Vehicle Mirror Bezel Hinge Assembly for Serviceable Rear View Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rear view mirror assemblies for motor vehicles face challenges in consistent assembly and disassembly without damaging components, and require specialized tools, limiting ease of service and configuration.

Innovation Solution

A hinge connection between the bezel assembly and the lower casing element, with snap, latch, and clip connections, allows for rotation and clipping to form sub-assemblies, enabling easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining the integrity of reflective elements, and allowing for late configuration of legal glass types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rigid connection methods are used for mirror assemblies, then structural stability is improved, but assembly and disassembly complexity increases and requires specialized tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mirror assembly is divided into modular components (mirror head, housing, reflective element) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The hinge connection separates the rotational movement function from the reflective element, allowing the assembly to be segmented into functional modules that can be serviced independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge connection introduces dynamic capability to the mirror assembly, allowing rotational movement between the bezel assembly and lower casing element. This dynamic joint enables easy assembly and disassembly through controlled rotation while maintaining structural stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If specialized tools are used for assembly, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and service difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidtool requirement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge connection with snap, latch, and clip mechanisms enables self-aligning and self-securing during assembly. The components are designed to automatically engage and lock into position through the rotational movement, eliminating the need for specialized alignment tools or complex fastening procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional mechanical fastening systems requiring specialized tools are replaced with a hinge-based snap-fit mechanism. The connection relies on elastic deformation and geometric interlocking rather than threaded fasteners or precision-machined joints, simplifying the tooling requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If reflective elements are permanently fixed, then structural integrity is improved, but adaptability and serviceability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective element is segmented from the housing structure through the hinge connection, allowing it to be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation maintains the structural integrity of each component while enabling adaptability through easy interchangeability of the reflective element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge connection provides dynamic access to the reflective element, allowing it to be rotated into position for installation or removal. This dynamic mechanism maintains secure attachment during operation while enabling easy service and configuration changes when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple mirror assembly variants are produced, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemirror assembly variantsVSAvoidassembly line efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge connection serves multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling rotational movement, facilitating assembly and disassembly, and allowing configuration changes. This universal mechanism can accommodate different reflective element types and housing configurations without requiring specialized assembly procedures for each variant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The modular segmented design allows different combinations of mirror heads, housings, and reflective elements to be assembled using the same hinge connection mechanism. This standardization across variants reduces manufacturing complexity and enables efficient assembly line production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11325534B2Assembly, method for assembling and disassembling such an assembly, and external rear view device and vehicle with such an assembly

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 SMR PATENTS S A R L

AI summary

An assembly includes a head assembly for an external rear view device to be attached to a motor vehicle, a lower casing element, an upper casing element, an articulation assembly, a bezel assembly for carrying at least one rear view element, and a hinge connection between the bezel assembly and a first sub assembly provided by at least the lower casing, the articulation assembly and attachment means with the articulation assembly being mounted on the attachment means or the attachment means being mounted on the articulation assembly.