
3Productivity
If the opening is made larger than necessary for the articulated connection, then the assembly effort is reduced, but the gap size increases allowing entry of liquid and dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into a separate mirror base cap assembly, allowing the main opening in the mirror base cover to be larger for easier assembly, while the cap assembly provides the precise sealing function to prevent liquid and dirt entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror base cap assembly serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the larger opening (for easy assembly) and the need for tight sealing (to prevent liquid and dirt entry). It accommodates the larger opening while providing the necessary seal.
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 simplifies the assembly process, reduces wear, and ensures reliable sealing against liquid and dirt, maintaining a high-quality impression during pivoting movements of the exterior rear view mirror.
Implementation Method 1
a seal made of an elastic, soft component, which closes at least one gap between the edge of the opening and the mirror base cap
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror base cover for an exterior rear view mirror assembly of a motor vehicle is described, which is provided with an opening for a part on the mirror base side of an articulated connection of a base bracket, which is preferably housed in an exterior rear view mirror housing, to a mirror base, which is covered by the mirror base cover. The opening has a larger design than is necessary for the part on the mirror base side of the articulated connection. A section of the opening remaining between the edge of the opening and the part on the mirror base side of the articulated connection is closed by a mirror base cap assembly. The mirror base cap assembly consists of a mirror base cap, only partly covering the remaining section of the opening, and a seal, moulded onto the mirror base cap, overlapping a gap remaining between the mirror base cap and the edge of the opening. The mirror base cap extends at least partly to the edge of the opening, so that contact between the mirror base cap and the edge of the opening is made, at least in places.