Mirror Assembly Bracket with Pivoting Hinge for Curved Wing Mirrors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mirror assemblies for vehicle wing mirrors are not adaptable to mirrors with non-square, curved shapes, as the fixed orientation of clamps makes them unsuitable for adjustment to curved edges, leading to laborious and potentially oblique mounting.
Innovation Solution
A mirror assembly with a pivoting hinge between bracket parts allows symmetrical angular adjustment of clamps, ensuring proper orientation, and a locking mechanism for stable fixation, using a jointed bar with a ball joint or flexible elements for secure attachment to the mirror head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both clamps are fixedly provided at the bracket part facing away from the mirror head, then the structure is simple, but the mirror assembly cannot be adjusted to fit curved or non-square wing mirror shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into multiple bracket parts connected by a pivoting means, allowing each part to be independently positioned. This segmentation enables the bracket to adapt to different wing mirror shapes while maintaining structural simplicity through modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket parts are made dynamically adjustable through the pivoting means, transitioning from a fixed structure to one that can change its configuration. This allows the same bracket design to fit various wing mirror shapes by adjusting the relative positions of the bracket parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If both clamps are made adjustable separately, then the mirror assembly can fit different wing mirror shapes, but the adjustment process becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanisms of both clamps are merged into a single pivoting means. By pivoting one hinge, both bracket parts and their attached clamps are adjusted simultaneously, reducing the adjustment process from two separate operations to one unified action.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket parts automatically maintain symmetrical angular pivoting relative to each other through the pivoting means. This self-servicing mechanism ensures that when one clamp is adjusted, the other clamp adjusts correspondingly, eliminating the need for manual coordination of both clamps.
3Ease of operation
If the clamps are adjusted separately, then individual positioning is possible, but the mirror assembly may obtain an unwanted oblique orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket parts are designed with asymmetrical pivot connections that inherently guide them into symmetrical angular positions relative to each other. This asymmetric design at the pivot level creates symmetric outcomes in the final clamp orientation, ensuring proper alignment without requiring precise manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting means provides mechanical feedback that guides the bracket parts into the correct symmetrical orientation. As the parts are adjusted, the pivoting mechanism naturally resists or facilitates movement based on the current orientation, providing tactile feedback that indicates when the correct alignment is achieved.
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror assembly (1) includes a mirror head (4), a bracket (5) fastened to the mirror head, and fastening elements (6) located at the bracket at a distance from the mirror head and connectable to the wing mirror (2) of a vehicle (3). The bracket has bracket parts (7, 8) joined in a longitudinal direction and mutually connected through a pivoting element (9), wherein a bracket part (7) faces towards the mirror head (4) relatively to the pivoting element and another bracket part (8) faces away from the mirror head (4) relatively to the pivoting element. Because one of the fastening elements is located at the bracket part (7) facing the mirror head and another of the fastening elements is located at the bracket part (8) facing away from the mirror head, the mutual orientation of the fastening elements can be adjusted to the exterior shape of the wing mirror.


