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

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different wing mirror shapesVSAvoidbracket structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability to curved edgesVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the clamps are adjusted separately, then individual positioning is possible, but the mirror assembly may obtain an unwanted oblique orientation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of clamp adjustmentVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9766428B2Mirror assembly with adjustable fastening
Publication Date: 2017.09.19 REICH GMBH
  • US9766428B2 patent drawing
  • US9766428B2 patent drawing
  • US9766428B2 patent drawing

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.